Chapter 5: Baked Alaska

Ingredients

Ice cream layer: 1 pint raspberry sorbet, 1 1/4 cups vanilla ice cream

Cake layer: 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp ground ginger, 3 egg yolks, 1/3 cup mashed banana, 5 tbsp sugar, 2 egg whites, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup walnuts (chopped), 1/3 cup apricot jam

Meringue: 4 egg whites, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 tsp cream of tartar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, a pinch of kosher salt

Recipe

Grease a bowl with cooking spray and double line with wrapping, then pack and evenly smooth 3/4 cup raspberry sorbet into the pan. Then layer vanilla ice cream, then add remaining raspberry sorbet on top. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze overnight.

Cake: Preheat oven to 350. Grease another 8 inch cooking pan, then whisk ground cinnamon, flour, salt, and ginger in one bowl, and egg yolks, bananas, and 3 tbsp of sugar in another. In another bowl, beat egg whites and then add remaining sugar and vanilla extract. Add egg white mixture into egg yolk mixture and chopped walnuts and stir gently, then bake 15-18 minutes, then let cool 30 minutes.

Meringue: Bring water to a simmer over medium heat. Mix egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar, then add to saucepan. Mix until sugar is dissolved completely, then add vanilla and salt and continue mixing until stiff and glossy peaks form.

Assembly: Invert the ice cream layer over the cake layer. Pile meringue onto the ice cream layer and then, using a kitchen blowtorch, toast the entire cake until meringue is golden brown. Cut into slices and serve.

"You all right?" Edelgard fell into step next to Lysithea.

"Y-yeah, I guess. Just...hearing from the soldiers what we're going to be facing, I'm not sure how I'm going to react."

Edelgard put a reassuring hand on Lysithea's back.

"I know. But what will make it easier is that there are villagers we are trying to save, as well. By the way, what was that thing you wanted to talk to me about? On Friday, after class."

Lysithea rolled her eyes.

"I'm surprised you haven't heard by now; everyone was giving me hell because they think I have a crush on the Professor. I was just saying that it seems like he really knows how to make us all feel appreciated."

Edelgard nodded.

"Yes, I agree with that. He really understands us, doesn't he?"

Lysithea nodded.

"Exactly! That's all I was saying, and now there's that stupid rumor going around…It's not like I'm doing anything weird with him! He's just helping me with studying. I haven't even eaten a meal with him."

Edelgard chuckled.

"I know, I know. I fell prey to the same rumors as well, early on. But if there is truly nothing, they should go away soon." Lysithea flushed scarlet and turned away, pouting. "But judging by how red you are…" Edelgard winked evilly.

"Halt. We're almost at Remire," Jeralt said from the front of the group. "Be ready for anything."

Lysithea's face hardened as she braced herself for battle, waiting for the sight of the village to reach her eyes.

However, it reached her nose first.

"Is...is something burning?" Caspar, the young man from House Bergliez, yelled out. Lysithea smelled it too, her face twisting in disgust. "What in the…" Caspar's voice trailed off as they exited a clearing and saw the village.

Though it was near dusk, the village was brightly lit, not by the flame of lamps, but by a raging, uncontrolled inferno, the rollicking flames leaving few buildings standing.

"Kill! Kill!" A villager, eyes crazed with madness and a horrifying smile on his face, chased an old lady, axe raised.

"N-no, ple-" Her pleas were cut short by the axe being driven deep into her skull. Lysithea covered her mouth, feeling some vomit in her throat.

"What's...what's going on here," Jeralt mumbled, eyes wide, before slapping himself back to his senses. "Our top priority is the remaining sane villagers. I'll try to rein in the villagers who have gone mad; students, focus on rescue." Jeralt spurred on his horse, dashing into the burning town.

"This...this is horrific," Edelgard whispered. "This is somehow more revolting than I expected…"

Byleth nodded before taking his place in front of the students.

"Yes, it is. But we must find a way to save whom we can."

