At the highest floor of Garreg Mach Monastery's central building, Seteth had arrived. He steadily walked up all the flights of stairs he needed to traverse and stood perfectly still in front of a certain locked door.
His eyes targeted the wooden construct before him. Then, he released an exhausted exhale. A fist of his own creation knocked on the door.
"Rhea," he called. "We need you. Garreg Mach needs you. We cannot afford to have you hide away like this!"
Knocking from the male Nabatean became more intense. It sped up after every hit that landed upon the door. Seteth's face grew increasingly desperate as more time passed without a response from the person he was hoping to speak with.
"This is no time to chase after something that is so far away!" Seteth continued, the sound of his knocks reverberating into the makeup of the wooden door. "Rhea, you must stop. Whatever it is you are attempting - you cannot be having any success. Or else you wouldn't continue to lock yourself away with that man. So, please…"
Another handful of knocks.
"Stop. For all of our sakes. If just for a moment." Seteth paused. "There are matters occurring in the present that require your intervention. If you do not tend to them, you may no longer be able to look to the future in the same way you are now. Which is why you must stop."
He persisted with his banging on the door. Seteth kept at it, never halting or slowing his efforts in any way. He continued to grit his teeth, to clench his free hand. To hope that his words would reach his ally behind the door.
Even as doubts wormed their way into his mind, he kept knocking. Never did he stop.
Only until he heard faint sounds coming from within. A click could be heard from the other side of the door. Seteth ceased his efforts. He smiled when the door slowly swung open.
"Rhea, I-" His positive gesture faltered when he saw her visage.
Dark circles had formed around the Archbishop's eyes. Barely visible lines could be seen on her skin. Her clothes, evidently worn as a result of neglect. A faint smile rested on her face.
"Greetings, Seteth," she greeted her friend. "H-How may I be of assistance?"
"Rhea…" was all Seteth was able to say at first. He shook his head, shaking off his less relevant thoughts. "You do not appear to be well."
The Archbishop frowned. "I understand you called for me for some urgent occurrence. You have said there is no time to chase after something so far away, or perhaps something that is irrelevant. Might you be contradicting yourself?"
"Your own wellbeing is important. A restless leader cannot be an efficient one."
Rhea smirked and looked away. "When have I ever conducted myself efficiently…?"
Seteth retained any comments about the matter to himself. He stole a glance at her weakened, tired features once more - a sigh escaped him.
"What happened to you, Archbishop? What could have possibly happened that would make you like this...again?" He mumbled underneath his breath before raising his voice back to its regular levels. "I will presume you do not wish to speak of matters pertaining to Lucas."
"I am not so weak as to wish to shy away from such topics. You deserve an answer from me, after all the time I've spent detached from the rest of the monastery. Ask me anything you wish. I shall provide an honest answer."
"If that is what you wish," Seteth accepted her offer, stopping to come up with an adequate question. "What is Lucas? You have spent far too much time with him alone. And that power he displayed in the Sealed Forest...what is he?"
"He is a vessel for the goddess. A means with which to revive her," Rhea explained. "He is the offspring of Jeralt and Sitri Eisner. The same child that Jeralt escaped with after the fire twenty years in the past. I do not know why his appearance is so different than it was prior. I can only attest that to Jeralt's own meddling."
"A vessel? You wish to revive our mother? Wait..." Seteth trailed off as his thoughts became speculative. "That claim he made regarding his mental housing of the goddess. Is that somehow connected?"
"Yes. The operation I had performed upon his birth. It must have been a success," Rhea smiled while her eyes garnered nostalgia. "I was intending on having him sit upon the throne in the Holy Tomb to expedite the revival process, but…"
She checked behind herself and back into her room. The black-haired body of a specific professor remained asleep, snuggled by her bed's immaculately white covers.
"He has not returned to the world of the waking," she finished her sentence.
"I see," Seteth said, peering beyond Rhea's shoulder and into her quarters as best as he could without seeming desperate. "It was fortunate you chose not to attempt that regardless."
"Why is that?" Rhea asked, her attention flinging itself back to her fellow Nabatean.
