Crimson Flower
The Calm
Within the palace of Derdriu, the seat of power of the Leicester Alliance, the sounds of bickering echoed, muffled as they are. The source of the bickering coming from the room fiercely guarded by the palace guards.
"You cannot be serious with this latest news you bring us, Duke Riegan!" A man of greyed purple hair exclaimed, his hands on the decorated round table with five seats encircling it.
"On the contrary, I agree with the Duke's proposal." Margrave Edmund said, calmly sitting in his chair opposite the enraged Count Gloucester, the latter's son standing on his chair's side.
"To allow those savages into our lands?"
"If anything, the one who has the right to complain about this news is Duke Goneril." A blue eyed woman in her mid-40s spoke as she eyed the lord seated opposite her. "Considering his own experiences fighting them in his territory."
The pink haired man sighed, his younger sister, Hilda stood beside him just as Marianne accompanied her adoptive father to this conference alongside Lorenz.
"Duke Riegan had presented this to me as well as acquired my permission for his plan." Holst spoke rather calmly, contrasting the public perception of him being a hot blooded person eager to showcase his military prowess for the good of his people.
"And you agreed to it?" Margrave Edmund asked.
Holst nodded as his eyes turned to the leading Duke of the Alliance, Claude who was merely staring at the map of Fodlan laid in the middle of the round table. Holst could tell the man was in deep thought.
He didn't envy Claude's position, the former duke was his grandfather who had passed away a couple of years ago and he inherited such a position with the world in such a state of war.
"Count Gloucester." Claude finally spoke up ever since the conference began. "If you had called out my decision years ago about this, I would have agreed with you. But this is different, from what our spies had gathered, the Empire will march towards Myrrdin in a few days."
"But why would they?"
"Take a guess why." Daphnel sighed in exasperation towards Count Gloucester. "Despite Claude's scheme of creating an illusion of us having some sort of infighting, I am afraid your pretend brown nosing to the Empire won't divert them away from attacking us."
Everyone within the room growled in frustration.
"Acheron's unprovoked attack against the Imperial army, despite initially successful, gave Edelgard a casus belli to declare war." Claude remarked, recalling the outrage of all lords within the Alliance when they had heard of Acheron's foolish attack towards the Imperial army crossing the river, a vain attempt for glory.
"Even with the Adrestian Empire stretched out, we shouldn't be underestimating them considering what they have in their ranks." Holst stated. "From what we have gathered, they employ monstrous beasts to fight against the Church of Seiros and the Kingdom of Faerghus on the western front led by the Emperor's uncle."
"Then, in Garreg Mach itself lay the Emperor and her elite squad of the most talented and skilled individuals from Fodlan." Judith added to the tense discussion. "The Black Eagle Strike Force."
The mention of the latter provoked a reaction from Count Gloucester. While it caused varying reactions between Claude, Lorenz, Hilda and Marianne about some of the Strike Force's members. Claude, Hilda and Marianne looked conflicted while Lorenz was full of resentment considering his family's heirloom relic, the Thyrsus was taken and given to Lysithea.
"The fact that Lysithea von Ordelia sided with them and House Ordelia itself working with the Empire to fool all of us is unacceptable! It broke the trust of the other houses and our people towards us, the Five Great Lords-"
"Four now, unless you consider House Daphnel as an official member once again." Judith interrupted. "I'm only here to discuss the defense of the Great Bridge of Myrrdin after all."
"Why of course, you are momentarily filling in the void that House Ordelia had left in the midst of their betrayal, you are valid to be here with us." Margrave Edmund gave Judith a nod of approval.
"We didn't really give House Ordelia any reason to remain loyal to us after we effectively abandoned them to the Empire following the Hrym Rebellion." Holst pointed out, causing Margrave Edmund and Count Gloucester to flinch as they are the only remaining lords in this conference that were in power during that time.
"Yet it is rather foolish that they sided with the Empire despite being the ones responsible for what happened to them." Margrave Edmund argued back.
"Hmph." Count Gloucester scoffed. "Regardless, we must defend Myrrdin at all costs. If the Great Bridge fell to the Empire then the entirety of the Alliance will be left vulnerable-"
"No. I don't think Edelgard will waste her time and resources to scatter her army all over Alliance territory and subjugate each and every one of us." Claude said as all eyes went on him.
