A/N: How's it going everybody!
It is time for Gronder
Warning: This chapter is quite gruesome. Hopefully, it's not enough to force me to transfer this to the M-Rated section.
2019
"Wait." Hillary began. "The Battle of the Eagle and Lion, and The Blood of the Eagle and Lion? Now I'm starting to think that this story is more truth than fiction now…"
"Are you serious Hillary?" Lawrence scoffed. "Just because it was in our history test last week, does not mean the legend is now true."
"I have to agree with that." Fred added. "Lots of stories do use real events for fictional characters… just like that one with the 1912 ship."
"You do know that there is no harm in saying the word Titanic, right?" The foreigner student said, confused as to why her classmate did not say its full name.
"That is because I refuse to associate it with romance, Phaedra." Fred stated with a bit of frustration.
"I can't blame Fred honestly, Phaedra." The burly haired boy nodded in agreement. "I probably would've done the same honestly."
"Not a single person asked for your input Bartie." Coco scolded, before shifting again. "Although… one is entitled to their own opinion."
'And she does it, yet again.' Hayley snickered to herself.
"Well yes, it is true that both battles have been used for both historical, and fictional events." Ms. Gregory started. "What a lot of people don't realize is how different the two battles really were. One was a mock battle meant to test the skills of each combatant, while the other one was the real deal. A battle to the death if you will."
A brief pause
"One thing was certain though: Whichever battle it may be, lives would change forever."
Great Tree Moon, 1186
One Week Later
For some reason, Niya couldn't shake of the feeling of dread as she walked along the path going to Gronder Field, a thick, heavy fog enveloping the pathway. She shivered as she walked, her breath icy as she exhaled. All around her, the field was painted in an all too familiar red liquid: Blood.
It wasn't until her boot hit something hard, did she finally see her surroundings.
By the entry way to the field, lay the bodies of Hilda, and Sylvain. Hilda's head had been split open with a Silver Axe, while Sylvain's chest had a huge opening that stretched until his stomach, his horse nowhere to be found.
"No…" Was the only thing she could say, as terror dawned upon her.
She walked further, until she came upon the bridge. There, to her right, was Ferdinand, his jaw ripped clean off. Just across the river where he was, was Dorothea, her throat slashed open, pooling her body in blood. Linhardt lay by a tree, his eyes gouged out.
"Please. No." She dreaded more, as she continued onward.
Just ahead of her was a platform. The same platform that held the ballista, now burnt, and falling apart. As she approached the platform, it suddenly collapsed, revealing the scorched body of Bernadetta. Her body burnt beyond recognition, save for her hair clip.
As she gazed at her body, the sound of gallops was heard coming from her left, revealing it to be a horse clad in orange. The moment Niya saw the horse, she knew exactly who it belonged to, rushing to where the horse had come from.
As she rushed to where the horse came from, a crack was heard as she walked. Looking down, she gasped in horror when she realized that she had stepped on Ignatz's glasses. She quickly turned, immediately noticing his body pierced with arrows. Raphael, his best friend, was also nearby, who looked like his body had been eaten. Lysithia was also with the friends, her back violently slashed open.
By the river, face down, was Felix, his slashed arms coloring the river red.
Much to her confirmation, and horror, there was the horse's rider: Leonie, who had a sword sticking from her back. Nearby was Ingrid, with half of her body crushed under the weight of her Pegasus, while her stomach was cut open.
"This can't be real…" Though her heart wasn't beating, Niya could somehow feel it pounding out of her chest, finding herself breathing faster, and faster.
She ran.
She ran further, speeding pass more bodies, including Petra's, also burnt, but not as much as Bernadetta's. Dedue, who had been flattened under his armor like forged steel. Hubert, who, like Raphael, looked like his body had been eaten.
Eventually, Niya noticed that the mountain that surrounded the field had not been spared from the attack, as evidenced by a missing portion and a crack, no doubt caused by a monster. Niya hesitantly searched the field by the mountain, before laying eyes on where it had landed: an area just nearby.
However, it wasn't where it landed that concerned Niya. It was WHERE it landed on, and WHO it hit: the bodies the Ashen Wolves Yuri, Balthus, Constance, and Hapi were crushed under the rocks, their blood staining the rocks that had ended their lives.
"What. What happened? What did I miss?"
"P-Professor?" Came the weakly voice of a female. "I-is that y-you?"
Niya immediately recognized the voice. "Mercedes? No!" She then rushed to the source of the voice, eventually seeing Mercedes barely being able to keep herself up, a large gash across her back, staining her dress in blood. The former professor rushed faster, cradling the healer in her arms.
