The Imperial Palace garden was bigger and grander than The Kingdom and Derdriu's. Seasonal flowers were planted left and right as well as certain areas of the place were closed off for reasons. There was a huge greenhouse that grew herbs, fruits, vegetables as well as many grapevines. There were a gazebo and a lake where the small building was at the center. Swans, ducks, and fae were all together at the lake as well as some magic crystals were floating around. But the joyful atmosphere seemed to sour as Arisa said exactly why she sought Beleth. The Knight looked at her with an uncertain look and Arisa took a deep breath and then let it out.
"I need to know, how do you feel about the situation. About me." She said, "I don't need to clarify. You saw just how...unhinged your mother has become over the year. Now, that I have inherited the power of The Progenitor God, it's starting to show itself to everyone. Rhea is... starting to scare me. I feel she's planning something that will put everyone in jeopardy." She said and Beleth looked at her with wide eyes but his face became stoic.
"My mother has terrified you since the beginning...correct?" He said and she nodded, "Is that why you erased my memories years ago...when we first met?" Arisa felt her heart stop as the man turned to her with cold eyes, "A child you were, but a smart one. Too smart in fact. Somebody at that age back then should not have known about Memory Eraser. A spell only passed down to a selected few of The Church of Serios." He said and took a step forward, making her take one back.
"I've always wondered why my mother has always had a fixation on you. I think I'm starting to understand why." Another step forward and another back, "This strange air you always carry with you always struck me as odd. You know a lot more than you let on, keeping most things to yourself and still acting upon them as if you thought those actions wouldn't affect you or others, going as far as to expose the grim reality of the Church of Serios and Fódlan." He said lowly and before Arisa knew it...
BAM!
He had her caged against the wall. She looked to the side, seeing how the wall cracked just a bit. She looked back, his head down yet the tone in his voice, scared her.
"You're not normal. The way you act..think...it's not normal." He said and raised his head, his eyes no longer teal, but mint green...
"Who are you?"
Indeed, who was she?
Beleth had so many questions and just about had it with the woman. Yet, the face she was born with always looked familiar. Not Sitri or anyone else but it was as if he was looking at a mirrored version of himself that should not exist. The name Arisa just sounded so wrong to him. Like it shouldn't be her name but it was. But there was something else...he didn't know how to describe it but...
He did wonder why his mother wanted her. Why did all the attention suddenly go to her? Even before he was born, his mother was always fixated on something. But now...he took a deep breath, recalling an old memory from a long time ago. One that was erased by his mother.
"I'm going to say this once, Byleth." Calling her that name felt so right, "Stop poking your nose in everyone's business. And...leave the monastery before it's too late." He said and backed off.
Arisa stared at him, making his skin crawl. Why did it look like his own eyes were looking back at him? The woman's hands balled into fists, shaking as she bit her lip, hard.
"I can't." She said, making the knight's gaze half-lidded, "I have to stay."
"My mother will never let you go if you do. I'm telling you now, you will regret it. Mother is the type of person that won't stop till she gets what she wants and will trample anyone who gets in her way. She won't hesitate...she will do everything to break you till you are the perfect doll for her. I mean it...I saw how much she tried to groom Elder Sister Sitri into her image. It didn't work." He said, subconsciously looking to her heart.
"But she wouldn't do anything against Jeralt, Florencio, Sandana, Cherche, and Aelfric because..." he let a deep sigh, "You asked me what I think of the situation." He said and looked out to the pound.
Koi fish, lilies with small winter frogs hopping on them, and winter lilies in full bloom in colors of white and green. The knight stared hard at the lilies before he closed his eyes and moved his head to look up to the sky.
"I hate it." He said and looked back at her, "I hate how my mother treats you with so much affection yet unlike me and Elder sister, she didn't succeed in isolating you and making you into her ideal image. I guess what I'm trying to say is...you're the one that got away." He said and looked at her with void eyes.
The wind only seemed to blow colder as she looked at him shocked and he walked past her but not before stopping for a moment.
"I meant what I said. You have till the day before the ritual."
— Late at night -
It was late at night and former Emperor Ionius lay on his bed, awake. He was unable to move from his bed as he took shallow breaths to ease his pain. Yet, a small gust of wind he felt, and when he blinked, before him stood a hooded figure. The old man let a small laugh and spoke.
"I see Death has come for me." Ionius smiled softly, "Then Death...just grant me a little bit of time to speak to my daughter. She is choosing...I worry for the future." He said and the hooded figure struggled to form a word but eventually, one word came out from their lips.
"Dad..." the emperor's eyes slowly widened as he looked up and looking back at him was a young man with brown colored hair and wore an eyepatch, he was holding back tears.
"Ah...Ah..." the old emperor's hand reached out to them and they took ahold of his hand, feeling the warmth was real, "Chris...Chris my boy...you're real. You're alive...sob..." the man let out a sob as Chris smiled sadly.
The man had snuck out using Extreme Warp to get into the Imperial Palace. His spies found a safe way to get in and most of all, to see his father one last time. Chris knew his father had very little time, he could feel it. At times he cursed his ability to see the unknown because he knew when someone was dying, the will-o'-wisp were gathering around, and the night fae was singing mournful songs only he could hear.
"Father...I know you don't have much time." Chris said as the man held his hand, shaking his head, "No my boy...I should apologize to you. I couldn't do anything to help you and our family. But seeing at least you and Edelgard are alive...I'm so happy." Ionius smiled softly.
"Henri…is alive as well." Chris said as he sat on the side of the bed, "The rascal inherited my cunningness." He said and the emperor chuckled.
"Sigh.." the old man sighed, smiling softly, closing his eyes, "I am glad to hear he is well. Chris...my boy," Ionius said as Chris heard the mourning songs become softer, meaning the end was coming, "I may not have watched you grow up but I can tell you have been through a lot. This is a lot for me asking for but please...watch over your sister now that she is Emperor. Guide her. Help her. Should she steer down a dark path, I know you will bring her back." He said and Chris let out a shuttered breath.
"What if I can't...? What I can't make her change her mind? Edelgard is stubborn just like mother...she won't back down. Father...Edelgard..." he saw the man nod.
"I know. Both of you have grown with different ideals as well as different views of the world. You will clash, you will fight. Knowing you two, there will even be blood spill." Chris chuckled, embarrassed, "But I know in the end, you will come to some form of mutual understanding." Ionius smiled softly.
"Ahhhahhhah..."
"Chris my boy...I'm proud of you. Thank you for letting me see you one last time. Now..." the Emperor smiled as his vision began to fade, seeing the blurred images of his wives but most of all, Anselma and his children, "It seems your brothers and sisters are here as well as your mothers." Chris felt his lips quiver as he felt the souls of his family surrounding him and his father.
"I promise...I will end this story the way we want it. Dad...I promise will watch over Edelgard and Henri. Everyone...I promise..." he said, his voice cracking as he felt his mothers and siblings hug him.
"I know you will."
"Aahhh...ahh."
The final notes were sung and Chris watched as their father's soul took his family's hands and smiled at him. He watched as they turned to specks of blue dust, the emperor's final expression, was a soft smile as he passed in his sleep. Chris stoop and looked at his father before kneeling, placing The Sword of The Creator onto the ground.
"I promise, I will end this story the way we want it."
[—-]
"3 am. That is the hour he passed in his sleep."
Arisa muttered softly as Edelgard shook, the Princess's lip quivering as she held back her tears. Edelgard took deep breaths to try and calm herself but she knew at some point, the tears wouldn't stop. She shook and trembled, but the Princess froze when she felt warm arms wrap around her, and hugged her tightly.
"It's alright. Let it out." Arisa said softly but the Princess shook her head, "No." Edelgard took deep breaths, "I must be strong. Father wouldn't want me to cry like this," she said and carefully moved away, "I will have someone come and take father's body. I won't announce yet his death." Edelgard whispered, "I'm sorry to ask you this but could you sign his death certificate?" She said and Arisa nodded.
