Garreg Mach, 1180

Dimitri felt elated that the Professor and the rest of the Blue Lions returned safely with both Flayn and another student. He hadn't wanted to leave her, but Hanneman was insistent that Dimitri be the one to carry Manuela back to the infirmary. His stomach fluttered when he saw the Professor's bright smile as she emerged from the tunnel. Then she smiled again just for him! The giddy feeling, unfortunately, didn't last very long as she described a new adversary, The Flame Emperor, who was in league with the Death Knight. No doubt the two men would return.

Crestwood

Byleth hated taking Edelgard's mugshots. While taking her picture, Edelgard held back tears and continued to plead innocence of Monica's apparent gruesome death. She certainly didn't seem like the kind of person to cut someone's heart out just because they were annoying. During her entire life, no one had shown as much kindness and hospitality to Byleth as Edelgard had. Nevertheless, Byleth would have to follow procedure on this. If Arundel even suspected in the slightest that she was showing favoritism, he would bring someone else in on the case, which would be worse for Edelgard. Arresting her best friend, however, still sucked.

Remire, 1180

Nothing could have prepared Dimitri and the Blue Lions for the horror at Remire. Villagers gleefully murdered their friends and family with their bare hands while the village burned. People were trapped between their homicidal neighbors and the flames. Dimitri's headache was unbearable, and he screamed at the mysterious figures that seemed to be controlling the people.

He hacked his way through the village, killing those that were beyond help. He ignored the Professor's pleas to slow down and stay with the group. Felix and Sylvain caught up with him. Felix managed to snarl, "Slow down before you get us all killed, boar." But even Dimitri could see that his usually collected friend was shaking.

As they approached the other side of the village, they saw the kindly librarian, Tomas, sneering at them. The Death Knight was nearby as well. Tomas mocked them and turned into a hideous creature with gray skin and one eye that was larger than the other. He announced that he was Solon. Dimitri let out a cry and rushed him.

Crestwood

Arundel insisted that he sit in on Edelgard's interrogation to make sure that Byleth followed protocol. Byleth brought Edelgard into the room for questioning. She looked terrified, and slowly took her seat across from Arundel and Byleth. She admitted that she ran every day past the pond and that the jewelry box was hers but insisted that she had nothing to do with Monica's disappearance. "Don't you see? Someone stole my jewelry box and buried it there to frame me. They couldn't pin it on Dimitri, and now they're going after me."

She started to cry, and Arundel put his hand on top of hers. "There, there, Edelgard. You've been through so much - losing your siblings, your mother, your father. It was bound to change you. It must have been so hard seeing Monica come between all your closest relationships - me, Dimitri, Claude."

Edelgard jerked her hand away from him. Byleth smiled tightly and asked to see him in the hallway. When they got outside, she dropped the smile and said through gritted teeth, "You are here as a courtesy. I ask the questions."

Arundel rolled his eyes, "How do you know she didn't do it? If that box were stolen from her as she claims, don't you think there would be signs of a break-in? You're her roommate. Tell me, has there been a break-in? She's a girl who's lost everything. And that can make you do unspeakable things.

Remire, 1180

Tomas, or Solon, died after mentioning something about "Thales," and the Death Knight warped out just before defeat for the third time. Dimitri pounded his fist on the ground. His head was throbbing. After finally calming down and apologizing to the Professor for his behavior, she confided in him that the Flame Emperor had approached her again outside the village.

Dimitri wasn't surprised that he would have something to do with this group. He vowed that the Flame Emperor, Death Knight, and this Thales would die by his hand.

Crestwood

Byleth carefully looked around Edelgard's room for anything that would indicate forced entry. She checked around the window to see if it had been forced and felt around her door to see if anyone had messed with the lock. Then she knelt down and studied the floor for footprints, but there were none. She sighed heavily and stood up, where she found herself face to face with Claude. "Shit, Claude, why does everyone in this town want to sneak up on the armed woman?"

"Relax, I'm here to help Edelgard. We both know she didn't rip out Monica's heart." He strolled around Byleth and began to look around the room.

Byleth continued to feel around and look for clues. "I'm sure she was set up. But who would have a motive?"

Claude picked up a few knick-knacks off Edelgard's dresser and set them back down, "Arundel," he answered.

"Why? So far, the only thing we've ever caught him doing is being an asshole. Why hurt his own niece?"

"Because Dimitri is fragile and keeping him out of the way is easy. He had to take a harsher approach with her. Getting Edelgard away from you is the next step to keeping the Curse alive."

