Edelgard glanced back into the darkness behind her. No one could be seen.

"No sign of movement from the villages." Hubert whispered. "We're almost to the forest. Let's hurry." He adjusted the wrap of bedsheets and quilts covering Byleth over his shoulder and marched ahead.

The dim light of the lantern she carried at last illuminated the edge of the forest, ancient bark stretching up into the darkness. The path into the woods grew thinner, winding through the vegetation.

"Based on the directions, we should follow the path for a few more minutes." Hubert said.

"We should be careful." Edelgard's grip on the lamp tightened. "Uncle may have watchmen patrolling. We must keep Byleth a secret until we know what we are dealing with." She paused. "I can approach any of my uncle's men that we find and say that I wanted to see this place with my own eyes."

Hubert nodded. "I will hide with the body in the shadows. If something goes wrong, I can teleport us out. If not, we can study whatever is hidden in these woods."

They hiked on through the woods in silence, following the trail as it stretched deeper into the darkness of the forest. A strong wind was picking up, and tree branches swayed far above.

Nemesis' directions had described a large clearing free of trees, where a set of old ruins stood next to a small hill. If what he said about the sealing ritual was true, there would have to be some sort of magic involved- Hubert would be able to pick up something with study. Or perhaps it was some kind of technology? Intelligent as he was, this was not Hubert's area of expertise, or anyone's. If it came to that, perhaps Edelgard could entice Hanneman with the promise of new, foreign machinery for him to unravel? But that would cause problems. The professor was sure to report such a find to the church, which would undoubtedly complicate things. Perhaps Linhardt would be interested? He had always liked studying, perhaps this would also pique his interest? But then again…

Edelgard shook her head. First, she would have to reach this crumbling ruin. It was unnecessary to mull over possibilities that might come to pass.

She would not allow Arundel or his new pet Nemesis to dictate her actions. If this really was some spontaneous act of kindness by the ancient king, she needed confirmation. If they wanted Byleth for some other purpose…

Dead leaves crunched underfoot as the pair came to a layer of the forest where the trees began to thin, enough for game to dash away from a hunter's arrow. Barely visible through the night's darkness, a large stone that shot up from the forest floor stood ahead. It was tall and narrow, standing straight as though it were another mighty pine swaying in the wind. The path they had been following veered to the monument's left.

Hubert paused, shifting his grip on Byleth's body. "The note said we are to leave the path here, and head east." He turned to the trees, walking forward. "This way-"

There was a loud rumbling in the distance. The wind grew harsh. "Thunder in the distance. Nothing to-"

A loud thud sounded close by. Edelgard and Hubert jumped, reaching for their weapons. The thud was followed by another. And then another, and another. Some were close, other were distant. It didn't sound like any ambush Edelgard had ever heard. She raised the lantern higher.

Hubert reached down and picked something off the ground, holding it up a large pine cone. He snorted.

"The wind is knocking them loose. Nothing to fear."

Edelgard sighed. "It doesn't sound like they'll let up soon. We'd best hurry lest some fall on our heads." She turned, and then paused. The wind was dying down, but the sound of falling cones was not abating. No, it was growing louder, with a distantly metallic sound-

"Move!" Edelgard dashed forward. Hubert was already running into the tree line. Out of the corner of her eyes, Edelgard could see a bright light growing in the darkness, enveloping everything.


"There!" Rhea shouted as Jeralt's horse turned the corner. "A student, near the trees!"

"Easy girl." Jeralt grunted, pulling on the reins. His horse slowed down to a trot.

Rhea jumped down, magelight in hand. "You! Stop! I-" Rhea's brow wrinkled. "Edelgard?"

The imperial princess' pale hair swayed in the dying wind. She had frozen mid step, the lantern in her hand swaying as the last gasp of the gale passed through the forest.

Rhea cleared her throat. "Princess Hresvelg!"

The girl's outstretched foot slowly lowered itself to the ground. She began to turn, stopping to scuff some imagined dirt off her uniform. When she came to face Rhea, her expression was calm and composed, with no sign of the trepidation one would expect from a student in her position. "Archbishop." She nodded towards Jeralt. "Captain."

"I…" Rhea pressed her lips together. "Princess Hresvelg. What are you doing so deep in the forest this late?"

"I was…" Edelgard coughed into her fist. Stalling for time. Rhea could recall the princess' older siblings doing the same when they had been caught breaking the rules. "…Going for a walk. Trying to clear my mind."

"Outside of school grounds? After curfew? Miles from help if you were to be attacked?"

