Chapter 15: Beneath the Ground
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Even though he'd been living at the monastery for some time, the sound of sudden knocking on his door so early in the morning sent a rush of adrenaline through his body.
Byleth rolled out of bed with his dagger sheathed, eyes narrowing in the dim light of dawn. Were they being attacked? He surveyed the room, finding nothing out of the ordinary he slipped to the door and swung it open, dagger at the ready.
"Whoa, want to cut your old man's head off?" Jeralt joked, and slapped his wrist to the side. "Good morning, Leth. Get ready to go."
Byleth sheathed his dagger, and turned to get dressed while his father went to bang on his sister's door. Get ready to go? A frown etched into his face so he pulled on his protective cloak, and shut the door to his room. Where were they going? And why so suddenly? And why now of all times? Did his father not care about their responsibilities for the festival today?
Balaiya slowly opened her door, her own slightly more prominent frown on her lips. "Where are we going Father?" She stuck her head out of the room and glanced around. When her eyes landed on Byleth her brows shot up. "Leth? What's going on?"
"I'm not sure myself." Was the best answer he could offer. Were they leaving the monastery? What about the students?
She crossed her arms and stayed firmly in the doorway. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on Father. We can't leave the students. We have a responsibility to be here to help them with the festival." She turned to Byleth again. "You're going to go without asking questions?"
"Bala—"
"No, don't, Bala me—"
Jeralt sighed and tugged at his beard. "We'll be back by sunrise kids. No need to get worked up. There's something I'd like to do with the two of you. Indulge your old man?"
She eyed them both for a long moment before shutting her door and reemerging dressed to go.
"Good, come on then." Jeralt gestured for them to follow and took the lead of the small group.
The group remained silent as they moved through the monastery. Neither said anything until Jeralt stopped by the stables and nudged them both forward. "Get a mount kids, we've got a bit of ground to cover. Not much, but if you want to be back sooner then hurry."
Byleth shared a wary glance with his sister before moving forward to do just that.
They moved in tandem, only the soft chimes of metal rustling through the space. When their horses were properly saddled Byleth lead them out of the stables where his father waited besides Lou.
Jeralt moved ahead and exchanged a few hushed words with the guards at the gates then pulled himself atop Lou and rode off down the path.
Byleth could feel the tension rolling off of his sister, and he didn't need to look at her to know that she was uneasy. "He said we'd be back by sunrise Bala." He reminded and mounted his own horse.
"I know." Came her terse reply as she followed suite. "Have you not even thought about why Father's behind so cryptic?"
"I wouldn't call it cryptic , perhaps vague– but it's not like he's never been like that with us." They lead their horses after their Father, and despite the head start he got, they couldn't quite catch up enough to travel at his side. Lou was always a fast runner, she loved the wind on her face. At least that's what he thought anyway.
A solid "Hmph." Was the only reply she offered before falling silent once again.
After some time they reared off the path and began navigating the horses through the trees. They were lucky the monastery trained their horses for such conditions, but the longer the wind whipped through his cloak he began to wonder– Should we go back? He glanced over at his sister. She had her lips pressed into a thin line, and her knuckles strained against her skin thanks to the grip her fingers constricted around the reigns.
They couldn't be leaving the monastery permanently. They'd left the troop behind– unless their father had gotten them to leave ahead of them…
Byleth cursed inwardly, why did it matter if they left now or not? Their Father hadn't really wanted to join back up with the knights in the first place, but then again he was also adamant that– at least for now, they play the part.
Jeralt's gruff voice shook him from his thoughts and he pulled his horse to a stop where he saw Lou had been left. "Over here!"
They both jumped off their horses and moved over to where their father stood. Byleth took a second to survey the area. The monastery was still visible in the distance and only the brightest stars were still visible above them. Something was shoved into his hands and he looked down to find a shovel. He glanced over at his sister to find the same confusion on her face, but slightly more pronounced.
"Father? What's with the shovels?" Balaiya asked with furrowed brows.
"I've got something down there about seven feet down. I need the two of you to get it out for me." He walked over to Lou and unhooked a fishing rod from her back. "In the meantime, I'll be that way." He gestured behind them and walked off.
