Red Wolf Moon
Hoarfrost now graces treetops and open fields alike, and an icy chill blown in from the north of Faerghus blankets the land. All of Fodlan's creatures begin to settle in for a long winter. The setting sun bathes the full winter coat of every wolf in a foreboding scarlet glow. Hunters can now spread the word that the red wolves are back on the prowl.
Byleth was still basking in happiness from the previous month when the terrible news came. Lady Rhea had explained the situation to her that morning, leaving her weighed down with sadness. Remire Village, the village she and Jeralt took refuge in more than once, was infected with some strange disease. People driven to madness, attacking one another… It must be stopped.
"Please, Professor, hear what Manuela has to say. She will provide information on your mission," Lady Rhea continued.
"Of course," Byleth replied respectfully.
"Oh, and one more thing. Your father will be accompanying you on this mission." She smiled. "He requested to join you. He says you two must fulfill some sort of… debt?"
"Ah, yes. Remire Village has helped us countless times. I will go to Manuela at once, Lady Rhea." Byleth nodded her thanks and left the cathedral, Jeralt in tow.
Manuela's head snapped up from her work when they entered. "Professor, Jeralt," she said, smiling. "Thank you for coming. Lady Rhea probably told you that I have some information?"
"Yes," Byleth said. Her head felt strange, as if filled with cotton balls. The room tilted, but she only shook her head to clear the feeling. Just a lack of sleep, she thought. Better not worry anyone with it. Focus on the task at hand.
"We know that the chances of this being a disease are extremely slim. The symptoms vary far too much for it to be of natural cause." Her mouth became a thin line of concern.
Jeralt leaned closer. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that this is most likely caused by potions, or dark magic."
Jeralt rubbed his eyes. "Damn. And here I thought this would be easy."
"Nothing is ever easy," Byleth muttered, staring at the floor to ease the dizziness.
"Well, thank you for your help, Manuela," Jeralt said, sighing.
"I'm sorry, to the both of you. It's hard to see those you know driven to madness." Manuela's face was full of sadness and empathy. Byleth and Jeralt nodded, then left the infirmary.
"I'll be in my office making preparations," Jeralt said once they were outside. "What about you?"
"I'll probably go and talk to the knights who went on that scouting mission," Byleth responded, wincing at the pain that now ran through her skull like an electric current. She squeezed her eyes shut, and as the world turned upside down, she grabbed onto the side of the wall.
"Good, good," Jeralt muttered absentmindedly before turning to her. "Hey, are you alright-" Byleth had collapsed to the ground, her eyes closed tightly. Jeralt knelt beside her, shaking her until she woke. "Byleth. Byleth!"
She sat up, rubbing her eyes. The pain was gone as quickly as it had come, but some semblance of the dizziness remained.
"What's wrong, Byleth? Don't scare me like that." Jeralt's eyes were wide with fear, his face displaying immense concern.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm alright, really. I just got dizzy for a moment." Better for him to not know how much that hurt, she thought bitterly.
"Are you sure you don't need to go to the infirmary?"
"No, I'm fine." She stood up slowly, brushing herself off. "See? I'm all good."
"No need to grin and bear it, Byleth. Please, if anything feels off, take care of yourself." He stared at her, before putting a hand on her shoulder. "Got it?"
"Got it," she replied, managing a reassuring smile. He turned and left for his quarters, and she did the same.
"What could have caused such dizziness?" Sothis said. "I felt it too. Actually, I believe I've felt that way before…"
Sothis, please. Now is not the time for your vague mysteries.
Byleth was returning to her quarters when she noticed Dimitri talking with a strange man she hadn't seen before. What is he up to? She thought, her curiosity getting the better of her. Despite her instincts telling her not to, Byleth tucked herself into a shadowed corner, close enough that she could hear, but far enough to stay hidden.
"Really, Byleth? You've sunk so low as to eavesdrop on the Crown Prince?" Sothis said, her voice full of disapproval.
Oh, do be quiet. I'm trying to listen.
"I see. So you'll be staying here for some time, then?" Dimitri's voice snapped her away from her thoughts. "If I'm being absolutely honest, I'm quite surprised by your donation to the church. I heard it's been a few years since you last contributed?" He wore a pleasant smile, nodding his head while he spoke.
