Lus had been waiting near a tree just outside of the monastery, staring at the stars above. Upon hearing the sound of dirt being stepped on, he looked down and saw Leona finally arriving.

"Hey." Leona let out, nearly walking past Lus. "Where are we going?"

"I don't-" Lus was cut off as Cinnamon pinpointed a spot in the distance, shutting Lus' mouth.

"There, I guess." Leona chuckled as she began walking, with Lus not far behind.

"So...how have you been?" Lus tried, eyes avoiding Leona.

"Small talk? Really?"

"I don't know how to talk to someone who's hated me the past few years."

"Damn. You're really gonna start out a walk like that?"

Lus sighed, nodding. "...You're right. I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Leona waved.

The sounds of footsteps and night continued as they pushed towards their destination.

"You've gotten better at keeping your anger in check." Lus commended, trying to think of something.

"I take it you haven't seen the felled trees or the ones with holes in them?" Leona nearly chuckled.

"It's still better than when you take it out on others, so I'll take it." Lus sighed as Leona slowed her pace to match his.

"I...thought about the whole Stasis thing." Leona spoke. "Case by case, it's different depending on who uses it and how, but I'm sorry for treating you so horribly about it."

"Honestly, I think everyone understands why you reacted the way you did." Lus nodded. "Can't say I'm too keen about it still, either."

"Huh." Leona chuckled. "Imagine how unkeen I am still."

"Please. I don't need to."

"What do you see in using it?" Leona asked, finally turning her head to look at Lus.

"Well, there's been a bunch of instances where Guardians have lost their Light, so I mainly see it as a last resort." Lus answered. "But occasionally, there are things we'll fight where even the Light alone can't win, so I plan to use it in those cases."

"Are you scared? Of...being corrupted, I mean."

"...Yeah. But I have Jose and Moa to set me straight if things go wrong."

"I see." Leona nodded. "And if Jose goes off the deep end too?"

"Moa's capable enough. Not to mention all the other Guardians."

The two Titans finally arrived at their destination, coming across a simple clearing with nothing noteworthy except the view of the stars. Lus and Leona stared upwards, not exchanging any words for a long while.

"Lus...what's gotten into you lately?"

"Huh?"

"Or...rather, why are you doing this? When we were in our dimension, we barely interacted, even when we were in the same team. And now it seems like you're trying to do that and a whole lot more."

"I don't know." Lus sighed, looking down. "I just wanted to say sorry, I guess."

"You've done that plenty of times already." Leona brusquely replied. "It's getting old."

"Yeah...I guess I just don't have enough anger nor want to keep disliking you."

"Well then what do you want?"

"...I don't know."

Leona sighed and marched back onto the path they walked, leaving Lus alone in the clearing. "When you've made up your mind, tell me."

As Lus looked down again, Cinnamon materialized and rammed into Lus once more. Upon Lus reacting in pain, Cinnamon shook itself, muttering

"Dear Traveler…"

"Is your friend recovering well?"

Anan slowed his pace to match that of Edelgard's as the Black Eagles returned to the monastery, finishing a successful ambush of bandits outside the monastery

"My...friend?" Edelgard asked, slightly confused.

"The one with the red hair...I believe she said her name was...Monica?"

"Oh! Yes, her. She's recovering nicely. In fact, she requested to rejoin our house once she fully recovers." Edelgard explained.

"Interesting. Well, if she's willing to put in the effort, I don't see why not. So she was a student?"

"Yes. She was a student in last year's class, but disappeared before she could graduate. I believe the common theory was that she ran away."

"And no one checked out under the monastery?" Anan asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I suppose not. Though, it's also possible that she was never in the same place for too long."

"I don't believe so." Anan shook his head. "When you've kidnapped someone, moving around too much only increases your chances of being caught. I suppose I could ask her myself."

"Er-well, all due respect Professor, she may not be fully recovered enough to recount such a traumatic experience."

"Hmm. Perhaps you're right. In any case, I am curious."

Anan switched to comms, choosing to contact Jose.

