AN: Welcome back! I take it you enjoyed chapter one? Well. Here's chapter two.
Like, Comment, all that fun stuff, and most importantly
Enjoy~
P.S Sorry about the double upload! The original one had some issues!
-Chapter 2: Chance-
-Part One: White Clouds-
[Day Twenty-Two, Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180, 10:30 AM]
Thin slits of light came through the trees as the clinking of metal armor and footsteps permeated through the area. The chatter of the students of Garreg Mach talking amongst themselves. Bells resigned herself to more listening than speaking. These three like to talk.
"...Garreg Mach is all of Fodlan, just amalgamated into one place. You'll see people from all walks of life here." Claude let's out with a grin.
The march to the monastery itself had been rather calm. No bandit encounters or requests for help. Not ones that would take up any serious time. Nobody would dare disturb or oppose the Knights of Serios. That was a death wish.
Dimitri would quickly pipe up, not wanting to be interrupted as he was earlier.
"I would love to show you around the monastery." A soft, genuine smile crept onto his face, turning to Bells. She would stay quiet, only nodding. Show, don't tell.
"Well, like it or not, we'll be arriving soon." Edelgard let out, keeping her eyes on the well-trodden dirt path. Quickly the forest would thin out,and open up to a view of the monastery. The path they were on extended up towards the walls, and towers surrounding the place as a form of protection and surveillance of anyone coming in, or out . In the center stood a massive citadel.
"Gareg Mach Monastery. Our home." Edelgard voices out, an indecipherable expression covering her visage. It reminded Bells of Claude slightly.
"The monastery serves as an officers academy as well as a church. The Archbishop, Rhea is the leader. You'll meet her soon enough." Edelgard continued, glancing at Bells before quickly looking away, going quiet.
The rest of the walk to the monastery was relatively quiet. Bells just took her time admiring the stone structure before her. She had seen many places while traveling across Fodlan with her father, but never anything quite like this.
The large iron gates to the monastery opened with a deafening creak, letting into a humble marketplace, a blacksmith, food stores, nothing too fancy. Stalls of merchants lined the path. Beyond it were stairs leading into an entrance hall. Bells was met with many smiles and astonished looks from the many inhabitants when setting foot in the entrance hall. Bells was half sure that they were getting these looks because of her father. The students of the three houses quickly said their goodbyes, as they had other business to attend to, including a detailed report on the events preceding their arrival. Meaning she was now left in the company of only her father, and the guards who escorted them.
Treading along the path, the duo came to a crossroads. Jeralt paused and the knights continued to move along, having tasks to complete elsewhere. Then, a blunt whisper escaped her father's lips.
"Rhea's here."
Looking up, stood a woman with lime green hair that flowed down past her shoulders. a rather ornate headdress, flat headpiece with three points, on the left, middle, and right. Gems adorned it, quartz in six spots in the shape of flowers with other miscellaneous details. The blue coat around her that went down to the floor. The dress wasn't as fancy as the headdress but still quite grand and expensive looking. Fitting for someone in such a position of power. Aside from the headdress. The disdainful look struck Bells as odd. What on Fodlan could have upset her this much?
"Did the flow of time… or perhaps fate, bring you back here?" Rhea's voice was soft, yet enough to let the two know that this woman was… rather unhappy. The woman quickly turned around and left, coming out of view from the mercenaries.
Before Bells had the time to think more, a monk or someone quite familiar in the church approached the two, a soft smile on his face. He was pretty nondescript, as a white robe covered his body. It was plain, a symbol of devotion to the teachings of Serios. Bells would find out that the robe was a uniform of sorts.
"You must be the people that have drawn such a stir. Lady Rhea has requested to see you. Please do not keep her waiting." The older man says, before turning around and leaving, just as quickly as he came
Jeralt lets out another drawn out sigh. It was the moment he had been dreading since he ran into Alois and he demanded that he come back. Jeralt simply nodded at the old man's message.
