Crimson Flower

The Flight of the Eagles

"Are you certain, Your Majesty?" Hubert asked, astonished from Edelgard's order.

Edelgard set her cup of tea down after sipping the hot beverage of bergamot tea, using a towel to wipe herself from the rainwater that she came in contact with from Lysithea's soaked hair and body. The latter was somberly wiping herself off of rainwater, looking down on her untouched cup of tea, still piping hot and lacking the ridiculous amounts of sugar it's drinker usually adds.

"Yes, suspend the order." Edelgard affirmed, placing the damp towel down on her room's tea table.

Edelgard gave Lysithea a worried glance before looking back at Hubert.

"Tell them, we are pending alternatives for our strategy. Relay it now." Edelgard added.

Hubert briefly glanced at Lysithea, an unreadable look upon his face that even Edelgard couldn't decipher what he was thinking, Lysithea didn't acknowledge him and simply looked down, despondent.

"Posthaste, Your Majesty." Hubert closed his eyes and bowed down, swiftly turning around to exit the Emperor's room to do what he was bidded for.

Upon exit, Hubert briefly stood outside his liege's door, clenching his hands into fists and recalled the recent events that had transpired today. What he had heard and seen, his thoughts drifting to the company the Emperor keeps. Hubert discarded such thoughts for the moment and took his leave.

"You should drink your tea, it'll help you warm up." Edelgard urged after she returned her worried gaze over to Lysithea.

"Mhhm…" Lysithea hummed but didn't move a muscle.

"You'll catch a cold, drink up. I had fresh new clothes to be sent over here as well." Edelgard said, wanting to at least gain a reaction from the Ordelia heiress.

And a reaction she received when Lysithea moved her eyes up to look at her before looking down at her tea once again. Edelgard feared she would return to being unresponsive but much to her relief, Lysithea took the cup of tea and took a sip of the hot beverage.

The Emperor understood the current mood of Lysithea and it was warranted. She knew she was one of the reasons why Lysithea returned to her upset yet there was something else at play as well, she wanted to find out but for now, she has to make things right for both of their sakes.

Otherwise, the day may come that Lysithea may never consider Edelgard as her friend anymore and such a thought scares the Emperor especially after she had already lost her most valuable friend and ally years ago. She feels like she couldn't handle another loss.

The resounding slap and the sharp words of reprimand she received earlier opened her eyes to some degree, she was beginning to lose her way to her path in bringing about change for the good of Fodlan.

She was beginning to turn into a monster without her knowing, a cold hearted and ruthless leader that she credited Byleth for preventing her from turning to. Byleth, in Dorothea's words, was her anchor… perhaps one of her anchors that she had lost. She was unsure if the only remaining one keeping her in check would hold as well.

"Did you do this for me?" Lysithea asked, pertaining to Edelgard's postponement of her solution to the Empire's strategic woes from earlier. A questionable solution and the source of their friction.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"What kind of question is that?" Edelgard frowned at the crestfallen girl. The Emperor analyzed Lysithea but the young woman merely kept looking down, having no intention to speak further until Edelgard explains.

The ashen haired woman sighed, "I didn't just do it because of you."

This made Lysithea glance at her.

"Sure, that slap and equally sharp words were a wake-up call from you but after you left my thoughts went to the professor." Edelgard continued. "I imagined the scenario over and over again if he was still here, each and every scenario ends the same way: he will never approve of what I decided to do."

The hypothetical thought of Byleth still being by her side, the scenario that Edelgard tries to justify her decision to commit such crimes against the will of the people regardless if they were prisoners of war or not, would end with him expressing his disapproval and disgust over what she had turned.

For someone Edelgard has respected and dreaded to face on the opposite side, should he had chosen otherwise, Byleth's opinions carried such weight to her. It was his lesson and her bond with him that made her stronger and more resolved to carry on what she believes is a just cause for the entirety of Fodlan.

