You're back! You're back! Oh, praise the sun! You're back! Will you teach me now?"
Miklan shook his head as if trying to confirm he heard that.
"Praise the sun? What are you saying? He's not here to teach you Fleche. He's here to help repel the invaders."
Fleche ignored him and continued staring up into Byleth's eyes.
"Please, please, please? Please teach me some cool ninja moves?"
"He didn't do ninja moves, Fleche," Miklan insisted.
"I don't care what you call it! It's awesome! I wanna do it! Please show me how!"
"No time for that little lady! The boss wants to see him and your daddy here down in the arena! We've got skulls to crack!"
"Miklan is not my daddy, you idiot punch enthusiast. And you forgot to include me in that."
"No, I didn't. Idiot I might be, but I'm not hard of hearing! The boss doesn't want kids running around while we're decorating the place with bodies."
"If I run around, it will only be to cut the shins of our enemies! I will provide my own decoration, with their blood!"
Miklan stood up and grabbed her shoulder.
"OK, that's enough. I don't like this bloodthirstiness. That's not what I taught you. When I get back, we're going to have a look at who you're spending time with."
"Please, Mikky? I'll be good."
"Oh, no! you're not pulling that cute name trick. Not this time! You, merchant girl! Look after her while we're away!"
The red head frowned from the other side of her stall.
"I have a name, you know."
"I don't care! Just watch over her, ok?"
"Hmm. How much is it worth?"
"Excuse me? You're charging me for child services?"
"Well, yes. After your rather rude disposition just now, it's only fair that- "
"Fuck this. You! Ladies! Mind watching dear Fleche for a bit?"
"Of course! Always happy to have an extra hand with the pots!"
Miklan ignored Fleche's puppy dog eyes and followed Balthus and Byleth before stopping to look over his shoulder.
"Coming Merchant girl?"
"Why would I leave my stall to fight? And with you of all people?"
"Fine. Forget it. No one likes you anyway."
….
"Hey, captain Jeralt! Good to see you again."
"I think you're forgetting someone else, Lady Catherine."
"Who? Oh, right. Hey, pal. Heard lady Rhea asked you to instruct some kids. But you turned her down. Quite disrespectful if you ask me. A knight of Seiros ought to show more adherence to the archbishop."
"You mean he should have taught the brats?"
"Oh, I think he would have done a bad job. But the archbishop- "
"So even though, you think he would have been unqualified for it, he should have done it anyway?"
"It's what the archbishop wanted. We serve at her leisure. You should have accepted that before you left, captain Jeralt."
"Excuse me? What the fuck does that mean?"
"Catherine? What are you doing here? Pissing off other knights?"
"More like interviewing them. Getting to the heart of- "
"They've already been interviewed. That's why they have the jobs. Rhea liked what she saw. Get used to it."
The tall blonde woman looked like she wanted to say more, but simply nodded and walked off to let the purple-haired woman have her time. This one seemed much more stoic. More job focused.
"Sorry about her. She's got a thing for Rhea I swear. Name's Shamir. I'd thank you for coming, but it's your job. Shall we get moving?"
Jeralt smirked.
"All business. Kind of like you."
"Captain Jeralt! Great to see you! You've really dropped to the occasion, I see! Ha ha ha ha!"
Jeralt and every other knight within range sighed.
"Hello Alois. Please don't make those puns during battle. We need full attentiveness."
"Oh, fret not captain! You sorely underestimate the fine knights of Seiros! During battle, we don't let anything distract us! Isn't that right Gilbert?"
The orange-haired knight next to him simply nodded without looking his way. Alois didn't like that.
"Come, Gilbert! Aren't you going to say hello to our new recruits?"
"I'm not new, Alois," Jeralt huffed. "I'd already been a knight while you were still in nursery."
"And then left for several years! You've only just returned, which makes you new blood!"
"I may not know captain Jeralt personally, but I know of his reputation. I believe you should show him a little more respect."
"Why Gilbert, you wound me! This man tutored me! I hold nothing but respect for him! Why else would I recommend his son for teaching the black eagles? Because I had faith in the skills he passed to him!"
Sir Gilbert turned around at this and stared Byleth's way.
"I've heard of you. Impressive skills for one so young. I'm glad you overlooked your own prejudices to help the people of Abyss."
