Third-Person POV

"Hm…"

"Is something the matter, Sakura?" Dimitri asks his companion.

"Ack! Y-yeah, everything's just hunky dory. I'm ready for the ceremony!" Sakura assures the prince.

He and the other three, Ai, Saki, and Byleth were still highly suspicious. Especially since Edelgard took her away for a few days as well, needless to say, they worried about their friend. Her well being mostly, but also if she could focus on the mission in case things go awry.

The Blue Lions all entered the Cathedral, every single one of them was there in fact. Both old and new members prepared to enter the Holy Tomb.

Dimitri was the first to break the silence, "A revelation from the goddess... To think we'll have the honor of attending such a historical event."

"Yeah! It sounds so cool, I really wonder what's going to happen…" Sakura pumped her fists.

"Still, we have no idea what's inside this Holy Tomb… how do we know if it's safe?" Junko worried.

"D-don't put those worrying thoughts in my head! Now I'm assuming the worst is going to happen!" Bernie shuddered.

"Ah! S-sorry!" Junko apologized quickly.

"We mustn't falter now, Lady Junko, Lady Bernadetta, especially since Lady Rhea is accompanying us as well." Yugiri told the floofy-haired idol.

Ingrid nodded, "Indeed, if something happens to her, all of Fódlan will suffer. We must protect her at all costs!"

"That didn't help at all…" Bernie and Junko responded at the same time.

"This may sound mad, but perhaps we don't have to worry so much about that. Lady Rhea has said before that she is capable of protecting herself. I have a feeling that is true. I thought it was a strange thing for her to say. And beyond that, her movements bring to mind a great warrior with an extensive military background." Dimitri brought up.

"Wait really? That fancy chick's got fighting skills?" Saki's eyes lit up, before Dedue coughed to get her to focus, "Yes she does, I have even spotted the Professor seeking faculty training from her on a few occasions."

"Is that so? Hm… who is Rhea, really?" Ai pondered.

"I wonder… Mind, it's also possible that I'm way off track. Regardless, perhaps we should brace ourselves for anything." Dimitri looked to the professor who agreed with staying vigilant.

"I never imagined attending a ceremony for a real revelation…" Ashe was in awe.

Mercedes, nervously clutched her hands, "I wonder what the ceremony will be like. I'm so nervous! I'm not ready for this!"

Felix scoffed, "There's no chance for battle unless something goes terribly wrong, right? How boring."

Sylvain shook his head,"If you keep saying things like that, something bad is bound to happen."

"That's what I'm counting on, this ceremony stuff is looking to be dull as hell. That Solon guy probably still has friends around, so I hope to bash some sk—" Saki got bopped on the head by Ai.

"While I don't disagree with you on that last point, don't jinx us and act professional when we're with the archbishop, please?" The flower-headed idol scolded her biker companion.

"Hee hee, yeah Saki, act more proper!" Lily giggled.

"Shut up, Shrimpy." Saki told the younger girl.

Annette laughs but then notices how Flayn seems to be lost in thought,"What's wrong, Flayn? You look like you have something on your mind."

"Who, me? No... It is nothing. May we all see this through to the end." Flayn then remains silent.

Dedue decides to move on,"Your Highness, I will protect you no matter what. Your Highness?"

The rest of the class look to the prince, who seems to be lost in thought, "..."

"Dimitri?" Byleth tries to get his student's attention.

"Your Highness, are you feeling alright?" Ai tried next.

"Yeah, you haven't seemed like yourself lately…" Sakura solemnly states.

Dimitri finally answered them,"Hm? Ah. Well, I haven't been sleeping well recently. And my head aches...but no need to worry. Let's focus on the task at hand."

The others remained skeptical, especially Ai who put her finger on her cheek while thinking.

Dimitri then immediately changed the subject, "It's about time for Lady Rhea to arrive. Let's all steel ourselves for whatever may occur at this ceremony."

"Yeah!" Sakura, Lily, and Annette raised their fists to the air.

The Blue Lions soon met up with Rhea as the group delved deep into the dark Holy Tomb. Almost the entirety of the students were amazed by what they saw, and eventually gasped as they reached a stone throne at the end.

"It is said that our creator, the goddess Sothis, sat upon this very throne. Professor, do you recognize this throne?" Rhea asks Byleth.

"I do." Byleth answers.

His students' eyes widen after hearing his answer and look on as Rhea tells him to sit upon said throne.

Byleth sits down, awaiting his revelation, yet….

"Well?" Rhea asks as Byleth shakes his head, feeling nothing has changed.

"It was supposed to be but a step away. What could possibly be missing?" Rhea's head lowers slowly.

Suddenly Ai and Dimitri turn around, both sensing something coming their way.

"Halt! Reveal yourself!" The Prince demands.

"Whoever you are, we won't back down!" The Heisei Idol follows up.

Metodey, a commander from the Adrestian Empire, enters the Holy Tomb. The Flame Emperor and Imperial soldiers alongside him, "Don't move, any of you. If you move, your lives will be forfeit. Thank you ever so much for guiding us this far. The Imperial army will now take possession of everything in the Holy Tomb." He snickers.

