Growing Alliance.
Having repelled the Imperial vanguard, the Alliance army requests reinforcements from Judith, head of House Daphnel - the governing body in the northwestern regions of Alliance territory. As well as with Najenda, who's reputation as a strong leader is well known across the Alliance.
In the Dining Hall, Raphael, Cyrill and Ignatz had recently finished a meal. Though the largest among them wasn't satisfied at all.
"What? Not enough left for seconds? I'm barely half full!" Raphael said.
"Ya eat too much anyways, Raphael. Supplies are running low, so you're just gonna have to deal with it" Cyrill said sternly.
"You've always been so level-headed, Cyril. Now that you've grown up, you're even more that way" Ignatz said.
"Maybe it's just that the rest of you haven't grown enough. You could work harder at being reliable" Cyrill said.
"I can't grow if I can't eat!" Raphael argued.
Suddenly Hilda enters with a smile "I have some good news for my hungry friends... We got a reply from Judith! Mr. Leader Man has called a meeting about it. Hurry up, everyone!".
Everyone soon gathered in Reception Hall, where Claude and Byleth were waiting for them.
Once everyone was there, Claude began explaining "We finally received a reply from Judith. The Hero of Daphnel has agreed to support us with soldiers and supplies".
Raphael smiled widely "She's gonna give us food? She really is a hero!".
"Maybe Raphael will simmer down now" Cyrill said.
"Now, regarding where we're going to receive the delivery..." Claude began before he held up a letter he received from Judith and began reading it. As this is a request from none other than the leader of the Alliance, I wish that I could send troops at once. However... Openly marshaling soldiers within my territory could provoke other members of the Alliance. Therefore, I will secretly gather troops in Ailell, the Valley of Torment. Will your group be able to receive the soldiers at this location? From there, it should be safe to return to the monastery by following the border between the Alliance and the Kingdom".
Byleth thinks for a bit "Ailell, the Valley of Torment...".
"Ailell is on the border between the Daphnel territory and the Kingdom. It'll make sense when we get there, but it's a peculiar region" Claude said.
Marianne looked worried "I recall there being a scary legend about it...".
"In any case, if we use that valley, we shouldn't have to worry about being noticed by other Alliance lords" Claude said.
But nearby, an Alliance Soldier had been listening in "Ailell, the Valley of Torment...".
Later that day, Byleth and Claude were walking through the Knight's Hall.
"You know… I'd never have been recognized as the legitimate heir to House Riegan without Judith's recommendation… Feels like I'm digging myself deeper and deeper in debt to the Hero of Daphnel, but what do you do? It's all been worth it. After all, we need the Daphnel army for our next move. It's possible we'll have to deal with our enemy sooner than later. Be prepared, Teach" Claude said.
Byleth nods "I always try to be prepared".
"Professor! Claude!" Both looked up to see Leone rush up to them. The blonde girl stops to catch her breath for a few moments before looking up "Najenda wants to meet you. She will be arriving within the hour!".
Claude looked surprised "That was fast. Well, the sooner the better I say. We better stop wasting time and get ready to meet her".
Byleth nods in agreement. She was curious of meeting this Najenda. Soon enough Najenda arrived, and Byleth got a good look at her. Najenda had short, silver hair and a purple eye. She wears an eyepatch where her right eye used to be. She wears a black suit that shows her cleavage. She looked really attractive, but Byleth couldn't help but to notice that she couldn't see Najenda's right arm... and it didn't take long for her to realize why... Najenda was missing an arm, just like she was missing an eye.
"General Najenda. It's an honor to finally meet you in person" Claude greeted.
"I will wait and see if the feeling is mutual, Claude. I've heard stories about your... rebellious side" Najenda said.
Claude chuckled "Glad I'm known for something".
Najenda gave a brief smile, so far Claude seemed like an ok guy. But her remaining eye soon drifted to Byleth "You must be Byleth. I've heard a great deal about you".
"And Leone told me about you. She said you were a strong warrior and a brilliant tactician" Byleth said in a calm and respectful tone.
"Did she now?" Najenda said as she notice Leone "It's good to see you again, Leone. You've grown".
Leone smiled "Glad you noticed! I've been working hard to make sure the time you spent on me wasn't wasted".
"I can tell I didn't waste a single second on you. I look forward to seeing what you've learned. But for now, we have more pressing matters" Najenda said as she turned back to Byleth and Claude "Now then. Shall we head inside so we can discuss an Alliance?".
"Of course. Follow us" Claude said as he and Byleth leads Najenda inside.
Minutes later, the three of them were gathered in a privet room. They all took a seat, knowing they would be in for a long talk. Byleth could tell that Najenda wasn't one who would trust someone right away, but if she is even half as great as Leone said she was, then Byleth and Claude needed to secure an alliance with her. Her talents could prove vital in the war. There was silence for a few seconds before Najenda finally spoke.
"So, this is the alliance that's going to bring down the Empire? I expected more than a few Alliance soldiers and remnants of a destroyed Church" She commented.
