Yeah, I'm gonna have to extend this past 120 chapters. Oh well, more fun for you guys.

Chapter 118 – The Battle of Garreg Mach, Part 4 (Lone Moon)

Anna had to let out a loud sigh of relief as one of Abyss's sturdy iron gates closed behind her and what was left of her force. They had only barely made it back ahead of the Empire, losing over half their number to their pursuers. She looked over to see Shamir and Felix were also trying to catch their breath while Petra tried to rouse Hapi, who was still unconscious.

"That was too close," Anna said to Shamir.

"We're not safe yet," Shamir replied. "These gates are only going to delay them."

"Shamir's right," said Yuri as he entered the scene. "They'll either find their way around eventually, or they'll try and bust them down. These gates might be sturdy, but they're not unbreakable."

"If they make it to Abyss, they'll be able to use the tunnel that leads up to the training grounds," said Felix. "If that happens…"

"Yeah, we get it. And we've still got people evacuating through the tunnels. We'll have to hold them here."

"I hope you've got a plan, Yuri," said Anna. "Preferably one that doesn't involve Hapi summoning any more monsters."

"You don't need to worry about that. We've got a load of traps set up in the Empire's path. They should help buy us the time we need."

As Yuri said this, the conversation was interrupted by a loud hissing sound, followed by the echo of troops screaming in agony.

Looking in the direction of the sound and realizing that the Empire must have set off a trap, Anna asked, "Do I want to know what that one was?"

"Poison gas," Yuri answered. "Normally I wouldn't be using it, but…"

No one commented as they listened to the Imperials choking to death, along with a few cries for loved ones. Anna had to wince at the noise, knowing the Imperials wouldn't die quickly.

"Any news from above?" asked Shamir.

"Things are getting pretty bad," said Yuri. "Seteth's air attack got cut off by Imperial fliers, and the west and east gates were both breached. Catherine's managed to push back the Imperials on the east side, but Hubert's leading the attack on the west gate."

"We only managed to get one of the trebuchets," said Anna. "And we…"

At that moment, Hapi let out a loud "Huh?' as she regained consciousness. She bolted upright and looked around frantically before a sharp pain in her neck made her wince loudly.

"O-Ow, my – NNGH!"

Hapi tried lifting her right arm to rub her neck, but the agonizing pain in her shoulder reminded her she still had a broken arm. She looked to see it was presently in a hastily made sling. She knew she was going to need medical attention.

"Hapi, you okay?" asked Yuri.

"Do I LOOK okay, Yuribird?!" Hapi hissed. "Stupid knight broke my shoulder when I–"

Hapi stopped at this and then looked around at the others. She realized someone was missing.

"Wait, where's Freckles…?"

"Ashe… The Empire has… captured him," Petra said with difficulty.

Hapi's eyes widened in horror at this, recalling how Ashe had been brutally beaten and then dragged away by the Imperials.

"Ashe…" Hapi said remorsefully. "They're not gonna kill him, are they?'

Yuri hesitated to answer this. He knew it was a possibility that the Empire would execute Ashe, but his gut told him that they would more likely use him as a political hostage. Even if he was a commoner by birth, he was technically the named heir to Castle Gaspard.

"There's no use in worrying about him right now," said Felix. "We can't do anything for him, so let's focus on what we can do here."

"Felix is right," said Shamir. "Yuri, can you show me the layout of Abyss's defenses?"

"Follow me," Yuri answered with a gesture.

The rogue then led Anna and the others into Abyss while Petra led Hapi to find a healer.

…

Cia shrieked in surprise as her ward shattered, letting part of Hubert's Banshee Θ spell through to strike her. The dark-skinned diva let out a cry of pain as she was knocked onto her back, and then groaned as she lay on the ground for a few seconds.

"I honestly expected more out of you, Cia," said Hubert. "But I suppose raw talent does not amount to much on its own."

Cia could only hiss venomously at this as she rose to her feet and struggled to stay standing. He was right; she had never been taught how to use magic and had to learn it on her own. She might've been more than a match for any street thug or petty noble, but Hubert was no such pushover. His knowledge of battlefield tactics also eclipsed hers, as she had never read up on the art of war.

"A pity you'll never get the chance to learn as I did," Hubert added as he began readying another spell.

