"Um… what's with her?" Hilda tapped Hapi's shoulder as she pointed her thumb back towards a very jittery Constance.
"Coco's just like that when she's in the sunlight. That's why she lives underground," Hapi shrugged.
"Coco?" Hilda raised a brow.
"Just a little nickname, I guess."
Claude's voice caught their attention, breaking them from their conversation. "What is that thing? Looks like some kind of gigantic toy…" he asked as he pointed to a large golem.
As if his words activated the thing, more monsters seemed to rise from the ground. While they looked similar to people, there was no way there was any life in them.
"The hell are those? Heh, who cares? Been a while since I met an enemy that could put up a good fight!" Balthus exclaimed as he rushed forward.
"Hey- wait! Where are you going?!" Yuri sighed in defeat as he watched the man begin the offensive.
The fight wasn't anything special. While the golems had their reinforcements and their strange anti-magic barriers, Byleth's guidance was more than enough to ensure everyone's safety. Thankfully, Constance remained a capable combatant even if her mood seemed to have shifted completely.
"I hope I wasn't too much of a bother…" she said to no one in particular.
"Wait, there's something drawn on those rocks over there," Hapi pointed towards the wall that the golems seemed to have been protecting. "They look like… crests? Wait, what's going on?!" She exclaimed as the ground began to shake.
The wall began to crumble while the light remained. Constance slowly approached, reaching into the hole that formed in the wall before pulling out a chalice.
"Wait, is that…"
"I apologize. It is beyond my ken whether that is the chalice. Curse my ignorance!" Constance berated herself.
"Take your time. Think it through. What do you know about the legends? We came here for a reason. You're doing just fine," Byleth soothed the gloomy girl.
"My apologies… If I were to venture a tentative guess, I would say that it is indeed the Chalice of Beginnings," she nodded.
"Well, considering we're dealing with holy armaments, a sealed wall with forgotten crests depicting the four apostles, and a chalice that gathers magic all on its own, I'm rather certain we've got what we came for," Linhardt summarized.
Constance meekly bowed. "A thousand thank yous for covering my own inadequacy with such a competent explanation."
Edelgard sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I must admit, I'm still not used to you speaking in such a manner…"
"Oh, forgive me, your highness. If I have displeased you, please take my life as a small gesture of atonement," the girl kneeled before Edelgard, holding her arms up as if offering herself to the girl.
"Constance, I've already told you about the whole 'your highness' stuff. Also please stand. I assure you, there is nothing to forgive," Edelgard grabbed the girl's hands, helping her back up to her feet.
A loud crack of thunder alerted them to the coming rain. Before they could even realize, the clouds above them quickly grew dark. And before they could make a move, the creaking of metal alerted them to another enemy.
"Um, guys? Not to rush us or anything, but I think we should be in a rush!" Claude shouted as he and the rest began to move. "That thing is glowing like no other golem we fought! Seems we must've triggered the security system by taking that chalice!"
The golem chased them continuously into and through the tunnels beneath Garreg Mach with more and more joining the fray. Although there were no signs of stopping, they were nearly back to Abyss. The Ashen Wolves were familiar enough with the surroundings that they knew there were certain gates that could withstand practically everything they threw at them. Perhaps they would even hold back the golem/?
"Oh, my poor, abused legs! I have been remiss to neglect my lower… body exercise as of late," Constance admitted. The fatigue was getting to her. Being a mage, she seldom had to do much physical work at all. Especially considering how the spells she developed tended to have monstrous range.
Through gritted teeth, also tired from their running, Yuri shouted words of encouragement. "Don't give up now! We're almost back to Abyss! What a damn mess we've gotten ourselves into…"
"Maybe we should just give it back?" Hapi suggested. "Just throw the chalice at one of the big ones and be done with it. Doesn't seem like they're gonna ease off. If that doesn't work, I guess we're dead."
"Absolutely not! I shall never surrender! Not until I have achieved my glorious- woah!" Constance's proclamation was interrupted as she nearly tripped, only to be scooped up by the blue haired professor. "M-my apologies! It seems my legs have finally given out."
"Lead them through! We've got to hit the gates to trap them. Those things are some of the hardest things we've ever seen. If Balthus' relic can't make it through, there's absolutely no way these golems can… probably," Yuri commanded.
"Probably?!" Linhardt said through deep breaths.
"Only one way to find out! Let's go!" Balthus shouted as he rushed ahead.
Byleth quickly kneeled to shift Constance to his back, freeing up one of his hands while the other helped stabilize the girl. The group ran through the corridors before coming across a familiar area.
"We need to hit that lever!" Yuri shouted as he pointed across the room. The problem was that each room was quickly filling up with more of the phantom-like creatures they had fought earlier.
It didn't take a second longer for Byleth's Sword of the Creator to fly right by him, wrapping around the lever before he pulled it.
By the time they had all made it through, Yuri hit another lever that quickly closed the gate behind them. Now was no time to determine whether their theory was correct. They needed to keep moving.
Luckily, Yuri knew these halls like the back of his hand. Because of this, he quickly pointed Byleth in the direction of the next lever allowing the man to quickly launch his blade at it and pull, much like he had previously. Now, all that was left were a few corridors.
When they had passed the second gate however, they were met by unexpected guests: bandits. Though a hard fought battle, the entire group made it through them. And as soon as they had stepped foot past one final room, the scraping of the golem's movement ceased.
By the time they arrived back in Abyss, it was clear something was off. The guards seemed panicked, and one soon rushed over.
"Where have you been? Some strangers from the outside have kidnapped Master Aelfric!" He informed them. "It happened just as he returned. It was clearly premeditated."
"Have you alerted the guards?" Yuri asked. The guard was taken aback.
"Do you think we can trust them? I wasn't sure if it would be wise to, so I held off."
"At the end of the day, Aelfric is also an important figure to the Church. It would be really useful to have their assistance. I suggest you get going now. Let them know what's happening down here."
"Take a look at this," Hapi handed Yuri a parchment. "It was lying in the classroom."
"We have abducted Cardinal Aelfric. Meet us tomorrow evening if you want him back safe. Bring the chalice. If you alert the Knights, the Cardinal's life is forfeit," Yuri read from the paper.
