Chapter Five: The Time Pulse
Author's notes:
The end of the Skirmish, with a twist!
lychee-ran: Muahaha! I hope you enjoy the love rivalry! (Still figuring out how it will unfold though...)
'...huh...so there was no pain once you died...and apparently the world beyond was imbued with a warm green glow. Curious, isn't this the same serpentine light as in my drea…'
"Honestly!" Huffed a familiar voice from above. "What are you accomplishing with that little stunt?!" the voice continued to chide as Byleth spun around as spotted the little girl perched upon her throne. Her green brows wrinkled with annoyance as she added, "It's like you're trying to get me killed, you fool!"
"I'm sorry?" Byleth apologized, but was utterly confused about why she was even apologizing to the little girl from her dreams for? Wait, if she were truly dead...then why was she dreaming?
The little girl rubbed her face with her hands, as if it would actually wipe her frustration away. "It's okay," she sighed. "But really, if you don't know the value of your own life, then you're not going to protect it very well, are you."
Byleth just stared up at the little girl, seriously this was just confusing.
"Had I known you were so eager for death I would have urged you follow another trade, maybe being a baker...but knowing you, you'd probably just find another way to kill yourself," the little girl sighed again before coming to a final decision. "Well then, I guess it's up to me to guide you from now on. Right?"
"Uhhh…" was the only sound that escape Byleth's mouth as the mounting energy from the little girl almost felt tangible.
"You can call me Sothis, but I'm also known as 'The Beginning,' she proclaimed proudly to the young woman before she paused and looked thoughtful. "How...why...did I just realize this," a sudden look of confusion, that matched Byleth's own feeling, dampened the little girl's face.
"I guess these are confusing times for both of us," Sothis lamented. "Well, at least I can explain our current situation for you. I have halted time itself to save your life," she stated as if this was a simple thing to do.
Sothis saved her life? Then Byleth wasn't dead and had somehow entered a state of dreaming. "Thank you," the young woman replied sincerely.
Sothis peered thoughtfully down at the young woman and smiled softly, before nonchalantly adding, "Well, I did deem you worth saving, after all. Now...to just turn back the hands of time," Sothis mused as she waved her hands to create a magical golden pattern of moving circles, words in a language Byleth could not decipher, and an unusual symbol at its center. "And now to send your troublesome self back just a tad."
Once again Byleth felt the solid ground beneath her feet give way as she began to fall through the air.
"Just try not to make it a habit to be a pin cushion!" Sothis yelled after the young woman, before fading into the darkness.
'Gasp,' Byleth opened her eyes to find herself looking up at the young fair haired man.
"Yes, let's work together to drive out these thieves!" The prince remarked just as he was about to raise his lance into the air. As Byleth was now ready for what was about to come, she pushed Dimitri immediately out of the way and turned to face the known.
Dimitri on the other hand was in shock! Surely in no way he had offended the young woman so that earned him such a forceful push to the ground. The prince lifted himself up and was to rebuff her action, but his tongue was stilled at the sight of her calculated movements. She raised her sword securely to shoulder height, the blade pointed forward towards the trees.
"ARRRGHHH! I'm gonna kill you where you stand!" Roared a hulking figure as he broke through the treeline like a raging bear. No doubt this was the bandit leader from the looks of his superior weapon and armor.
"You!" the man seethed as he dug his heels into the ground to come to screeching halt feet away from the young woman. His dark eyes widened in recognition, "The Ashen Demon," he snarled as he gritted his teeth. "I'll make that face of yours scream in pain!" He roared as he lunged forward, bringing his great axe down. The young woman met him halfway. "Gurgh!" the bandit leader groaned as sharp steel tore through his warm flesh. And as the man fell forward onto the ground, the blade tore through his back.
Dimitri didn't even realize that he had been holding his breath as he watched the young woman push the body over onto its side, and with an effortless tug, pulled out her bloodied sword. She turned to gaze towards Dimitri, her face stoic and peppered with drops of crimson blood.
It was then the prince finally saw through that day dreamy look for what it truly was, the face of a stone cold killer, the Ashen Demon. Dimitri had heard stories about such a person. A mercenary who cut foes down without even batting an eyelash. Who left the battlefield strewn with bodies without a hint of remorse. The one rumored to have a heart so cold that it didn't even beat.
And here she stood, bathed in the moonlight and blood...
More rambling notes from the Author:
So I hope you liked my take on the skirmish, wondering how Dimitri's and Byleth's relationship will go on from here huh?
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise, Intelligent Systems Co., and Ninetendo's exceptional work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness.