Day 3 of the Guardian Moon

Santaniel shot up, bolt right, as the cold water swamped his head, reflexively jumping out of the bed.

"What the FUCK!?" Felix dropped the empty bucket and threw a towel at him, hitting his chest as he huffed out startled breaths. "Let's go. We're training." Santaniel shook his head as he rubbed the towel around his ears, having grown longer and more pointed. "You sure as hell didn't change."

———

"Goddess damn it Felix, at least let me stretch first." Santaniel was practically dragged to the training grounds by the collar of his shirt.

Which said a lot considering he was much taller than Felix now. "Grab a weapon and be ready in ten minutes. Hopefully your moves haven't dulled at all." Santaniel grumbled under his breath as he stretched out his legs, the muscles tensing heavily under the stress.

He sighed and stood after a couple moments, walking over to the weapon rack. 'So… Bolt axe is a no, silver axe? Nah, that one isn't sharpened.

He grinned just slightly, enough to show teeth as he wrapped his fingers around the neck of an old friend. A war hammer. 'This'll do.'

He brandished the weapon and gave it a couple swings, and it seemed it had been well taken care of over the past few years. "Felix, you ready?"

The Fraldarius man nodded and drew his sword, both men taking the center of the grounds. Seemed people were watching for the new stranger. Or Felix. It was one of the two.

"So, whoever taps first or is restrained is the loser I'm guessing?"

"Yep." Felix didn't wait, taking wide strides to Santaniel's right, he was going to try and flank him. He was trying to act as if Santaniel was a deer to a wolf.

Santaniel is no prey.

'That's a mistake.' Santaniel moved to meet him, closing the distance swiftly, his hammer getting slammed into the dirt even faster, the tremors ran up and through his arms.

He sidestepped a slash and backed off, repositioning his hands for a defensive stance. The nimbler man jumped farther to the right, just out of his reach and casted Lightning. He was aiming for his right huh…

Santaniel absorbed it with his right arm and ground his teeth at the sudden shock, but he fired back. The Lightning was seemingly returned to Felix, but it was his own, nearly double the strength.

Felix tried to avoid it, but the tendrils of energy were drawn to the long, steel sword Felix was using. Santaniel drew the distance to a close and jabbed the head of his hammer deep into Felix's stomach, finishing the spar with a head butt that left the smaller man's forehead bleeding a bit from split skin.

"Well. That was certainly an on the fly adjustment." Santaniel offered his hand to Felix and pulled the man to his feet, "Get some healing from the spectator area and then some water. We can go again later."

Felix nodded, a bit out of it, and sat down on one of the many benches. Santaniel joined him and sighed. A few moments passed and a healer saw Felix's wound, telling Santaniel that he could find more opponents. Felix would be decommissioned for the day.

"Ah, alright. We'll catch up over a meal later mate." He nodded and laid back. Probably a concussion, huh?

'Whoops.'

———

Day 6 of the Guardian Moon

"Hey, Xavien, do you think you can help me with the equipment maintenance?" Xavien shrugged the bundle of rope for his next job up onto his shoulder, "Yeah. Let me run this to the house first." He turned away from Raphael and let him follow, only a few minutes passed as they reached the mirror, Xavien tossing the rope haphazardly.

"Ok, I just need some help sharpening the weapons I assume?" Raphael nodded and grinned widely, "Yep!"

"Alright, let's go then." Xavien pulled his hair back into a ponytail and wrapped a bit of gauze around his hands, looking up at Raphael as he stood there looking dumb founded.

Then again… He'd get that way when talking to Shamir too. "Hey big fella?" Raphael blinked and nodded, "Yeah?" Xavien smiled and leaned up against Raphael, looking up at him, causing a big rush of blood running to Raphael's face. It made him the world's biggest tomato. "You have a thing for quiet badasses huh?"

Raphael gulped, staring down the bridge of his nose at Xavien who casually leaned up on him. After a few moments, Xavien became bored of the joke, leaning up and off him. "Anyways, let's go take care of that equipment."

———

Day 9 of the Guardian Moon

Santaniel drew in breaths, bringing his arm back, and felt his temperature heating up. The heat conducted into and through his right arm, continuing through Sturmrufer. He focused on the very tip, the ball of fire condensing like a star…

He ripped open his eyes with a blaze of purple manifesting into his Crest, and he fired it forward, imploding and then consuming the ground with a hideous inferno. Santaniel let the breath go and drew his posture back to its usual angle.

"That was impressive." He rolled his eyes to the sky and gave a little prayer for patience. "Thanks." He brushed past Edelgard, standing a little too close for his comfort level, his right arm scathing her skin. She let out a tiny hiss in pain, reflexively rearing back from him. He glared through her and shook his head, "If you're here to talk, do it while we walk."

Santaniel didn't make any efforts to slow his stride, moving with a purpose as Edelgard struggled to keep up. "The Bridge of Myrdin will be the first target of the assault, as we can't rely on the Alliance to teeter our way."

