Crimson Flower
Sisters Beyond Blood
Lysithea sighed as she hung a dark orange jerkin to dry outside of the former dorm buildings, the sun was completely out in the clear blue sky, as if everything was all vibrant and fine in peace when the opposite was happening outside of Garreg Mach.
She had been ordered by Edelgard (via Hubert) to take the day off after yet another skirmish she and the others had gone through. An encounter that Lysithea isn't fond of remembering.
It has been almost a year since they returned to Garreg Mach following Edelgard's order to centralize most of the military operations of the Adrestian Empire in the former monastery. An effort to better organize her forces to tip the scales of the war in her favor.
A war that has been called by many contemporary names but what is more commonly used are:
The Great Revolution.
Or…
The War for Fodlan.
The former was being used by most who sided with the Empire, seeing the war as a revolution against what Edelgard calls a tyrannical system the Church of Seiros has imposed on the people of Fodlan for centuries.
The latter was used more generally by most in Fodlan. But by those devout members of the Church of Seiros, they would rather call it a Crusade against the Empire of Heresy.
Not that Lysithea cared what the war is called by the people. For her and the Black Eagle Strike Force, there was no point in giving this war a name until all the dust is settled and right now, it's far from being settled.
The war has been a tug of war on all sides, a never ending cycle of victories that will soon be followed by losses, territories are taken but are quickly reclaimed and there was no stopping such a cycle anytime soon.
"Lysithea, is there nothing else you can lend me to wear?"
The snow haired girl glanced behind just as she was about to hang a freshly washed orange cloth on the clothesline.
"No, you'll have to endure wearing that."
"It's just… I'm not used to wearing frilly dresses like these."
"It's not my fault you drunkenly forgot to bring your baggage from Fort Merceus now am I?"
Lysithea frowned at her former classmate from her original class (and the only one to actually join her in the Black Eagles), Leonie, the mercenary working under contract by Edelgard had just arrived after aiding them in their most recent skirmish along with her mercenary band.
A mercenary band that has most if not all of Captain Jeralt's men. Though she is officially being under contract, Leonie has far more compelling reasons why she aligned herself to the Empire and it had something to do with her vow to the deceased Captain Jeralt, a vow that by all rights should be nulled considering her vow to protect the person Jeralt cherished most is long gone.
Leonie alongside some others firmly believe in something Lysithea had long lost hope for, even Edelgard still clings to such hope but-
"I'm going to have to endure wearing these dresses for a couple more days then?" Leonie asked with a mortified look as she looked down on her dress that she borrowed from her friends, Lysithea included.
"I look terrible in these!" Leonie further complained. "And I can't move properly in training wearing these!"
Lysithea growled irritably at the complaints being sent to her, she frankly didn't care if Leonie is comfortable or not with the dresses.
"Tell that to Dorothea if you want, she's the one whose dresses are the ones you're mostly wearing." Lysithea shook her head as she hung one of her own purple dresses that she used to wear frequently back in the palace of Enbarr.
A place she hasn't been in since she returned to Garreg Mach almost a year ago.
Almost a year ago…
How time flies by so fast, this war has a strange way of making one forget about the flow of time for someone who participates in it especially in the front lines.
Or maybe it's just because of the fact that she spends more time resting from exhaustion than doing anything outside of a battle and helping Edelgard plan out their battles.
Edelgard...
The Emperor's image had invaded her mind once again, a recurring thing in these past few days following the last skirmish she and the Black Eagle Strike Force went through.
And this wasn't just a skirmish, it was a harrowing and game changing event that threatens to break the fragile stalemate that hung around Fodlan for nearly half a decade.
Caught unaware as the Imperial army marched to supplement the forces in Garreg Mach, Edelgard watched as forces not from the Church of Seiros, not from the Kingdom of Faerghus but from the Leicester Alliance.
The sudden assault upon the Imperial army came after the garrison of Garreg Mach repelled the incursion from the unified army of the Kingdom and the Church in order to retake Garreg Mach and banish the forces of the Empire from the strategic location, a position they had held for years now.
The assault was nearly unexpected if it weren't for someone from the Kingdom of Faerghus tipping off Edelgard about the incoming attack which damaged the walls of the Church's former seat of power.
Now, as per Edelgard's orders, soldiers and laborers from the Empire's lands were ordered to reinforce Garreg Mach in order to strengthen it for another defense only to be attacked by what appears to be the Leicester Alliance.
The rear flanks were unable to mount a proper defense as they were mowed down by the Alliance, the Imperial ships that were in the process of crossing the Airmid River were pelted by arrows with burning tips, sending the ships ablaze. What awaited the men in the burning ships varied for they either burned from the flames or those who did not know how to swim, drowned and their corpses carried by the currents of the river.
Edelgard and the Black Eagle Strike Force lead the counterassault as soon as word has been sent to them by the panicking laborers who were sent ahead by the ambushed army, as to not involve them in the bloody battle that ensued.
The Emperor and her finest soldiers arrived to rally the scattered Imperial army, near to being routed, the sight of the Emperor's arrival with her elite force ignited the soldiers back into formation under Edelgard's command to fight back against the Alliance incursion.
The battle soon turned into a slaughter in the Alliance's side as Edelgard's command alongside her elite force mowed them down in retaliation of the ambush, giving no quarter, the ambushers from the Alliance were quickly sent running back to the direction of the Great Bridge of Myrrdin but not before the ships that survived their fire arrow attack, attacked from the river in revenge for their fallen comrades.
