A/N: Hey folks. I am, uh, late by a few days again lol. Work has been hectic lately but don't worry, I have plenty of chapters pre-written that just need editing. Anyway, thank you for all the new lovely reviews as usual. Next chapter will be the second out of three parts for the Gaspard rebellion.

Want to join the discord group and meet a ton of other talented fire emblem writers? Here's the invite code as usual: u89gs745fn

[White Clouds]

Chapter 16: Cloudy Days

"Professor, have you adjusted to life in the monastery?" Rhea smiled at Byleth, eyes brimming with warmth. "I heard you performed exceptionally well yesterday at Zanado."

"I only did what I had to," Byleth responded, the usual blank expression plastered on her face.

"You underestimate your abilities, professor," Rhea laughed. "I heard that some of your students hesitated to deal with the bandits. It is unfortunate, but we must punish those who have strayed from the teachings of Seiros for their sins." She exhaled, shaking her head in disapproval. "Those bandits have been causing us much trouble so I would like to offer you my gratitude for taking care of them for us."

"...I only did what I had to," Byleth repeated awkwardly, expression tightening at Rhea's words. "Why have you called for me today?"

"Oh, of course," Rhea blinked, her sunny smile darkening into a storm-like simper. "Seteth, if you would do the honors," she ordered, nodding at Seteth, who took a step forward.

He placed his arms behind his back, glaring into Byleth's eyes with hostility for some unknown reason. "We have received reports that Lord Lonato has rallied troops against the Holy Church of Seiros."

"And why would he do that?" Byleth mused.

"Lord Lonato is a minor lord of the Kingdom. He has been showing hostility toward the church for some time now," Rhea replied vaguely.

"A vanguard unit from the Knights of Seiros is already on its way to his stronghold, Castle Gaspard. Lord Lonato's army is nothing compared to the knights. It is quite possible the rebellion has already been suppressed," Seteth continued explaining.

"I would like for your class to travel with the knights' rear guard to deal with the aftermath," Rhea ordered.

"War zones are unpredictable. We do not expect you will have cause to battle, but prepare for the worst." Seteth crossed his arm, narrowing his eyes at Byleth.

Byleth ignored his blatant look of distaste, choosing to focus her attention on more important matters. Of course, Byleth had read the letter from Renard beforehand. Jeralt had warned her that the church would most likely send her to Gaspard for the upcoming moon. His direct orders were to hold back from joining the battle until as late as possible — bind time for Renard and Satiana to finish their mission.

And she would do just that. Because choosing between following the Church or her father was a simple decision to make.

From behind, the sound of footsteps broke her out of a daze. She glanced over her shoulder, analyzing the newcomer with her sharp gaze. The blonde-haired woman met her gaze with confidence, striding up beside Byleth with her chest held up high.

"Excuse me. You sent for me, Lady Rhea?" The woman spoke, voice deep and filled with the utmost respect for Rhea.

"This is Catherine. She will lead the knights whom you will accompany," Rhea introduced, lips contorting up into a warm smile once again.

Catherine turned to Byleth, holding a hand out in front of her. "Nice to meet you. We've heard a lot about you. If you need anything, just ask," she greeted.

Byleth nodded stiffly, returning the handshake. "Likewise."

"She is one of our bravest knights, and that is no small feat. Only an exceptional few have what it takes to join the Knights of Seiros," Rhea proclaimed. Then her voice dropped a notch, eyes narrowing imperceptibly. "This mission should prove useful in demonstrating to the students how foolish it would be to turn their blades on the church."

Byleth's brows arched up, curious at the sudden change in demeanor. "What do you mean by that?"

Rhea blinked. "Pardon?"

Byleth returned her confused gaze with a pointed stare. "I am just curious. Why would this Lord Lonato turn his blade against the church? From what I know of him, he was quite the devoted believer until… four years ago, if I remember correctly. Perhaps he had a valid reason to rebel against the church. Would it not be in our best interest to figure out his intentions and motives?"

It was like someone cast a warp spell underneath her feet because the moment she finished her question, the temperature in the room plunged below zero. If someone told her it was the middle of winter, Byleth would've believed it because the look Seteth was giving her was pure ice. There was a lull in the conversation, during which she seemed to understand that she had reached a point of no return, and an anxious miasma settled over the room.

"There is no need to figure out the intentions of a devious man who has strayed from the teachings of Seiros, professor." Seteth seethed with unrestrained anger, the hostility breaking free, civility flying out the windows. "It would do you well to remember that anyone who bares their fangs towards the church are sinners, no matter what reason they may hold. There is no need to show any mercy to such lowly beasts."

Byleth blinked, resistant to the brewing storm in front of her. "So, you just don't care?" she asked with the same even control of her voice.

Seteth looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel with the way his eyelids rapidly twitched. "I don't know what you're insinuating, professor," he drawled, emphasizing each word with venom. "It is not that we don't care. It simply does not matter in the long run."

Byleth's lips twitched, contorting down into a visible frown. "So, you're just choosing to ignore the fact that someone may hold hostility towards the church for valid reasons."

"Professor, that is enough." The single word from Seteth was loaded with enough finality and a warning Byleth could not ignore that it silenced her accusations. "You may excuse yourself, now. We are quite busy, you see." He glared daggers at her, eyes scorching with flames.

Byleth nodded curtly. "If you say so, I will excuse myself. Pardon me." She spun on her heels, refusing to look back, as she strolled down the hallway, heading right out the door, leaving a stunned Catherine and dumbfounded Rhea behind.

She closed the door quietly behind her and sighed. "Guess I should've been more discreet with my interrogation."

Floating behind her, Sothis screamed about her lack of social competence, but Byleth shut her eyes and ears, lost in thought as she made her way to the classroom.

The entire classroom was doused with black clouds, dour expressions, and muffled anxiety. News of Lord Lonato's rebellion had escaped from the knights patrolling around the monastery and now the students huddled in small groups, discussing the repercussions of such a reckless move by a minor lord in their homeland.

"Is the Church really going to attack Lord Lonato?" Ingrid blurted from her seat behind Dimitri. "Why is this suddenly happening, anyway?"

