A.N: Kudos to kickasskunoichi for letting me use half of her "This Feels a Lot Like Paradise" story. And I'm SO sorry for not asking you if I can use your "Lion's Dance" story, Lunafox90. I hope you'll forgive me.
Hello. This is going to be my take on a Naruto and Three Houses crossover story. The story takes place during the Kaguya Ōtsutsuki arc in Naruto Shippuden, during the sixteenth chapter of Azure Moon, The Rose-Colored River, and before the seventeenth chapter of either the Azure Moon or the Verdant Wind sections in Three Houses: Blood of the Eagle and Lion.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and Fire Emblem: Three Houses! Don't even ask.
X~X~X
Byleth's rounds ended at the chapel, looking at the place where she had first found Dimitri when they returned. He had just stood here staring at the rubble. She wasn't sure what drew him to this place, to this spot. She had found him here when he was shouting to the dead before the battle. She heard footsteps behind her. There was a small part of her hoping that it was Dimitri, but it was Rodrigue.
Rodrigue stopped next to her. "Even though it's in ruins, in some strange way, this monastery never truly changes, does it? I studied at the Officers Academy when I was young. Those memories come rushing back whenever I return. What are you doing at this hour, anyway?"
"I couldn't sleep." It was partly the truth, she had slept earlier and her mind was reliving the moments too much to let her sleep.
Rodrigue laughed. "It's the same for me. Perhaps you'll allow me to join you..."
Byleth nodded.
"Much appreciated" Rodrigue sighed. "I keep recalling my eldest son... He was quite gifted. In fact, he was appointed a knight at the age of 15. I still vividly remember the day he was granted a sword from His Majesty... "
Byleth tilted her head. "Glenn wasn't it? Your son... Isn't he..."
Rodrigue nodded. "Dead. He was killed nine years ago in Duscur. All that returned of him that day were his sword and his armor... After it happened, I said something horrible to Felix. He's hated me ever since...and I don't blame him. No matter how much you grieve, the dead will never return. No magic in the world can bring them back. That's why their memory clings to the living like a curse. The more they were loved, the tighter their hold, and the more suffering they cause... I fear I am not a strong enough man to scold His Highness for his foolishness."
She sighed. "I know how you feel... I've been trying, but it's hard."
He nodded solemnly. "Since this war began, we've seen countless generals, soldiers, and citizens die. It never gets easier. Someone must try to show him the right path, and as adults, it's our duty to help him find his way again, but so far I've failed. Professor... I entrust the young prince, and the future of Faerghus, to you."
Byleth blinked at him, puzzled. "This is unexpected... but I won't let you down and I won't fail him."
Rodrigue nodded. "I suppose that was a dramatic way of putting it. My apologies, but you are a brave one, aren't you? One worthy of leading the Church of Seiros, I daresay. You should know that I have no intention of insisting that you take back Fhirdiad. All I ask is that you continue to rein in Dimitri's manic desire for revenge. Now then... We have received House Riegan's consent. All that's left is for us to depart. If we make it through Gloucester territory and across the Great Bridge of Myrddin, we'll be in Empire territory. You are not afraid, are you?"
Byleth closed her eyes. Before Dimitri decided to come and see her she would have wondered how to get through to him, but with his actions he had shown her that there was hope. "A little, there's so much that can happen. When he enters the battlefield it's like he's an entirely different person. I know he had to be like this to survive the attempts on his life. He feels he must fulfill whatever it is he thinks he owes the dead, but it worries me."
A small chuckle rose in Rodrigue's throat. "Ha! Don't you underestimate the power of my soldiers. As for Dimitri, such is war... but before Duscur he was never this prone to violence. It's my prayer that he can be released from the curse he's held under. I'm glad you were the one to lead the Blue Lion House, Professor. I mean that..."
She smiled at Rodrigue. "Thank you. Felix and Dimitri are lucky to have someone like you in their lives too." She said before she left.
Rodrigue watched her go. "No Professor, it's you who they are lucky to have. If I fail, I have faith that you will lead both of them into a brighter tomorrow."
X~X~X
Kaguya was strong. It almost seemed like an impossible feat to beat someone as old as the world itself, but Team 7 were strong as well. Despite the years spent apart, they worked together like clockwork, parrying and striking with the fluidity of water running through a stream.
"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled, wordlessly signalling to his teammate before he formed the hand signs for a fireball jutsu. Horse. Serpent. Ram. Monkey. Boar. Horse. Tiger. The flame raged from his mouth in plumes of red, successfully distracting Kaguya from Naruto's attack to her right.
Sasuke's smirk was short-lived. It seemed she hadn't been distracted at all – or that it did not matter. She had transported herself across the field, unscathed. He narrowed his eyes.
They had been in this dimension for what seemed like an hour, but the terrain was already proving against their favour. And Kaguya was a formidable enemy.
They needed an upper hand. Something.
"Shannaro!" Sakura roared, throwing a deadly chakra-induced fist towards their opponent. Kaguya ducked out of the way, her body bending almost impossibly. He could see the frustration in Sakura's eyes.
His own eyes were the deep red of the sharingan, head throbbing from overuse.
"Shadow clone jutsu!" he heard Naruto bellow, before twenty of his clones appeared, glowing gold. They barrelled into Kaguya, and he watched as one by one they dissipated from existence. Only the original was left, panting at the wasted energy.
They needed to think.
But there was no time for that, no time to go over strategy. They had to rely on each other.
"Do you trust me, Sasuke?"
Sasuke gritted his teeth, remembering the words Naruto had spoken to him some time before the battle. He shook the words from his thoughts. He didn't have time to reminisce.
"Sakura!" The name was in shrill warning, slicing through the air, and Sasuke turned towards the victim in question.
Sakura flipped backwards from Kaguya's attack, the goddess managing to scrape her arm, the garment there ripping. Shit. That had been too close. Any later and she would have found herself gutted.
Focus.
Sakura closed her eyes for a moment, channelling her seal. She felt the way the power emanated from the diamond on her forehead, felt as it seeped into her blood. The black lines weaved across her body.
Naruto had once again charged at Kaguya with his shadow clones, double than the last time. She wondered if he was getting tired, if his chakra was getting low, though she knew the Kyuubi would help him. If they had been any one else other than Team 7, they would have died from exhaustion long ago.
She pulled on her chakra reserves, refuelling her body as she sprinted towards Kaguya. Her muscles were throbbing now, protesting her every move, but this was far from over.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Sasuke sprinting towards Kaguya too. Naruto's clones were keeping her distracted for now. They needed a combined hit. Kaguya couldn't survive forever. She had already noticed the light sheen of perspiration on the rabbit-goddess's face when she had almost eviscerated her minutes before. This wasn't easy for her, as much as she led them to believe.
The hope of the five shinobi villages was on them, and Sakura held onto that fact with gritted determination. They had to do this.
She didn't predict Kaguya materialising in front of her, arm outstretched to kill. Sakura deflected back, but Kaguya didn't give up. Another strike was aimed and Sakura turned to dodge again.
