With the advent of a joint operation between the Blue Lions and Golden Deer, it only seemed natural that the two houses would come together for shared classes as well. A way to tear down the walls between the students, as Claude would put it. Such sessions hardly felt any different from Byleth's usual lectures in practice, but Bernadetta appreciated the feeling of normalcy they provided all the same, given how little she'd seen of the Lions during the war.

At the very least, it was quite relieving to be able to hang around them all in a more peaceful setting. Bernadetta always thought that their two factions had no real reason to oppose each other in her original time, yet the chaos of war had other plans for them.

The difference between the future soldiers desperately fighting for their lives and the carefree students impatiently awaiting the end of a long lecture was undoubtedly striking. To that end, the individual who'd undergone the most drastic transformation was none other than their Leader Dimitri, who had somehow managed to go from the epitome of chivalry to an unhinged murder machine whose thirst for vengeance swiftly lead to his untimely demise.

The thought of what may have sparked such a radical change sent a chill through Bernadetta's spine, though the lavender haired student had little time to reflect on her thoughts before they were cut short by the familiar toll of the school bell.

A peculiar item caught the girl's eye as the rest of the combined class eagerly departed the room for the day. When she bent over to collect the abandoned object from beneath an empty desk would reveal it to be a rather sizeable novel wrapped in a smooth leathery case.

"Say now, this was Ashe's desk, wasn't it?" Bernadetta silently wondered as she rose up to gaze across the now empty classroom.

"Indeed it was. I believe this book may have slipped out of the boy's bag in all the commotion."

"Oh, well I'll just hand it over to Byleth and-"

"Don't be so quick to pawn off your discovery now." Sothis reprimanded her companion before she could grab her professor's attention. "This is the perfect opportunity to engage in a proper discussion with the young Ashe."

"I- can't do that! What am I even supposed to say to him?!"

"You were planning to talk to the boy about his father, were you not? You can start by delivering his lost item back to him."

"Yeah… yeah, that sounds easy enough. By used to do this sort of thing all the time, right?"

"Ah yes, your professor had managed to garner a reputation as a mobile lost and found after only a few months of service." Sothis giggled in recollection. "You could almost think that the students and faculty were misplacing their belongings on purpose just to receive a visit from him at one point."

"I'll admit I might have been guilty of that myself…" Bernadetta sheepishly recalled, twiddling her fingers together as she left the classroom in search of the owner of the missing book.

"Whoa… was the fog this bad earlier this morning?" she looked up to the sky to find her view of the sun obstructed by a thin layer of fine mist.

"How strange… it was barely even visible in the early hours of the dawn, and now it looks like we have just been through a massive rainstorm."

"Do you think it has anything to do with Lonato's movements in the west?"

"It's quite likely, though I do not remember the fog stretching out all the way to the monastery…" Sothis pondered aloud. "It's still easy enough to see through, but you had best watch your footing if you wish to avoid running headfirst into another poor unsuspecting student."

"I- I'm not just going to rush through the monastery grounds at full speed to find one guy!" Bernadetta scowled as she defensively crossed her arms together.

"Come now, it certainly wouldn't be the first time. Your professor used to sprint all across the campus like a wild bull on his many deliveries. Surely you can do the same as well?"

"I only ever crashed into someone twice, alright? It was the other way around every other time! Besides, I think I might have a faint idea of where he is right now…"


Bernadetta's hunch was proven correct when she found Ashe standing in silent prayer in the middle of the monastery's mostly vacant cathedral. One look at the boy's trembling figure was all it took to tell just how anxious he was about the upcoming confrontation with his adoptive parent.

"Alright, I'm here, so… how am I supposed to do this?"

"You can start by getting up from behind that pillar. You look like you're plotting to assassinate the poor boy."

"I've never done this sort of thing before!" Bernadetta internally retorted as she reluctantly stood herself up. "By was the one who knew how to comfort people, not me!"

"Then perhaps you should simply follow your professor's example. All you have to do is approach the lad and listen to what he has to say. The discussion should flow naturally from that point forward."