"According to what the knights have been saying, Lord Lonato has been planning this for years already," Dedue commented, stern face more hardened than usual. "I'm afraid this is a premeditated attack against the church. Of course, we will have to retaliate back."

"You're right," Dimitri frowned. He glanced down at his lap, clasping his hands together. "We have no choice but to end this reckless rebellion. However, what if he had a powerful motive to do so?" He lifted his head up, eying his friends with a wistful look in his eyes. "Do we have any right to turn him in to the church?"

Felix scoffed from his position near the wall of the classroom. "Have you gone senile already, boar? It doesn't matter what his reasons are. As long as he's disrupting the peace in Fodlan, we have no choice but to strike him down."

"Felix…" Dimitri narrowed his gaze towards Felix. "Sometimes, you really are heartless, huh?"

Felix's eyes flashed predictably, and he leered at Dimitri. "Quite ironic to hear that from you, of all people, boar prince. Everyone fights for their own beliefs — including me and Lord Lonato. Eventually, you'll have to cross blades with those who think differently than you. If you don't have the spine to do that, then scamper away from the battlefield."

"Felix, that is enough!" Ingrid scowled, shooting up from her seat. "Why do you always have to pick a fight with his highness like that?!"

"Geez, everyone needs to relax," Sylvain complained, walking between Ingrid and Felix with his arms spread out. "We don't even know the details yet. Let's just wait patiently for our professor, alright?"

"Hmph," Felix grunted, turning his head away from his classmates.

"I wonder if Ashe is okay…" Mercedes mentioned, catching everyone's attention. "He still hasn't shown up today."

"Did he lock himself up in his room?" Annette frowned. "Maybe someone should go check on him after class."

"Knowing Ashe, I doubt he would accept the Church's decision so easily," Sylvain muttered, glancing out the window, brows creased with worry. "Lord Lonato is everything to him. If we have to join the battlefield this moon, I don't know how it'll affect the poor guy."

"You're right," Mercedes sighed. "Maybe we should all visit him after class. I can bring him some snacks and tea. Perhaps it'll help calm his nerves down."

Annette beamed at the suggestion. "Oh! That's a great idea, Mercie! Let's go to the dining hall and bake some treats for him. He has a sweet tooth, after all."

"I wish we could do more for him, though," Dimitri spoke softly, muttering under his breath.

The sound of boots clicking against the floor turned their attention towards the door. Byleth strolled in, pausing in the middle of the aisle as the students watched her every move, breathless. "I imagine you all have already heard of Lord Lonato's rebellion."

The silence was deafening as all eyes and ears turned in towards her.

"Lord Lonato was the aggressor. The church has assigned us to aid the rear-guards with the aftermath of battle. I do not expect us to join the battle itself. However, proceed with caution. It is a battlefield, after all," Byleth briefed as she walked to the front of the classroom.

Dimitri raised his hand. "Professor, may I ask a question?"

"Of course you may."

"Did Lady Rhea inform you of Lord Lonato's motives? I cannot fathom why Lord Lonato would indulge in such a reckless rebellion like this."

Byleth hummed in agreement. "I was actually about to ask you about that. Do you have any idea why Lord Lonato has started this rebellion?"

Dimitri frowned, shaking his head. "After the King of Faerghus lost his head, there have been many rebellions before. Even now, conflicting nobles and organizations still squabble over what power they can claim. However, Gaspard land is neither lacking in size nor resources."

Byleth pondered, rubbing her chin in thought. "So you believe he has a direct issue with the Church itself?"

"Well, that's… also sort of unbelievable," Dimitri stumbled over his words. "Few in Fodlan would ever transpire against the Church. It is almost unheard of."

"Does the church hold that much power in Fodlan?" Byleth blurted out without thought, and the students stared at her with horror.

"Um, professor? Perhaps you don't know this, but the Goddess Sothis blessed the lands of Fodlan. According to legends, we all owe our flourishing lives to her. It is only right that we revere the Church in response," Mercedes explained, sweatdropping. "I still cannot fathom how someone lived without interacting with any of the Churches in Fodlan before."

"Forgive me, but my knowledge is lacking in that aspect. I am, however, trying to discover the truth behind this incident to the best of my abilities," Byleth informed. "Regardless of what the church may want, I intend to consider this incident from every perspective." Then she paused, blinking rapidly in realization. "Ah, before I forget, there is something I need to inform you all."

Byleth cleared her throat once, gaze sharpening as she spoke to the class. "Ashe and Satiana will not be joining us for our mission this time."

At this announcement, the Blue Lions perked up.

"What? Did something happen to Ashe, professor?" Dimitri bolted up from his seat in alarm.

"Oh dear, perhaps he really is unwell…" Mercedes muttered, her head drooping to the floor.

"I can understand why Ashe isn't taking part since this incident is very close to his heart," Ingrid commented. "But why is Satiana also not present?"

Byleth motioned for her students to calm down with a raise of her hand. "Calm down. There is nothing wrong with Ashe. However, last night, he applied for an urgent leave with me. As his professor, I granted him permission to leave the grounds for this moon."

"Wait a minute…doesn't that mean…" Sylvain's eyes widened.

"Of course, he'd run back to his adopted father," Felix snorted. "He probably went back to Gaspard to find answers himself."

"Isn't that sort of dangerous? The Knights of Seiros are already waiting in front of the castle!" Annette yelped, face paling in horror.

"Professor, why did you allow him to leave?" Dimitri demanded, eyes blazing with fury. "What if he rebels against the Knights of Seiros to protect his father? You have put him right in the middle of danger! Do you realize that?"

"Then what should I have done?" Byleth turned the question back to Dimitri. "Refused his earnest request to visit his adopted father? Perhaps this is the last time they can talk face to face. Would it not be cruel to prevent him from talking to Lord Lonato?"

"I…well…you are right," Dimitri stammered, the heat dissipating from his forehead. "But it is still far too dangerous!"

"Of course, I am aware of that," Byleth responded sternly. "I cannot leave Ashe alone, even if he is simply visiting his adopted father. We don't know what the rebels may do to him if he refuses to listen to Lord Lonato. That is why I have taken precautions."

Felix jolted in his seat, eyes widening with realization. "Is that why Satiana isn't here?"

Byleth nodded. "I asked Satiana to accompany him last night. Or, really, it was Satiana herself who offered to join him. As you know, Satiana is still technically a member of my father's mercenary troop. Coincidentally, she was assigned a separate…mission near the borders of Faerghus and the Empire. And so I allowed her to accompany Ashe."

Brown eyes flickered and Felix spun his head around to meet Sylvain's knowing gaze.

"Anyway, that will be all the announcements for today." Byleth clapped her hands loudly, forcing her students to glue their attention to the front of the classroom. "I am aware of how anxious you all are feeling. However, for now, we should focus on the things we can do. Today, I will teach you the art of battalions…"

Although Byleth tried her best to keep the student's attention on the blackboard, it was hard to do so when all the students were wallowing in their own thoughts, worried about their friend's safety. Nevertheless, the rest of the class went fairly smoothly as the students eventually zoned in on the lecture, scribbling notes in their books.

The forest near the Oghma mountains was swaddled in a veil of white mist. Although the sun should've been high in the sky, one could hardly trace the round shadow through the thick fog. It was eerily silent, and the reason was obvious; there were most likely knights and soldiers hiding amongst the deathly vapor surrounding the area. To everyone who roamed through the vast rows of green, the fog acted like a defense wall against enemies.

Of course, it acted as the perfect disguise for Satiana and Ashe to sneak to Gaspard through the Magdred swamps.

"Do you need to take a quick rest?" Satiana asked from her position mounted on top of a horse.

Ashe followed closely behind her, the sound of hooves squishing against mud echoing through the silent forest. He shook his head in response. "It's okay. I just want to get to Gaspard as soon as possible," he replied, eyelids drooping from lack of sleep.

As soon as Ashe agreed to follow her to Gaspard, Satiana dragged him to Byleth's room. He didn't know what was more surprising: that Byleth was still awake, looking as focused as usual past midnight, or how Satiana coaxed Byleth into giving them permission to leave after much protest. Of course, their heated argument made Ashe feel guilty, but he was thankful that Byleth trusted Satiana enough to allow her to accompany him.

Or maybe Byleth knew nothing could ever stop Satiana once she settled on a decision.

They left right before dawn, hiding their figures underneath long, black cloaks that Satiana procured from her room. The journey was indeed tedious, especially because they galloped through the rainstorm the entire night till noon the next day. Although Magdred was famous for its impenetrable fog, Ashe had a feeling the storm only made it worse. If it wasn't for the horse they were riding on, Ashe wouldn't have been able to keep up with Satiana's pace. He could barely see anything past his own arm.

Really, he was glad Lord Lonato had taught him how to ride a horse before he joined the academy.

"Don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Satiana's voice reverberated through the mist, her breath sending wisps of white smoke scattering in the dampened air. "We're only halfway through the forest. At least I think so from what I can see."

"No need to worry about me. I'll be fine," Ashe replied confidently. He lightly shook his head, hoping to wake himself up from his post-sleep state. "Lord Lonato must be waiting for me."

Satiana slowed her pace down, combing the mane of her horse with her fingers, dragging its hooves backward. "By now, the church must've heard of his rebellion already. I hope we don't arrive too late."

At the mention of the word 'rebellion,' Ashe tightened his grip on the reins of his horse. "I still can't believe it. Why is Lord Lonato causing such a reckless rebellion like this? And why didn't he tell me anything?" He cleared his throat once, his voice growing hoarse from the cold.

Satiana spared him a quick glance, brows furrowed with worry. "Maybe he just wanted to protect you. Perhaps he didn't want to get you involved in his own agendas." She yanked on the reins, forcing her horse to leap over a giant puddle of water. "Speaking of which, would you mind telling me more about this Lord Lonato? I'm curious to know what kind of man he is," she switched the topic, eyes gleaming with genuine curiosity.

Now, this was a topic Ashe was glad to talk about. His brooding demeanor disappeared into thin air, a bright smile making its way up onto his features. "To me, Lord Lonato is both my father and my life savior. I look up to him." He paused, organizing the swelling emotions and warmth budding inside his chest. "I used to live on the streets. My parents died of illness and we lost our home, so I had to look after my siblings by myself. I even had to resort to thievery to make ends meet."

Satiana's eyes softened. "I see. You must have suffered a great deal."

Ashe smiled sadly at Satiana, though he appreciated her sentiments. "Yes, my life was indeed horrible back then. Perhaps horrible is an understatement. But everything changed after I met Lord Lonato. When I turned nine, I sneaked into a local noble's mansion, hoping to steal whatever I could get my hands on. The noble had many valuables, but what caught my eye was a book with a fancy cover," his voice trembled with emotion. "The knight in the illustrations was so impressive, I just couldn't tear my eyes away. Before I knew it, I grabbed the book and, well, you can imagine what happened next," he chuckled wryly.

"Lord Lonato caught you in the act?" Satiana asked, eyes staring ahead into the fog, lost in thought.

Ashe nodded. "Lord Lonato was really kind. He allowed me to take the book and even gave me some money. When I told him I couldn't read, he invited me into his mansion, along with my brother and sister. He taught me how to read. The only reason I made it here to the academy was because Lord Lonato recommended me. I owe him so much."

Satiana stayed silent as she listened intently to his story. She had a feeling that interrupting his thoughts would be incredibly rude, especially when Ashe was being so sincere about his feelings to a stranger like her.

"I want to grow up and become someone like Lord Lonato. I want to make up for all the bad things I've done. To leave this world better than I found it." Ashe closed his eyes, breathing deeply. When his eyes flickered open, they glistened in the darkened forest like jewels, sparkling with determination. "Lord Lonato gave me a chance to change myself for the better and I will do anything I can to repay his kindness. That's why I must ask him, see with my own eyes why he turned his blades against the Church like this. I wish to help him, just like how he held my hand when I was at my lowest."

Ashe lowered his burning gaze to the ground, staring holes into the ground. "He pulled me out of the darkness. This time, it's my turn to lend him a hand. If he has been misguided, then I need to lead him back to the right path."