The dust settled as the Imperial army emerged victorious yet they took no joy from such triumph, it was a pyrrhic victory for them and they had lost the bulk of their reinforcements needed to combat the Church and Kingdom's army in their territory. What made this far worse than it is, was the fact that what they feared since the onset of the war had come true: the Leicester Alliance under the leadership of Claude had finally shown their hand.
The Adrestian Empire is now fighting a three-way war and they are surrounded with enemies wishing to end it's rule.
Edelgard forlornly scanned the entire field full of corpses of her people and those of the Alliance's, the smell of blood permeated the air which sickened some of them, the crows encircled the field of corpses, cawing as some descended to start feasting on the flesh of the fallen.
It was at that time that Edelgard felt increasingly hopeless at this war, she knew Claude was staying his hand and even speculated that the Duke of Riegan was waiting for all sides to exhaust themselves to hatch his 'grand scheme' but she never calculated Claude would do it so soon.
Unlike the Kingdom and the Church, the Alliance had stayed out of the fighting until now, their troops still fresh and mostly unscathed besides their casualties today. Meanwhile, Edelgard's army was vast yet has been increasingly battered every battle they went through, morale was now at its lowest that even some of the nobility tried to urge her to sue for peace.
Something she cannot afford to do, for doing so will mean her death as well as the vision she wanted for her people. She had bet everything including her life into this and there was no turning back for her.
Her grip on the handle of Aymr tightened as an outlet of her frustration on the drastic turn of events.
First thing she has to do is to organize an emergency meeting to conduct their next strategy following this new development.
With her mind made up, Edelgard turned around just in time to spot one bloodied survivor from the Alliance rising up from the pile of corpses of his fallen brethren, his eyes desperate for survival.
But that wasn't what alarmed Edelgard, it was the person who was unaware of the surviving soldier's rise, one of the few people who truly mattered in her life. That person was Lysithea, who looked worriedly over to Edelgard.
Lysithea noticed the change in Edelgard's expression, looking in shock from behind her and just as Lysithea tried to turn around to see what made the Emperor react in such a way, an arm firmly wrapped her neck and a dagger threatened to cut her throat open.
"Lysithea!" Edelgard called out in distress, catching the attention of everyone who heard of their Emperor's alarmed voice.
At this moment, everyone in the Imperial army had been alerted of the survivor who was holding their strategist and head magic user with the tip of his blade lightly pressed against the delicate skin of Lysithea's neck.
Edelgard gripped the Aymr with her two hands, her glare over the surviving member of the Alliance was intimidating enough to the point that Lysithea could feel the shaky hands of her captor.
The others began to surround the increasingly desperate survivor with Bernadetta aiming to shoot the man only for Edelgard to give her a look that made her pause.
"Let her go." Edelgard ordered the bloodied survivor, her lavender eyes piercing through his eyes.
"No!" The man screamed out in defiance. "If I did, you would kill me!"
"The more you keep holding her like that, the more I am considering it." Edelgard threatened him. "Let her go." she repeated the order.
The Imperial soldiers and the Black Eagle Strike Force were beginning to close in around him which further made the lone survivor pressed the blade into Lysithea's neck, cutting it enough to draw blood.
Lysithea kept still as she feared for her life, although this wasn't the first brush of death she had, she knew better than to tempt fate into cutting her already shortened life ever shorter.
She could feel the blade of the dagger digging slightly into her skin as she watched Edelgard try to scare her captor to release her.
"I will let you go just this once if you release her." Edelgard said.
"You think I'm going to fall for that, you monster?!" The survivor retorted back in anger, his grip on Lysithea and the dagger tightening.
Edelgard's glare only intensified upon being called as such.
"It is you who started this war! I heard of what you and your Empire have done! You fear no gods! You think you are not beholden to the crimes you have committed! You whose army killed my brother!"
Edelgard raised an eyebrow at the man who suddenly started accusing her which held a grain of truth into it.
"My brother was simply just a merchant trying to make a living in his travels and yet, he was murdered as collateral damage from a skirmish your army and the Kingdom had!" The man spat out with every bit of rage he could muster, his arm around Lysithea's neck was beginning to choke her as he rambled on.
"They brought him back to me, badly burned beyond recognition!"
"Let her go. Final warning." Edelgard warned as she was also becoming desperate for Lysithea's life. She took a step closer only for the man to press the dagger down Lysithea's throat.
"One step closer from you and any of your minions, I will kill this little bitch!"
"You despicable-!" Edelgard growled but her words were cut short when she saw Lysithea smiling at her.
"Edelgard…" The Ordelia woman calmly said as her hands slowly let go of her captor's arm, letting them rest to her side.
"It will be alright."
The Emperor and the lone survivor looked puzzled by how calm Lysithea had until Edelgard noticed a faint violet glow surrounding Lysithea's right hand.
"You don't have the luxury to feel safe right now, girl-"
Lysithea ignored her captor and simply told Edelgard…
"Six o'clock."
"What are you even-" The man didn't have time to finish as he suddenly found himself covered in violet light.
He then found himself bereft of his hostage, before he could process more of what was happening, he saw Edelgard swiftly turn her back around to face him with nothing but murderous intent in her eyes.
"How did y-"
Denied of finishing his sentence, Edelgard's Aymr brutally cleaved through his head, splattering blood on Edelgard's head and staining her ashen hair with bits of crimson.
