"How could these results be correct?" he wondered as he analyzed for the tenth time the results in front of him. "In that case, why he hasn´t been overwhelmed by the corruption?"
After the latent state in which master Thales was, he had been turned into the second in command while Myson prepared his own experiments. He had the duty of getting rid of him, but after treating the injuries of his master, his determination was beginning to fade.
"The genetic material obtained from his injuries reveal an unusual high level of ionizing radiation. Such a level that makes our own weapons look like meaningless toys. However, there are no visible mutations in the host of the Fell Star. Could this mean that they are in a symbiotic relation?" he asked himself as he adjusted his lens.
The results were fascinating and terrifying and the same time. The fact that a human body could withstand such level of radiation without mutating into an unreasonable beast was something fascinating, but he was afraid of the consequences that could bring to their kin. According to their studies, crestless humans were unable to withstand the corruption of the Crest Stones without mutating into beasts. The exception were the bearers of Crests, which had a higher tolerance to such problematic, but weren´t immune to it either. Even the apex of their investigation, the Flame Emperor, would turn into a brainless beast if it were to be exposed to such levels of energy.
However, the host of the Fell Star appeared to be not only immune to the radiation within his body, but also appeared to control it to some extent. The replica of the Crest of Flames that were able to develop during the Flame Emperor project gave him a better insight about the regenerative capabilities of such Crest. They already knew that the Crest stone was within his body, but the regenerative capabilities must be of such degree that they surpass the problem of a constant exposure to the Crest stone. "What could she be thinking when she did something like this?" Their kind had always been arrogant, but if the host had the risk of losing its sanity it could lead them to a catastrophe of colossal magnitudes. However, if the host´s consciousness was replaced by the Fell Star it would be an important problem as well.
"If the Fell Star finally takes control of its host, we will be doomed" he thought as he shivered. Trying to get rid of him by conventional means was likely to proof unsuccessful. The only plausible option was to trap him within the void, but they needed a place unstable enough to access what remained of Zahras. "Will the shadow be able to devour this amount of power? If we are lucky, they will kill each other and we will be able to reclaim the city again". Zahras had an invaluable amount of knowledge waiting to be rediscovered again. It was the key to this world and the rest of the universe.
"We tried reaching the sky and we were burned in the process" he lamented as he observed the different samples he had on his desk. They were able to keep some of their technology, but the lost of the city meant a lost of progress of several thousands of years. "At least we aren´t primitive beings like those on the surface". It was infuriating they enjoyed the light of the sun despite their treachery. "Kneeling before those who had sworn to destroy us…what a bunch of cowards" he thought as he stood up again. After hours of investigation his legs hurt, but he didn´t have time to lose. Of all places there was one that met all the requirements to open a temporal portal to their lost city, but the place was heavily protected by the devices of their enemy.
"Solon. I have received an information that could be of high utility" said Clion, appearing in front of him.
"Please, tell me. I was about to leave, but it is my duty to take responsibility of everything until master Thales fully recovers from its injuries", he said offering one of the high ranked officials a seat.
"We have received an interesting report from the areas of the monastery. According to our source a battle had taken place in the sealed forest"
"Who battled there?"
"Unfortunately, we don´t know, but most of the statues appeared to be destroyed"
"That could benefit us. If the defense mechanism is weakened, we could take advantage of the situation to prepare the place for our own ritual. That place is full of energy. We can surely canalize that amount of energy to create a portal and send the Fell Star to its eternal confinement"
"There were also signs of manipulation of some of the pillars. It appears to be that something was extracted from them"
"That must be the Chalice" he thought. When he first had heard from it, he had the hope of using it for their own objectives, but after investigating more into it, he had discarded it as a useful device. "That fool only wants to bring her back, but the method had proved to fail. Only with the use of a host could she be able to achieve something like that, and even in that case the probabilities of getting an exact replica of the Fell Star were nonexistent. Her offspring must certainly miss her, despite all the crimes they have committed to this world" he said to himself. "Don´t worry about it. There is nothing of interest there to us. The important thing we now know is that the defensive system is weakened. We must take advantage of it as soon as possible. Prepare a battalion. We will depart from here shortly"
"As you wish" Clion nodded to him, before leaving him alone.
