Just a single upload from me this time. This week is coursework upload week, so every day is one gruelling assignment after another. Oh well, nothing to do but look on the bright side; it'll all be over soon. Until it starts again... Can't complain though, learning about the history of the ENglish language is absolutely fascinating. It's what inspired this oneshot's summary. Might as well put my education to good use. Anyway, let's go!
Summary: "But arise, what light through Gronder Field breaks? It is the east, and Lysithea is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill this envious moon." Two sides, both alike in dignity, in fair Gronder where we set our scene. From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
Gronder Field was a magnificent place to behold. Not only was it significant for its history, but the area was simply beauty incarnate. It's position beside the Airmid River meant that the land was delightfully fertile and under the tender care of House Bergliez, the agriculture within Gronder Field was absolutely thriving. If one wanted evidence for the beauty of nature, one need look no further than Gronder Field.
Of course, only a fool would forget the rich legacy the area held. After all, the Battle of Gronder in the Imperial year forty-six was pivotal in turning the tide against the forces of Nemesis. Add the annual tradition of the Battle of the Eagle and Lion and Gronder Field was a place that had seen many battles. Many a great warrior revealed their true potential during those battles and it became common knowledge that those who excelled within the Battle of the Eagle and Lion would go on to be renowned heroes. Needless to say, Gronder Field was both a place of bespoke beauty and rich history.
It was a shame then that it was all burning down before Byleth's eyes.
It had not been his idea, far from it. The thought of destroying such an iconic and significant area with flame and force had been something Byleth eagerly argued against. It had been an ambush put into place without the professor ever realising, the culprit behind it most likely believing it to be for the 'greater good'. That's why Byleth never cared for politics; he could rant and rave about how horrible a plan was and how many alternatives could have a just as significant, if not more so, effect and be perfectly ignored.
But there was little time to ponder such a reality. There were bodies standing before him, bodies that needed to be slayed and if there was one thing the Ashen Demon excelled at, it was slaying.
They probably thought that the numbers would protect them. No normal man would typically be able to take on three lancers at once and they weren't basic soldiers; they wouldn't have been brought to such an important battle if they had been so. With the experience that they had as well as their numeric superiority, they must've thought Byleth would die in less than a second.
Fools like them always made the most beautiful faces when they were bisected. The idiots had decided that simply attacking from three different points would be enough to secure a kill, meaning they weren't prepared for when Byleth dodged them all with barely any effort. Attacking all at once meant there was a humongous period of recuperation and the professor needed less than ten seconds of it to slice through the lancers' flesh.
The sound of arrows hitting steel rang out as Byleth parried every single one fired in his direction, the professor even having the gall to pluck one straight out of the air seconds before it would hit his eyeball. That very same arrow would find itself plunged into the neck of an archer, throat torn asunder as Byleth's blade gutted another. As soon you were in close combat of an archer, they fell like dominoes until Byleth plunged his sword through the head of the final one.
Byleth paused momentarily to think, absently reaching down to borrow one of the fallen archers' bows. He might have been doing all right, but how fared his allies? They weren't so practised and though Byleth had drilled as much as possible into their heads, it was completely different to take those tactics and techniques and utilise them in real battle. He tried to thin the numbers as much as possible, but Byleth was not omnipresent; students he had once taught were now fighting for their lives.
Releasing the bowstring, Byleth watched a pathetically as a Gremory was pierced through the heart, those surrounding flinching and crying out over her death. Unfortunately for them, that meant they compromise their defences and the opponents they were once on equal terms with were free to take their heads. With the interruption of a single arrow, five lives from the enemy's side were snuffed out. Five lives that weren't his own students.
With only the slightest change to his facial features, Byleth brought his sword behind him, the dagger that would have easily pierced his flesh bouncing off harmlessly. From the force required to deflected, a surprisingly strong arm was required to throw the dagger as efficiently as it was, a feat the professor couldn't help but acknowledge.
"Your physical capabilities have improved." He commented aloud, eliciting a small scoff of disdain from his enemy.
"Was it not you, Professor, who taught me that conversation on the battlefield was reckless?" She retorted, flames beginning to dance around her finger. She had always demonstrated incredible control over her magical ability; it was only natural that such skills would be refined with age. "You also told me that one should always fight for the right cause. Are you to contradict yourself twice, Professor?"
"What I do, I do the name of peace and sanity, Lysithea." Byleth retorted as he bought his blade to bear, the white haired girl bringing her arms up in a combat stance in response.
"But not in the name of reason! Not in the name of logic!" Cried Lysithea, the beginnings of tears in her eyes as the flame surrounding her hands grew ever stronger. Byleth wasn't exactly standing that close, yet he could already feel the heat emanating from his once student. "You're really going to say that all of this invasion and war will lead to peace? That following and obeying the orders of a madman will lead to sanity!? Professor, I know you're better than this, so why? Why must you slaughter innocents for the sake of some vendetta against the church?!"
