Dear Readers,

I am very sorry for the late submission. Things has been going crazy since American Samoa got Covid. I hope you all enjoy this chapter and be safe.

-Ashalita Hisatake

Chapter 5: Brother and Sister in Arms

As the team returned to the monastery, Byleth went to his classroom. He was looking into books. Learning about this religion is giving me a headache. I do not understand why I did not hear anything about this and why Father kept us away from this place. Things do not add up.

He must have his reasons. To leave so suddenly with you two without a trace.

Sothis, I need to know the truth. I want to know why my Father left this place and to know more about our mother.

Do not fret. I know eventually you will find the answers to those questions.

I also want to help you.

Me?

You don't recall anything from your past except your name. I want to help you find out who you are.

True. I do question myself constantly of who I am and why only you and Byra can see me. I feel like I am missing something very important.

We will find our answers soon.

His students were outside the room, watching him work. ¨Are you sure it is a good idea to ask him?¨ Annette asked. ¨He looks very busy.¨

¨It does not seem right for us to celebrate without him." Dimitri said.

¨I agree, if it wasn't for him, we would not have won." Mercedes said.

¨Also, where is Byra?¨ Ingrid asked.

¨I didn't even know she was not with us." Sylvain said. ¨I thought she was with us the whole time.¨

¨Damn she is sneaky.¨ Felix complained.

¨Well, she knows that we are meeting here.¨ Dedue said.

¨She probably had a good reason for leaving like this." Ashe said.

¨Why are you guys outside?¨ A voice said. They turned and found their Professor, standing by the door.

¨HI PROFESSOR!" They said in shock. How did he know that we were outside?

¨I can hear you all.¨ He said.

Can he read minds? His students thought.

¨No, I cannot read minds." He replied, letting out a sigh. ¨Is there a reason why you are all outside the room? There is no class today. You all should use this time to replenish your strength.¨

¨I was hoping, I mean we were all hoping that we could share a meal together. It could serve as both a victory celebration and post-battle analysis. What do you think?" Dimitri explained.

My, my… Your students are eager to be with you. What a lucky professor you are to have such good students.

I am very lucky.

¨I am invited?¨ Byleth said.

¨Of course, why wouldn't you be?" Dimitri said.

¨Come on, Professor. We can't celebrate very well without the key to our victory present." Sylvain said.

¨He's right! He really is! We were only able to win because we had your help, Professor!" Annette said happily.

¨Yes. Compared with that boar who knows nothing but frontal attacks, your tactics were nearly decent." Felix said.

¨Felix! You really ought to stop picking fights with His highness." Ingrid scolded.

¨Don't worry, Ingrid. I encouraged all to speak freely. And I must agree that the professor´s tactics were truly extraordinary. I have much to learn." Dimitri said.

¨Oh sure, but today was exhausting.¨ Mercedes said. ¨I'm so hungry I can barely stand."

¨To be honest, so am I. Let's head to the dining hall. Together." Ashe said.

¨But we were supposed to go somewhere else, remember." Annette said.

¨Speaking about somewhere else, where is Byra?" Ingrid said. ¨She is not back yet."

¨I wonder what is keeping her." Dimitri said. I hope she is okay.

We made it back to the monastery and I walked beside Byra. She was silent as usual and I was nervous as usual. I did not know what to say to her. But I wanted to say something.

"Are you okay, Dimitri?" She asked, turning her gaze at me. "Dimitri?"

"I am sorry, I am fine Byra." I said. "Hey, Byra?"

"Yes, Dimitri."

"Are you happy that we won?"

"I am…"

"You do not look happy." I said.

¨Really, I am happy.¨ She said, patting my head. ¨Sorry for giving you the wrong impression.¨

I wonder how she looks when she smiles.

Then Jeralt walked towards him. ¨Son, we have a problem in our hands. I need your help." Jeralt said.

¨What is it?" Byleth asked.