Cia shouted as she raised her left hand and cast another Miasma Δ at Hubert, who blocked her attack with ease with a ward. She desperately shot another Miasma Δ at him, but it was to the same result.

"You still choose to resist? Have you given any thought as to what your defiance may cost those in the Mittelfrank Opera Company?"

"You leave them out of this!" Cia shouted as she launched another desperate spell at Hubert, only for the attack to fail against his ward.

Realizing her attempts to break his defense were useless, Cia began channeling a new spell, one that could bypass his ward. However, Hubert saw the telltale signs of the Luna Λ spell. He was impressed that she knew such a thing. He immediately dropped his ward and cast forth a Miasma Δ.

Cia let out a loud gasp of shock at seeing the attack coming for her, with no chance for her to defend herself.

"CIA!"

Brigitte shoved Cia away at this moment, letting out a scream as the Miasma Δ spell hit her instead. The redhead fell to her left knee, shuddering in pain as she turned to face Hubert.

"BRIG!" Cia said in concern.

"Is that… the best you've got, you punk?" Brigitte hissed defiantly. She then stood up and whirled around with her hammer. "Come on, do your worst!"

"As you wish," Hubert replied with an evil grin.

He then raised his arms and cast a new spell, and Brigitte was left screaming as the Death Γ spell engulfed her entire body in agony. Her legs quaked as she lost her grip on her war hammer, but to Hubert's surprise, she began to step toward him. He smirked, and then channeled more power into his spell.

Brigitte's screaming could be heard across the monastery for a brief second.

Just as the redhead was about to black out, a loud shout from Lorenz alerted Hubert to his attack. Hubert dodged the noble's lance, but in doing so his spell was broken. He then countered Lorenz's brave intervention with another Miasma Δ spell, sending him toppling off his horse.

Brigitte heard Cia calling her name as she collapsed, and everything went dark for her as Alois shouted for his men to fall back.

…

Catherine knew they had to attack. If they stayed cooped up in the walls of the monastery, they were going to lose.

In chasing off the Death Knight, she had created an opportunity to do just that.

The Imperials on the right flank of the advance had fled at seeing the Death Knight's retreat, so Catherine had rallied her troops and now she, Balthus and Gilbert led an infantry charge of around 250 soldiers to try and hit the Empire in the side. It was a gamble, but if they could do enough damage, they could stall the Empire's advance.

What she hadn't expected, however, was to encounter Edelgard as the emperor advanced toward the central gate.

"YOU!" Catherine shouted as she readied Thunderbrand.

As Ladislava and her wingmen readied their weapons, Edelgard turned to Catherine and said, "I'm impressed you managed to best the Death Knight. But you are not considered Rhea's strongest Crusader for nothing, are you, Cassandra Rubens Charon?"

"You won't take one more step toward the monastery or toward Lady Rhea, Edelgard! It's time I finish what I started back in the Holy Tomb!"

"You'll have to get through us first, you bitch!" Salia spat as she readied her lance.

"Stand down, Salia," said Edelgard. "I'll handle her myself. Deal with Sir Gilbert and the others."

"At once, Your Majesty!" Ladislava shouted. "ATTACK!"

The wyvern riders spread out and began to dive at Gilbert, Balthus and the Church soldiers. Imperial Fortress Knights began meeting the rush of Church infantry as they charged to attack the emperor. Gilbert roared as he slammed his axe through the helmet of a Fortress Knight, killing his foe instantly.

At the same moment, Balthus yelped as he dodged away from an axe swing from Zola. The blonde laughed sadistically as she swung again and again at Balthus, forcing him on the defensive. She then had her wyvern swing its tail at him, swatting Balthus to the ground on his back.

As Balthus winced loudly, Zola laughed and said, "And you're supposed be the so-called 'King of Grappling'? I'm not impressed."

Zola then shouted as she leapt off her wyvern and swung her axe at Balthus, intending to cleave him in half. Balthus rolled to the side and avoided the strike, kicking at Zola's legs as she landed. The blonde yelped as she was tripped and lost her grip on her weapon. She quickly scrambled to her feet and looked up just in time to see Balthus swing a fist at her.

