Day 1 of the Red Wolf Moon

"aaAah…" Santaniel reached his arms into the sky and felt his lats strain, they felt tighter than usual today. And his legs felt heavier… Wait… 'Ah shit.' He leaned down and kissed Edelgard on the top of her head, "Hey, c'mon, gotta get up. We fell asleep here, Hubert is probably throwing a fit right now." The small heir stirred in her sleep and glanced up at him, eyes heavy with fatigue, "Hm?"

"You're still at my house El."

"Oh… Oh!" She pushed herself up and brought her face a bit closer than what she thought she would, bumping Santaniel's chin. He giggled as he held it, "Hey, it's ok. Slow down and think it through. If I'm right, we woke up about an hour before school starts, which gives us… thirty minutes before Robert wakes up for his morning rounds on the island. Let's hurry up and get you out before we both suffer teasing for the next year-"

"Don't worry. This'll just ensure you help me with that job this month bud."

"Damn it." Santaniel sighed and leaned his head back, hazel eyes pleading towards Xavien. "I'll do the job, just don't pipe up about this, ok?" The assassin smiled and nodded, leaning on the bookcase, "Go ahead and grab breakfast Edelgard. I already made some scrambled eggs and sliced fruit for me and Sant here. Me and my brother here have to discuss the upcoming job…"

Edelgard nodded and squeezed Santaniel's left hand, standing to stretch and leave. "So, how was the night?"

"Shut it. And keep it down about the job, Varley is a Noble of the Empire and the future Empress is in the kitchen." Xavien rolled his eyes and shook his head, "That was careless Sant. You aren't Chris, we don't even know if you're curable."

"Can't know until we try." The shorter man shrugged and spoke again, "Fair enough. The only attempt we'll have on the guy is tonight, you'll be infiltrating as a servant in training. You'll have enough room for two sets of daggers and your axes, be careful and remember-"

Santaniel sighed and repeated the phrase he so often used for his job, "Isolate the target like you'd isolate the sick chicken from the flock, and then the sick head from the chicken's body. Why are you so morbid with it anyways?" Xavien shrugged, "Eh, parents were into their horror stories and folk tales of other continents. Rubbed off." Santaniel nodded and rolled his shoulders, "Alright. You have a location I can come from that doesn't immediately look suspicious?"

"You think I'm an amateur? Of course. Go tell your-" Santaniel dropped a glare and lightning crackled on his fingertips, and small kicks of the air moving made Xavien think of his next words very carefully. "Go tell Edelgard that you won't be available today, and ask her to pass the message along to Byleth."

The crackling subsided and Santaniel smiled, "Better. And I will. You owe me after this." Xavien rolled his eyes, "Something money can't pay back I assume?"

"Yep!"

———

Santaniel grimaced as he picked at his suit collar, straightening up as he was called upon by the gremlin of a man named Count Varley. "You! What's your name?" Santaniel set his teeth and lied through them, "Jason Alana, sir."

"Hmph, a dirty foreigner then." Santaniel straightened his shoulders and made his eyes glazed, feigning obedience. "I'm here to work as a servant, sir. I have experience as a cook and I can do most types of harsh labor." Varley looked him up and down, peering at his arms and legs, seemingly trying to search his body rather than his eyes. Santaniel could read his and this little man better pray to the Goddess that he meets a quick end.

Heh, like that'd happen.

Varley led him through the manor, constantly grunting out lousy information and complaining about his useless daughter. Santaniel rolled his eyes discretely and clicked his heels at attention when Varley turned to him, "You said you can cook boy?"

"Yes sir-"

"That's a woman's job."

Wow. This was an absolute asshole, he looked over the hall and noticed a suit of armor with a great sword sheathed on its hip. "Sir, you appear to have something on your face. You should take a look in the mirror and wipe it off." The man grunted and waddled over to mirror, staring into it while picking at his thick skin, totally absorbed in his pencil thin, purple mustache. He started preening it like he would to his wings.

Santaniel walked over and unstrapped the sword, the pungent smell of venom hitting his nose, the man started asking him a question as he walked back over.

"Eh, where is that… Smudge… You m-mentioned-" Varley looked up and witnessed the swirl of colors in Santaniel's eyes, looking down in the mirror at him, the smell of poison wrapping around the man's head, "The stain is you on your land."

———

Santaniel heaved him through the mirror, the goblin screaming for help in a feeble attempt to save himself. Who the hell would save this man? The only way he would is if he had a massive paycheck awaiting him at the end of the month. Too bad he didn't, eh?

