Arisa blinked as she was trying to make sure she heard correctly. The old man smiled as he watched confusion fill her features as she put her quill down.
"What did you wish to talk about Tomas?" Arisa said as she studied the man carefully.
Something about this did not feel right. This was Solon and yet he is having a conversation with her. The man smiled and spoke.
"I noticed recently that you have been teaching your class new arts from a different land. I must say that is quite bold of you and I am impressed. I wanted to ask you if it was alright if 59 may observe your class." He said and Arisa's eyes became half-lidded.
"Your library assistant?" Arisa asked and the man nodded, "Hmm...I do not mind if he wishes to come and observe my class but I do expect him to participate as a student. If I may ask, is there a reason you wish for him to observe my class?" She needs to be cautious.
"The boy rarely leaves the library and I wish for him to go out more. He is the same age as Cyril and Lysithea and I believe him to have potential. I've caught him more times reading books and forgetting to do his work." Tomas chuckled.
"Alright. I'll let him." She said Tomas was about to thank her but...
"Only if he wants to."
"Pardon?" Tomas blinked as she stood up and looked at him, repeating himself.
"Only if he wants to. You may be recommending him to my class but I need to speak to him personally and hear in his lips that he wants to observe my class. And not just him. I will also speak to 60. I can't just have one twin in my class, that would be unfair." Arisa smiled as she walked past him and the man followed after her.
"Isn't 60 Miss Ocho's servant?" Tomas said and Arisa's closed eye smile became strained.
"Miss Ocho's ownership over 60 has been terminated after evidence was found that she physically and verbally abused her." Solon gritted his teeth, "As of now, 60 is currently under the protection of the church of Serios. And Monica has been suspended from participating in the Battle of the Eagle and Lion." Solon was trying not to pop a vein.
After many turns in the hallways, they arrived at the library and could see...poor 59 backed in a corner like a scared cat as Dimitri, Claude and Linhardt was asking him questions. The poor boy was clutching the books he was carrying to his chest.
"I find it interesting that your strength is above a normal human. You seem to be radiating specks of power similar to crest." Linhardt muttered as he held his chin.
"Hey 59, I was wondering if you could let me borrow that book on the Heroes Relics again?" Claude smiled, "Oh and maybe a book from the restricted section?"
"You two are scaring him." Dimitri shook his head as poor 59's eyes darted to him, "My apologies 59. I wanted to ask you if you know which shelf the history books about King Aerys the Third is?"
"Oh, dear." Tomas sighed as Arisa as bead sweat rolled down Arisa's cheek.
"Does this always happen?" Arisa said as she returned to Tomas.
"Unfortunately it does and it is the other reason." Tomas sighed as they walked in and Arisa placed her hands on top of Linhardt and Claude's head.
The boys slowly turned and started sweating once they saw the sweet smile Arisa was giving them. Dimitri sighed as he turned to 59 and skied if he was alright.
"Apologies," Arisa said in a sweet tone and quickly turned the boys and made them vow to Tomas.
"We're sorry." And then turned them back to 59, "we're sorry."
"I-It's alright." 59 stuttered as he turned to head in a different direction.
"59, wait." Arisa said and the boy stopped, "I need to speak with you. Let us head to the restricted section." And she already knew Claude was about to follow them, "Alone."
Instantly the boy froze and Arisa and 59 walked to the restricted section. She shut the door and asked the boy to sit down.
"I apologize again on behalf of Claude, Linhardt, and Dimitri. Do they always come at you like that?" Arisa said as she sat down across from him.
"Neutral." 59 said, "It is not the first time I have been approached like this. As Tomas's assistant, it's my job to make sure the books are placed back on the right shelves. Because of this, I have memorized every book location in this library, and...as you saw, many come to me for assistance. But for Linhardt...I have...been answering some questions regarding the human body and crest. My apologies." He bowed his head slightly.
"It's alright. I will talk to them." Arisa shook her hand a bit to reassure him, "Anyhow, the reason I wished to speak to you is that Tomas said that he wishes for you to observe my class and be part of it." She explained and she saw him pursue his lips.
Part of her wished the boy did not wear a mask but she learned it was part of the twin's culture and she respected them.
"Tomas...said that." He muttered as he looked down to the table.
"He did. But I want to hear from you. Do you want to join my class?" She said and he looked at her shocked.
"I'm...allowed to have a choice?" He whispered and intertwined his hands, "I...I...I really am allowed to have a choice? Am I really allowed to?" His voice cracked a bit.
"Yes, 59. You are allowed a choice. You always have." Arisa said at the bottom of the table, rolled her foot a bit to cast a soundproof barrier around the place.
"I...I am conflicted." 59 let go a shuttered breath, "Professor, have you ever felt...that you are chained to a role?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" Arisa asked and 59 sighed a bit.
"As you know, I am a servant of House Ochos. My sister and I were raised to be servants. Disposable. That we obey. That has been our lives. I never once questioned my masters, no matter what they did. When I saw them do some...things. I get this strange feeling. It hurts, it feels uncomfortable. Emotions are not my strong suit. I am conflicted. What is it?" He asked and Arisa smiled sadly.
"That emotion is called guilt. You feel guilty. You see your masters doing something and the reason you feel uncomfortable is that something inside you tells you that what they are doing is wrong. Emotions are difficult things to understand. Humans have the least or no understanding of themselves. You feel conflicted because you are learning more about your emotions. Also, I don't like calling you 59. You're not some test subject and no one owns you. You are yourself and you make your own choice, even if it takes time for you to learn." She said and placed her hand on his.
59 was surprised and looked up to her, a soft smile on his face.
Bubump.
"I know what it feels like to be chained down. It takes time to break free of those chains. The number question is, are you willing to make the effort to break free of those chains?" She smiled and 59 nodded.
"Professor...I, I'll take the offer. I want to be part of your class." He smiled, a big one showing his teeth.
"Would you look at that!" Arisa chuckled, "This the first time I've seen you smile like this. It's cute." She chuckled as she booped his nose.
"Umm...If it's alright can my sister join also?" He asked a bit shyly and Arisa nodded.
"I have plans to speak to her as well. Do you know where she could be?" She asked as they stood up and headed to the door.
"Umm...either the dining hall or the training area." 59 said, "Professor?" Arisa stopped as his hand was on the doorknob, "Can...you give me...a new name?"
"A new name...Hmm?" Arisa held her chin and thought.
"What about Max? Or Hector?! Or Shigure or Geo!" Sothis and Arisa wrinkled her nose.
"Do you mind if I give it some thought?" Arisa and the boy shook his head.
"Thank you, Professor."
[—]
The dining hall was no go when Arisa and 59 went headed to the training area. The others should be there. Also because she wanted the girl to stay far from Monica. There was no telling what Kronya was going to do since Arisa technically just stole her servant. They arrived at the doors and they were pushed open but...
"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!"
"ARGH!"
Arisa bolted through the crowd and pushed through to reach the center of the gathering. She could hear screaming, grunting, weapons clashing. She saw Monica furious as she came at 60 at incredible speed. 60 was doing everything she could to defend herself but it was clear who was the superior one. Many students were cheering but those of the main classes couldn't even get close or would dare because of how viciously fighting the two people were. Those that did try to stop The girls suffered injuries. Arisa saw that Raphael had a pretty bad bruise on his right arm. Leonine had ice on her forehead. Felix's wrist was injured and Bernadetta was wrapping it in bandages as Dwyer healed. Casper had a black eye and Ferdinand and Constance were both injured.
