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)

88. Chapter 87:1182:Part 4:Raise Your Banner

Blood for freedom

You're pushing me into the corner

Don't fight with me

Don't fight with me

Don't fight with me

I'm crowning no man for his armor or Rhapsody

For what I see and what I feel

[ —-]

"You four are staying."

"What?!"

"No!"

"Absolutely not!"

"I hate fighting but even I am not staying behind."

"I told you they would all protest." Castor clicked his teeth as he had his arms crossed and leaned on the wall as Chris looked like a father debating if he should ground his children or let them do what they want, "Even Gina is refusing to stay."

"My love, why?! You're pregnant!" Chris yelled out as the four he was originally scolding short-circuited hearing that as the older woman came out of their room, dressed in her assassin armor.

"I'll be okay." Gina huffed, "There's a reason the female armor Vestras' wear is always a bit thicker than normal.

"But what about!" He pointed at Kaimu and Jaden who were fast asleep, "Them!"

"Easy. Have Shez and Shea watch over them." Gina smiled and everyone in the room but the kids and couple looked at them confused.

"Did I hear that right? Shez and Shea?" Balthus said as Constance also walked up to them, "How are those two?! I haven't seen them in a long time!" Balthus grinned and Chris groaned.

Shez and Shea.

After Arisa passed away, about a year or three later, a new game for the Three Houses series was announced along with new characters and two new protagonists. Their name, Shez. And like Byelth, there was a male and female version. As well as a bunch of new lore was released that answered so many questions from the original game as well as getting to know characters that were only mentioned and never showed up. As well as more information about The War of Heroes and Agarthans. The main one was about a man-made progenitor god that was similar to Sothis. The difference was that God's consciousness was passed down through generations. And Shez, became that new vessel and gained powers similar to Byleth except instead of time, they controlled space. And, Byleth could either be an ally or antagonist in the game. In the original timeline, Shez should have been killed in 1179 by Byleth. But Chris knew this information and decided to do something different.

Save their lives. But how did he do that?

"Sigh. Fine. It's a good thing they'll be here in a few minutes." Chris let out a defeated sigh as his wife smiled.

A bit later, two magic circles appeared, and out of them, walked two mercenary twins. One male and one female. Shez, was a tall man with spiky purple hair covering the right side of his face, purple eyes, had a slightly stern expression. And Shea, his twin sister, was a purple-haired woman with long hair in a messy bun on the side of her head. Her long bangs covered the right side of her face. Both wore silver armor with a red scarf but Shea wore a battle skirt with armor and boots while Shez wore pants.

"Hey, you two!" Balthus grinned as he shook hands with Shez and Shea, "It's been so long! How have you two been?" Constance said as the twins chuckled.

"We've been well!" Shez said as he looked at them, "I see we crashed a party." He said as his sister nodded.

"We did what you asked." Shea said looking at Chris, "It's an army of 200 soldiers. They are led by a knight named Ergo. Some of their soldiers have a strange aura around them. And they are heading towards Syria Village." She said and Chris nodded gravely, "And I got in contact with everyone's battalions as well as Helio. They'll be here in a few days." She said.

"Thank you." Chris sighed, "Also um, can your guys do us a favor?" Shez raised an eyebrow, "Could you guys watch Kaimu and Jaden?"

"You want us to babysit?!" Shez said and while Shea looked at him surprised, "Are you sure? I'm not...exactly good with kids."

"They know you guys. You'll be fine." Gina said as she walked up to them, "We'll be back in three days. Hopefully, things don't get too ugly." She said as she cast at least four more extra protection spells on herself.

"Be careful out there." Shez said, "I mean it. Especially you, Chris. I know how you get sometimes when a fight involves anything regarding your people." He said as Chris smiled bitterly.

The group got ready to head out, they said their goodbyes and hoped to be back on time. Chris let out a sigh as they left the hidden place and looked up to the sky. The gray skies were not going to go away any time soon due to it being the rainy season. Yet, it almost felt as if Fodlan itself was mourning the loss and anger that was all over it. As if Sothis was crying. He raised his hand and whistled loudly, three loud screeches were heard, and soon diving down were two griffins and an eagle. One was Skylar and the other was Hyper. The eagle was Kuro. Hyper was Amir's griffin but when the mythical creature reached a certain age, they leave the nest. Hyper, three years ago reached that age and left Remire Village to the mountains. Amir was devastated that he was gone but once Jeralt explained to her why she understood. It took a while but she hoped one day they would meet again. One day Hyper would come back to them and now that he has, Amir was gone. The griffin kept searching for her, but for now, he was under Gina's care. He had grown huge, beautiful black-colored wings with the feathers underneath white.

"There, there." Gina whispered as Hyper gently nudge her and booped her stomach, "I know..." the woman sighed as everyone got on their mounts and looked over to her husband, who had distant look in his eyes as he looked up to the sky.

He, Alexandra, and Arisa always had such looks when it came to a specific time. Yet, all she could do at the moment was hug her husband from behind. She smiled sadly as she closed her eyes, feeling he had placed his hand over hers. The next battle would determine if he would remain hidden or not.

[—]

"You did well."

Ergo smiled as the voice from the magic crystal spoke in a tone he recognized. From the other side, Pittacus sat in her room, trying to adjust to the body of Monica von Ochs, but it felt like it was fighting her back. She was struggling to maintain it under her control. The only way to do that was to have a constant feeding of blood. The failed experiments of humans would do enough to fill her till she was able to get her hands on another human with a crest. The puppeteer spoke as she picked up her teacup filled with blood.

"I assume the soldiers are following you because they want to avenge their Captain, correct?" She said with narrowed eyes.

"Of course. What better way to gather an army than to channel their anger." Ergo said as he looked up to the sky, "But I sense something amiss. I don't know why but keep having this nagging feeling at the back of my neck." He said and looked back to the crystal, "What are your orders?"

"The village where they are suspected to be. I want you to slaughter the entire place. Keep staining the name of those who escaped." She smiled and finally took a sip of her drink.

But the woman's cheeks suddenly puffed up and quickly spit out the blood she drank. She coughed violently, earning herself concerned looks from her mages but looks of fear from her slaves. She coughed and coughed, her left hand shook, and she felt that nagging feeling that the puppet body was rejecting her. First her shaky hands now blood that once tasted so sweet like honey tasted like putrid water.

"My Lord, are you alright?" Ergo's voice made her grit her teeth as she wiped her lips.

"I'm fine. Also, once you finish destroying the village, head back to Gerth."

"As you command."

[—-]

"I know this is sudden but have you heard anything going on in The Kingdom or Alliance?" Chris said to Castor as the young man was sharpening his blade.

"Not much. I'm sure you heard of The Faerghus Resistance that was formed." Castor said as Chris nodded, "The Lands of Aubin have all been turned into a giant-like fortress. They have been fighting off waves of monsters and undead sent their way by Cornelia. At least twice a week a new wave comes. Unfortunately, the pattern is still unpredictable. Sadi and Dedue are...also gone." He whispered and Ashe froze hearing that along with their others.

"Professor Hanneman and Doctor Robert are safe." everyone looked at him shocked, "Erik had me and Noire help them escape Enbarr. As of now, Robert is currently in House Riegan. And Hanneman is with The Faerghus Resistance." The group couldn't help letting go sighs of relief.

"Say, brother...The knight Ergo..." Pollux muttered as her expression became dark looking out to the forest, "Why do I have the feeling that knight is...?" She became silent, "You know...Chris, can I...personally kill him?" She whispered.

"Not yet." Chris said as he patted her head, "I want to expose his face first. And then...there's something I wish to confirm." He sighed and raised his arm, coming back to him was Kuro.

The bird chirped, pecking his shoulder as he cocked his head left and right, as it did a series of chirps, whistles, and clicks.

"Everyone, hurry on ahead! They'll be arriving at the village soon!" he said and everyone hurried.

As they made their way, Chris only hoped they made it on time to stop the massacre from happening.

[—]

Wake up

I'm defying you, seeing right through you once I believed in you

Wake up

Feel what's coming deep within we all know

Blood for freedom

Time and fate were cruel beings that brought down punishment. The scent of burned flesh filled the air the crackling of fires filled the place. Bodies lay on the muddy ground as soldiers cut down person after person, all demanding to know where the princess was. A child ran screaming with their mother, being chased by a soldier. The soldier, the sword raised, ready to bring it down, the mother hugged her child, using her body as a shield to protect them but...

"Ugh!"

No blade ever came down.

All she heard was a scream and a loud thud. Warily, she opens her eyes to see a man standing in front of her. Their back facing her but the lance that glowed blue in their hands showed their face. Ashe was enraged by such actions yet now all he needed to do was fight and save these people. He roared with Petra beside him, both switching left and right as they cut down soldier after soldier. For once, the emotions of rage and sorrow overpowered him as he fought. From one side, Bernadetta and Dorothea unleashed their magic attacks and arrows at the enemy while Constance and Linhardt created shields to protect the vulnerable ones. Balthus with Fernindad, Kama, and Dominic struck down soldiers with their fists, and finally, Chris with Gina, Pollux, and Castor made their way toward the leader of the group.

Enraged couldn't even describe what Chris was feeling as he kept moving towards Ergo as soldiers lunged at him. The only soldiers he ordered to be killed were the ones that killed civilians. An army of 200 that Ergo brought was overkilled, yet that didn't seem to matter to the leader. Anger, hatred, fingers being pointed and everyone becomes a suspect.

This couldn't continue.

The village he once knew was now in flames. He watched before his eyes the razing of buildings, as well as Imperial soldiers cutting down the fleeing civilians, unstopped by their screams and pleas just like in the game. Chris didn't want to believe Edelgard would command such a thing, but now it stung all the more bitterly, watching it in real life.