But, good intentions could only bring her so far, she had already waded in dangerous waters the moment she declared war that would cause lives of many, lives that will also be adamant to fight for what they believe is just. But to go that far, abandon the moral principles that Byleth had instilled upon her, morals that Edelgard credited him from preventing her to becoming a cold and ruthless leader?

He will most likely abandon her when she has gone too far.

Alas, he was gone. She doesn't want to truly believe it but in her heart, she knew he was gone. Yet, in his place stood another who wasn't afraid to show and set her to the right path.

Lysithea wasn't her subject, she never swore fealty to her and Lysithea does not owe her allegiance to her. Regardless, she stayed by her side, to the point of abandoning her personal goal that Edelgard carelessly scoffed at earlier. Lysithea stayed loyal to her, not as her subject, but her friend who was never afraid of speaking up against her, one who wasn't cowed by the authority she possesses, one who treats her as an equal.

"What use would it do if the foundation of the world I am trying to build for humanity, will be built upon such inhuman acts?" Edelgard rhetorically asked.

She felt like a hypocrite uttering such words, she had collaborated with the group behind many atrocities to many people including her and Lysithea, condoned it just to further her agenda of dismantling the system.

She viewed it as a necessary evil and it disgusted her to rely on their strength because she had no choice.

"Because I have no choice left!"

"YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE!"

Or perhaps, she had one that didn't appear until later in Garreg Mach. Strength not just from a single person but from many others as well.

"You were right, Lysithea." Edelgard continued, dropping any semblance of pride. "I will be no better than those people who did with what they did to you… and me."

"I feel like besides me, you are the one of the only few who she'll be willing to listen to."

The words of Byleth echoed in Lysithea's mind but that wasn't what took her attention but Edelgard's admittance to something she had long been hiding (in vain) from her.

Lysithea had suspected Edelgard bore the same heavy burden she had ever since she let it slip in many of their conversations but any attempts to expound on it were either interrupted or shut down by Edelgard.

The constant elusion of the topic is something Lysithea could very well relate with from the Emperor.

"I have long been avoiding discussing this with you but I feel that I must come clean with it, once and for all." Edelgard sighed as if taking on a heavy burden.

Without a word, Edelgard stripped off the top part of her regal red dress to expose her bare skin on her upper torso.

It wasn't the sight of the half naked Emperor that shocked Lysithea but what was under in between her breasts.

A ghastly scar that was the result of a grievous wound inflicted upon her, it looked like she was cut open on that area before it was sewn shut yet the scar was discolored as if it was permanently bruised and refused to heal, contrasting against the smooth skin the Emperor possesses.

"You and I are the same," Edelgard began, covering her upper torso with her dress again, concealing the scar she possesses.

Lysithea, in her shocked state, instinctively touched where her own hideous scar is on her back, concealed by her own dress.

"Shortly after the tragedy that befell your family, mine was already underway." Edelgard recounted the painful story of what she went through with her brothers and sisters.

"Those monsters used the results of the experiments conducted upon you and applied it to me and the other children of House Hresvelg."

As Edelgard recounted her story, Lysithea was also recounting hers in her own mind, the horrors of that time in her life.

"And while the experiments conducted upon the children of House Hresvelg had a marginally better rate of success than what was down to that of House Ordelia… The tale is no better." Edelgard's body shook and her hands balled into fists as she recalled it.

"So many died or lost their insanity, ending their own lives as a result. Out of all of my siblings, I was the only one to emerge 'unscathed'." Edelgard hissed. "The perfect heir to the Empire, they proclaimed. Edelgard von Hresvelg."

Lysithea's crestfallen look had now changed to that of shock and pity, the latter being ironic due to her own distaste of being pitied upon. She couldn't help but feel it for Edelgard, to finally have the bitter validation and companionship of someone also feeling the same pain she thought was only exclusive to her.

"They implanted this in me." Edelgard stood up from her seat and extended her right arm forward, upon her palm to manifest a Crest that Lysithea thought she would never see again.

