Shattered Songs of Faith

by Sakura108645

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

83. Chapter 82: 1181:Part 2:Roars and Tears

Chapter 82: 1181: Part 2: Roars and Tears of Dragons

[–]

"Hurry! Get him to the room!"

"We got him stable but he's in critical condition!"

For many years, Emily von Miller Zoltras never displayed extreme anger.

For many years she never once let her emotions get the better of her.

But for the first time in the time since her awakening, she snapped and unleashed something she could never take back. But at that moment the half-dead prince suddenly appeared before them, she took those that were able to get out of the city into her lands, keeping face did not matter. She sat out inside her office, her hair in flames displaying just how angry she was as her knights and people of Kalsana and Zoltra territory worked together to build more asylum buildings. A total of 300 people managed to escape Fhirdiad, along with the families of the main houses, the Knights of Serios, her niece, and her brother. Her stepbrothers and stepsisters, humans and non-humans that were taken in by Lady Cira scurried back in forth all over the lands and territories. They prepared their defenses, even if it had only been two hours since Fhirdiad had fallen into Agarthan rule.

Rufus along with Regina and Hira inconsolable states after being separated from Sara and Clara. Zander was in critical condition. Matthias along with Huston suffered injuries along with their children, all of them were being treated. Flayn had passed out from the horrible ringing and Seteth was still in shape, which she was glad for. Shamir, Celica, Catherine, and Xina have split into pairs in her territory and the other helping Kalsana Territory. Alois and Alm remained on her lands, assisting her knights. It did not help that Indech/Anderson had burst into the mansion demanding answers about what the hell had happened and if it was true that Anacharis was alive.

"ALRIGHT ENOUGH!" Emily boomed, abruptly standing up from her chair, silencing everyone in the entrance room, "Ural and Opal! Have our knights prepare the canons as well as a defense! Diona, have those of the church in our territory tend to the injured. And T—" the cat glared at her, daring her to yell with her children present, "Tina could you get in contact with the other spirit animals and search for Red Hare, Puka, Blanca, Hessian, and Falco?" She said and the cats mowed and disappeared into a wisp of smoke.

"Emily!"

The door at the other side of the room burst open with Lucius gasping for air and behind him was a white-haired woman with black crow wings and a man with bright blue hair tied in a ponytail, hare ears pointed up, and all of them wore tunics with white lab coats.

"Zander, he's stable!" He said and sighs of relief filled the room, "But he's not out of the woodworks yet. We have to keep watch of him through the night." The white-haired woman said.

The white-haired woman and blue-haired man were Laguz, the woman from the crow clan, and the man from a species known as Taguel. Their names were Anima and Eliot.

"Where are Lisanna and David? They should be here by now." Emily said as the two non-humans looked at each other worried and then back to her.

"They are currently at the gate preparing. David spotted Agarthan Soldiers mobilizing. Cornelia plans to attack this place." She said and panic started to fill the room again but Emily raised her hand to silence everyone.

"How long?" Emily asked as her two step-siblings looked at her confused, "How much time do we have?"

"It's not an immediate attack." Anima scrambled to take out her Crystal ball and saw it glowing, a female voice could be heard from it, "Cornelia went crazy during her invasion. It's going to take her at least a month to repair the draw bridges and to mobilize her soldiers to attack our land. Not to also mention, we currently have a barrier to keep Count Kleiman's soldiers out." The voice said.

"But it's the numbers and power. Cleobulus used a Voice of a Siren, and you know what happens to those born with crest when they hear it." A male voice said.

At that moment, Emily was glad it was only the family heads, their children, Rufus, Regina, Hira, Seteth, Indech, and Flayn were in the mansion.

"Voice of a Siren?" Felix said as Emily let go of a sigh.

"Its...When A siren is captured and tortured, then killed, their bodies leave behind a black gem that can be used to create a sound that only those with Crest can hear. It causes them to have similar agonizing effects when someone is poisoned by Sothal." Emily explained as Seteth nodded gravely, Indech was not happy hearing it.

"Emma, one month is only enough to fortify the defenses of our territory. The people here are mostly elderly and children. Along with normal civilians. We don't have the power to fight against Cornelia...Let alone, Anacharis." The male voice said as the shadow covered Emily's eyes.

"I see..." Emily smiled bitterly as she placed her hand over her heart.

"I'm sorry Emily...but this is a battle we can not win..."

[—-]

Emily sat in Zander's room, the young man fast asleep, wrapped in bandages, and connected to a magic tool that Arisa helped her create called a monitor, keeping track of his pulse. The woman was silent as she had her eyes closed. Her mind wandered back to the moment her spell went haywire.

— Flashback —

Nothing but dread filled every fiber of her body when she managed to warp the group to the garden along with Naga. But the one waiting for them only smiled as she had her arms crossed. Despite the different appearance, Emily knew that horrific smile and void-less eyes that only wanted bloodshed. Yet, the woman uncrossed her arms and clapped as she walked a bit then stopped, fifteen feet away from them.

"Oh my! So these are the descendants of Jose, Uriel, Gavin, Vega, Olga, and Kevin! And we also ha—" the woman grinned as her eyes landed on Seteth and Flayn, "My my. What a delight. Two Nabateans that I will have the pleasure of slaughtering and devouring." She said yet when she looked down, her eyes met crimson-emerald.

No one knew when Emily moved but Anacharis barely had time to dodge before a fist covered in thorns and vines hit her. Emily's fist collided with the ground, and a normal crack suddenly turned into a full-blown creator, going 20 feet deep and wide. Anacharis was awed and grinned slyly with a half-lidded gaze as she landed but her eyes widened slightly feeling stinging on her cheek. Once she landed, she touched her cheek and saw the blood on her fingers.

"Hooooo?" Anacharis hummed as the one that landed the punch stood up straight and her eyes glowed with The Crest of Flames as they met the one with The Crest of Noa.

"Oh. Now, this is rare! You possess The Crest of Noa yet I can smell Mila's scent all over you! A pity I can't summon Mila now but..." she raised her hand a magic circle made of black mud appeared next to her, "I can bring him. Gavin!" The woman cackled as a figure rose from the mud.

Like Mila and Jose, a corpse dressed as a Mortal Servant rose from the black mud and unleashed a roar, from his waist he unsheathed the same blade Catherine held.

"That's!" Huston and Rodrigue yelled but Emily spread out her arm, to keep them from even making a move.

"Don't! You all die if you fight against A DeadLord Elite! Especially against Gavin Charon!" Yelled the woman as the skin of her hands turned purple and then with scales, and soon she drew her claws, "Naga! Take them!" Naga did just that Emily felt something went wrong with the spell.

Suddenly she sensed Clara and Sara were somewhere near the area of the Faerghus siblings. Everything was going wrong.

"I see..." Emily cocked her head as her face went dark.

"Fate and Destiny have come to pay retribution."

Sothis once told her that Fate and Destiny have different roles and rules. That there were events that fate refused to change and would make sure they took place, no matter how. And Destiny was the written future that was set for a person. Did that mean that even if Fate is changed, Destiny would still come?

Arisa changed Jeralt's fate, but Destiny made them pay a huge price.

Now...it would soon be Arisa's turn. It would be Chris's turn. It would be Alexandra's turn.

They would pay the ultimate price.

That was the fate of Outworlders who change the course of fate and destiny of a world they do not belong in. And those who they grew to love and cherish would suffer the consequences of their actions.

Yet, Emily could not help but burst out laughing as her tears began to turn black, black tattoos in the shapes of vines and thorns began to spread all over her body and the white of her eyes turned black. Anacharis's blank face turned to a feral grin as her crown relic began to glow brightly.

"OH NOA! I AM GOING TO ENJOY KILLING YOU ALL OVER AGAIN!"

And they lunged.

- End of Flashback —

Emily placed her hand over her ribs, feeling the stinging sensation of the power of The Crest of Flames from the relic created from her mother's skull. Fighting Anacharis, that confirmed that The Crown of Sirius was in that woman's hands. But now...what about the lance? The final relic made from her mother's bones, where was it? No one had been able to locate it since the day Vernata disappeared with it along with The Mirror of Zephyros. The injuries she suffered, now she was in the same state as Seteth... Emily let go of a sigh as she forced herself up and walked over to Zander. Seeing just how pale he was under all the bandages. She bit her thumb and had it hover over his lips, watching as drops of blood fell and making sure he swallowed. She felt a sting in her head, the seal that Arisa placed on him had been weakening over the years.