Edelgard kicked the fresh corpse to draw out the Aymr as she looked down in hatefully at the man who threatened to kill her friend.
By the time she turned around, she saw Lysithea sitting on her backside, sighing in relief as she was checked by Dorothea and their other friends, specifically the light cut on her throat.
The two regarded each other, their eyes never leaving one another until Edelgard suddenly looked away and ordered the Imperial army to march back to Garreg Mach, back to the safety of it's walls.
They haven't spoken after that incident. It didn't feel like there was some issue between Lysithea and Edelgard but the former could feel something was up.
But then again, their friendship had been rather tumultuous since the beginning and it hit the roughest bumps years ago. They both have seen the worst and best of each other, they've always watched each other's backs and felt genuine sympathy if the other feels bad.
Lysithea shook her head, she shouldn't worry about her relationship with Edelgard for she has other concerns for now.
The Ordelia woman stood before a door to one of the dorm rooms, Imperial guards stood at each side as if guarding the inhabitant of the room.
Approaching the door, the two guards acknowledged Lysithea's presence with a nod of respect.
"Let me in." Lysithea ordered them.
"Of course, Lady Lysithea."
The guards, recognizing Lysithea's authority as one of the Emperor's strategists and advisors nodded before one of them opened the door towards the room.
Having her rank within the army defined by Edelgard prior to their arrival in Garreg Mach, the Imperial army now looks up at the Ordelia woman as a figure of authority within the same echelon that Hubert and Ferdinand hold.
The door closed behind her, Lysithea locked eyes with the person being guarded to stay in the room formerly used by a former student she hasn't seen for nearly five years.
"Hello Lysithea."
"Annette."
Annette gave Lysithea a tender smile, something that reminded the latter of the boundless cheer and optimism the Dominic woman had but now… the smile was used to hide something that plagues her.
Lysithea noticed Annette seemed to be in the middle of writing in her journal, no doubt about her return here and for the monumental thing she had done.
The orange haired woman, now with her formerly tied hair loose and hugging the sides of her neck, gestured to Lysithea to sit before going to a basket layered with cloth within.
"I have little to offer besides the baked treats Mercie baked for me so-"
"No need, I just want to check up on you." Lysithea said, forming a small smile.
Annette nonetheless took a small plate and placed a few pieces of biscuits her best friend made for her to consume during her detention. Annette offered the plate to Lysithea and sat down on her chair, her hands resting on her lap as she watched Lysithea take a bite.
"Mercedes' really makes the best sweets I've ever eaten despite how simple they appear to be." Lysithea praised, looking at the half-eaten biscuit, admiring how such a simple looking snack packs so much taste.
The orange haired woman giggled. "One of the many things I missed in these four years."
The two friends and former classmates smiled at each other until Lysithea turned solemn.
"Sorry I haven't been able to visit you since you arrived here."
Annette shook her head. "There is nothing to be sorry about, Lysithea. I know how busy you are considering you are one of Edelga- I mean Emperor Edelgard's advisers." She corrected herself, not used to addressing Edelgard as such.
"Have they been treating you well?" Lysithea asked with concern.
Annette nodded. "The guards don't talk much but they don't do anything wrong, Mercie always visits me as well as my former classmates in the Blue Lions…"
'I guess there's still some kinship between them considering their shared homeland after all.'
"It's still not right to detain you in just this room." Lysithea deeply sighed, she always found it a bit too overcautious for Hubert to suggest putting Annette in house arrest (more like room arrest) after she arrived in Garreg Mach.
Despite Annette being integral for the Imperial army to mount a proper defense a few days ago, it was her defection that mitigated the casualties yet she hasn't disclosed her reason. Why? Why after all these years since she left the Black Eagles? What prompted her reason to leave her home and family?
"No, I understand the caution especially at these times." Annette said with sad understanding. "I must admit, I was afraid for Mercie when she told all of you about her secret correspondence with me. I thought they would accuse her for colluding with someone from enemy territory-"
"Hubert wasn't really pleased hearing that but well, Edelgard heard her out."
"I know, I must have put Mercie in such a tight spot when I asked her if she can help me cross the border."
"No kidding, good thing it went off without any trouble." Lysithea added, remembering the day Annette arrived in Garreg Mach for the first time in many years.
It was a bittersweet reunion as Annette was quickly taken by the guards by orders of Hubert to be questioned with Edelgard present, a decision Lysithea and the other former members of the Blue Lion protested with but were assured by Edelgard that no harm will befall Annette.
Then, shortly after... Edelgard was quick to order fortifications and the garrison to ready for a defense by an attempted siege from Faerghus. Information that came from Annette.
"I guess you want to know why I came back here and warned all of you?"
Lysithea wouldn't bother lying, this was one of her primary reasons why she came here besides to converse with her friend.
"Yes. A lot are curious what's your motivation to defect back to the Empire, Annette and I must be truthful to you, some don't trust you despite that important piece of information you gave us."
Annette looked down on the floor, saddened not because of what Lysithea said but what she was about to say as if triggering some memories she does want to recount.
"Lady Rhea is becoming more and more unhinged, Lysithea." Annette began.
"How so?" Lysithea questioned despite herself witnessing a hint of the Archbishop's less desirable side.
"She… has the Knights of Seiros arrest anyone who discusses what Edelgard speaks about regarding the truth of Crests and the coverups of the Church regarding it-"
Lysithea could get a hint where this was going.
