The Cause of Sorrow.
Some time has passed since the ball, and it was safe to say that the students and teachers had a good night. It was a nice time to take break from all the hardships that had happened, and gave them a chance to just enjoy themselves for a while. They really needed it. And Akame herself enjoyed the night really well, getting the chance to dance with Felix and gave him another kiss on the cheek. But that was nothing compared to Byleth making out with Esdeath, and barely managed to get away from her alive. After that Byleth would catch Rhea singing a beautiful song that Sothis seemed to be very familiar with.
Right now Byleth and Akame were in the Entrance Hall, talking about what happened during the night of the ball, while waiting for their father to return. But their sisterly talk was interrupted when Alois showed up and looked unusually serious.
"Captain? Captain! Where are you? Hey, you girls. Have you seen your old man?" He asked urgently but both sisters shakes their heads "Too bad. I guess it will have to be you, then...".
"I'm back. Sorry for the delay, my last mission took longer than expected" Jeralt said as he walked up to them.
Alois looked relieved "Captain! Thank goodness you're here. There are reports of Demonic Beasts near the chapel!".
"Nonsense. I haven't heard anything about the monastery's walls being breached" Jeralt said.
"That's why I'm heading there now, to see what's really going on. You'll join as well, won't you?" Alois asked.
"Of course. We're both sworn to protect this place" Jeralt answered.
"Where did they come from?" Byleth asked.
"It's odd. Just before they appeared, someone saw a number of students heading toward the chapel. They were apparently acting strange, as though they weren't in their right minds. Shortly after, Demonic Beasts started to appear, one after the other" Alois explained.
"Are the students safe?" Byleth asked.
"Wait... the students acted strange, and not long after, demonic beasts showed up? There is no way that is just coincidence" Akame said. Making Jeralt think for a bit.
"Hm... The students... There's no way those Demonic Beasts got in from the outside... But none of that matters right now. We need to act. Go summon your students Byleth" Jeral ordered and Byleth nods "Damn it... I wanted to talk to you about something important, but there's no time. There's never any damn time. But this is much more urgent, so it can hold for now. I'll meet you there".
"Be careful you two. Rhea has forbidden me from going on missions until I learn to use Murasame without passing out" Akame said, being a little upset over the fact she was forced to stand on the sidelines again.
"It can't be helped now. Don't worry, me and your sister got this. And once we get back, I got a gift ready for you" Jeralt said with a smile, despite the urgent situation.
"What is it?" Akame asked, sounding a little excited.
"Sorry, I prefer to give it to you when the situation calms down so we can enjoy the moment a little. We'll be back soon, take care of yourself kid" Jeralt said.
Akame pouts but nods "Good luck".
"See you soon, Akame" Byleth said before she and Jeralt left.
Akame sighed, she really wanted to go with them. But Rhea made it clear she should stay where it's safe and train some more. She hated the thought that her family was going out to fight monsters, while she could do nothing but stay behind and hope for the best. She shook her head and decided to use this chance to train.
She was walking towards training grounds and when she arrived she was surprised to see someone was waiting for her there "Felix?".
"I expected that you would show up here. I am done waiting, we are settling things right here and now" Felix declared while holding a training sword "Grab a sword and get ready to duel".
Akame blinked, wondering why he was so dead set on having a duel now. But this could be a good way for Akame to become stronger and allow her to use Murasame easier "Very well, I accept your challenge, Felix. Let us settle this".
Felix nods as he waits for Akame to grab a training sword of her own. No more words were spoken as the two starred each other down. There was a deathly silence. Then both dashed towards each other.