"The church is not what it seems. They are the ones who slaughter innocents under the guise of punishing heretics. They are the organisation led by a madman. Fodlan belongs to humanity, yet so long as we allow Rhea free rein, it will lay in the hands of something inhumane."
Byleth's words were punctuated by a single step. He didn't raise his sword any further, nor did his face contort as if he were to attack. For all intents and purposes, it was no different than the man taking a stroll through a garden; such casual and lesion of the posture had no place on the battlefield.
So why was it that Lysithea's body refused to take advantage of it? Why was it that when he took a step forward, the white haired girl couldn't help but take a step back? She was one of the greatest Gremories that the Leicester Alliance had to show in their forces, she didn't even need to get into close range in order to boil Byleth's organs or pierce him with the darkest of magic. So why did her body refuse to do so?
"… You were not made for war, Lysithea." Byleth muttered, and for the first time in the entire period the two had known each other, Lysithea heard sadness permeating every word. "You belong in an Academy or a bakery. You deserve a peaceful life after all the pain inflicted upon you. He deserved to be happy, at home with your family with your only care being what meal to put on the table. You're too wise and too pure to be sent to a battlefield like this."
"Professor… Are you calling me weak?" Lysithea retorted, but there was hardly any power behind her question. Rather than the fire intended, all that came out was pain, Lysithea not even trying to hide it this time. "I always knew I would have to put what you taught me to the test, I just never expected it to be against you. I won't hesitate."
"You will. And that's the best part." Byleth's blunt statement absolutely shattered any defences Lysithea put up, even the fire she had summoned snuffed out in her surprise. "You have a heart too large for battle."
Well, maybe that wasn't entirely true. Perhaps it was the tiny smile upon her professor's face that broke Lysithea's resolve, a smile so rare that to bring it out only when they were locked in conflict tore at the girl's heart. How was she meant to fight him when Byleth finally showed him a face like that?
"The sky is burning Lysithea. Cities are being turned to smoke and death, to song. There's danger and injustice plaguing this continent and most are blaming different people for it." Byleth explained, the two practically touching as the man approached step by step, the white haired girl's body frozen until they were practically touching. "We shouldn't be fighting. There is no reason for us to fight, for any person on this battlefield to fight. Yet we must, for they defend an evil they have been blinded to. I haven't struck you down because I know you're smart enough to see the truth."
"…Then convince me Professor." It was a whisper, but with how close they were, it made no difference; Lysithea might as well have been shouting. "Convince me as to why I should be following you through burning houses and slaughtered villages."
"I will, so long as you trust me." Was the man's resolute answer and after a moment's hesitation, Lysithea gave a firm nod.
Byleth had always been a man of virtue, fighting for the sake of eliminating evil within the world. Even when taking a position in Garreg Mach, he had always jumped on the opportunity to have their class deal with bandits and whenever a problem plagued his students, Byleth had always come up with a resolution. He wouldn't simply choose to back the actions the Adrestian Empire had taken without due reason, surely? No, save for his sudden siding with the Empire, Byleth had done nothing to warrant any suspicion from Lysithea; she was willing to hear him out.
It was why it was so surprising when she suddenly found a knife stuck between her ribs.
"Pr-Professor…?"
Byleth kept his eyes closed as he reached out, Lysithea's incredibly light body no issue for him to catch and carry. So long as he kept them closed, Byleth could pretend that he didn't see the look of betrayal that appeared upon her face, the pain both physical and emotional that displayed itself as he slipped the poisoned steel through her flesh.
There were… probably better ways of doing that. No, scratch that - there were hundreds if not millions of ways that could've been done better. This was the only way that would actually work in the current situation however; in order for the man to keep his promise to Lysithea, he would have to hurt her, just this once. So long as Byleth kept repeating that statement in his mind, perhaps it would eventually come true.
"Professor!" Edelgard would find her beloved teacher cradling Lysithea's body in his arms, an unreadable expression upon his face as he steadily turned to face her. "I was a fool to believe you injured… and yet, for the lack of wounds upon your body, I cannot imagine the pain you must be going through right now."
"I have killed many I knew. For many reasons. This is no different." Byleth answered, a blunt declaration with little remorse. "I have done what is necessary to reveal the truth."
The sheer bluntness of the statement caused Edelgard to wince; she had spent many a day trying her best to harden her heart for the coming battles, but the thought of killing fond classmates still whittled away at her resolve. For Byleth to respond so easily with so little emotion… it was exactly to be expected of the Ashen Demon's personality if Edelgard was honest with herself, but no less unsettling to the Empress.
"Very well, my teacher. We have managed to whittle away at their joined forces, the Leicester Alliance is near completely eliminated from the battle. If you join the front line, then I believe we have every chance of victory." The Empress began to explain, only for confusion to take root at the man's shaking head. "Is there an issue with that plan?"
