AN: Hey! I'm not dead, and I'm not abandoning this fic. I intend to see it through to the end. Motivation is just so damn hard to find. That and I have a lot going on in my personal life. Hope you enjoy~
-Chapter 6: Trials-
-Part One: White Clouds-
[Day Thirty-One, Harpstring Moon, Imperial Year 1180, 8:00 AM]
The clock rang out with a fierce cry, signifying the start of the day. Yet Bells had already been awake for some time now. Sitting up on her bed, lost in thought, she was going to lead young students into a proper battle. One with no safety railing. If something went wrong. It was entirely on her.
Bells shook her head. "No. Don't think like that. Everything is going to be fine." she muses to herself. She would take the brunt of any attack before something happened to her students. She may not be the official teacher, but they were her students all the same.
The other classes were to take the smaller groups, Kostas's closest grunts. Orders were to take them alive, if possible. Dead if there is no other way.
She was alone, an uncomfortable silence filled her mind. It was times like these that Bells missed her very loud, somewhat annoying friend. Something to distract her from these kinds of thoughts. The mechanical ringing of the ecstatic clock snapped her from her trance, looking over to it. Shifting her body, the ringing stopped as the button was pressed. It was time to get up and get moving.
She got dressed quickly, not even a few minutes later, the soft creak of her room door opening quietly, and Bells slipped out.
Breakfast was being served, but she had no appetite. Not today. Against better judgment, Bells passed on eating for now. She was too worried about later. The endless things that could go wrong shot out through her head, despite wanting to dismiss those thoughts, they never passed. Her father's common wisdom and advice would contradict her choice to not eat, as any serious battle was a very physically taxing thing and required calories to stay in tip-top shape.
Her students had seen fighting, they had been drilled almost daily on how to deal with a threat. Action and reaction. Read the movements, act accordingly. But there is an intense difference between smacking a dummy and fighting someone with the intent to kill you. For one, The dummy doesn't hit back.
"Get moving you dunce!" A thundering, yet piercing voice echoed in her head. It made Bells jump from the surprise. There came Sothis, looking as bored as usual. Nobody was doing anything interesting for her. All just gearing up and being rather… nervous. Despite yelling incessantly at other people and their interactions to do something, nothing ever came of it. A relieved sigh escaped Bells. At least now she wouldn't be alone in her head. There was a comfort in knowing you had someone else. Even one as loud and irritating as Sothis.
"What was the sigh for?" Sothis raised an eyebrow at Bells. The girl knew she was irritating to some, Byleth included. The poor boy was too busy with setting up things and working to entertain Sothis's rambling and demands for amusement. As it turns out, paperwork and menial labor are boring and she would rather not be a part of it. Not that she could help with it anyway.
"Nothing that should concern you." She replies quietly, looking around frantically. People would think her crazy to talk to herself and draw her sanity into question. Thankfully. The area was devoid of people entirely save her.
"You know I can hear what you're thinking Bells." Sothis voice rolled her eyes with an irked tone. That was technically true. Somewhat. Sothis could see surface-level thoughts. When needed, Bells and Byleth can obscure their thoughts with some mental effort. Though, Sothis being… well, Sothis, it was often pointless to do so with her incessant nagging about it.
"Not everything." Bells retorts before starting to pace over to the fastest way to the classrooms. Nothing more than a few-minute walk was all. Boots clicking slightly as they collide with stone. Thankfully the classroom was never too far off from the dormitories, making it a quick jaunt to them. Grabbing the handle of the door, the knob turned deftly and gave way to her familiar classroom.
At the far end of the classroom, behind the lecture desk stood her sibling, looking down at the table, some papers scattered all over. He almost didn't even hear her opening the door.
"Class doesn't begin for another ten minutes." Byleth only half looked up, too busy with his papers to fully pay attention. Typical Byleth, so wrapped up in what he was doing that he doesn't notice others. Like how Bells was standing over him. She tapped him gently on the shoulder, causing him to whip upwards at attention with a slight panic. "Ah! Sister, don't scare me like that!"
Bells just let out a soft smile and a giggle. "You're so wrapped up in your work, you don't see anything coming." Byleth just lets out a sigh and rolls his eyes.
