Author's note: warning ahead: I do admit it's not necessarly the best chapter in there, and it might been cringe at certain points, but I honestly couldn't find other alternative to ties (and create) plot points lol. I hope you enjoyed.

Today, Cyril was in the blacksmith room to pass the brush and broom. It was quiet since no one except Rim was there and he was busy with paperwork so he needed all the concentration he could have. Upon staring at the overseer, the young Almyran took the time to remember his first time seeing Catherine trained. At that time, he was in admiration of her strenght and dedication and understood why Shamir loved her. Seeing Rim's dedication reminded him of Catherine, after all the middle age man was dedicated to his peers and work as well. He was one those who wouldn't hesitate to fire someone if the work was half ass done. Of course, any overseer would get angry, but Rim was something else and strangely Cyril like that. The young man himself was hardworking and doing jobs with a strong efficiency so he could relate somehow that the hardworkers get praised. A loud knock on the desk from the overseer put him back on earth, and he looked at his employe with tired eyes and bags under them.

He asked "almost finished?"

"Yeah, I can hurry if ya want"

he dismissed the idea "nah you worry too much. I just want to see if there wasn't anything urgent." Cyril simply nodded. While Rim knew a little bit his background, he didn't asked too much question about it in order to remain professional and simply work. Cyril was his best worker by far in his entire career both as a great knight and as an overseer. Something he noticed since his tenure was that the kid never once smiled, always serious. He stayed silent however so that the archer could finish the work.

Once finished, Rim wanted to know more about him this time and asked "just curious, now that I think about it, what were you doing before working for lady Rhea?"

Cyril rose his head and winced at the question. Truth be told, he didn't want to talk about it, but since this was his superior and he had help him so far, it was only fair to answer. The almyran replied "I was working as a slave for the Goneril, was also a child soldier in almyra before they enslaved me, then lady Rhea came and freed me"

Rim didn't give any response and Cyril didn't care. He was there to do his job after all. The overseer finally replied "I see... such a shame to not have a childhood, then you are thrown in the new age where the people you cared are seen as the enemy. No one to help you. No wonder I never saw your smile. I suppose it doesn't feel home"

Home.

Now in this new strange and totally new era, if there was anything he want the most is a new home. Yes, he got a steady job and if he see through the end, he might be able to buy a house here, but Cyril felt a piece was missing. Still the almyran didn't replied, nothing worth to answer back. It didn't bother overseer Rim however and was picking some stuff.

While packing he asked to cheer him up "did you have some friends at Garreg Mach? "

"maybe"

"come on lad, we know this isn't true. Besides, you and that nun who came last time seems to be close so tell me who are they? I can help you up if you have a crush"

that was really embarrassing from the overseer, but to his credit, Rim was actually good at giving advices and he was a mentor of sort for Cyril, despite not having that much interaction.

Cyril sighed "well I didn't have a lot of friends ya know, but there is Mercedes, the nun who came here, that I considered as a big sister, also another one of the friend was a man named Ashe, around my age. Then there is a girl whose name is Lysithea…"

"Is she the Ordelia girl, white haired?" Cyril nodded. "yes I know of her, we fought only time during the war however, especially with Ferdinand. Such a beautiful young lady. No wonder you have a crush on her"

Cyril resisted the urge to redden futher and lash out in anger "she isn't my crush! She is my enemy now!"

the great knight became grim and asked "why weren't you on the same side of the war? What happened?"

Cyril still replied "I don't know, go ask her if you want. I learnt how to read because of her and we promised we would be side by side during the war, but she broke it!"

Rim sighed "I see…. Well why don't you go to her then? Ask her. Tell her your feelings"

Cyril retorted angrily "didn't ya heard what I said, she betrayed and kill my teacher and my savior. I hate her!"

"You tell yourself that, but your heart says otherwise." It was true Cyril got read again like a book and knew he was right. Despite what she had done, he was never finished with the white haired princess. He always tell himself and very few others to convince himself that he was right, but no.

Rim continued "listen, did you know I had a wife before. Not exactly wife, but fiancée. I won't go into details, but let's say I was about to ask her to marry me, but she died suddenly by a heart attack. One more day and she would have been my wife."

He got touched by the story, still... "what has to do with this situation?"

"You said you didn't feel home, perhaps she is the missing piece. You two are young. Don't make the same mistake as I did."

Cyril's anger dissippated slowly until he calm down, but didn't answer. Rim smiled "look, take the night to think about it. When you have decide what to do, I believe your destiny will be changed forever" he got up from his chair and waved his hand "up, time to close boy!"

Cyril nodded and they both left the blacksmith for the night, splitting on their way. Cyril knew he wouldn't sleep for now he decided to take a stroll on the moonlight. It was rather a beautiful night with a fresh breeze. There weren't many people outside in the streets of Enbarr because of a temporary law of Empress Edelgard which is a curfew. He wondered why there was a curfew since the reasons for the law were unknown. In reality, the curfew was installed to sniff out the hidden enemy that the population wasn't even aware of, including Cyril. While strolling he suddeny overheard two people talking in a dark street. He couldn't discern their voices, but something inside the young man urged him to listen, despite not being of his business. He placed himself in the corner of the street. He didn't realise at that he was now thrown in something sinister and his life will change drastically.

