author's notes : have a good read :)

Cyril took his arrow and tried to shoot at the hole of his helmet, but there was no weakness on that armor of Chilon. The almyran admitted how useless he felt. The armored knight was twice as strong and wiser than him. Ferdinand rushed toward him to distracted him for the ladies to shower the middle age man with magic, however knowing that Lysithea cared about Cyril above everything else and the almyran has the least resistance to magic, Chilon unleashed a powerful lightning bolt towards Cyril. The latter couldn't dodge in time and took the hit at it's fullest. He hurled in pain and fell.

"Cyril!" Lysithea shoot and wanted to get to him, but she was smart and knew Chilon wanted her to go help her friend. 'I trust that you can manage Cyril. Don't you ever die' Lysithea thought and she unleash a powerful fire spell that almost carbonned Chilon. In turn, he hurled of pain. Cyril was strong and with his willpower, manage to get up, albeit with difficulty.

Dorothea screamed "Ferdie, be careful!"

She was way behind the other four and launched her meteor towards Chilon, which he didn't expected the move. He lost his helmet upon the full contact, but was a total beast however and manage to still stand up despite the huge amount of magic attacks he received. Ferdinand knew it was soon to be over, but they must do fast. The orange haired man rushed with his lance and tried to stab him, but the enemy parried with his bolt axe. Chilon grinned and was about to use It's powers again, but Cyril was in position and with a last disesperate shot, launched the arrow towards his hand and upon contact forced Chilon to drop the weapon. Cyril was glad that he could at least disarmed the man...

Meanwhile, Bernadetta took care of the last opponent opposing her and Pittacus. The gremory screamed "die archer!" and used her abrazax. Bernadetta was in fear, before the adrenaline rushed towards her veines and dodged. She shot an arrow on the gremory's stomach. Pittacus screamed in pain.

Bernadetta mentionned with satisfaction "yes! No more of these things" Pittacus however used the last of her remaining strength to launch a last shot with Viskam, randomly selecting a target.

Bernadetta's sweat dropped "uh ho!"...

After Cyril disarmed Chilon. Lysithea used her fire again to finish him which she succeded, althought he was barely alive. Everyone took their breath. Lysithea grinned "alright we beat him. Time to fried Thales like woods."

Ferdinand added "couldn't agree more" they looked around and they saw that almost everyone have finished. There were two titanus left but they were taking care off. "That was spot on Cyril. Thanks for the help" complimented the cavalier.

Cyril was shaking and could barely move, althought he still rise his thumb. Lysithea was about to send him off to rest until she saw a wave of viskam "Cyril run!" Cyril looked up and fear took his body before dropping hard inconscious by the hit of Viskam.

The white haired mage screamed in fear "Cyril no!"

She was afraid. He wasn't suppose to die, not before her at least. The white haired girl rushed towards the almyran and said desesperately "you cannot die dummy. You are stronger than this! Don't leave the realm yet!"

Of course he couldn't answer. Mercedes, who finished healing her men came towards the mess and said to the still conscious trio "don't worry, I will returned to the camp with him to treat his wounds. Continue without us"

"you are the best in term of healing, he is going to live" Lysithea huffed with an air of authority. The nun loved her optimistism and will do anything to save Cyril.

A few minutes after Mercedes left with the inconscious Cyril. Chilon caughed some blood catching the attention of the trio, which they came toward him. Chilon weakly mumured "it seems you did it my friend"

"Chilon..."

"don't look at me like that. You did your duty, I did mine and you were the better"

"I suppose you are right. Still I wished it wasn't this way"

Chilon did like Ferdinand, Dorothea, Lysithea and Cyril. He could somehow relate to them. He looked weakly around to see Cyril, but noticed he wasn't there "What happened to the kid?"

Dorothea said with matter of fact "a lightning wave of Viskam knocked him inconscious"

"he will live. As the victor, he must live." He took the door key for the room and said in his last words "this is the key to Thales. You earned it. At last I'm coming Melyssa" and he died.

Lysithea wondered who was Melyssa. She asked "what was that about?"

Dorothea said sadly "years ago he had someone dear to him called Melyssa. He wanted to asked her in marriage, but fell ill and died all in the same day before he could ask her. Chilon once said to us that it was the most painful moment of his life. He would have liked to have married her even if for one day only."

Lysithea once again relanctually admitted Chilon and Odesse were the good one of the bunch. Out of nowhere, Dorothea adviced her friend "I know you love Cyril. Even if we don't find a cure, marry him and enjoyed however how long you can leave. He would be the happiest man in the world if you do. He will live."

