Blue Sea Moon
As the sun grows stronger and the nights grow ever shorter, the Blue Sea Star returns to the sky once more. Believed to be the goddess's home, her followers look to the star and commence celebrations of her rebirth. On the grounds of Garreg Mach monastery, a grand ceremony is held in honor of this much anticipated event. Every true follower of the Church of Seiros is sure to be in attendance.
The students were shaken the day after the battle with Lord Lonato. Ashe had rejoined their class, but his eyes were filled with a deep sadness. Byleth tried her best to raise their spirits, but even she could not manage it. The almost defeat had brought weariness and fear upon the Blue Lions, but even so, they vowed to make no more mistakes at the next mission.
As Byleth wandered around the monastery, she searched her mind for any sign of weakness she had shown to that dark mage. I thought I put out a confident front, but maybe it wavered. Or he saw past it. Did my technique fail? Was I not strong enough? Will I ever get stronger? How-
"Let it go, Byleth. If you dwell on one topic for too long, you begin to overthink it. Save yourself the trouble and move on," Sothis said, and Byleth knew the girl's words to be true. Even so, she could not keep the creeping doubt out of her mind. Something flashed in the corner of her eye, pulling her out of her thoughts. Byleth whirled around, only to find Catherine sprinting into the cathedral. Byleth was curious, but knew that she shouldn't follow. Sothis, however, was eager. "Go after her! Follow her, quick, you fool!" Sothis, I can't follow her. She probably has private business with Lady Rhea. "Go, or I'll chatter nonsense in your head for the rest of the day!" That's the worst punishment you could give me. Byleth glared at the cobblestones and slipped into the cathedral.
"Lady Rhea, please take this seriously. This note couldn't be more clear." Catherine's pleading reached Byleth's hiding place behind a middle pew.
"Of course I will take it seriously, Catherine. But I must protect the monastery and the students. How can I do that if I'm far away, hiding in a secluded location?" Lady Rhea's face was a mixture of worry and determination, and she kept glancing at Seteth for advice. Hiding? What is she hiding from?
"We must protect you at all costs, Archbishop." Seteth turned to Catherine. "However, someone must remain here to hold the ceremony. Lady Rhea should stay, but she must be protected by knights at all times. General, you may oversee that protection. Is that alright with you, Archbishop?"
"Of course." Lady Rhea nodded gracefully.
"Seteth, if you'd just listen to me. A murder threat is nothing to take lightly. The plan was as clear as day. We must…" Catherine continued to speak, but Byleth tuned her out. A murder threat against the archbishop of the church of Seiros, found written on a note hidden with Lord Lonato. And the plan was as clear as day… Something doesn't make sense here. She crept out the back of the cathedral, not wanting to be caught. Then, she disappeared in the brightly lit afternoon, heading for her students.
Byleth did her best to hide her confusion when she approached the Blue Lions. Earlier that day, she had had to feign shock when Seteth explained the note found on Lord Lonato. The students' mission was to be on patrol around the monastery.
"Professor, what's troubling you?" Mercedes asked, bringing Byleth out of her thoughts.
"Well-"
"Are they going to assassinate Lady Rhea?" Annette blurted out, her eyes wide in fear.
"The knights will be protecting Lady Rhea. She is strong. I am certain she will come out of this alive. I want to talk about the last mission." Byleth replied. A collective groan filled the room.
"No, Professor, do not subject your poor students to your overthinking!" Sylvain pleaded.
"All I was going to say was that we need to train more this month. But if you want me to delve further into the topic, I'd be happy to…" Byleth said, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"No! Please Professor, forgive me! For the sake of all of us," Sylvain cried.
Byleth left the classroom shortly after the students had been dismissed. However, Dimitri stood waiting for her at the door.
"Professor, I… I have something I'd like to ask you." His eyes held fear, something she had not seen in him before.
"Go ahead," Byleth said, shutting the classroom door and walking towards her room. Dimitri followed behind her.
"This assassination plot… I don't think that is the bandit's true intention."
"What do you mean?" He's picking up on the same feelings I had when I first heard about it, Byleth thought.
"Well, I was just thinking. The knights will be so busy protecting Lady Rhea that they wouldn't even notice if someone slipped in the monastery. Lord Lonato's men will have a huge opportunity to steal whatever they want." His cheeks flushed. "That's only a simple theory, though. I have no evidence-"
"That's brilliant, Dimitri. Exactly what I was thinking." She stopped walking and turned around to face him. "We need to warn the students. You and I can search the monastery and see if we can find anything that's valuable enough to steal."
He beamed. "Of course."
The Blue Lions erupted into chaos when Dimitri explained his theory the next day. Annette suggested they search the library, Hanneman's office, and the treasure vault. Felix suggested the armory, and Sylvain merely shouted that they had better protect the ladies of the monastery. After a day of searching, Byleth and Dimitri combined their findings.