"How can this be? This does not bode well with me. How could the enemy know we were searching for the chalice to begin with? There must be someone…"
"A rat, right?" Yuri finished her musings. "It's no good thinking about rats right now. First, we have to deal with the problem at hand."
"You're right. For once you are speaking reasonably. Let us prepare ourselves then. For Aelfric's sake, we must be ready," Constance nodded.
The group agreed and everyone went their separate ways to do what they could to prepare. Edelgard found herself walking straight to Byleth to discuss something.
"That letter… The identities of the Cardinals are a closely guarded secret of the Church. Yet Aelfric's status was disclosed in that letter. You don't think…?" Edelgard asked.
"It would make sense. A grave oversight by him. The Ashen Wolves might be too worried about him to actually connect the dots. All of them except…" Byleth responded.
"Yuri, right? He's a little too calm regarding that letter. Also a little dismissive given the gravity of what Constance suggested. I believe he may be the rat that we're looking for," she suggested.
"Play along for now. He may be scheming something, but we can't let ourselves look suspicious or it may screw up everything. Let's see what he does for now and follow his lead."
Edelgard nodded in understanding. For now, they needed to trust in him. Whatever he was planning, from the short time they had spent with him, they knew the Ashen Wolves were close. No matter how much he may have tried to seem distant, he clearly cared about them.
For the time being, they passed their time by spending time with the many Abyss inhabitants, learning more about the history of the area as well as the lives of the people that lived there. They ate with Hapi and Constance, chatting about their previous encounters.
Although they hadn't known each other for very long, it wasn't surprising to see them open up to the blue haired professor. He never once made them feel left out. His relationship with Hapi had stemmed from his initial reaction towards her telling him about her circumstances. He hadn't once questioned or doubted her.
No matter how long, he never prodded her for answers or coddled up to her. Instead, he kept everything professional. That didn't mean he shut her out or kept his distance. Instead, he always made sure she knew that he was willing to help her out however she needed. Should she be having trouble, she would go to him to ask.
It got to the point where even Constance and her usual haughty attitude would ask him for some guidance. While he was no magic expert for either of them, alongside Sothis' vast knowledge and his experience observing brilliant students like Lysithea, he was still able to help. He suspected that both Constance and Lysithea would get along just fine considering their mutual interest in learning magic.
He never acted on those thoughts though. The inhabitants of Abyss had their gripes with the world above. It wasn't his place to try and resolve them no matter how much he wanted them to be accepted up there. Some people would have their biases no matter what. All he could do was help facilitate their growth. He could only hope.
It didn't take long before Alois arrived alongside a small troop of Knights. The precautionary measures that Yuri made meant that even the Church would know about their movements.
"By the Goddess, is that really the chalice of legends?" The man asked.
"The probability of that is unassailably high," Constance answered.
"Yes, we descended deep into Abyss and ended up in an area below the bridge of the monastery. It was guarded by a few golems that even chased us back in when we took possession of the chalice," Byleth explained their situation.
"I see. Well, if you say so, Professor. I must report this to Lady Rhea! I suspect she may ask for an audience with you before the perpetrators act on the threat of Aelfric's life. He is an important member of the church, so I suspect Lady Rhea may offer some advice," Alois said before bowing out.
And sure enough, she did. Prior to their departure, Alois had called on them as Rhea had asked to speak with them.
"I see. Yes, that is indeed the Chalice of Beginnings. It matches the description of the few records that remain," Rhea inspected the chalice brought by the Ashen Wolves.
Yuri spoke up. "Don't beat around the bush. What's our punishment?"
Rhea shook her head. "There is no punishment. You located a long lost relic. As for Aelfric, I will not allow harm to befall him. The Church can keep the chalice safe."
"If I may, Lady Rhea," Byleth began. "Whoever abducted him left a note threatening his life should the Church get involved. Please, allow us to deal with the matter."
"Well… I suppose if it's you, Professor, I can entrust the chalice to you," Rhea nodded.
"Thank you. We will do everything we can to rescue Aelfric. You have my word."
Rhea nodded, dismissing them. They turned to leave, their objective declared, and their mission ahead of them. As they walked however, the Goddess within the Ashen Demon spoke up.
"We're treading on unknown territory as we continue. There's no turning back at this point, but you know that already, don't you?" Sothis asked him.
'Can't back down now. They need us. I can't let them go about it on their own.'
"Of course you would say that," Sothis spoke in an amused tone. "Well, I wouldn't expect anything different from you. Keep them safe now."
-E-
Edelgard was busy sharpening her axe when a voice from behind alerted her to their presence.
"Do you have a moment?" It was Yuri. While Edelgard didn't make her suspicions of him public, it seemed he was a lot more keen than she had expected. "I need you to trust me."
"What?" She asked.
"You're a lot sharper than I had initially believed. But that look in your eyes. You've seen a lot, haven't you? I know what happens tomorrow. And by now, I'm sure you do too. But please trust me on this one," Yuri pleaded.
"You're speaking of…"
"Aelfric, yes. I had my suspicions a while back about his obsession… I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't do anything to stop him, but it's too late to be dwelling in the past," he shook his head. "They'll be safe. I promise."
She sighed. Shaking her head. "Have you explained yourself to Professor Byleth already?"
He nodded.
"If he's given you the go ahead then I have no choice but to trust his judgment. It's already gotten us this far."
"Thank you. I'll do everything I can to-" Before he could finish his sentence, the sounds of approaching footsteps forced him to stop. "See you around then," he said before leaving.
The footsteps weren't anything special. But with the secrecy that was required of Yuri, just speaking to her must have been considerably dangerous.
It seemed he really did trust both her and the Professor to make the right decisions. He didn't have the power to, otherwise this wouldn't have happened in the first place.
Edelgard couldn't help but wonder. What had happened to them in her original future? It seemed they hadn't gotten very far without their help. If anything bad happened, would it be her fault? They didn't have to get involved. Would she be responsible for more innocent deaths?
Those thoughts were interrupted when she saw Byleth enter the room. "Ready to leave?" He asked.
