I screwed up here, I just know it.

Chapter 119 – The Battle of Garreg Mach, Part 5 (Lone Moon)

Anna scowled when she heard a loud explosion come from one of the main passages to Abyss, following by the sound of wrenching metal. The Imperials had clearly blown open one of the iron gates.

"They're coming through!" shouted one of the Abyssians.

"Hold your ground, people!" shouted Yuri. "We've gotta buy as much time as we can for the others to get away!"

Shamir drew her bow and aimed at the dust cloud created by the explosion. The instant she saw a figure charging through the smoke, she released her shot, hitting the Imperial in the neck. Dozens more began charging in as she readied another arrow.

Felix hissed loudly as an arrow came flying out of the smoke and hit him in the right thigh. He staggered onto his knee before ripping the arrow out of his leg, setting it to his bow, and firing it back at the Imperials, only for the arrow to strike a shield.

Seconds later, the Imperials began clashing with the Abyssians in earnest. The sound of steel on steel echoed through the catacombs, accompanied by the shouts and screams of battle. Nearby, the civilians began to panic at hearing the violence so close to them.

Yuri slashed an Imperial lancer three times in a little over a second, only to be forced to block the blade of another who sought to avenge his comrade. The rogue winced loudly, still feeling the pain his chest from where he had been shot in Enbarr. He then parried a blow and riposted, slashing through his opponent's face.

Shamir, forced into close combat, swiped her karambit into the back of another Imperial's neck, like a cat would do to its prey. Paralyzed from the blow to her spine, the Imperial woman fell to the ground and whimpered in disbelief. Shamir then whirled around at the sound of another Imperial's shout, and then dodged to the side to avoid his axe. However, the warrior swung his fist and backhanded Shamir in the chin, sending the Dagdan mercenary stumbling back with a split lip.

Before the warrior could follow up his attack, a Miasma Δ spell from Hapi struck him, sending him down with a yowl. Hapi winced as she finished her spell, which had sent pain through her still-broken arm, despite that she had used her left hand rather than her right.

Shamir scowled as she looked back and saw the Abyssians were being overwhelmed. There was no stopping the enemy. They were simply too numerous.

As Anna slashed through another opponent, she saw the Imperials approaching the tunnel leading to the training grounds of the Officer's Academy. Two Abyssians tried to intercept them there, but they were quickly cut down by the Imperials.

"They've reached the tunnel!" Anna shouted. "We've gotta– GGH!"

Another Imperial, this one an officer, swung his sword at Anna, forcing her to block. She was forced back as the Imperial made strike after strike at her, pushing her toward a railing above Abyss's waterways.

The officer then shouted as he rushed his shoulder at Anna, who cried out in shock as she was knocked into the guard rail. As soon as she hit it, the railing broke away, and Anna let out a scream as she plunged into the rapidly flowing waterway.

"ANNA!" Yuri shouted as he saw the redhead fall.

Anna, unable to struggle against the powerful current, was swept away in seconds.

…

When Manuela saw Lana's expression of alarm, she knew to expect the worst. Turning, the senior healer saw, to her own dismay, Alois carrying an unconscious Brigitte on his shoulder, with Cia and Ferdinand limping into the main hall behind him. Sylvain and Leonie were with them, covered in scratches and blood stains, but they looked otherwise fine. Manuela stepped away from Dimitri and Dedue, the former with bandages over the right side of his face.

Things were getting out of hand for the healers. Balthus and Gilbert had just recently returned with a severely wounded Catherine. One of the more experienced priests was now trying to heal Catherine's wounds. On a nearby table, Alicia moaned softly in her unconscious state. Annette had also returned with a wounded leg.

"Cia!" Lana said to her twin in concern. "Are you alright?"

"No, not really, Lana," Cia said with a painful grunt. "Hubert mopped the floor with me and Brig."

"Hubert? Wait, do you mean that guy you–"

"Yes, THAT Hubert! Brig's not doing so good, Lana. Help her out."

"O-Oh, right!"

Lana immediately began channeling healing magic on Brigitte as Alois set her down. Alois then turned to Manuela as she approached.

"Manuela, you need to start getting these people out of here," said Alois. "We can't hold the enemy off much longer."

"But there are so many wounded here," said Flayn. "We will never get them all out."

