Preparing For The Big Clash.

The Alliance army successfully rendezvous with Judith in Ailell. With the addition of House Daphnel's forces, the time has come to invade Empire territory.


In the Cathedral Byleth and some of the Golden Deer, along with Judith and Najenda were discussing their next step.

"Preparations are complete. Now it's a game of patience. As they say, good things come to those who wait" Claude said.

"Care to elaborate on this plan of yours, Claude? Can we really do this without battling my father?" Lorenz asked.

"Pretty soon, Count Gloucester will need to gather his troops in the northern part of his territory" Claude answered.

"Against Houses Riegan and Daphnel?" Byleth asked.

Claude nods "You got it, Teach!".

"The combined forces of the Riegan and Daphnel houses will threaten the northern part of the Gloucester territory. Nardel, that retainer I mentioned, is going to draw their attention" Judith said.

"I will lend a couple of my people to help them. They are pretty good at distracting people" Najenda added.

"We'll take that opportunity to make our way through Gloucester territory and launch a surprise attack on the Great Bridge of Myrddin" Claude finished explaining.

"And...are you not concerned about the possibility that I may tip off my father?" Lorenz asked.

Claude shook his head "The future of the Alliance rests on this battle. I'm certain you won't betray us."

Lorenz couldn't help but to smile a little at that "Hmph. I will ensure our success".

Claude smiles back, happy to see someone he's not always on good terms with supporting his plan "I know you will. If we win this fight, then our next goal will be to topple Enbarr, the Imperial Capital. I said before that my plan was to meddle with the Empire, but I'm going to do you one better. We are going to defeat the Empire, once and for all. But to do that, we can't afford to slip up here. Bear that in mind and prepare yourselves for the coming battle".

Byleth had to admit, Claude had gotten even bolder since she came back. But she had a feeling they could defeat the empire if they all worked together... But there was still Akame and Esdeath to worry about... And little did she know, a reunion was not far away.


Back in the Empire, Akame was still having a hard time with the revelation that her sister was still alive. 5 years of believing she was dead, only for her to return after Akame had managed to move on. She hasn't told anyone other than Esdeath, but her teacher wasn't around at the moment. Akame needed to talk to someone... and that someone was the reason for her conflicting feelings.

Edelgard was going over a map, while Hubert was leaning on a wall. There was a knock on the door and Hubert went to open it.

"Akame? What do you need?" He asked after he answered the door.

"I need to talk to Edelgard" Akame answered.

"I'm afraid she is busy at the moment" Hubert said.

"Please... It's really important" Akame all but begged.

Edelgard spoke up "It's ok Hubert. Please give us a moment".

"As you wish, Lady Edelgard" Hubert said with a bow before he left the room, leaving Akame and Edelgard alone to talk.

Edelgard looked at Akame "Is something the matter, Akame? You look stressed".

"Just a lot on my mind... Edelgard, I need to ask you something, and I want you honest opinion on it" Akame said.

Edelgard looked confused but nodded "Very well, ask your question. I will do my best to answer it".

Akame took a deep breath "If you were forced to make a choice... What would you choose? Loyalty to your family, or loyalty to your home?".

Edelgard blinked several times "I'm not sure I understand why you would ask this. But you wanted my honest answer, so that's what I'll give you: I loved my family, even my broken father. But my true loyalty will always be to the world I desire to create. My wish is to change all of Fodlan... And if I have to fight old friends and family members to do it, then I would. I would not enjoy it, but if I had to choose between living in the same old world with my family, or the new better world without them, I would choose the latter".

"I see..." Akame said as she looked down.

"Now it's my turn to ask you a question. Why did you ask me that?" Edelgard asked.

Akame looked away "Because... I don't know what I would choose".

Edelgard walked up to her and grabbed her by the shoulders "Akame. What happened that made you like this? Tell me now".

"I... I..." Akame began but couldn't find the words... Why? Why was this so hard? She trusted Edelgard, so why can't she just tell her the truth?

"Akame... What happened?" Edelgard asked again, looking genuinely concerned.

Akame tried to tell her again... But in the end, she just couldn't do it. So she just ran out of the room, tears falling from her eyes. Edelgard looked really worried now. What had gotten in to her? Why was Akame acting so differently all of a sudden?

Hubert who had been standing outside, walked in "Should I keep an eye on her?".

"No... I'm sure she will tell me when she's ready" Edelgard answered. But she was concerned, and hoped Akame wasn't having second thoughts... Loosing her would harm Edelgard greatly.


Meanwhile, Byleth was walking around outside. She needed something to do, so she had decided to leave the Monastery to search for supplies... Which was mainly an excuse to get away for a bit. She walked through the nearby forest but could sense someone was nearby. She looked around until she heard a familiar voice.

"So Akame was telling the truth... You are alive" Byleth turned around and her suspicion was right.