"Let's knock them all out!" Caspar raised his axe over his blue hair, ready to go as always. A taller man, in mage's robes, shook his head, his green hair spilling out in protest.

"Caspar, always so reckless. This is a delicate situation…"

"Yes, but we have to help them!" Dorothea's face was pained and her eyes avoided the scene in front of her.

"Lady Dorothea is right! We cannot simply sit here twiddling our thumbs; as nobility, it is our duty to help those in need!" Ferdinand dashed to mount his horse, lance at the ready. Lysithea glanced at Bernadetta, who was shaking in her boots already, and Petra, the two remaining members who had not spoken.

"I….I'd really like to go home now," Bernadetta squealed. Petra stepped forward.

"Do not be worrying, Bernadetta! I will protect you, and the villagers as well."

Byleth scanned the battlefield quickly. "Hang on, do you see over there?" He pointed directly across the battlefield, through the blaze. Lysithea could make out a few figures.

"Isn't that Tomas? And he looks like he's giving orders…" Edelgard's eyes narrowed and she appeared to mouth something.

Byleth nodded.

"Alright. Ferdinand, take Dorothea with you and start towards the right side; there seems to be more buildings left standing there. You're our only one with a mount right now; remember, time is of the essence. Bernadetta, stay behind them and pick off any stragglers; I know my father said he would deal with them, but...there's a lot more than we expected. Use the woods as cover. Ferdinand, rescue as many as possible; but not at the cost of your own lives. Dorothea, I'm counting on you to support him. Keep him well healed."

Ferdinand nodded, mounting his horse and holding a hand out for Dorothea.

"Aww, thanks, Ferdie," she said before they quickly dashed off.

"Caspar, you and Petra take the frontline on the left; Linhardt, Hubert, support them from the back. Remember, our priority is rescue." The four nodded and dashed off, weapons at the ready.

"Alright, Lysithea, Edelgard. We're going straight for the suspicious figures. If they're really the ones doing all of this...perhaps we can take them out quickly and keep this from getting worse." Lysithea and Edelgard nodded, following Byleth as he drew his weapon and walked straight towards the fire.

There were only about six villagers between them and the enemies in the back, and in their madness, Lysithea was able to easily hit them with Miasma and Swarm before they could even reach them.

"Good job, Lysithea. Keep it up." She smiled grimly before following Byleth, trying to block out the screaming villagers around them.

Guys...please save as many as you can.

Soon, they had reached the center of the town, where the figure they had been tracking was waiting. He was an old man, with gray hair slicked back, leaving a bare forehead and severely receding hairline. His right eye was covered by an eyepatch, and his face was twisted into an evil grin. He looked...strangely familiar to Lysithea.

"T-Tomas?" Lysithea gasped; how was the old librarian capable of all this?

"No, my name is not Tomas. I am Solon! And you are but an insect; one I will crush," he said, cackling maniacally as he readied a spell. Lysithea leapt aside to dodge before firing a Miasma of her own, which just missed. Frowning, she quickly got up and shot off a cast of Swarm, summoning a swarm of ethereal gnats around Solon, who simply waved his hand and dispelled it.

"Ha! You think your dark magic can compete with mine?" Three purple orbs materialized around his hand. With a wave, they grew in size, linking and forming a triangle that flew towards Lysithea. She barely rolled away, screaming out as the edge of the triangle seared through her arm.

"Ahh!" She gripped her throbbing bicep, staggering from the pain. While she had been dodging Solon's last spell, Byleth and Edelgard engaged on him.

"Tomas! No. Solon. I will stop you!" Edelgard raised her axe, dashing towards him while Byleth flanked her. Solon leapt back, and the two blades smashed into the cement in front of him.

"What?!" Solon glanced at where the weapons had been. "If you turn your blade against me, there will be no mercy." He summoned the orbs again and shot them at the two advancing warriors. Edelgard jumped forwards, blocking the spell with her axe, but it was sent flying by the strength of the spell. Cursing, she was forced to retreat into the blaze to look for her weapon. Lysithea hurriedly opened her tome, readying for an open shot. With Edelgard unarmed, Byleth was alone against Solon.

