Shattered Songs of Faith

by Sakura108645

Now, one does not expect to wake up in another body when they die. She did not expect to come to such a world that she had only read and played through technology. What's more, that she wakes up as Female Byleth during her childhood days. "Come and see the world in different ways from the River of Time before it all shatters away!" (SI OC) (AU)

53. Chapter 52:Pieces Falling into Place

[Warning: This chapter contains mentions of post-traumatic disorder relating to implied sexual, verbal, and physical abuse. Please be cautious when reading.]

- Days Later: Verdant Moon: August 16th -

The monastery was bustling around lively and ever. There were repairs being done as well as a few other things. The time of the summer fruits and vegetables harvest was going to be in a few more days. Many were excited because that day was also going to be the professor's birthday. Currently at the green house, Bernadetta hummed a tune as she was watering flowers she was growing. Joining her was Annette, who watered the tomatoes growing at the next post. The greenhouse was filled with plants from around the world, some very rare and even fruits. Footsteps were heard when the gates to the green house opened. Bernadetta being the closest by, she smiled softly when Dedue came in with a medium size pot, with a cherry three.

"Is that the cherry free Dimitri requested from Anna?" She asked and Dedue nodded.

"His highness requested this tree a few months ago. It just came in a few minutes ago. Celica came to deliver it." Dedue says as the girl nodded.

Bernadetta, Dedue and Annette had formed a friendship as they would be the ones to tend the greenhouse frequently. Bernadetta had opened up to Dedue and was happy to learn of the plants that grew in Duscur. He showed her how to tend the white ones that he is growing.

"By the way," Annette spoke as she put down the watering can, "Mercie, Bernie and I are going to visit the professor later on today. Has their highnesses visited her yet?" She asked.

"Her Highness Lestia has along with the others but Highness...has yet to go." Dedue sighed a bit.

"I'm sure Dimitri will go. Maybe he's shy?" Bernadetta says and Annette giggled a bit.

"Perhaps." Dedue smiled a bit and placed the tree down on the table.

"By the way, I heard that there was a fourth house this time!" Annette says a bit excitedly, "They're called the Ashen Wolves. Looks like Professor Hanneman, Manuela and Arisa have their work cut out for them. Seteth is speaking with Lady Rhea to see who their main Professor will be." She says.

"Umm...their leader is Yuri." Bernadetta figit a bit nervously.

"Is he that friend you talked about with Dorothea?" Annette teased and poor Bernadetta screeched.

- Audience Chamber -

It's been a few days since the battle and the students were recovering as well as the instructors and Jeralt. Right now, an important discussion was about to take place that would decide the fate of the Ashen Wolves. Chris already had a plan. Of course, he didn't tell any of the Ashen Wolves about it because there was a good chance Yuri was going to kick his ass. Still, he felt it was the right thing to do but also to take on some of the burden his sister has on her shoulders. Also, how much this will alter things? Maybe not too much but it will be something that will help them all in the future. In the audience chamber, after a few days of resting were the Ashen Wolves and him. Arisa unfortunately wasn't present due to being bedridden. She accepted her fate and was in her room recovering. Amir and Alexandra have been taking turns being subsite teachers for her.

The Ashen Wolves themselves had a serious talk regarding if Aelfric had been using them the whole time. Honestly, Yuri had no idea since the man always acted that way around him. But the church records confirmed he had founded the Ashen Wolf House 15 years ago. There were good intentions at first, but Yuri said that Aelfric mentioned he found Sitri 10 years ago and that was when he changed.

"What's done is done. He's gone, and we're here. That's what matters now." Hapi said during the talk.

Yuri had to do a full report of things played honestly. Honestly, part of him was looking forward to him because it meant leaving Seteth a stack of papers 90 pages long. It was a mess and like all three of the Wolves told him, he earned it. Now the real question was what will happen to Abyss? Things won't remain the same with how things happened. Here Chris was with his friends and also wearing his eyepatch again. His hair had remained permanently teal after Sothis returned to Arisa.

"After speaking to the cardinals, I am disbanding the Ashen Wolf House."

That sentence alone made the Ashen Wolves freeze and Chris pinch the bridge of his nose. Rhea continued to speak with Seteth on her right and Lejare on her left, who looked ready to throw his sister out the window. Funny how Chris and Lejare share something in common. They both have stubborn sisters. Though the main difference between the two females is that one wanted control and the other was a rebel.

"The Ashen Wolf House was originally created for troubled youths as well as for those who needed protection of the church. As for Abyss, I have decided Crescent will oversee it." Rhea says.

"So that's why Crescent looks ready to send Rhea out the window." Chris thought.

"Somewhere along the way, the original intent was corrupted, and it ultimately became a cage for you. The Ashen Wolves are officially disbanded. You can consider this a graduation, of sorts." Rhea says as Seteth let go of a sigh.

"I object." Chris spoke suddenly making the three officials and the others turn to him.

Lejare raised his eyebrow a bit. Something interesting was about to happen.

"The Ashen Wolves have done more than they should for the church and have protected the people of Abyss for many years. Those who cannot protect themselves, as well as those who have been betrayed and spit at. They count them. They serve as the guardians of Abyss. You suddenly disbanding them is a slap to the face." Chris argued back.

"My decision is final." Rhea asserts and Hapi speaks, a frown on the girl's face.

"You can doll this up by calling it a graduation, but you're the one who sent me to Abyss to begin with. Now you waltz in here and tell us just to go live our lives, as if none of this ever happened?" Hapi argued back and Lejare's gaze was burning a hole through Rhea's skull.

"You sent the girl underground when you could have taught her how to control that ability?!" Lejare hissed mentally and Rhea hissed back at him.

"I was not going to risk endangering the people of the monastery." She hissed back as the two literally looked like they had sparks flying between them.

"You may continue living in Abyss, of course." Rhea quickly turned back to them, Seteth was doing very well to hide his displeasure, "Abyss will always be a refuge for those who need it the most. Your chains have been unbound. You are free to live as you wish." Rhea elaborated and now Lejare really looked like he was going to pop a vessel.

Yuri could tell the man wanted to cuss out the woman. The Ashen Wolves looked at each other and then to Chris. The man gave them a nod as the gears began to turn. The steam Lejare was releasing settled down. He knew that look. He knew that look the 5 had in their eyes. A look that only those he had passed down his Crest had. A look that the descendants of his twin sister Noa had.

"You ask me, this feels like good timing. This feels pretty good Rhea. But I also owe Abyss a lot. Not to also mention how the people there have helped me. I can't just leave them. Doesn't sit right with me." Balthus says as he crosses his arms.

"It is the same with me as well. After all I have been through, I must say I feel immense gratitude at the prospect of living freely. But I cannot leave just yet. For my mentor, Professor Arisa, she has chosen to take me as her apprentice." Constance nodded and Rhea was not happy learning that Arisa had already chosen an apprentice.

It was a tradition of Holy Magus to take on up to three apprentices if they desired. She didn't expect Arisa to choose one so soon. Yuri wasn't happy that the church was just letting him go. Considering he has done a lot of unsavory things.

"You're just going to let me go? While I was working with the church, I still did a lot of unsavory things. And I agree with the others. Leaving Abyss without the Wolves will not be the same. Considering the man, you appointed to be the new overseer is someone none of had ever met before. Let alone no one in Abyss knows him. We don't even know if he would get along with my people." Yuri pointed out.

"Ha! A House that points out Serios's sorry excuses! I wish Noa was here to see this." Lejare thought as he hid his smirk with his hand.

Chris stepped forward and spoke.

"Lady Rhea, please. I have been with the people of Abyss for two years and know the hardships they faced. I have helped them defend those who cannot fight. I have helped provide medicine and supplies that the people of Abyss have been denied. The Ashen Wolves have been the support system the people need and look up to. They trust them as I trust them. I care about them. My sister cares about them. I know very well what it's like to be an outsider to society that looks down on those they feel do not belong. So, I offer this. They need someone to teach them. Arisa has offered to take them but considering the condition she is in, "Rhea winced, "I'll do it. I offer to become the professor of the Ashen Wolves." And everyone's eyes went wide while Lejare grinned.

"My decision is -!" And Lejare raised his index finger up, a gesture he would do to tell someone to shut up and to listen.

A gesture he would do to his younger siblings especially when they would get in trouble and try to argue to get out of. Rhea suddenly felt like a 15-year-old again and nearly pouted when he did that.

"Continue speaking boy. Being a professor is quite a responsibility. Rhea here is firm on her decision. Keep speaking your reasons." Lejare smirked and the Ashen Wolves sent small smirks to each other.

It was obvious to them that the new overseer of Abyss was someone like them. Someone who knew how to play the game called life. Someone who knew there was around the ropes.

"Right. I'm suggesting moving the date till the end of the year. Of course, I'll take on the duties that a professor has and help teach the other three houses as well. Since technically the professors rotate to teach the houses. And yes, the main house I shall lead will be the Ashen Wolves. The Wolves deserve a proper education and opportunity just like all the students here. They also have been working with the students before. Constance here is friends with Bernadetta and Mercedes. Honestly, she manages to get Bernadetta to leave her room. So far, the only ones that have ever done that is Arisa and Felix. Let them have a proper graduation. You own it to them Lady Rhea. They deserve it. Also, I'm doing this relive some of the burden off the others." Chris spoke his statement and Lejare hummed in approval.

Rhea was silent as she observed each one. Before she spoke, Seteth did.

"I hope that the other reason better not be why you are disbanding them. That they trust a boy who is of descent from the Anti-magic clan." Seteth so casually says and Lejare covered his mouth to hide his snickering.