"It pertains to the matters I was referring to at first. Allow me to elaborate."
Seteth proceeded to fill Rhea in on the various events she missed upon the initiation of her month-long reclusion. He discussed how he designated Alois as a temporary professor for the Black Eagles, how the knights promptly dealt with the forest fire that erupted from Lucas' immense magical attack and ended upon the events that transpired within the Holy Tomb.
Specifically, the partially successful thieving of a handful of Crest Stones, the allegiance of the infiltrators, the reveal of the second Flame Emperor's identity and Emperor Arundel's declaration of war. Rhea's face contorted into a hateful snarl.
"The Adrestian Empire? They have declared war upon us?" She questioned in an infuriated tone. "How deplorable. These violent warmongers deserve no less than complete damnation. I thank you for informing me of this happening, Seteth. I can now personally ensure their eradication."
"You are welcome," Seteth responded, mimicking some of his superior's resentment-filled tone.
Rhea gazed at the floor, gathering nothing but animosity and contempt upon her countenance. A short lull in her expression indicated the arrival of a sudden thought. She speedily aired it.
"What of Edelgard? Does she have a hand in any of this?" Rhea inquired, her resentful appearance soon returning.
"She does not. I spoke with her and Hubert after our battle in the Holy Tomb. It appears she did not have a hand in any of these proceedings. Most likely, the fault lies with Emperor Volkhard himself," Seteth answered.
Rhea's scowl intensified. "I do not believe her. She is the princess of Adrestia - our enemy. Her words cannot be trusted. Lock her away in the dungeon, now!"
"Archbishop, wait!" Seteth insisted, raising two hands in defense. "Let us not act with haste. I need you to listen to me. I believe she can be trusted."
"Explain yourself."
Seteth nodded.
"When I was speaking with her and Hubert, she spoke with an intensity I have not seen in many individuals. Her words possessed a sense of finality, assuredness...fear, as well," he revealed. "Edelgard was horrified, Rhea. She had clearly not expected any of this. She did not desire any of this. I could sense as much merely from the way she spoke."
Rhea's eyes narrowed. Her expression ultimately lightened itself somewhat.
"If you are confident in the way you feel, Seteth, then I cannot help but trust in your judgement. Know that I will be watching her from afar. If she attempts to obstruct us in any regard, then I will execute her myself," she avowed. "Do you understand?"
"I do. I feel as confident in my assumption as I ever have been."
The Archbishop turned away.
"When will those accursed Adrestians arrive?" She wondered.
"In two weeks, most probably," Seteth assumed.
"I see. Then we must prepare. Equip every available knight with our finest weaponry and evacuate the civilians. We cannot allow those with despicable intentions to bring ruin to our monastery. Or to Fodlan in its entirety. They shall be eviscerated."
Seteth displayed his understanding of her orders. He proceeded to leave in order to put them into action.
On the other hand, Rhea gave a final, sorrowful glance to the human resting in her bed. She locked the door to her quarters.
It was time to prepare for war.
Meanwhile, a particular group of students arrived at the front gates of the monastery - they were led by Professor Hanneman.
The Blue Lions, and a contingent of knights, returned to Garreg Mach from their monthly mission. As the overall group drew closer to the ones guarding the gates, they could plainly see an odd pensiveness about them. An air of nervousness came about those in the group.
Hanneman led the squad through the gates. Marching through the marketplace revealed more expressions of uncertainty. Some individuals were even wrought with sudden panic upon sighting the armed warriors within the squad. Seeing the confused faces of the students was enough to ease their unforeseen woes, but it did nothing to heal the bewilderment the returnees were struggling with.
The knights dispersed as Hanneman and the students wandered up the steps in front of the Reception Hall. Their perplexity was addressed by a friendly face.
"Greetings, Professor! Nothing to report!"
Hanneman was lost in thought. He hadn't expected such a bubbly sound to reach his ears, thus he recoiled in shock.
