Time for the leadup to the battle where everything goes to hell. This chapter's gonna be a bit slow, but please enjoy.

Oh, and apparently this chapter was posted on the one-year anniversary of this fic (well, one day after, but close enough). What a year this has been.

Chapter 107 – Mysterious Designs (Pegasus Moon)

Dorothea had to raise an eyebrow at seeing the ceremonial dress that Byleth was now wearing as she exited Rhea's chambers, the Archbishop right beside her. The dress was a series of blue sashes, pink and white streamers, and a sheer bodystocking that left a large area around her navel exposed. A fancy crown on Byleth's head completed the regalia. It wasn't as revealing as the dress she had worn to the Ball, but it was a pretty close second.

"Rhea, is this really necessary?" Byleth asked bashfully.

"If you are to receive a revelation from the goddess, you must look the part," Rhea said sweetly.

Byleth's expression showed she didn't exactly agree with the notion, but she wasn't about to say no to Rhea.

But what really concerned Byleth was how similar the outfit looked to the dress that Sothis had worn.

"Seteth is already having your students gathered in the cathedral, Professor. You should go join them."

Byleth nodded with unease at this. She then turned to Dorothea, who was giving her an odd look.

"What is it?" asked Byleth.

"Oh, it's nothing," said Dorothea. "Just that outfit looks… well…"

"This garb was once worn by those who served the goddess in times before the founding of Garreg Mach," said Rhea. "It is only fitting that one who is to receive a revelation from her should wear it."

"If you say so, Lady Rhea."

"Professor, please wait for me in the cathedral with the others. I will join you after I have a word with Miss Arnault. There is something I need her to do during the ceremony."

"H-Huh?"

Rhea then beckoned Dorothea into her chambers. After receiving a nod of assurance from Byleth, Dorothea followed Rhea inside as the teacher headed for the stairwell.

"Dorothea Arnault, during the ceremony, there is a role I would have you play," said Rhea.

"What is it?"

"You will need to sing a special song. Legend has it that one of Saint Seiros's closest allies sang it when she received her revelation, the lyrics aiding Seiros in receiving the goddess's message."

"B-But why do I have to sing it? I mean, not that I can't, but wouldn't that be something you'd have to do?"

"If it works as I suspect, the words must be sung by the one whose bond with the Professor is deeper than any other. You are her favored student and her cherished friend. If anyone is to sing it, it must be you."

"Okay…" Dorothea nodded slowly at this.

"Now, listen carefully as I tell you the words you must sing…"

…

Yuri's head stung as consciousness slowly returned to him. His chest ached with pain, contrasting the sensation of bedsheets against his skin. He began attempting to take stock of his situation.

He'd been shot, that much was clear. And the pain he felt meant he was still alive. He could still feel the Fetters of Dromi on his left hand. They must have kept him alive. He felt bandages over his chest. Someone had helped him.

The rogue began opening his eyes, trying to focus as best he could.

"H-Hey… Yuri? Yuri, are you…? Brigitte! Brigitte, he's waking up!" said a chipper female voice.

He recognized that voice. It belonged to one of the divas of the Mittelfrank Opera. Her name was… Lana, right? Blue hair, curvy, had a sexy twin sister. Were they really twins?

But he knew the name she was calling. Brigitte.

This wasn't going to be fun.

Footsteps approached the room as Yuri quickly tried to push himself up, seeking to defend himself. But as pain shot through his body, he realized he was more-or-less defenseless.

Lana turned back to him and, seeing him make such a sudden move, gasped and said, "Yuri, calm down! You'll reopen the wound! It's okay! You're safe!"

"W-Wouldn't be too sure about that…" Yuri wheezed.

"He's right, you know," said a voice that Yuri dreaded hearing.

The rogue looked over to the door to see Brigitte glaring at him with her arms crossed over her modest chest. She was clearly displeased to see him. Behind her were Cia and Alicia. Cia looked amused to see Yuri in such a state, while Alicia was more worried about what Brigitte would do next.

"Brigitte…" Yuri said in a tone of faux congeniality. "You're still mad at me, aren't you?"

"I dunno," said Brigitte. She then began stomping toward him as she said, "Is my brother still dead?"

"Yeah… this is going about as well as I expected."

"You're lucky I decided to pull you out of the canal because it's what Julius would've wanted. Otherwise, I'd have left you there with that arrow sticking out of your hide."