"If we want our plans to succeed, we need to get rid of him, although it would be a pity if we lose the Sword of the Creator. Such weapon is worth of a lifelong study" he thought as he returned to his workplace, his resolution renewed. In front of him there were holograms of the different planets they had been able to identify during millenniums. Although their technology had suffered due to the fall of the capital, they had been able to keep the stellar maps created by their ancestors.
"Bring me back to Sirius" he ordered to the projector. As he said so the images of the different planets and systems disappeared, allowing him to focus on the hologram in front of him. One brilliant star appeared in front of him, although a closer look allowed the observer to notice a star of a smaller size orbiting next to it.
"A system with two stars" he thought. Most systems like their own only had one star, but the Universe had proofed to be filled with countless mysteries. However, the stars weren´t the object of his search. As he took a closer look, the hologram of a planet with an ever-changing atmosphere appeared in front of him. It was the last vestige of their apex and it could proof to be the key to their return.
"I need to learn everything about it" he thought as he adjusted his lens and burrowed himself into his analysis.
12/27 Ethereal Moon
"How could they know that we have the Chalice? This is too strange, there must be a traitor between us!" Constance said looking at each one of them with an inquisitive look.
"Another betrayal? How many times do I have to be betrayed until I can find some peace? This is so infuriating"
"Calm down, Constance, Hapi. We couldn´t discard the possibility that someone from the outside could be the one acting in the shadows. If we can´t trust each other then we won´t be able to save Aelfric, don´t you think Professor?" Yuri said looking at him with a confident look.
"I agree. We have to trust each other if we want to save him. If we start fighting against each other we won´t be able to know the entire truth about all of this"
"You really sound confident, but we don´t really know how many enemies are waiting for our arrival. Are we really going to give them the Chalice? I don´t have good vibes about it. We should destroy it"
"If we destroy it, Aelfric will die, he had been taken care of all of us. It is the time to return the favor. My fists are all yours, Professor. If it is for Aelfric, I will be doing my best"
"We will need more than just your fists if we want to succeed, Balthus. Desperate times require desperate solutions. Hapi when we arrive you will have to do "that""
"Are you serious, Yuri? You know what is going to happen"
"I agree with Hapi, if "that" is the solution to our problems we should just hand them the Chalice"
"What are you talking about?" she asked intrigued. They were talking as if Hapi had a hidden device.
"It is a long story, but the moment that Hapi sighs, things are going to get interesting. Don´t worry, I wouldn´t be asking something like that if I didn´t think that it is the best outcome, given the circumstances"
"That sounds like a joke, but looking at all of you there must be some true behind it. Let´s save that old man then, my bow is ready"
"Count with my lance too"
"So troublesome, when are we going to rest? Edelgard, when everything ends, I will be staying in bed at least for two weeks, no exceptions"
"I will consider it after everything ends. I´m counting with you for the time being"
"Understood" Linhardt yawned.
"According to the message, they will be waiting for us in the surroundings of the Old Chapel. We must be there before the sun sets. We have to hurry up"
The moment Yuri talked about the Old Chapel, Byleth´s expression appeared to darken, but he said nothing.
"What should we do if we get spotted by the Church?"
"I know that you don´t like the Church, but in case that we need their cooperation, so be it. Let´s go, I know a shortcut"
…
The rains of the last days had turned the terrain surrounding the old chapel into mud, although the scarred terrain in some areas where the silent witnesses of the battle they´ve had there in what appeared to be a lifetime ago.
"This place is perfect for an ambush. I don´t like it" Hapi muttered as they checked the terrain around them.
"They think that they have the high ground, but we will show them that they are wrong. I´ve spent my entire life taking risky bets and I´ve always had luck on my side. This time won´t be different, even if I have to pay a price for it" Yuri said with confident smile, although his eyes were telling otherwise. "Professor, after we complete the rescue, I entrust you with the rest. I´m counting with you"
"What do you…"
"So you have finally arrived. I was already getting bored. I was about to cut one of his fingers off. You shouldn´t make me wait like that" said a man toying with a dagger in his hands, a sadistic smile on his face. He was accompanied by a group of soldiers and more of them were around them with their weapons ready just in case. "My name is Metodey and I´m here to take that little cup of yours. Give it to me and the deal is over"
"Don´t do it, we shouldn´t trust such device to someone like him. It is…"
"Shut up! Since when do you have the right to speak?" Metodey said as he slapped Aelfric. "Don´t dare to come any closer or I will cut open his throat"
"That accent, he must be from the Empire" she thought as she prepared her axe.
