Lysithea sighed as she tried to lay herself comfortably in her bed as the Church bells outside rang, signifying noon. It had been a few hours since Seteth had left and yet he had left her with plenty to think about during that time.

For years she had been planning on graduating the academy, dissolving House Ordelia, and then moving to a quiet village to live the rest of her life with her parents in peace. She couldn't do that anymore though, not with the fresh reminder that those mages were still out there and that they could come for her at any time. She wouldn't be able to live in peace until they were all dead and at her current pace she had to accept the fact that she would never live to see it.

She had precious little time left and perhaps she was being selfish considering devoting it to vengeance. But was it being selfish to make sure that those mages would never do this to anyone else again? It would hurt her parents to have to watch her spend the remainder of her life on the pursuit of hunting them down, but how many other people would suffer if she just left them alone.

Running off and doing her own thing was an option. But then again what could she do by herself? The entire church had been hunting these people for centuries according to Seteth and even then, they failed to find them. They barely had any clue of where they were coming from despite recent events. Perhaps she would be best off working with the Church considering they shared a goal. That way Seteth would be satisfied, her parents would be able spend time with her as she worked, and she might be able to contribute in some way

It was these thoughts that were plaguing Lysithea up until she heard a stampede of footsteps rapidly closing in on her location.

Lunch time of course. And that meant the Golden Deer were coming.

They came in as a veritable storm, crowding around her and speaking over each other as they their way into the room. Somehow, they were all able cram themselves into the infirmary despite Manuela's objections. It was a bit packed… ok very packed but Lysithea didn't mind so much. She was quite glad she was able to actually see them all again.

She was especially happy when Hilda had brought her a piece of cake to feast on.

"Wow Lysithea, you're really getting into that cake," Hilda commented.

Lysithea was eating it shamelessly, she was shoveling down mouthful after mouthful of the creamy delight and her mouth was covered in cream.

"I needed something else to eat," Lysithea replied as she wiped her mouth. She was hardly worried about how she looked in front of them, not after the last Seteth special that Manuela forced on her previously. It was frightening how she had been able to finish the both of them without emptying her stomach or her bowels over the infirmary bed.

"I also have something for you," Lorenz said before offering a small box before her. Lysithea opened it up to find a pile of multicolored gummies underneath.

"Thank you," she replied before popping one into her mouth. Her face immediately scrunched up. It wasn't the worst thing she ate; nothing beat the Seteth special in that regard, but it certainly wasn't pleasant. "What are these?"

"Vitamin packed sweets."

"They're… gross"

"I sent for the finest in wholesome, healthy treats for you. I asked only for the very sweetest."

That was… surprisingly considerate. "Sorry Lorenz… this is pretty nice of you."

"It is," Claude commented to him. "I never thought you had it in you."

"As you have failed to see I am a paragon of nobility and an earnest gentleman. Of course, I would take the time to help a fair maiden in need," Lorenz replied.

Lysithea rolled her eyes. "I'm not a fair maiden, Lorenz… but thank you for being thoughtful."

"You're welcome and I hope you keep eating them. If you want a healthy body, then you need to start with what you eat."

"Lorenz… I don't think that's entirely necessary in my case."

"Nonsense. Your life isn't set in stone. There is nothing to say that you can't extend your lifespan and taking care of your body is the best way to start."

"I have to agree with Lorenz here," Leonie commented. "Good food and lots of exercise. There are plenty of ways to make sure that you live a long life."

"There is nothing much I can do, but I can at least pray to the Goddess for your health," Marianne said.

"You guys…" was all Lysithea could say.

"Think nothing of it Sis," Raphael's voice boomed in the small room of the infirmary, "We're friends after all. We take care of each other."

"You helped teach me to read, so if you ever need any help from me I'll give it to ya," Cyril said.

"Um I'm confused here. Why exactly are we worried about Lysithea's health?" Sylvain asked.

"I'm quite curious myself," Ignatz replied.

Lysithea turned to her friends in shock. "You never told him!?" Sylvain was understandable, but Ignatz?

"Well you wanted us to keep it a secret," Hilda replied.

"Raphael and I were also respecting your privacy," Lorenz replied.

Lysithea turned to Claude who had definitely figured it out at one point.

Her House leader shrugged. "I thought it would be best if they heard it from you."