Byleth blinked.
"Prejudices?"
Gilbert paused a moment to think up a response.
"I heard of your problems with the student Dedue. The one born in Duscur."
"I didn't have issue with him. His house leader Dimitri misinterpreted the whole thing."
"Dimitri? The blonde kid," Jeralt confirmed. "I'm not surprised. These noble kids are too sensitive. Glad you didn't end up teaching them."
Gilbert frowned.
"I would expect a knight of your renowned standing to show due respect- "
"I'll show respect where it's earned. For me that means doing more than holding some fancy title."
"Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd has endured more than enough to prove his worth as a human being. You may not slander his name in my presence."
Jeralt raised an eyebrow.
"This sounds personal. You got history with him?"
The orange-haired man stiffened. Alois interfered before he could respond.
"Come on! Let's not start hating on each other before we've even had a proper battle together!"
"Fair enough," Jeralt replied. "But don't talk shit about my son. That's my job."
"I am not- "
"Knights of Seiros! Thank you for coming!"
Jeralt and Sir Gilbert stared at each other one last time before moving out to take their positions out amongst the large room they found themselves.
Large in fact didn't do it justice. It was more than a room. It was more like an-
"I realize this arena is a strange place for you all to gather. But the large congregation here should draw the attention of the mercenaries away from Abyss. Their survival is my main concern. As it should be yours, I pray."
Yuri stood on a raised platform in the center of the arena. He seemed oddly at calm which contrasted heavily with the tense atmosphere.
"My…. Scouts have detected a large gathering of mercenaries preparing for assault. It seems they've grown tired of getting their asses kicked and are uniting to form a small army. Hence, why I've requested the aid of the greatest fighting force in Fodlan to help push them out once and for all."
His eyes settled on Byleth for a moment.
"I trust I can count on you all to do your best. Abyss is counting on you."
"Sir Byleth. Captain Jeralt. Good to see you here."
"Hey. You're the brat my kid saved. What are you doing here?"
"Do not address Lady Edelgard as such, you overgrown- "
"Hubert. Please. I have…. Good relations with Abyss. They needed aid and with our teacher's permission we came."
She gestured behind her to the rest of her class. They didn't exactly seem glad to be there. What stood out to him in particular was a little girl with a shade of purple. She must have been the girl looking out from behind her door. Just like before, she saw Byleth looking her way, squeaked and hid behind something. In this case, the girl Petra.
"I am not understanding this strange tactic of yours," she said as she looked at the girl behind her.
"I hope you're ready for a real fight then," Jeralt said. "And I hope you're not counting on my son to function as a meat shield for you."
"Not at all! I'm here to contribute and fight just as hard as the rest of you. I may be the heir to the adrestian empire, but here I am just another student. Hoping to help however I can. Please don't give me any special treatment."
"Lady Edelgard. I strongly advise against such thoughts."
"Please Hubert. How will I learn if I can't hold my own?"
She smiled Byleth's way.
"I may not get to learn from you. But I'm glad to fight alongside you all the same. Maybe I'll save your life this time?"
"Doubtful," he responded.
Jeralt snickered at Edelgard and Hubert's stunned expression
….
The knights and abyssians divided themselves into several groups across the arena. Jeralt and Byleth picked opposite sides of the room. Byleth found himself working together with Yuri and Edelgard. The latter of whom had been quite insistent about it. She smiled as she caught him looking.
"See something you like?"
He didn't react.
"You really are unflappable, aren't you," Yuri said. "Guess you do match up with your title."
"Title," Edelgard asked.
"The Ashen Demon. Kills his enemies without remorse, mercy, or the slightest hint of emotion."
"Yes…. I've heard that name thrown around. With great fear."
"I thought it was overblown a bit. Some of the stories I've heard sounded like something out of a fantasy. Then you got caught in my trap and took us all out without a sweat."
"And that's who lady Rhea wanted in charge of my class. Curious. You're a mystery, sir Byleth. One I intend to solve."
"Incoming! Get ready!"
"A mystery for another time," Yuri said as he drew his word. "Let's drive these bastards out!"
They came out of the darkness. Scores of mercenaries with bloodlust in their eyes. Eager for battle.
Until they realized they were fighting the knights of Seiros and the two scariest mercenaries in Fodlan.