"Over time things got worse, the Church of Seiros tried to forcefully silence any person in Faerghus speaking of it until more and more of the disgruntled commoners began to openly protest as the Church employed increasing amounts of violence." Annette continued, her hands gripping her dress.
"Then, one day… I saw people being hanged on the gallows-"
Lysithea visibly winced at the thought of her assumption becoming true the moment Annette confirmed what was inside her thoughts.
"Rhea personally saw to their execution, to make an example of them not to discuss what the 'ultimate blasphemer' like Edelgard told them as it was a sin to the Goddess itself to question the Church's teachings… all while my father stood by and did nothing." Annette lamented, her voice cracking slightly at the mention of her father.
"What the hell…" Lysithea breathed out. "And what about King Dimitri or anyone within the Kingdom?"
"Silence. Mostly silent although Duke Rodrigue tried to protest the brazen executions to King Dimitri… he only said that necessary measures have to be taken so that the people wouldn't be poisoned by the words of someone like Edelgard, that anyone who shares her beliefs have no place in Faerghus."
Lysithea was just at loss for words at what was happening within the Kingdom. She had thought that the Kingdom was firmly united due to it's everlasting alliance with the Church of Seiros and it's firm adherence to its teachings but to find out there were signs of discontentment and unrests that were met with an iron fist?
"I… I wanted to speak out that such a thing was wrong to do to the people but my father only warned me not to as the Church would see it as treason on my part for defending any 'heretics' from judgement."
Annette by now was trying hard to restrain any tears that threatened to spill out from her eyes.
"I went back to Faerghus to help my family and the people of Dominic territory, not to see my own country killing its own people for merely speaking of their thoughts! I couldn't bear it anymore! I tried to talk to anyone I know who has any sort of influence to stop Rhea and her zealots from hurting the people again but no one dared! It's just… it's just-"
Annette abruptly stopped when Lysithea stood up from her seat, knelt down on both knees in front of her and placed a hand on top of hers that gripped her dress. She looked to Lysithea, the latter only offering her a look of empathy.
There were no words that came from Lysithea's lips but the comforting touch of a friend's hand on her trembling ones was more than enough for Annette.
Annette caught Lysithea by surprise when she wrapped her arms around her, silently sobbing as she recalled the horrible events she bore witness to, the atrocities she never thought she would see done to her people by the very people who were sworn to defend them and reassure their faith.
The futility of making her father see reason as well as anyone she thought could stop it. Annette couldn't handle living under it's shadow anymore.
She felt powerless in Faerghus.
What little hope she had, she had put into this last gambit of hers.
She prayed that she made the right choice. That this wouldn't doom her for the days to come.
Lysithea merely returned her embrace, not needing to speak any words. Annette, her friend needed this release and she was willing to receive all of it, warm tears on her dress and all.
"No wonder she wasn't so forthcoming."
Lysithea murmured to herself while walking around Garreg Mach, she had wandered around after she and Annette caught up with each other's lives following Annette's breakdown, moving on to lighter subjects and such. Mostly.
One of their topics was that of the whereabouts of Felix who Lysithea revealed to Annette that he had deserted the army following Garreg Mach and Byleth's fall during the siege that took place. Lysithea could tell the Dominic girl lamented that she might have been one of the reasons why Felix left in such a way by the look on her face.
She had now climbed up the stairs leading to the second floor, finding herself in the familiar hallway that leads to several places she frequented from back in her days as a student.
One of the doors of such a place was open and conversation can be heard from within.
"I know you're doing this under the Emperor's orders but you need to take a break!"
That woman's voice sounded familiar and judging from where it was coming, Lysithea could tell who she was talking to.
"Leave me be, Manuela. Unlike the research I have done prior to this, I am afraid this one requires my attention."
"But at the cost of your wellbeing? You're not getting any younger you old codger and one day, you will collapse-"
"Old codger? I'm not THAT old to be called like that!"
"You know what? Fine, be that way. Don't tell me I didn't warn when you find yourself lying down in my infirmary, stubborn old fool."
Out from the door, Manuela, former professor of the Blue Lions stormed out from Hanneman's office, annoyed at the office's only remaining inhabitant. The former professor with an undisclosed age passed by Lysithea, unable to notice her presence due to her annoyance.
Lysithea merely followed Manuela as the latter went back to her infirmary to conduct her own business. She shrugged as she resumed walking, briefly pausing when she finally saw the man she used to avoid and hated to interact with back during her Academy days.
Hanneman had his back turned on Lysithea, not noticing the latter standing close to the doorway of his office, observing him.
The aged professor had his hands on his desk, looking at various books and papers scattered all over it. His usually groomed greying hair was disheveled, his signature coat gone from his back as he sighed in frustration, apparently stumped on the progress of whatever he was doing.
While normally, Lysithea wouldn't take an interest in what Hanneman is obsessing over, she was genuinely curious about what he was currently working on that seemed to make him neglect himself just as Manuela pointed out.
And it seemed to have something to do with Edelgard's wishes. Could it be a weapon? Something to aid them in the war? Whatever the case, Hanneman seemed adamant to reach a breakthrough as he fervently scribbled down on his papers.
The two were found in Garreg Mach following it's fall years ago, Manuela was seen impartially tending to the wounded, not caring of which side they belonged to while Hanneman actually safeguarded several of the monastery's staff in his office, only surrendering when he and the staff he was protecting were guaranteed safety.