¨We got the news that a couple of students went missing and they also discovered a group of bandits holding them hostage." Jeralt explained. ¨I know you just got back from an intense mock battle but I need your help."

"You do not need to ask me twice. I will gladly help you, Father." Byleth said.

¨Wherever the professor goes, we also go as well. We will assist you both with the search." Dimitri said.

"Look kid, this is dangerous. Leave it for the grown-ups." Jeralt said. Then Claude and Eldegard walked towards them.

¨We will also like to assist.¨ Eldegard said.

¨Yeah, the more the merrier right, Teach?¨ Claude said, smiling. Jeralt let out a sigh.

"Fine, just stay out of trouble," Jeralt said. He looked around the room and noticed that someone was missing from the group.. ¨Where is Byra?"

Meanwhile, Byra was walking through the forest. ¨I hope I am not late. I just need to get something here." She said,

Byra, where are you? We have an emergency. We need you now.

¨I wonder what the emergency is." She said, pulling out her flute. She was about to play until she heard footsteps.

¨Oh look, another student.¨ A voice said. She turned and found ten bandits. They had five students in chains and they were all unconscious. ¨She looks expensive."

¨The boss will be pleased." Another bandit said. "We are going to be rich with these brats."

Sis, please respond. Answer me.

¨She is also very pretty." Another bandit said, walking towards her. ¨I do not mind deflowering her."

¨Why do you always get the hot ones?" Another bandit said.

¨So beautiful, how about we have some fun?" The bandit said, grabbing strands of her hair and sniffing it. ¨You smell so good." She knocked his hand away from her. ¨I see she is a feisty one. I like it when they play hard to get." He was about to slap her until she caught his wrist. ¨What the…¨ She kicked him between the legs and he screamed loudly. He fell on his knees and she used this opportunity to put a sleep hex on him. He collapsed on the ground. She stared at the rest of the bandits with her cold and dark violet eyes.

"Damn bitch, you are going to pay for that."

¨Wait, those eyes…. We have to go now." One bandit said.

¨What? It is just one student. We can take her down." Another bandit said.

"Idiots, do you even know who she is?" The bandit said, shaking with fear. "She is one of the deadliest mercenaries ever, she is one of the Demon Ashen Twins. There are rumors that she and her brother were in the monastery." She pulled out a flute and started playing a tune. "What is she doing? Stop her." Three bandits raced to attack her but a strong gust of wind blew them away from her. "What is going on?"

"You picked a fight with the wrong student." She said, A loud roar filled the air and Aether appeared behind her. As the sun was about to set, the last of its light showed the vicious features of the so-called student. Her eyes darted at them with intimidation. What scared them, even more, was not the vicious creature behind her but her. Her face showed no emotion yet it struck fear to their very souls. "Let's have some fun, Aether." The peaceful forest was filled with desperate cries and screams.

Byra, where are you? Are you okay? Byleth thought.

Brother… He grabbed his sword and raced away from them.

"PROFESSOR, WHERE ARE YOU GOING!" Dimitri said. I hope everything is okay. It is not like him to run off without a word.

"What are we waiting for ?" Claude said, running after him. Everyone followed after that.

Byra, are you okay? Byleth thought. His instincts were leading him to the forest. He stopped his tracks when he found his twin sister. He noticed that there were bandits in front of her, all tied up. "Are you okay?" She turned to him and he saw a cut on her cheek.

"Yes…" She said, letting out a sigh. ¨I am just hungry.¨

"You scared me. Please stop doing that." Byleth said, placing his palm on her cheek. He used his magic to heal it. ¨You had me worried.¨

"I told you! I told you that she is one of the Ashen Demon Twins!" One bandit screamed, struggling in the ropes. Byleth gave him an intense glare, causing him to shut up. What is wrong with me? My body is paralyzed…. I am so scared of him. He started to shiver. What are they?

"I am glad that you are okay," Byleth asked.

