April: Visions

The next day, Ashunera came to the group. "I am so glad to see you. I have some things I would like to share with you regarding the truth."

Shigure's eyebrows arched up. "I'm most curious to see what you mean."

Ashunera explained, "As you already know, after death, the souls of the cruel and heartless go to Zahras, as people in this world call it, or Hell, as people from Owain's world call it, and those who are kind and compassionate go to the Blue Sea Star as people call it in this world, or Heaven as they call it in Owain's world. And that the majority stay in Aillel and atone for their misdeeds until their souls have been cleaned and then go to the Blue Sea Star. However, this is a major shift for most of the worlds. I wish to show you some of your friends and family so you know that they are okay."

A vision of pitch darkness overtook the room. Dorothea shrieked and latched onto Ferdinand. Bernadetta let out a bloodcurdling scream and curled up into a ball on the floor. Camilla grabbed Ophelia and cried out, "What is this?!"

Ashunera gave Bernadetta a hug and answered, "Zahras. The evilest creatures and foulest beings reside here."

Byleth noticed a few blurry lines in the shape of a person writhing in agony from pain best left to the imagination, and squinted to make out the figure. When she did, she couldn't help but smirk. "Hah. Kronya deserves it." Khalid put a protective arm around his wife, knowing the amount of psychological pain she was hiding.

Ingrid tried to see where Kronya was. "Kronya . . . that's the Those Who Slither in the Dark person who murdered your father, right?"

Byleth glared at her archenemy. "Yes. She should rot there, after everything she's done."

Ashunera said, "And that she will, for all time for her crimes."

Byleth's smirk grew and satisfactory crossed her arms. Khalid gave her a reassuring squeeze while Rhea looked on, concerned for her granddaughter.

Ferdinand saw another figure suffering, but the person seemed like a normal human and not an Agarthan. "Is that," he gasped, "H-Hubert?!"

Gustave shook his head disapprovingly. "Edelgard's right-hand man. He went along with her war and cared not for all blood he spilled. That is not an advisor's duty."

Tears leaked out of Dorothea's eyes. "Oh Hubie. I wished you would be able to see past your duty to Edie and realize the biggest responsibility was to all of Fódlan."

The color drained from Ferdinand's face. The sneer on Hubert's face seemed like a weave of thorns contorting. "Running into you in the capital like this-I have to say, it's almost sentimental."

"Hubert. She must leave."

A low chuckle rose out from his lips like a poisonous miasma. "You really think you can make her?" The glint in Hubert's eye gave away that he was thinking of how he kept the former prime minister's son under his thumb before he escaped.

"It does not matter what I think. Those are my orders."

Ferdinand swallowed the ever-growing lump in his throat. "Yes, well. What is done is done."

The piercing darkness disintegrated. Then a wave of light flame coated everything for miles. Everyone's muscles instantly eased. The silhouettes of the inhabitants were much easier to make out, and while they seemed to squirm in pain, they seemed to embrace it much like one withstood a disgusting medicine. Annette guessed, "This is Ailell? The side we can't see?"

Ashunera affirmed, "Yes."

It was Rhea's turn to be shocked. "Is that . . . Edelgard? I would've thought she'd be in Zahras!"

Ashunera elaborated, "While Edelgard did many misdeeds, she honestly thought she was doing what she thought best for Fódlan. She did not realize that the Holy Tomb was in fact a burial place for Nabateans; she believed it was all a lie. Nor did she comprehend she was mutilating bodies when she tried to harvest the crest stones. Edelgard truly believed she was fighting for a brighter future. Obviously, pillaging a tomb, starting a war, imprisoning Rhea, and using her citizens as human shields are all evil."

Caspar scowled. "Then why isn't she in Zahras? You just said yourself that Edelgard did a lot of evil things."

Ashunera continued, "Edelgard was also severely brainwashed by Those Who Slither in the Dark. She will remain atoning for her crimes for a very long time. Rest assured, she is not getting a free pass for all she has done."

The fire fizzled out, giving way to a resplendent beach. The scent of cookies lingered in the air while the waves were perfectly tranquil. Bernadetta clapped her hands. "Ooh! Is this the Blue Sea Star?"

Khalid surveyed the area. "It looks relaxing, but I don't see any food. Where's that smell coming from?"

Inigo answered, "I don't think anywhere. This must be what the Blue Sea Star smells like."

Ashunera corrected, "No. I have put up a veil so you do not perceive the Blue Sea Star for what it truly is. If you did, everything in your worlds will pale in comparison and you will never feel wonder or awestruck again until you arrived here. I have made it so you sense things in a dulled way so you will not have to suffer that."

Linhardt yawned. "So everything is more beautiful, smells better, et cetera than what we see and smell now?"

Ashunera nodded. "That is correct."

Byleth craned her neck and squealed. "Father!" Sure enough, Jeralt was visible conversing with Sitri, Byleth's mother. Byleth whispered, "Father, I'm so happy that you're okay." Khalid hugged her while Rhea's eyes shone with joyful tears.

The majority of people noticed at least one person who passed enjoying themselves and basking in the glory of the Blue Sea Star. Suddenly, the space was back to normal, as if none of the visions took place. Ashunera outstretched her arms toward the group. "Now I must go. Remember that no matter what you have done, no matter how atrocious, you can always turn your life around and find forgiveness." As she vanished, the monastery felt empty.

Ferdinand was a bit more relaxed when he saw his mother resting peacefully in the Blue Sea Star, but looking into Hubert's eyes was deeply troubling. The raw hatred and malice were still there, even in death.