"I… would have done that by now, but Ashe is clearly too busy praying to noti-"

"Oh, hello Bernadetta! I didn't notice you there." Ashe suddenly caught wind of his fellow student's presence, causing her to briefly jolt in place. "Have you come by to pray too?"

"Me and my big mouth!" the purple haired girl mentally slapped herself as she hesitantly advanced on the solitary Blue Lion. "No, I uh…" she weakly stuttered, frantically rummaging through her back while Ashe eyed her with the curiosity of a kitten. "Here, I think you dropped this in class earlier!"

"Oh. Oh my, I can't believe I let this slip my mind!" Ashe exclaimed in astonishment before gratefully receiving the enclosed book he was hastily presented with. "Thank you so much! I don't know what I would have done if I never saw this again!"

"It's no big deal, really-" Bernadetta cut her words short when she caught a slight glimpse of the novel's cover as Ashe freed it from its leathery casing. "Is that… Light of the Sacred Flame?"

"Why yes, yes it is. This was always one of many favorite childhood stories. Are you familiar with it as well?"

"Er… yeah, actually. It's been ages since I've read it, but I really fell in love with this tale ever since my uncle introduced it to me so long ago."

"Wow, that sounds wonderful!" Ashe's eyes lit up in admiration. "Your uncle sounds like a truly kind individual."

"Yeah, he really was…" Bernadetta's expression turned somber as her mind began to wander in recollection. "It's just a shame he's no longer with us…"

"Oh, my apologies, I had no idea…" Ashe solemnly bowed his head out of respect. "I'll tell you what; I'll let you keep the book for yourself for a while."

"Wha- no, I could never accept something like this! It belongs to you after all, and I'd never want to separate you from your cherished memories-"

"There's no need to worry about that, Bernadetta." Ashe quickly reassured the girl as he happily stretched out his arms to offer his book. "I've actually just finished reading this myself, and it always brings me great joy to share my favorite tales with others."

"That's… really kind of you." Bernadetta nervously conceded as she pocketed the novel for herself. "Are you really sure you want to part with this? It seems like it must have been a treasured memento from your father…"

"You're quite right about that…" Ashe paused to let out a thoughtful sigh before continuing. "These are hardly the best of circumstances, but I'll get to see Lord Lonato once more soon enough, right?"

"…He's probably going to die if he doesn't put a stop to his vendetta against the church."

"That's what I'm afraid of…"

"Ack! What am I even saying?!" Bernadetta internally berated herself as she watched Ashe hang his head down in sorrow. "I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"No, you're not wrong." Ashe calmly interrupted. "We've all been told time and time again that those who turn their blades against the church must give their lives to repent for their sins…" the silver haired student sorrowfully lamented as he turned to face the front of the cathedral. "I just don't understand why Lonato would go through with such a thing, even knowing all the risks… and Lady Rhea… why would she send both of our classes out to execute the man, knowing full well that his own son was among them…?"

"I can't even begin to imagine…" Bernadetta quietly muttered. Every word of the boy's desperate queries sent a pang of guilt through her heart, which only grew worse with the knowledge of what Lonato's fate would be by the end of the month. "Honestly, I almost wish my own father could be the one in Lonato's place instead."

"B- Bernadetta…!" Ashe loudly gasped, a shocked expression forming across his face as he turned to respond to the girl in question. "How could you say something like that so casually?"

"Gah, stupid Bernie! Think before you speak!" Bernadetta harshly berated herself while she struggled to come up with a proper excuse for her outburst. "I know that sounded bad, but-"

"These church types will just use their silly Goddess as an excuse to do whatever the hell they want." a familiar voice suddenly declared to the pair, lacking the usual playfulness most people would come to expect from it.

"Oh, uh, Monica…! How long were you watching us for?" Bernadetta hastily turned to face the Black Eagle student, who had adopted a brief expression of disgust on her face before returning to her usual upbeat demeanor.

"Oh, I was just looking to inform you that I'd be tagging along with your two classes on your big mission this month." Monica informed with a casual shrug. "Though I sure wasn't expecting to find you here of all places. You got something you're looking to repent for?"

"I figured as much…" Bernadetta breathed a sigh of dismay as the redhead continued to approach the front of the cathedral. "It's nothing, really. I was just here to have a talk with Ashe, that's all."