Never did he think Cichol of all people would say that. Rhea went silent as she looked at them all with a calm face and then thought of her granddaughter, who really wasn't in any state to take on missions currently.

"Sigh..." Rhea sighs, "Very well. Christian Eisner, I hereby put you on charge of the Ashen Wolf House. I shall move the disbanding date till the end of the year. You are to help them complete their studies they once have started in Garreg Mach. Like all the Professors and instructors, you are free to use any of the resources that are available to the other three houses. And, as well as reside in Abyss as you please. Also, Crescent." Rhea turned to her brother, "You are to take Professor Christian under your wing and properly teach him how to wield anti-magic. After all, you possess the Major Crest of Lejare." She declared.

"Well shit...then if my guess is correct, Crescent is actually Saint Lejare. But looks like he's not on Rhea's side. Still...grrr...I was hoping I stay under the radar with this." Chris thought.

"Very well then." Lejare sighs and looks over to the wolves and boy, "Just to let you know, I'm putting you through hell during my training. You will learn to properly use that magic of yours. Am I clear?" Lejare said coldly.

"YES SIR!" Chris looked like a scared cat because the man reminded him of Jeralt when he was pissed.

Yuri was trying not to laugh and Seteth couldn't help but crack a small smile. Still, he was surprised his plan worked.

"Since Professor Arisa is out of commission due to injuries, I shall assign you and your house your first mission to get you started." Rhea spoke as Seteth nodded.

"I would like for you and your students, along with the three houses, to take them into Kingdom territory to eliminate some thieves." Rhea says as Lejare let go of a sigh.

"Oh no...not this one." Chris thought and already knew what was coming.

"They stole a Hero's Relic from House Gautier of the Kingdom of Faerghus- the Lance of Ruin. Their leader's name is Miklan. He is apparently a disowned son of House Gautier." Seteth spoke as Chris let go of a small sigh.

"Why must he be eliminated?" Chris asked on purpose.

"This skirmish involves a holy Relic and is therefore more than a single noble is capable of resolving. The Heroe's Relics are immensely powerful weapons. We must meet this threat with adequate force. Unfortunately, most of the Knights of Serios are away from the monastery purging the apostates of the Western Church. Usually, Professor Arisa would be entrusted with this mission in leading the houses. However, she is in no condition to be fighting and won't be able to properly recover by the end of the moon. With the injuries she took, till the next moon she will be able to go back on missions." Seteth explains, "You wield the Sword of the Creator as she does. Which is more than capable of opposing any Relic."

"The Sword of The Creator is a powerful weapon, well beyond the other relics. You have nothing to fear." Rhea smiled, "However, to ensure that no harm comes to the students, we will also send the monastery's most skilled individuals to aid you." She explained.

"I must remind you that you are expected to conduct yourself in a manner befitting the wielded of the Holy sword." Seteth explains.

"You are dismissed." Rhea says and turns to leave.

"Wait." Chris spoke and the Wolves looked at each other confused.

"Yes Professor?" Rhea raised an eyebrow at him.

"What happened to the lance that Pittacus wielded?" He asked.

"The lance has been given a proper burial because it was forged from the bones of two important figures. It had been taken care of." Rhea says and Chris nodded as he and the others left.

Silence now there was in the audience chamber as Rhea let go of a sigh and left straight to her office, leaving her two brothers alone.

"I need to speak with you in my office. It's...serious." Seteth spoke and Lejare nodded.

"Very well then." He says and the two walked out of the audience chamber.

There was a bit of a tense silence as the two walked down the hallways. They could see the students running around, getting to class. Lysithea and Dorothea chatted as they walked together discussing what sweets to bring to the professor. They could see Dominic and Boey arguing over chores and two then got smacked on the head by Seilke. The kitsune began scolding them and then pulled them away to help her clean the stables. Continuing down ahead, walking down the courtyard, Amir was giving instructions about how to properly channel magic into one's fist. Caspar was struggling along with Sylvain. Felix had let an annoyed groan as Sadi did it with ease. He spotted Flayn speaking with Ignatz about the painting he was doing, a light blush on the two kids' faces. Thankfully Seteth turned on time and did not see it. Arriving at his office, Seteth closed the door and motioned Lejare to sit.

"What did you want to speak about?" Lejare spoke first as Seteth's tone became serious.

"I want you to keep an eye on Christian." He said seriously and Lejare raised an eyebrow at him.

"Why? This better not be because my blood runs through his veins." Lejare snarls.

"No. It's not about that. The boy knows who we truly are." Seteth clarified as Lejare eyes widened a bit.

"I see...But are you that paranoid that he will reveal who we are? Even if the boy knows, the fact that he hasn't said a word speak volumes. And he has not blackmailed you at all. I can tell that boy cares about the children and will not do anything to put them in danger." Lejare says back.

"I know but we can't risk it! And I suspect his sister is also knows. With what Rhea told me that she witnessed the Professor forcefully turn into one of us, I think it's possible that the girl may have inherited the ability to transform into a dragon. Just like us." He let go of a worried sigh.

"You know that the Professor is Rhea's granddaughter, right?" Lejare said.

"Yes, I know. Rhea told me. Still, the girl shouldn't have inherited that ability. Not even her mother had inherited, and her father is human. I do not understand. The fact that she even has a dragon stone...I have no idea where she got her hands on one." Seteth confessed and Lejare let go of a sigh.

"You worry too much. But I'll keep an eye on the boy. For now, I need to get my things ready so I may oversee Abyss. Be well Cichol." Lejare stood up and left the room.

Seteth was honestly worried. Something was going to happen better or for worse.

[-]

"Have you visited the professor yet Lysithea?" Dorothea asked as the two carried trays of sweets and tea.

"No not yet. Ingrid and Sylvain have been trying to get Dimitri to visit the Professor but aren't having success at all. I think he feels guilty because he accidently injured her." Lysithea said as they made a turn around the corner and walked down the stairs to reach the Professor's room. As they got closer, they could hear soft singing and humming. A few of the cats and dogs nearby were sleeping peacefully as they heard the soft singing voice. They spotted Blanca also laying down on a patch of grass, Feh perched in her head. As they got closer, their faces turned a bit confused as they spotted a woman with long white hair, watering flowers. Their back was facing them as she sang.

Fly me to the moon

And let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, darling, kiss me

The woman sang softly and turned her head a bit as she heard footsteps approaching.

"Excuse me." Dorothea spoke as she held the tray of tea, "Are you helping the Professor water her garden?" She asked politely.

The woman put the watering can down and fully turned to them. Lysithea's blood ran cold. Nearby, Caspar and Leonie were heading back to their rooms when they heard a loud CLUNK! and SHATTER! The two quickly ran towards the direction of the sound and stopped when they saw it was in front of the Professor's room. Lysithea was sobbing loudly as she was hugging the white-haired woman that wore a white simple dress. The girl's face in the woman's chest but she didn't care. Dorothea could only look with wide eyes as her hands trembled as she reached out a bit. The words stuck in her throat, unable to say anything. Leonie and Caspar approached carefully and could see the woman gently stroking Lysithea's hair, like a mother would. The woman turned her head towards them, and Leonie choked.

"Arisa?" Leonie spoke in a strangled tone as the slightly pale forest colored eyes looked at her a bit triedly.

A soft smile graced her lips as she gave them a slightly unsure close eyes smile.

"Whoa Professor! You look...different. Umm...are you...recovering well?" Caspar asked, unsure as Leonie knelt to hell Dorothea picked up the glass shards.

But they stopped when the shards glowed and floated up in the air, fixing themselves till once again they were a tea set, set gently on the wooden tray. It looked like the never shattered. Not a single crack on them. Dorothea gently handled it and had multiple questions about what spell she used to do that.

"You shouldn't be using magic." The group turned to see Chris walking their way, the Ashen Wolves following behind him.

"..." Arisa only stared at him and he sighed.

"You're having surgery in a few days. Emily is on her way. And yes, she's pissed." He says and is met with silence.

"..." Arisa was still silent as she blinked a bit and he shook his head.

"No, she's not mad at you. More towards what that witch did to you." He replies.

"..." she blinked once more, and he groans.

"You...sniff...can understand what she wants?" Lysithea whimpered, still hugging the Professor.

"Wait, I thought she could speak. We heard her singing." Dorothea said as the woman's eyes looked over to her a bit then back to her brother.

"She can only speak for a bit. Her throat is recovering. She'll be able to speak properly in a few days." Sothis says as she appears in golden dust but manifested in different forms that allowed the others to see her.

The spell Transfer unlocked a few hidden powers the Crest of Flames had. Being temporarily in the heart of her other self, Sothis gained another portion of her memories. Spells that she would once use as well as a few hidden abilities that the Crest of Flames had that not even Arisa and Chris knew about. One of those spells was one that allowed Sothis to manifest herself in a different form to hide her original appearance. Honestly, she was glad she regained the memory of this spell because she can now properly interact with the students and the others. However, the form she took was of Mirabilis, from FEH. Of course, the goddess didn't know that. She took the form because it had appeared in Chris's memories. Also, because Mirabilis fell asleep a lot like Sothis, so it makes sense?

"Are you the fae that is contracted to Evergreen?" Hapi asked as the pink haired alfr flew around with her butterfly wings.

One problem...

Sothis tried to pat Lysithea's head and her hand went right through, making the girl turn pale. The goddess pouted because she could only manifest for a few minutes at most.

"Yes. My name is Sothi. I'm am glad I can...yaawwwnnn...finally speak to you children." Sothis yawned as Chris walked up to his sister.