"We must take our allies where we can get them in the Alliance and dispose of-" Santaniel stopped in his tracks and glared death into Edelgard, a noticeable shiver going down her spine. "We will spare those who give up their weapons after the fighting, and imprison those who refuse."

"I don't know why you care enough to deliver this message yourself. You could have sent almost anyone else." Edelgard scoffed, "A general gets the orders from the leader. I expect you to tell your brothers since you will be part of our advanced force. Byleth and I will be giving the orders on which way you will infiltrate our enemy and what exactly to do once you're through."

"So you came to tell me that you'll be lording over me and my brothers along with the Professor. Anything else? You typically don't do something if it will only sufficiently fulfill a single purpose."

Edelgard stared him down and remained silent, if Santaniel's gaze was as tired as he felt, then she must have realized. She gave up playing hard to get and responded, "I know it's not enough, but I came to apologize for what transpired on the island years ago."

"You'd have to give me more than an apology to make up for that." Edelgard nodded and grit her teeth, Santaniel lowered his guard for a moment, rustling her hair. "Respect mine, and my brothers, boundaries. Start with that, ok?"

"Boundaries?" Santaniel raised his guard again, "For one, maybe don't come to the island when I told you not to. If the Professor and Lys weren't there… My threat wouldn't have been so empty."

Edelgard nodded, a brief moment of silence passed between the two, Edelgard in deep thought. "If that's all Edelgard, I'll be taking my leave now." He turned to leave, his mind dragged down in a bog. This damn Crest was going to drain his blood before a blade did, and well, if a blade did…

That would certainly- Santaniel felt Edelgard reach out for his hand, and his heartbeat picked up, his breath pitched, and he ripped his hand away.

Santaniel squinted his eyes shut and grit his teeth, "No. You lost that privilege after the battle in the tomb Edelgard. You can't just pretend it's all ok again after a simple 'sorry', after telling me I'm going to kill people at your orders. You aren't my Empress, you aren't my lover, you aren't even my friend. You are a borderline ally, due to the fact my brothers actually want me to live. You know what?"

Santaniel stepped forward and felt his stomach drop, his emotions were boiling over. He didn't care anymore.

"You aren't fighting for 'the good of your people.' You're fighting for the false, self righteous bullshit because you were fluffed up by your 'family' of royals. You can't tell me you don't care about Crests when that's all either of our lives have ever been about! I have been hunted for my own since I was born. For the Goddess sake! YOU WERE THE HUNTER!"

Santaniel saw and felt tears blurring his vision and he kept going, kept pushing. His eyes were turning into spotlights and he felt Edelgard tensing under his glare. He reached for his Holy Twins and gripped the handle, his thoughts slowing down. "You can't just tell everyone that you're fighting towards a better future if you doubt it yourself. Figure that out before you come to me with your half baked thoughts and desperate acts of redemption."

Santaniel turned and walked, his legs itching to just run. To leave it behind, but he couldn't do that to his family. He had to fight for them, and if they wanted him to live, he would fight for himself too.

'Just fight like hell. It'll figure itself out.'

———

Day 11 of the Guardian Moon

"What is going on here?" Arti and Byleth were walking through the Monastery, discussing plans for the week. The two were in search of Marianne, yet couldn't find her, until now.

She was caught in an iron grip by a random man, attempting to drag her out of the Monastery. Arti stepped up, drawing a rapier from his hip, the light gleaming off of it dangerously.

"Hands off of the girl, otherwise, I'll remove it myself." Arti rarely showed emotion, it was hard to, but when he did… It was louder than most could scream their own.

The man backed off, "This girl is dangerous! She has the blood of the Beast-" Arti took another step forward and Byleth stepped forward as well, his hand on the Sword of the Creator.

"I have it too. If you wish to try your luck any farther, you'll be missing more than a hand." The man snarled and let go, turning and running. "That was… Annoying to say the least." Marianne sighed and Arti sheathed the rapier, "Are you ok Marianne?"

"Yes. I am Arti, thank you." Byleth stepped forward and started to speak, "What was he talking about?" Marianne looked up at him and Arti followed her gaze, "The Crest of the Beast… It's the one me and Arti share. The Beast was originally named Maurice, it's said he was corrupted by his sword. Blutgang. It turned him into a beast, and he terrorized people in his territory for a very long time. It's believed he died… But his family and bloodline survived. I am his descendant."

Arti spoke next, "I received my Crest in a blood transfusion. I… Rather not go into deeper details, but it saved my life. It gives me the lifespan of a Beast as well, along with the strength."

Byleth nodded, "That still doesn't explain why he was here." Marianne shook her head, a downtrodden feeling emanating from her soul. "There have been travelers going missing the past two years, their bodies are never found, but the blood has been."

Arti widened his eyes and shuddered, Byleth closing his eyes to think. "Marianne… That's awful. I'm so sorry."

