Blood of the Eagle and Lion.
Now in control of the Great Bridge of Myrddin, the Alliance army invades the Imperial territories. In response, the Imperial army garrisons soldiers at Fort Merceus.
In the Cathedral, Byleth, Claude, Lorenz and Judith were discussing their next move.
"All of that went about as well as it could have. Each lord has agreed to provide us with soldiers and supplies" Claude said.
"I'm impressed you were able to convince all of those scattered nobles to help us. I thought they would quarrel about how much support they should each provide. That's what they usually do" Judith pointed out.
"Well, Count Gloucester took the initiative in taking on responsibilities. I presume that was because you spoke with him in advance, Lorenz?" Claude asked.
"I merely explained the situation at hand, then my father simply followed your lead, Claude. It was because you had the professor there to represent Lady Rhea. My father is a pious follower of the Church of Seiros" Lorenz said.
"I don't doubt it. I wasn't under the delusion that it was my personal charm that unified everyone. Thanks for that, by the way. I hope you don't feel like I used you... because I sort of used you" Claude said, feeling a little bad about it.
Byleth shakes her head "Don't mention it".
Claude smiled softly "I appreciate that. We don't have time to be picky about our methods. But be honest. You're having a hard time adjusting to your new role, aren't you? I realize that you might feel guilty about deceiving the believers for our cause... But this is just what the archbishop wanted, and she's the highest authority in the church. Besides, as wielder of the Sword of the Creator, it's undeniable that you're special. I think you should be more confident in yourself and use your position to the fullest".
Shamir walked in "I have news. Our enemy is gathering troops at Fort Merceus. Their army is immense. Likely led by a renowned general. Or perhaps even...".
"Edelgard?" Byleth asked.
"Well now, that would be interesting. If we can defeat the emperor, then the Empire will collapse" Claude said.
"There's something else. An unidentified army has approached the Great Bridge of Myrddin. They passed through the Daphnel and Gloucester territories from the northwest with incredible speed. They're raising the banner of House Blaiddyd. Perhaps they are the remnants of the Faerghus royal family. From what we could tell, they posed no threat to the citizens of the Alliance, and so we refrained from engaging them in needless combat" Judith explained.
"Maybe they hope to fight against the Empire to avenge their fallen prince. And what about the bridge itself?" Claude asked.
"Obviously we wouldn't let them pass without receiving envoys first. We thought they may try to force their way through. We considered firing warning arrows, but they left immediately, heading east" Judith answered.
"Are they intending to use one of the bridges in Ordelia territory?" Claude asked.
Judith nods "Most likely. But the Imperial army still controls those bridges. I can't imagine what they intend to do in the Empire, even if they do manage to break through...".
"I'm reluctant to ease up on our surveillance, but it would be difficult to track them there... For now, let's assume they're just troops belonging to the old Kingdom. In any case, we should proceed with caution. Soon, we'll be entering Empire territory ourselves. If our enemies are going to intercept us with an attack... It will probably be at Gronder Field... How fitting that it was the site of the Battle of the Eagle and Lion five years ago" Claude said.
Byleth went silent. So their first real battle with Edelgard herself will take place in the same place where they first tested their might against each other... But if Edelgard herself really was going to join the battle... then would Akame and Esdeath show up as well?
Departing from the Great Bridge of Myrddin, the Alliance army marches south towards Enbarr, the Imperial Capital. An unknown military force begins their advance under the banner of the Kingdom, the Imperial army dispatches forces from Fort Merceus with the intention of interrupting them. The curtain is rising on a conflict between the three armies, which will come to be known as the Battle at Gronder, held on the same plains that witnessed the Battle of the Eagle and Lion.
Soon, the alliance forces arrived at Gronder Field. It was very foggy, making it difficult to see anything. If their enemies had already arrived, then finding them would be tricky.
"Gronder Field should be around here, right? But it's so foggy... Even if there were enemies here, we'd never know it" Hilda said.
Lysithea looks around "I recall the terrain from the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, but without the ability to see the enemy's formation...".
"Our enemies are subject to the same conditions. We'll just have to wait for the fog to clear up" Claude said.
"Speaking of enemies, what do you think became of those unidentified troops? Any follow-up reports?" Judith asked.
"We haven't heard anything since. If they were headed this way... Well, I'd like to avoid being caught by surprise, but we can't make use of our scouts because of this fog. It's hard to predict this fight. There's no way to know what will happen" Claude answered.
"Let's try to stay calm" Byleth said.
Claude nods in agreement "Of course. The morale of our allies would be crushed if we let them see us shaking in our boots. Your guidance is going to be crucial, Teach. Now more than ever. Do whatever it takes to lead us to victory".