She felt more than saw him, grabbing her arm roughly and pulling.
And then they fell backward sharply into oblivion.
X~X~X
Gilbert walked up to where Dimitri and Byleth were waiting. "Our scout has returned. As expected, there are quite a few Imperial soldiers stationed there."
Dimitri had expected as much. It was the only way the Empire could get their army through easily. "I see. So the enemy has prepared for our arrival... It does not matter. I will kill them all, whether they are one or one hundred."
Byleth glanced over to him. "That's not necessary."
Dimitri crossed his arms. He remembered when she cut a bloody path through the pawns that protected Kronya and Solon. She had even written in Jeralt's diary that she would make the rest of them pay. "What would you do, if you saw the people who stole everything from you? If you saw them right before your eyes, living carefree lives and feeling no guilt. Would you feel nothing? Do nothing? Five years ago... Did you not deem the woman who killed Jeralt to be unforgivable? I am most certain that you did. You couldn't let her get away with her crime, so you took up your sword in pursuit."
Byleth's expression didn't change. "You're right."
At least she didn't deny it. "Precisely my point. We're the same, you and I."
"You're wasting your time. There's nothing to be gained from exchanging words with a boar that has lost its mind," Felix interjected as he joined them.
Gilbert gave him a glance. "Felix..."
"This is war. Every last one of us has lost someone we care for. But we choose to suppress our anger and go right on living. Do you know why?" Felix asked.
"No, but I'm curious as to your thoughts," Byleth responded.
Felix huffed. "Revenge can't bring the dead back to life. Unfortunately, such a thing isn't possible. Hanging onto your anger, like the boar here, is futile. All he is accomplishing is stacking up more corpses."
Dimitri knew that it wouldn't bring them back to life, but it would at least allow them to finally rest in peace. "Tell me, Felix... If the dead are beyond reach, is it not also pointless to mourn or even bury those who are lost?"
Felix shook his head "Ha. That mind of yours. I'm done here. Remember, Professor. It's not compassion for this fool that has brought our army so far. There are those of us who despise the Empire, and those who side with the church. If we keep running down this path, it's only a matter of time before the ground beneath us collapses."
Rodrigue stepped in. "That's enough, Felix."
"Hmph. You're a damned fool, old man." Felix said before he left.
Rodrigue bowed towards him. "The soldiers are ready to march on your command."
Dimitri nodded. "Then let's move out at once. Every moment counts."
Rodrigue nodded. "Understood. Let's show those Empire dastards the power of the Knights of Faerghus!"
The Kingdom army marched toward the Great Bridge of Myrddin to cross the Airmid River, which separates the Alliance and the Empire. A pale haired woman riding a wyvern seemed to be the one in charge of the bridge. Byleth felt she was going to be sick when she saw the orange hair of Ferdinand near her side. Like Lorenz, you could never forget his name with how much he would shout it out before battle. He would also go on and on about what it meant to be a noble, but he had shown her how to make tea for her students. He would always come by to make sure Dorothea and Petra were doing well. He was a good man, if not an annoying one.
Dimitri came next to her while she was surveying. "Edelgard's dog, huh? All the more reason to kill her."
Byleth looked at him, apparently, he knew who the commander was in name at least. Rodrigue stepped towards them as well. "Attack Ladislava and take the bridge. Let's deal with the enemies protecting the fortress quickly, and take control of this area." Rodrigue's command encouraged them all to advance.
An Imperial Soldier announced their arrival before they stepped onto the bridge. "Enemies approaching! Get the soldiers standing by to join the fight! We may need to hurry up preparations for the ballista too. Protect the fortress!"
Byleth took note of the mention of a ballista. It was something she always made sure that Ashe took advantage of, even though most of the time he was able to do more damage on his own. It was always something she wanted to make sure that the opponent didn't get a chance to get their hands on. The battle started easy, but more enemies kept pouring from the fortress itself. Then Byleth saw something behind them and turned to strike as Dimitri engaged another enemy. She stopped short as an axe deflected an arrow aimed for Dimitri's side and she recognized the axe's owner.
Dedue nodded to Dimitri. "Your Highness! Apologies for the late arrival."
Dimitri was frozen for a moment "Dedue... You're alive... How?!"
Dedue blocked another hit. "We can discuss it later. For now, allow me to join your forces."
Byleth nodded. "Gladly. I'm glad to have my silent white lion back. Let's see if you kept up with your training."
"It's good to see you too Professor." Dedue said before getting into formation with the others.
The soldiers that appeared were easily cut down, her mages able to take out the heavy armored units swiftly. Byleth had them all wait to gather back together before they tackled the monster that guarded the section between them and the enemy commanders. She heard hoofbeats towards the right-hand side.
"Professor. It's Lorenz!" Sylvain shouted from his wyvern. She had ordered him to swoop in and kill the archer before it could take aim at him or Ingrid.
Byleth growled. That snake. He had been on her side before.
"I, Lorenz Hellman Gloucester, have arrived to join the battle in my father's stead!"
Ladislava nodded. "Thanks for making your way here. Annihilate the enemy with the rest of them!"
Lorenz caught sight of the group that was trying to take control of the bridge. "Is that...the professor? Why would someone like that join such a senseless fight?"
Ferdinand raised his weapon. "Lorenz! Here you are. I am heading south, so I will leave this area to you."
What she didn't expect was the pincer attack. She recognized the buffoon at the head of the group. It was the lord that Lorenz had asked for her help dealing with those many years ago.
Ladislava raised her axe. "Acheron! Now's the time to show your loyalty to the Empire! Attack the enemy from behind!"
Acheron seemed pleased. "I've got to make her name known to Her Majesty through distinguished service."
Rodrigue caught sight of him. "Acheron, a minor lord of the Alliance territory... If he's fighting for the Empire, we'll have no choice but to attack him."
Byleth nodded. "He's weak. Sylvain and Ashe can I count on you two to sweep up the rear?"
Sylvain nodded and took Acheron out with one sweep of his axe. Acheron lamented his choice before he fell. Byleth went back over her tactics in her head, knowing that those two would watch each other's backs. Ashe sniped another soldier that had warped in. The monster was easy enough to take care of. Byleth didn't care about getting materials off of the beast so it was all offense on their end. Once Dedue and Petra brought down the shields it was easy for Ingrid and Lysithea to take care of rest.
"Dimitri, can you handle the woman on the wyvern?" Byleth called. She hoped that he would listen to her. Ashe wasn't close enough to snipe the woman down.
"She's one of Edelgard's top generals. I'll enjoy clipping her wings!" He took down a different enemy and Byleth had to look away at what was left behind. She just wished he wouldn't look like he enjoyed it so much. Byleth caught Felix's disgusted look before he turned Annette away to face an enemy coming from the bridge.
Ladislava met Dimitri half-way. "To repay Her Majesty's favor… I will not let you pass!"
