A Form of Grief.
Guardian Moon: Long ago, the guardian Seiros made an appearance during this moon. She had been summoned by the goddess, whose soul was suffering as the flames of war raged across Fódlan. Some believe that high in the sky above Seiros, the Immaculate One's mighty wings are what powered the strong winds carrying the guardian and her forces into battle.
Jeralt was dead. The news of his passing was a shock for everyone in the Monastery, some were scared by the fact that such a strong warrior was killed, making them worry about how deadly their enemies could be. While others were grieving the loss of a brave warrior, who had made an impact on their lives in one way or the other. But of course, no one was more effected by his death that his daughters, both of which were currently in Jeralt's quarters, with Akame reading Jeralt's diary.
"Day 5 of the Garland Moon. I picked some flowers for her and returned home. The look of joy on her face at the sight of these flowers will be even more beautiful than the flowers themselves…" Akame read out loud before stopping as it got a little awkward "Never knew father was the romantic kind of guy".
Byleth had a small smile at that "There is much we never knew about him".
"Yes... someone is coming" Akame said before Claude entered the room.
"I thought I might find you here, Teach. Not the type to wallow in solitude, eh? That's a relief, let me tell you. And it's good to see you here as well, Akame. So… What were you reading? Is that Jeralt's…" Claude trailed of.
"It's a diary. He wrote his most treasured and important memories in it" Akame explained.
Claude nods at that "So it is. Hey, maybe this has some entries from when Jeralt left the monastery".
"I'm sure it does" Byleth confirmed.
"Is that so… He was the captain of the knights, but something made him leave the monastery in a hurry. If it has something to do with your birth, knowing what happened may get us closer to knowing what secrets the church is hiding… Teach… Akame... Would you mind letting me read that diary?" Claude asked, causing Akame to close the diary and hold it close to her chest "I know how important it is to you, but I'm not asking lightly. Please, allow me to borrow it".
"Are you really asking us to just let you borrow one of our most priced possessions? Our father just died, and you are asking us for favors?" Akame demanded, looking really angry by Claude's seemingly insensitive request.
"Akame, I fully understand your reluctance. But there is a lot we can learn from it, which could prove really useful in the future" Claude explained.
"If that is the case, then just let us read it and we can find out if there is anything important in it" Akame argued, she wasn't just going to hand over something this important to a guy she barely knows.
Byleth looks at Claude with narrowed eyes "Claude, if we do let you read it, I need you to promise that nothing will happen to it".
"You have my word Teach. I swear on my life that I will return the book in the same shape it is now" Claude promised.
Byleth sighed at that "Alright. It's ok Akame, I know Claude and I know we can trust him with this".
Akame still didn't like this but sighed and held out the diary "Fine, but you better not let anyone else read it".
Claude smiled as she took it "Don't worry, no one other than us will know what this diary contains. I'm forever in your debt. If you'd refused, I would've had to sneak in here in the dead of night. I wasn't looking forward to that prospect. Anyway, let me fill you in on what's been going on lately, and not just as thanks for pointing me to that diary. Rhea dispatched the knights to various locations in a frantic search for the enemy. There's a rumor that she's already secured some information. Something big is gonna happen soon. That has me wondering… If you find out where the enemy is, what will you do about it? If you ask, I… No, scratch that. All of us students would gladly lend a hand. Even if it means going against Rhea's wishes. Don't forget it. Now go. Everyone's worried about you. You'd better show them you're in good spirits".
As Claude leaves Akame looked at Byleth "Are you really sure about this, sis?".
"Claude clearly has ambitions. But he is no liar. I know he will keep his word" Byleth said.
"I you say so... I will go train" Akame said as she got up and left.
Byleth reached out a hand to stop her, but couldn't think of any words. She knew how hard their father's death hit her... and Byleth feared she couldn't do anything for Akame, other than just let her grieve.
That evening at the Outer City Wall, Monica, Thales and the Flame Emperor were talking to each other.
"Oh, thank you. You saved me!" Monica said happily.
Thales gave her a cold look "If you were to die, then the mystery of our bodies would be revealed. Preventing that was my only aim. I'm afraid you must remain, Kronya. There is something I need you to do".
"Oh, of course. I am always happy to cooperate with Solon. Leave it to me" Monica, or as her name was now revealed to be Kronya, said.
The Flame Emperor was not amused "How annoying".
"Flame Emperor… Is she offending you? Unfortunately, we cannot take our eyes off her, so there is nothing to be done. You are our greatest creation. We used the defiled beast's blood as the fuel to your flame, that you may burn even the gods. Now is the time to cleanse Fódlan of that power, and bring forth our salvation" Thales said.
"There will be no salvation for you and your kind. Those responsible for such gruesome deeds in Duscur and Enbarr" The Flame Emperor said, making now effort to hide spite behind the words.
"All so that you may acquire the strength you need. All for a purpose…" Thales said calmly. The Flame Emperor wouldn't dare try to undermine their efforts now. Not when their goals were getting so close.
In the shadows, someone was listening to them... and she was part of their little group... and another weapon to be used against Garreg Mach.
She smiled evilly, she couldn't wait.
Despite her words, training was the last thing on Akame's mind right now. Instead she headed to a spot where she could be alone. A spot close to the goddess tower, allowing her to get a good view of landscape. She was looking down over the edge, she was really high up, if she fell, she wouldn't survive. She remembered parts of her childhood. Before her parents threw her away like she was nothing more than used up property.
"Akame..." Came a soft voice behind her. Akame didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Need something... Lady Rhea?" Akame asked, her tone sounding dead.