"What do you mean?" Duke Holst asked.
"From what I learned from Edelgard, she is the type to prefer ending battles by cutting the head of the snake first as shown when she almost killed Lady Rhea in the Siege of Garreg Mach as well as her performance in missions during our time in the academy. She's not reckless with it either, she can be cunning and hard to read… we all had no idea she had been plotting all those times until she showed her hand."
"What are you getting at, Duke Riegan?" Margrave Edmund questioned.
All of them watched as Claude stood from his seat and pointed his finger to the table, all of them looked to where Claude's finger was aiming at: Derdriu's location within the map of Fodlan.
"I have a feeling Her Majesty will be marching here to end me." Claude suggested as all eyes widened towards him. "But, I intend for her to come here."
"But that's ridiculous! You'll be allowing yourself to be played by her own plan!" Count Gloucester exclaimed.
Claude smirked at the count. "And by the time she arrives here, she'll realize that she is the one being played at."
27th day of the Ethereal Moon of the Imperial Year 1185
The clash of two practice weapons reverberated all over the training grounds, the sound of dull iron filled then tension ridden air as the Black Eagle Strike Force watched their leader and their former professor spar against each other with dulled practice axe and sword respectively.
Foregoing their cloaks for easier mobility, Byleth and Edelgard sparred as if intent to kill each other by their expressions and how they didn't waste any movement to get an edge over the other.
None spoke between the two, their attacks were both precise and refined, it was actually a surprise for the Black Eagle Strike Force to see Edelgard being equal against Byleth in this fight when five years ago, Edelgard was also having difficulty keeping up against Byleth's attacks in sparring.
As for Byleth, he had been amazed at Edelgard's progress over the years or… could it be that she was merely concealing her true strength when she was still just his student?
Regardless, he didn't have much time to linger on such thoughts as he nearly had his head rung like a bell by Edelgard swinging her axe to his head, only that he was barely able to block the attack with his sword.
By this time, Edelgard has been slowly but steadily gaining the advantage by how she was pressuring Byleth while the latter was unable to find any openings in her swift movement and powerful strikes, a side effect of being in a coma for five years.
His own body still felt rigid from his "sleep" that he and the others are still figuring out about. Edelgard even thought it was a joke despite her stubborn hope all these years that he was still alive.
But even if Edelgard was gaining against him, Byleth could feel his muscle memory returning at this fight. For each swing, Byleth could feel his body feeling like how it was back then, he could respond better against Edelgard's attacks.
Edelgard noticed how refined Byleth's movements have been steadily getting and this brought a smile upon her lips, not disappointed that these five years haven't totally rusted him.
But alas, Edelgard had to end this duel for the momentum she had gained against Byleth would be wasted as well as the opportunity of defeating her teacher this would be out of her grasp.
Just as Byleth was poised to start his counterattack, he found himself deprived of his weapon for the second time in his recent memory, the first being when Rhea disarmed him of the Sword of the Creator during the Siege of Garreg Mach.
Before he could react nor could hear the sound of the practice sword hitting the ground, Edelgard already had the dulled edge of the training axe pointed at his throat, a smile etched upon the Emperor's lips for her victory.
The two were panting for air now, clearly spent from their sparring and even despite that, Byleth managed to smile.
"You have gotten stronger." He remarked, impressed with Edelgard's show of skill.
"All of us did. None of us have been idle all these years, professor." Edelgard responded with a small smile of her own, moving down her training axe, away from Byleth's throat.
"At this rate, I couldn't treat you all the same as I used to back then." Byleth said as they approached their audience.
Dorothea was quick to give Edelgard a towel and a waterskin to drink from. Lysithea on the other hand, was ready to give hers to Byleth only for Leonie to throw her waterskin for Byleth to catch in mid-air.
Lysithea froze at her late action as Byleth thanked Leonie for the water and drank it to refresh himself, Caspar on the other hand gave him a dry towel to clean off the sweat.
"You got sloppy, professor. Heh, even I think I can beat you at your current state." Caspar grinned toothily at the prospect of being able to beat Byleth. He had made the thought of beating Byleth as one of his established milestones to prove his strength during the first time they fought.
A battle he quickly lost.
Surprisingly, Byleth agreed with Caspar's statement.