"Mercedes." Niya began, her body shaking uncontrollably. "What happened? Please. Stay with me for as long as you can."
"We were… overwhelmed Professor. We thought we c-could've ha-handled it on our own." Mercedes began, struggling to explain.
"Why didn't you wait for me?"
"B-because we were too late. We thought y-you were gone already."
"What?" Niya replied back, confused. "I don't understand."
Mercedes then held a hand up, before pressing it to where Niya's womb was, Niya grunting in the process.
"Gah!" Niya winced, before lifting the waist of her shorts, revealing a wound that appears to have been seared shut. "What? How?"
"A young… maiden got through our de-defenses, and attacked you while we were all preparing. She… was actually… a soldier of the Empire. The Faith magic wasn't working, so Dorothea decided to sear it shut. You… collapsed shortly afterward."
"No. This isn't how it was supposed to go!" Niya cried out, wincing once again from the pain on her pelvis. "No one was supposed to die! Especially you Mercedes."
"I'm… I'm sorry, Professor…" Mercedes tried to speak, with whatever strength she had left. "I can't seem to stay… on my feet. I go now to meet the goddess." She then finally passed, her hand falling lifelessly.
"Mercedes?" Niya started to shake the healer in desperation. "Mercedes! Please! Not you too, NO!"
But it was too late. Mercedes was long gone.
"NOOOO!"
"GAH!"
Niya immediately shoots up, her body covered in sweat, as she hyperventilated, while droplets of sweat continued to form, and flow down her body, soaking her bed in sweat.
Niya quickly falls off the bed, clutching her non-beating heart as tightly as she could, as she struggled to calm herself down as everything was actually a bad dream. Or was it?
She slammed her hands down repeatedly, as she tried to grasp her bedside to prop herself up, her legs shaking like gelatin. Once she got up, she forcefully slammed herself through her door, breaking it open, collapsing to the floor.
It was still nighttime when she did this. The sun wasn't even peeking out, instead the moon and stars were her only companions, as cricket chirps filled the night.
Niya sat there for a long time, wondering if such an event would really happen, and would it really cost everyone's life? Who was that maiden, and why did she attack her specifically, and not anyone else? Would Divine Pulse have prevented this, and why didn't her dream version activate it?
Questions being asked, with none of them answered, Niya forced herself back to bed, though she shifted uncomfortably throughout the night.
The Next Day
Gronder Field
Surprisingly, the day started of normally, though Flayn had to wake up the professor, completely unaware of what had occurred the previous night.
Now, they were here, assembled at Gronder Field, with the Alliance on one side, awaiting the arrival of the Empire, not aware that the Kingdom was arriving as well. Claude leading them onward, with his personal relic, Failnaught resting on his shoulders, his white wyvern, Khalmira looking onward.
Eventually the Empire arrived, with a few chained monsters obediently following their masters. There, for the first time for Niya, saw Edelgard ever since that day. The Emperor radiant in her red dress, and matching cape. The horns on her crown fiercely pointing onward, as she held her personal relic, Aymr.
After a short while, The Kingdom arrived, lead by a mysterious figure shrouded in a great blue cape, with fur trimming, gripping the relic lance, Areadbhar as tightly as he could. The figure removed his hood, revealing himself to be Dimitri himself, now sporting an eyepatch over his right eye.
'Dimitri's been alive all this time?' Niya thought to herself in shock, as she stared at the blond-haired boy. The rest of the Blue Lions shared the shock as well.
As if on cue, an eagle flew overhead, letting out a shriek in the process just like it had done so, six years prior.
"Fire…" Edelgard simply ordered, as a few robed mages casted a sigil of fire, before shooting it upward, the rain of fire landing on both the Alliance, and Kingdom forces, causing shrieks of pain to echo throughout the field, as the fire raged on. Niya, and her student army were not affected, as none of the territories were aware of their presence.
Over at the Kingdom's side, Dimitri only looked back with no sign of a shift in emotion, before facing forward to the other two armies, pointing Areadbhar at them.
"Know that I will tear your heads from your shoulders… The dead must have their tribute." Dimitri declared, sending a few shivers down their spines. Was this really the same Dimitri, or was someone else entirely?
Claude looked in sorrow, groaning at the lost of life of some of his soldiers. "As big class reunions go… this one's gotta be the worst in history."
Despite being fully aware of what she did, Edelagard had to admit that she some form of regret for what happened, but she quickly brushed it off. "Years ago, we fought as classmates… But not today."
Dimitri, at his last bit of rage, angered by what has happened, declared "Kill every last one of them!", before charging onward, his soldiers following him.