Lysithea turned to Ignatz and then Sylvain. There really wasn't much point keeping this secret from them now… but that didn't make it any easier for her to say. She took a deep breath, tensed herself, and carefully considered her next words.

"I'm dying." It was a simple way of saying it, but it had its effect and led the way toward her explanation of the things that had been done to her. Of the experiments, of her two Crests, and her shortened lifespan.

Somehow, she was able to finish and they both ended up taking it as well as the rest of the class did when they found out. All she could be glad for was the opportunity to tell them herself rather than for them to find out against her will.

"Lysithea… I never knew," Ignatz replied.

"Neither did I," Sylvain said. "You certainly have more reason to hate Crests than I do though."

"It's not a competition Sylvain… but yes I don't see much benefit in having a Crest. I just don't like this system that's in place."

"I've never really thought about it until now… but yea there are some things wrong with how it works here," Hilda said. "What about you Lindhart? Aren't you obsessed with Crests?"

"I am interested with Crests as a subject. With how they exist, function, and might be used as tools. However as with any tool they can be abused, especially with those with less than good intentions. Which is why I and Hanneman are currently researching a way to remove and bestow Crests safely."

"Like I'm great with the first part, you can use my for your experiments if you'll help me get rid of my Crests," Sylvain said. "But after everything you've seen, why would you think giving them to people is a good idea?"

Lysithea also had a similar question.

"Because they still have their uses." Lindhart replied. "A Crest of Cethelean could be used to heal and save lives. A Crest of Blaiddyd could bestow strength to people that have an occupation involving heavy labor. We have a use for them."

"Won't parents just force their kids to have Crests then? Even if they never wanted it in the first place?" Sylvain argued.

"If Crests were available to everyone then the status and prestige behind them would fade. Nobles would no longer seek them apart from practical purposes. On that regard I would never force a Crest on someone who doesn't wish to have it which is why I'm also researching ways to remove them."

"I don't think nobles would appreciate that though."

"They wouldn't. In world where Crests are available to everyone, nobles would have to earn the positions that they keep in society, they could no longer rely on the prestige a Crest provides alone."

"That… is a very interesting way of thinking…" Lysithea commented between them. Though she hardly liked Crests she wouldn't be entirely against other people having them if they wanted. "Have you ever thought talking about this with Edelgard?"

"I have not. Why?" Lindhart asked.

"I just think she might be interested in it."

"Does she not like Crests too?" Sylvain asked.

"Just a hunch," Lysithea replied.

"What sort of hunch are we talking about here?" Claude asked. Of course, he'd immediately pounce when it came to information about Edelgard.

"Ask her yourself Claude."

"But she only ever seems happy around you or Teach. What do you think?" Claude turned to the Professor who stood in silence among them.

Lysithea had been quite happy to see him again, though he had stayed quiet to let the rest of the have class have their turns talking to her first.

"I think… that you are all thinking much about the future," the Professor replied. "That is good."

"For what? The future of Fodlan?" Claude asked.

"Yourselves. And the paths you might take. I look forward to watching all of you"

"We'll do our best to make you proud Professor," Leonie replied.

"Here here!" Raphael shouted.

The rest of the Golden Deer agreed. They would then spend the rest of their lunch idling in the infirmary and talking with her before the Professor finally chased them off toward their next classes. He stayed behind though as the rest of them left the room.

"Aren't you busy Professor?" Lysithea asked as he returned to his spot. She appreciated his presence, it was comforting and made her feel at peace, but she didn't want to be a burden to him.

"I am, but I'll always spare time for you."

"Because I'm your student?"

"Because I care for you."

Lysithea's heart skipped a beat. Had she heard that right? "Professor? What do you mean?"

"You are one of my students yes, but each of you means something different to me."

Lysithea gulped. "And what I am to you?"

"Someone I can trust and depend on. Someone who will always tell what they're thinking and is willing to voice their opinions if they think I'm wrong."

"Professor…" she never thought that the Professor had thought so highly of her.

"I have always had trouble interacting with people. It is something I'm learning even now, but I never had much trouble with you due to how expressive you are."

"Am I really that obvious?" Lysithea glanced away and tried to hide her red cheeks with her blanket.

"You are and that isn't a bad thing. I feel comfortable around you because you always let me know how you feel."

"I'm glad I could be… of service to you," she couldn't quite find the words to express what she was feeling right now.