"Of course. Let's be on our way then."
The group made their way to the location described in the ransom note. And just as promised, Aelfric was there.
"So you've arrived! Took your sweet time as well," A man who appeared to be the leader of the kidnappers called out to them. "Hand it over. You have the chalice, right?"
Edelgard's eyes widened as she saw just who was leading their forces. 'Metodey? They hired you?'
"Woah there, you've got a hostage to hand over first," Claude spoke up.
"Until Aelfric is safe, we're not giving you the chalice. There needs to be some degree of a trusting exchange here," Yuri added.
The man simply laughed. "You know we have no qualms of simply killing you lot and taking the chalice either way. It seems you don't understand your own predicament."
Dimitri simply scoffed. "What a fool," he said beneath his breath.
"Seems he doesn't quite know who you are, Professor. Hapi, do you mind splitting the attention a bit?" Yuri asked.
The girl sighed. "Of course."
The ground rumbled as the kidnappers looked around, confused at the sudden movement. "What have you-!" Before his sentence was completed, a large crawler burst through the ground as a giant winged monster descended from the skies.
Just as expected, their attention was now diverted between multiple enemies. As the kidnappers moved to defend themselves, Aelfric found himself free of his bindings courtesy of the swift blade of their Agarthan assassin.
"Well then. Let's get started, shall we?" Edelgard said as she looked towards Metodey.
His own eyes widened in recognition before his face shifted to one of rage. "You!" He snarled. "You've turned your back on us haven't you? The Death Knight failed to appear before us. After all we've provided you, this is how you treat your home?!"
"Commander Metodey. I see you've found yourself in quite the position. How unfortunate that your service must end here," she said, brandishing her axe.
"No matter what you may do to me here, they will have your head. Mark my words, girl, you will not live to see the future that we have planned!" He shouted.
"Oh they've tried already. And now the girl is on our side. You fail to recognize the man who commands everyone here? A poor job, Commander," Edelgard mocked.
"It doesn't matter who commands you. The might of the Empire will-!"
"Yeah yeah, enough yapping, I'm sure you guys can talk all you want when we've dealt with all of your men," Claude cut in as he nocked an arrow, releasing it straight towards Metodey's face.
Unfortunately, a shield came up in time protecting the commander from harm as the two sides began to converge. Around them, fights broke out as the monsters that Hapi had summoned wreaked havoc on the battlefield. While both sides were in danger, knowing her ability to summon the monsters meant that the students were prepared.
Edelgard and Metodey clashed. And although the man seemed to have the upper hand due to the speed of his sword compared to Edelgard's hefty axe, the tides shifted as Edelgard put her weapon down, replacing it with another one for the time being.
Metodey had never seen the girl wield a sword. All of her training in the Empire had guided her towards the axe. As such, he believed he knew her every move.
"I've been taught by one of the greatest swordsmen of our time. Of course I'd pick up a few things even if he never trained me specifically for this," she grinned.
While it was no Sword of the Creator, the silver sword that Edelgard had picked up was good enough in its own right. She faultlessly parried each and every one of his attacks. And as he grew more and more desperate, Metodey's attacks grew sloppy. As his soldiers fell around him, he realized the chasm of experience between him and the former princess.
"Impossible…" he stood, exhausted.
"I apologize, commander. But rest easy knowing that the future is bright for the Empire should I succeed. The future is bright for all of Fódlan," she spoke before landing the finishing blow on him.
She dropped the weapon in her hands. The battle was over. However, Yuri's words were still on her mind when the distinct flash of warp magic brought her back to reality as everyone realized something was wrong.
She quickly looked over to Byleth just in time to see Yuri dash forward, seeming to catch the man off guard with a slash of his sword. He dropped the chalice as he clutched at his chest.
"Professor!" Dimitri shouted as he began to approach.
However, a raised hand stopped him in his tracks. "Don't! They have hostages," their professor said through gritted teeth.
The students looked in surprise to see Hapi, Constance, and Balthus with weapons pointed at them.
"A rat, huh…" Claude commented, referring to Yuri's earlier words.
"To think our very own bird would turn out to be a rat," Constance said, dejection clear in her voice as the sunlight killed her personality.
"You've got quite the imagination, Constance. Turning your attention elsewhere was challenging even for me. But it'll all be over soon. Don't you worry about a thing," he said as he stared into Byleth's eyes. There was clear understanding between the two that only they the two and Edelgard recognized.
"Wonderfully executed, Yuri," Aelfric spoke. "Mages, let's move."
In a flash, Aelfric and the Ashen Wolves disappeared.
"How frustrating," Dimitri said as he stabbed the top of his spear into the ground. "Professor are you alright- wait, you're unharmed? But Yuri-"
"Didn't actually slash him. It's all an act, right Teach?" Claude suggested. "I'm no expert, but I like to think I'm a decent judge of character."
"Yes. They'll be safe. Yuri wouldn't let any harm come before them. Not enough to get them killed at least," Byleth explained. He went on to discuss the words that Yuri had left him before.
"The Holy Mausoleum? Tonight?" Linhardt asked. "And here I was hoping to get a good night's rest after all this battling. Ugh…"
"I apologize for asking this of you all, but could you help me once more?" Byleth asked.
"We're not gonna say no after coming this far, Professor," Hilda assured him. "Even if I want to slack off a bit, we know they need our help too."
"Thank you. All of you. We need to trust Yuri to keep them safe for now. Until then, do whatever you need to prepare yourselves for the fight tonight. I'm sure their lives all depend on it," Byleth said as he stood straight.
-B-
Night had fallen and the usual peace that filled Garreg Mach seemed undisturbed. Yet beneath its sacred ground, in the tomb of the Goddess, a ritual was about to commence. As Byleth and his students gathered around, they knew the goal they had for the night must be achieved.
Saving the Ashen Wolves—Yuri included—was no small task. There was no telling who supported Aelfric or who he may have hired to oversee the ritual. But a man of his position had resources. How he used them was anyone's guess.
The blue haired professor briefed his students on their mission. And by the end of it all, they were feeling confident. As the bell struck midnight, they knew it was their cue to move. Ashe had already scouted the area ahead. His return and subsequent go ahead were all they needed to move in.
