Day 19 of the Ethereal Moon

"She'd like the salmon please." Felix tapped his fingers on the table while Bernadetta was as close as possible to him. "You ok Bernadetta? We can always take it somewhere else."

"N-No. I'm fine. Arti and Marianne have been talking me through social situations. Plus, my father is no longer here, he can't hurt me." Felix nodded and remembered the funeral she had to attend for the man. He had been declared dead a couple months ago, only a week after she had told Xavien. It must have been someone else though, he had been training with the assassin the entire day.

Now that he thought about it… Santaniel had to run errands that day. When was the last time he had seen him run errands on any day that it wasn't Saturday? The man kept a cracked down schedule during the week, everything but Sunday was planned. He even made his own maps of the school, though, he said that he did it more so to implement the intricate designs of the monastery into his own architecture one day.

"Honey?" Felix looked down at her small figure and his heart melted again, "Yes?" She pointed at a figure in the crowd, and it seemed she didn't care much for them. Now that he looked closer… It was her mother. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head, "It's ok. Remember the breathing exercises that Marianne taught you, and if need be, we can leave. Ok?"

"T-... Thank you Felix. Really, thank you."

"I wouldn't force you to do anything if I didn't think you could handle it with care and precision."

"Hehe."

———

"Lady Edelgard, may I ask what you are looking for in particular?" Her kitchen staff had been granted a hefty raise at her request, and it seemed they really appreciated her now. "Preferably something hearty. Most of the students and teachers eat quite a lot of food, and for the dessert, refrain from the sour side. At most it should be tangy."

Her head chef nodded and took the rest of the kitchen staff to gather the ingredients for whatever he had in mind. Edelgard sighed and took her small sack of gold into her hand, "I need something Santaniel would like… But he doesn't seem very particular in what he loves. I mean hell, he's bisexual. He likes everything!" She sighed again and started walking through the crowd and eventually eyed Xavien.

He was either just strolling or on a job. Either way, it was none of her business. She watched him walk into a bookstore and a small spark was struck in her brain. 'He complained that the library had almost no novels, or at least a good selection. Maybe I could find something he's never read?' She took a tentative step forward, then another stronger one. She was tempted to ask Xavien, but would-

"Hey Edelgard."

'Oh.'

"Hello Xavien. Do you mind if I ask what you're doing here?" The man turned and shrugged, "Information for information. What are you doing here first." It wasn't a question, he had the leverage and he knew that. "I'm trying to find an appropriate gift for Santaniel for his… Party tomorrow."

"Well, you can probably stop looking. He hates his birthday, and he blames himself for his parent's death. Unless you can feel like you can get him to accept it, then go ahead. He's a hopeless romantic, got it from Hephaestus, so take a look at those novels over there. As for me, I'm looking for more Crestology books, the kid needs a cure for his second Crest before he turns, oh, let's say…"

He tilted his head back and thought for a couple moments, "He turns seventeen in two days so, by the time he is twenty five, twent six is being generous." Edelgard nodded and grit her teeth, "I see. If you might let me, I can suggest some for you." He shrugged, already picking up a stack of each in the tent, "I have a large bank account from a couple recent jobs, I got everything I could. I'm gonna run by Abyss in about a month and see if I can find something there. Nothing is ever as it seems in that place, found that out while talking to Yuri."

He gave a boisterous laugh and slid a sack of gold toward the merchant, nodding as he left. She blinked a couple times, processing what just happened, and walked over to the romantic novels. She had no idea what to make of the idea that someone with so little life left could give the presence of never dying. He was someone who exudes life like the sun exuded sun.

And in the mind of the Agarthan's, he was simply a stepping stone to make her more powerful.

———

Day 20 of the Ethereal Moon

"Great. Nightmares. Again." Santaniel threw off his covers and rubbed his eyes, stretching his aching arms. Seemed his body was storing up energy to grow again. Go figure eh? He heard a light knock and threw on his jacket to at least cover most of himself. "Come in." A lady servant walked in and told him he had a bath ready, "Ok. Thank you ma'am. Have a nice day." When she left and closed the door, he flopped back down on his bed, sighing as felt the cold fabric against his skin.

"They tell me that it wasn't my fault. I know it's not true. But why can't I just believe it?!" He grabbed a pillow and groaned into it loudly. 'Ok. Just get through the next two days, and you're in the clear for another year.'

He rolled off his bed and grabbed some more casual clothes, just his typical school wear. He threw his shirt from yesterday on and slipped on some slippers. He took a comb and the towel on the door handle. He searched the towel for anything, poisons the main issue.