Satiana stared at Ashe from behind her shoulder. A quiet contentment spread through her and a satisfied smile played on her lips. "Ashe, has anyone ever told you that you're a walking ball of sunshine?" She found the words tumbling out of her lips before she even had the chance to organize her thoughts.

Ashe's expression froze for a split second, his brain short-circuiting. As her words sank in, Ashe's cheeks bloomed a dusty pink. "H-Huh? Satiana, what are you even saying?" he sputtered, sweat dripping down his forehead.

Satiana chuckled at his reaction. "I'm being serious, Ashe. You just have this…soothing quality to you. You're always so optimistic and forward-looking. It's hard to be anxious around you." She paused, humming in thought. "At least when I'm with you, I find my thoughts clearing up. It's relaxing to have you around."

"O-Oh," Ashe meekly rubbed the back of his neck, laughing in response to her compliments. "I guess, thank you?"

"You should be proud of yourself, Ashe," Satiana continued. "Not everyone can be as strong as you. Some kids who were in the same situation as you would've never had the same revelation you did. Perhaps the harsh reality would destroy their lives forever — warp their mindsets to the point of no return." Her tone changed, voice lowered to baritone as her eyes darkened like polished coal. "I respect you, Ashe. Perhaps even look up to you."

For some odd reason, Ashe sensed with his empathetic heart and high emotional intelligence that Satiana was talking about herself. They had spent a month together as classmates, but he still barely knew anything about her. All the Blue Lions knew was that her village burned down four years ago in the tragedy and she became a mercenary afterward. Everything else about her was a mystery as cryptic as their stone-faced professor.

And every time they tried to grow closer to her, making casual talk about their hobbies and other light-hearted topics, she had a habit of moving away from them, steering the conversation to safer grounds for her. Of course, being the kind-hearted person he was, Ashe always gave her some space. Let her open up to them at her own pace. But Ashe could count with his fingers how many times he conversed with Satiana. All of those started with him initiating the conversation, asking her for tips and tricks with the bow and sword.

Perhaps it was time to push her a little. See where it took them.

"Satiana, from my eyes, you are the one who is worthy of respect," Ashe retorted with a pleasant smile. "You learned to survive as a mercenary at such a young age and you have a great sense of responsibility. You're always quick with the sword, and your abilities and keen judgments have saved us in battle many times now."

Satiana didn't spare him a glance this time, keeping her head directed forward, shoulders stiffening. "I'm not that amazing of a person, Ashe. I just did what I had to in order to survive."

There it was again, the way she constantly underplayed her own achievements. It was something Ashe noticed after observing her from a distance this past month. Even on the first day where she showed them a brilliant battle against Byleth, she acted as if it was to be expected of her — how good she was with the sword. When they complimented her, she'd shy away from the attention, throwing in a joke or laughing it off with a wave of her hand, eyes darting away from theirs.

Ashe didn't know why she was so averse to the idea of being complimented. True, he himself was also shy when placed under attention. But with Satiana, it somehow was different. It was in his nature to be modest, but Satiana was like a raging fireball. She had her bitter moments, but she easily got fired up and bam, she'd go, spitting sharp words at those who offended her. Satiana was bluntly honest without being unkind, knowledgeable without being arrogant, and she bulldozed her way through conversations.

And that wasn't the personality of someone who constantly berated themselves. Sometimes, it'd sneak out from underneath: the nervous and anxious child, the inner cynic within her. He wished he could help her somehow because that was what Ashe wanted to be — someone who could support others in their worst of times.

"I beg to differ," Ashe spoke with confidence, voice steady and clear-cutting. "If you're telling me to be proud of myself, then you should, too. Few can turn out as skilled as you. Besides, you have a strong sense of justice. Remember that merchant who was scamming the students a month ago? You let him go out of kindness."

"No, Ashe, it wasn't out of kindness. I was just…indifferent to it all," Satiana countered. "If you want to talk about kindness, look at yourself first. You're literally a walking definition of it." She laughed out loud, but the sound was dry and hoarse.

Ashe frowned, his heart sinking. "I'm sorry. The more I talk, the more I seem to offend you."

At this remark, Satiana finally whipped her head around to face him. For the first time in hours, he saw her face and felt a painful tug inside of him. This wasn't the girl who courageously grabbed his hand last night, dragging him to Gaspard with her. She looked absolutely crestfallen, eyes hollow, drained, and devoid of everything. The look haunted him, sending shudders down his spine, leaving him feeling helpless.

Really, what on earth had happened to this girl in front of him to reduce her to a shell of her former self?

"Ashe, you have nothing to apologize to me for. I'm not mad at you, nor do I dislike your company. I told you, right? Being with you makes my head clear up. So, don't worry too much about me. It's not you, it's me." She flinched at her own cliche remarks, but they were all she could offer him.

Ashe was being straightforward today. Satiana thought he was the timidest of the group, judging by how he always lingered behind the crowd, smiling at everyone from the shadows while supporting them from behind. He always backed away from a fight, refused to confront others, and chose to quietly endure everything by himself. But Ashe could be unexpectedly stubborn at times, now being one of them.

If Satiana was being honest with herself, she was the one who admired Ashe. He was so pure, good-hearted, and innocent it made her feel as if her sins were being cleansed just by living in the same air he breathed. But it only made her look like a monster walking in sheepskin in comparison.

She earnestly wished that one day, she could walk down the flower path with confidence like Ashe did. He believed not only in the good of others, but in himself. Ashe wasn't stuck in the past like she was; he trusted himself to change. And he believed this like he believed the sky would be blue tomorrow, like a truth he could always prove if he tried hard enough.

Satiana envied his certainty from the bottom of her heart.

"Then can you tell me more about yourself?" Ashe blurted out.

If her mood wasn't so dark, she would've snorted at his remark. Of course, leave it to Ashe to be so tactless with his words. He had no talent at interrogation — his words were just as straight-laced as his personality.

"I-I don't mean anything weird by that! I'm just curious about how you became so strong." Ashe fumbled on the reins, his horse neighing in response, kicking its hooves up into the air. He yelped, frantically trying to calm his horse down by smoothing its mane with his hands. "S-Sorry about that! Anyway, you don't need to tell me if you don't want to."

