The next course of action was decided mere minutes after the messenger from the Alliance had arrived. It was a significant detour from their previous destination, but the war council reasoned that breaking the siege of Derdriu from whatever foul constructs had surrounded it would secure the Leicester Alliance as allies. So long as its Duke was an honorable sort, at least.

Personally, Ashton was nervous. Normal weapons did not seem to have much effect on the constructs, if the lone scout they had killed was any indication. Not against the outer shell. Nothing short of a Hero or Saint Relic would be able to cut through that metal. And of course, those were both in short supply, while also only able to be used by a select few.

Thankfully, for Ashton, Byleth came through for him.

"I want you to have this," Byleth said, in the days leading up to the breaking of the siege of Derdriu.

The sun hung low in the sky, and camp had already been made. It was there on the outskirts that Byleth presented the weapon to him, away from prying eyes.

It was an axe, but not just an ordinary axe. Ashton recognized it almost immediately.

"...that's Saladin's axe," Ashton whispered, reaching out to grasp it. "Where… where did you find it?"

"Truthfully, I have had it for a while, great-grandfather," Byleth replied, letting go of the weapon as Ashton inspected it. "It was within the ruins of Garreg Mach when I first awoke. Thieves had taken refuge in the ruins, and they were plundering it before Dimitri and I came along. As to why I have never given it to you, well, it is embarrassing to say that it simply slipped my mind."

"You forgot," Ashton summed up, placing his hand against the double-headed blade of the axe. "It looks almost exactly like it did when he held it. Minus a few hundred years of wear and tear. I am surprised that House Gloucester does not have it."

Byleth tilted his head. "Have you taken a look at Lorenz? Do you think he would willingly carry this weapon around?"

Ashton laughed. "I suppose not! It would likely fall out of his hands as he tried swinging it. I do not believe Saladin ever gave this weapon a name."

"According to Seteth, it is the 'Axe of Ukonvasara'. Who this Ukonvasara is, I do not know. Perhaps it was the name of the Nabatean that was the progenitor of the Crest of Gloucester," Byleth theorized. "Whoever it is, they are no longer around to use it, and the only other person I can think of to give it to would be Alois, and he would likely refuse. Considering your skills and the weapon you wielded long ago, this is the closest you'll get to it unless grandfather feels like giving up his warhammer."

"There's a name for it now, too," Ashton replied, "the Aurora Hammer."

"Is that in reference to-? Ah, I see," Byleth nodded. "An apt name."

"And hopefully, one that will echo in eternity," Ashton said, looking down at the axe in his hands with a small smile. "I guess some things can stand the test of time."


Watching Derdriu from a distance was like watching vultures in the sky picking at the carcass of some giant beast. The sky was a muted gray, and near the clouds, the same mechanical creatures that had assaulted the knights soared over the broken city. Derdriu's walls had been broken in, with parts of it crumbling. Ashton wondered how the city hadn't begun sinking into the water, it was such a bleak image.

There were signs of life, though; Ashton could see it, even from such a great distance. Light pulsed within the city, signs of a Hero's Relic, maybe even a few, that were being used. It was unlikely that many, if any, civilians remained within the city, but it was clear that a chosen few had stayed behind to buy some time.

And they were about to be rewarded.

Ashton was not there to hear whatever speech King Dimitri or Byleth gave, but he charged alongside the rest of the army to come to Derdriu's rescue.

While the main threats were the mechanical creatures that soared through the sky and marched through the streets, there were plenty of human, or at least human-like, soldiers both around and inside the city. When Ashton clashed against them, he realized that if they were once human, or Agarthan, then they were no longer either. Glowing red bits of metal stuck out of them at odd angles, and their eyes betrayed no emotion. They were not like the flying things in the sky, they were haphazard creations that looked to be built from spare parts. And they fell to good, old-fashioned steel all the same, if several being mowed down by ordinary Kingdom soldiers was any indication.

When Ashton felt the Axe of Ukonvasara strike into a lone mechanical soldier, he suddenly felt as if he could take on the entire world. It was not tuned to his Crest specifically, but he had one, at least, and it was enough to fill him with power. It had felt like years since he held a weapon that felt like it could handle him instead of the other way around.

Ashton looked to see others in the army doing their best as well. Luckily, none of the flying things in the air seemed to take notice of them yet, merely hovering over Derdriu. Ashton knew they would descend soon enough, though. But hopefully, with their superior numbers and Saint and Hero Relics, they would be able to dispatch them quickly. And if not quickly, then effectively.

His confidence would be tested a moment later, as one finally decided to end their assault.

Ashton heard it as a low rumbling before he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the speeding entity. It cut through several men before coming to a halt, turning several to ash with whatever made up its right hand, letting out a metallic screech as it turned around to face him. Fires had sprung up around it, almost as if the creature was wreathed in flame.

Despite himself, a vicious smile crossed Ashton's face as he readied himself.

The creature let out another bellow as it shot a beam of pure energy toward Ashton. He ran forward, his axe held close to his chest as he narrowly avoided being turned to ash like several soldiers had previously. He could hear his heart thumping in his chest, drowning out all other noise as if he was underwater. It was time to see what Saladin's old axe could do.

When Ashton was finally close enough, after what felt like an eternity of avoiding killing light from the automaton, Ashton jumped into the air as high as he could, swinging the axe head down with all of his might. The creature raised its sword arm to meet Ashton's blow, and was nearly thrown off its feet from the strength of the blow. Keeping in mind that it took four - five, if he counted himself - incredibly powerful combatants to take one of the bird men down before, Ashton kept himself light on his feet, not allowing the creature to surprise him or retain its posture.

And so, Ashton pounded away at the beast's defense, ensuring that he would outlast it. Chips of metal flaked off the creature's metal hide, throwing himself into every axe blow he hit. It was like striking away at a tank, and he could feel his muscles burning with the strength he put into every blow.

He was not able to keep it up before the monster fell, and before long, the creature had regained its ground, and a sword-like wing came directly towards his head. In seconds, it would cut his head clean off his shoulders, and he would-

The blow never came, and he felt a flash of wind by his face as the wing fell to the ground, and the creature let out a shriek from its beaked face. It tried to swing its remaining wing at its new attacker, only for it to grind and sizzle against the metal of a shield with the Crest of Seiros emblazoned on it.

A slight wisp of green hair was all he needed to know who came to his aid, and with the beast distracted and its defense down, he took the opportunity to finally put it down. Raising his axe high, Ashton brought it down on the monster's face. It sheared through the metal, the sound like a crashing elevator as the 'voice' of the thing became more distorted, until its remaining limbs went limp.

Falling to the ground, Ashton barely kept his footing as he let out deep breaths, looking up to see Seiros rounding the great beast. Ashton couldn't help but smile.

"Someone certainly knows how to make an entrance," he said breathlessly, rubbing his forehead of sweat. "Sorry, but I am already in love with you; I doubt this would somehow do that even more."

"You underestimate me, my dear Ashton," Seiros replied, a small smile on her lips as she tilted her head back. "And yet, you were so nearly able to destroy it yourself. I suppose I couldn't help myself."

Ashton barked a laugh before turning back to the battlefield. Many of the transformed creatures laid dead, their deformed and machine-riddled bodies littering the verdant landscape outside of Derdriu. A few machine things still flew through the sky, but far less than there once had been, and perhaps a little less than half a dozen were strewn across the battlefield in pieces.

It was at that moment that Ashton remembered that they exploded once they were killed, although Seiros already had that covered as she shoved him out of the way, following soon after before the body of the bird-man-thing blew into smithereens.

Letting out an exhausted breath, Ashton sat up, Seiros standing before him as bits of the machine rained down upon him.

"Is that two? I believe that is twice that I have helped you. You are slipping up, my love," Seiros said, that smug smirk never leaving her face.

"I will get you back for this," Ashton muttered. "I promise. I will come when you least expect it and save you from death. Or something, I do not know."

Wordlessly, Seiros held out her hand, and Ashton took it before she hoisted him up to his feet.


The bulk of the army had already made it inside Derdriu by the time Ashton and Seiros passed the threshold of its wall. Bodies of Kingdom soldiers, Alliance soldiers, and 'remade' Agarthans alike along the roads and walkways. Only a handful of soldiers followed the duo as they made their way through.

"These things are terrifying…" Ashton murmured to himself, looking around at the devastation that had been wrought on the once-great city.

Seiros nodded wordlessly, her gaze fixed on the distance.

"We cannot leave this unchecked," Ashton continued, louder than before. "This cannot be allowed to continue. This is bigger than the fight against the Empire. Look at how much death surrounds us. Even the sky does not seem quite right."

The gray sky had darkened further to a dark steel, almost black. It was like looking at a dark, roiling ocean. If it was night, no amount of moon or star light would be able to penetrate those clouds.

"The Emperor would not simply let us leave our guard down without taking action," Seiros replied, "Although, even she must have noticed the change in her 'allies'. These are no longer men; these are twisted abominations, no different from the demonic beasts they once fought beside."

"We need to find their base, settlement, whatever it is," Ashton said, "there might not be a Fódlan to save if this is allowed to continue."

"On that, we are in agreement, but let us not delay. We are almost at the heart of Derdriu."

And what a heart it must have been, although with the ruination brought on by the Agarthan forces, it was a far cry from what it had once been. Despite the pock-marked streets and ruined buildings, Ashton could still hear the occasional cry of a seagull. It was nostalgic to him, somewhat, and it was strange hearing it when it looked as if the end of the world had come to Derdriu.

A flash of light and a dull, metallic ringing noise echoed through the air. A moment later, a piece of metallic arm landed just in front of Ashton and Seiros. The body followed soon after. Ashton blinked, almost unbelieving of what he was seeing. A gaping hole was within the constructs chest, and a moment later, it started beeping. It was no issue getting away from the body before it erupted in light, but Ashton was distracted as he saw a pale wyvern sail through the air, its antlers the darkest part of its body. Atop it, sat a man in ornamental golden armor, carrying a bow - a Hero's Relic, from the slight red glow coming from it.

"Claude," Seiros said, looking up with narrow eyes. "It is any wonder what plan he has concocted."

"Huh?" Ashton said, turning to Seiros, "what does that mean?"

"Nothing," Seiros waved off, "let us join the battle, and put an end to these vile creatures."


When the last of the metallic creatures had fallen and its remains strewn across the battlefield of Derdriu, Ashton planted the head of his axe into the ground to steady himself. He apologized to Saladin in his head for using his weapon as a mere walking stick, but he needed a moment to collect himself.

While fires still raged across Derdriu, most of the fighting was done. And when those were put out, Claude gathered everyone at a small gazebo on the docks of Derdriu, which had remained untouched during the attack.

"I knew you'd get my message, Dimitri," Claude nodded, a small smile on his face that even Ashton could tell was fake. "Of course, I wish you'd come sooner, but hey, I can't exactly complain. I'm just glad most of the civilians were able to get outside the city before those things attacked."

"We met one of them on our way in from Ailell. It wouldn't sit right with me to simply leave you to your fate, not with the Empire bearing down on us," Dimitri replied, "and you must also know that I would ask for something with this all said and done."

"Of course not," Claude said, a small laugh escaping him. "Trust me, if I didn't expect you to ask for something in return, I wouldn't have bothered. I wouldn't be that great of a schemer then, would I? Unfortunately, I had my back against a wall here. Even the greatest schemes can't really compensate for giant metal monsters, you know?"

"I will not ask for anything right now, Claude," Dimitri said, crossing his arms, "The battle has only just been won, and we both need time to regroup and resupply."

"You already played your hand by telling me that, right?" Claude replied, "but, don't worry, I get it. I have to wonder, though - who is this? The one beside Rhea."

"Hello to you, too, Claude," Seiros replied icily.

"My name is Ashton," he replied quickly, "and I am nobody special."

"Really? That's interesting, considering the archbishop is right next to you. You're at least as important as Catherine if you're a part of her entourage. Ah, but enough of that. We'll have plenty of time to talk. Dimitri's right; just give me a few hours. I need to make sure my generals are alright, you know. A lot of them have Relics, but who knows how the battle turned out for them."

"The professor is still out there," Seiros pointed out, "I would ask that we-"

"Sorry, but I have my own people to take care of. And as far I'm concerned, I made a deal with King Dimitri, not Archbishop Rhea," Claude replied, "I'll see you all soon."


"And so you see what I had to deal with in the last year of the Officers Academy," Seiros said, walking back and forth in front of Ashton, who had settled down in a chair. Their tent had been made in the middle of Derdriu, alongside King Dimitri and Byleth's. It was becoming a tent city, really, what with how many tents Ashton saw outside before he and Seiros retired for the evening.

"He really did not seem so bad," Ashton replied, "but then again, I hardly said more than a sentence to him."

"He has an awful habit of sticking his nose where it does not belong, for a start," Seiros explained bitterly, her white dress trailing behind her with each step. "Perhaps it was merely the battle, but he did not even address me. That annoyed me beyond all reason."

Ashton shrugged. "So, one sovereign leader does not like you. Maybe he is just like that, who knows. You should not let it get to you so much."

Seiros looked as if she was about to retort, but at the last moment stopped herself and took in a deep breath.

"It is all falling apart, Ashton. We are facing a threat far beyond what any of us envisioned. All of the continent is in peril. You are right; I can ill afford to allow pettiness to cloud my head."

"Trust me, I know," Ashton said, suddenly feeling his age as he laid back in his chair. "You always did have a temper."

Seiros scoffed. "And you intend to calm me down by pointing it out? The nerve!"

"I have lots of nerve, as you know," Ashton replied quietly. "I decided to marry you, after all. Seiros, legendary leader of the Church bearing her name. And Archbishop Rhea of the Church of Seiros, too. Nice touch, that one. I almost didn't recognize it as you when I first heard it."

"I admit, it might have been chosen out of… sentimentality," Seiros replied, stopping and crossing her arms below her chest. "I am serious. I can feel it in the air. Something is happening."

"And the giant mechanical monsters did not hint at it? What should we even call them? 'Monster' has gotten quite old at this point," Ashton asked.

"We shall leave that for the summit we will host," Seiros replied. "Although that will be one of the least of our worries during that. I do not know what Claude shall do - as far as I know, he has remained neutral throughout this conflict, and it is any wonder what he has been doing in the five years the war has raged on."

Ashton shrugged. "Could be anything, really. Have you- alright, I realize what I am about to say will seem crazy, but have we considered parlaying with the Empire? At least until this threat is addressed."

Seiros sighed, rubbing her forehead as she went back to pacing. "Even were Edelgard to accept our terms, the war has gone on too long to end in anything but bloodshed on all sides. Besides the issues of mashing together once-opposing armies, what will happen when our enemy is destroyed and the King, Duke, and Emperor all stand among themselves? Who will rule Fódlan? After all of this, there is no coexistence, no matter how much they all may want it. The peasantry won't allow it, the nobility won't allow it."

Ashton leaned forward. "And they will all die unless this Agarthan god is dealt with. What was its name? Prometheus? Do we know anything about it?"

"Only the Agarthans would be able to tell you, and judging by how many husks we cut down within this city, very few unaltered Agarthans remain. They have spelled their doom at a chance of spelling ours. I could almost admire it if I were not bristling at the audacity."

Ashton was silent for a few moments, wondering how things would go. Even if they were somehow about to call for an armistice, Seiros was right; there remained too much bitterness for any alliance to last long. And what's more, they had no idea where the Agarthans had been based. Only Edelgard could potentially know, but Ashton had a feeling that that was barking up the wrong tree. Unless she was wholly evil, then she would have kept the Agarthans at arm's reach at all times, and them vice versa. He doubted she knew exactly where.

Still, it was the best hope they all had, in Ashton's mind. They could not fight a two-pronged war. Not again. It would lead only to crushing defeat. Every last man, woman, and child would be lost in the conflict.

He just hoped Edelgard had a good head on her shoulders. Because if not, they were all doomed.

"It is not that I do not see the wisdom in your words, Ashton," Seiros continued, "and perhaps I am wrong. Goddess knows that I have been wrong for most of my life…"

"You kept the continent from splitting apart for over a thousand years," Ashton pointed out, crossing his legs. "Sure, there were a few hiccups along the way. Adrestia fracturing, all of this business with the Emperor, but overall, the fact that Fódlan was only controlled by three countries instead of a smattering of city-states like it was before you came along is nothing short of a miracle. Although, yes, your historical revisionism does somewhat put me off…"

Seiros let out an airy laugh. "For as much as I stand by that decision, in the long term, it has cost me greatly, hmm? For someone who can live as long as I, it appears I lack proper foresight."