"There is nothing you could have done Arti." Arti shrunk down into his small frame, "I still feel awful…" Marianne clasped his hand in hers and whispered in his head with Scry, 'It isn't your fault. You were driven away. You didn't choose to leave, I doubt you would have done so willingly.'

Arti smiled under his mask and nodded, thankful for the kind words. "I suppose this won't stop until the problem is taken care of…" Marianne shook her head, and Arti offered a solution. "We could always take care of it ourselves. Me and Marianne could lure it out while the rest of you swarm it."

Byleth nodded, "We leave at Noon. Be ready, I'll give you a prayer for your safety."

———

Thick mist swirled in the air, the dense heat of the forest soothing Arti's nerves. "Do you sense anything?"

"Not yet." Arti stepped forward, his magic boiling off his fingertips as he stepped through bramble and brush.

"This has to be the place. It's the only area with thick enough overgrowth to house the Beast." Arti sighed and looked over his gear again, hearing Marianne mention something. She was too quiet. "Yes Marianne?"

She repeated it again, but he heard something slightly quieter, he sighed and turned around, eyeing the Beast who inadvertently saved his life years ago. Its mouth was bloody from picking off their battalion. Only one party would leave this forest alive.

———

Day 17 of the Redwolf Moon, Year 1163

"Dad- I'm sorry-" Arti felt pain flash across his upper mouth, "Shut your yap boy! You never do anything correctly! You're worse than that bastard that dares to call itself my son!" Arti felt another strike come down on his lower jaw. Blood soaked his mouth, fresh sores opening as he bit through his own skin. "D-Dad… It was an accident!"

"SO WERE YOU!" A blunt force came down on Arti's face, his vision blackening into nothingness. When he awoke, he saw starlight, and felt the rhythm of a cart under his body, but he couldn't move. He was bound in rope. He stayed silent, it's all he could do, the flavor of rope occupied his taste buds from blood for a moment.

It would arise again soon.

His father was the one driving the cart, taking him to the middle of a field for an early funeral. Much too early for his own liking. He didn't want to die. He couldn't die yet, he had too much to do.

The moving came to a stop and his father dragged him into the grass, Arti struggling for his life, praying to the Goddess for help. It didn't come. His face was left broken.

The jaw was shattered by brute force, his nose was jagged, and his teeth were thankfully spared. Only chipped, but still left messed up. He laid there, staring towards the night sky.

Its darkness was scattered by thousands of tiny diamond studs and the rich silver dollar they called the moon. He was always fascinated by the sky, you could say he always loved it. His one, and only true love.

His thoughts passed into silence and then dreams as he was left to die by his father. Yet another came, a kind woman, who would change his life in every single way. The woman who shined brighter than any star.

———

"Marianne, do you know Saggitae?" The blue haired woman shook her head and took a step back, her breathing growing heavier. This seemed to be the beast they were looking for.

"Ok, remember to keep your breathing steady. We can handle this Marianne." Arti drew his rapier and took a defensive stance, his blood boiling as he stared down the monster that gave him a second chance at life.

It was his turn to give a second chance to Marianne, and he wouldn't let this damned, scaly bitch take it from her.

———

"Santaniel, remember, no-"

"No transforming. I know. Let's get this done." Hephaestus rolled his eyes and readied his staff, the faint orange glow their only light in the mist.

"Manuela, do you have any communication with Arti?" The older woman shook her head and gave a tired sigh, "No sweetie. They've gone silent."

"That means they found him. Tell the Professor and let's move. We need to help them out." Santaniel cracked his knuckles and looked up at Hephaestus, looking like he needed to crack something open.

Guess the beast's scales would have to do. Hephaestus felt something moving, tremors from the ground making pebbles jump up from the moist earth. "Manuela, behind me, and have Wards up."

"Got it." Santaniel drew Leistrung and waited, his eyes closed. He could feel Beasts like Arti could, but it was much more faint. They had practiced with Gizmo and Rihanna before they passed due to their older age. "I don't think you'll want this one as a mount Hephaestus. It'll be a tad bit feisty."

"I like feisty." Santaniel struck the ground with Leistrung and sliced through the earth, venom soaking into the dirt and it caught the scales of the Beast hiding in front of him. "Bring it on."

The boy jumped to his right, avoiding the tail swipe and he left the ground behind as he jumped for its face. He let a slash out across its face before he had to retreat, Hephaestus letting Fire take his place as it washed the Beast in scorching heat. "Ugh, this is a tough one… I think I should try and tame it anyways Sant."

Santaniel shook his head, "Alright. I'll leave it to you. Use Scry and yell if you need something brother, catch you after the fight."

"Manuela, let down the Ward. I have some business to take care of."

———

Santaniel sighed as he walked deeper in the forest, the center emanating some type of energy. It was certainly sinister, but that couldn't stop him from helping his brother. "Hate this place…"

He took a deep breath and heard something rustle, if he remembered correctly, the rest of the group was down south. This wasn't anything friendly, that was for certain. He let the breath out and clicked his tongue, it seemed he would be in for a brawl.