"It's only a matter of time till it breaks." Emily muttered as she watched her thumb heal, "We won't survive..." she whispered turning her back, and heading to the door.

"Council meeting."

[—-]

Deep underground in Zoltra territory was an ancient temple that was built during the age of the gods. An old temple that the previous generations of House Zoltras discovered and restored to its former glory. Pillars of stone that once crumbled were repaired using earth magic and decorated with flora. An ancient garden that had withered away was now filled with life. Schools of fish swam in the rivers and lakes, as crystal flies flew around. Seats made of stone were built-in circular formations as they rose and crystals grew all around. Yet, at that seat sat the family members of Zoltra. The altar at the front where once their mother stood, now Emily stood, the shadows covering her eyes as her siblings rose from their seats along with Lysithea, Glenn, Xina, Hana, Camram, Cinder, Tharja, Sophia, Gregory, Erik, and Lucius.

"When was the last time we had a Council Meeting?" David spoke, he was the sibling with The Crest of Cichol.

"Mother's funeral." Lissana, the one born with the Crest of Cethleann said.

"Mother always had one of these when she was going to introduce a new sibling," Anima said in a sad tone.

"Or when she shared her discoveries," Eliot said.

"Alright, Emma," a man with black hair and fox ears spat, "Why have you truly summoned us? Is this about your...Outlander apprentice? If you hadn't opened your doors to that outsider, none of this would have happened." He snarled and Emily remained silent.

"Enough, Yamato!" A wolf-skin man said, "Even if she had not opened her doors to her, tragedy would still come! You know how fate is!" He said.

"But Silver!"

"Enough."

The room went silent as Emily took a deep breath and spoke.

"This battle can not be won." Emily said as it felt like ice was poured on everyone but Yamato rolled his eyes, "The people of this land can not fight and many are children. But, what we can do is create an opening for Prince Dimitri and Princess Lestia to escape." She said as looked up at them and smiled sadly.

"This will be my last duty, as the head of this house." She said and everyone abruptly stood up.

"What do you mean?!" Yelled everyone of House Zoltra as well as the members of Sirius.

"We demand an explanation!" Roared Yamoto, "Are you going to run away like the coward you are?!"

"No." Emily said as she looked at him and raised her arm, pulling up her sleeve, revealing the black tattoos, "To protect everyone here...I will be casting, Nightfall." She said and a gasp filled the room.

"E-Emma...that...Mother forbade!" Yelled Anima but Emily smiled sadly as she closed her eyes.

"I know. That's why I'm going to become the core." She said but Yamato stormed over to her and grabbed her by the collar, yelling in her face.

"Do you have any idea what that spell is?! You...you will become the very foundation of the spell! None of us, not even Erik can wake you up! Only...Only Sothis can and she no longer lives!" He yelled and his eyes went wide seeing Emily smiling as if she lost hope.

"I know...But this is the only way." She said, her brother, the oldest among them gritted his teeth as he hung his head.

"You are...Just like mother..." he said and let go of her, warping away.

"We do not agree with this." Her other siblings said, "Why would you do this?! You are putting yourself to take every attack that is thrown at the barrier! The people of this territory will be safe but what about you?!" They yelled and Emily smiled sadly.

"You be surprised what a body of a Nabatean is capable of." Emily thought as she spoke, "Even so, I will still do it. None of you can talk me out. And also, I'm hoping this will also work as a rescue mission." She said as her siblings shook their heads.

"Emma, talk to us! You were the only witness to see what happened to mother! What did you see?! Who truly is Anacharis?" Eliot pleaded but Emily remained silent before she spoke.

"I will prepare the spell and gather the materials needed. In the meantime, all of you prepare the asylum houses. Glenn," she looked at the young man, "I trust you and Kuza to watch over Zander in my absence."

"Emily..."

"Wait, Emily! I'm lost! Explain to me what this spell, Nightfall is!" Lysithea said as the woman smiled bitterly but Gregory spoke up.

"I'll...explain it." The man said as the woman nodded, "Nightfall is a spell created by the founder of House Zoltras, Xeno. A giant barrier is created to encase the entire city and put everyone into a deep sleep. They will sleep and never age. Never grow hungry, and will not wake up. It will create a fog to keep the enemy out. They enter but will return to where they started. Only those who the one that cast the spell allows may enter the village. No one can get in or out unless the castor allows it. And the enemy can never enter. The spell will last as long as it needs to but not without a core. The core will be the person who cast it. But to undo the spell...only someone with The Crest of Flames or Lamine can break it. And those two individuals have gone missing, one is too young and Emily modified the spell only they break it. If Anacharis tries to come in, she'll just return to where she started." Gregory sighed before explaining the final parts, "Any attacks are done to the barrier, the blows will be absorbed but the one that suffers the damage will be...the caster. They will enter into a deep sleep to maintain the spell. That is...why it is deemed forbidden because you don't know if they will ever wake up." He said painfully and Lysithea looked at Emily horrified.

"Lysithea, I will not change my mind even if you beg me. But I know Arisa will return along with Amir and Alexandra. I believe in them. Do you remember the dragon stone Dimitri had?" The girl nodded, "It was cracked. Not shattered. Arisa is alive as well as the others but the question is where?" Emily explained as everyone was shocked to hear this.

"Lysithea, I will also be doing this to Kalsana Territory. If you don't want your family caught up in this, I suggest you move them all to Aubin County." Emily said as she placed her hand over her heart.

"...Will you not change your mind?" Lysithea muttered as the woman shook her head, "I will do as you say..."

"Thank you."

[—-]

Everything stung.

His body stung.

His face stung.

Everything felt so heavy and horrible.

He groaned, trying to move, he felt his hands free but something was around his neck. Then the sound of jiggling he heard and a low groan. He gritted his teeth, his vison coming from one eye as he blinked and his vison adjusting and felt a soft shake on his shoulder.

"Dimitri...Dimitri!" A whisper from a voice he recognized as he was helped to sit up, "Oh thank goodness you are awake!" With his vision cleared, he almost lunged when he saw strands of white hair had it not been for the hands on his shoulder, "I'M NOT EDELGARD, YOU DIMWIT!"

Dimitri abruptly sat up at the yelling and frantically looked around.

The first thing in the sight of his vision was the black metal bars covered in rust, next the only light coming into the place was from a small barred window. The scent of iron, rot, must, and dust was overwhelming for a while till he adjusted. With his hands, he felt cold hard stone and looked down to see a stone floor covered in hay, moss, in some water. He kept looking around and seeing they were in the stone room, till his eyes landed on the woman sitting next to him. She was dressed in rags, her skin slightly pale, loose blonde hair with streaks of white, and her arms wrapped in bloody bandages but Dimitri would always recognize those heterochromia eyes.

"Lestia?" Dimitri said as he tried to move but heard the jiggling again and saw a chain connected to the collar he was wearing connected to the stone wall along with his wrists and ankles chained as well.

"I'm so glad you're awake." Lestia hugged him tightly and carefully touched the right side of his face that was wrapped in bandages, "Sigh...at least one of Cornelia's assistants is not too bad. They said the surgery they did on you should heal in two weeks. Well, a few more days as of now." She said as Dimitri looked at her confused.

"W-What happened? The last memory I have is..." Dimitri gritted his teeth at the memory of Clara's lifeless body falling onto the ground, the screams of his people running for his life, the monsters and knights that betrayed Faerghus rampaging, and most of all, Cornelia ripping out what was left of his right eye and eating it.

"How...long have I been asleep?" Dimitri whispered as he looked around once more and noticed many more cells filled with men, women, and children.

"Two weeks...You've been...in a comatose state for two weeks." Lestia whispered, "Cornelia's assistant said it was something all crest users go through when they go through extreme stress. It's to heal." She explained and Dimitri looked at her worried.

The clothing he originally had was replaced with an old ragged shirt, and loose black pants, along with the collar on his neck. Lestia was wearing them as well. He touched his ear, letting out a small sigh of relief feeling that the earring was still there. But, what happened to Arisa's stone?

"Wait, what his this marking on my collarbone?" One the right side of his collar bone, was The Crest of Flames, the size of a large button.

"When we got stripped of our clothing, Arisa's stone turned to dust and was absorbed into that spot. Now, a mini crest of flames is there." Lestia said as Dimitri sighed and kept looking around.