The man sighed. "I assure you, it has nothing to do with my dedication to the church rather than the financial situation of my territory."
"Ah, of course. Forgive me," Dimitri ducked his head respectfully. He turned to go, but the man put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Dimitri, isn't Edelgard also enrolled here?"
He nodded. "Yes, she's a fellow house leader, but of the Black Eagles." Dimitri looked to the sky, and upon seeing that it was indeed still afternoon, he continued. "I don't think she'll be leaving anytime soon. I'm sure she'd appreciate it if you pay her a visit,"
"Of course, I'll do just that. Thank you, nephew." The man walked away, in the direction of the Black Eagle's classroom. Dimitri sighed, his pleasant facade slipping away to reveal a frown. He pinched the bridge of his nose before turning to leave.
Byleth casually slunk out of the shadows. "And who might that be?"
Dimitri turned, clearly startled before his expression changed to slight annoyance. "If you're going to start listening in on my conversations, you might as well make yourself known."
Byleth blushed. "Sorry," she mumbled.
"What did I say?" Sothis said, her voice echoing in her head.
"That was Lord Arundel, Regent for the Empire. Also Edelgard's uncle."
"But… he called you nephew?" She looked at him curiously. Dimitri and Edelgard… They can't be related… can they?
"Yes," he sighed tiredly. "My stepmother was his younger sister. We are not related by blood, but he is technically my uncle."
Byleth's jaw dropped. "So you and Edelgard… are half-siblings?"
"Yes," he said again. "Now, is that all you'd like to know?"
She nodded, slightly concerned. "Are you alright? You look tired."
As if self-conscious, Dimitri smiled immediately. "Of course I'm alright. No need to worry," and with that, he brushed past her, leaving her standing there, confused by his strange reaction.
"Byleth, can you believe it?" Sothis cried out suddenly after Byleth returned to her quarters. "Now you are finally free to pursue your love without the ongoing threat of Edelgard!"
What in the world are you talking about, Sothis? Byleth shook her head.
"Oh, Byleth, I thought you were smarter than that. I know every thought that goes through your head. I know how much you like him, and how jealous you were whenever he talked about Edelgard."
She blushed, her eyes narrowing. Stop going through my thoughts, Sothis, you have no right. And do shut up about Dimitri. My feelings are my business, and mine alone.
"Fine, then. If you won't admit to yourself how you feel, then I suppose you'll just stay alone for the rest of your life with no spouse to keep you company."
Dimitri, my spouse! Byleth nearly laughed aloud. You're ridiculous, Sothis. Now please, leave me be, I need to work.
The condition in Remire Village was growing worse and worse. Byleth continuously heard reports from the scouts, saying awful things like people driven to insanity, attacking friends, even family out of strange fits of rage. Their eyes had turned white, and veins appeared all over their faces. Or so the stories told.
"Lady Rhea, don't you think we should leave now?" Jeralt said, his eyebrows drawn together in an anxious glare. "I know it's earlier than scheduled, but it'll only get worse from here. We can't wait any longer."
"I've finished all the preparations, and my students have been exceeding at their lessons. I believe we will succeed, even if we leave earlier," Byleth added. Jeralt had brought her along for support, and to help him convince Rhea to change the mission date.
Rhea sighed. "I do agree with the both of you, but I cannot just send the students to their deaths. What if this disease affects them as well?"
"If we don't stop this now, the infected villagers will continue their rampage somewhere else. Who knows where it could spread to?" Jeralt said, his voice raising in volume.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Rhea replied, keeping her voice calm and even. "Byleth, if you are sure that your students are ready, then I will give you both leave to commence with the mission."
"I am sure my students are ready, Lady Rhea." Byleth replied, nodding while she spoke. They're ready. I'm sure of it. And so am I.
"Then I give you permission. But please," the archbishop paused, narrowing her eyes. "Be careful."
The freezing air surrounded the students, causing them to shiver and cluster next to each other. Dimitri offered Byleth his cape, but she shook her head. "If I'm going to be living in the kingdom for the rest of my life, then I'd better get used to the chill," was her response.