He reached out his hand and she took it, some magic flowed into her. Her hair glowed a bit and Lysithea couldn't help but shed more tears as the Professor's hair had turned a faint shade of brown fading to teal.

"This should help out a bit. Let's head inside. I need to speak to you about the meeting with Rhea." He says and turns the others, "You guys head back to your rooms or whatever you guys were doing. Alright?"

"Want me to bring some food from the dining hall?" Yuri asked and Arisa shook her head.

"You need to eat." Chris says to her and she pouts as Sothis disappears in gold dust.

She looked to him for a bit and he nodded.

"She says a beef stew if it's alright with you?" He says and Dorothea couldn't help but giggle a bit.

"I can't help but like this cute side of you professor." She teased and Leonie snickered.

"She's not used to asking people to help her. Still, it alright to rely on others." Chris smiled to her and Arisa nodded a bit.

"Alright then. I'll bring the food. After that, we'll see you later. Take care Professor." Yuri smiled sadly to her and she waved goodbye as the others excused themselves but Lysithea remained.

"Lysithea, can go, you know?" Chris says and the girl shook her head.

"I want to know what happened. Lestia and Dimitri only say that she overdid it in using magic, but I don't believe it. Please?" The girl asked and Arisa gently had placed her hand over her dragon stone.

"Alright. You can come in. I'll get the tea ready." Chris sighs as the three walk to Arisa's room, Hersvelg, Blanca and Feh following behind them.

With the door closed, they were safe. From a distance, Hubert watched from the shadows and frowned as he warped back to the hidden area in the forest.

"Did you see her?" He turned and saw Edelgard walking towards him.

He blinked multiple times as he saw the axe she carried and a poor tree that was a victim to her swings. He released she must have been letting off some steam.

"I did. It was just as you said. Still, do not understand Lady Edelgard." Hubert says as Edelgard went to sit down on a log to rest a bit, "What exactly did you see that made her turn like that? I do not sense multiple Crest within her, yet she looks similar to you." He says.

"Pittacus made her absorb the blood of the five apostles. It's a theory but I believe it may have triggered the true power of the Crest of Flames. She turned to that...thing..." Edelgard gritted her teeth as she took a big gulp from her water canteen.

"However, with the way that witch reacted, she said that was not the dragon form of the Progenitor God. She went into a huge frenzy about it. And Christian is called The End. Sigh..

Things are just becoming more confusing than the last. The information my uncle has given me...I don't know why but Heather keeps appearing in my mind. Hubert," she looked up to him, " When we go back to Enbarr in a few moons for the plan, I need you to search the royal archives for anything out of the ordinary." She ordered and he bowed.

"As you wish. Also, I have a report." She cocked her head bit, "Seems Christian had become the new professor of the Ashen Wolf House." Hubert chuckled.

"What? Now we're going to have difficulty trying to investigate him. During my time working with the Ashen Wolves, I learned that Yuri is just as cunning as Claude and Lestia. We need to be careful. Especially since they figured out so quickly what Christian did to Pittacus." She grumbled a bit.

"Lady Edelgard, what exactly did he do?" Hubert asked.

"He's a descendant of the anti-magic clan. His blood was poison to her." She answered as a coy smile on her lips appeared, "I couldn't help but feel joy seeing her in agony. What she felt was nothing like what my siblings and I went through. Unfortunately, she is still alive, but I doubt she'll recover for quite some time." She chuckled.

"I see. Have you gone to visit the professor yet?" Hubert asked and Edelgard flinched.

"Lady Edelgard...?" He looked at her worried as he noticed her hand trembling.

"We...we nearly killed her..." Edelgard rarely showed weakness but this battle really did haunt her as the image of her teacher screaming in agony came back, "When I saw...that beast...I thought it was a demonic one. Only to learn later that it was the person who showed me kindness, the whole time? F-Forced to...turn into..a children of the goddess?" Edelgard muttered as her grip on her axe tightened.

"Lady Edelgard, if I may." Hubert spoke and she nodded, "I investigated Flayn's origins. Her mother was human." And Edelgard looked at him with wide eyes.

"It's only a theory but it could be possible that a child born from a nabeaten mother or father and their partner is human, they can or will not inherit the ability to transform like the archbishop. It is also possible for them to lose the ability to transform." He smirked and Edelgard let go of a weak laugh.

"I see...still..." she sighs and smiled softly when Flayn showed her musical instrument collection with excitement, "Hubert...are the sources of information my uncle has told are legitimate?" She asked.

"This is unlike you...Is your resolve wavering?" He said and shook her head.

"No. But..." she reached into her purse and pulled out a book.

The title on it read, "The Legend of Cirina".

"This book was written by one the members of the ice tribe. By Ui herself. I think it's time...we use the advice Heather gave us when it comes to our sources. I believe for now...our eyes should focus on...The Archbishop's son." She says as Hubert frowns.

"Beleth correct?" She nods, "Why him? He is a Captain of the Knights of Serios." He says.

"I have noticed tension between him and his mother." Edelgard observed the edge of her axe, making it glisten as she moved it, "If my theory is correct, Rhea has kept Beleth in the dark. Last month's mission only strengthened it more. It could be possible that he does not even know what she is. What...any...of them are. He seems to hold some sort of jealousy towards the Professor. While it is clear to him that she does not enjoy the treatment of favoritism, that envy he feels, can be used." She smiled as the blade shone her reflection back.

"Envy...hmm...I would say...no, never mind. If, like you said, he is being left in the dark by his own mother, then let us use that to have him slowly uncover the truth. If he chooses to remain with the church, we shall eliminate him. And if he chooses to side with us, then we will gain the advantage. Beleth is called The Ashen Demon and is at par with the professor." He said as Edelgard nodded.

"Yes, that is true. However, we also need to be careful around her. I don't know why but I feel she...grew stronger." Edelgard muttered and stood back up, "I need to speak with her soon. I think I'll visit her later this evening. As for you Hubert, I want you to see if you can get any information out of Velouria. She said that the history of the clans is different from the one of the Church of Serios. Confirm that is true." She said seriously and Hubert nodded.

"Ah, and one more thing." She says and he turns to her, "If possible, I want you to monitor Lestia's movements. She has become much more unpredictable over the past few years."

[-]

"I see...so your body was forced to absorb a huge amount of magic as well as the blood that contained 5 Crest. This forced your body to be extremely overloaded and forcefully awakened a forbidden power of your Crest. It was too much and thus why your hair turned completely white." Lysithea gawked as Arisa nodded after Chris explained what happened.

Of course, they left out the part where she was turned to a dragon, by force. Both siblings understood Arisa had some sort of dragon form. However, learning that the one she took on was not the Sothis's dragon form nor was it one similar to Rhea's, it was alarming. The good news, Arisa did not lose her humanity and thanks to now having her dragon stone back, she will have to learn to properly control it. Which meant at that point, she would be trained directly by Rhea. Still, Arisa has been able to transform partly into a humanoid dragon because 4 years ago she snapped badly. She rarely would turn to that form. The two siblings wondered if Chris also had that ability.

"Something else has been bothering me." Lysithea said as she turned to her Professor, "Christian said that you will be going under a surgery. What exactly will it do?" She asked and turned her head to Chris to speak.

"Well first off, Arisa is not going to be cut open." Chris says and Lysithea couldn't help but let go a sigh of relief, "All human beings possess a magic system." Arisa stood up to go to her shelf and quickly brought back one of her books and opened it.

The page showed a drawing of a human with a vein all over the body however these veins were not blood veins, but ones that represent how magic flowed through the body.

"Those veins are invisible to the human eye but are able to be seen to a certain amount of degree by mages. They represent the flow of magic in our bodies. Thus, why it is called a magic system. This is a healthy one. Now," he turned to his sister, "Arisa's was heavy damaged, again." He says and Arisa pinched him.

The girl couldn't help but chuckle a bit as Hersvelg was sleeping on her lap.

"The surgery Emily and Crescent will do is one design to repair it. It's called a magic surgery because it's more towards the spiritual part of humans. Like the soul. This book was written by Faerie Doctor by the name of Flora von Ordelia, one of your ancestors." He grins and instantly Lysithea scooted a lot closer

"Then...if its possible, could that same spell Crescent and Emily will use, can it be used to remove a Crest?" The girls and the siblings looked at each other with wide eyes.

"Actually, we never thought of that." He says and turns back to her, "I think we're going to talk to Professor Hanneman about that as well as Emily.

"Another question...Professor you...don't have a second Crest now..do you?" Lysithea asked carefully.

Arisa shook her head and Lysithea hugged the woman tightly, beyond grateful she was spared that fate.

"By the way, Christian, you said you have some news?" The girl said and at that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Come...in..." Arisa spoke softly and Lysithea looked at her worried as the door opened and in came Yuri carrying a tray of beef stew, a bottle of cider, and a peach sorbet.

"Hey, I brought you your meal." He grins to her and Lysithea goes to open the door for him.

He thanked her and walked up to the table and set down the tray.

"I'm glad you're doing better." Yuri smiled softly but Arisa noticed he seemed nervous.

Her face became a bit neutral and she let go of a sigh and suddenly cupped his face, making him face her. Forcing him to look at her in the eyes. Lysithea covered her mouth to hide her growing blush and gasp while Chris groans.

"It...is...not...your...fault..." She spoke softly and his eyes slowly went wide, "Do not...blame...yourself...for...something...that...was..out..of...your..control.

And...thank you...for helping..me." she smiled warmly to him and Yuri let out a strangled laugh despite the self-blame in his eyes.