A few minutes of silence ensued. The awkward silence was suddenly cut by Sothis, floating into the room. "So. You guys gonna talk about how you're about to send kids into a real battle or are we just gonna sit here in silence?"
The thought was on Byleth's mind, even though he wasn't directly commanding them, (That would be his sister.) It was still a worrying prospect.
Both siblings just continued in silence, much to Sothis's annoyance. "Talk about it or something! You two are so b-or-ing!" using the last word to emphasize how dull these two were
Students started to file in before long, Byleth checking off each student as they came in. The first was Edelgard followed by Hubert, as expected. They were always the first to arrive. Today was no exception. Edelgard gave a nod to her teachers and sat down in the seat they had been assigned. Ferdinand came next, proudly showing himself off to the class as if he had just won a medal or something before sitting down. Next was Caspar, grinning from ear to ear. He knew what was coming today and any excuse to get in a brawl was fine by him. Petra came next, greeting her professors with a bow. Dorothea came quickly behind Petra and did a small dance into the room. Next was Lindhardt, looking barely awake at all. He yawned loudly as he walked to his seat, letting out a grunt as if to say, "Present" before sitting down, and face planting onto the desk, before using a hand to prop himself up. Lastly, Bernadetta came rushing into the room, deciding that she would never get into the class if she didn't just make a break for it. She sat down immediately, trying to look as small as possible.
Byleth checked Bernadetta off, marking that everyone was here for class. He would have Bells turn it into the bin later. He cleared his throat as the paper and pen were put down. A grimace plastered over his expression.
"Today, As you already know, marks the first mission that we have been given. We are to capture a group of bandits, taking them alive, if possible. Keep in mind that these people will not hesitate to kill you," At that last comment, Berndetta let out a yelp. Bells moved quickly over to comfort her. "My sister, Bells will be at the command. We will not let them harm you. That, you have my word. Follow her commands and the things we have taught you, and you will return from this fine. Is that clear?"
A collective, "Yes professor." came from the student body in response. Byleth glanced over everyone's gaze. Some are more confident than others. He tapped his desk, a nervous habit almost.
"Good. Grab your weapons and armor and meet at Garegg Mach's gate in fifteen minutes for further instructions. Dismissed." At that, the class got up, everyone except Bernadetta, who was too busy freaking out at the prospect of actual, real combat to do so. Lindhardt was the other, half asleep. His hand slipped from his face, causing his head to fall, jolting him awake. Byleth just sighed and pointed at the open door.
"Go get ready. We're about to move out." Byleth repeats, Linhardt just nodded, standing up from his seat, mumbling something about having to march. Before long Bernadetta too went to grab her bow. But only after Bells told her that she would have her right by her side. Bow units weren't for the front lines. They were best sitting back and picking off foes from afar.
Both Byleth and Bells shuffled out of the room, locking the door behind them. With how clingy Bernadetta was being, they would have to split up to get everyone ready in a reasonable amount of time. Bells walked with Bernadetta to the Training Grounds, where Bernadetta obtained a bow with a quiver full of arrows, more than enough for the task at hand. There should only be a handful of bandits anyway. Any more than thirty arrows would be overkill and unnecessary weight to carry around. If one was to scan around more, Bells could find half-empty racks of various weapons, swords, lances, axes, and more lay haphazardly against the stone wall. Evidence of the battle to come.
After grabbing the appropriate weapons. (Bells taking a steel sword for herself.) Bernadetta followed her teacher down to the gates of Gareg Mach. There stood more than a few dozen people standing at, or around the iron gate. Towards the iron gate, the other teachers stood at the far end, organizing students into groups by class. Quickly joining the teachers, everyone was directed into single-file lines. Thus began the march to Zanado.
The march itself wasn't long, no more than an hour or so one way. Near the mountains, close to Gareg Mach. As they began to arrive, everyone grouped up. Orders began to be issued. The larger force of knights had already blocked off the exits of the mountain, ensuring the bandits couldn't escape. Then the three classes were assigned certain areas to attack (and hopefully take the bandits alive.) Blue Lions and Golden Deer were given smaller groups, Mooks and one "Admin" or sub-leader. However, the Black Eagles were given the task of taking down Kostas himself and anyone who dared stand in the way.