"You bloody bitch!" Monica roared as she brought down her wooden dagger at the girl.
"Eeek!" 60 screeched as she crossed her training swords to stop.
Monica growled as she pushed her weight into the dagger, her eyes screamed murder as she began to speak.
"(You filthy bug. You are of Agratha yet here you are human life like some right! You are nothing but servants! A filthy homunculus! You're supposed to obey!)" Monica roared in an unknown language as she removed her dagger and grabbed it by the front collar of her dress.
60 screamed as she was thrown back and landed on her side. She hit the wall hard, and held her shoulder pop, screaming painfully. A crack form on the girl's mask as she tried to get up but she couldn't.
"YOU'RE DONE!"
Monica roared as she jumped high in the air with the dagger up, to stab her. Arisa didn't even have a chance to move because she didn't need to. It was in an instant, a blur was all she saw as one second 59 was next to her and the other, the boy was holding a wooden sword, deflecting Monica's attack. Time seemed to slow down as Arisa's eyes went wide at the side. Monica was shocked that she didn't process she was thrown back till she fell to the ground. She growled as she stood up.
"Why are you defending her?" Monica's tone was venomous as the boy didn't put his sword down.
He gulped as he helped his sister up and had her stay behind him.
"She's my sister! Of course, I'm going to defend her! Engage, prepare for battle!" 59 yelled.
"Brother stop please!" 60 begged as he gritted his teeth, "There are too many eyes." She whispered.
"Enough."
Everyone turned as Arisa walked forward and glared furiously at Monica.
"Stupid girl." Her voice was cold and suddenly many saw the resemblance to Rhea. She hated it but it was in her blood. She will never escape if she needs to accept that. She went to stand in between the two, facing Monica with a venomous glare. Her hands twitched, she bit the inside of her cheek, the taste of iron as she surpassed her urge to kill Kronya on the spot. She swallowed her pride and spoke smoothly.
"You've been warned multiple times. You've violated and broken the rules. You attacked a former servant that you no longer have any rights to. As of now, every single one of your actions is unacceptable." She pointed to the door, "You are going to have a long talk with Seteth and Rhea."
She then turned a bit to look at the boy. The way he defends his sister...
"Castor."
"Eh?" Many blinked as the boy just looked at her confused and pointed at himself.
"Me?" Arisa nodded.
"Castor. That's your name. And your sister," she looked to 60, "Pollux." And she turned, and began walking, and grabbed Monica by her arm, dragging her.
[—-##]
"This completely unacceptable behavior," Rhea spoke coldly as she held her chin high and her gaze looked down at the red-haired girl.
Monica gritted her teeth as Arisa stood next to her with an unreadable expression. How much she wanted to take out her dagger and plunge it into the beast's heart. After she did that, she would kill everyone in this academy except for the princess and her pawns.
"We received numerous complaints as well as what happened." Seteth spoke, "Not only that, you attacked Miss-"
"Pollux." Arisa interrupted, "Her name is Pollux. And her brother, Castor."
"Right." Seteth cleared his throat, "You attacked Miss Pollux and dislocated her left arm. Because of this and your other actions, you are being placed on probation." He said.
"We are giving you one more chance Miss Ocho's." Rhea said coldly, "If this repeats or we hear any other complaint, you will be expelled." She warned her.
"That is all. Dismissed."
[—]
"There, that should do it." Manuela muttered as scream filled the infirmary, she sighed as she stood up, seeing "Pollux" sobbing as Marianne used Heal on the girl.
The older woman turned and turned as the door opened and saw her fellow professor come in. There were many students outside and Arisa told them all to scram. She sighed as Marianne excused herself and it was just her, Manuela, and the twin.
"How is she?" Arisa asked as she looked over to the woman.
"Other than several bad bruises, I placed her arm back. Still, the damage Monica did is severe so I'm going to put her arm on a medical sling to keep her from moving it for a few days. Her bruises will heal as long as she rests. I also saw some nail marks on her shoulders and scalp as I was treating her." Manuela explained as Arisa looked back at the girl.
"Pollux." Arisa said and the girl looked down, "I know you don't want to talk about it but the injuries found on you will be reported."
"What happened to Lady Monica?" Pollux whispered as Arisa knelt in front of her and gently held her hands.
"She's been placed on probation and is forbidden to be 10 feet near you. You have choices." Arisa smiled at her softly.
"Choices?" Pollux whispered, "I...I can choose. I am not just a servant...? I can disobey? I can eat what I want? I can...I...Can...have friends and have a normal life?" Her voice was cracking.
"You always can." Arisa smiled and the girl nodded.
Manuela's smile was shaky as she shed a few tears and nodded.
"It's going to take some time for me to get used to my new name. Professor, where did you come up with the name Pollux for me and Castor for my brother?" Pollux asked unfortunately Arisa didn't get to answer.
"Oh!" Manuela squealed, "You named them after the Twin Archers of the Empire?! Aaaahh! I have the opera book for it! The Twin Star archers!" She put her left hand over her heart and rose her right arm as if she was reciting a script, "Pollux, the brave and graceful sister who cut down monsters in a blink of an eye! Castor, strong, handsome, and famous for his ability to see visions of the past, present, and future! But tragedy struck when Castor was betrayed by his best friend and was killed. The sister, filled with revenge, kills the best friend and commits su—-!" The woman stopped and slowly turned back to the girls.
Arisa had a blank face while Pollux was shaking with tears in her eyes and lips trembling.
"My brother and I are going to die?" The poor girl whimpered and instantly the woman was hushing and trying to calm her down.
"No! No!" Manuela frantically shook her hands, "You aren't going to die! It's just a legend! An old story of tragedy. Umm...Professor, help me out here!" Manuela turned to Arisa and looked at her with pleading eyes.
"Manuela, have you ever thought of putting a limit on reading those tragedy books you buy?" Arisa sighed as she gave her friend a dry look.
A defeated whine left Manuela's lips as Arisa rubbed her eyes. She needed a small break.
"Anyway, Pollux, how do you feel about joining my class with your brother?" Arisa asked and the girl gasped as she looked at her excitedly.
"You mean it?!" Pollux shrilled happily and began speaking way too fast for Arisa.
She spoke about how much always wanted to study and learn about battle strategies and cooking. She loves running and training with the knights. She loves cooking and always wanted to talk with Hilda for fashion advice. That she always wanted to try the sweets from the market and the list went on and on. It was like she was an excited little girl stepping outside her room for the first time. To see the wonders of the world. She is innocent but also deadly. She will learn about right and wrong as time goes by.
"I feel like a parent." Arisa thought as the girl kept talking and Manuela at some point snuck out of the room.
"Can I learn how to fly a Kinshi?!" Pollux said and Arisa gently placed her hands on her shoulders.
"How about we first start with you choosing your classes?"
[—-]
The following day was strange for the Blue Lions. It already a week since Flayn and Hai joined but now...
"Everyone, you all know the twins as 59 and 60, but as of now, they wish to go by different names. So, go on, introduce yourselves." Arisa smiled and Pollux was the first to come up.
She was dressed in the evening wear uniform. The girl excitedly bounced as she spoke.
"Pleasure to meet you all again! Please call me Pollux from now on and I look forward to working with you all!" She did a ballerina bow and quickly backed up.
Castor walked up and coughed.
"Introduction. Hello, it is-a-pleasure-to-b-be-here." Everyone could see the boy was nervous even with the mask, "I-I-I-hope w-we g-get a-along. M-My name is C-Castor!"
And down he went.