With shaky voice, Lysithea murmured:

"The Crest of Flames…?"

The very same Crest, the divine Crest that Byleth and Nemesis possessed. Edelgard possesses it too?

Then it hit her, the experiments done to her and the other children… it was all done to just increase the odds of success to Edelgard and her siblings? She felt angry on how this revelation further degraded their lives in the eyes of those who committed such atrocities to them. All those experiments were meant to create the perfect human weapon capable of harnessing the power of the Goddess?

"I want you to follow me." Edelgard said, the Crest of Flames disappearing atop her palm as she stood up from chair. "There is something I must show you."

Without exchanging another word, Lysithea nodded, swallowing in the shock and followed Edelgard out of the room.

Lysithea watched, stupefied as Edelgard tended to a man around his 30s, sitting still on a chair and staring blankly at the floor.

They had entered a room that Lysithea had always observed was constantly locked when she passed by in the past.

The man, seemingly in a catatonic state, had the same hair color of ashen white, loose long hair and trimmed beard, he also bore the same shade of lavender eyes as Edelgard.

The room inside was sparsely decorated, contrasting Lysithea and Edelgard's chambers and there was a lingering stench of what seemed to be urine hanging about the air.

"The servants haven't checked on him yet." Edelgard sighed as checked on the man who despite being checked on Edelgard for any signs of unsanitary conditions, remained blankly staring at the floor.

"Edelgard, who is this?" Lysithea asked for the identity of this unknown individual though in the back of her mind, an idea was beginning to form.

The Emperor, after checking the man, stood up properly and went to the catatonic man's side bearing a look of sorrow. It was as if Edelgard was sad and reluctant to even reveal his identity to anyone.

"Lysithea, meet William von Hresvelg. Firstborn of Ionius IX, my eldest brother and the man who was meant to be Emperor." Edelgard said, her eyes drifting down at the latter mention.

The Ordelia woman's eyes widened as big as saucers at the man sitting before her, not even acknowledging her nor his younger sister's presence.

"He was the only one among my brothers and sisters who survived that ordeal." Edelgard explained, placing hand on her brother's shoulders. "But as you can see, the experiment conducted upon him robbed him of his sanity and will."

Lysithea remained shocked, unable to speak a word despite opening her mouth as she regarded the man before her. Another cruel reminder of the atrocities committed by the people who were responsible for her cursed fate.

"Only a handful knows that he still lives." Edelgard mentioned. "Only Hubert, a few servants and now, you know about him."

The Emperor then looked back at her brother, the only remaining family member she had after her father finally passed away from illness.

"I know what you're going to ask of me." Edelgard continued with a saddened sigh. "Why did I bring you here?"

Lysithea allowed her to continue with nothing but silence.

"I visit William to remind me of what I am fighting for and that despite the many lives being taken from this war, seeing William like this reinforces my belief that this war is necessary to prevent such a thing like this from repeating itself to anyone because of Crests and the nobility tied into it."

Edelgard tenderly brushed off the loose strands of hair on William's brow.

"Also, it is to remind me of the justice I will soon bring upon those people responsible for our fates, right after they've outlived their usefulness to me."

The Emperor then left her brother's side to come in front of Lysithea.

"I will in no way allow them to walk away from this unscathed after this war." Edelgard assured her. "That is what I can promise you and William."

Lysithea regarded her, finally getting one of the main reasons behind Edelgard's conviction and resolve to see her ideals through. This must be what attracted the professor to her side as well as the genuine goals behind it despite the questionable means.

"But, I will not force you to fight for me." Edelgard said. "Say the word and I will release you. I will give you my word that I will safeguard you and your family out of this conflict, away from Fodlan to live out in peace."

The snow haired girl looked surprised by Edelgard's sudden offer, despite her words stating she was ready to let go of Lysithea, there was pain in her eyes and a dim hope.

"There was one thing that I realized earlier, I have dragged you down this path with me-"

"No." Lysithea shook her head, interrupting the Emperor, not wanting to hear it from her as she had already made up her resolve earlier.