"W-Well, I'm sure Jules would've been grateful to you for–"

"Shut up!"

Brigitte slammed her fist down on the bedside table next to Yuri, startling Lana.

"You don't get to say his name! You're the one who got him killed!"

"B-Brigitte, please, calm down!" said Alicia.

"Let her be, Alicia," said Cia. "This prick has had this coming for years now."

"Cia, please! Don't encourage her!" said Lana.

Brigitte looked like she was about to verbally tear into Yuri, but she began to ease off as she said, "I should've let you die."

"Listen, Brigitte, I'll make it up to you, I promise," said Yuri. "But I have to get back to Garreg Mach as soon as possible."

"What?"

"If I don't get back, something really bad is gonna happen. Not just to the monastery, but to Dorothea if Rhea–"

"Dorothea?"

"Rhea?" asked Lana. "Do you mean the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros?"

Yuri tried to get up from the bed, but as he did, Brigitte reached forward and grabbed him by the shoulder. Yuri then let out a loud cry of pain as Brigitte's thumb pressed hard on the spot where he had been shot.

"Brigitte, what are you doing?!" Lana shrieked.

"I want some answers, Yuri," Brigitte snarled. "How'd you end up getting yourself shot? What's so important at Garreg Mach? Why did you mention Dorothea?"

"C-Can't waste time e-explaini – AAGH!"

Brigitte put more pressure on the wound.

"Either you tell us what the fuck is going on, or I'll–"

"Brigitte, stop it!" Alicia shouted as she grabbed the redhead and tried to pry her off Yuri. "You're going to kill him!"

Alicia managed to pull Brigitte away from Yuri as he gasped for breath. The redhead thrashed against Alicia's grip as the brunette desperately tried to keep her from throttling the rogue.

"Let go, Alicia!" Brigitte snapped. "I'm not finished with this shithead!"

"Tone it down, Brigitte," said Cia as she sauntered into the room. "No need to be so crass."

As Cia approached, Brigitte stopped struggling at seeing the tan-skinned woman raise a hand, her fingers crackling with dark magic energy.

"There are far more… elegant ways to make him talk," Cia said with a sadistic smile.

"C-Cia!" Lana protested.

"No need for that, Cia," said Yuri as he raised a hand, gesturing for her to stop.

As her spell faded, Cia pouted at not being able to torment Yuri.

Yuri knew he shouldn't be telling the divas such top secret information, but if he was ever going to get back to Garreg Mach Monastery in time, he couldn't afford to antagonize or deceive them, especially Brigitte. He knew if he lied to her, she'd probably kill him.

"You win, okay? I'll tell you what's going on."

"Spill it, Yuri," Brigitte hissed. "What the hell have you been up to with Dorothea?"

"I've been working for Archbishop Rhea for the past few years. Recently, she sent me to investigate Lord Arundel for some suspicious activity."

"Lord Arundel? The Regent of the Empire?" asked Alicia.

"Yeah, that guy. He knew about a place in the monastery, the Holy Tomb, that's supposed to be top secret. Rhea wanted to learn how he knew about it. I was spying on a meeting he was having in the sewers. He's planning to take something important from the Holy Tomb. I don't know what it is."

"How does Dorothea fit into all this?" asked Cia.

"Arundel was making her spy on the archbishop, and to try and find where the Holy Tomb's located."

"Dorothea didn't say anything about that," said Lana.

"Wait, what?"

It took Yuri a moment to remember he had seen Dorothea, Edelgard and Byleth at the Mittelfrank Opera House.

"Dorothea came by three days ago with that princess, Eyaldarg or whatsherface, and paid us a visit," said Brigitte.

"Wait, three days? Dammit…"

"Yuri, what's going on?" asked Alicia. "Is Dorothea in some kind of trouble?"

"I really hope I'm wrong, but I think she might've told Arundel what he wanted to know. And now he plans to kill her to tie up loose ends."

This made Lana and Alicia gasp in concern as Cia scowled.

"Typical noble filth," said Cia. "They get what they want from you and then get rid of you the second they're done."

"If I've been out for that long, it might already be too late," said Yuri. "I was trying to get back to the monastery with something I stole from Arundel, something he needed to enter the Holy Tomb."

"And then what?" Brigitte demanded.

"I was shot… Right through the bridge…"

"Wait, what? What the hell do you mean 'through the bridge'?"

"I'm still trying to figure it out myself… But that arrow hit me from above, and I was under the bridge…"

The divas were silent for a moment before Brigitte let out a loud laugh.

