Now for the aftermath of the battle, and a look at how I'll be merging together parts of all three routes.

Chapter 6 – Familiar Scenery (Harpstring Moon)

The battle had ended in a decisive victory for the students. Though a few had been injured, no one had been killed, and every last one of the bandits had been wiped out. Now all that was left to do was regroup and return to Garreg Mach.

Dorothea sat on a broken pillar to rest as she looked around at her classmates. Annette had bandages around her wounded shoulder, but Dorothea had been told she would make a full recovery. Linhardt, on the other hand, was being consoled by Caspar, though the energetic brawler wasn't helping much due to his boasting. Others like Leonie, Ferdinand, Raphael, and Lorenz were all comparing their kills, and it looked as though no one was truly worse for wear besides Linhardt.

Dorothea sighed in relief at this. They had been lucky, she told herself. Even with Byleth's leadership, it was astounding how they had gotten through the battle without a single casualty. She knew now that Rhea had chosen well when she made Byleth a Professor.

Looking around, Dorothea spotted Byleth down below in the canyon, looking out aimlessly at the ruins. Dorothea had no idea what the Professor might've been looking for.

"Dorothea, it is the time of our leaving," said Petra, prompting Dorothea to turn to the Brigid princess. "Where is the Professor?"

"She's down there, Petra," Dorothea answered. "Hang on, I'll go get her."

As Dorothea got up, Petra asked in confusion, "Hang on? What is it I am hanging on to?"

Dorothea decided to let someone else explain it to her as she walked over to Byleth.

Meanwhile, the blue-haired teacher was listening to her invisible green-haired companion.

"I am quite fascinated by this place," said Sothis. "As far as I can tell, this is your first time here…"

"Still, it feels familiar," Byleth said aloud.

"How very odd. I wonder if somehow, my memories have… Hmm. I must admit I am unsure. Beyond the name and this strange feeling of familiarity, I can't seem to remember anything about this place. And yet… a great depth of emotion is tied to that sense of familiarity. Like joy and sorrow. Pain and love. And all things in between… If I was somehow here before, I wonder what took place…"

"Hmm…"

As Byleth brought a hand to her chin in contemplation, her conversation with Sothis was interrupted by Dorothea's voice.

"Professor?" said Dorothea. "It's time for us to go back to the monastery. Aren't you coming?"

"Huh? Oh, Dorothea. I'll be right with you."

Giving Byleth a smile and a nod, Dorothea turned back to rejoin the others as Sothis continued to speak.

"It is time to depart. But know that time reveals all things. One day, I will remember that which I have lost… Oh, by the way. It seems you've earned my gratitude. The thieves who came here are no more."

Puzzled, Byleth asked under her breath, "Why are you…"

"I am not sure myself, yet I am grateful all the same. In any case… You must become accustomed to my voice! If you fall down with shock each time I speak, that just won't do."

"I wasn't–"

"Oh… You think you're standing strong? Of course you are! It was a jest."

Sighing with some irritation at the invisible girl, Byleth left to rejoin the students as they began the long hike back to Garreg Mach.

…

As the students walked back to the monastery, conversations flowed between them. Dorothea chose to stick with Byleth, though she had chatted with a few of the others as they went.

Dorothea let out a loud sigh as she stretched her arms over her head, a gesture that puffed out her sizeable chest.

"Well, that went better than I could have hoped, Professor," said Dorothea. "We all made it through relatively unscathed. Well, besides Annette. Poor girl."

"Mercedes told me she'll be alright," said Byleth.

"I know, I know. But still, it could've been so much worse."

"You all did a phenomenal job out there."

Sighing, Dorothea said, "Thanks for saying so, Professor."

At that moment, Edelgard found her way through the crowd and, walking up beside Byleth and Dorothea, said, "Professor. Claude told me you were staring out at the canyon after the battle."

"Yeah, you were kinda spaced out there," said Claude as he slinked into the conversation. "Did something happen back there?"

"Actually… I felt something strange while looking out at the canyon," said Byleth. "Like it was… familiar to me."

"Familiar?" asked Dorothea. "What do you mean?"

"I don't really know."