"Wow. I don't know what's happening here, but it sure doesn't look good," Hilda commented as they entered.
"Can this really be the Rite of Rising? What exactly is going on?" Dimitri asked as they got a good look into the wide open area of the mausoleum.
"Looks like… blood. Lots of it being drawn out of them and turned into raw power. Man that's a lot of blood… A bit hard to watch," Linhardt said.
Nearby, Constance had recognized their arrival. "Could you step within the magical vortices beside us to obstruct their flow? It is crucial to disrupting the Rite of Rising! We can't block them ourselves!"
"Thanks for coming, Professor," Yuri said as he breathed heavily. "Do whatever you must to stop him. I'm sure Lady Rhea will be here soon."
And so the battle commenced. Arrows flew, swords swung, and magic was cast as the students of the Officers Academy worked with their professor to rescue the Ashen Wolves and stop the cardinal involved with performing the forbidden ritual.
The battle was severely one sided. Aelfric's men hadn't a clue what hit them. But one by one, each of the Wolves were freed. And as the ritual came to a close, it was clear that Aelfric was growing desperate.
But by then, Lady Rhea had arrived.
"You are the cause of this!" Aelfric shouted as he pointed to Rhea. "It was you who killed her! Tell me, why does her body remain while her spirit does not!?"
"She chose to pass so her child could live on. Aelfric, you can cease this. It isn't too late for you," Rhea said in a steadfast tone.
"No, I am done with you. All of you. The only thing that remains to be completed is the ritual!" In a flash, he warped away. No one had been close enough to stop him.
"The cathedral. That is where he has headed," Rhea explained. "Come at once. We must ensure that Aelfric is stopped."
It didn't take long for the group to arrive at the cathedral. With Rhea at the forefront, she spoke to the cardinal.
"Aelfric, cease this at once. Nothing good comes from the Rite of Rising," she demanded.
"It is too late. The chalice is filled to its brim with the blood of the four. Should their blood prove insufficient, I will even use my own," the man spoke grimly.
"The chalice cannot return her soul. It is incapable even of returning the body to life," Rhea explained.
But it was too late. Both the cardinal and Sitri had been absorbed by the chalice in a flash. What remained was no longer human.
Shock filled the room at the sudden appearance of the monster. A roar shook the building as what was once Aelfric screamed the name of Sitri.
"What is it? An umbral beast?" Dimitri asked as he readied his weapon.
"So I see. Just like the last time…" Rhea muttered.
"Did he just- Aelfric turned into that thing?!" Balthus shouted in disbelief.
Just then, a knight entered the room and spoke. "Lady Rhea, beasts have been spotted approaching our location!"
"I leave it to you all, then," Rhea said as she looked toward Yuri and Byleth. "By my order, stop the umbral beast. Stop Aelfric!"
She left, escorted by the knight to safety as the Ashen Wolves and the students of the Officers Academy began their approach.
"Let's do this!" Balthus shouted as he flexed, gauntlets in hand.
"Stay calm. I know this beast is unlike anything we've faced before," Byleth commanded. "We'll take it on together. Edelgard, lead the charge. Dimitri, stay with her and keep that spear ready."
The duo did just that. As the umbral beast swung, Edelgard deflected the swing with her axe before Dimitri stabbed the beast.
"Claude, Ashe! Aim for the eyes. Hapi, Constance, keep up some pressure on the sides. Linhardt, stay back and be prepared for any damage that may befall them. Yuri, with me. Balthus, Hilda, same strategy as Edelgard and Dimitri," Byleth dished out command after command as the battle began to ramp up.
Soon, brings that appeared to be Aelfric began showing up on the battlefield. "Ashe, Hapi, Balthus, and Hilda, focus on those clones! We have no clue what they're capable of so keep them at bay! Kronya, take whatever openings you can and help them!"
The battle was hard fought. But as they fought, it was clear who had the upper hand. And as Byleth landed the finishing blow, a brilliant white light filled the room.
When they opened their eyes, the beast before them was disintegrating. But Byleth quickly noticed that something was wrong. His sword was gone. As the beast that was once a combination of Aelfric, Sitri, and the Chalice of Beginnings seemed to burn to ashes, there were two clear figures that remained in its wake.
One was Sitri, Byleth's mother. And while she lay lifeless, she was back in the condition that they had initially seen her in. But the other figure forced two of them to freeze.
Byleth and Edelgard looked to one another as the distinct green hair of a Nabatean made itself clear. The red and white braid was clear as day while the gold headpiece shined even in the low light of the cathedral.
Sothis had graced Fódlan once more. The Rite of Rising had worked. The Goddess sat up and rubbed her eyes. It seemed even she wasn't expecting this.
'Sothis?' Byleth called to the girl in his mind.
"Yes?" Her voice rang out and everyone's eyes were immediately on her.
"Who is she?" Linhardt was the first to break the sudden silence.
"Unbelievable…" Edelgard said as her jaw dropped.
Sothis finally had the conscience to look around. And soon enough, even her eyes widened. "My my, this is quite… unexpected."
"She's so… cute…" Hilda commented. "But she also looks so regal."
'You can hear me, can't you?' Byleth asked.
"Ah, y-" she began speaking out loud but soon cut herself off. "Yes, I can."
The voice in his head eased some of his worries. It seemed their connection hadn't quite been severed.
Edelgard was the first to move, approaching the Goddess. Although the others didn't recognize her, Edelgard's emotions were being overwhelmed. The one who had let her have her second chance. The one who saved her from a future that she had caused. The Goddess who had befriended her.
She knelt and brought the Goddess into her arms. And much to the surprise of everyone around, sobbed. "Thank you." Those were the only words she said to the girl.
Before anyone could say anything, the sound of the door opening shifted their attention. "Well done, everyone. It is finished. Because of you, her soul can finally know peace. Professor, I imagine you have a lot on your mind," Rhea said as she looked toward Byleth. She hadn't yet realized who else was in the room.
"Y-yes, Lady Rhea. That is… one way to put it," he muttered. His eyes never left the Goddess that was now in Edelgard's arms.