"Come on." Jeralt lets out a huff. Motioning to Bells, Jeralt started moving with Bells quickly following. A short walk ensued with some stair climbing. The corridors were tight and wound around slightly. It made her wonder how they got bigger things up these stairs like desks and chairs.
Bells examined the architecture surrounding her. Contrary to the outside appearance of an old stone citadel, the inside was actually quite sturdy and kept. Besides the maids and servants that cleaned the place, perhaps even the maintenance was done daily? Alas, she and her father continued up the spiraling ascent.
Quickly, the two found themselves in a somewhat large room,
"I never thought i'd come back here. Much less meeting with her again.." ." He said in a low, bothered voice.
"Edelgard mentioned that she was archbishop of the church?" Bells said in response only to get a nod from Jeralt. Bells kept her voice down too, unsure why, but her father had his reasons. Another was that this wasn't the time for being loud...
"Archbishop Rhea. She's the leader of the Seriosian Religion. Most people in Fodlan are devout followers." Jeralt quickly stiffened up at the sight of two figures coming from the room to the left.
A tall, green-haired man approached, followed by the Archbishop herself. He was well dressed and groomed, his outfit being as formal as Rhea's, though rather old fashioned.
"Thank you for waiting, Jeralt. I am Seteth, advisor to the Archbishop, Lady Rhea." Seteth was a rather stiff man, both in expression and posture, coming off as a very uptight, prim, and proper man. He was well shaven too, unlike Jeralt.
"The passage of time has been long since we had last met. Was it fate that we were to meet once again?" Rhea's voice was the soft tone that Bells had heard just a few minutes prior, just, that disdainful expression had subsided in favor of a more neutral look.
"I apologize for the silence. Many things have gone on since we have last met." Jeralt utters, just loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
Rhea turned to Bells with an intense, yet soft look. It was unnerving. It was like she was piercing into her soul, trying to figure out what she was thinking.
"The gift of fatherhood. That is your child, is she not?" Rhea's soft voice half announces to Seteth, only to get a silent nod from the green-haired man.
Jeralt only nodded, his expression turning to a more somber one, memories of Bells' mother came to him. Oh, how he dearly missed her… Very few things in life brought a smile to Jeralt's face, but her. She was one of them.
"I wish I could have introduced her to Sitri. But unfortunately, she is no longer with us. She lost a battle to illness." The mercenary leader stiffened his expression slightly. Mem
"My sympathy. But at least the goddess has still blessed you with your child... My dear, what is your name?"
Bells perked up, finally being addressed. Bells' purple hues met Rhea's light green. The young mercenary turned to her father, silently asking for permission to answer. Jeralt only nodded.
"Lady Rhea, my name is Bells. Pleased to make your acquaintance." The blue-haired girl lets out softly with a bow. When Bells came up from the bow, she found Rhea smiling softly at her.
"A lovely name, that must have been picked and gifted by the goddess herself."
Rhea quickly shifted, turning back to Jeralt. Intent burning bright in her eyes.
"I want to thank you for saving the students. I'm sure they share the same gratitude." Rhea's soft smile continued. Only to get a huff out from Jeralt. The mercenary wasn't a man to get out his feelings. He never really responded to praise. It was just something he didn't feel he needed.
Rhea's piercing look didn't even seem to faze Jeralt. The man let out a sigh. Knowing what was to come. It was a moment that he was dreading. Being dragged into what he had left from so many years ago.
"Jeralt. You already know what I want from you. Do you not?" The archbishop's eyes lay expectantly on the father. Jeralt had once led the knights, becoming one of the most renowned leaders in Fodlan. Having him back would surely be a good thing for morale.
"I won't refuse. But you must know I'd rather not." The father rubbed his now shut eyes, letting out a small sigh with his response.
A frown formed on Rhea's countenance. She hoped he would want to return here. Surely it was more stable and safe of a life than the one of a mercenary? Risking life and limb for gold wasn't appealing for most, sellswords tended to not live long. Yet, here Jeralt was, never once being defeated in battle.