After what transpired this week? He needed it. Santaniel bounded deeper into the North of the forest and drew the Holy Twins, listening intently for any movements. The howls of demonic wolves sounded in the surrounding area, and it appeared he'd found their den.

Three wolves surrounded him. It was just him, them, and the will to live. His will would always come out on top, he had to live for his brothers, he had to live for himself, he wouldn't let these chances go to waste. Santaniel felt… Strong.

He felt like he needed to prove himself, he needed to prove he could do it on his own. No one was watching but his parents above… So why was he doing this?

Maybe it was just to regain his self confidence. He would reflect afterwards. 'I'll just say we needed the materials they hid in their den…'

The first demonic wolf pounced, diving to crush him. Santaniel slid back from the hit and struck back. He wished he brought his armor with climbing spikes. His axes slid across its throat. Blood dripped from the wound, but it only retreated momentarily, the other two were on him.

The fresh smell of blood wafted in and he stabbed Leistrung through the mouth of one, the acid combining with the flesh to create a horrific aroma. Yay. The first fell dead, its corpse serving as a warning or a taunt to the other two.

One seemed skittish, due to injury or its pack mate falling, he didn't know. The other raised its hackles and sprinted at Santaniel, who tried to raise his guard, but was slammed backwards. He hit the ground hard, the wind leaving his lungs as something cracked. Hopefully twigs and not ribs.

Seemed the other regained its confidence back too. 'Damn things…' Leistrung was still stuck in the dead one's throat too. Santaniel unclipped his axes from their chain, throwing the left one, then the right, chasing after them as he threw himself into the front wolf.

"Shatter like glass!" Adrenaline filled his veins as his axes tore scores of flesh from the wolves, their blue blood slicking his clothes and skin. Sturmrufer left his back and he channeled Ragnarok at the end, aiming down the shaft and firing.

Freshly charbroiled wolf was on the menu for the rest of the animals in the forest.

Bon appetit.

———

"He didn't seem to be in trouble for a moment. His skills certainly haven't slowed, nor dulled." Lysithea was assigned to her for this battle, not for protection, but to help scry and keep communication consistent.

Edelgard nodded and grit her teeth, she couldn't have an ally on bad terms. That much was crucial to the war, she had to figure out some way to return to equal footing with him.

He didn't seem to despise her, he could have outright refused to work with her. He reluctantly accepted due to the offer of his life being extended and his condition being healed.

Though… His brothers made that happen. He valued family and friends over himself, if she was put in danger, would he save her like he did during the Academy? Or would he see it as a convenience?

'Normal wolf on your six.' Edelgard slammed Aymr into the wolf's body as it lunged, Lysithea jumping back in fright. That wasn't her own thought, that was Santaniel's scry… She had to suppose she had her answer.

———

"Damn, scaly, cunt!" Hephaestus had the monster by the back and was currently trying to beat it into submission. "Would you just stay still, damn it!" He slammed his staff into the back of its head and let Fire ripple over its scales, "If you stay still I'll heal you damn it!"

The monster shook violently and tried to shake him off, but Hephaestus just hit it harder and harder, "GAH! JUST LISTEN!" He pressed both hands to the things' skull and let it heat exponentially, the scales fusing and making it wale in pain. He used scry and pushed himself into its consciousness, 'LISTEN! SIT!'

He felt the beast's movements slow, and it listened, somewhat hesitantly, but it listened. Hephaestus sighed and felt Manuela start to heal them both, his heartbeat slowing along with his breathing. "You… You are going to be one hell of a ride."

———

Arti felt several things crack as he hit a tree, his back aching and throbbing. "Damn it…" His body tried to mend with the help of Marianne healing him, his back no longer felt broken, but it still hurt. He pulled himself back to his feet and looked for his rapier, the thin blade nowhere to be seen. "Ugh, this is amazing."

Arti conjured light on his fingertips and stepped forward, his legs faltering as he fell down. 'Slow down your breathing, and stand.' He did as his inner voice instructed, his shaking legs underneath him steadying just a bit. Light danced on his fingertips, burning his palms, and he knew when he released it… It would do more than burn. "Marianne, use Aura."

"You won't hurt me with that." A tail screamed across his vision as he felt pain, much worse than when he was just a kid. His mask cracked and fell from his face, revealing his scars. The past he no longer wished to cling to raised again, just like the blood. His blood was boiling, and so was his Crest.

"Maurice. You may not know me, but you saved my life years ago. Not on purpose mind you, but you did. I gained your Crest from a blood transfusion, but there's one more thing I need from you…"

Marianne let Aura rip, light coming off her fingers like a flash bang, taking a chunk of Maurice's skin off, along with his hide. "And that's your head on a plaque!" The Crest of the Beast manifested and Arti jumped with much more power than before, his light and will would blind this monster. "ABRAXAS!"