"Am I ruining the mood? It is simple, you give me the Chalice and I return you this guy. Everyone is happy and continues with their lives" Metodey said as if he was talking to a bunch of children.
"How do we know that you will be true to your word? Who is the one hiring you?" she asked
"Too many questions. I don´t like answering questions, I´m usually the one making them, so could you please shut up. You have really nice eyes, but if you keep spouting nonsense from your filthy mouth, I will have to leave you blind"
"Don´t dare to menace her" Byleth said placing himself before her, an irritated expression on his face.
"Calm down. I just want to do my job. I mean no offense. Place the Chalice over that rock and return where you are. I will pick it and then you can do whatever you want with this guy"
"Fine, I will do it" Yuri said as he silently nodded to Hapi. As he did so Hapi started to sigh.
"It wasn´t that difficult, don´t you think?" Metodey nodded as he saw how Yuri placed the Chalice on a rock a few meters from them. "This is going to be the…" what he was saying was interrupted by a howl.
"A wolf?" she wondered, but it wasn´t the only sound coming from their surroundings.
"Monsters!" shouted one of the hired soldiers as a giant eagle appeared from the skies and crushed one of the soldiers next to him. In a matter of seconds their surroundings had turned into a monster hive.
"I think I´ve alerted all the monsters wandering near the monastery. I don´t think that more of them will come, but be ready just in case. So troublesome" Hapi said as she casted a spell against one of the soldiers.
"What kind of magic can do something like this? My interest has been renewed" Linhardt said as he prepared his healing spells.
Byleth had already recovered the Chalice and had freed Aelfric from his captors, while they were securing the perimeter around him. Most of the hired soldiers were fighting against the beasts, but they weren´t completely safe. Some of the enemy soldiers were already preparing a counterattack while Metodey was trying to assemble their units before their lines collapsed.
"Take the Chalice! I don´t care if you kill the rest of them, but make sure to get it. It is the golden opportunity to a life without worries"
"The fact that someone could commit such crimes just for some gold is infuriating" Dimitri said as he killed one of the enemy soldiers.
"This is the world where we live, a world where the lives of many are decided by a price" she said as she attacked and defeated an armored knight.
"This is not the time to talk about this kind of things, guys. Let´s defeat them and enjoy a good meal after all of this end" Claude smiled as he shot an arrow to one of the thieves approaching them from behind.
A small group of soldiers was already preparing to attack them when they were suddenly engulfed by crimson flames. When the flames extinguished only ashes remained of them. She thought that Byleth was the responsible of such attack, but was surprised when she saw it was Aelfric.
"Don´t worry, Byleth. I can handle my own quite well" Aelfric said with a faint smile. "We should evacuate the area, before the situation gets worse"
Their enemy was trying to overwhelm the beasts around them, but they had to stop their attacks too.
"Keep moving, they are just a bunch of dogs. Don´t give up now!" Metodey shouted as he killed one of the giant beasts. "This is the opportunity of my life. I won´t let any of you escape!"
"In that case face me" Byleth said advancing to Metodey´s position with his sword unsheathed. They were about to clash against each other when one of the monsters appeared.
"Get rid of the beast and secure the area" she shouted as she attacked the giant eagle in front of them.
"That´s the fighting spirit I like the most" Balthus grinned as he jumped and punched in the face the giant beast. As he did so the giant eagle cried and started to fly, taking Balthus in one of its claws.
"Ugh, I´m screwed! Bring it down!"
"Said and done" Claude said as he shot an arrow. The moment it impacted in one of the beast eyes, Balthus was released from the claws of the beast, his fall softened by the branches of one of the trees nearby.
"You could have killed me with that!"
"You didn´t have to worry. I usually have luck on my side" Claude laughed as he prepared another arrow.
The beasts were getting slayed, but their enemy had already suffered heavy losses. Some of them had taken shelter in one of the abandoned buildings in the area surrounding the Old Chapel, but they were still facing resistance.
"I surrender" cried one of the soldiers when he realized it was cornered. As he said so he was trapped by magic ropes casted by Hapi.