"You're...too forgiving...But..." he smiled softly to her, "Thank you. But can you let go of my face now? Christian looks ready to throw me off the window." He says and Chris turned to look at her brother, who just was pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You're cute." Arisa grins and Lysithea started laughing loudly at how red Yuri had turned.

"I'm going to get you back for this." Yuri growled back and quickly left the room, the door closing shut.

"Well, I'm going to go now. Umm, if it be alright, may I borrow the book?" Lysithea asked and Arisa nodded, "Thank you Professor! And get well soon!" She grins and leaves quickly.

"Sigh...I swear." Chris chuckled a bit and Arisa shrugged, "But anyhow, eat your food while I tell what happened." He sighs and she nodded.

He saw her eyes light up a bit as she began eating and he spoke.

"Originally in the DLC, Pittacus or any of those who Slither in the dark were not involved. And it's alarming how they have been getting a lot more active as of lately. But to the original topic, the Ashen Wolf House was originally going to be disbanded like nothing happened." He says and can already see in her eyes she was not happy to hear that the church wanted to do that.

"So, I stepped in and made a deal. Something that will benefit us, especially in the future." He says and Sothis appeared in her original form to listen, "I offered to become the Professor of Ashen Wolf House and for the disbanding date to be moved to the end of the year." He smiled and her eyes went wide.

"Continue!" Her eyes said and he nodded.

"The Ashen Wolves deserve the same equal opportunity as the rest of the students here. The church owes them that much since they are the ones that sent them down there in the first place. I offered to be their professor and for them to finish the education they started and have a proper graduation. You're in recovery so I also wanted to take some of the burden off your shoulders. I already spoke with Anna and she'll be helping monitor trade in Abyss. It's a start to help the place improve for everyone here. Now...Arisa please don't kill me for this..." he took a deep breath as she raised an eyebrow at him, "Will you be alright, should a student of yours, choose to join the Ashen Wolf House? That they asked to be transferred to my house should it happen in the future?" He says.

She just gave him a dead paned look that said, "Are you seriously asking me permission?"

"What?! I don't want to get on your bad side!" He put his arms up in defense and she faced palms.

"My you're a fool. Yaawwwnnn..." Sothis yawns as she goes to sit down where Lysithea sat before, "If a student from any of the three houses chooses to transfer to another house, that is their choice. Arisa already knows that it was possible and if that is their choice, she will respect it. Of course, as a Professor, she will still be teaching them. It's alright if a student chooses to transfer to your class." Sothis smiled and Arisa nodded.

"Sigh...thank you. Also, since you're going to be recovering for quite a while, I have been placed in charge of the mission going after Miklan." He said and Arisa looked at him worried.

"I'll do what I can. Changing the subject, have the four lords come visit you yet?" He asked.

"Claude...Lestia...yes. Dimitri...Edelgard...no." Arisa replied back as his eyes went onto the right side of her neck, where Pittacus mark used to be.

Now on there was a light scar that looked like it was stabbed there before. The two spoke to each other calmly as Arisa ate and nodded or shook her head to reply to a few questions. Still, it did hurt that neither the prince nor princess had come to visit her when the others from the mission did. Jeralt had to go to Remire Village to speak with Florencio regarding something important. Before he left, he came to check on his daughter and the two had a long talk about her mother. The two finally had the closure they needed.

- Late at night -

Dimitri couldn't sleep. He shifted uncomfortably on his bed and had bags under his eyes. The voices sneered at him for being a coward for avoiding the Professor and not having gone to visit her once. He sat up and let out a frustrated sigh as he threw off his blanket and went to grab his white shirt. He put on his black baggy pants and...he froze. The dagger he always carried was the one Arisa gifted him 5 years ago on the 25th of The Ethereal moon. The way day danced made him feel in bliss, the way the two laughed and giggled at the joyous moment.

"A beast you are. You nearly brought us the wrong person. You could have snapped her neck at that moment." Lady Patricia sneered in his ear as he gulped and grabbed his other dagger instead, the one Glenn gave him.

He walked out of the room, carefully closing the door to not make a sound. He walked down the hallway and down the stairs till he reached outside the dorms. He looked around. The place was quiet and calm. A few fae flew around as he walked and looked towards where the Professor's door was. He heard a soft voice and quickly hid because it was possible it was a guard. However, the closer he got; he could hear soft singing. He saw a bit of white and froze when he realized who it was. Arisa was humming softly as she danced softly on the grass, bare foot.

Fly me to the moon

And let me play among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars

In other words, hold my hand

In other words, darling, kiss me

In other words, please, be true

In other words, I love you

Arisa was glad she took the medicine Emily had given her months ago. She recovered enough strength to speak and sing now. Sothis hummed softly as the girl danced. She softly closed her eyes and placed her right hand over her heart and the other stretched out as she turned to the direction of the stairs where...Sothis quickly faded away because she wanted to see what would go down. A few of the fae cooed as the prince could only look with wide eyes.

Fill my heart with song

And let me sing for ever more

You are all I long for

All I worship and adore

In other words, please, be true

In another words, I love you

She hummed softly and carefully opened her eyes, a bit dazed as she opened. She was met with a burning red Dimitri and her eyes went wide.

"I-I am so sorry for intruding!" Dimitri quickly turned away and was met with silence. He carefully looked back, and his heart stopped when her arms suddenly wrapped around him, resting her chest on her head on his chest.

"I'm glad you're safe..." Arisa spoke softly as she hugged him.

The voices screamed he did not deserve kindness at all. That he will taint her, destroy her. He swallowed as she let go of him and smiled warmly.

"I'm glad you've come visit me. I was getting worried. Come. We talk over tea." She grins and he carefully follows behind her.

He flinched when he saw the scar on her neck and stopped when she closed the door. Now that he had a better look, her face seemed more relaxed. The sadness that was in her eyes, it wasn't there anymore. He wondered if she saw something during the time she was captured.

"Hmmm~ Hmmm ~" Arisa hummed a tune as she reached for the jar of chamomile tea, but Dimitri had walked up from behind her and grabbed it.

"Please sit down, I'll prepare it for tonight." He says and she turns towards him.

Sothis was doing everything in her power to hold back her laughter as she witnessed how the female froze because she was partly trapped between the shelf and prince. The goddess has seen many things but one thing she knows for sure is that Arisa was possibly growing feelings towards the prince. The girl grew a crush on him when they first met all those years ago. Truth to be told, she grew to admire the prince because of his innocence. And unsurprisingly to Sothis and Alexandra, those feelings of a crush are slowly developing to something more. Maybe? Maybe not?

But let's be real. You really expect me, the author, to make things easy for them? Or anyone?

"Hey, author. Stop breaking the fourth wall." Sothis grumbled.

Anyway, thankfully Dimitri had stepped back and went to the table. It felt strange for the female to not be the one preparing the tea, but she appreciated the gesture. The prince prepared the tea and left it too steep for a while as he saw down and Arisa across from him. There was a bit of silence and he spoke suddenly, making her jump from her seat a bit.

"I am so sorry!" He bowed his head to her, and Arisa began frantically waving her hands.

"Why are you suddenly apologizing?! Are you hurt? Was it something I said?!" Arisa stuttered and the prince shook his head as he pointed to the right side of her neck.

"I did that to you...when...when...you were...transformed...I...thought you were just another monster and... I saw an opening...I jumped..the dagger...it was full intent to-!" he stopped when he suddenly felt her hand on his shoulder.

"Dimitri, please calm down." She says and he looked up to her, "I understand very well that the intent was to kill. Believe me, if I were in the same position as you during that time, I would have done the same." She sighs and touches her neck.

"I'm actually grateful you stabbed me." She sighs as she looks out the window and Dimitri let out a strangled chock.

"You're...grateful...I almost killed you?!" Dimitri's voice held anger but self-blame.

The voices of the death laughed and cackled. Sneered and made fun of him that he, a monster, someone was grateful they nearly ended their life.

"Dimitri, let explain why." She turned back to him, her voice serious, "You broke the connection that Pittacus had on me. When I was in that feral state, all I wanted to do was to kill everything in my sight." She says and he looked at her with wide eyes.

"Anger, hate, self-blame. Envy, they were all the negative emotions I kept bottling up inside me. My own emotions were turned to a weapon against myself but also onto the rest of you. It felt like I was trapped in a never-ending nightmare. I kept being tortured. I saw so many horrific things. It was as if I lived them myself. I could hear Pittacus laughing, mocking me." She says as she was shaking a bit.

Dimitri looked at her worried but continued to listen as she closed her eyes. What she was saying was true. The nightmares she kept living over and over were terrible fates that Byleth suffered. One dream was that Edelgard tortured Byleth day after day. Another was that after years passed after defeating Nemesis, Claude began to see Byleth as a threat to his dreams and declared war against them and had them publicly executed. Another one was that they confessed to Dimitri that they had the power to turn back time. Dimitri begged to them to fix the Tragedy of Duscur but even Sothis's power had a limit to how far they could go back. The prince became furious and destroyed Byleth in anger and other...horrid things they did to them. Rhea ripping Sothis's heart out and failing repeatedly to bring back her mother. The woman falling to madness and going on a rampage. Byleth snapping and truly embracing the name The Ashen Demon and destroying all Fodlan. Them yelling in their final moments that they never asked to be Archbishop. They never asked to be a ruler. They never asked for people to decide their fate for them. That they were just Byleth, the child of Jeralt Eisner. That was all. In those final moments, they screamed that their greatest regret was meeting the Lords. Other fates were that they saw the ones they loved killed before their eyes. An ending where TWSITD won the war and destroyed everything they loved. The nightmares replayed over and over and she herself nearly descended to madness. And suddenly it was if a record player broke and the nightmares stopped in an instant. It was enough for a portion of her sanity to return. That was why she lunged at Pittacus. Her "Tiamat" side, Arisa calls it, awakened.

