Conflict At The Holy Tomb.
Akame slowly woke up. She had been sleeping on Byleth's chest as they spent the night together, like they normally do. Today was the day. The time had come for Byleth to receive the blessing from the Goddess. But Akame was conflicted about this. Her trust in Rhea had been chaken after Claude revealed some really worrying information to her. Just what did Rhea do to Byleth when she was a baby? And why hasn't she told them about it. Rhea is meant to stand as a symbol of purity and justice... but Akame was worried that even someone pure has some hidden darkness.
Byleth woke up when she felt Akame sit up "Morning sis... is something the matter?".
"Today is the day..." Akame said.
Byleth sat up "It is... does this bother you?".
"Byleth... I don't know if we can trust Rhea anymore" Akame admitted.
Byleth was shocked when she heard this. Akame and Rhea had bonded so much since they arrived here. Byleth didn't know the details, but it was clear that Akame saw Rhea as a mother. So it didn't make sense why Akame would suddenly change her view of Rhea like this.
"Akame, why are you saying that?" Byleth asked.
"I... learned something that Rhea didn't want us to know. Byleth, Rhea has met you before. Claude told me Rhea did something to you when you were a baby. Something that could be questionable" Akame said.
"What do you mean?" Byleth asked, growing concerned.
"He didn't know the details, but something happened to you when you were a baby, and Rhea knows what. But for some reason she refuses to tell you" Akame said.
Byleth looked down in thought for a while before she sighed "Alright Akame. If what Claude told you is true, then I will be more careful around Rhea. But until she does something bad, I can't just believe that she is secretly evil".
"I don't think she is evil, but she clearly isn't as pure as she's lead everyone to believe" Akame said.
That was something Byleth could agree with. After all, no one is truly pure, there is darkness inside of most if not all. Still, Byleth and Akame had to get ready for the day. Byleth made sure Akame knew that she could come along. Akame would've gone with them regardless of permission or not. There was no chance she would stay back when her sister was going to go through something they knew little to nothing about.
Later, Byleth was on her way to speak with her class, but stopped when she noticed some "Esdeath?".
"Heard you will be heading out with Rhea soon. To fulfill your destiny, or whatever" Esdeath said.
"Are you coming with us?" Byleth asked, silently hoping Esdeath would accompany her.
"I'm afraid I can't... I have something important I can't walk away from. Something that will change me forever" Esdeath said.
"What do you mean? What are you going to do?" Byleth asked.
"That is the thing, Byleth. I don't know what I am going to do yet. The choice I make will decide the future of my life. This is something I need to do on my own" Esdeath explained.
Byleth was growing worried, first Akame loses faith in Rhea, and now Esdeath are behaving really strange "Esdeath...".
Esdeath walked up to her "Byleth, I need to know. If I make a choice you do not agree with... will you hate me for it?".
"Esdeath, I don't understand" Byleth said only for Esdeath to grab her shoulders.
"Tell me Byleth! If I do something you don't approve of, will you hate me for it?" Esdeath begged. Something that was very unlike her.
Byleth was silent for a moment before she looked Esdeath in the eyes "Not even the goddess herself could make me hate you, Esdeath. I love you, and that will never change".
Esdeath looked relieved as she gave Byleth a deep loving kiss, one Byleth had never felt before "Thank you, my love... I hope the next time we meet, it will not be on opposite sides".
Byleth wanted to ask what she meant but Esdeath walked away before she could. Now Byleth was more worried than ever. Something bad was going to happen.. she could feel it. But she had no time to think about it, and she went to the the Cathedral, where her class was waiting for her.
"You're going to receive the goddess's revelation at the Holy Tomb? That's news to me. I did not see that coming" Claude said, but his tone showed a hint that he wasn't surprised. Which made Byleth think of what Akame told her.
"Lady Rhea's going too, right? I hear it will be well-guarded, but it is that really okay?" Hilda asked.
Ignatz looked concerned "If Solon's allies are still around, it's certainly true that we don't know when or where they may appear".
"I don't know what type of place this Holy Tomb is, but we should be cautious" Leonie said.