"Oh, sorry! Didn't mean to scare you there, sir! Man, I sure am good at doing that to teachers, huh…?" Gatekeeper pondered, shaking off those trailing thoughts of his. "Anyway, I'm happy to see that you've returned safe and sound! How was your mission?"
"Um, yes. It was fine. Uneventful, but fine," Hanneman replied, still fazed from his surprise. "I do apologise, dear Gatekeeper. I am merely...disturbed by everyone's appearances. Has something occurred during our departure?"
Gatekeeper's mouth widened. "Oh! Right, yeah! Looks like there was something to report! Some big news, too! You see, the Adrestian Empire's declared war on the church!"
"What?!" Hanneman exclaimed, his astonishment on full display.
His students also shared their astounded expressions. Dimitri and Dedue were more stoic than the others, yet even they could not help but reveal their surprise.
"Uh-huh! Volkhard von Arundel made a big announcement at Enbarr the other day. Seems like he's the emperor now! Can't say I saw that one coming," Gatekeeper clarified. "Seteth's been asking all the knights, including myself, to prepare for the Adrestians' inevitable arrival. I'm a little scared, to be honest. But I've gotta defend this gate with my life! Nobody will be getting through me!"
"That's comforting to know, then. Thank you for your brave service, Gatekeeper," Hanneman thanked the man.
"Heh, you're welcome, Professor!" Gatekeeper replied, sheepishly scratching the side of his head. After a second, his gaze fluttered to his right. "Uh, Professor? Two of your students are leaving."
"Hmm?"
Hanneman swirled around on the spot, finding out about Dimitri and Dedue's unanticipated departure from the area. They were heading in the general direction of the fishing pond - their exact destination unknown. The researcher sighed.
"No matter. I was just about to dismiss everyone anyway," he disclosed. He then turned to where his students were standing on the large staircase behind him. "You may all leave. Please, obtain some rest. You will likely require it, considering the unusual situation we find ourselves in now. I will proceed with my report to Seteth."
The old man then walked past Gatekeeper and into the Reception Hall, leaving the rest of the Blue Lions upon the staircase. They all stood there, frozen by the sheer surprise of the news they just heard.
Felix stood away from everyone else. His eyes were trained in the direction Dimitri had walked in and his arms were folded.
"Seems like the boar prince is really starting to show himself. He's not ready for this. I can tell," he internally assumed about his house's leader.
An arm from his red-headed classmate circled around his neck and landed on his two shoulders.
"Hey, Felix, old pal. What's gotten you so down?" Sylvain asked his good friend. "I mean, I know you're always down, but you look especially in the sewers today, if you get what I'm saying."
Felix groaned. "Shut up, Sylvain."
"Owch! That one hurt!" The Gautier heir jested, reacting as if he'd been shot with a well aimed arrow. "Come on. No need to be so grouchy. How about we go talk to some girls to make ourselves feel better?"
"I said, shut up."
Sylvain laughed at his friend's misery. He urged the Fraldarius heir to leave, which he ended up doing, but only out of his own wish to do so - or so he claimed. The other boy was happy with this arrangement.
Elsewhere upon the staircase, Mercedes and Annette took the opportunity to depart. They aimlessly wandered through the path to the right of the Reception Hall's building, soon arriving at the stables. They paused.
"Mercie...I'm scared," Annette divulged, shaking in fear. "Are we really about to get involved in a war? We haven't even graduated yet!"
"I can only pray that we are unaffected by it," Mercedes added, clasping her hands together. "However, I feel that's a foolish assumption. I'm sorry, Annie."
"Oh…" Annette lamented. "You're probably right. I don't think anyone in Fodlan's gonna be unfazed by it. I mean, Arundel's going after the Church of Seiros. That's a pretty big target."
"Mmm," Mercedes murmured in agreement. "The monastery is a place where believers from all over the continent can come together and share their appreciation for the goddess, as well as all she has done for us. It would be very sad if Arundel destroyed all of that."
"Yeah. I can't believe someone would do something like that."
Annette faltered, her shaking getting visibly worse. Her eyes closed so she could weather the blizzard. A sense of coldness introduced itself to her. A natural freezing sensation enveloped her entire body.
