"Cornelia!" Byleth cried.

Her angered voice carried on the winds she flew upon, hair billowing as she descended at great speed. The buffeting zephyrs streaked the blood across her face; trickling from a wound she sustained earlier in the battle by a glancing arrow that had almost hit its mark. Her muscles screamed from the strain of the combat, sheer adrenaline and determination her life force through the fog of fatigue. Her teeth clenched as she readied her sword, trying her best not to squint excessively as the squalls bombarded her dry eyes. With a precise arm, she unfurled her blade; poise strong and ready. The bone-like whip glowed its ominous hue, stretching out to bring a swift end to her opponent.

Cornelia's face contorted in anger. She shouted in distaste before throwing her arms towards the threat, creating a glowing magical shield to protect herself. The sword chimed off the surface, creating an explosion of sparks and embers before losing its momentum. The impact slowed their descent, and her Wyvern had to quickly manoeuvre to maintain lift, pushing its hind legs against the barrier with a twist and soaring back towards the heavens. Byleth cursed herself for only using enough force to tear through flesh. Arcane defences required much more power and finesse to break.

She took this moment to regain breath as her eyes surveyed the battlefield. The great Titanus lay broken in pieces, splayed out upon the desecrated town whilst the last of their enemies attempted to flee - perused mercilessly by battalions. Though no opposing force had made it over the walls before now, it was equally true that it gave no rise for escape. The victory was close at hand, practically assured. Arianrhod, formerly known as The Silver Maiden was soon to be claimed by the Adrestian Empire. A city once born through betrayal now became their enemy's downfall.

Slim spears of hot white fire shot up into the sky, narrowly dodged by Hector's swift reactions. She could feel the radiating heat pulse past them as the two of them descended yet again to carry on the assault. But this time they were not alone. Byleth had managed to distract Cornelia and her advisors long enough that they were now surrounded on both sides, the mages by the general's flanks fighting to repel the Empire troops.

She jumped from her mount as he glided low, gripping the sword of the creator in a vicious stance, eager to put an end to the incessant conflict. The ferocity reflected in her eyes as Cornelia paced towards her, the lady was unshaken and unbroken, even with the odds so desperately stacked against her.

"Ah, such a shame... I always thought we'd end up being good friends. But here you are as my enemy..." Her crystal eyes seethed as she held out a velvet-gloved hand, magic radiating from her fingertips.

"Friends? You've surely gone mad," Byleth replied. She knew there was more to this story but had no time to think about it.

"The only thing left to do is to kill you then, right?"

"Right. You can certainly try," Byleth replied firmly.

Though Cornelia was an adept and deadly sorcerer, Byleth was confident. The signal out of the corner of her eye boosted it further and she charged forward without hesitation. Through her desperation Cornelia conjured a raging wall of fire, sending it hurtling into Byleth's path.

With no chance to dodge she merely clenched her teeth as it filled her vision. She felt the searing heat tickle her face before Hubert's teleportation magic slung her to Cornelia's side. She fought through nausea, connecting a deadly swing over the woman's unprotected body. It ripped through her flesh with ease, giving her not even breath to cry out in her last moments.

It was over. The poignant relief came over like a wave and she allowed her body to rest, collapsing to the broken ground as she exhaled deeply. She kneeled for a moment among the clouds of dust, breathing with reprieve through the smell of blood and steel. The sound of slow horse hooves upon the fractured paves caught her ear and she gave a tired smile. They halted beside her, and the rider dismounted. An outstretched hand appeared in her peripheral, white-gloved and mottled with crimson. She took it without question, allowing her to be pulled to her feet and into the embrace of her lover.

"Are you injured?" he asked, a tender inflection in his voice.

"No. Just exhausted," she replied meekly. It seemed the battle had taken more out of her than usual.

"Come, let us return to Her Highness." He sent up a magical signal into the sky.

He guided her up onto his steed, taking his place behind her. She allowed herself to relax, leaning back onto his chest – a welcome respite to her tired mind and body. She glanced wearily at Cornelia's lifeless figure as they passed by. The woman's sightless eyes staring towards the sky. Still dazzling even in death. Byleth turned away, having no desire to look at her any longer. The sounds of the battle were far away now, but she found it hard to find joy in the victory.

"You said you weren't wounded," Hubert said grimly, facing her head gently to the side again; brushing his thumb across the branching channels of red that adorned her face.

"Don't fret. It's just a graze," she replied. "I could ask the same of you."

"I can assure you; the blood is not mine."

They lifted their heads to greet Empire horn of conquest which resounded over the fortress. Marking their victory and claim against Arianrhod.


The day after came quickly, her mind barely allowed to rest idle as they organised Empire troops to hold the fortress. She had bathed and managed to get a few hours of sleep, but she still felt unclean. It was as if she could still smell the blood upon her skin. Even food wasn't tasting right.

Lord Arundel had returned from Alliance territory earlier than expected. His quick arrival to Arianrhod indicated he had already been close to the area. After answering a few prying questions from the Empress, it was revealed that Cornelia was indeed an ally. Though she proved more of an associate to the Lord rather than the Empire itself.

"Why were Cornelia's affiliations not brought to my attention before now? Surely this would have been valuable information!" Edelgard demanded, her demeanour unflinching. Byleth and Hubert stood a pace behind her, each on either side.

Her Uncle narrowed his eyes, he scolded her with his gaze as he was unable to speak the words. "You said it yourself. There could be Church rats nesting amongst your ranks. If information regarding Cornelia had leaked it would have left our hold on Arianrhod compromised. Though it matters not now… Truly wasteful meddling on your part."

