The city was in front of them, the emblem of the Leicester Alliance defiantly looking at them from the walls, which were infested by archers.

"The walls are filled with archers; it seems that Claude has been able to gather what remains of the Alliance" she muttered as she checked her own surroundings. The main group of the army, which she was leading, was in the center, formed by heavy infantry units and archers behind them. Each column of soldiers was accompanied by archers, their objective to attack the enemy archers, while the armored units approached the main gate, its first group with a battering ram prepared for the task, although a pair of battalions had escalades as well.

On the flanks she had placed the cavalry, although with more focus to the left side, since it was the one connected to the rest of the land. Blocking their routes of communication while their main forces took the inner city was key to the success of the plan. Meanwhile, she had placed their magic units at the rearguard. They were the ones responsible of harassing the enemy from the distance and their location allowed them to assist any of the other groups without putting them at the front lines. They were also responsible of guarding their hidden ace, located in the caravans in the middle of their army. The weather condition was great, a weak breeze coming from the sea.

In the distance she could see Jeritza, its body covered in the heavy armor of the Death Knight. Its horse was heavily armored as well, a sturdy beast, king among the war horses of the Empire. His division was the heaviest armored among the Empire cavalry, its purpose to crush and resist any enemy fire that could be directed at them.

The silence was very tense, the chattering among soldiers long ago forgotten as the enemy was at sight. In a few moments the battle would start and some of them would never return from the battlefield. Such sacrifices would be a burden she would never forget.

"The troops are ready and are awaiting your command" Hubert said with a quick bow. He was the responsible of the magic divisions. The Empire was home of many capable mages, it was time to make a good use of them.

"Understood" she said as she approached a small hill in front of them.

"Soldiers of the Adrestian Empire, the time has come to put an end to the Leicester Alliance. They have done everything they could to stop us, but the fact that we are here is the proof of their failure! Today the eagle of the Empire will fly proudly over its empty carapace. With this, the end of this war shall begin as the pillars of the old world come to an end. This day, we are making history and the coming generations will remember it as the moment when the Empire prevailed and decided the fate of this war. Prevail and celebrate to your hearts content!"

Even though she was amplifying her voice with magic, the roar of her army surpassed it. For a moment she wondered if the whole land of Fódlan had heard such roar when the furious sound of drums came from the city.

"If they think that they can silence us with something like that they are greatly mistaken. The horns!" she commanded as their side responded to the challenge from the city with a myriad of horns, their sound capable of silencing a wyvern. Even before the combatants started to fight against each other it was clear that their spirits were already fighting. She then raised her shield.

"Fight and prevail! March!"

They were marching against the enemy, the sound of arrows coming from the walls of the city, but their arrows were pointless against her sturdy shield.

"Rise your shields and keep the formation. Archers, shoot from behind! Second line, wait until the first one has discharged and so on. Don´t stop harassing them!" she ordered as she kept approaching the enemy. The walls were filled with activity, yet some of the soldiers appeared to be immobile as their forces advanced.

"Nock!"

The sound of the arrows hitting the shields was the only thing she could hear as she came even closer.

"Draw!"

She could clearly see the walls now, she couldn´t believe it.

"Loose!"

A wave of arrows behind her was released as a wave against the walls of the city, many arrows hit their objectives, yet the screams of the injured were less than expected.

"They have faked some of their soldiers, they are just a decoy!" Those immobile soldiers were nothing, but mere scarecrows placed there to catch as many arrows as possible. From the distance it was impossible to distinguish them from common soldiers, but now she could see that they had been tricked. "Shoot at the moving ones!" she shouted when a roar came from within the city and then an explosion happened a few meters behind her, killing some of her soldiers. Looking at the round projectile, she confirmed her suspicions about the allegiances of Claude.

