More filler before the next battle, with alterations of scenes from Cindered Shadows. And yes, I know the title sounds goofy, but it's the title of an in-game segment.

Chapter 64 – Passion of the Wolves (Red Wolf Moon)

The first-year students had all been gathered in the audience chamber before Archbishop Rhea. The green-haired woman now held the Chalice of Beginnings in her hands as Byleth stood before the students, having just finished explaining everything that had happened in Abyss to the Archbishop, as well as to Seteth and Flayn.

"This is, indeed, the Chalice of Beginnings," said Rhea. "It matches the descriptions in the few records of it that remain."

Yuri then said, "Don't beat around the bush. What's our punishment?"

This was met by several looks of dismay from the students.

"Lady Rhea's not really gonna punish us, is she?" Bernadetta whimpered.

"You removed a most sacred treasure. Truly it is my obligation to mete out punishment for that transgression," said Rhea, which left the students with looks of alarm. "However… You also helped the church locate a valuable artifact. In light of this good deed, I shall forgive the bad one."

Several of the first-year students let out sighs of relief, though this was to Hapi's chagrin since she couldn't join in on it.

Rhea then looked at Byleth and said wistfully, "I do wonder…"

"What is it, Lady Rhea?" asked Byleth.

"I am wondering whether your presence had anything to do with the artifact's unbinding, Professor. As per the church chronicles, the Four Apostles secured the chalice with powerful magic. The only way to release the chalice is by using the four Crests passed down through their bloodlines. However, given the special power you possess, the Crest of Flames, perhaps you were able to unlock it yourself."

"I… couldn't tell you, honestly," said Byleth. She and the others had agreed not to speak of the Ashen Wolves' Crests, thinking the Archbishop would react badly if she learned about them. She didn't like having to lie to Rhea, but the Ashen Wolves had made her promise to keep their secret.

"There is no knowing at present."

"For the time being, we shall keep the chalice safe in our custody," said Seteth. "As for Aelfric, the Knights will find and return him in due time. I will be dispatching them as soon as this meeting is concluded."

"I consider Aelfric to be one of my many children, after all," said Rhea. "I will not allow harm to befall him."

"Lady Rhea, might I ask a moment of your time?" said Constance. "We cannot be expected to give up our endeavor! The enemy stated most clearly that if the knights are involved, our dear Aelfric is finished! We owe him so much. If there is any possibility that his life is in danger, the risk is too great to chance!"

"True," said Hapi. "The knights are strong and all, but they're liable to get him killed."

"We will take the utmost precautions during his rescue," said Seteth.

"Wish I could have faith in that," said Yuri. "But I don't. These guys aren't dummies if they managed to slip through Abyss' defenses. I doubt you'll be able to get the drop on them."

"We can take care of it," said Hapi. "With Chatterbox's help, of course."

"And the rest of us, no doubt?" asked Ferdinand.

"Sure, the more the merrier," said Balthus. "And Professor Eisner here's got the strength of a hundred knights, or about one and a half of me. We've got this."

"Yeah, we can do it!" said Raphael.

"Those creeps won't even know what hit'em!" added Caspar.

"Just leave it to us, Lady Rhea," said Mercedes.

"How about it, Rhea?" said Balthus. "We've been through too damned much to get here. Leave the chalice and Aelfric to us. You won't regret it."

Rhea was silent as she thought the proposal over.

"Lady Rhea…" said Yuri. "Please, let us do this."

Rhea let out a pensive "Hmm…" as she heard the students giving their assurances.

"I understand you all feel you are up to the challenge," said Seteth. "But this situation calls for those fully qualified to handle it."

"I dunno, Seteth," said Anna. "If you want my expert opinion, these kids do fine work."

"Excuse me if I cannot trust your 'expert opinion', Miss Anna."

Before Anna could say anything else, Byleth took a step forward and said, "I will take full responsibility, Lady Rhea."

"Professor?" said Dorothea.

"If something goes wrong, you can hold me accountable."

Seteth then said, "Professor Eisner, you may possess incredible skill and power in battle, but this is a situation that requires–"

"Enough, Seteth," said Rhea. Turning to Byleth, she then said, "If you consent to join your power with theirs… Yes, perhaps there is hope. As you wish. I shall entrust you with the chalice."

As Rhea stepped forward to hand the Chalice of Beginnings to Byleth, Seteth said in protest, "Lady Rhea, you cannot possibly be thinking to risk a sacred treasure such as this!"