He had to admit, that had definitely thrown him off.
"Is he serious?" Balaiya whispered.
"I think so… it's strange but, not the strangest he's asked of us." Byleth reasoned in an attempt to calm the buzz of frustration he felt vibrating off his sister.
" Right." She dug the shovel into the ground with more force than he'd expected from her.
Once she tossed about three hearty piles of dirt behind her, he joined in disrupting the ground beneath their feet.
Seven feet? Just what did Father have buried here that was cause for a hole much deeper than the average man stood tall?
"I do hope it is not a body…" He heard besides him and looked to find Sothis sitting on the edge of the small pit.
"Why would he have us dig it up then?" Byleth questioned quietly.
"It could be any reason–" Balaiya mumbled. "Father seems to love his secrets…"
"We all have them." Byleth said with a sigh. "What's most important is that we trust each other."
She glanced at him briefly before looking back down at the ground. "I suppose so…" The next few piles of dirt she dug out were done so with less force.
Byleth shared a wary look with Sothis before she disappeared.
The rest of the time they spent digging was done in silence. Though whether or not that was a comfortable silence was hard to say. He could tell something was bothering Bala but he wasn't sure on the exact cause. Had something happened between her and Father? Or could it be something to do with a student? The only thing he could think of was what Leonie had said to them the other day. She was hardly the first person to voice their opinion on who they were. He'd shrugged it off. He glanced at his sister again. Could that be it?
He sighed and looked around the pit they stood in— the top was well over their head. Which meant they should be close. After a few more moments he hit something hard with his shovel.
"Finally." Balaiya mumbled, and quickly went about clearing the dirt around the object.
Only, it's not a small object. It's rather the opposite. Whatever their father has them digging for is heavy— a crate? By the time they'd heaved the great thing from the earth and over the rim of the pit, the sun was already peeking past the horizon.
Byleth wiped the sweat from his brow and pushed his hair back, stray strands stuck to his face, to which his sister automatically peeled away.
It's hot.
They're hot.
He looked down at the thing, and crouched in front of it. It's a chest of some kind. ' Father really had us digging for a treasure chest?' He thinks as annoyance just now begins to crawl down his spine. Or it could just be the sweat that has been collecting over the course of the early morning.
"A chest?" Balaiya said, disbelief laced in her voice. She kicked the side of it with a displeased grunt.
Byleth inspected the lock and stood to survey the area— it's all he can do from joining his sister in her frustrations.
"Ah! Well done." Comes Jeralt's voice as he approached them, and with little to no effort— hoists the blasted thing on his shoulder. "Follow me." He commands, and disappears back from where he came.
A wave of irritation rolled over his sister and passes through him just as quickly, but he sighs and nudges her arm to encourage her to take the lead.
She does with no vocal complaint.
When they push through the brush they see their Father sitting besides a fire— skewered fish by his side. Byleth shared a quizzical look with his sister before they approach their Father in silence.
"Have a seat." Jeralt gestures across from him, the chest placed in front of him.
Byleth sat in the dirt besides his sister, silently wondering if she's as confused as he is.
"Here." Jeralt hands then both a skewer and motions to the chest. "Open it up kiddo's."
Byleth wasn't sure if the sigh he heard is his own or his sister's. They set aside their skewers and inspect the chest again. The lock that had been there is broken.
Anticipation eases into his chest and they carefully lift the lid. Inside are countless pelts from different animals. Byleth glanced up at his father with a raised brow. Besides him Balaiya starts tossing the furs out.
Resting at the bottom of the trunk is a sword and a bow— both seem to glimmer in the early morning light.
"Happy birthday kids." Jeralt said with a smile. One that reminds Byleth of much simpler days. "I figured if I told you I wanted to have a few hours set aside for your birthdays you wouldn't agree to it. Considering the circumstances." He shrugged a shoulder. "I didn't want to do this in that stuffy monastery. This feels much more— natural." He chuckled. And gestured to the river and the fish on the stick. "Pun intended?"
Byleth shook his head while his sister groaned. It was rare for their Father to make jokes, but when he did— they weren't too great. Although they'd never been to any sort of comedy show either, so he couldn't really judge. Nevertheless, a small smile tugged at his face.