Finally, everyone arrived and got into position. The Canyon itself had four major exits, all serendipitously in the four cardinal directions of north, south, east, and west. Each house was to take one of the roads in. A commanding knight, face obscured by his armor and atop his horse, grabbed a peculiar-looking whistle. It looked handcrafted like a village kid made it. Within a moment the echoing sound rang out.
Moments passed. Then three other whistles, sounding identical to the first echoed out. Then the rush began. Thunderous steps pounded the dirt and rock, what was once neat and orderly lines thickened out to be a mass of people. The canyon, once closely walled in, began to gradually hollow out to more flat land. Both inward and to the sides. Eventually, it opened up on a large, circular area. In the far back, stood Kostas and his lackeys talking with each other.
Bells's commands came hurriedly, ordering her students in place. Edelgard, Ferdinand, and Petra are in front, with the rest behind them for cover. It was only now that one of the subordinates noticed the group not too far off in the distance. "Boss, We gotta get out of here! They'll have our heads if we don't mo-" He was cut off by a loud scoff of his leader.
"Shut yer damn mouth! What kind of thief are you if you fear death?!" His voice echoed loudly in the canyon. If they hadn't been found, they sure were now. Kostas would have gone on a bit more, loud as ever, if one of his subordinates didn't interrupt him with a shaky hand, pointing to the small army of people that had gathered.
"We got company!" A nervous voice came, drawing his axe. Kostas and his posse turned to where the man was pointing and sure enough, there were Bells with her class of students. If one was to glance behind the bandits, one could see movement, the knights no doubt. Sealing the outlaws in. They were only leaving this place dead or alive. Some of his men looked around nervously, others just preparing themselves for what was to come.
Then, the chaos started. The subordinates, (most likely going against the better judgement to run.) ran down the stairs and at the three students in front. Bells started at the back, drawing her sword she pointed at the men. "Go!" her voice came.
The two men, brandishing axes, met with Petra and Edelgard's own weapons, just so happened to be axes. However, Petra went with a peculiar strategy, a risky one at that. Going for a swipe at the legs. It was more of a distraction. Keep the enemy's attention down low so Ferdinand could sweep in and knock them to the ground.
Wack, Wack! Ferdinand's lance came swift, if not a little sloppily. Swinging from left to right atop his horse. If these bandits were any more competent, he could have had his lance stolen from him by having it grabbed. Ideally, you perform it with two hands but, it simply wasn't the case here.
"Disarm them and move on!" Bells's commanding tone came. Looking up the steps. Unnerved men with swords stood, unsure if they should run or not.
"Hubert, Bernadetta, now!" Purple hair didn't move, but Hubert ran forward, past Edelgard, and shot ominous, pitch-black energy coming from his hand. Bell's eyes drifted down, there stood Bernadetta. (Well, "stood'' It was more of a half-crouch.) with her bow drawn, paralyzed by the chaos surrounding her.
"Bernadetta! Shoot!" The command came again, more forcefully this time. Tentative, jumpy hands notched an arrow on the taut string. Pulling back hard, the weapon was aimed a bit over the bandit's head. Eyes shut tightly, mostly out of not wanting to be here. The bow sang as the arrow was let loose, a soft whistle echoing out. (Though nobody could hear it over the sounds of yelling and magic being cast.
Thunk! The arrow pierced into the bandit's armor, tearing cloth by the seams. The force of the arrow was powerful enough to blow the man clear onto his back. Seeing as the grunts didn't have any sort of armor, it was the finishing blow. His sword hit the dirt with a muted noise.
Upon Bells's orders, the class moved in, and up the stairs. The knights quickly moved from behind to capture who they could, making things easier overall.
"What the hell are you guys doing?! Don't just stand there! Kill them!" A shrill, tense voice rang. Snapping them from their trance, the three remaining men moved to attack, two of them running at full speed towards Bells, while the other started to hastily fire off arrows.
Just as the axe-wielding bandit was about to connect with the teacher. A fireball, somewhat bigger than the average man's fist barraged the man's side and knocked him clean off his feet. Of course, Bells had her sword up to counter, but her gaze quickly turned to the source. Dorothea put a single finger up to her chin, almost with a mocking gaze and tone,
"All roses have thorns you know."