"Your words sting. I expected a more warm reply. You of all people should know how dangerous being a mercenary is?" Rhea's tone fell into something of dismay. Seteth crossed his arms as Rhea finished talking. Seteth looked slightly impatient with the chatter going on. There were more important matters to attend to.
"Lady Rhea. The loss of the teacher was rather unfortunate, but it could have been significantly worse. How shall we take care of the lack of a professor? The coming school year needs-" A soft knock came from the door behind them, causing everyone to pause, and turn around.
"You are interrupting a meeting. Come in." Seteth half yells, as the doors to the audience chamber were, mostly, soundproof. The soft click of the doorknob opening let out in the room, a single boy coming in. Jeralt and Bells turned around to see who had come in, only to be completely stunned.
A young man stepped into the room. The boy was well dressed and had the same blue hue of hair color as Bells. He was well dressed and his arms exposed but wearing black gloves. Pants tucked into his boots, a white shirt underneath. The tunic was belted with a girdle before continuing down to his knees.
"Mother Rhea. I deeply apologize for interrupting you and your meeting. But Alois said that there was a teaching position opening up and I wanted to see if I could grab it before..." The boy's words trailed off as he saw Bells, being strikingly similar to him in almost every way. Being so stunned, it took a moment for him to shut the door behind him.
Bells and the boy lock eyes, time seemingly being frozen, neither of them being able to find their voice. Jeralt would quickly join up in staring at the boy. It was uncanny how similar these two resembled one another.. Seteth quickly would look between them, at loss for words. The solemn man had thought Bells looked to be strange. Only when the boy had joined them, did it hit him.
"Byleth, my sweet child. I… Of course. You've earned it. I think it will be a great opportunity for you to hone your leadership abilities"
The boy, according to Rhea, was called Byleth. It was an odd one for sure, but, it seemed somehow, familiar. Like she had heard of it before. Bells just couldn't put her finger on it. The young mercenary had heard a lot of names in her life, but nothing quite like his. It was one that stuck with someone.
Seteth raised an eyebrow. He snapped out of his, almost dazed trance. His voice would quickly break the tension.
"Lady Rhea. Are you sure this is a good idea? I know you trust him, but are you sure about this? He has no experience!" Seteth's exasperated voice rang out, Byleth looking slightly taken aback, annoyed almost.
Everyone turned to look at Seteth, the archbishop nodded her head. Only to be met with a sigh. Once Rhea had made her choice, there was nothing he could do. Her word was law.
"I have made my choice Seteth. I ask that you respect it." Rhea responds softly, quickly glancing towards the two before looking back at her advisor.
"We have other matters to attend to. Come Seteth." The archbishop quickly tells him. The advisor couldn't do anything but follow her. Rhea and Seteth quickly left the room, taking Byleth with them.
Jeralt, finally letting something out after that exchange, fists held tightly. He looked about to break something, only to the confusion of Bells. What could have angered him? Sure that boy was… strange, especially in looks but, why was he so upset?
"Damn that woman.." For being so angry, Jeralt was surprisingly good at keeping his voice down. Bells tried to ask what was wrong, only to be cut off by her father.
"Come, Bells. We need to discuss something." Jeralt's voice fell to a low, still very angry tone of voice. Bells rarely saw her father this… upset. Jeralt was not a man to let his emotions get the best of him. Being upset and fighting on the battlefield was something that was a recipe for disaster. For something to get him to be like this? It had to be something big.
The audience chamber door opened slowly, with an oppressing creak.. Once it was clear, the two left the room at a brisk pace and descended the stairs. Jeralt cautioned Bells to keep up with him. Before long, they were at the entrance gate. Few were around, Just a few merchants and other passerbys, idly chatting with each other over various things.
Taking a deep breath, the father rubbed his eyes. How on Fodlan was he going to explain this? It was… insane. Jeralt had his suspicions about the circumstances around how Bells was born, but this? Completely unexpected and out of left field.
"Bells. I know this is going to sound completely crazy, but that boy you saw. The one we saw in the chamber. That was your brother."