"No problem." Arisa said and right when she was about to leave, she stopped and looked back, seeing a string of magic that she recognized, "I see..." Arisa thought as her gaze turned half-lidded left, "So you were there with him, Chris."
[—]
It would take a few days before they returned to the monastery. Arisa didn't mind helping Edelgard with a line of incoming paperwork. Beleth, despite warning tones he had on her, both were civil. Hubert was quick to notice that something had happened between the two because of their distance, still, he didn't comment anything. Henry, on the other hand, would make some small backhand comments that the two cousins never missed. Edelgard had replaced nearly the entire staff of the castle with individuals she had personally selected. The officials came and recorded her into The Hall of Emperors as the new one, and work began.
In the eyes of one, replacing the staff was extreme but for Edelgard, it was needed. Many were people that either bullied her or tried to hurt her and her family when she was younger. Others had caused harm to her older siblings or her. Edelgard let go a tried sigh as she worked in her father's office, part of her wanted to throw everything away but the mess that The Seven Houses caused made her want to scream curses. Count Varley will be held accountable for sure for what he did to Bernadetta as well as seeing the number of funds that he embezzled and illegal trade in the black market. Hubert was personally taking care of his father, at least...that's what he thought...
When he arrived at the mansion, his father's staff and his father were slaughtered. The mage was shocked when he arrived at the scene, seeing the few staff that remained alive, we were all safe and sound two miles away from his home. The old butler that served his mother, informed him that suddenly a magic circle appeared under him and certain staff members they were all warped to an unknown area. 10 minutes had passed and a hooded figure appeared before them, a woman they could tell because of her voice. She was covered in blood and spoke.
"Tell Hubert von Vestra, he did not need to stain his hands."
"And then she just disappeared. But...Hubert my boy, her voice sounded familiar." The butler said with a worried expression as Hubert looked back to his home.
"Who did this...?" He thought and told his staff to return to their homes for the time being till he and his men finished cleaning up the place.
Hubert's owl arrived just during the time Edelgard, Beleth and Arisa looked ready to collapse on the floor. The Emperor dashed to the window when a black feathered owl came in with a letter in its beak.
"Thank you, Soren." Edelgard said and Arisa spat out her drink and coughed, trying to recover from the shock of hearing the owl's name, "Professor, are you alright?" Beleth walked over and slapped her on the back to help her out.
"Cough! Cough! Sorry! I was...cough! Caught off guard by the name." Arisa said and Edelgard understood immediately.
"Ah yes...Well, I will not lie. Hubert became a fan of Soren when he read your books." A little tease never hurts.
"But in all seriousness, what happened?" Beleth said and Edelgard began reading the letter, her expression morphing into shock, "Edelgard?"
"Someone killed Count Vestra and his people," Edelgard said and silence fell.
Beleth couldn't form any words as Arisa's gaze became half-lidded. She had an idea who did it...
- Flashback: 3 years ago -
"I plan to kill my father and his men."
Arisa couldn't form any words as the woman before she had finished redoing her hair pink and turned to her with a half-lidded gaze.
"I never told you or Chris this but...when they took me back to the Vestra Manor, my father smiled. He smiled as they experimented on me, saying I would be useful now. Growing up as one of the eldest was never easy. Especially the training we got." Gina sighed as she rubbed the towels into her hair to dry and walked to her bed.
"I don't want Hubert to get his hands dirty with their blood. So, I'll do it for him." She said and sat down.
"Are you sure?" Arisa asked because she clearly remembered that Hubert killed his father and his men in the original story, "Do you want to do this? Is this out of revenge?" She asked and at moment, the door opened, and in came Chris.
The man looked at the two women surprised but based on the tense silence, he figured what the conversation was about.
"...I support her." Chris sighed and Arisa was about to protest, "This isn't your choice to make Arisa." He said coldly, "It's hers. And I will support her." He said and Arisa gritted her teeth.
"Alright..."
- Flashback End -
"Thankfully Hubert's staff is safe but those that severed the previous count as well as certain staff, are all dead. Read it..." Edelgard said as she handed the letter to Beleth and then it was handed to Arisa.
Hubert didn't miss a detail when he described the carnage. It was a pity Henry wasn't with him because he would have loved to be at the scene to investigate. There was one maid that was tied up and left in a flooded bathtub to drown. A butler that was kept alive for a few minutes and brutally cut up to pieces. Another was Count Vestra, who had multiple cut wounds over his body before his throat was slit, and left to die slowly. The list kept going on and on. Arisa knew Gina was brutal and that this was on a whole other level. But...
"You wanted those people to feel the pain you and your brother went through..." Arisa thought as she gave Edelgard back the letter, "Will Hubert be alright?"
"He'll be alright. He's dealt with worse." Edelgard sighed, "For now, let's finish our w—-!"
The door to the Emperor's office slammed open and the two knights instinctively got in position to fight till they saw who had come in. A bulk of men dressed with the sun-kissed tan skin, green eyes, and brown hair tied back and wore a swallow tailcoat, black pants, boots, and a top hat.
"Good evening, Lady Edelgard, I brought the" the man blinked when he saw two knights had their weapons out, "Did I come at a bad time?" He looked at them.
"Oh...Count Syfon, I didn't know you were coming today." Edelgard said in a monotone tone as the man walked in and closed the door, "I assumed my Uncle would come today."
"Goodness, no. The man is on sick leave." Count Syfon said and Arisa knew why, "Anyhow, I prefer not to show what I have brought. All I will say is that it is done." He said and Arisa felt his eye were on her for a moment.
"Very well then." Edelgard said, "I will see to it later. For now, you are welcome to stay at your place." She said and the man bowed before he left.
"I apologize for the abrupt introduction. That was Count Syfon, the blacksmith of the royal family. It seems the weapon I commissioned is done. I will see it when Hubert and Henry return." She said and then nodded.
"Ah, Professor, I've been meaning to ask you this for a while, but just how will you use your new power?" Edelgard said and Arisa was caught off guard but she took a deep breath.
Beleth was still there so Arisa wondered if the reason she was asking her this now was that Beleth was present or something else. Yet, the woman placed her hand over her chest and spoke.
"I wish to use this power...for my friends, family, and students." She said and Edelgard's eyes widened slightly before they became half-lidded.
"For us? I see..." the Princess muttered softly, "Tell me... If the world, and your students included, were to divide and go to war with each other, what would you do? In that scenario, each side would represent both the world and your loved ones. Who would you choose?" She said and Arisa's lips parted.
"...To be honest, that would be a very difficult choice." Arisa smiled bitterly as she cocked her head, "On one side, I want to stand beside my loved ones. But another side of me wants to stand with the world to do what's right. When people fight for a cause, all that's happens different ideals pitted against each other. And they are prepared to end someone's life on a battlefield for their own purposes." Arisa said and Edelgard had her hands behind her back, balled into a fist, shaking.
"Who is to say it is righteous?"
It stung.
Edelgard felt her heart sting when Arisa said those words. They were words that were repeated over and over again through the years, making her question her cause. Edelgard wanted to end the Crest system. She wants to eradicate the church. She does not want anyone or got through what she did but...
"Ask yourself this."
Edelgard nearly flinched when she looked back at the Professor. The eyes that looked like they had seen more than they should have...
Claudia and Achilles.
Claudia was the second princess of the Adestria family and was a powerful warrior who had fought many battles before the Insurrection happened. She helped maintain order in Adrestian Empire and was a candidate to become The Crowned Princess of The Empire. Of course, Edelgard knew the nobles feared her. She was a powerful warrior and spokeswoman who did not hesitate to stand her ground. Achilles was the first prince who, like her sister, studied the politics and history of the Empire and swore to create the change they needed as well as was planning to properly repair the relationship between the Empire and The Church. He and Claudia fought together and Achilles was a candidate to become Emperor despite not having a Crest. But when The Insurrection happened, Claudia along with Achilles were the first people the Seven Lords went after. She remembered how much Claudia screamed with her axe raised as she fought off as many soldiers as she could along with Achilles. They did everything they could to make sure their mothers and siblings could escape. The two siblings fought to the bitter end till they were put down by Count Vestra.