"If something happens, we'll have to take matters into our own hands" Raphael said with determination.
Hilda looked at Byleth "What do you think, Professor? Is it really okay for Lady Rhea to attend?".
"I'm worried" Byleth admitted. Mainly because this whole situation was getting less and less clear.
"It seems to be tightly sealed, I'll give you that. We should be fine as long as nothing goes terribly wrong. Yep… Just as long as nothing goes wrong" Claude said in an uncertain tone "Well, the truth is, we won't know what's going on until it happens. All we can do is stay on our guard and play it by ear".
Lorenz shook his head "That's quite enough babbling, Claude. There is nobody more unfit for a holy ceremony than you".
"Harsh. Still it's a rare honor for someone like me to walk the holy halls. Let alone walking in to the Holy Tomb" Leone said.
Marianne looked nervous "Um, divine punishment won't strike us for setting foot in the Holy Tomb, right?".
"Good grief. Why are you always so negative?" Lysithea asked before she turns to Flayn "Hm? Flayn, is something on your mind?".
Flayn who had been oddly silent this whole time looked up "Who, me? No, it is nothing. May we all see this through to the end".
"It still doesn't make sense to me. A goddess was living inside Teach, right? But now there's a ceremony to receive a revelation or whatever. How could that be necessary anymore? There must be another objective" Claude said before he sighs "It's pointless to speculate about it now. We'll know the answer soon enough. There isn't any danger for us students, but… be careful, Teach".
Byleth nods before she noticed Akame enter the room "Are you ready?".
"Yes. I have everything I need" Akame confirmed.
"You know Akame, sometimes it feels like you spend more time with us than you own class. Ever thought of switching from the Black Eagles and join the Golden Deer?" Leone asked with a toothy grin.
"Tempting, but no. I am perfectly happy with my current class" Akame said.
"Good to hear. It's time to head out everyone" Byleth declared.
Everyone nods and they began their trip. Everyone knowing their lives might never be the same after an experience such as this one. And non of them knew that better than Byleth and Akame. Who made sure to stay as close to each other as possible.
The trip wasn't long and soon the Golden Deer, along with Akame and Rhea arrived at the Holy Tomb. The Holy Tomb looked utterly breath taking. There was no telling how many years of history was here, and how many important people had been buried here over the years.
"Are you surprised, Professor? This is the Holy Tomb" Rhea said.
"That mechanism for descending underground back there... What powers it? When I tried to come by myself, it wouldn't even budge" Claude mumbled to himself.
"This place has a strong feeling to it..." Akame said.
"Yeah, it does. Wonder what we will see happen here today" Claude said
"This is where the goddess who created this world was laid to rest, along with her children" Rhea began to explain "It is said that our creator, the goddess Sothis, sat upon this very throne. Professor, do you recognize this throne?".
"I do" Byleth confirmed, having seen Sothis sitting on a throne like this.
"So long... I have waited so very long for this day. Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess" Rhea instructed.
Akame was suspicious, just what has Rhea been waiting for all this time? Byleth walks away from Rhea, and sits down on the throne. Akame held her breath, ready to rush in the moment she feels something is wrong. Whatever Rhea wanted, Akame refused to lose her sister over it.
"Well? Rhea asked, but nothing happened, making her close her eyes in sad confusion "It was supposed to be but a step away. What could possibly be missing?".
Claude feels something isn't right and turns around "Sorry to disturb you when you're distressed, Archbishop, but it seems some uninvited guests have arrived".
Akame and everyone else looked to see several Imperial soldiers storming in to the Holy Tomb. Among them was someone Akame recognized all to well. The Flame Emperor. But how? Why were they here?
A man laughs "Don't move, any of you. If you move, your lives will be forfeit. Thank you ever so much for guiding us this far. The Imperial army will now take possession of everything in the Holy Tomb".
"Metodey stay focused" A girl next to him said.
"The Imperial Army? What are they doing here?" Ignatz asked in shock.
Lysithea glares at the soldiers "So, they knew we were heading to the Holy Tomb and followed us here".
Hilda looked closer Hey, who is that standing next to the angry guy? Could that be-".