"Jose. Could you find Flayn and ask her a few questions? I have my suspicions on what went down in that pit."

"I meaaan, sure? What do you mean?" Jose answered.

"According to Edelgard, Monica, A.K.A the red haired girl who was found alongside Flayn, went missing last year prior to her graduation. Many at the monastery believed she ran away, but as we know, she was found underneath the monastery. And with the Ashen Wolves not knowing anything, something tells me there's a missing piece of information."

"Ah, I get it. In that case, sure, I'll ask Flayn to see if she knows anything."

"Thank you. In the meantime…" Anan spoke, switching to an open channel. "Fortune, do you have a moment?"

"I do! Seeing as Ginzo's sleeping soundly." Fortune cheered.

"When you were taken by the Death Knight, were Flayn and the other girl, Monica, there before you?"

"Hmm...I think so? Wait! Actually I remember Flayn was there, but Monica came shortly after I did! Why?"

"I see. No reason in particular. I just have vague suspicions about her. They're almost certainly unfounded, but I have a sore feeling that she didn't just disappear for a year and then suddenly appear underneath the monastery. Thank you regardless."

"No problem! Bye!"

Lus threw grenades into the fray as the Blue Lions various conducted live-fire exercises, currently focusing on breaking off into teams during combat.

"Felix, come here for a moment."

"Yes, Professor?" Felix answered, looking at the Titan.

"Well, there's really no easy way to say this...you're an asshole. An edgy one at that."

Felix was struck starkly by surprise and shock at his professor's bluntness. He didn't expect it from anyone but himself, really.

"Seriously. You keep calling Dimitri 'the Boar Prince' and are toxic towards others."

Felix looked aside in shame, conceding that he was being kind of toxic. "Where are you going with this?"

"Well, you need to start treating others with more respect, first off. Namely Dimitri."

Felix folded his arms. "I don't think I can. I take it you haven't heard of the Tragedy of Duscur?"

"No. Not directly. But I've been given a brief rundown of what happened. And I know your brother died during it."

"Yes. Along with the Dimitri I once knew. The Dimitri you see today is just a facade for a bloodlusted beast."

"Well, based on what Lus said about a conversation he and Dimitri once had, It's clear that a lot of people here are wracked with survivor's guilt. You, me, Lus, Dimitri, Dedue, Ingrid, and a whole lot more. We just choose to express it in different ways. Some, more toxic than others. Perhaps you and I express it in the most similar way."

Felix could only grit his teeth and avert his eyes. "I don't see the point in this."

"Trust me, I'm not trying to lecture you on this. I'm no better at this than you. Hell, I may even be worse. The point isn't to make you feel bad about this, but rather to draw attention to ways we can be better. I'm not saying to be all buddy-buddy with Dimitri, but to instead realize that we've all internalized our griefs in different ways. Instead of trying to bite others for it, how about we both try to make an effort to understand others on it. Deal?"

"...I'll try." Felix bit as he shut his eyes and nodded.

"Alright." Leona smiled. "Now one last thing. As I stated, you are an asshole, but that can be a good thing sometimes."

Felix raised an eyebrow at the sudden change in direction.

"Sometimes. And sometimes we can use that. And I have a plan for how. Bring over Ingrid and Dedue."

The Vex had Saint and Mithrax surrounded. And yet they did not fall. In fact, the Vex horde was thinning by the second, being torn apart as the Exo and Eliksni tore into their network.

"They have underestimated us!" Saint-14 laughed "It is almost too easy!"

"They are no match against the light!" Mithrax agreed.

The Vex horde was getting savagely beaten, with the former mass now turned into small cells of the machines. Mithrax quickly turned to the conflux as his Splicer Gauntlet sprang to life.

"Work your magic, Mithrax, I can handle this alone!" Saint boomed, shoving his shotgun into a Minotaur before blowing it apart.

Mithrax maneuvered through Vex firewalls like a master, deftly searching for a possible way to connect to the other universe. As Saint continued to rip and tear at his back, Mithrax did the same to the network until he found it.