"Ashe? Ah, that's right. I can't pretend to know what it's like myself, but it must really suck to have to put down your old man on the battlefield, huh?" Monica offhandedly asked, causing the boy's expression to drop even lower than it already had at that point.

"Hey, don't you think that's a bit-"

"No, that's quite alright, Bernadetta. Monica actually raises a fine point. This mission just… doesn't feel right in the slightest, even if we are doing it in the Goddess's name." Ashe slowly shook his head in a mix of sorrow and confusion.

"…As much as it pains me to admit, I can't help but feel a great degree of guilt at all the vile acts the people of this land are willing to commit in my name…"

"Well now, it's good to know that some of you Fódlan folks have some common sense to go around!" Monica happily stated with a slight tilt of her head.

"Er, thanks, I guess…?"

"Monica, are you sure we should be having this discussion in public? We could all get out heads chopped off if anyone catches us badmouthing the Goddess like this!" Bernadetta quickly cut in, her voice full of panic as she scanned the area around her for any potential witnesses.

"Relax Bernie; I made sure no one else was around to eavesdrop on us. If you ever wanted to spit on the Goddess's name without the fear of retribution, now's the time to do it!"

"I do hope you realize that I'll be listening to your every word on the matter."

"Er, no thanks, I think I'll pass on that offer… I'm just more concerned with Ashe and Lonato at the moment. Has… your father ever told you anything about this plan while you were still living in Castle Gaspard?"

"No, I'm afraid not. He must not have wanted to involve me or siblings in this whole affair." Ashe shook his head, clearly deep in thought as he began to ponder the motivations behind his adoptive parent's rebellion.

"Why don't you just try asking him yourself?" Monica simply offered. "I've got a carrier pigeon I can lend you that could make it all the way through the fog before the day is up if you're willing to write a letter for him."

"Wow, would… you really do that for me?"

"Sure I will. There's no guarantee you'll convince him to stand down, but it wouldn't hurt to try, right?"

"Yeah… yeah, I think you should do that, Ashe, but… why are you suddenly so eager to help us out, Monica?" Bernadetta turned to the mysterious student with a look of genuine confusion. "I thought you would have relished the chance to participate in another of your big killing sprees."

"Hey now, I may be an indiscriminate murderer, but I'm an indiscriminate murderer with a heart! There are plenty of folks out there who deserve to get stabbed more than Ashe's old man, and I've really started to see some kindred spirits in you guys."

"I don't think this girl knows what the word indiscriminate means…"

"Thank you so much, both of you!" Ashe bowed his head in gratitude before excitedly rushing out of the cathedral at full speed. "I'm gonna get started on the letter right away! There's so much I need to say to him, and so little time to prepare!"

"Best of luck, Ashe! You're probably gonna need it!" Monica bade farewell to the silver haired boy as he dashed out the door. "So Bernie, it sounded like you've got some daddy issues of your own too. Want me to go slit Count Varley's throat for you?"

Bernadetta couldn't help but blink in disbelief at the girl's nonchalant offer, leaving the two in the midst of an awkward silence as she attempted to process what she just heard. "I er… appreciate the offer, but I've gotta get going too!" the purple haired girl nervously announced before quickly following off in Ashe's footsteps.

"Alright, I guess I'll be seeing you, then! Oh, and Edie sends her regards too!" Monica loudly waved goodbye to her unwilling friend as she bolted out the door like a startled cat.

"What in the world was that about?" Sothis questioned as her companion scurried across the bridge of the cathedral.

"I have no idea! I can never guess what's going on in that girl's head half the time!"

"Well, at we know she's willing to help us out, albeit for reasons unknown."

"That's what's worrying me the most right now…"

"Warranted as your concerns may be, it would be best if you make use of her aid for as long as it lasts. I'm rather curious to learn more about her clear sense of disdain for the followers of the church myself."

"That's assuming she's not making any of this up, at least…"


"…I thought your professor warned you against staying up all night like this."

"Hey, at least I don't have to worry about passing out in public if I'm in my own bed." Bernadetta responded to the Goddess's sigh with a haughty huff. "Besides, there's nothing wrong with some light midnight reading. I used to do this all the time back in the manor."