Xavien tended to be more cautious in the presence of nobles. He knew that even Edelgard's family wouldn't be exempt, so may as well keep the practice up.

He walked down the long corridor, the torches still burning as the sun rose. He stopped to gaze at it as he passed a giant, rose colored window. The light was golden and it painted him in a blood red light. It was beautiful. He loved this city. His small time in it, it made him feel like he was living in his own novel. Perhaps someone would write about him one day.

———

Santaniel stepped up and out of the tub, splattering some water on the floor as he grabbed his towel. He enjoyed the water, but he wanted to get out and see the city from above.

He dried off and drained the tub, leaving a small piece of gold on the counter. He pulled his clothes on and draped his jacket over his arms. "Let's fly," He made sure no one was coming from either direction, and took a running start at the balcony.

With a low, horizontal jump over the railing, his wings unfurled and he flashed as they caught the wind underneath them and he raised high above the city under its golden light.

He could finally breathe for the first time in a month.

Santaniel soared over the city and let his dragon blood flow, his entire body flashing with the green and purple light of his transformation. His wings stretched further, his talons moved more freely, his scales felt harder than diamonds. Only one more day until he grew even further.

The last six or so years, he had always grown quite a bit on his birthday. He almost always never did during the year, and it all released on that day. It was a strange phenomenon. It certainly wasn't normal for a human, but maybe for whatever his mother was. He had no idea what he was, that's for sure. His brothers said his mother was a Saint, but, that's impossible, right?

His mother was Lisa Amaryllis. That didn't explain the similarities between her, Flayn, and Seteth though. He had an idea, but… Ugh, why does his life have to be so damn confusing? He mindlessly glided over the city as he was absorbed in his thoughts, climbing a bit higher to not be seen. 'If my mother's name is Amaryllis, has the same green hair as Seteth, Rhea, and Flayn, who are awful actors for their age. She had a Holy Weapon, the supposedly lost Crest of Ernest, and my brothers say she's a Saint… That means it has to be true. It all lines up too well to not be true.' He looked down and realized he had flown… 'Oh no.'

He had been flying faster than he realized. He was now just over Lake Tetuates, 'Didn't Linhardt mention something about this place? Some kind of Beast lived here.' He landed down on a pillar of the lake, and it seemed to be some kind of temple. "Huh, wonder what's going on here?"

Santaniel spied several armed soldiers, they weren't battalions, but they didn't seem weak. Not in the slightest. "Who dares trespass here?" The half breed nearly fell off his pillar as he listened to a loud, grumbling voice boom over the vast lake. "What the hell?!" Santaniel dodged an arrow streaking past his face, followed by him jumping over a couple Saggitae, staring down at the faceless men who fired at him. "Guess this'll be fun."

———

"Has anyone seen Santaniel?" Edelgard was searching for the star of the party, it seemed he snuck out somewhere. "No. He's probably out causing trouble at the market." She nodded at Arti and Xavien, having come to them for answers. They had both been relaxing in the expansive royal library. "Well, some of the citizens are reporting that a man flew off a balcony, sprouted wings, and flew off across the city."

"Ah. I see he's making that kind of trouble. What direction did they say?" Xavien clapped his book closed and looked towards her, waiting earnestly for her answer. "Towards Lake Tetuates."

Xavien and Arti groaned loudly, "We'll be back before the party." Edelgard nodded and continued on with her preparations. Seemed he was doing something.

———

He was doing something alright. Not something he expected from today though! Santaniel unstrapped Leistrung from his back and sliced through a couple mages firing at him from across the lake. "Ok. Well, at least I'm working my-" He rolled back and took off into the air again, having avoided some type of spell. It seemed like scalding water, it'd hurt to even touch it. Much less get hit with magic charged plumes of it. He turned, staring at the massive terrapin on a pedestal. "I think I'm stressing out too much, because there is no way something that big exists."

"You… You are something I have not witnessed for a very long time." Santaniel cocked his head to the side and let Leistrung melt into his body, the Venin steel and Umbral Steel hilt meshing into his body like his Holy Twins would. "Yeah, and I guess I can show you some new things." He flashed his double Crests and floated over the Beast, "Let me beat some information out of you Indech."

The momentary guess gave him an opening of surprise, Indech narrowing his eyes and glaring at him. "How do you know me child-"

"Shatter!" He absorbed the adrenaline from the past month and crashed into its head. His talons gripped scales and ripped, spilling green ichor to the ground and into the water below. Indech attempted to shake him off, but Santaniel took advantage of the momentum and threw his weight down with the movement. With his increased strength, he ripped up and tossed the beast into a pillar, it held, but just barely.