"Hmm, maybe it's a memory from when you were a child," said Claude. "Or from a past life. Anyway, if you can't remember, I guess there isn't really much more to be said. Although, I'll admit, there is something about that canyon that has me captivated as well."

"Oh? And what would that be, Claude?" asked Edelgard.

"How did Zanado come to be called the Red Canyon? Nothing there… was actually red…"

"Your guess is as good as mine. However, on our way out, I had a chance to observe the Red Canyon. The area was covered in ruins, each more curious than the last. They did not match the architectural style of any era or culture within the Empire. Or across all of Fódlan, for that matter. That can only mean one thing… The valley's civilization must have flourished and fallen in the distant past, long before the Empire was established. Who do you think lived there?"

"Hmm… Perhaps a culture long since perished?" Byleth answered.

"Or maybe some kind of subterranean beings?" Claude said jokingly.

Unable to hold back a smirk at Claude's answer, Edelgard said, "It's quite possible they weren't even human. Perhaps their remnants still influence this world…"

"Well, that all sounds pretty bizarre," said Dorothea. "I'm not nearly as well-versed in history or things like that as you two are. Still, it's an interesting thought. Beyond just the ruins, and who might've lived there, what do you think they were like?"

"We may never know, Dorothea," said Edelgard.

"I know, I was just thinking out loud." Then, looking up, Dorothea said, "Oh, we're back already! My, how time flies."

Looking back ahead of them, the group saw they had indeed reached the outskirts of Garreg Mach Monastery. The sun was setting on the horizon, so they were likely to reach the academy once it got dark.

"I hope we aren't too late for dinner. All this walking has made me hungry."

"Yeah, I could go for a lavish feast right about now," said Claude. "Anyhow, it's been a pleasure, ladies, Princess. If you'll excuse me…"

As Claude moved to rejoin the Golden Deer, Byleth continued to ponder on their discussion.

…

Dorothea sighed in contentment as she finished her Peach Sorbet. The dining hall was still filled with chatter as the students finished their victory meal.

Leaning over, Dorothea looked about the dining hall to see Edelgard having a chat with Dimitri.

Curious, and with a sly smile, Dorothea stood up and strode over to them.

"Tell me… Why the concern?" asked Edelgard. "Perhaps you doubt my abilities? If so, your lack of insight is disappointing."

"That's… not what I meant," said Dimitri. "If I've offended you, I hope you'll accept my apology."

"Don't worry about it." Looking over Dimitri's shoulder, Edelgard saw Hubert staring at her and said, "I'd best be off. I need to have a word with Hubert about today's battle."

Edelgard swept past Dorothea as Dimitri continued to watch her with a look of contemplation. Dorothea made a smile at this; this was a perfect chance to get on Dimitri's good side, and maybe even arrange a date.

Playfully, Dorothea asked, "Puppy love, Your Highness?"

Realizing Dorothea's presence and what she had just insinuated, Dimitri laughed and said, "Now that is a lark! You have quite the sense of humor, Dorothea."

"It comes with being an opera star." Then, turning slightly so Dimitri could get a slightly better look at her cleavage, Dorothea said seductively, "You know, I never properly thanked you for rescuing me today."

"I told you, think nothing of it. I was simply helping an ally in need."

Dorothea was confused by this. Dimitri wasn't even reacting to her charms, and this was something that had worked on countless other boys. Was he really not interested?

Then, a familiar deep voice behind Dorothea startled her as Dedue said, "Your Highness, we should be returning to our quarters now."

"I see," said Dimitri. "Have a good evening, Dorothea."

Dorothea watched as Dimitri and Dedue left and then sighed in disappointment.

"So much for getting a date with royalty tonight…"

One has to really wonder what the game could've been like if the White Clouds missions were done with all three house leaders together. I mean, they did so well together in Cindered Shadows.

As to address previous reviews, yeah, I know Kostas' rape threat to Byleth might've been a tad "ick", but I will not be using stuff like that unless it really fits, and even then it will be very infrequent (like maybe 2-3 times total).

And yeah, I guess I was heavy-handed with Dorothea's reveal in Chapter 4. Oh well. I'll have to do something about that in future chapters. This is why I want reviews, though, so I can change up things as I go.