Thump!
"MAN DOWN!"
"Alright alright." Arisa couldn't help shake her head with her eyes closed as she laughed a bit and went to help the boy wake up, "Alright Castor, wakey wide awake." She snickered as she knelt and did a light tap on the boy's cheek.
"Gasp!" The boy gasped and frantically looked around, many were holding back their laughter, "I'm alive?" And the class lost it.
"Yes, you are." Arisa chuckled, "Now Castor, please sit next to Dimitri on the left and Pollux, sit next to Annette." And they went to do just that.
Dimitri gave Castor a nod while Annette and Mercedes were holding back excited sequels as Pollux sat down next to them.
"I welcome you to our class. Now, before we begin, because Flayn, Hai, Castor, and Pollux recently joined, they, unfortunately, won't be able to participate in the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, with us." Arisa explained as she went to the chalkboard.
"Aawwww!"
"That's not fair!"
"Come on Professor!"
"Alright, everyone settle down!" Arisa said, raising her arms a bit, "These are rules that are part of the monastery. I, unfortunately, can not do anything to change. But, they will be training and be part of the battle planning, alright?" Everyone nodded, "Good. Now." She picked a piece of chalk.
It always amazed everyone how well she drew the layout of the map.
"Four houses, four corners, four forts, one winner. Now, I'm going, to be honest with you kids," she turned to them and pointed to the fourth corner that was drawn in purple chalk, ''The Ashen Wolf House is the one House we need to be careful with." She said, "As many you know, my brother, Christian, is the Professor of the class. And if you know Yuri and Sylvain...add Claude, Henry, and Hubert to the mix because we're also going against them on the field, you get...Terror." She shivered along with many others.
"Buuuut...they have one small problem." She smiled and looked over to Lestia, "We have a very skilled (cunning) tactician of our own." Said princess began cackling.
"The Blue Lions will be positioned on the right corner of Gronder Field across the river. Two bridges allow us to get across. Lysithea and Ingrid will fly across with their battalions. But, I want you two especially to be careful because there will be archers hiding in this area." She circled the green areas that are trees and forest, equipped with Leviathan swords. This will allow you to strike the archers from a distance but also be wary of magic attacks."
Ingrid and Lysithea, those in their teams were quickly writing down notes.
"The Golden Dear will be across from us. They mostly have cavalry and archer units. And...Hilda and Silke." Everyone knew to be wary of those two.
"Now, Black Eagles." She pointed to the fort in the middle of the field, "This one will be occupied by the Black Eagles, if we want an advantage, we need to take it over. And I will say this now...Bernadetta is going to be used as bait." Arisa quickly saw the flash of worry go through Felix's eyes, "She will be with three lance users. Also, be on the lookout for Hubert and Henry. I have a feeling those two will be paired up." She circled the area.
"Next, we got The Ashen Wolf house." Arisa turned back to the chalkboard and circled Sylvain and Ferdinand, "I everyone to keep a lookout on those two if you come into range with them. Sylvain may be a lance user but he also specializes in fire magic. As for Ferdinand, he is a heavy armor user and we all know how their defense is against physical attacks." Lysithea smirked because of her magic.
"Dwyer, I'm going to have you pair up with Felix. Felix, do you have any problems?" She asked.
"None." The boy answered and gave a nod to his friend.
"One other thing." She turned back to everyone, "Those of the main class that wields relics, they will not be allowed to be used in this battle. Do I make myself clear?" Ingrid, Felix, Ashe, and Lysithea nodded.
Lorenz has been letting her borrow Thyrsus.
"Now, another note, Professor Alexandra and Professor Amir will not be participating as they are instructors and will be helping Seteth watch over the field to make sure no accidents happen. And if I catch any one of you with itching powder..." she hissed, "I will wrap you out the field."
"Tch." Lestia clicked her teeth.
"Now, let us begin training!"
[—]
"Ghhhaaa!" Lestia screamed as she was thrown back and managed to stop herself.
Dimitri had his arms crossed as he watched his sister spar the Professor. Lestia was fighting in the tactician class which is fitting for her. However, so was the Professor. Both were wielding a Leviathan sword but it was clear who was the victor. But Dimitri noticed something obvious to many. The Professor was using their left hand to wield the sword while her right hand was releasing dark magic spells and only dark magic. Then she would switch to her right hand wielding the sword and her left hand casting white magic. As he recalled, Arisa has been able to cast both faith and reason magic from both hands. So why was she using only one hand and using her left hand more often?
"Checkmate."
He snapped out his thoughts when he looked up and saw his sister pinned down on her stomach with her hand behind her back, a wooden dagger under her chin. Arisa's eyes were half-lidded as she spoke, and the princess was groaning.
"As a user of magic, you must always carry a dagger. Mages specialize in attacks from a distance but you must also be ready should someone come at you in close contact. Lestia, you need to work on covering your openings." Arisa said as she let go of the girl and helped her stand up.
Dimitri was silent as Lestia thanked her and then Arisa turned to him, motioning him to get his lance. Arisa sighed as she picked up her canteen and gulped down the water as if she hadn't drunk in ages. Trading multiple kids were exhausting and she needed to be careful with her right arm. This was her first time she was going to spar Dimitri because he was the lone Lord Class user. Arisa picked up a training Woe Doe and got into position, her holding the pole bar, the wooden blade pointed towards him, his knees bent a bit and legs spread out.
"Honestly, I'm worried." Lysithea whispered to Felix, "The Professor isn't very good with a lance."
"I wouldn't say that." Flex narrowed his eyes as Dimitri got into his position, "The Boar noticed. The Professor isn't the same anymore. Sylvain mentioned that he saw she has improved in using the lance. She might have a chance against the boar." He said.
"Stop calling him Boar." Annette glared at him.
"Your posture." Dimitri spoke as Arisa remained silent, "It's improved. I think I might enjoy this match." He smiled.
"Same. You've grown. I'm glad you've matured." Arisa said and as she saw his eyebrows furrow, she lunged.
Dimitri barely had time to put his lance in front of him to deflect Arisa's thrust. He had to step back because she was coming at him hotly. She kept thrusting the lance, trying to strike his stomach, shoulders, and chest. Arisa had always been clumsy when using a lance. Tripping and accidentally smacking herself or someone. The memory of when Cassandra called him a maiden came back and how she had to hold him back. Dimitri couldn't help but let out a small laugh as he jumped back then lunged at her. Dimitri was stronger and faster than her when it came to using his specialized weapon.
"Whoa...the Professor is keeping up with the prince."
"The main class turned and saw that Professor Christian along with his students had arrived. But Chris had a crooked smile as he saw the two sparrings. They were smiling. Having fun and also a small rivalry but also...tension.
"Alright, my money is on Arisa." Yuri said out loud, "Anyone wants to bet?"
"I bet on the prince," Sylvain said and Ferdinand nodded.
"Come on Evergreen! Kick Didi's ass!" Hapi hollered and Arisa gave them a "What the fuck?" face.
"Don't look away!" Dimitri yelled and jumped up, spinning his lance then bringing it down, "HAAAh!" He yelled as Arisa quickly put her lance in front of her.
Their faces were close as they looked at each other's eyes. The woman gritted her teeth as she tried to push back but Dimitri was using his strength to push her down.
"Kuh!" She dropped to one knee as she was doing everything she could not drop.
"Come on, Professor!" Lysithea yelled, "You can do it!"
"Come on Dimitri!" Sylvain yelled and the training area was filled with people cheering them on.