He had been in denial for so long. He hadn't wanted to believe it, but now that he was part of such a world... he knew he could not stand back. He picked up the sword of a fallen soldier and brusquely dragged his feet, letting his steps become faster and faster. Tears ran down his face, and his crest burned in his veins. The 'once quiet boy' leaped in the air, pointing the sword down, and plunged it through the skull of one of the unsuspecting generals of the army with a ferocious roar.

Behind him, Ashe and Petra stared in stunned silence, and the soldiers that once rallied behind their commander also incredulously stop, unable to peel their eyes away. With a wet sound and the cracking of bone, Chris drove the blade deep down, his weight crushing the armored man underneath him, making him crumble like a broken doll. Chris doesn't know when it was that he yanked the sword out from the man's skull, hazily ignoring the blood dripping from its length. He panted heavily, and for a moment he couldn't hear anything.

So raise your banner, fight your war

Break the silence, no remorse

Won't die within

He let the feeling overwhelm him, and raised his right hand to conquer black flames. He raised his head, eyes dark and furious.

"You seek the Princess of Brigid, well...?" He took a deep, stinging breath, but he did not care.

He accepted the reality before him.

"YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!" He roared.

"You will all have to go through me! Is this what the Emperor will do?! Tear her own country apart by forcefully taking over?!" He unraveled his indignation. "You call yourselves soldiers of the Empire but look at this destruction!"

He does not turn to his companions, for he knows they share his anger.

"HEAR MY VOICE!" Chris shouted to the heavens, hand balled into a fist. "WE REBELS OF THE BLACK FLAMES REFUSE TO SURRENDER TO THE EMPEROR! WE SHALL FIGHT FOR TRUE FREEDOM! NOT FOR THIS MASSACRE!" He roared furiously yet one General cackled but that was enough to make him snap.

Chris let out a roar as The Crest of Flames burned brightly over his head. The Agarthan. soldiers in the army screamed terrified and lunged at him. The prince lunged into the army cutting down soldier after soldier and knocking out the ones Ashe told him used to serve Sir Fabian. The massacre that happened, the light. Ergo didn't know what to do but scream in terror as he drew his sword and lunged at him. Left and right, the swords clashed. Waved after a wave of magic, sparks flew. What felt like an eternity only lasted a few Ergo looked all around as he fell to the ground in agony. His heart rate increased as he saw the bodies of the soldiers all on the ground. An Agarthan like him should not feel fear but for the first time in his life, he did. He kept crawling back as a single eye with The Crest of Flames could be seen within his field of vision.

Raise your banner, won't you come

Fight the venom, the good die young

Won't die within

He was now the lone soldier who remained as Chris walked towards him. Ergo, terrified, and shaken, crawled back as much as he could. But his back met the body of the general that was killed first. The sounds of his footsteps brought dread each time one got closer to him. The soldier whimpered and shivered as he looked up. The grown man, a dark aura surrounded him as the shadows covered his eyes. Yet, the soldier saw one single eye, looking at him like an insect. Chris's armor, and hair, are covered from head to toe in blood. The coppery and iron smell was overpowering, the soldier wanted to vomit.

Chris did not speak. Not a single sound he uttered as he pointed the tip of his sword at the soldier. Constance gulped as she held her arm out, stopping Ashe and Petra from taking a step. The silence was suffocating as if a cold blizzard had suddenly descended from the heavens. The eye, the pupil red as rubies, the white around it black as the night with veins that looked like crimson roots that spread across half his face. White scales on his cheek as he finally chose to speak.

"Listen well." His voice was cold, it made his skin crawl as if frost was growing on him, "Tell your Emperor, The Herrscher and the Black Flames, will not bow down." And with a flick of Constance's wrist, the soldier has warped away to the village nearest to Gerth.

Everyone and the world around him were silent as he looked up to the sky. The first drop of hail descended and fell on his cheek. Each drop had a heavy weight as it began to fall quickly. The sound of the water pattering on the ground and turning it mud, it fell harder and harder. His eyes were void of emotions as he continued to stare at the sky in silence. His tears mixed with blood on him as the rain slowly washed them away. His students were silent as they stared at him sadly. Waiting for him to make a move. He slowly looked down to the ground, falling to his knees with a loud thud. The mud splatted all over as he ran his fingers through his hair and then pulled it. He growled, gritting his teeth and suddenly his head shot up. He screamed all he could, the rage and sorrow he unleashed.

The pain in his voice could be heard as he wailed to the heavens. Anger, rage, and disbelief at what he had just done. He took on an army of soldiers razing a village, 200 of them, and slathered half. He's done it. He declared war on his sister. The darkness inside him, the hegemon husk within, cackled in glee and congratulated him. He panted and felt a hand on his shoulder. Slowly he looked toward the person. His beautiful wife, was no longer wearing her disguise, revealing her silver-colored hair and brown eyes. Gina's gaze was soft and she nodded.

"I will stay by your side."

I'm feeling the eyes of the fallen, they're watching me

They make me see, they make me see

I'm feeling the pain of how you break them and make them bleed

You make them bleed, you make them bleed

She helped him up and gently caressed his cheek, wiping away his tears as he gently hugged her to his chest, and placed his hand on her stomach. Feeling the small bump on her stomach. The sound of footsteps approached and they turned to see the students that fled with them. Ashe, clothing covered in mud and spots of blood, his family's relic, strapped onto his back. Constance, who wore the bracelet relic that Emily gifted her. Petra, the Princess who is on the run, wielding a sword that Crescent made for her. Ferdinand, who had The Blessed Lanced in his hands, and Bernadetta hung her head as she looked down to the ground. The twins, Castor and Pollux remained silent as Dominic and Kama held hands. Balthus knelt and muttered a small prayer to those who lost their lives. Chris took a deep breath and turned to his group.

"Tie up the remaining soldiers! Then have them all gathered!" He ordered and they bowed except for Ashe, Linhardt, Bernadetta, and Petra.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"What?" Petra said ad the four looked at him shocked as he walked back to them and the others began to move, "Your Highness?" The remaining trio said as Chris let go of a frustrated sigh.

"We'll talk later."

Wake up

I'm defying you, seeing right through you once I believed in you

Wake up

Feel what's coming deep within we all know

[—]

Tents were set up at the village and the prince didn't hesitate to use the remaining supply of herbs he had. Linhardt, Dominic, and Constance got to work making medicines and vulneraries as Kama tended to the wounded along with Dorothea and Ferdinand. Balthus helped round up the soldiers that remained as Ashe and Petra were silent together. Of the remaining villagers, a man suddenly unleashed a scream and grabbed a rock, throwing it at the knight and princess. But Chris was quick and caught it, pinning the man down. The man trashed and cursed, and Ashe recognized him. He was the farmer.

"Unhand me! My wife was killed all because of that wretch outsider and knight! Unhand me!" The farmer yelled and Chris hit him on the back of the neck, knocking him out.

"Does anyone else want to try anything?" Chris said as Pollux quickly ran in and carefully dragged the farmer to a tent to treat his wounds, the people all looked away.

Chris let go a sigh as he noticed the soldiers that were tied up waking up. Many began cursing but one fireball ignited by Gina shut them all up. The prince walked to the group, and stabbed The Sword of The Creator into the mud, resting his hands on the pommel of the sword. He was silent, staring down at them all before he spoke.

The way that you torment me

The way that you challenge me

The way that you make me bleed

"Your anger for the massacre of your squad and Captain is understandable. But what you all did, justifying that anger in killing innocent lives of this village is unacceptable. What's more, the one who truly killed your captain and people used your anger and emotional vulnerability to manipulate you all. How can you call yourselves soldiers of the Empire if you are sent to slaughter innocents?" He said s the soldiers remained silent and gritted their teeth.

"So what?!" One soldier yelled, "That bastard betrayed us! Not only that, he kidnapped the princess of Brigid along with the other four!" She said.

"Now that we have a better look...That's Lord Ferdinand!" A man called out.

"Lord Ferdinand! You're okay! We were told you were being held hostage by The Church of Serios!" The said and Ferdinand gritted his teeth.

"Who told you this?" Ferdinand said and the group went silent, "Who told you this?!"

"I-It was Knight Ergo!"

"Sigh. Misinformation." Chris sighed and spoke loudly again, "Alright, listen up! As of now, you are under my command!"

"Who do you think you are?!"

"We serve the Emperor!"

"Die rebel scum!"

"SILENCE!" Roared Gina, "How dare you all speak such a way to His Highness, Prince Chris von Hreslveg?!" She said and the entire village and group of soldiers went silent, processing everything she just said.

"Prince?" many were barely able to choke out as Chris's gaze became cold and raised his right hand.

"My name is Chris von Hersvelg. Fourth Prince of the Empire. I bare the Crest of Serios just like The Emperor." He said and The Crest of Serios blazed brightly above his hand.

"That's impossible! The prince was killed on the same day as The Tragedy of Duscur!" A knight cried out and Chris let out a frustrated sigh.

"Who was the one that said that?" He said and the knight yelled, "Lord Arundel, Count Aegir, and Count Varley announced it!" They yelled and Chris sucked in his breath.

"All of you have been lied to!" Ferdinand stepped up, "You all heard of this from...the ones that were responsible for..." He gritted his teeth but Chris gently placed a hand on his shoulder, nodding.

"Let me take it from here," Chris said as Ferdinand nodded, his gaze down on the ground.

Chris turned back to the knights and raised The Sword of The Creator to show it.

"Lord Arundel lied. He plotted my assassination as well as The Tragedy of Duscur." He began, "Six years ago, on that night, the current Emperor and I were on our way to the Empire. I still remember to this day how fire rained down on the carriage. My sister survived but me?" He chuckled darkly as he put the sword down and began to unbutton his coat, "I was taken to the underground dungeons where I was tortured. My body was thrown away but by a miracle of The Goddess, she granted me a second chance. She granted me the chance to be one who brings down justice on the true evil that lies hidden in the shadows." He said as he raised his hand once more.