"RUN NOW! DON'T LOOK BACK!"
"Because there will be a point where one must choose what to fight for. Will you be decisive and make the choice consciously? Will you steel yourself for what comes after? Choices always bear consequences. And you will want to be ready when those consequences come." Claudia's, Achilles's, and Arisa's voices seemed to merge when the woman spoke those words.
It was like she was listening to her older siblings again as Arisa sighed and again, smiled bitterly. It was as if...Arisa already knew why she was asking her that question.
"Edelgard..." Arisa held out her hand, "No matter the choice you make, if your head down a dark path, then it's only right as your friend that I bring you back. But also as your friend, it's right for me to tell you what you are doing is wrong. Because...I do not want you to fight a battle that it's you and you alone." She said and Edelgard's lips parted before her gaze cast down.
"I see...so that's your answer." Edelgard muttered, "Very well then, my teacher. I understand." She smiled sadly, "Ah, I nearly forgot, it's almost time to return to the monastery. Will you go on ahead or return at the same time as us?"
"I'll with you a while longer."
- Meanwhile -
"What do you mean she left?!" Rhea slammed her hands on her table angrily when two of her spies that had disappeared finally had the guts to report, "Where?! Where did she go?!"
"S-She went with Princess Edelgard to Enbarr!" One spy said, "They should be back in time for the ceremony, Lady Rhea." They said and the woman growled.
"She wasn't spoused to leave! What if someone attacks her?! If what if word got out that she has received The Goddess's blessing?! Do you have any idea how many people will flock to her?!" She yelled but one of the spies was confused.
"But, Lady Rhea, isn't that a good thing?" They said and their companion was looking at them in horror because, "If Lady Arisa gives them their blessing, wouldn't more people join the church and their faith would be restored?" Rhea went still.
At that moment, the two felt their lives were under threat and bolted out of the room before Rhea screamed at them. Everything was just going wrong. The woman took a deep breath to calm her nerves before she called in her maids to prepare the ceremonial dress as well as to retrieve the lance and two other unknown relics that only she knew about. The Wings of Sothis that she had no idea were recovered till months ago when the Professor broke down in front of them. The Lance, created from the right arm of her mother, only now the left arm was missing as well as the skull.
"I'm so close. I'm so close...only your left arm and head are missing Mother...once we find them...you'll fully return." She whispered.
"You truly have gone mad..."
Rhea froze and slowly turned to look at her reflection in the window. A younger version of herself when she was 15 looked at her with cold eyes.
"Mother would never approve of such actions. What you are doing is taboo. Even mother would never do such a thing! Mother always told us to respect the dead and to hold a farewell ceremony for them to pass on! Yet here you are, disregarding her wishes! NO! You have been disrespectful of everything she has worked for!" Her younger self roared furiously.
"You don't understand anything..." Rhea hissed as she slammed her right hand on the window, "You don't understand all the work and sacrifices I have made for this moment...everything I have done. The blood sweat and tEaRs..." Her voice, just for a moment her voice sounded distorted as her eyes flickered between slits and humans, "I will not allow anyone to get in my way."
"Then what bout Beleth?! What about the previous vessels that were our children?! Did they not matter to you?!" Her younger self snarled, and Rhea snapped.
"The previous vessels were failures!"
CRACK!
Rhea panted and gasped for air as she felt the pounding in her head increase before it went away. The woman looked at the cracked window, her cracked reflection looking at her coldly before it disappeared with one final sneer.
"They will never forgive you."
There was no turning back.
— Late At Night -
"My apologies it took so long, Lady Edelgard. Cleaning up...was difficult." Hubert said as the Emperor nodded, "They left a note."
"What?" Edelgard was shocked hearing this as they entered a secret passageway in her room from behind the cabinet, "What did it say?"
Down the stairway spiraled, covered in cobwebs, the scent of must, mold, water, and stone was mixed in the air. As they walked by the unlit torches, with a snap of Hubert's fingers, they were lit up to light the way. Edelgard felt her heart pounding as they continued deeper till they reach an old wooden door. They opened it, inside was Henry waiting for them along with Count Syfon. But the expression the Count had was glad compared to Henry who had a strained smile and his hands balled into fists.
"You have no choice but to stay. Unless you want your family to suffer..." the Count said with a smile.
"Chilon."
"Hahaha! So you've arrived." Count Syfon or Chilon, undid his disguise and showed his true self, "I was quite surprised to see a human and a Nabatean in your office earlier. But...should I even call that woman a Nabatean?" Chilon muttered.
"Explain," Hubert said and the man narrowed his eyes but spoke.
"That woman, you call her Professor. How did I explain this...she has Nabatean essence but also...not. It's like she's human but she also has this strange particular scent that only homologous have. It's the same case with that knight of yours. The scent of Nabatean, human, and homologous." He said and the trio was speechless.
"So what are you saying basically?" Edelgard said and the man raised an eyebrow.
"Obviously that your Knight and Professor are some type of hybrids that shouldn't even be possible to exist."
"..."
"Anyhow!" Chilon said as he turned back to the metal suitcase with red and blue lights on the table, "I brought it. The Relic was specifically designed for you. Thales would have been here but you heard how Sandana left him. You should have seen how much Bias and Odesse were cursing as Myson was left with the job of healing all three of them. So pretty much, the only ones left in the charge to join you on your fight are me, Bias, Myson, and...that woman." Chilon's mood seemed to sour.
"I've been meaning to ask this, but who exactly is she?" Edelgard said and Chilon looked hesitant but in the end, chose to speak.
"Her name is Anacharis. She is the Sage of Purgatory, and she truly lives up to her title. She has destroyed countless civilians and is the one who killed The Fell Star. She drank her blood and ate her flesh, thus, committing the ultimate taboo of Agartha. But..." he sighed, remembering the battle against Cirina, "Hah...The battle against Cirina was the biggest blow to her ego. An Agarthan-half Nabatean left her incapacitated for nearly 1000 years. She only just recently recovered." The man said.
He shivered at the thought.
"Let's not talk about that woman anymore. Even Thales is wary of her." He said and Edelgard wondered, who exactly was that person?
Chilon turned back to the giant suite case and with a click, the sound of hissing was heard as the metal suite case opened slowly and revealed what was inside. Edelgard smiled as she stepped forward, placing her over the crest stone that was on the weapon. She felt it hum and resonate with her crest.
"My best work since The Sword of The Creator. I'm quite proud of this one." Chilon smiled, "And as you requested, we made one specifically for that mystery person of yours. Should we call him over?" He said and the Emperor shook her head.
"No need. I will give them their weapons on the day of our assault. Now," Edelgard looked back at the weapon, a cold expression on her face.
"Rhea will fall."
[—]
Days passed and soon it was time to return to the monastery. What should have been only five days turned to two weeks in Enbarr. Arisa didn't mind. It felt strange to be temporarily living in the palace of Enbarr but she was able to see the immediate differences after Edelgard took control. The atmosphere of the palace was less tense and the staff looked more relaxed compared to the previous ones. Edelgard uncovered the portraits that were originally covered and for the first time, Arisa was seeing the Emperor's family. The portrait was the same one that Chris had a mini version of. It had all the concubines of the Previous Emperor as well as his children. Princess Heather was a brown-haired woman with brown colored eyes and she wore a crimson dress. Prince Achilles was a man with dirty blonde hair and green eyes, wearing a white shirt and black pants as he held in his arms what was most likely a baby Henri. Next to him was Princess Claudia, a woman with blue colored hair and purple eyes, wore purple eye shadow and was wearing a simple summer gown, and was smiling. Next to her was Edelgard when she was a child.
A girl that was at least taller than Edelgard had her cheeks puffed out and arms crossed, that was Princess Aquamarine, who had her purple-colored hair in pigtails and wore a summer dress. Behind her, laughing was Chris as he was being held up by a young man with long brown hair tied back, that was Prince Jason. And the young boy that was knelt, had dark green colored hair and pink eyes, next to him was a little girl who had black hair and was drinking from a baby bottle. They were Prince Solomon and Princess Nadia. Edelgard smiled sadly as she looked at the painting, placing her hand on it and closing her eyes.