Due to both hailing from the Empire and for not participating against her in the battle that happened, Edelgard granted them clemency and thus they were drawn into the service of the Adrestian Empire with Manuela overseeing the medical needs of the garrison stationed in Garreg Mach while Hanneman seemed to resume his own research but for the benefit of the Empire.
Lysithea shrugged once again, resuming her walk until she arrived at the unoccupied office that used to belong to someone.
With a sigh, Lysithea turned the door knob to open the door. She was immediately met by a dark room, it's windows blocking the sunlight with it's curtains. She remedies such a problem by setting the curtains at the side to give the room it's much needed sunlight.
Now with the sunlight to make her navigation in the room easier, Lysithea looked around her surroundings.
She wondered why she was even here in the first place, it didn't feel right being in this room despite it's previous inhabitant resting beneath the earth for so many years now.
Captain Jeralt's office… a place she had rarely stepped foot in: only once as a student when she tried to talk to Byleth while the latter was grieving and isolating himself due to his father's untimely death.
It felt strange for her yet why did she feel like entering this room? She has no distinct connection to this place.
What's done is done, Lysithea had the day off and she was free to do as she pleased even if it meant wandering around aimlessly to unoccupied rooms.
Her fingers traced into the spines of various books that were still properly lined up on their shelves, getting traces of dust on to her fingertips as she did. Most of which were just reference books of topics she knew or were irrelevant to her. Lysithea even wondered if Jeralt even opened one of these books during the course of his life.
Then something caught her eye, a previously read subject that she had taken interest in judging from the inscribed words on the book's spine.
Taking it out from the line of books in the bookcase, Lysithea's eyes suddenly caught sight of a book that was aligned differently from behind the other lined up books.
She noticed from the cover of the book that it wasn't like the ones that hid it from plain sight, it almost seemed like a… journal of some sorts.
Curiosity suddenly took over her, Lysithea took out more of the books that hindered her from taking it until she finally grabbed ahold of it after mindlessly laying the other books down on the floor.
The pages seemed to be old and weathered by time when Lysithea observed the strange book before she flipped open the pages and read more and more into it.
As she read, her eyes widened in realization on what this book was or rather, this journal she now holds.
Pegasus Moon, Year 1157
Day 14 of the Pegasus Moon. I am on my way to return after helping the Kingdom of Faerghus in de-escalating a possible riot in Arianrhod. The unrest seemed to stem from House Rowe's failure to fulfill their promise of increased pay for the laborers who helped with it's fortification.
After days had passed, the Duke of Fraldarius, a lad by the name of Rodrigue managed to stop any form of violence to occur after promising the laborers of their just compensation. Not that I care for the politics of this land, most of the nobility are just out for themselves anyway.
In those days, I had longed to see her, thinking of that radiant smile she rarely exudes. I have thought of many ways to try and quell her disappointment of me being unable to take her out to the nearby town in Garreg Mach.
Maybe these varieties of flowers only grown in Faerghus might be enough? That seems to always strike her fancy. Regardless, I have to make it up to her somehow.
Day 15 of the Pegasus Moon. I couldn't believe it when I arrived in Garreg Mach, she was waiting alongside Lady Rhea when I arrived. She was relieved to see me back, her smile giving shine into my sleep-deprived eyes as she greeted me back.
Alois had to get my attention as Lady Rhea awaited my report, I had been far too enamored with Sitri's sweet smile that I had entirely ignored everyone around me, even the Archbishop. Lady Rhea, fortunately, was in a good mood to set aside my transgressions of ignoring her as I reported to her regarding the mission.
I could see Alois smirking at me from the side, I will certainly not be hearing the end of this incident when we drink tonight.
Sitri, on the other hand, loved the flowers from Faerghus, especially those of white and purple bloom. I swear that the joy and smile she had in that moment is equivalent to the Goddess smiling face that most of the clergy must have hungered to see in their lifetimes.
She agreed to go out with me in town after I rested for a bit, hopefully I can make amends to our disrupted plans days ago and I pray to the Goddess that my plan to finally ask her to spend the rest of our lives together, would finally come to fruition.
Lysithea looked on the pages of the journal, startled.
This was Captain Jeralt's diary and from the entry she read, it seems the late captain was still under the service of Rhea prior to his departure and this Sitri he kept mentioning and obviously smitten to is none other than the professor's mother.
She wanted to read more into the journal despite the nagging feeling in her head not to as if she was invading someone's privacy and that the journal wasn't meant to be found out by her.
Alas, the temptation was too much. Captain Jeralt was dead along with his wife and his son, surely anyone can read the journal of a dead person? A dead person who has been a constant enigma to anyone surrounding him.
She was curious if there was information pertaining to the professor.
"There you are, Lysie."
But before she had the opportunity to continue her reading, she was interrupted by Dorothea who stood at the doorway to Jeralt's office.
Lysithea closed the journal and turned around to look at the former songstress.
"How many times must I tell you not to call me-" Lysithea shook her head, she knew it was fruitless to tell Dorothea of such a thing regarding this nickname the latter had appointed her with.
With a sigh, Lysithea asked. "What is it?"
Dorothea seemed to have her own questions as to why Lysithea was in the late Captain Jeralt's office.
"Edie's looking for you." Dorothea said, deciding against asking unnecessary questions, especially knowing Lysithea's personality as one who doesn't like wasting time.