They both begin by clashing blades until Akame moves forward before attempting to slash, but Felix avoids before jumping back. Felix makes the next move by lunging forward, but Akame pushes the sword to the side with her own sword before delivering a kick to Felix's chest, making him stumble back. Felix quickly recovers to dodge a followed up attack from Akame, but Felix counters and moves in to attack, but Akame blocks the strike and they entered a blade lock. Akame felt her muscles tightened painfully for a moment, but she ignores it. If she looses focus now, she will lose for sure. They break the blade lock before clashing blades several more time, neither managing to gain the upper hand on their rival. They then both delivered a strong blow against each other's blades, causing both of them to stumble back due to the force.
But they were not done yet and they charged in again. Mere seconds before Akame can hit him with her sword, Felix deflects her attack with a slash from his sword. Their collision making both halt their movement. Akame jumps back, only to attack him with her sword again. Their swords clash and clash until one of Felix's strikes knocks Akame back. Taking advantage of this, Felix raises his sword, then quickly dashes forwards and attacks Akame with a sword slash, which opens up her guard. Immediately after that, Felix sends her back with a kick to the stomach. Akame slides to a halt, already feeling herself getting tired from the battle. A lot faster that she should. She still hadn't recovered enough to carry on a long battle. She would need to end this quickly.
She takes a moment to gather herself, before dashing towards Felix, faster than when she charged at him the previous time. Once again, their swords clashed. Though, unlike the last time, Akame is able to get a few hits on Felix. The hits weren't very major. At best, they were minor bruises that wouldn't affect the way Felix fights. He could power through far more pain than this. Felix charges up for another strike. Akame moves to block, but the impact still sends her slinding back. She feels her muscles ache. Her attempt to speed blitz him had failed, and her stamina was running out quickly.
Felix charges in for another strike... only to stop himself as Akame fell to her knees "Hey! What's wrong with you?".
Akame was breathing hard "Sorry Felix. I still haven't recovered my full strength yet".
"Why didn't you tell me that before?" Felix demanded.
"I didn't want to make you wait even longer for a duel" Akame admitted.
Felix sighed "You do realize beating you while you are weakened is not a true victory for me. I want to beat you at your best".
"Sorry..." Akame said.
Felix was silent before he helped her up "Alright, listen. Let's make a deal".
"What kind of deal?" Akame asked.
"I heard others talk about returning to the Monastery in 5 years, during the Millenium festival. So that gives us 5 years to train and prepare for our ultimate duel. Then when the 5 years has passed, we will meet back here and finally have our true final duel" Felix explained.
Akame thinks about that and smiled "Alright, I accept. I can only imagine how strong you will have become by then".
"Good, and you better not forget" Felix said.
"I never forget, Felix. I promisse we will have our duel" Akame said as she offered a hand.
Felix looked at her hand before shaking it "I will hold you to that".
Akame smiled at him "Good".
She leans closer, making Felix step back and his face turning red "I swear, if you kiss my cheek again!".
"What's wrong? Are you afraid of a kiss?" Akame asked teasingly.
"I'm not afraid of anything! I just don't like the kissing stuff, that's all" Felix said, still blushing.
"Well would a hug be alright then?" Akame asked.
"You're mocking me, aren't you?" Felix asked, sounding annoyed.
Akame giggled "Relax, I'm just teasing. But I do like you Felix. You are an interesting guy".
"Well. I would be lying if I said you weren't interesting to be around, Akame" Felix admitted.
"Want to grab some food and talk?" Akame offered.
Felix looked at her before he sighed "Fine".
Akame smiled and they headed over to the dining hall.
At the Salvation at the Chapel, Jeralt, Byleth and her students had managed to stop the monsters from killing the remaining students. But it turned out the demonic beasts were students. Somehow they had been turned in to monsters by an unknown force. But Byleth and her students had a feeling it was he same thing that turned Miklan in to a monster. Regardless, the students were sent out to make sure the others were alright, and see if anyone was wounded. Leaving Byleth and Jeralt to investigate the chapel.
"There isn't a trace of evidence to be found in the chapel. This must have been something to do with Remire. Perhaps..." Jeralt wondered
"Wait!" Both looked to see a girl. It was Monica, the girl who had gone missing and was saved along with Flayn.