"Just a little longer..." Edelgard whispered and opened her eyes feeling a hand on her shoulder, seeing it was Arisa, "Sigh...I never did tell you about the rest of my family, did I?"
"You don't feel comfortable talking, it's alright," Arisa said and Edelgard shook her head.
"We should head to the carriage. Will you fly beside us with Red Hare?" Edelgard asked and Arisa nodded.
"Let's get going."
[—-]
Five days it took to return to the monastery, two days before the event they arrived. And a very angry Rhea greeted them at the gates with Seteth and Crescent pushing her back before she unleashed her viper tongue.
"Go! Go! Go!" Jeralt ran to them and quickly helped them get in ignoring Rhea's screaming out, "GRANDDAUGHTER AND BELETH, YOU ARE BOTH IN TROUBLE!" Yet even at the moment, the four couldn't help but laugh a bit as they finally made it back.
[—-]
"You owe me two bottles of Sreng Gin." Xina looked down at Arisa with the most terrifying glare she had ever seen, "I've had to deal with the number of questions Ingrid and Sylvain have been asking me about me being their relative and then everyone asking questions about the test!" The woman said and Arisa chuckled nervously as she held up a bottle of Gloucester Bourbon to her.
"This is why I got this for you...Ehe." Arisa grinned nervously and the woman stared at her with glowing green eyes but let go of a sigh as she took the bottle.
"I will accept this as partial payment. I am still expecting Sreng Gin." She said and turned around, "But in all seriousness, things have tense. Rhea has had maids and servants bring ceremonial clothing." She said saw Arisa cringe.
"Oh gooooooodddddd! I know what she wants to put me in!" Arisa said and was already imagining the horror of putting on Sothis's regalia.
"I suggest you go see your friends."
[—-]
Chris let go of a sigh as he sat in his bed, struggling to concentrate after being with his father in his final moments. The boy felt conflicted. His father raised him till a certain point in his life before he regained his memories. He loved his father with all his heart but everything changed when he regained his memories. Another sigh escaped his lips as he finished up the last documents he needed and set them on fire, sending them to his spies to prepare for the worst to come. A knock on the door he heard and said come in.
"Hey." Arisa peaked in and he smiled sadly as she came in closed the door and went to sit next to him, "...You were there...weren't you?" She said and Chris smiled sadly as he hung his head.
"Yeah..." he whispered, "I wish I could have spent more time with him and everyone...I will never forget the day we all ran for our lives. My father tried to delay the inevitable...Even Lady Ru and Duchess Kana joined Achilles and Camillia in fighting off the soldiers that were sent by the seven lords. The screams, the blood...I never forgot it." He sighed and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Arisa...I promised my father I would protect El and Henri. I saw my mothers and siblings one last time during his final moments and he took their hands. Sigh...What if I can't convince her?" He whispered and Arisa sucked in her breath, remembering her conversation with Edelgard.
"Chris...I honestly think Edelgard has made up her mind...She asked me which side I would choose. She took Beleth to be her witness of the coronation. I think...that says it all." She whispered.
"I know...I know..."
[—-]
Two days passed and it was time for the ceremony. Rhea had made it seem like a big feast, having flowers and ornaments decorate the monastery as if the church was of welcoming a guest of high power. Shade cloths in the colors of royal blue, pink, green, white, and gold decanted the place left and right. The brownies were working non-stop and the students felt worried for them. Priest and priestesses were brimming with the excitement of the news of the ceremony. But students and a few staff alike were feeling uncomfortable with the whole event. Jeralt was not happy that he was not being allowed to attend the so call ceremony and it didn't help that Rhea forbade Crescent and Seteth of all people to be there. She tried to pull it on Flayn and Hai and was met with disproving gaze from everyone.
"So, have you gotten a hold of your contact?" Jeralt said as Seteth nodded, "I have. My mercenaries are ready should things go south."
"Good. Crescent has informed the Ashen Wolves and they are ready as well." Seteth said, "Jeralt, I will say this again, should Rhea do something to your daughter, we won't hesitate to stand against her." He said.
"I'm surprised to hear that from you."
"I'm done watching from the sidelines."
[—-]
Early in the morning, Rhea summoned Arisa to her room. What awaited Arisa was a literal nightmare. Maids and priestesses had prepared a bathtub with the finest of oils, soaps, roses, and lavender prepared to scrub her down from head to toe. There was a hairstylist that was ready to do her hair the minute she was done with her bath. Meanwhile, Rhea was brimming with joy with her usual smile.
"I will oversee the purification ritual. This ritual is to cleanse your body if grim and grime, to leave you clean as a mirror. Once it is done, your hair shall be made long again and ribbons of the colors white, gold, pink and green will be woven into it." Rhea explained as she walked up to her, "Now," she clapped her hands, "take her away."
"Wait now hold u—kya!"
Before Arisa knew it, the maids had quickly grabbed her and kidnapped her to the bathroom where they proceeded to strip her of everything. Scented oils, soaps, lotions, Rhea did mean it that they would scrub her from head to toe. The amount of grim and dirt they got off her till her skin was almost red made her soul leave her body. They scrubbed and clipped her nails, and shaved and waxed her body to make sure the unwanted hairs were gone. At some point, one lady gave her a full body massage which Arisa hated to admit, felt like heaven. Her stiff muscles have never felt so much better. After the bath was done, they dried her and quickly took her to a desk where they had her sit in front of a mirror.
The desk was filled with hair ornaments, ribbons, lilies, oils, and rose oils for her hair as well as a heat wand to curl. The woman in charge of getting her hair done smiled as her hands glowed purple and made her short hair grow long, which spooked Arisa.
"I think I rather g—" they pushed her back down and the work began.
The hairstyles combed her hair and did a head massage, which nearly made Arisa fall asleep. She was gentle and trimmed her hair in layers while carefully combining away the knots. After that was done, she began to place the hair ornaments carefully and weave them in the colored ribbons. Before long, her long hair was made into a long braid with flowers such as lilies, roses, camellias, and babies' breaths were put in.
Once all that was done. The maids came in and helped her get dressed into...Arisa was ready to jump out the window at the sight of Sothis's regalia but alas, she could not escape. A dark royal blue with a pattern of silver and gold, the dress was. Golden chains around her neck and her bosom, the loved in a V line along with stomach. She wore golden ornaments over her chest just stopped just above her womb with golden trimmings. On the ornament, it had The Crest of Flames engraved. The long blue skirt was open from the front and she wore black see-through tights with gold anklets. Pink and white ribbons were tied on her wrist as well as a light makeup was applied. Lastly, perfume. A maid went to inform Lady Rhea, as all Arisa did was stare at the mirror as the maid were sing praises.
"You look beautiful, Lady Byleth!"
"Such beautiful!"
"As expected of the chosen one."
Rhea came in a stopped, covering her mouth in joy as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Goodness, you look beautiful." The woman let out a choked sob as she walked up and gently placed her hands on her cheeks, "Look at you, all grown up. Many years ago, your mother wore this dress, and now..." she plucked lilies from the vase nearby and stood behind her, turning back to the mirror, "it is your turn, Granddaughter." She said and placed the Lily on her hair.
Arisa looked at herself and gulped, she had never been this dazzling but...
"What is this uncomfortable feeling in my chest?" She thought as Rhea led her away.
Down the hallways, they walked, but the priestesses had quickly surrounded her and placed a white veil over her so no one could see her till they arrived at the entry of The Holy Mausoleum. There, she saw Jeralt, Seteth, and Crescent, who were too stunned to speak seeing her dressed. No, Crescent felt sick to his stomach seeing his niece in the dress of their mother.
"What do you think?" Rhea giggled as she stood behind the woman and closed the white cloak around her, "Lovely isn't she?"