The pillar of light crushed the monster, its legs splitting under the force, and with Marianne, they both summoned Fimbulvetr, and encased Maurice in ice. A whistling rang through the air as Byleth slashed through the neck of the former hero, the head falling and melting away. In its place, the sword Blutgang laid, soaked in blue blood. "I apologize for arriving late."

Arti ignored him and picked up Blutgang, turning to Marianne, "I received my second chance at life from my mentor and Maurice… I hope this gives you your second chance Marianne. You deserve it." Arti handed her the sword hilt first, and when she took it, it responded with an ambient orange glow. "Thank you Arti. Maybe we can both lead happier, brighter lives now."

As the fog closed back in, Arti closed his eyes and gave a wide, goofy smile.

———

Day 20 of the Guardian Moon

Santaniel slid a bowl of mixed vegetables down the counter, "Next order please." He rolled up his sleeves and fixed the apron from falling, "Aye, I said next order. What's the hold up?"

A stack of papers flopped down on his workstation and he rolled his eyes, "Anyone ever here hear of load management? No? Just me? Alright." He shook his head as he read them over, a massive amount of beef dishes were up for prep. "Goddess be damned, didn't know we could spare that much of an expense."

Santaniel dressed the meats in their seasonings, slapping them onto the grill, "Ok, next is potatoes." He pulled over a wheeled bucket of spuds and started peeling, humming a bar song as he tossed them into a small bowl. "Anyone available to dice these things? I need to do the meat, if I don't we won't be on schedule." The bustling kitchen just kept moving past him and he huffed, 'Alright.'

"Need some help?" Bernadetta popped her head in and looked over at Santaniel, "Yep. Thanks Bernie, take the knife?" He set the knife on the counter and rushed to the meat, relieved to see that it hadn't burnt. "Just dice 'em, then toss them in the oil. It's already hot, just be careful."

"Got it! I'll just add a bit of my special seasoning…" Santaniel smiled as he got started on the mixed vegetables, slicing carrots thinly into chips with snow peas. Crisp and fresh veggies, tender and savory meat, along with fried potatoes to be dipped in a berry sauce. "Hey Bernie, start plating, 'k?"

The purple haired woman nodded and started getting plates out as Santaniel made a mixture of the vegetables. A clatter rang out, like several plates dropped in unison. Oh no.

"You ok Bernie?"

"Yeah, just a couple scrapes. Whoever put these plates away did it pretty haphazardly," Santaniel helped her up and sent her away to get some medical gauze. "I can take care of it, thanks for the help, tell Felix and Lysithea that we need to catch up over some snacks."

"I will. Make sure to have a nice day Santaniel!" Bernadetta left and immediately started stuttering as Edelgard passed by her, muttering apologies for being in her way. "The fact you wear that flowery… Goddess I can't even tell if it's a dress or armor." Edelgard glared at him indignantly, as if he had the audacity to insult an Empress, oh wait, he did. "I came back here to see if you needed help. Obviously not."

"I think you need help with your tailor because that is… Whoo, I need to make something new." Edelgard flushed a bit as Santaniel made a full cycle around her, "Ok, what was the thought process with the horns? That's a legitimate question, don't dodge it. Also, are those tights? Who the hell would wear tights into battle? That cape is so thin it'd be a death sentence if it got caught on something as well. I'd say something about the breast padding, but I'd be smacked."

Edelgard sighed and twisted away from him, walking out of the door a deeper crimson than her armor. Santaniel snickered as he grabbed a broom and pushed the remains of the dishes into the bin, hastily plating the food for the lunch rush. "Hey, I'm taking my leave from the kitchen, if you guys need me just send a message to the forges. I'm making a quick pit stop."

———

"Arti, I know you're kinda bored, so grab some of our Umbral Steel. We're making some armor. Also, tell Bernadetta she should come too, we need a tailor for some sewing."

———

"Ok so, you know how Edelgard's Empress armor is basically a walking death trap for herself?" Arti nodded and dumped the sack of Umbral Steel at the forge, already stroking fires. He knew where this was going. "I'm thinking it's ornate, but it still has the functionality of something like my Shrine Knight armor. Basically, it's way too much for a battlefield, so let's simplify it for something that's more effective."

"So, make it actual armor. Not a dress." Santaniel laughed and nodded, "Yes. Pretty much. Let's make her a helmet too, Goddess knows those horns aren't helping anyone on the battlefield." Santaniel and Arti got to work, making a slimmed down version of Edelgard's current choice of fashion for the battlefield, Bernadetta hard at work making a cape from the material Santaniel gifted upon her. Demonic Wolf fur.

"Ok, so, we should have this done in a couple days. I'll let Bernadetta know when we're done. Ready to work Arti?" The smaller man gave a thumbs up as he worked on the molds for the armor, the Umbral Steel already melting down.

'This'll take a minute, but I ain't getting that blood if she's dead so…'

———

Day 24 of the Guardian Moon

"Hubert, you called for me?" The night haired man turned and nodded, presenting a large crate. It was stuffed with hay, and it seemed too heavy for Hubert to lift. "Is it already open?"