"I am sorry to make you worry, brother," Byra said. Then the others made their way towards them. Their father walked in front of his kids and let out a grin.

"Byra, thanks for making my job easier," Jeralt said, patting her head. "You must be tired."

"I am hungry." She said, Then Byleth placed a bear jerky in her mouth. ¨Thank you...¨

"Byra, I am happy that you are not hurt," Dimitri said. This is expected. Still… I do not understand why I was worried even when I knew she would be okay. Then Annette and Mercedes rushed past him and hugged Byra tightly.

¨Oh Byra, we were so worried about you." Mercedes said.

¨We thought you were hurt or worse kidnapped." Annette said.

¨I am fine." She said, "Really, I am not hurt." Then a small fluffy white kitten popped out of her coat. "Oh Aether, are you okay?"

"AETHER!" The blue lions screamed.

"You used a transformation spell," Annette whispered.

"Yes, I did because I sense that there will be other people coming," Byra said. "I will explain the details later." Claude stood beside Dimitri. He noticed that he was staring at Byra.

"I know, she is a keeper." Claude teased, poking his face. "Princey, you are in love." Dimitri jumped in shock.

"It is not like that at all. She is just a classmate, a friend." Dimitri snapped, hiding his blush. Calm down, he is just picking on you that's all. He then turned to her and the other girls. She stared at them as they talked. She is just a classmate, she is just a friend. Nothing more… nothing more…

"Then you don't mind if I make a move on her," Claude said, giving him a mischievous smile. "I mean, skills aside, she's a total babe."

"Do you want to die?" Dimitri threatened.

"Claude, stop your teasing," Eldgard said.

"Come on, Princess. Things were getting fun around here." Claude said.

"I advise you to stop picking on him," Dedue said, glaring at him. "Or else…"

"Geez, what happened to your sense of humor?" Claude said.

"I do not think Dedue ever had one," Ashe said. "But he is a good guy…"

"An intimidating good guy," Ingrid added.

"I was hoping for a fight," Felix said, letting out a sigh.

"I think we both have enough action for today. Also, it is Byra." Sylvain said. "She can handle herself."

"Alright, you two. I need your help to take these idiots back to Garreg Mach." Jeralt said. The twins nodded, assuring their father that they will help him.

I am not going to let it end this way. I am not going to submit myself to these monsters. One bandit thought. He broke free from his ropes and raced to Jeralt with a sword. "DIE!"

"SIR JERALT, LOOK OUT!" Ashe screamed.

Jeralt turned but had no time to react or defend himself. Byleth pulled out his blade dashed swiftly behind him and placed his blade on the bandit's neck while Byra placed a dagger on his throat.

"Such speed…" Eldgard said in shock. I did not see them move.

"Is it me or they have gotten faster than the last time we saw them fight," Claude said. Note to self, do not mess with any of them.

"How dare you…" Byra said, glaring at him. Her violet eyes shimmered demonically.

"Yes, how dare you try to harm our father," Byleth said, glaring at him as well. His emerald eyes were also glowing demonically. "Someone really wants to die today."

"I…." The bandit stuttered. OH SHIT, I AM GOING TO DIE!

"Then we should grant his wish and give him a proper death," Byra said. Then the bandit pulled out a stone.

"I AM NOT GOING TO DIE HERE!" He screamed, pulling back. He ate the stone and a strong dark aura surrounded them. "I AM GOING TO KILL YOU BOTH ASHE DEMON TWINS!"

"What is going on?" Mercedes said.

"Mercedes, create a barrier. Protect the students." Byleth ordered. "Annette, fall back with the others." The bandit turned into a giant and vicious wolf. It was about to attack Mercedes until he punched it. The wolf flew a few feet away from them. It crashed into a bunch of trees. "Hurry you two."

"Yes, Professor…" They said, doing what they were told.

"I want to fight," Dimitri said, readying himself for battle.

"Yes, I will assist as well," Eldgard said.

"Same here…" Claude said.