Yet a sudden warmth emerged, fighting away the cold with its blazing presence. The diminutive girl opened her eyes to find a hand intermingled with one of her own. She looked up.
Mercedes' smiling face looked back. Annette returned the gesture with a beaming countenance.
"Thanks, Mercie."
"You're welcome, Annie."
Together, the two girls headed into the fleeting comfort of the monastery.
After dispersing his squad of students and knights, Hanneman cut straight through the Reception Hall as well as the stone-paved path that split apart the courtyard. He went straight for the central building, making his way up to the first floor.
Unfortunately, the audience chamber was locked. He could hear faint sounds of speech emerging from within. It was nowhere near loud enough for him to attain any ideas of what was being said. Shrugging, the professor turned right around, intending to approach Seteth's office.
Yet he almost ran right into another professor.
"Careful there, old man! You almost injured the monastery's nurse. And that wouldn't be good for anyone," Manuela partially joked.
"Old man?! Why you-" Hanneman coughed, slowing himself down and calming his anger. "I do apologise, Manuela. I didn't mean to cause you any undue woe. Forgive me."
"Forgiven," the teacher of the Golden Deer house responded. "For now. Until you do something else to rile me up. Anyway, I'm assuming you just got back. Heard about the news?"
"Indeed I have. It is most disconcerting. That the Adrestian Empire would declare war on the Church of Seiros...it is unheard of. I had always presumed the two were in a positive standing with one another," guessed Hanneman. "I suppose that is not the case."
"Yeah, who knows why it started? Apparently, Arundel's the emperor now. I think he said something about the church being villainous in some regard, but that just doesn't make any sense. The church has only been helping people ever since its inception. What was he talking about?" Manuela questioned.
"I know less than you do, given that I have only recently begun to hear of it. Nevertheless, we shall need to defend ourselves. No doubt they will be coming our way."
Manuela sighed, then nodded. "Yeah. I need to make sure everyone that was involved with the fight in the Holy Tomb are all healed up and ready to go for this next battle. That's certainly been a mess…"
"Excuse me? Holy Tomb, a battle? I have not heard of this."
"Oh, have you not?" Manuela proceeded to inform her colleague. "Some Adrestian soldiers were trying to steal Crest Stones that were hidden in the Holy Tomb. They got away with some, but not all. The Black Eagles had to stop them, including Seteth, Alois and that cute boy from Abyss. As well as some knights. Obviously."
"But-what-how…" Hanneman tried to process the information.
He stopped sputtering when he came to a realization.
"Should you not be in the infirmary, in that case? Surely the injured require the presence of their healer."
Manuela glared at the Crest researcher.
"Hey, I don't need to be there all the time, old man. I'm not like you. I don't have to constantly be at my place of work, doing goddess knows whatever and being absolutely boring! I'm just having a break. I can't be expected to work forever!" She argued with him.
"This is a matter of life and death! You have to be there, or else your patients shall meet an untimely end!" Hanneman countered.
"You don't think I know that?!" Manuela rejoined, a vein seeming as if it were about to burst upon her forehead. "I've got people covering for me! My presence isn't needed right now! Can't a girl have a break for once in her damn life?!"
"You can have a break when your patients are no longer injured! By the goddess, you are much too lax for my tastes…"
"Oh yeah?! And you're too irritating for my tastes!"
"I could very well say the same for you!"
Their argument furthered. It only grew in volume and obnoxiousness as time passed and more insults were thrown out from either side. Never did it decrease in toxicity. Any priests, students or any sort of passersby simply did their best to ignore the verbal outburst shared between the pair of teachers.
A specific cough silenced them instantly. Manuela and Hanneman slowly swivelled their heads around, finding Seteth peeking out of the opened audience chamber doors with a stern, upset look.
"Enough," he quietly commanded. "Get back to work, the both of you."
Manuela nervously ran away, retreating to the infirmary. Hanneman continued to stare at his passive-aggressive superior. He blinked repeatedly.
"You have returned to the monastery, it seems. Were you about to report your mission's completion to me?" Seteth wondered, interrupting the researcher's anxious struggle.