"Where's Aunt Sara...? What happened to Aunt Clara?" He asked and right when Lestia was about to speak, the door to the dungeons slammed open, in walked in a guard holding onto a chain and dragged in a woman with white hair and a bloody ragged dress.

He walked to a cell that was across from them, a man, a child, and a woman were in there, opened the door, and threw the white-haired woman in.

"Stupid whore. How dare you spit at Count Rowe's face?" The guard spat and stormed out of the dungeons.

The people in the cell scrambled to the woman, to make sure she was okay.

"Consort Sara! Goodness, what did they do to you?!" The woman yell once she saw the blood from the consort's mouth.

"Aunt Sara...Aunt Sara!" Yelled Dimitri and the woman perked up, the man helping her stand up and Dimitri gasped seeing her.

Her once chestnut-colored hair was white as snow, her skin sunken and pale, the dark circles under her eyes, and like Lestia and many others he noticed in the cells, their arms were wrapped in bloody bandages. The prince looked at his wrist and noticed the same with him.

"Aahhhhh...eeee..." Sara said and Dimitri looked at her confused till the man spoke.

"Her tongue was cut off..." he said and Dimitri looked at him horrified before looking at his aunt, who smiled sadly.

"What…happened while I was in a coma?"

"There's...a lot to explain your majesty."

The twins looked to the cell next to them and saw a face they didn't think they see again.

"Sir Kay..." Dimitri whispered as the elder knight smiled softly, "What are you doing here?"

"I serve under your brother. I was one of the knights that chose to stay behind to evacuate as many people as we could. Of course, we fought against those that betrayed our nation. Cornelia had all those that dare stand up against her either killed, beheaded, or sent to the dungeons. Certain people are sent to this specific area of the underground dungeons." Kay sighed as Dimitri noticed he was in the same state like many others in the room.

"It's been two weeks since the fall of Fhirdiad...Cornelia was renamed the place The Faerghus Dukedom, made of the western lords. They are under her, Count Rowe, and Count Kleiman's command. As of now, they are rebuilding the draw bridges." Kay said as the people in the dungeons remained silent or listened.

"They have been taking people from here and taking them up to some sort of...lab for experiments. Princess Lestia had been taken almost every day...and others they had taken either come back or thrown or..." he didn't need to say the rest as Dimitri already knew the answer.

"Consort Sara has refused multiple times to become Count Kleiman's woman and...Cornelia cut off her tongue as punishment." The woman said softly.

"Dammit!" Dimitri growled and tried to rip off his collar but nothing was working.

"Don't bother..." Lestia muttered as she sat back down on the floor and hugged her knees to her chest, "I tried...It's an anti-magic collar. We're rendered to the strength of a normal human." She sighed, "At least Zander is safe. I hope our friends and the rest as well."

Everyone backed away from the bars when the doors of the dungeons opened and down the stairs came a face that made Dimitri roar in rage and lung. But the chains caused him to choke and fall back to the ground. Lestia ran to him but the cackle of Cornelia made the twins look up murderously. Cornelia smirked as she no longer was in her disguise but her true appearance. Next to her was a mage dressed as a plague doctor and the other was a woman wearing the clothing of a warlock. But most of all was the woman that stood behind Cornelia that made everyone but the four feel like they were out of air.

"The little prince has finally woken up. Ah, how delightful." She chuckled and looked at Lestia, "How many days has it been since we experimented on the girl?"

"She needs to heal, Lord Cleobulus." The plague doctor said, "Two more days. As for Grim..." he looked at Dimitri, "He just awaken. So...he is fresh." He said and Dimitri heard no emotion in his voice.

"Tiago, I'm surprised to even see the other prisoners alive," Anachris said and motioned the guard to open the door, letting them walk in.

She grabbed Dimitri by the chin and force him to look at her face. Her golden eyes scanned him, the man gritting his teeth as she had an emotionless look. The scent was iron, copper, tiger lilies, roses, and pomegranate. Her eyes were the most terrifying thing he had ever seen because they looked at him as if he was an accessory on display. He wanted to spit on her face but did not want to risk Lestia being hurt. The woman studied him, looking at his good eye, and then his cheeks, lastly his hair before her eyes became half-lidded.

"I thought so." Anacharis smiled, "You're the spitting image as your grandfather, Uriel Blaiddyd. And you," she looked at Lestia, who backed away, "Look exactly like Michelle."

Anacharis burst out laughing as she let go of his chin and ran her fingers through her hair, licking her lips.

"It's the War of Heroes all over again! How ironic that these two are born as twins again. Hmm..." she smiled but raised an eyebrow seeing The Crest of Flames on Dimitri's collar bone.

"Huh...So you're chosen..." Anacharis smiled softly as she placed her hand over The Crest of Flames.

"Arreghhh!" Dimitri screamed as he was suddenly electrocuted and Lestia screamed, lunging at the woman only to be grabbed by the neck and held up, forcing her to watch the torturing of her brother.

"Stop it! Stop it!" Yelled Lestia as she clawed her arm but Anacharis did not flinch and ignored the people that screamed for her to stop.

"AARRGHHHHH!" Sara roared as she violently shook her cell bars before she coughed and vomited blood, falling to the ground.

"Lady Sara!" Kay yelled and Anacharis only glanced her way before she stopped and stood up.

Dimitri's eyes rolled back as he fell to the ground and she dropped Lestia before walking out and going to the other cage.

"You said this one is Sara correct?" Anacharis said and Cornelia raised an eyebrow but nodded, "Hmm...She'll do. She'll be my sex slave." A gasp filled the room and Cornelia looked at her shocked.

"You have no standards." Cornelia said as Anacharis rolled her eyes, "And no. You can not have her. This one is going to be part of my experiment." She said.

"Pity." Anacharis said as she closed her eyes, "But have at her. She doesn't have much time anyway. I can smell she has about three months left because of all the crest experiments you have done on her." She said as it felt like ice poured all over the consort and Lestia.

"Hmm...actually...everyone here except the Princess and Prince has about three months to two years left in their life." Anacharis thought as the guard closed the cell, "Anyway, how is the search for the body of The Fell Star?" She said to Tiago, who hung his head.

"No luck." The mage said and she clicked her teeth.

"Well, you better find her. She is a rarity. I'm going to enjoy making her suffer." Anacharis laughed as she turned and walked up the stairs, leaving.

"Witch." Cornelia cursed and looked back to Lestia who hugged her brother protectively, "I'll be coming back to him tomorrow. You young lady..." she grinned letting her fangs show, "Will be perfect if you Sara fails." And with that, she left, the door slamming closed.

"Dimitri, Dimitri...Big brother...Please wake up...Please be okay...Don't shut me out again..." Lestia wept as she hugged him.

All Lestia could do was pray.

- Dream -

Cold.

Dimitri felt nothing but coldness as he looked around and all he saw was white. Yet, standing before him, 20 feet away and their back facing them. It was a young woman with long curly dark brown shoulder-length hair. No, it was the tan-skinned woman he saw last year. The illusion that Chris said was Arisa. The woman remained still and began to walk. Dimitri felt he knew her and took the first step. He walked, and his steps became faster before they became a full run. He kept running, running, reaching his hand to her, calling out the only name he knew her by.

"Arisa!" He yelled, reaching out but the woman's steps soon became faster and then sprinted, "ARISA!" He yelled with all his might but she kept running.

He didn't know how long they ran till some sort of doorway appeared and she went in. He stopped for a moment, gritting his teeth, and ran. The light blinded him for a moment before his vision adjusted and he looked around. He blinked, seeing nothing but white snow but he was in front of a strange building. The building was built similar to Emily's clinic, but there were benches made of metal and plants and bushes covered in snow. Yet, sitting on the bench was the same woman, now a young girl that was 13 years old. The girl was dressed in an oversize puffy coat, barefoot, as she stood up, and broke into a grin.

"I'm cured...I'm finally cured." She said and crouched before jumping screaming, "I'M CURED! I'M CURED! I'M FREE!" The girl yelled and grabbed the shoes she had on the bench, putting them on.

"Someone holds me safe and warm. Horses prance through a silver storm. Figures dancing gracefully Across my memory~" the girl began to sing as she spun, tears fell from her eyes as she placed a hand over her chest and the other raised as if she singing on a stage, "Someone holds me safe and warm~Horses prance through a silver storm~Figures dancing gracefully across my memory~" she twirled in the snow, not one care in the world.

Dimitri remained silent as he watched her dance, repeating that she was cured before she stopped.