"I was just so happy that I was able to gain some sort of my sanity back. It..kind of reminded me...no, bad idea comparing it to that." She shook her head and smiled softly to him.

"You must have feared seeing me like that. I'll confess...its...power of my Crest. Still...the fact that I was forcefully formed to transform did scare me. Sigh...I'll be alright from now on. But...I guess the experience also...helped me." She smiled softly as she remembered the time with her mother.

"Are you worried...That I am afraid of you?" He whispered and she gave him a bit of an unsure smile.

"Well it makes sense don't you think? People fear the unknown. Though I am pretty sure I'm going to get a lot of questions. Hmm...you win some you lose some." She chuckled a bit.

"No." She looked at him confused as the boy gritted his teeth, "I am not afraid of you. I just...when I learned that was you, my mind went back to that day four years ago. The way you became so protective of us despite the chaotic state you were in. But this time, the emotions you feel when protecting us, were used against you. I was horrified that I nearly killed you. I would have never forgiven myself if I did. And worst of all, when your brother yelled for me to stop, I ignored it and went for the attack." He says and Arisa listens to him.

"Arisa, seeing you know...you seem.. peaceful. This may be none of my business but...what did you see?" He asked and she smiled warmly.

"I saw my mother." She smiled, "For a long time, I yearned to know who my mother was. I wanted to meet her. During that time when I was part of the umbral beast, I wasn't in a nightmare but a dream. I had no memory of who I was, but...I met Sitri." She smiled softly and she touched one of her lily hairs pins, "I was an idiot for holding a grudge against her. I was just so tired of being compared as well as the pressure of expectations kept piling up. But...during that dream, I got to know her. I spent time with her. Those hours in real time were 9 months for me in that dream. I became closer with her and I did think of her as my mother. I got to know who she was. The time I spent with her was precious and I'm grateful." She chuckled a bit.

"Sorry if this chat suddenly took a turn." She says and Dimitri shook his head.

"No, it is alright. I'm just...happy to see you doing well. Ah, almost forgot. The tea is ready." He smiled softly and poured a cup for her and then himself.

"By the way," Arisa giggled a bit as Dimitri took a sip from his cup, "Christian is the new professor of the Ashen Wolf House." She says casually.

"PFFFFFTTTT!"

Arisa could not help but enter a giggle fit because of Dimitri's reaction. The boy coughed, trying to recover as he used his sleeve. The woman stood up and gave him a hard slap on the back to help.

"Cough! What?" Dimitri finally recovered enough and whispered a thank you for what she did.

"You heard." Arisa chuckled as she sat back down, "Decided to tell you to give you a heads up. He'll be teaching all four houses from now on like I do. Unfortunately, I won't be able to join you kids on the mission that takes place at the end of the month. Amir and Alex will go in my place and Christian will be leading you all. Make sure to listen to him like you all listen to me." She instructed.

"Very well then." Dimitri said, a bit unsure.

He honestly feels a bit conflicted.

"Dimitri, I know you and my brother don't get along that much but do try to. Please. I already spoke with and gave him a warning if he even tries to pick on you, I'm going to kick him to the second star to the right." She nodded proudly and the prince laughed a bit.

"Alright then. But...when will you return?" He asked.

"I should be back to top shape by the beginning of next month. I'll be having surgery in a few days. But thankfully I'm still allowed to at least give a few seminars. Sigh...unfortunately, I won't be able to help you train the kids at the orphanage. I'm sorry about that." She smiled sadly at him.

"Don't be Arisa. It's alright. Make sure to get well first. Bernadetta has been helping me with them along with Felix. Which, honestly is a surprise with Felix's and Bernadetta's part." He chuckled remembering how the kids gathered around Felix because how impressive his technique was.

Despite his childhood friend being a grumbling mess, he was surprisingly gentle with them. Felix won't admit it, but he is good with kids. Bernadetta has been taking turns with Mercedes in coming to the orphanage to read stories to the children. Sylvain managed to convince her. She also has been teaching a few of the girls how to do embroidery.

"Ah!" Arisa clapped her hands together, "I'm so glad! I was worried that you were taking on the job alone, but it seems I don't have to be. I'm glad you all are working together." Arisa smiled in pure joy.

"Whoa!" Sothis suddenly spoke and everyone's eyes went wide when the flower bouquet the prince gifted her began sprouting flowers.

"Um...I...uh...had not idea I could do that..." Arisa coughed and Sothis manifested herself in Mirabilis's form.

"Hmmm...seems your Crest is manifesting some of your powers in a way. How interesting..." She muttered and waved at Dimitri who just looked at her with wide eyes.

"Hello Dimitri. Now we can speak properly. Unfortunately, I am famished for the night and must sleep. Good night~" Sothis grinned and faded away.

"Was that...Sothi?" He says and Arisa nodded.

"It seems my Crest has allowed her to manifest for a few minutes. She is a spirit after all." She smiled a bit nervously.

Which also spelled a bit of her doom because Sothis will now able to pull pranks. But this also meant she could talk to Rhea, Seteth, and the others. Sothis always wanted to be able to interact with people. Arisa was glad now the Goddess's wish has come true, even if she must hide her identity.

"It's getting late. I should head back to my room now. It was good speaking again with you Arisa. I'm glad you are okay." Dimitri smiled warmly to her and she nodded as the two stood up.

"Ah. I almost forgot." Arisa quickly went to her closet and opened it.

She rummaged through it a bit and cheered a bit once she found what she was looking for. She held a blue pillow in her arms and walked over to the prince, who blinked as she handed it to him.

"I made you this pillow! I noticed you and the others haven't gotten much sleep. I have been knitting pillows for you all. Hope this helps out a bit. And if you still aren't sleeping well, do come and see me. I have sleeping medicine that can help you." She smiled warmly.

"I will. And thank you Arisa. I think I'll use it tonight. Well, I hope you get well soon. Good night." He smiled.

"Good ni-!" She froze when he suddenly kissed her forehead and the prince couldn't help but give her a closed eye smile (he felt victorious) as he left and closed the door.

She was frozen for 3 minutes straight and suddenly flung herself onto her bed, screaming into her pillow.

While that went down, Dimitri headed back to his room. A bit of joy and pride filled his chest, but his face was filled with embarrassment.

"I can't believe I did that!" He groaned as he arrived at his room and straight to his bed he went.

He stared at the pillow in his hands for a bit and put it on his bed, laid down to sleep. His eyes began to droop, and he quickly went to sleep.

During this time, Dimitri nor any of the students knew that the pillows that were knitted by their professor were knitted using wooly bug wool. Their wool is often used to make pillows or stuffed animals to help a person sleep and keep nightmares away. Allowing the person to have a good night's rest. Arisa had the help from the brownies that kept the dorms clean to secretly replace the old pillows with the ones she knitted. It greatly improved their health and also, they got better sleep. Well maybe a bit too well because Linhardt brings his pillow to class. On the other hand, students like Marianne and Dwyer, finally looked like they got proper sleep.

- The Next Day: Remire Village -

Up and early, on the sunrise people rose. The town's folk opened their shops, and farmers went to the field to harvest the sugar cane that was ready. A few children were already running around and playing. As for a few others, Florencio looked at Jeralt with wide eyes after he explained everything that happened a few days. The gremory couldn't believe what he was hearing and worse because the man that was once Sitri's and Cherche's childhood friend, and a friend of his, Sandy and Jeralt, betrayed them like that.

"Have you told Sandy?" Florencio muttered then took a giant gulp of his Almyran coffee.

"I did. She went and destroyed his grave. Alois and I had to hold her back from pulling out the casket and setting it on fire." Jeralt had to admit, it was a bit funny.

"Still...Aelfric of all people...sigh...then again.." Florencio let go of a sigh, "Can't blame him either. Even if he was a simp. I figured out he had feelings for Sitri. He never had the courage to confess to her. Still, it's amazing how people can change with a single event in their life. Jeralt, if you were in his position, and the roles were reversed, would you have done the same?" He asked and Jeralt let go of a sigh as he took a sip of his own drink.

"I'm not sure. Maybe...10 years ago...if I had found her like him...I do believe there may have been a possibility of me aiding him." He muttered and Florencio frowned, "Back then, my fear of the church was still great. We did everything we could to avoid running into them. Don't get me wrong, I do understand how Aelfric felt. However...he crossed the line the moment he chose to involve my daughter." He sighs as he puts his cup down.

"Jeralt, by any chance have you spoken to Elder Bara regarding what you saw Byleth go through?" Florencio asked and Jeralt shook her head.

"She told me off." Jeralt chuckled and Florencio choked.

"Jeralt! You ask me one more time about what your daughter went through that change and I'll be the one to send you directly to the goddess!"

"Well...I...did not think she did that. Maybe it's her way of saying when the time is right, you'll know?" Florencio laughed a bit nervously.

"Maybe. Anyhow, I'm glad that I finally learned the real reason why Sitri passed away. I finally have closure. Sigh...we spoke to each other, even if it was a few minutes before she passed on. But it was more than enough. The words she said, how much she loves us. It was more than enough." He smiled sadly remembering the last hug they shared with their daughter.