"Kid, how do you feel?" Jeralt said as Arisa only raised her head a bit so he could see her nervous smile.
"I honestly feel... uncomfortable in these clothing." She said and felt Rhea dig her nails into her shoulders.
"Now, now, granddaughter. You will need to get used to it from now on." Rhea said, "Once the ceremony is over, you will receive the official uniform of The Enlightened One. I'm sure you will love it." She said and Arisa wanted to say, "No, I won't."
"Now, let us go. The ceremony awaits, from here on out, it is only the Professor and me." Rhea said, and right when they were about to enter the door...
"Wait." Rhea raised an eyebrow as Jeralt walked over to his daughter and placed a small pouch in her hand with a string she should put around her neck, "Keep it with you." He smiled softly
"Arisa was confused till she recognized the small pouch and quickly looked into her.
"Dad, this is—" he held up his hand and shook his head.
"I know. You're old enough now to have it. Also, it's a good luck charm to protect you." He said and Arisa's lip trembled and hugged him tightly.
Jeralt let out a shuttered breath and hugged her tightly, "Be careful..."
"I will." She whispered back and smiled at the three as she left with Rhea and the doors closed.
Yet Jeralt felt something horrible was going to happen.
"Seteth! Seteth!"
The trio turned and saw Xina running to them, panting and gasping for air.
"What's wrong?" Seteth said and the woman coughed and finally spoke.
"The Staffs of Aine and Arianrhod are not in their cases!" Xina yelled and Seteth looked at her shocked.
"What?!" The man said and Xina nodded, gulping for air as she finally recovered, "What do you mean they are missing?!" He said and Jeralt remembered those names.
They were staffs that he, Florencio, Sandana, Sitri, and Cherche had recovered years ago. It was during the time Sitri had snuck out. The Staff of Aine was recovered from a group of smugglers in the Alliance near The Frost Forest, a forest that forever remained frozen in time. It was also the staff his beloved wife would use during their one-year trip. And The Staff of Arianrhod was recovered in an ancient ruin in The Lands of Blaiddyd. A staff that Florencio used against the demonic beast that attacked them.
"Only Rhea and I can take them out of their cases! Why a—" Seteth froze and suddenly turned to look at the doors that led down, "CRESCENT GET IN CONTACT WITH NOA NOW!" And the two brothers bolted in opposite directions.
"Xina, what the hell is going on?!"
[—-]
"The fact that we all gathered at the Holy Mausoleum has many alarm bells ringing in my mind," Claude said as his classmates were coming in.
He sat near an old statue with Lestia and Sylvain by his side. Alexandra, Chris, and Amir had their relics with them but also...looked overly shiny. Chris's usually spiky hair was combed back neatly while Alexandra's wild hair was straightened and curled, then tied in a ponytail. Claude noticed that she was wearing the deer hairpin he had gifted her all these years ago. As for Amir, her hair was slightly trimmed, a bit puffed as well as makeup was applied to her.
"It was a nightmare waking up to maids bashing into your room and taking you away to overly holy fancy bath!" Amir shivered as she spoke with a terrified face, "I have never been scrubbed so aggressively in my life! They made sure to get every cranny and nook till the water was not even clear!" She said and suddenly quite a few were paying attention.
"Hey, but at least that head and body massage were heaven~," Alexandra said and she stretched like a cat, "I have never felt so refreshed in my life!"
"Easy for you to say. I had kicked the women out from wanting to bathe me." Chris shivered while Yuri snorted, "No! No! The only that sees me naked is my wife."
"Pppfftt! Ahahahhahahah!" Yuri and a few others had burst out laughing and those like Ashe and Dwyer had turned crimson at his words.
They would have continued when the doors opened and downstairs came...
"Did heaven send down a goddess because HOLY!" Sylvain yelled as he jumped off his seat as everyone couldn't believe their eyes.
Walking down the stairs, removing her white veil, all eyes were on her as the faint firelight illuminated her, making her look ethereal.
"You can praise her beauty all you want but Arisa looks just...dead." Amir telepathically said to Chris and Alexandra, and the two agreed.
Arisa had a blank face, exactly like Byleth's. Even the students were questioning Rhea's sense of style because no one dared voice out the hideous look.
"You look beautiful." Dimitri awed and Arisa looked at him with a hollow smile and void eyes.
"Please stop talking," Arisa said as they walked passed him, shocking the prince.
"Wait, did I offend her?" Dimitri said as the students followed them.
"My brother..." Lestia drastically placed her hand over her heart, "Has anyone ever told you that at times you are dense as a board?" Dimitri glared, "Take a hint! Arisa hates the dress and she was forced to put it on!" She whispered.
"...Oh." Dimitri said, "Well...um..." he rubbed the back of his neck, "She still looks very beautiful."
"You know, I'm currently questioning the gold chains. Why the gold chains?" Yuri said and Petra hummed for a moment before she gasped.
"Perhaps they are used later on?" Petra said and they looked at her confused, "I've read that the Goddess of Fodlan would use golden chains on her lovers as a form of entertainment when having sex." She said and Dorothea screamed along with Hilda and Hai while others just pretended they didn't hear anything or covered their ears. A few like Caspar and Raphael were confused.
"Oh my goodness..." Claude just covered his eyes, trying not to laugh as Dimitri was just frozen.
"Huh. Who knew the goddess was into some kinky stuff." Lestia said and Yuri was losing it.
"Not gonna lie, I've seen Sothis use strings on her lovers for foreplay," Cirina said and Alexandra had to use Amir for support as she was wheezing.
"All of you ceasing such talk!" Rhea glared at them, making them all shut up, "Now, let us all go in." At the far end of the Holy Mausoleum, was a door that led to a dark room.
Everyone was confused until they walked in and the doors closed. Blue light began to fill the room as the floor glowed, one by one a tile that had a symbol of a Crest lit up till the one in the center, the Crest of Flames, glowed green. The ground vibrated for just a bit before a hiss was heard and it began to lower.
"This is...an elevator?" Arisa gasped everyone huddled together.
"Also, why aren't Edelgard, Hubert, and Henry here? They should have come." Ferdinand said and Caspar spoke up.
"I was told that Count Syfon was looking for them and it was urgent," Caspar said and Arisa took a deep breath as they finally arrived.
The entrance to the Holy tomb was a gigantic stone, similar to the ones in the old temples of Egypt. Ancient runes as well as all the Crest in a circular formation with The Crest of Flames in the middle. Rhea welcomed them and spoke.
"All those that bear Crest, place your hands on the stone gate, there, you will all see," Rhea said and those that had Crest stepped forward.
They were hesitant but ultimately placed their hands on the cool stone walls. One by one each crest lit up, corresponding to each crest bearer. The only crest that did not light up was the Crest of Ernest, Leraje, Macuil, and Hai's because it was not recorded. The room began rumbling and slowly the stone doors opened before them, the cold air hit their faces and they all looked in to see a stairway leading down. The torches lit up one by one in flames of blue.
"Incredible..." Arisa gasped as they began to walk down the stairs, "Are you surprised, Professor? This is the Holy Tomb." Rhea said as everyone looked around.
Hundreds of coffins were all laid out, each one with a stone plank with a name carved on it. Torches next to each tomb were lit up but what caught the attention of many was how at each group of coffins, there was one corresponding coffin that had a statue of a dragon on them. Arisa recognized the statues from Indech's temple in Varley territory except these looked well maintained compared to the others.
"This one...it has The Crest of Lamine." Mercedes said as she stopped in front of a dragon with bird-like features and a crown, "It says...Parvati." She said, feeling unsettled.
Many felt as if the dragon statues were looking down on them with judging gazes.
"This one says...say, Barbatos..." Annette and Dominic whispered as they looked at an armadillo-looking dragon with a spiked tail.
"Each one of these dragons represents a Crest." Rhea began to explain as she saw everyone looking around, "Since it is now known that dragons existed long ago, they were the original crest bearers and passed down their crest to your ancestors before they passed on." She said and stopped in front of the coffin of Parvati.