The first man said "I guess you will return home"

the second man had a similar voice and accent, althought strangely not unfamillar for Cyril, but couldn't quite place his finger on. "yes indeed. I believe you will return as well"

"yes at last. I finished my experiments on those rats, Odesse finished his welcome as well"

Cyril wondered what is going on. Who were those men? What were those experiments? many questions popped inside his head, but he decided to return to his room before being spotted. When moving his feet, he hear a cat meowed, coming towards him. Needless to say, both men heard it as well. The young almyran run away for his life.

"Well, someone is putting their nose where they shouldn't" said the first man.

"Indeed. Your magical cat is well done I admit"

"thank you my friend. Since I can see what the cat had seen. Tomorrow, I will kill him before returning, but can you do a last service?" the first man nastly grinned.

"Of course…."

Cyril was in his room and couldn't sleep. What was that about? He tried to do what Overseer Rim advised him to do but it was not available. The almyran sighed in defeat and drift into a slumber, tiredness slowly taking over.

It was early morning and Cyril was early to sweep the floors and clean the smithy. Sometimes he does that to prepare for the opening and he mostly like that because nobody is here to harass him and it is something that had to be done for the overseer, which he volonteer to be that early guy. He rose his head to stare in the window and realise the sun was already high up. The overseer was supposed to be there by now and it made the boy a bit anxious. When Rim wasn't there, it was tougher for him to deal with the others. Cyril remembered that Shamir, Rhea and the others were defending him when someone was threatening the young boy because of his heritage. He once thought Shamir wasn't a mother, but now that he think about it...maybe she was one, just like Rhea. With both gone however, he had to endure jeers and insults. He tried to think of Enbarr as his new home, but he simply can't. Cyril sighed at that. Will he ever have a home now? Cyril was alert to hear a new face coming from the front door.

The man who was bigger than him was eying and he could already see the man won't be his best friend "heathen! I'm your new overseer and I won't go softly on you like Rim."

Cyril was in shock, what happen to Rim? The man continued "Rim had to leave for "personal reasons" twart and this is all you will get"

the young almyran gulped "y-yes sir"

the man didn't budge and barked "Rim told me his instructions almyran scum. The convoi won't come today so your task is to go to Ariarhod to bring this!"

Cyril simply nodded and took the heavy material. Lastly, before going to his office he warned "you must return before night or you will be fired! Am I clear?!"

"yes sir"

the new overseer grunted and waved him off. Outside, he was strapping himself with the wyvern and they flew. It was a beautiful day, but he should hurry. While flying, he saw remembered the first time he rode a wyvern with his parents in Almyra. Cyril admitted to himself that it was the only moment he could have called Almyra his home, but after his parents death and enrolling as a child soldier, he lost faith in them.

Once at Ariarhod, the young man debarked from his wyvern in a stable in the forest where the residents formed a small village until the city was completely rebuilded. It was a nice spot and realise the people were trying to make the best of what they have. The materials he was bringing was heavy but fortunately, once on the construction site he spot the man he was supposed to give.

"There ya go"

"came late brute, now get out of my sight"

Cyril nodded and left the man alone. While taking his breath to recover from the fatigue, he overheard people whispering like if it was a rumor.

"Did you heard that? Apparently, there was a noble who asked in marriage the only daughter of the Ordelia." Whispered the woman.

Cyril raised his head in shock and continued listening, anger boilling, questions and asumptions were making in his mind.

"I've heard of that sister. That woman probably accepted. Lord Mattias is attractive after all"

"such a fairy tail!" giggle the woman. Cyril was more or less sick. It's true he shouldn't had assumed Lysithea loved him back, but jealousy and insecurity rose, he wondered if he was the reason she changed side. He run without looking back towards the stable, trying to forget what had been said, convincing himself it was just rumor.

Once in the forest, he noticed something strange, there was nobody around and the almyran wondered if he got lost. He noted he was on a trail so perhaps he took the wrong exit. Before he could turn back he saw an arrow coming towards him. It would had killed him had his eyes sight weren't above average. Cyril dodged just in time and now he noticed he wasn't alone. A swordmaster, an archer and a warlock, probably the leader of the group concluded Cyril.

The young man asked "what do ya want?!"

"nothing personal kid, but you overheard something you shouldn't have last night" C

yril knew this was bad, he had to think of something and yet he was weaponless. He wondered if cruel fate will get him this time. Cyril noted he was also surrended, they truly wanted him dead.