"Yes your majesty. It is supposedly a gift from Santaniel, Arti, and Bernadetta." Edelgard approached the crate, prying off the lid and immediately dug through the hay, her fingers grazing warm fur first, then ice cold steel.

"Hmm?" She picked a note off of the side, buried in the hay, and it seemed they knew Hubert wouldn't dare to open her package. She unfolded it, eyes skimming the brunt of text, latching onto the last chunk of words.

She read it aloud, "Hey Edelgard, consider this armor a gift for fighting on your behalf and for the blood at the end of the war. Me and Arti spent some time laboring away on this, and so did Bernadetta and Felix. Ignatz made the outer design. They all made the interior nice and fluffy so the armor didn't sap your body heat, the cape is made from Demonic Wolf pelts. It's supposed to keep your neck safe from behind and shield you from magical attacks, just wash it after every battle with some fresh water. From Santaniel and the Vipers."

Hubert raised his eyebrows, approaching the crate with genuine curiosity. It had been a while since she had seen such, the last time was… Three years ago, when Ferdinand lured him away to coffee. They had recently had another little 'date' with each other, she supposed Dorothea and Santaniel were correct, they were oil and water temporarily. Enough shaking mixed them together. "So… Let us see what it looks like."

When they pulled it out, it seemed it was very light weight, the same as her current armor she wore regularly. Yet it was a darker crimson with black and gold intertwining as it wound up and down the armor. "They said it wouldn't sap my body heat with the stuffing inside… But does that mean..?"

She reached in and pulled it apart, all coming out easily, it seemed her body would be keeping it in place. Which meant it would be snug, how did he get her- Ah, her tailor. He met her during the party at the academy for his suit.

"Your Majesty, it appears the cape tucks in and then flows outward, it has the design of the Adrestian Empire signia, Bernadetta certainly sewed it. It's nearly seamless, the work by Ignatz is… Admirable." Edelgard nodded and inspected the rest of the armor, it was amazing craftsmanship…

She'd have to think of a way to pay it back. 'I suppose my armor is quite ornate, this helps me stand out less on the battlefield as well… Besides the cape.'

She'd consider it another favor to pay back, not something to bring them equal. She just kept falling behind in debt, didn't she?

———

Day 31 of the Guardian Moon

"Hey Xavien, can you pass the whetstone-"

"Red alert! We have people approaching the Monastery!" Xavien and Santaniel sighed and stood, "Damn it. Xavien, I'm borrowing some daggers, my Twins are too damaged right now to fight."

"Maybe you shouldn't fight a pack of beasts on your own." Santaniel smacked him on the back of the head and walked out of the mirror, "Yo, they stormed the front?" The guard nodded and Santaniel let out a sigh, "Great."

He transformed and carried Xavien to the front of the Monastery, meeting with Edelgard, Byleth, and Yuri. "Hey, Church or Kingdom?" Edelgard looked over and a smile spread across his face, "Like the armor?"

"Yes. And to answer your question, it's the Church." Santaniel clicked his tongue and stepped out of the gates, "Byleth, you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I believe so." Santaniel cocked his head at the approaching troops, "Good. I'll scout out ahead and see if they have any weaknesses to exploit. More than likely, Seteth would be leading this charge, and Flayn always comes with. They're next to inseparable, if we incapacitate one, the other falls as well. Byleth, give the orders."

"I shall go after Flayn with Lysithea and Yuri. Edelgard, you and Santaniel shall go through the center to confront Seteth. Xavien, you and Hubert will hold the back lines and will not allow a soul to enter the Monastery." Xavien nodded and snickered, "Finally get to relax on a mission. Thought that right was reserved for our healers. Good luck Santi."

"Edelgard, spare the use of Aymr, only use it if it's a deadly situation."

"Yes, my teacher." Santaniel rolled his shoulders and stretched, "Let me know when Flayn goes away. We just have to keep Seteth busy until then." Edelgard nodded and they proceeded down the center, weapons drawn, with skulls to crack in the way.

———

Xavien hummed and kicked his legs as he watched the movements on the battlefield, flashbacks to that day in the Harpstring Moon. He sighed and laid back on the stone wall, sharpening his daggers. 'I need to come up with a name for these… If I ask for my daggers people would just be asking which set. Maybe Viper Fangs? Nah. Too tacky.'

"Xavien."

'I could name them something in the Brigid tongue. That would be interesting.'

"Xavien!"

'It was something translated from Fangs… Na 'Apala? That sounds r-'

"XAVIEN!" The assassin nearly fell off his perch, "What? What's going on?" Hephaestus and Hubert were staring up at him. "What's happening?"

"You're supposed to be giving orders man! Pay attention!" Xavien rubbed the back of his head and sighed, "Sorry. Caught up in my own thoughts again. I'll get on it."

———

Santaniel casted Lightning, a battalion scattering in front of him like roaches. "Roads clear. Sure you don't need your guard?"