When they arrived, Byleth dropped Dimitri's hand and rushed towards the village. The once cheerful, glowing village was now lifeless and barren. The village's gates were barely standing, strange claw marks raked down the wood. It was silent, but the air hung heavy with a strange sort of dread. Byleth shuddered. Has it really gotten this bad? Is anyone still alive? She stood still for a moment, surveying the grisly scene before entering the village, her sword drawn. A low growl sounded from her right, and she whirled around, expecting an animal of some sort. But what she found was much worse. A woman stood in the doorway, her hair hanging in long, dirty tangles. Her face was obscured by shadows, but when she stepped out into the light, Byleth could see the white eyes, the bulging red veins all over her face.
"Stay back," she said, her sword held out in front of her for protection. "Stay back," she repeated. "I don't want to have to hurt you." The woman looked up, mumbled something that did not sound like coherent words, and lunged for the professor. Byleth easily killed her, but it was different than all the other times she had struck down enemies. This woman helped me, she thought sadly. She, and the others. We need to find the rest.
When her students caught up to her, she had already killed several more infected villagers. They searched the houses for survivors, but only found five or so. As they were nearing the end of the village, Dimitri looked up suddenly.
"What's that?" he narrowed his eyes, and Byleth followed his gaze to a large hill just outside the village's border. Atop the hill were several figures, standing still, watching. Waiting.
"Damn," Jeralt muttered beside Byleth. "I knew it was too easy." The figure in the middle looked familiar, almost, the flowing robes, the sparse light brown hair, the-
"Tomas." Dimitri whispered, his face one of shock. "Tomas… you betrayed us…" He smiled, a strange kind of manic rage on his face. "Kill him, professor. Tear his head from his shoulders. Do not let him live!"
"Dimitri, what in the world-" Byleth started, but he stepped forward and shouted so loud that Annette and Mercedes flinched backward.
"Tomas, I will kill you! With my own bare hands, I swear to you, I will-"
Tomas stepped off the hill, approaching the village. A strange smile was on his face, malice glittering in his eyes. "I am not Tomas, boy." the man chuckled to himself. He was close enough now that Byleth could see the wrinkles on his face and his beady green eyes. "My name is Solon. And I am the savior of all." Just like a magician, he spread his hands wide before becoming enveloped in a cloud of dark magic. When the purple smoke cleared, Tomas was gone, replaced by a small man dressed in dark red robes with a black cape. His face and hair were a pale white, but it was his eyes that caught Byleth's attention. One was sealed shut, but the other was an empty void of blackness, with only a small white circle where the pupil should have been. Similarly colored markings surrounded the eye.
"Solon…" Jeralt said, his eyes narrowed. Anger was written all over his face, a fearsome expression that Byleth had only seen several times before.
"What's the matter?" Solon shouted, smirking. "Going to call for mommy Rhea, are we? I was hiding in Garreg Mach that whole time, with none the wiser. All that just to get the blood of that little brat, Flayn."
The pieces of this strange, mysterious puzzle shifted slightly. The Death Knight wanted Flayn as well. And that stranger that appeared. And now Solon. Somehow, are they all connected?
As if confirming Byleth's thoughts, a low voice startled her. The Death Knight, atop his mighty black steed, had appeared out of nowhere next to Solon. "We meet again."
Byleth nodded to her students. "Take them down."
The majority of the Blue Lions went for the Death Knight, hoping to finally kill the seemingly immortal man. Byleth focused her attention on the main threat at hand, Solon. Jeralt followed. Solon smirked, and began to murmur a spell. Byleth drew her sword, and let it hang at her feet in whip form. Let him attack first, she thought. Display your tricks, now, old man, so that I can top them. I am better, stronger, and faster than I was before. Unlucky you, the first to die because of it. The spell he eventually threw outwards was a dark wave of magic that nearly swept Byleth's legs out from under her, but she managed to keep her balance. Her whip lashed out at him, barely missing his neck and instead cutting a straight, bleeding line down his face.
"Let's have that be a warning," she said, a smile on her face, her eyes narrowed with anger.
Jeralt looked at her, horrified and proud at the same time. "Kid, your face…" he said, clearly in shock. "Is that a smile?" But before she could respond, he lunged at Solon with his lance. The old man skittered backwards, but not fast enough. Jeralt and Byleth spun forward and thrust out their weapons at the same time, Byleth's sword cutting into the man's side and Jeralt's lance slicing his arm. Solon's eye widened in fear, and he snapped his fingers, disappearing into thin air, leaving only a blinding purple flash.