"What? I thought the crest were gifts from the goddess?" Ferdinand said and Rhea raised her hand to let him know to allow her to explain.
"The dragons were children of the goddess who she created to help steer the world in the right direction. She gifted each one a drop of her blood, also known as a blood rune. From there, her children chose worthy humans to inherit their powers. This...is Parvati, The Aegis Dragon, the eldest and first daughter of The Goddess." Rhea said and walked over to where Annette and Dominic were, "This is Barbatos, The Crusher Dragon. He was also called The God of Festivities and Wine, back in the day." The woman chuckled softly.
"It would take far too long for me to introduce each child of the Goddess. The Holy tomb, This is where the goddess who created this world was laid to rest, along with her children." She said as everyone looked around.
Parvati: (Aegis Dragon) Crest of Lamine
Orion: (Star Dragon) Crest of Reigan
Tiamat: (Storm Dragon) Crest of Maurice
Cryo: (Kalpa Dragon) Crest of Goneril
Farnir: (Lightning Dragon) Crest of Charon
Rhenus: (Ice Dragon) Crest of Aubin
Shenzhen: (Shield Dragon) Crest of Fraldarius
Erebus: (Grimm Dragon) Crest of Blaiddyd
Indra: (Fissure Dragon) Crest of Gautier
Assaka: (Flame Dragon) Crest of Daphel
Barbatos: (Crusher Dragon) Crest of Dominic
Njord:(Craft Dragon) Crest of Gloucester
Noa: ( Bloom Dragon)Crest of Noa
Galahad: (Snow Dragon) Crest of Chevalier
Gaia: (Dark Dragon) Crest of Timotheos
Terra: (Thorn Dragon) Crest of Earnest
Cethleen (Light Dragon) Crest of Cethleen
Cichol (Earth Dragon) Crest of Cichol
Macuil (Wind Dragon) Crest of Macuil
Indech (Water Dragon) Crest of Indech
Serios (Sky Dragon) Crest of Serios
Leraje (Steel Dragon) Crest of Leraje
"Incredible. To think such a vast space has been hiding beneath the monastery all this time. I wonder what powers that giant mechanism that descends beneath the ground." Dimitri wondered as he looked around.
"I don't like this..." Lestia shivered, "This place is giving me the creeps." She muttered and stopped, slowly looking up to one particular statue.
"That is Erebus, The Grimm Dragon and the one who gifted Uriel and Michelle Blaiddyd, his crest." Lestia nearly jumped when Rhea was suddenly behind her but...
"Michelle Blaiddyd?" Lestia looked at her confused, "I've never heard of her."
"She was the twin sister of Uriel Blaiddyd." Rhea said as she briefly looked at Dimitri before she turned away, "Alas, she lost her life during The War of Heroes. When she learned her lover was betrayed and killed, she hanged herself at the willow tree that stands in the plaza of Fhirdiad." She said and the twins looked at her horrified, "Out of respect, her younger brother wrote her out of the family records."
"Interesting history we are learning today," Claude muttered and flinched when Rhea's eyes were briefly on him before turning her attention to the far back of the tomb.
"Do you see it?" She said and Arisa did see it.
Before they were stairs that led up high to a familiar throne made of stone. Arisa felt her heart sting seeing it, as it was calling out to her. Yet, all she could do was look at it with eyes as she felt some sort of tug to it.
[—-]
Chris wasn't stupid.
He felt something was off when Rhea did not hesitate to speak of the dragons but she again twisted the story. This was the first hearing that Blaiddyd, and hearing his true name, had a twin sister. He didn't miss the way she looked at Lestia. The Archbishop looked at them with pity while for a moment yet she looked at Dimitri in disdain.
"Those that have relics, placed them on the tomb of the corresponding statues," Rhea said and they listened.
"This doesn't feel right," Hapi muttered as she removed her claw ring and placed it next to Amir's axe.
"Now you, Grandaughter." Rhea said as she saw Arisa was about to pull out her sword, "You will head up to the throne. These shall be there as well." With a wave of her hand, from portals of golden dust, came out two staffs that were looked like there were made of bone, and...
"Isn't that the lance that we recovered from Pittacus?!" Balthus yelled and all Rhea did was smile.
"The Staff of Aine and Arariand were recovered many years ago by Sitri and Florencio. The Wings of Sothis, were recovered in Zanado. And lastly, this lance, also known as The Lance of Aphrodite, was recovered months ago. The only relics missing are The Crown of Sirius and Lance of Nehalennia, a pity but it will continue." Rhea said as she maneuvered the relics on pedestals that stood at the four corners of the throne.
"Professor, do you recognize this throne?" Rhea said as she extended her hand to it.
"...I do." Arisa closed her eyes painfully as Rhea let out a shuttered breath and stood behind her, wrapping her arms around her shoulders.
"So long... I have waited so very long for this day. Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess." She said and gently pushed Arisa forward.
Something wasn't right.
Dimitri, Claude, Lestia, Petra, and Yuri felt it in the air.
Arisa stood still before she took a deep breath and made her way up the stairs. Rhea's smile remained the same with each step she took yet she was trembling. The voice that sneered in her mind called her pathetic but she canceled their voice out. The air in the room suddenly felt tense. The students suddenly felt like they couldn't move. As if they couldn't speak. Even Amir, Chris, and Alexandra were frozen on the spot. They tried to move but...
"It is said that this was the throne that the Goddess sat in when she called upon the heavens to lend her their power. Here in this holy tomb, she was laid to rest with her children." Rhea repeated as she walked past them and towards the stairs.
"Why...can't...I..move?!" Dimitri thought as he tried to move his limbs but nothing was happening and the more he looked, the smile on Rhea...kept growing as Arisa finally arrived at the throne.
Arisa stared at it, noticing the cracks on it as well as...how the relics seemed to be calling out to her. She could feel Sothis's wings responding, but...it felt like they were trying to remain inside her. To not come out.
"So long... I have waited so very long for this day. Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess." Rhea grinned and Arisa took a deep breath and turned to face them, and sat down.
She sat on the throne, feeling nothing. Seconds passed and Rhea's smile twitched.
"Well?" She asked, praying...praying...then
Arisa's head slummed...hard.
Terror filled the chosen champions as did Dimitri. The relics began to shake and vibrate suddenly. The soft hums suddenly became rattles as magic circles appeared underneath Arisa. Her chin pointed as her braid began to become undone and her hair began to grow long, shifting colors in the air.
"Yes...Yes!" Rhea cried out as her hair began to turn as dark green and her eyes slowly opened but...
Crack...
"Ahh...Ah..." Arisa began shaking and trembling and the tears she began to shed...were blood.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
A blood-curdling scream was unleashed as the smile on Rhea was wiped. Whatever spell Rhea had on them, it was undone and the relic holders ran to weapons and grabbed them. Arisa screamed and screamed, thrashing and throwing her head back as she held her head. Her skin cracked and blood poured down her lips. The magic circles and the three relics that were brought by Rhea collapsed on the floor.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Roared Cirina through Alexandra's voice, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?!" The warrior screamed and Cirina completely took over, running towards the stairs to get Arisa off but...
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Rhea roared and lunged at the woman, "CIRINA I KNEW IT WAS YOU! YOU WERE HERE THE HOLD TIME!" The Woman roared.
"AAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Arisa screamed, feeling like her body was being ripped apart, "MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT" Now Sothis screamed, "STTOPPPPP!"
[—-]
She did not know how long she had slept but Sothis knew her role was done. Yet, the sleep she was in, it felt like someone was trying to wake her up. At first, it was a small tug. Then a pull. Before Sothis knew it, it felt like she was violently awakened. The goddess screamed as spiritual hands suddenly pulled her out of the darkness and into the light, pain-filled her being, wondering what on earth was going on. As she was being pulled up, Sothis's eyes widened in horror as she heard familiar blood-curdling screams but most of all...seeing Arisa's soul fall into the darkness in front of her.
Sothis knew what was going on.
Sothis did not want this.
She did not want it at all.