He moved The Immovable.

"Santi!" The boy transformed back into his human form and barely caught Leistrung from dropping into the lake, sheathing it and looking back at his brothers. "Hey." Arti and Xavien looked up at Indech, "Huh. Seemed you had fun."

"Of course. I always do." Santaniel motioned for Arti to help him heal Indech. They worked together and casted Recover and Heal on the wounds Santaniel had made. "So… I got some questions for ya big boy. My mom was supposedly Ernest, and I heard that you were quite kind to people during the war. Maybe you can help… Your sister's," He turned his head to Xavien and he offered nothing but a shrug. "Yeah, sister's, son. What was she like? What was her deal with disappearing?"

Indech looked at him, his Crest stone had been cracked. He needed a stronger Heal. "Xavien, go get Flayn. We need some stronger healing, and Arti, go get Marianne. She's good with-" He cut himself off and gazed sheepishly at the beast. "Sorry."

"I take no offense. Leave humans. I shall talk to my nephew in peace, and then leave to the bottom of the lake." Santaniel nodded and let his brothers leave, no doubt would they tell Edelgard, Byleth, and Hephaestus about the events. Guess he would get chewed out after this. "Your mother… She was my little sister, elder only to Saint Cihol. She was very protective, we believed she died during the war with Nemesis while protecting Macuil. Since you have the power to transform, you are still only a youngling. Or, you are very powerful."

Santaniel looked up and nodded, "Yes, I'm only turning seventeen in the next two days. It will also be the… The thirteenth anniversary of my parents' deaths. They died while protecting me from Agarthan's then, I still blame myself for their deaths." Indech nudged him and shook his head, causing small dribbles of blood to flick onto his face.

He shivered.

"Young one, you are simply an unfortunate victim of that race's cruelty. I know it is not much, but I would like to grant you a gift. You are only a couple years away from your coming of age, and I suspect I won't have the opportunity to see you again to grant you this."

"Thank you, Uncle. You have no idea how much the information about my mom means to me. There's one last question I have for you though." Santaniel patted his legs and found a small booklet he kept for information and class. He rarely used it outside of class, but it was crammed with his notes about lectures. "I need a way to remove a Crest. If I don't, I'll die in less than a decade." Indech looked down at him, but not upon him, "If you wish to learn about spells, you must seek out Macuil. He will have everything you need. He left to the dunes of Sreng after the war. When you talk to him, prepare for a fight. He is much more violent tempered than I."

Santaniel nodded and walked behind Indech, "So, what's the gift?" Santaniel jumped up and helped right the beast, leaving him on his stomach now. The large turtle turned and gazed towards a small, stone hut. "My legendary bow. The Inexhaustible." Santaniel nodded, "I apologize, but I'm not exactly proficient in such things as bows, perhaps my brother could use it?"

"It is your's now. You may do what you wish with it. I shall now take my leave, I wish you luck in your quest for your own health, young one. Goodbye." The large, turtle-like beast scraped its way along the stone path, and into the deep and murky lake below. "Not how I expected this day to go." He walked back towards where his brothers came. Expecting a bright, gleaming mirror to walk into a fiery hellscape known as a party.

Yay.

———

Hephaestus sighed as he watched Santaniel come through the mirror, noticeably tired. He had transformed fully again, with orders not to. "Santaniel."

"I know. Let me get something to eat and I'll be fine." Hephaestus held his glare on Santaniel. He knew he messed up. Yet… "I can't be mad at you. I know you just needed a break from people over the past month. I'm sorry for putting you on a short leash. Only do it in emergencies, alright? You can still use your wings, and you can still use your talons, just no full body transformations, alright?"

"Who are you and what have you done with the real Hephaestus?" Santaniel had a small gleam of a smile on his face, clapping Hephaestus on the shoulder as he passed. "Walk and talk. Got some info, private."

Hephaestus nodded and followed him. "Alright, so, turns out that legend Linhardt was talking about, is true." The mage sighed and nodded, "Figured. I'm thankful we got there before the Agarthans. If we didn't, we may have had brutal losses in any future battles without the…" Santaniel smirked as he showed off the Inexhaustible. The legendary bow of Saint Indech. "H-How?"

"I moved the Immovable. You know me." Hephaestus shook his head with a slick grin plastered to it, "Alright. Should we leave this to Bernadetta or Arti?"

"Is that even a question?"

"That's fair. I'll tell Arti that he has a new weapon in his arsenal."

"As if he needs to be any more powerful." Hephaestus rolled his eyes, "You're our only front liner. He needs this for when we're on our beasts." Santaniel nodded and sighed, "I'm sorry for causing trouble. You know that I need my open spaces though, I don't like being caged."