"The Flame Emperor. I see. So you've been allied with the Empire from the beginning" Claude said.
"What are they doing here? What do they hope to gain?" Leonie asked.
"What ever it is, it can't be good" Leone said while glaring at the Flame Emperor and his forces.
"There's only one goal for grave robbers like these, right, Flame Emperor? You're here to steal the treasure that rests within the Holy Tomb" Claude summed up.
"For a fool, you catch on quickly. Those Crest Stones will be ours. That infernal power, which is masquerading as a medicine but is truly a poison, will plague this world no longer" The Flame Emperor declared.
Akame was getting a bad feeling. Why would the Empire attack like this? Edelgard was the ruler now, and she would never order something like this. Could this Flame Emperor be someone else who was acting against Edelgard's wishes? Akame wanted to believe it. But there was something all to familiar about the Flame Emperor... something that worried her greatly.
"Insolence! You will atone for the sin of tramping on this holy resting place. Byleth, destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!" Rhea orders as she pulled out her sword "I will not allow such violence from the Empire! Strike down the rebels and protect the Holy Tomb!".
Metodey motions for the soldiers to move "The Crest Stones are in the caskets! Open every last one of them!".
"The Holy Tomb must not be desecrated! Protect as many of the Crest Stones as you can!" Rhea calls out.
"I guess we're fighting over who gets those Crest Stones… What in the world do they intend to use them for, anyway?" Claude wondered.
But there was no time for wondering. The Golden Deer and Imperial forces clashed in a violent battle inside the sacred tomb. One soldier forced open a tomb and grabbed the Crest Stone. He began running towards the exit but Leone quickly knocked him down, and used her armored gauntlets to punch him so hard it split his head open.
"I've seen some dirty things in my days. But robbing the dead is something else" She said as she retrieved the crest stone.
Elsewhere, Leonie impaled someone with her sword. She then had to dodge an strike from an ax. She got in to her stance until she noticed who attacked her. It was the girl named Spear.
"You! You are the one who we encountered earlier this year, back when the professor gained the Sword of the Creator" Leonie said.
"I was not going to stand on the side line for this. I have waited for this chance for a long time. Today, the false Bishop will fall. And the evil of this corrupt church will finally be exposed!" Spear declared.
"You break in to a Holy Tomb and starts stealing from the dead, and you have the nerves to say the Church is corrupt?" Leonie asked.
"We are liberating the Crest Stone! They do not belong in the possession of someone who's been ruling Fodlan through lies. Rhea has desecrated the Goddess! And now she will face punishment for it! Along with anyone who sides with her!" Spear shouts as she attacks again.
Leonie had to be careful. In a battle between sword vs ax, it was clear that the ax had more power behind it. But Swords are more maneuverable and less heavy, so Leonie had to avoid in stead of blocking. Spear was skilled, no question about it, but Leonie had been trained by both Jeralt and his daughter, she wouldn't disgrace either of them by loosing here. She tried to attack with an overheard strike but Spear managed to block the strike and kicked and kicked her in the gut. Leonie stumbled back before having to avoid another strike and her attempt to counter was also blocked.
"Why are you fighting for that monster!? After everything she's done!?" Spear demands as she launches another strike.
Leonie avoided it "Because she hasn't done anything evil! Anyone who died because of her brought it on themselves!".
"She killed them because they didn't believe her lies!" Spear shouts in rage as she charges in.
But this time Leonie was ready, and waited for the right moment. Just as Spear came close enough, Leonie deflected Spear's ax before stabbing through her, just blowe her breasts. Spear coughs up blood as she all but hangs of Leonie's sword.
"The Church gives people a chance to be more than what they are" Leonie said.
Suddenly Spear reaches up and touches Leonie's face "And denies them of what they could be... You are all slaves to her... the empire want the people to stand... to take back what's theirs... to be... free...".
Spears falls back, causing Leonie's sword to slide out of her. Leonie looks at the dead body of her fallen enemy... and saw tears running down Spear's face. Leonie got a sad look as she closed Spear's eyes. In the end, Spear wasn't a bad person... she was a victim.