"Oh, um, yes," Hanneman confirmed. "Are you free as of now?"
"I am. Let's discuss inside the chamber…"
Hanneman, despite his tense feelings, followed Seteth inside. Even as the discussion began, he couldn't quite wipe away his jagged thoughts.
Somewhere else within the monastery, a pair of Adrestians were faltering around Garreg Mach, avoiding the gazes and scrutinising expressions of all those that chose to become an annoyance.
A torrent of verbal insults had been sent towards Edelgard and Hubert.
"What's the Adrestian princess doing here? Shouldn't you be starting the war with your damn uncle?"
"You had a hand in all of this, didn't you?!"
"Get out of here! Nobody wants you at the monastery!"
"You worthless witch!"
Edelgard did her best to not show any recognition of the various jeers and slanders that were thrown her way. Despite this, her head lowered and her walk became staggered.
Hubert laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Do not pay them any mind, Lady Edelgard," he advised. "They are beneath you. They fail to understand the intricacies of the situation. That in of itself is proof of their ignorance."
Her walk returned to normal.
She, along with her protective retainer, traversed a sea of negative and unpleasant comments, eventually arriving at the Black Eagles classroom.
However, several irksome students followed them there. Hubert instinctively raised a hand while charging dark magical energy within it.
"No. Cease your spell," Edelgard requested, raising a palm of her own to halt his potential attack. "They are beneath us, remember? They are not worth our time."
Hubert merely grunted as he followed his orders. The white-haired girl then turned around and walked towards the small crowd of students standing around the entrance to her classroom. She stared at every single one of them with a blank expression.
"You should all know that I have no desire to take part in my uncle's warmongering ways. He may be family, but that does not mean I have to follow him to the ends of the world. Remember that before you next speak," she told the crowd.
Then, Edelgard promptly slammed the doors shut and locked them, granting herself some reprieve from the endless scrutiny that lay outside.
She sighed before returning to Hubert's side.
"It appears we finally have a break," she remarked. "How unfortunate that we are essentially locked within here."
"Have you forgotten that we can warp?" Hubert puzzled.
"I haven't," Edelgard answered. "But if we were to do that, then what would remain of this door? It would forever stay locked. That is why it is best to hide away within here. We may avoid the storm of insults this way."
"That is if they are not overly tenacious. It is possible we may have to remain here for quite some time. We will have to leave sooner or later."
"This is better than listening to their prattle. Give it some time. Eventually, they will depart after realizing their threats are falling on deaf ears. And that is when we leave."
"I am in agreement with this plan. Yet I cannot help but note the ironic nature of this situation. The princess of the Adrestian Empire, chased by lowly commoners," Hubert commented. "This would not have occurred had it not been for our professor."
Edelgard's eyes momentarily expanded in shock.
"You did not call him a weakling."
"Hmph. What of it?"
Edelgard smiled. "Nothing. I just thought that was something of note. Let us discuss other matters…"
Their discussion mindlessly trailed off to alternate subjects, merely acting as a means to pass the time until the crowd of hatred dispersed outside. The pair of them spent a notable amount of time within the classroom for this very reason.
Together, undeterred by the sounds of detestation.
But they were deterred by an unusual thumping that came from the other side of the door. Edelgard and Hubert readied themselves for a heated encounter with whoever was foolish enough to disturb them.
What they didn't expect was for the doors to be blown completely away from their hinges.
"I've found you," the cause of such destruction said in a low tone of voice.
Standing within the wreckage was Dimitri, still wearing the dark blue garbs of a Lord. Dedue was right behind him.
The prince's expression was one of silent fury. His eyes narrowed, his pupils radiated a vast level of bloodlust. Killer Lance in hand and without saying a word, he rushed in, pointing his deadly weapon at the other house leader's throat.
Its tip was just barely touching her skin.
"You! Retract your weapon, Dimitri. You will pay for threatening Lady Edelgard's-" Hubert had been interrupted.
"Prince Dimitri is in control," Dedue interjected, aiming a Steel Axe in Hubert's direction. "You would best allow him to do as he pleases."