A Vex data chunk that gave an incomplete reading, similar to that of what Cinnamon reported.

Mithrax wasted no time corrupting the chunk with his own agenda, rewriting and reprogramming it to follow his orders and deliver his message.

"To see you work so well is truly a sight to behold Mithrax! I could never do that, it makes my head hurt." Saint commended, dusting his hands off after vanquishing the last Vex soldier. "I prefer smashing, 'is much quicker."

"Smashing can be effective sometimes." Mithrax nodded as he continued hacking his way in.

Lord Saladin's gruff voice suddenly appeared on an open channel.

"Saint, Mithrax, what's your status?"

"Mithrax is easily hacking the network! The Vex have been cleared out, too."

"Well done. Crow, Amanda, begin making preparations to send the supplies through."

"Aye, Captain!" Amanda sounded off.

Mithrax had at last finally fully taken over the data chunk. It was now time for their message.

"To Fireteams Noctis and Tengoku, this is Misraaks. I have received your message through the network, which I relayed to Ikorakel. My splicers, and other Guardians are currently experimenting for a way to send you supplies. If this message reaches you, be advised; aid is on its way."

As Mithrax was about to close the channel, Saint-14 quickly ran over and yelled into it.

"And it is I, Saint-14. Do not give up my friends! You have saved me from Vex magic before, now it is time for us to do the same for you! Fight on!"

Dawn came upon the Fodlan, and as a result, the Blue Lions rose to begin their march. The Black Eagles rose to begin their meditation within Chaos, and the Golden Deer prepared themselves for another crazy day.

Ginzo rose from his slumber, realizing that he was now in an actual tent as opposed to in the grass.

"Huh-where the-what? Oh, y'all just moved me, thanks!" Ginzo smiled, giving a thumbs up. "Alright, rise and shine everyone!"

"Everyone is already rising and shining." Moa scoffed. "You're the last one."

"Whatever! Finals time baby!"

As the Golden Deer gathered around their professors, eating their various breakfast items, Ginzo and Moa took the head, beginning the lesson.

"I'm kinda scared of what our final is gonna be…" Hilda sighed. "You guys did just make us fight an Ogre."

"It's nothing like that, but it's harder!" Ginzo dismissed.

"Uh-oh…that's probably not good." Claude nervously laughed.

"Your final is to steal this from us!" Ginzo spoke, brandishing an Exotic Engram. "We won't leave the training grounds though. We'll stay within the ring of mountains."

"Really? that's it?" Leonie asked, nervously awaiting the conditions.

"What is it?" Lysithea asked as well, enchanted by the glowing yellow object.

"We call this thing an Engram. It's like a present!" Ginzo laughed, tossing the Engram from hand to hand. "And your final startsss….NOW!"

Ginzo chucked a smoke grenade at the ground, cloaking themselves as the students stumbled up, unprepared for their mission. The students quickly rushed to their tents and grabbed their needed supplies, running out into the forest to chase them.

After the students had left the area, Ginzo and Moa reappeared, not having taken a step from their original positions.

"When will they notice?" Ginzo snickered.

Lus told the Lions to follow Leona, choosing to break off in order to investigate a Vex Conflux that Cinnamon spotted. As he reached it, Cinnamon almost immediately appeared and began scanning it.

"Huh. It's very corrupted…I…wait…REALLY?"

"What?" Lus spoke, shocked by his Ghost's outburst.

"The Vanguard!" Cinnamon spoke, switching to an open channel. "They got our message! We're getting supplies and a transmat network!"

"I FINALLY GET MY SPARROW!" Jose gleefully yelled.

"Seriously?!" Lus questioned. "This just took a turn for the awesome…"

"Tell 'em to send some good food through. More specifically a beef bowl." Ginzo chuckled.

"More seriously, do they know when this will happen?" Anan asked.

"It doesn't say…" Cinnamon answered. "But there is an inspirational message from Saint."

"...I'll take it." Moa shrugged.

"Well, if that's the case," Anan sighed. "I suppose we may be able to finish up here quicker than expected."