"No, none of you are fit to fight. You are all exhausted from the mock battle and I would not put any of my students in harm's way." Byleth said.

"But Professor…" Dimitri said.

"Listen to your Professor kids," Jeralt said. "He is right. You all used up most of your magic from the mock battle. Also, you all have injuries from it."

"But…"

"Dimitri, everything is going to be okay," Byra said, assuring her house leader. "We will be fine so you do not need to worry." She walked in front of the house leaders. "Aether, please go with him." Aether hopped on Dimitri's head. "I won't let anything hurt you all," She placed a charm on all three of them and they were teleported in the barrier.

"Stay safe," Jeralt said. They gave their father a thumbs up and made their way to the beast. It sluggishly stood up, growling in pain. It is not the first time they killed a beast like this.

Oh my, what a horrid beast. Do you both intend on fighting that thing?

¨Yes…" They both replied.

The beast roared loudly in front of them. The twins just stared at it, unfazed.

Does this thing think it can scare us?

I believe so, sister. It is trying too hard.

I wonder what kind of stone he ate to turn him like this.

Byra, let's finish this quickly. We can think about that later.

I have never met such reckless fools. You two are going to get yourselves killed. I guess I have no choice but to sit here and watch this madness.

Byleth and Byra tapped their blades and speedily circled around the beast. The beast was confused about where to attack. It roared with frustration that his spiky fur turned into deadly missiles. It fired randomly around the forest. They dodged every missile as if they were dancing in the air.

"This is the first time we see them in battle," Ashe said.

"They are amazing," Ingrid said. Then the beast turned to them. "Is it just me or that thing is looking at us?"

"It is looking at us," Annette said. The beast opened its mouth and launched a power blast towards them. The barrier protected them.

"I cannot hold it." Mercedes said, panting as she was pouring magic to the barrier. "I am almost out of magic." Annette and Felix grabbed her shoulder and transferred all of their magic to her.

"That thing is so strong," Annette said.

"It is not going to hold for very long," Felix said. The barrier collapsed and they thought they had met their fate but they opened their eyes and found their professor. He cut the blast in half with his sword.

"Oh thank goodness," Ashe said.

He cut that attack like it was nothing. Dedue thought. He is something to be feared. Dimitri raced to Annette and Mercedes. He followed to assist.

"Are you two alright?" Dimitri said.

"Yes, I am just a little weak," Mercedes said. "I cannot move."

"We used the rest of our magic," Annette added.

"We should move to a safe place. I will carry you both away from here." Dimitri said. He then turned to Felix who was still in shock. "Felix? Felix, I need your help." Ashe, Ingrid, Claude, and Edelgard tried to get the students out.

How is he able to do that? He is only using a steel sword and he is able to do that. Felix thought. The beast was furious and launched another attack. Shit, we do not have enough magic to create another barrier. Felix carried Annette. She blushed and did not have enough strength to argue. "We won't make it in time."

"We got to try," Dimitri said, carrying Mercedes. He is right. We might not dodge it in time. Jeralt just stood there. "Sir, we need to move."

"Stand your ground, Prince." He replied. The beast was about to attack until the professor landed an uppercut, causing the beast to fire its powerful blast upwards. Byra then appeared beside her father.

"Byra…" Dimitri said. She made some hand signs and covered all of them into a dome. She disappeared and appeared back in the arena.

¨We are safe." Annette said. ¨This is a healing dome, it replenishes magic and heals all wounds to whoever is in the dome.¨ Only strong and elite white mages can cast this spell. She cast it with ease. Byra, you are amazing. She turned to Felix and smiled. ¨Thank you Felix for trying to save me but I think I have enough strength to stand now." He blushed and gently put her down.

¨Okay," Felix mumbled, hiding his blush.

These kids have a long way to go. Jeralt thought. They do not know what level these two are.