Lindhardt stood in the back of the group, almost disinterested in what's going on. If it wasn't for the archers, he would be less concerned. Battle was just. So repugnant. That and Caspar's insistence on jumping into a fight. It kept him awake enough to be active.
Taking inventory of the situation, Bells finally gave Caspar what he wanted, action.
"Split up! Dorothea, Lindhardt, Caspar, Petra. Left side, Everyone else, with me. Pincer attack!"
Caspar's eyes lit up at the command, finally a good scrap. Gripping his metallic gauntlet handles tightly, he looked over to where she had pointed. On the pathway stood a single axe brandishing bandit. Unsure of what to do, the man decided to stand firm, let them come to him.
"Here I come!" Cyan hair rushes off in a blur with the others following suit. If Caspar was anything, he was loud. Thundering steps drew the bandit's attention, and with how aggressive the bandit's opponent was, being defensive was the option that he saw best.
The clanging sound of metal rang loudly, one of the gauntlets being stopped dead by the bandit's axe and the other missing entirely. Using this opportunity, Kostas's subordinate shoved his knee into the boy's gut and shoving him back entirely. The blow was also enough to knock the wind out of him. Seeing it as his chance to strike Caspar down, the bandit rushed at his opponent, axe held over his head, eyes shut tightly.
"Clang!" His eyes shot open to see Petra standing before him, having stopped the blow with her own sword. Cleanly parrying it with a well-placed swing.
"Careless-ness leads to not victory." Her statement takes a moment for him to process as a soothing feeling envelops him. Looking behind him stood an exasperated Lindhardt, shaking his head in either disappointment or disbelief.
"Please try not to get yourself killed. It's rather bothersome." The statement comes rather calmly considering the situation they found themselves in. With the curative magic working, his breath came back much faster than it would have normally. Getting up again, using his gauntlets as a crutch for a moment, before running at his enemy as if nothing had ever happened to begin with.
The bandit had since regained his composure, his attack was a rookie mistake really. The way he did it left him wide open for a counter. Intent on not repeating his blunder, he swung his axe from side to side aggressively, intent on not letting himself be open for reprisal. However, doing this while trying to take on two people at once simply wasn't enough. Caspar punched the axe directly, stunning both of them. Taking advantage of the momentary lapse, Petra sideswiped the man, causing him to recoil to the side. Seeing this as his opening to finish the job, metal hit him directly, crushing him to the floor.
Bells's group moved just as, if not more swiftly than Caspar's. Everyone turned to the archer who was, unsuccessfully, trying to land a clean shot. As it turns out. When you're nervous and have your life on the line, aiming is a little tougher than usual.
Edelgard closed the distance between her and the archer, weapon close behind. A swing, then a snapping noise. The bow snapped clean in half, the once taut string whipping the man's arm. Recoiling back from the shock and Edelgard pushing the advantage, striking the man's chest roughly, finishing the fight abruptly.
Thud. He hit the ground, breathless. Unable to move, he lies there, catching his breath. The sound of metal shuffling. Knights of Serios moved in, dragging the men they could without getting caught in the crossfire. That didn't stop the chaos though. Numbers may dwindle but Kostas's bandits showed no signs of surrender.
Moving further in, swords were drawn at the start of the decaying stone bridge. Bells didn't even have to issue orders, Ferdinand and Edelgard met them, weapons still drawn.
"If you surrender now, we promise to spare your life." A matter-of-fact tone came from Ferdinand. One of the men, a younger sort, seemed to reconsider things, the other, older, moved to attack. Rushing for Edelgard, she braced herself. Shifting her weight to the back foot, the axe moved lower. However, this was merely a diversion. The attacker abruptly shifted to Ferdinand, slashing at his exposed hand.
Both the horse and him recoiled, pain shooting through his arm. An opening. Using the distraction, Edelgard's axe found its way into the back of the bandit. He hit the dirt with a grunt.
"A pity. But there was no other way." Readjusting her hair, Ferdinand retreated some, to treat his injury. The younger bandit, having watched this, got cold feet. His sword dropped to the stone almost as fast as the other man had and put his hands in the air.