"You know." Dimitri smirked a bit, "Now that I've thought about it, I've never once beaten you in a match. I think today may be my lucky day." He said.
"Grr..I...don't.." she grunted as she pushed herself up, causing his eyes to widen a bit, "think today!" She yelled and pushed him back.
She was using her new strength and looks like she used a bit too much...
SNAP!
Dimitri was stunned as the Professor stood completely shocked looking at her lance now snapped in two. He saw her grip tighten on her but he never expected this. His strength comes from his blood, and inhumane strength that all Blaiddyds inherited with or without a crest. A regular person, like Felix and Sylvain for example, couldn't even snap lances in half, let alone steel ones. But this...
"What have I done?" Arisa felt her face turn pale as everyone in the area went silent and were completely baffled by what they had just witnessed, "I got too into the fight..." Sothis was cackling in her mind.
"Did...she just snapped a lance in half?" Balthus's jaw hung as Arisa dropped the two pieces.
"I-I am so sorry!" Arisa quickly said, "I-I don't know what came over me!" She can feel her face turning red and feeling a little dizzy, "I-Must have gotten too into the f—!"
"Pfft...Hahahahahaha!"
"Eh?" Arisa looked at Dimitri in shock as he held his stomach from laughing and wiped a tear from his eyes.
"I-I-I'm sorry!" Dimitri laughed, "I'm not making fun of you I swear! T-This just the first time I've seen you do something like this!" He wiped his tears as Arisa looked to the ground, embarrassed.
"I haven't had a good laugh like this in years." He thought and walked up to her, holding out his hand, "It's alright. This happens to me quite often. May I see the broken pieces?"
Oh, what cute small whimper. Arisa handed them to him and he studied them. He could see some of the wood where her fingers were wrapped around her head sunken in. If she had used more of her strength, the area she was holding would have been turned to pieces. Something like this usually happened to him but it was welcomed and surprised. He got to see her make a cute embarrassed face.
"Is this the first time something like this has happened?" He asked as Arisa gave him a crooked grin, "I'll take that as a yes."
Arisa sighed and turned to the others.
"Alright, I declare this match a tie." She announced and it was followed by "Boo!" Ans "Aww!"
"Okay, so since you all are booing, you all are getting a pop quiz tomorrow!" And now everyone (except the ashen wolves) were whining.
"Wow, sis. If your students are whining over a pop quiz, I think we're going to be snagging the victory that day." Chris said as he yawned and put his hands behind his head.
"Hhuuuuuuh?" Arisa crossed her arms and tension was forming as her brother smirked, "Since when is victory easy? Just because you're my brother doesn't mean I'm going easy on you. Don't you have a record for being reckless?" She smirked.
"Haha...sis, I don't think you stand a chance. We got Yuri and Sylvain." He pointed and said two boys, smirked as a dark look passed over their eyes.
"And we..." Arisa brought up Lestia, "have Lestia."
"I'm going, to be honest. We really shouldn't underestimate Lestia." Sylvain whispered to Yuri, "I speak from personal experience. Lestia can...be terrifying when driven to a corner. I mean it." He looked at Yuri with pleading eyes.
"Alright, I will. But we also got Sadi and you two are deadly when you combine ideas." Yuri smiled as they turned to see the two siblings bickering.
"My bets are on the Golden Deer!"
Everyone slowly turned to look at the one that yelled and saw it was Alexandra. Despite burning red with embarrassment, she had to yell it out. The siblings looked at each other than at her and then at each other.
"My bet is on the Black Eagles."
Amir walked up with arms crossed and smirked at the trio.
" I trained Annette, Hilda, Edelgard and Hapi. However, when it comes to proficiency, Edelgard has the highest score. So, I do believe she will lead her class well." Amir said her reason and Chris grabbed Amir and Arisa got Alexandra. The two dragged the other two out of the training room. The doors slimes shut and it was just the students' left.
"So you were saying?" Dimitri turned to Yuri, "I do believe our class will win." He smiled.
"Okay, pretty boy, you're on." Yuri's grin became wicked as lighting sparks flew across them.
"You're both pretty boys." Marianne sighed and gasped when she realized she said that out loud.
"So bold..."
[—-]
"You two wish to join the battle next week?!"
Seteth's eyes were bulging when the four professors were glaring at each other, sparks flying between them. There was a knock on the door and Crescent came in. He was holding a sack and coins could be heard shaking in them.
"Did I come at a bad time?" He asked as he saw the sparks flying between the Professors.
"Crescent, who do you think will win?" Arisa said as she looked over at him.
"No one is betting m—-" Seteth didn't get to finish.
"My money is on the Ashen Wolves." The Nabatean said and Christian cheered while the others had looks of betrayal.
"Crescent!" Seteth looked at his brother furious.
"Oh, loosen up brother! Manuela betted on her class and same with Hanneman! Even Cathrine, Shamir, Alois, and the others are joining in! Jeralt and Rhea are betting the Blue Lions are going to win and Noa betted the Golden Deer." Arisa felt betrayed hearing that.
"Florencio said Black Eagles and Sandy said Golden Deer." The betrayals just kept coming.
"I bet Black Eagles." Amir pulled out the coin and Crescent quickly opened the sack, the woman dropped the silver coin in.
"Unbelievable..." Seteth grumbled and dragged his hands down his face as the others placed their bets in, "Who put you up to this?"
"Easy, me!" Anna yelled out from behind the man with a smug grin.
"Sigh...Alright. Amir and Alexandra, you may participate." The man let go a sigh of defeat.
"Wait Seteth," Anna walked in, "So, who's your bet?" She smirked and the man just glared.
"...Blue Lions."
"FUCK YEAH!"
"LANGUAGE MISS EISNER!"
[—-]
The remaining days were spent training and coming up with plans for the battle. Many tears were shed but overall, it was time for the bloo-COUGH! I mean, the battle to happen! This was Arisa's first time in Gronder Field. She always avoided coming to the place whenever they traveled. For some reason, whenever she even came close to the area, she was overwhelmed with emotions of sorrow, anger, and hatred. Some part of her wondered if subconsciously, Byleth's body remembered this place. She sometimes wonders if Byleth turned back time multiple times to try and save her students from their demise. She kept searching for that Golden route and it was never found. In her old world, to Byleth, the player playing as them, playing the different routes, it was for entertainment. But for Byleth, they are free yet still chained to the story the "author" created, feeling nothing but pain. They could never find the Golden Route where all their students lived.
"Professor?"
Arisa looked up a bit on her right and saw Dimitri on his armored horse. The boy looked at her concerned. She was on Red Hare, the pegasus happy that he could finally show off his speed in the battle.
"Are you alright?" He asked and Arisa sighed as she looked up the cliff where Rhea, Seteth, her father, and the others were. They were watching. Sandy rode her wyvern up and they sky with Seteth and Celica on her Pegasus. At safe distances from the battlefield, nobles of the children have come to watch. Anna was going around collecting bets, smiling because she was going to make a lot of money today.
"I'm alright. Just...I never thought we make it this far." She took a deep breath and looked down to her rapier, the reflection of Sothis's eyes looking back to her and then Byleth.
"And we made it. Thanks to you." Dimitri smiled softly and Arisa chuckled a bit, "You taught us well."
"You sure? I still see you stumble when you try to dance." Arisa teased and Dimitri's ears turned red.
"Arisa, I'm still improving!" Dimitri screeched and snickers could be heard behind them.
Arisa just gave them a playful glare as she saw Falco land next to Zahra and Claude. The giant wyvern letting out a roar.