Crap, and three others, she thought as three others advanced around Solon. They were wearing masks and dark robes. These people...could they be the ones? She shook the thought out of her mind, stepping up next to Byleth.

"Professor! I'm here, let's go!" She summoned more spells, knocking one of the mages square in the chest before he could even draw his tome. The mage fell to his knees, and Byleth quickly ran him through. He then separated his blade again, knocking Solon's spell to the side and landing a blow to another of the mages.

Wow, Byleth must be really strong; that last spell knocked Edelgard's weapon clean away, but Byleth just slashed right through it.

Lysithea's eyes darted to the third mage, who was just about to shoot a spell towards Byleth.

"No!" Lysithea quickly cast Miasma, diverting the mage's attention. He flipped his tome and cast another spell, and gnats surrounded Lysithea's field of vision. She flinched and furiously swatted away the gnats.

Ah, crap, what was the incantation to dispel this? She was able to remember it and began casting it, when she was suddenly punched in the gut, knocking the wind out of her and leaving her gasping on her back.

What? The masked mage stood over her and she could see a grin on his face as he reached back, spell at the ready, three orbs rotating. Crap…

Too winded to dodge, Lysithea could only brace herself for the impact.

"AGHHH!" She screamed out as the spell burned through her chest. Her head rolled to the side, and her vision flashed, pain overwhelming her senses. The mage snickered and she could see his feet stepping up to her, but he seemed to stiffen up suddenly, before collapsing in a heap. She felt someone gently pulling her up from the floor, and knew who it was.

"Professor…" He moved her away from the center of the battlefield, deflecting bolts of magic from Solon as he went, before laying her down at the base of a tree, turning his attention back towards Solon. Slowly regaining her breath, she watched as Byleth waited for a window to step into range, Solon smartly using rapid-fire spells to keep him at arm's length.

She sat up slowly, readying herself to help Byleth out if he needed it. He swung at one of Solon's spells, trying to deflect it back, but lost his footing on a pool of blood on the floor. Solon took advantage of the window and began channeling a more powerful spell, the ground beginning to glow around him. Lysithea chose this moment to fire off her spell.

"Luna!" A crescent-shaped ball of white energy sped towards Solon, knocking him backwards. Byleth regained his footing and pointed his sword at Solon, who was on the floor.

"It's over, Solon."

"No, it is not...Well, I must say this experiment was a rousing success. Now that I have the results I needed, I must bid you farewell." With a twist, the dark mage teleported away.

"Damn it," Byleth muttered. "What is with enemies teleporting away?"

"Professor, I'm so sorry, if you didn't have to come save me-" Byleth shook his head as Lysithea ran towards him.

"It's okay, Lysithea. I'd rather have him get away than lose you."

"But-" Byleth patted her head gently, something Lysithea found surprisingly comforting.

"Don't worry. You live to fight another day, and that's the most important thing. We'll get him next time."

"Were you able to kill him?" Jeralt's voice sounded from behind them, his blade stained red. Lysithea and Byleth turned to face him.

"Unfortunately, no," Lysithea said. "I...I gave him a chance to escape."

"Damn. Are you two all alright? I was able to catch up with the other students; we were able to save most of the villagers. Let's-"

A flash of light interrupted Jeralt, and a familiar figure materialized in front of them, wearing red armor and a white mask.

"So, you must be the Flame Emperor." Jeralt drew his weapon, angling it at the Emperor. "You're the one responsible for this, aren't you?" His voice strained with anger. The Flame Emperor held up a gloved hand.

"You are mistaken. While I work with Solon...Had I known they were planning this, I would have put a stop to it."

Jeralt's eyes bulged.

"You what? What in blazes does that mean?"

"If you would like to fight against such acts occurring in the future…" The Flame Emperor mulled its thoughts. "Why not join me." Its face turned towards Byleth. "With the Sword of the Creator…"

Byleth shook his head, teeth gritted and face drawn into a snarl.