Satiana stilled in her seat atop the horse, her pace dropping slightly. "My story isn't anything interesting, though. I'm sure it'll bore you to death, unlike those valiant knights in the books you love."

But Ashe gave her a wonderful smile filled with warmth and understanding. "It doesn't matter if it's boring. I just want to know about the life you've lived, Satiana. You know, as a classmate and, well, friend."

Satiana blinked, stirring in her seat as she turned her head around to face him with a frown. "A friend? You consider me a friend?"

Ashe looked absolutely dumbstruck at her question, eyes bulging with confusion. "Huh? Are we not?"

The innocence with which he posed the question back to her made Satiana feel like she was the stupid one for realizing it so late. Of course, Ashe considered her as a friend. More like he probably never had a single enemy in his whole life.

Suddenly, Jeralt's warning from yesterday echoed inside her head. There it was again, her bad habit. She was choosing to run away from her classmate, moving a step back when Ashe took a step forward. Her inner cowardice reared its ugly head once again, but this time, she was self-aware to pause and think.

You need to stop running away, Satiana. He's offered you his hand already. Now, it's up to you to take it. Trust in yourself and others for once.

"Uh, never mind," Satiana deflected. "Anyway, I was being honest when I said my story would be boring. It's actually not that different from yours."

Ashe perked up, back straightening. "Really? How so?"

"Well, I also lived on the streets for most of my life," Satiana replied with a nonchalant shrug. "I'm an orphan. I don't know who my parents are but they left me at the…village since I was born," she chewed over a proper lie, mixing in slight truths. "Unlike you, I wasn't so lucky to get adopted by anyone. The village was poor and already in shambles, to begin with. I had to survive on my own. Things like stealing — even killing. I've probably committed more evil deeds than you have in your life."

Ashe's expression softened. "I see. So you had to resort to dirty tricks to survive as well."

"Ashe, we're not the same," Satiana scowled. "I killed to survive. That's much worse than stealing."

"Well, that's…" he trailed off, lips dripping into a frown. "Unacceptable, of course."

Satiana's lips twitched, curving upwards into a smile.

He really is such an honest fool.

"Now, do you understand? You asked me where I got my strength from," Satiana sneered at herself, shaking her head. "Well, that's the short answer. I got it by learning how to kill others to survive. To be honest, I didn't even need to kill them. Perhaps I could've asked them for help. But I didn't. I chose the sword as my way of speaking."

There was a slight pause in the conversation as Ashe listened intently in silence. She could feel his gaze boring into her back, and she shuddered imperceptibly.

A cynical laugh burst out of her chest. "Do you know how Jeralt ended up picking me up from the streets? I got myself hurt after killing someone to survive. It was probably divine retribution. I was swaying between life and death when I collapsed. Jeralt found me and ended up saving me. What do you think I did to repay him the moment I opened my eyes?"

Ashe didn't answer.

A part of Satiana wished the thick, misty fog around her would hide her hideousness from him — make him see her as something more than a disgusting, bloodied monster. But she knew better than to rely on things like wishes. The Goddess never answered her pleas, anyway.

"I tried to kill him," she answered bluntly. "My savior, the one and only person who tried to help bring me out of that shit hole called life I was drowning in. I turned my blade against him just because his righteousness pissed me off." She breathed a snarky laugh, chuckling at her own antics. "You told me I had a strong sense of justice. That is the most laughable thing I have ever heard in my whole life."

She shifted her head slightly, shooting a blank stare at Ashe. "So don't look at me with such admiration in your eyes. I don't deserve it, Ashe. I'm not a knight from one of your fairytales. I'm just a sewer rat who outlived her enemies for far too long."

Her confession stunned Ashe to silence. He genuinely looked speechless and lost as he opened his mouth to refute something, only to end up closing it again awkwardly. The wind picked up around them, sending thick swirls of white their way, and Satiana turned her gaze forward. "We should pick up our pace. We don't want to get lost in the fog after coming this far." She snapped her wrists, the reins smacking against the horse as it neighed loudly, forcing its legs to move faster through the mud.

"...Yes, of course," Ashe responded quietly, trailing behind her.

Now, she'd really done it. Smashed the fantasy to pieces, hurled the shards back at him, pierced him through the heart. Of course, she expected it. How else would one react to such a damning confession? Silence was the correct answer because there was no room for comforting or consoling. The truth was ugly, but it had to be said. She couldn't leave the poor boy in his make-believe world of fluff and sunshine any longer.

This is good. It's fine, Satiana. This is what you deserve.

But no matter what lies she tells herself, the stinging sensation in her chest wouldn't disappear. She wanted to be honest with Ashe, but at the same time, she feared his judgment. Yes, just like the hypocrite she was, playing hero when she was nothing but a villain.

But she had no choice but to bear the pain. Because she was a sinner. A murderer. A ruthless killer. And there would be no salvation waiting ahead of her.

"But you saved me."

Satiana froze. The sound of hooves digging into the ground and the howling wind against her almost made his words fall on deaf ears. The wind snatched softly at his muffled words, and she thought she was dreaming for a split second.

"I'm sorry. What did you just say?" She sputtered, eyes widening.

His voice made her heart more than ache. She couldn't turn around, not after telling him everything. She feared that if she did, she'd only see eyes filled with contempt and disgust, and the black hole that would form inside her would suck that spark of hope up, vast and crushingly destructive.

She couldn't bear the illusion of being forgiven. Not now. Not ever.

"You brought me here with you. You didn't have to, right?" Ashe spoke steadily, his voice piercing through the darkness swelling inside of her. "You received a letter from your friend about Lord Lonato's circumstances. And you remembered about me. I never told you about my relationship with Lord Lonato, but you remembered it somehow."

"That's true, but what does that have to do with anything—"

"It does, Satiana," Ashe interrupted sternly, raising his voice. "Because you thought of me. Even though we are hardly close, you still had the heart to think of my situation and came to tell me about the rebellion in the middle of the night. You were waiting outside my dorm room in the freezing rain, Satiana."

"Well, I…I just…" Satiana stammered, voice trembling.