The darkness of her surroundings became illuminated by light unlike anything other. It reminded her of the holy chains that bound her all those years ago. She could hear screaming from the outside, a mixture of her voice and Arisa's as she was fighting back Rhea's spell. Sothis gritted her teeth as she unleashed as roared and tore through the darkness, dodging and weaving the holy chains that kept trying to bound her. She needed to stay away from those chains. She needed to get to Arisa's soul quickly before it was dragged down to the depths of the River of Time. She was breaking the law by doing this, but she didn't care. She was The Beginning. A god of time among many others. The so few who share the same role as her. She didn't care. She wasn't about to allow her daughter's obsession to destroy the one person that had been there since the beginning of her awakening.
The Vessel.
Its purpose was to temporarily harbor the soul of another as the body grew and matured over time. In this case, Arisa/Byleth grew and matured, her purpose was to be like a puppet. When his role was done, her soul would be discarded and replaced with new.
But Sothis did not want that.
For years, she had dreamed of having her own body. To breathe the clean air of her land. To taste sweet, salty, and all the kinds that exist. To embrace her children and feel their warmth and sing to them like old times.
But not like this.
Another scream ripped from her throat as she kept pushing herself deeper and deeper into The River of Time. Memories of her past flowed nonstop into her mind. It burned, it felt like she was being ripped apart. She was rejecting the calling of the chains that welcomed her to take over the vessel, but she refused. Sothis wanted her own body but not at the cost of her beloved friend. She screamed and thrashed, breaking chain after chain that threatened to pull her up. The world around her became darker and darker, the River of Time was trying to wash her away like a wilted plant. She kept fighting back the currents till she finally found the speck of light she was desperately seeking.
Again, she roared as she reached out, her hand stretching to grab onto that light. A ghost of a hand reaching out to her as well. She whimpered as she tried yet the chains kept trying to pull her away. She could hear Serios screaming like a hysterical child, saying she wanted her mother back, no matter the cost.
Sothis rejected the call of life. Serios was in denial. Sothis was rejecting to return to the world of the living. That was the law. The dead had no right to return to the living. It was the Law of Cycles. The dead paid no tribute. The living belonged with the living and the dead belong with the dead. Her time as the Goddess has since long ended. Serios needed to let her go and if she had to teach that lesson, she will.
Sothis could feel blood pouring from Arisa's lips. Serios screaming her name. But Sothis rejected the calling of her child. Her hand reached out as she roared, and finally, she grasped it. She grasped Arisa's hand. With all her strength, she pulled and pulled. The soul was thrown into the darkness and came out, their eyes snapping open. The Goddess couldn't help but weep as she hugged her tightly as did she. It was time, and this time...they would always be together.
"Let us return to finally fix the damn mess Serios made."
[—-]
Many eons ago, The Goddess came to an unknown land. She saw many creatures of the unknown and smiled softly. The creatures of the land welcomed her with open arms. She danced and sang along with them. Shared her knowledge of the worlds beyond the sea of stars, yet even if she enjoyed her time, The Goddess felt she was missing something.
She was lonely.
The Goddess watched as mothers fed their children and fathers sing them songs. She felt a coldness she had not felt in years. She recalled the faces of her elder brothers and sisters, who she would play and dance with. So, the Goddess decided to do something.
She decided to create.
With water, jade, mud, emeralds, light, and darkness, The Goddess spilled her blood into a silver chalice and split the liquid into 22 parts. Each cup possessed a symbol that represented an element that was part of all living beings. She played her holy lyre a song of the ancients and the blood along with the materials. They fused and each one took on a different form. The Goddess rejoiced as she hugged her creations.
Her children.
Years went by and she raised her children, watching them grow big and strong. They helped the creatures of the land, passing down their knowledge to children of their own. She created tribes where she shared her power with them. The Goddess smiled softly as she watched and chose a few of her children to learn her secret of how she created life. But she warned them that it was a power that was dangerous and should never be used for their own purposes.
"But mother, what if something happened to you?"
Her youngest child asked. The Goddess shook her head and smiled sadly. She explained to her children that not even Gods escape the claws of death. That there will be a time when her rule would end. But the goddess told them, should her body yield no more, that a new one was to be created from the new forge. The requirements would be a drop of blood from the first 22 children. Water from the holy springs of the temple in the mountains. Jade from beyond the seal. Mud from the richest land of minerals. Emeralds glowed like fireflies. Light from the kindest of hearts and darkness from the defile.
All combined, a new body of the Goddess would be born and she would live among them as a human.
"But Mother! Why would you give up such power?"
Again, the god looked at her youngest and spoke.
"My dear child, there will be a day where I will no longer walk this world. I will give my power to the land so it may heal and my will rest in peace."
But the child did not like that idea. She believed her mother should stay with them forever.
[—-]
"Gasp...Gasp...BRUGGHH!"
Pain.
Nothing but pain she felt as she crawled towards the edge of the stone floor and vomited. She panted and gasped for air, but even breathing was painful. Her vision was too blurry but she could hear someone screaming and cursing but the blurred sick pale blue, she was sure, Cirina had finally shown herself. She panted and wheezed, trying to breathe properly but no matter what she did, it hurt.
"I'm so sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Spiritual tears fell in front of her as she slowly looked up to see Sothis weeping, she was in her adult form, "I'm so sorry!" She wept, "Please, help her!" She screamed and Arisa saw who she screamed too.
Arisa could hear someone running to her, calling her name, yet she was far too weak from whatever forced ritual happened.
"Arisa, Arisa!" Amir yelled with Mercedes and Balthus, "Balthus, can you carry her?!" Amir screamed as the man nodded, "What the hell happened?! And how are you here?!" She said as Mercedes and Balthus finally noticed a new presence in front of them, clinging onto Arisa tightly.
"Sothis barely managed on time to change into the child form, but it didn't matter because she was a wailing mess as she hugged her friend.
"Um, who is the kid ghost?!" Balthus said and Mercedes blinked to make sure she wasn't seeing things, "It doesn't matter right now! H—"
"Sorry to disturb you when you two are fighting, but it seems some uninvited guests have arrived!" Claude yelled and Cirina and Rhea stopped, turning to see imperial soldiers storming down the stairs.
"Hahaha! Don't move, any of you. If you move, your lives will be forfeit. Thank you ever so much for guiding us this far. The Imperial army will now take possession of everything in the Holy Tomb." Chris gritted his teeth as he instantly recognized the bloody Assassin, Metodey.
"Why is the Imperial Army here?" Dedue yelled as all the students gathered around.
"Manuela, go help Mercedes and Balthus! I'll remain here with the students!" Hanneman yelled and the songstress nodded, running towards the stairs.
"So, they knew we were heading to the Holy Tomb and followed us here?!" Ignatz said ad Flayn gritted her teeth.
"So the Flame Emperor's connected to the Empire. I never thought that possible." Linhardt said.
"I've never imagined you'd have the nerve to return here. What are you after, Flame Emperor?" Dimitri hissed, gritting his teeth as the Flame Emperor looked at them coldly.
"Is it not obvious? The Holy Tomb contains great power; the power to rule all of Fódlan." The Flame Emperor said.
"You bitch! How dare you come here?! You're working with people who killed so many and were part of The Tragedy of Duscur?! Are you also a part of it?!" Lestia roared and the Emperor was about to speak when Chris was suddenly in front of the students.
"You really chose that path...Edelgard."
"What?" Disbelief filled the place as the Flame Emperor put down their axe for a moment and he was heard from their mask as they placed their hand on it.
A deep breath they took as they removed it, and the worst fears were confirmed as the familiar silver brown hair flowed out and violet eyes looked back at them.
"You...You!" Rhea began trembling with rage as the Princess looked at them, expressionless.
"I guess that's the end of play-at-school, Lady Edelgard. I mean, "Your Majesty"." A plague doctor mage removed their mask to reveal Hubert with a smirk.
"I hate this." Henry suddenly appeared beside them, "Looks like the show is over."
"Insolence! You will atone for the sin of tramping on this holy resting place." Rhea roared and turned to Chris, "You, destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!"
