DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Kingdom Hearts nor Fire Emblem Three Houses characters, Square Enix, Nintendo, and Disney are the owners.

Antex-The Legendary Zoroark: I got so many ideas I wanna fold out during the timeskip phase to try to improve the Crimson Flower-like route with some added plotlines that were left out in the original game. And about Sothis, I'll figure out later but I wouldlove to watch an epic scene of her scolding her daughter xD.

CHAPTER 39: CORONATION AND DARKNESS INCOMING…

Few days had passed since the chapel incident where Jeralt was almost murdered by Monica, who had been brainwashed under the name of Kronya, only to be betrayed by Solon and have her heart ripped off in an attempt to kill Sora and Byleth with the forbidden spell of Zahras.

For his bad luck and horror, the trio managed to get out of the void with the Reality Shift skill and go take him down alongside his henchmen. But a big question raised everyone's doubts… Who was Thales? What did Solon mean by that saying THAT guy would carry their mission?

Jeralt was advised by Manuela not to force himself to do hard stuff so he could heal himself properly. But as a good battle-hardened mercenary he was, he would try to refuse to stay out of the battles and any harder stuff but Manuela had her ways to convince him, if that is.

AUDIENCE CHAMBER | DAYTIME

Rhea had been showing a sort of menacing and rather questionable behavior when she was on her own without anyone at her sight… For some reason when Sora was nearby, she had been glaring at him with resentment, like he came to screw up her plans or something… Like a huge stone inside her shoes. That is what it triggered something darker and evil within her heart and the reason her green eyes turned yellow every time she was alone.

"That damn, kid… He's taking my mother away… He will regret this when the time comes… No… Not yet…!" Rhea tried to contain her dark thoughts, just before his subordinate showed up with a concerned face.

"Rhea, please talk to me." Seteth demanded. "What are you hiding? What is the meaning of how that one looks? It is almost as though…"

"As I said, there's nothing of which to speak." Rhea said as she tried to contain her darkness as much as she could denying anything explicit. "For now. At the end of this week…

This intrigued Seteth much further. "I read Jeralt's diary. I happened upon it in his room.

"What?" Rhea gasped upon hearing this statement, surely there was something fishy and a secret that she wouldn't want it to come to light, she seemed nervous.

"In it, he started the reason for his departure." Seteth began telling her what'd he had found out on the diary. "The baby thought to have died in the fire… has returned to us. Jeralt realized that you had done something to the child and decided to flee."

Alright, Seteth began suspecting of Rhea due to Byleth's questionable circumstances, it seemed that the archbishop had something to do with Sitri's death and her daughter's birth. "What did you do to that baby, Rhea? Nothing… questionable, I should hope?" he said wanting to make sure she didn't something really disturbing.

"Seteth, that's enough!" Rhea cut him off feeling herself compromised, it was like he was pointing a gun at her as he interrogated her… her demeanor was saying everything… if someone replied in a cutting way, then something was wrong. "They will be here shortly. No more, I beg you. I will take our dear professor to the Holy Tomb. There… I should be able to see our dearest wishes to fruition. When I was young, I heard her voice there… I'm sure of it."

"Did you call me, lady Rhea?" Byleth showed up as she entered to the chamber.

"I have been waiting for your arrival, Professor." Rhea greeted her. "Now that you have received sacred power from the goddess, there is somewhere you must pay a visit to at once."

"To where am I to head to?" Byleth asked her, however, she noticed something strange at the archbishop's eyes… they had turned yellow for a split second before turning back to normal.

"You must go to the Holy Tomb so that you may receive a divine revelation from the goddess." Rhea answered her question telling her the place she would go to.

"A revelation?" Byleth was rather curious and quite suspicious at her unusual tranquil and angelic voice.

"The Holy Tomb is where the goddess sleeps. This monastery was originally built for the purpose of protecting that hallowed temple." Seteth explained.

"Only a select few know of it, but there is a legend about Seiros and the Holy Tomb." Rhea seconded continuing the explanation. "Saint Seiros, the first soul to be gifted power from the goddess, received her revelation there. She was told that it was her sacred duty to save the people of Fódlan, and that she must her power wisely in order to lead them. The words that were handed down to Seiros from the goddess will likely fall upon your ears as well.

"Prepare yourself to go at once. There, may you find out why you were blessed with such power." Seteth gave her few indications.

"There will be a ceremony at the Holy Tomb. It is then that you will receive the goddess's revelation. You may share this mission with your students." Rhea told her further details about her next mission.

"Do you think it wise to bring them into this?" Byleth questioned her.

"It is said that when Seiros received the revelation, she had holy warriors by her side, protecting her." Rhea answered her, explaining further details of the visit to the tomb. "Your students, who have followed you and fought alongside you through the darkest of times, are well suited to stand by you for the ceremony."