"I'm pretty sure that won't hold up in court." Byleth flopped down on Edelgard's bed and picked up a photo from the nightstand. There was little Edelgard with ten other children. She recognized Edelgard's violet eyes, but her hair was light brown. She must have dyed it white. Her mother and father smiled regally in the photo. An older girl had her hand on Edelgard's shoulder. How does someone lose ten siblings and both parents and still function?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft thumping from above. Byleth stood on the bed and looked around. The sound was coming through the vent. She carefully lifted the cover and passed it to Claude. She reached in and pulled out a dagger.

Discouraged, Claude walked slowly back to work. To his surprise, Bernie rode up next to him. She seemed different, less nervous. "You're worried about your friend, aren't you?"

Claude was shocked that she initiated a conversation, "Well, yeah! She didn't do it."

He continued to walk down the sidewalk while Bernie slowly rode beside him in the bike lane. She pointed to the book under his arm, "You know, I'm a writer. So, I'm partial to finding all the answers through literature."

Claude looked at her, "What do you know about this book?"

She laughed nervously, "A lot, actually. Since I wrote it - about things that actually happened."

Claude froze, "Why are you here?"

"I'm here for Byleth. We've got to get her to believe. I'm almost out of time."

She rode away, leaving a stunned Claude on the sidewalk.

Outer City Wall, 1180

Things continued to get worse. Monica murdered Jeralt in cold blood right in front of his professor. She was devastated and couldn't leave his office for days. Dimitri held her while she cried and tried to be as comforting as he could. He would make sure Jeralt was avenged.

He tracked Monica to a spot outside of the monastery and knelt behind a bush. He hadn't realized that the Professor had followed him, but he beckoned her to eavesdrop with him. The Flame Emperor and Monica were talking to another person that must have been Thales. He resisted the urge to rush forward.

They listened quietly until the Flame Emperor brought up Duscur, and Dimitri lost what little composure he had. These creatures had murdered his entire family, kidnapped Flayn, destroyed Remire, and assassinated Jeralt. They deserved no mercy. He ran towards them with his lance ready. The Flame Emperor threw a dagger at them, and the three figures warped away.

Dimitri stared at the dagger for a long time and then put it in his pocket. It looked painfully familiar, but the blade couldn't be the one from his childhood.

Crestwood

Byleth confronted Edelgard about the dagger at the station. She grabbed the bars of her cell and pleaded with Byleth to believe her. "I didn't even know there was a vent up there. I've never had a dagger!" She sat back down in the cell and began to cry.

This was all getting to be too much. Byleth's investigation was just turning up more clues that pointed to Edelgard. She leaned on the bars of Edelgard's cell and with as much gentleness as she could muster said, "Maybe it's time you considered getting a lawyer."

"An excellent idea, Sheriff Eisner," said a cool voice. Hubert walked into the station and set his briefcase down. "I'm here to offer my legal services." He opened his briefcase and began to flip through documents.

Byleth crossed her arms, "You? You're a lawyer all of a sudden?"

Hubert smiled, "Always have been. You just never asked. How do you think I got so good at contracts? Anyway, Edelgard, I can use Ms. Eisner as a reference of my legal mind. Just recently, she arrested me for nearly beating a man to death and I was able to convince the judge to drop all the charges. Isn't that right, Sheriff?"

Byleth shook her head, "And here I thought you just threatened the judge's children. Asserting your influence isn't needed here. We have to find the truth."

Hubert chuckled and said, "On the contrary, asserting my influence is exactly what is needed. From what I hear, the evidence is piling up under your leadership. By the way, a dagger went missing from my shop last week. Security cameras mysteriously malfunctioned. Here's a picture – I bet it's the same one you found in Edelgard's apartment. I didn't report it this time because you always end up prying into my business every time someone steals from me."

He held out the picture. and Byleth's heart sank. It was the same. "What's the deal, Hubert? Come with more evidence, then try to manipulate Edelgard into asking you for help? She doesn't need help from you.

They started to bicker, but Edelgard stopped them. "He's right, Byleth. I need help. And you need to do your job or else I'm screwed. So, just please do your job, and I know you'll prove me innocent. Until you do, I need some practical help. But Hubert, I don't think I can afford your fees."

Hubert replied, "I'll do this for free. I consider it an investment in Crestwood's future."

Byleth decided to run home for a snack to give Hubert and Edelgard privacy to discuss strategy. She hoped that Hubert's plans wouldn't involve blowing anything up. Claude was waiting for her on the front steps. His eyes sparkled in the light as he held up a ring of ornate silver keys.

