Dimitri is losing everything. He lost his family all those years ago, lost his friends trust, lost Dedue's trust, and now has lost Byleth, his beloved professor. She disappeared in a grand storm of darkness that consumed her. The last Dimitri saw the professor was her terrified expression reflected back at him. That was the last thing holding him together.
"There's no way she's dead" screamed Annette at the creature. The bastard's smile creeped up with yellow teeth and chapped lips on deathly pale skin. He looked into the eyes of Dimitri with his own, demonic and mismatched.
"She might not be, but there are fates worse than death," the dead man said.
Dimitri knew this fact. He lived it and breathed it. Breathed the suffocating smoke, smelling of ash, blood, and death. Every moment on the battlefield reminds him of those moments. Every meal ruined by the ever present reminder of his failure. Even a cup of tea is a dark reminder of what he lost. His very eyes betray him, showing visions of his family suffering eternally, begging for their justice that they so deserve.
Her kind, understanding eyes no longer can ease the pain away.
He could not let this monster breathe another moment.
"I will tear you to shreds" Dimitri screamed, his desperation driving him forward faster than anyone could stop him. The monster began summoning it's dark energy, preparing to fire at Dimitri. He stared death straight in the face and knew what to do.
Ironically, the only time Dimitri ever gets to use what Byleth taught him is not to protect her, but to avenge her. Fitting for a beast as himself.
He summons a grand pillar of light before him, and attempts to strike down the lowly beast with the goddess's light. The aura that Byleth so graciously gifted him will be this monster's retribution.
If not, then he has his hands, shaking in anticipation to test its strength in earnest.
Both attacks meet at the center of the sealed forest monument, shoving violently against each other before dissipating as the sky itself split open, bleeding a brilliant red.
"The fell star swallows even the darkness," The bastard said.
Dimitri stared in awe at the shining hole floating above the ground. Bright brilliant light with a sense of reassurance flows from it. From within the star came forth a figure.
Dimitri dared his heart not to hope, but hope he did against the wishes of those phantoms.
He saw her, he really sees her. She is alive, in front of them, and seemingly blessed by the goddess herself. Her hair changed to a brilliant green and her eyes shine the same way. He runs over to her, bolting with everything he has left, hoping he will be fast enough to keep her safe this time.
"By-Professor '' Dmitri yelled, desperate for any confirmation that she's alive. He almost forgot his place, again. Dangerously close to her, She turns around and looks at him, her divine beauty paralyzing. She looks toward him, concerned. Dimitri overdid it, he thought, but not for long.
The professor hugged him swiftly and tightly. Taken aback at first, Dimitri decided quickly that comforting her is far more important than any indignation. He gripped her tightly as well, forever blessed by her presence. She looks at him carefully, considering something. She kissed him.
Something slows, and goes back, just a step.