"Suited to understand by me for the ceremony?" Byleth was rather puzzled by her statement.

"Of course, professor, as the leader of the Church of Seiros, I will be by your side as well."

"Strange." Byleth said trying to assimilate everything that the archbishop was telling her.

"The occasion is too significant to be missed." Rhea was telling her to go anyways. "Even if something were to happen, I am more than capable of protecting myself."

"Much has changed, but your duty has not wavered." Seteth spoke suggesting her one last thing. "Steel your mind for the ceremony, and prepare your students well."

"Understood." Byleth nodded her head.

"You are dismissed." Rhea said as she saw the teacher leave the place."

Byleth left the chamber wondering herself what was wrong with Rhea… then something clicked her mind, by the time she and Sora were confronting Kronya few days ago… Byleth also came to read and feel her aura and heart. That is what it made her realize that Monica's personality had been manipulated by the Agarthans' dark power, and she wanted to flee her somewhat.

And now she came to notice something darker than that not only within Rhea's heart, but her mind upon glimpsing at her eyes turn yellow for a split second. She could tell that the archbishop was struggling to contain her darkness as much as she could… however, Byleth also noticed how infuriated Rhea was from inside, infuriated not only against her but towards somebody else.

She headed to the reception hall as she was lot in thoughts until she met with Sora.

"Oh, heya, Byleth!" the keyblade wielder greeted her cheerfully. "You seem to be thoughtful."

"Hello, Sora. Enjoying your free time?" Byleth replied with a nice mood. "Oh, yeah… There is some stuff I would like to discuss with you but not in front of too many people."

"Hey, Sora, Byleth…" Edelgard showed up greeting them.

"Hi, Edelgard." The professor replied her as well.

"Hey, Edie." Sora greeted too.

"As we got a free week, I would like for us to do something to kill some time." Edelgard said right before offering them an invitation.

"What are we going to do?" Byleth asked.

"Sora… Byleth… Will you both join me? There's something I must do." Edelgard asked them out, she seemed to need some company. "It will take a few days, but I promise we'll be back in time for the ceremony at the Holy Tomb."

"Where are we going? If this is what we can know." Sora asked her out of curiosity.

"It's meant to be secret, but… I'm going to Enbarr, the Imperial Capital." Edelgard revealed them. "There's something I must do there."

"Something to do there…" Sora thought in loud voice within his mind… Should he join her travel to Enbarr? Or stay there? Nope, he couldn't bring himself to let the future ruler go alone like this… he and they had begun trusting each other well enough as to reject such invitation.

[This decision will drastically change the story. Choose well.]

CHOICE 1: I'll go with you.

CHOICE 2: I must stay.

*CHOOSES THE FIRST CHOICE*

[ARE YOU CERTAIN ABOUT YOUR DECISION?]

*CHOOSES YES*

"We'll go with you, Edelgard." Byleth accepted her offer.

"Thank you, my teacher." Edelgard was content about their choice. "Now, let's take our leave, shall we?"

Edelgard, Byleth and Sora climbed onto the carriage and they began their trip to the Imperial Capital to begin the conversation the teacher wanted to talk about…

"Well, there's something I have wanted to discuss with you guys." Byleth began. "There's something that has been unsettling me for a while…"

"What's the matter, Byleth?" Edelgard asked her becoming worried by her teacher's concerning demeanor.

"Guys, have you ever checked on Rhea's behavior lately?" the professor made a serious question.

"Oh… yes... There's been few times that when she was passing by me, I have felt like… she was stalking me like I had done something really bad to her." Sora told them.

"Did she do something to you?" Byleth asked him out of worry.

"No, she didn't do anything to me because I have been keeping my distance from her." Sora denied. "But I did feel a menacing aura presence."

"That's… quite frightening for what you have just told us, Sora. I think you are right on Rhea's questionable behavior." Edelgard agreed on his statement. "Not only she orders executions on people who challenges the system, makes anyone who don't wear a crest's life miserable."

"In this case, we must be careful with Rhea. She could be up to something…" Byleth advised them to not let their guard down.

"Yes…" Sora replied, before showing them that picture that he had been hiding from everyone with his gummiphone. "There's something else I have to show you, girls."

"What…" Edelgard was taken aback with the picture she had just seen. "What is this dragon?!"

"Claude and I were in the library when Seteth showed up and snatched the picture off his hands, I was lucky to have taken the picture and put my phone away quickly." Sora explained. "He had been investigating the secret within the monastery and he said that the white dragon's name is 'The Immaculate One'.

"The Immaculate One?" Byleth said as she became intrigued.

"This must be that dragon's name. Or that's what Claude and I think…" Sora answered her.

"Hold on… Judging by that name you just said… Aren't you certain that there's only one individual who wears that name… and can transform into that big beast?" Edelgard began suspecting of something as they started figuring the suspect out.