"I know Santi. Go get some rest now, the party is about to begin."

———

Edelgard took a heavy breath as she waited for Santaniel to come out to the party. She was waiting with Lysithea, her fingers rubbing on the corner of the table. "Edelgard, it's fine. Santaniel doesn't like crowds, he's probably purging fear into his Holy Twins right now."

"This isn't a very large crowd." Lysithea gave her a side eye, and she felt a couple words on the edge of her tongue. "He's not a noble, plus, you invited a lot of nobles. If you haven't noticed, only Hephaestus seems to be in his element. Santaniel has only really interacted with students at the academy, Arti… You know why he's having trouble here, and Xavien is an assassin. We're lucky he doesn't have any contracts In the Empire right now."

Edelgard nodded and tapped her fingers against the table again, scanning the crowd. Only a few moments passed until she felt a larger, more weathered hand take her's and calm the drumming. "Hey El." A weight was lifted off her chest and she leaned into his frame. "I shouldn't have invited so many people. I apologize."

"Eh, it's fine. I was more or less just trying to get ready in time. I had my fear purged a while ago, I'm fine." She turned and stared up into his face, the notable scars accentuated by the golden light in the hall. His silver and bronze hair looked like a wyvern's hoard, his eyes a warm, honey brown. "You're staring again hun."

She flushed and Santaniel laughed. He pecked her on the cheek and looked up at the people. "Who all is here?"

"Most of the main nobles, minus Count Varley and Vestra. The latter had business to attend to tonight, and politely declined the invite. Varley, as you likely know, is assumed to be deceased. His former wife is attending in his stead." Santaniel tensed a bit, "Hope Bernie is ok. Also, eleven o'clock, someone is approaching."

She nodded and turned her head to meet the approaching Count Arundel and Count Bergliez. "Uncle, Count Bergliez." Santaniel stayed silent and let her speak. She knew he wanted no place in the noble affairs. "I apologize for interrupting your conversation, Princess; however, I wish to speak to Santaniel."

She felt his body tense again and she shook her head, "I apologize Uncle. I'm afraid that cannot happen. He recently came back from a treasure hunt with his brothers Arti and Xavien. They followed a lead on where to find a legendary weapon, and Santaniel encountered some bandits while searching. He is quite tired and would appreciate just enjoying the festivities."

She felt Santaniel lift his figure from her, "Eh. It's fine, but you can do it here instead. You can use the spell Scry, correct? After all, I felt someone prodding at my soul yesterday." Arundel seemed displeased by his comments in front of Bergliez. "Hm. Yes, I do. However, it is a difficult spell to learn. May I ask how you learned it?"

"My mother and father were adept in magical arts. They studied quite a bit when I was at home and I started showing prowess in it as well. It was the second spell I learned besides Heal, from my mother at least." Arundel nodded, of course, he knew that was a lie. She did as well.

Arti had been the one to teach him the spell, he said so himself. However, he picked up her lead rather quickly, and convincingly as well. "May I ask where you learned it, my Lord?"

"We can discuss our magical attributes at a later date. I would like to know, however-"

"Hey El, I think Felix is waving me over. I'll be back in a few moments." He left a small kiss on her cheek and left the royals in a rather awkward state. "So. Edelgard, may I ask how Kronya is coming along?"

———

"Hey Felix what's wrong…" His voice dragged to a halt when he saw a purple haired woman cornering Bernadetta. "I'll handle this." Felix shook his head, pointing at Byleth approaching. "You're right. Gentler touch is needed for this, as soon as Professor talks to the older woman, take Bernadetta somewhere else. If you need me to send you guys home, just let me know. Ok?" Felix nodded and Santaniel felt dread hanging over his head.

Something was wrong… Where? He chewed his lip and looked around the hall. Nothing seemed off, just paranoia? Everyone was in their pairs, except Lysithea. Where did she go? Santaniel looked around and spotted a white head of hair sneaking away from the party. "Ugh, damn it Lys."

Santaniel snuck out of the party.

He walked around in the gardens, listening for any kind of shuffling or talking. She had to be around here somewhere. "Lys? You ok?"

"Over here…" Santaniel found her at one of the tables and it seemed she snuck out with a couple pastries. "Vent, silence, or a hug?"

"Vent and hug."