"I-I'll give you anything you want! Just let me live!" Santaniel glared through him, his glowing eyes affixing him in place as Santaniel raised the great sword, the suit straining but holding under the motion. He had to admit, Xavien had found an amazing tailor! He'd have to visit them again as the half breed drew the sword down and across the Count's throat, blood gushing out like the rapids of a river breaking at rocks. "Hmph. Never make your offers to a man for forgiveness. Try the Goddess next time."

———

Day 4 of the Red Wolf Moon

"Did you guys hear?! Count Varley disappeared!" Xavien snickered, he already knew how Santaniel disposed of him, "Huh, wonder if he'll show back up."

———

Day 7 of the Red Wolf Moon

"Hello Professor." Lysithea took the right side of Byleth, listening to Manuela as she gave a debrief on their mission, "It seems that there's an illness spreading in Remire…" As Manuela continued, she looked over to her Professor and noticed a small sweat building on his brow, it seemed he wasn't doing so well… She tugged on his sleeve and he broke his concentration from Manuela and Shamir's conversation to ask, "Yes Lysithea?"

"You seem like you're getting paler, you're sweating too." Byleth shook his head, "I'm fine. Remire was a village we visited often to find jobs, and my father Jeralt is fond of their residents. You could say I'm feeling a bit under the weather as of late, due to this."

"Ah, I see." Lysithea returned her attention to Manuela as she started speaking to Byleth, "Ah, Professor. I would like to request that I assist you with your class. I see you aren't feeling very well, so me and Hephaestus can help ease the workload, especially with the Magic students. It'll leave you with more time for students that will be leading the rest of your troops."

"Thank you Manuela, I accept your offer." Lysithea pouted a bit, upset that her time would be taken away from her Professor, an idea crossing her mind, "Oh, Professor! Do you believe I could start my sword and tactics lessons? I have already completed the Black Magic and Faith lessons you've assigned me."

"Of course Lysithea. I'd be happy to assist my star pupil." The blush that colored her cheeks didn't leave for the next hour.

———

Day 10 of the Red Wolf Moon

Santaniel hummed as he read from his Crestology book, lounging on top of a tall bookshelf while Xavien studied up on Sreng sword wielding technique. Arti had told Santaniel to study up on his Crest of Macuil, and on most other Crests so he could learn about the gems he had at his disposal. Seemed they had properties that others could use if the Crests were major.

"Santaniel." The half breed turned his head to the left, staring at Edelgard, "Yes?" Hubert was at her side, looking at him with disgust, he started opening his mouth to say something but it was cut off at the head by Xavien, "How do we have the same job, but I still perform mine ten times better, with being ten times less annoying?" Santaniel snickered at the remark, Hubert delivering a glancing glare to the assassin, "What ya need El?"

"I came to debrief the mission, you missed the scheduled meeting." Santaniel peaked his eyebrow, "Huh? Do you guys have some stupid clock realignment like Brigid does?"

"Yes? Isn't that common practice-"

"Not on the island. We run on a different schedule than you guys do time wise, we're always up two hours earlier and go to bed an hour later. Just has to do with our responsibilities." Edelgard nodded at Xavien, watching him flick to the next page indifferent of their royal company. "Anyways, Santaniel-"

"One second, Hubert, your family was supposed to inherit a Crest from the Saints, right?" Hubert stared at him with disbelief, it seemed he knew something that only the Vestra's did. "How did you-"

"I have the Crest of Ernest, and this book here from Abyss says there was a fifth Saint, but they supposedly died during the war. It seems this might be the hatred you have towards me. I mean, a commoner from a foreign island has a Crest, but not the heir to House Vestra? No wonder you get so grouchy around me."

Edelgard blinked twice, the signal for her processing information, and she spoke. "That can be a discussion for another time. Macuil was supposed to also grant a noble a Crest, but he refused as he supposedly hated those he worked with, and left shortly after the war. However, we will be going to Remire Village at the end of the month to investigate the illness currently running rampant there. Most of the infected have been quarantined. Please be prepared."

"Gotcha, want to join me at the fishing pond today? I was planning on using the kitchen today, and Bernadetta, nor Byleth, are available to help out." Edelgard let a thin smile trickle onto her lips, just a small tug of her lips and she answered with a yes, leaving with Hubert to carry out their business for the day.