Bitter memories of her earlier encounter with Cyril resurfaced, her rejection of him, the heartbroken reaction he had and the grave warning he gave to her.

Whatever the case, she had made a promise that she will see through or die trying. To honor the memory of Byleth and to stay by Edelgard's side, not as her subject but as her friend who isn't afraid to show her the error of her ways.

Despite the tempting offer of peace and comfort away from the conflict, Lysithea knew she cannot forsake everything in Fodlan now, she was too neck deep into it as well as the promise of getting the justice she had long thought was impossible.

But before she makes this decision, there is one thing that she must tell Edelgard.

It was her conversation with Cyril and the looming aftereffects of such an encounter in regards to her parents' safety. She knew if Cyril came to report back about her insistent allegiance to Edelgard, she knew the ruse to keep her parents safe will be exposed.

"Edelgard, there is one thing I must tell you." She looked up at the Emperor, the latter curious on what it is about.

A day had passed.

Lysithea left the council room after everyone has departed after another emergency meeting in response to Edelgard's decision to postpone the deployment of Demonic Beasts for an 'indefinite amount' of time, a lie that Lysithea knew after Edelgard gave her an alternative to her plans in retaking the Brionac Plateau, destroying the foothold the Church and Kingdom established.

Though Lysithea felt like Edelgard was withdrawing information from her, Edelgard assured her it was a pleasant surprise after the war council and that she had a surprise waiting for her, two in fact.

Edelgard went ahead after the meeting, instructing Lysithea to come visit her in her quarters to tell a vital piece of information that only she must know.

Sighing, Lysithea was honestly getting tired of Edelgard's secrecy over any matters. A rational part in her mind told her that this information must only be for the ears of those she trusted and if true, she was willing to let the continuing secrecy go.

But that was the least of Lysithea's worries because while she was nearing her room, Lysithea saw Hubert awaiting her on the hallways, his cold eyes fixated upon her.

She frowned at the sight of him, she was never on good terms with Hubert even during the Academy. He wouldn't say it outright back then but she felt that Hubert never truly trusted her and always was suspicious of her, not just that but his general demeanor felt unpleasant despite Edelgard's assurance of his honor.

Hubert only made his distrust of her more evident ever since she arrived in Enbarr. A sentiment that Lysithea reciprocated against him.

"Lady Lysithea."

With a sigh, Lysithea was ready to dismiss Hubert's presence off and just proceed towards her room, being in no mood to deal with him right now.

"Hubert, whatever it is. I do not wish to hear it."

"I assure you, it is nothing of what you assume to be."

His tone lacked the usual condescension and the mocking respect he has for people he held with suspicion. She let go of the door knob and turned to face Hubert.

Much to her surprise, Hubert knelt down to her in one knee, his right hand on his chest. Lysithea recognized this gesture all too well, this is what Hubert only does for Edelgard when he feels a great amount of gratitude towards her.

But to do this to anyone else other than Edelgard? No, there must be more to this sudden burst of respect towards her.

"What are you doing?" Lysithea questioned with suspicion, not buying Hubert's grand gesture despite Hubert also bowing down his head, making Lysithea unable to discern his expression.

"I want to express my gratitude for your decision to remain at Her Majesty's side despite your disagreements." Hubert responded.

'Of course he knows.' Lysithea thought, thinking Edelgard may have told the story to Hubert about what happened between them.

Hubert continued, "You were given the opportunity to leave her side and escape from Enbarr yet you didn't-"

Lysithea's eyes went wide as saucers at what she had just heard from him.

"Wait, you were spying on me after I left Edelgard's room?!" She asked, bewildered at the thought that Hubert basically stalked her. She had no idea what Hubert intended to do when he followed after her heated argument with Edelgard, she immediately assumed the worst from him.