She eyed him suspiciously, "Where did you get those keys, Claude?"

He grinned, "If I said that I got permission to bring them here, would you believe me?"

"Nope," she replied.

"Thought so. I took them out of Arundel's office." Byleth prepared to lay into Claude, but he held up his hand, "Relax, I'll put them back - once I'm done proving my theory that our friendly mayor has keys to all our homes."

"Those keys look like they belong in a school musical – there's no way they're going to work on this door," Byleth scoffed.

He tried one key after another, while Byleth grumbled. The more she complained, the more determined he became. Byleth grew impatient, but Claude insisted on trying one more - a strange looking silver key with a Zanado on it. The key fit the lock and opened the apartment. Claude smiled triumphantly, "Believe me now, Sheriff?"

Dimitri had avoided therapy after his parents' deaths, but now he was desperate to find out what was happening during his black outs. He hoped that there was something buried in his mind that could help Edelgard and Byleth. Seteth suggested hypnosis. The idea sounded frightening, but Seteth assured him that he would be safe.

Dimitri laid on Seteth's office sofa and closed his eyes. He slowed his breathing and tried to focus on Seteth's voice. Seteth's voice was calming as he asked him to visualize his last conversation with Monica. He could remember the lunch clearly and how happy Monica was about leaving town for a new start. He could feel tension leaving his body as he remembered more details. He could still hear Seteth's voice although it seemed further away. "Now, Dimitri, tell me about the phone call with Monica later that night."

To his amazement, he could clearly see the conversation in his mind. She wanted to let him know that he needed to be with Byleth. She wished for him to be happy. He felt himself drifting further away. He remembered hugging Byleth near where Monica's car was found. She told him hugging was probably not a good idea, but then he kissed her.

Seteth's voice was now a whisper, "Dimitri, do you see anything else?"

"I see Edelgard in the Holy Tomb," he mumbled.

Seteth's voice was now long gone. He felt like he was now asleep but could clearly see himself angrily facing Edelgard in a dark place lit only by candles and torches. He had a weapon pointed at her. She was wearing strange armor, but it was definitely Edelgard. She was glaring at him, and then she screamed, "Stay out of my way, Dimitri!"

But Dimitri did not move. Instead, he growled, "Tell me, Edelgard, why did you cause such a tragedy?"

" Dimitri!"

She just scoffed at Dimitri and refused to answer, so Dimitri continued, "You killed your own mother and don't have the decency to stop and consider the reasons behind your actions! Have you ever thought about the lives you took that day? Father? Glenn? Answer me!"

"Dimitri! "

Edelgard killed them all? His family, Glenn, and her own mother?

"Dimitri! "

Suddenly he was back in Seteth's office. Seteth was kneeling beside him. His brow was furrowed in concern. Dimitri couldn't breathe and his heart was thundering in his chest. Seteth was speaking, "Dimitri, you stopped answering me. It was like you went somewhere else and you were under so much stress. We need to get your breathing slower. Please tell me five things you can see – "

Instead of listening, he leaped out of the chair and bolted towards the door. Seteth tried to stop him, "Please, Dimitri. Stay. Can you tell me what you saw? I can help you."

Dimitri shook his head, "You can't. No one can." As he was leaving, he could hear his stepmother and father cackling.

"You stupid creature! Trusting that girl and thinking of her as family. She's been lying to you this whole time, but you were too lonely and pathetic to notice!" Dimitri's head was pounding as he headed towards the station.

Garreg Mach 1180

Edelgard's army marched on Garreg Mach. They were prepared, too well prepared. Edelgard must have been planning this for years. Dimitri, however, felt elated. He would finally take the head of the person who had taken everything from him. His father, Glenn, and Stepmother would finally let him rest. While the others moped around their battle stations, Dimitri laughed. The Professor approached him, "Dimitri, please don't act rashly. We're all in this together. Promise me that you'll find me after the battle."

He doubled over with laughter, "I promise you I'll have that girl's head. Anything else that happens is just a bonus!"

She walked away while he was still laughing. It didn't matter. He could make things right with her afterwards.

Crestwood

Edelgard sat quietly sketching in her cell. The doors burst open, and Dimitri entered, looking worn and haggard. She looked up at him with concern. He spoke in a low voice, "I went to Seteth to find out what happens during my blackouts. He put me under hypnosis. And I remembered something." His eyes burned with fury as he looked at Edelgard.

Edelgard stood slowly, "Dimitri, what did you find? Here, why don't you sit down - you don't look well."