"As I am right now, perhaps. I still need to adjust accordingly and hone my movements to what it was. At this rate, I cannot be in any way or shape good in battle."
"Knowing you? You'll get back your form in no time." Leonie smirked, smacking Byleth's back which nearly made him spit out the water he was drinking.
As the members of the Black Eagles Strike Force flocked around their recently returned professor, Lysithea watched them from a distance with a smile upon her lips.
It felt good seeing this sight again after so many years. To see Byleth interacting and conversing with them again, the atmosphere he brings and how he was the link that tied all of them together.
Yet, it annoyed her as well. Outside of strategy meetings, Lysithea had little to no interaction with Byleth ever since their reunion.
Something that still brings a blush upon Lysithea's cheeks when she recalls that intimate moment between her and Byleth. They were alone in the classroom, both touched each other as Lysithea cried tears of joy…
There was just something in Byleth's eyes that day that made her heart beat faster, that look in his eyes that Lysithea was lost in just as Byleth was lost in hers. Lysithea doesn't know what would have happened beyond that if it weren't for Alois interrupting their moment despite Edelgard (who was hiding and silently listening to their reunion) and her attempts to silence and prevent him from interrupting the tender moment.
Byleth was just as surprised as Lysithea was upon finding out that Alois abandoned the Church of Seiros during the Siege of Garreg Mach, being unable to muster the will to fight against the side that the son of his mentor and friend chose to join despite his long career with the Knights of Seiros.
After all, if it wasn't for Jeralt taking him in as his squire during the lowest point of his life, Alois wouldn't know where his life would be right now.
Though not technically a part of the Imperial army, Alois was instead employed as a mercenary under Leonie's band with the two having a mutual connection of being Jeralt's pupils as well as their members comprising those who ran with Jeralt in their lifetime and in debt to him.
Their loyalty extended to Jeralt's kin or to the side Byleth chose.
"Jealous?"
Lysithea nearly jumped up when she saw Edelgard standing beside her, observing Byleth interacting with their other friends. She never noticed that the ashen haired woman was even there.
"You scared me!"
The Emperor shrugged. "I wasn't meaning to. You were so fixated on your gaze to the professor that you didn't notice me walking towards you."
Lysithea frowned at her sister by oath before turning her attention back to the professor who was nodding to something Ferdinand had suggested.
"Everyone wants to spend time and catch up with him and tell him what they've been up to all these years." Lysithea remarked as her lips curved down. "I couldn't even ask him…"
Edelgard regarded her for a moment with an unreadable expression before her lavender eyes fell back to Byleth and their friends. She knows she cannot meddle with Lysithea's feelings for Byleth at this point, knowing that the effort must be done by Lysithea herself.
Instead, she'll try to give her some advice for her sake.
"Wouldn't hurt to be more assertive. We only have a few days before we attack Myrrdin after all, you need to make your move."
"Easy for you to say." Lysithea murmured, earning a frown from Edelgard.
"Easy for me to say? As far as I remember, you were much more assertive five years ago when you dragged him to the dance floor-"
"Okay okay I get it! No need to make me remember that, El!" Lysithea interrupted her, her cheeks immediately turning red at the rather brazen action she took during the ball. Her determination to make things right with Byleth during that time overtook her entire reasoning.
Edelgard found herself inwardly smiling at how Lysithea has been getting used to calling her by her nickname, something she gave her permission with due to their relationship that they have cemented deeply together.
Without another word, Edelgard placed a hand on her shoulder before leaving Lysithea to address her other friends and former classmates to let the professor rest and go about their business.
As Byleth left with the Black Eagle Strike Force, she didn't notice Annette looking at her with a rather concerned look before going along to where her friends were going.
The following day...
Garreg Mach 2nd floor, Conference room
"The main Imperial army that will pass through Gronder Field led by Count Bergliez will be intercepted by me. I will assume command and besiege the south gate of Myrrdin." Edelgard placed a wooden piece representing her at the war table.
"Yes, meanwhile we will use our attack boats through the Airmid River and harass the garrison with arrows as the forces from Garreg Mach lead by the Black Eagle Strike Force will attack the western gate." Hubert pointed out as all eyes went to the pieces coming from Garreg Mach towards the Great Siege of Myrrdin.