Dimitri dodged her easily. His crest flared as he aimed his lance through her wyvern's neck. It went straight through and stabbed her in the shoulder. They all came crashing down, the lance slicing through her arm. She rose, her arm was completely useless. "I can't retreat... Even if it costs me my life, I've got to protect the Great Bridge."
Dimitri retrieved the lance from the wyvern's neck before running it through her chest. "Lady Edelgard... I'm sorry..." she choked out before she fell limp. Another soldier came after Dimitri and he caught the soldier by the throat, crushing the armor around it as he collapsed their windpipe. As the soldier crumpled at his feet Dimitri ripped out his lance, blood arcing from the swing as she collapsed on the ground.
Ferdinand watched in horror. "Ladislava, no! I will protect this area!"
Ferdinand had advanced to where Dorothea and Byleth were. "After this battle, I will be known far and wide as the legendary Ferdinand of Adrestia!" He faced Byleth. "Edelgard has always been obsessed with you. I am a little envious, to be frank. I will just have to impress her with my skills on the battlefield!"
Byleth cursed. She didn't want a student's blood on her hands, but he left her no choice. "And you should have taken my hand when I offered it. If you don't intend to abandon your place at her side then we have no choice but to cut you down here and now as our enemy."
Dorothea covered her mouth and closed her eyes. When she opened them again her lip quivered before she turned angry. "Oh, Ferdie. You opposed Edie for so long... I had real hopes for you, you know? Now you're following her. Is that your duty as a noble? Follow your master when they say to heel?"
Ferdinand waved her off. "I will not try to explain my duty or hers. You would not understand. I wish you could. I am where I belong!"
Ferdinand attacked Byleth first. She dodged and Dorothea blasted him with a spell. "Last chance Ferdinand. I don't want to kill you." Byleth dodged another hit.
Ferdinand raised his lance again. "That is the only way you'll stop me. Even if I die, someone will protect this area in my stead."
"Stop playing around and end him already!" Dimitri roared at Byleth.
Petra came swooping in with her sword. "Goodbye, Ferdinand. You were a good friend. I am sad to kill you."
Ferdinand caught sight of her and looked at her in disbelief. "Petra, Why? You know that I…"
Byleth took advantage of his lapse of attention. This was her duty. She would not let her students bear the guilt of killing someone they knew so well. She knew that he cared for Petra as more than a friend with how much he worried and asked about her well-being in the academy. She wouldn't let him finish those words that would scar Petra worse than his passing. "I am sorry Ferdinand. Thank you for teaching me how to brew the teas and I promise you I will help keep Petra alive. All you had to do was take my hand."
The kill was clean and instant, right through his heart. Byleth removed the blade and her hands clenched the handle tight as regret flared through her. She turned for the bridge where Sylvain had pointed out where Lorenz was. She cut down the horseman who tried to stand in her way, until she was face to face with Lorenz. Blood dripped from her blade as she glared at him.
Lorenz took in the sight of her and bowed his head. "It's been a while, Professor. If this were anywhere but a battlefield, I would offer you tea. I've no choice but to follow the Empire, if I wish to live. I hope you will not think ill of me."
"There is always a choice!" she yelled before whipping the Sword of the Creator to catch his horse's legs so it would rear and buck him off. When he was on the ground, he tried to conjure up a spell before she placed her blade to his neck.
Lorenz raised his hands, cutting off the flow of magic. "I yield. Though I will not beg for my life. That would be unbecoming, wouldn't it?"
"I don't want to end another student's life, but I will if I need to. You joined my class once, what will your answer be this time?" Byleth said.
Lorenz's eyes widened. "You're inviting me to join you? But… to abandon House Gloucester… No, I can convince my father. I will help you topple the Empire, I swear!"
Byleth took the blade away and helped him up. "Good because I have a mission that I need a deer to run and I'm not about to send Lysithea."
Lorenz tilted his head in interest. "What would that mission be?"
"To get Claude and the rest of the Alliance to work with us. Together we will have the strength to overthrow the empire."
Lorenz looked unconvinced. "I can try it, but I'm not sure how well negotiations on the round table will go."
Byleth watched the blood on her sword drip, the very sight chilling her to the bone. She understood what Dimitri meant about faces that would haunt him. Not that she hadn't before. Every time she had to pulse to save one of her students the nightmares would haunt her for a while.
She took a deep breath. "Trying is all we can do. And Lorenz, thank you for not making me have to kill you too. Ferdinand had never taken my hand to begin with. You had at least asked to join me before, so I'm glad I can still have faith in you."
Lorenz bowed to her. "I am sorry that I had to face you. With the bridge taken, the threat the Empire holds on my father's territory has dramatically declined. For that alone, I am in your debt."
She didn't need anyone owning her anything. "Then go, and do not betray me. I will hunt you down if you force me to."
He smiled at her. "Straight to the point and harsh as always, professor. It is good to see you well."
Lysithea landed next to them. "Professor, do we have to kill him too?" She didn't have a spell ready, so she was probably hoping that the answer was no.
Byleth nodded. "He has yielded. The empire had leverage as long as they held the bridge. Now that they do not he will help us with our business in the alliance."
Lysithea nodded, breathing a sigh of relief. "How are House Ordelia's lands and my family?"
Lorenz bowed to her. "Safe for the moment. They had asked to take refuge in my father's territory for the meantime. I don't think my father knew you were fighting with the professor or he might not have let them do that."
"Can you make sure they stay safe, Lorenz?"
"Certainly. I do have to ask though Lysithea, how is it that Thyrsus is activated for you?"
Lysithea moved from foot to foot as she looked away from him.
Byleth put a comforting hand on Lysithea's shoulder. "It's something the empire did to her long ago. It's the reason for her shortened lifespan. Atrocities like that are why we are fighting the Empire."
Lorenz nodded, still slightly confused but accepting the answer. "I am glad it is proving useful. I would ask that it be returned to my family after she's done with it, but I'm glad it's protecting a friend."
Lysithea smiled at him. "Thank you Lorenz. I'll keep it as safe as it's done for me."
Byleth turned away from him. The rest of the battle was done, the rest of the enemies taken care of and the bridge secured. She went over to where Dimitri and Dedue were separated from the others. Dimitri faced Dedue. "Dedue! Why... How are you here? You died. Five years ago... "
Dedue shook his head. "I was saved by my brothers. Men of Duscur."
Dimitri thought about it for a moment. "Those people you were with... They were of Duscur? And they saved you?"
Dedue nodded. "Your Highness. I asked that you fulfill your long-held desire, did I not? Allow me to once again act as your sword and shield. Please, let me witness your triumph. I want to behold the moment your wish is finally granted."
Dimitri seemed a little overwhelmed. "Dedue... Of course. And in exchange, I ask that you swear something to me, here and now. Do not ever throw your life away again. Understood?"
Dedue was taken aback. "Your Highness... Understood." He said with a bow.
Byleth came over to them, happy with Dimitri's reaction. Dimitri went further on. She went to Dedue and stopped in front of him. "You were already tall enough Dedue." She said, glaring up at him.
