Ch 30: The Blue Lions are in

😊✨ I hope you will enjoy this chapter! Thank you for continuing to read this story! 💮

"I remember you…"

Sylvain whispered into the silence, as his warm cider brown eyes locked with brilliant ruby ones. His voice grew stronger as he remarked, "We met in the forest of Faerghus. I was chased by my brother, and you helped me hide from him."

Hapi kept her face stoic as she slowly walked towards him. Then there was a curious expression upon her face as she stopped a foot before him and inquired softly, "What else do you remember?"

Sylvain raked his hand through his tousled red hair and sighed, "That's apparently it."

"Then that's a good thing," Hapi concluded flatley, her face returning to its apathetic expression, and she brushed past him.

However Sylvain quickly grabbed her arm. "Wait!" He pleaded, and Hapi turned her crimson head back to look at him, eyes wide in surprise.

Suddenly a memory flooded Sylvain's mind…It was a warm summer's day and he was eagerly waiting just outside the castle gates, rocking back and forth upon his feet. The great church bells had tolled for midday, the time Hapi said she would arrive, however so far he had not caught a sight of her between the crowd entering and leaving the castle. Sylvain stopped rocking as a thought crossed his mind, maybe she wasn't going to show up after all…and the negative thought caused him to look down at his polished shoes in sadness.

"Pssst," a soft yet urgent voice called to him. "Pssssst."

Sylvain turned his head towards the voice and spotted a dark green hooded figure peering out from around one of the walls. "Oh!" Sylvain remarked in surprise as he saw Hapi's face from under the hooded cloak. A bit odd, but he quickly pushed it aside as glee filled him at the sight of his new friend. "Come on!" Sylvain eagerly motioned with a flapping hand as the girl moved towards him with unsure steps, looking anxiously about the bustling crowd. He wondered if this was a lot of people for her. "Here take my hand, that way you won't get lost," Sylvain prompted with his small hand outstretched.

Hapi looked down at his palm, seemingly uncertain whether to take it, until she placed her warm tan hand upon his pale one. Sylvain grinned merrily and beckoned her into the castle grounds. He watched as Hapi's mouth fell open at the grandeur of the castle. Smiling, Sylvain already knew of places he wanted to show Hapi, like the most popular bakery at the market, the puppet show near the royal gardens, and then the grand fountain at the castle square.

The pair enjoyed various baked confections until they felt their bellies would burst. They laughed until nearly in tears at the funny puppet show. And at the grand marble fountain, Sylvain gave Hapi a coin to toss into the waters for her wish. He watched as Hapi closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, then tossed the coin into the air and splash into the crystal clear water. Sylvain wondered what Hapi wished for…

However when the musical church bells rang for the third hour, Hapi had to make her way back to the castle gates. "Will you be able to come again?" Sylvain asked hopefully back at the castle entrance.

"Yes," She quickly replied enthusiastically. "This was a lot of fun. Thank you Sylvain!" Hapi cheered, looking truly happy. And seeing her so bright made the boy smile merrily in return.

In contrast, the present day Sylvain frowned in confusion. That memory was a very pleasant one, so why was Hapi acting in such a way? Had he done something disaterious? Had he pushed her away…"Hapi, did I hurt you?" Sylvain cautiously asked as he gently released her arm. His warm cider brown eyes searched brilliant ruby ones for an answer.

Her surprised expression softly turned thoughtful, then sorrowful. "No Sylvain," Hapi murmured. "You never hurt me, but I…I hurt you," She confessed, and quickly turned to hide her expression as she briskly strode away. The young woman passed by the stack of crates where Ingrid and Felix hid, both stunned at her declaration.

Sylvain sighed deeply before calling out, "You guys can come out now." And as Ingrid and Felix walked towards him, the redhead arched a brow at them before asking, "So what warrants the snooping?"

Felix huffed as he was pulled into this escapade against his will, as per usual.

While Ingrid wore a serious expression as she stated, "Sylvain, I think it's best you stay away from Hapi."

"Oh? And what makes you say that? Do you remember her?" Sylvain asked with both brows now raised as his hands settled on his armored hips.

While Felix shook his head, Ingrid remarked with slight uncertainty, "Well, I don't remember the particulars, but I feel it in my gut that something bad happened and she was involved."

Sylvain let out a crass snort at the evidence Ingrid presented. Causing the blonde to bristle in response and declare in a stronger voice, "And she even stated it herself just now, that she had hurt you!"

Sylvain waved off her worry and accusation with his hand. "Whatever," he sighed as he began to walk back towards the marketplace. "It's clear she wants nothing to do with me anyway, so nothing to worry about." The redhead shrugged as Felix and Ingrid silently followed after him.

Meanwhile, Byleth and Dimitri had stayed behind unlike the rest of the class. The prince finally rested his neck from gawking up at the architectural marvel that was the Abyss. Now he surveyed the denizens of this sanctuary. It was just as Balthus described, a safe haven for the elderly, infirm, orphans, and lost souls. The citizens were just looking for a harmless place to call home. Dimitri felt keenly for them, but what of Byleth?

"So what do you think, Professor?" The prince inquired as he turned to look at the young woman. Byleth was also observing the crowd until his question made her gaze back at him. "This is a most…unique, yes, unique town is it not?" Dimitri's expression softened as he added, "Incredible really, that those who faced oppression on the surface are able to find sanctuary here." Suddenly, movement upon one of the stacked crates caught his blue eyes causing him to walk over and investigate what it was. "Oh! Professor look!" Dimitri noted in excitement as he held up a mass of black fur and large orange eyes. "It's Loog!"