Byleth nods. Still, she felt uneasy... She could feel the people she loved was there somewhere... and she had no idea what they might do.
Just like in the mock battle five years ago, an eagle flies overhead and lets out a cry. However, there is a much darker feeling this time when the Imperial soldiers step forth. The masked mages charge up fireballs and launch them towards the Kingdom and Alliance armies. Soldiers from both armies are hit and yell in pain from the impact of the fireballs. Amidst the flames, Dimitri is shown with his Relic on his shoulder, unfazed by the attack.
He points his Relic at the opposing armies and glares at them as he speaks "Know that I will tear your heads from your shoulders. The dead must have their tribute".
On the Alliance side, Claude steps forth and groans at the sight of the flames and his soldiers who had fallen "As big class reunions go...this one's gotta be the worst in history".
Having made the first move, Edelgard steps forward and gives a brief speech to the opposing armies. She looks down in regret as she finishes her second sentence.
"Years ago, we fought here as classmates. But not today" Edelgard said.
Her soldiers draw their swords and bows. Byleth whips out the Sublime Creator Sword. Dimitri looks up and prepares to give his army the order to move out.
"Kill every last one of them!" He brandishes his Relic and charges onward, with his soldiers following him.
Claude gives the signal for his army to move, and he lets out a war cry as he charges forward, with his Relic at the ready.
Edelgard looks up, ready to meet the opposing armies' advances "And so we fight on".
Her soldiers charge forth. The battle has begun. And this time, people will die. Esdeath was indeed on the battlefield, and she was going to confront the Kingdom forces, her eyes focused on the only one among them who could challenge her: Dimitri.
While that was going on. Byleth fought her way through the enemy soldiers, however, she heard an angry battle cry. She looked up just in time to block a strike from Akame, who came down on her with great force.
"Akame! Stop! We don't have to fight!" Byleth shouts.
"Shut up!" Akame shouts back as she breaks their blade lock "Why couldn't you have stayed dead!? It took me over a year to accept your death and find my new place at Edelgard's side! Why did you have to come back and ruin everything!?".
"I'm sorry, Akame. I never meant to disappear for so long. I know Edelgard has promised you a better world, but this isn't the way to do it. If she isn't stopped, there soon won't be anyone around to live in her new world" Byleth said.
"And what makes your path any better? You are fighting alongside the people who used and manipulated us! They controlled Fodlan through lies and a false religion, and everyone followed them like blind dogs!" Akame said.
"You're right, Akame. Rhea lied to all of us. But killing so many people won't change anything. There are better ways to reveal the truth without all this needless bloodshed. Join us, Akame. Come back to me and I will show you the truth" Byleth said holding out her hand.
Akame looked at it for a moment "You may be my sister, Byleth. But Edelgard helped me find a new reason to live while you were gone. It will take a lot more than words to make me betray her".
Byleth sighed, she was afraid it would come to this "Very well, then I will make come back. Even if I have to drag you".
With that, both sisters got ready to fight.
The pair's pace was almost impossible to track as Akame was on the offensive, striking like a lightning bolt at her sister, moving so fast it almost looked like she was using three blades. Byleth was forced in to a defensive position for the most part, redirecting Akame's shots while also using her sister's momentum to off balance her. Akame moved forward to keep Byleth from fighting back. She didn't need to overpower her sister, a single slash from Murasame would be enough to win. Byleth kept on blocking, deflecting the tip of Akame's blade into the floor before kicking Akame back. She slid back, but was up in time to block Byleth's follow up strike. She pushed against Byleth's strength with her own and then slammed her weapon at Byleth as hard as she could. The sword came dangerously close to Byleth's shoulder, but she managed to stop it in time. She then responded with a punch to the face, knocking Akame back. Akame slashed again, but Byleth deflected the attack and unleashed a counter strike which made Akame stagger back.
Byleth began unleashing several more strikes. Akame managed to block the attacks, but she found it difficult to cope with Byleth's insane skills. She had gotten stronger since last time they clashed. She then responded with a stab towards Byleth's chest, but this was blocked. The pair went back to blinding offence, with Akame deflecting overhead cleaves by Erza and throwing a few kicks here and there. Byleth leapt up as Akame slashed at her legs, and Akame capitalized by kicking Byleth in the chest. Akame hit Byleth with the handle of her sword. Byleth swept at Akame's legs, who jumped over the attempt. However, Akame was vulnerable in the air and Byleth wasn't letting that chance go. She sliced into Akame's side. Akame cried out in pain as she landed, holding her side. The wound wasn't fatal, but it hurt.