"Whatever is bothering you my chi-" Rhea looked to where he had been staring. Her hand covered her mouth as she gasped. "The Goddess?"
She too approached Sothis, kneeling down beside Edelgard. "M-mother?"
"Seiros… you seem much more at peace than before," Sothis smiled. She was referring to the original future that had been set. The future that Edelgard had prevented.
"How can this be?" Rhea asked with tears welling in her eyes.
"He used the sword. Even if it was unknowingly, it seems as though when he delivered the final blow, the Sword of the Creator came into contact with the Chalice. Even so, we are still connected. I may be physically in this world, but he and I are still together," Sothis explained.
The Rite of Rising had actually worked. The missing ingredient for the revival of the Goddess was her physical self. The Sword of the Creator was the only thing that could have solved that discrepancy. As the only remaining physical thing left of Sothis, it seemed it had completed the ritual.
"You mind explaining this one, Lady Rhea?" Claude asked. "You're saying that the girl there is the Goddess herself?"
"It's true," Edelgard said. "She… she is the one who gave me another chance. She is the reason I am here with you all now."
"You don't have to push yourself, Edelgard," Sothis reassured her.
"No, the sooner the better… but I suppose it should wait until everyone can hear it," the white haired girl sighed.
"We shouldn't overstay our welcome here," Dimitri spoke up. "It seems our battle with the Cardinal left the cathedral in bad shape. I suggest we leave before anything bad happens."
Rhea nodded, returning to her feet as she took a deep breath. "We have much to talk about, Professor. If you don't mind, that is. But Dimitri is correct. We need to leave."
They returned back to the Audience Chamber where Rhea debriefed them following their successful mission. But even after, they stayed. Rhea was quick to dismiss anyone in the audience chambers before closing the doors.
"I believe I have some explaining to do. You all deserve to hear it after aiding in the Goddess' return," Rhea told them. "Your Professor is the vessel of the Goddess. The one before us today is without a doubt, the Goddess herself. And I, alongside a few other members of the monastery, am her child."
"I suspected something was up with you," Claude commented. "You always were so secretive about something. I just didn't expect this to be the reason."
"We are not quite human," Rhea admitted as she moved her hair to the side to reveal her pointed ear. "But a race from before you humans existed. The Goddess breathed life into these lands and we flourished. It wasn't until the Agarthans, another ancient race, came to grips with the Goddess and her people. Those were Kronya's people."
"But she's on our side now, right? She doesn't have anything against the Goddess?" Ashe asked.
"No. I am not a representative of my people," Kronya spoke. "I'm quite possibly the biggest outlier among my people. If anything, I owe my life to the Goddess. If not for her and your professor, I wouldn't be alive right now. I am nothing but grateful to her."
"The Agarthans went on to wage war against us, the Nabateans. They used humans to their advantage, luring them in. The ones who massacred the Nabateans are none other than the Ten Elites. You all know the Ten Elites as ones favored by the Goddess, but it is the opposite which is true. I am Saint Seiros herself. It was I who rewrote the history books to mark the Ten Elites as heroes to usher in an era of peace," Rhea admitted.
"Unbelievable… you're the Saint?" Dimitri asked. "And the Ten Elites were nothing but bandits? But the crests- the bloodlines…"
"I never hated the families. They had no hand in the massacre of my people. But the ones that had led the massacre had to be put down. Slain. Do not apologize for it is not you but people of a far different time that caused my suffering. I am fond of humans more so than my past self could have ever believed possible. Having overseen the Officers Academy, especially this year, my view of humans has only ever gone up," the Saint said.
"And so Seteth and Flayn…" Claude prodded for more information.
Rhea just sighed. The whole situation was overwhelming. "I suppose if the truth regarding me is already out there… Yes. They are the very saints from the legends. Saint Cichol and Saint Cethleann."
"Why tell us all of this?" Dimitri asked. The truth behind the church had been a well kept secret for hundreds of years. If Rhea truly was who she claimed to be, she had been controlling the church since before Fódlan had ever established the regions that existed today.
"To be truthful with you all. There are some people who have been… frustrated with the world in which we live in. The system of crests and nobility, the secrecy of the church, all of these things had been established long before any of you. And I had been one of the main reasons that they exist to this day. I divulge everything, my status and all, not to ask for respect, but for forgiveness. The world that you all live in… it has been shaped by us Nabateans since the beginning. And the world is in peril. It is on the brink of war. I'm sure in time, whenever they are ready, they will explain everything. But until that time arrives, I'm afraid I can only say what I already have," Rhea bowed, a gesture none of the students had ever seen. She was serious about everything she had said.
And although it was never stated, Edelgard knew she had a responsibility as well. But it would have to wait.
"So, it's the Empire, isn't it? This war you're talking about?" Claude suggested. "Come on, the Princess over there has clearly been way too happy being around all of us for it to not be that. Before Teach showed up, she was all broody and shallow—no offense—but we all knew you were keeping us at a distance."
"No, you're right. But… just give me a moment. I promise I'll explain everything. But it's true. I am unbelievably more happy now that I've severed ties with the power hungry bureaucrats that control the Empire. And honestly, the Professor has been one of my biggest motivators," Edelgard said, wiping away tears.
"I would appreciate it if you all would keep quiet about this at least for the time being. Someone in a position such as my own cannot make changes or reveal such huge secrets all at once. Once this coming war is over, I'll explain everything to all of Fódlan," Rhea requested.
"Of course. We would never do anything to betray the trust you have in us. Now then, shall we all return to our usual lives? We have some preparing to do for the coming war," Dimitri suggested.
-S-
As night fell, the Goddess of the land felt for the first time in centuries, real fatigue. Sothis yawned as both she and Byleth entered their room. After a long time spent in Rhea's company, the Archbishop had eventually excused herself for their sake. And tired as she was, Sothis flopped on the bed as ungracefully as ever.
"So what happens to this connection of ours?" Byleth asked.