"All of you know now of the organization, Those Who Slither in The Dark. The organization was rumored to kidnap children and experiment on them. The organization that brought down countless tragedies over the years as well were exposed in the year 1176." He said and finally fully removed his coat.

People gasped in horror seeing the horrific scars all over his body as well as the scales on his right arm, the skin was different, black, like Arisa's former cursed arm. The man chuckled darkly as he hung his head.

"Look what they did to me! This is what they have hidden! This is only one of the many tragedies they have caused! Lord Arundel is one of their leaders! The one responsible for killing the Imperial Concubines as well as the Imperial Royal Family!" He yelled furiously and put his coat back on, "Such horrific deeds they have done yet the Emperor is collaborating with them!" He said and spread his arms, spinning a bit as he looked at each person.

"Tell me, is this what you want?" He said, many tried to look away but his cold gaze wouldn't let them, "You want to serve an Emperor who works with a cult who has caused calamity through the shadows?! Is the one responsible for The Fire of Black Flames?! What about the Emperor?! Has she told you nothing of the fate that befell your comrades that were sent to Enbarr?!" He said and once again looked at all of them.

"What about the way you are all affected by the war?! She had prohibited the citizens of the Empire to pray to the goddess! Those that are caught are made examples of! Families and friends turn against each other to report who is praying to the goddess for a single loaf of bread that can barely feed a family of three! IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?! AN EMPEROR WHO USES FEAR AND TYRANNY TO RULE?!" He yelled louder than before.

Blood for freedom

He didn't care if his throat bleed or was hoarse for the next few days. He needed to get the message out. He needed them to see what was happening.

"Tell me, do you respect your emperor, or do you serve them out of fear?" He said and the soldiers along with the people hung their heads.

Gina raised her hand and released their ties, her eyes cold as she went to stand by Chris's side.

"My name is Gina Von Vestra, right hand of my lord." She said as another gave of shock came to all, "You all have three days to make your choice. Stay and help us fight to take down the true enemy, or leave. That is all. In the meantime, you're all under our watch, until then, all of you rest or help take care of the injured that you all caused." She Sadi and walked away with Chris.

The soldiers were tense but none even dared to make a move to leave they noticed about five of the people that were helping the people wielded relics. But now, seeing their expressions of them questioning what they have done as well as seeing a few of the villagers looking at them with hate in their eyes...

Chris only watched from afar to see how things unfolded for the next few days. For now, all he did along with his group was pick up the bodies of villagers and soldiers alike, giving them proper burials.

So raise your banner, fight your war

Break the silence, no remorse

Won't die within

[—-]

"You're up late."

Chris remained silent as he stared up at the night sky. The clouds finally cleared up a bit but not enough to see all the stars. The clouds were still there and just for a bit could the moon be seen. The light sprinkles of rain made the place feel hollow, yet to Gina, it looked like he was crying, mourning. Today's events only further confirmed the direction the Agarthans were going. A knight of Gerth was killed, confirming that the one that killed him was Agarthan in disguise. Innocents were killed all just to force out Petra and Ashe. The archer's name was tarnished and now the name must be cleared. But most of all...

"Gina..." Chris began as his wife became still, "There is something I must do, but you still have time to back out." He said and the woman walked up to him, taking his hand, she smiled softly and had him turn her way.

Gently she cupped his cheeks and rested her forehead on his. They both stood still in silence, only the pit pattering of rain could be heard. Their breathing was slow, relishing the peace was more than enough. She nuzzled his nose, smiling a bit.

"I will stay with you, always. I will not leave." She whispered and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly, "I told you didn't I? If you need to cry, do it. Follow your path." She sand felt him nod.

"Part of myself is calling me insane. When I do it...there will be no going back...I will officially be declaring war against Edelgard. If you do it...you will be declaring war against your family. And...I don't want you or our child to get hurt." Chris whispered and gently placed a hand over her stomach.

"Everything changed when we met Arisa." Gina said, "And it's because of her, we got to learn more about the world as well as became the people we are today." She whispered, "Your soul...may not be from this world but I've seen how much you sacrificed to be where are today. I fell in love with you because you were the first person to extend a hand to me. You were the first person to ask me if I was okay." She looked up into his eyes, not a care in the world if one was not human.

"I was angry when you told me the truth about yourself. Why did you change? But you gave me the time and space I needed to come to terms." She leaned forward and placed her lips on his, their slow yet passionate kiss as he wrapped his arms around her. They broke apart, looking deeply into eyes of each other.

"I will stand with you...and always be with you, till the end of time. No matter what."

- Three Days later -

Three days have passed and the soldiers have gathered around once again. The people of the village were treated as well as the soldiers. The people gathered around, the atmosphere was tense as Chris walked up with the group. Soldiers and villagers alike were silent. He stared at them and spoke.

"Have you made your decision?" He said and one of the soldiers spoke up.

Chris recognized him, he was from the regular class of The Black Eagles. A young man named Harrison worked beside Manuela. The knight was silent and took a deep breath then spoke.

"Before...we give you our answer...why have you chosen to go against the Emperor, Professor Christian? I thought you were Professor Arisa's brother. Why did you hide your identity?" He said and Chris closed his eyes before he spoke.

"During the past four years that you all believed I was dead, I traveled across Fodlan. I investigated the truth behind the death of my mother and the ones responsible for the death of my siblings. And during that time, I got to see firsthand what the people of Fodlan are going through. I learned of the hardships, the property, the mistreatment, and the discrimination you all go through. I went through it myself because I lived as a mercenary. My vision of the world was once small but death and suffering opened my eyes." He let go a small sigh and opened his eyes again, now looking at them all "Corruption is everywhere. Both in the nobility and regular life. The church is the same. I want to change that. I want to create a change that will help us all." He sighed again.

"Edelgard is working with the very people that caused the extreme corruption of The Empire as well as the ones responsible for the death of our mothers and siblings. And Arundel is one of their leaders. I agree with her ideals but I do not agree with her methods." Chris was truthful, there was no point in hiding what he wanted to do.

He raised his hand and looked at it, balling it into a fist before he looked at the soldiers again.

"The change we all need. A reformation. To create a better life for all. And to take down the true enemy who is using The Emperor as a puppet. Once the war is over, they plan to stab the Emperor in the back. I'm sure you all heard of all the cases of the people going missing and being experimented on." They nodded, "Lord Arundel is responsible for that."

"...One final question..." The knight stared at him, "Why did you pose as the professor's older brother?"

"She saved my life." Chris smiled sadly, "She and Jeralt's mercenaries took me and Gina in. How can I just stand by and watch tragedy fall upon those I care about? Also, it's natural for an older brother to scold their sibling." A small chuckle left Harrison's lips as the man nodded.

"Thank you..." the knight said and he knelt, bowing his head, "I, Harrison of House Klement, pledged my loyalty to you."

Soldiers all looked at each other and nodded, and one by one, they did the same. Ferdinand could not believe it, so many...

"We pledge our Loyalty to Chris von Hersvelg!"

Chris's lips quivered as he was overwhelmed with emotions but nodded, looking up at the people with a firm gaze.

"Today, we rest! Today we will no longer stand beside the one who works with the enemy. From now on, I, Chris von Hersvelg, will fight the wrongs of The Emperor. We shall put an end to those who slither in the dark and work towards a future we all can see the new dawn. FOR FODLAN!" He yelled and the soldiers raised their weapons high in the air.

"FOR FODLAN! FOR FODLAN! FOR FODLAN!"

Raise your banner, won't you come

Fight the venom, the good die young

Won't die within

"Our first mission is simple!" Chris yelled as the people quieted down, "To bring justice upon the one responsible for Sir Fabian and our comrade's deaths!" He raised his sword and pointed northwest, "We're taking back our home, one place at a time. No longer will I stand back and watch as the shadows destroy our home. We march tomorrow at dusk."

The soldiers cheered and soon broke apart, people began to prepare for tomorrow's dusk. Once more, he looked up to the sky, the stars seemed to be brighter.

"Hey, Chris."

He turned to see the group coming his way but most of all, Ashe, Petra, Linhardt, and Bernadetta were all looking at him with looks of confusion. Yet, at the moment, he raised his hand, letting them know to wait.

"I know you all want an explanation about my identity but it must wait. But I'm going to give you a choice. All of you." He said as he looked at them all as Gina stood by his side, "I meant what I said. I plan to take over Gerth Territory." The students all remained silent, "If you don't want to do anything with this...it's okay." He smiled sadly, "You've all been through enough. Gina will help you all get to Aubin or Reigan Territory."

Silence, all they did was remained silent in a stare. Gina almost wanted to slap him because Chris could not see they weren't going to back out. Linhardt, Bernadetta, Petra, and Ashe were a different story because had only just arrived a few days ago. Yet, when Ashe was the first to walk up, his hands balled into fists, his eyes filled with determination when he looked up to the prince...

"I'm fighting. I'm done hiding and running away." Ashe and soon, Petra came up, the same determination in her eyes as she helped his hand.

Ashe looked at her shocked but the princess smiled softly and nodded before turning to the prince.

"You have much of the explaining to do." She said as Chris winced a bit, "But answer this," her gaze went cold, "what is your stance with Brigid?"

"Petra." Chris sighed, "I will not lie, what my nation did yours is irreversible. Mistakes and crimes of the past can not be reversed nor can they be made up." He said, "They can only be accepted and as someone of the royal family, I now bare that responsibility. I want you to be free. Brigid deserves to be independent of the very beginning. It did not need to be brought into the squirmish between nobles and Dagda." He sighed.

"I can't change the past, but I can create a better future. One where your nation is independent of Fodlan." He smiles softly and Petra's let out a small hum, nodding.