"Why are you giving me love advice on the battlefield?! We have something to do" Lysithea retorted abruptly, but this was more of her way for saying "I'm going to speak to him again"

the rest of the army came and Edelgard said "time for the last push everyone!"...

Cyril wondered where he was. His vision was blurry and his body ached in pain. He closed his eyes to sleep a while longer, thinking it was still a dream. Few seconds later, but sounded like an eternity, the almyran heard a faint voice. A beautiful feminine voice that he love so much to hear. He open his eyes and while it was still blurry for a while, he could see white haired with a shade of blue and violet lily of braids. "Cyril! Are you alright?" the young man heard.

Cyril tried to mumure some words, that it was still painful, but alas he only said incomprehensible scribbles. However, he made an effort and he was now fully awake. It was no mistake, it was Lysithea and while they were in the tent, they could see the sun shining of a new dawn, similar to a fairy tail. The young almyran wondered if everything was a dream or that they were dead, "is this a dream? Am I dead?"

Lysithea didn't hesitated to answer "we won! The argathan are no more!"

Cyril felt hapiness hearing that, the enemy of Lysithea finally dead. The only thing he couldn't understand was Chilon. Still... "what happened? Why I feel it's morning?"

"You were inconscious since last night. Haven't been for Mercie, we would have lost you"

Mercedes, Cyril thought he should thank her when he will see her. Speaking of which, the nun came and was glad and surprised "my my, already awake? Glad to see you will live. Just rest now"

Cyril smiled at the company, it was a long time he felt truly alive. The morning sunshine also helped. "Thank ya Mercie, I'm really grateful" "don't mention it. I'm glad you are safe"

the nun sighed "it was a miracle you survived after taking so much punishment, especially since taking magical attacks aren't your strong suit" Mercedes looked so serene that Lysithea envied her somehow. "Perhaps, the godess blessed you Cyril"

he didn't quite agree on that "I think that is an overstatement. I believe it's thanks mostly to ya and Lysithea" he stated while biting his tongue.

"I don't believe so. I believe lady Rhea protected you" Cyril was surprised hearing this. Lady Rhea was the one who will be indebted forever, even thought repaying the debt won't be possible anymore "perhaps ya are right"

"I think so, it's your reward for being with her and helping her. She want you to have a long life Cyril"

Lysithea wasn't much of a believer either, but for once if it pleased Cyril, then she won't complained. The mage knew however that Mercedes had something to say if she was there. "I assume something is wrong?"

Mercedes looked at them sadly "I'm afraid yes. Cyril, you came out alive, but not without consequences."

Cyril was strong and knew something was off the moment he woke up, so the almyran didn't seemed surprised, rather he already accepted the reality. "Your muscles, tissus and bones are really badly damaged. You won't be able to go fighting nor do any heavy lifting anymore"

The young almyran thought he was ready to heard the price, but everything he build so far for this was destroyed in an instant. Heavy lifting, fights, heavy tasks. He did that for all his life, now what was going to do? Everyone sensed this and Mercedes tried to add a good news "don't worry, you can still chop firewoods or cutting wood or carrying woods for exemple, as long as you don't overdo anything."

He sighed in relief at that. "Alright, thank ya again Mercie"

"you like a little brother to me Cyril. However I must go on my journey now. Stay safe everyone" when she left the room, Cyril knew it was the last time he would see the former blue Lion woman. He would miss her time to times. Everyone would miss her.

Cyril yawned "Sorry Lysie, I shouldn't doze off like that"

"don't be sorry for that. Because of your conditions, your body need a lot more energy. That is why you will tired more quickly. Still there is no rush, I can ask Edelgard to come later"

Edelgard wanted to see him? He didn't expected that at all, althought he now remember she wanted to speak with him, especially because of the past, so it make sense for the almyran. "Nah it's fine, I can-"

"don't think I will let you off of the hook that easily. I'm not going to let you ruin your health for a simple meeting. I'm telling them to come later" the white haired girl interrupted the tan skin boy, clearly trying to take care of him.

Cyril knew she won't change her mind. It was another reason why he loved Lysithea, her determination and how dominating she is. Still, before she could leave, the empress came along with Hubert. Cyril felt hard and cold ice aura coming from Hubert, and Lysithea... being Lysithea decided to defend him, much to his embarrassement "Cyril is tired, just come back later."

"I'm sorry, but I promised I won't be there for long. I think you are capable of holding on Cyril. Otherwise tell me if something is wrong and we will stop. Ok?" That was actually reasonable coming from her and she wasn't the type of lying or dragging like the usual politicians

"yes, lady Edelgard"

Lysithea growled "Cyril you're insufferable sometimes?" He looked at her and remarked with amusement in his voice "ya aren't better Lysithea" she pouted in returned.