"Love bird."

"Not my fault I have connections. What about Raphael, don't you have his attention like a plate of porterhouse and quail?"

"Shut it."

———

Xavien couldn't have connections like most people. He was an assassin. He couldn't afford weaknesses and liabilities to put in danger, the only reason he was associated with Santaniel, Arti, and Hephaestus were because they were dangerous on their own. They didn't need his help. So why the hell did he decide to take Raphael on as an apprentice?

"Ok. So, I want you to choose between these two contracts. One is less descriptive, the guy is shady, but he pays up front. The other is much more descriptive, has a good rep, but you won't get the money until you bring the captive in alive." Raphael sat back and thought for a few moments, staring at the table in concentration. Xavien hummed as he thought, it was better to think hard and long than quickly and stupidly, he taught him that first.

"I'd choose the second one. If I can avoid-"

"Wrong. If you wish to work as an assassin, you never bring a captive in alive. They'll remember your face and that leaves you open and puts a fat, red target on your back." Raphael nodded and hung his head, huffing, "Hey. Remember what else I said?"

"Quick, quiet, never leave a trace?"

"Yes. But not what I meant. Never hang your head, never beat yourself up. You can let others do it if you get caught."

———

Day 10 of the Red Wolf Moon

"Hephaestus. You should put the drink down." Arti rarely spoke to anyone but Hephaestus and Santaniel, so when they were alone, it was a bit louder than usual with Arti's dampening presence.

He typically avoided parties.

Hephaestus looked over at him, a glum look on his face, "Why? We're heading to Remire. The family that housed me after my kidnapping has all caught that damn illness. It's the only thing taking my mind off this."

"You can join me and Marianne for our meditation in the gardens."

"Thanks Arti. I'll hook up with you later." The small man nodded and walked through the mirror, bumping into Xavien who looked stressed, "Hey Arti, sorry, gotta head to the island. I forgot my short sword and Felix wanted a spar, so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to embarrass him!" Arti rolled his eyes and let the man pass by, walking slowly through the monastery grounds. He spotted many couples and how happy they were with each other, causing a small flicker of a smile underneath his mask, 'Seems love is blooming… Better than that illness.'

"Oi! Arti!" Santaniel rustled his shoulder, "Hey. I got ya a gift. I know you've been struggling with your sleep lately, so I got you this." He handed Santaniel a couple boxes of tea and one of coffee, he wasn't the biggest fan of coffee… But he supposed that was more or less for Hephaestus. "Thank you Santaniel. Are you and Edelgard spending the day together again?"

"No. Today is my errands day, I'm heading back to the marketplace to pick up baking supplies and some spices." Arti noticed Santaniel's hair up in a small bun, pointing at it, "Oh, I was doing my garden work earlier. Guess I didn't notice, thanks for pointing it out." Santaniel pulled the band out and rustled it up, the brown top overtaking the silver roots. "Anyways, enjoy your day with Marianne." Santaniel gave him a side hug, just a quick squeeze, "Don't get in trouble Sant."

"I know, I know. Now get going!" Arti tucked the boxes underneath his arm as he walked forward, passing by several of the students from other classes. He finally arrived at the gardens, Marianne already having set up some tea, Arti walked over with a brisk pace, smiling with his eyes towards Marianne. 'Good afternoon.'

"We have to speak Marianne. We can't just keep using scry. It'll become your habit." She nodded and eyed the boxes of tea, Arti already answering, "Santaniel."

———

Day 16 of the Red Wolf Moon

"Santaniel?"

"Yes?" The half breed was working out with Raphael and Balthus, both of them pushing him harder than he had thought of previously. "Need something?"

"Have you seen Monica?"

"Ugh, that gremlin. I think I saw her in the entrance hall with some kids from the Blue Lions' house. Ingrid and Sylvain are suspicious of her too, may wanna go get her off of them."

"Of course."

———

"Monica. Do you think you could join me in the courtyard? I would like to speak with you."

"Of course Edel!"

'Little demon…'

The red haired woman followed Edelgard closely, her breath the only sound in the empty courtyard. "Do you mind telling me why you have been so social with other students, even though your little 'act' was a shy girl. One that didn't like to speak very much. You're dangerously close to blowing your cover, Hilda Valentine is already onto you. Keep yourself under wraps, is that understood?"