"Then..." she raised her hand and held it out to him, "As the future Queen of Brigid, I will fight by your side till this war is over. I wish to witness the future you wish to create. And, I want you to witness as I cut my path." Petra said as he looked at her shocked as did the others, "Running away would be betraying my country, the same as dying. I will fight. I won't die. Not again." She said and Chris grinned and shook hands with her.

"With this, we are now allies. You have my support." Petra grinned as Chris nodded.

"We'll fight too!" Bernadetta suddenly yelled out, "I'm the future duchess of Varley! I won't stand by and watch my home burn! And...and...I need to find out the truth behind my Uncle's Reines death!" She cried out, her eyes determined.

"As much as I hate fighting..." Linhardt sighed and also walked up with her, "I can't ignore Edelgard's actions. And I wouldn't be able to face Caspar if I just hide. So...you have my support." The mage said as Chris looked at him worried, "I know that look. It's fine. My father is alright with me abandoning the Empire as long as our house survives." He said then frowned, "Though...I do think my father would side with you should he learn you are alive."

"Wait, what?" Gina said suddenly, "But your father was part of the coup. Why would he side with his highness?" She said as Linhardt thought for a moment and held his chin in thought.

"...I don't think my father was ever told the truth about why the coup was done in the first place." He said as he looked at them, "Looking back to the situation, what the former emperor did was a foolish move but someone saw that opportunity to use it to strip the emperor of their power and make them a puppet. Had my father known the real reason why it was done as well as what was done to Edelgard and the rest of the royal children and concubines, no doubt I'm my mind would he go against them and would have convinced Count Bergliez to not participate?" He explained as Chris looked at him with wide eyes, "The same could be said with Count Gerth."

"If the Count knew he was duped.." Chris whispered and covered his mouth, trying to hide his smile, "Not just him...Duchess Marry, Count Urs, and Chevalier like House Och and Nuvelle also sided with the emperor. But..." he removed his hand and frowned, "The three First Noble houses did it to try and save us. Unfortunately...they were only able to save...the youngest of my siblings." He muttered as they all looked at him confused.

"Oh uh...I never mentioned this but...Duchess Marry was able to save my little brother, the fifth prince of the empire. His name is Henri." Everyone made a face at the name, "Not that Henry! Okay, so no one can get confused, you all know him as Jonathan, his middle name!" Everyone went "Ohhhh..." and then all screamed out "WHAT?!"

"YOU NEVER TOLD ME THIS!" Gina screeched, "Why did you hide this from me!"

"Reasons!"

"Oh, it better be a good reason because I'm going to kick your ass!" Gina said taking off her earrings and handing them to Dorothea who cheered for her.

Though the war was coming, light moments like this brought them all joy.

[—-]

Blood for freedom

Dusk came and so did a surprise. All the former students were shocked seeing the number of people that had arrived. No, who they were. Chris smiled as Constance sprinted to her battalion of Dark Fliers and into the arms of their leader, a former dark flier that used to serve House Nuvelle. Next, the Varley Archers that Bernadetta would lead all cheered and ran to her in joy. Reunions between leaders of the battalions and the former students shocked the students. They couldn't believe it. Petra had so many questions about how her people were able to sneak out of the Empire. How were battalions of that alliance and kingdom even able to make their way here? About an hour later, Chris's old battalions came along with Gina's, and soon, Shez and Shea showed up with the kids as well. Chris walked up to Helio, who had his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

"Been a while boy. Nearly two years since you last called me." The man said as Chris chuckled embarrassed, "So prince huh...?"

"I had my reasons to hide my identity. Hope you understand." Chris said as Helio nodded, "But, it's good to see you again. And don't worry, I intend to pay you for your services." He smiled meekly, "But...how are things in Sreng?"

"Sigh, the fights between tribe leaders are never easy. At the moment, my sister is serving Lady Regina. But for now, what do you plan to do, boy?" He said as Chris looked at him seriously.

"I have every intention of taking my home back. One step at a time. But also...as an older brother, I must make my sister see her wrongdoings." He said and the two along with the leaders of the battalions all began to talk to one another regarding the plan and placement.

"Gina." Bernadetta walked up to the woman, making the group pause for a bit, "Umm...I know this may sound a bit rude but, what crest do you have? I noticed it activate a few times as you were healing everyone." She said as Gina raised an eyebrow at her, "U-Um you don't have to answer if you feel uncomfortable!"

"I have The Crest of Lamine," Gina answered and Bernadetta looked at her shocked.

Bernadetta suddenly let out a screech, making them cover their ears as she quickly began rummaging through her bag like a mad woman and pulled some sort of item wrapped in leather.

"Here! You can use this!" Bernadetta said and held it out to her.

Gina looked at her confused but carefully took the bundle. She began to unwrap it as the former students gathered around to see what it was and suddenly they all had gobsmacked looks on their faces as they realized Bernadetta just handed Gina a Heroes Relic. Gina's hands were shaking as the leather dropped to the ground and held the tome in her hands. The crest stone on it lit up, displaying The Crest of Lamine brightly in the air and her eyes well. Gina and Chris opened and closed their mouths like fishes out of the water, unable to know what to say as everyone around them was in the same situation. Bernadetta fidgeted nervously as she swayed herself and intertwined her hands together.

"B-Before I was brought to the tower, I broke into my father's vault to search for evidence against him. I-I found out he bought this relic in The Black Market. I can't use it...only those who have The Crest of Lamine can. Mercedes and Jeritza aren't here so...Gina, I'm giving this to you." Bernadetta smiled meekly and squeaked when Gina suddenly hugged her tightly.

Bernadetta smiled softly and hugged her back.

"Alright." Chris smiled and nodded, "Everyone, here's the plan."

[—]

It was late at night and Ergo paced back and forth in the knight's Quarters. He was hiding from the humiliation and loss that happened. To think that the fourth prince of the empire was alive the whole time! Anacharis he knew wouldn't care but Myson would. And sweeping the power the brat unleashed, that meant he was the vessel to the Fell Star. But the vessel should have been killed two years ago! How was it even possible that a new vessel was born? Even more, when the one Lady Anacharis killed was ripped to pieces along with the two other chosen ones. And the other champion remains at large!

"Dammit, all!" Ergo slammed his hand on the table, "And I can't even escape due to that son of bitch destroying my warping orb! Now I can't escape!" The man growled and continued to pace but that anger was enough for one individual in the shadows to see him.

Pollux quickly warped back to the woods where everyone was in position. All now wearing new armor and clothing, ready for battle.

"All set. Everyone ready." Pollux said and the orb in Chris's hand lit up three times in the colors of red, blue, and yellow.

"My team, Shez, Shea, Gina, and I, the north gate. Constance, Bernadetta, and Balthus attack the west. Dorothea, Linhardt and Fernindad, Dominic east. Ashe, Castor, Kama, Pollux, and Petra, west. Remember everyone, do not attack any of the citizens, and apprehend all soldiers that come your way. Our goal, secure Gerth Territory." He trusted everyone.

"Also...Ashe." He said and the crystal glowed yellow, "Here." Ashe's voice could be heard, "Don't overdo it. You're not fully recovered yet."

"I know..." Ashe smiled bitterly as Petra patted his shoulder.

"Pollux and Castor," the crystal glowed green, "Locate Ergo and apprehend him. I have something in mind to make him confess the truth." He grinned and Gina coughed, making him give her a small meek smile.

[—]

The guards near the gates were dozing off as they watched the place. Some even played a few card games to pass the time. But as the guards chatted away, no one noticed that small little balls of thin cloth rolled their way then...

BOOM!

"AHHHHH!"

So raise your banner, fight your war

Break the silence, no remorse

Won't die within

"It's an amb-" a knee to the face kept him from yelling, and the screaming of the guards was drowned out by three more smoke explosions at the remaining gates. All those in Chris's army wore masks to hide their identities. A plain white mask and the leaders wore special ones. Ferdinand, Dorothea, Linhardt, and Bernadetta wore eagle masks. Balthus, Constance, Dominic, and Kama wore wolf-styled masks. Castor and Pollux now wore white snake masks as well as Shez and Shea. Gina wore a mask shaped like a crow, unleashing her haunting cackle as she knocked out knight after night, The Relic that Bernadetta gave her, The Ichor Scroll, glowed purple and gold in her hands.

"What is going on?!" Count Gerth frantically yelled, running out of the mansion, and then turning to one of his knights, "Go! Take my wife and son to safety!" He yelled and quickly brought out his tome, "Ergo! Cover me!"

And into the battle, they charged.

[—-]

No matter how many knights kept coming at them, Chris swiftly knocked them out. It was at moments like these that he was grateful for the martial arts he had learned in his previous life as well as boxing. He knew where he needed to strike. He crouched then and threw two punches, channeling some magic into his fist, and hit two more soldiers in the stomach. Their grunts and screams filled the air as they all dropped them to the ground one by one. His soldiers of the battalion made the people return to their homes and lock the doors. The imperial soldiers were all tied up and gathered around. He never once pulled out The Sword of The Creator but saw a battalion of mages and knights, a count in the center of them.

"Who are you?! Do you dare point your blade at this land?! Rebel scum, you shall be put down!" Court Gerth yelled furiously.

Through the count's eyes, he saw a man wearing bronze armor with scales faulds, braces, gauntlets, and sabatons. He wore a black cape with orange and red feathers on the shoulders. A relic was strapped onto his waist. But what made the man most intimidating was the helmet he wore, in the shape of a dragon head, covering his face.

"Count Gerth..." The man spoke in a possessed-like voice, "You have sinned by turning your back on the imperial royal family." He began as the count twitched, "You turned your back and closed your eyes. You plugged your ears and refused to do anything against Arundel, Ludwig, andGrégoire." he spat and the color from the count began to drain.

Raise your banner, won't you come

Fight the venom, the good die young

Won't die within

"No...I...I..." Count Gerth's voice cracked but Chris kept pushing, taking one step forward.