"If you surrender, we will let you live, but you have to drop your arms or otherwise we will get rid of you" Byleth said with his sword ready for combat.
"What about the gold?" asked one of the soldiers.
"Are you stupid? Forget about it, I don´t want to die here in this stupid forest. I surrender" said one of the armored soldiers.
With that precedent most of the remaining enemy forces started to surrender, although some of them more willingly than others.
"Where is Metodey?" she wondered as she didn´t see him among the surrendered enemies. "We should be careful their leader…"
"The Chalice or I cut his throat" shouted a voice behind them. Metodey had a dagger next to Linhardt´s neck, which was extremely pale as he saw a trickle of blood on his neck.
"Blood, I don´t like seeing it, Professor, please" Linhardt implored.
In a split of a second, they were in a dire situation. Balthus and Dimitri were making sure that the surrendered enemies did nothing. Claude had his bow prepared, but Metodey was using Linhardt´s body as a shield and there was the uncertainty that Linhardt could be shot and magic attacks would affect both of them so they didn´t have an option free of risks. Byleth was approaching his hand to the area of his chest as if he was preparing to do something when she stepped forward.
"Don´t act like a fool, don´t you understand how dire is your current situation?"
"What are you saying? I´m the one that I will be living in luxury for the rest of my life if I just get this little job right. Step aside if you have nothing to say, stupid girl"
"Even at a time like this you don´t seem to understand. The fact that you come from the Empire is an embarrassing thought. You must have been a simple burglar before you started climbing the social ladder with crimes, am I mistaken?"
"How do you know where do I come from?"
"The way you speak betrays you. You said before that I had beautiful eyes, quite unusual eyes I dare to say. If you don´t drop your weapon, no matter how much gold you earn you won´t live another day to enjoy it"
"No, no way" Metodey said in shock as he realized the meaning of her words. "I´ve screwed up!"
"Now!"
With a swift movement Byleth disarmed Metodey with a quick swift of the Sword of the Creator, while Linhardt used a fire spell to get rid of Metodey´s grip. He was about to unsheathe another sword, but she was already on him.
"This will be the last time that you cause any harm" she sentenced as her axe crushed his chest.
"I just wanted an easy…gain…" he muttered as he passed away.
"You were really scary, Edelgard, but I must admit that it was a good idea to spoil his focus. Now everything is done" Claude smiled.
"You must keep your promise then, Claude" Hilda said with a teasing smile.
"I know, I know. I will be true to my word, don´t worry about it"
"You did a splendid job Ashe"
"I´m so happy to hear that from you, your Highness"
"Please, don´t be like Dedue at a time like this. You can just call me by my own name. We are friends after all"
"Sorry, I sometimes forget that you don´t really like being called like that"
"Professor! It seems that Yuri was injured. Could you please come over here?" Aelfric asked with a worried expression on his face.
Intrigued by it she decided to follow them. Yuri was close to their location and was cherishing the area of his leg, leaning his back against a tree.
"Sorry for spoiling the little celebration, Professor. I´ve got hit in one leg so I will need you to stand up again"
"There is no problem with that" Byleth said as he offered his hand to him.
With a smile on his face Yuri extended his hand to reach his, but she sensed something odd in his movement.
"Byleth, the dagger!"
In a split of a second Byleth avoided the attack aimed at him, but the Chalice he had been protecting had landed in Yuri´s hands. She was about to charge at him when she received the impact of a spell that sent her to the ground.
"Edelgard!" Byleth was unsheathing his sword when he received another magic attack as well.
"Don´t worry, Byleth. I don´t intend to kill any of you. Thank you, Yuri, you´ve done a terrific work" he said as he casted magic ropes around her body and Byleth´s.
"I told you, deceiving is the best thing I can do" he laughed, although there was sadness in his eyes.
"What the hell, Yuri? You bastard!" Balthus shouted, but he was stopped by a spell aimed at him from a group of bushes next to them. The magic attacks immobilized most of them, and those that avoided the attacks couldn´t counterattack since Constance, Hapi and Balthus were already trapped by the new unknown forces.
"What´s the meaning of this?" Dimitri furiously asked.
"That´s not fair game, what are you doing?"