"Wise choice." Edelgard's voice came. Directions came again. Hubert was to escort the man back to the knights, given permission to only incapacitate. Hubert didn't much like this, but he followed orders anyway. Muttering things about how scum like this shouldn't be allowed to live, and his dissatisfaction with being relegated to escort duty.
Byleth was getting antsy. He was in the back and was only able to watch and listen, some of his view being obstructed by rock and other debris. Eyes darted around, panicked almost. Most knights were standing around, on guard, silently waiting for anything to happen. Every knight, save those in command positions, wore identical armor. Making things a sea of white.
Someone started to come into view, causing the knights to stir, readying to draw their swords at the site of a bandit. Only after Hubert showed from the side did they relax their grip. Hubert moved at a brisk pace, eager to hand the bandit off and return to the battle.
Ferdinand's horse swiftly came into view, a grimace splayed over his face. Digging into his bag that he kept on his horse, he pulled out a pale bottle with the label of. "Vulnerary" scrawled on it.
At the sight of the item, Byleth decided he had enough. Waiting wasn't helping any and his students were getting hurt. With a steel sword sheathed, the boy shoved his way past the knights, leaping onto the rock that his sister had started at just minutes earlier. Drawing his sword, he ran up the stairs, ignoring the shouting from behind to return to the safety of the knights.
On the orders of a commander, two knights were sent after him.
When Byleth got to the center rock, he could overview everything. On the right side, two men lay on their back axes by them, bodies still. To the left was a similar site. Two men lay on the ground, though still breathing. Now their only stood four bandits, a man with a tome, two archers, and Kostas himself.
With the final sword bandit and Caspar rushing at each other, Caspar leaped into the air slightly, using the forward momentum to tackle the man to the ground. Having the man now pinned down, left Caspar perfectly vulnerable. The man with the tome tore open the book, reading it with one hand open. Just moments later, a fire started to form. It grew into a large ball. Looking back at the situation. The ball was released, hurdling itself at Caspar.
Before it could connect, another fireball intercepted it, causing both of them to explode upon impact.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?!" Dorothea's voice came. Lindhardt, Petra, and Dorothea came from the side, concentrating on the mage and the boy who was still sitting on top of a very angry, squirming man.
Looking to the pillars, stood Kostas. Frantically looking around before transfixing himself on Bells. He almost didn't even notice the explosion going off to the side of him. It drew everyone's attention. Everyone but the archers. Distracted by the explosion, the archers notched an arrow, a special armor-piercing one, both aiming for Edelgard's chest.
Time slowed. The soft thrum of the bows sung as arrows flew.
"Thunk. Thunk." The arrows sunk into Edelgard the same way a warm knife would through butter. One sunk into the shoulder, while one pierced directly into the chest. Hubert was the first to notice, followed immediately by Byleth and Bells.
Edelgard started to fall to the ground.
"NOO!" Byleth screamed, Bells starting to rush over.
Timepulse
Bells almost tripped over herself. Byleth was still holding out his hand. Sothis, floating in the air came over, exasperated. The eerie silence now replaced the screams and other noises of battle. The twins both noticed Sothis at the same time before immediately noticing each other. Bewilderment on Byleth, concern on Bells.
"Again? I'm starting to think that you're not as good of a commander as you think you are." Sothis rolled her eyes, glancing over the two before looking over everything.
"What…" Byleth began, looking around. The surroundings went void black. Everything but the ground has been consumed by inky blackness.
"Where are w- And why isn't he frozen?" Bells pointed at her sibling, Sothis just shrugged.
"If you two idiots can't pull it together, it's going to be a very rough year." She continues, ignoring the question entirely. Moving to float with her head forward, legs going back, and using her arms as imaginary supports for her face.
A short silence ensued, the twins looking back at each other again before looking at Sothis.
"...You two are hopeless. You would never survive without me. Time is frozen again. Duh." She motions around, the shocked expressions of Byleth's students frozen, everyone had become a statue.
"We can see that… But… How did we get this to happen…?" Byleth tilts his head, scanning around again. Bells only nodded, concurring with the question presented. Unphased as ever, Sothis just shrugged in response.