"Oh...I can eat normally now. I wonder what chocolate cake taste like? Oh! I bet I can finally try mom's empanadas!" The girl giggled.

"Arisa! There you are!"

The two looked up to see a faceless woman with brown-haired and dress in a purple winter dress run over to her frantically.

"There you are!" The woman said as Arisa looked up to her, "You know you're not supposed to sneak out! ¡Sabes que mamá está preocupada por ti! ¡El hecho de que estés a salvo no significa que puedas escabullirte! ¡Especialmente durante el invierno!" The woman said and Arisa hung her head.

Dimitri shouldn't be able to understand what the faceless woman was saying yet he did. He understood what she was saying. She was scolding Arisa, telling her that she should have no snuck out.

"I'm sorry..." Arisa whispered, "I was...I just...wanted to see the snow." She said as the woman sighed and picked her up.

"I understand how you feel but you're not fully cleared yet. The doctor said they will have you stay a few more days to make sure everything is alright. Also, Theresa is here to see you." The woman said and Arisa's eyes sparkled as they walked.

The world around him changed to a hospital room but this time it was just a hospital bed, a few chairs, the windows, a table that could roll over the bed, and the white room. Yet on the bed sat two girls cross from each other. One was a black-haired girl with streaks of red and honey-colored eyes and the other was Arisa. On the table, was a single slice of cake with vanilla frosting but he could tell the cake was soaked in milk.

"I managed to sneak in this." The black-haired girl giggled, "I remember you told me you wanted to try tres leches cake first! So, here it is! But the way, I made this with my grandma." The girl grinned as Arisa awed at the cake.

Carefully she picked up her fork and sliced a small piece, then ate. She waited, and then she remained silent before she started to water and tears fall.

"A-Are you alright?! D-Does it tastes bad?!" The girl said and the girl shook her head, her smile shaky as she spoke with her mouth full.

"No...No...It...taste delicious." Arisa wept as she began to eat more, "I've never had something so sweet before! I-I'm so happy!" She cried, "I can...I can finally eat normally. I can finally run and play. I can...I can live a normal life after being here in the hospital for 13 years." The sobbed as his friend smiled sadly and hugged her.

"Yup...You're finally free.

Once more the scene changed but this time it was...dark. Everything around was dark but the more he walked he noticed he was inside a living room but...the tables were overturned. The chairs were thrown to the ground. The pillows were all over the place but at the center of it all was the brown-haired woman who had scissors in her hands. Her eyes were red and puffy and tears kept falling as she kept snipping off pieces of her hair. But most of all, he noticed the blood dribbling from her lips.

"...Why..." she whispered as she kept cutting, "Why...why...why?!" The woman threw scissors his way and Dimitri subconsciously moved out of the way, "WHY DID IT COME BACK?!" Arisa roared and the scene shattered.

He fell and fell. No matter how much he screamed, it was as if he was being swallowed by the void. Yet...

"Don't look at me...Don't look at me..."

- End of Dream -

"Arisa..."

Lestia remained silent as she had her brother's head resting on her lap. It's been a few hours since he was tortured. Yet, seeing him have nightmares plague his dreams made her heart sting. She prayed that Zander was okay and would survive. The girl looked at her arms, seeing the once bloody bandages now clean and changed by the mage named Tiago, he was also the one that healed Dimitri's right eye. Her hair had turned particularly white because of the extreme stress her body was put in. They would strap her down to a stone table. She screamed and at times gritted her teeth as they used scalpels to cut her flesh, needles to inject serums into her that caused her to go into excruciating pain that would make her scream as if she was being murdered. Or they would extract her blood. All while Cornelia watched with a smile. The mage beside her, Tiago, Lestia noticed him would glare at the witch.

"What are you dreaming?" Lestia whispered as she looked down to his collar bone, staring at the small crest of flames before looking at her own.

Her symbol was on her left collar bone, her pin had dissolved and turned into it. She wondered if Arisa imbued the pins she gifted all the students and staff with some sort of protection charm. It stung. She wondered if what she and the others in the cell were going through was exactly what Edelgard went through?

"Can't sleep?" Lestia looked up and saw Sir Kay had moved across his cell to sit next to bars of hers, "The King...how is he fairing?"

"He'll wake up tomorrow," Lestia said as the Knight smiled sadly.

"You know, you two three were born with well-known Blaiddyd terrifying smirks and grins but you and your brothers have your mother's smiles." Sir Kay chuckled and noticed Sara was awake, using her finger to write on the palm of her hands, "She says that your mother was the one that called your father stupid when they first met. She was there." He chuckled and sighed.

"I wonder how things would have been if Cira was still alive." He thought and looked at the Princess.

"We'll find a way to escape. We'll get everyone out of here." Lestia said and the Knight smiled bitterly.

"Not everyone can be saved."

[—-]

Dimitri gasped and panted for air when he and his sister were abruptly wakened up by a buck of iced water poured over them. They gasped and panted for air, looking around frantically before looking up to the female warlock that was beside Cornelia yesterday.

"It's been a while, Prince Dimitri. Do you remember me?" She smiled and Dimitri gritted his teeth.

"I do. You are the maid that was kicked out months ago. The one that attacked Consort Regina." He said as she chuckled, "So you were a spy."

"A spy would be an understatement." She said before she motioned the Knight to grab and drag him out of the cell, "Oh, I'm going to enjoy today's experiment! You there!" She pointed to another Knight, "Grab Sara! Cornelia wants to see if her body can withstand The Crest of Gautier!"

Sara screamed and scrambled her away before she was grabbed by the hair and dragged out.

"Let go of her!" Dimitri screamed and tried to lunge but screamed when he was suddenly electric shocked by the collar on his neck.

Up the stairs, they were dragged till they reached the other room. Stone walls with no windows, lamps light up the place, and tables lined with surgical tools as well as syringes with different colored liquids. Shelves filled with flask, beakers, potion bottles, and jars as well as books. On the walls were pinned diagrams as well as notes and sketches of crest and pictures of people he recognized with red X's drawn on them. Dimitri didn't even get a chance to look around more when he was dragged onto a stone table and pushed down. Struggled as he might, he was powerless as they strapped him and Sara down on separate tables. The door to the strange lab burst open and they brought in Lestia. By the chains, she was dragged to a cell in the corner and thrown in then locked.

"I want you to watch as we experiment on your family." Cornelia chuckled as Lestia gritted her teeth.

"Lestia..." Dimitri managed to choke out as the former maid picked up a syringe and another mage did the same but walked over to Sara, both holding it over their wrist, "I'll be okay." Dimitri smiled despite how much he was shaking.

STAB.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Blood-curdling screams filled the room and all Lestia could do was watch and scream out as her hands reached out desperately to her aunt and brother. Dimitri was trashed and screamed as a syringe was injected into him. Cornelia wrote down notes as she was watching for different reactions and frowned not seeing the results she wanted. Minutes felt like hours, at some point Dimitri couldn't scream anymore as his back arched the veins around his arms bulged, and the color of them changed from black to blue before they returned to normal. Sara passed out but her body spasmed as another injection was done. Lestia at some point curled up into a ball and covered her ears but she was listening.

"Tch. I could have sworn The Crest of Blaiddyd would have worked well with the Crest of Gautier! Tch. If only that brat from the village I kidnapped did not escape as well as Patricia, they would have been good experiment subjects. How's The Crest of Blaiddyd doing in Sara's body?" Cornelia said as she looked over to the former maid named Lois.

"We have a result but like Lady, Anachris said, her body is deteriorating. If she has three months left, we should experiment using Cethleann's blood to extend her life for about a year." Lois explained as she was looking through her papers.

"Lord Cleobulus, what happened to the results of the ones, called Gregory, Hapi, and Lysithea?" Lois said and Lestia stopped breathing to listen and even in a daze, Dimitri was listening even if everything sounded muffled.

"No wait, what about the ones of the imperial children?" Lois said and Cornelia grunted as she kept going through papers.

"Thales has those of the imperial children locked away. I do have access to Edelgard's. Have a look at them." Without looking her way, Cornelia snapped her fingers and made a journal appear in her hands.

"Let's see..." Lois fixed her glasses and grimaced, "So the imperial princess has about...10 years to live."

"Not anymore." Cornelia said and Lois looked at her shocked, "That professor of hers sealed away a portion of the power of The Crest of Flames, extending her life. Of course, not without a prince." She said as Lios looked at her confused, "The Professor gave up 10 years of her Nabatean life to extend hers. Because of that, Edelgard now has white hair that fades to brown. I noticed the same with the girl Lysithea and Gregory when I fought them a month ago." Cleobulus said and looked at Dimitri, walking towards him.