"I will not apologize for keeping tabs on you on that day. I do what I must to ensure the safety of Lady Edelgard especially with the company she keeps." Hubert unapologetically replied for his actions. "You did argue with Her Majesty and had the audacity to lay your hands on her yet…"

Hubert paused but remained in his spot, failing to see Lysithea's reaction to the revelation.

"Despite being presented the choice to abandon her following such disagreement and I assume, disillusionment, you rejected the choice given to you by that dog from the Church."

Lysithea winced at the mention of Cyril, remembering the pained reaction he had for her refusal to leave Edelgard's side.

"And for that, you have shown your quality towards Her Majesty and for that, I am grateful for it."

The snow haired woman merely looked down at him with shock, unable to formulate a response from the mixture of emotions she was feeling towards him. Indignation, uncertainty and shock, she didn't know what should take her over.

"You may not be bound by the oath of fealty towards Her Majesty like I do. You may not have sworn yourself to her ideals yet, you possess a loyalty that she needed now more than over."

Lysithea opened her mouth, finally finding the ability to ask something.

"And what would that be?"

"The loyalty of a friend. Something I can never give to Her Majesty and something she had lost when the professor fell. You proved that Her Majesty still had such form of loyalty and for that, I am most grateful." Hubert then stood up, opening his eyes to look at Lysithea, the woman was astonished at what she had heard.

"I will not ask for forgiveness for any form of suspicion I had harbored towards you, it was a necessity for my duty to protect Her Majesty but know this… words cannot properly express my gratitude, Lady Lysithea. Make of it what you will, that is all."

Leaving no room for Lysithea to reply, he gave one last bow before he turned and swiftly left Lysithea's sight, leaving the latter stunned at what just happened.

As Hubert went on his way, he managed to form a smirk. There was only one person he had expressed such form of gratitude once, he never thought he would give such sentiments to others beside Edelgard yet that day…

The day the professor chose to side with Edelgard broke such a pessimistic thought and it was broken once again when he witnessed Lysithea's response to Cyril's proposal to leave everything behind, he had expected the worst but ended up witnessing the opposite.

The loyalty of a friend is more powerful than the loyalty of a subject, it was a bittersweet truth that Hubert had long accepted he may never form towards Edelgard.

It was something that Hubert knew Edelgard needed when she asked him once prior to their raid to the tomb years ago.

"Am I a monster for what I have to do, Hubert?"

"Regardless of what form you take, know that I will remain by your side."

The assurance he gave was only received by a sad smile he rarely saw from her. The show of loyalty Byleth had given to Edelgard brought back the genuine smile she had. That was when Hubert knew she needed people like the professor and now… Lysithea by her side.

Edelgard had her attendants wear the pieces of clothing and armor on to her as she stood still, staring at her reflection at the mirror.

She reflected on the decision she made, another controversial one, a reversal of what was previously discussed.

While the decision to postpone the usage of Demonic Beasts was met with disappointment by some and lauded by the others, the alternative she offered was met by near universal objection.

An objection she quickly silenced down.

Her alternative which led to such reactions? Edelgard entering the frontlines herself to lead the campaign to retake the Brionac Plateau, much of those who swore fealty to her objected due to their concerns of her safety as well as the fact that she had no heirs to continue rule of the Empire should she fall.

Understandable as their reactions were, Edelgard was adamant. While others like Count Bergliez had nothing but respect to Edelgard's decision despite being disappointed by the latter's withdrawal of support in using Demonic Beasts. The count had provided the merits of such a decision to the other lords and generals such as the boost of morale Edelgard will provide to the troops, the power she possesses that can turn the tides to their favor but also expressed the same concern when the possibility of facing King Dimitri in the open battlefield was laid out.

Dimitri.

Almost four years had passed since they last saw each other, the last form of communication she had with him was the letter of response that he sent to Edelgard about the manifesto she had sent to every lord in Fodlan regarding the Church and Crest system.

She could tell that Dimitri wrote his response with contempt to her manifesto, vilifying her as a murderer of hundreds if not thousands of lives for a tragedy she had no part in playing.