Hubert was irritated "I'm afraid Lady Edelgard is a very busy person. She doesn't have time for your disrespect manners, lapdog"

Cyril winced at that. Not because the insult hurt him, but because he didn't want to deal with this, especially in this state. Lysithea stared codly at the vassal.

Edelgard put a stop at this "Hubert, leave us"

"very well, but I will still be nearby in case you gets hurt." He left. The empress approached the young man and observed him for a few seconds and sighed "the professor and your friend was right. Such potential you got. Unfortunately wasted by the archbishop and these fiends"

he wanted to argue, but it wasn't necessary, Edelgard didn't gave him the time to do so "I'm aware of what she has done to save you and the archbishop has my respect in that regard, but it was clear Rhea wasn't fit to rule Fodlan the moment she didn't tried to rebuild the system, erase the corruption. A system where you would be safe and in turn could have grow and blossom to your full potential"

"lady Rhea wouldn't oppose to my potential ever!"

"You misunderstood me. I never made allusion that Rhea as a person didn't hold you in your best interest. However her unwillingless to change made it impossible or almost for us, you, others who suffered to reach their dreams. What do you want to do Cyril? What was your dream?"

Cyril didn't respond anything. Who was he to have dreams? He, a simple boy who could barely read could only do menial hard tasks that doesn't pay well, even less for almyrans. When it became apparent that Cyril didn't have an answer, Edelgard continued without detering "no matter what your dreams are, I will create a system where everyone can grow safely and that is including you"

Lysithea chipped in to reassure him "I believe in Edelgard. She and I were victims of this and I know her convictions rang true" now that he think about it, these two had the same white hair. Was that why Edelgard was that way? Still the young almyran had a better understanding of the empress. He didn't have to forgive her yet for all the victims they tremple and the death of lady Rhea, but he could say he was looking forward to her work.

He raised his head "I think I understand a bit better, empress Edelgard"

"in private, Edelgard is just fine, but thank you for listening. We must move on from the past and looking toward the future to make the present bearable. However rest for now. I have matters to attend to. I believe we will see each other soon"

they nodded and the empress left the tent with the same iron will as usual. In Cyril's perspective, she was like the big sister of Lysithea, both unfatiguable and strong. Edelgard did have the maturity that made Cyril afraid to talk back for some reason, which cannot be said for Lysithea. The latter was mature, but on a different that sooth his ease. Another reason he fell for her.

Cyril yawned again "I don't heard anybody outside."

"We are now alone silly"

"wait what are we doing we the tent then?"

"It isn't meant to be used more than once so It's fine. My servant is coming to pick me up soon. Coming with me?"

"Are you sure?"

She nodded and then slide inside the sheets besides her partner "Do you remember our conversation about marriage?"

"Hum hum"

"I haven't told you the real reason yet"

"didn't ya said you were experimented"

"yes but I didn't tell you the aftermath. The experiments granted me two crest...in exchange of a shortening lifespan. I have maybe five years left"

Cyril was boilling, how could they ruin Lysithea's future like that. Still... "What have to do with marriage?"

Lysithea had no choice, but to look incredule "what do you mean by that?! I don't know if I can be cured. This is why I don't want you to be single at 25 year old."

"That is not enough. Even if we can't cure ya, I want ya to be my wife. I know ya love me and I won't let that problem getting in our hapiness"

"Cyril...I -"

"Lysie, I would have let ya alone if you weren't loving me that way, but since ya do. Please Lysithea... marry me"

Lysithea started crying "Hanneman and Linhardt are trying to find a cure. I will fight for us, to have a familly with you"

"can I kiss ya?"

"No. I will kiss you" she climbed on top of Cyril and leaned to make herself confortablement. Once it is done, she took the cheek of the almyran and start kissing him gently, slowly but with a certain iron grip, the white princess was trying to show her dominating side and she won't let him go. No matter how much time left they have, he was hers and she was his. After minutes of kissing, she knew he was tired and all they could do is wait, she took Cyril's head and out on her chest, the rest of his body leaning on top of her. Her chin resting above his head, she start stroking his hair and cupped of his face while he was peacefully doozing off and sleeping.

author's notes : I actually decided to cut a lot of dialogue in the battle with Chilon because it involve too much of love advice and battlefield isn't the right place for that (looking at you S-spport Byleth-Jeritza).

also yeah next chapter coming like now.