Just then, another soldier ran into the hall and shouted, "The Imperials are in the academy! They've breached through Abyss!"

This made many in the main hall start to panic.

"We're gonna be overrun!" Annette said in terror.

"Anyone who can still wield a weapon, follow me!" shouted Alois. "We have to stop the Empire at the tunnel! Manuela, get the students out of here, now!"

Alois grabbed his axe and rushed out to face the enemy, followed by the few soldiers he had left under his command. Several wounded soldiers joined him, but Manuela knew they weren't going to hold off the enemy for long. All around her, the nuns and other Church staff began screaming in terror.

Then, as if to make the situation worse, a loud crash on the main hall's ceiling made everyone scream even louder. One of the trebuchet projectiles had glanced the roof, sending some debris falling from the scaffolding.

Manuela was at her wit's end. She was about to start panicking along with the others when someone shouted, "ENOUGH!"

This was sufficient to get everyone to quiet down and turn to see Seteth had been the one behind the shout.

Seteth then said, "Flayn, take the others and make your way through the rear gate of the cathedral. We will hold the line for as long as possible."

"W-What?! Brother–"

"Flayn, time is of the essence. I need you to do this for me."

"But–"

"Please. Now is not the time to argue."

Flayn paused for a moment and then said, "Yes, brother…"

"The rear gate?" Hilda said in confusion. She and the others didn't know of any gate around that part of the monastery.

"Hey, if it's a way out, I'll take it!" said Claude. "I don't plan to die here."

"And just where do you think you are all going?" said a voice that left everyone stunned with dread.

Everyone turned to see Hubert at the entrance to the main hall, flanked by his men.

"Hubert…" Seteth said grimly as he readied the Spear of Assal.

"No one will be leaving this place," said Hubert. "By order of Her Majesty, you are now all prisoners of the Empire."

The students watched as the soldiers moved in, ready to capture them. Cia stepped in front of Lana, who silently protested her sister's action, gesturing to the many wounded in the hall.

"You will first have to get through us, Hubert von Vestra," said Hanneman as he entered the scene, flanked by a dozen Church mages.

"Professor Hanneman!" Lysithea said in surprise.

"We will delay the enemy. Flayn, please get the others to the cathedral, post-haste."

"R-Right! Everyone, follow me, quickly!" Flayn said loudly.

The students began to follow her, with Dedue carrying Dimitri on his shoulder, Lana and Cia dragging Brigitte, and Balthus taking Catherine again on his shoulder. Alicia was picked up by Sylvain and Leonie.

The Imperials moved to intercept the students, only for a fierce wind to blow them back. Hubert smirked as he watched Hanneman ready his sorcery while Manuela drew a sword and Gilbert readied his axe.

"You will not pass, boy," Gilbert said tersely.

"You cannot stop us, old man," Hubert replied. "Nor can any of you. We have already won this day."

"Don't go patting yourself on the back just yet," said Manuela. "You still have to make it happen."

"As you wish. Finish them!"

The Imperials charged into the main hall as Seteth, Gilbert, Manuela and Hanneman braced themselves for the ensuing clash.

…

Byleth watched Edelgard's every move as the emperor stepped slowly toward her in the central courtyard. The battle around them seemed to grow silent as Edelgard walked. To the side, Dorothea quivered as Edelgard approached, but Edelgard did not take her eyes off Byleth.

The emperor could see her teacher was exhausted. She wasn't surprised; Byleth must have been fighting for hours by now. She was amazed that Byleth had kept up the fight for this long. But even while fatigued, she would prove a most deadly adversary.

"Edelgard…" Byleth said grimly. "Was I so poor a teacher that you thought this was your only option?"

"Do not blame yourself for my actions, Professor," said Edelgard. "I had always planned this, long before I met you. I considered every alternative, time and again, but I would always arrive at the same conclusion."

"And that would be?"

"That Fódlan can only be saved if it is reforged in the fires of war. That only I can lead Fódlan to a new dawn. Only I can release this land from the oppression of Crests and the tyranny of nobility."

"What you're doing NOW is tyranny, Edelgard! Do you plan to force all of Fódlan to adhere to what you want just because of what happened to you and your siblings?!"

"I understand why you would think that way, Professor… But the death of my siblings is only one of many examples of the cruelty that infests Fódlan to the core. I told you before that I would never allow such cruelty to continue."