"This is my first time at Gronder Field." Arisa said as she looked around, "Funny story actually, I avoid this place as much as possible."
The field was so much bigger in real life. The wide-open field and hills were perfect for armies he allowed them to pass through. The fort that Bernadetta was stationed at was made of strong wood that was difficult to set on fire. There were large forest areas where archers could hide or enemies. The river was larger in person and the currents were stronger than she thought. The cliffs where many watched from were also perfect for enemies to hide in. But each time she looked at the fortresses far in the distance, she felt nothing but sorrow. She saw Amir speaking to Edelgard regarding their plan as well as Christian doing a final review with the class.
"Professor," Dimitri said as she looked towards him.
He bit his lip as he looked back to the field. There seemed to be a flash of recognition through his eyes as he looked around.
"I must confess. I too...wish we weren't in this field today." Dimitri said as many became silent, "Something about this place...unsettles me." He looked up to the sky.
A lone Eagle flew as his eyes followed it.
"I feel like I have been here before...many, many, times. This is my first time here yet I feel I have stepped foot here before. As if...I keep returning to the same place. There is this strange sense of sorrow and anger." He looked back at her, "Is that normal?"
Dimitri wasn't alone. Those of the original Blue Lions and the other classes felt the same way.
"I don't like this." Claude muttered as he looked over the field with narrowed eyes, "Alex, are you getting a strange feeling from this place?" He asked and Alex had a spaced outlook.
"This field..." Cirina's voice echoed in her mind, "This field...This is where many battles took place." The spirit whispered, "This...is the field where Sothis cast her final spell before she went into a deep slumber." She muttered.
"Yes." She answered as Claude nodded.
"To be honest, this is my first time here but...I feel like I've been here before and the feeling...it's painful for some reason." The archer muttered.
On the other side of the field...
"Everything alright Edelgard?" Amir said she noticed the girl had this uncomfortable expression as her eyes studied the field.
"I feel...anger for some reason." Edelgard said as she looked to the woman, "It's like my crest...is crying. Like my soul is crying and I'm filled with regret for some reason. I don't understand." She muttered as she looked towards the Blue Lions and then to The Golden Deer.
"I didn't feel this till we arrived here but every time I look at Dimitri, I feel this deep regret. With Claude, it's also the same thing." She sighed and Amir spoke.
"Do you believe in past lives?" Amir asked and Edelgard looked at her confused, "They say that the mind may not remember a past life but the soul always will. Even if this is your first time here, your soul in a different world or life may have been in this location. Perhaps the reason you feel pain and regret because, in that past life, you regret your actions, even if you don't admit them to yourself." She finished and Edelgard looked at her shocked.
"I'm going to check on the others." Amir gave her a light pat on her shoulder and went to see how Dorothea was adjusting to her dancer battalion.
"Your highness." She turned to see Hubert walking towards her, "Is your resolve wavering?"
"No Hu..." Edelgard looked around and quickly made a mental link, "Tell me, Hubert, what do you feel in this place?"
"..." he was silent for a moment but answered, "Regret and sorrow."
With the Ashen wolves...
"I feel icky." Hapi yawned as she touched the ring on her finger, "This place gives me the creeps."
"Tell me about it." Balthus said as a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek, "Is it me or does anyone feel guilty for some reason?" He said and looked over to Constance.
The shadows were covering her eyes as she spoke in a sorrowful tone.
"The anguish and sorrow, regret fills this place. I don't understand..." Constance looked at her hands and just for a split second, they were covered in blood and then back to normal, "Why do I feel so guilty and angry? This is our first time being and such a place yet why do I feel I have been here before?" A single tear fell.
Chris was silent as he looked over to the Blue Lions and saw Arisa looking back at him with a sorrowful expression. He then looked to the Golden Deer and saw Alexandra looking at him worried expression and then to the Black Eagles, Amir who had a neutral expression.
"The flow of time has been disrupted so many times, the ripples and waves are felt through their souls." Sothis said as she flew up to the sky to see the field, "Arisa and Christian. You two are forbidden from using time pulse in this battle. Think of it as my test to you."
"Got it."
With the adults...
"What is this uncomfortable atmosphere?" Rhea muttered as Crescent stood by her side, "There are so many negative emotions. I don't understand. This was mother's final place to heal, so why is it so contaminated?" Rhea whispered as Crescent looked down to the field with arms crossed.
"Perhaps because many lives were lost here over the years when there was war. The souls of the deceased have not passed on. Take a look over to your best knights." He said and Rhea turned to look at Catherine, Shamir, Alois, Florencio, Jeralt, and Celica.
She then looked up to the sky where Sandana and Seteth were flying. She felt it, she and many others felt uncomfortable. But they never once had anything like this happen here. Tomas stood with Monica as they looked at the field. The two shared a look and the older man shook his head.
"On your marks!" Seteth yelled from the sky and the horns began to be blown, "BEGIN!" Sandy roared.
"Charge!" Edelgard yelled and war cries filled the entire field from all four houses.
Arisa and Dimitri raised their weapons into the air, the signal for their army to move. The sound of Pegasus wings flying filled the air as Lysithea and Ingrid led their battalions. The ground rumbled as horses charging into the field with their riders. Swords, Axes, lances clashing, people yelling screaming as they fought.
"Wait." Arisa said as she saw Dimitri fidgeting, " Remember the pair-up system?" She smiled.
Dimitri couldn't help but laugh a bit and smiled back at her.
"I do." He nodded and both turned to the field and charged.
Arisa flew through the sky and saw a flash of lightning strike the forest and multiple screams. Ingrid held her Leviathan sword as she maneuvered her Pegasus to dodge the arrows Ignatz and his battalion were aiming at her. She looked to the forest and saw the girl had taken down Caspar's battalion of Archers and only the boy was left. She trusted the girl and made mental links with the main class.
"Ingrid, watch out for Ignatz and Claude!" Arisa yelled and the girl quickly had her Pegasus dive down to dodge Zarha coming at her and in one swoop, she pulled out the lance she carried and swung it.
The force of it was enough to cause Ignatz to be knocked off his horse.
"Golden Deer! One Down-MAKE THAT TWO!" Sandy yelled as she saw Linhardt strike down Noire with Nosferatu.
"Oh, Tharja is going to hex him for sure." Arisa cringed as she saw the two students were warped out.
She spotted Felix and Sylvain locked in a vicious battle, she only hoped that Felix was successful and trusted his skills.
"FOUND YOU!"
"DOWN!" Arisa roared and Red Hare immediately obeyed, diving down as she felt the whoosh of weapon swung in the air above her.
"Not bad." Arisa looked up as she saw Alexandra looking down at her.
Falco flapped his wings as Alexandra smiled, she held a wooden scythe, her hair tied up in a high ponytail. From the cliff, Rhea frowned as she watched the two women. Alexandra looked like the splitting image of Cirina as she spun her scythe-like baton and held it across her back.
"Ready to fight?" Alexandra grinned wickedly as Arisa pointed her rapier at her.
"Let's go!"
[—]
"Damn." Chris bit his lip as he saw Lysithea and Dedue scream in victory after taking down Bernadetta and Petra, their battalions finished off.
The girls have warped away and he felt a powerful gust of wind. A bead of sweat rolled down his face as he saw his sister and friend battling viciously in the sky that those that were riding kinshis, griffons, falicorns, and wyvern stayed clear from them.
"GET DOWN!"
Yuri pounced at him from behind and threw him down, both dodging an axe and fireball coming at them.