"Almyran artillery! Approach the walls to avoid getting shot!" she roared as more projectiles came from within the city. A most inexpert army would have panic to such surprise attack, but the remaining troops were hurrying to the city. Raising her shield, she stopped some arrows aimed at her from one watchtower as it suddenly was engulfed in flames, the archers jumping from it to avoid getting burned alive. She didn´t need to look back to know who was the responsible of such spell.

"Ram the gate!" she commanded as the vanguard of her troops approached. More projectiles were coming from the city, but the fire in many of the watchtowers had hindered the visibility of the enemy archers…and their own, as blind arrows coming from different directions in the middle of the battle.

A group of archers were about to drop oil on them, but she stopped the attack with a thunder spell from her axe. Even though she was more experienced in direct combat she had also learnt had to resort to magic in such cases.

The battering ram was already on the gate, the ground trembling with each impact while projectiles and spells flew through the sky, the cries of those unlucky enough to get hit filling the air.

With a final hit the gate came apart, the sound of the wooden gates falling to the ground sounding like a lament and covering the surroundings in dust.

"Prepare for the assault!" she shouted, when she then saw the monstrous weapon meters away from them. "To the ground!" she commanded as she was deafened by the thunderous sound of the mass of death coming to them. The impact left a giant crater a few meters from her position, a mess of body parts and broken shields as the lonely witnesses of the men that were there a moment ago.

"Don´t hesitate, they need time to load another projectile. Now or never" she ordered as she stood up and jumped into the city. She knew that she was putting her life at risk, but she couldn't just command her troops to death while doing nothing. "A commander must fight among the soldiers, only like this one can understand the cost of war" she recalled as she stepped into the city. She could see the artillery pieces located in the central area of the citys, but to arrive to such place she would have to face the enemy divisions guarding the area. In the distance, a pink hair recalled her attention.

"Hilda, was it? But where is Claude?" she wondered as the first row of enemies unsheathed their weapons.

"Look at this, the Emperor itself has granted us an unexpected visit. Kill her at once!"

"Uh? Not even a chance to negotiate, I guess that Claude is confident about his strategy" she thought as she prepared herself with Aymr. With an impact the ground shattered, sending debris all around as a mortal shrapnel. She needed to finish them quickly, but reinforcements were coming from all parts of the city. She was finishing off a group of enemies, when a red comet appeared in the sky. Following its appearance, a deep sound came from the eastern area, from the sea. She didn´t need to look at it to know what was awaiting there.

"Claude, you really did it" she said to herself, as a shockwave from Aymr sent another wave of enemies to their deaths. "A pincer attack to cut any chances of retreat, trapping us within the city and the surroundings. You would have gotten us, if you hadn´t used your new tools at the bridge" she thought as she raised her hand and released a fireball that raised to the sky. It was the signal for Hubert, to prepare the countermeasure they had kept in secret. Their only chance.

"Hubert, I leave it to you"

…

The troops had made less progress than expected, although that could not be blamed as he observed the projectiles coming from the center of the city.

"The Emperor has released the signal. Prepare the eagle´s claws" he said as the mages around him revealed the weapon hiding in the caravans. To the untrained eye it looked like a simple ballista, but there was more to it. The cadence of fire had been increased thanks to an automated loading process in exchange of magic from a mage, the wooden platform beneath it allowing the weapon to shoot at different directions. With three people, the weapon could operate at its fullest as long as there was enough magic energy. However, that wasn´t the most important part of the device, he thought as he looked at the black cloud that was approaching them from the skies.

The giant arrows had within their spearheads overcharged crystals that were activated the moment they were released from the ballista. The distance they could travel through the air was more limited because of that, but the resulting explosion was enough to keep a proper anti air barrier.

"I want no excuses. Do not let any of them to penetrate our security perimeter. Keep a constant attack on them. Do not let them counterattack" he said as he charged himself one of the projectiles. At the distance he could see Jeritza changing its pace to face the coastal area. It´s presence would be key to avoid any unwanted ground reinforcements for the Alliance.

