Hello there.

I am very happy you have decided to read my first FF. I hope you like it. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own FE3H or any of the characters.

Prologue

"It is almost... time to... begin..."

He saw her once more in his dreams. That strange girl with green hair and eyes, came to him while sleeping. The frequency of the dream had increased in the last few months. And it always played out the same way, but this time felt different. Almost as if it were the last time, he had this special dream.

They had found out that they had the same date of birth, but she did not seem to remember much else. She was always sleepy, and keen on pointing out that he was very rude on disturbing her rest. He always woke up once she told him she was going to go sleep. He did not understand why she kept coming to his dreams. And for the little conversation they were able to share, neither did she.

He heard familiar footsteps approaching. "Hey! Time to wake up." His father, Jeralt, noticing that Byleth was already awake and dressed in his travel clothes. "Were you having that dream again?" He asked casually, his battle-scarred face staring him down.

Jeralt was a seasoned mercenary. He had dirty blond hair cut short at the sides but a little bit longer on the top and back. The hair on the back of his head was always braided. He also wore a long blond beard with no mustache. It was a common appearance among mercenary commanders.

"I was dreaming of a young girl..." Byleth said, not wanting to give too much away, as he had already spoken of this with his father in the past. "You have described her to me before. I don't think I've ever met anyone like that." He threw his arms out as in defeat. "In any case, just put that out of your mind for now. The battlefield is no place for idle thoughts." He looked at him with a stern face. "Risking your life is part of the job for mercenaries like us. Letting your mind wander is a sure way to get yourself killed."

Byleth knew his father was worried about him. Not wanting to disappoint his father he nodded reassuringly. "OK, time to get moving. Our next job is in the Kingdom. I told you before it's far from here, so we'll need to leave at dawn." "Of course." Byleth agreed. Knowing his father would like his answer.

"Hm. Good grief. Everyone is already waiting for us outside." Jeralt said looking out of the window. Just as they both were about to get their belongings, one of Jeralt's mercenaries came bursting into the room.

"Jeralt! Sir! Sorry to barge in, but your presence is needed." "What's happened?" Jeralt was already moving out. His voice that of a commander. Byleth followed swiftly, leaving the mercenary to cover the rear.

Once they got outside, Byleth was surprised to see three strangers. And by the looks of it they were a few years younger than he was. All three of them wore black uniforms with golden buttons and ornaments. Still Byleth noted that they wore different colored cloaks, gold, blue and red. The young man with the golden cloak was sun tanned with the piercing green eyes. He reminded Byleth of an almyran man he met in his travels in the past.

The other young man was fair looking. Gold hair fell upon his face, almost hiding his piercing blue eyes. He was also very pale and had the typical complexion of the people from the Kingdom in the north. He looked kind enough, but there was something about him that seemed off. The way his blue cloak was neatly positioned, reminded Byleth of a higher nobleman.

The third figure with the red cloak was a girl, with unusual silver hair and light purple eyes. She was very pale, but something told Byleth that she was not from the Kingdom. There was something mysterious about her, as if she was hiding something. She was beautiful. Byleth had seen other beautiful girls, but they had never awoken any kind of interest in him. This one though, he could not describe it, but he was drawn to her. It puzzled him.

Before he could reflect on it further, the blue cloaked stranger, spoke "Please forgive our intrusion. We wouldn't bother you were the situation not dire." His tone was alarmed. He spoke like a nobleman, just as Byleth had suspected it. "What do a bunch of kids like you want at this hour?" Jeralt asked.

"We're being pursued by a group of bandits. I can only hope that you will be so kind as to lend your support." Replied the blue cloaked stranger. "Bandits? Here?" Jeralt sounded surprised. "It's true. They attacked us while we were at rest in our camp." The mysterious girl said. Byleth noted that there was something in her voice, it sounded too mature for her age.