"T-T-The Imperial Army?! Then…no...that's… impossible..." Sakura fumbled with her words as she tried to comprehend what she was seeing.

"Why is the Imperial Army here?" Dedue's eyes widen slightly.

Ingrid was stunned, "This can't be. How did they get into Garreg Mach?"

"Did… they follow us down here?" Ai suggests.

"They must have, I am assuming there is no other pathway leading into the tomb." Yugiri's eyebrows lower.

"Frankly I never thought this would be possible, the Flame Emperor being connected to the Empire." Linhardt was as shocked as everyone else.

Sylvain looks over at the intruders, "Even the Flame Emperor is here. That can only mean—"

"The Flame Emperor is connected to the Empire. What do you know." Felix prepares for a fight.

"Linhardt, Bernadetta, did you know about this?" Junko asked the former Black Eagles.

"H-How could I?! I'm not important enough for someone to tell me things like this!" Bernie tells her.

"Tch, we shouldn't have been so careless as to think nothing would occur during an event like this." Lysithea shook her head.

Dimitri was getting more enraged by the second, "I never imagined you'd have the nerve to return here. What are you after, Flame Emperor?"

Flame Emperor was unmoved, "Is it not obvious? The Holy Tomb contains great power; the power to rule all of Fódlan."

"And to attain that power, you'll trample anything that stands in your way, just like you did in Duscur!" Dimitri growls back.

"I had nothing to do with that.", The Flame Emperor then commands their troops, "Quickly, retrieve the Crest Stones! Kill for them if you must."

Rhea was far from welcoming as well, "Insolence! You will atone for the sin of tramping on this holy resting place. Professor, destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!"

Byleth nodded as he ushered his students to follow him down the stairs, facing the Imperial Army head on. The soldiers all dashed towards the caskets within the tomb, searching for the Crest Stones. The students all did their best with fighting them off, though the implications behind this battle distracted the mind of one eggheaded zombie idol.

"What are you even going to use these stones for?!" Sakura demanded answers as she swung her lance at an intruder.

"That information is not to be heard for the likes of you!" The soldier jabbed forward with his sword but is then countered with Sakura using her own steel sword.

"HAAA!" She then slashed forwards as the knight fell before retrieving the Crest Stone he had.

Dimitri bats off three soldiers at once, knocking them right into the path of Dedue's axe, "Heretics! What could be gained from desecrating these tombs and disgracing the dead?!"

"How disrespectful…" Marianne agrees.

"What do they even hope to gain from this action?" Ai fires an arrow as she glares at The Flame Emperor from afar.

"Tch, no matter. I shall take down The Flame Emperor once and for all…" Dimitri stormed through each foe that came his way.

"Your Highness…" Dedue sighed before going after him.

Byleth then walked up to Ai & Marianne, "Cover him please, he's becoming too reckless. He could get killed out there."

The blue haired girls nodded towards their teacher before following the prince and his retainer.

"This is just absolute chaos…" Junko sighed as she healed up Felix.

"At the very least this made the ceremony much more entertaining." The swordsman responded.

"Here here, coming all this way just to have Teach sit in a chair and have nothing happen is just a waste. Glad I get to have some fun!" Saki tosses a soldier over her shoulder.

"Is fighting all you two think about?!" Junko pouted at them.

"Now now, it frustrates me too, but we should focus on the battle at hand." Ashe pats her on the back to calm her down.

"You're… right. Thank you." Junko responded.

"Hey, I know a place in town where the two of you could get some good food! I'll tell you guys after this!" Sylvain shouted towards them before he was then confronted by a shielded knight.

"Please do not try to set two people on dates in the middle of battle." Lysithea casts Swarm Ζ on that same knight.

"Oooo! Go go Lysithea!" Lily cheers her friend.

"Great job!" Annette doing the same.

"H-How embarrassing…" Lysithea blushed.

Byleth then joined Sakura in returning the Crest Stones to where they were stolen from, before the two of them encountered their next enemy at the end of the Tomb.

Metodey licks his lips, "I'm told it's fine to kill those who resist. Now then, how shall I cook you?"

"C-Cook? Gross!" Sakura reacts to his words.

"You can handle him, right?" Byleth asks his student.

Sakura thinks for a moment and then answers, "Yes I can. You help out Dimitri."

Her teacher moves on to face the Flame Emperor while Sakura is facing the commander of their army.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Sakura swings her lance back and forth at Metodey, but he continuously dodges her attacks.

"Ha ha ha ha, I'm going to make this hurt!" The assassin shouts before his brave sword cuts through Sakura's uniform.

"Ack!" She cries out in pain.

Hearing the cry of her friend, Tae immediately stops chewing on the leg of a soldier and charges towards Metodey.

"Ha! What a fool, I'll hurt her as well!" He turns his attention to the snarling zombie girl approaching.

"No, don't—" Sakura is then interrupted as Tae headbutts the Imperial commander in the gut.

"RAGHHHH!" Tae wildly chews on his skull.