Bells took a step back. A brother? How was this possible? She was born an only child, at least, that's what she was told. She had not the slightest clue that she could have a twin. Thinking back to the boy. It was impossible not to think that they looked similar. Even the advisor, Seteth, seemed caught off guard.
Bells quickly found her voice, even if it was just a mess of bewilderment.
"A-a brother? Why didn't you- Where-? How do you know, I mean, we look similar but…" Bells' voice raised slightly, only for Jeralt to hush her. Jeralt didn't want prying eyes or a stray ear to spill the conversation to a loose-lipped person…
"Your mother, before you were born. If we had a boy, we would have named him Byleth. Looks like we had both."
The mercenary leader shook his head after his words. Rhea was a mysterious woman that held a lot of power. She never showed her intentions. Being cautious was the best way to continue. It's not like they could leave now. Especially with Rhea asking- well, almost forcing Jeralt back into the knights. Looks like they were going to be staying here.
"I don't know what that woman is planning. All I can say is that you need to be cautious. She hid your brother. There's ultimately nothing I can do right now." The mercenary leader looked away, finally giving Bells a chance to speak, now having collected her thoughts somewhat.
"I.. Okay. I'll be careful dad. That woman unnerved me anyway…" Bells uttered, only to be interrupted by the soft growling of her stomach. Bells hadn't eaten in several hours and only now would she realize that it was almost noon. The blue-haired girl looked up at her father, the ominous mood vanished in mere moments. People would start to get suspicious should they stay there longer.
It didn't take long to get to the dining hall. Gareg Mach was a big place, but things always made sense. Tea tables lay just outside the main dining area for a more quiet, one on one experience. Stepping into the room, It was relatively lively, conversations going on between students and church members alike.
The dining room itself was pretty simple. Large, long tables sat on both sides of the long rectangular room with the food being served from the front of the room by more than friendly faces, servants of the church no doubt. The line was short and food was being served quick and fresh. Fried Crayfish. A simple dish, easy to eat. A favorite of both Jeralt and Bells.
With food in hand, the two looked around for an empty seat. The tables were mostly empty, people having idle chatter. After a moment of looking around, soft blue hair stood out in the back of the room. Quickly moving towards that, sitting at an empty table, sat a peculiar boy. The one they had seen earlier. Walking over to him, he was face deep in a book, studying rather intensely. The title being something along the lines of, "Teaching Tactics: How to be an effective Teacher."
Placing down her food next to the boy wouldn't seem to bother him. He didn't even seem to notice them. Jeralt placed his food across from the boy, again. The boy didn't react. Jeralt and Bells exchanged a confused glance. Bookworm it seems. Another moment would pass, the boy flipped a page. Finally, Bells tapped the boy on the shoulder,
"Ewah?!" Byleth let out a yelp, having his concentration from his book be ripped away. It took a moment for him to even process what had touched him. After calming down, his eyes found its way to the other azure haired person.
"You're that girl…" The boy mumbles, only to have Bells's hand stuck out to him. The boy politely met it with his own. His eyes didn't break contact with Bells's. A soft smile came to the girl's expression.
"Hi. I'm Bells. I know this sounds crazy but… You're my brother."
The boy cocked his head to the side in confusion. A sibling? How? He had never even heard of her before today. Mother Rhea never mentioned anything about her… The boy went quiet. Jeralt's eyes examined him intently before finally speaking himself.
"I know Rhea may have never told you about her. But you are my child. No doubt about it. You two just look way too similar to be a coincidence. I also know because of your name. Your mother, she named you, 'Byleth'" Jeralt began, only to get a sharp, hostile look. Byleth was not a violent person. Not by a long shot. So to see him get so defensive so quickly was… out of character.
"...You're the scum that just abandoned me. You left me at that run-down orphanage because you didn't want to take responsibility…" A sharp, low voice came. Now it was Jeralt's turn to cock his head in confusion. What on Fodlan had Rhea been telling this child?
"Now you come back, just because Alois likes you, doesn't mean you're a good person. Just a good fighter. I can't believe he likes such an awful person… Don't even bother trying anything. I'll be watching."