Edelgard nodded in affirmation, her eyes turning to where Derdriu is, Claude's seat of power in the Leicester region.
They are doing their daily review of their strategy, their strategy that would begin the invasion of the Leicester Alliance.
The usual four are present in the room: Edelgard, Hubert, Ferdinand and Lysithea. All of which formulated this plan after Edelgard and Ferdinand discussed how to deal with the Alliance's treachery while at the same time bolstering their forces via annexation.
It was a rather risky solution but with the Alliance now in the fray, the Empire cannot fight a war against two nations, one of which is backed by the Church of Seiros.
"A sizable force will stay as a garrison to hold out against any attempts of a siege from Faerghus." Ferdinand confirmed as he watched Edelgard pace around the war table, her lavender eyes focused at the plan they had drawn up.
"Ever since my family left the Alliance, the Great Bridge of Myrrdin has been managed by Judith von Daphnel." Lysithea said as she stood at the side of the war table's right side.
Edelgard's eyes narrowed at the mention of the woman.
"The Hero of Daphnel. If what I heard about her exploits are true then I doubt the army holding Myrrdin would be intimidated by ours come the day of the siege."
"They wouldn't." Lysithea replied while recalling the various tales involving Judith. "Judith's charisma as well as words of her feats against Alymrans while aiding Duke Holst in defending Fodlan's Locket can boost their morale."
Ferdinand frowned. "So, we are up against one of the most seasoned military commander of the Alliance alongside one of it's most fortified locations-"
"That serves as our entryway to freely invade the Alliance if we succeed." Hubert threw in.
"Then the next and final phase of our invasion of the Alliance begins." Edelgard nodded to each and everyone one of her advisers and strategists within the room.
This was Edelgard and the Adrestian Empire's make or break gambit to turn the tides of war into their favor. If they manage to take their victory in Myrrdin, the morale of the Imperial army will rise as well.
The recent return of Byleth had managed to restore some semblance of hope among them, especially within the Black Eagle Strike Force.
"Why isn't the professor with us today?" Lysithea questioned, finally asking why the one who commands the Black Eagle Strike Force now is missing in the conference room.
Ferdinand agreed. "He should be present whenever we review this considering he effectively leads the forces attacking the west gate."
Even Hubert casted a look of inquiry from his liege. Edelgard looked at each of them and sighed.
Byleth was present in one of these meetings once, he was mostly silent and only interrupted when he asked questions about a thing or two. Though they valued his thoughts about the strategy, they received no such feedback from him as he readily agreed with the plan.
"The professor had asked if he could attend at a later time." Edelgard responded to their inquiry about Byleth's presence. "He told me he needed time to adjust to what had happened around him as well as to condition both his body and mind for the war."
Lysithea looked down, she knew about this conversation between Edelgard and the professor as she was present when Byleth asked the Emperor for this favor.
"Let's hope he does not take too long. It doesn't feel right that one of our leading commanders isn't present at these meetings." Ferdinand hoped with a less positive expression.
"He assured me he will. Just give him time, Ferdinand. He's still coming to terms with the fact that five years had passed since he last remembered. You've also seen how he performs in battle at the moment, he's not the same as he was but he is getting better." Edelgard said to put everyone's mind to ease.
Lysithea could only sigh at the professor's situation. If one is to actually think and imagine themselves in Byleth's shoes, this is actually a very complicated situation for him. The circumstances of everything and everyone around him, how this and that came to be… it is enough to overwhelm him at this point.
There was also the mystery about the reason for his survival…
"Lysithea, anything to add?"
The Ordelia woman looked back at Edelgard, snapping out of her own thoughts that overtook her attention.
"Nothing. Let us just wait until the professor comes."
Edelgard nodded in agreement. "Alright then, this meeting is adjourned. Take your leave." The Emperor concluded as Ferdinand and Hubert gave her a nod before proceeding to open the twin doors out of the conference room to go about their business.
Leaving only the two white haired women in the same room.
Neither of the two spoke, both staring at the war table though both knew the other wasn't staying to rereview something they had just done.
"He's training alone in the training grounds." Edelgard told Lysithea from the opposite side of the table, her eyes not leaving the battle plans.
Lysithea was perplexed for a moment until she realized what Edelgard was talking about.