"Transform into a big beast… white furs." Byleth tried to figure out that clue.

"And carries a religious name." Sora seconded and then came to realize of something important, and that's how he came up with the that suspect's name. "Rhea… What if she… is capable of going through this transformation?"

"Rhea transforming herself into a beast… it's crazy at best." Edelgard said out of surprise by his theory.

"It's impossible for her to undergo that monstruous change, but after feeling such threatening demeanor within her angelic and saint outside behavior… I think your statement could prove to be true." Byleth supported their possible theories. If the archbishop proved herself to be prone to going mad like that… then Sora's theory might have been true.

At this moment, the trio realized that they finally had reached for Edelgard's hometown: Enbarr.

"We're here." Edelgard said as she noticed outside.

"So, this is Enbarr." Sora was surprised how medieval and lively the city was.

"It's quite something." Byleth spoke scanning the environment.

"Yes, this is my hometown. Let's go." Edelgard called them to follow her along.

The trio got out of the carriage and explored the whole city, meeting the stares of many civilians and few people looking at Byleth and Sora as the two accompanied her to the place where the future ruler led them to.

They reached to the biggest doors to the biggest palace which was guarded by a gatekeeper, who recognized the heir to the throne.

"Lady Hresvelg, welcome to the Imperial Capital. Do these come with you?" the guard greeted the trio before asking her about the two.

"Yes, they come with me." Edelgard answered him looking at Byleth and Sora. "Could you let us in, please?"

"Yes, my lady. You three may enter." The gatekeeper granted them the permission to enter the immense palace.

"Thanks, sir." Sora thanked him as the trio went through the gates.

IMPERIAL PALACE

Sora and the girls finally entered the Imperial Palace and the keyblade wielder was amused by the medieval and ancient feeling that was emitting throughout the palace; the paintings, valuable relics, crowns, there were some cute and attractive maids who were keeping her eyes on Sora as the trio passed by heading to a big door which would lead them to their destination.

"We are gonna enter the throne room… Are you ready?" Edelgard asked them if they were prepared to something they would surprise them.

"What's going on?" Byleth asked her curious.

"You'll see. Let's get in." Edelgard saved her answer as she opened the door letting them in.

The two nodded and the trio entered to the next room which turned out to be the Throne Room where an old man in red and gold cape and clothes was sitting down there.

"Edelgard… my daughter." The old man, who turned out to be her father, much to Byleth and Sora surprise, greeted at them in a weak voice, he seemed gravely sick... very ill.

"Is he your father?" Sora was surprised upon hearing those words.

"Yes, Sora. He is my father, the emperor Ionius IX." The heir to the throne affirmed him. "Anyways, forgive me for asking this of you, father. I know how much pain you're in—how the burden of the throne weighs heavily on you—and so…

"There's no need to apologize, Edelgard." Her Father, Ionius IX, said asking her not to lament herself for what she was saying. "You must know… that I do not have much time left in this world. The time has come."

"What'd you mean?" Sora was curious as he and his teacher was witnessing something that was catching his attention.

"That means… to complete the Imperial succession, my father must relinquish his crown here in the throne room." Edelgard explained something that left the duo be taken aback.

"Wait, does that mean…?" Byleth began getting the picture.

"I will… I will succeed my father." Edelgard gave a solid and clear statement before turning to her father, she was to become the new Adrestia empress! "The archbishop of the Church of Seiros would normally act as witness, but my professor and Sora will fill those roles instead."

"Edelgard…" Ionuis was surprised by her daughter's words.

"From this day forward, the weight of the Empire's future shall rest upon my shoulders. All that I do will be for the benefit of the people of Fódlan." Edelgard gave a huge speech as an incoming-new empress before undergoing the coronation event.

It was then when the coronation took place as Ionius IX stood up while Edelgard kneeled down to receive the most important title that all heir awaited… With Byleth and Sora as their witnesses.

"Edelgard von Hresvelg… The crown is yours." The now former emperor said as he placed the crown on her daughter's head. "By the covenant between the red blood and the white sword, and by the double-headed eagle upon your head, I hereby pronounce you the new emperor. Are you prepared to take those responsibilities as your own?"

"In accordance with the ancient covenant, and in keeping with the Hresvelg legacy… I swear that upon this throne, I shall use my reign to lead Fódlan to a new dawn and achieve peace for all." Edelgard made an oath as the new ruler of her hometown.

"She just became an empress." Sora said out of amusement.

"The imperial succession is complete. My daughter, I regret I could not do more for you." Ionius finalized as he expressed regrets of not being able to help her anymore. "When you were stolen away to the kingdom… When the prime minister did those horrible things… I could only watch in horror."