"On a night this dark, where one wrong turn means you never finding your way out of this maze of a forest?" Jeralt said. His horse gave a short snort.

"…Yes." Edelgard nodded. "Yes, I did."

"Why?"

"I've…" She did not repeat the cough. So she was better at stalling than her eldest brother. "I've been coming out to these woods, recently. They are…calm. Peaceful. There is a beauty that I haven't seen in any of Enbarr's gardens."

The wind was picking up again. More pine cones fell and Jeralt's horse whined.

"This is not your first time breaking curfew?" Rhea asked.

"I usually come during the day." Edelgard's posture remained firm. "This is the first time I've walked this road at night."

"I see." Rhea glanced about the forest. Only the swaying branches made much sound. No insects or other nighttime creatures called out. Slightly unusual, but it was soon to be winter. Many living things were finding their way underground to hibernate, and the excitement of a horse and several humans passing through was likely to silence any that would brave the heavy winds. "Where is your companion?"

Edelgard blinked. "What?"

"We saw you walking with someone else into the forest." Jeralt said as he dismounted. "Where's the other kid?"

Thunder was rumbling overhead. Edelgard waited for it to pass before answering. "I-they already returned to the monastery."

"Really?" Jeralt snorted. "Who was it then? What were they doing out here with you?"

"We…" Edelgard folded her arms behind her. "We were discussing a personal matter. They left afterwards."

Rhea waited, but Edelgard did not elaborate. "Who was this person? Why did you feel the need to escape Garreg Mach to have a private conversation?"

Edelgard exhaled. "They wanted to know what I saw in the forest. This was a...surprisingly convenient time."

Jeralt stepped closer. "And who is this mysterious missing student? You're dodging the question, kid." Edelgard's eyebrow rose at Jeralt's casual language.

"I would prefer to be the only one to be disciplined."

"This is about more than a simple breaking of the rules, Edelgard. The two of you could have been in danger." Rhea stared down at Edelgard. The girl did not budge. "Just a month ago, you helped stop a band of assassins. We have received countless letters from each student's parents demanding that we do all that is possible to keep you safe." Edelgard's expression remained politely neutral, with just enough worry to look fake to someone of Rhea's age. "And as safe as we would like to think Garreg Mach and its surrounding are, we must always exercise caution."

Edelgard gave a curt nod. "I understand, archbishop. But given my position, It…" She was silent for a moment. "It's just that…I've heard the same thing all my life. That I must be protected. That I cannot go anywhere without a contingent of guards." She looked away. "It was the very thing I came here to escape." There was a short huff. "And once I graduate, I am certain these thankfully peaceful moments will never be allowed."

"I…I understand your…frustration." Rhea coughed into her fist. "I know what it is like, not being able to go anywhere without a cadre of bodyguards. You have my sympathies. But for now, we must do what we can." A small smile drifted onto Rhea's lips. "There are still several moons left in the year. And once you return to the empire, I'm sure a young woman as clever as you will be able to find a place where your guards will not be troubled."

Edelgard hummed. Rhea turned, moving back onto the path. The wind was picking up again.

"For now, we must return to Garreg Mach, and you will need to tell us how you slipped by our security." Rhea began walking towards the forest's entrance. "If you feel strongly about keeping your friend a secret, I will not pry, but you must not leave the monastery at such a dark hour."

Edelgard began to shuffle up to the path. Jeralt climbed back on his horse, gently kicking his steed into a trot. The wind was picking up, but it was not violent.

And then there was a terrific crash of thunder. The entire forest lit up for a moment, before only Rhea's magelight remained.

Jeralt's horse was reeling back in panic, whinnying through Jeralt's shouts. A sound of snapping wood soon overwhelmed the horse's cries, and then the deafening thud off a tree falling replaced that cacophony. Smoke was already in the air as Rhea turned back- The tree was old and dry, and its blaze was spreading to the dead leaves on the forest floor.

And of course, Edelgard was trapped on the other side of the fallen log. The girl was coughing, her eyes darting about for a safe passage out.

Rhea cursed, reaching down to the ground, and digging up handfuls of dirt before rushing to a space between Edelgard and the path not blocked by a tree. Pouring the dirt over the flames quickly subsided the currently small blaze. "Edelgard!" Rhea shouted as she shoveled more dirt. "Come here! We have to-"

Another explosion of lighting deafened everything. Another tree was falling, and the exit closed. Dirt and embers flew up into Rhea's face, forcing her to stagger back. Leaves and branches burst into flames above. The blaze was accelerating.