In an attempt to end the battle, Byleth clashed blades with the kneeling Akame and pressed all her weight against her. Akame pushed back, before rolling away from Byleth. The move only served for a proper run up as Byleth kicked Akame back. Akame landed hard on the ground . But Akame recovered quickly, and unleashed several slashes at Byleth, who quickly blocked. Byleth had been holding back, but realized she would soon die if she didn't go all out. Byleth then began fighting more seriously as she blitzed Akame. Struggling with the new pace of her sister, Akame backed away, parrying several strikes but focusing more on gaining distance. But Byleth was quick to catch up.
Leaping up, Akame landed on the other side of Byleth. This didn't offer too many advantages, but it forced Byleth to shift her position, as she spun around to face Akame, who elbowed her in the chest. Akame then lunged with a stab intended for Byleth's heart, but she swiftly dodged the attempt. Akame kept prodding at Byleth's guard, with Byleth defending herself. The two delivered a powerful strike at the same time, knocking themselves back from the impact of their blades clashing. They engaging in a blade lock. Byleth forced the lock overhead, and then hit Akame's blade out of her hand before swing her own sword... stopping a mere inch from Akame's neck.
"It's over Akame... you are coming with me" Byleth declared while catching her breath.
Akame looked at her for several seconds, before tears ran down her face "You left me alone... you did this to me... you... you promised we would always be together... but you left me!".
"I'm sorry Akame. I'm so sorry... for everything" Byleth said as she kneels down "I can't even imagine how alone and hurt you must've been... and I don't blame you for seeking new reasons to live by joining Edelgard. But her path is wrong, Akame, you must see that".
Akame gritted her teeth "I can't just betray my friends!".
"You don't have to. We can convince them to join us too. We already captured Ferdinand, and he will be kept alive to see the new free world. What happens then is up to him. We don't want to kill anyone we don't have to" Byleth assured.
"Even if I did join you. Your friends would never accept me..." Akame said.
"They will, in time. They trust me, and I trust you... I believe Felix would be happy if you joined us as well" Byleth said.
Akame was silent for a moment... then she broke down crying, and Byleth hugged her close. After all this, Akame needed all the love she could get.
With Akame surrendering, the battle soon turned in the Alliance's favor. It was a hard battle, but with Esdeath busy with Dimitri and the Kingdom forces, it gave the Alliance the time they needed to force Edelgard to retreat, and her forces were forced to follow, including Esdeath. Petra was also among them but a clash with Leone had forced her to fall back early, while Leone would go on to ensure the capture of Bernadetta, who couldn't match her in close combat.
They had finally won.
"So... Edelgard retreated. I suppose she lives to be defeated another day" Claude said.
"It was close" Byleth said.
Claude nods "Too close. But I suppose all that matters is that we won. Some of our allies are injured, but can still fight. We'll just have to accept this outcome and press onward. Still, the battlefield looks awful. And I wonder what became of the Kingdom army. And Dimitri...".
Hilda walked up "I saw him".
"Who? Dimitri?" Claude asked.
"He was completely different from how I remember him. He looked like a crazed demon while he was fighting. He faced Esdeath in battle, but she was fighting with such a cold focus. Dimitri's reckless charges lead to her killing him with a stab through his heart... I'll never forget it. He deserved a better end" Hilda said in sadness.
Claude looked down "Dimitri... He went through so much to make it here, only for his efforts to be in vain".
"I can't even begin to understand what Dimitri must have been feeling, but... There must have been some other way. Why did he have to go like that?" Hilda asked, looking ready to cry.
"And his vassal, Dedue... Did he fall as well?" Claude asked.
"I don't know..." Hilda answered.
After the battle, Akame was sitting by herself, still conflicted by everything that's happened. She heard someone approach and looked up.
"Felix..." She said quietly.
"So... you finally decided to do the right thing. Guess family can be useful" Felix said.
Akame looked down "I know you hate me... I killed so many. I am likely part of the reason why Dimitri is dead".
"Dimitri lost himself to his blood lust... I always knew that deep down he was a beast craving blood... Regardless, he didn't deserve to die like that" Felix said before looking back at Akame "But I don't hate you for what happened to him. Me and the others left his side when he became a monster... Even Ingrid, loyal as she was, couldn't stand the person he became, especially when the professor came back and provided a better way".
"What are you trying to say, Felix?" Akame asked.
"Do I really need to spell it out for you? I still love you, Akame! The others will need time, but I know you are on our side now and you will make up for your past mistakes by helping us stop the Empire" Felix said.
Akame was silent for a moment before she stood up and kissed him. Felix was surprised but held her close as he kissed back... Now they could finally be together for real... no more opposite sides, now they will fight side by side, and end this war once and for all.
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At long last, Akame is back at her sister's side. Sorry I didn't focus on the larger battle, didn't want anything that could take away the focus on Akame and Byleth's deciding duel.
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Tell me what you think.