Chapter 2
The palace that greeted the Phantom Thieves was nothing like the palaces before. It was a 13th-century European style monastery that looked much like a castle. However, it's atmosphere was much brighter than Kamoshida's castle.
They were teleported to an area that looked like a busy marketplace.
Haru looked at the sign in front of the gated walls. "Garreg Mach Monastery? This name sounds so foreign."
"And look! We're not wearing our Phantom Thieves outfits!" Ryuji exclaimed at the black and gold uniform he was suddenly wearing. "It's not even our normal school uniforms!"
The other members remarked at their new uniforms. "It's very pretty," remarked Haru, as she twirled her skirt.
"Let's stop commenting on our uniforms and get inside the monastery. It seems like we're not really threats to Eisner." Morgana was still stuck in his real-world cat form for some reason. "It's weird that I'm still just a small cat." Akira nodded in agreement.
"Who knew that there would be a day when I would be wearing a school uniform again." Futaba looked at her form with slight surprise.
They walked up the stairs to the gate, when they were stopped.
"Halt!" The Gatekeeper yelled loudly. The Phantom Thieves jumped back in surprise, ready to attack if needed. "Oh, you're just students. Carry on then." The group looked at each other with confused faces, but they went into the entrance hall of the monastery, their jaws dropping at the sight in front of them.
"This is magnificent. Such an elegant architecture," remarked Yusuke.
They continued forward but jumped to hide in the shadows when they almost ran into Eisner-sensei. But instead of the dark blue hair that they always see, the Phantom Thieves saw that Eisner-sensei's hair was bright green. They clamored behind a pillar, whispering furiously as Eisner-sensei handed what seems to be an amulet to a student.
"Oh, I thought I lost that! Thank you very much, Professor!" The light blue-haired boy with freckles gave a big grin while the professor nodded and walked off.
"It seems like Eisner-sensei is not very hard to reach." Makoto then said, "How about we split up into groups? One to follow Eisner-sensei and another to scout the area?" Although this was something that the group has never done before, they nodded their heads to agree as this palace was like no other.
"Okay, how about Mona, Panther, Queen, and I follow Eisner-sensei while Skull, Fox, Navi, and Noir scout the area?" Akira thought about the group member's strengths and split them up accordingly.
"Sounds good! I'll act as leader!" Futaba grinned.
"No way! You're the youngest, Navi!" Ryuji yelled out.
It was safe to say that Eisner-sensei, or Professor Byleth as the other students called him, was very popular and much alike his real-self. He invited students to tea, gave gifts such as flowers, and taught students who came to him with questions.
However, it was very strange to see that the subjects he taught were all military based. Swords, lances, axes, bows and magic? There were people riding horses, pegasus, and wyverns, for crying out loud. Eisner-sensei's distortion was strange for sure.
Futaba looked curiously at the classes that were being taught around the school, which she learned was an Officer's Academy. It was very strange, especially as it seemed like the religion of the monastery was not Christianity, nor did churches normally have an army of their own. Who's ever even heard of a monastery training students to be soldiers?
Another thing was, the shadows that Eisner-sensei made did not try to attack them in any way. None of the students really registered their presence.
"Hey," Futaba turned around swiftly at the voice behind her. Or maybe they did. But it wasn't a student.
"Oh, uh… hello professor." Futaba groaned inwardly. Where did the others go? She darted her eyes and saw the rest of the Phantom Thieves hiding in one of the pillars with wide eyes. Dammit, how did no one sense him? And why did the other group not warn them of Eisner-sensei's presence?
"I saw you looking at the classrooms. Are you a new student and lost?" Eisner-sensei had a concerned look on his face.
Futaba had to think fast. "Uh, yes Professor, I wasn't sure where to go."
"Which house are you in? Let me take you to your house leader." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a red banner.
"Uhh, I think it's that one, actually." She pointed at the classroom that was next to the red banner.
"The Black Eagle House? Edelgard did not mention a new student joining the class." Byleth motioned Futaba to follow him. "Come with me. I'm the professor of the class."
Oh no….
When Byleth's back was turned, Futaba quickly ran away before Byleth could stop her.
"Why didn't you warn me!" Futaba punched Ryuji's arm.