"That's great and all but I need to talk to you about something." Lysithea insisted, not wanting to veer away from her intended topic to tackle with Edelgard.
Which has something to do with what they found out from Hanneman's research as well as Rhea's journal. The three of them never had the opportunity to discuss the matter once again ever since Byleth returned, Lysithea wanted to continue digging deeper and deeper into the professor's origins and his connection with Rhea.
That and what did Rhea do that allowed Byleth to harness such great power and possess the Sword of the Creator.
"It's about what we and Professor Hanneman were investigating."
"We will discuss that once we are ready. As of now, our focus should be on the upcoming siege."
"El-"
"Lys, please." Edelgard sighed in exasperation, she wasn't in the mood to think about this matter at the moment. "I understand your curiosity, I am too but I cannot put my mind into that matter for now."
Edelgard saw the downcast expression of her sworn sister or best friend, she didn't mean to shut her down like that but the recent days had been busy and Edelgard had a lot of things to think about concerning the war and her Empire.
Especially towards her 'uncle' who has since consolidated his influence by winning battles at the western side of the Empire, using Demonic Beasts against her wishes.
Lysithea could tell that a lot was indeed in Edelgard's mind and instead of being stubborn about it, she acquiesced to Edelgard, nodding before taking her leave.
"Once the siege is done, we'll talk about it… as well as inform the professor about it." Edelgard assured Lysithea, the woman glanced back at her with a nod before leaving without another word.
Once Edelgard was alone in the conference room, she suddenly fell to her knees as she clutched onto the sides of her head.
She had been holding in the nausea and the pain she was feeling in her head, her ears were ringing from the pain while she felt her entire body ache.
Suppressing her coughs, Edelgard covered her mouth with her right hand only to discover that she was coughing blood on it.
"This has been the second time this month." Edelgard growled as she weakly stood up, using the war table as a crutch. Her strength slowly returned but the bloody coughing persisted for a moment.
"We're both running out of time." Edelgard lamented as her thoughts strayed towards the woman she just recently dismissed from her presence. Their shared condition as well as the limited amount of time they both had in this world. She didn't want Lysithea to worry if she saw her like this nor did she want the others to find out, they all needed to focus on the attack on Myrrdin in order for them to succeed.
The ashen haired Emperor clenched her right fist that had her blood smeared on it and slammed it on the table, knocking down some of the pieces on the war table. She couldn't afford to feel weak right now just when her mind and soul has been reinvigorated by two individuals who made such an impact on her recently.
She must strive on.
Byleth swung the practice sword he had been wielding for hours now, practicing with short breaks in between to the point that the dull blade has been noticeably dented.
The training mannequins weren't so fortunate either, most had been severely damaged with all the swings Byleth had done on them.
The professor... he snorted, he doesn't even know why he still refers to himself as such considering how Garreg Mach is not the place he knew and it's not the academy he taught in anymore. He could understand his former students affectionately still calling him as such but for the others to still call him with that title, it's fast becoming his moniker much like how "Ashen Demon" was the moniker given to him as a mercenary.
This place...
It was still technically the same place, just it's architecture damaged and managed by other people now, but it was different.
Students replaced by soldiers, faithful clerics with loyal officers… The only things that didn't change for the most part are the civilian staff tending to the monastery and its inhabitants, all of which have no real affiliation with either side as they just want to live peacefully from the town outside, also part of Garreg Mach.
Pilgrims were still allowed but were closely monitored by soldiers, preventing them from getting into areas of the monastery, this in order for spies disguised as pilgrims not to get key information of the Empire's military plans or for potential sabotage and assassinations to occur.
With a loud cry, Byleth leaped and spun around to deliver a mighty swing towards the mannequin, nearly cleaving it's head off with the dull blade. The force of the attack was so strong that Byleth's training sword finally gave in and shattered, leaving him with only half the sword's length to wield.
Byleth sighed as he looked at his broken sword and the fourth training mannequin he broke for the day, he still is adjusting to his strength, how to properly harness the power Sothis bequeathed to him before she merged her soul to his.
His eyes turned to the Sword of the Creator leaning on the wall a few distance from him, it is inactive now but when he comes near it, it glows and sings with power resonating from him.
He had avoided using the sword for practice knowing that the Sword of the Creator was merely just an instrument, the true strength still lies within him and right now, it wasn't acceptable for him. Byleth still felt he was rusty from the sleep or hibernation he went through.