"The Emperor has bestowed her confidence on us. Do not fail our Commander, do not fail the Empire or my punishment shall be worse than hell itself"

"Yes, my lord!"

The black cloud was already on them, their winged enemies approaching from two flanks.

"Now!" he ordered. As the first wave of projectiles flew through the sky, the wyverns divided the formation, but it was of little use as the sky itself was set in fire, wyverns and riders falling like flies to their deaths in the ground.

"Keep shooting at them" he said as he continued charging the projectiles. It was a race against time. They didn´t know their numbers, but if Claude had been able to summon the entirety of the Almyran army they would be in a dangerous situation.

"Jeritza, do your duty" he thought as he saw the heavy chivalry crossing the terrain like a demon chasing its prey.

…

Fire, smoke, blood… The battlefield was the place where he was alive, the place he belonged to. He could see the first ships of the Almyran army landing cavalry to the far east of the battlefield, their troops already outnumbering them, but there were more ships approaching in the distance, an entire float with the only objective of crushing them.

"Crush them like insects. Those who return without their armors covered in blood will face my blade" he said as he gained speed, but he was immediately accompanied by them. The warriors accompanying him were simple soldiers, they lived for war like him, he knew that since he had chosen them personally. In the distance, the Almyran cavalry was preparing their bows, keeping a tight formation, but he didn´t reduce his speed. He was heavily armored and so was his horse, he would crush their lines and destroy their ships, that was the only thing that truly mattered to him.

The first wave of arrows came, but he continued as his soldiers shouted like demons behind him, he couldn´t avoid laughing when he saw the surprised eyes of the first rider he killed with a quick movement of his scythe. Flesh, amor or bone, it didn´t matter, they were all the same to his bloodthirsty weapon.

The first of the ships was at his reach. The archers tried desperately to kill him and his mount with their arrows, but they were no rival to their heavy armor as he jumped on the ship and spread death with each blow, the wood turning red after its fair share of blood. The same procedure was being done on the different ships within reach. Some of his men were starting to fall, but it didn´t matter. Men are born to die anyway.

An impact made the ship tremble, its wood lamenting as a hurt beast. Looking at the distance, he could see more boats of their enemy approaching.

"They do not hesitate to sink us, even if some of their companions could be alive. Interesting, maybe we aren´t that different. Move this ship! We are going to crash it into them, prepare magic barriers to avoid getting destroyed in the process! I want to delight into their fear"

"Yes, sir!"

More projectiles came from the enemy ships, but were destroyed by them as their own ship approached the middle of the bay. With a signal those boats they had conquered were following him. The waters beneath them were deep, but to them it didn´t matter, even if falling to the cold waters would be certain death with their armor.

"Life is spreading death until death comes to us" he simply thought as they were mere meters in front of them. He was preparing to jump when a red beam fell from the skies and crashed into one of their ships, making it explode.

"That boy…" he murmured as he jumped into the enemy ship, beheading its defenders. The leader of the Alliance was flying in a large white wyvern, its wings casting a shadow on the surface of the sea as another projectile engulfed in fire a bunch of his soldiers.

"Jump on their ships! If he wants to take us down, we´ll bring more of them with us" he said as he cut through another soldier. A scream alerted him from an attack from behind, stopping it with his scythe. He could see the fear in the man´s eyes.

"If you want to ambush me, don´t shout next time" he simply said as he beheaded him, his body falling into the sea.

Around him the world was covered in smoke, waves turning read around the ships that still remained. He could see the Leader of the Alliance going away, fighting the troops surrounding the city.

"A fool that could not withstand killing people of his own, too bland to be a leader" he murmured.

"That boy might change this world with everything he has been doing. He might be many things, but I wouldn´t call him bland," said a voice. Looking at its owner he could see a middle-aged man, his face covered in scars yet smiling.

"Who are you?"

"I´m Nader, the leader of this Almyran fleet. May I know your name?"