The Emperor wished the King would have listened but alas, meeting him in the battlefield will surely end in a battle to the death where no words can sway the other.

He was adamant in his belief of her part in the tragedy as well as the integrity of the Church and system while Edelgard was also firm in her own beliefs of toppling it down for the good of the people of Fodlan.

History is written by the victors, after all. Which is what Seiros had done after her victory against Nemesis nearly a millennium ago.

"Your Majesty?"

Edelgard blinked and turned to one of her attendants.

"We will be placing the cloak now."

Edelgard then looked back at her reflection at the full body mirror in her quarters to see the attendants on both her sides, holding the red cloak above her shoulders.

With a nod, the attendants placed the cloak over her shoulders and secured it from within before departing from their Emperor's side for Edelgard to marvel at her appearance.

The Adrestian Emperor regarded herself, moving different parts of her body and on different angles to see the customized outfit she had commissioned to be made. She patted down on her body to feel the lightweight but sturdy armor within, feeling no discomfort in moving around. Lastly, Edelgard checked on the specialized crown on her forehead as well as the horns that were keeping it together, ornamental horns that the back and sides of her hair were rolled onto, shortening the length of the strands of hair on each side of her face.

"You look magnificent, Your Majesty." The attendants praised, marveling at the regal attire the Emperor wore, the majorly red attire was awe inspiring and perfectly reflects the status of Edelgard's rank.

An appearance fit for an Emperor.

"Thank you for the praise and hardwork, you two." Edelgard thanked her servants before a knock came from her door.

"Edelgard?"

"Come in, Lysithea."

Lysithea opened the door to Edelgard's room, the former froze in her place as she saw Edelgard's new attire in all its glory. Marveling at the details much like the attendants did.

Meanwhile, Edelgard also marveled at Lysithea's new outfit. An outfit that was sent to her by her parents, Edelgard had seen the outfit due to it being forwarded to her by the messenger but to see Lysithea wearing the mostly purple dress with gold trimmings and ornaments, white sleeves and the black chest area.

The ornaments fastened around each side of her hair connecting with the half veil on the back of her hair also contributed to Edelgard's admiration.

A dress meant to be worn by the heiress of House Ordelia bearing its signature colors. This was the surprise Edelgard had prepared for her in her room.

"You…"

"Look great." Both said in unison, pausing for a moment before giving each other a small smile as Lysithea closed the door and went closer to Edelgard.

Edelgard turned to her attendants, giving them a small nod to depart. They bowed down in respect to both the ladies before departing the room, leaving Edelgard and Lysithea alone.

The moment of them admiring each other's clothing ended when Lysithea decided to ask what she came for in Edelgard's room.

"What is it that you need me to come here for?" Lysithea asked, her face turning serious as Edelgard's also turned to as well.

Edelgard nodded, gesturing Lysithea to sit at the two chairs near the tea table. The two women sat, tea had been prepared at their respective sides by the attendants and a steaming hot pot in the middle of the table.

Needing no words, Edelgard served Lysithea's cup first before hers, both simultaneously taking a sip of the sweet honeyed fruit blend that was served.

"It's about your parents." Edelgard started which made Lysithea freeze in her seat upon the sudden mention of her parents.

Setting down her cup on the table, Edelgard continued,

"In light of what you told yesterday concerning your encounter with Cyril, I fear the ruse we have established has been compromised."

Lysithea looked down, disappointed at herself for it.

"I took the initiative to send out the order to the Imperial agents stationed in Ordelia lands to escort your parents out."

"You did what?" Lysithea suddenly asked.

"Cyril may as well use the fact that you intended to stay in the Empire to indict your parents of treason, the moment he reports such a thing to Rhea would mean grave consequences for your parents." Edelgard reasoned, already taking control of the situation following Lysithea's bewildered reaction.

"It is no longer safe for your family to stay there, please feel at ease that I had ordered the agents to stop over to Garreg Mach where your parents will rest from the trip before discretely arriving here in Enbarr to be with you."