"The only thing that stood out to me was the Holy Mausoleum," Byleth said thoughtfully. They were sprawled on the floor of the classroom, pencils and papers scattered around them. She studied the map of the monastery, marking the mausoleum with a large red x.
"I agree. The armory could also be a likely candidate, but far less interesting than the remains of Saint Seiros." He drummed his fingers on the floor, creating an eerie sound that echoed through the room. They were up far too late, the room lit only by flickering candles. Byleth rubbed her eyes so that she wouldn't fall asleep.
"We need a plan, though. The Rite of Rebirth is set to happen four days from now."
Dimitri nodded. "Seteth wants us to patrol the cathedral. If some of us can sneak inside…"
"Then the others can stand watch outside. We'll sneak into the cathedral and stand guard outside the mausoleum."
"We'll be ready for the invaders when they come for us." he grinned sleepily. "Sounds like a plan." Byleth began settling the papers into a neat stack and stood up, brushing the dust off of her clothes.
"Thank you, Dimitri. I couldn't have done this without you." She smiled slightly, a rare occurrence for her. It was a small thing that most people would barely register. However, Dimitri's face lit up. His tired eyes flared to life, and he responded quickly with a grin.
"Of course, Professor. I'll always be here to help."
The Rite of Rebirth arrived in all its splendor. The goddess tower was decked out in long white garlands, and white and blue flowers lined the entryway. The faculty had been forced to adapt the usual traditions to make way for many more guards, but still, the sight was breathtaking. The students of the Officer's Academy wore their armor and marched in neat groups of three around their assigned patrol areas, ensuring safety for the archbishop and the others attending the ceremony.
Sylvain looked at Byleth with his hands clasped over his heart. "Please, Professor, you must let me march with you. It will be lovely to walk through the crisp, evening air, holding your elegant hand-"
"Do shut up and spare us your mock eloquence," Felix said, crossing his arms.
"Seteth has already assigned the groups. Ashe, Dedue, and Dimitri will be marching behind Annette, Mercedes, and Ingrid." Byleth responded with a sigh. Annette and Mercedes cheered, jumping in the air and squealing while Ingrid watched with a smile. Byleth turned to Sylvain, who now wore a smug grin. "And I'm stuck with you two. If you bicker the whole time, I swear I will…" she was interrupted by the tolling of the cathedral's bells, signifying that it was time to start the ceremony. "Let's go! Remember the plan," she shouted, and the night began. Stay focused. Sneak away into the cathedral and stand guard by the mausoleum. Don't make any mistakes.
The students reached the cathedral and Byleth nodded silently. One by one, they slipped through the half open doors of the church, fumbling through the darkness. Sylvain smashed into an unseen pew and whispered a long stream of curses, and Byleth shook her head. He can't even be quiet for a few minutes.
"Byleth! Look there!" Sothis shouted, and Byleth winced at the sound. I can't see anything, Sothis. You're going to have to tell me what you want. "Don't be a fool. The entrance to the mausoleum!" Sure enough, they had reached the entrance. However, instead of the locked, closed doors Byleth had expected, the entrance was wide open, and she could see the telltale flicker of light coming from down the stairs. We were too late to stop them, she thought, and cursed. "Watch your language!" Sothis cried, but Byleth merely ignored the girl.
"Come on," Byleth whispered, going down the first step. Someone laid a hand on her shoulder, stopping her from going any farther.
"What are you doing, Byleth? We don't know what's down there," Dimitri hissed from behind her. She only shook off his hand, paid no attention, and snuck down the stairs, motioning for her students to follow.
The students reached the end of the stairs and were faced with a large room. Large tombs and caskets were arranged in a pattern on the floor, and Byelth could see an even grander one placed at the edge of the room. That must be where the remains of Saint Seiros are kept. A mage stood over it, waving his hands in a strange way. Magic appeared over the casket, a dark swirling spell that slammed into the carved wood. The coffin did not give. Protected with a magical spell, Byleth thought. Clever, Rhea. Other enemies surrounded the mage, watching spell after spell fail to open the tomb.
"We're going to have to fight our way through," Byleth whispered to her students. "Stick by me, stay close, and don't screw up. Stay away from the cavalier in the middle. Top priority is stopping that mage!" Then she dashed down the side of the room, charging straight towards the mage. The Blue Lions followed, but a group of nine people clad in armor can only be so quiet. The enemies turned towards them, looks of shock flashing through the group. Then the shock faded away, leaving only fury and hatred.
"You cannot let the Central Church scum near me," The mage panted from the exertion of casting spell after spell. "Kill them, quick. I've almost broken the seal." His men nodded and rushed towards the students. All it took was a nod from Byleth, and the students snapped into action.