Byra used magic to transform her dagger into a long metal chain. She lassoed the chain around the beast's neck. Byleth raced towards it and tossed his blade in the air. He used magic and thousands of swords were floating in the air. The beast was about to attack him. Byra, now!

She placed a charm on the chain and it caused the beast to not use magic. Then there was a magic circle underneath the beast. ¨Freezing point…" The beast was instantly covered with ice.

"It is amazing that they are able to work together without talking," Edelgard said.

"Do they have a secret language or something?" Claude said.

If only you knew… Dimitri thought. Byra mentioned that they can communicate telepathically and even sense each other's presence. Byleth swiftly sliced the beast with all the swords. The attack was so fast that no one could not keep up with him. The beast crumbled to the ground in pieces and as he swung his blade, blood gushed out as if it was rain. It is like watching two Gods, slaying the wicked.

"They did it, it is over." Sylvain cheered. "They killed it like it was nothing."

"As expected from our Professor and his sister," Dedue added.

"It's not over. These beasts are different from your average wild animal." Jeralt said. The pieces of the wolf slowly merge back. "It's regenerating…"

"That's not fair, how the hell are they supposed to kill it?" Annette snapped.

"Why am I not there to fight that beast?" Felix said. "A beast that can regenerate. Do you know how much training I can go through?"

"Felix, is that all you can think about?" Ashe said, letting out a sigh. ¨Even with your condition, you want to fight."

"Sir Jeralt, how can you kill a beast like that?" Ingrid asked.

"Yes, how can they?" Dimitri said. "They might need our help."

"Kid, chill… The only way to kill a beast like this is to destroy the core." Jeralt said. "The life source." Byra grabbed the stone. As she grabbed the stone, the pieces transformed into movable slime. They were about to attack her.

"GIVE ME THAT STONE BACK!" The creature screamed. She used fire magic to burn the stone. "NO!" The blob of slime grabbed her. "PLEASE STOP! I WILL DO ANYTHING!"

"Then disappear," She replied, crushing the stone into pieces. The slime turned to ashes.

"Good work, you two," Jeralt said.

"I need to shower," Byra said.

"We both do," Byleth said.

You two imbeciles keep surprising me.

Then the rest of the students walked up to them. "Professor, you were amazing," Mercedes said.

"I did not know you could fight like that." Annette said. "I knew you could fight but it seems like you were going all out."

"Not really, we fought these monsters before." Byleth said. He ran his finger through his hair. I really need a bath. I smell like blood. Then Aether jumped on top of his head, licking off the blood. Well, at least I have some help. However… He turned to the ashes. What was that stone he ate?

"Here…" Dimitri said, giving Byra a handkerchief. "I know it won't help much but…"

"Thank you, Dimitri." Byra said. "But it will be a shame to get it dirty." Dimitri hid his blush. It is very pretty. As expected from a royal prince. "I cannot accept something so beautiful."

"I insist," Dimitri said, putting the handkerchief in her hands. She thinks it is beautiful. "Think of this as a gift." He then scratched his head. "It is not the best gift but I…"

"A gift? Thank you, it is the first gift I have ever gotten." She said,

"Byra, let's get washed up. We have a celebration party to go to." Byleth said.

"Yes, Professor." She said, "See you all later." She left with her brother with the handkerchief in her hands.

First gift? The gift I gave her was her first one. Dimitri thought, blushing. Then Sylvain wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"I know, my Prince. She is so damn hot even with blood on her." Sylvain teased.

"What? That is not what I am thinking," Dimitri rebuttal.

"They are amazing. I am glad that they are on our side." Ashe said.

"They are also very scary when they are serious," Annette said. "Also, the Professor looks so cool when he fights. He is like a superhero." She sighs with awe. Felix let out a grunt after hearing that.

¨Damn, they are the real deal.¨ Claude said. I need them on my side.

¨Such skill, I still get amazed every time I see them fight." Edelgard said. They will benefit me in my plans. I need them.

"Alright kids, let's get going," Jeralt said