"You expect us to believe someone hit you with an arrow through a solid layer of rock?!"

"I know it sounds crazy, Brigitte. But this woman, the archer, she… she wasn't human."

"What woman?" asked Cia.

"I dunno who she is. She had red eyes, really pale grey skin, blonde hair… her outfit didn't leave much to imagination either."

The divas looked at each other with skepticism. They clearly found the story hard to swallow.

Brigitte then said, "I'd swear you were bullshitting us, Yuri, if it weren't for this."

The redhead then gestured to a nearby table where a black arrow sat upon it. It was the same arrow that had been pulled out of Yuri's chest.

"It's not made of steel or iron," said Cia. "Frankly, I've never seen anything like this one."

"Not to mention the wound it left on you," said Lana. "I was up all night trying to heal you when Brigitte brought you in. It wasn't poisoned or anything, but the wound it left was so… so hard to heal."

"Okay, so assuming you're not just telling us the biggest lie you've ever made," said Brigitte, "you're saying that Dorothea's involved in some kind of big conspiracy with this Arvunbell guy?"

"Arundel," Yuri corrected. "And she's not doing it because she wants to. He's been blackmailing her. But if Rhea thinks that Dorothea is still helping him, she could be in serious trouble. I've gotta make it back to the monastery before – GGRH!"

Yuri tried to get up again as he spoke, letting out another groan as sharp pain went through his chest. Lana was quick to force him back to his bed.

"You're in no shape to travel, Yuri!" said Lana.

"Not on his own," said Brigitte, surprising the other divas.

"Brigitte?" Alicia asked in confusion.

"If it means helping Dorothea, I'll help you. But you'd better not be lying to us or I'll finish what that archer started. Alicia, get the wagon ready. Cia, make sure the others know where we're going. Lana… try to keep this dick alive, okay?"

"Uh, um, right!" said Lana. Alicia and Cia left the room to get things ready.

"Brigitte…" Yuri said, stunned that she would help him.

"I'm not doing this for you, asshole," said Brigitte. "I'm doing it for her."

"Either way, I owe you for this. Thank you."

…

Dorothea fidgeted as Rhea led her and the others down toward the entrance to the Holy Tomb. Their path took them through a hidden passage in the Holy Mausoleum and through several dark corridors lit by artificial torchlight created by Magitek. Now they stood in a large room with a podium in the middle, and Rhea was in the middle of activating it. As they waited, the students took in their surroundings, amazed that such an advanced place existed beneath the monastery.

But it wasn't her surroundings that made Dorothea nervous. It was the lack of a certain princess among their group.

"Professor, Edie should've come back by now," Dorothea said to Byleth.

"Maybe she's busier than she thought she'd be," said Byleth.

"Even if she were, this isn't like her. What if something's happened to her?"

"Dorothea, she'll be back. Just have faith, alright?"

"Faith… right."

"What's wrong?"

"It's just… I'm worried about her, you know. Not just that she's late, but…"

The sound of energy interrupted Dorothea, prompting her and the others to look at the wall behind the podium. A large platform was now glowing.

"It is ready," said Rhea. "Please step onto the platform, and we will enter the Holy Tomb."

Rhea was the first to walk onto the platform. She was surrounded by magical light and then, in a flash, she vanished. Flayn and Seteth calmly followed her, vanishing in the same light. Catherine and Shamir were next to follow.

"Ooh, a teleporter," said Anna. "Nifty."

"You mean like the one we went through when we were chasing the Death Knight?" asked Ashe.

"Yep, only this one's on a larger scale. Probably meant to transport bigger crowds and such."

"Well, what are we all waiting for?" said Balthus. "Let's go."

The others began entering the teleporter, vanishing as they did. But as Byleth was about to enter, Anna took her by the wrist.

"Hey, By, do you have a moment?" asked the redhead.

"What is it, Anna?" Byleth replied.

"Look, be careful when we're in there, alright?"

"Didn't Lady Rhea say this place was sealed off from the world?" asked Dorothea.

"What are you worried about?" Byleth added.

"It's…" Anna looked to see the others had already gone through, with only Claude remaining. She took a deep breath and said, "It's Rhea I'm worried about. I don't think she's playing a straight game here."

"What are you talking about?" said Dorothea.

"There's just something about this whole thing that feels… off. Please, just stay alert, would you? For my sake."

