Silver Snow
Chapter 9: Awakening
Sothis gasped.
Ever since that fateful moment in Zahras, she had been drowning in a deep, endless darkness. However, for some unfathomable reason, she could now break through its depths and reach for the flickering light in the distance.
Despite being aware of her true nature, the goddess of Fódlan had not once regretted relinquishing her power. What little remained of her spirit had experienced sadness at parting ways with Byleth so soon, and indeed even fear as she resigned herself to a helpless and lonely existence.
Yet, for all of her woes, Sothis did not feel regret. She could think of no one better suited to wield the power of a god, and with that thought in mind, she found the strength to meet her end in peace.
Luckily, fate appeared to have something entirely different planned out for her, and she would be damned if she let this chance slip by.
"That's it!" exclaimed the diminutive goddess, reaching ever closer to the light. "I don't know who or what you are, but get over here! The Beginning demands it!"
The light suddenly groaned.
"W-What? Is it morning already?" said a groggy voice. "Just... five more minutes. I'm sure..."
The achingly familiar voice was cut off by a large yawn, and her suspiscions were confirmed when she finally made out the sleeping figure in the center of the light.
"I'm sure..." he repeated, rolling over and burying his face in an invisible pillow. "...the students can wait a little longer."
"B-Byleth?" stammered Sothis, hardly believing what she was seeing. She had long since abandoned hope of speaking to him, let alone ever seeing him again.
Yet, here he was, in the flesh, even if consciousness still eluded him. When she experienced a sudden stab of indignation, Sothis burst out into laughter.
Byleth had not changed at all, be it in appearance or mannerisms. He was still the same little child who somehow managed to simultaneously fill her with joy and frustration. Even now, as he delivered her from a fate crueler than death, he would do so as nothing more than an incoherent, mumbling buffoon.
She sighed exasperatedly.
"You... How long do you intend to sleep?"
Sothis did not expect an answer, and ignored the subsequent muttering escaping Byleth's lips.
"Your body is awake. Your eyes must open now, and you must find the strength to stand upon those legs of yours."
She smiled wistfully, knowing that the world needed him even more than she did. It was strange, she figured, and more than a little ironic.
As Sothis regaled her charge with a suitably poetic and motivational speech, imploring him to abandon his slumber, she found herself experiencing a moment of hesitation. A shadow of regret, previously nowhere to be found, filled her mind.
A tiny, insignificant part of her wished that he could stay a short while longer.
"B-But... I'm still sleepy." whispered Byleth; his tone little more than a slur.
The goddess jolted at that, all shreds of melancholy leaving her at once, and her tiny hands grasped hold of his shoulders, turning him around and shaking him violently.
"You are a complete and utter fool!" she yelled, barely registering that her hands did not simply pass through him as they had before.
"Have you not changed one bit?!" she continued, all while shaking him back and forth with a surprising amount of strength.
"Huh? Wha-"
"Get on your feet. Right now! I will coddle you no more! You are just like a child, always needing me to hold your hand..."
A fleeting, traitorous thought told her that she would have it no other way.
When he finally opened his eyes, Sothis' heart skipped a beat, and she realized that he had indeed changed in appearance, if only slightly.
Byleth stared at her with bright, teal eyes, and she noticed that his hair was a shade lighter as well. What startled her most, however, was the intensity behind his gaze.
"Rhea?"
And just like that, darkness overcame her once more.