"You watched as Princesses Heather, Claudia, Aquamarine, Nadia, and Edelgard were dragged away to the dungeons. You watched as Princes Achilles, Jason, Solomon, Henri(Jonathan), and Chris were canned then dragged and tortured!" He boomed and suddenly in the count's eyes, he could see ghostly apparitions of the children crawling his way.

"Aaahhh! What is that?! Get away!" A soldier screamed terrified and kicked the apparitions but they only came back.

The apparition of a little girl twitched and then screamed and the others followed, chanting, "Sinner!" "How could you!" Why didn't you help us?!" The soldiers screamed as they suddenly clung onto them and dragged them down to the ground. Count Gerth shook as he kept taking steps back but the children, men, and women crawled towards him.

"How could you..." The ghost of prince Solomon cried out as the count was finally backed to a corner and grabbed his ankle.

"Ulp!" The count whimpered and froze feeling cold hands and arms wrap around him, caressing his face.

"Count Gerth..." the man trembled shaking, his body screamed to get away and to not look but he recognized the voice, he recognized it very well, "You coward..."

"PRINCESS HEATHER FORGIVE ME!" The man screamed as now the entity let go of him and floated before him and he never wanted to see it.

A body made of white and blue flames, clawed hands, and pure white, red, and blue flame hair flowed up. Golden eyes that shed tears of magma and a crown made of crimson crystals. Heather looked down at the count and briefly looked at Gina, who had her hands behind he back creating illusions.

"Be dramatic. Scare the hell out of them. We can use that fear and guilt to make the count surrender."

"Cunning as always." Heather mentally scoffed and then unleashed a blood-curdling scream that called forth the vestal witches of the Empire

" WE SHALL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" The ghostly illusions wailed as she screamed, unleashing one final horrific illusion on the count and his knights, dragging them down to the ground.

The count screamed and begged forgiveness before he was knocked out along with the others. Now only Ergo remained.

"Surrender is a valid option. I promise to be gentle." Chris said and the Agarthan gritted his teeth.

"As if I would surrender to a beast!" Ergo yelled and stood straight, "Now let's fight!" And the two charged.

Chris raised The Sword of The Creator and Ergo his weapon, a black steel sword with scale-like intentions, a cursed Wyrmslayer. Weapons clashed and sparks flew. The amount of force the general put in caught Chris off guard. He's had his own experience with a relic clashing with another. It felt as if he was clashing with a truck. His arms shook and he was straining to maintain his composure as each clash sent another tremor through his body. Not only that, the dragon blood in his veins was screaming to get away from the cursed sword. Yet, he knew if he ran, he would never forgive himself.

"Haha! Struggling boy!?" Ergo cackled as he was now starting to push him back, "Look at you! Daring, I say! I can't wait to cut your head and present it to the Queen! Your heart will be perfect for her meal!" He said and dodged left and looked around, seeing himself now surrounded by a Vestal Queen, two fox masks he recognized, and a witch of black magic.

Heather unleashed another roar as she raised her hands and then swung them down, creating a ring of black and blue flames. Smoke and rain filled the air, and mud and grim covered everyone's armor and body. His comrades roared their cries as they took soldier after soldier. Chris can hear it, see it, their aspersions were on him. He had to stand up, he needed to fight to create a better future.

"Die you bastard!" Ergo roared and this time threw a punch at him, now the two were fighting hand to.

"Come on, Chris!" Roared Gina and raised her tome as it glowed brightly and activated Dark Spikes, throwing them at the Agarthan soldiers.

Ergo gritted his teeth s he jumped in the air and front of him appeared Castor and Pollux. Daggers clashed at rapid speeds that only they could keep up with.

"Tch!" Ergo clicked his teeth and then suddenly spun his body to warp away from them and suddenly appeared behind Gina. The gremory managed to barely cast a barrier on herself just in time but the impact from the attack sent her flying towards a burning cottage.

Had Castor not been quick, she would have been burned. Ergo gritted his teeth as he stood back up, now fully undoing his disguise, revealing a blue pale-skinned man with jet-black hair, and black eyes with orange irises.

"So the traitors are here." The man grinned as one by one the main students came in, "Well, if it isn't Ashe! How's life been without that friend of yours?" He chuckled and Ashe gritted his teeth, "But my fight isn't you. It's him." He looked at Chris, "Remove that mask of yours. I want to see the face of the one I am battling."

"Same," Chris said and placed his hands on his helmet, removing it, revealing a white-haired man with some shades of brown and one steak of mint green.

The right eye was purple and the left eye, the white around it was black with red veins, and the iris which would be red was now mint green. Yet, there was this overwhelming feeling Ergo had at the back, of his neck. He couldn't pinpoint it but it almost felt...like he was being watched.

"Let's settle this now!" And they charged once more.

Chris and Ergo trade furious blows- then Chris used the heel of his palm to strike Ergo under the nose. This caused the Agarthan General to growl and step back a bit before he lunged again. Chris may have the advantage of using a relic but Ergo had more experience. He may have been only alive for five hundred years, serving Lady Pittacus but now...

The man licked his lips, relishing how Chris's scent was starting to waver. It meant the man had overused his power and was starting to weaken. It was the perfect opportunity that he waited for and finally when he charged, he found the opening he. He lunged, Chris's face enraged as his sword was raised to slice him in half, but Ergo smiled as from his coat, a dagger he pulled out. He never played fair in a fight. That was what it meant to be the right hands of a sage. To achieve victory no matter the cost. He held the dagger, having it point upwards to have it pierce through the heart. He relished the weight of it inching closer and closer, and just when the tip was about to pierce the skin...

BUBUMP!

It was suddenly as if the world turned black. Ergo was frozen, he could not feel, he could not hear, everything before his sight, the rings of fire, the rain, the people, the man in armor, everything suddenly had turned monochrome. The most haunting thing was...in that still world, slit emerald eyes snapped open.

"Ah...Ah..." he cried out but no sound came out yet the eyes looked down at him, wide, filled with nothing but a sense of voidness.

The world once again moved and Chris was no longer in front of him. He was gone, Ergo frantically looked around, and suddenly out of nowhere, a glowing fist appeared out of thin air and punched him right in the stomach.

"ACK!" The air was completely knocked out of his lungs and blood he coughed as he was sent flying away and then tumbling to the ground.

He coughed and coughed, struggling to comprehend what had just happened when the one responsible looked down at him with cold and furious eyes.

"Such vexing arrogance for one so small." The voice in Chris changed, it wasn't him.

The man suddenly had a very different aura as the flames around them suddenly seemed to become brighter and hotter. The colors changed to a mixture of green, white, and black as Chris raised The Sword of The Creator and pointed it at him. His eyes squinted a bit as the knight struggled to get back up. That punch was not a normal human punch! It felt...almost that of a witch of Cirina.

"Huh...I see you are still alive, Archimedes." He froze, slowly looking up to see the prince walking towards him at a slow pace, the sword glowing a furious, eerie red and gold.

"In any event, you labored to destroy my vessel, did you not?" Chris growled.

"No...No...No! It can't be!" Archimedes suddenly cried out as Chris let out a small scoff.

"That is indeed most foul..." Again, the world pulse and turned back, and Chris was suddenly behind him, "ONE YOU WILL PAY WITH YOUR LIFE!" He roared and swung his sword.

Archimedes just barely could roll away as the sword made an impact with the ground and the slash left behind made him scream but it wasn't over.

"HAAAA!" Again, Chris suddenly appeared behind him and swung his sword, but Archimedes didn't move fast enough.

The Agarthan screamed in agony once he realized his left arm was cut off and was right under his feet. Chris slammed his foot on it, causing blue flames to burn it to cinders. Archimedes was terrified, shaking, now fully realizing who Chris was. No...who truly was speaking to him in such rage and bloodlust. Chris raised his wrist and rolled it a bit, never breaking eye contact with him.

"You can never win bound to such filthy flesh. Pitiful." Sothis spat and the crest stone in the sword pulsed brightly.

He needed to get away. He needed to get away. The man screamed as he forced himself up and limped as all Sothis did was walk towards him.

"You can run all you like...But it will do you no good..." She stopped, "FERNINDAD NOW!" She roared and Fernindad suddenly jumped in the air.

The man unleashed a roar so loud, The Crest of Cichol glowed brightly in his eyes, and he slammed down his lance into the ground, making the place shake. Stones rose and Archimedes screamed as he was encased in them. The man cried out and clawed out, tears streaming down his eyes as the last thing he saw before darkness took over, were Sothis's cold eyes looking down at him.

[—-]

Sothis looked coldly at the stone coffin that the man screamed in. All she did was stare and waited for his cries to die out, meaning that he had finally passed out. The goddess let out a small sigh before placing her hand over Chris's heart.

"So the spell finally activated..." she muttered to herself as she raised the sword a bit to look at the crest stone at its center, "I apologize I took so long Chris. This was a last-minute thing Arisa did before she fell." She whispered and winced a bit, feeling a small buzz inside her mind.

"Sothis...? Wait? How? Why?! I thought!" Chris's voice was frantically ringing through her mind.

"I'll explain it soon." Sothis sighed, "Just...allow me to temporarily take over your body for now." She said and heard Chris sigh, "Alright." The man said and his voice faded away, falling into a deep sleep.

Sothis nodded and waved her hand, making the sword disappear into the magic closet. She waved her hand again to make the stones disappear as she heard the former students run her way as well as Heather.

"Chris! We did it!" Gina yelled out as she turned to them with a small smile and then Gina suddenly jumped into her arms, "County of Gerth is ours! I ordered my mages to take the count back to the fortress and take him to the dungeons. The rest of the soldiers will be taken to the knight's training area and kept under heavy surveillance by Balthus and Constance." She explained.

"What about any messengers or spies?" Sothis said, making her voice sound like Chris's.