Monica, no, Kronya, smiled at her devilishly, "Oh? Maybe I should spend more time with Santaniel then, he has a very nice body that I'd love to explore~" She licked her lips and Edelgard shuddered at the process of taking over one's body the skin walking Agarthan's used. It could be described as a succubus consuming their prey.

"If you make a move on any of the Black Eagle classmates, I will not hesitate to execute you." Monica smiled, leaning in close, her breath hot on Edelgard's face, "Someone's jealous…"

"Yes. It's you. Santaniel is already mine."

The look on Monica's face was more than worth letting the secret spill to her.

———

Year Two of the Hero War

"Macuil you are-"

"No! I am not Seiros! They killed my sister. She sacrificed herself to save me and these… disgustingHUMANS!" Macuil was frantic, he had held Ernest's body after she had been shot, not able to find her after the battle. "You are being irrational, she must have simply fled."

"Where to Seiros?! Where?! Answer me! Forget it! I refuse to defile my legacy, nor my own blood with these humans!" Macuil whipped around, his robes billowing like sheets in a morning breeze, "I shall hide your blood in Sreng. No one will find it there. I'm sorry Macuil, I truly am."

"Say that to Ernest Amaryllis. Not a word is to be spoken about her in this war. These humans do not deserve her memory."

———

Day 20 of the Red Wolf Moon

"Hephaestus, Manuela wanted to see you." The man nodded glumly, a sullen look on his face, the man had been drinking most of the month. Shocking to see his liver was still functioning. Byleth made him swear off his drinking, why did he suck so much with hiding his own secrets? Speaking of secrets… "Hey Hephaestus, what was my mom's last name again?"

"Hic Amaryllis… Shiiiit… Ugh, whatever. Come and see me when I'm not drunk off my own pity." Santaniel smiled and nodded, this was usually how Santaniel got information from his brothers. "Seriously though, Manuela wants to see you, said she needed help in the sick bay?"

"Alright. Have a good day bud."

"You too." The half breed watched as Hephaestus left and sighed a breath of relief as he did, he needed to explore the labs somewhat. He picked up his Holy Twins and his venin great sword… He needed a name for it… Leistrung. Power. "Hey I'm heading to the labs, if I'm not home by sunset assume I'm dead!"

No response came, so he left the house with his two weapons, power thrumming through his body. "So, how should I start rummaging…"

Santaniel rolled up his sleeves and started tossing aside rubble, useless papers that consisted of rambling, and shattered pieces of fabricated Crest stones. "Damn things are useless… Wait, is that my birth record?"

Santaniel pulled the file from the drawer, flipping its pages, "Ok, so…" He read over the information that he already knew, his name, birthdate, parents- Wait. "Lisa Alana… Hephaestus said Amaryllis was my mother's last name though? So, if these idiots were Agarthans, the likelihood is that Lisa was a false name. Just another question I assume."

He kept reading, skimming the pages describing his birth, eyes latching to hair color, "Since when was my hair green..? Hephaestus and Arti said it was always brown before the experiments… They're hiding something. Who were you mom?" Santaniel sighed and flipped through more files, eventually finding his father, Horus' files. "Ok, so, if the guys are being entirely honest, it'll say that he had the Crest of Ernest. He supposedly inherited it through his parents."

He took a deep breath and said a silent prayer in Brigid, eyes lowering down the page, "Ok… GODDESS DAMN IT!" He slammed the folder down and stamped his foot in frustration, "Does everyone hide shit from me?!" His father was Crestless, and so were his ancestors. That means his mother had the Crest of Ernest… Green hair, a major Crest of a Saint, Amaryllis… He'd heard it somewhere damn it! Something is adding up, but- 'What was that?'

He heard something creak, he was underground and animals avoided this place like the plague. He needed to get out of here or find a place to hide.

Surprise is more valuable than strength.

Santaniel picked up the files and the crate with the rest of them inside, bolting to the exit. There was a soul here, but they had to leave through the mirror… He summoned a scry and tracked their soul with the spell, he recognized it, but adrenaline was taking over.

They were approaching.

Santaniel unsheathed Leistrung, biting his tongue behind a corner while they crossed his face. He lunged out and brought the blunt end of the great sword across their throat, "Who are you and why did you follow me?" There was one small drawback with Scry, it typically made it so you couldn't see the physical world, but instead the ethereal plane where the soul resided. You could still hear, could still feel, hell even taste, but sight was something only Arti possessed on this plane.

"S-Santaniel?"