Edelgard threw a hand axe into a poor man's head, his body falling limply to the ground, "We could handle this on our own." Santaniel smiled, "Just keep up."

Edelgard rolled her eyes, but a small grin on her lips betrayed her. They both started jogging towards the end of the road where Seteth was reported to be.

Battalions fell in their wake as cold steel rang out as blades met armor, carving through them like cutting down a tree, Seteth would be the hardest swing.

However, if Byleth took down Flayn and convinced her to leave… It would be smooth as knives through butter.

———

"Professor, I thank you for saving me. However, for Lady Rhea, and all that she has done for me, I must surpass you and take you down!" Flayn shot Cutting Gale at him and Lysithea blocked it. "We will win if we fight together, Professor."

"Progress together and take down the enemy." Lysithea nodded and set up her Wards, slowly approaching Flayn, attempting to talk her out of this conflict, but the intensity of her attacks just picked up, Lysithea's wards were fading… "Flayn, please, we don't want to hurt you. Just leave-"

"No Professor! I'm no child. I'm much older, much wiser than you. I'll show you what I mean, and I apologize for what will happen afterwards." A heavenly light surrounded her, angelic wings spread from her back and a gust of wind kicked up. Lysithea staggered and Byleth took a hold of her hand to keep her closer, her face flushing red in the process. 'Strange.'

Byleth unsheathed the Sword of the Creator, its orange light contesting the pure white emitting off of Flayn. "Lysithea, lower the wards and draw Thyrus, we'll need as much fire power as possible."

"Yes Professor."

"Did someone say fire power?" A ball of flaming rubble came arcing through the air, slamming into the now dragon like entity that was Flayn, Bernadetta and Felix manning the catapult. Byleth took up on the opportunity using his Relic, wrapping it around Flayn's foot, his Crest flaring to life in front of him, boosting his power as he threw her entirely off balance. Lysithea gave a strong follow up, the wings of an ethereal dragon now smoking and damaged.

Flayn's distorted voice rumbled, getting up as her body steadily repaired itself. "It will take more than that to simply defeat me Professor. If you can win against me like this… I will listen, and leave." Byleth whipped the sword across his vision, going for her flank, but she moved with astounding quickness. Lysithea covered the aerial space above them with Miasma… Or at least attempted to.

Flayn slammed into the wards and Lysithea fell, her energy being expended on keeping the wards up. "Urgh, Professor- Please do something!"

Byleth grit his teeth, and took a large breath. He heard something screaming through the air, aimed at Flayn.

Wait. Was that actual screaming?"

———

"Launch me."

"W-what?! That's crazy!" Xavien shrugged, "I've done crazier. Doesn't mean that I'll survive, but it'll be a blaze of glory damn it." Felix shrugged and started winding the catapult back, Xavien jumping in. "Go with about a quarter of the power, and aim a bit higher. I'm severely lighter than a boulder, but I'll hit my arch. I believe in you Bernadetta. Felix does too. You got this."

Bernadetta looked like she was on the verge of tears, mostly due to the stress. "I-I don't want to accidentally do something bad-"

"Bernie. No hesitation." Felix put a hand on her shoulder and whispered into her ear. She calmed herself and steeled her nerves, "I got this. Xavien, hold on. This'll be a very wild ride." Xavien nodded and smiled, 'This will be fun.' The rope drew taut and he felt wind rush through his hair, the smoke of the battlefield filled his nose.

He felt Magic thrumming through the air and he drew daggers as he hit white scales.

Jade ichor flowed from Flayn's pierced skin, the wounds slow to heal from dangerous venom. "Just do something Byleth! Her wounds won't heal from her natural state now!"

Byleth nodded and tensed his arm, slashing down and across Flayn's chest and she screamed. Xavien hit the ground hard and his wind left his lungs but he was certainly still alive. The pain would have left by now if he wasn't.

Flayn laid down, her breathing labored but the venom of Na 'Apala wouldn't take something that large down. "She'll be ok. Just tell Santaniel and Edelgard they can go take down Seteth without killing him now… Ow. Call over a healer please."

———

"So… Seteth. Why do you fight for Rhea? It's not like she cared very much for you and Flayn, considering you just came to the Monastery." Santaniel slammed Leistrung down into the ground, taking a hammer from his back instead. Fire broiled on his fingers, Seteth glaring through him with anger.

"I will not speak with a traitor." His wyvern reared its head back and roared in an attempt to intimidate him, and Edelgard, wherever the hell she ended up. He turned his back on Seteth and looked around, hearing a ruckus behind him. She was fighting a battalion of swords with Aymr.

He pulled Sturmrufer from his back and aimed down his arm, the head of the staff heating up. "Hey Edelgard, clear out of the- GAH-"

He was thrown from his feet, blunt force pounding at his pack, thin metal plates crumpling. He rolled to his feet and prepared for another strike, cold Mythril grazing his cheek as the slight adjustment saved him from being impaled. Santaniel only had daggers and a hammer… This was bad. Seteth pressed and his wyvern slammed a foreleg into his chest, no broken bones yet.