Dedue knelt down so he was closer to her height and was completely taken aback when Byleth threw her arms around him and hugged him. "I'm glad you're back. It hasn't been the same without you. I've tried to take care of the greenhouse while you were gone, but I'm not as good as you are at it."
She let go and stepped back. Dedue bowed his head. "It is good to be here Professor. Thank you for taking care of His Highness in my stead. We had thought you were gone too after that battle."
"I was. Like you, I've only rejoined his side recently. Now go see the other Lions. I know Ashe and Mercedes especially missed you."
"I… I will." Dedue said, standing up.
Dedue left and Byleth went to Dimitri. He was surveying the battlefield. "Idiots. Embracing death for the sake of that woman. Truly foolish..."
Byleth tilted her head. "What troubles you?"
Dimitri looked away. "I... I don't know."
"Do you regret killing them?" she asked.
Dimitri clenched his fists. "They were just beasts with human faces. I had no choice but to kill them, and so I did. That...that is all there is to it."
Byleth wanted to say more, she knew he needed the barbs, to keep that mentality to keep the guilt from killing from consuming him. She remembered how much he struggled with the thought when they had to kill the civilians during their mission to subdue Lonato. Byleth still remembered consoling Ashe after that. Neither Ashe nor Dimitri could cope completely. Byleth still wasn't comfortable with what she had just done. A student's blood was on her hands. The rest of the soldiers would be passing shadows, stories left untold, and their pasts unknown. This would be the first time she had run her blade through someone she was close to.
Rodrigue came to them, interrupting her thoughts. "It's about time you two returned. We must discuss our next course of action."
Dimitri followed him, Byleth hesitated next to Ferdinand. "I'm sorry" she whispered.
When she caught up to them there was a soldier arguing with a young girl. Byleth tilted her head. She looked familiar but she couldn't place the girl. It wasn't one of the Academy students.
"Please! I need to join you, no matter the cost!" The young girl was saying.
The Kingdom General shook his head. "I'm sorry, but my hands are tied..."
Rodrigue came up to both of them. "By the goddess! What's with all the commotion?"
The girl gasped as she noticed Dimitri.
Rodrigue crossed his arms. "What is this girl doing here? This is an army, not an orphanage."
"I believe she's from a nearby village. She keeps insisting that she needs to join our ranks." The General replied.
"And you thought we could use a child on the front lines? Hurry up and take her back to her parents." Rodrigue said.
"My family is gone. I don't have anywhere else to go. Please! I can use magic and I can fight! I can cook, do laundry, anything!" The girl pleaded.
Rodrigue turned to her. "I'm sure there are plenty of more suitable places to find work. Why are you so fixated on this army, young lady?"
"I need… to get revenge. I must strike down the one who murdered my big brother!" she replied.
Rodrigue sighed. "Your Highness... What should we do?"
"Let her do as she pleases." He responded dismissively.
The girl smiled. "Thank you...very much."
"Wait." Byleth said, noticing two people unconscious on the bridge. "Who are these two?"
Behind the girl were two unconscious people, a young man and a young woman that none of them had seen before. The young man had jet-black hair with spiky bluish-black locks that pointed down at the front, but had continued all the way to the back of his head, making it resemble that of a raven while the young woman had bright-pink hair that appeared to be strangely lifeless. Their clothes were different from what Byleth and the others had seen, with a red and white fan embroidered on the back of the raven's shirt and one of the sleeves of the rosette's shirt being completely ripped off, exposing her arm that was slightly burned.
Rodrigue checked both of their pulses.
"They're unconscious, but still alive despite whatever they were facing." He said, getting up and turning to Dimitri. "What should we do with these two, your highness?"
"Take them back to the monastery to let them recover." Dimitri said coldly, crossing his arms.
X~X~X
When Sakura awoke, she saw the sight of a high ceiling above her. Not only that, but she could hear voices from the next room over, indicating that there were people in a war meeting. Getting up, Sakura gasped in pain as the injuries in her legs flared up again, causing her to sit back on the bed. It was physically jarring, to go from the middle of a war to this. Whatever this was.
Getting up, she noticed that she was in an infirmary of some kind. There were multiple diaphragms and there was a small human statue with a dagger protruding from its forehead like it was a coat-hanger. She still felt as if her muscles were poised to attack. She shook off her arms as if it would shake off the feeling, but she was unsettled, her brain was trying to catch up… More than that, she wanted to fight. They had come so far, the final step before the peace they had been chasing for so long for… How could it be ripped away like that? What was going on in the battlefield? Where was Naruto?
She felt sharp tears sting the back of her eyes. Those who abandoned their teammates were worse than scum.
After a few minutes, the talking stopped as a middle-aged man with dark-blue hair that almost reminded her of Hinata's walked into the infirmary.
"Are you alright?" He asked, looking at Sakura.
"Yes, but where are we and who are you?" Sakura asked, looking at the man.
"My apologies. My name is Rodrigue Achille Fraldarius." He said, bowing respectfully as he introduced himself. "You're in the infirmary at Garreg Mach Monastery at the center of Fódlan."
"Fódlan?" Sakura repeated, confused.
"Yes. We found you two unconscious at the Great Bridge of Myrddin after we took control of it." Rodrigue said, looking at Sakura's emerald eyes while pointing to the second bed.
Sakura was confused until she saw Sasuke on the opposite bed next to hers. Before she got out of bed, the door opened and a young woman with bright-emerald hair and eyes came into the room.
"How are they, Rodrigue?" She asked, looking at the two.
"They're fine, Professor." Rodrigue said, looking at the woman's emerald eyes. "In a few days, we'll march to Gronder Field."
"Okay. I'll inform everyone." She said, leaving.
Once she was gone, Rodrigue turned to Sakura.
"Anyway, what were you two doing at Myrddin before we took you to the infirmary?" Rodrigue asked.
"Well, you see…" Sakura said as she began filling Rodrigue with everything.
"I see… So you and that guy, named Sasuke, were facing an evil goddess named Kaguya alongside a fellow classmate of yours until you two were thrown into our world, is that right... Sakura, was it?" Rodrigue asked, piecing together what Sakura said.
"Yes." Sakura said, nodding. "We'll be happy to lend you a hand in whatever your mission is."
"Thank you." Rodrigue said, bowing.
After Rodrigue left and she got out of bed, Sakura soon saw a tall young man with unkempt blond hair, about twenty-three years of age, wearing a suit of black armor with a blue cross on the breast plate. He had a bag under his left eye that was clearly bloodshot, which indicated that his right eye was badly damaged due to the black eyepatch that it was hiding under and he had a blue cape that went with a black and white fur coat that looked like a wolf pelt. For some reason, Sakura could sense a bit of the Sasuke that she had encountered at Orochimaru's hideout from the blond.
"I can finally kill her... Finally... I can avenge them…" He said to himself as he walked downstairs, ignoring Sakura while smirking insanely.
"What's wrong with him?" Sakura asked, trying to follow the blond before she stopped.