Lysithea blinked. "Edelgard? Looking for me?"
"Seems important. Edie had this rather serious and nervous look on her face when she asked for you."
"When has Edelgard ever stopped being serious all the time?" Lysithea quipped which earned Dorothea a giggle. "Fine, where is she?"
"The Goddess Tower."
With that, Dorothea left to mind her own business, her obligation to Edelgard fulfilled. Lysithea carried the journal with her as she made her way out of Jeralt's office, closing the door behind her.
But she had one questioned as she was on her way to where Edelgard was. What was the Emperor doing there in the first place?
On her way to the aforementioned place where Edelgard was, Lysithea passed through the various personalities that made up the Black Eagle Strike Force.
Bernadetta and Petra seemed to be on their way to the Training Grounds with their archery equipment in tow. Under the shade of a tree, Caspar and Ashe seemed to discuss something beside Linhardt, who seemed unbothered by Caspar's loud voice as he slept without a care in the world.
Arriving at the base of the Goddess Tower, Lysithea couldn't help but recall memories of her first time coming to this place.
At one point, such recollections would bring a blush into her face.
But now? Only sorrow just like the rest of the memories she shared with Byleth.
"Please… I need to focus on the steps… I'm already embarrassed as it is."
"... you look beautiful…"
Stop, she didn't want to hear their exchanges almost five years ago.
Taking the stone steps up towards the tower filled with folktales of vows and faith, Lysithea tried to shut down any more of the memories that rang in her mind.
"I saw you wandering off to this tower. I thought you might be lost or something, so I followed you inside."
Terrible liar.
"Everyone seems to be looking for you… You're surprisingly popular."
"How do you fare in such matters?"
She didn't seem to care about that matter of her attractiveness to the opposite sex back in the day but following Cyril's confession to her back in their chance encounter in Enbarr… it seemed she wasn't as unattractive as she thought she'd be.
That and the many other men who tried to make a pass on her only for her to shoot their hopes down of any romance.
"Er, I wouldn't know, to be honest. I have no interest in such things. The academy is for honing one's skills. Not for frivolous romances, despite what the other students may think!"
Yeah, right. The moment she released those words, she felt like such the biggest hypocrite to walk Fodlan. What was the sentence she actually said during her first day in Garreg Mach? During Seteth's orientation of the students regarding the rules for the students and staff?
"Only a fool would seek to even pursue such a shameless relationship with a teacher. The academy isn't a site for frivolous romances."
While she didn't actively seek a relationship with Byleth during that time, Lysithea did fantasize a thing or two of a possible romance between them. Dreamily imagining their lives as a couple even to the point of having a future together- a sweet that soon turned bitter when Lysithea was reminded of her early mortality.
"Professor… why are you always so kind to me?"
"Because you're important to me."
Lysithea's heart always skipped a beat whenever she recalled the way Byleth told her his response back in the day, she felt hope… hope that she did not long for due to her short life, she didn't want to in turn give Byleth or anyone who loved her any false sense of hope of a future with her.
Upon ascending the stairs leading to the top of the tower, the voices and memories seemed to have ceased in her mind after she caught sight of the person who sought for her presence.
There she stood, the Emperor clad in red and gold, overlooking the entirety of Garreg Mach from the open tower window. The breeze of the air calmy swept through, gently tossing the Emperor's ashen hair and red cloak as she watched her people go about their duties from below.
"I thought today was my day-off?" Lysithea quipped, approaching the Emperor and standing by her side.
"It is but I figured I must speak to you about certain matters."
"Serious matters it seems."
"Yes and of extreme confidentiality." Edelgard affirmed, still not facing Lysithea as she stared through the window.
Lysithea sighed, of course she knew this would be a sensitive matter if Edelgard would arrange for a meeting with her over a very remote location instead of their usual routine of having tea and sweets as they discussed.
Though, a part of her wishes that both of them would just relax over the recent stress they endured.
"What are you up to this time?"
"You make it sound like I'm scheming something underhanded." Edelgard dryly chuckled.
"I'm serious. What is it that you are so secretive about?"
The ashen haired Emperor was silent for a moment before taking in a deep breath to what she was about to say.
"You already know of our situation. The Alliance had shown their hand, The Church and the Kingdom's cohesion remains strong while our side is getting increasingly battered and morale is low."
Lysithea merely nodded, everyone fighting in the army knows how dire the situation is with some even suing for peace as a form of surrender.
"You don't believe Claude's response that the ambush we suffered a few days ago was from an upstart noble who tried to seek glory for himself huh?"
Edelgard scoffed at the mention of the noble, a lord by the name of Acheron, infamously called the Weathervane among the circle of nobilities in the Alliance. A prime example of a noble that Edelgard loathes the most.
"Considering it's Acheron, I'm not surprised he did that by himself in an attempt to look glorious among the Alliance." Lysithea said, knowing of Acheron's vain and opportunistic methods that earned him the ire of everyone in the Alliance.
"Claude may or may not be right but we cannot remain such an unprovoked attack to be unanswered. A member of the Alliance's nobility saw fit to attack us and we will retaliate." Edelgard answered.
"You're waging war on the Alliance?" Lysithea breathed out in surprise at the rather swift decision. "Edelgard, if you do that then we'll be more stretched out than we do now!"
Edelgard briefly looked at her through the corner of her eyes.
