Mako's Message: Yo. Nothing special about this. Just like it. Seemed like a fun scene. Hope you enjoy.
#11 - All Or Nothing
The Alliance forces halted their advance across the plains, far from the base of the hill the Imperial army held.
Standing at the forefront of the army was Edelgard, observing the Alliance's advance. Neither force had meant to meet here, though the Empire had the advantage of arriving first and choosing their battleground. She was here for one reason only, and that reason slowly walked out from Alliance soldiers.
Byleth, her cherished Teacher, walked alone towards them, dressed in the full regalia of their new title of Enlightened One. Their approach was slow and almost awkward. The ground was terribly uneven there, and the grass long. One of the reasons she'd chosen to defend this particular hill.
Once they had reached the halfway point between the two armies, they drew the Sword of the Creator, raised it high, then turned it's point to the ground and stuck it into the dirt. They did the same with a dagger. Then they continued their approach, stopping only when they were close enough for her to see the features of their face.
They locked eyes, but neither made any move. Moments passed before Byleth held a hand out to her.
Edelgard swallowed but made no other movement.
At first.
Byleth continued to stand in the field, up to their knees in grass, holding a hand out to her. No one moved. No one spoke. The hand being offered was not retracted.
Soon her resolve weakened.
She stepped forward as she gave an order for her soldiers to hold position. Before she went too far, she planted her ax in the ground, as well her sword. With determined grace she descended the hill and approached her former instructor.
When she was within reach, she reached out and took their hand...and slowly lowered it, "I wish we could be speaking under better circumstances."
"I'm just happy you came to speak with me."
Edelgard allowed herself a smile, "I admit, the opportunity was too great for me to pass up." But then the emotionless mask went back on, "Why have you asked to speak with me?"
Byleth's smile was small, but still as big as she'd ever remember seeing it, but their eyes were as sad as she'd ever seen as well, "Because I don't want to fight you."
"Are you surrendering then?" she asked, with raised eyebrows.
"I was hoping we could talk things out. Leave the armies aside and see if we can come to some sort of agreement, a unified path. One that will allow us both to achieve our goals."
"And what ARE your goals, my Teacher?"
They let out a single breath, that might have been a laugh, "Mostly, I want to end the war with as few people dying as possible, you included. So if you don't want to talk it out, or you can't accept my terms, we can just try to kill each other right here and let our armies walk away."
"Would your army surrender if you died here?"
"They have orders to."
Edelgard took a deep breath and closed her eyes, "You've never made things easy."
"It seems pretty easy to me."
"Choosing between killing you and staying on the path I set for myself, or giving it all up to stay by your side? That may be the hardest thing I've ever been asked to do."
