Jeralt looks skyward as he lays upon his back bleeding out. He feels Byleth collapse to the ground beside him, and it's then that the sky opens up. Now he knows he really is going to die. It's too poetic a moment to pass up.

'Oh, right... I would have liked to write about this in my diary. What a shame I don't have it on me right now.'

'Well, diary or no, here's my last entry...'

Imperial Year 1180. Day 26 of the Ethereal Moon. This long life of mine is finally coming to a close. I made one blunder too many. At least the kid is alright. How should I cap this off? Honestly, I'm unsure of what to say. I guess I can do what I've always done when I had nothing to write about...

Oh sweet child of mine

With your cornflower eyes

Your smile so faint, it seems it was never there

Just yesterday I remember you small and frail

Those tiny hands clutched around my finger

Oh sweet child of mine

How you've grown

With your mother's stare, it seems any sign of me was never there

But I know that now not to be true

For that laugh of yours, a grin I had never seen

Even your temper, I know that to be me

Jeez. This is... Awful like always.

It's getting harder to think. Not much time left.

"Sorry. It looks like...I'm going to have to leave you now."

My body's so heavy... Byleth, I see you holding my hand, but I can't feel it. My vision is blurring. Ha. This ain't much different from being drunk. Just a lot more draining. A lot more.

I can't see anything anymore, but I can hear the rain. Kid, I can hear you cry. I'm sorry.

Ah. Wait. There's light. I can see. I see. Just a little. Oh, kid.

"Dad," Byleth holds tight to Jeralt's bloody bear paw of a hand. Byleth grips it, weeping, face strained with emotions never before expressed on its surface. They churn, ripple as they come out one after another. Sorrow. Fear. An overwhelming love.

"To think that the first time I saw you cry... Your tears would be for me. It's sad, and yet... I'm happy for it. Thank you, kid."

Sitri, what would you think of this? Your greatest wish has been granted. Your child feels just as strongly as their namesake. But what a sad outcome... That it would be because of me. I'm sorry. I wanted to see more of you, kid. I thought the day I died I would have no regrets because I've lived far longer a life than I deserved, but right now... In the end... I want to see more.

"I'm sorry. I can't..." Jeralt's hand trembles then grows still as all warmth is lost from it. Tighter and tighter Byleth squeezes it. Byleth lurches forward, body wracked by an invisible trauma. Eyes close and open bloodshot. Blood drips from Byleth's nose. "I'm sorry I can't do it."

"Dad..."

Right... I'm your dad... Always will be even... Even when... I'm gone...

"I love you."

I never did... Say that enough...

Did I?

...

...Kid... I