"So this is where you've been going," Dimitri murmured to the puddle of fur he cradled in his arms. Indeed the black kitten had grown a bit, good, the prince had grown worried after not seeing the creature for a while. "Pet him Professor, he's so soft," Dimitri gushed.

Byleth outstretched her hand, hesitant at first, then gently petted the kitten. Admiring the feel of his warm fur and deep rumbling purrs. "He is soft," Byleth murmured, a warm look of content upon her face.

"Yeah," Dimitri breathed, though he was now observing Byleth's expression. Was it possible for someone to look so…angelic? Like one blessed by the soothing touch of the Goddess? The only person who came close to such a visage was the Archbishop herself…but…no it couldn't be, Dimitri was just concocting the resemblance in his mind. Both just had this saintly aura about them.

But the spell was broken as the young woman recalled the task at hand. "We should regroup," Byleth stated as she looked at Dimitri. The warm content had faded back into her smooth mask-like expression.

"Very well professor, I will round up as many classmates as I can and meet you in the Ashen Wolves classroom," Dimitri stated while cradling the purring kitten in his arms. Byleth gave him an acknowledging nod, turned, and walked away. The prince watched her, wondering what the professor's answer to Yuri would be.

"Maybe I'll see you on the surface Loog?" Dimitri cooed before setting the ball of fluff onto the ground. The kitten meowed loudly as it squeezed its eyes closed, before scampering away. "I'll take that as a yes!" Dimitri called after the creature before it disappeared from sight.

Soon all the Blue Lions converged together, however the room they found themselves in felt more like a military command center than a classroom. There were hand drawn maps strewn about, caches of supplies, people bustled about exchanging news, and at the center were the Ashen Wolves. Yuri was surrounded by whispering rogues. Balthus examined the weapons collected and tossed out the damaged ones. Constance furiously drew upon a large map with a feather quill. Meanwhile Hapi updated a chalkboard at the front of the classroom.

Dark steel blue eyes investigated the counts upon the chalkboard. Enemies engaged 50, Enemies downed 30, Personnel injured 12, Personnel lost 20, Civilians injured 17, and Civilians lost 28. Hapi erased the old number next to enemies sighted and wrote 75…'Attrition,' Byleth recognized. The enemy grows and whittles away at the Abyss.

"We'll discuss that another time. For now, tend to your mission," Yuri directed the remaining rogue. Upon seeing his man's hesitation, Yuri added in a kinder voice, "Don't worry. No one will die. We'll get everyone out safely." Heather hued eyes turned to gaze at the Blue Lions. "So, you have all come," Yuri stated thoughtfully. "We were just heading off to ambush our attackers. You'll all help with that, won't you?"

Byleth tilted her head questioningly, "You are luring the enemy underground?"

Yuri's keen eyes gleamed as he placed both hands upon his hips. "Why yes, launching small counterattacks on the surface won't accomplish anything. It could also earn us the scorn of the church if things…get messy…which it will."

'This one has quite the tactical mind,' Sothis whispered wisely into Byleth's mind. 'Quite the schemer. Take care around him Byleth…'

Yuri frowned as he seemed to have lost the professor's attention. She seemed more busy with her own thoughts than in awe of his brilliant plan. "Ahem," the young man coughed loudly, shaking Byleth out of her deep thoughts and back onto him. "So we are going to lead them underground, before taking them out. I have the perfect spot planned. But I can understand if such things would be unsavory to your cubs, not to you of course." Now he could see that he had the professor's full attention as something shifted behind those dark steel blue eyes.

"Hey now," Balthus interjected with his booming voice as he strode over to join the conversation. Mirroring him, both Hapi and Constance joined in as well. Balthus crossed his burly arms over his heavy chain linked chest as his booming voice added, "Admit it, pals. You're knee-deep in this, just like us. There's no turning back now, right?" The young man added as he un-crossed his arms and gestured towards them.

"Of course not!" Ashe piped up from Byleth's side. "If there's any way we can help your cause, we won't turn our back on you

"That's right," Dimitri added from Byleth's other side. "We will not stand idly by while danger befalls the innocent people of Abyss. Right Professor?" The prince asked as he looked towards her.

Suddenly all eyes were upon Byleth. She felt for the Ashen Wolves and the plight of the Abyssians. However, this would be very dangerous for her cubs. They still needed to develop their skills, they still had so much to learn. Then Jeralt's warm words from a long time ago, amidst their own hardships, echoed 'There is no growth without adversity, even a seedling must survive the harshness of the world in order to bloom.' Byleth inhaled deeply, and announced, "The Blue Lions are in."

"An excited lot of you to rush headlong into danger," Hapi frowned as she surveyed the Blue Lions, an edge in her tone as her eyes fell upon the other redhead. "Fine then. We could use more bodies to throw at our enemies. Thanks for volunteering," she shrugged.

Sylvain frowned at Hapi's remark, and the sharpness in her voice. And without a second thought the young man added, "You know, if we can capture even just one of the enemy, we might be able to learn their motives behind the attacks." But Hapi was back to ignoring him, which he found more irksome than he would like.

"Hey now there's an idea!" Balthus cheered loudly as he clapped his armored hands together. "Alright! I'm feeling pumped! Let's get to it!"

(AUTHOR'S NOTE)

Alrighty! We get more insight into Sylvain's and Hapi's past. I'm excited to reveal more on that, but first things first, we got to introduce Aelfric!

ʕ⁎❛ᴥ❛⁎ʔ Kudos are always appreciated and comments fuel my writing muscles! ʕಠᴥಠʔ

(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.