"GET OFF OF ME YOU CRETIN!" Metodey yells, yet she refuses to let go.

Sakura, realizing that he's wide open, throws her lance straight into his chest.

Blood drips out of his mouth as he coughs, "Wait... No! I was just following orders! I just... Graaargh!

He falls to the ground defeated and Sakura thanks Tae for her assistance.

"Now let's finish this!" A determined Sakura readies herself as she heads for the fight between Dimitri, Byleth, and The Flame Emperor.

The rest of the Blue Lions were busy with retrieving the Crest Stones and fighting other soldiers, in addition to a few demonic beasts. Which leaves their professor, their house leader, and three of their classmates to face down the leader of the pack.

"We won't back down." The Professor states as he clutched The Sword of the Creator.

"Tch, I did not wish to make an enemy of you." The Flame Emperor says before Dimitri points his lance at them.

"Do not try to say you have forgotten... Do you know just how many people died in Duscur?" He angrily asks.

"Why bother with this? Stay silent and fight." The Flame Emperor readies their axe.

"So you want to turn your eyes away from the lives you have trampled? Dastard! You are a monster. The lowliest beast I have ever known." The Prince is absolutely livid with how his enemy is behaving.

Dimitri charges first and manages to get a good hit, but is then promptly knocked back a couple feet. As Marianne helps him up and hands him a vulnerary, Sakura and Ai give it a shot.

"Stand down now, I would prefer not to kill you." The masked figure told Sakura.

"With how much you've hurt innocent people… I refuse to do that." Sakura switched to her sword, one of the armor slayer variety.

"So be it. Just know that I gave you a chance to walk away." The Flame Emperor swings their axe against Sakura's blade.

"Sakura, hold them off for a while!" Ai tells her friend.

Sakura continues her duel, though she is struggling to gain control. Despite this, she kept swinging her sword repeatedly, hoping to force her enemy into a corner.

"Ack… gah!" Sakura is then knocked down and she looks up at the Flame Emperor with frustration.

"Farewell…" The Flame Emperor says to her as they hesitated to bring the axe down.

At that moment however, a thought suddenly appeared in Sakura's mind. The Imperial Army being the invaders, the fighting style with the axe, saying that she would 'prefer not to kill you', and that hesitation instead of simply killing her outright... Her shocked expression said it all.

"E… Edel—"

"Now's our chance." Byleth commanded, as he, Ai, and Dimitri charged all at once at the Flame Emperor.

Ai fires an arrow into their shoulder, Byleth disarms them by wrapping his sword around their axe, and Dimitri strikes them down with the hilt of his lance.

"Ugh…" The Flame Emperor uttered before their mask fell to the ground, backing away towards additional troops while holding their injured shoulder.

"..." The Holy Tomb suddenly went silent. The fighting ceased as the rest of the class got a good look, and not a single one of them could believe it.

.

.

.

.

.

"Edelgard...?!" Ai took a step back as the Black Eagles house leader stood before them, unmasked.

"No… no…" Sakura held her head, shaken up by this revelation.

"Sakura, I…" Edelgard began, but was interrupted by… a soft chuckle.

Then a crazed laughter had erupted, and as Sakura slowly picked herself up, she gasped when gazing into the eyes of who that laughter belonged to.

"Is this some kind of twisted joke?!" Dimitri shouted towards Edelgard before continuing to laugh.

The Prince got his lance out once more and slowly walked over to her, crushing the red and white mask she wore into pieces under his boots. Byleth tries to hold back his student, yet he brushes him off quickly, not willing to change his mind.

"Dimitri?" Marianne looked to the one who considered her a 'good luck charm' with great concern.

Edelgard stares into the crazed eyes of the leader of the Blue Lions as she listens to what he says next, "I've been looking for you...I will take that head from your shoulders and hang it from the gates of Enbarr!"

"Wait! Your Highness!" Ai calls out to him as he knocks down four soldiers at once and throws his lance with immense strength.

Edelgard gasps as the lance brushes against her steel helmet and watches the prince bare handedly slaughter her soldiers one by one.

"Stop right there!" An imperial soldier shouts towards him, before he is then caught by Dimitri's right hand, which crushes his skull.

Sakura feels like she could scream in terror at the brutality, but she remained petrified. Hard to blame her after finding out her friend was the enemy, and that another of her close friends turned out like this... she's completely speechless. Sakura felt… broken.

Dimitri's blood soaked face grins sinisterly, as his Blue Lion classmates looked on with horror.

"So it's finally happened…" Felix grimaced at the sight.

"What are you talking about? What the actual shit is wrong with him?!" Saki asked him, quivering slightly.

"Tch…"

"Hey Felix, you know about this, don't you?! Tell me!" Saki demands.

Felix turned to her, cold stare in his eyes, "The Dimitri you once knew is now long gone, and in his place… is the savage boar prince that was hidden underneath."

END OF CHAPTER 35

This… was interesting. I hope this chapter did not disappoint in execution. Frankly I'm waiting to see what happens next, just like the rest of y'all. Hope you enjoyed what you just read, and see you next time.