"There is no cause to worry, Seteth, I assure you. There will be no further discussion on the matter. Even if we lost hold of the chalice, it would be impossible for the thieves to make use of it. Though it was created to return a life that was lost, I doubt that anyone alive knows how to accomplish that feat. If someone were to successfully replicate the ritual… It would perhaps be the work of fate."

Seteth was silent for a moment before he let out a sigh and said, "Very well, Lady Rhea. I will trust your judgment in this." Turning to Byleth and the students, "There you have it, everyone. The Archbishop is placing a great deal of trust in you to carry out this mission. Ensure you do not disappoint."

"We won't let you down," said Dorothea.

"Indeed, we shall not," said Flayn as she took a step toward the others.

Realizing what Flayn was intending to do, Seteth said, "Flayn, are you intending to join them on such a perilous assignment?"

"Brother, my skill in White Magic may be just what they need to rescue Brother Aelfric." Turning to the others, she then added, "Unless any of you would happen to know how to cast Rescue, would you?"

"Uhh, no, not me," said Dorothea.

"I haven't tried learning that one yet," said Mercedes.

"I wouldn't be able to do it right, even if I knew how," Marianne said gloomily.

"Rescue is a very complicated spell to master, even for me," said Lysithea.

"I have… yet to master that bit of sorcery, I am afraid," said Constance.

"There you have it, Brother," said Flayn.

"I… Very well, Flayn," said Seteth. "But please, do not put yourself at any sort of unnecessary risk."

"Don't worry about it, Seteth," said Dorothea. "We'll keep Flayn, Aelfric, and the chalice safe."

Dorothea's statement was joined by the others giving their affirmation.

…

Knowing they had until the next day to prepare for the upcoming mission, the students saw fit to head down to the dining hall, with the Ashen Wolves joining them for a big meal.

Dorothea let out a groan of annoyance as Constance let out a laugh upon being served a platter of Bourgeois Pike, a meal Dorothea knew she wasn't going to partake in. Ferdinand, on the other hand, was quick to sit across from Constance to share such a meal.

Deciding not to watch the two people she disliked the most, Dorothea looked to see the rest of the dining hall was nothing short of chaos. Balthus and Raphael had gotten into an eating contest, and so far, they were neck-and-neck with each other. Hapi was helping herself to a serving of Pheasant Roast with Berry Sauce, trying not to listen to Ashe as he praised the Knights of Seiros and the ideals of chivalry. Yuri, on the other hand, was chatting with Byleth, but Dorothea couldn't make out what he was saying. The two made their way to the table as Yuri made his way back to sit next to Bernadetta, who sat across from Dorothea and had been obliged to stay despite how terrified she looked. Byleth sat herself down next to Dorothea.

"Enjoying yourselves, I take it?" asked Yuri.

"More-or-less," said Dorothea. "I could do without Constance's voice grating in my ears."

"You think her laughter's bad, do you? You should hear her when she sings."

"I'll pass!" Dorothea snapped. "I don't think my ears could take that."

"Hehe, I won't disagree with you there."

The four helped themselves to some more Peach Sorbet as they listened to the others. Balthus had finally won the eating contest, but he looked as though he were going to puke at any moment. Sylvain had let out a yelp after Ingrid stomped on his foot for saying something stupid. Edelgard and Hubert were having another private discussion in a corner. And Marianne was blushing quite nervously as Dimitri gave her his serving of Sweet Rolls.

"Mmm, I've missed this," said Yuri as he savored his Peach Sorbet. "You don't get food like this down in Abyss."

"I guess not," said Dorothea. Then, struck by curiosity, she asked, "Hey, Yuri, how did you end up in Abyss anyway?"

"Hmm? Why do you wanna know?"

"It's just… I remember now that I once saw you in the service of Count Brauner. You didn't happen to get on his bad side, did you?"

Yuri let out a chuckle as he said, "Oh no, nothing like that. I landed in Abyss for something that happened quite a bit after that stint. Two years ago, actually. I ended up killing some people from the church."

"Y-Y-You what?!" Bernadetta yelped in shock.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Byleth.

"Originally, I attended the academy as Count Rowe's adopted kid. There came a point when the church ordered me to wipe out some members from my old gang. Told me it was part of some important mission."

"Your old gang?" asked Dorothea.

"To most other people, they were little more than common thieves. Anyway, they're like family to me, so naturally I protested my orders. Things got pretty heated and, well… the rest is history."

"Wow… I'm amazed you weren't executed for that."

"Heh, you're telling me. Aelfric stepped in and implored them to spare my life, told them to consider the circumstances. It's not so different for the rest of the Ashen Wolves. He helped us all out in different ways. And that's why tomorrow we can't let him down."

"We won't fail him, Yuri," said Byleth. "I promise you."