"Whoops." Mercedes jumped down from the hill she was on and Hilda was by her side.
The pink-haired girl caught the axe like it was a boomerang and looked down at the boys as they quickly got up, their weapons drawn.
"So, ladies, what brings you here?" Yuri felt a bead a sweat roll down his cheek as Mercede's hands began crackling with lightning.
"Is it me, or did the girls become much scarier under my sister's guidance?" Chris thought as Hilda raised her axe.
Both girls roared as they charged at them, Yuri jumping back with his sword in hand and fingered gun Wind at Hilda. The girl jumped back and spun to the right to dodge his attack but...
"Not fast enough." Hilda realized too late and felt Christian hit the back of her neck, knocking her out.
Mercedes gulped as she took a step back and spotted Sylvain still fighting Felix and Dwyer supporting him. She smiled as her eyes became half-lidded and the shadows covered her eyes. She quickly turned and ran to Sylvain, her right hand into a fist as it crackled with lightning.
"Sylvain look out!" Yuri yelled and time slowed down to a redhead as he turned and saw a glowing fist coming at his face. But...it never met his face.
"Warp!"
"GHAAAA!" Mercedes screamed as a wooden sword struck her from behind and she dropped to the ground.
Felix and Dwyer were stunned as their friend was warped away and revealed Sadi, with a wooden sword in her left hand and right hand glowing with dark magic.
"Need some help Sylvain?" She grinned as she ran by his side.
"Heh." He chuckled, "I thought you were Constance." He said as they got into position again.
"Unfortunately she got taken down by Hubert. No way was I going to face him." Sadi said Sylvain couldn't help but laugh a bit.
"That's my girl." He ruffled her hair a bit and Felix just looked at him in disgust.
"Really!?" He just said and Sylvain just looked at him confused.
"Let's go!" And the four charged at each other.
[—-]
"Unbelievable." Amir sighed as she stood next to Henry and Hubert, "Florence has been taken down along with Petra, Bernadetta, and—-" and the two cringed when Casper and Sigbert both got hit by Boey's and Silque's Blizzard.
"You know who I hadn't seen on the field at all, Lestia." Henry said and they heard a scream, both looking up to the sky to see Falco diving down to catch Alexandra, and he caught her on time.
The wyvern flew together with the cliff where the others were while Arisa was screaming with victory as she held her rapier up.
"And Alex is down. Lestia yes, I haven't seen her at all in the field and that is worrisome." Amir said and they cringed when they saw Sadi unleash a spell that backfired and knocked her, Sylvain, Felix, and Dwyer out.
The four got warped away.
"This leaves Lady Edelgard, us three, Dorothea, and Velouria left. Linhardt was taken down by the boy Dominic. The ones left for the Golden deer are Claude, Lorenz, Leonie, Si—" and they just watched Silque and Boey get ambushed by Ashe and his battalion, "Raphael, Silkie, and Dominic." Hubert sighed.
"Ingrid, Dimitri, Arisa, Lestia (where the hell is she?), Dedue, Ashe, Lysithea, and Annette are left. As for the Ashen Wolves, Christian, Yuri, H-!" She didn't get to finish.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
"BEHOLD THE STORM! THORN!"
"GHHHHHAAAAA!"
Thunder crashed down to a forest area, scaring many away. Balthus and Hapi's scream could be heard and from Arisa's view in the sky, she then knocked out. Of course, she knows Lestia wouldn't go overboard with the spell. Just enough to knock them out.
"Lestia, here's your role. Many expect you to be the tactician for this fight but not today. Do you remember the training you received from the Faerghus Assassin corps?"
"Of course!"
"Well, why don't we put it to good use?"
Just like Lestia appeared in an instant, she was gone. Another scream was heard at the corner where Edelgard and Annette were fighting. Selkie and Volouria both fell to the ground and Lestia stood over them with a smile as she waved to Edelgard and Annette. The girl jumped and disappeared again. Edelgard quickly took the opportunity that her opponent was shocked and quickly knelt and kicked Annette's legs, causing her to fall.
"Awww...you win." Annette sighed but smiled as she was warped to the cliff.
"We got us and Ferdinand and Marianne left." Chris said she hid, "Think you can take on Henry while I take on Amir?" He smirked and Yuri smirked back.
"Charge!" Chris roared as they and their battalions charged towards the trio.
"Shit!" Amir yelled as she readied her axe, "Heads up!" She yelled.
"Not on my watch!"
Hubert quickly turned and gritted his teeth as his barrier began cracking under the weight of the enchanted dagger Lestia was using. The princess smirked wickedly as they looked eye to eye. He never noticed that her pupils turned to the symbol of her crest.
"Your fight is with me Hubie." Lesia muttered and jumped back, "I'm not letting you get to Edelgard." She chuckled and pointed to the far side of the field.
He quickly looked over and saw the Professor locked in a one-on-one battle with Edelgard. Their fight was vicious, grins on both of their faces. Claude even joined the fight. The princess and heir made a small truce with each other and both went to the Professor.
"Hahahahaha!" Arisa jumped up to a tree branch as she looked down at the two, "You two have improved so much. You even managed to scratch my cheek!" She pointed to the cut in her right cheek.
"Sorry!" Claude yelled and fired six arrows at rapid speed.
"You mastered it!" Arisa grinned as she summoned the lance Dimitri gave her and spun it to deflect the arrows.
"There will come a poet
Whose weapon is His word
He will slay you with His tongue, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord
He will slay you with His tongue, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord"
Confusion filled Claude's features as Arisa began singing, her eyes wide and a smile on her face. Something didn't feel right. This fight between the three of them felt familiar. Arisa quickly put on her hood and jumped back down, Edelgard barely had time to jump back as Arisa stood up and took out her sword from the ground. She touched her cheek and felt it was wet.
"Why am I crying?" Arisa thought as she felt she was shaking.
The crest of flames that flowed through her blood wailed as her vision began to flicker. She saw their adult versions covered in blood and then back to their current selves.
"Of course...that's why." She quickly wiped her eyes as she saw Edelgard's axe and arrows fly towards her but she caught them easily.
The color drained from the royals' faces as she crushed them to dust in her hands. The blood that she drank screamed as she began walking towards them, with her sword in hand. Claude with his dagger he quickly took out and Edelgard also took out her own. Arisa smiled.
"Checkmate."
[—-##]
"Edelgard and Claude have been taken out!" Lysithea yelled from down from her Pegasus as the remaining Blue Lions gathered at the center fort, "The Professor is walking out of the forest and carrying them like sacks of potatoes." Snickers could be heard as the two leaders were warped away.
"Lestia disappeared before Hubert could finish her off," Dedue muttered as he spotted Dimitri fighting Ferdinand not too far.
"I managed to take down Leonie," Ingrid yelled from above but...
"GOT YOU!"
"AAAHHHH!"
"Ingrid!" Ashe yelled and the girl was struck by Blizzard from above.
"G-G-Got her!" Dominic's voice was shaking as he held on tightly to Cyril, who maneuvered his wyvern to dodge Lysithea and Ashe's attacks.
"Get your own ride!" Cyril yelled!
"Nah, man! You, me, and Raphael are the only ones left since Ingrid took down Leonie and Ashe ambushed Lorenz!" Dominic yelled, "And how the hell does manage the damn lizard?!"
"I thought you had experience with wyverns!" Cyril yelled as he shot multiple arrows as he saw Marianne hiding in a bush area and was launching Wind attacks at them.