Claude waits for a while, before finally signaling his army to begin the charge, charging along with them.
A general gives the signal for the Empire to rush forward, and unchain the beasts, who roar in anger, before rushing as well. All while Edelgard stayed put where she was. "And so, we fight on."
Dimitri rushed ahead, quickly disposing of any Alliance, and Empire soldier that was unfortunate enough to cross his path, his eyes set on Edelgard, and Edelgard alone. "You have finally appeared Edelgard. Now, you are mine!"
As Claude viewed from above, he could see the clear intentions of the two parties, before signaling his army to temporarily stop. "The Kingdom army doesn't look interested in joining forces. Let's take a moment, and see how this unfolds."
Edelgard looked onward, observing everything unfold. "It would not be advantageous to take on both at once. We must stop the Kingdom and the Alliance from joining forces. We must create such chaotic warfare, that they will not be able to tell who is friend, and who is foe."
Before the students charged, Niya spoke up. "Anyone who wishes to return to the Monastery may do so. Everyone else, stick to the plan, and let's move out."
For their plan to work, the Blue Lions, led by Dedue charged forward towards the Kingdom, with the intent of swaying some more to their side. The Black Eagles, led by Ferdinand, charged towards the center, hoping to take full advantage of the Ballista, before the Empire could, who were the closest. Once the Ballista was secured, the center was to be guarded. The Golden Deer, led by Lorenz charged towards the Alliance, with intentions of swaying more to their side as well. Niya, on the other hand, lead the Ashen Wolves towards Edelgard, and the Empire. She was the main priority, and capturing, or taking her out would prove advantageous in both rescuing Lady Rhea, and ending the war.
As Dimitri rushed forward, ready to swing his relic once again, only to meet a hand stop it, singing the armored hand slightly. Dimitri quickly turned his attention, shocked to see Dedue.
"Dedue?" Dimitri's eye grew wide. "You're alive?"
"I am, your highness." Dedue confirmed, letting go of the weapon. "I understand your anger towards Edelgard, but I implore you to join our side instead. We can help each other, and stop Edelgard as well."
"Your idea is a waste of my time." Dimitri scoffed. "Now get out of my way. Edelgard will die by my hand, and mine alone."
"Your highness, please reconsider!" Dedue pleaded. "You have no idea what it might do to you."
"I don't care!" Dimitri snarled, before swinging his lance, to which Dedue barely blocked with his shield. "I stand by my views, and mine alone. Either get out of my way, or perish!"
"Not if I have something to say about it, you boar!" Came the voice of Felix, who charged into Dimitri with all his strength, knocking him down in the process.
Dimitri coughed some blood, before getting back up. "Felix, I see that you haven't changed one bit. Get out of my way. You're not worth my time."
"Say that to Dedue instead, you beast!" Felix growled. "You've lost all form of respect from both your allies, and yourself!"
Dimitri growled back. "I only desire Edelgard's head, and nothing more. If you refuse to move out of the way, then you shall die."
Felix withdrew his Sword of Zoltan in response. "You boar… I'm not gonna enjoy this, but your rage ends here…"
The two clashed. Even though Areadbhar is the stronger weapon, Felix was both skilled, and strong enough to counter both the mighty weapon, and its wielder with ease, despite Dimitri's near inhuman strength. As both men dodged, and countered each attack, it would seem that the only way to end it was if an outsider interfered.
Eventually, Dimitri overpowered Felix, but made the mistake of hesitating, as if slowly coming back to his senses, allowing Felix to swipe Dimitri off of his feet, knocking him to the ground, with Dedue interfering, by hitting his highness' head with his shield, causing the prince to roll back, before getting up, pressing his hand to his face.
"Where are you, Edelgard?!" Dimitri growled, as he continued in another direction, ignoring that his head still continued to throb. "I will not stop until I kill you!"
"Thanks, Dedue…" Felix flatly said, as he sheathed his sword, before continuing onward to help the rest
"It was my pleasure," Dedue nodded in response, before he continued onward.
Meanwhile
"Stay back!" The Sniper panicked, as she nervously nocked an arrow. "Stay back, or I'll shoot!"
"One of us has to die!" Called out Dorothea, as she fired a beam of Thoron at the Sniper, electrocuting the sniper, before she collapsed to the ground.
"I wish I died at home… instead of this stupid field…" the sniper struggled to say, before she finally passed.
"I'm sorry… forgive me..." Dorothea closed her eyes in regret, before she was forced to fire another one at a nearby Paladin.
"We secured the Ballista!" Ferdinand called out, before turning to Bernadetta. "Bernadetta, quickly!"