"If this is what you consider light reading, I shudder to think of what a full session would entail…"

"Gee, I'm sorry if I can't help myself. It's been so long since I've read any of my favorite childhood stories, and I just can't get enough of this one!" Bernadetta hotly protested as shed continued to turn the pages of Ashe's novel.

"I'd like to think that the book Tomas gave you would be more important in comparison. You've hardly even started on it…" Sothis groaned as she peered over her companion's shoulder to get a closer look at the tale that she was enthralled by. "What do you even see in this story, anyway? The main character seems like such an insufferable brat!"

"I bet you'd be upset too if you were suddenly thrown halfway across the world after being confined to a manor for seven years." Bernadetta confidently retorted. "Sure, he can be really whiny at times, and he's got all the common sense of a brick wall, but he really manages to go through some remarkable development over time."

"My, you certainly know a lot about this tale. I must admit, the ideas it presents have caught my intrigue as well."

"What can I say? I just really love these kinds of stories. I'd spend all day parsing through this if I had the time. I always find myself relating to the characters in the most unexpected ways. Come to think of it, the main antagonist of the setting kind of reminds me of Edelgard…" Bernadetta continued to gush over her memories of the tale before putting a metaphorical foot in her mouth. "Oh, but wait, we haven't gotten that far yet! I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise for you!"

Bernadetta happily proceeded to turn to the next page, only for her happy session to be interrupted by a knock on her front door, nearly startling the girl right out of her bed. "Bwah! Who's there?!"

"Are you okay in there, Bern? It's me, Dorothea. I was hoping we could talk." the Black Eagle songstress introduced herself with a worried tone as she reached for the doorknob in front of her.

"Wait, don't try to force the door open! Not while all my traps are still active!" Bernadetta loudly warned, immediately stopping her former classmate dead in her tracks.

"Excuse me…?"

"I'm really sorry for the inconvenience, but if you want to talk to me, you'll have to do so from the other side of the door! It's gonna take too long for me to disarm everything."

"Okay, that's even more worrying that I was expecting…" Dorothea mumbled to herself, unsure of what to make of the timid girl's warnings. "I was only looking to check up on you, you know."

"There's no need for concern, I- I'm totally fine, see!"

"No Bern, I can't see, there's a locked door in the way." Dorothea flatly commented. "I just can't help feeling concerned when you've been actively avoiding all your old friends ever since you switched houses. Did anyone do anything to upset you? I bet it was Ferd-"

"No, no, that's not it at all! I was never really friends with anyone in the Black Eagles to begin with!" Bernadetta instinctively blurted out, much to her immediate regret.

"Bern… that's not what you really think of us, is it…?" Dorothea asked, sounding genuinely hurt as she leaned in on the doorframe.

"Ah, no, I'm sorry, that's not it either…" Bernadetta quietly apologized. "It's… a long story, but just trust me when I say it's going to be better for all of us this way." she solemnly pleaded, the grim fates of her old classmates rushing through her mind as the girl struggled to keep eye contact with the door.

"I really don't like the sound of that… This was exactly why I wanted to accompany your classes on your next mission, yet Edie kept insisting that Monica should go instead."

"Well, that explains a lot."

"That girl unnerves me to no end…" Dorothea mused aloud before finally taking her arm off the door. "Alright, then. I'm going to take your word on this, Bern, but just know that you can always reach out your hand for the Black Eagle house to aid in whatever burden you may be carrying."

"Okay. I'll think about it."

"That's not the most convincing answer I could have hoped for, but at least it's better than nothing…"

"Sorry…" Bernadetta whispered to herself, patiently waiting as Dorothea walked off into the distance before finally slumping back into her own bed, mentally exhausted from the somber conversation she'd just finished holding.

"Do you truly desire to push away all your old companions in this manner?"

"Nothing will change if I don't, right? If I ever let them get involved in this, I'll only have myself to blame when the inevitable comes to pass. I can't let that happen... I just can't." the anguished time traveler morosely confessed, fully dedicated to the idea of shattering whatever relationships she once had with her former classmates for their own sakes.