The warlock said while preparing his thunder "any last words gutter trash?"

the young man close his eyes and made peace with his dead, despite it being scary. Suddenly an arrow was shot towards the warlock, dodging but had to interrupted his thunder. The pale man was seething of anger. Cyril used his quickwits to get out before he would be surrended again. He saw two figures approching, who weren't strangers to him.

The green haired man smiled "I'm afraid it's over Myson, you won't harm anyone anymore."

Cyril was surprise "professor, Bernadetta?"

"no time to talk! Bernie, with me" she nodded and took again her arrows. Cyril would be a liability if he fought with them so he chose to hide, althought still in shock as for why they would rescue him. The enemy, althought having more troops, were ultimately no match againts the duo. Defeated, Myson groanned "don't think you've won beast. This is only the beginning!" and he teleport with the few beaten survivors.

The violet haired woman and Byleth came towards the younger man and she timidly asked "ah- are you alright?"

"I think so" nonetherless, she treated his wounds. After a few minutes of silence, Cyril asked "who are they?"

Byleth sighed "it is not something you should know, not now at least. I don't want to drag you further"

"why did you rescue me?"

"because this is the right thing to do. I thought Ferdinand and Dorothea knocked you some senses"

he buy the answer since it was consistent until now. Still, lot of qustions came from his head, but tiredness decided the really important questions was for another time. Bernadetta spoke "huh before w-we forget, take this!"

"true,if you want to know another reason, this is why" Byleth added.

Cyril looked the letter she handed over. He silently opened the letter and his eyes were threatening to get out of their sockets. He didn't expected a letter from Lysithea. Cyril unknowningly read it outloud

Dear Cyril

Look I won't hide, I know these couples of weeks have been hard for both of us and I understand how you feel. However, you deserve some explainations that I prefer speaking privately about as for why I joined Edelgard. Cyril, I know you felt betray and maybe it is foolish of me to think you will come...Nevermind. Don't bother replying, just come to my home on Ordelia territory when you have the time. My parents will take you in and they want to meet you. Please Cyril, I don't expected your forgiveness, but hear me out.

Lysithea

Cyril didn't know what to make of it, he was really confused. Byleth remarked "Lysithea worried a lot about you. I know it might not sound believable, but it's the true" Bernadetta nodded in agreement. Cyril noted what they were saying wasn't that different from what overseer Rim said last night.

"I…I will think about it"

Byleth nodded in agreement. "At least that is that. Anyway, can we ride with you. We are heading to Enbarr to rest before heading out again."

They saved his life so he saw no reason to refuse their request. Cyril nodded and the trio return to his wyvern and flew again. This time, Cyril could admire the sky while flying in silence. He had finished his work for now and now a moment in the air to admire the view. The last time the young Almyran did this was in the goddess tower with...Lysithea. However he shook his head and chase her away from his memory. The sunset was in front of him and flew in direction of it to return to Enbarr.

Once there, they separate on their way and Cyril head to the smithy. Once inside, the new overseer sceamed at him in anger "what were you doing almyran scum?! You are way too late!"

"sorry, I was under attack by people."

"Do you think I care if a heathen is under attack, you are fired scum!"

Cyril wasn't sure how to react to the news, on one hand he should be happy because there wasn't anyone like overseer Rim there anymore, but on the other hand he should be scared and angry, because he didn't know what he was going to do. They will kick him out of the inn tomorrow. The young almyran silently exit the smithy and sadly returned to the inn with a dread feeling. What was he suppose to do now? Once there, he was about to go in his room until he met again the couple.

They were surprised to see him there "Cyril, aren't you suppose to be at work?"

"the overseer fired me because reasons" the professor knew the implication of the word, but Berni spoke up "huh! Overseer Rim? How?"

"it wasn't him, they said he left for personal reasons" replied sadly the younger of the three.

"How awful" pouted Bernadetta in sadness.

Byleth looked indifferent, like the time in the monastery. While he was obviously better at showing emotions before, it still wssn't his cup of tea. However, it was clear his feelings were everything but indifferent "listen we won't let you in a situation like this, so I will propose two choices"

Cyril nodded for him to continue. He didn't want more help then necessary, but he had no choice at this point. "I can use my influence to find you some work, perhaps convinced your new overseer to let you work and treat you well if you liked working there. This is probably what Lysithea wants you the best, no more fighting for you, just making your life until you can see her again. The second option is to come along us and we will let you in what is going on, but you will have to fight and coorperate with the former Black Eagle class. On the bright side, Lysithea will be fighting with us so you two will have the opportunity to catch up."

Cyril was about to answer, but the professor interrupted him "not now. Use the night to rest, and tomorrow morning meet us there. We will discuss further here. "

he replied without hesitation "nah, there is nothing to overthinking things. I must go with ya or my mind will never leave me in peace…well I think that is how ya saying right?"

The couple were glad he found his resolve, so Byleth said "alright. Meet us at the plaza as soon as the sun is high enough."

Cyril nodded and they wave goodbye for the morning.

Author's note : well the action is starting next chapter and reunion see you next time