"Esdeath..." She said silently.

"5 years... You were gone for 5 years... Everyone believed you were dead... Yet here you stand, alive and well. Either this is a sick trick, or you have a lot of explaining to do" Esdeath said coldly.

Byleth could feel the anger from Esdeath, and she couldn't blame her "I'm sorry. I never meant to disappear for that long... After I fell, I was asleep for 5 years. I only woke up recently".

"You slept for 5 years? I searched for you for over a year! And I couldn't find you anywhere! You really expect me to believe I couldn't find you just laying around?!" Esdeath demanded in an angry tone.

"I know it's hard to believe. But it's the truth" Byleth said.

"Maybe it is... or maybe you are an impostor. Only one way to find out" Esdeath declared as she pulled her blade.

Byleth quickly did the same, but clearly didn't want to "Esdeath, I'm not going to fight you".

"You will if you wish to live. No one else is around, I made sure of it. It's just you and me. If you really are Byleth, then we will have our duel to the death right now!" Esdeath declared as she charged.

Byleth raised her sword, just as Esdeath came in for the killing slash. Byleth managed to block the strikes but it was not easy, Esdeath was pressing her offence, forcing Byleth to back up. Byleth swatted the sword strikes away like she was being attacked by 10 blades at the same time, each strike coming a dangerously close to making contact. Esdeath then used her magic abilities, and summoned ice spikes. Byleth managed to dodge the flying ice projectiles but Esdeath then smashed her sword into Byleth's own, forcing her down on a knee. Byleth barely managed to push her of and rolled through out of the way of another strike and kicked Easdeah target in the back. Esdeath wobbled, but she recovered and attacked again, and Byleth barely parried the strike. Esdeath summoned ice spikes, which forced Byleth to avoid them and allowing Esdeath to kick her in the chest, sending her back. Byleth clutched her chest and dragged herself up. But there was no let up from Esdeath, who keeps attacking Byleth with fast and vicious strikes.

Byleth didn't want to fight, but Esdeath will kill her if she didn't find a way to end it quickly... And there was only one way she could think of that could get Esdeath to listen to her. She managed to grab Esdeath's sword arm, keeping it to the side and then... Kissed Esdeath right on the lips.

Esdeath was caught completely of guard by this, allowing Byleth to tackle her down on to the ground, causing both of them to drop their weapons. Byleth pinned Esdeath's arms and kissed her again, hard and passionately. Esdeath struggled for only a couple of moments... And then, she slowly but sure began accepting the kiss. Byleth sat up before grabbing Esdeath's top and tore it open... Truth was, she had missed Esdeath even more than she realized, and that had lead to a lot of pent up needs, which Byleth needed to let out. And Esdeath felt the same, as she looked like a beast in heat and quickly switched positions with Byleth and began pulling of her clothes...

Hours later, both were laying naked on the ground, breathing hard while holding each other close. Despite their naked bodies being exposed to the cold night air, neither of them were bothered by it. They were far to focused on each other to even notice the cold.

"It... really is you... Only you could exhaust me like this" Esdeath said.

Byleth couldn't help but to smile "Yeah, I had a feeling this would be a better way to convince you rather than fighting you".

"Well, your beautiful body made a very strong argument on it's own" Esdeath said while looking Byleth over.

"I missed you, Esdeath. I'm sorry I was gone for so long" Byleth said.

"Let's... not talk about that for now... I still want to feel your love... 5 years without it was torture" Esdeath said.

Byleth smiled and nodded before she climbed on top of Esdeath. She kissed her again, while rubbing one of her breasts. Esdeath kissed her back as she used one arm to pull her close, while her free hand drifted down to Byleth's butt... It wasn't until morning that both finally put their clothes back on, and luckily their clothes weren't to badly damaged.

"I need to go back now. The others will wonder where I am" Byleth said as she put on her boots.

"Same here..." Esdeath said as she adjusted her top.

"Come with me Esdeath. I know I can convince the others to let you join us" Byleth said.

Esdeath was silent for a moment "What makes you think I want to join you?".

"Because you love me and I love you... Please Esdeath, we can end the conflict together... And when everything is over, I can give you this" Byleth said as she held something up.

Esdeath looked and gasped when she was what it was "A ring...?".

"My father gave this to me for when I found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with... And I want to live my life with you... Join us, Esdeath... Please..." Byleth begged.

Esdeath hesitated for a while before she looked away "My loyalties is with Edelgard... How can I ever trust you with my life, when you were absent from it for so long?".

"Esdeath..." Byleth said quietly.

"I'm sorry Byleth... I love you so much it hurts... But I can't..." Esdeath said as she began to walk away.

Byleth looked down... tears dripping from her eyes... Little did she know, Esdeath was crying as well... It really was hard to choose between loyalty and love.

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