The other two were dumbfounded. It was baffling. The expressions of both darkened from shock. Jeralt was at a loss for words. Bells almost dropped her food. A sharp sigh escaped the older man's mouth.
"I… Why on Fodlan would I…" He began, only to get that same sharp, hostile look from the boy once again. The boy's finger pressed hard on the page of his book. Jeralt started to speak, only for Byleth to stand up sharply with his book. Marking it, he shut it roughly and started to adjust his footing to begin walking away.
"If he was so awful and abandoned you, why did he take me?" Bells' voice came quick and almost as furious as to how the azure haired boy stood up. It made the boy freeze in place. His grip only seemed to tighten as he turned around, about to let out some quick retort about how terrible this man was, only to come up empty-handed.
"Byleth. I don't know what you've been told. What you've experienced. But you are my brother, that, I have no doubt in my mind." Bells' voice softened, as to not attract unwanted attention. She stood up more softly, and walked over to him, offering her hand again. She was met with confused hesitation. Conflict is seen in his eyes.
"Mother Rhea has no reason to lie to me…" His eyes only hit the floor. Questions shot through his head like lightning bolts. Questions he didn't have answers to. A moment of silence between the two came.
"I want to be here for you. I want to protect you." Bells' voice softened. Her words got to the boy, his grip on the book visibly loosening. A sigh escaped the boy's lips.
Byleth would look the girl in the eye finally, the memories of that dream finally flashing in his head. He vividly remembered it. There was no way that he could be mistaking it. This was a lot to process. His dream, having a sister, his dad showing up suddenly.
"I… I need some time to process all this. Please leave me for the time being." He lets out a defeated, exhausted sigh. He turns around and walks away. Bells would have given chase if Jeralt didn't step in to prevent it. The mercenary leader knew that he needed some space, he had a lot to think about. For now, let him think. The food was getting cold anyway.
Byleth quickly moved to his room. Climbing the 2 sets of stairs, he came to a hallway. Starting from the stairs, it was just "T" shaped, The door to Rhea's room being front and center. Moving towards the door, a more narrow hallway could be seen. Moving to the right, Byleth found his room at the end of the hall. Grabbing the handle to the door, the lock turned with a soft, "Click" noise before giving way into the room.
The room itself was modest, something similar to one of the students in the monastery, just a bit bigger. The room was lined with bookshelves, crammed full of half-read books that he swore he would get around to eventually. The ground was lined with a soft pure white carpet, comfortable and very soft to the touch. His bed was a similar color in sheets and blanket. It was almost dull. Windows adorned the room as to let in natural light with crimson-stained curtains. (Under Byleth's insistence that he has more than one color here.) Across from his bed lay his study desk, one that he had spent countless hours studying at. It was made from well crafted and refined wood. Half-open texts sat atop it, mostly religious texts that Rhea had him read for the umpteenth time. A simple wooden chair finished the room.
The boy let out an exhausted sigh and fell onto his bed. An ethereal form manifested itself in the room. A familiar girl floated just off the ground. A snappy, almost irritating voice quickly found it's way into his ears.
"Honestly. The way your acting is not exactly the best way to meet new people. That accusatory tone. Rhea wouldn't approve of it."
Sothis.
Byleth quickly sat up to meet an annoyed-looking girl, snapping her fingers. The boy rubbed his eyes as if he was seeing things. When he opened it again, he found the girl still floating there. She didn't reply, just floated there expectantly.
"Well, what did you want me to do? These people come out of nowhere and claim to be my long lost family? They must be crazy! But that girl… I saw her in my dream last night..." The boy looked away, letting his thoughts take him before being ripped back to reality by her continually snappy voice.
"Well, she's obviously important, you dunce!" The green-haired female yelled, she would have slapped him, but being as she was. Her hand goes through everything. Her entire body goes through everything for that matter. Sothis grumpy tone would continue through this conversation.