"Don't waste your breath speaking to the Boar. He's insisting on getting revenge on the emperor herself." A cold voice said, surprising Sakura.
Sakura turned around, expecting Sasuke to be up, but she turned to see a young man with the same hair color as Rodrigue's walk up to her, his amber eyes staring into her emerald ones.
"You're new? The name is Felix Hugo Fraldarius." He said, extending his open palm to her.
"Yes, I am. My name is Sakura Haruno of House Haruno." Sakura said, smiling briefly before she frowned. "And who are you calling a boar?"
"I'm talking about the guy that just walked out of here. He's a boar in my eyes." Felix said, glaring at the staircase leading downstairs, referring to the blond-haired man. "His real name is Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, the supposed crowned prince of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. That is, if he hadn't had that damn cold attitude of his."
"Faerghus?" Sakura repeated, confused. She hasn't heard a name like that before.
Felix smirked. "So it's true. You guys did come from another world according to my old man."
"I see…" Sakura said before Sasuke left to train after he woke up. Felix looked at him.
"He seems like a worthy opponent." Felix said, letting go of Sakura's hand and going after Sasuke.
X~X~X
After getting to know everyone, including the professor, Sakura found Dimitri standing in front of a massive mountain of debris that caved in from the ceiling in the cathedral that was across a bridge at Garreg Mach.
"Are you alright?" Sakura asked, reaching for Dimitri's shoulder. He put a hand to her throat, and lifted her up into the air, and she choked, trying to free herself from his incredibly strong grasp.
"If you stand in my way, I will strike you down." Dimitri snarled at her, glaring at her coldly before he let her go.
She quickly took her hand away from his shoulder, alarmed.
"Alright, I get it. Sorry to bother you." Sakura said, leaving him alone.
As she headed to the market, Sakura found Byleth at the armory, a huge bag of gold coins in her hand.
"Hey, Byleth." Sakura said, looking at the emerald-haired woman as she carried a killing edge and a pair of iron gauntlets to the forge.
"Hello, Sakura." Byleth said, looking at her before she gave a few pieces of steel and gold to the forger. "Here, can you take this wo dao to your friend?"
"Sure." Sakura said, nodding before she took the katana and disappeared.
As she went to the training grounds at Garreg Mach, Sakura saw an elderly man, Gilbert, standing next to the door.
"Ah, lady Sakura, I take it?" Gilbert asked, looking at the pink-haired woman.
"Yes. What is it?" Sakura asked, looking at him.
"Tell me, is Sasuke also a sole survivor of an almost-identical massacre that seems to parallel Dimitri's?" He asked, trying not to recall the tragedy of Duscur.
"Yes, sadly. But the one that had caused the Uchiha massacre was none other than Sasuke's older brother, Itachi." Sakura said, looking at the floor.
I see. Both Sasuke and Dimitri are almost one and the same. Gilbert thought, shaking his head. "Anyway, where is this Itachi fellow?"
"He passed on in our world." Sakura said as tears started forming in her emerald eyes.
"Now, don't cry." Gilbert said, trying to console her.
"But seeking revenge...that won't bring anyone happiness. Nobody at all." Sakura said, wiping her eyes as she remembered saying the same thing to Sasuke when they were thirteen. "I tried telling Sasuke that and he called me annoying."
After a long minute had passed, Sasuke finally turned around to face her, a cold smirk on his face, but his black eyes were shining with a pain barely held back as he looked straight into her wide, beautiful, teary crystal eyes, framed by her lovely pink hair and peachy skin.
"You haven't changed," he said in a steady voice, and with slight amusement. "You're still annoying."
Seeing her this devastated, with more tears than he could remember, was like a punch in the gut, but like always, he could read her like an open book. All her emotions were there: sadness and sorrow, the ghost of happiness, hope, anger, frustration, and...yes, love. The one emotion he wanted to avoid looking at the most. Because it left something burning in his entire being, suffocating in his chest, and left it hard for him to process his breathing. It was all overwhelming.
Just like that first day, she gasped with eyes as round as the moon, staring at him with shock...and realization that he did remember. That she did mean something to him. That their memories of Team 7 were never forgotten. She looked so innocent, so scandaled, that if right now had not been so heart-crushing, he would have actually found it funny. But instead, it gave him a mixture of emotions that no one, not even Sakura, could have ever guessed what was beneath his cold, stoic demeanor.
He stared at her a few seconds longer, knowing this would probably be the last time he would ever see her, feeling that moment give him a sense of peace and sorrow.
He then turned to walk away without another word.
Sakura seemed to break out of her shock. He already sensed that she was going to try and stop him.
"Don't leave me!" she screamed. "If you go, I'll scream and-"
Suddenly Sasuke disappeared...Sakura froze when she felt his air breeze behind her, rippling her hair. She could feel his hot breath at the back of her neck. The cool wind swept by them in the deafening silence.
"Sakura..." he whispered.
"..."
"Thank you for everything," he said softly.
Gilbert frowned and looked at her.
"I doubt Dimitri will say the same thing if you were to confront him in the state that he's currently in." Gilbert said, shaking his head and smiling fatherly to Sakura. "Don't let that get to you."
X~X~X
The monastery bell rang like every other evening, and almost immediately after she delivered the sword to him and had a training session with Sasuke and Felix, Sakura's legs suddenly felt sore as she saw Byleth walking up to the cathedral and quickly followed her.
Many still occupied the cathedral so Byleth took a seat at the pew in the back and waited until nightfall when the cathedral would be empty.
Light shone from the stars and moon above, leaking in through the holes in the roof. Byleth found Dimitri standing amongst the broken statues and imploded walls, not realizing that Sakura was also there.
"Dimitri?" She said in her softest voice. "Dimitri, it's me, Byleth."
He did not acknowledge her presence.
"Have you eaten?"
He was still silent.
"The dining hall is closed but I can still get us in. Come on, let's get you something to eat." She carefully slipped her hand in his.
"Don't touch me!" He yelled and snatched his hand away.
Byleth stared at him and took a deep breath. "You must come to your senses."
"Hmph." He crossed his arms and turned away from her.
"Why didn't you help Ferdinand?" Byleth said, deciding it was better to be blunt. "He helped you."
Dimitri turned his head toward her but it was only to glare.
Byleth took a cautious step towards him. "You may drive our friends away."
"You mean your friends. I would never associate with Empire scum."
"Don't say such hurtful things, Dimitri." Byleth sighed. "They came to help us. They want this war to end just as much as any one of us." She waited for him to respond but when a full minute passed and he was still silent, she went on. "Speak to me, Dimitri, please. I want to understand you."
"Go away." His voice wasn't as harsh as usual but there was still no warmth.
"Dimitri, it hurts me when you treat me like this."
"I do not care."
Byleth's arms and legs started to tremble.
"You don't care about me?" She gave him some space but it was more so he wouldn't notice her on the verge of tears. "I care about you."