Edelgard was running back and forth, trying to find an exit on another side. Fire burst up into the air, blocking her exit. Rhea tried digging for more dirt, but the flames were spreading too quickly. The fallen trees were burning high, and the destruction was spreading along the path's edge, carried by the night's heavy wind. Edelgard looked around her one more time, before locking eyes with Rhea. The dirt was doing nothing to stop the inferno. No magic in either woman's arsenal could do anything but help spread the destruction.

Edelgard turned and dashed deeper into the forest.

Rhea roared, ripping up the ground and throwing it against the tree. The flames flickered, before rising even taller than before.

"Rhea!" Jeralt shouted, barely keeping his steed in check. "Where's the kid? We have to get out of here!"

"For Sothis' sake…" Rhea grit out. "Jeralt! Go back to Garreg Mach, and return with aid! I'll go after Edelgard!"

Jeralt bit his lip. Rhea shouted again. "GO!"

He nodded, and in an instant, his horse was dashing madly to the forest's exit. Rhea turned back to the blaze, and began running to where she hoped the fire was weakest.

Another bolt fell, and the wind offered no respite.


Edelgard panted as she ran deeper and deeper into the forest. "Hubert! Hubert!"

No response. The smoke was growing thicker, as were the trees. Edelgard gritted her teeth and pressed forward- she had dropped her lantern in the chaos, but illumination was becoming less of a problem. "Hubert! I'm here!"

Minutes passed in seconds as Edelgard ran further and further, shouting all the way. The smoke in the air waxed and waned, but the growing heat remained constant. And Hubert was nowhere to be found. If he had gotten lost in the blaze, with Byleth's body weighing him down…

Edelgard forced the thought away. She could not allow herself to think about the possibility. Not with the fire licking her heels.

After what felt like hours, Edelgard broke into a clearing. There was a smooth stone path on the ground- if nothing else, it might be a place to save her from burning away with the rest of the forest. She ran to the clearing's center, before collapsing in a coughing fit. Edelgard remained there for a few minutes, breathing in fresher air.

On wobbling legs, Edelgard began to stand up. She looked back at the forest- the fire was massive, lighting up the night sky. The blaze didn't appear to be spreading towards the clearing, and there were still many trees between the fire and her. The wind seemed to be blowing away from her current position. Running further wasn't an immediate concern.

"Hubert?" Edelgard called out, before coughing. She cleared her throat, and then tried again. "Hubert!" Nothing. "Hubert!"

As if her words summoned him, a dark figure staggered out of the woods, carrying a bundle over his shoulder. It was Hubert, with his academy jacket wrapped around his nose and mouth, gasping for air. Edelgard rushed to his side, dragging him towards the apparent safety of the stone tiles. "Hubert! Can you hear me?" More gasps followed her question. Edelgard ripped off her retainer's makeshift mask, and he hacked out more choppy coughs. He raised a shaky hand and nodded, still coughing.

Hubert's safety assured, Edelgard turned to Byleth. She was perfectly still, but a quick check under her nose confirmed that the woman was breathing at a steady pace.

Hubert, still rasping for breath, had managed to push himself up. "A-a thousand pardons, Lady Edelgard…" Hubert wheezed. "The fire spread so quickly, the lightning was so sudden- I tried to reach you, but when the second bolt fell…" he coughed again. "It is unforgivable to lose sight of you in such a moment. I can never repent this-"

"Hubert, don't say such things." Edelgard snapped. "It was a chaotic situation. I have half a mind to scold you for not teleporting away to save Byleth from the inferno."

Hubert still managed to make an indignant sound. "I could never leave while you were still in danger, no matter the cost to myself."

"I suppose we should just be thankful that we chose to run in the same direction." Edelgard choked out a laugh. "But I think it's time for us to declare this outing a failure. Can you teleport us back?"

"Yes." Hubert tried to stand up but collapsed. "Just…give me a few minutes to collect my strength."

"I suppose we will have-" A flicker of movement appeared in the corner of Edelgard's eye. She stood up; hand gripped on the handle of her dagger.

"You came early." Thales walked down from a cliffside opposite the blaze, pale face illuminated by the raging embers. "To be perfectly frank, we did not expect you to arrive so quickly." His head swiveled toward Byleth. "Nor with our awaited prize." A grin broke along his face. "Well, I'm not one to look for flaws in good fortune. And since you've been determined enough to brave a forest fire-"

"Wait!" Edelgard shouted. "We did not come here to hand the professor over to you freely. I want to know what exactly you are planning."