"We caught them all." From the trees jumped Pollux and Castor, "They have all been eliminated." Castor said and Sothis nodded.

"Good." Sothis, let go a sigh of relief, "Everyone, today is our first victory! As much as I would love to celebrate, we can not." She announced and walked up to Ashe, "Ashe, tell me, what do you want to do with Ergo?" She asked gently.

"A part of me...wants to kill him right now." Ashe said bitterly, "But...not yet. I want everyone to hear what he did. I want to clear Petra's, Linhardt's, Caspar's, Bernadetta's, and my name." He said and Sothis nodded.

Her eyes were saddened as she looked at each former student one by one. The effect of war could be seen in all of them. She could see how much they were forced to grow and what they went through. Gods, she wanted to hug each of them but for now...that wasn't possible. She took a deep breath and looked back to Archimedes, who was put in anti-magic handcuffs as well as tied to a magic rope to keep him from trying to escape. Away he was dragged.

"For now," Sothis sighed, "Everyone, let's go to the manor. We all need at least some decent rest before we interrogate the count. I assume you found his family as well?" She said and Balthus spoke up.

"We did. We put them under house arrest. Dorothea, Dominic, and Kama are watching over them." Balthus said as Chris nodded and walked past him.

Those with Crest didn't know why but they felt something very different about Chris.

It was something but they didn't know what. All they did at the moment was follow their leader heading towards the fortress as their soldiers settled around the county and closed the gates or make sure no one got out.

— Dream -

It felt like he was floating in the water.

The feeling was gentle and calming as he looked up at the night sky with a dazed gaze. He had so many questions about what was happened. How did Sothis possess him? Did Arisa cast that spell from the past at some point? If Sothis was here, did that mean...

Chris carefully sat up before placing his hand on the ground to support himself to stand up. He looked around, seeing an endless pond. But the more he walked, he could see streams, lakes, glowing tree-like roots spreading all around till he...finally arrived at a place. A huge giant tree with hundreds if not thousands of tree branches but...they were wilted. Some branches were falling apart, covered in ash, or were just charcoal, crumbling away. Chris didn't even know what to say or how to feel. But one thing was for sure, the place just felt suffocating.

No...

"Ack!" It suddenly felt like the atmosphere took on a physical form and was forcing him to the ground on all fours.

An overwhelming feeling of anger, sorrow, fear, rage, and hatred suddenly filled his body as he struggled to keep himself on all fours. It felt like ice and knives were being repeatedly stabbed and poured on him. He gritted his teeth trying to look up but the world around him was glitching between red, black, and white. Almost as if he was in some sort of matrix or horror movie. Then he saw visions. One was male Byelth fighting his female counterpart in the Tailtean Plains. Another was Female Byelth holding the body of Claude in her arms, crying and wailing to the sky as a sword was plunged into her from behind.

Another was Male Byelth roaring in despair as Edelgard and Dimitri were dead under his feat. Many and many more visions he kept seeing but all of them were of Byelth ending up dead with everything and everyone. Chris screamed in agony as the visions just kept flashing through his eyes like hundreds of pictures being taken. But he saw something strange in them.

Byleth fought something. They were fighting something and each one ended up dead. And suddenly in front of him, stood a humanoid figure with no face, hands, or shape. Chris wanted to scream, getaway, no matter how but all the thing did was lean in and said...,

Y̴̼̕Ǫ̷̣̊Ũ̸͈ ̴̳̈́Ȁ̶̤̩̓R̸̟͊̋E̴̖̟̾̈́ ̶͓͖̈́̈́N̸͈̽͑O̸̡̖̐̌Ṭ̵͉͝ ̷̢̟̔́W̸͉͗͜E̶̡͚͗L̵̡̰̍͒Ĉ̸̫̤O̸̹͛͊M̸͎̂͘Ḛ̸͋̈́ ̴̟͚̕Ḣ̷̯Ẻ̴̛̖͉Ŗ̷͌̐E̶͇̫͐!̵̗͐͝

[—-]

"AHHHHHHHH!" Chris woke up screaming and abruptly sat up, panting and gasping for air.

"Chris is everything alright?!" A door suddenly burst open and Chris turned to see Gina with Fernindad and Dorothea beside him with their weapons raised.

Gina looked around and her eyes finally landed on Chris. He was shaking, trembling, and covered in sweat. She walked up to him and sat on the side of his bed.

"Love, are you alright?! What happened?!" She said as the other two came in and Dorothea whispered to Bernadetta if she could make a cup of cinnamon tea for him, "You suddenly passed out last night after we came into the manor." She said and Chris was trying to compose himself.

"I-I'm fine...Just...I had a horrible nightmare." He said as he bumped, and took deep breaths.

"What was it about?" Gina asked carefully as Bernadetta came in and handed her the tea.

"It was-" he paused and looked away for a bit.

He opened and closed his mouth, unable to form words. The dream he had felt so real but suddenly when he tried to remember it, it felt like all he was looking at was static. No matter how hard he tried to remember it, it would not come.

"Unfortunately, he does not remember the dream."

Chris jumped and looked around frantically till his eyes landed on the chair that was on the end side of the bed he was sitting on. A familiar shade of green and a slightly cheeky grin, Sothis smiled as she had her cheek rested on the palm of her hands. The man struggled to stand up, wanting to get to her quickly but Sothis shook her head and floated to him.

"Lay back down." She said softly as Gina made him lay back down, "I know you want answers but for now, please just rest." She said and placed her over his eyes, making him fall asleep.

"Um...Are you Sothi?" Bernadetta said as the spirit turned to her.

"Wait, you can see her?" Balthus said and Constance along with Fernindad raised their hands

"We can as well," Ferdinand said, and following after him were Linhardt and Gina.

"Um...I don't have a Crest but I can hear the voice of a little girl." Ashe said as Petra nodded, "I can do that. Though, it is slightly fainter." Petra said as Castor, Pollux, Dorothea, Kama, and Dominic were confused.

"We can't hear anything," Pollux said as Sothis chuckled softly.

"It is alright. I understand that not everyone can see or hear me." Sothis let out a small sigh, "But those that can, allow me to properly introduce myself to you all. You all know me as Sothi, the spirit that was originally contacted to Arisa." She explained, "You may all call me Sirius." She said and looked around, "I will answer any questions you have."

Ferdinand told what Sothis said to the remaining four and a few hands were raised.

"Alright Um...Ferdinand! You may speak." Sothis said as Fernindad was a bit hesitant but nodded.

"Have you been watching over us this whole time?" He said and Sothis smiled bitterly.

"Yes. Ever since Arisa came to the monastery, she and I have worked together to protect you all. Seeing how everyone is here right now, I think this bit of good news will do you all good." Again, everyone was confused as Sothis smiled softly.

"Caspar is alive."

"WHAT?!" Everyone but her and Chris yelled.

"Wait, what's going on?" Dominic said, "Why did everyone yell?" Dorothea said, confused till Fernindad turned to her with tearful joys in his eyes.

"Caspar is alive! Sirius said he is alive!" Ferdinand cried as Linhardt backed onto the wall and slid down, processing what was just said to him and everyone else.

"How?! I...I saw him...be swallowed by the earth..." Linhardt manged to croak out.

"You have to thank your professor for that." Sothis said as Linhardt turned to her with a questioning look, "The brochures that Arisa all gifted you and your classmates." She said as Dorothea took out hers, "She placed a protection spell on them to activate the second you are all in great danger of losing your lives." She said as Bernadetta told the others what she said and they looked at her shocked.

"Where is Caspar now?!" Ashe said and Sothis smiled.

"The last thing on his mind before he was swallowed was Annette. It's only natural that the spell would warp him to where she is."

"Aubin Territory..."

"Correct." Sothis sighed, "Now, you all should wait till Chris wakes up. After all, you all now have Gerth territory under your control." She said and disappeared to dust before anyone had the chance to stop her.

The group was stunned, silent, and shocked about the information that was just revealed to them. The professor...despite being gone, still found a way to protect them from beyond the grave. And most of all, Caspar was alive.

"Haha...Hahaha!" Linhardt's sudden burst of laughter scared them all but when he snapped his mouth shut and let out a small chocked sob but smiled, "I'm...happy he is alive. Oh...thank the goddess and the Professor..." the boy couldn't help but hug his knees and cry.

For now, all they all had to do was wait.

- 3 Hours Later -

It took three hours for Chris to wake up. The minute the man did, he looked around to make sure he wasn't seeing things. He was inside of the rooms of the manor of Gerth. He went to clean himself and changed into a long sleeve white button shirt, and black long pants with his black boots and put on the trench coat that Arisa bought him when they reunited it. It had to be tailored multiple times because he loved it. He put it on, looking like a hunter but most of all grabbed his wyvern mask. But first, he quickly put on his eyepatch so he wouldn't accidentally give the servants a heart attack. He walked out of the room and many of the staff kept their heads down or were curious because of what was done. He made his way to the living room, where everyone was waiting for him.

"Sorry, I'm late. I think we all needed the rest." He said as Gina walked up and hugged him.

"I'm so glad you are okay." The woman whispered as Chris hugged her back.

"I'm glad you're okay." He muttered and the two stood like that for a while before they let go, "I know this sudden but what happened while I was asleep?"

"First of all," Constance spoke up and opened her fan, "We questioned the soldiers regarding Ergo. How he acted before...we learned who he truly is." She said and pulled out a small notepad, "Second, our people are helping repair the damaged buildings as well as treating any wounded."

"That's good." Chris nodded in approval and looked over to Shez and Shea.

"The spies have been eliminated. The County of Gerth is currently free of any The Slithers. Only Ergo remains. He's in a separate dungeon, waiting for questioning." Shez said as Chris nodded, "And Count Gerth is downstairs."

"...Good."