"Well, it would appear as though it is still intact. You spoke with me as usual in the cathedral did you not? And I answered just as usual. It would seem as though while I am here in the physical world, you and I still share our power. As such, I cannot say I am as powerful as I was before, but the abilities I have granted you should still be in your control. It would seem I have some studying to do to catch up with the students if I hope to participate in this war," Sothis nodded.
"Wait, you can't be serious. You participate in battle? Not only am I worried about you, but Rhea would have my head!" Byleth exclaimed.
"Oh please, there's a reason I am a goddess. No need to worry about me even if I'm not back at my full potential. As for Seiros, she'll be fine. And if she has any issues, I'm sure she wouldn't mind speaking to me about them," Sothis grinned. Her fatigue was catching up to her and it showed itself in a quiet yawn as she pulled the covers over herself.
"I hope you're right," Byleth grumbled before joining her in bed. "It's a little strange, isn't it? Having you here with me in the real world…"
"I will admit, it is rather strange. All of these feelings are things I haven't experienced in so long. I look forward to having you teach me everything, okay? Do not let me down now, Professor," Sothis teased.
Byleth felt a strange sensation in his chest upon hearing those words. It was a feeling he had felt previously, very rarely. However, it wasn't consistent enough for him to pin down what was causing it. Unfortunately for the Goddess, she hadn't a clue what he had felt. "Of course," he replied.
As he closed his eyes, all of the fatigue that had built up since Aelfric's initial "kidnapping" finally came crashing down on him and Byleth got his well deserved rest.
Upon waking up, Byleth was surprised to see Sothis still asleep, snuggled up tightly to his side. He smiled, running a hand through the Goddess' hair as she slept. It was a comforting gesture, one appreciated by the Goddess even if she wasn't entirely conscious of his actions.
Sothis began to stir in her sleep, the sunlight from the windows seeping into the room. As she finally sat up, Sothis rubbed her eyes. "My, I certainly do not miss this feeling…" she said glumly.
"Mornings not your thing?" Byleth asked with an amused look.
Sothis sighed, defeated. "I don't believe they are. Perhaps it would be best to get ready for the day?" She suggested.
By the time they were ready and had exited his room, it was clear that there were whispers amongst the students. While they paid them no mind, Byleth knew it would come up eventually.
It didn't take long before the first of the day's questions reached him. "I-Is that… the Goddess?" Surprisingly, it was Bernadetta who had the courage to ask him so directly. "You mentioned having a connection to the Goddess, but is she… you know…"
Byleth chuckled. "Yes, Bernadetta. You can say her name. She won't smite you, you know."
Sothis studied the girl intently. Although she had seen him through her vessel's eyes, seeing someone in person was different. Sothis grabbed the girls hands, eliciting a little squeak from her sudden movements. Her sharp gaze frightened the girl a little, but the words that came out of the Goddess' mouth were the scariest of them all. "When are you going to make your move? You're the shyest of them all except for perhaps Marianne. I suggest you secure your position soon."
Bernadetta's face immediately flushed red with embarrassment at the Goddess' words. "Wha-what are you saying!? I c-can't just- I can't- P-Professor, is this really the Goddess?"
"Sothis, stop scaring her. You know she's a bit sensitive," Byleth scolded her.
"Wait, what do you mean she knows? Is she all knowing? Does… does she know everything about me?" Bernadetta's voice was barely a squeak by the end of her sentence as she felt her blood run cold with fear.
"Yes! Of course I-"
"No, she doesn't," Byleth interrupted the teasing goddess. "To put it briefly, I was- rather, I am the vessel of the Goddess. She could see and hear what I could. Now that she's gained a physical presence, the only thing that we share now is a way to communicate with one another without saying a word," Byleth explained.
"Oh phew…" Bernadetta sighed in relief.
"But he's a lot more clueless than I am, you know," Sothis added.
As much as she didn't want to believe it, Bernadetta knew that the Goddess was aware of her crush. Even a girl as socially stunted as her was stunned at how her professor handled his relationships. Surely he had to know that most if not all of the girls around him had some sort of interest, right?
But she was afraid. Bernadetta felt as though she had no right to be the one to try anything. She was just a no good, scaredy cat of an archer that didn't even do her job right. She didn't deserve that happiness. But she really wanted it. And if the Goddess could tell that she liked him, she most definitely knew about the other girls. But she still told her to take her spot?
"Um, well, see you in class then, Professor. I should get going…" Bernadetta excused herself, leaving the teacher and the goddess alone.
"My, you really are clueless, aren't you?" Sothis sighed. "Well, I suppose someone with your background would be. Seems as though there may be some corrections to do in the future."
Byleth just raised an eyebrow at her words. But nonetheless, they carried on with their morning. They still had some time before classes would start. Checking in on the Ashen Wolves didn't seem like it would take too long.
Strangely enough however, there didn't seem to be any signs of them. Upon a request from Seteth however, the situation was quickly revealed.
"We've decided to disband the Ashen Wolves. Without Cardinal Aelfric, no one is there to teach them. As such, we shall allow them to pick any of the houses to join," Rhea explained.
"I see. And have they made their decisions?" Byleth asked, looking at the students in question.
"I'm with the Blue Lions. Was there before at one point so I figured I'd join back up with them. I apologize for not joining your class, Professor, but I believe I'd only reopen old wounds if I were to interact with someone in your house," Yuri explained.
"I'll be with the Deer," Balthus stated. "Gotta look after Holst's little sis if I don't want him having my head."
"Of course I shall be joining your class, Professor," Constance began. "Only a professor of the highest caliber is fit to teach one such as I, after all. Consider yourself blessed to be given the opportunity to teach a prodigy!"
Hapi could only facepalm at the girl's words. "I'll be with you too. Goddess knows someone needs to be able to rain Coco in a little." Although she was good at keeping her emotions in check, she couldn't hide the slight reddening of her face that hid the real reason she wanted to join. Luckily for her, either no one noticed or hadn't questioned her for such a reaction.
"I see. I look forward to teaching you then. As for you two, I'll always be available should you need pointers," Byleth nodded. Balthus and Yuri both thanked him before the tolling of the bell reminded them that class was going to begin soon.
"Well then, have a good class, Professor. And girls, do be on your best behavior," Rhea smiled.