"Wait! What's the meaning of this, Edelgard?" Caspar said, trying to process everything.
"You...made use of us?" Petra was in complete disbelief, "Why...?" Her voice cracked.
"I'm sorry, Professor, Christian. I cut this path, and now I must follow it. My friends, I ask that all of you stay back. It is not my intention to fight you." Edelgard turned to her troops, "By order of the Adrestian emperor, Edelgard von Hresvelg, I command you to collect the Crest Stones! If anyone attempts to stop us, kill them!" She roared and the battle ensued.
"I will not allow such violence from the Empire! Strike down the rebels and protect the Holy Tomb!" Rhea roared and looked back to the throne, "Why?! WHY DID IT ALL GO WRONG?"
"Kill the soldiers that raid the tombs and take the crest stones back! Do not hesitate!" Alexandra roared and jumped in the air, spinning her scythe and bringing it down on a victim.
"Dimitri and Lestia, if you charge on ahead I swear to Go—WHAT DIS I JUST SAY?!" Chris yelled but the twins ignored him, roaring as they cut down imperial soldier after soldier.
"Formation! Ashen Wolves, stay with the Golden deer! Blue Lions, and Black Eagles, defend the tombs!" Chris yelled as he charged ahead to catch up with the twins.
"Haha!" Lestia roared and stabbed her lance through a soldier's stomach and turned barely just on time to dodge Dark Spikes coming her way.
"Your opponent is me." Hubert chuckled as hot tears streamed down Lestia's cheeks.
"You...You...HOW COULD YOU AND EDELGARD DO THIS?!" The Princess screamed and charged at him, her lance clashing with his shield, "Gina! Chris! Everyone that died! Why did you choose the ones that murdered them?!" She roared.
"You wouldn't understand." Hubert spat and Lestia kept hacking at him.
"I wouldn't understand?! We grew up together! We cried and stood by each other! We welcomed you both with open arms! SO WHY?!" She cried, "Why...?" She sobbed and screamed when she was thrown back.
"Got you!" Dimitri yelled and managed to catch her on time, "SHIT!" He quickly covered her with his body, Dark Spikes coming down on them but they were suddenly deflected by Henry, who was in front of them.
The white-haired mage glanced at them as they couldn't believe what he had just done.
"Henry." Hubert growled, "Are you betraying our majesty?"
"No." Henry said, "...I'll pay the consequences later. No harm better fall on my family." He said and glanced at them, "I'm sorry." And he was gone.
At that moment, it clicked to the twins that Henry's family was being held hostage.
[—-]
"Ha!" Chris yelled as The Sword of the Creator clashed with Amyr, "You just had to go with that path?! You could have told us and we could have worked out something!" He yelled and jumped back as the girl gritted her teeth.
"You...Amir...Alexandra..and Arisa are the people I did not wish to make an enemy of..." Edelgard whispered, "Look at what was done to your sister. Do you truly want to defend Rhea now?"
"You think this is about Rhea?" Chris spat, "Throughout these years, Arisa, Amir, Alexandra exposed the crimes of Those Who Slither in the Dark! We showed you the truth and yet you still chose them! This isn't about The Church! This is about you!" He yelled and finally charged, striking her down.
"Ahh!" Edelgard screamed and jumped back, panting and gasping for air as her soldiers were finally defeated and Alexandra killed Metodey.
"You're mine!" Rhea roared and lunged at the girl with her sword but...
CLASH!
Clink...Clink! Clank! Clung!
Silence befell the place as Rhea stumbled back, shaking, eyes wide as her sword was knocked out of her hands but the one that defended Edelgard… Slowly they rose and cold teal eyes looked at Rhea.
"B-Beleth?" Rhea chocked out, her hands trembling as the Knight stood protectively in front of The Emperor, "How...You..."
"The imperial year 1159." Beleth spoke calmly, "23rd of The Verdant Moon...Sitri Eisner gave birth to Byleth Arisa Renus Eisner. She was stillborn." Rhea felt her blood run cold, "On that day, Sitri begged you to take her heart and transfer it to her daughter. You did this using Alchemy and Magic, and a few minutes later, Sitri Eisner was pronounced deceased and her daughter drew her first breath." He said, looking down at her.
"Why...Why do you...Why do—" Rhea could barely form words as the man closed his eyes.
"Because I had the seal you placed on me undone." He said and opened his eyes, his hair turned mint green as well as his eyes, "I was there. And when you discovered I was planning to tell Jeralt what you had done...you locked me up in this very place and sealed my memories away." He said and turned his head away.
"You...You! You... How dare you!" Roared Rhea, "After everything I did for you! So, this is the choice you have made! You are just another failure! Your presence soils this Holy Tomb, and disgraces my brethren! HOW DARE YOU BETRAY YOUR MOTHER?!" She roared and Beleth scoffed.
"Mother?" He said, "Should I even call you that? Or," he smiled bitterly, "Should I call you by your real name...Saint Serios?" He said and Rhea screamed.
Before Rhea could make a move, in the blink of an eye, Arisa stood between them. Her hair was dirty and covered in blood, her hair covering her face. Her clothing singed and those at the throne were frantically looking for her. Yet, all Arisa did was standstill as she held her sword.
"Arisa, kill Edelgard at once! She is a danger to all of Fódlan. Such a rebellious heart cannot be allowed to keep beating!" Rhea roared and Arisa remained still, "ARISA!"
Arisa only slightly turned her head towards her and then back to them.
"You shouldn't be moving." Beleth said and a gasp was heard as Arisa walked towards them, "I see...so you plan to joi-!"
SLAP!
Beleth slowly looked back to see Arisa looking at him, Hubert, and Edelgard with the most heartbroken expression he had ever seen. She tried to form words after slapping him. Arisa's lips trembled before she was suddenly in from of Edelgard and was holding her shoulders tightly.
"I showed you...I showed you everything! I'd done everything for you to see the truth of this world! I made sure to reveal the truth that it was Thales and Cornelia who caused the Tragedy of Duscur! I know you would never kill your family and friends!" She yelled, and Edelgard just looked at her with wide eyes, trying to hold back tears.
"My...teacher..." Edelgard whispered as Arisa broke into mechanical laughter, stepping back and covering her eyes, crying.
"I hoped...Hell, I prayed to Naga, Mila, Duma, whatever god could hear me that you would choose us! That you would choose us! Not them! They killed your brother and sisters! They killed your mothers! They killed Anselma! They caused The Tragedy of Duscur and you...YOU STILL CHOSE THEM!" Arisa laughed hysterically as she fell to her knees, "Why...We could have...We could work together to change Fodlan...Without war..." Arisa cried.
"Let us go...We will withdraw... for now." Edelgard whispered and the three were gone.
"COME BACK, YOU COWARD!" Arisa roared, "ANSWER ME! ANSWER ME!" She stood up, despite how much she was bleeding, and ran to the stairs, "ANSWER ME! WHY?!"
"Arisa, stop!" Lestia and Dimitri ran and caught her on time before she fell to the floor, "Please just stop..." Lestia sobbed as they fell to their knees, the two holding her tightly as she cried.
Sothis wept and hugged them from behind. How she wished she could help them.
"Why...?"
"To flee is futile, wicked ones. The Church of Seiros will raise its entire army against you until you have been captured and punished! You have defiled the Holy Tomb, dishonored the goddess, and humiliated your brethren. That crime will never be erased, even if you burn in the eternal flames, and spill all of your blood into the goddess's soil!" Rhea yelled as she stood up, shaken, "Beleth...I will take care of you myself."
"Rhea, stop it." Chris said as he looked down to the ground, "No...I don't even want to look at your right now." He said as he saw the Manuela, Mercedes, and Balthus with the three relics that were recovered, wrapped in bandages, "Everyone...Let's go..." he said as hot tears fell.
All that was heard in the holy tomb were the cries and wails of broken bonds.
Chapter 77: Shattered Faith: Part 2: Prelude to Disaster
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Two chapters left