"Lysithea, the reason why I had you come here is so that I can know if you have the resolve to fight your own homeland. I'm not discussing strategy with you." Edelgard told her.
The Ordelia woman blinked before realizing what Edelgard meant before she laughed much to Edelgard's bemusement.
"That wasn't meant to be a joke." Edelgard said with a frown, unable to find humor in this conversation.
"It's not yet it is funny." Lysithea lightly laughed. "You're asking me that question after all these years? These years that I spent with you, planning with you and aiding you with your goal for all of Fodlan?"
"Yes and…?" Edelgard asked, still not getting it.
"What I meant to say is… isn't it a bit too late to ask me about my resolve?" Lysithea asked with a single raised eyebrow as if Edelgard asked her a silly question.
This finally made Edelgard turn towards Lysithea, there was a hint of bafflement in her lavender eyes.
Finally making her friend look at her, Lysithea held Edelgard's hands with hers as she looked straight into the Emperor's eyes, pink to lavender.
"Edelgard, I made a vow to the professor to help you… guide you in his stead should you stray from your path." Lysithea said with a smile. "But that's not the only reason why I chose to stay here by your side."
The ashen haired Emperor was silent, her eyes slowly widening as Lysithea continued.
"After all these years, what we went through together… I have come to truly see you as my friend-" Lysithea's cheeks flushed red in what she was about to admit. "And not just a friend, you are my closest friend. You may have issues but I've seen how truly noble your heart is despite your faults, you are the bravest woman I've ever known and I will never abandon you."
Edelgard's eyes moistened at Lysithea's proclamation. She knew both her and Lysithea had developed a bond so strong that it didn't need to be spoken between them but for Edelgard to hear such passionate words from someone like Lysithea reaffirming the special bond they shared together… it made her heart warm, a rare feeling she feels these days.
"I want to help you build the world you want to create. A world where people like us will no longer be victimized. A world more equal than the one we live now. A world free from the shackles of it's past and I will gladly die for it to happen."
By now, Edelgard was just struggling to keep her eyes from leaking out warm tears. She was moved by Lysithea's love and dedication for her as someone who believes in her and understands her.
She tried to open her mouth to speak but no words came out as she merely stared at Lysithea, too moved to say anything as their hands were still joined together.
It is at this silence that Lysithea realized how she let her emotions get the better of her, she acted way too rashly and blurted out words she rarely spoke with someone, she started thinking Edelgard's silence must be a sign of her getting put off by this uncharacteristic behavior.
"I-I'm sorry, I-I was rash in my wor-" Lysithea tried to recant her words as embarrassment rushed over to her face before she felt Edelgard's arms wrapped around her body, pulling her body closer to hers in a warm embrace.
"Edelgard…?"
"Thank you, Lysithea. I… I really… I…" Edelgard was still at loss for words, her voice shaking from the overwhelming feeling in her heart.
Lysithea felt relief, forgetting any moments of embarrassment from what she said after Edelgard reciprocated them with affection. She returned Edelgard's embrace, placing her arms behind Edelgard as the two shared a silent but tender moment.
After what seemed like a long time, the two separated from their embrace with Edelgard putting her hands on Lysithea's shoulders.
"To be honest… I was afraid these past few days." Edelgard admitted, looking down as Lysithea peered closer with a questioning look.
"Why?"
"That moment in the battlefield when that soldier took you hostage and pointed his blade at your neck…" Edelgard trailed off as both she and Lysithea remembered that incident, both of them not looking at it fondly.
"I was nearly overwhelmed by a wave of fear… fear of losing you." Edelgard continued. "I was so desperate to get you out of that predicament that I can feel my heart beating so rapidly. I was just so afraid."
"Is that why… you were avoiding me?"
Edelgard nodded. "I needed to process what I was feeling. What I feel for you as compared to the others. Why do you make me feel that way?" Edelgard rhetorically asked until her face formed a look of resolve.
"Then, when you spoke those words to me… I finally came to an answer to that question."
Lysithea's cheeks flushed red when Edelgard's hands touched both sides of her face.
Edelgard warmly smiled at her. "You're not just a friend in my life, Lysithea… you are something more."
Lysithea gasped as her eyes widened.
"We may not be related by blood and had our share of arguments but our bond only grew ever stronger. You are more than a friend to me, you are my sister. Sisters through the bond we share."
It is at this time that Lysithea felt her eyes moisten and unlike Edelgard's restraint, she couldn't help but feel her tears pricking the corners of her eyes as her heart felt warm with emotions.
"T-That's not fair, Edelgard…" Lysithea whined as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Edelgard giggled as she permitted herself to shed a tear at this moment.
"I would rather you call me, El… if you wish." She smiled at Lysithea.
"T-Then, call me Lys in exchange!" Lysithea answered back with a shaky voice.
Both girls of ashen and snow hair laughed at each other before embracing each other once again.
"And also, I want you to promise me that you will never stop fighting for your life. Whatever terrible fate awaits us, we can fight it and prevail… together!"
Lysithea nodded while her face was buried into Edelgard' shoulder.
"I promise… I will try my best to believe that."
Their friendship redefined to greater heights, transcending into one of sisters… solidifying their bond into an unbreakable one.
Somewhere in the darkness, light began to shine down from above, it's rays slightly penetrating through to his eyelids.
"You... How long do you intend to sleep?"
Was this another dream? He did not know, his body felt heavy and cold… as if frozen in place as the voice spoke within the darkness.