"Of course, what you've done can never be forgiven. Even if it was for survival, it doesn't change the fact that you destroyed someone else's life." He then shook his head. "But that doesn't mean you don't have a good heart, Satiana. Even the worst of monsters have a beating heart."

Satiana stared, dumbfounded, in front of her as she listened to Ashe's rambling. "Ashe, I have to admit. You have a pretty way with words. But in the end, it changes nothing."

"Exactly!" Ashe raised his voice even higher. "Nothing you do can ever change what you've done. I also have regrets about the way I lived my way so far. I was really foolish. But I can't go back and apologize to the people I stole from now. Even if I want to, it's impossible to turn back time." He cleared his throat once. "That's why we have to try harder. Not for others to forgive us, but for ourselves. To grow into a better human being."

This time, Satiana turned to meet his blazing gaze. "Ashe…you…"

Ashe's gaze narrowed into a glare. "I want you to listen to me this time, Satiana. If you didn't call out to me yesterday, by now, I would still be stuck in the monastery. I wouldn't be able to see Lord Lonato unless I held up my lance with the conviction to kill him on the battlefield. That's not what I wish for. I want to talk to him again, and you're the one who provided me with this chance."

Satiana swallowed loudly, turning her head away from his warm stare.

Ashe pushed forward, realizing that his words were affecting her. "In this one instant, you saved me from despair. And I'm confident you've saved others unbeknownst to yourself. You've spent four years as a mercenary, right? I can't be the only one you've helped before."

Satiana's heart wavered, her mind replaying the events from four years ago. The times when she laughed alongside Jeralt, Renard, and Byleth. When Rodrigue asked for her assistance. When she broke Lysithea out of her cage. Helped her parents. Watched as Viscount Hyrm was slain. Destroyed the facility underneath Count Ordelia's House. Fought alongside the mercenary crew. Helping villagers along the way.

"Ashe…you…" she repeated, voice trembling harder with emotion.

"I won't allow it," Ashe snapped. "It doesn't matter what you've done in the past. It won't change the fact that you lent me your strength when I needed it most. Just like what Lord Lonato did. And I will believe in the kindness that I saw with my own eyes."

The fog thinned as they slowly parted from the forest, entering Gaspard territory. The misty clouds faded away, the bright sun shining strands of golden rays through the shades. In the far distance, an enormous castle emerged over the town. Satiana cast her gaze over the town. She could see families strolling down the streets, smiling and laughing happily, unbeknownst to the threat that loomed over them.

She found her lips tugging upwards. "Ashe, did you just yell at me?"

Ashe arched a brow, jaws dropping to the ground in disbelief. "Really? I tried my best to make you understand my feelings, but that's what you came up with in response?

Satiana chuckled, shaking her head lightly. There was no denying the spreading, numbing warmth inside her chest now. "You are a fool, you know that, Ashe?" Her words had no bite in them. "A gigantic big oaf. A giant teddy bear. A walking piece of candy. A gallant—"

"Okay, stop!" Ashe blurted out, halting her linguistic pursuit of synonyms. "What are you even saying right now?! I'm being completely serious, Satiana!" Ashe pouted, red cheeks puffing outwards.

"I know," Satiana replied. "Trust me. I know, Ashe," she repeated softly, voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia and mellowed down affection. "You're always so straight-laced, after all. You don't know how to make jokes. So I know you're being serious, Ashe."

Ashe frowned, lips puckering. "Now you're just making fun of me."

"I'm not, Ashe. I'm being genuine right now. For once, that is," she laughed wryly, sighing quietly to herself. "You really are something, you know that?"

Ashe paused, noticing the way her back straightened from behind. "Are you feeling better now?" he asked.

Satiana turned around to meet his warm gaze this time, staring straight into those lovely green orbs of his. She smiled sincerely. "A little."

Ashe blinked. Then he beamed. "That's great! I hope you stop being so hard on yourself, Satiana."

"Yeah, yeah, I know," she brushed him off with a light wave of her hand and turned her head back to the front, trying her best to ignore the prickling sensation crawling up to her eyes, the rising bubble of overwhelming emotions inside of her.

She sniffed loudly once, but Ashe, being the gentleman he was, pretended not to hear it.

I can never win against you, Ashe.

"Hey, professor!" Catherine's booming voice echoed down the corridors.

Byleth paused, raising her eyebrows in surprise. She was seated on a bench in the North Courtyard, munching on a stick of picked rabbit skewers she grabbed from the dining hall. According to her schedule, she had no classes to teach in the afternoon, so she took a long-deserved break instead, relaxing underneath the burning sun.

But of course, leave it to Byleth to attract strange individuals her way. Aside from Satiana, Byleth herself was a different kind of magnet for trouble. Whether it was the stray cats and dogs purring underneath her feet all the time or the horde of students begging her for a spar session, Byleth was oddly popular, despite her indifferent attitude. Her days spent at the monastery were halcyon and calm, yet busy in a weird way.

However, Byleth never thought Catherine would join her crew of fangirls and stalkers. After the standoff with Rhea and Seteth earlier, she didn't expect Catherine to be the one to call her over for a talk.

Byleth internally sighed, flicking the empty skewer into the metal trash bin beside her before she stood up, brushing the dirt off her cape. Catherine stood proudly in front of the training grounds, arms crossed, with a bright grin on her face. She appeared to have been waiting for Byleth to show up, judging by the way her grin shifted to a small smirk the moment their eyes met.

"So, you were waiting for me," Byleth stated flatly as she approached her.

Catherine shrugged nonchalantly, the lopsided smirk still plastered on her face. "Something like that," she answered. "It's been a while since Lady Rhea called me to the frontline. So I thought that my skills may have gotten a little…rusty." Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

Byleth shot Catherine an exasperated stare like she had the word liar printed in bold across her forehead.

"So, you're looking for a fight," Byleth deadpanned.

Catherine laughed, placing her hands on her hips as she swayed to the side. "That's not how I would've put it, but you're not wrong. Besides, I know you're interested in the hero's relic that I wield." She tapped her finger on the sword strapped to her hips. "There's nothing like firsthand experience. So, what do you say?" Her gaze narrowed, eyes gleaming with barely concealed bloodlust. "Care for a friendly fight?"