"Ferdinand, Amir, and Hubert down!" Sandy yelled as said names were called and they were warped to the hill.
"Ugh...I'm getting tired." The woman groans she looked over to Seteth, "You do this every year?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Seteth sighed, "But are you alright? I noticed you have dark circles under your eyes."
"I'm fine." Sandy quickly said, "Just a bit tired."
Seteth wasn't buying it.
[—]
"Only a few left." Arisa said as she mounted Red Hare and spotted Dimitri heading to the port, "Marianne is fighting now. And I don't see Chris and Yuri. Cyril, Dominic, and Raphael are fighting against Lysithea, Ashe, Annette, and Dedue. Marianne temporarily teamed up with the Golden Deer to—-" her eyes widened in horror as Dimitri when they spotted a ball thrown to the group that was fighting.
"LOOK OUT!" Arisa screamed but too late.
BOOM!
Clouds of smoke filled the fort, all those that were fighting caught in the fire but she didn't expect them to all run out of the smoke screaming bloody murder.
"ITCHING POWDER!" And Arisa can just hear Seteth and her father groaning as the students dropped to the ground, scratching themselves.
"Idiot, Marianne was caught in the crossfire!" Yuri smacked Chris hard on the head as they watched the whole group be warped away.
"She'll forgive me. Right?" Chris looked at him worried.
"I'M GOING TO HANG YOU!" He flinched when Marianne's scream was heard from the medical tent, "WE ALL ARE!" Those caught in the crossfire also screamed.
"We'll worry about your funeral later." Yuri chuckled as he and Chris walked to the fort, "We got company."
They turned as they heard the flaps of Pegasus wings and the gallops of a horse. Both their riders jumped off. Arisa landed on one keen and stood up, wearing her hood while Dimitri climbed up the stairs like a soldier. His eyes were focused on the fight before him as he now stood by Arisa's side.
"So," Chris smirked, "Ashen Wolves vs Blue Lions. I didn't think you would make it this far." He chuckled while Arisa removed her hood.
"Same." Her eyes were a bit red.
"Wait, are you alright?" Chris looks at her worried, "Is it.."
"Yea it is." Arisa said firmly, "Let us not talk about that." She muttered.
"I'm so going to enjoy taking you down, prince. Think of it as my way of paying you back for making my spell backfire on me during practice." Also because it also cut off a portion of his hair. He had short hair similar to Ashe's for a week before Constance was able to make a spell to make it grow back to its original length.
"Haha!" Dimitri laughed, "Why so woe? I think you looked quite well with that hairstyle. It suits you. Perhaps wear less makeup? Can't you think properly without it? Maybe you see Manuela if you are feeling unwell over a change of hairstyle." Arisa gasped and looked at Dimitri shocked while the prince smirked.
"..." Yuri gritted his teeth as hair looked like it was flowing as his aura became dark and smirked viciously.
"You're so dead."
Chris and Arisa agreed at that moment to just let the boys fight it out while they fought their own. Arisa spun as she thrust her sword at Chris, and he deflected it using his own. He gritted his teeth. He and his sister have always been tied when it came to fighting strength. Especially at times they fought, it was as if they were fighting their reflection. But clearly, that wasn't the case anymore. As a former empire noble, the first thing they teach you is to read your opponent's body language. He found it boring reading books on philosophy and the human body but when he started to notice the small things when nobles would come to visit, he truly appreciated the classes. He saw his sister step forward with wide eyes and scowl, reading her facial expressions sometimes made him shiver. He didn't regain his memories till four years ago. Arisa was born with them. Her posture was straight and only bent a bit when she would attack. Her attacks and movements. He steps and gazes, they were the movements of a killer. Chris wasn't liking it. Arisa was treating this battle as if her life was on the line but so was he. Because they both share the Fire Emblem, they both can feel the intense sorrow, joy, rage, and hatred that was all over the field. And that was the thing, all those with Crest felt a connection to this place.
And that was because this place was the beginning of many friendships and also their end.
[—-]
"The Rat from Down Under vs The Boar of the North. Place bets now." Felix smirked as he looked down to the field.
Men of Faerghus have also have been feared for their way of fighting. Those of the Empire maintained grace and poise as they battled while those of the Alliance, they fought in the shadows, spoke words that turned allies against each other. Those of Faerghus fight like barbarians. The reason was because of the condition of the land. It was cold and difficult to search for food. The people had to adapt to the harsh environment and because of that, it was survival of the fittest. The fighting style of a warrior of Faerghus is to survive, brutal strength. It's also one of the main reasons why so many fear the Knights of Faerghus.
"Felix, don't call them that!" Ingrid scolded him and sighed.
"I never noticed it till now but...Christian's fighting style is similar to an Empire Noble." Felix muttered, "He keeps his balance as well as is constantly keeping watch of his opponent's body. He's reading her body language and he's being cautious." He said.
"You're right." Edelgard said as they turned to her, "If you look at the Professor's, hers is the fighting style of the Knights of Faerghus. Makes sense since Jeralt the Blade Breaker was once a knight of the kingdom." She hummed, "But she also adds a combination of the Empire and Alliance fighting style." A bead of sweat rolled down her face as Dimitri jumped back and switched with Arisa.
He was now fighting Christian while Arisa was fighting Yuri.
"Has anyone seen Lestia?" Sylvain said as he walked up to the group, "I looked over the camp and nothing."
"Wait, I thought she was with you!" Siegbert yelled and that's when the realization hit everyone.
"SHE'S STILL ON THE FIELD?!"
[—]
"Come at me, Dimitri!" Yuri grinned as he bent back and just by a hair, the tip of lance barely missed him.
"Tch!" The prince gritted his teeth as he spun his land then held it diagonally.
"Not bad." Yuri chuckled, "But we both know what our real reason for fighting is." He glanced over to Arisa, who was locked sword with Chris.
"..." Dimitri charged and left and right he swung the lance, aiming for Yuri's stomach, shoulder and chest.
Yuri being in the trickster class made things difficult. The man was fast and took advantage of his lightweight to speed through. The prince jumped back and took a deep breath. Yuri looked at him confused. Why would he suddenly stop attacking? Dimitri is well known to charge head-on just like Felix but a bit more cautious. So seeing him suddenly do this was strange.
"This technique is honestly difficult."
He closed his eyes and raised his hands, holding his lance diagonally as he stood on one leg. The air around him became still, canceling out all other sounds. Yuri gritted his teeth. Where the hell was this coming from? Whatever it is, he needs to be ready. From the cliff, Edelgard along with the Blue Lions, gasped as they recognized the technique.
"T-That's...That's my brother's..." the princess was shaking as many were shocked as they watched.
Arisa knew what Dimitri was doing which meant it was time to end this fight. And she had a secret weapon hidden. She quickly did a spin kick and managed to hit her brother on his side. He grunted and threw her sword to the ground, summoning her gauntlets.
"Old school?" She grinned and he couldn't help but shake his head.
"Old school." He summoned his own and both were now brawling each other.
"The aim is to do three thrusts, all three with full force. Half force if you are sparring someone. The aim is to strike the stomach, chest, and shoulder. The first thrust doesn't add too much force. This is to make your opponent stagger back, allowing you enough time to strike the second time."
His eyes snapped open and he thrust at a speed that Yuri didn't get a chance to jump.
"ACK!" Yuri felt the air knocked out of his stomach when the tip of Dimitri's lance struck him. He could still stand because of the muscle he worked to gain but he still staggered back, trying to recover. Nope, Dimitri wasn't going to let him.