"Aghh! I'm sorry he literally sprung up behind you!" Ryuji held his aching arm "I knew he wasn't going to hurt you though."
"It was my bad too, I didn't think that he would suddenly make a left turn and run into you." Akira cursed his oversight.
"It was my mistake that I suggested this method." Makoto looked sullen. "Splitting up was not a good idea."
Futaba shook her head. "No, it was risky but I found out that he is the professor for the house that has the red and black banner." She scanned the areas that everyone surveyed. "Maybe we should go back for now. He might forget if we leave now."
The group nodded and Akira took out his phone to go back to the real world.
Before the group came back the second time, they did a lot of research, but there was nothing remotely similar to Garreg Mach or a monastery that taught students to be officers. No religion called Church of Seiros either. It confused the teens, as Eisner-sensei's records had nothing saying that he taught at a monastery before, but it didn't seem like he was lying to them about that. His weird hair color was very strange too.
"Shall we go back to the Monastery?" There were voices of agreement going all around.
"That reminds me though," Makoto stopped the group from pressing the MetaNav app. "If the other part of his distortion is a battlefield, where is the battlefield?" The Phantom Thieves all gulped.
"I guess we might be in one soon."
The ground distorted and the Phantom Thieves found themselves at the gate of the Monastery once again.
"Luckily, It doesn't seem anything has changed. These uniforms are still quite nice." Yusuke looked at his black
"Well, it does seem like you are having fun."
The group looked to Morgana.
"Did you say something, Morgana?" Yusuke questioned.
Morgana shook his head with wide eyes.
"No, you fools, I was the one talking." They looked up at the sky and their jaws dropped when they saw a green-haired girl floating in the sky.
"Is this just another shadow that Eisner-sensei conjured?" Ryuji gulped.
"What did you call me?" The girl made an offended scoff. "I am Sothis, the goddess of Fodlan. Not whatever you call 'shadows.'"
Akira looked at the 'goddess' closely. "No wonder Yusuke thought that it was Morgana talking. She has a similar voice… as well as his sass," he chucked at Morgana's offended cry.
The goddess frowned and floated down closer to the Thieves' eye level.
"I have observed you since your last visit. You children are not students of Garreg Mach, correct?" The group nodded.
"But Eisner-sensei is a teacher of ours in the real world."
"So…" Ryuji drawled out. "Are you a real person that Eisner-sensei knows, or did he make you up?" Ann punched his arm at his sudden forwardness.
"I am real!" The goddess looked a little sullen. "The child used to be able to hear and talk to me, but now I am just a fragment of the past world. He can't even talk to me anymore. I am even unable to see what Byleth is doing in the real world."
"The past world? Child?" Futaba questioned, "what do you mean?"
With a frown, Sothis said to the group. "Byleth was reincarnated."
"Is that even possible? Or even true?"
Sothis nodded. "This is the world that Byleth comes from. The magic, the people, and I are all real beings from Fodlan." Sothis then looked sadly at the Monastery. "But this is just Byleth's imagination. Of the things he wished he still had."
The group looked down sullenly.
"So… he lost a lot, hasn't he?" Sothis nodded at Haru's comment.
"This is just one of the many timelines he imagines in order to save what he has lost. And every time, he is never able to save everyone. Sometimes he loses everything all over again. Please," The Phantom Thieves looked at Sothis's saddened expression. "Please, help Byleth leave this path of despair."
Akira looked at his friends. And with a nod, he responded back, "That's what we planned to do."
"So is this map correct? We had to leave early the last time we came." Futaba turned the map from her navigation to Sothis.
"Partially. There are rooms that are closed off or hidden. For good reason." Sothis sighed. "But you need to see all of these in order to know how to break Byleth's cycle."
The group nodded and followed after Sothis.
"This is his personal room." Sothis pointed. The students waited for her to open the door. She cocked her brow. "Were you expecting me to magically open the door? I'll have you know that I walk through the walls." With a sheepish grin, Akira opened the door and the group filed into the small room, unsure if it was okay or not to barge into their teacher's private space. They forgot that they already intruded on his cognition.
It was bare, but his closed journal was displayed on his desk. The group shifted, unwilling to be the one to suggest opening it up, but Morgana jumped up the desk and fearlessly opened up the journal.