"We've been separated from our companions and we're outnumbered. They're after our lives... not to mention our gold" The golden cloaked stranger said in a manner that was calm but a bit too theatrical for Byleth's taste. He was sure Jeralt was thinking the same thing, if the quiet sigh he gave was any indication. If any of the strangers noticed it, they gave no sign of it.

"I'm impressed you're staying so calm considering the situation. I... Wait. Those uniforms..." Somehow Jeralt had just noticed the clothing the strangers were wearing. He flinched visibly widening his eyes. "Bandits spotted just outside the village! Damn... There are a lot of them." One of Jeralt's scouts informed.

The demeanor of Jeralt changed in an instant. "I guess they followed you all the way here. We can't abandon this village now." He turned for the first time to Byleth. „Come on, let's move. Hope you're ready." They had talked about giving Byleth a bit more responsibility as a mercenary commander. The next mission was supposed to be his to command. By the looks of it this was it. And to top it all, the strangers seemed to want to join them in battle. They were readying themselves with determined faces. Byleth pulled Jeralt aside. "You are not allowing the kids to battle with us, are you?" He said curiously. "Those kids are barely younger than you are." That stung.

"Still I don't think they should battle with us." Clearly Jeralt was out of his mind. Or Byleth was dreaming again. "Look, son. If you really want to succeed me as the commander mercenary one day, you will have to proof yourself a good leader." Jeralt smiled. "I have decided that you will lead those kids and battle alongside them." He had gone mad and this was not a dream.

"...That is how I am to proof to you I can lead? By battling with these strangers. I don't want to be responsible for their deaths." He was really confused. Jeralt would never allow a useless massacre if he could avoid it. Byleth didn't even know their names and he was supposed to trust them with his live?

"We will be right behind you. I will not let any of you to come to harm. You might be surprised." Jeralt was smiling again. He was clearly amused by Byleth's confusion. "...What are you talking about? You want me to battle the bandits on my own?" He was starting to get angry at his father.

"You will be accompanied by the kids." he must have seen the distressed look on Byleth's face "Look, those kids are students at Ga-" Jeralt started, but never got to finish as one of the strangers cut in. "We are ready when you are." Golden cloaked kid said. "My son will take charge of this operation. My mercenaries and I will watch closely and if we need to intervene, we will." Jeralt said reassuringly.

The strangers seemed to agree with Byleth, as the girl intervened. "Four against who knows how many...? Nothing against your son, I am sure he is a fine... mercenary" she said while she eyed him critically. "But I think my companions and I would agree that this is stretching our luck and-" she was saying but Jeralt cut in. "Do you want our help or not?"

"This is the help you get. My son is the finest swordsman there is, he will protect you with his live" He was staring straightly at Byleth. He knew this look. There was no turning back now. Byleth simply nodded. He was deeply confused and angry, but this was not the time to focus on anger. If Jeralt wanted him to proof his leadership qualities, then that's what Byleth was going to do. The strangers eyed the mercenary commander incredulously. They heard more shouting of scouts that had spotted the bandits. They had started to sack a few of the homes just outside of the village. It was time to go.

Byleth moved and the stranger followed swiftly almost soundlessly. The blue cloak stranger had a spear at his side, it was adorned with blue strings that hung at the end of the spear. It was a useless adornment in Byleth's opinion. It would do no good if it were to get stuck at the enemy's chest. The golden cloak stranger was an archer. His weapon of choice was not adorned in any way, which was a good sign. But he was playing and turning an arrow in his hand, he seemed eager to battle. The girl had an axe that seemed to be too heavy for her. Still she moved with elegance. Byleth feared that she would quit if she were to clip a nail or something.

„I am afraid that there is no time for formal introductions. I am Byleth. How am I to call you" asked Byleth. "Name's Claude" the golden cloaked stranger said smiling charmingly. "Dimitri" said the one with the blue cloak stranger struggling to decide if he should extend a hand or not. "I am Edelgard" said the girl looking at Byleth in the eye. Byleth nodded at them all. "Claude, Dimitri, Edelgard. You need to follow my every command. Believe me when I say your live is going to depend on it." He concluded.