Byleth would've rolled her eyes if only she weren't surrounded by curious onlookers who watched the standoff with burning interest.

She knew Catherine wasn't looking for a sparring partner. Being a mercenary herself, she recognized that look of hunger in Catherine's eyes. There was arrogance hidden underneath her words and Byleth knew that Catherine probably thought she would easily mop the floor with Byleth, despite her reputation as the Ashen Demon. Byleth thought it would reflect badly on her if she lost in front of a bunch of students, but the mercenary spirit inside of her wouldn't let her refuse such a brazen attempt at provocation.

But she refused to be just a spectacle for Catherine and fuel for the gossip monkeys around her.

"...I'll fight you under one condition," Byleth drawled, taking a step forward.

Catherine's eyes flashed with amusement. "Oh? And what's that?"

"If I win, you answer questions I have regarding this incident with Lord Lonato," Byleth stated, cerulean eyes clashing with aqua blue.

Catherine's eyes widened in barely hidden surprise. "I didn't expect that from you, professor. Were you always this nosy about others? I figured you were more of a lone-wolf."

"Don't get me wrong," Byleth uttered. "I have no personal interest in this incident. However," she paused, eyes flickering to life. "I don't enjoy being lied to or kept ignorant. If I'm going to get involved, it's only right that I have all the information needed to make proper judgments. Don't you agree, Catherine?"

A tensed air permeated the duo as they stood staring at each other, reading the intentions behind each other's faces. Catherine's smirk eventually loosened into a frown. "Whatever gets you in the mood, I guess," she muttered. Then she beckoned with her hand. "Follow me."

Byleth strolled confidently past the growing crowd of students, heading into the training grounds. She closed the door behind her, hushing the wave of disappointment behind her.

"Hah! Are you afraid to lose in front of your precious students?" Catherine provoked her again with a mocking remark.

Byleth brows twitched slightly but kept on the blank poker face. "Indeed, I have a reputation to keep. But I hardly think you have the time to concern yourself with such things."

Catherine didn't let the underlying meaning behind her words slip. Byleth was obviously implying that she was going to emerge victorious. Catherine laughed out loud at Byleth's confident demeanor, eyes glinting like daggers. She licked her lips, a smirk plastered on her face. "I hope you will prove to be an entertaining foe, professor."

Byleth took a moment to analyze her opponent's weapon. The Thunderbrand dimly glowed red as if it were engulfed in flames, though the weapon wasn't giving off heat. Catherine raised it to shoulder level, holding the sword up with both hands as she slid her right leg backward, bending slightly into a comfortable stance.

Byleth slid her sword out of its sheath, holding the blade pointing forward at Catherine's face, eyes narrowed into a glare. Before she could make any further observations, Catherine darted forward. Byleth swung her arm with as much force as she could, her blade slamming into the glowing weapon. Her eyes widened as her balance faltered, her feet sliding backward against the ground.

True to its fame, the sheer difference in power between a Hero's Relic and a normal everyday-use sword was significant enough to send Byleth stumbling backward. The clash felt uneven, as if she had barely deflected a giant boulder instead of a sword. To Byleth's dismay, Catherine whipped the sword back, preparing to launch another thrust forward.

On pure instinct, Byleth shifted her weight to the soles of her feet, holding her sword horizontally with both hands as the blow crashed onto her blade, sending red sparks crackling in the air. She had no other option but to play defensively against the monstrous brute force. Catherine grinned, pressing down harder as Byleth gritted her teeth, arms shaking against the attack.

"Hey now, professor. Don't disappoint me…!" Catherine yelled as she swerved around Byleth, using Byleth's sword as a turning point.

Byleth's eyes widened, and she backpedaled in a hurry, raising her arm up to protect her head against the strike. The Thunderbrand crashed against her sword again and this time, Byleth's entire body flew backward, filling her vision with nothing but the rolling clouds and clear blue sky. Byleth pressed her hand to the ground and backflipped just in time to avoid another thrust aimed at her head.

Before Catherine could push her into a corner, Byleth found solid footing and rushed at Catherine with her blade raised up high. Catherine dodged easily, side-stepping away from the attack before she launched a relentless attack at Byleth's mid-rift. Byleth tilted her blade downwards, deflecting the blow. She rebounded, swinging her arm upwards as the Thunderbrand trailed after her movements, exposing Catherine's stomach. It was a split-second decision, but Byleth used her knee instead of her sword. The armored knee crashed against Catherine's armor, sending the sound of metallic screeching into the air.

But Catherine was like a solid fortress, unbudging and sturdy. In response to Byleth's knee-punch, she used her free arm to swing a brutal blow at Byleth's shoulder, shoving Byleth backward again for the second time.

Gravity took hold and all Byleth could do was release a haphazard swing in recoil. Catherine swatted away the blow with a light flick of her wrists before she rushed forward, launching a series of destructive strikes, refusing to give Byleth room to readjust herself.

Sweat poured down her face as they exchanged relentless blows at each other. Although Byleth tried her best, she was stuck in place as Catherine cut off all escape routes, swerving around to meet her every time she sidestepped away. Her options were rapidly dwindling and all Byleth could do was swing wildly against the force of nature.

Eventually, Byleth's grip on the sword loosened from the sweat, and her sword flew through the air, flying towards Catherine's face. Catherine gasped in surprise, eyes widened as she ducked down on reflex. But that was hardly enough to catch Catherine off balance as she shoved her shoulder right into Byleth's chest, knocking Byleth backward.

Byleth, exhausted and beaten, crashed against the ground on her back. She groaned, panting for air, the numbing pain rising up her spine.

"Hah…I see you aren't just all talk," Catherine complimented. She straightened her posture and stabbed the Thunderbrand into the floor with a giant grin plastered on her face. "You did fairly well for someone who's never fought against me before. I even had to use dirty tricks to win."

Byleth's brows twitched again, this time from annoyance and anger. Her gaze flickered up at Catherine's pompous, cocky face and she glared hard. "So, you were holding back?" she accused.

"Of course I was," Catherine replied, swinging her sword behind her shoulder. "If I seriously tried to win against you, your head would've gone flying by now. It's not like I can control my partner's destructive power, you know?" she guffawed.