"Even now, the way your face lights up, the way you're smiling under your blanket, it comforts me." The corner of the Professor's mouth lifted up ever so subtly.

"Please stop!" Lysithea covered her entire face with the blanket. She couldn't stand to see him.

"I apologize. I find your embarrassment amusing."

"You were doing that on purpose!" She dropped her blanket and stared at him with widened eyes. "You're awful!"

The Professor's mouth continued to hold a position which she realized was probably the equivalent of a large smile for him. "You're honest and I wish for you to continue being so for the days to come."

"Fine… but don't expect me to go easy on you."

"I'd expect nothing less."

"Lysithea."

Lysithea glanced up from the book that she had been reading.

"Edelgard. I see you've returned from your mission."

It was nighttime and the only light in the room was from the lamp next to her bed. Edelgard produced a large shadow behind her as she took a seat next to the bed. "I… heard about what happened to you from the others. If I was there sooner, if I had been aware of the terrible things that those people had been doing to you."

"It wasn't anything I hadn't gone through before… that you wouldn't have gone through before… I'm sorry."

"For what? You were the one who was tortured by them."

"For failing to kill them. They were right there and there was nothing I could do. They got away and are now doing the same things they did to us to others."

"Lysithea… you do not have to apologize for that. Just surviving and being here now is enough for me. I couldn't stand to lose another dear friend." Edelgard clenched a fist and her voice became firm. "I can assure you though, that one day they will all pay for what they've done to us."

"So you admit it. That they've experimented on you too."

"I do..." Edelgard stared into the distance as if recollecting what had been done to her. "I was the youngest of my siblings."

"And I was the oldest, funny how that works out… What color was your hair?"

"Brown. And I can assume yours was purple."

"It was… How did it happen to your family? Are you not the emperor's daughter?"

"My father could do nothing but watch as my siblings were sacrificed all in order to create a peerless emperor to rule Fodlan. He was but a puppet to the Prime Minister and his gaggle of nobles had the empire under their thumbs, he could do nothing to stop them."

"Just like my parents…"

"And your family were among the many other innocents that died as well due to this terrible process."

"And you are that emperor they sought."

"Indeed. Here I stand the fruit of their endeavors, Edelgard von Hresvelg… for as long as I still live."

In the end, Edelgard was the result of their experiments. Everything that had been done to her and her family was all to create the person in front of her. And yet Lysithea could hardly hold it against her. She too was victim of those mages; her family too had been left desecrated by them.

"So, you were their success everything that they worked for… Everything that they worked for, their one success…"

Why did those words sound so familiar to her? It was something Lysithea had heard before, something to do with those mages when she had been captured.

"Lysithea are you alright?"

"No…" she gripped her head and shut her eyes. "I need to remember something but… I can't." All she got from trying to recollect that time was pain and a black haze over her memories.

"Don't force yourself."

"I have to remember it has something to do with the people that did this to us."

Lysithea felt a hand on her shoulder. She opened her eyes and found Edelgard hovering closely above her.

"You have been through something truly terrible. If your mind doesn't wish for you to remember it, then perhaps that is for the best," Edelgard told her.

"Bu-"

"Please just rest, for me. If it is truly important to you then you'll remember eventually."

"I guess… you're right. I'm just worried I won't have the time left to remember."

"I understand, but it would be no good to rush and hurt yourself in the process."

Edelgard would understand, wouldn't she? She too had a shortened lifespan due to the experiments done to her. "How many years do you have left?"

"Enough to achieve my goals… but more than the ten years you have," Edelgard admitted.

"Five."

Edelgard's eyes grew wide at the information. "What?"

"Those mages lied to me the first time. Five years is the actual estimate… I only have five years left."

"That can't be, I would've known"

"How would you know?"

Edelgard paused as she realized what she had said. She quickly composed herself and her voice was stoic once more. "From Linhart and Hanneman's research notes. They have substantial information on you."

"Well I won't ask when or how you got your hands on that information, but I can assure you that I only have five years."

"That's… barely any time."

"I know."

They both had shortened lifespans but Edelgard had considerably more time than she had. There was a part of Lysithea, a rather disgusting part admittedly, that was actually jealous of the extra time the Empress had. In the end though, the person in front of her was probably the one person that could actually understand her.

"Lysithea… what do you think about Fodlan?"