Dimitri turned his gaze toward her and for a split second, she felt hopeful that he might give her that smile she missed so much. But he didn't say anything and turned away again.
Byleth's eyes felt itchy and her nose was runny. She sniffled before choking out, "If you don't care about me, that's fine."
It wasn't fine.
"But at least care about yourself."
This time she didn't wait for him to answer. She darted out of the cathedral, pushed the doors open and didn't look back. Luckily, it was so late at night that not many saw the former Ashen Demon cowering to her room with tears spilling down her cheeks.
Once inside, she tried to regain her composure. But the tears just kept falling. So she let them. She laid down on her bed, the side of her face sticky with tears and creating a wet puddle on her pillow.
Why? Why did it have to be him that turned out like this? Why did it have to be Dimitri? He was her kindest, most considerate student. He taught orphans how to defend themselves. He helped with stable duty even if it wasn't his turn. He enjoyed bad puns.
He did everything he could to make Byleth feel welcome at Garreg Mach, from showing her around, teaching her the proper way to lecture funnily enough, inviting her to dinner, and even rescuing her from monsters.
Dimitri was her Prince Charming.
But not anymore.
Felix was right. Dimitri was going to run their army into the ground. If not by sending their soldiers off to their deaths, then by inspiring desertion with his cold hearted commands. Either way the end result would be Byleth and everyone she loved as corpses on the battlefield.
And Dimitri, more tears flooded Byleth's pillow, Dimitri will never return to being the man she loved.
After seeing the tears in Byleth's eyes, Sakura emerged from her spot in the cathedral and approached Dimitri. It was mostly dark, but Dimitri's tall silhouette was stark against the dim light filtering through the holes in the wall in front of him. His face was facing away from her, but his shoulders were hunched and rounded, and she could hear his voice faintly even from the entrance, too quiet to fully make out.
The sight of Dimitri's back turned against her had almost reminded Sakura of when Sasuke had left all those years ago.
As she approached, the words became clearer. "Father," came Dimitri's low, repenting plea, "I'm so close to avenging you. Please—please just wait a little longer. Glenn… I will reclaim the life that was stolen from you, I just need a little more time. I'm so sorry, I—"
Sakura clenched her teeth. She had enough of Dimitri's cold attitude that seemed to parallel Sasuke's and hearing him talk to the disembodied voices in his head.
She had enough.
"I..." Sakura came out with a stammer, trying to keep her own emotions from shattering like Byleth's. "I know in my heart that there's nothing Byleth can do...even that she can't get close to you, or exchange blows with you..."
Dimitri turned his gaze toward her and for a split second, she felt hopeful. But he didn't say anything and turned away again.
"...but she loves you!" she screamed at him.
His shoulders tensed and his head was beginning to turn towards her but he stopped himself and took a step away from her. Sakura's breath caught at this small change, feeling a tiny rise of hope that he was listening, but she didn't stop there.
"She cares so much about you, Dimitri, and she can only whine, beg, and cry like this again," she said, her voice cracking. "It's totally pitiful, isn't it?"
"Leave me!" His voice echoed against the walls.
"But… but Dimitri…" Sakura pleaded, tears running down her cheeks, "If there's any corner of your heart that thinks about her, even just a little… Please don't go after the emperor by yourself! If we just stick together, I know we can win… Somehow…"
Dimitri stood over her, unmoving, face turned to the side so as not to look at her.
"Don't you see." He said. "I am a monster, nothing more. Go, now, before I change my mind."
Sakura stood and wiped her eyes.
"After this next battle, I want you to apologize to her." Sakura said before she left, taking one final glance at him.
Did Byleth mean it? Would she really do anything for him, according to what the others said? Would she help him kill the emperor, whoever she was?
As she headed towards her room, Sakura noticed that the door to Byleth's room was shut, and, approaching it, the pink-haired medic could hear crying from the other side. She was trying to be quiet, cursing to herself, and asking why the tears wouldn't stop.
"Dad, what do I do? I found the one who can make me smile anytime I see him, but if he doesn't want me what do I do? I won't force his acceptance, but I thought… I thought he felt the same. These damned tears won't stop and my heart feels like it's being clawed out of my chest. If this is what emotions are really like, then I'm not sure that I want them."
Sakura's eyes widened with realization. She was talking about Dimitri. Pressing her ear against the door, she continued to listen.
"Maybe it would have been better if I had never come back. I should have stayed dead. Of course... he wouldn't want something unnatural like me."
Frowning, Sakura slowly opened the door to find her lying on her bed. Upon closer examination, she saw that her face was red and wet with tears, half-buried under her pillow.
Good thing I prepared this in advance. Sakura thought as she took a scroll out, wove a few hand signs, and in the scroll's place was a small box of tissue paper, setting it on her desk before she left.
X~X~X
After getting the necessary supplies needed, Sasuke, Sakura and the Kingdom army made their way across the aptly-named Great Bridge of Myrddin to engage the Adrestian Empire and its emperor directly. After arriving at their destination, Gronder Field according to Rodrigue, Sakura saw two other armies positioned at two opposite sides before she saw four people wearing black hoods and bird-like masks hurl fireballs into the air, which rained down on both their side and the other.
"Is everyone alright?" Sakura asked, looking at their army before she saw Dimitri step onto the field while holding a lance that, according to Byleth, was called Areadbhar. That was all he needed to steel his resolve as the familiar cadence of screams joined the chorus in his mind.
"Know that I will tear your heads from your shoulders. The dead must have their tribute." Dimitri said, glaring at the Empire while aiming Areadbhar at them.
On one side, Sakura saw a young man with dark-brown hair alongside some sideburns, wearing a yellow tunic, walk in front of his army while groaning at the sight of his fallen men.
"As big class reunions go...this one's gotta be the worst in history." He said before tightening the grip on a bow.
Lastly, Sakura saw a young woman with her silver hair pulled into two tight buns, wearing an ornate headpiece and red armor step onto her half of the field, guessing that she was the emperor.
"Years ago, we fought here as classmates. But not today." She said in a saddening voice as she looked down, her violet eyes looking sad.
"Sasuke, Sakura. Prepare yourselves." Byleth said as she took her sword out upon hearing the archers tighten their bows.
Sakura didn't know at first, but after a couple of seconds, Dimitri looked at his army while tightening the grip on his lance after he blinked and exhaled through his nose.
"Kill every last one of them!" Dimitri's roar sent the troops into action.
Byleth drew her Sword of the Creator as the rest of the army advanced.
"Shannaro!" Sakura roared as she ran into the battlefield while eyeing the opposite side which she found was the Leicester Alliance, lead by the brown-haired man that was identified as Claude von Riegan.
"And so we fight on." The silver-haired woman said as her army charged out on the field.
"Sakura, take care of the mounted forces!" Byleth ordered as she assisted Dimitri after giving orders to everyone.
"Right!" Sakura said, running off to deal with the mounted soldiers.
"You have finally appeared, Edelgard." Dimitri said, smirking wickedly at the silver-haired emperor, now identified as Edelgard. "Now, you are mine."