"I´m your death" he simply said as he released a thunder spell upon his ship, a few seconds later the entire ship turning into a pyre in the middle of the water"

"In that case I´m lucky, it seems that I won´t die today" The man said on the same ship he was, not even a single bruise on his skin.

"You are fast, even if you look old"

"I will take that as a compliment" the man laughed. "How about you tell me your name now?"

"I´m the Death Knight, a general of the Empire"

"All the imperial generals have such titles? It must be a dark place to live in. Is your face so ugly that you have to hide it?"

"…"

"It seems that you aren´t the talkative type"

"Shut up and die" he said as he used this time his scythe. With a deceiving speed he approached his enemy, but his blade was stopped by his axe.

"You are strong. This might be fun" he said as he counterattacked. They exchanged blows with each other, ignoring the battle around them, their boat a small paradise of peace in the middle of a slaughter.

"You are well trained. It´s been a while since the last time I´ve had so much fun, but you and your men must be crazy if you think you can take us all"

"The only certain thing in life is death"

"Such an ominous phrase, but I think that I understand you a bit more… You and your men aren´t fighting to live but to die…That´s not the path of a warrior but of a monster, not even the lowest beasts would follow such existence"

"Shut up!" he shouted as he tried to behead him, unsuccessfully. The man before him was annoying, he wanted to crush him and drown him in his own blood. "I´ll grant you a painful death"

"A man that says such things covered under the helmet of a demon does not deserve to be treated as a man" Nader simply said as he wielded another axe. Each hit was filled with pure brute force, forcing him to make defensive maneuvers. He was losing terrain and he could feel the proximity of the water. He then jumped on him, he could feel the impact of the axe crushing his shoulder, but he could feel something warm in his hand as his scythe went deeper into his rival´s body. Both of them fell on their knees, Nader covering his stomach with his free hand.

"I told you…I would grant you a painful death" he said as he unsheathed a small dagger with his uninjured arm.

"In Almyra there is no greater honor but to fall on the battlefield. However, I can´t just simply die before someone like you. And there is something else…we never fight alone!"

He didn´t see the wyvern hitting him from behind, he could feel a deep pain and then cold as he fell into the black waters of the hell he had created.

….

"Shot him down!" he commanded as the white wyvern of the Leader of the Alliance danced in the sky, its owner destroying the projectiles aimed at him while destroying some of their own weapons. Heavy smoke was coming from the sea, the numbers of the wyvern riders greatly diminished, yet still posing a threat to them. With a giant fireball he was able to neutralize one of the attacks, but he knew he couldn´t stop it eternally.

"Do not hesitate, victory is on our side!" he said as the sound of horns came from the distance, behind them.

"In the end they came" he thought in despair as he could see the flags of the church of Seiros in the distance. They appeared just to be a couple of division of knights, but that was enough to crush them from behind. The sound of war horns covered the sky as the cavalry started to approach, their lances pointing at them. Their mages were preparing a desperate last line of defense when a blast annihilated the vanguard of the troops. When the dust disappeared, he could see a figure covered in armor and a familiar sword.

"You…"

"Sorry for making you wait" Byleth said as the rest of their companions started to appear. He could feel a pressure on his lips as he looked at them.

"My heartful thanks for coming to this place"

"As a member of the House Aegir is my duty, as a friend is my will to be here" Ferdinand said as he tapped his shoulder.

"We aren´t going to let you have all the fun, you know" Caspar laughed.

"We´ll have time to celebrate later, those with physical capabilities prepare a defensive perimeter, the rest come with me"

"Understood!"

A movement in the sky caught his attention. The white wyvern was moving towards the city. "He wants to give a decisive strike" he realized. He was about to tell the Professor, but he was already gone.

…..

"You fought well"

"It might be the first time I get complimented by you, Edelgard. That´s something to reckon" Hilda said as she stood up again with difficulty. The fight continued in the city, but it was already inclining on their favor. The air was filled with smoke and the ashes of the destroyed barricades.