Byleth went silent as she seethed in anger, her pride as a mercenary shredded to pieces. She found her lips twitching up into a smirk when a devious thought entered her mind. "I concede. This is my loss," Byleth calmly spoke as she lifted her back off the ground.

"You're right," Catherine smirked at her. "It's my win."

"Yes, it is," Byleth exhaled lightly, eyes twinkling with mischief. "For now, that is."

Catherine froze, her smirk stiffening. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What is that supposed to mean, professor—"

Sothis, can you hear me?

Time seemed to stop — the wind howling around them dissipating into thin air, the birds freezing in position like statues. Color faded from the world and Byleth's vision blurred, the scene rewinding backward in a rush like a broken record. Byleth memorized every move as time flowed in reverse, imprinting them into his mind like a searing wound. In this timeless moment, Byleth hurriedly searched for counter moves to all of Catherine's attacks.

Soon enough, the whirlwind faded away, and the scenery stilled. They had returned to the moment before the start of the fight where Catherine slowly raised her blade up to shoulder level, shifting her position downward.

Byleth didn't waste any time.

She made the first move, sprinting forward with lightning speed, thrusting the sword right up at Catherine's face. Just as she expected, Catherine's focus shattered for a split second as she shifted back in surprise.

Forget fighting her head-on. I can't give her room to start up her engine.

Their positions were reversed compared to pre-time skip with Byleth relentless in her assault — stabbing left, thrusting up, slicing down, stepping forward with each blow. Of course, Catherine responded with ease to each attack, the Thunderbrand acting like a giant shield with its sturdiness as she parried smoothly. But this was all playing according to Byleth's script.

Attack her mid-rift and she responds with a wide-angled blow to the shoulder.

Byleth gripped her sword tightly and slashed upwards in a wide arc with all her might, steel crashing against solid bone as the Thunderbrand sparkled, trailing upwards. She lifted her right knee, slamming it into Catherine's stomach. As predicted, a quick flash of gray blurred to her left and Byleth lifted her free arm up to guard against the punch.

Catherine was completely caught off guard this time, eyes bulging wide with shock.

If I respond with a slice, she'll block with the Thunderbrand and push me back with brute force.

Byleth's cerulean eyes flashed, the memory of their fight flickering in her head, and she sidestepped to the right instead, the Thunderbrand crashing to the ground beside her. With Catherine hunched down, Byleth swerved easily behind her and lifted her knee up to smash the back of Catherine's neck—

Her knee-guard collided with an armored arm and her eyes widened.

Of course, she's faster than me.

Byleth hopped backward, putting distance between her and Catherine. A lightning blur rushed past her and Byleth attempted to spin around, knowing that Catherine was already preparing a deadly strike behind her.

My experience tells me she'll slice before I manage to spin around. If so…

Byleth suddenly remembered a neat trick Renard once showed Satiana. Actually, she tried it herself against Satiana in their mock battle before, but it completely slipped her mind under the sheer amount of pressure Catherine was radiating. With a quick flick of her wrists, she paused mid-spin and tilted her blade backward over her shoulder.

If I know where the attack is coming from, there's no need to turn around and block it.

As expected, the Thunderbrand came crashing down behind her and Byleth blocked it neatly without sparing a glance over her shoulder. However, she miscalculated the sheer amount of strength behind Catherine's powerful blows and winced as her wrist bones creak in pain. With her sword-hand rendered immobile, the only option Byleth had was to use her feet.

She ducked down, swinging her leg in a wide arc behind her, aiming to knock Catherine off balance. Wielding the Thunderbrand came with one fatal weakness that Byleth finally recognized after turning back time; the sword was much heavier than the wielder. Although Catherine was nimble enough to dodge or repel quick blows and sturdy enough to withhold a fatal blow, her upward swings were much slower than her downward slashes.

This kick won't land, but it'll give me the window of opportunity I need to win…!

Byleth's legs crashed against armored boots, and she flinched in pain. Catherine didn't budge and held the Thunderbrand with both hands, stabbing the sword downward towards Byleth.

Byleth's lips twitched, visualizing her winning move in her head as she flipped her body, dodging the blow. The hero's relic slammed into the ground next to her neck as she released her sword, sending the hilt flying up parallel to the Thunderbrand.

The hilt landed with a hollow thud against Catherine's neck.

Time seemed to pause as the sword bounced off Catherine's neck, clattering down to the ground. Catherine stared heatedly at Byleth's satisfied face. Byleth picked herself up from her crouched position, standing back on steady feet as she brushed the dirt off her knees. She lifted her head to face Catherine's burning glare and felt her lips curling upwards.

"Just in case, I used the hilt of my sword instead of the sharp end," Byleth drawled calmly, voice steady this time without panting for air. "If that was an actual battle, it would've pierced your neck."

"...Hah!" Catherine released a breathy sound that escalated into a full-blown laugh. "To be honest, I thought the rumors were exaggerated when I heard you were a one-man army of some sort. Ashen demon, huh?" She stopped laughing, eyes staring at Byleth with amusement and admiration. "That name is certainly fitting."

"I could say the same to you," Byleth responded. "You're a formidable opponent. It was pure luck that I won this time."

Catherine blinked once, then twice. She ended up in another fit of laughter. "Geez, I didn't take you to be such a jokester, professor! Surely, you jest. You underestimate your own abilities, professor."

Byleth's blank face twitched imperceptibly as she resisted the urge to smile. "If you ask my students, they'll tell you I have a dry sense of humor." She then coughed into her palms. "Now then, Catherine. Will you keep up your end of the deal?"

Catherine sighed, rustling the strands of her hair. "Yeah, yeah. I know. You want to hear about Lord Lonato and his business with the church, right? I'll tell you. Just maybe, we can move to a more secluded spot."

Byleth exhaled softly, lips curling up into a small smile. "Well, you are lucky. I know a suitable spot to talk over some tea. Care to join me in the garden?"

For the third time that day, Byleth made Catherine double over in a laughing fit. From that day on, there was a new piece of gossip flying across the monastery: that the Ashen Demon actually had a gold sense of humor, even breaking through the legendary Thunderstrike Cassandra's wall of defense.