"What about it?"

"This cycle where the strong oppress the weak. Where Crests are tools for aristocracy abuse their power."

That was one way to put it. It certainly wasn't a pretty picture, but it was one that Lysithea certainly agreed with. "I hate it… I truly hate it. I hate what Crests have done to me and this world. How people can say it's a gift to have them when they're killing us."

Edelgard leaned forward and put a hand on her shoulder. "Lysithea imagine a world without Crests, where nobles will no longer enjoy the status they enjoy because their bloodlines carry Crests. What do you think about that?"

"It would be a dream come true… Edelgard are you planning to create this world?"

"I am… and I am offering you a position at my side to see this world that you and I will create."

There was something familiar about those words, something that Lysithea had to remember. However, Edelgard was right, it wouldn't be good to push herself now. Besides she had other things to consider now.

For one Edelgard had presented another option for her, one that was perhaps even better than assisting the Church. Lysithea enjoyed Edelgard's company and working with her seemed like a natural conclusion, however there were certain qualms that she had with her offer. Mainly how little time the two of them had.

"You must realize that I'll die before it comes to pass, that I'll never see this world you're trying to create. It would take too many resources, too much time that I don't have. I'm not entirely certain that you would have the time either." Lysithea wasn't against what Edelgard was saying but she had to be logical about it. "The nobility are stubborn and this system has been in place for centuries. It will take a lot to convince them to change, if it's not impossible with the time we have left. Our best bet would be to have people carry on our wills after our deaths."

"You're correct in that the conventional methods won't be enough to get them to change," Edelgard admitted. "But what if there was a way to change it now? To create a world that you and I will be able to witness during our lifetimes?"

"Then I might actually do it… provided I actually have the time do so. There's still so much that I have to do personally before I can consider trying to change Fodlan as a whole. What do you have planned?"

"There is much that needs to be done and too many risks I have to take into account before anything is certain."

"Is it a risk telling me about it?"

Edelgard shook her head. "Once everything is certain I will tell you, all I ask is that you stand by my side when the time comes. In exchange I will help you with everything that you wish to achieve as we go on a path to create a new world."

Creating a new world. A future. Even if it wasn't one she'd live to see, it was an appealing prospect to Lysithea. "That is certainly a very interesting offer you've extended to me."

"Then will you join the Black Eagles?"

It wasn't a surprise that Edelgard would want her to join the Black Eagles and it was something that Lysithea had considered at one point. "If you had come to me with this a few months ago I would've jumped at the chance to join your class."

"But now?"

"I have the Professor and the rest of Golden Deer. After all we've been through, I can hardly abandon them now." It was true, she had somehow gotten attached to all of them. She owed it to them and herself to stick with them at least while they were still students. "I have to be with them until we graduate. After that though I'll be free to work with you."

In the end working with Edelgard was perhaps the best option, though she would have to postpone doing so until graduation.

"Graduation… is quite a long ways off," Edelgard commented.

"Really? I'd say half a year is an incredibly short time."

"Not for us though. Not for what we have to do…"

"Maybe, but I'm willing to spend that time as a student. It is time well spent, especially with the people here that can help. Did you know that Lindhart and Hanneman are trying to create a world where everyone has a Crest?"

"They are?"

"They are… though if you think about it a world where everyone has a Crest isn't that different from a world without Crests. Distinctions between nobility and commoners, at least in bloodline, would disappear in either case."

"That is true... perhaps that is another way of going about this."

"Which is why I think you should try to work with them, along with the Professor."

"The Professor? Why would I need him?"

"Don't act coy with me Edelgard. You clearly care about him and value him enough that you've invited him for tea on multiple occasions. You want to walk alongside him… as do I."

"Is that what he wishes though? A world where this system no longer exists? He seems quite involved with Rhea after all."

"From what he told me, all he cares about is the welfare of his students. He doesn't care about politics he just wishes to see us grow and decide our future for ourselves… He's even trying to find a way to remove my Crests."

"He is?"

"He promised me that he would, and he would certainly do the same for you."

"Lysithea… he's a great man but do you really think he could achieve what you, I, and many others have failed to do for so long?"

It was an easy doubt to have, one that Lysithea herself constantly struggled with.

"I do… I have faith in him Edelgard. It wouldn't hurt for you to have that same faith in him too. I know it's probably stupid for either of us rely on this absurd hope, but maybe that's what we need in our lives."