Byleth wordlessly nodded at Anna. She then made her way to the platform with Dorothea, and the two teleported away.

"Weren't you going to tell her you knew about the goddess living inside her?" asked Claude.

"Not yet, Claude. I'm worried that if I tell her that, she might tip Rhea off. We've gotta play this one by ear for now."

"Alright, if that's how you wanna do it, Anna. But what do you think Rhea wants?"

"I guess we'll find out soon enough."

Claude then stepped onto the platform and vanished into thin air.

Before Anna followed, she clasped her hand tightly, remembering her vow to Jeralt. She then made her way to the teleporter to follow the others.

No matter what happened, Anna thought, she would protect Byleth.

I really hope I'll be able to write the next few chapters and not screw them up royally. What I've got planned isn't gonna be easy.

I've decided to keep the other opera divas around for at least a little longer, but would you like to see them in the post-timeskip cast? If so, here's how you can envision them as playable characters (in a sense). They would all join post-timeskip, helping to explain their skill despite their lack of training at the Officer's Academy.

Brigitte would be a high HP, STR, DEF, and above-average RES character meant to be a pure tank, but her MAG, DEX, SPD and LCK are bad, so she's not great offensively. Her personal skill would give her +6 DEF and RES when she's below half health. Her strengths would be in Axe, Brawling, Heavy Armor, and Authority, but she has weaknesses in Bow, Riding, Reason, and Faith. Her base class is Armored Knight.

Brigitte always looks out for the other divas, and would do anything to keep them safe. She very much plays the "Big Sis" role to her peers. Brigitte's past with Yuri is that her brother, Julius, was part of Yuri's old gang, but a bad play on Yuri's part resulted in Julius's death. Brigitte has never forgiven Yuri for it. Brigitte has no Crest, and she has nothing but disdain for the Crest nobility system and the Church of Seiros. Brigitte is 28 years old before the timeskip.

Alicia would be a high SPD, LCK and RES character, but she has poor HP, MAG and DEF, and average-at-best STR and DEX. Her personal skill heals her at the start of your turn if she is below 25% health; this effect has a 5-turn cooldown. Her strengths are in Lance, Flying, Bow and Riding, but she's weak with Reason and Axe. Her base class is as a Pegasus Knight.

Alicia is not from Fódlan, but was found as the sole survivor of a shipwreck when she was just 5 years old. She was brought to Fódlan as a result, where she grew up in Enbarr's slums. She works as a diva at the Mittelfrank Opera House, but one day she hopes to open a bakery. She has no Crest, but her body seems to heal from injuries faster than others. Some think she might be from Lycia or perhaps Ylisse. Alicia is 18 years old before the timeskip.

Lana would be a high RES, CHA and LCK character, with good MAG as well. However, she'd have weak HP, STR, DEF, and below-average DEX. Her personal skill increases her healing potency if she's at full health. Her Reason spells include Blizzard, Sagittae, Fimbulvetr and Excalibur. Her strengths are in Reason, Faith and Flying, and she has a budding talent in Lance, but she's weak with Axes, Heavy Armor and Brawling. Her base class is Priest.

Lana is Cia's fraternal twin sister, and is a chipper, kind, spirited young soul. She's also trusting almost to a fault, so much so that the others think her gullible. She also never seems to get sad or in poor spirits, even during times when she should. This makes others think something is mentally wrong with her. Like Cia, she bears a Minor Crest of Macuil, but she was not born to a noble family (her parents were both commoners). Lana is 19 years old before the timeskip.

Cia would be a high MAG, CHA and DEX character, but all of her other stats are terrible, especially LCK. Her personal skill gives her bonus crit chance if she is at full health. Her Reason spells are Dark-based, and she takes purely the damage and long-range Dark spells (so no Swarm or Banshee). Her strengths are in Reason, Riding and Flying, but has weaknesses in Faith, Heavy Armor, and Authority. Her base class is Mage.

Cia is Lana's sardonic, seductive twin sister, and she loves using her beauty to string men along before jilting them. Some have tried to harm her for it, and all have regretted trying thanks to her power in Dark Magic. Cia might seem nasty to many, but she's fiercely loyal to her friends and especially to her sister. Like Lana, she has a Minor Crest of Macuil. Cia and Lana were born to commoner parents, but their parents were killed by nobles when the two were children. She's developed a distaste for the nobility as a result. Like Lana, Cia is 19 years old before the timeskip.