"Jeralt the blade breaker? What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that! I'm caught up in the mess you started!"
"Don't stop you cowards! It's just one man! Fight together!"
The man who said that was silenced forever afterwards when a glowing sword sliced through his waist, severing his upper body from his lower.
"Sorry," Catherine smirked at Jeralt. "Were you hoping to kill him?"
Byleth caught a glimpse of her sword out of the corner of his eye.
"What's with her sword?"
Edelgard tilted her head.
"That's her thunderbrand. Her relic unique to her crest."
"Her what unique to her crest?"
"Her relic. Her special weapon? Ring a bell?"
"Wait," Yuri interrupted. "Isn't that Fleche?"
Indeed, the little girl could be seen on the other side of the arena stabbing a man in the back and another in the shins. That's when the nearby enemies saw her.
"Come back little girl! Please! Dead children are bad for business!"
"That idiot…." Miklan cursed under his breath. "What is she doing? I told her to stay put!"
The bandit tried to fight his way through the horde to reach his charge, but the wall of bodies proved impassable. The merchant girl did her best to help Fleche fight, but the girl was clearly against the idea.
"I can take them myself! I don't need your help!"
"Fleche, you buffoon," Miklan yelled. "Get out of here!"
She did not "get out of here," and Miklan continued to prove unable to get close.
"Punch enthusiast," he yelled. "Help her out!"
"On it," Balthus yelled back. He was a little closer, but still had too many fiends in front of him.
Miklan visibly began to panic. Fleche and Anna were doing their best with Anna even promising the killers discounts off if they'd spare them. But their time was short. He looked to Constance and Hapi, but they too were engaged.
"HAHAHA! I AM ROCKS AND YOU ARE WAVES! CRASH AGAINST ME AND BE BROKEN!"
"Coco, please."
His eyes met Byleth's. His eyes were wide with rage and confusion.
"You. Help her!"
Without response, Byleth knocked the mercenaries before him off their feet and rushed through the hole.
Yuri and Edelgard traded glances.
The ashen Demon was in truth having a lot of conflicting feelings right now. There was no shortage of madmen hoping to dice him up and it had been years since he'd engaged in any kind of battle, but he still recalled the basics and advanced techniques.
It had been killing again that he dreaded. To sink his lade into warm flesh. But he'd already broken that fasting when he saved Edelgard. It was easier than he thought.
He'd been rather efficient so far at making his way through the crowd. These mercenaries were no match for him in any way.
Then just before he could reach the girl Fleche, another kid jumped in his way. This one a boy.
He wasn't surprised. Many grew up in this line of work. He was no exception.
But this boy had blonde hair. Blonde hair. Why did that make him feel so-
He heard someone screaming. Something about being told to run away. He saw a boy being dragged off by an older man. Between them stood a boy closer to his age. A sword in hand. That boy rushed him.
A futile effort. No matter the boy's obvious skill, he was beyond skill. He was a monster. Breed to kill.
Without thought or emotion, he grabbed the boy's neck and twisted. He heard a scream from the younger boy.
The boy's blonde hair was in shambles. But he could make out horrified eyes. The boy raised a sword to attack.
Without thought, without emotion, he struck first.
Shadows moved around him. Closing in. Preparing to strike. But he was faster.
This was a new experience for him. Dread. It made him stronger, he found.
….
On the other side of the arena, Monika watched from the shadows. She had no desire to get involved for these animals.
Sure, technically it was her job to keep Abyss at least functional. Good test subjects were hard to find. But her own skin was far more valuable than anyone here. It was just logic, now cowardice on her part or anything.
"Skulking in the shadows like a rat? Not surprised."
She wheeled around to find herself staring into the eyes of a tall black figure with a scythe.
"You! What are you doing here? You can't kill me!"
"I don't waste my time with vermin like you. I want a real challenge."
He stared out into the crowd where he saw everyone scurrying back from the center where a blue-haired man was slicing and dicing everything in a frenzy. No matter how many rushed him, he beat them down. His face bore a frenzied glare.
"Hmm. A worthy challenge perhaps? We'll see."
Jeralt was doing his best to reach his son who was having a freakout he hadn't seen for the longest time. He recognized it well though, having dealt with trauma in mercenaries.
He heard a horse neigh and stared with shock as a black suited knight rode atop a black horse straight for Byleth.