Leona sighed. "That's if this works. Don't forget, we may be royally screwed if our tech falls into the hands of someone like the Flame Emperor."

"Dammit Lee! Let us have our moment of happiness!" Ginzo scolded. "I agree though. We gotta keep that shit secure. On a real lockdown."

"Probably is best we keep this conversation on comms then." Lus nodded.

"Indeed." Anan agreed. "We have major advantages here, but they're quickly catching up, now that they have the capabilities to suppress our light."

"Man...I'm just happy I get my Sparrow." Jose smiled.

Ginzo snickered. "...Imma blow it up-"

"The hell you are! Try it and see what happens!"

"Professor!"

Anan was dragged out of his musing as Edelgard approached him, smiling on her way over.

"You and Professor Jose seem to be in high spirits. Did something happen recently?"

"Ah-its nothing. We've merely just established a means of correspondence with our allies."

"You mean from your homeworld? Incredible." Edelgard nodded.

"Indeed."

"How does it work?" Edelgard questioned, intrigued.

"The exact inner workings of it I do not know. But it's something we call space magic." Anan answered.

"Space magic?"

"Yes indeed. Space magic."

"Are you not going to elaborate?"

"I don't need to."

"...Well, alright. I won't pry then. But it is good to see you two happy."

"Your empathy is appreciated."

"Please, there is no need to compliment me. It is a basic part of being human." Edelgard smiled as she shook her head.

"I still want to thank you. So thank you."

Edelgard paused, nervously chuckling. "...Of course Professor."

As Edelgard walked away, Jose walked over and flicked Anan. "Hey Anan, what the hell was that?"

"I'm just giving them enough information to get them off our backs. And also perhaps as a canary trap of sorts."

"What?"

"In layman's terms, I'm trying to see something. Edelgard and Hubert have frequently been meeting in private, and something feels off about it. I can't exactly explain yet, as I need more concrete info. But this way lessens our negative consequences if I'm wrong, while giving us an advantage if I'm right."

"Oh, okay." Jose shrugged, walking away. "Just don't hurt anyone's feelings. We don't need them distracted before the battle."

Anan nodded before walking into the monastery currently under construction. It seemed now that the wreckage had been cleared, they could finally begin repairing and rebuilding. But his goal was not to help rebuild.

In fact, his goal was right in front of him, speaking to Hubert and Edelgard.

"Monica, correct? Do you have a moment?"

The red-haired girl spun to face Professor Anan approaching, caught off guard by the sudden appearance. "Ah-hello Professor...what is it?"

"I was curious as to if you wanted to join our class when you've recovered. Unfortunately, you wouldn't be taking part in the upcoming battle-seeing how close it is-but but aside I'm sure Hubert and Edelgard would be overjoyed to have you as a classmate."

Hubert narrowed his eyes briefly before Monica excitedly spoke.

"I would love to! Thank you for the invitation, Professor...Anan, right?"

"That would be correct." Anan nodded. "In the meantime, Hubert, Edelgard. It's time for us to meditate."

Hubert hesitantly nodded. "Yes, Professor. We'll be there shortly."

Lus and Leona stood over the Blue Lions, having once again laid them all out. Except this time, the two Titans were on edge and wore the scars of their skirmish on their armor.

"Well you didn't win exactly, but you most certainly would've killed anything that's not Vex, Hive, or Cabal Colossi, so you all succeed in our books."

"No need to patronize," Felix growled as he got up. "I still need to beat both of you."

"You've got a while to go then, pal." Lus laughed. "But still, we're proud of you all. Regardless of the result of the battle."

Leona nodded. "You guys are going through a pretty rough regimen. Be proud of yourselves. But don't stop improving."

"The honor is all ours." Dimitri smiled. "You two have been exceptional teachers!"

"Glad to hear it. Now then…" Leona spoke, turning around. "We need to discuss our actual strategy. The Golden Deer will no doubt be doing all that they can to throw us off our feat, while the Black Eagles will probably focus more on attacking our weaknesses and pushing in from there. Even so, there will still be unknown tactics they throw at us. Be ready for anything. Stay alert, stay cautious, but stay ferocious."