"Oh, right!" Bernadetta squeaked, before getting into position, and quickly loading the ballista, before firing it at any nearby enemy.
An Imperial Assassin took note of this. "Enemies have overtaken the center Ballista. We must fight our way through to protect it!" A group of Empire soldiers nodded, before charging towards the center.
Meanwhile
"I see that they've gone after the others first." Claude observed. "Everyone, it's time we move forward, and show them what we're made off!"
An Alliance Sniper shot a flaming arrow upward, signaling reinforcements to appear. First to arrive were a pair of Snipers, and an Alliance Paladin from the east.
"I do not possess a crest of any kind, but I shall give it my all!" The Paladin declared, before rearing up her horse, and charging onward.
Next, came a Warrior, and a pair of Pegasus Knights from the north.
"I will give whatever it takes to help his majesty, Claude. I shall not hold back!"
"Is that a Sauinian Paladin?" Leonie recoiled in shock, upon seeing the familiar traits of a typical Sauinian.
"I see a Goneril fighter as well…" Hilda spoke up, pointing to the north, where the Warrior, and the Pegasus Knights were seen charging onward.
"We better get to Claude quickly, and fast." Lysithea spoke up.
"Indeed," Lorenz nodded in agreement. "Let us press forward!"
Later
"Send in reinforcements!" A Kingdom General commanded, and a while later, a trio of Kingdom Paladins approached from the north, while a Pegasus Knight and a pair of Fortress Knights arrived from the east.
"A Gautier Knight, and a Galatean Pegasus Knight…" Niya observed. "Let's hope everyone else sees them."
"What are the plans now?" Balthus inquired.
"Perhaps now would be a good time to discuss on how we are going to go against Edelgard." Constance beamed. The heavy fog, and cloudy weather blocked out the sun, which meant that her usual personality would be the dominating one.
"We have quite the work ahead of us." Niya stated. "The Empire is more prepared than I thought, especially with the beasts."
"Oh no…" Hapi dreaded, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
"Hapi, please?" Niya turned to the red-haired. "Only because there are monsters as well."
"Now both you AND Yuri owe me big." Hapi groaned, before doing as she was told, causing a sigil to form, before a burrowing Giant Crawler burst from the ground, roaring in confusion over its new surroundings, before setting its sight on a Demonic Beast.
"Aaah! What is that?" An Imperial soldier screamed in terror.
"No, no, no!" Another Imperial soldier panicked, as he tried to run, only to be run over by the desert worm, killing him instantly.
"I've said it once, and I'll say it again." Yuri began, chuckling slightly. "I always love it when you do that."
"Yeah, yeah, you think it's cute, now shut up." Hapi rolled her eyes.
"All right, now let's go after Edelgard." Niya commanded, before she, and the rest of the Ashen Wolves continued onward.
Meanwhile
"No," The Imperial Assassin groaned in pain, clutching her stab wound, as her life began to fade. "I cannot fight anymore your majesty… I'm afraid… that I cannot retreat anymore…"
Edelgard took notice of this. "Those fools who went up the central hill… and members of the Black Eagles at that, will pay with their lives… IN THE CRIMSON FLAMES!"
She then whipped her head towards her mage army. "You! Set fire to the Central Hill now!"
"But… our troops!" One of the mages tried to protest.
"I said do it now!"
The mages hesitantly obeyed, before whipping up another fire spell, firing it onward. The shower of fire making their way towards the Central Hill.
Caspar was the first to notice, and desperately shouted out. "Incoming! Everyone, get out of the way now!"
The rest of the Black Eagles heard him, and quickly rushed their way out. The Imperial Army on the other hand, did not notice, nor heard Caspar's yell in time, before a barrage of fire rained down upon them, burning them alive, and causing the structure to collapse.
As Edelgard looked onward, a voice that she thought that she would never hear again, called out to her.
"Edelgard!" Niya called out. "It ends here."
"P-professor?" Edelgard hesitantly turned, before seeing Niya, gripping her Sublime Creator Sword tightly.
Too be continued…
A/N: And we're clear!
Whoops, change of plans. Looks like we're having a three parter. I of course originally did not plan this, but with what I wanted to add, I realized that I had to split it.
Also, the earlier scene is just your typical nightmare cliché. I'll incorporate some of it in the next chapter, but I won't use it entirely for obvious reasons.
Forgive me for Claude's absence in this chapter. I just wanted to give Edelgard, and Dimitri more focus for this chapter. Claude will appear next chapter.
Also, no hate towards Titanic (1997). I just needed an example for the modern scene, and that was the first one that popped into my mind. Plus, more names revealed.
Anyways, until next chapter, BYE!