"Huh? Another student?" Jeralt said in surprise and Byleth watched as made sure Monica was alright "Run along now".
"Thanks for all your help, sir" Monica skips around behind Jeralt who was smiling at her. But then a sinister smile appeared on her face before she pulled out a dagger and plunging it into Jeralt's back. Making Byleth gasp in shock "You're just a pathetic old man. How dare you get in the way of my brilliant plan...you dog".
Jeralt grunts and falls. Byleth stares for a moment before she turns back the hands of time to the point before Monica could stab Jeralt.
"Run along now" Jeral said.
"Thanks for all your help, sir" Monica skips around behind Jeralt before pulling out the dagger.
Byleth was not going to let what she saw happen this time, and quickly draws the Sword of the Creator to stop her. She extends the sword, ready to pierce through that snake's heart, but a mysterious figure, named Thales, shows up and blocks the sword with a magical barrier. Byleth sees that once again Monica has stabbed Jeralt in the back.
Monica turns around and sees Thales "Huh? What are you doing here?"
"You must survive. Merely because there is a role that I require you to fulfill" Thales said before he grabs Monica and disappear in a flash of red light.
Byleth drops her sword as she runs to Jeralt and pulls him into her lap. She looks down at her father in worry. She turned back time but still couldn't save him from such a cowardly attack. And now... there was nothing left for her to do.
"Sorry. It looks like...I'm going to have to leave you now" Jeralt said before he closed his eyes in pain, knowing he wasn't going to last much longer. But then he felt tears fall on his face. He looked up and saw the tears came from Byleth. Seeing this made him smile "To think that the first time I saw you cry...your tears would be for me. It's sad, and yet...I'm happy for it. Thank you...kid... please... make sure... Akame... gets this...".
Jeralt used the last of his strengh to put something in Byleth's hand before he passed away peacefully. Rain begins to fall as Byleth began to sob and cradles Jeralt's body. Her father... was dead... and all she could do now... was cry.
Back at the Monastery, Akame was having a lesson with her class. It was raining outside as Esdeath was explaining some things to them. However she stopped when she noticed Byleth enter the classroom, wet from all the rain. Esdeath was about to smile until she noticed Byleth looked really upset.
"Is something wrong, Byleth?" Esdeath asked.
Byleth was silent for a moment before speaking "I... need to talk to Akame... please".
Akame looked worried and looked at Esdeath, who gave her a nod to tell her it was ok. Akame got out of her seat and followed Byleth to the entrance. Esdeath did not resume the lesson, instead watching the two sisters talk. The rest of the Black Eagles watched as well, all of them concerned about what had happened.
"Sis... what is going on? Wait, where is father?" Akame asked.
Byleth gave Akame a ring, it was a new one, clearly having recently been forged "He wanted you to have this. For the time you find your true love".
Akame looked at the ring before looking back at her sister "Byleth. I don't understand. Where is he? Did he have to leave on another mission or something?".
Byleth was silent, this clearly was painful for her to say. But she looked up with tears in her eyes... and finally told Akame what had happened.
In that moment everything went quiet. The Black Eagles had wide eyes in shock, and even Esdeath looked surprised... Akame felt her world shatter. It took several seconds for her to process what she had just heard. She didn't want to believe it... but Byleth's eyes said it all... what she just told her, was true.
Akame began to shake before falling to her knees. Byleth followed her down and pulled her in to a hug as Akame broke out crying. Edelgard gave the sisters a sad look. Hubert closed his eyes. Ferdinand looked down in sadness and Linhart did the same. Caspar clenched his fists in anger. Bernadetta looked ready to cry and likely would've if not for Dorothea taking her hand, but she still looked sad herself. And Petra looked down in sadness.
Esdeath had no emotions on her face as she watched Akame cry in to her sister's chest. She has lost the only true parent she's ever had... and all she could now... was cry.
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Tell me what you think.