"I noticed you from the distance. I wanted to make sure you weren't planing anything reckless" Rhea said calmly.
Akame was silent as she continued to look down "Back when I was a kid. Before my parents threw me away... I used to walk to a large cliff and look at the water below... every time I felt the strong urge to just jump of the cliff and let the dark waters take me. So I could finally be free from my horrible existance... but every time I tried, I was always stopped by the thoughts of my younger sister... she was the light in my life and she always gave me a reason to keep living...".
Rhea remained silent as she listened to Akame's story.
"But then, our parents sold us. Me and my sister were forced apart, and just like that, my only light was gone. Again, I wanted to let the darkness take me, I had managed to steal a dagger from one of the guards and were just about to stab myself in the heart... but then, they showed up. Jeralt... he came ridding in and cut down the evil people that bought me... and then he found me, still holding the dagger towards my chest" Akame continued as she let a small smile spread on her lips "Het took my hands, but I refused to let go of the dagger. And then he told me: Your life is far to young to end so soon. Don't seek a reason to die, seek a reason to live".
Rhea smiled at that. It did sound like something Jeralt would say.
"He brought me with him, and introduced me to Byleth... and just like that, I had found a reason to keep on living" Akame said before tears began running down her face "But now... he is dead... the man who gave me a reason to live... is dead...".
Rhea walked up behind her and gently grabbed her shoulders "I know how heavily grief weighs upon one's heart... I lost my mother some time ago. It was...".
"What are you try to tell me, Lady Rhea? That he is in a better place now? That it gets better with time? Or that it's just a part of the Goddess' great plan?" Akame asked, sounding bitter.
Instead of scolding Akame, Rhea continued "No... Even all these years later, I cannot recall that time without feeling the pain as if it were brand new. Just know that I am praying for both you and Byleth's minds and your hearts to find peace. And if you ever need someone's arms to cry in. I will be here for you, I promise".
Tears ran down Akame's face again before she turned around and buried her face in to Rhea's chest. Rhea held her close as Akame began crying again. Rhea rubbed Akame's head gently, not saying a word. Akame didn't need words, she just needed to get the pain out, and Rhea was there for her. In her eyes, Akame was her daughter, and she would love her as a mother should love their child.
"Lady Rhea... I am tired..." Akame whispered after finally calming down.
Rhea smiled and carefully lifted her up, like a mother would do with her child "Sleep, my child. I will keep you safe".
Akame relaxed and ended up falling asleep in Rhea's arms. The poor girl, it was clear she hasn't been sleeping at all since Jeralt's death. Rhea would make sure she gets all the rest she needs.
"Sleep well... my child" She whispered as she carried the sleeping Akame to her private room.
Back with Byleth, she was sitting on her bed, waiting for Akame to return... She was taking a long time, and Byleth was getting worried that Akame might have done something reckless. If she's not back in 5 minutes, Byleth will go look for her. But then she heard a knock on the door.
She got up and opened it and did not expect the person she saw "Esdeath? Why are you here?".
"Can I come in?" Esdeath asked.
"I am waiting for Akame... who hasn't come back yet" Byleth said.
"Don't worry about her. I saw her with Rhea earlier. She is in good hands" Esdeath said.
"Oh... alright, then you can come in" Byleth said as she let Esdeath inside.
Esdeath was silent for a moment before she spoke "How are you feeling?".
"I... it's still kind of raw..." Byleth admitted.
"Alright... Look, I am not one for small talk, so I am going to cut to the reason why I am here. Jeralt's death effected me too... mainly my belief" Esdeath said.
"Your belief?" Byleth asked.
"All my life, I lived under one rule. The strong survives, and the weak die. That is the lesson my father beat in to me when I was a kid. He never helped me survive, he told me if I die, then it's because I was weak. And only weaklings needs help. So I took his lessons to heart and believed every time someone died in battle, it was simply because they were to weak to survive..." Esdeath began explaining.
"Are you telling me my father died because he was weak?" Byleth asked, sounding a little disgusted by Esdeath's view on life and death.
"That's the point. Your father wasn't weak. He was strong, very strong... but he still died... I was slowly starting to realize this when I became a teacher here. But now, I am certain of it. No matter how strong you become, you can still be killed by someone weaker. Jeralt's death was not caused by a weakness on his part, but the cowardly act of the enemy... I... I was wrong. Being strong only helps you survive, but strength is useless in situations where strength doesn't matter. You and your family helped me see the lie I've been living with for all these years... and now, I am not sure what to believe in anymore" Esdeath explained.
Byleth was silent for a moment before she smiled "Thank you for telling me this, Esdeath. I don't have the answers you seek. All I can tell you is, keep on living, until you find your answer".
Esdeath smiled back before pulling Byleth in to a kiss... and this time, Byleth kissed back. The kiss laster longer than the last one, and they held each other even closer. After a few minutes, the need for air made them pull apart.
"So... mind if I stay the night with you?" Esdeath asked.
"I want you to stay... I love you, Esdeath" Byleth said. After all these months and all her moments with Esdeath, she was finally certain. The feelings she had for Esdeath, was love. She was still grieving the loss of her father, but the love helped ease the pain
Esdeath got the happiest smile Byleth had ever seen "You have no idea how much I wanted to hear those words".
They kissed again, and clothes began dropping to the floor as they approached the bed... let's just say, Sothis felt really awkward that night.
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Sorry, no lemon scene. This is still a T rated story. You will have to use your imagination.
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Tell me what you think.