Zola let out a loud "GAAH!" as Balthus punched her in the gut as hard as he could. She doubled over in pain before Balthus delivered her an uppercut to her chin, breaking her jaw as she was sent careening onto her back. Zola's head listed as she passed out.

"Impressed now, babe?" Balthus said confidently as he shook his arms.

The screech of Zola's wyvern interrupted Balthus's pride, and he yelped as he dodged back from the angry reptilian mount. The wyvern grabbed its rider in its left talon and then took to the air, carrying Zola away from the fight.

In the center of the fight, Edelgard grimaced as she blocked a blow from Thunderbrand with Aymr. Catherine then roared as she followed up her strike, one that Edelgard barely parried away from her right arm. The two continued to exchange blows for several seconds.

The emperor knew she had no room for mistakes. Catherine was legendary even among the Crusaders, and she had proved her reputation time and again. If Edelgard made any error, she knew it could immediately spell her undoing.

But as she separated from Catherine after a clash, Edelgard saw the Crusader panting for breath. She realized fighting the Death Knight must have taken a lot out of Catherine. She had an opportunity to beat her.

Edelgard swung Aymr at the ground, sending a shockwave at Catherine. The Crusader leapt over it, but just as she was about to land, her eyes widened at seeing Edelgard abandoning her axe. The emperor had raised her left hand as magic flowed through her fingertips.

A second later, Catherine let out a loud cry as the ground beneath her erupted in fire to Edelgard's Bolganone spell. The Crusader was immediately scorched by the powerful magic and sent tumbling to the ground as Thunderbrand left her grip and lost its bright red glow.

As Catherine lay on the ground, her breathing shallow and covered in several third-degree burns, Balthus shouted, "CASS!"

Edelgard turned to see Balthus launch a blast of fire and wind at her, a technique known as Pneuma Gale. She quickly raised her shield and blocked the attack, but it was enough of a distraction to allow Balthus to run over to Catherine and scoop her onto his shoulder. Balthus grabbed Thunderbrand in the process, though the weapon did not respond to his incompatible Crest.

"Come on, Cass, don't go dyin' on me!" Balthus said as he carried her back toward the monastery.

"Retreat! Fall back!" shouted Gilbert.

Edelgard watched as the Church soldiers began to flee. Ladislava soared back to Edelgard's side and said, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Ladislava," Edelgard answered. She then shouted to her men, "Our enemy's resolve is shattered! Forward!"

…

Byleth saw Catherine's defeat from her position and winced loudly. She could only hope the Crusader's mistake wasn't a fatal one.

The teacher knew she had screwed up. She should have ordered Catherine to hold her position rather than try to flank the enemy, but it was far too late now to change that. All over the Church's line, the enemy was breaking through. The west gate had been overrun, with Alois and his men barely escaping with their lives. Seteth's fliers had been decimated, with the advisor having to bring an unconscious Alicia back after she had been knocked off her mount. The Empire was also trying to break through Abyss, with Anna, Shamir and Yuri barely holding the line.

Everything was going wrong. At this rate, they would be overwhelmed soon.

But this didn't stop Byleth from continuing the fight.

"Cover them!" Byleth shouted to Claude, who was currently commanding the archers atop the wall.

Claude made a brief nod to this and pointed down at the Imperials who were chasing Catherine's force. Church soldiers were being cut down as they fled, with several screaming as Ladislava's wyvern riders swooped down and grabbed them in their talons. The hapless victims were then lifted into the air before being sent plummeting to their deaths.

"Focus on the wyverns!" shouted Claude. "FIRE!"

As Claude was giving his command, Salia shouted as she stabbed another Church soldier in the neck with her lance, while her wyvern crunched down on another with its fangs. Salia heard Claude's shout and looked up to see the hail of arrows coming from the monastery wall. She yelped as she pulled hard on her wyvern's reins, breaking off her attack. Her wyvern shrieked as it was hit by several arrows to its wings, sending it and its rider crashing to the ground.

"SALIA!" shouted Ladislava.

"I'm okay!" Salia replied. "Dammit, Alektra!"

Salia's mount screeched in pain from the arrows in its hide. The wounds weren't fatal, but the wyvern wasn't going to be fighting anytime soon.