Gently she placed her hands on his cheeks and loomed over him with a half-lidded gaze and smile.

"Kiana Kalsana. Her true name was Byleth Reus Eisner and she was a filthy half-breed like that bitch of Cirina. Unlike Cirina, that woman has Nabatean and human blood. The more she gives up her life force to save those fools, the more she will fall into the path of ruin. After all..." she leaned forward and grinned, "That's the fate of all dragons. To descend to madness and ruin. To be killed by their loved ones. Just like how Roman Reigan killed Cirina and Michelle Blaiddyd took own her life when she found out her brother was the one that betrayed her lover." She chuckled and snarled as she reeled back, Dimitri had spit in her face.

"Ugh!" She wiped her face, "You little brat..." the woman snarled and grabbed the siring with black liquid, and was about to stab him with it but froze.

Dimitri looked back at her with slit blue eyes, the overwhelming and terrifying pressure on the back of her neck, she had not felt in years. The woman gritted her teeth as she ordered the prince to be untied and thrown back into the cell along with Lestia.

"I take it back. Have all three of them watch what we do." Cornelia grinned cruelly and the knights went to grab another person, this time it was the little girl that was from the same cell.

"What are you doing?!" Yelled Dimitri as the girl trashed and was strapped down.

"Progress prince. Progress." Cornelia laughed and all the prince and princess could do was watch as the girl was cut and experimented on as she screamed at the top of her lung.

Minutes felt like hours, they didn't know how long it was with the last of her strength, the little girl reached out to them one last time, and with the last of her breath, she cried out...

"Help me..."

Her hand dropped, her lifeless eyes staring back at them.

"Dispose of her. No. Take her to the ritual sight. Her soul is still present so she would be perfect to make into a Vestal witch." Cornelia chuckled and looked to the cage, enjoying just how enraged the three were and the tears that fell.

"Oh, this is just the beginning."

[—-]

Three weeks.

It had been three weeks and everything hurt.

Zander was too stunned to speak as he had just woken up from his coma three hours ago and was being informed of what was going on as well as what happened. But one thing was clear, he was now in charge of his people and the nobles. The prince remained silent as Glenn spoke and Kuza filled him in. The lords of the house heads along with their children had returned to their territories and were waiting for his awakening. But what was a miracle was when Emily removed the bandages and saw how his skin had perfectly healed and there were no burn scars.

But Zander knew that just by looking at the doctor, things had been difficult. Her skin was pale and the dark circles under her eyes indicated her lack of sleep.

"I'm glad you are awake, just on time too." Emily said as she finished removing the last bandages, "I know this is sudden but you need to return to Aubin Territory. Cornelia plans to attack here and we can not afford to lose you." She said and Zander was too shocked to speak.

"Your brother and sister are alive. To destroy everyone's morals, she announced that he was dead along with Lestia. But I know they are alive." She said and Zander wanted to say something but he couldn't because his throat was still healing.

Emily took the opportunity to leave and let him know that they were going to head out in three days. Yet, the woman knew what was coming as she walked through the dark hallways of her home and stopped in front of the portrait of her family.

"I know you are there...Sadi and Dedue." She said as she turned around with her arms crossed and the two siblings walked out, "I'm not an idiot. I know you two have been sneaking out during the night and using that opportunity to scan the perimeters of Fhirdiad and to find an opening to sneak in." She said as they gritted their teeth.

"His Ma—No, Dimitri and Lestia helped us. Prince Zander helped us. Glenn and Kuza helped us. We want to help them." Dedue said, "We want to help protect our people as well. After everything they have been through..."

"Naga." Emily said and suddenly by her side was the masked woman, "Alright." She closed her eyes as the two looked at her confused.

"If you do this, there is no guarantee you will make it out alive. Do you still wish to put yourselves at risk and save the twins?" Emily said with a cold expression, unleashing her aura and forcing them on their knees.

"This...pressure..." Sadi gritted her teeth as her brother struggled to look up, their bodies felt like they were being forced down but, "We..." she forced her body up, "refuse..." Emily's eyes widened slightly as she watched the siblings force themselves to stand, "to kneel..."

"We...refuse...to leave them...behind." Growled Dedue and at that moment, Emily saw the image of her siblings when they were alive.

The woman closed her eyes and smiled as she made the pressure go away, the two gasped for air, trying to recover as she walked up to them and spoke.

"Alright...But if you do manage to escape, head immediately back here. Do you understand?" She said and they nodded, "Good, then you will also need these." She said and held out her hand.

There, are two stones one craved with The Crest of Reigan and the other The Crest of Blaiddyd.

"These are called Dragon Sigils. If Seteth found out I was trusting you with these, he would have my head. Not that it matters because Flayn gave one to Ignatz." She giggled as the two raised an eyebrow.

"Master...you..." Naga said but Emily smiled sadly at her.

"Naga...it was only four months ago that I took you in and saved you. Though you have lost your humanity you are still human within your heart and soul. That's why I want to give you my final order. Get these two into Fhirdiad and...protect Seteth and Flayn in my absence." She said as the woman remained silent.

"Will...I remember who I am if I protect your family?" Naga asked as Emily smiled sadly, "That man...Jeralt...He looks familiar." She muttered softly as Emily held her hands.

"Memories do not come all at once. In time they will return. Especially you. After all...you're a new kind of dragon." She said as Naga let out a small chuckle.

"Alright, I will do as you say, Master."

"I told you not to call me Master."

[—]

Dimitri and Lestia didn't know how long it has been but they were in agony. In pain. Dimitri's hair now had streaks of white and Lestia was becoming paler by the day. Sara was fading away and Kay...he was dying. Nearly every day was spent either locked up, strapped onto the table and experimented, or forced to watch their people experiment on, and die. They either died from complications, going mad and killing themselves or were on the verge of becoming monsters and were killed by Cornelia. The one that was tending to them and taking care of their injuries was the mage named Tiago, who would whisper a sorry as he tended to their wounds.

Dimitri had no more dreams after the first one. Just nightmares. Nothing but nightmares from the flames and death of The Tragedy of Duscur. The voices of those that died screaming and new ghosts began to haunt him. The little girl that was killed, her name was Lisa. The man that was her father, died of a heart attack, his name was Hector. The gardener that used to tend gardens killed himself when he was on the verge of going mad, his name was James. The cook that would sneak them snacks during the night, her name Eula.

Amber.

Sasha.

Logan.

The list of names kept going on and on. The twins repeated the names to themselves to remember them and have them engraved on their minds. And each of those people, their ghosts joined the ones that haunted them. Sometimes, they would hallucinate them, walking towards and crying out to them.

"Avenge us!"

"They did it! They took everything away!"

"Bring us Cornelia's head!"

The ghost chanted over and over again.

Yet today was...different for some reason. Dimitri remained silent as he listened to Cornelia speak with Lois and Tiago was also present as the other mages put the body of a butler into a bag and carried him away.

"Another failure! By the Gods, why is every single one of them, failing?! Ugh, I'm tempted to use the necromancy spell that Pittacus used on Conand Tower years ago to get rid of Kaze!" She said Lestia gritted her teeth hearing the name of her master.

"Lord Cleobulus, I'm curious as to why you won't just use the twins? They would make great vessels for Uriel. The girl...we could use her body in an attempt to bring back Michelle to this world." Lois said and Cornelia snorted.

"Oh, I want to kill the Faerghus Twins but that would be boring." Cornelia chuckled as her right hand looked at her confused, "Zander may have escaped but those two are valuable specimens. We shall use their blood as the foundations for my new experiment." The woman grinned.

Dimitri remained silent, pretending to be out cold as he listened. Cornelia smiled as opened her tome and spoke.

"Lysithea and Gregory were prototypes. Edelgard was a success. But all three will only live till they are twenty-five. The two crests in their bodies are eating them away. But, using the results we have, don't we...create our own Nabatean? One that has no connection to The False Goddess and can willingly turn to a beast without the repercussions of shortened life-span?" She cackled as Dimitri was stunned.

"Lysithea, Gregory, and Edelgard...were experimented on..." The prince thought as images of the enraged faces of the women and men came into mind during the first encounter with Odesse.

"Lady Cornelia! Do you plan to commit the taboo that Lady Anacharis committed?!" The mage said as Cornelia only smiled.