"I… I understand, Father." Edelgard comprehended her father's past. "In those dark times, your eyes and your fists were my salvation. Within your eyes, I saw true care. And upon your fists clenched tight with indignity, I saw the blood that dripped and fell. Even as I bled, I felt that you, too, must also be bleeding."

Suddenly, a middle-aged orange-haired man showed up from nowhere showing a strange behavior.

"Your majesty! You must not leave your sleeping chambers in your condition… Ah, Edelgard. I did not expect to find your highness here." The man said right before glaring at the empress.

"Er… You're getting this wrong, sir. She's no longer your highness, more like, she's your majesty now." Sora corrected him, making the man become disappointed and try to attack him and the keyblade wielder was prepared to defend himself from his act of aggression.

"What are you talking about, brat?!" the man exclaimed in disbelief and anger as he tried to lay a finger but the white-haired girl stopped his fist with her own hands. "Wha-?!"

"Cut it out, Prime Minister Aegir! What my man has just said is true, I'm not longer Your Highness, but rather Your Majesty.

"It is true. Edelgard is the new emperor of the Adrestian Empire." Ionius IX confirmed her daughter's words as he began coughing mid-sentence." We will summon the officials and prepare an ordinance at once. And you, Prime Minister—"

"Are dismissed." Edelgard sentenced the orange-haired man, much to his shock. "It will take some time before you are allowed to make contact outside world again."

"No! How can this be?! I…" Duke Aegir was shocked by the new emperor's new orders. "Understood, Your Majesty."

"Edelgard…" Ionius spoke trying to hold on as much as he could due to his poor health getting worse. "My dear El. I leave the fate of Fódlan…in your capable hands."

"Father…" Edelgard kneed down right before him showing concern towards him. "I wish you to get recovered…"

After Edelgard became the new emperor of Adrestia, the trio climbed inside the carriage to head back to the monastery… they decided to talk as to make the time transpire…

"Thank you for staying by my side, Byleth, Sora." Edelgard thanked them. "Now that I'm the emperor, it's time to grasp my destiny."

"Are you sure you can handle this huge responsibility on your own?" Sora made her a question out of his concern for her girl.

"I will handle this on my own, Sora. This is why I became the emperor so I can guide Fódlan to the new dawn." Edelgard replied expressing her initiative. "After the ceremony at the Holy Tomb, I must return to Enbarr. This may be the last we see of each other."

"Edelgard…" Byleth seemed worried about her wellbeing.

"Anyways… let's get comfortable as we enjoy the nice ride back to the monastery… and head to the Holy Tomb as soon as we get there." Edelgard suggested them to take the rest as the travel lasted for days until their return…

Meanwhile at the monastery in a lone place, Dimitri had been struggling to keep his emotional and mental state in check but as the time was passing, everything begun becoming so unbearable for the future ruler of Faerghus that started behaving erratically aggressive towards anything that was on his way which included breaking few vases, walls, even few windows at his sight in an attempt to shut those ghost voices up. He was losing it and his mental state was at the edge of collapse.

"SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Dimitri screamed in anguish and edgy state as he kept breaking stuff and then he let out a poisonous voice. "Her head… I will break that HEAD of hers! She will pay for what she and those bastards did to my family!"

"I can help you with that." Young Xehanort showed up from behind.

"You… What the hell are you doing here?" Dimitri interrogated him with deadly glare.

"I came to see if you're still up to my offer." Xehanort replied expressing malice on his face. "Judging by your inner darkness threatening to emerge… I can see your hatred towards somebody."

"What do you know?! It's not your business! Go away!" Dimitri tried to refuse to listen to anymore crap from the man.

This is when Xehanort began using his manipulation tactics to make him accept this offer…

"What if I tell you that the fool of Sora helped that woman to take your family's life?" he said grinning at him.

"No… He couldn't…! Sora would never do such thing!" Dimitri shouted in disbelief. That would be the last straw because afterwards… he felt how his dark influence began invading is mind and his eyes turn yellow. In other words, there was a huge shift on his personality… it was like he had become another person, a ruthless person with revenge wishes against somebody.

"Yes… Join me… and then together we shall put an end on those people who hurt you and me." Xehanort grinned evilly as he had accomplished his personal quest on having the future king by his side.

Oh nuts…

"What's the plan… Xehanort?" Dimitri made a question shooting a evil glare.

"Come here… I shall tell you." Xehanort ordered him right before planning their next move…

"Yes… Master Xehanort…"

END OF CHAPTER 39

A/N: OH MAN, DIMITRI HAS JUST FALLEN INTO THE DARKNESS AND LET HIMSELF BE CARRIED AWAY BY THE DARK REVENGE MINDSET AGAINST SOMEONE HE KNOWS VERY WELL, AND SORA.

WHO KNOWS WHAT THESE TWO MIGHT BE UP TO? WE'LL FIND OUT IN THE NEXT EPISODE.

PEACE OUT.