"Your body is awake. Your eyes must open now, and you must find the strength to stand upon those legs of yours."
The voice sounded so comforting as if a mother tenderly trying to gently rouse her child from a deep slumber.
"Like so much rain, a pool of blood has fallen to the ground... As spears and arrows pierce the earth, it weeps. And even now...it weeps."
The voice suddenly spoke of a grim scenario. Pool of blood on the ground? Whose? Whose blood soaks the land? How many have been shed?
"In order to survive, they kill. And so, the people of this world are lost in an abyss of suffering. They weep as well."
To kill to survive, he had lived throughout his life with that philosophy in mind, shedding the blood of others while keeping his within his veins, in order to live he must inflict suffering to others.
But that was his life prior… he knew he had a reason to go on with his life without the need to shed blood… but what?
"The only one who truly knows the nature of such things is I... Or rather, you."
His eyes stirred at the rather cryptic words, what did it mean or rather… who was this voice that was speaking to him in this darkness?
"Who?"
Contrary to the mysterious but soothing voice that spoke to him earlier, the next set of words that came from the voice was the opposite of how she sounded earlier.
"Excuse me?! Are you saying you have forgotten who I am? How dare you!"
The voice yelled, indignant at his apparent poor memory. All traces of encouragement and comfort had left her tongue as it whipped at his very core.
"Get on your feet. Right now! I'll coddle you no more! You are just like a child, always needing me to hold your hand…"
Then all of a sudden, as if being slapped by a hand to his face, his eyes suddenly opened.
His eyes shot open only to be temporarily blinded by the sudden flash of light from the sun above him.
"W-Whoa!" A voice, far different than the one earlier exclaimed. "A-Are you alright?"
His green eyes blinked as he sat up, he felt a sudden chill the moment he realized he was sitting on the river bank, the river's cold water soaking him as he stood up feeling chilly.
"Where am I?"
"We're in a village at the base of the monastery." The man, who looks to be a farmer or fisherman, answered. "What are you doing in a place like this?" He asked but he ignored him as he looked around his surroundings as if lost and confused.
"I honestly didn't expect to find someone floating away down the river... There's a monastery near here but I wouldn't go there if I were you."
His green eyes blinked. A monastery? He only knew one in his lifetime and it was filled with a plethora of memories he tried to invoke only for his head to feel dizzy from suddenly waking up.
"What do you mean?" He groaned upon asking.
The man blinked as if confused. "Huh? You don't know? The Church of Seiros isn't there anymore. Though there have been some folks still living there in the five years since... Well, you know. Regardless, the Imperial army has taken over now."
Church of Seiros… Imperial army… Suddenly as if those words are the catalyst, his clouded memories began to resurface one by one, images and voices, he could see and hear them within his mind.
His breathing became heavy as if experiencing a sudden wave of exhaustion from waves of waves of memories that came to him with no warning.
"Professor."
"Hello, professor."
"My teacher."
"What will you do if I did ask you to come with me to House Ordelia?"
All of a sudden, he remembered everything. What he last saw before darkness took him, the smell of fire and blood and the screams of someone, screaming for him.
"F-Five years?"
"Um, are you feeling alright? You didn't hit your head or anything did you?" The farmer asked with concern, he was starting to believe the man needed more help than he realized. "It's the Ethereal Moon of the year 1185. It's been nearly five years since the monastery fell. Tomorrow was supposed to be the Millennium Festival, but who's got time to think about things like that?"
"I have a proposition. Let's all agree to meet back at the monastery exactly five years from today."
"The Millennium Festival…?"
"Even if that's the case, you will come, won't you? Whether or not you're still teaching here…"
"Uh, yeah, that's what I said. But with the war and the archbishop still missing and all, I doubt anyone would care considering the Empire now occupies Garreg Mach." The farmer then placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you really alright? You seemed dazed-"
"Of course. I will be here."
He knew his response was, he promised them that he would return no matter what. It wasn't too late, he can still go and see them and…
Without another word, he started walking away from the farmer who found him, ignoring anything he said as he moved away.
On his way, he saw his sword drifting at the river bank, faintly glowing as if beckoning him to pick it up. He grabbed the sword, feeling a familiar rush of power before sheathing it on his waist.
He needed to go. He made a promise. He didn't want to disappoint them.
He wouldn't hear the end of it especially from Edelgard… and Lysithea.
With the thought of the promise reinvigorating him all of a sudden, he set out to the huge infrastructure from a distance of the village he awoke from.
He needed answers. What happened? Are they alive and well?
Byleth could only know when he finally sets foot back in Garreg Mach after all these years.
He had returned but little did he know that the world he was familiar with… has drastically changed.
If it wasn't obvious, Lysithea used the Warp spell on the man who took her hostage in that moment.
And this marks the end of the "Interlude" chapters and we will now proceed to the events of Crimson Flower as it happened in the game (with my own variation/rewrite/etc)!
Man, this was an intense chapter to write. I hope I didn't make the part near the end between Edelgard and Lysithea too cheesy/cringey to read! I have long awaited to write that part since the goal of the Interlude chapters was meant to further develop Lysithea and Edelgard's friendship to blossom to one of sisters they never had kind of bond! Also, I tried my best to address the fate of other characters outside the Black Eagles following the siege of Garreg Mach such as Hanneman and Manuela! I had to also keep Annette's part consistent with Silent Song.