"Get yourself and your mount back to camp!" ordered Ladislava. "We'll handle things from here!" As Salia tried to urge her mount to move, Ladislava turned to Ersha and said, "Ersha, cover me!"

"I'm right behind you, Captain!" Ersha replied.

Ladislava then flew toward the wall at high speed, straight at Claude's position. The Church archers, seeing the approaching Wyvern Knight, readied their bows to shoot her down. But Claude paused as he saw the look on Ladislava's face.

Too late, he realized her intent and shouted, "WAIT!"

The archers fired, and Ladislava immediately pulled up on Fenix's reins, avoiding the volley of arrows with masterful skill. Fenix soared over the archers' positions and Ladislava leapt from her mount with a loud battle cry. Her axe cleaved through one archer from left shoulder to pelvis before she spun around and slashed her axe through two more in a single swing. She then kicked a fourth archer, sending him falling off the wall. A fireball from Ersha killed two more who tried to aim their bows at Ladislava.

Claude readied an arrow and fired at Ladislava, who swiftly sliced it out of the air with her axe. Grimacing, Claude quickly drew another one as Ladislava blocked a stab from another archer's knife. She countered by kicking the man in his knee, breaking his leg before slitting his throat with the blade of her axe.

Then, just when Ladislava turned to face Claude, he fired his arrow skyward.

Ladislava rushed toward Claude as he drew a short sword and blocked her attack. He took several swings at her, more trying to hold her off rather than hit her. But after just a few seconds, his blade broke to a powerful swing from the Wyvern Knight.

"Lady Edelgard always considered you a nuisance, Claude Von Riegan," said Ladislava. "I'll ensure you trouble her no mo–"

"LOOK OUT!" shouted Ersha.

Ersha's warning made Ladislava realize what Claude was up to. She lurched back just before his skyward arrow plunged down and would've hit her in the head, instead piercing her armor near her collarbone.

"CAPTAIN!" Ersha shouted as she readied a Wind spell.

Claude, realizing he was now in serious trouble before the pink sorceress, broke into a run just as Ersha fired her spell. Claude was grazed by the rider's magic, cutting his side and sending him tumbling down a flight of stairs.

More concerned with her leader rather than with Claude, Ersha dismounted from her wyvern and ran over to Ladislava as the Wyvern Knight clutched at the arrow. It had narrowly missed hitting an artery and, thanks to her armor, it hadn't gone in very deep, but she couldn't risk pulling it out now.

"Are you alright?!" asked Ersha.

"Dammit… I underestimated him…" Ladislava hissed.

"Come on, you've done enough. You need to fall back."

Reluctantly, Ladislava said, "Agreed…"

Fenix then roared as he swooped down next to his rider, allowing Ladislava to stumble her way back onto his saddle. The wyvern then took off toward the Empire's camp, followed closely by Ersha and her mount.

…

From the side, Dorothea watched Ladislava and Ersha take off before looking at Claude. The leader of the Golden Deer clutched his side as he got up and limped away.

Dorothea was about to consider using a Physic spell on him when a loud crashing sound from the central gate caught everyone's attention. The gate had been smashed open.

As the dust settled, Byleth and Dorothea looked on as Edelgard stepped through the gate with Aymr in hand, flanked by no less than two hundred more Imperial troops.

Am I doing too much Mary Sue with all these new characters? I probably am, but I hope I'm doing enough to avoid making them look super OP. Cia and Brigitte getting flattened by Hubert (single-handedly, no less), Ladislava and her wingmen being bested, Alicia getting knocked out offscreen, and so forth. Cia's kind of a glass cannon, after all.

Speaking of Ladislava, I have actually been considering having her survive all of post-timeskip, with one of her wingmen instead dying at Myrddin. Would this be of interest to you guys? It's not set in stone yet, but I have been thinking to flesh her out more as a long-lasting character. Yes, she's loyal to Edelgard, but that doesn't mean she's necessarily doomed to die, right?

Also, yeah, Claude pulled the same trick he normally pulls on Nemesis with her. Too bad it didn't work quite as well without Byleth's help.

Next one is going to be tricky, as I plan to have a bit of dialogue between Edelgard, Byleth and Dorothea that is gonna be tough to get right. Wish me luck, and stay tuned.