'Guess you can't hide anything from her,' Hapi thought to herself as she exited the room.
Along the way, Kronya had joined them on their walk to the classroom. While she claimed she couldn't just sit around and that she was bored, her real motive was simply to see her savior. As they arrived in the Officers Academy and entered the Black Eagles' classroom, the students were delighted to see new faces. Edelgard smiled, greeting them warmly while Linhardt sighed. While he would admit the two Ashen Wolves were incredibly talented, Constance's back and forth nature was a little overbearing to the lazy boy.
As for Kronya, although many kept their distance, others didn't seem to be too disturbed by the presence of their former enemy. As Sothis met Kronya's eyes, the Agarthan knew she had some making up to do.
"This is Hapi and Constance. They'll be joining us for the foreseeable future," Byleth introduced them. "As I told you before, Kronya has also joined the ranks of the Monastery. Please just play nice even if you're still not on the best of terms."
"And she is the Goddess, yes?" Petra asked. "I have been hearing many talks about the Goddess returning to the lands from the students."
"Yes, she is," Byleth nodded. "We were separated during an… incident with some people. She has returned to our world, but she has been with me for a long time now. Don't be afraid to talk with her. She knows you all already because of the senses we shared from before she gained a physical body."
"Wait, she knows us?" Caspar asked with wide eyes.
Surprisingly, it was Bernadetta who spoke up. The poor girl let out the quietest "yes" possible. No one questioned her claim. By the look on her face, she was telling the truth.
Only Edelgard reacted slightly, her heart skipping a beat as she understood immediately what had happened. She hadn't forgotten Sothis' words. Of course she hadn't. The Goddess was dead set on her big family. Although Edelgard knew she wouldn't outright say it to anyone but her, she would still tease them about it.
But class went on as usual even with the new additions to the class. Sothis sat patiently by Byleth's desk, listening idly as he gave a lecture. The class was quick to welcome both Hapi and Constance even if they may have found Constance a little eccentric or Hapi a bit aloof.
As soon as classes ended and they were exposed to Constance's other half, there was clear confusion regarding her sudden shift. Even so, they didn't really question it too much. All of them had their own quirks.
"If I may," Monica heard as she packed up her belongings. She felt her heart skip in fear as her eyes met Kronya's. That fear quickly subsided when she saw the girl kneel. "I would like to… apologize for my role in your abduction. I… understand if you may be averse to even being in the same room as I, however I believe for the sake of us both, I would like to make amends."
It was surprisingly gracious of the Agarthan to kneel before anyone let alone a human. Kronya had come from a cruel civilization. Her people had mostly been hellbent on taking back the world from the so-called surface dwellers. For her to show the respect that she did especially to a human was unthinkable to her people.
Time changed people. Even if she hadn't been on the surface for very long, her appreciation for the goddess that saved her life and her vessel that reached out to her were irreplaceable in her eyes. To put it simply, she was loyal. If her own people would sacrifice her for a slim chance at trapping the Fell Star, she knew they never even cared about her in the first place. The least she could do was hold out an olive branch for the people she had wronged.
"I… will forgive you," Monica's words resonated through Kronya, an inkling of hope igniting in her chest. It was a strange feeling, one she hadn't felt given her circumstances. "But I apologize if I'm distant. I understand that you weren't the one behind it, but I… I was afraid. Afraid I would lose everything dear to me. Afraid that I would never see the light again. But I thank you. For reaching out to me. For showing me that even if I may fear you, that my feelings may change."
"I get it. Take as much time as you need. If it'll help, why don't you take a swing at me-" Kronya began to suggest before being swiftly cut off.
"No. Nothing like that. I'll just need some time to get used to being around you. How about we get started now? Would you care for lunch?" Monica asked with a small smile.
"Lunch? May we join you?" Edelgard asked as she seemed to pull Bernadetta just before the girl could leave the room. "Perhaps it would be best for us to get to know one another better."
"O-of course, Princess- I mean, uh, Edelgard! Yeah we'd love to join!" Bernadetta scrambled for her words at the sudden suggestion.
"Please do. I would be glad to have you both join us," Monica nodded.
The four left the classroom together, Edelgard taking charge as normal, leading them to the dining hall.
"What a lively bunch. Same as ever, huh?" Sothis poked Byleth as he sat at his desk.
"Yes, I'm glad they seem to be getting along. Truthfully, I was afraid of Kronya's integration the most. While Constance and Hapi are new faces, they fought against her before. It can be difficult to get over the hurdle of having to work with a former enemy," Byleth explained as he looked over the work that the students had completed.
"It is truly a pleasure to see everyone. Oh how I wish to see them all happy! It is quite wonderful to see Kronya's shift in attitude towards her peers. Just a few weeks ago, that girl was swearing up and down that you were the only 'surface dweller' that she could stand. Now she is the one seeking out bonds!"
"I'm glad to see it as well. I didn't think she would open up so quickly. Perhaps working with the Ashen Wolves changed her," Byleth suggested.
"I believe you may be correct. Ah, here they are now," Sothis motioned towards the two approaching girls.
"I dare say, you're quite professional when you're working with such a large class, Professor," Constance complimented. "I have heard from some of the students that you also do one on one sessions with the students as well? How diligent!"
"Yes, should a student request it, I am open to helping them learn individually. However, I am not the best teacher for magic. Professor Manuela is well versed in white magic while Professor Hanneman is well versed in black magic. I recommend them as they are wonderful teachers in their own right," Byleth told her.
"Huh, is that so?" Hapi asked. "Well, if it's you recommending them, then I guess I'll give it a shot one of these days."
"How have you two been? None of the other students or staff are treating you poorly, right?" Byleth asked them.
"No, it's all good. They seemed a bit confused by Coco's condition but they're pretty alright about it. No problems here," Hapi explained.
Byleth smiled. "Good. After everything you've been through, I'd hate to hear that anyone here is disrespecting you. How has the progress gone on your magic research, Constance?"
"I'm glad you asked, Professor!" Constance beamed with excitement. "I happen to still be in the testing stages, but I've gotten much closer to my goals! I'm sure with just a little more time I'll have something that may turn the world of magic on its head!"