[—-]

No matter how many years have passed, just the feeling of going underground brought a sense of dread. It took him a while to adjust to Abyss but eventually, the place didn't feel like it was underground. It began to feel like home. Speaking of it, he hoped everyone there was okay. He took deep breaths to calm himself. As the door to the stairs that led to the dungeons opened, he could feel a stirring in his mind and soon he heard a familiar yawn.

"Why good afternoon." Sothis yawned as she was struggling to wake up a bit, "I am glad you are awake. I also apologize for suddenly taking over your body that moment." She said as Chris let out a small sigh as he walked in silence with Fernindad, Ashe, Petra, and Gina.

"It's fine. Just...how? How were you able to take over my body?" He thought as Sothis smiled bitterly as she sat on her throne.

"Do you remember the spell Arisa used to transfer my soul to you?" She said.

"How can I forget?" Chris thought as they made their way downstairs.

"The gems in the brochures, Arisa's, and some of my power were stored in them." She said as they went deeper.

The dungeons weren't as horrid as the ones under the Castle of Enbar. They were rarely used, kept clean at most but still cold. Some torches lit up the place and there were at least about twenty cells. They passed a few empty ones till they arrived at a specific one.

"It seems...the power within them has been activated four times. Each time a stone is cracked, that power returns to the magic veins and me. Add your will to survive and win along with the prayers of the people of Fodlan...I finally woke up." She explained as they stopped.

"Thank you for telling me." Chris thought, "I want to ask more but it will be late for later." He whispered and Sothis nodded.

"Very well. For now," her gaze went onto the man that sat in the far corners of the dungeons, "You have far more important business." She said as he put on his mask.

"Count Gerth." Chris said coldly and the count flinched, looking up before he stood up and walked closer, "Good to see you are still with us."

"You..." The count suddenly growled, "How dare you?! Who are you?! How dare you come to this place and invade you rebel scum?!" He roared and then saw Fernindad and Petra, "And you two...Princess after everything I have done for you! And you Lord Ferdinand! You have betrayed the Emperor and betrayed the Empire!" He yelled as Gina rolled her eyes.

"I betrayed the Empire?" Fernindad's gaze suddenly became cold, "No. I am choosing to fight for what I believe is right. You turned your back and didn't do anything to stop my father's corruption." He spat and it was the first time anyone had ever heard the noble so angry.

"And you! How dare you show your face here!" The count looked at Ashe furiously, "You have the guts to even set foot here after you murdered Sir Fabian and his knights!" He said and Ashe gritted his teeth.

"I didn't kill him. I respected Sir Fabian and his knights. I never once raised my hand against him. The one responsible was Ergo...No...the man wearing his skin. You already know about the mysterious people the Emperor is working with." Ashe said coldly as Chris patted him on the shoulder to help him calm down a bit.

"What do you want?" Count Gerth said coldly to Chris, "Who are you? Are you the Executioner?" He said and Chris couldn't help but let out a small laugh.

"I have not been called that name in a long time. Similar to how you all called my friend, the Ashen Demon. But that's not what we're talking about today..." he smiled, "That's the thing, Count Gerth." Chris said as he carefully removed his mask, "You know by another name." The count's eyes widened as he fully removed it, looking back at him was a man a brown-haired man with streaks of white and one mint, and cold violet-colored eyes, the same as Emperor Edelgard.

The count trembled and stumbled back, shaking and terrified, unable to form words as all he could do was point a finger at him and then suddenly realized that the woman next to Chris looked just like...Gina.

"You know me as Chris von Hersvelg, fourth prince of Adrestia."

Count Gerth couldn't move, he was shaking and shivering as those eyes looked at him void of emotions. The count fell to his knees then forward, now on all fours.

"It can't be...It can't be...I...I was told...I saw your body and hers..." the Count suddenly began sobbing.

Sothis's gaze was unreadable as she floated above the prince. Her arms wrapped around his neck, the same she would do to Arisa. The prince looked down at the Count and spoke.

"I do not blame you for what you and the others Lords did to stop my father from taking full power. When I was a young man, perhaps I would have sought revenge. Perhaps I would have stood by my sister's side. But now, I am an adult. I understand why you did it. So I am not angry about that." He said and his gaze became dark, "What I will never forgive you or any of the Lords is that you did nothing to stop Ludwig, Grégoire, and Arundel from killing my siblings and spreading corruption!" He yelled and the count let out a choked sob.

"I tried! I tried to locate them and your mothers! I tried!" The Count wept and Chris gritted his teeth.

"No, Count. You didn't try. You distance yourself and turned away from the corruption. You chose to hide. Now only I, my sister, and the fifth prince remain along with Concubine Eve. I don't even know if I should count my stepmother because she is a former shell of herself." The man smiled bitterly at him.

"Your Highness, please forgive this foolish count! Please, I beg you! I tried! I tried everything I did but I could not without risking the life of my son and wife! Please, my prince! If you wish to take this old man's life, do it! But please spare my wife and children! They have nothing to do with this!" The count begged, repeatedly bowing his head onto the floor, and Chris remained silent as he mulled over his words.

"If you truly wish for atonement, then serve me."

"What?" Count Gerth was stunned as he processed his words, stopping his bows.

Chris crossed his arms and smirked. He could feel the incoming dread as the count finally realized what he meant.

"I am not one to repeat myself but I shall this once. I'll spare your family, in exchange for your service." He said and the count slowly looked up at him.

"You're telling me to betray The Emperor?" He said and Chris nodded.

Betraying the Emperor or any ruler was an absolute sin. But Chris had to use everything.

"I am. Unlike my sister, who tolerates nothing, I am merciful. I am giving you a chance to redeem yourself. To serve under me. Help me fight to end my sister's war of unification." He said and Gina walked up, the count gasped when he recognized her.

"We're telling you to join The Resistance," Gina said and the count gulped.

"I-I don't know what to say..." he whispered and Chris nodded slowly, then turned his back on him, "D-Do you realize what you are doing? You are declaring war!"

"I'll give you 48 hours. After that...I won't be so merciful." And away they all left, the doors to the dungeons slammed shut.

As they walked down the hallways, Fernindad was hesitant at first but spoke.

"Do you think he'll join us?" He said and Chris smiled bitterly.

"He will. This is war. It's only natural we use what we have at our disposal to gain an advantage. Even if..." he stopped and placed his hand over his lips, "it leaves an unsavory taste." He said and noticed Ashe's grave expression.

"If he doesn't join us...would you kill his wife and family?" He said and Chris glanced at him for a moment before he shook his head.

"I'm not as cruel as I seem to be. The most I would do would be to erase their memories of their father and manipulate it enough for them to believe he chose to give his life to protect them." He explained but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Memory manipulation." Dorothea pressed her lips together, "It's...a very taboo use of magic. You...seem to know your history well."

"That is...cruel..." Chris smiled sadly as Petra said those words.

"True. But moving onto another topic," he said as they were now back in the hallways of the fort, "The County of Gerth, Ochs, and Nuvelle is now under our control. The people are scared and confused by the sudden invasion. I'm going to have to declare my identity, but I'll still wear my mask." He said as everyone looked at him worried.

"But people will demand proof. How will you prove you are a Hersvelg?" Ferdinand asked and Chris asked them to move back and raised his hand.

It glowed for a moment before they projected The Crest of Serios.

"That's another thing." Chris said as they all arrived in the living room, "Castor, you there?" He called out and Castor appeared along with Pollux, "Where is everyone?"

"Shez and Shea are with Kaimu and Jaden. Everyone else is going around helping and rebuilding. So, what did you need us for?" Castor said as Chris let out a shuttered breath and spoke.

"Right now, the people here will only know that Chris von Heresvelg is alive. But Chris also needs to have Christian by his side." He said and Castor remained silent, "Castor, will you be my shadow?" Gina was suddenly looking at Chris with a sinister smile.

"Care to explain?" She said as the aura around her flared and Chris raised his hands in defense.

"Love, please listen to me!" Chris said frantically, "Everyone knows that Christian is Arisa's brother! What do you think people will think when they see Chris von Herslvelg wielding The Sword of The Creator!?" He said.

"Ah." Pollux gasped, "They will put it together that you two are the same person." She said and he nodded.

"I see..." Dorothea muttered, "So by having Chris and Christian in the same place, we can eliminate suspiciousness of your identity."

"Exactly." Chris sighed and looked at the boy, "If you do not want to do this, you don't have to. I won't force you." He said.

Castor stared at him for a while before he spoke.

"I'll do it. It'll be good practice for my shapeshifting abilities." He said and Chris nodded.

"Thank you."

[—-]

"Cough!" Archimedes coughed as he was chained to the walls, "Those sons of bitches..."

After being interrogated by Gina, they made him spit out the truth about who he was, who he worked for, and why he killed Sir Fabian and his knights. The man was furious, after being humiliated and tortured earlier that day. He was made to confess in a tent. Had he not been so angry, he would have figured out that the tent was set up in the town and surrounded by the people. The confession was made and then the tent was taken down, Ashe had his hands balled into fists and now his name was cleared.

"I'll kill them all..." Archimedes muttered and then froze.

The cuffs on his wrist and legs glowed for a bit before they dissolved into dust. The man was stunned at the sudden action and most of all when the cell door unlocked. He didn't know if it was luck but he knew someone most likely broke in to set him free. He quickly took the chance to escape and limped out of the place. Soon, he made a mad dash toward the woods. The more he ran, the place seemed to become more sinister by the second. The bushes and trees became thicker and the temperature just kept dropping. He suddenly stopped, feeling someone's presence.

"Who's there?!" Archimedes yelled and coming out of the shadows was someone he had seen, "Wait, you're that kid, Dominic I think they called you." He chuckled yet all Dominic did was remain silent as the shadows covered his eyes.

"Ha! So this whole time you were one of my people using that's kids skin." He chuckled but noticed a black cat standing beside the boy but..."Hey...are you—!"