"Yeah, it does not look to impressive at the moment. But were working on building our strength and we've already secured one with Judith. We were hoping you could lend our your strength" Claude said.
"That depends. I have no love for the Empire, but I'm not going to ally myself with just anyone. My warriors are few but very strong. And I care about everyone of them. I am fully aware that casualties are inevitable in war, but watching those under my command die never gets any easier. So I want to be sure your hands can be trusted with their lives, and that you won't just throw them to their deaths recklessly" Najenda said.
"I assure you, Najenda. Teach here is really good at keeping people alive and secure victories. It's thanks to her why I truly believe we have a chance of winning this war now" Claude said.
"Your confidence in her is clear. But I want to hear her side of this" Najenda said before looking back at Byleth "Now, tell me how confident you are in our chances".
"I'm not going to lie to you, we can't win without help. But I believe if we can gather enough allies, we have a chance. We already repelled and Imperial attack recently, and with your help, it would improve our odds greatly" Byleth said.
Najenda eyed her for a moment "And how willing are you to win?".
Byleth looked confused "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't understand your question".
"Then let me clarify" Najenda said before she leans forward "Do you even want to bring down the Empire? Some of my warriors are old acquaintance of yours, and before I came here I asked them to tell me everything they knew about you. They were mostly positive, but one fact worries me. There are two people in the Empire you love, isn't it?".
Byleth looked a little worried "I...".
"Your sister and your lover are Imperial soldiers" Najenda said, stating the clear fact.
Byleth sighed "Yes... they are".
"Your sister is wielding the deadly one hit kill sword, Murasame. And your lover is the legendary Esdeath" Najenda pressed on.
"You sure know a lot about someone you've never met before" Claude said with narrowed eyes.
Najenda leans back "Like I said. Some of my warriors knew her really well before she vanished for 5 years. And you know the reason why I am missing an arm and an eye? Because Esdeath was the one who took them. I just want to make sure she is willing to do whatever it takes to win. Even if it includes killing her sister and old lover".
Claude looked at Byleth with concerned eyes. Byleth was silent for several agonizing moments. But then she looked Najenda right in her only eye.
"No... I refuse to kill them. Because I believe both can be redeemed, and join us against the Empire. Akame is in a dark place right now, but I know I can reach her. And Esdeath's love for me was no lie. I know I can convince her to join me. She might not be willing to fight the Empire, but she will fight for me. I am sorry for what happened to you, Najenda. But I am not willing to give up on them" Byleth said, not faltering in a single word, she believed in everything she said.
Najenda looks at her for a while before she smirks "Well, you are honest, and your will is strong... Very well, I will lend you my support".
Claude looked surprised, he thought for sure when Byleth made her speech, they had lost any hope of gaining Najenda's help "Really?".
"Blind optimism isn't good. But having no hope is far worse. If Byleth really believe she can turn two of the Empire's deadliest warriors to our side, then I am willing to give her a chance" Najenda said before she stands up "My warriors should be arriving soon. I'm sure they will all be eager to see you again".
Byleth smiled "Thank you, Najenda".
Najenda nods and they head out... And Byleth was surprised by who she saw. Najenda's warriors were the remaining members of the Blue Lions. Felix, Ashe, Sylvain, Mercedes, Annette and Ingrid. They were alive, and more than willing to help. There were no words to describe how relieved Byleth was, and how happy she was to see them again.
And Claude was more than happy to received their help. They will need it. All of it.
Meanwhile, Akame had returned to the Empire, where Edelgard's army were preparing to re-arm and continue the fight. What happened at the Garreg Mach Monastery had really shaken her up. Her sister was alive... after all these years she had returned, alive and well. A million questions were flowing inside Akame's head, yet she didn't dare return to her sister for answers. Her sister has been gone for 5 years and Akame had finally moved on. But now, Byleth was back, like the 5 years never happened. Akame just didn't know how to handle this revelation... So she decided to go to the one person who was just as close to Byleth as she was.
"Esdeath..." Akame said as she walked to the older woman.
"Akame? You're back already? We weren't expecting you for at least another week" Esdeath said.
"I rushed back as quickly as I could... There is something I need to talk to you about... something I'd rather keep between us" Akame said.
Esdeath looked confused "What happened?".
Akame looked around to make sure no one was around before looking Esdeath in the eyes "She is alive, Esdeath... She is alive".
Esdeath got wide eyes, knowing right away who Akame was talking about "What? How!?".
"I don't know! But I saw her... Her face... her voice... her kindness... It was her, Esdeath. It was really her" Akame said as tears began running down her face "And now... I don't know what to do... I don't know what to do!".
Esdeath pulled Akame in to a hug, and Akame began sobbing. Esdeath was also struggling to keep her composure... Byleth... the woman she loved... was still alive... No wonder why Akame was so conflicted... Even Esdeath had no idea what she should do now.
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Tell me what you think.