Meanwhile, Akame cut down a couple of soldiers before looking around the battlefield. She saw the Flame Emperor and narrowed her eyes. He was behind this. Without him, the rest wouldn't know what to do, which made him the target. Akame began running towards him, cutting down anyone in her path. Even a Demonic beast was only in the way, and Akame dashed under it, cutting up it's entire under belly, leaving it injured and easy pickings for the others. As she got closer to the Flame Emperor, she had to block a strike from Metodey.
"I'm told it's fine to kill those who resist. Now then, how shall I cook you?" He asked with a sinsiter smile, but Akame had no time to waste on him, so she headbuts him hard, dazing him and allowing Akame to deliver a swift strike to his side with her sword, causing the curse to spread through his body "Wait... No! I was just following orders! I just... Graaargh!".
Akame didn't watch the man as he fell down dead, instead she focused on her target "Flame Emperor... I have waited for this. You will pay for all the suffering you caused".
"You are fighting for the wrong side. That woman manipulated her people, ruling through lies and false promises" Flame Emperor said.
"You missunderstand me. I am not fighting for Rhea, I am fighting for my family. And you are a threat to them" Akame said as she got in to her stance.
"Don't do this, Akame..." The Flame Emperor said.
Akame narrowed her eyes "You know me, don't you? Who are you? Show me your face!".
The Flame Emperor said nothing and Akame let out a shout as she attacked. The two began to clash, and they were fairly evenly matched and their battle began moving further down the large room. Flame Emperor's shield was a pain to get around, and his ax deflected any strikes that did manage to get passed it. The battle waged on, even as the Flame Emperor's troops kept on depleting. Akame pressed her attack, looking for an opening... and she found it. She let out a cry as she swings her blade and hits the Flame Emperor's helmet... while she didn't cut any flesh, she did manage to knock the helmet of.
Who Akame saw behind the Helmet was the last thing she expected, and it left her in utter shock "You...?".
Everyone stopped what they were doing as they looked at the Flame Emperor in shock.
"Edelgard..." Akame whispered.
"So the end has come..." The Flame Emperor said, as it was revealed it was indeed Edelgard.
"Is this some sick joke? The Flame Emperor is actually Edelgard?!" Claude asked in shock.
"Edelgard... I don't understand..." Akame said as she was beginning to shake.
"You have disappointed me, Edelgard. To think that a descendant of House Hresvelg would dare betray the holy church... Byleth, kill Edelgard at once. She is a danger to all of Fódlan. Such a rebellious heart cannot be allowed to keep beating" Rhea ordered coldly.
"Wait! Edelgard, explain yourself!" Akame demanded.
"I'm sorry Akame. I did not want it to come to this. But I could not stand idly by and allow her to use her undeserved power oppress Fodlan anymore" Edelgard said.
"I don't understand... why do all this? Edelgard, why didn't you tell me how you felt...?" Akame asked, clear betrayal in her voice "After everything... everything we've been through together... Edelgard... I trusted you...".
"Akame..." Edelgard said sadly.
"I TRUSTED YOU!" Akame screams as her eyes were slowly turning red.
Edelgard looked down "I'm sorry. I have achieved my objective. I will retreat. Farewell, Professor. If we meet again, it will be on the battlefield. As for your Akame... I hope the next time we meet, it won't be as enemies" Hubert suddenly showed up "Come, Hubert!".
Huber and Edelgard vanished, much to Rhea's anger "To flee is futile, wicked girl. The Church of Seiros will raise its entire army against you, until you have been captured and punished! You have defiled the Holy Tomb, dishonored the goddess, and humiliated your brethren. That crime will never be erased, even if you burn in the eternal flames, and spill all of your blood into the goddess's soil!".
Byleth looked at her sister "Akame...".
Akame's eyes turned back to normal... and she collapsed to her knees and began crying loudly. Byleth quickly ran up and hugged her, allowing Akame to cry in to her chest. Akame had experienced one of the worst pains imaginable... being betrayed by someone she trusted.
.
And here we are... Tell me what you think.