The self-satisfied smirk on Thales' face did not fade when he turned to see Hubert struggling to stand. "It is just as King Nemesis said. We will save the girl from the coming war." He advanced on Edelgard, paying little mind to her protests. "So now I will perform the ritual. All you need to do is stand aside, and I will take care of everything."

"No." Edelgard inserted herself between Thales and his prize. "That's not how this works. I need to know exactly what you plan to do to her."

"Oh, my apologies, my emperor." Thales crooned. "But the potion you used on your teacher will wear off. If your efforts are to bear fruit, I must act as swiftly as you have." He grabbed her shoulder and pressed against it. "So I need you to move now-"

Edelgard grabbed Thales' collar and shoved him back. "Do not touch me." She hissed.

Thales' expression soured. "I suppose it can't be helped." He snapped his fingers. A shield of purple energy burst into existence, surrounding Edelgard. She drew her hand back and punched the shield, to no effect. She grabbed her dagger and tried to cut it open to similar effect. Thales pointed, and the bubble of magic flew back, sending Edelgard tumbling.

A blast of dark energy collided into Thales, forcing him to stagger back. Hubert's hand was outstretched, crackling with energy. "Release Lady Edelgard at once, you rat!"

"Don't worry, boy." Thales sneered. "House Vestra still has its uses. You'll survive that offense." A bolt of energy smashed into Hubert, sending him crashing into the ground. Thales' tone was the same that haunted Edelgard's nightmares. "But only one."

"HUBERT!" Edelgard screamed. No response. "Let me go, you monster!"

"Oh, my dear creation." Thales approached her now. "I told you. Time is of the essence. I don't plan to waste it." He tapped the bubble as one might a birdcage. "Once we have done our work, you will thank us. Now be a good little girl and be-"

Fire exploded across Thales' chest, but not loudly enough to drown out his scream. The man staggered back, before falling to his knees.

Rhea was emerging out of the forest, breathing raggedly and eyes glowing a pale green. The forest fire provided enough light to see that she was covered in dust and soot. Another blast of fire magic erupted from her hands. Thales barely managed to dodge it.

"Edelgard. Are you alright?" Rhea advanced forward, a barrage of spells forcing Thales further and further back.

"I-I…" Edelgard swallowed. "I-I'm fine. Hubert was hit, but I think he's still alive."

"That's-" Rhea rolled out of the way of a wave of miasma. She responded in kind. "Can you escape that prison?"

Edelgard's fist slammed against the barrier. "He cast the spell."

"Then killing the vermin should free you." Rhea advanced onto the stone to continue her assault. "Then we can return to-" Her head snapped to the left, and her harsh breathing came to a halt. Her head swiveled back to Edelgard, and whatever measure of control rage gave Rhea had vanished. "Why is Byleth here?"

Edelgard stepped back. "That's-I-"

"What did you do to her, demon?" In an instant, Rhea was crouching next to the comatose professor, desperately trying to shake her awake.

"What the Fell Star deserves." Thales was struggling to stand but fired another bolt of magic at Rhea's head.

The archbishop leapt into the air, crashing down in front of Thales. In two fluid movements, one of her hands was wrapped around the man's throat and the other had already broken several ribs.

"Tell me or I will make you beg for death!"

Thales gurgled. "Edelgard…will…"

"I said," Rhea prepared to strike. "What. Did. You. Do?"

Thales drew his head back and spat blood onto Rhea's nose. Her eyes narrowed, and a fist closed the distance-

It happened in less than a second. Something flew through the darkness, glowing a terrible, unnatural red. Rhea froze as a loud, wet squelch rang out across the clearing. Thales slumped to the ground as her grip loosened. Her hands were grasping at something in front of her, opening and closing in vain.

It was the Sword of the Creator, extended outward from the blackness, glowing in a light no Relic should, buried in Rhea's spine. The blade made sharp hiss, and ripped itself out of the wound, retreating into the darkness. Rhea took a step forward, before collapsing.

All around the clearing, tall pillars revealed themselves as deep purple flames erupted atop them, filling the night with an unearthly glow.

Nemesis stood just outside the ruins. His laughter was deafening.


8th, 12th, what's a the diffrence?

As always, thanks to Dox for beta reading!

We're coming into a long stretch now. I'll be trying to get the next update out as soon as possible, but I may take a quick detour with another project- we'll see what happens.

In any case, please feel free to share any thoughts you have.