History of Fodlan updated to MetaNav
The Thieves jumped, surprised that their navigation did something that it never did before.
"Hey look! Now we might not be so lost in what the other students are saying!" remarked Ryuji.
Makoto was grateful for this new information. "Sothis… oh! It does say that the goddess's name is Sothis."
"Of course. Did you think I was lying?"
"No, uh, of course not!"
"Oh, there you are!" A soft, yet firm voice rang out. The group turned around in surprise.
"Oh um… are you talking to us?" Futaba asked the platinum-haired girl with lavender eyes.
The girl raised her eyebrow. "Is there anyone else other than you?" Futaba looked around and cursed. The group was once again all hiding behind a giant column. Ryuji mouthed a 'sorry' to her.
"No! Uh…"
"This is Edelgard von Hresvelg. The princess of the Adrestian Empire and the leader of the Black Eagles house. Just call her Lady Edelgard" At least Sothis didn't abandon her and was being helpful.
"Oh! Uh, Lady Edelgard. How are you?" Futaba wasn't sure if she should bow or not. Do people bow in Fodlan?
Edelgard's face showed a small frown. "I am well, but I have to ask. Why have you not been showing up to class?"
Futaba's jaws opened. "Wait what?"
"You were supposed to join our house a few days ago, am I not correct? Your father has sent me a letter about your acceptance to Garreg Mach Officer's Academy and Professor Byleth has told me that he has seen you three days ago as well. " Edelgard's tone was firm and slightly annoyed.
Futaba looked at Sothis from the corner of her eye. Sothis' confused face gave her no reassurance.
"Uhh… I'm sorry Lady Edelgard! I was just so excited that I was here and had to explore and lost track of time and I was scared of going into a classroom and… and I apologize for inconveniencing you!" Futaba so flustered due to the shock and hoped that she was saying something coherent.
Luckily, Edelgard's downward lips lifted into a small smile. "Say, is House Sakura related to the House Varley by any chance? You remind me very much of a classmate who is a Varley."
Futaba shook her head no, just glad that this shadow/cognition that Eisner-sensei made in his mind was not going to attack her.
"I'm glad you could join us, Futaba. It is nice to see that you are attending class." Eisner-sensei—no—Professor Byleth gave a slight grin as Futaba peaked her head into the classroom. She 'eeped' at the Professor, knowing that he was a shadow that had control over his cognition and this world.
"Are you sure you're not related to Bernadetta?" Edelgard mused with a small smirk and pulled the wide-eyed, frightened Futaba into the classroom.
Sothis had abandoned Futaba, unfortunately for her, as she reconvened with the other Phantom Thieves who were trying to think why this was happening.
"Is there such a thing as House Sakura in Fodlan?" Akira asked Sothis. He had already looked at the history of Fodlan for any information, but did not find anything.
Sothis shook her head, "No… I have no idea how this happened.
Makoto looked at the information in the MetaNav. "The only explanation for this is that Eisner-sensei added to his cognition that she was part of his house."
Mona gave a slight hum. "It makes sense. Even if he is stuck in a cycle of despair, it is still his cognition. It really strange how he got Futaba's name."
"Oh no…" Ryuji lamented, "does she even know how to act in school? She's been a shut-in for so long!" Morgana grumbled at Ryuji's concerns.
"That aside, is she able to leave this Palace? It seems like the two days that have passed since we have first been here has been noted as her absence," Yusuke remarked.
"Wait. I have to continue to stay here? What?" The group turned around to see Futaba's angry expression.
"Oh, uh, it's just a theory!" Ryuji scratched his head.
"Oh yeah? Well, thanks a lot for ditching me again guys! I was scared shirtless." Futaba seethed.
"Futaba-chan, I'm so sorry that we had abandoned you…" Haru hugged Futaba's angrily huffing body. "How was the lecture?"
After becoming calmed by Haru's hug and her question, Futaba thought quizzically.
"It was strange being in a classroom… It's been a while since I've been at school." The teens all nodded their heads in understanding. "It was cool though! I apparently have Inert Skill in Reason and Budding Talent in flying! I literally rode a Pegasus today!" Futaba's anger seemingly disappeared as she gushed about the short lecture she partook in today. "No wonder you like Professor Byleth so much! He's an amazing teacher!"