"Vent first, hug after." She nodded and sat up in her chair, taking a small, shallow breath before she began. "I'm too young for Professor. I don't have enough time to spend with him either. My grades have slipped, and I think he's seeing through my feelings for him. I feel scared and vulnerable. It doesn't help that Monica has been harassing me over these feelings and-"

Santaniel shushed her and pulled her in for a hug, right around her shoulders. "It's ok. It's all going to be ok. Leave Monica to me, and I guarantee that I can get Byleth alone for you to speak with him. Leave it to me, ok Lys?"

"Don't hurt someone, please?"

"I won't. Don't worry."

"Lysithea, Santaniel, get in here! It's time for the gifts." Santaniel stood up and rustled Lysithea's hair as he left. "Trust me. We'll have a simple, good time at the ball this week."

———

Day 21 of the Ethereal Moon

Santaniel and Hephaestus sat at the graves of his parents. A bundle of Forget-Me-Nots bundled in his hands. He had to grit his teeth to keep a straight face. Hephaestus stood next to him, the sun setting low behind them. "Hey Hephaestus?"

"Yes?"

"I have a favor to ask."

"Shoot."

"Think you can get me enough Umbral Steel to forge something?"

"I'll talk to Arti. You're lucky we had an idea you would like to do forge work."

"Good. I'm going to see if I can forge some new armor for myself. It's time I live up to my mother's legacy as a Shrine Knight." A thin smile lazily danced on Hephaestus' lips, "I believe it's time I give you your birthday gift."

———

Day 25 of the Ethereal Moon

Lysithea stood as tall as she could in her violet dress, her coral eyes scanning the horizon for Monica. The small, red haired twat had been tormenting her for the past month. She had no idea why, if anything, Lysithea was the person not to mess with. It was like she was doing such a thing on purpose, to make someone else angry. However, she suspected that Monica didn't believe Santaniel was going to be the person she made mad.

"Hey Lys. Look who I found." The white haired mage looked up and stared at her Professor. "I told him he had to dance with someone in our class, at least one. He chose you!" A thick, cheesy smile was spread on Santi's face, and she knew he was telling the honest truth. Byleth actually had chosen her. "I'm going to try and find Arti and Marianne before they decide to leave for the gardens. Figure I'd congratulate Mari on winning the White Heron Cup."

She nodded and took Byleth's offered hand, her heart pace gradually picking up. A small voice spoke in her mind and she listened to it crystal clear, 'He was about to leave when I found him. Make sure you tail him so you can talk to him when you're alone. I'm done playing matchmaker for the night now. If you need me, me and Edelgard will be towards the stairs, or on the dance floor. Have fun Lysi.'

'What did you do with Monica?'

'Xavien took care of it. Locked her in one of those old domes out back with some of her 'friends' you won't have to worry. I promise.'

———

Day 26 of the Ethereal Moon

They had to worry.

Santaniel unhooked his Holy Twins and bolted at the monster in front of him. He jumped up and slammed the dual Mithril axes into the monster's head, blue blood spouting out and into the air like a fountain.

Arti came next on his falcon. They tucked into a barrel roll and let arrows fly from the Inexhaustible, piercing the thick hide of the rapidly dying monster. "Marianne, go and help Arti with the next monster! Edelgard, Professor, and Hubert are already mauling another one. Lysithea, Felix, you're with me! Yuri and Xavien, you take care of the students that escaped! Let's rock 'em!" Santaniel flashed and let Felix and Lysithea climb onto his back.

He was a full on dragon now. His birthday present had been a suit of Umbral Steel armor forged by Arti. It had two small slots in it for his dragon gems, and he pulsed with power when he wore it. He flew over one of the farther monsters, and dropped Felix and Lysithea next to it to massacre it. Santaniel landed on one himself, scarlet and crimson flames washed the beast's scales and left it molten.

Next came venom. He sunk his viper like fangs deep into its exposed hide, making it wail in anguish as it crumpled underneath him. He picked up the hunks of its bony armor and tossed it in a sack for later use. 'Statuses?'

Yuri responded first, 'I believe we have all the students now. Seems you killed the last beast.'

Next was Lysithea, 'Me and Felix took care of the monster over here. Bernadetta and Raphael ended up over here with us as well."

Hephaestus and Arti spoke nearly at the same time, 'Our's has been terminated. We're returning to the entrance now.'

'Good. Professor how is-'

'My father is dead.'

———

Santaniel froze mid stride when he saw the bloody scene. He had accidentally caused another death. This blood was on his hands, all because he wanted to get back at a damn Agarthan for tormenting Lysithea and himself earlier this year.

And she had turned his classmates into monsters and his teacher's father into a corpse.

Now, it was his time to get Byleth out of whatever slump he gets into. Along with Lysithea, he could. Right? He just needed to know one thing though…

Why had Monica acted so buddy buddy with Edelgard?