The battle began as everyone began fighting half of their former classmates, Sakura delivering two devastating punches to two beasts on the emperor's side of the battlefield as Sasuke quickly took out Hubert with Kirin due to the fire caused by the mages creating a cloud above him. Byleth sent her students towards the Empire, their fight was not with the Alliance, and she knew Claude wouldn't step in until he had a scheme that would work in his favor. They made quick work of the enemies in front of them. The fog covered them as they advanced, making it hard to keep track of everyone, and Byleth hoped they would be able to tell friends from foes. She did see a flash of Lorenz's purple armor show up close to Claude. She just hoped that letting him live would be advantageous today. She already had to kill one student, she didn't want to hurt another.
Claude gazed over the battlefield. "Hmph. The Empire and Kingdom are mixed up in this battle. It's a struggle to target the right one. Such are the rules of melee. We'll just have to crush anyone who isn't an ally!"
"Claude, hold a moment please!" Lorenz shouted.
Claude looked down. He had thought Lorenz had been killed in the battle on the bridge. He landed his wyvern next to him. "How are you not dead?"
"The Professor is here, Claude! She spared my life on the condition that I try to convince the Alliance to fight with them against the Empire. Lysithea rides at her side. The Empire is responsible for something horrible done to her. Please Claude if you see her talk to her and hear her out, but don't get near Dimitri. I watched him take a lance and slice it through a wyvern to get to its rider. He is brutal and has the strength to kill you. If you want to end this fight with the least casualties it is her you need."
"Thanks for the info. It's chaos on the battlefield, but your armor is distinct. I can keep track of you from the air. Can you find her for me on the ground and I'll meet with you from there?"
"Glady." Lorenz said, rearing his horse and pushing forward.
Claude went back to the air, maybe there was hope of accomplishing his dream yet. Lorenz's words confirmed what Claude had heard about Dimitri's brutality; trying to convince Dimitri of anything would be useless. Claude wished that the professor had chosen the Golden Deer instead. He should have used more charm on her, but it was Dimitri and the Blue Lion class she had been drawn to. By sparing Lorenz she had shown that she still cared for her former students. To ask to ally with him against the Empire was a great tactical move. With the kingdom still in shambles because of the Dukedom they were probably lacking in troops and supplies. He remembered the time they had in Abyss. Her tactical genius rivaled his own and he could use that to his advantage. Byleth was and still is someone Claude respected.
X~X~X
Byleth approached the platform in the center, bringing Caspar and Dorothea with her. She sent everyone else around it to attack the Empire directly.
"Stay back! Stay back or I'll shoot. Professor? Is that you? You're with the enemy. That means I... I'll have to kill you." Benedetta's hands were white from the grip she had on the ballista.
"Bernadetta we don't want to hurt you. Dorothea, Petra, Linhardt, and Caspar are here with me. We would all like you to join us. Do you really want to be here in the middle of some large field right in the center of everyone's attention?" Byleth coaxed. Caspar was going around while Bernadetta's attention was on her. Dorothea was taking care of the armored knights.
Bernadetta shook her head. "The Empire is my home."
"I've got plenty of embroidery materials waiting for you in your room inside the monastery. Do you remember your nice safe room? I won't ask you to fight Bernadetta, I just want to keep you safe." Byleth tried again.
"Really, you mean I can stay there? You won't make me fight? They said you killed Ferdinand. How can I betray them? How do I know this isn't a trap?" she questioned.
Caspar grabbed her from behind and lifted her up, hanging on tight as she squirmed. "Do what you want afterward, but I won't let you die here."
"Put me down!" Bernadetta demanded.
"No, the others asked me to rescue you so they don't need to see someone else they know and care about die. So that's what I'm doing." Caspar hoisted her over his shoulder. "Professor, I'm taking her back to the bridge. Are you good without me?"
Byleth nodded. "Thank you, Caspar. Bernadetta until this war is over we will be keeping you in your room in the monastery as a hostage of war. You will be released once this war is over to do whatever you want."
Bernadetta looked away with a pout, going limp in Caspar's arms. "Ok… I really didn't want to fight from the beginning, you know."
Byleth came over and placed a hand on Bernadetta's head. "I know. You have friends that care about you and they want you safe. Unlike Ferdinand, you aren't out to kill us. I'm sorry for taking his life but I was only protecting those I care about from him. I did try to talk, but it wasn't enough. I have to continue fighting. Stay safe, both of you."
"You can count on it, Professor. I'll meet you at the bridge." Caspar ran off towards the bridge as Bernadetta complained about how he was holding her. Byleth couldn't focus too long on them. One student was safe, now she just needed to protect the rest.
The battle was still chaotic when she reached her Lions. They were fighting in the formation she had taught them, but they were being swarmed by enemies. She heard Claude's call for retreat and focused ahead. She had made the right move by sparing Lorenz after all. Dimitri had gone ahead towards Edelgard, leaving them all behind. They were happy to see her, believing that she had followed Dimitri.
"Sorry, I was dealing with negotiations with Claude. The Alliance will withdraw and we will all regroup back at the monastery later."
The battle was as chaotic as Edelgard had promised. Between stray arrows, blasts of magic, and just the sheer amount of enemies this battle was brutal. Byleth lost count of how many times she had to use the power of the Divine Pulse. Using its power and the wounds she was sustaining were taking its toll. She made it past the enemies with enough time to hear Dimitri and Edelgard face-off, the group following nearby.
"Stab your chest, break your neck, smash your head… I will allow you to choose your own death." Dimitri said, aiming his weapon at her.
"I'm not interested in methods of dying. All that matters is when death takes place, not how. And I have no intention of dying today." Edelgard responded as she raised her weapon.
Rage boiled inside of him as he advanced. "I'm sure all of the people you slaughtered so far felt the same!"
Dimitri took a slash at Edelgard. Finally, he would have his tribute. But as his blade would have hit, she was warped from his grasp. His lance smashed the heal tile to pieces, a large crater left where she had been standing. No, his mind roared, he grit his teeth as he searched wildly for where she had gone. Where was Byleth when he needed her? She had said she would be here to help him get his revenge. He looked around and saw that Edelgard hadn't gotten far. He saw the light from Byleth's sword arc to stop her retreat.
"I knew when next we met one of our paths would come to an end. Your journey ends here Professor…. Forever." Edelgard said, activating the power in her axe.
Byleth tightened her grip on her sword. "It won't be my journey that ends today. I have someone to live for! The ones who pull your strings already took my father away from me. I won't let you take him too."
Dimitri could tell by the way that she was moving that Byleth was injured badly. There was a bolt from a bow buried in her leg. It was broken off so it wouldn't bleed out until she could get help for it. Her sword arm was bleeding, but she still fought with every ounce of power she possessed.
He tightened his grip on his lance as he heard Edelgard's threat and moved towards the two of them, but it was Byleth's reply that caught him off guard. Words he spoke to her years ago resonated through him. She had chosen him to live for?