"No. Anacharis is a cannibal. That woman ate Noa's eyes after she killed her. She ate Sothis's flesh and drank her blood. Not me. I plan to make use of our little subject if the experiment is a success. Hmm..." Cornelia frowned as she intertwined her fingers.

"It's a pity Patricia is no longer alive. Thales burned her to cinders using Arundel's face. She would have been the perfect test subject." Dimitri's anger flared, "For now, let's just use Sara and Kay. Extract blood from the twins when they wake up." And away they walked, the door closing shut.

Dimitri carefully sat up, stunned by the information he just learned. Whatever a Nabatean is, he had never heard of it. Perhaps at some point in time, he would ask. But the other...

"You also heard?"

Dimitri turned and saw his sister sitting up. The looks on her face said it all. It was anger, and...pity.

"Lysithea is dying...they called her a prototype. Is that why Emily was always checking her health, to find a cure? And Edelgard...they did the same to her yet she's still working with them? Why? The church isn't responsible but it's not innocent either." Lestia whispered as her brother remained silent.

"Nabatean...It sounds familiar but I've never heard of it." Dimitri as he sat down and checked on their aunt, "Her breathing is stable."

"Dima, think about it." Lestia said as she crawled a bit closer to him, "We witnessed firsthand that Lady Rhea transformed into The Immaculate One and Crescent into one called The Steel Dragon. Before her, we saw Arisa turn into a dragon." She said and Dimitri remained silent for a moment but decided to speak.

"Second time." He said and Lestia blinked, "The first time I saw her turn...partly into a dragon was five years ago. When...our group was attacked by assassins. Looking back at it, it must have been Cornelia's men." The king said and touched his collar bone, his gaze down.

"Arisa snapped at that moment and suddenly all those that were attacking us were dead. And she..." he remembered her wails and screams but, "Is strange that at that moment I saw her...enchanting? She was partly turned into a dragon and she killed all those people. I was afraid yet...I knew if I let her go, she would never return." He muttered as his sister remained silent.

"She reached out to me in my darkest moments. She was there for us. I...think I now understand the saying, everyone needs a healer but nobody asks how is the healer." The prince smiled bitterly.

"Brother...Goodness Gracious! You have the same taste as Sylvain and Zander! Seriously?! You thought she was ethereal at the moment she was covered in blood surrounded by the bodies of our enemies?!" Dimitri felt like multiple arrows were stabbed into his very soul when his sister looked and spoke to him with a judging gaze and tone.

"But in all seriousness," Lestia sighed as she crossed her legs, "why are you telling me this now? You and Zander shut me out during those four years. I haven't exactly forgiven you. But that day when I heard you screaming, I chose to sneak into your room and sleep with you. I know you were in pain..." she whispered and Dimitri smiled, guilty.

"I didn't know how to approach you after that day...I didn't want to burden you with..my episodes, nightmares as well as shocks. So I kept enduring the pain I felt...because I did not want you to see me in such a state. I'm your older brother. I must be strong to protect you." He said as he smiled softly but his eyes widened seeing his sister look at him with the most hurtful gaze and her lip quivering.

"Y-you...stupid idiot!" She began to pound her fist onto him, the prince trying to defend himself by using his arms as a shield but, "Stop playing the perfect Knight! You're a person also! You have feelings also! I hate it when you put up a front when I know you're in pain!" The girl screamed at him and Dimitri looked at her shocked.

"It's my duty to protect you! A Knight does not cry! It's your duty to die as a true Knight! You must become king! Everyone keeps saying those things to you! Do you think I don't know everything you are shouldering?! And mom and dad would never tell you that you are a failure and to avenge them!" She yelled as Dimitri was too stunned to speak till she stopped.

"I know people wanted you to ascend the throne before you turned eighteen. I know...Sniff...I know of the pain you endured and your responsibilities. I watched you and brother Zander struggle to find ways to help out people. I know...How much pain you are in...I want you to trust me...to share that burden with me. I don't want you to think you are unloved. I want you to know that you are loved and not a monster. That's you're more than just a king. You're a brother...You're human...Family." The girl sobbed as she finally stopped, her fist on his chest as she hung her head.

"I want you to be happy...I want you to live your life. You always speak so badly of yourself...you look at yourself like if you are beast...well...so what if you are beast!?" She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his, "So what if you are a boar?! Can a beast protect people?! Can a boar not love?! Can a beast sew?! Can a beast have hidden his pinning for his hot Professor?!" She said and Dimitri felt his face turning crimson and he swore the people of the cells underground could hear her, "Well?! Answer me you dimwit?! You are stupid! Prince!" She yelled and Dimitri couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're right...I swear Lestia…how do you come up with these things?" He said as his sister glared at him, "But...thank you...truly. I think I needed to hear that..." he muttered as Lestia nodded her head proudly.

From the other side, Sara smiled softly as she closed her eyes to sleep.

[—-]

"Master, Prince Zander, and the others are ready to leave. They will leave through the forest to escape and not be seen by Cornelia's army. The army will reach your land and Kalsana in 3 hours."

"Is that so?" Emily said as she sat on the floor of the center of the temple, her back facing her friend. In a circle formation, she placed seven colored stones, they had The Crest of Gautier, Daphnel, Blaiddyd, Indech, Charon, Fraldarius, Lamine, and Dominic craved into them. She made the floor flooded with water and was littered with earth magic stones. But most of all, she wore a white toga with a golden shawl. Her hair was now back crimson fading to green.

"And my siblings?" She said and Naga was hesitant but spoke.

"They have not been seen nor have spoken to each other these weeks. All of them have finished preparing the homes. The knights are standing guards to the homes of the people. And it is night, all are asleep." Naga said as Emily sighed as she nodded.

"Do you have any final words to the others?" Naga said and Emily shook her head.

"Just make sure to deliver the letters I gave you." Emily sighed.

She was about to do something she didn't know she was going to come out alive from. It had been years since she was afraid but she knew if she did not do it, many lives would be lost. The woman looked up to the ceiling as Naga warped away, closing her eyes as she whispered a chant to light up the candles placed around her but also the ones that were placed around. She smiled softly as she began to hum a tune, the water around her began to ripple and water droplets began to float.

From the outside of the territory, Zander remained silent as he put on his hood. With him was Glenn, Kuza, Mercedes, Flayn, Seteth, Shamir, Catherine, and the rest of the knights. His throat was better now yet, and her gritted his teeth as he looked back to the town.

"We had no time to say goodbye..." Zander muttered as he looked down at the young boy sleeping in his arms, "So let's not call it that." He said as he looked back up to the barrier starting to form.

"Let's go! As of now, I, Zander Alphonse Blaiddyd, am the leader of The Faerghus Resistance!" He yelled his knights raised their fists, nodding firmly along with his friends and the knights of Serios, "MARCH!" He yelled and they all rode into the dark woods.

[—]

"We're just outside the city, but how do we get in?" Sadi said as her brother looked around and Naga chuckled, "What's so funny?" The girl glared.

"No, it's nothing." Naga said and touched the wall, a hole opened leading into the sewer system, "You two, come closer." She said and even though they were hesitant they did.

Naga raised her hands and gently touched their foreheads, they felt a sting and hissed but suddenly blinked as memories of a full map of the castle as well as all the secret passageways poured into their minds. The siblings looked at the masked woman in shock before they blurted out, "Who are you?"

"I..." Naga smiled under her mask and raised her index finger over the lip area of her mask before cocking her head, "I am a dragon of The Death Sovereign. The Dragon of Embers." And with that, she wrapped away.

[—-]

"Chain them up."

Dimitri and Lestia didn't have time to yell when they were both chained to the tables. Lois smiled as she held up two syringes with a green and blue liquid in them.

"Sigh, a pity Lord Cleobulus could not be here. Both of you are going to die today, but not before I enjoy one final experiment." The woman chuckled and order the mages to electrocute them.

Screams filled the room as their backs arched, needles stabbed into their legs to make the pain even worse. The whole month was nothing but torture and Sara screamed as she tried to reach out only for Lois to drag her out and hold her by the head.

"Watch them suffer. Watch them die. Watch as progress is made!" Lois cackled as she kicked the woman in the stomach.

[—]

The sun is rising on an empty horizon

The nightfalls into a pointless dream

"Sigh...Really...Master, you are a piece of work." Naga sighed as she stood at the hill looking down at Fhirdiad.