"I'm glad all of you finally had closure. So, how did Byleth take finding out Rhea was her grandmother?" Florencio asked Jeralt pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Her and Beleth already knew they were related but now finding out she was her grandmother well...she took it well, surprising." He sighs, "I still feel Rhea is hiding something. The best way I can describe the way she looks at my daughter was like if she was some sort of peace of steak and waiting for the right moment. Whatever Rhea is waiting for, I'm still watching out for my daughter. I don't trust woman." He says and Florencio nodded.

"And what about you?" He asked his friend, "Do you still have that mark from that hag?"

Florencio smiled and pulled up his sleeve, revealing Pittacus's mark was gone. His smile became wicked and Jeralt knew when something really good happened, Florencio will break into that smile.

"Jeralt, Christian did a lot more than just injuring Pittacus."

- Shambhala -

The loud screams of pure rage were heard in the giant magic labs of Shambhala. Glass tubes breaking because of the raging screams. Odesses had never been so pale before as he studied Pittacus, who was only now a ball of metal that couldn't even float anymore. Black veins spread all over as she kept screaming and screaming at the news that the Agarthan doctor had just given her. Pieces of glass kept cracking and even Kronya and Chilon were pale as they watched from outside.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY MAGIC SYSTEM IS GONE?! I CAN NEVER USE MAGIC AGAIN?!" Pittacus roared furiously as Odesse let out an annoyed sigh.

And he thought Bias was bad, but this was a whole new level of animosity. The last time he saw Pittacus this furious was 70 years ago. When Florencio betrayed them. Her so call most loyal doll left her. Sandana and Florencio were the two most dangerous generals of TWSITD 70 years ago. All these years no other Agarthan, not even humans they have created have come to their level. Florencio was going to become Pittacus' heir and Sandana was to become Periandar's. Their bodies were going to be taken over by them, but fate has always had a way of spitting at their faces.

"Even I do not know the nature behind anti-magic, Pittacus. I am a Warlock, not a reality breaker. Why Sothis created such magic is beyond even me." Odesse growled as the female screamed louder in agony and horror.

"We have no mages that know the magic of that clan because Serios wiped them out. Their descendants are far too hidden. Even a blood sample won't help." He snarled and stormed out of the lab as Pittacus was put into a glass coffin.

The neon green water almost glowed as its healing properties were trying to heal the woman. Alas, it was futile. Barely any effect. Her recovery time will take 5 years. The man walked down the hallways and heard a low laugh, he turned his head to see Solon. The old geezer walked up to him and chuckled lowly.

"So, Pittacus is out. To think that her very power source would be her undoing." Solon chuckled as Odesse only grunted.

"If we had a living mage who knew anti-magic, I do believe it would expand my research. However, the only living descendant of those beasts was Chris von Herslvelg. Only he inherited the blood of that clan. None of his siblings did. Only he did." Odesse's eyes narrowed at Solon.

"That boy had much more potential to become the ultimate weapon. Are you sure he died during that fire?" The doctor hissed and Solon frowned.

"No, I do not. The fact that he turned into a Hegemon showed he had the power to bear the Crest of Flames. That night, I saw the light of the Fell Star strike him down." Solon replied with a deep scowl on his face.

"There should have been a body left. Even if burned to charcoal." Odesse muttered as he removed his mask.

"Heh." Then the old man chuckled as the doctor turned to him, "It has been nearly a millennium since I last saw you without your mask." He smirked.

"I only need air, that was all." Odesse narrowed his eyes as he put back the half beak mask, "But how have things been over at the monastery? I was able to retrieve the last bit of data Pittacus had." He said and pulled out a crystal ball.

It glowed and revealed a holographic video, playing. The hologram showed static because the footage was damaged, but it was enough to reveal. Solon's eyes narrowed as the footage of the four-winged dragon appeared, roaring furiously. Pittacus's voice rang, screaming that was not Sothis. The screen became static then switched over to when the dragon stood behind Aelfric, its roars turning to the screams of a female.

"What on...? That's the Professor..." Solon gasped as the body of the dragon disintegrated and standing in its place was the Professor in a humanoid dragon form.

"The one from Lonato's rebellion. Who would have thought that nabatean blood runs through her veins." Odesse hummed and the footage changed to the image of Christian holding the Sword of the Creator with a Crest stone but...

"Pause it." Solon suddenly said and Odesse did.

The hologram image was of Christian wore in expression of shock as he was looking up to the umberal beast. His hair was teal, his left eye was forest colored, but what stood out was his right eye. Solon's smile was wicked.

"Only those who have two Crest in their bodies and have successfully survived transforming to a Hegemon, have those eyes. Each form is different, depending on the Crest. That boy..." he pointed to his "his eye is a manifestation that he survived. Well...seems one of our failed experiments managed to survive. The question is which test subject was he?" He chuckled and Odesse swiped to the right and pulled up a list of numbers.

"Based on his appearance, he seems to be about 22 years old. His hair should be white, but it is possible that the Crest of Flames caused a change in his hair color and eyes. But you mentioned before his hair was white. He is the professor's adopted older brother. Sigh..." Odesse ran his fingers through his hair and used his right hand to type, "Hmm...Crest of Flames but is able to use anti-magic...Shit, these past 21 years we've had a total of 1,000 test subjects. If those 1,000 only 20 of them survived the blood reconstruction surgeries. The rest of the those that did not make it were disposed of. It wouldn't surprise me that one those test subjects happened to belong to Cleobulus. There was an accident 5 years ago were the vestal witches they had in cages went out of control and set free her test subjects. And the bodies we disposed of; it could be possible one played dead to escape." He hummed and turned back to the image.

He began typing again, trying to clear the static of the image to have a better look.

"The scars...they seem recent. Based on the pigmentation...those scars are about four years old. We disposed of about 200 bodies 4 years ago. So that boy may be one of them. I don't know which one...I'll need a blood sample in order to find out his identification number and what nation he escaped from." He says as the hologram screen disappears, and he puts the crystal ball away.

"By the way, how are the survivors of my experiments?" Odesse asked and Solon chuckled.

"59 and 60...are becoming a bit too... Independent." Solon smiled and Odesse eyes widened ever so slightly.

"59 has become quite attached to the Professor. Though they do not speak, he admires her from afar. I think it's time...to use our two pawns in this game of chess."

- Abyss -

"So, you'll be the overseer from now on? Got to admit, need a nickname for you. Hmm..."

Lejare's eyebrow twitched as he was led by Hapi through the hallways of Abyss. Many of the residents were whispering among themselves as the man carried a suitcase. He would be taking over Aelfric's room and office. Word spread fast of Aelfric's actions as well as Pittacus. For safety measures, Yuri had ordered his rogues to search for any creepy dolls and disposed of them on the spot. Chris helped also and he set them on fire. The two stopped in front of a wooden door and she reached into her pocket, taking out a key, handing it to him.

"This is the key to the office. The key to the bedroom should be in there also." She says and begins to walk away.

"Hey kid." Lejare spoke and she stopped, turning her head a bit towards him, "I understand that you are all going through a wave of emotions. That it feels like I am invading the place of someone you once held dear." Her eyes widened a bit, "When you are ready, or when any of the others are ready, you can come and speak with me." He smiled softly and turned back to the door.

"Jade."

Lejare froze and turned back to her slowly, the girl had a smile on her face.

"Your nickname is Jade. Welp." She stretched her arms and turned back, "See ya later." She waved lazily and left.

Lejare stared for a bit and closed his eyes as he turned back to the door and opened it. Closing it, he let go of a low chuckle.

"I haven't been called in over a millennia." He says as an image of a group of people laughing and smiling at him.

"Papa!" "Dear!" "Mentor!"

The images faded as he looked around the office. It was about the same size as Hanneman's. A bit bigger but decent. Shelves of books, a table perfect for making potions. The desk was made of black wood. The man let go of a sigh as he raised his hand, magic poured into the place and began to clean it. Rearrange it to his liking and put Aelfric's belongings in a wooden crate. Important documents he made into an organized pile and had them fly to his hand. The man grumbled a bit and scoffed as he was reading them.

"The money you earned was enough to greatly help Abyss prosper. Damn punk...you and the whole lot messed up the place Noa, Aubin and I created to help the weak! Shit..taxes frauds...list of money withdrawal from the banks...and the amount also...I need to look at the records of the past 10 years." And straight the desk he went to get to work.

[-]

SKRREEEEEE!

A bead of sweat rolled down Yuri's, Constance's and Hapi's face as they stared at Chris using the menacing magic tool that drilled a hole through a piece of wood so easily. Nervously, Constance got closer as the man grabbed a nail, connected to the magic tool, and screwed it into the wood.

"Umm...Chris?" Constance spoke as the man stopped and turned her way, he was wearing glasses to protect his eyes, "What...sort of magic tool is that? We have never seen you...work so fast using that...whatever the device is called." She says a bit nervously.

"Ohhh...right." He coughed and stood up, dusting his pants and shirt, "This magic tool is called a drill. It's the only one that exist because my sister made it." He says and went back fixing the desk.

Constance smiled wickedly suddenly. From what she has learned over the past two years working with him, Chris has a tendency of freely speaking about Arisa when he isn't paying attention. She wants a bit of an advantage since she hopes to gain more of Arisa's favor.

"Does Arisa have any more magic tools?" She asked sweetly.

"Yeah she does. She keeps them locked away though. If Rhea found out about them, she sent her to be executed or they would be confiscated." He says and the smile on Constance dropped while the other two looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

"I'm not saying anymore." Chris sighs as he finishes and stands up.

"Changing the subject," Yuri sighs, "I can't believe you actually made that offer to Rhea. You are our Professor?" Chris gave him an unamused look, "I'm not complaining but I'm glad it's you. You did a lot for the folks here." He chuckled.