"You would allow him to act upon his base desires? How foolish of you," Hubert mocked as he readied a Miasma cast. "I shall protect my lady under any circumstance, man of Duscur."
"Enough!" Edelgard demanded, frozen in place as a result of the lance pointed at her throat. "Cease your argument, the both of you. I will speak with Dimitri...in peace."
"Do as she says, Dedue," Dimitri ordered to his retainer without looking away from his target.
Dedue and Hubert eyed each other up for a final time. They lowered their weapons as per their lieges' orders, yet their desires to defend did not wane.
The two house leaders peered each other down.
"So. Dimitri. What is it you want? Aside from my death, it seems," Edelgard asked.
"I have heard about the Empire declaring war against the church. Your uncle is the perpetrator. If you have any active relations with him, then I will end you right now," Dimitri explained, his viciously hushed tone of voice coming through much clearer. "I will give you but a single chance to defend yourself. Go."
Edelgard breathed in, and exhaled. She paused, thinking of what the correct answer could possibly be. A decision was made.
She spoke.
"You know I despise that 'man'. What he represents, his ideals - I cannot accept them. I could never do so. He was the very person that sowed such disarray in my life, that caused me to be the way that I am now…" Edelgard recounted, her eyes shimmering as she recalled various events. "To side with him after all I have learned would be a disservice to those that have passed."
Dimitri gasped. His grasp on his lance weakened, its tip lowering its position as a result. His gaze lightened. The tone of his voice followed suit.
"So it is true. You understand what it is like to be weighed down by the souls of the dead," he noted. He refocused his gaze on the princess. "But I don't understand. You do not act in the way I do. You are able to carry yourself with such poise and steadiness. Despite everything you have suffered through."
"It is not as simple as you make it sound," Edelgard refuted.
She checked behind Dimitri - no other students were watching or seemingly listening in. Although a lance was still primed in her direction, she relaxed.
"How so?" Dimitri wondered.
The dual Crested Adrestian faltered, yet was able to recompose herself. "Every night I struggle with deep-seated nightmares pertaining to my horrific experiences. I find myself locked in fierce combat every time I enter my bed. I must succeed in order to rest. And even then...the battles do not end."
Dimitri temporarily weakened, his mind complementing what he learned.
"In spite of that, you are able to act rationally," he commented. "You truly are admirable...El."
It was Edelgard's turn to gasp. She then smiled.
"Of course. I almost forgot. You were that same boy from Fhirdiad, after all. Thank you, Dimitri," she thanked. "Your words are kind. Much unlike the way you're acting now. Lower your weapon. I am not your enemy."
Somewhat reluctantly, Dimitri did as he was asked, retracting his Killer Lance. He struggled with it, but he was eventually able to force out a smile of his own.
"That is correct," he agreed. "Professor Lucas told me as such. There is no possible way you could have been involved...it was your uncle. No, the being who poses as your uncle."
"Thales," said Edelgard. "You wish to have his head, correct? I will be fine with that. I care not for who precisely is able to do it. As long as he can no longer influence Fodlan - it matters not how that occurs."
"Thank you."
Whatever tension ignited between the duo of Officers Academy house leaders had slowly faded away. None of it remained. Edelgard and Dimitri were able to stare at each other without a single iota of resentment or irritation.
Laying between them was understanding.
Hubert and Dedue were also able to be at ease.
"What is your plan for the war, El? I cannot assume your uncle would wish to have you by his side," Dimitri speculated.
"It is strange. He did not mention my name during his speech in Enbarr. From what I've heard about it, at least. I have been rather defiant towards him, so I would presume he despises me. However, I am unsure of what he is planning," Edelgard admitted.
"Will you remain at the monastery?" Dimitri inquired.
Edelgard nodded. "Yes. It is the safer option. If I were to arrive at Enbarr, no doubt I would be held in captivity, expected to become a pawn for Thales' schemes. Garreg Mach also possesses powerful allies. I would be foolish to turn away from them."