The draw bridges came down with a loud BAM as the wood hit the ground. Soldiers of Keilman, Agartha, Titius, and Demonic beast, being led by Cleobulus, all to annihilate those of Zoltra territory. The blue-skinned woman road a risen Wyvern, her staff with a green stone glowed eerily. Naga looked behind her and from afar, she could see Keilman's soldiers that were stationed near Zoltra and Kalsana, making their way to the territories. Naga let out a sigh as she removed her mask and took out a stone with a flame-like symbol on it. She stared at it and smiled sadly.

[—]

The universe and its infinite stars

Are better left untouched, unseen

"Ancient earth, hear my call." Emily began to speak, "Lend me your power to shield the weak and poor. Grant me strength to become stone that never moves." the stones around her began to glow one by one and vines began to travel up her body, infusing themselves into her skin.

"Terra, Gia, Tiamat, sing your songs." She chanted as crystals began to form around her as she smiled bitterly.

Above, the fog began to spread all over Zoltra and Kalsana territory, the people falling into a deep sleep. Magic began to form around the corners of the territories and rise into the air like fireflies. From far away, Erik watched and those of Sirius stood beside him along with Lysithea, her parents and brother, and newborn baby sister that was two months old.

"Where are Emily's siblings?" Lysithea ask as Erik smiled bitterly.

"They have chosen to join her."

[—-]

Your hand is out of reach

Your moments never last

This unspeakable pain I'm enduring

"Don't touch her!" Roared Dimitri despite how much pain he was in as he was chained onto the wall.

"No! No!" Lestia screamed as another blade was stabbed into her arm along with a needle.

"Look at you. Worthless." The ghost of Lambert spat in his ears as he screamed and cried out as he watched his sister tortured.

"You can't do anything you wretched beast." Patricia snarled, "You can't even save your sister."

"Lestia! Lestia!" Yelled the prince as his sister unleashed another blood-curdling scream as her blood was being drained.

"You failed us!" The little girl Eula wept.

"You should have killed her!" James yelled as Dimitri wept and them the prince screamed when he was punched in the stomach.

[—-]

"This way!" Dedue said as he and Sadi ran through the sewer, "Just a bit more and more and we'll find them!" He said as Sadi nodded.

From outside, Naga put on her mask as warped in front of Cornelia's army. The mage looked at her shocked before bursting out laughing.

"Did Emily send you? Oh, she must be desperate at this point!" The witch laughed yet all Naga did was smile under her mask she took off her gloves and put them away into her purse.

"Who knows?" Were Naga's final words before a tornado of blue and black flames burst around her.

Soldiers screamed and the horses were spooked as Naga looked up to the sky, her body engulfed in the blue flames, and before everyone's eyes, began to transform.

The horrible feeling that Cornelia felt, returned.

[—-]

Dimitri felt his consciousness begin to slip away as his screams died down. All he could hear was his aunt's and sisters' screams. The voices of the ghost that haunt him screamed vile curses, but most of all...he failed. He failed everyone. He failed to protect his family. He failed to protect his friends. He couldn't do anything over the years. He failed and he was dying. He wouldn't make it. None of them would. What was the point of faith and hope when his prayers would always go unanswered? What was the point of being king and raising a blade if everything he loved was taken away in a blink of an eye? What was the point of living?

Family and friends, he failed them all.

He was a wretched monster who couldn't even protect his pack.

He was no king.

He was no prince.

He was no human.

He was no brother.

Dimitri is a coward who could only watch.

Dimitri roared into the darkness, no matter how much he reached out, the light will never save him. The woman he loved, was gone. Dead. She gave her life to protect him. The darkness kept pulling him deeper and deeper, his lungs filling up.

Yet...

"How foolish."

The prince suddenly snapped his eyes open as a voice he never heard before spoke in the darkness.

"This is what Uriel's descendants have become? Nothing but pathetic insects. I lent you my strength that one time to save your mate and look at you now. Falling from grace."

The voice laughed as the prince remained silent, his eyes drooping before he felt his heart sting hearing another voice call out to him.

"Big brother...Big brother...don't leave me...Wake up..."

"See?" The voice sneered, "You're about to abandon your kin. You're about to let your sister be tortured and killed and who knows what horrendous things they will do to her body. Are you going to let the sacrifices of my mother's chosen ones rot?" The voice said coldly and smiled seeing Dimitri's hands ball into fists.

"No...I...Lestia...Arisa..." Dimitri gritted his teeth as rage suddenly filled every fiber of his being.

The voice chuckled as the prince turned and looking back at him were slit eyes that were the same color as his.

"If you desire, I'll give you what you want." The voice echoed in the darkness, "The power to avenge. The power to destroy. The power that was stolen from me for your kin and caused my mate to take her life." It said with a sneer.

Dimitri gritted his teeth as he clenched his hands. Even though this was a dream and needed to wake up, he didn't care. He needed to escape. He needed to make Cornelia pay. Needed to make that woman pay for making his family suffer. He needed to kill Edelgard. No, he needed to make Edelgard speak about why she betrayed them. He needed to...

"The dead demand their tribute." He spat and the voice laughed coldly at his misery.

"How interesting." It said as it seemed to come closer, "It's a pity you have the same face as the one who wielded my bones one thousand years ago. Yet that spark to protect your family is the same as my mother's and..." the voice went silent for a moment before Dimitri suddenly felt like someone was choking him.

"Think carefully, boy. If you accept, you will be temporarily unlocking the true power of The Grim Bloodrune. Do you wish to spill blood?" It said and Dimitri laughed darkly before it suddenly came to a halt.

"To make all those who have wrong me and my loved ones, I would gladly display their heads at the Gates of Hell."

"So be it. Unleash the true power of The Grim Dragon, Erebus. Deny the light. Embrace the darkness."

Is going to make it fall apart

This cursed broken world

[—]

"RRRAAAHHHHHH!"

How many years had it been since Cornelia feared for her life? How many years had it been since she watched a Nabatean fly through the sky and breath the flames of retribution? Her soldiers screamed and roared for their lives as archers unleashed arrows into the sky. Dark blue scales, horns made of black flames, wings that looked like they were made of bone but were covered in black and blue flames. Part of its body looked like it was created from black and blue flames. It unleashed a roar, unlike anything she had ever seen before. No, this was a completely new breed. A new type of dragon. If it was a Nabatean, she would have sensed the strange aura they would give off but it was a mixture of old and new.

"No..." Cleobulus gasped as she covered her mouth as the generals ordered their army to retreat to Fhirdiad where the Hel Dragon was heading, "It...evolved. Progression...A beast evolved." She was shaking and suddenly that dressed feeling was back again but what Cornelia could not see what that...

Sothis was looking at her.

[—-]

Before Lois could even move, Dimitri unleashed a roar she never thought she hears again. His chains began cracking and bursting, turning to dust as he fell to the ground. The black mist began to surround him as he rose on all fours, the collar in his neck dissolved as his eyes snapped open and within them was The Crest of Blaiddyd. The prince roared, a roar of insanity. The Roar of death and darkness itself.

The roar of The Grim Dragon.

"KILL HIM!" Lois screamed as she went back and the mages in the room charged at him.

Dimitri grabbed one by the head and crushed his skull with his bare hands. Lios screamed and fell to the ground, trembling as she watched the massacre happen before her eyes. Skulls crushed, arms and legs ripped, blood and organs oozed and poured on the ground as every knight and mage that was in the room was killed except the Princess, consort, and her. Panting gasping for air, The Crest of Blaiddyd in his eyes, Dimitri turned to look at the woman. Lois screamed and ran to the door to call more guards but at some point during the carnage, Lestia finally broke free. She managed to lung at the mage and screamed as she plunged repeatedly the dagger that was going to be used on her.

"DIE! DIE! DIE!" Lestia screamed as she kept stabbing and stabbing, even if Lois was dead.

She would have continued when someone suddenly grabbed her wrist. She turned, baring her fangs and The Crest of Reigan in her eyes but stopped when she saw it was her brother.

"Stop...she's dead..." Dimitri whispered as Lestia's lip quivered and burst into tears, crying loudly as she lunged and hugged him tightly, both covered in blood, "Shhh...It's okay., Shhh..." he said and right when he was going to hug her, he froze, seeing how much blood covered his hand.

He let go and slowly looked around, he suddenly felt sick to his stomach and ran to the nearest corner, and vomited. He had never done such a massacre before. It felt like some sort of power flowing through him. All his senses were heightened even just for a moment.