"You are not perfect," Ashton admitted, "but you are far from the worst thing this land has seen. Far, far from it."

"I may not be perfect, but the title bestowed upon me by my mother echoes it," Seiros sighed. "I wonder, Ashton… how much have you spoken with our son, since he has returned to us?"

Ashton stood up. "More than a few times. Not as much as I would have liked, though."

"At least you are able to speak with him," Seiros remarked, her voice betraying her bitterness. "I have scarcely been able to get a word out of him, and I have not even been able to speak to him alone in many a moon. This is just one example, Ashton; look upon those from the Officers Academy, who look at me with suspicion in their eyes. Or see the Knights of Seiros, my own namesake, staring at me with reverence. None of them know me. Even the cardinals I granted my blood to only knew me as Archbishop Rhea."

"And I know you as Seiros," Ashton said, "Just Seiros, and nothing else. A woman who is terribly unsure of herself at times, and despite her past, still tries to lead humanity toward a better future, even if her methods were sometimes suspect."

"One of the few," Seiros replied quietly, "I do not think I will ever be able to repay you just for that simple fact, my dear Ashton. I do not- I do not want to think about what my life possibly could have been like without you. The things I could have done…"

"Did not happen," Ashton finished, moving forward and wrapping his arms around Seiros. "And, well, do not expect me to go anywhere. We still have that promise we made, you know?"

"Of course! How could I forget?" Seiros replied, "It is easy to lose sight of things when the situation is at its darkest. It would not do for that to happen when the promise of a better future still hangs above, just within reach."

She looked up, then, a small smile on her face. "I love you, Ashton."

Ashton didn't need to reply. He just held her for as long as he could.


"You want to do what?"

The question came from Dimitri, his gobsmacked, one-eyed expression enough to nearly send Ashton into a fit of laughter. He would have, if it had been for any other reason than suggesting an armistice.

The leaders of the armies of Faerghus and Leicester stood around the war council table, each one sporting a different reaction to Ashton's words. As always, Byleth betrayed no emotion, but for Claude, his was thoughtful, almost as if he was considering it before he shook his head.

"I'm not saying I wouldn't agree to it," Claude began saying, "but let's be real, here: this war has gone on for years, now. Bitterness has set in on all sides. Take Dimitri, for instance. Do you think he's going to say 'yes'? I'm just worried he won't be able to pick his jaw up off the ground."

"I…" Dimitri shook his head before regaining his composure, the hot sunlight streaming into the room and outlining his form in a glowing haze. "I wish I could say yes. I wish I could. But even with everything that has happened with these creatures, I just do not see it happening."

"I thought so as well, King Dimitri," Seiros stated, sitting beside Ashton. "However, even Edelgard must see what is happening. She cannot conquer a continent with no one alive. If nothing else, I do believe she would agree to a ceasefire until this threat is dealt with."

"If none of you agree, then I will send the message anyway," Byleth announced, standing up. "I will nominate Fort Merceus as our neutral meeting ground, and it is there that Edelgard's opinion will be known. If she refuses, then we know she is more conniving or mad than we thought, and if she comes, then perhaps we will have a chance after all."

"You realize you'll be walking into a lion's den, right? No pun intended, Dimitri," Claude said.

Dimitri tilted his head. "I do not believe you."

"My reputation precedes me. Anyway, I'm serious," Claude continued, "Set up camp around Fort Merceus and they'll attack you long before Edelgard gets your message. You don't even know where these things are coming from."

"Out of all the people here, why are you arguing against this?" Ashton asked, "they just destroyed your city."

"Yeah, I know. There's still smoke in the sky," Claude acknowledged. "I also know when something's out of reach."

Ashton shrugged. "What's the harm in trying?"

"Death, most likely," Claude replied, "but I guess I know what you mean. Fine, send the message. And don't worry, I'll go with you. The Alliance can't stand on its own right now, not with these things about. So, you know, count on my support."

Ashton and Byleth turned to Dimitri, whose face was blank before letting out a sigh.

"Go on, then," he said, quietly, "I just hope we aren't making a big mistake."


Murder and mayhem await! See you all next time.