The two groups clashed into one another, the sounds of metal on metal echoing through the mausoleum. Byleth dodged one sword and came dangerously close to another. But she was light on her feet, and managed to duck behind a coffin. Someone spotted her, and rushed towards her position. Byleth lept forwards, stabbing precisely into his chest. They made uncomfortable eye contact before he died, his pale blue eyes staring into her navy ones. He couldn't have been much older than her. Byleth shook off the thought and continued pushing her way through the crowd, slicing her sword out in wide arcs. Men fell around her, leaving the ground littered with the bodies of the fallen. Something bit into her left arm, and she whirled around before the enemy could do any more damage. Easy.
"Where are you," she muttered under her breath, searching through the crowd to find the mage. Byleth ducked behind yet another coffin and quickly surveyed her students. Dimitri stood back to back with Dedue, and the two spun together, weapons drawn and bloody. Yellow healing magic sped through the air, and Byleth traced the light back to Mercedes' fluttering hands. Annette focused her magic on a group of twelve men, and when she needed aid, Felix was right behind her. I have prepared them for this mission, Byleth thought with a grin, catching her breath. We will not fail. However, before she could go back to her search for the mage, a gloved hand clamped around her arm and hoisted her to her feet, a blade pressed to her throat.
"Whatever plan you have is futile. You cannot defeat us." The man was the cavalier who Byleth had specifically warned them not to challenge. He was clad in black armor and was seated atop a mighty black steed. It too wore armor that glinted in the light. Covering the man's face was a large mask shaped into a skull, with glowing red eyes. "I am the Death Knight, and you cannot stop me." He dug the blade a little closer to Byleth's throat, drawing a thin line of blood. One more move and she'd be dead.
"I'm not here for you," she whispered, knowing that if she spoke any louder the knife would cut in deeper.
The Death Knight chuckled. "Who are you here for, then, child? If not me, then who do you desire to kill? "
"I-" But before she could answer, something wrenched the hand that held the blade away from her throat, and she stumbled forward. Dimitri held the Death Knight's arm, the black knife in his other hand. "Dimitri! Go!" Byleth shouted, and pulled him away, leaving the Death Knight to recover from his surprise. There was a clear path behind the coffins leading up to the holy remains, and the two ran down it.
"Professor, are you-" Dimitri began.
"No time!" Byleth shouted, and continued down the path. "There!" Sure enough, the mage stood over the grand casket, still muttering his spells and curses. The rest of his men were preoccupied with the other Blue Lions, leaving Dimitri and Byleth ready to end him. The two charged towards him, weapons drawn, matching looks of grim determination on their faces. The mage's eyes widened in surprise and quickly flung a twisting ball of dark magic in their direction. Byleth dodged, the magic missing her by an inch. Dimitri was not so lucky. The magic slammed into him, sending him flying backwards into the wall, then sliding to the floor. His eyes were closed, but Byleth knew she had to keep moving. Dimitri, I'll come back for you, hold on, just please don't die, please please please… Her hand tightened around her iron sword's grip, her knuckles turning white. Her free hand was now clenched into an angry fist. I'll get you for that, you idiotic mage.
At the sight of Byleth rushing towards him, the mage spoke, his voice full of malice. "You're too late, fool. The seal will be broken any minute now. The holy remains are mine for the taking. My companions will cut you down before you even have a chance to use that cheap sword of yours."
"I don't see anyone rushing to your aid at the moment," Byleth said, keeping her voice cool and even. Better not to let him know about the rage that now flooded her senses. She charged forwards, slashing outwards with her sword. But before she was given a chance to attack him, a blast of light knocked her to her feet. She quickly stood up, trying to figure out what had just caused her to fall, when she saw the mage leaning over- no, into the coffin. The seal had been broken.
"I told you, you're too late! I've broken the seal, the remains will be mine!" The mage stared into the coffin, and Byleth heard a gasp. The man muttered something and reached his hand in. When he drew it out again, a long, peculiar sword rested in his hands. Byleth merely shook her head, not giving into the confusion and charged at him, her weapon pointed directly at his heart. Using a move that Jeralt had taught her, she stabbed forwards to distract him, then hooked the edge of her sword onto the serrated edge of his. The strange sword was flung into the air, far from the mage's grasp. Byleth rushed over to it and lifted it, dropping her iron one. The weapon was intricate and detailed, the handle long and thin with a strange hole in the center. Something was familiar about it, and yet unknown at the same time. A large fireball brought her to her senses, and she flung the sword outwards in a foolish attempt to protect herself. To her surprise, the weapon stopped the fireball in its tracks, and it now glowed with a red hot aura. Byleth narrowed her eyes at the now astounded mage, and charged at him. He continued to hurl fireballs in her direction, but the sword easily cleaved through them. The mage scurried backward, slamming into the coffin behind him. He looked around, frantically, a pathetic mouse trapped before the cat. But there was nowhere to run. Nothing can save him now, Byleth thought angrily. He held his hands out in a weak attempt at defense, and summoned his best force field. She merely sliced downwards, severing the shield in a blinding flash of light. She shut her eyes against the brightness, and when she opened them again, the mage's body lay at her feet. Suddenly, Byleth remembered something. Dimitri.