Santaniel slugged the wyvern with his right arm, grabbing it by the snout and giving it a large voltage shock. It was only cut off by Seteth jamming his spear through Santaniel's armor and he winced in pain.

He grinned and beared it, grabbing the spear and redirecting the charge of electricity into him. Seteth screamed, his wyvern became nervous and retreated back towards the tail of the army. "No you don't."

Santaniel lunged and dug daggers into Seteth's wyvern, its desperate roars drowned out by the battlefield's turmoil. He climbed aboard and wrapped his arms around Seteth's neck and under his arm, throwing them from the wyvern. They hit the ground rolling and Seteth grew more aggressive, he was fighting for Flayn's future, not his own. Seteth kicked up and into Santaniel's stomach, his skin slowly starting to glow.

He was transforming. This would be tougher than Macuil or Indech. Nothing was stronger than a pissed off parent, he should know. Hephaestus nearly burned himself out while fighting Edelgard to protect him years ago.

Seteth was slowly growing, his skin glowing with orange light. He was a Drake, not a Dragon. No wings. "I'll protect myself and Flayn! She deserves a safe future where she can live like I had!"

Santaniel crouched and breathed deep, he was going to be sore for a while. Seteth grew to a Titan-like height, green and orange marbled scales covered his body like armor. The earth rumbled when he stepped, so Santaniel would have to get off of it to fight him.

Santaniel wasn't the same height, looking more so like a dog compared to a wolf- No, this was a pup fighting an adult… Both for their family. He had to win this. Santaniel tucked and dived, his wings staying close as Seteth slammed a massive paw down where he just was, missing his back legs by inches. 'Pick up the pace. Go faster.'

He pushed his body more and wrapped behind and around, slamming into Seteth's neck. Raking at his neck with talons, Seteth tried to shake him off like a flea.

Santaniel got scales torn free and went for exposed flesh, gripping it hard, refusing to let go. Claws dug deeper, but Seteth got him off. Santaniel hit the ground hard and felt something crack, 'That's bad-' Seteth stomped down on Santaniel's side, ribs cracking like twigs as he sputtered and tried to run.

Teeth met feathers and then skin, then teeth again. It hurt. It hurt so bad. It took everything Santaniel had not to pass out, but he was caught. His vision was starting to blur… 'This- This is getting bad…'

His vision cleared for a moment, settling on Hephaestus' panicked face. He couldn't make his brothers go through this again. No. Not again. Never again. NEVER AGAIN!

Santaniel twisted, hard, and he felt something tear. "GAAH-" A chunk of his wing came off, and he fell to the ground. He may only have one and a half wings… But he had enough of a second wind.

The Crest of Ernest and Macuil formed, and he shot into Seteth's throat, knocking his titanic ass back down to Earth, his body glowing as he went back to a humanoid form. Santaniel followed suit, a chunk of his back missing, bleeding heavily.

He limped over to Seteth and stood over a broken and bloodied man, pushed to the brink to protect his daughter… "Seteth… Be honest with me. Would you have spared me if I was in the same position as you?"

Seteth struggled to get words out, but a gurgling yes came through somewhere in there. "Flayn is safe. We don't want to see you guys again. I'm sorry we couldn't have had a different circumstance to meet again, farewell… Uncle."

A Church soldier took the green haired man under his care and Santaniel hobbled, or at least attempted to get back to his battalion. Xavien and Hephaestus met him halfway and Hephaestus started screaming, but Xavien gave Santaniel his Holy Twins. The only reason he may even be awake is what's in these damn things anyways.

May as well listen to Hephaestus' scolding. Adrenaline flooded his veins and his breathing picked back up, and he brought himself to his knees.

"What were you thinking?! You took on that- that- that fucking thing and didn't even think twice to call for back up?! Did you learn nothing from the island you idiot?!" Santaniel snickered as Hephaestus realized who they were working with, "Hephaestus, can you hold off on screaming until I have my back and ribs repaired? I'm lucky I'm alive right now."

Arti thumped him on the back of his head and Santaniel shook it, "If I had a concussion, I wouldn't notice. You know, with how loud everything is." Arti placed his hands on his back and Santaniel winced, "Thank you Arti."

"You're seriously lucky it was your upper back, mind you it isn't any type of better. He missed your spine with those jagged teeth, so you may be able to keep fighting." Santaniel nodded and looked up, meeting Edelgard's eyes. "So. What happened to using Aymr?"

"Its head snapped off. We didn't have enough Umbral Steel to repair it for next month." Santaniel rolled his eyes, "Not a scratch on you though." Edelgard rolled her eyes back, "Can't say the same for you however."

"Can you have someone go back and grab my equipment? I don't think I'll be walking for a while." Edelgard smiled and nodded, "It will be of no issue."

"Thanks El."