"The second strike is to knock the air out of the lungs. Usually, this strike makes them pass out but if not, it'll weaken them. The key is speed but also how much force you put in the strike. As I said, since this is a sparring match, don't put so much force. We're sparring now."
His step-brother's words rang in his mind as he struck the chest. Yuri felt like he was about to pass out, the air in his lungs gone. He never expected this. He could hear Chris calling his name but Arisa kept preventing him from coming to help him.
"Hah...Ha..." Yuri laughed as he wiped the spit off his lip, "You're full of surprises Dimitri. Fu—-!"
"Final strike. The shoulder. It'll make them fall back. That is your chance to finish them off."
"HYAA!" Dimitri roared and launched the final strike on Yuri.
The purple-haired trickster yelled as he was thrown back to the ground by the force. He panted and looked up to see the tip of the lance under his chin. Dimitri's gaze was neutral.
There will come a soldier
Who carries a mighty sword
He will tear your city down, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord
Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord
He will tear your city down, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord
"Checkmate." He smiled and Yuri couldn't help but laugh.
"Dammit, you win!" He laughed and smiled as he took the hand Dimitri extended to him, "Well now your highness, I didn't know you could do Morfis lance techniques. Not bad." Yuri praised him and Dimitri blinked.
"Wait, the technique I used is from Morfis? I...I did not know that." He said and Yuri gave him a pat on the shoulder, "My stepbrother showed me how to do it but he never once mentioned where he learned it from." He said.
"You'll see your brother again one day. He may be closer than you think." Yuri smirked and before Dimitri could ask more, he was warped away.
With Arisa, the woman jumped back and winced and her brother grazed her side but finally, the opening she needed came. She was already tired as she jumped back.
"Your stamina is running out." Chris panted, "Now time to f—-!"
SWISH
He slowly turned around to see an arrow with a suction cup head stuck onto his back. Arisa smirked as a loud cheer was heard from the bushes.
"HELL YEAH, I GOT HIM!" Lestia hollered as she jumped out the bushes like a rabbit.
"I completely forgot about Lestia..." Chris gawked as Arisa ran to hug the twins tightly and they were bouncing and cheering, "Man...I owe Jeralt 2 silver now!"
"THE WINNER IS THE BLUE LIONS!" Seteth roared and the entire Blue Lion class and those that bet on them cheered.
Many jumped and bounced, hugged each other, some even were crying.
"Alright, pay up." Jeralt held out his hand to his two friends, who groaned and placed the silver coins in his hands.
Jeralt felt proud of his daughter as they brought them to the cliff. Not just her, but also his adopted son and his adopted daughters. While he never admitted it in public, only the girl knows he sees them as his daughters. Ones he watched grow and help raise, especially his daughter.
"Hope you're watching us Sitri." He whispered as he saw his daughter and the twins be picked up by their classmates, "Look at her. Hope you're proud." He smiled softly.
"OWWWWW!"
"THEY DROPPED THE PROFESSOR!"
"WE'RE SORRY!"
The man couldn't help bursting out laughing along with many at the scene as the students helped the Professor up. Tonight was a celebration.
[—-]
"I want to make a toast!" Arisa raised her glass as the dining hall quieted down, "Everyone did an amazing job today's battle. My students, even if you are from another house, all did an amazing job. Your performance out there was marvelous. I'm proud of all of you." She grinned.
"I like to make a toast as well." Dimitri stood up and looked over to Arisa, "To our amazing Professor." He smiled warmly.
"Oh?" Jeralt's face became blank as Florencio slid to him from the right and Sandy from the left, "So Umm...I think you're going to have to give the *cough* talk *cough* to him." Florencio coughed.
"So um...looks like you already are looking at your future son-in-law," Sandy smirked.
SMACK!
"Arrrghh!" Sandy and Florencio screeched as they held their head and pouted at Jeralt.
"Shut it you two," Jeralt grunted as he turned back to listen to the speech.
"It was your guidance and incredible tactic that led us to victory. You have helped and have been there for us in more ways than one. You listen to us and correct us when we make mistakes. Professor Arisa, we of the Blue Lions are truly thankful. Thank you for being our professor." He smiled softly at her.
"Up..." Arisa's lip trembled as she let out a sob and the room was filled with awws, "I love you all as well." And she could hear giggling and she had a big bright smile.
The prince felt his throat go dry as he was pulled down to sit down by his sister, who was snickering.
"So," she cupped her hand over her mouth and whispered to him, "when are you going to talk to her?"
"Lestia not now." Dimitri hissed and she chuckled.
"You realize that Jeralt knows you like her." She smirked and the color drained from Dimitri's face.
"I expect you'll be getting the talk soon!" She giggled and gave him a pat on the back.
[—]
"Hmm~ Duden~ tuntuntun~" Arisa hummed as she climbed up the stairs to the goddess tower.
She felt happy. She felt joyful. She hummed a tune as she reached the door and stopped when she saw someone inside. She smiled.
"Hey." She walked in and saw it was the prince, who looked at her surprised.
"Arisa, I thought you were asleep." He said as she walked up and stood next to him.
"I'm a bit too excited with today's victory so I needed to walk around." She smiled at him.
"Your smile...I love seeing you this way. I guess it is just another boon on this glorious night." He smiled and Arisa barely managed to keep herself from blushing.
"Thank you, Dimitri. Truly." Arisa smiled and stood a bit closer to him, "I am. You...everyone, you all kept me going when I was gone. I'll be honest...I almost gave up one time." She confessed.
"You...give up?" He looked at her worried, "Arisa, I know I shouldn't pry but...what happened in Albinea?"
"A lot of things." She smiled sadly as she leaned onto his shoulder.
The prince became stiff as a stone as the heat rose in his cheeks but he gulped and even if his hand was shaking, he put it on top of hers. Arisa's eyes slowly went wide as she realized what just happened.
He made a move.
"Don't you fucken ruin it!" Both Cirina and Sothis roared in her mind but she chuckled softly as their roars were replaced with squeals as Arisa intertwined her fingers with his. Dimitri was glad they were sitting down on the bench that was put in the tower or else he would have passed out right then and there. Arisa had dozed off on his shoulder and he fixed his cape. It covered both of them. He couldn't help but smile softly as his eyelids drooped and began to drift into a peaceful sleep.
"Good night, Arisa."
If only...moments like these could last forever.
Chapter 65: Four Houses: Part 2: Battle End.
[—-]
Fucken finally! And the first one to make the move is Dimitri! I made it pretty obvious who I was planning to pair Arisa with. Now, let the romance develop! I was originally going to have Arisa make the move but I felt like if I did it would feel forced. I wanted this moment to come naturally. The warm comfy atmosphere then TRAGEDY STRIKES! And that is what we will be seeing with the next chapters coming up in the future.
Also, if you are not a fan of Dimileth ship (Dimitri x Byleth (Arisa)), please be respectful and do not spread hate or with any of the other pairs I have planned for the future. Please let those that do enjoy reading this story enjoy it.
Also, for those that asked, I guess? I can somewhat declare my story a slow burn since I'm taking my time. I wanted to start my story by building up Arisa's character and also world-building since there are a lot of plot holes in Three Houses. And I mean Lore and world-building. AS well as explore the darker sides of each of the character's personalities.
Thank you all so much to those that stuck with me writing this story. I truly appreciate it.
And for the one person that asked me "Where's the smut?" That will ONLY AND I MEAN ONLY be posted on AO3 and will not happen in the academy phase. You all gonna have to wait till the time skip.