"I don't fully understand how this works. You guys may be stuck in here now." Both twins jerked their heads to look at the floating girl. Panic filled Byleth. Were they stuck in this void forever? Was this what purgatory was like?
"Nah. I'm just screwing with you." Sothis continues, amusement written all over her face. Seeing him with such an indignant look never got old. "This… happened because you two wished to change things. It seems like you both need to want it."
"So how do we fix this? How do we get out of here?" Bells crossed her arms, questioning Sothis much more peacefully than her sibling would have. Sothis rolled her eyes again, Bells was ever the diligent one, no time for fun anymore.
"Fine. Since you two are in such a rush to get back, you can rewind a few minutes. You're welcome!" Green hair floated off into the inky black void, pouting a bit. Sothis was… a fickle girl, she always wanted to get things her way, even at the inconvenience of others. Bells just let out a sigh. She would have to talk to her later.
Looking her sibling in the eye, she nodded at him. "Let's go back to right before the fireball. That should give us enough time to deal with things." Byleth only nodded in response.
Here goes nothing…
Muscles tensed, Byleth and Bells were forced back into the places they were just moments prior by some other force. It seems that even time manipulation has its own rules. When Bells got her wits about her and was able to see what was going on, the bandit with the tome was digging through his book.
Byleth pushed past the guards just as before. "Bells! Now!" He yells as he jumps down the small cliff, landing on his feet and rushing at the archer to the left. Bells moved wordlessly…
"Boom!" The colliding fireballs exploded right on queue. The archers, as if they had tunnel vision, went to draw the arrows at Edelgard. Though the bows did not sing as they once had. Byleth shoved his self-assigned archer, knocking him to the floor with Bells's following suit but more violently. Both fell to the ground with Bells jumping in the air, shoving the sword clean though.
The rush of blue caught Kostas's eye. "First the noble brats and now you?!" His eyes darted over to Byleth. "Why the hell is there two of you now?!" The grip on his axe tightened, still scrambling to see. What he found was a group of people closing in and his final man looking as nervous as he was.
"Gah. I'll kill all of you!" The scoundrel rushed towards Bells. Maybe as an act of revenge for his embarrassment. If he was going down, he was certainly going to take someone with him. Bells shifted stance, preparing to counter. This was precisely the same move he had done last time. Though this time Edelgard came from the side, shoving her cleaver in his abdomen and stopping him dead in his tracks. Removing the weapon caused him to slump over.
Looking up, the final bandit had his hands in the air. He simply didn't have any chance to win this. He'd rather stand trial than end up similar to Kostas.
Edelgard looked over the crumpled form of Kostas, Bells walking over. "Why?" she begins, her student turning to face Bells properly. "Why did you intervene? I could have taken care of him. You threw yourself into life-threatening danger."
"I was just returning the favor. Now we're even." Something was up. Edelgard knew something odd happened, she just couldn't put her finger on it. Everything just seemed to end… too well. What was she missing?
No. Now wasn't the time to ponder over unnecessary things. Just toss it to the metaphorical pile. With the knights moving in, It was over. They had prevailed and without casualty. That's what mattered. Time to move on. Edelgard then promptly walked away.
Things moved swiftly from there, reports from the other classes came in. Victory with no casualties. A feeling of relief swept over everyone. Now was the time to wrap things up, and go back to the monastery. That would have been the case… if Sothis didn't chime in, wanting the two siblings to walk around. Something about this place felt… off. To all of them.
Byleth was quickly called away to do some tasks related to teaching and such, allowing Bells some time alone. Returning to where Kostas once stood, she just took it all in. Desecrated ruins of what used to be… something stood around her. Some… ancient civilizations used to live here.
"So you feel it too? There's something about this place..." Sothis's voice comes from behind, much calmer than usual. What was usually filled with dramatic, sassy words was subdued for a more introspective tone. Bells just nods at the comment, continuing to look around. "But this is your first time here." The girl continues, still taking everything.
"I'm sure something will eventually come up." Sothis finishes her words quietly before vanishing into thin air. She had a lot to think about, things will figure themselves out. Hopefully.