"Shit! Everyone move aside!"
Jeralt wasn't fast enough though and the knight was going to get there first.
Seeing this, Yuri did something very uncharacteristic of him. He rushed to Byleth's side.
It was instinctual. Stupid really. The kind of thing he would never do for anyone. But here he was doing it for someone he'd only met recently.
He grabbed Byleth from behind and pulled him out of the way of the incoming scythe. The knight growled from beneath his visor.
"You dare interrupt my hunt?"
Byleth turned about still in the depths of his frenzy. But aware of his foe. And fast enough on the draw to lift his sword up to meet the incoming weapon.
His knees bent under the strain from steel on steel. But he held. Aware of the strength required, he shifted his stance to better take the blows.
Yuri jumped backwards to stay out of the way. He looked back towards Byleth's father. He was still struggling to get through.
"Yuri! Aid him! Keep him alive!"
He looked towards Edelgard with raised eyes. She stared back with determination. Whatever he thought of this command, he couldn't ignore it. Not from her.
"Hold on! The king of grappling is here to- "
"Balthus! Get back!"
Balthus did not get back. He rushed for the knight from the side. The knight however was all too aware thanks to his shout and swiped at him.
Byleth with utter stoicism, leaped before the knight and intercepted the scythe with his sword.
Edelgard grinned.
"That's exactly how he saved me!"
Yuri didn't have time to respond. The knight's back was turned.
"Fucking goddess. Am I really doing this?"
He was really doing this. He ran forward and stabbed the horse in the leg. It fell over and the knight fell off.
Edelgard's eyes widened. Sweat ran down her chin.
Then a white-skinned woman materialized behind the knight. She wore tattoos and bore orange hair upon her head.
"You're so dense! You have a job to do! You can have fun when you do it!"
"This does not concern you."
"It does actually! Come on! Let's move!"
Byleth raised his sword to attack but with a grin, the woman placed a hand on the knight's shoulder and vanished.
Byleth lowered his sword. No emotion or disappointment on his face.
"Warp. A hard skill to master."
"Hey uh… Thanks for saving me man! I owe you one!"
Byleth looked towards his father and ignored Balthus' outstretched hand. Jeralt finally got through the now disbanding mercenary group.
"Hey kid! How are you holding in there? Been a while since you've had a battle like that, huh?"
Byleth stared back.
"Yes. And it was good. Better than I thought."
"Better? What was better?"
"Fighting. It's been some time. I feared I wouldn't be good enough. Would have forgotten my mastery. I guess there was nothing to- "
"Kid, you freaked out there for a minute. Lost control. I haven't seen you like that since- "
"I'm perfectly fine Jeralt. Nothing to say. Nothing to fear. I just found myself again."
He turned to meet Yuri's gaze. His frightened gaze.
"You uh… Well… Thanks. For helping and all that…."
Byleth nodded.
"Kid. Listen. The knights can clean up the rest here. Why don't I take you back up to Garreg Mach?"
Byleth nodded and turned on his heel to exit the arena. All the knights kept their distance. Monika scurried out of the way as he strolled past casually.
"Wow," Fleche stated amazed. "Incredible! You're incredible! Wait! Teach me! Please teach- Miklan! Let go!"
"No. That thing is not teaching you."
"You know," Anna mused, "I wish I'd staged this as a fight. Could've gotten a couple of dollars off- "
"Shut it merchant girl. You let her run off. And we'll be talking about this later you and I."
Anna opened her mouth to retort but didn't want to make the scary mercenary angrier, so she shut her mouth even as Fleche looked at her with pleading eyes while being dragged away.
Yuri stared. Even as he heard Edelgard walk up next to him.
"We must have him on our side. He is incredible."
"Dangerous more like. Unstable."
"Traumatized is the better word. Like you and me. We do this for people like him. People in need of aid."
"Oh, so you're going to tell him- "
"No. But maybe if we got to know him. Maybe if you got to know him. Let him teach you…"
"I don't need a teacher, shorty. I've survived this long."
Edelgard looked at him annoyed at that nickname. However, much she tried to hide it, she had thin skin. That just made it all the funnier.
"DID YOU SEE THAT? THE POWER OF HOUSE NUVELLE ON DISPLAY! BE IN AWE!"
"Coco, take a breath please."