"See for yourself." Was all Byleth had to say, pointing to the distance with Edelgard moving to look. "Both Claude and Dimitri are fleeing. The battle is already complete."
"They flee? I must admit, I did not expect them to be so unsure of their own armies." Edelgard muttered in response, surprise colouring her face momentarily before it was replaced by no small amount of relief. "No, it is clear that they have other plans hidden in their minds. It would not do me well to underestimate such esteemed opponents. Still, this is a victory under our name; we should take relief in that much and return to our allies."
"Understood." Byleth sharply replied, drawing a nod and a satisfied smile from Edelgard as she began to turn away. The hand that suddenly landed upon her shoulder put a sharp end to that though, Byleth's face softening slightly as he continued. "First however, I must make a request."
"You have done much for us and our cause Professor. So long as it is within reason, then I shall do all I can to fulfil it."
"I wish to return Lysithea's body to her family, but… I do not believe I would be well accepted entering Leicester Alliance territory." The man began to explain, scratching the back of his head with the smallest amount of irritation upon his lips. "Therefore, I wish to bring it to Garreg Mach to be buried. If she can not be buried in her first home, then it would be appropriate for her to be buried in her second home."
"A…strange proposal, to be sure. What has you so convinced that her family would not venture out to recover her corpse themselves?" Edelgard questioned in return after a few seconds of contemplation. "And what of the others who have lost their lives in Gronder Field? Do you wish for us to return with them as well? We do not have the forces, or the forces willing at least."
"I have faith that the other families will be capable of returning. Together, they will have a strong enough force to risk travelling here so soon after conflict." Byleth reasoned as a hand made its way to his chin. "House Ordelia is not the same. Due to the family's history with the Adrestian Empire, they are currently viewed with suspicion by the rest of the Leicester Alliance and Faerghus Kingdom. On top of that, they are a much depleted family; they don't have the strength to recover their child's body."
"…I suppose by that reasoning, the other Leicester Houses will also not care for finding Lysithea's body either." Edelgard sighed with her hands on her hips before shaking her head in defeat. "Very well. I suppose that, so long as it is merely one, I can allow such a thing."
"Thank you, Edelgard."
"…You have spoken to me with more emotion upon your face than I have ever seen, do you know that?" Edelgard's sudden comment caused an eyebrow to raise in response, the Empress merely nodding in Byleth's direction. "Exactly. There are many soldiers in our ranks who have never seen any emotional reaction from you greater than a raised eyebrow. To see you speak so freely, it is… refreshing. Lysithea always was one of your favoured students, was she not?"
Byleth didn't reply as he hefted the corpse onto his back, tenderly wrapping the fallen Lysithea's arms around his shoulders before beginning the long trek back home. Edelgard didn't immediately begin to follow, her eyes glued to the professor's back and the white haired girl sat so carefully upon it.
You almost wouldn't believe that Lysithea was dead, not by how untouched her body appeared and not with how Byleth handled her. It wasn't difficult to view Lysithea as merely sleeping, recovering after a harsh battle; as a magic user, it made sense she would have few wounds, typically being placed in the backlines. Not even the tool that brought her death remained, the dagger discarded carelessly upon the ground with a torn strip of fabric preventing any more blood from leaking out.
Could Edelgard picture Byleth doing that for anyone else? His father maybe, but beyond that… no, no one came to mind, not even herself – not that she had any plans of dying any time soon, but if Edelgard were to fall, she doubted she would be treated with such tenderness. He wouldn't just leave her body; she would be recovered and buried with all of the dignity and respect an empress deserved, but not with the same gentle care and affection.
Without realising it, Edelgard released a small sigh before she began to move. It was clear how far the man had come since their fated meeting all those years ago. What had once been a cold, calculating mercenary randomly selected to teach their class had now become a brave warrior, a presence beloved by those who followed him and feared by all who opposed him. Not only had his already fierce abilities in combat grown, but Byleth's heart had grown warm. Originally, you could mistake him for a golem working on autopilot, uncaring for whether he offended anyone through his actions or words. Now? The fire in his voice and the confidence in his stride spurred even the most uninspired of soldiers.
"I-I tried to talk. I tried to reach out, I tried to understand you… but I think you understood me and just didn't care." Edelgard muttered barely above a whisper, an odd concoction of despair and happiness entering her voice. "I never stood a chance did I? Beaten by a child just as tainted as myself, a walking corpse! My teacher, I had thought it was because you were bad at displaying emotion but… you truly never cared for me as much as you did for her. There was never a chance of you returning my feelings at all!"
And we shall leave it here for now. Unlike Having a blast, where there is potential for it to be continued, there is definitely more to this story left to tell. I think that's the fun thing about having the disclaimer of each oneshot only being loosely connected; it allows for a Zelda timeline to occur, where basically anything can happen. Please look forward to whatever comes next!
Super hero time! See you next time!