An enigma that even he doesn't know the answer from though he promised Hanneman to discuss it with him at a later date as even Byleth is curious of how he had survived the fall and subsequently sustained his body to still be in pristine condition.
Nothing changed in him, not even a strand of his hair grew and not even a speck of facial hair grew around his mouth.
He recalled how Lysithea jokingly pointed it out.
"You should be looking like Captain Jeralt by now or even more if you didn't groom yourself for five years."
Byleth remembered how Lysithea's eyes widened almost immediately when she realized she mentioned his father. It may have been five years for her but for Byleth, it felt like Jeralt just passed away recently, the pain may not be as fresh as it was back then but it still lingers with him.
His mind then wandered to that of his former students, all of them are now bona fide adults, some had their appearance changed over the years while some remained relatively the same with some minor changes. They have all matured from their younger selves but the traits that made them who they are still remained.
And that always brings a smile upon his lips, that even after five years of war and experiencing it's hardship, they remained who they are, true to themselves.
And none of them had perished all these years as Hubert pointed it out as "fortunate" or "miraculous" after he reunited with them after his own reunion with Edelgard.
Edelgard…
For someone who witnessed her ascension first hand, Byleth could truly tell Edelgard had risen and taken hold of her station… or perhaps she was already someone who had embraced what she was born with to cut her own path.
It must have been hard for her to lead an entire nation of people all these years with the war going on. Despite Edelgard's assurance that he should not blame himself for his absence, Byleth felt guilty for leaving her and the others at such a crucial time.
He felt guilty for Edelgard's guilt for dragging him into this war and for what he suffered, Jeralt's death and his fall from Rhea's attack.
Byleth knew a lot had happened in her life over the years as well as the others. His former students had all grown closer to one another, some were even in a relationship to another.
Though, he did notice how Edelgard interacted with Lysithea. The way the two spoke and how their body language is to each other was far different than it was five years ago. There was no reservation between the two, especially from Lysithea's end.
While he doesn't know the answer to it yet, he could feel Lysithea had honored her promise to Byleth that she will be there for Edelgard in his absence.
But was that the only reason why they seem to have gotten closer? A promise?
"Need some water?"
Byleth turned around to see Lysithea standing behind him, holding a waterskin filled with water she had just recently acquired.
The former professor immediately smiled at the sight of the woman before him, it was still too surreal for him to believe that the young girl that was his student years ago had grown into such a fine young woman now.
"Thank you." Byleth said as he walked towards her, taking the waterskin Lysithea had offered him and drank it to refresh his body. He still has amounts of stamina to spare but even he could tell he was feeling the strain of continuous training taking its toll on him.
"I'm honestly surprised no one's hounding you to be with them right now." Lysithea remarked, watching her former teacher wipe the sweat away from his face with a cloth.
"Technically, you're the one doing that now." Byleth replied, not realizing what he said made Lysithea frown at the remark.
"Well excuse me if I thought I could check up on you." Lysithea pouted, crossing her arms under her chest.
Byleth blinked before realizing his careless choice of works.
"I… didn't mean it like… that." Byleth trailed off as he felt Lysithea's frown, somewhat intimidating.
There was a brief moment of silence between them as Byleth felt her stare pierce through him, with Byleth unable to formulate the proper words.
Lysithea sighed, allowing the careless remark to slide as she made her way to one of the racks of training weapons, passing by the inactive Sword of the Creator. Much to Byleth's surprise, Lysithea took a pair of training swords, tossing the other towards Byleth which he caught after discarding his broken one.
"Lysithea?"
"Spar with me." Lysithea said as she took on a basic sword stance.
Byleth hesitated as he put the waterskin Lysithea gave him on one of the benches before raising his training sword to assume a hesitant stance.
"I don't think-"
Without another word, Lysithea lunged towards Byleth with her training sword, surprising Byleth that she could even possess a sword considering her lackluster physical condition five years ago.
Byleth was barely able to block Lysithea's slash towards his head. Even with just training weapons, Byleth could feel Lysithea was serious in her strikes for each he blocked and dodged. He was caught by surprise with Lysithea's capability with the sword despite her initial basic stance and initial strikes.