"That's a smart move. I do not expect to ally with the likes of those dastardly Agarthans, so I will pledge my support to you, El. No doubt Claude would do the same," Dimitri reassured her. "Of course, we have already discussed these matters. Still, I thought it would be best to remind you. You are not alone."
"I see. Thank you, Dimitri. Again, your words are kind."
The Faerghus prince grinned once more. He turned around, facing the crowdless, decimated doorway of the Black Eagles classroom. Dedue followed suit.
As they left, Dimitri gave his stepsister a wave of goodbye.
"Have your concerns become allayed, Your Highness?" Dedue asked as they both wandered past the other classrooms.
"I would say so. I am glad that I do not have to fight my own sibling. I cannot thank Professor Lucas enough for enlightening me to the truth," Dimitri answered. "It is a shame he remains unconscious. There is much I would like to ask him about the war."
"That is only one reason why we must defend the monastery. Should Emperor Arundel succeed, Garreg Mach may be no more. As Professor Lucas remains in the monastery…" Dedue cut himself off before he could finish his own sentence. "You understand what may happen."
"Right. I cannot allow him to fall. Not after all he has done for me. When the Adrestian forces arrive…"
A malicious expression bore fruit upon his face.
"I will kill every last one of them."
Edelgard and Hubert had remained in the Black Eagles classroom. Not because of any measures to hide away from verbal insults and the like, but they did so due to a newfound issue.
The doors to the classroom were completely broken. Ripped away from their hinges. The pair of Adrestians stared blankly at the wooden constructs that had fallen on the floor following Dimitri's sudden entrance.
They blinked. Multiple times. Then they glanced at each other.
"What are we to do with this?" Edelgard wondered, prodding one of the doors with her foot. "I don't suppose you know anything about door repairs, do you, Hubert?"
"Unfortunately, I do not," Hubert denied.
"Hmm. Neither do I," the princess disclosed. "We can't very well leave this here. But we also cannot do anything about it. It seems we have found ourselves in quite the issue."
"Perhaps it would be best to inform someone of the situation. I would suggest-" Hubert had been cut off yet again.
"There is no need for any of that. I am already aware," came the voice of a new, familiar arrival.
Edelgard and Hubert switched their gazes to the figure that had approached the broken set of doors.
"Hello, Seteth," Edelgard greeted him. "This wasn't caused by us. I can assure you of that."
"I know. A student reported the situation to me. Dimitri forced these open after you had already locked them. I will get someone to replace them," Seteth stated. "But that is not what I have come to you for."
"Oh? Has something happened?" Edelgard queried.
"I suppose you could say that. Lady Rhea wishes to speak with the both of you. I trust you may know what this is in regards to," Seteth clarified.
"She has finally left her quarters?" Hubert asked in a surprised manner.
"Indeed." Seteth nodded at the black-haired student. "I assumed the situation would warrant an interruption of...whatever it was she had been doing in there. Now, will the pair of you follow me?"
"Of course. We'll be right behind you," Edelgard accepted his request.
Seteth then faced away from the classroom and began walking. The two Black Eagles followed closely behind.
The trio then proceeded through the monastery, largely ignoring the door-related issue for potentially more pressing matters. Seteth led the students through the central building, up its stairs and into the audience chamber.
Lady Rhea was located inside. The doors to the chamber were promptly locked after all the necessary individuals were present. Unfazed by the unpleasant potential of what was to happen, the Adrestians stepped forward.
"Greetings, Edelgard, Hubert. You likely know why I have called you here," Rhea began.
"Matters pertaining to Emperor Arundel's declaration. Is that right?" Edelgard inquired. "Are you concerned about our allegiance? I can assure you that I want nothing to do with that man's ideals."
"He is your uncle. I am surprised you do not care for your own family," Rhea remarked.
"I do not consider him as a relative. He is an enemy of all those who live in Fodlan," declared Edelgard. "An emissary of darkness. Tell me, Rhea. Do you know of the Agarthans?"
The two Nabateans gasped.
"You know of those loathsome beings? How is that possible?" Seteth questioned as he took his place beside the Archbishop, his expression indicating a mix of suspicion and confusion.