The Lions all nodded intently, listening to Leona's words.

"In order to counter their tactics, I believe it's best if we have two main formations. One where everyone is together in a group, and one where we're split into teams."

Lus folded his arms as he began an addendum. "Even then, it's not good to rely on one partner, especially in the event that they get eliminated. So we'll have to figure out ways to maintain coordination while keeping a lower profile. I've thought of a system to help with this. Essentially, each formation will have a number from one to twelve. But, to keep them on their toes...there's a catch."

Once again the Black Eagles were inside the cube created by the Warlocks. The elements felt even stronger this time, the void becoming more infinite, the flames burned even more infuriated, and the storm rampaged without respite. And although the students were still being shaken to their cores, they held on to their sanity. They didn't allow themselves to be driven insane by the storm, burned away by the flames, or be consumed by the void. They would not fall.

And the Warlocks could only feel proud of their students.

As Anan and Jose released the cube, the students sighed in relief, having finally made it fully through the ordeal without anyone falling.

"You all did very well." Anan commended. "I believe that is the first time you all have made it through."

"While you may not be a proper one, I think it's safe to say you are all honorary Warlocks. Even the physical fighters." Jose added.

"The honor is belonging to us!" Petra cheered.

"Yeah! At first, I was thinking that you guys would be dumb teachers…" Caspar began. "But you guys are awesome."

"With your teachings and your expertise in combat, we will certainly emerge victorious." Edelgard smiled.

"Oh, yeaaaah...we won't be fighting alongside you guys." Jose spoke.

"Why is that?" Hubert asked, turning his head.

"It'd just be unfair." Jose answered. "If the Guardians fought, it'd just turn into a Guardian match pretty quickly. But we will be there. Just on the sidelines guiding you guys. Like a coach."

"I...see." Edelgard nodded. "Regardless, you have taught us well. I am certain we will win."

"That's the spirit." Anan nodded. "Crush them to your heart's content."

"This place is too big! There's no way they seriously expect us to find them!"

Hilda growled in frustration as her class continued searching their training area for Ginzo and Moa. It had been what felt like hours since they first set off, with no sign of the Guardians in sight as they went deeper and deeper into their training grounds.

"We've still got daylight." Claude sighed. "Search high and low. They haven't left the training grounds, so we have a chance."

"Do you seriously expect Professor Ginzo of all people to keep his word?" Lorenz groaned.

Suddenly, the voice of Ginzo rained down from a tree behind the class. "Hey! I may be a lot of things, which includes being a liar, but I haven't lied about this!"

The class jumped in surprise before whipping around to see Ginzo quickly dart out of the tree and deeper into a forested area.

"After him!" Leonie yelled, beginning her pursuit.

Lorenz rolled his eyes as the rest of the class continued on behind her. "Obviously!"

The class chased after Ginzo, as he dashed and weaved his way through the tree line, eventually stopping and relaxing against a tree. Leonie was the first to raise her sword at him, causing him to put his hands up as the class quickly surrounded him.

"We've got you surrounded!" Lysithea yelled. "Now hand it over!"

Ginzo laughed as he sat down. "Funny thing is, I wouldn't, even if I could, but I can't, because I don't have it!"

"What?" Leonie yelled. "You're lying! We were right behind you the whole time!"

Footsteps could be heard landing on the grass, accompanying the voice of Moa appearing behind the class, taunting them as she slyly strafed away. "Like Ginzo said, he's a liar, a cheat, and a gaslighter, but he's doing none of the above right now." Moa smirked as she brandished the Exotic Engram. "Because I have it."

"Wha-but how?!" Claude gawked. "We had eyes on him the entire time! I never saw him give it to you!"

"I never had it in the first place. Y'all just assumed so because I started running." Ginzo shrugged as Moa leapt into the trees and vanished.

The class let out a cacophony of groans before pursuing Moa.