"She used a terrible magic weapon... Dolls that she could move and fight with. Did you know about them?"

"Well now... If that were the case, would it not have been better to keep her as an ally? If you are only capable of such imprudence, this dark cloud might hang over the Empire's future as well."

"Thank you for your concern. However, I will sweep aside any darkness that comes our way." Edelgard replied.

"Of that, I have no doubt. Though if you might indulge me, may I ask what you did with her body?" Arundel asked, his tamed anger giving way to curiosity.

Edelgard looked to Hubert, searching for an answer.

"Burned. Along with the other traitors," he said, keeping fierce eye contact with Arundel.

The distaste at Hubert's reply was palpable. "How unfortunate. I will be praying. Praying that the Empire will not become another Arianrhod."

"Another Arianrhod? What exactly do you mean by that?" Edelgard asked.

"Hmph. I must take my leave. There is much to be done here." He bowed stiffly before taking his leave. Leaving many unanswered questions in his wake.

Once he was truly out of earshot Edelgard turned to face her advisors.

"I ask that you both stay behind whilst our forces re-join the main bulk of the army. I need you to further organise Arianrhod's fortifications. Keep an eye on my uncle and his troops. I would assign someone else… But the list of those I trust grows thin. Report back anything unusual."

"Do you really need us both to stay behind?" Byleth asked. "What about you?"

"I'll be perfectly safe. I have the strike force and an army at my back. I know you two will have each other's. Just for a couple of days. I want to find out if my uncle is planning anything. I would have him incarcerated, but his troops are loyal, I fear we may lose their allegiance if anything were to happen to him."

"By your order," Hubert replied dutifully.

Byleth nodded in confirmation. She felt uneasy though, not quite able to put her finger on the reason why.


"Report for you, commander," the soldier said respectfully, handing Byleth a small stack of parchment.

"Thank you," she replied, taking them without issue before dismissing him. "This is the fifth report today," she groaned.

"Never a moment's peace," Hubert ruminated as they walked the steel-white battlements.

"I suspect there won't be until we take Fhirdiad. Either we find harmony in victory… or death," she replied wistfully, scanning the great fortress which stretched out before them. The warm breeze tousled their hair, calm and refreshing like she could finally take a deep breath. Even though they were up quite high it was impossible to see the whole of Arianrhod. The stronghold was as vast as it was sturdy.

"Let us hope it is not the latter," he replied with an amused flair. It seemed he quite enjoyed her macabre comments as of late. "May I… ask you something?"

"Go ahead," she said, thumbing through the reports as they walked.

"What is it you wish to do after the war is over? After we marry."

Her façade broke, feeling a shy smile pull at her lips. "I haven't given it much thought… Do I have much in the way of choice? Won't I be the Lady of house Vestra?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you hardly strike me as a woman who wishes to be the Lady of a house; beholden to managing finances and throwing tea parties to appease the nobility… It hardly suits you."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked wryly.

"What I mean is, what do you want to do? I can hardly see you caged like a bird in my ancestral home, nor would I want you to be if that were the case."

Silence fell for a moment, in times of such turmoil she found planning for the future quite pointless. Nevertheless, a poignant desire stood out in her mind. "Given the option, I would choose to teach again. I have experienced much thus far, but no task made me happier. Though…" She trailed.

He hummed a question, pushing her to continue.

"I would hate for us to be apart," she replied sweetly.

"Heh." The reply seemed to please him. He brought a hand behind her back, resting it upon her waist. "Allow me some time to get my affairs in order, then I will renounce my title as head of the house. After living such a life until now, I find the prospect of returning to that place rather dismal indeed."

"You would truly abandon your house?!" she replied in shock.

"Indeed. Even if I desired to hold such a lacklustre position, with the changes in government Lady Edelgard intends to bring to fruition, I suspect I would not hold that title for long regardless. Moreover, I'm sure any of my younger siblings would gladly become the new Marquis. They are essentially managing it in my absence anyway."

"What of Edelgard?"

"If she requires my aid, she shall have it. We are talking in hypotheticals here."

"In that case… we should reform Garreg Mach," she said, an inspired glint returning to her eye. "We could incorporate Edelgard's ideals. No longer a place to learn the arts of war, nor a place solely for nobles or the rich. Make it accessible for all to enrol based on merit."

"Heh. I find your passion quite striking."

"Just a fanciful dream… for the moment, anyway." She giggled weakly, reluctantly setting her eyes upon the report again. "Wait…" She paused, going over the words one more.

"What is it?"

"It states here that Lord Arundel left along with his company about an hour ago. Did you give the order?"

"No. Judging by your reaction, you did not either…" They both stared at each other for a brief moment, minds racing through possible outcomes.

"Shit. This doesn't feel right. What is he planning?" she said, breaking the silence.

"It is by no means right. We should leave and inform her highness. Now." He spoke with sincere trepidation, grabbing her hand as they hurriedly descended down the stone staircase. They arrived in the south courtyard with haste, a sliver of sky above them, crowded by the high buildings and walls.

"I'll call Hector," she said, "will you be all right to fly?"

"It seems I have little choice in the matter."

Byleth perched her thumb and forefinger to her lips, releasing a loud and distinct whistle. But when her eyes followed the signal to search the sky for her Wyvern, something chilling caught her sights.

"What is that?" she whispered, voice shuddering as her stomach dropped. She gripped his hand tighter.

Pillars of blue light reached down into the fortress, streaking across the crisp sky. Before she could put thoughts to what she was witnessing, projectiles raced through the centres of the magical columns.

It was followed by flashes of hot, orange light. There was little time to react. The stone earth thundered beneath their feet as the shock-waves decimated the buildings around them.