Edelgard scowled at nothing in the room, powering through any hesitations through pure detestation alone.
"Long ago, they infiltrated the Adrestian Empire, implanting their roots of revenge. They gained power by having their leader - Thales - disguise himself as my uncle. Their influence is what led to the Insurrection of the Seven," she explained. "And in turn, my life was taken from me."
"But you are alive," Rhea pointed out. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that they were the ones responsible for the death of the young, happy Edelgard von Hresvelg. A small girl whose hair was brown, who only possessed a single Crest and who had several siblings," the white-haired student answered. "I am no longer that girl. I am Edelgard von Hresvelg, a woman who was subjected to torturous experiments by the Agarthans as they held power within the Imperial palace. They are the reason my hair is white. They are also the reason why I have two Crests. And why I am now an only child."
Rhea and Seteth's gazes expanded. The former of the two placed a hand over her wide open mouth, pity evident upon her face. The latter merely displayed an intense detestation for the race in question.
"The Agarthans are truly despicable...it seems even now, their atrocious ways continue," Rhea lamented. "I can only offer my apologies."
"They are accepted," responded Edelgard. "I hope you can see why I would never allow myself to align with that kind. They have poisoned the Empire, corrupting it into a wicked, wrongful version of itself. I wish to expel them."
"And we desire their complete and total decimation," Seteth added. "They have been a thorn in our sides for many a year. We cannot permit their continued existence."
"Hmph. I never thought I would agree so readily to the likes of you," Hubert partially joked. "Their treatment of Lady Edelgard is abhorrent. Not to speak lightly of what else they have done."
Edelgard smirked. "I believe I know what I must do."
She stepped forward, specifically getting closer to the Archbishop. Seteth almost instinctively jumped in to defend his superior, but was surprised when no violent action occurred.
Instead, Edelgard held out her hand.
"I propose that we join our forces. We both desire the destruction of the Agarthans. I may not have much to offer in the way of soldiers and the like, but I can assure you of my cooperation for the war effort. Hubert's as well," she offered. "I can also guarantee the support of Faerghus and the Alliance. I have spoken with Dimitri and Claude about these matters - they wish for the same as us."
Rhea's expression briefly showed intrigue. Edelgard caught it, but made no special mention.
"With that in mind, Lady Rhea, do you accept my proposal?" The member of Adrestian royalty offered the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros.
Lacking any hesitation, the female Nabatean forcefully grabbed the female human's hand and shook it with more force than the latter expected.
"I do," Rhea accepted with a smile. "Together, we shall uproot the evil that has resided in this world for far too long. With the combined forces of the Knights of Seiros, the Kingdom of Faerghus and the Leicester Alliance, the corrupt Adrestian Empire shall fall. As will the Agarthans."
"They shall. I will personally ensure it happens," declared Edelgard as the handshake proceeded.
Hubert and Seteth smiled upon observing the sight before them. The leader of the Church of Seiros combining forces with the rightful heir of Adrestia's throne - a legendary occurrence.
A realization then came to the male Nabatean as the handshake concluded.
"We still need to prepare for the coming invasion. In two weeks' time, the Adrestian military will arrive," Seteth mentioned. He faced the two humans. "Come with me. I need to discuss typical Adrestian battle strategies with you."
"We can do that." Edelgard nodded at him in response. "Lead the way."
Seteth proceeded to depart from Rhea's side, heading over to the chamber's doors and deftly unlocking them. They swung open, allowing him to lead Edelgard and Hubert over towards the war room elsewhere within the central building's first floor.
Along the way, a blinding wave of shadow emerged within the princess' mind.
"Two weeks...will I see you then, Thales?"
She chose not to allow the darkness within to fester. After all, there were important matters to discuss. A war she had to fight.
But not on the side she expected to find herself on.
Author Notes: Okay, so, fun fact, this chapter was originally gonna be much longer. But then I decided it'd be better to split it up. Thus, you're getting a double update! Wow, isn't that fun? Head right on over to Chapter 36 to see how things progress from here.
I think you'll like it.
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