As they carefully approached, they noted that the bandits were unorganized, messy not very observant. The four of them were able to strike with a sneak attack. Byleth took the front, slashing and disarming his opponents with ease with his sword and asked Edelgard and Dimitri to watch their sides and avoid that the bandits surround them. Claude's arrow met their marks with deadly accuracy. It seemed that Jeralt was right after all, the kids were still alive and more surprisingly they were keeping up with him.

Byleth remembered the strategy lessons: Take down the enemies in front first. That should take the wind out of their sails. Done and Done. The bandits were retreating and being more careful. Still there were a few idiots who thought they were going to be heroes. Byleth stepped aside parrying the blow of one such idiot, his back bumping Edelgard's. He twirled around to the right, just as she turned to his left, both disarming their opponents as if they were dancing.

Once they were finished dispatching the bandits, Byleth remembered the second strategy lesson. "We'll advance while protecting ourselves from the enemy. "Take up position inside the forest!" As they moved, Byleth was concerned about Claude. Forests weren't the best places for archers.

He felt a swoosh passing just above his head, his reflexes making him swirl low, sword ready for the attack. But instead there was a loud thud, and a bandit's scream. Claude had struck the bandit from the tree he was hiding on. "That was close. You can thank me later." Claude said with another charming half smile and a wink. Well then, that settled Byleths concerns.

As they quietly advanced, they reached the outskirts of the forest. They could hear a choleric man screaming nearby. "Damn! Why are there mercenaries in the village? Guess we'll have to deal with them too!" The group was near enough to organize a sneak attack. "That is the leader of this bandit band." Dimitri's voice barely louder than a whisper. Byleth nodded and said, "Be ready."

The leader turned around and Byleth charged. Claude gave him cover while Dimitri and Edelgard ambushed the nearest bandits. The bandit leader was able to parry Byleth's blow and backed up a few steps. "Hey, you with the blank stare! Out of my way!" He released a storm of blows in Byleth's directions, which were not very difficult to avoid. Byleth parried the last one using the bandits brute force to send him flying backwards. He landed on his back, and in his rage, he jumped back up and screamed. "I'm gonna kill you where you stand...!"

The nearest target was Edelgard and he charged at her like a bull at her with his axe. Edelgard was not paying attention and Byleth reacted too late. He ran to stop the attack, but he was only able to protect her with his body. The blade buried itself deep into Byleth's back. It was a death blow. He was in a lot of pain. He thought about how disappointed his father would be that he had failed.

A moment later... There was no pain. He could feel the blade still deep into his back. But he was not dead. As if time had stopped. "Honestly! What are you accomplishing with that little stunt? It's like you're trying to get me killed, you fool." The voice was of the girl from his dreams. He turned around, and sure enough there she was, sitting on her throne on top of the familiar green lighted stairs. She looked awake and pissed. Her arms were crossed. A moment passed. He could no longer feel the blade on his back. He straightened up and saw the girl that he had often met his dreams.

Her green eyes looking at him with reproach. He did not know what to say or do. He was very confused. "Well, it's fine. After all, if you don't know the value of your own life, you're not going to protect it very well, are you? Course not." she said softening her gaze and untangling her arms. She stood up and continued walking down the stairs. "Well then, I guess it's up to me to guide you from now on, right? You can call me Sothis... but I am also known as The Beginning" She looked surprised.

"Hm. I was not able to recall my name... until just now." She said wondering. "And just like that, it came to me. How odd." She gazed at Byleth. "That look on your face... Did you think me a child? A mere child who forgot her own name?! Phooey! That 'child' just saved your life! And what does that make you?" She was angry again. Byleth did not know why, but he did not want her to increase that anger. He replied carefully. "I'm less than a child?" It seemed to do the trick; her face changed. She seemed almost happy after that statement.