"Edelgard–"

"I'll hear no more from you, Byleth Eisner. Ready your weapon. I was once your student, but now… now, I must surpass you."

Edelgard readied Aymr as Byleth assumed her stance. She had always known it would come down to this.

"Edie, stop it!"

Edelgard turned at this moment to look at Dorothea. The diva's eyes were streaming with tears as she held Joyeuse.

"Dorothea…"

"I can't believe you would ever say or do such horrible things!" said Dorothea. "I thought I knew you better than this! You're my friend, Edie! Please, you can't do this…!"

"But I must. There is no other way. And it is far too late for me to stop." Edelgard then began stepping toward Dorothea as she said, "If you wish for me to stop, Dorothea… you will have to strike me down."

Dorothea made a choking gasp as her eyes went wide. Her grip on Joyeuse was shaking so much that it looked like she would drop the blade at any moment. Byleth watched Edelgard, ready to rush in front of Dorothea to protect her.

But something compelled her to stay where she was. Edelgard moved ever closer to Dorothea, and Byleth could only hope that the emperor would not strike down her closest friend.

"Edie, no…" Dorothea whimpered as she stepped back, as if terrified of the emperor.

"You lack the conviction to impede my path, Dorothea," said Edelgard. "It is clear as day. But if you would join me, I would welcome you with open arms."

Dorothea was shocked into silence as Edelgard walked up and placed her hand on Joyeuse's blade.

"It's not too late, Dorothea. Come with me."

"I… I…"

Dorothea could barely think at this moment. Before her stood her closest friend, asking her to join on a crusade that would surely leave millions dead before it was over. The same friend who had laughed with her, fought beside her, learned alongside her, and listened to her songs. The friend who had given her the blade that she was now gently pushing aside.

The same friend who was now about to bathe Fódlan in fire and blood.

"I can't…" Dorothea whimpered. "Edie… I… I can't… I…"

"I see… I wish you were someone whose heart could be swayed by my words and deeds. If it were so, I would have done anything to have you by my side…"

Dorothea's last shred of resolve broke at these words, and Joyeuse clattered to the ground as she fell to her knees, looking up at Edelgard as she sobbed with her green eyes wide open.

The look in the diva's eyes was too much for Edelgard. She had told herself time and again that she couldn't afford to get attached to her. She could not put her friend before her purpose.

And even knowing that, she reached out to touch Dorothea's face, hoping desperately that she would come to her senses, and perhaps join her on her path.

The sound of the Sword of the Creator snapped Edelgard back to reality, and she leapt back as Byleth slashed at her. Dorothea shrieked as Edelgard readied Aymr.

"Get away from her!" Byleth snapped with uncharacteristic anger.

"It seems we will resolve this now, Professor," said Edelgard. "Ready yourself. I will not show you any mercy."

Byleth shouted as she swung the Sword of the Creator around herself, the segmented blade whirling like a twister of death. Edelgard tightened her grip on Aymr, which began to glow red as flames surrounded its twitching blades.

Dorothea watched in absolute horror as the two people she cared most for began their clash.

"No…" she whimpered silently.

Edelgard smashed Aymr down as Byleth tried to lash her, sending the blades back at the green-haired warrior. Edelgard then raised her right hand, having discarded her shield, and cast a Bolganone spell. Knowing it was coming, Byleth leapt away from the fiery spot on the ground before it exploded, avoiding the attack and sending a fireball in retaliation. Edelgard swatted this spell out of the air before raising Aymr to block Byleth as she swung her blade at the emperor from above. The two locked in a clash as they glared at one another.

"No…" Dorothea whimpered again.

"I thought you were a better person than this, Edelgard!" Byleth hissed.

"You knew the lengths I would go to in order to change the world, Professor!" said Edelgard. "Or did you think I wouldn't have the courage to follow through on my words?"

Edelgard tapped into her Minor Crest of Seiros as she said this, enhancing her strength and forcing Byleth back with a powerful swing.

"No…" Dorothea whimpered again.

"I thought you would know when to draw a line in the sand!" shouted Byleth.

"In service to the future I have envisioned, I cannot afford to stop," said Edelgard. "I must succeed."

"No…" Dorothea whimpered again.