"There is no point on continuing the fight"

"Well, I think that I am where I want to be. You have always been so serious. You don´t even smile, even though you are so close to victory"

"Every victory has its costs and such burden must not be forgotten"

"I see…In that case I´ll alleviate you from your burdens" Hilda said as she charged at him.

"So impulsive" she thought as she raised her shield, only to realize that something was wrong.

"A feint?" she wondered when she felt a piercing impact that sent her flying. When she crashed to the ground she coughed blood, a stain of blood spreading through the fissure in her armor.

"You look as lovely as ever, Edelgard"

"How can you say something like that…after attacking me from behind" Claude was on an immense white wyvern looking at him from the heights.

"I just took the opportunity, but I apologize. If possible, I want to keep you alive. I don´t really want to kill you, Edelgard" Claude said with a brief smile, but his eyes were serious. "I must admit that you prepared some surprises as well. Tell me, how did you realize my plan and prepare the counterattack to our reinforcements?"

"The…artillery. You weren´t careful about that during the battle at the bridge"

"I see, but keeping all of them for a final battle would have been too risky. Not even me would dare to do such a risky beat"

"You risking something…the irony" she said as she coughed some more blood as she tried to stand up again.

"You don´t really know when to stop" he said as he prepared his bow. Light started to appear from within, she was preparing her shield but she wondered if she could resist it. Light was coming to her when something impacted with the projectile.

"What?" Claude said in disbelief.

"Are you ok?" asked a voice as a pair of hands were placed on her wound.

"B-Byleth, you did come"

"Of course, I promise I would never fail you" he nodded with a smile.

"Professor, I´m glad to see you again, although a part of me laments your poor decision of siding with the Empire" Claude sighed. "I guess I have no other option" he said as he started to charge his bow.

"Can you stand by your own?"

"I can" she said as she looked at him, his calm eyes relaxing her a bit

"Listen, we only have one chance" he said as he grabbed her hand while he extended his free one. As she did the same, she could feel the power of her crest burning within her. Claude´s bow was already blowing like the sun as a giant red beam came from it.

"Now!" Byleth shouted as she was blinded by the light coming to them. She could feel the heat of the attack, but she was alive. When she opened her eyes, she could only see a giant crest of flames acting as a shield against Claude´s attack.

"Even if by ourselves we are weak, as long as we remain together there is nothing that can stop us" Byleth said as he looked at Claude, but she could feel how her energy was been drained by the defensive maneuver. It was a matter of time until Claude´s beam passed through them.

"El…"

"Yes?"

"When we break the connection, we have an instant to reach him. I leave my life in your hands" His eyes weren´t filled with despair but with determination.

"Understood, forgive me if it hurts" she murmured as the crest of flames grew brighter.

"Now!"

The explosion stopped Claude´s attack and using what remained of her strength she used her own shield to send him into the air.

"What?" Claude simply said as Byleth approached him as a living projectile, his sword prepared. Surprised by the attack out of instinct he raised the bow to protect himself…

She could hear a cracking sound as the bow shattered while the wyvern and its mount fell to the ground.

"Claude!" shouted Hilda but she was tackled by someone.

"Calm down, this is over!"

"B-Balthus?!"

She approached the debris where the giant wyvern had fallen, Claude trying to get up while Byleth was already standing, both of them covered in bruises.

"I didn´t expect that" Claude laughed. "You played it well, I guess that everything ends now, right?" Claude said with a sad smile.

"For the Leader of the Leicester Alliance yes, but not for a friend" Byleth said as he offered his hand while looking at her.

"Friend?" Claude asked in disbelief, his eyes filled with surprise.

"I don´t know what rumors have been spread about me, but I´m not the monster that everyone thinks I am" she said as she extended her own hand. "The battle is over; it is time for the peace negotiations"

And like that the battle between the eagle and the deer came to an end.