"Damn it, he's gone," Byleth gasped, looking over her shoulder in search of her students. None were injured too greatly, but it seemed the Death Knight had disappeared as well as Solon.
"You've gotten stronger, Byleth," Jeralt said, grinning. He put a big hand on her shoulder. "I'm proud of you. He was all talk and no fight, and you saw right through that." He examined her face, squinting. "And you've changed, too. Ever since coming to the monastery, you've… come out of your shell, a little. I see you smiling when you're teaching, and you looked so angry a minute ago. Makes me wonder what could have been if we'd never left the monastery in the first place."
Byleth stared at him. "Never left? I thought I was born after…"
Jeralt ran a hand through his hair nervously. "Whoops, guess I put my foot in my mouth, didn't I? Ah, well, it was about time you knew anyways. Come to my office next time you have a break. There's something we need to talk about…" His eyes suddenly widened, his gaze shifting to something behind her. She whirled around, only to find the stranger that had stopped the Death Knight from killing her.
The stranger tilted his head. "I believe you're well acquainted with my subordinate, the Death Knight."
Byleth drew her sword, ready to charge, but Jeralt grabbed her shoulder again. "Byleth, stop. Not just yet, but believe me, the time will come."
The stranger regarded him with some suspicion, but continued. "I am the Flame Emperor. Do not attempt to kill me now, for any movement from either of you will cause me to… disappear." The Flame Emperor waved his hand vaguely.
"Why did you do this to the village?" Jeralt said, narrowing his eyes.
"Ha, you believe that was me? I see how you… monastery folk merely throw the blame on whomever stands in front of you, not wanting to search for facts." He paused for a moment, thinking.
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just kill you right now," Byleth said.
"What in the blazes do you mean?" Jeralt said, cutting off his daughter.
"Just because I am working with Solon doesn't mean our objectives are the same. You would do well to learn that truth. If I had known of this… experiment," he said, clearly disgusted, "I would have stopped it. You have my word."
"Ha, your words are meaningless." Byleth practically spat the words. "If you wanted to stop it, then why are you here?"
The Flame Emperor turned to her. "I wish to join forces. With you, in particular."
"Are you insane?" she shouted. "You think I would join forces with… with a monster?"
He laughed. "I am not so much of a monster as you are yourself. Killing those villagers without a second thought? Running through battlefields, clearing your way with that sword of yours, sending thousands to their deaths, hmm? If we join together, we can stop acts like this one." The man gestured to the ruins around them. "Well then, will you join me? Now that you undoubtedly see the truth?"
Byleth took a steadying breath, then looked the Flame Emperor in the eye. "You're a damned fool if you think I would ever, ever, join forces with you. Now get out of here, before I lose my grip on my composure and stab you through the throat."
"Professor," Dimitri said as they were marching back to the monastery, his face a terrible mix of sadness and regret. "I'm so sorry for my outburst back there. I… I don't know what came over me… I swear to you it won't happen again."
Byleth studied him for a moment, checking to make sure his strange fit of madness was done. His eyes held such shame that she decided to respond. "It's alright. We have all been a little… on edge. I'm sure everything will be fine when we get back to the monastery."
"I'm mortified, professor. I… I can't believe… I…" He covered his face with his hands. "I saw the chaos, and my mind… I lost control. I always try to keep my emotions in check, but I… I simply could not accept what happened. It brought up many memories in the past that I would like to forget. The blood… there was so much… and everyone saw my unbridled rage… I don't know what to do."
"Dimitri," Byleth said slowly, and grabbed his wrists, pulling his hands away from his face. "Dimitri, stop. I felt the same way, alright?"
Dimitri met her gaze, slowly. "You? Lose control? No, that isn't possible," he said softly, laughing slightly under his breath.
"You should have heard me!" She smiled, taking his hands. "I called the Flame Emperor a damn fool."
He gaped at her. "Professor! I admire your courage!" And then they were laughing once again, Dimitri's shame gone as quickly as his madness had come.
A/N: Hi everyone, I'm so sorry that it took me so long to write this chapter! Hopefully the next one will be less of a wait. Just a quick reminder to please leave a review, and thank you so much to those that have reviewed already! It means a lot 3. Anyways I hope you enjoyed reading this!
~Saffron 3