"It's… A lot to take in at once okay?" Byleth fidgets with his hands, eventually digging under his clothing to reveal a small locket. Thick, interlocking metal rings coated with refined quartz. Small Rubies and Sapphires fill some of the holes in the metal. Finally leading down to a hollow shaped heart, that being connected with more interlocking metal going down some to a locket. This too was heart-shaped. Inside was a picture, painted with him and Rhea together. Standing up hesitantly, he went to his messy desk and drew out a pen. Grabbing his journal, he flipped to an empty page and started to write.
[Day Twenty-Two, Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180, 1:30 PM]
Soft clicking sounds off on the tile floor. The tables sat empty in the reception hall save one sole person. Bells found herself mulling over her thoughts. So much happened so quickly. It was almost uncomfortable. Sothis coming back, that Alois fellow. Rhea and her relationship with her dad. A soft tap on the shoulder interrupted what would have gone on for some time.
Bells turned around to meet Edelgard's expectant gaze.
"I… We've been hearing rumors of a new teacher. Despite being a mercenary, you would be an effective battle teacher. We have no doubts it would be you." Edelgard would be suddenly surrounded by seven other people. All of varying heights and hair colors. The first to step forward was a black-haired male. His voice was harsh and cold. Despite this, he still bowed to Bells.
"I am Hubert. Retainer to Lady Edelgard. I have heard of how you saved her. I must give my thanks." His voice was almost gravelly, quiet, and calculating. His clothing matched in color, hair covering one of his eyes. His outfit was simple and similar to the other students that she had seen roaming the halls. A thin sword lay at his hip, the hilt was colored a similar golden. His outfit color consisted of black and gold, the rest of his outfit was rather nondescript.
Next up was an orange-haired male, his outfit was similar to Hubert's. Just with a lot less black in his outfit choice. (Students were given some choice as to outfit colors, Bells would find out later.) He too, had a sword at his hip, identical to Hubert's. He carried himself highly with a shrewd grin.
"I am Ferdinand von Aegir, son of the house-" A soft smack would come from behind, interrupting what would have been a very, very long monologue about his titles and how great he is. Thankfully, another person stepped in, she was the tallest of the females in the class and stood out with her unusually normal hair color, a brunette.
"To save you a very long speech. That's Ferdinand. He thinks highly of himself. I am Dorothea. Songstress. Love to dance. Pleased to meet you." A soft smile crept onto her face. If Bells had to describe her first impressions of her it would be, "Cheerful, Bright, and almost flirty? Time to dwell on these thoughts would quickly be interrupted by a loud, energetic voice.
"My name is Caspar. I've heard you're good in a fight, I hope we can test that soon!" The Cyan hair colored boy lets out, punching the air, towards Bells with a sharp grin on his face. Adjacent to him was a green-haired boy who looked like he was only half awake or even paying attention to the racket that was being made.
"Caspar could y- Oh. Right. Hi professor. I'm Linhardt. I'm gonna take a nap no-" Linhardt began to walk away, only for Caspar to grab him. His green eyes met Caspar's with annoyance. Naps were the utmost priority right now. Even if this was the new professor, his bed was calling to him.
Bells would have spoken up but, the monologues and the… unique personalities kept her from saying anything.
Next up was an evidently foreign girl named Petra. Her ability to speak a new language, wasn't perfect. But it was commendable. Dark purple braided hair ran down the side of her head. Normally, she too would have a sword at her hip, but she had forgotten it that particular day.
Finally, there was a purple-haired girl named Bernadetta, Bernie for short. If Bells were to try to describe her in one word, it would be, AntiSocial. Bells found her hiding under one of the tables nearby. When approached, Bernadetta nearly ran off, being tripped up from the bench.
Edelgard came over, looking rather exasperated.
"Well. That's our class. They normally aren't so… rowdy." White hair flowed freely as she offered her hand to Bernadetta to help her up. Only for the girl to get up and runoff, presumably to her room. Edelgard just shook her head.
"Well. They sure are a lively bunch." Bells just turned to Edelgard with a soft smile. Then looking back at the group of students who were lost in their conversations with their fellow house students.
Life sure had taken a turn for the interesting…
-End of Chapter 2-