"Was this...something Arisa went through?" He thought as he looked around and walked back to his sister, "Hold still...I'll remove the collar." He said and she nodded.

He still felt that power and touched the collar, both shocked as they watched it turn to dust. Lestia let go a sigh of relief feeling her magic flow again but right now they worried as they felt the place shake and dust fall.

"An earthquake?" Lestia said as Dimitri ripped off the door from the cell and got his aunt, who was too stunned to speak at what had just happened.

"Aunt Sara, are you alright?" He said as he did the same with her collar.

"I...I'm fine." His voice rang weakly in their minds, "Y-You...and Lestia..." the twins stiffened, "Your mother and father had done worse than this." The woman said, still shaken as she was handed to Lestia.

The three suddenly turned hearing some sort of blast but most of all, the ground was shaking. Dimitri knew the feeling, Fhirdiad was under attack. That meant Cornelia must be in a state trying to fend off whoever was attacking. The group remained silent for a moment before they were suddenly on guard hearing the door that led to the cells shake. Dimitri was ready to fight and defend as they heard what sounded like, metal being torn apart and people gasping and screaming. The door shook, he was ready to scream and fight when it burst open but stopped and blinked multiple times to see who came out the door.

"Your Majesty!"

Dedue and Sadi were in front of them. The two siblings ran in and couldn't contain their emotions, hugging them tightly. Lestia was too stunned to speak as well as Sara till all three finally snapped out of it.

"What are you two doing here?!" Lestia screeched as Sadi was not minding the blood on her clothing.

"Is anyone else with you?!" Dimitri said as Dedue shook his head.

"No. It's just us and an agent Emily sent to help us. As of matter of fact, they are the ones causing chaos right now." Dedue said and they turned hearing someone come up the stairs.

"Young man and lady! I can lead everyone out!" Kay said and the twins finally noticed all the prisoners were set free as they walked down the stairs.

Dimitri was stunned to see all the cell doors were torn open and people using made-shift knives to remove their collars. What's more, the opening on the wall leads to the sewers.

"Let's go, your majesties!" Dedue said as the twins nodded but Dimitri stopped.

"No...I can't leave yet." They looked at him crazy, "We have to get Areadbhar and Mercurius. They are in my father's office." Dimitri said and Lestia gritted her teeth but nodded.

"...Tio!" Kay yelled out to one of the knights that were imprisoned, "Take everyone out of here. Follow the sewer channel, keep going straight then head left. It will leave you all to the outskirts of the city." Kay said and the Knight nodded, ordering people to follow him out.

"Sir Kay, go with them!" Lestia said but the old Knight shook his head.

"No. This old Knight will go on this final mission to help you all get out of here. I think Consort Sara is thinking the same thing." Kay smiled sadly as the Consort nodded and motioned Lestia to let her stand.

"I don't have much time left..." Sara said as she smiled sadly and hugged her niece and nephew, "So, today will also be my final battle you four are getting out of here." She said.

"All of us are leaving here alive!" Lestia and Dimitri but they shook their heads, stubborn they were.

"You're highness, we must leave," Dedue said as they let out shuttered breaths but nodded.

It's you hold me back from

The dream of the promised land

[—-]

"Spell completion: 70%"

Vines covered the entire place as Emily's body became part of the crystals encasing her, only the upper half of her body remained free. Vines plunged into her back, and chest, more and more as she connected herself to the earth. The dome around the territories began to turn clear as black vines with thorns began to grow and spread all over the barriers. Emily remained silent as she felt sleep coming, her eyes lifeless as her disguise as a human completely became undone, revealing her adult self with crimson green hair, pointed ears, and crimson green eyes. Because she was connected to the earth, she could see Naga sending blasts of fire at the army and Cornelia screaming in rage as she ordered her soldiers to fight. She could see Dimitri, Lestia, Dedue, Sadi, Kay, and Sara being careful not to be seen by guards as they made their way towards Lambert's office to grab their things.

"It's not too late."

She looked up and smiled sadly as Yamato stepped out from the shadows. The man looked at her sadly as she shook her head, "You can stop."

"No...It's my duty as a Nabatean to protect the land and people my mother loved." She said and Yamato closed his eyes painfully.

I don't want to be you

A mind that doesn't understand.

[—]

All those fairy tales

Have been lying to me

So let it all burn

And in the new world, I'll be free

The guards were frantically running around the palace, all being called out to fight the dragon that came down from the sky. The entire castle shook as maids and servants scrambled to get out or were forced to fight. Taking advantage of the chaos, Kay managed to get ahold of the lance and axe, handing them to the prince and princess before he got his own. Dedue and Sadi had their axe and tome ready. They waited for the guards to pass before and they all dashed straight towards Lambert's office. Quickly they opened the door and Dedue and Kay went to pick up the shelf and moved it in front of the door. Dimitri and Lestia were too stunned to speak as they walked to the window just watching the absolute chaos unfolding. The two fell back when suddenly a huge creature flew towards them and flew down and shot up, the force destroying the glass windows.

"By the gods, is that the Hel dragon from legends?!" Sara yelled in their minds, "Never mind that! There's Areadbhar on the wall along with your mother's sword!" The woman said as she point to the two relics on the wall encased in glass.

"Hold on you two!" Sadi yelled and swung Lestia's ax.

The glass shattered, causing the two relics to fall onto the ground. Twins scrambled to get them before they both paused and looked at the armors that were displayed next to each other. Kay saw their hesitation and spoke.

"Grab them and change into them! Quickly!"

[—]

The torches they raise in triumph

Are shinning like a shattered galaxy

"What are you doing?!" Emily yelled as she looked around and saw her siblings coming out of the shadows and sitting in a circle formation around her, "Don't tell me you!" She gasped as they began muttering a spell under their breath, "Don't! You'll be in the same state as me!"

Her siblings gritted their teeth as the vines began to spread onto them and the crystals encase their bodies.

"S-So what?" Anima strained as she smiled, the vines plunging into her back, "It's only natural we help you." She said as Emily's lip quivered.

"We don't want you to do this alone. You can count on us." David muttered as he closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

"You're an idiot sister..." Yamato smirked weakly as sleep took their siblings one by one, "This is your worst idea...a stupid gamble...but we trust you." He said and closed his eyes, going to sleep.

Emily chuckled weakly as she looked up to the ceiling and smiled as she felt those that were imprisoned managed to escape. Dimitri and Lestia put on their parent's armor and fought through the hallways of the castle to escape with Sara, Sadi, Dedue, and Kay, leaving a bloody massacre in their wake.

"Naga...you can go now..." she said as she watched the group of six escape to the bridge of Fhirdiad, surrounded by both sides but...

"I believe in you all..." she whispered as she heard the voice in her mind.

"Spell Nightfall: 100 % complete "

"Good night..." she whispered as the final image she saw was that they all ran to the edge of the bridge and jumped, plunging into the waterfall and river.

The lone star you found among them

Is not your concern, so don't worry

[—-]

"They escaped. All of them." Naga thought as she flapped her wings and looked down at the burning castle of Fhirdiad, "My mission is done." And away she flew, disappearing into the sky.

"RRRRAAAAHHHHH!" Cleobulus roared furiously up to the sky, "DAMN YOU HEL DRAGON! DAMN YOOUUUU!" The woman cursed as ashes fell to the ground and ordered her soldiers to close the draw bridges before any more people could escape.

She stormed into the castle, blasting open the door to Lambert's office, seeing the relics gone and glass all over the floor as well as blood. The armors of the former king and queen were gone as well. More things were missing but she didn't care. She stormed to the underground dungeons and unleashed a blood-curdling furious scream seeing the carnage that was left behind. All 30 Mages and soldiers that were left in charge of the dungeons and labs were massacred, beyond recognition. Even some of her books, especially the ones that Edelgard's, Lysithea's, Hapi's, and Gregory's results were gone. Nothing but the destruction was left.

Shelves and cells were destroyed. The palace was on fire by the blue flames. The relics were gone. Everything was a ruin. Cornelia swore that she would find the prince and prince and kill them. She barked orders to her dark knights to search for the escaped prisoners and to slather them. She had never once been so paranoid and afraid for her life but the feeling from the back of her neck was back.

"This is retribution." Two females' voices rang in her mind, sounding as if they were possessed.

"PAY FOR YOUR SINS!"

Cornelia cursed and screamed.

Today her battle was lost.