Sensing the resolve from Lysithea, Byleth knew it was time to take her seriously rather than hesitate as a form of respect that he wasn't taking her lightly. Pushing back against Lysithea's assault, Byleth easily staggered her when Lysithea barely blocked one of Byleth's fierce swings, causing her to be pushed back.
The former professor was the one on the offensive this time as he launched a series of swings towards Lysithea with the latter being forced on the defensive and unable to properly respond.
Byleth broke her guard when one of his swings forced her sword arm to move, leaving her open for an attack.
Lysithea, quickly thinking, unleashed a severely weak Miasma sphere to push her away and widen the distance from Byleth, surprising the latter with the move.
"I didn't know magic was allowed." Byleth said, finding himself smiling at Lysithea's recent move after overcoming the initial shock.
"Using magic is the only way for me to keep up against someone better in close combat." Lysithea smirked rather slyly. "Especially you, professor."
"Who taught you how to wield a sword?" Byleth asked, curious who was Lysithea's trainer during these times.
"Isn't it obvious?" Lysithea replied. "Can't you tell how I move?"
Byleth knew who she was referring to almost immediately.
"Edelgard taught you."
The snow haired woman nodded in confirmation. "A bit late in realizing it considering how you just sparred with her yesterday."
Byleth shook his head, his smile never leaving his lips. "It's just… you wielding a sword surprised me enough."
"I have more surprises in store for you, professor."
"By all means, show them. You have my attention now." Byleth beckoned her and Lysithea was willing to humor his request by showing something she had learned from Dorothea's technique with her sword.
Byleth was unusually excited to see what Lysithea, a person he never thought would wield a sword, would do next. By his experience, those who primarily use magic focus on honing their magical prowess rather than try other fields of combat.
To see one for the first time as well as that person being his former student made him curious.
And Lysithea was all willing to show him more.
Holding out her training sword before her right hand, Lysithea channeled dark magic from her left hand to create a blade of dark purple energy around the dull sword.
"I never thought I would see the day that magic can be used to channel it's properties into a weapon." Byleth remarked as his eyes marveled at Lysithea's Soulblade enchanted sword.
"It uses the same principle with how Crests can be used to empower one's weapon."
Lysithea was liking the impressed look in Byleth's eyes. She had been wanting to show off some of her progress in these five years to him, something that kept getting delayed as her friends kept on taking away his attention, depriving her of the chance.
Now that she's seeing the rarely impressed gaze from him, she could feel her elation rising up, the dark magic radiating around her blade in response to her emotions.
"I'm ready, show me what you've learned." Byleth said, challenging Lysithea to come at him with what she got.
With renewed determination to show to her former teacher, Lysithea lunged forward once again with Byleth also lunging forward, using his Crest's power enough to shield his own training sword from Lysithea's Soulblade enchanted one.
Despite knowing she can never match Byleth with a sword, her desire was to show him how she had grown all these years besides her obvious maturity.
As for Byleth, he found himself enjoying this, not because of the thrill of battle but because of how good it feels bonding with Lysithea outside of having tea and studying is.
At a distance, a lone man walked towards Garreg Mach after passing through half of the town nearby. Wearing a cyan coat with fur around it's hood, he briefly stared at the imposing structure ahead of him.
His last memory of this place was that it was partially in flames, the sounds of battle were everywhere as well as the roar of an inhuman creature.
It was perhaps the fiercest battle he was ever in but at the same time, his heart wasn't in it for some reason.
What happened after the battle left him no reason to stay behind and instead, departed with nary a word. Not even to his friends that he grew up with.
All these years, he had wandered around the world without a purpose besides honing his skill with a blade. He never cared about going back to the homeland whose values he had grown to despise. He knew his father and his people would not accept him for the decisions he had taken.
He didn't care.
And now, after hearing rumors he thought he'll never hear again, he made his way back to this place to see if they bear any measure of truth.
Removing the hood over his head, Felix Hugo Fraldarius pressed on forward.
This is more like a filler chapter in order to show the aftermath of Byleth's return from last chapter.
I'm taking a short break from writing after this in order to have some R&R with Rune Factory 4 Special. Afterwards, I will begin writing the final chapter of Eternity's End, my last fic set in the Verdant Wind route. If you guys haven't read that yet, please do? XD