"I'm surprised it ended so early though," said Haru.
"Yeah, I think he mentioned something about instructing manually today."
"So I have to stay here?" Futaba groaned. "What if the shadows suddenly go crazy on me?"
"No, only for a few hours everyday. It seems like his mind is occupied in teaching his real-world students in the morning, while in the afternoon, Eisner teaches the shadows in his cognition." Morgana patted Futaba on her back, but it did not reassure her much. "Don't worry Futaba. I'll make sure to come with you to your class next time. You can hide me in your bag."
Futaba giggled.
"Is that a cat I hear?" One of the students in the class, a girl who introduced herself as Petra, jumped up.
"Eh," a boy, one named Casper shrugged. "It's probably one of the strays that roam around the monastery."
Petra nodded, whilst Futaba sighed in relief quietly from the back of the class.
Byleth only rose his brows at the commotion.
"Futaba, I have found this near your room. Did you lose it?" Futaba turned around to see Professor Byleth who had a book that proudly displayed its title Encylopedia of Sweets.
"Ummm… no Professor."
"Oh!" Byleth searched his pockets. "What about this?" He took out a Faded Star Chart.
"No…"
"Okay... how about this?" Byleth had a Curry Comb in his hand.
"That's not mine..."
"Oh, this again…" Sothis sighed.
Byleth scratched his head. "Uh, okay. Let me just give you this." He handed Futaba an Armored Bear Stuffy, which made her eyes go wide.
"Oooh this is so cute! Thank you, Professor!" Byleth returned Futaba's wide grin with a small one of his own.
"Of course," Byleth checked the time on his pocketwatch. "Do you have time for some tea?"
"I'm telling you, the Child is an enigma to me as well sometimes." Sothis drawled lazily as she floated next to Futaba with a hand to her chin.
"Yes, I like cats." Futaba ignored Sothis for a moment and she responded to the professor's question.
"Favorite sweets…?" Byleth was good at bringing up Futaba's interested topics.
"So many I can't even count!"
Byleth nodded with a small smile. "Tell me about yourself…"
Futaba started rambling off and continued to have a great conversation with Byleth.
"It's only been a short while since I've been able to go outside of my room without worry. I think my Akira and the others really helped me with that." Futaba just realized what she had just said. He wouldn't think of Akira too deeply right?
Byleth nodded. "It's important to have friends who could help you in tough times. Are you adjusting well to the house and its members?"
"Oh, yes!" Futaba was glad Byleth didn't mention her slip-up on Akira. "I think Lady Edelgard is wonderful! Hubert kind of scares me, but everyone else is so kind. I wish that I've been attending school earlier!"
"I'm glad that you are doing well. I hope that whatever comes out of the Holy Tomb later this week will not limit my duties as a professor for all of you."
"Holy Tomb?" Futaba asked.
Sothis blinked. "Oh no…. oh nononono. It's already that time of the year?" Sothis started pacing back and forth in the air as she made Futaba more and more confused. "Did he already go to Enbarr with Edelgard?"
Byleth, however, could not hear Sothis. He only responded, "yes, I've come to receive the goddess' blessings, so Archbishop Rhea is leading us to the Holy Temple. As a member of the Black Eagles House, you will also join the rest of the house in the ceremony."
Futaba wanted to know what Sothis was talking about, but Sothis just demanded her to ask Byleth if he had gone to the Empire this month.
"So professor, did you go to the Adrestian Empire this month?"
Byleth looked surprised, but replied, "Why yes, I did."
Sothis groaned. The Phantom Thieves were all in front of her, confused as to why they were all called to come.
"Remember how I told you that his cognition changes to see another future that could've happened if he made different choices?" The Phantom Thieves all nodded. "Well sometimes, his cognition sometimes reminisces what actually occurred in his past life. This is the path that he loses everything."
The group gasped in shock. "So Eisner-sensei will just relive his past life, including the things that he has lost?" Haru looked at the ground sadly.
"What happened in the two weeks you've been here Futaba?" Ann asked Futaba, who was as confused as everyone else.
"I'm not sure." Futaba looked worriedly. "I think Professor Byleth went to the Adrestian Empire the week before we came, and that was the first part of his choices that caused something bad to happen. He's supposed to go to a placed called the Holy Tomb in a few days."