"I… I don't know what to say…"

"The last thing I would want is to drag your family down, they will be safe in Garreg Mach in the meantime by now and in a few days, they will begin their journey here." Edelgard said.

Lysithea felt relief at the news, she too dreaded what her encounter with Cyril would mean for her parents. The Almyran has first knowledge of her insistent allegiance to Edelgard and knowing the man's undying loyalty to Rhea, he will have no qualms in reporting what he found out.

She had relayed this concern to Edelgard yesterday when she confessed to meeting Cyril and letting him get away. She did not expect Edelgard would react swiftly to safeguard her parents and she was grateful for her initiative. Although, there was a slight apprehension in her heart that Edelgard didn't consult her with this matter.

"Thank you, Edelgard." Lysithea said, slightly bowing her head in gratitude and giving the Emperor a smile.

Edelgard reciprocated the smile but soon faltered as if there was more news.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to see them yet." Edelgard said, making Lysithea's heart stop beating for a moment.

Lysithea was ready to react in a burst of emotions but Edelgard was one step ahead of her. She couldn't believe Edelgard was denying her to see her parents once again.

"Let me finish." Edelgard said, gesturing to Lysithea to calm down after noticing how she was in the middle of standing up as well as her facial expression changing.

"In light of what we know of Cyril and what I intend to do to march to the Brionac Plateau myself, I feel that the time is right for you as well to join me in the battlefield." Edelgard said, standing up from her seat and looking down at Lysithea.

"I wish for you to be with me in the battlefield once again."

Lysithea regarded Edelgard with the proposal that was laid out to her, did she hear her right? Edelgard wanted her to participate in the battlefield? After so long that Edelgard prevented her from doing so and keeping her in Enbarr just to train and help her?

The young Ordelia woman wanted to see her parents first and foremost but she knew her answer, fighting by Edelgard's side in and out of the battlefield is her duty to herself. All to make the world Edelgard is trying to build come into fruition.

"Yes."

Edelgard's eyes lit up with hope after hearing Lysithea's answer brimming with resolve.

"Then follow me, there is one more surprise for you." Edelgard beckoned Lysithea to follow her.

"How many surprises do you have in store?" Lysithea asked as the two white haired women walked through the halls of the palace. "I think with all the surprises you have laid out today with your decision in the war council, these clothes and now, inviting me to join you in the battle, what else?"

"It will be something you will love to see." Edelgard assured her, walking ahead of Lysithea as she went for the door leading to one of the lounge areas of the palace.

Lysithea sighed. "Honestly? I'm getting really tired of it, Edelgard. I had enough surprises today and yesterday-"

Edelgard didn't respond and simply opened the twin doors leading to the lounge area, revealing the entire room in full view for Lysithea after they both entered the room.

Only to reveal a sight that Lysithea hasn't seen since Garreg Mach fell.

"Oh! Edie and Lysie are here!" Dorothea jovially said as all manner of conversation ceased when Edelgard and Lysithea entered.

"You certainly aged well, Lysithea. Who knew you would grow up from being a kid to…. Oww! Ingrid!" Sylvain winced after Ingrid slapped the back of his head.

"W-What?" Lysithea murmured in shock upon seeing familiar faces, faces she had been friends or acquainted with ever since their time as students.

Now, here they are, grown up and looking different yet bearing some similarities all the same.

"I-It's good to see you two again." A tall purple haired woman with short well maintained hair said, someone Lysithea didn't recognize.

"And who are you?" Lysithea questioned, earning a giggle of amusement from Edelgard at her failure to recognize the woman.

The woman looked surprised and then frowned at Lysithea's failure to recognize her.

"Don't you remember me? It's me!" The woman exclaimed, pointing at herself. Lysithea merely raised her eyebrows in question.

"Bernie!" The woman said, revealing her identity as nothing than... "Bernadetta!"

Lysithea's eyes widened at the reveal, this tall woman is Bernadetta? Lysithea could still recall how she and the always anxious girl were of the same height but to see her towering her and Edelgard.