"Perhaps…" Edelgard stood up with a troubled look on her face. "You've given me quite a lot to think about."

"Talk to the Professor, I'm sure that he'll be able to help you."

"I will. Thank you Lysithea."

It was a strange morning for Lysithea to find Felix sitting in the infirmary with her. It was made even stranger when he remained silent and stayed silent at the corner as Manuela did a quick check up on her and brought her some food. It wasn't until after she had eaten, and the tension had become nearly unbearable that Felix finally decided to speak.

"You're awake."

"I am… I heard that you worked with the Professor to rescue me. Thanks"

He grunted. "Don't thank me. I hardly did anything. Catherine and Shamir were the ones to get you out."

"I still appreciate it and I also you appreciate you getting Flayn to safety like I asked."

Felix's face suddenly turned grim. "What were the hell were you thinking back there?"

"I did what I thought was best. Better just me than all three of us getting captured," Lysithea replied calmly. She had a feeling he would be mad over what happened.

"You became their toy, their experiment. Look what they did to you."

"I'm well aware, which is why I stand by my decision. I refused to let that happen to you or Flayn too."

"I would've been fine."

"But Flayn."

"We could've fought our way out."

"And risk all three of us dying?"

"Better than you willingly sacrificing yourself for a pointless cause. You did it out of a duty to Seteth when you should've been thinking about yourself."

"I didn't do it just because of Seteth, I did it to protect my friends and that isn't a pointless cause," she raised her voice against him. "If you're going to act like a jerk about it then next time I'll leave you behind but I wasn't going to let that happen to Flayn."

She wasn't actually being serious about that… but damn it if Felix wasn't infuriating to deal with at times. How did Sylvain and Ingrid deal with him?

"… Fine I was wrong about you, but you still need to value your life more."

"I can assure you that I won't pointlessly toss it away but when I have to compare it to yours and Flayn's… well I say I made a good trade."

"Why would you say that's a good trade?"

Lysithea stayed silent.

"Because you don't have much time? It was something I heard you commenting about in the past," Felix continued. "Five years? Is it because of the Death Knight or something else?"

"Something else. A person shouldn't have two Crests. Their… my body can't handle it."

"I see. So, what makes you stronger is killing you.

"I'm strong because of the effort I put into my studies and training," Lysithea replied bitterly. "Night upon night I have toiled to get where I am now. I thought you of all people would understand that."

"You misheard me. I said that they made you stronger, not that you weren't strong in the first place. It certainly isn't a strength worth having if it degrades your body like that."

"Hmph I'm glad you see that."

"Why do you gather this strength though. What do you wish to achieve with it?"

"For my parents to live in peace, for my friends to move on after my death, and vengeance against the people that did this to me."

"Can you do all of that in five years?"

"I don't have much of a choice. I have to do what I can with what little time I have left."

Felix stared at her carefully for a few moments, as if too scrutinize her, before speaking once more. "Get stronger with the time you have left. If you ever have need of my blade, I will give it to you." With that he turned around and left the room.

That conversation had only taken just a brief moment and yet it had completely drained her. Uh… and she still had to bake him a cake later. She couldn't leave that promise unfulfilled after all.

Felix made his way to the dorms, toward the Professor's room.

He owed a debt he intended to repay. The only way to that was to be stronger… stronger than her, the Death Knight, and everything else that stood in his way. Strength was everything, in the end it was all he could rely on.

He didn't care what the Professor said. He would demand a transfer into his class and toss away everything that held him back, even the Blue Lions if need be. If being truly strong meant becoming a demon, then he would become one.

Felix had just arrived at the dorms though when he had heard a voice coming out of the greenhouse. The voice was bright and cheerful and letting loose a song. It was a childish song with silly little verses and plenty of rhymes but something about it tugged at him. The song stopped him at his feet, and he stood to listen.

"Today's dinner is steak and then a cake that's yummy yum… Now it's time to full my tummy tummy tum…"

Felix turned around his previous intentions forgotten. That song was so stupid and silly… but he quite liked it.

"Oh, this mountain of sweets, and treats that I long to eats… Oh, stacks of steaks and cakes and crumbs and yums…"

He made his way toward the Greenhouse. It wouldn't hurt to see if the singer wouldn't sing another song. Just for a moment at least.