"Thanks Yuri. I will be giving you all a proper education. By the way, where Balthus?" Chris asked as he warped away the drill.

"B said he was headed up the surface to talk with Pinkie (Hilda)." Hapi comments as she pulls out muffins from her pocket.

Constance and Hapi in the usual argument about manners and Yuri was unfortunately the victim to be stuck in the middle. Chris let out a sigh but smiled as he heard the door to the classroom opened. He turned to his friend.

"Hey, Balthus! What t-!"

"Hiiiii Teeaaacchhherrr~"

"Goddess, save us."

A wild Sylvain and Sadi have appeared. Well to be more precise...

"Hey Christian! I caught these two sneaking around. Friends of yours?" Balthus says as he was carrying the two students like sacks of potatoes. Sylvain under his left arm and Sadi on the right.

"Put down Arisa's students!" Chris screeched and quickly Balthus let go of them.

"Oof!" Sylvain landed hard on the concrete why Sadi floated down softly.

"Thanks." Sylvain says as he stood up and dusted himself while Sadi did the same.

"What are you guys doing here and how?" Chris sighs as he walks up to the two Blue Lions.

"I followed the shadows! Whispered a fellow sister is here!" Sadi grins and Hapi blinked.

"Ah, so it's you who Amir was talking about. You're Sadi, right?" Hapi says as she walked up, and the girl's eyes sparkled as she circled around her.

Hapi was a bit taken back by her but...felt something off about her.

"Can...you summon monsters also?" Hapi muttered and Sadi nodded her head enthusiastically.

"Yup! When I scream, I can summon monsters. I also talk to animals and they help me sometimes." Sadi squealed as Hapi looked over to Chris with a "Help me" look.

"And you?" Chris turned back to Sylvain, "What's your reason?"

"Sigh..." Sylvain rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Sadi has a tendency of wandering around for a long period of time and gets lost. I noticed she was heading in an unknown direction. Decided to stay with her to make sure she didn't get lost." He explained.

"Hey Christian!" Hapi yelled and walked up to him quickly, "I need to talk to you outside for a bit?"

"Sure." Chris says and the two went out the hallway, "What's wrong?"

"Does Star (Sadi) have a Crest?" Hapi asked and Chris looked at her shocked.

"Not that I know of. I don't think she does. Why?" He asked and Chris looked a bit unsure.

"I don't know but...I just have a similar feeling with her like how when I first met Amir. Our Crest reacted with each other." She said unsure and he nodded.

"I understand. I'll talk to Arisa about it later alright. For now, let's go back in." He says and she nodded.

The opened the door to go back in and was met with a squealing Sadi being spun around like a child, by Balthus.

"Higher! Strong! Hail the King of Grappling!" Sadi squealed and Balthus was laughing.

Yuri was groaning along with Constance.

"That's right! I'm the King of Grappling!" Balthus laughed while Sylvain couldn't help but snicker.

"Well I have to admit, that was cute. I didn't know you were good with kids, B." Hapi chuckled as the man put the girl down.

"I used to pick Hilda a lot like this when she was a kid. Holst would get scared and then Hilda would tell him to stop being overprotective." Balthus laughed.

"You're strong! Not as strong as Big brother Dedue but strong!" Sadi grins and Balthus slumped.

"By the way," Sylvain turned to Chris, "Arisa informed us earlier this morning that you'll be leading the mission in a few days. Sorry to drag you into this..." Sylvain sighs and Chris shook his head.

"No, it's fine. But be honest with me with how you are with Arisa." Chris says and Sylvain let go of a sigh.

"I don't why, but I can't take you seriously like a Professor." Sylvain says and Yuri snorted at the offended face Chris made.

"Miklan right?" Yuri spoke and Sylvain turned to him, "I know that guy. In northern Faerghus, he's pretty well-known...not in a good way." He frowns, "The guy does what he pleases, attacking towns in Margrave Gautier's territory relentlessly. Stealing food and even abducting women." His frown turned to scowl and eyes to a glare, "I may be a leader the leader of a bunch of thugs, too, but I'm nothing like that slime bag." He says coldly.

"Worried that people might compare you?" Chris asked.

"Eh, a bit." Yuri admits, "I've got folks who follow my lead. But similarities end there. A Hero's Relic can turn a slime bag like Miklan into a knight." He shook his head bit.

"I know you and your sister go one of those shinnies yourselves, but don't do anything reckless." Yuri says and he nodded.

"You sound like you've encountered him." Sylvain comments.

"Well, this was before I became Count Rowe's adopted son. Punk had the nerve to try and kidnap one of rouges, we fought his group off." Yuri sneers and Chris sees tension forming.

"Alright, enough. I don't need you two to fight." Chris sighs, "If it makes you feel better Sylvain, Arisa told about the one time she left him like a ragged doll 17 years ago."

Sylvain began snickering loudly at that.

"What's this about Arisa leaving Miklan like a rag doll?" Constance's interest peaked.

"Well," Sylvain was barely holding it together, "It was about two days before the second death anniversary of the Queen Consort. Miklan got caught trying to harm us and Arisa lunged at him. Left his face with bruises, cuts, even a few teeth knocked out. The two got in a fist fight so bad that the servants had a difficult time pulling them apart." Sylvain finally laughed and Chris just looked at him with wide eyes.

"Okay, I knew she kicked his ass, but I didn't think it was that bad. That last time she went overboard was..." he quickly stopped himself because he was going to say it was an event that happened in their old home.

"Happened when?" Balthus says and Chris just shook his head.

"Forget the last part. Anyhow, I am leading you guys. I know this will be the first mission without Arisa so make sure to listen to my orders, alright?" Chris stuck his hand out to shake.

Sylvain stared at it for a few seconds and spoke.

"Have we met before?" He says.

"Sylvain, I met you a few months ago." Chris bluntly says.

"No. I meant before that. Before we met here in the monastery." He says and Chris shook his head.

"I don't think so." Chris lied and Sylvain slightly narrowed his eyes.

"Well, whatever you say, Teach." Sylvain shook hands with him and Sadi giggled.

"I'll take you guys back."

[-]

"I like it here. Reminds me of the forest." Sadi comments as she and the two males were walking through the passageways to reach the entrance.

"Really? Never would have thought you would be the type to like dark and creepy places like this." Sylvain says and Sothis appeared next to Chris.

"My, these two get along well." The goddess says and as the two students chatted a bit.

"Their friends." Chris smiled as he told her telepathically.

"By the way, Christian." Sylvain spoke and the man turned his head a bit towards him, "What are your thoughts on Crest?"

Chris stopped and turned to him, Sadi had also stopped.

"I don't like where this is going." Sothis commented and floated near Sadi.

"As in the Crest System or Crest in general?" Chris asked.

"Well, a bit of both." Sylvain says as he puts his hand on his waist.

"Is this about when Arisa caught you the other day breaking up with another girl?" Chris turned to him fully and Sadi frowned.

"Yeah, I guess. You're shifting the conversation, but I don't mind. But come on Christian. Playing around with girls is the most fun a guy can have. Besides, I don't care what you think of me. I don't intend to change how I live my life." Sylvain smiled.

"Arisa had this conversation with him about two days ago...However, I don't like how this conversation is taking place in front of...Sadi." Chris thought as he looked over to the girl, who looked at the red head, worried.

"I'm a good-for-nothing, if you haven't noticed, but I'm a noble with a Crest. That's all anyone cares about." Sylvain casually says.

"Y-You're wrong..."

Sylvain turned to Sadi, whose lips were in a thin line.

"You're not good for nothing." Sadi says and Sylvain chuckles.

"Don't worry about it Sadi. Besides, it's best avoids getting too serious with fools like that. It only leads to trouble. I'm going to be forced into an arranged marriage with some random noble women anyway. I wouldn't have minded if it was still Alexandra, but you won some you lose some." He says.

"Did you just refer to Alex as some random noble women?!" Chris suddenly said coldly.

"Whoa whoa! Before you come to me, she and I used to be engaged with her when she was still a noble." Sylvain raised his hands up in defense, "By the way, Christian. You didn't know you had a Crest, did you?"

"I was never told I had one." Chris lied.

Sadi was starting to look uncomfortable and Sothis hugged the girl from behind, to calm her down. Looked like it worked a bit.

"I see. I suppose a mercenary won't be concerned with such things." Sylvain muttered.

"What is your experience?" Chris asked even though he already knew.

Christian was nerd back in his old home and read through the Japanese translation of the game since the English translation does leave out quite a few things that the original had. One of those was information on Sylvain and why he loved and hated women. While the English version did cover up a few things that Sylvain was physically beaten, verbally abused by his brother, there were other more horrible things. The reddest flag was that he was also sexually abused as a child, it said in the Japanese version of the game. He read the translation and it was said in the Japanese version of Ingrid's and his support. As well as Mercedes's that he tells her he is traumatized by women. Chris was sick to his stomach when he read it. Like usual, the English version had to censor it to keep the rating Teens. As much as it wasn't his place to speak of such sensitive topics to Arisa, Chris decided it was best to let Sylvain be the one to tell her when he was ready. The boy has been opening up more with her, but Chris and Arisa knew it wasn't completely.

"Most children who are born to noble families are tested upon birth to see if they bear one. Even Descendants of the 10 Elites, like myself, can't be legitimate heirs without Crest. That means as children, we are only accepted if we're born with one." Sylvain says.

Sadi did not know much about the traditions of Faerghus as well as the Crest system but now here she was, learning of it. Honestly, it was a subject she wanted to learn for some time but whenever she asked Lestia about it, the minute the princess was about to answer, Dimitri or Zander would appear and quickly pull their sister away. Now here she was, learning of it without someone trying to keep her from learning of it.

"The heads of most noble houses keep having kids until they get one with a Crest. Those children grow up to be heads of their houses, and the vicious cycle continues. Do you get it now? To all these commoner girls, I'm just a trophy. Or rather, a studhorse." He says it was the most normal thing in the world.

Sadi wasn't an idiot. She knew Sylvain and many others suffered because of the pressures of being nobles who have Crest. Ingrid receives constant letters from her father about marriage arrangements to help her family. That the girl needs to put her dreams on hold and focus on her line of duty. Felix, despite not being an heir, still had the pressure of being a knight like his brother. The boy felt like he was in Glenn's shadow. Dimitri burdened with the weight of a whole nation. Lestia, the weight of being a princess and wanting to live her own life. Annette, who is searching for her father. Mercedes, who's stepfather has been trying to pressure her to marry a nobleman, again because of her Crest. Then what about her? Or any others that have a Crest? What horrible experiences have gone through? Now that she thinks about it, Lorenz feels he lives in the shadow of his father. Bernadetta suffers anxiety because her father mistreated her so badly, trying to make her a "good submissive wife". The Varely girl had only recently opened up about this to her and Arisa. Marianne, despite being a bit more confident, still fears her Crest will bring misfortune to others. Claude is constantly questioned about his legitimacy. Hilda who says she is a delicate flower, trying to avoid work, when she wishes to be acknowledged for her own achievements. That girl needs encouragement. Edelgard who, like Dimitri, bears the weight of the throne.

"So, you think they want you only for their bloodline?" Chris says.

"See? I knew you'd get it. These girls don't love me. They love the potential rewards of loving me." Sylvain said cheerfully.

Sothis gasped as she felt Sadi's mood plummeting by the second as the girl began to second and even Chris was getting worried.

"If I marry a girl and she gives birth to a child with a Crest, that kid might become the next head of House Gautier. But nowadays, with the bloodlines getting weaker, there are a lot of kids like my brother...born with no hope. For ages now, those of us with Crests have been envied and desired but never for who we are. I understand the value of my blood. Believe me, I hate how much I understand it. I know better than to dream of being free from this burden, I'm used to it by now. I used to think I didn't have the right to live freely." Sylvain muttered and Chris spoke.

"You don't think that way anymore?" Chris asked even if he knew the next answer.

"Heh heh... That's right. You know what? I'm a bit jealous. The whole time you and your sister were growing up, you never knew you had a Crest. You were free. Nobody pretended to like you. I kind of hate you both for that... You were a spoiled brat who should pay for that Crest. Maybe I'll collect the debt." Sylvain said coldly as the shadows covered Chris's eyes.

Sylvain began laughing a bit.

"Ha! Got-!"

"I am disappointed."

Sylvain froze as the man looked up and the redhead had never seen anyone so hurt. No, Chris's eyes held the emotions of empathy, pity, but also worry, anger, sorrow.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Sylvain thought and turned to look over to Sadi but frozen tears were falling from the girl's eyes as she had them closed.

"S-Sadi?" Sylvain muttered and quickly turned to her, "What's wrong?" He says and Chris shook his head.

"Sylvain..." he spoke and the red head turned to him, "Right now, you act like you're an idiot. You act like you dont know things. You do it on purpose." He says and Sylvain narrows his eyes, "But I know you're an amazing person. You act like you don't deserve to be loved, or that shouldn't be alive. That's not true. Even if you believe that, that will always be one person, who is grateful you are alive." Chris smiled sadly and Sylvain looked at him shocked.

"Arisa said something similar to me many years ago..." the red head muttered and turned back to the girl but she was gone.

"Sadi?!" He frantically looked around and Chris let go of a sigh, "Where did she go?"

"You upset her pretty badly." Sothis appeared in her Mirabilis form.

"Whoa. Who are you? Wait, Sothi right?" Sylvain winks and a bead of sweat formed in his face when her gaze became cold, looks that spelled murder.

"I don't think you understand the weight of your own words. You had this exact conversation with Arisa the other day except she took your joke threat seriously and gave detention for a whole month! Now, let reverse the situation here!" She floated around him, "Chris, do you mind if I give him a piece of my mind?"

"Sothi, you don't need to ask me permission." Chris sighs and she nodded.

"Now listen here Child who has Death in his blood!" Sothis hissed.

"Whoa! I don't think the tarot card's meaning is necessary!" Chris quickly says and shuts up the minute she sends him glare.

"As I was saying!" Sothis pointed a sleeve at him, "I have been watching you and others for many years. I remember the deep sadness that lingers behind that smile of your. It is still there. However, if you keep living like this, you will become the very thing you despise." She says and Sylvain went silent.

"Tell me, Child who bears the blood of Death, do you wish to break the cycle that has lived for so long in your family, or do you wish to continue it?" She asked.

"What? No, I do not want my descendants or anyone else to go through what I went through!" He says and she huffs.

"THEN LIVE YOUR LIFE!" She boomed and her disguise came undone, revealing her adult form.

"Oh Shit!" Chris yelled and at this point, Sothis did not care as Sylvain stared at her with wide eyes, "Live your life as you desire! You keep letting the chains of your Crest hold you down! Learn to break free of the cage you are trapped in! Live your own fate! You are not some prize trophy! You are you! Sylvain Jose Gautier! Wise up because keep up this attitude and the very thing you truly cherish, will be destroyed by your own hands or get you killed." Sothis boomed, showing her true authority of a goddess, and disappeared in a shower of green dust.

Sylvain was stunned and shaking. Sothis's aura frightened the boy but Chris had to admit, the punk deserved that scolding. But back to the situation.

"Sothi rarely gets angry. Head back to up. Also, I think your words greatly offended Sadi." Chris says as he walked past his former friend and stopped, "You be surprised Sylvain, how much those around you care. We care Sylvain. Hope you understand." And he left.

The red head was stunned to silence as he was trying to process everything that happened. But first...

"I need to find Sadi."

[-]

Angry. Perhaps disappointment was what she felt as she walked swiftly through the hallways, as she kept her head down. She didn't want anyone to see her puffy red eyes. It would indicate she was crying. She didn't understand. She had never felt so angry towards him. Sadi wasn't happy at all with what she learned. She received a few looks most were dirty ones from females and a few males. She made a turn to the right and ran into somehow.

"Sorry." She says as she did a quick bow of apologies.

"Sadi? Are you alright?" The Duscur girl looked up with wide eyes and saw it was Edelgard along with Hubert.

"You were crying. Did someone hurt you?" Edelgard asked and Sadi shook her head as she wiped her eyes with her sleeves.

"No no. Just...trying to sort some emotions out." The girl sniffed and Edelgard still looked at her worried.

"I see. If you like, you could accompany me and Hubert to the garden? We will be having some tea." The princess said and Sadi stopped.

"Actually..." this was her chance.

None of the Blue Lions nor her brother were around. And Lestia has been trying to talk to her about the Crest system and how politics work in Fodlan. But every time, someone interrupted. This was her chance to get information.

"Yes?" Edelgard raised an eyebrow at her as the girl looked up to her.

Edelgard's eyes widened as the girl looked at seriously. It had been years since she saw such fire in one's eyes.

"Edelgard, I have a request."

- ? -

The place was dark. Humid. The place was made of stone. Yet floating in the air were hundreds, if not thousands of glass shards floating around the place. Yet, in the center of the room, where two thrones, identical. They are 5 feet apart. In between them, was a table with the map of Fodlan, yet it was set up as a five-player chess board. Sitting on the throne on the right, was a man who wore a cloak that covered his identity completely. It was the same with the woman that sat on the left. The man smirked as he moved a pawn piece from a section that represented the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. The woman then moved the queen that represented the section of the Empire.

"I'm am surprised." The man spoke and the woman opened her mouth just a tad bit because she was surprised, "I thought you would stop but you actually managed to reset, one final time." He says.

"I still have hope." The woman answered.

The man frowned as he looked up to her, a single eye revealing themselves. Mint green it was but its color was dull. She did the same, one eye revealed itself. Mint green and dull, yet a single speck of hope was still in them.

"I see..." the man says and looks back to the chess board, "This will be the final one. And mean it. I can't bear to see Sothis suffer anymore." The man spoke slowly.

"Tell me." The woman spoke softly, "Have you given up...completely?"

The man only stared and looked back to the board.

"Who knows. For now, let us watch the pieces fall into place."

Chapter 52: Pieces Falling into Place: End

[-]

And the chapter is done. Like a game of chess, pieces are falling into place and the real new twist is starting. The original idea of the Ashen Wolves not being disbanded and someone becoming their Professor, the original idea belongs to Storm Leviathan. This chapter was inspired by him, so big shout out to him. Go check out his stories.

Arisa will not be part of the next upcoming mission, which is the fight against Miklan. But just because she isn't there physically, doesn't mean she won't be able to help. You'll see.

Sothis unlocking new memories as well as they are slowly unlocking the true abilities of the Crest of Flames. She can finally interact with others but only for a few minutes. At most 3 minutes only. And yes, she'll be giving Rhea a piece of her mind soon. Now why did I choose Mirabilis form? Because she is the Faerie of Daydreams and sleeps a lot.

Chris can use Time Pulse but to a limited amount. He'll have to go through a growth phase also as time passes. As for Sadi, you'll see the next two chapters. Time for her own secret to come out.