"Well I'll be sure to warn Lysithea about it then," Byleth chuckled. "Goddess knows that girl would do everything she can to learn everything possible about magic."
"That I do," Sothis chimed in. "I swear she needs to take a break every once in a while. Let loose a bit and enjoy her life. I'm sure we'll be able to help her. Edelgard will need it too, you know."
Although the two girls didn't understand what the Goddess was referencing, Byleth understood. It was heartbreaking knowing what had happened to the two girls. Edelgard herself had shown him the very crest that shouldn't have existed on her. The very crest that had essentially taken the lives of her loved ones. The one thing that had driven her to the war she had waged.
But she swore to change. Swore that Fódlan would know peace. And from everything he had seen, she was going to give everything she had to complete her goal. But what of herself? From what Claude had said of her, Edelgard had hardly been close to any of her peers before the blue haired professor had arrived. Now, they were all she thought about.
When the time came, Byleth knew they would make it count. As soon as the coming war was over, as soon as they were all safe, he swore he would do everything he could to give both of them their lives back.
But while Byleth had been thinking of the sacrifices Edelgard had made, the Goddess beside him could only think of one thing.
'I mean, how else would she be able to enjoy her life with her sister wives?' She thought to herself. She fortunately hadn't communicated this to her vessel. Lest she wished to bear the brunt of Edelgard's embarrassment, there was no way she could tell him. But also, what fun was that? She would let them confess themselves. She could wait.
"Well, you two have a nice rest of the day. Same time tomorrow though, okay? Don't forget," Byleth reminded the two former Ashen Wolves.
"Of course, Professor. We'll be on time as always," Constance nodded.
The two left, leaving Byleth alone with Sothis as the man finished up the rest of the work he had for the day. Getting up to stretch, he looked over to Sothis before speaking. "Maybe it's time we checked the marketplace. Our supplies are probably getting low at this point. About time we repaired some weapons and restocked."
Sothis simply nodded in agreement before the two headed out of the classroom. The marketplace was the same as always. Not too busy, but enough life that the merchants would always come back.
"Oh, now there's my favorite customer!" A girl's voice called out as they descended the steps. "Been a while since I last saw you."
"Hello, Anna," Byleth greeted with a warm smile. The woman had always been of great help to them. Despite some reports that she could be cheap or would do anything for some extra money, Anna was only ever helpful to him.
"What'll it be today? Here for some seals, some gifts, maybe some ingredients?" She asked.
"A bit of everything, really. I've got a few weapons that need some repairs so I need to speak with the blacksmith, but it would be great to see what you've got in stock," he told her.
"I see, the usual then. Lucky for you, I've got a fresh stock of silver swords, levin swords, and a whole ton of everything else in steel. Say, mind if I ask about the ol' relic you used to carry?"
"Ah, there was an incident recently and I've since lost access to it. It's fine though, I'll just have to get back to using more conventional arms," Byleth explained. "Fortunately, I was able to save her even if it cost me the relic," he said as he pointed to the Goddess beside him.
"A shame that you lost the weapon. But I'll say you did the right thing, saving the life of an innocent young lady like her. That weapon of yours really suited you though. It was so unique as well. May I perhaps recommend something to replace it for the time being?" Anna asked. It seemed the news of Sothis' return hadn't quite reached far outside of the student body. "A levin sword might do you some good if you're ever needing that extra range that you're used to. Of course, you've still got your usual steel or silver, but keep one with you out on the battlefield whenever you need that range."
"Hm, that makes sense. Thank you for the recommendation then, Anna," Byleth nodded.
"Of course! Anything for you," Anna said with a wink. While she did tend to be a bit of a flirt towards some of her customers to help with sales, the actions towards the Professor were genuine. But after doing it for so long, she knew he was going to just write it off as something she just happened to do.
But Sothis took note of it. 'A cute little merchant isn't bad either…' she thought to herself. 'She's not in it for the money. Not when she's giving him advice like that for free.'
While the Goddess schemed, Byleth was going about getting everything done. And while Sothis was still daydreaming about her prospective family, Byleth had motioned that it was time to go. Although his coin purse was lighter, the equipment he carried back certainly wasn't.
With everything restocked and placed where they needed, he realized that he had barely eaten all day. Stopping by the dining hall with Sothis, it didn't take long for him to be eating with some company.
Mercedes and Annette had joined him, the former clearly interested in speaking with Sothis. Eventually, another certain girl known for her faith arrived to join them. Marianne, much like Mercedes, had a keen interest in speaking with Sothis.
It was a surreal experience. Never in their lifetimes did they believe they would ever have a chance to speak directly with the Goddess that they worshiped. And so as they ate, two separate conversations occurred. While Annette and Byleth spoke about the incident that had occurred, the Goddess had plans for the two devout students.
"Well, he is still my vessel, so our connection runs rather deep," Sothis explained. "In a sense, he and I are one. Even if I may have a physical body now, my heart still belongs with him."
Her choice of words was deliberate, entirely meant to pique the girls' interest in her partner. While she had known they already held some affection for him due to their past interactions, she also knew that talking about their relationship would make them conscious of their own relationship. Just a little something to get the ball rolling.
Annette's cough alerted Sothis that the girl had heard what she said.
"Are you alright, Annette?" Byleth asked. Sothis meanwhile just shook her head in amusement. It seemed he was too absorbed in whatever conversation he had struck with Annette to have heard her.
"Y-yeah I'm fine as always! Just ate a bit too fast, haha," she tried to cover up her sudden outburst as best as she could.
"I see. We'll take your time. We can always talk later if need be too, so don't feel rushed to finish your food so quickly. I'm always here," Byleth assured her.
Sothis could only sigh. "Clueless as ever," she mentioned, eliciting a giggle from Mercedes while Marianne bashfully smiled.
Sorry for the gap between updates. Writer's block, lack of motivation, and lack of time has left this chapter on the back burner for a while. Whole lot of exposition in this chapter and I know it's really rushed.
With the Cindered Shadows story coming to a close, it's about time we moved on a bit and finished up the whole plot stuff so we can finally get to the fluff.
Thanks for reading.