Byleth rolled away from one of Edelgard's strikes, slashing at Edelgard's back. Byleth's sword struck true, slicing through Edelgard's armor, but the wound wasn't deep enough to be fatal. Byleth made another strike that knocked Edelgard off her feet. Dimitri saw the pink ribbon that hung off of Byleth's armor flutter away from the two of them, but it didn't register in his mind what that meant.
"That's what you think! Shannaro!" Sakura roared, throwing a deadly chakra-induced fist towards Edelgard, striking her in the face.
"I lost?! Just as expected, you aren't making my path an easy one." Edelgard said, holding her bleeding chest while wiping the blood off on her glove. "I must retreat for now. We'll meet again on the battlefield."
"So you think you can escape, Edelgard?" Dimitri asked himself as he lowered his lance.
"At least we won, right?" Sakura asked, looking at everyone as Rodrigue appeared on the battlefield.
"Your Highness! You're alive! We have to retreat to the Great Bridge of Myrddin…" Rodrigue said, dismounting his horse.
"That woman...we failed to capture her." Dimitri said to himself as he looked at the others. "I'll keep pursuing. The rest of you, keep fighting!"
Rodrigue shook his head. "I'm so sorry...but we can't do that. I understand how you feel, but the Imperial army is closing in!"
"Are you kidding?!" Sakura said, shocked.
"I'll kill all of them! No matter how many hundreds or thousands of them they are!" Dimitri said in a bloodthirsty rage.
Suddenly, Sakura saw a young girl appear out of nowhere, armed with a sword, her eyes filled with rage.
Rodrigue's eyes widened. "You... What are you doing here?! It's too dangerous! Fall back, now!"
The girl said nothing as she smirked, ran up behind Dimitri and stabbed him in the back with her sword.
"Your Highness!" Rodrigue screamed at the pain written on Dimitri's face.
Holding his still-bleeding wound, Dimitri looked at the girl in shock. "You… are…"
This doesn't look good… Sakura thought to herself as the girl gave an evil laugh before she readied the sword.
Byleth tried to manage one more Divine Pulse, but she was too weak, her vision already a little blurry. The girl taunted Dimitri. Telling him that he would never be forgiven. Dimitri wasn't acting right. It wasn't fear, but ...resignation perhaps? As her sight blurred she remembered a face with similar hair color.
"You filthy monster, it's time to die!" The girl cried.
"Fleche wait!" Byleth shouted.
The girl looked at Byleth who was stumbling towards them. While battling Edelgard, her chest had been slashed, which slowed her down. She was bleeding out, easy prey for anyone who would try to attack her.
The girl paused. "How do you know my name?"
"Your hair is the same as his. Randolf said that he was sorry to you right after I slipped the blade between his armor to take his life. It's not Dimitri that you want your revenge against. I am the one who took the general's life."
"You're just protecting him! I won't let your pretty words sway me! He still killed all of the soldiers I called friends. He's still a monster and I will end him!" Fleche cried as she raised her blade at Dimitri again.
Byleth poured what power she could into her blade. "I don't care what he is to anyone else. He is my lion and I won't let you take him from me."
Fleche went to bring her blade down once more.
"Dimitri!" Rodrigue yelled before getting in between them. "Gah... P-Professor... Do it now!"
Fleche fell calling out for her brother. Dimitri spun around calling out Rodrigue's name. Byleth cursed for not being fast enough, but she couldn't pulse. She tried and it only made her already weak body try to take her feet from under her as a spell of dizziness hit her. Sakura wasted no time in channeling her chakra to her hands and trying to heal Rodrigue's fatal wound.
"Your highness, are you safe? Please tell me it was not in vain." Rodrigue coughed as he reached up to Dimitri.
"This punishment was mine to bear." Dimitri cried. Byleth's heart went out to him. Another family member struck down in front of him. She wondered if he was seeing another person on the ground that belonged to his chorus of ghosts? How many more people was he going to lose? She hadn't been fast enough. She should have questioned the decision to let Fleche in. She shouldn't have killed Ferdinand. She couldn't rein him in from his destructive behavior. So many regrets.
"There are no sins or punishments on the battlefield," Rodrigue said as Byleth stumbled towards them.
"Please don't die. Father, Stepmother, Glenn, they all died and left me behind. Rodrigue, are you going to join the shadows who ghost my every move? This is my fault… I… I'm the one who killed you as surely as I was the one wielding the blade."
Rodrigue coughed and smiled as Byleth slunk onto the ground next to them. "Your Highness, you have one thing terribly wrong. None of them, none of us died for you. I'm dying for what I believe in, just as they did. Your life is your own, it belongs to no other living or dead. Live for what you believe in."
Byleth grit her teeth as she found the wound, every movement burning as her vision blurred further. She couldn't turn back time again but she and Sakura could heal until help arrived.
"Dimitri … my boy… you do look…"
"Rodrigue, save your breath please. I'll do what I can but you have to hold on. I just hope what I can do is enough," Byleth said.
"You… you're wounded… worse than me," Rodrigue coughed.
Byleth's breathing was coming in deep pants. "You are the father figure to two great men and I know what that loss feels like. Didn't you say the more we love someone, the more the loss hurts us? I'm glad you were fast enough so I didn't lose Dimitri when I couldn't protect him, but just stay alive please."
Rodrigue grimaced. "I promised Lambert to look after Dimitri if he started down the wrong path, I need…"
"Be quiet. Explain later. Dimitri if you can move can you please grab one of the other healers? I can't keep this up much longer. I've used up so much magic today and I can't do another pulse." Byleth tried to get his attention.
"You idiot!" The next thing Byleth knew was that Felix was beside her pouring magic onto the both of them. "Mercedes! We need a Fortify now! Linhardt, Dorothea, can you pull off another Psychic? What the hell happened?"
"Ask later. For now, keep him alive." Byleth ordered.
"Felix…" Rodrigue started.
"Shut up old man. Save your breath, I'm not letting you die today. Boar, the moment the girls set off the healing spells we need to retreat or we will lose both of them. Dimitri, can you carry my father? I'll take the Professor. You can move faster with him than I can." Felix snapped.
Dimitri was still watching the scene with horror. He had barely moved. Felix went to punch him. Dimitri caught his hand, it seemed out of reflex, but it got his attention all the same. "Dimitri if you don't want her to die too then listen and help." Felix snarled, grabbing his hand back.
"Her?" Dimitri's voice sounded lost, he blinked a few times, finally realizing that Byleth was there with Rodrigue. She was panting and the magic she was using was faint. She was covered in blood and wounds.
"And you, if it's his fate to die today then let it be. Don't die yourself trying to save a life that can't be saved." Felix grabbed her hands and she looked up at him. Bright white light scattered over them as the fortify and psychic spells hit. "There, now I'm sorry comfort is something we don't have time for." Felix scooped Byleth out and she cried out in pain as his hand squeezed the wound in her arm. Felix grimaced. "Dimitri, grab my father, and let's get the hell off this graveyard."