Byleth roared as she activated her Crest of Flames and began a series of lightning quick swings at Edelgard, who masterfully blocked and parried each blow. Neither could gain any advantage over the other. Seconds later, they were again meeting in a clash of strength.

Then, as her eyes began to glow, Edelgard said, "For the future of Fódlan, I WILL CRUSH YOU!"

"No…" Dorothea whimpered yet again, unable to stand seeing her friends fighting one another.

The Crest of Flames manifested over Edelgard alongside the Crest of Seiros. With a loud shout, Edelgard pushed hard against Byleth, whose eyes went wide with shock as she felt herself being overwhelmed.

Byleth jumped back, breaking the clash, but Edelgard moved with incredible speed and swung at her as she shouted, "THIS ENDS NOW!"

Byleth raised her blade to block the blow, and then screamed as the Sword of the Creator shattered to Edelgard's strike, with Aymr cleaving into her chest.

Time halted just before Byleth would've been sent flying into a pillar.

The Sword of the Creator reassembled itself as the wound in Byleth's chest sealed itself, while Edelgard reversed her overpowering swing.

Time resumed its flow as Edelgard shouted, "THIS ENDS NOW!"

Byleth dodged back, knowing she couldn't contest the blow. But it wasn't enough. The sheer force of Edelgard's strike blasted her back, and Byleth screamed as she crashed into one of the monastery's pillars. The pain in her chest was met by the pain from the impact, and Byleth collapsed to the ground on her hands and knees. She gasped for breath as she struggled to keep herself conscious.

Edelgard immediately winced as she felt her body falter, unable to handle wielding so much power at once. She immediately withdrew her two Crests, allowing her body to stabilize. She still struggled to stay standing and looked up to see Dorothea was now rushing to Byleth's side in panic.

"BYLETH!" Dorothea screamed as she ran.

Hearing her friend say her teacher's name felt like someone had just stabbed Edelgard with an icy dagger to the heart. She was grateful they weren't looking at her in that moment, for her eyes had widened in heartbreak at seeing her friend choose their teacher over her.

As Dorothea tried to heal Byleth, the greenette hissed as she struggled to look at Edelgard. The emperor was now looking at both her and Dorothea with an inscrutable countenance.

"You've fought well," said Edelgard. "But it ends here. My reserves are already on their way. 2,000 men and women of the Empire against what little remains of the defenders of Garreg Mach Monastery."

Byleth's eyes widened in horror at hearing this. She had no idea Edelgard had brought such a vast army to Garreg Mach. There was no possible way to stop so many troops with the losses the Knights had sustained.

"Surrender, Byleth Eisner. It is your only option left."

Byleth struggled to her feet and tightened her grip on her sword. Dorothea was dismayed to see her teacher ready to fight to the death.

The moment was interrupted as a massive roar echoed through the sky, shocking everyone involved in the battle. Surprised, Edelgard looked upward, and her eyes widened in shock.

Byleth and Dorothea looked to the sky to see an enormous white creature soaring down toward the monastery town on two massive wings, roaring as the Imperials began to run in terror from it.

And then they trembled as the white beast shouted, "Seibou ni shinnyu shita mono wa shinu koto ni naru!"

Try not to bash too hard, okay?

Writing the conversation between Byleth, Dorothea and Edelgard was hard because I need to convey a few things from it. One, Dorothea cannot accept what Edelgard is doing, but nor does she have the courage and resolve to confront her. The second is that Edelgard still has feelings for Dorothea, but she can't let those feelings pull her from her goal. Third is that Byleth needs to be thinking that she failed to guide Edelgard to a righteous path.

And yes, I know Edelgard thrashed Byleth when a lot of you will say it should've been the other way around. However, when I listen to people saying Byleth should be more powerful than a whole army, I view that as 100% hyperbole. Byleth's powerful, no doubt, but even she wouldn't be able to match an army solo. She's still human, after all, even if she's got the power of a goddess.

And I know the Immaculate One's appearance may feel out of sequence, but that's how I'm writing it. Speaking of which, if anybody can help me translate from English to Japanese, I'd appreciate it. Google Translate sucks for that sort of thing.

EDIT: To whoever the Guest reviewer is, I (likely) removed your review (if it was indeed yours) because you were being a jerk. If you don't like what I'm doing with my fic, you don't have to keep reading it.