The wind died down suddenly and the sound of pattering and scratching was now all around him. Bushes shook and trees rattled, small chirps could be heard and glowing purple and red eyes suddenly appeared all around him. One by one, crawling out of the woods were animals. Cats, dogs, rats, birds, all of them had one thing alike. A disgusting smell of rot and glowing red eyes, surrounded by dark magic.

"W-What?! This is...Necromancy!" Archimedes cried out as the undead kept going towards him, "S-Stay back!" he yelled and looked back to Dominic who...was smiling.

A dark purple-colored stone the size of a cardholder, floated near the young man's chest and the symbol on it flickered. Archimedes' eyes went wide as the boy raised his hand and the undead prepared to pounce. They barred their fangs and claws, growling, snarling till finally…the boy brought his hand down.

"MILA!"

And the animals jumped. Mila remained silent as she watched her undead rip apart the Agarthan. One by one his limbs were torn apart and only a twitching hand remained. Mila walked up to the now unrecognizable body and chuckled. The black risen cat jumped onto her shoulder and purred as she pet it.

"As long as this boy holds this stone, I will be able to possess him." She said, her voice sounding distorted as if she was underwater, "What luck. This boy has the potential to learn the arts of necromancy." She said and turned away, and started walking towards the direction of the hills.

There, she could see a full view of The County of Gerth and smile.

"Looks like I'll have to help them again. Uriel and Roman, you owe me for this."

— The next day —

"We found him." Shez sighed as Chris remained silent, "Looks like someone let him out on purpose and then decided to kill him once he got a certain distance." He said as the man sighed.

"His body wasn't even recognizable." Shea explained, "If it wasn't for the bracelet he was wearing, we wouldn't even know it was him."

"I see..." Chris sighed, "But who let him out?" Sothis said in his mind, "We made sure to eliminate all the spies. Could it be we missed one?" She said as he walked to the balcony doors.

They opened and there waiting for him was Count Gerth. Chris stared at him and the Count bowed his head.

"I will ally with you." He said and Chris nodded in approval.

"Thank you. With these upcoming years, I hope you do well." Chris said and walked to the rail.

There, all the knights and people gathered at the plaza. He wore his mask and beside him stood "Christian", or should he say, Castor. It felt strange seeing someone else wear his face but now...

He raised his hand and silence fell on the place. He took a deep breath and spoke loudly, making sure his voice could be heard all around.

"Everyone who is gathered here! I know you are all scared and confused, but I will go straight to the point!" He yelled, "My name is Chris von Hersvelg! Fourth prince of The Adrestia Empire!" He yelled as gasps and shocks were all around.

He raised his hand and projected the Crest of Serios as well showing the ring all the royal children of the Empire were given.

"Today, I chose to fight back against the Emperor! I had enough of the lies and tragedies that have been brought onto all. Why must war be the only way to change the world?! Why must fear be installed to control it?! Why must you all fight a war that is being manipulated by a 3rd party in the shadows?! Why must you all be forced into a witch hunt against your friends and family for simply praying to The Goddess?!" He yelled as the people listened.

"Over the past years, I survived being tortured by this third party! This enemy has hidden in the shadows and manipulated the events that have transpired over the years. They are the ones responsible for the tragedies that have fallen upon Fodlan!" He said, "You ask what has happened to the soldiers that have gone to the capital and never returned! All you were given was that they are okay! But that is not true!" He yelled, "Our soldiers are being sent out to battle to die for a cause of no return! They are being experimented on and then discarded!" He yelled as it was slowly dawning on the people what was going on.

"Yet, the Emperor is choosing to work these very people! The very people that murdered the children of the royal family and concubines! The people that have corrupted the Empire and used it to live in luxury and gold while you all suffer! That kidnapped your children and people! How many times have you all cried out for help and were ignored?!" He said and he could finally see it.

The anger, fear, and resentment that had been festering deep inside of them. How many of the common folk have suffered because of this war? It was the common folk that are suffering because of the decisions of the top. Now, it was his turn to make things right.

"People of the Empire, I asking you this now! Will you remain in the dark and allow false information to fill your mind?! Will you allow this unfairness to be used to keep you in the dark?! Will you allow lies to be told to you?! Will you allow tyranny and fear to be used to keep you chained down?!" He yelled and slowly...

"NO!"

"WE WANT ANSWERS!"

"What happened to our sons and daughters?!"

"Why must we suffer?!"

The people began yelling and chanting. That they wanted answers to what was happen their people. Why were they being kept in the dark? Why are they fighting an endless war?! Hunting for a miracle only to be cut down when they sought answers. Chris nodded and raised his hand and balled it into a fist

"To break free from the chains of lies, we must stand up! We must fight to put a stop to the real enemy! For far too long I stood and silently watched! I can no longer do that! I can not stand by and watch the people of the Empire suffer! PEOPLE OF ADERSTIA, I WILL FIGHT AND DESTROY THE SNAKES THAT HAVE CORRUPTED OUR HOME! I WILL FIGHT TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR US ALL! I WILL NO LONGER LET THOSE WHO SLITHER IN THE DARK TAKE OUR PEOPLE AND TURN THEM INTO MONSTERS! WE SHALL FIGHT FOR FODLAN! FOR A NEW DAWN! WE SHALL UNITE AND DEFEAT AGARTHA! FOR FODLAN!" He roared and raised his fist in the air and Castor raised The Sword of The Creator.

Sothis nodded making the sword glow brightly, showing her power.

"Wait! That's one of the champions chosen by the goddess!"

"A champion of the Goddess is by our side!"

"On this day forth!" Chris pulled out his sword and turned, pointing it in the direction of Enbar, "The Resistance, The Black Flames will burn down the shadows that corrupt this nation! We will make the Emperor open her eyes and see the truth that she is being manipulated!" He yelled and turned back to them, "I WILL TAKE ON YOUR PAIN! I WILL TAKE ON YOUR SUFFERING! I WILL SHOULDER YOUR BURDENS AND BUILD A NEW! I HEAR AND LISTEN TO YOUR VOICES! I HEAR YOUR PAIN AND SUFFERING. I HEAR YOUR CRIES FOR CHANGE, FREEDOM, STABILITY, AND PEACE! I WILL FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURE! TO CREATE A NEW TOMORROW! FOR FODLAN!"

"FOR FODLAN!"

"HERRSHER! HERRSCHER! HERRSHER!"

"FOR FODLAN!"

The people roared and cheered as they chanted the name of their new leader. Lies exposed and truths told. Now, Chris truly took the step he had hesitated to do. The rain fell and began to clear and the first rays of the sun peaked over him and his people. Perhaps it was a mere coincidence that the weather had chosen to grace them with the sun. He didn't know. But at the moment, he now truly was going to take on the biggest responsibility of his life. All the years he lived in hiding as a Christian were over. Now, he must take on the role of Chris von Hersvelg, the fourth prince of the Empire. He must burn down those who slither in the dark and take back his home one step at a time. He raised his hand a bit and made a small projection of a chess piece, the bishop. He stared at it, thinking back to an old chess game he had with Edelgard back when they were in Enbar as children.

"If you could see yourself as a chess piece, what would you be?"

"Huh?" Edelgard blinked multiple times and held her chin, "I say the King." She said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I can move to any adjoining square and also perform a castling move. I can move anywhere." Edelgard said as she moved her pawn piece, "And you? What would you be?"

"I'm between a bishop or a rook," Christian said and his sister scoffed.

"Brother, you can't heal." She said and Christian smirked and picked up his rook.

"True, but I can punch and snatch what I want!"

BAM!

"Capture the opposing piece by occupying its space!" Edelgard gawked seeing her Bishop captured and taken down by his rook.

"That's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair..." Chris whispered as he crushed it in his hand and then opened it again, revealing a rook.

He took a deep breath and looked up to the sky, it was time he played his part. It was time, he did his role as a prince.

[—]

When Gods are failing

They put all heaven in a rage

We're on our own

From high above the cloud, Sothis watched everything unfold with a bitter smile on her face. Beside her, stood Cirina, who had her arms crossed. The pale-haired woman only glanced at her before looking away.

"It'll soon be time for those two to awaken. But to think the boy had the guts to do it...not bad. He finally stopped running away from his role of a prince." Cirina muttered and looked down to see him hiding in the trees, Henry.

His eyes were opened and wide, and a bead of sweat ran down his face before he quickly warped away to a most likely report of Edelgard what had just happened. But the same day the spark lit in the Empire, something tragic happened in The Kingdom. Sothis could only watch what unfolded throughout Fodlan through Chris's eyes.

He was a temporary vessel since he had the other Sword of The Creator. The crest stone in the sword brought bitter and sorrowful feelings to the Sothis who no longer lived. Only fragments of her memories remained, showing her the horrific fate that fell on her world and Byelth. The Goddess closed her eyes, making herself sink back into the darkness, then opening them as she sunk back into the Dragon Veins of Folan.

Through it she swam, seeing the events unfold, memories of the past, and moments lost time. She kept swimming till she finally reached it, her final resting space. The Holy Tomb was no longer just empty, but rows and rows of giant crystals all around. From the walls to the stairs, even encasing the tombs and statues of her children. The place looked as if an explosion of ice and frost took place. But up above the stairs, where her tomb crumbled, now laid a giant crystal with a body inside.

She flew up, stopping and gently placing her hand on it. Fast asleep, a body fragmented like shards of glass, and a crest stone that pulse over the heart, her friend slept. Sothis smiled bitterly as she placed her other hand on the surface and rest her forehead on it. A single fragment of the broken body reattached itself and healed.

"When you wake up...the world won't be the same as you knew it. But...I finally understand. Our fate. Our destiny. Our achievements and most of all, our sins." She whispered and smiled.

"We can still end this story...the way we want to."

Our tears keep falling

They're setting fire to the flame

Blood for freedom

Chapter 87: 1182: Part 4: Raise Your Banner: End