"Correct! You understand." She crossed her arms again a bit more serious now. "You threw yourself before an axe to save just one young girl. Yet all is well, as I have stalled the flow of time for now. You would have died had I not intervened." she was awaiting something from him. Not daring to anger her again he complied "Thank you." Sothis was pleased.

"There now. Is gratitude too much to ask? I did deem you worth saving, after all." she paced now "Though it is only momentary, time stopped. However, did I manage that?" She was again deep in thought. "What will happen when time resumes?" Byleth wondered out loud. "When time begins again, the axe will tear into your flesh, and you will surely meet your end. How rude of you to drag me into this! Now what to do..." She was rubbing her chin. "Turn back the hands of time." It was the only logical answer he could come up with.

"Of course! I must turn back the hands of time." He never thought she would accept her answer just like that. "Yes, I do believe it can be done. You really are quite troublesome. I cannot wind back time too far, but all is well. You are aware of what's to come, which means you can protect yourself this time. Now, go..." he nodded but she added dramatically. "Yes, you who bears the flames within. Drift through the flow of time to find the answers you seek..."

Byleth was being pulled backwards. Sothis was gone. He closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he had just sent the bandit flying. This time around he knew what was coming and reacted in time to put his blade between the bandit and Edelgard. He sent the bandit flying again. "Huh?" was all Edelgard was able to muster.

"You'll die!" Shouted the bandit leader angrily, limping away. The rest of the bandit gang was also retreating. Byleth considered following them, but Claude drew his attention to him. "Hey! Over here." he and Dimitri were jogging to meet him and Edelgard. Jeralt was also approaching with a smile on his face. "Hey... Did you just-" Jeralt began but a thundering voice caught their attention.

"The Knights of Seiros are here! We'll cut you down for terrorizing our students!" A man with brown hair and beard. He was dressed in a white armor adorned with a white cape. "Hey! The thieves are running away. Go after them!" he commanded his knights. Then he turned to the group. "The students seem to be unharmed. And... who's this?" Jeralt who was standing behind Byleth, let a loud sigh. "Ugh... Why him?" It was all he said.

"Captain Jeralt? It is you! Goodness, it's been ages. Don't you recognize me? It's Alois! Your old right-hand man!" Jeralt made a face. But Alois did not seem to have noticed it. "Well, that's how I always thought of myself anyway. It must have been 20 years ago that you went missing without a trace! I always knew you were still alive!" He was excited to see Jeralt.

"You haven't changed a bit, Alois. Just as loud as ever. And drop that 'captain' nonsense. I'm not your captain anymore. These days I'm just a wandering mercenary. One who has work to do. Goodbye old friend." Jeralt was eager to get away from this Alois. Byleth knew it was an excuse to get out of there as soon as possible. His father clearly did not want to be around this 'old friend'. Which was curious, his father always took time to at least drink a few pints of ale with 'old friends' he just met.

"Right... Goodbye, Captain." Alois looked disappointed. "Wait! That isn't how this end! I insist that you return to the monastery with me!" He shouted. Jeralt sighed. "Garreg Mach Monastery... I suppose this was inevitable." he gave Byleth an uncertain look. Alois noticed it. "And how about you, kid? Are you the captain's child?" If Jeralt did not want to go, he must have his reasons. Maybe he should also try to get out of it. "I'm a bandit."

"Great sense of humor, this one. Clearly cut from the same cloth as the captain" Alois laughed out loud. "I'd love for you to see the monastery too. You will join me, won't you?" Well, he had tried. He nodded and Jeralt let out another sigh. Alois must have noticed it "What's troubling you, Captain? You aren't about to run off again, are you?" As a matter of fact, Jeralt had considered it. But as he got busted, he did not have a choice now. "Even I wouldn't dare to run from the Knights of Seiros." He said defeated.

With that the odd group went to prepare for the trip to Garreg Mach.