"We'll have to go too." Akira's comment made everyone nod.
It was the first time Futaba saw the Archbishop that everyone was talking about. It wasn't normal for her to just be walking around in the Monastery. Her green hair color, as well as Byleth and Flayn's, reminded Futaba of Sothis, who was definitely hiding some things.
"I can't tell you everything. Not everything can be explained by words," said Sothis.
The rest of the Phantom Thieves were hiding in the shadows, following the Black Eagles. It wasn't so hard to hide as the whole place was only dimly lit by some ethereal green glow.
When they finally reached the bottom of the stairs and saw another giant staircase that led to a throne, Futaba jaws dropped.
"Are you surprised, Professor? This is the Holy tomb." The Archbishop's soft voice rang out in the massive tomb.
Edelgard's comment of the tomb being something that is not of this world made Futaba nod in agreement.
"This is where the goddess who created this world was laid to rest, along with her children." The Archbishop's words made Futaba look at Sothis, who only looked at Byleth and the Archbishop sadly.
"Oh Seiros, how your zealousy to revive me has cost the lives of so many… including this Child's." Sothis' words made Futaba blink.
Seiros? Futaba thought. Isn't the religion called Church of Seiros? Is Sothis talking about the Archbishop or someone else? Also, Sothis' children are buried here?
"It is said that our creator—the goddess Sothis—sat upon this very throne." Rhea's words gave confirmation to Futaba that Sothis was indeed a goddess, yet it was strange. How could a goddess that is dead be a part of Byleth? She couldn't voice her questions right no, however. "So long… I have waited so very long for this day. Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess."
Byleth climbed up the stairs to the throne and sat on it, but nothing happened. Rhea's disappointed tone rang throughout the Tomb, but was stopped by a sudden command from a recognizable voice.
"Stop right there!" Edelgard voice rang out and she was suddenly surrounded with soldiers who seemed to be from the Empire.
"I guess that's the end of play-at-school, Lady Edelgard…. I mean Your Majesty." Hubert seemed to be in on the whole ploy.
One of the soldiers yelled, "Get to work, everyone! The Crest Stones belong to us now, and take those filthy bones too!"
"Insolence!" Rhea yelled. "You will atone for the sin of trampling on this holy resting place! Professor! Destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!"
Byleth and the other students, including Futaba could only stare in shock.
"Wait! What's the meaning of this Edelgard?"
"You… you made use of us? Why?"
"I'm sorry my professor. I have chosen this path, and I must choose to follow it. My friends… I ask that all of you stay back! It is not my intention to fight you! By order of the Adrestian emperor, Edelgard von Hresvelg, I command you to collect the Crest Stone! If anyone attempts to stop us… kill them." Edelgard's fierce proclamation made Futaba also feel betrayed. She seemed to be a person who would be such a caring ruler, yet she betrayed Professor Byleth.
"Everyone, get ready for battle." Byleth's voice was laced with hurt.
Oh no… battle? Futaba was not ready for some kind of battle with swords and lances!
"Don't worry, Futaba, we'll join you!" Akira's voice rang out a couple of paces behind her. He and the others were now donning their Phantom Thieves attire, and but she looked down to see that she was still wearing her Garreg Mach uniform.
"What…?" Byleth's confused but the wary tone was the sentiment of all the Black Eagles.
"We're Futaba's friends. We can't let our youngest into battle alone." Ryuji grabbed Futaba's shoulder reassuringly. Futaba nodded in thanks.
"We'll follow your command, Eisner-sensei," said Akira.
Byleth thought for a moment. He faced the group and said, "let us go."
"You have disappointed me, Edelgard." The Archbishop's cruel and angry tone brought shivers to Futaba.
"So, it is my teacher who stands in my way. I always knew it would come to this…" Edelgard's words made Byleth's hurt expression even more saddened.
"Professor. Kill Edelgard at once." Rhea growled. "She is a danger to all of Fodlan. Such a rebellious heart cannot be allowed to keep beating."
Byleth's eyes grew wide at the declaration. But his eyes closed in concentration, a normally empty heartbeat pulsing loudly.
(I must kill Edelgard)
(I must protect Edelgard)
"No… I must protect Edelgard."