[Day Thirty-One, Harpstring Moon, Imperial Year 1180, 6:00 PM]
By the time everyone had returned to the monastery, the sun was starting to set. Dinner was coming soon. Seeing as everyone was exhausted from the previous battle and marching, it was decided that the rest of the day was dedicated to free time… for the students.
Hanneman, Byleth, Bells, and Manuella had a mountain of paperwork, grading, and report writing. Byleth had decided to put most of it off. He could turn it in the day following tomorrow.
Dinner was a lively affair as usual. Conversations of how the battle went, Caspar, being loud as usual. Bells, being the diligent worker that she was, took her meal to her room, hoping to eat and knock out the written reports right now. She dug in, both into her food and the paperwork. A few pages had been finished when a shadow appeared at the door, slipping a note under before leaving. In her hyper-focused state, it took a handful of minutes for her to notice. Only when she stopped to stretch did she see the thin piece of paper.
Tilting her head her legs pushed the chair back slightly, allowing her to move over. The letter was a single piece of paper, folded in half and her name written on the front. Quickly opening the paper up it held a single sentence.
"Archbishop Rhea wishes to speak with you immediately."
Looking down, there was the church of Serios symbol at the bottom with a rather eccentric signature from one of the middlemen. Well better not keep her waiting… She shuffled out of her room, closing the door behind her.
The stone staircase echoed, as usual, conversation from elsewhere leaked in. None of it particularly caught her interest. Before long, Bells stood at the chamber door, almost inaudible whispers coming from the other side. As modesty dictated, she knocked.
A pause.
"Come in." Rhea's soft voice came, giving Bells the cue to walk in. With the dying rays of the sun shining through the glass behind, there stood both Rhea and Byleth. The Archbishop's smile seemed to almost light up the room more. That what Byleth would have said anyway. Rhea began to speak as soon as Bells closed the door and walked over.
"Bells. I've been told that your leadership was excellent in today's battle. Thank you for seeing your students safely through that trial." She turns to look at Byleth. "I hope you learned some valuable lessons about real combat." He merely nodded in response. He was waiting for her to bring it up, the fact he ran out into the middle of a warzone. Yet, it never came. It seems someone was very relaxed with reporting… or Rhea knew and just didn't mention it.
"Those bandits… Those who turned themselves in will receive a trial. Justice will be served. As for those who perished, may they find peace in the next life. Though the fact they were targeted is concerning." A mix of confusion and concern plastered itself on her visage. Byleth used this moment to step in.
"There was something about it there… Zanado. It felt… Ethereal almost."
Rhea looked back at him in the eye. "Ah, yes. The Zanadoan legend. Would you care to recite it?"
Byleth had studied this countless times, he knew the words like the back of his hand. He turned to his sibling.
"Long ago, Seiros received a revelation from the goddess. A gift to help the lost and damned. The goddess watches over us all, lending salvation. She is the mother, the arbiter of every soul." He looked back to Rhea, who looked satisfied with his rather short explanation.
"I hope you will continue to support your students and study the church's teachings, that you may grow closer to the goddess." As if right on cue, a knocking at the door came.
"Come in."
Seteth came hurriedly over. Though it was mostly out of needing to give his report before tending to his other duties. With him coming in, Rhea gave a hand gesture to leave. Both heeded this and left the room, the only thing Bells heard before the door shut was.
"About those bandits…"
With the chamber empty, Sothis quickly came over, her normal sassy attitude had somewhat returned. She had heard everything about the goddess, Serios. It left her more confused than before.
"I have no memory of this… goddess, or Seiros. Yet… Zanado gave me the feeling of home. I just… don't remember." Bells gave a sympathetic look and were going to reply but Sothis continued. "Does… Does that mean I'm some ghost?"
"That must be it." Byleth shrugged. He was too tired for this. He still had a lot of work to do and just didn't have the energy to think about deep, complex things like this.
Sothis recoiled a little, the sassy tone she was known for immediately returned. "Are you simple?! I most certainly exist! I can't be a ghost!" This drew an amused smile from Bells.
"Come on Bells. Let's leave this simpleton to his bed. He doesn't get it." Sothis then begins to float off. With a final wave to a yawning Byleth, she returned to her room.
Now with the onslaught of paperwork…
-End Of Chapter-