"I refuse. By working with Solon...regardless of what you say here, you failed to stop it, and by not doing so, condone it."

"Pity. Then you must pray you do not regret your choice." Another flash of light, and the Flame Emperor was gone. Jeralt smashed his blade into the ground.

"Let's continue searching for survivors."

Lysithea followed Jeralt and Byleth, and soon they had rendezvoused with the rest of the house. Edelgard was with the others; apparently her axe had been so deep in the fire that she had to wait until it was out before she could regain it. Though they were successful in their mission, the group was subdued, and nary a word was spoken as they split up to search the village for survivors.

"My goodness…" Lysithea was nauseated at the sight; corpses of women, children, and the elderly lay strewn all over the village streets. They were able to find a few more survivors hidden in the buildings left, and quickly ushered them to the town square, where Linhardt and Dorothea tended to the wounded. Lysithea volunteered as well, taking the chance to practice her own white magic. The survivors were patched up as much as possible, with the severely injured to be brought back to the monastery.

On the march back to Garreg Mach, Lysithea watched as Byleth clenched his fist next to her. "Professor…Your father said that this village had special meaning to both of you. What did he mean?"

Byleth squeezed, knuckles turning white.

"I was born here in Remire, after my father left the monastery. My mother died during childbirth, so it was left to him to raise me. He was always in demand as a mercenary, but he couldn't do that while rearing a young son. So we hid here, and the villagers made sure no one could find us. We stayed until I was old enough and skilled enough to where my father was comfortable letting me fight alongside him. They helped me...but I couldn't help them."

"Professor…" I've never seen him shaken like this before. I have to say something.

She reached out a hand and, without realizing what she was doing, grasped his, gently unclasping his hands. "I know we couldn't protect everyone. But think about how many we did save. If we hadn't come tonight, Remire would be completely destroyed. At least they will have a chance to rebuild."

"I know...but-"

"Professor, I know what it's like to lose loved ones. I…" She trailed off.

Perhaps now is not the time.

"You never feel like you get over it. I know. But all we can do is appreciate that, like you said, we live to fight another day. And that next day, when we fight...we do it for those we love." She reached out her other hand and paused before patting Byleth on the back. He stiffened up at her touch before turning to her with a thin smile.

"Thanks-"

"Hey, kid." Jeralt had dropped back to let them catch up. "I've been meaning to talk to you…" Jeralt's eyes jumped back and forth between Lysithea and Byleth, and to their hands. With a yelp, Lysithea let go and stepped away.

"Oh, I can leave," Lysithea said. She slowed down her pace, looking for Edelgard, but Byleth pulled her back.

"Is it anything that she can't hear?"

Jeralt's mouth twitched a little and he rubbed his chin.

"Hm...I guess not. You've been...angry, since we first arrived at Remire. And sad. And I noticed you look so happy when you're teaching. Before we went to the monastery, I'd never seen you have emotions."

So it wasn't only me, Lysithea thought. Even his own dad!

"It's thanks to all the students," Byleth said. "They...they bring it out of me."

"Especially me, right, Professor?" Lysithea looked up at Byleth hopefully.

"Yes, definitely you, Lysithea." She grinned widely.

"Hang on, what about me?" A voice yelled out from the back.

"Caspar, you too."

"Professor! You can't be playing favorites!"

"Dorothea, you know I can't even keep a straight face in front of you anymore."

"How does one keep their face straight?"

"No, Petra, it's an idiom."

"Lady Edelgard, what is an idiom? Does it have the same meaning as the word idiot?"

Byleth groaned as the students swarmed him, each clamoring to be his favorite. Jeralt watched with a wide smile and mouthed quietly, unaware that Lysithea could see him.

"Perhaps we didn't need to leave the monastery."

Huh? I thought Professor Byleth was born after they left?

So I chose baked Alaska since I wanted to choose a dessert that had flambeing as part of the cooking process, to resemble the burning village in this chapter.

Mijumaruwott: Glad you find it that way! Hope you're sticking along for the ride too :)

As always, please R&R, and enjoy!

-elementaryprincess