"You don't seem like the type to break your promises, Professor Eisner, so I'll take your word for it."

It was then that the conversation was broken up as they heard Balthus shout out, "Hey hey hey! If it isn't Thunderstrike Cassandra! Been a long time, Cass!"

The group turned to see Catherine had shown up in the dining hall and was now standing before a cheerful Balthus.

"Well, if this isn't a surprise, Balthus," said Catherine. "And by the way, I go by the name Catherine nowadays."

"Is that so? Yeah, I can work with that, Cass– err, Cath. Heh, that's gonna take some getting used to."

"Baltie, I didn't know you and Catherine knew each other," said Hilda.

"Oh yeah, we were in the same year back when I was at the Officers' Academy. Different houses, of course."

"Yeah, and unlike you, I didn't drop out," said Catherine.

"Hey! I would've graduated if things back home hadn't gotten so bad. And I hear you got it pretty lousy too back home after that whole–"

"Not here, Balthus," Catherine said sternly.

"Okay, okay, I get it. Sensitive situation and all that."

"I heard you guys got yourselves in a real pickle. Need a hand rescuing Aelfric? Thunderbrand and I could use a good fight."

Stepping toward Catherine, Yuri said, "We appreciate the offer, Catherine, but we can't have any Knights on this mission. Aelfric's kidnappers were very clear: if any Knights at all show up, he's a dead man."

"I see," Catherine said in disappointment.

"And, no offense, Cass, but stealth was never really your strong suit," said Balthus. "Err, Cath. Damn, did it again."

"It's alright, Balthus. If that's how it is, I guess I'll have to sit out of this one." Catherine then turned to Byleth and said, "Professor Eisner, I wish you and your students the best of luck on your mission. Bring Aelfric home safe, alright?"

"You have my word," said Byleth.

…

Nighttime came shortly after the students had finished their small feast, and after a hard day of fighting the students weren't about to protest the idea of getting some rest. However, Dorothea found herself restless in the middle of the night and soon she was having a walk around the dormitories.

As she did, she was startled when she turned a corner and almost walked right into Yuri.

"Hey there, songbird," said the lavender rogue.

"Yuri, is there something you wanted?" asked Dorothea.

"Let's not deny that there's a connection between us. How about you and I have ourselves a little date, huh?"

Briefly surprised, Dorothea made a sultry smile as she said, "A date, huh? I dunno… The way I see it, you're smiling with your mouth but not with your eyes."

"Ha! It only happens when I'm being a little greedy."

"Just a little?" Then, thinking something was off about the whole thing, she asked, "But, are you sure this is really the time to be thinking about a date? I mean, we've still got to save Aelfric tomorrow."

"Of course it's the time for it. With my heart full from a nice date, I'll be poised to fight with extra vigor in the next battle."

"Riiight…"

"So, when the bell strikes midnight tomorrow evening, meet me out front of the Holy Mausoleum. My only condition is that you arrive promptly after midnight, and not a moment before. What say you?"

"The Holy Mausoleum? But we're forbidden from entering it. And why at such a late hour?"

"It's the most romantic time of the evening of course! Or is the idea of a date with me not appealing to you? Heh heh…"

"Umm, well…"

"Nobles have nearly killed one another fighting for my affections, you know. I'm sure the same's gone for you, songbird. Perhaps you won't get all you want out of me, heh, but I'll promise you a fun time regardless."

"I… suppose it'd be rude of me to say no. Alright then, Yuri, I accept."

"It's settled. I'll see you tomorrow night, friend. Don't stand me up."

With that, Yuri slinked off into the darkness, and Dorothea decided to head back toward her room.

But as she turned another corner, she again almost walked right into someone, this time Byleth.

"Oh, Professor Byleth!" Dorothea said as she was startled. "Didn't see you there."

"You were having a chat with Yuri," said Byleth.

"Yes, we were. It's silly, really. He was asking me out for a date tomorrow at midnight. And you wouldn't believe where he wanted me to meet him."

"Right outside the Holy Mausoleum?"

"W-What?" Dorothea was not expecting Byleth to already know the answer.

"He asked me to show up there too."

"W-Wha…?" After a few seconds, Dorothea let out a short laugh as she said indignantly, "Why that… that scoundrel!"

Yuri making big plays, isn't he?

I bet you're wondering why I've made such a change to the DLC story. Well, you're gonna have to wait and see.

And yes, I know Balthus and Catherine have no Support chain in-game, but I view that as a hugely missed opportunity. They're around the same age, so it would make sense if they were in the same year when they went to the Officers' Academy.

Next chapter's going to have quite the original twist.