A long haired man with orange hair chuckled.

"I must admit, even I did not expect Bernadetta to finally grow up and groom her hair. She has indeed grown into a fine woman." Ferdinand nodded with approval.

"W-Wait, is that a compliment? D-Did I really look bad back then?"

Caspar (who Lysithea instantly recognized) chuckled and placed an arm around Bernadetta's shoulders.

"Heh! That's our Bernie!" Caspar said as he kept Bernadetta close to him, unknowingly rubbing the woman's face to the plate of his armor.

Then, a sheepish man with green hair sighed. "Caspar, you're hurting her." Linhardt spoke before yawning.

"Yes, I believe Bernie is not appreciating the form of affection from Caspar." Petra said with her unmistakable accent, Caspar immediately let go of Bernadetta who sighed in relief from being released from his strong grip.

"Everyone…" Lysithea breathed out as she saw her friends once again, gathered into one place. Despite lamenting the absences of a few, she nonetheless felt relieved to see them all in one piece.

This was certainly a welcome surprise for her as she turned to Edelgard, who was smiling at her.

Hubert then approached the two women from behind, followed by two of his own servants carrying long rectangular metallic cases, each coming to the side of Edelgard and Lysithea while Hubert remained behind them.

"It is good to see all of you in one place once again." Edelgard spoke up, wanting to organize the rabble before her yet maintaining a nostalgic smile.

"It brings my heart joy for all of us in the Black Eagles to be together again but I am sure all of you are now aware why we are gathered?" Edelgard asked as the Black Eagles nodded in affirmation.

"I will not lie, the battlefield we are heading into is uncertain and so will the outcome. In the past, our professor would always lead us to victory but he is no longer with us…" Edelgard lamented which the entire Black Eagles mimicked at the memory of their fallen professor, who some of them still clung to hope.

"He may no longer be with us but the teachings he imparted into us, the encouragement and the support he gave to us still lingers in our hearts!" Edelgard exclaimed passionately, remembering the memory of the man who had made such an impact to them.

The servants then knelt down before Edelgard and Lysithea, opening the case of steel to reveal the contents from within.

Lysithea's eyes widened at a familiar sight of something she had once held in her hands at one point.

"The Thrysus…" Lysithea murmured as she set aside the velvet fabric cushioning and covering the Heroes' Relic, she picked it up with her right hand and felt the relic's Crestone Stone resonating within her once again as if bidding her welcome with the surge of power she felt.

Lysithea turned to Edelgard who picked up a strange looking axe from within the case presented to her, it also reacted the same way it did to her, it's Crest Stone resonating with one of Edelgard's, glowing bright orange much like the Thrysus did to Lysithea.

Edelgard then stepped forward before her gathered comrades and raised her axe, the Aymr.

"Prepare for battle."

A declaration that was answered with exuberance to finally join the war as a united group once again. Despite losing the person who was responsible for bringing them all together, the bonds he helped forge continue to bind them together. Most of them do so to honor his memory and fight for the ideals he espoused.

Lysithea watched as her reunited class stood together and rallied for a singular goal. Over these years, the Black Eagles' had their wings clipped ever since Byleth fell. But today, Lysithea can confidently say that they will take flight once again.

Together.

I must admit, I felt this chapter was too short for my liking but I have to conclude it at that point due to pacing's sake. I hope that conclusion was okay, I didn't intend to make it wishy washy but I have to explain the reason why Edelgard chose not to use Demonic Beasts in the Crimson Flower unlike in routes that pits you against her. I really think that it's for ethical reasons that she based from Byleth and her friends' influences.

There were also a lot of deleted scenes in this chapter which trimmed this chapter down, scenes that will be incorporated next chapter.

Next chapter will be the final chapter that concerns the events of what happened within those five years that passed prior to Byleth. But before that, I will conclude Turning Back Your Body Clock before writing the next chapter of this fic.