"El?" Santaniel's sight returned to normal after a moment, glancing down at the future Empress, "I'm sorry… But why the hell did you follow me here?" The woman tried crafting a lie on the fly, but it didn't hit the target, "I came to see you, Hephaestus said you were here-"

"Hephaestus is absolutely wasted right now. Try again, and if you don't answer truthfully I'm gonna be severely upset." He sheathed Leistrung and crossed his arms over his chest, a glare settling on his features. "I… I came to…" She sighed and looked away from his hard gaze, "I was too curious what it was like here. I didn't expect you to be here, it's why I came when no one else was around."

"That's better. C'mon, nothing good ever happened here."

"You were born here."

"I'm on the fence whether that was good or not still."

———

Day 25 of the Red Wolf Moon

Bernadetta and Felix grimaced at the scene unfolding in front of them, sheer panic setting into some of the unit's bones. She couldn't blame them either.

"It's ok Bernadetta. I'm here with you." She nodded, urging her horse onwards toward the burning wreckage, "Promise me you'll be ok."

"We'll be ok."

———

Hephaestus took a deep breath, he hated this. He was seeing a recreation of what happened when he was too young to understand what was happening… His family was dying. His home was burning. His eyes were stinging with tears… But at least he had his new family to help him fight through this.

He urged Gizmo forward, the sounds of fighting already breaking out, and he summoned a Meteor to attack a faraway unit. "It's ok Giz, just steadily forward." The Wolf was growing wary of somethi- No. That was wrong. It was growing weary of someone. "Manuela, can you see that person over there?" He pointed from atop his Beast, straight at an elderly man's face. "No sweetie. I'm afraid not, who is it?"

"It's Tomas." The old man's voice was louder than expected, booming over the battlefield with what he assumed to be some type of vocal enhancer. That or the man was purely packing lung capacity for days.

"You filthy monkeys! You dare interrupt I, Solon-"

No. He wouldn't see this bastard do anymore harm to people he loved. It was time for Gizmo's dinner. "Hiyah!" The pale, Agarthan scientist continued to speak whilst Santaniel and Arti dealt with the Death Knight, seemingly the two of them had it handled. Xavien was more than likely off who knows where, stealing valuables from chests around the village. "Solon!"

"Ah, my young prodigy."

"Don't you dare speak as if you were on remotely the same level as Horus you bastard!" Hephaestus casted Bolganone on the mage, cracking the ethereal barrier he used to protect himself from Hephaestus' rage.

It only made him angrier, flames licking at his shoulders and finger tips still. "You'll die Solon!" Gizmo launched at the mage, sheer flames licking at Hephaestus' skin as the magic coursed through him, bringing his Ember Spear down on the mage who tried to ward him off. "Hmph, my trial here is already complete. I have my results. You should check on your family Hephaestus…"

"No, does that mean…"

His family was the first to contract the virus. Despite what the man said about his experiment being able to take place anywhere he pleased. He has specifically targeted Hephaestus' family.

Goddess help this man who dared defile their memory.

———

Day 26 of the Red Wolf Moon

"Hey Hephaestus. I know this is sudden, but I have a question about my mom."

"Come in." Santaniel creaked the door open, the man had been a shut in for the majority of the day, he needed some company. "What do you want to know?" Santaniel eyed the bottle by his bed, deciding to leave the subject at rest, he could scold him for his alcoholic behavior next month. "It's, you guys haven't been entirely honest with me. I found her file in the labs, who, and more importantly, what, was she?"

"Your mother Lisa was many things… Kind, happy, cheerful, the absolute light of your father's life! Though, you should know something Santaniel… Your mother wasn't human. She was a Nabatean, an ancient race that lived for millennia, they wanted me to wait until you found out for yourself, so here we are." Santaniel felt something lift off his shoulders, he understood now why he was so different from his family now.

He was something no one else was before him, and probably the last one too. He was a half breed, a Nabatean.

If he wanted the legacy of his parents to live on, he would have to as well. Time to find out some answer.

———

Day 28 of the Red Wolf Moon

"Hey Flayn, do you mind helping me sigh this for Seteth's birthday? I don't know your guys' last name, so I was just wondering."

"Oh! Of course! Thank you for being so thoughtful as to keep him in mind. Our last name is Amaryllis."

"Thanks for telling me then cousin."

Hey guys! I'm not dead! I just needed a break. Sorry for the long wait on this chapter, and I hope to continue my previous pace of material and take it to a higher degree, love you!

--Guardian