"There is no time to ask unnecessary questions. I need the four of you to fulfill the objective of my whole live"
"Another betrayal. It doesn´t matter how many times I´ve been betrayed, it always leaves a soar taste in my mouth"
"The fact that someone so insignificant like me could be trapped in this situation is comical at best. The Goddess must really despise me as the sun over us"
"Damn, Aelfric. I thought you were a nice guy, but I guess I was wrong" Balthus said as he spitted to the ground. "But you, Yuri, why? We´ve been through so many things together I thought we really were friends"
"I didn´t think that you would be so emotional. I guess, that you don´t completely know a person until you´ve really hurt them at least once. I´m sorry, but I´m doing what I have to" he then looked at Byleth. "You were a nice Professor while it lasted. Apart from that I won´t make any excuses. I leave the rest in your hands" he said as he waved a hand. Sounds of horns could be heard from their position. It appeared to be that someone was approaching.
"We are running out of time. I hope that one day you can forgive me, Byleth. I really hope that one day you will understand why I am doing what I have to. I will pray for the safety of you and the others. Farewell until then" Aelfric said as a purple mist covered him and the four other leaders of the Abyss. As the magic clouds disappeared the sound of the horns grew stronger and finally the forces of the Church appeared.
"So you were here, thanks Goddess" Rhea said as she hurried to Byleth´s side, casting a spell that release all of them from the previous enchantment. "I was so worried about you; you should have stayed in your room. After losing Jeralt I couldn´t afford losing you, my dear" she said embracing him, as a mother would embrace her own son…or as a lover.
Looking at her and noticing her voluptuous body, she was feeling upset, and it wasn´t only because she knew the real identity of the archbishop. By the way the rest of the students were observing them, she wasn´t the only one to be affected by the affection from the archbishop.
"Lady Rhea, could you explain to us how did you know that we were here?" she asked after clearing her throat several times.
"I apologize for losing my manners" she said as she helped Byleth to stand up again. "We have been searching for all of you since your sudden disappearance. At first, I thought that it would be a simple matter, but things appeared to be more complicated than I considered at first. The ancient documents regarding the Chalice of the Beginnings had been accessed by unworthy beings. The Chalice by itself is powerless, but if the four disciples reunite once again, the situation will be dire"
"The four disciples? They must be dead by now…wait, do you mean that the four disciples had descendants?" asked a surprised Linhardt.
"Exactly and if I am not mistaken, the four students in the Abyss are their direct descendants"
"Wait a second, then it is true that the Chalice can bring back the dead?"
"The Chalice is only able to regenerate a body as long as the soul remains intact. According to the ancient documents, the last time it was used it ended badly. Aelfric must be trying to start the ritual once again, but it is too dangerous. If we don´t stop him now the monastery will be in great peril"
"Even if we want to stop them, we don´t know the location of the ritual. If we had been faster…" Dimitri lamented as he looked at the tip of his lance.
"There is no need to worry about it. The ritual of the beginning must take place in a place with a close bond with the Goddess. Time is required to complete the ritual and it also requires vast amounts of energy"
"It must be the Holy Mausoleum" Byleth said as he readjusted his weapon.
"Exactly we must head there at once, before it is too late"
"Lady Rhea!" Alois shouted as he suddenly arrived. "Thieves had appeared around the village next to the monastery. We need reinforcements as soon as possible or we could be overwhelmed! Byleth I didn´t expect to see you here!" he said shocked when he realized Byleth´s presence.
"Aelfric must be trying to split our forces in case we want to disturb the ritual, causing a distraction" Rhea said with a serious expression on her face. "Even if I am fond of him, I cannot allow him to continue with this nonsense. Alois, go with Catherine to the village and stop the attacks. I will head with the students to the Holy Tomb. There is no time to waste. May the Goddess protect you"
"Understood!"
"I am aware that all of you are exhausted, but we must avoid the risks of this ritual"
"Well, since we are already at this point, there is no other option but to end this story, don´t you think?"
"I´m with Claude, we need to stop Aelfric and Yuri and save all of them"
"I agree" Byleth simply nodded as he looked to the archbishop.
"The look in your eyes give me confidence in our victory" Rhea said with a smile as she casted a powerful warp.
"The rite of rebirth. I wonder what kind of elements are required to make it take place" she wondered as she was engulfed in the purple air she had grown used to see as the Flame Emperor.