He ignored her and walked slowly and deliberately to her cell. Dimitri finally spoke again, "I saw me - accusing you - of killing our parents. You didn't even deny it. You just stood there. So, Stepsister, care to explain why I have that memory?"

She was stunned, "Are you saying that I killed our parents? That I killed Monica?"

"You and your uncle were the only family that wasn't there that night. All your siblings had died mysteriously before. Monica's heart was found in your jewelry box. The dagger was found in your apartment. I have that memory. So, yes, I think it's time that you explained yourself," he growled.

Edelgard's mouth dropped open and then she spoke, "Losing my family hurt me as much as it hurt you. How dare you accuse me of causing it! I've stood by you all those times you kept ending up unconscious in the woods. Then I stood by you when your phone records didn't match your story. And now you have one session with Seteth and think you can accuse me of murder? Get. Out. Now." She threw her sketchpad at the bars of her cell, and it clattered to the floor. She sat back down and pulled her knees up to her chest. Dimitri turned around and left.

Fall of Garreg Mach, 1180

The battle was a disaster. Although Byleth had led her forces to an early victory, Edelgard and Arundel swarmed the monastery with Imperial troops. Once again, Dimitri lost his chance at revenge for the deaths of his family. Now a dragon battled demonic beasts. He had to find Byleth. She had asked him to find her. He could at least keep this promise.

He cut his way through Imperial soldiers as he got closer to the dragon. As he approached, he spotted Byleth protecting the white beast. He called out her name, but he was still too far away. He ran full speed to get closer but saw Thales nearby summoning dark magic. Dimitri watched helplessly as the miasma area causing the ground beneath Byleth to crumble. She screamed in terror as she fell. He ran up to the edge but saw no sign of her. He cried out her name into the cavern, but she was gone. He continued to cry out for her until Dedue dragged him away. Edelgard had taken yet another person he loved away.

Crestwood

Edelgard woke the next morning and felt something strange under her pillow. It was a key with a skull on it. She crept over to her cell door and tried to fit it in the lock. The key worked and she opened the cell door. She then quickly shut her cell door and put the key back under her pillow. She resumed sketching.

Byleth entered the station with their breakfasts, and Edelgard could tell from her expression that she was about to bring more bad news. The DNA on the heart was a perfect match for Monica's. "But I promise you, Edelgard," she said confidently, "I will find a clue that will prove you're innocent. I'm not giving up. All this convenient evidence tells me that you are being framed. Claude and I are sure that Arundel is behind this."

"If you are sure, then why don't you arrest him?" Edelgard said sadly.

"Because belief isn't the same as proof. If I don't do this right, things will end up worse for you. Every time I've gone up against Arundel, I've lost."

Edelgard shook her head, "I don't know why he would do this. He used to be so sweet to me when I was little. I don't know what changed."

"I don't know why he would do this to his own family, but I'm going to find out. And I promise I won't stop until I expose what he's up to," Byleth proclaimed.

Edelgard nodded tearfully and picked at her food. Byleth headed out on patrol, and Edelgard pulled the key back out from under her pillow. She studied it carefully.

Byleth entered Hubert's shop while he polished an old longsword. The sword looked like its owner had beat the crap out it until it was hopelessly worn, but Byleth didn't have time to ask questions about his inventory. "Look, Hubert, I know that Arundel set her up. Claude and I figured it out."

Hubert continued to shine the sword. "Excellent, Ms. Eisner. Show me your evidence and I'll get the case thrown out right away."

She sighed, "Well, I don't have anything that would be admissible in court – "

He replied sarcastically, "Look who's suddenly a woman of faith! Why are you here, Ms. Eisner? Did you come to swap conspiracy theories?" He held out the sword to Byleth, "I'm busy today."

She placed her hand on the blade and lowered it so that Hubert would look at her. "I'm here because I realized that the only time I have ever beaten Arundel was when you helped me."

Hubert walked away from her and put the sword on the shelf. He continued to look away from Byleth and halfheartedly straighten various items, "Last time, you didn't approve of my methods."

"I'm not here about your methods, I'm here for your results."

Hubert picked up a magnifying glass and held it up to Byleth's face, "And you're willing to go as far as it takes?"

"Farther," she replied.

Hubert smiled the biggest smile Byleth had ever seen him make. It was deeply unsettling. "Now, we're talking!" he cried. "Fear not, Ms. Eisner. Arundel may be powerful, but something tells me, you're more powerful than you know.

Claude stopped by the station to bring Edelgard cookies, but her cell was empty. The cell door was left open.