It didn't go unnoticed.
Jeralt laughed and reached over the chest to drag Byleth into a noogie. "See Bala? Your brother has a good sense of humor!"
Byleth frowned and twisted out of his hold. " Dad! Please." He grinanced and shot a glare to his side when Balaiya snorted quietly.
"Leth hardly has a sense of humor." She said smugly.
Byleth rolled his eyes. As if she were any different.
"Ah, anyway." Jeralt cleared his throat, and pulled out the weapons from their resting place. A thin sword with a gilded gold hilt, and a bow with curved limbs. "Now, you know I don't really care too much for the mumbo jumbo of the church and other such things. But I'd like to make sure you guys know the history— or myth behind these weapons." He gestured to the food. "Get comfortable." He glanced at the sky. "It won't take long."
Byleth nodded, and decided to take his word for it. Though he had promised they'd be back at sunrise— that was probably to coax them out of the monastery.
"So, the sword here is known in legends as The Sword Mercuris. It is believed that it was used during the war of the Eagle and Lion. However where it came from is a mystery of itself. In any case, there are older rumors that suggest these weapons played a part in an even older war for a kingdom that surely only exists in folk tales. The Bow Parthia , It is rumored to contain the power of the sun— I doubt that. It too, was believed to be used during the war of the Eagle and Lion, as is the story with all three actually." He held the weapons out. "I found them in my youth. The bow, buried in the mountains of Fódlan's throat, and the sword closer to where the Battle of the Eagle and Lion took place— perhaps there's truth in that tale. Either way, you've both improved so much over the years. Twenty is a huge milestone. I'm proud of both of you. I have confidence in at least the durability of these weapons." He chuckled. "After all, my Lance is the last of the trio— the lance Gradivus. I found that one at the foot of one of the mountains of Fódlan's Throat. Take your pick on which weapon you wish to wield of the two."
Byleth inspected each weapon carefully, but before he could get a good look at the bow his sister had it in her hands.
"Ladies first." She mumbled with a smirk. And ran her hand along the bow with a look of awe. "Could it have come from outside of Fódlan Father?" She asked quietly.
He shrugged. "I don't see why not."
Her eyes seemed to shine and she tightened her grip on the bow. "Leth, please— let me keep this one." She looked up at him.
Byleth shrugged a shoulder. She was better with a bow than he was anyway— plus the excited shine he saw in her eyes would have made it difficult to fight her on it anyway. "Sure." He took the sword from his father, and balanced it in his hand.
"Thank you Father." They said in unison.
"Are you going to get us new armor for our thirtieth?" Balaiya said, her tone lifting just slightly to a tease.
"Perhaps." Jeralt said with a laugh and stood. "We should head back now. Happy birthday again you two. I'm glad to have you."
They stood as well and Jeralt put his arms around both their shoulders. He shook them both gently and gave them a pat. "I can't always be there to protect you two— and now you are often separated from each other. I'd like to think these weapons can safeguard you in my place. Alright!" The next pat he gave only to Byleth and it sent him into the dirt. "Let's go!" He laughed and returned to the horses.
Byleth stood quickly, a scowl on his face as he brushed the dirt off his clothes.
"Are you alright?" Balaiya asked with a snicker. She stepped forward to help him.
"I'm fine ." He grumbled and shooed her ahead of him.
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When they got back to the monastery the festival was already in full swing, however from what he remembered the ritual would be held later in the day. The morning was just filled with celebration.
A frown tugged at his face. There were so many people walking around the monastery grounds. Thankfully certain areas were still blocked off to the public— the dorms being one of those areas.
Byleth kept his hand in his pocket where he kept his coin pouch as he shouldered his way through the crowd. The other he kept tight around the hilt of his new sword. Just in case.
When he finally did make it to his room he nearly stepped on an envelope that had been slipped under his door. What's this? He thought to himself and picked up the letter cautiously. Something hard was in it
He surveyed the room for anything left out of place before he opened the envelope slowly— making sure to point it away from his face. Inside was a letter and a strange brooch.
The writing that filled the small page was what he had come to recognize as Dimitri's neat and clear writing. He always wrote so slow, as if he was afraid he'd break the quill— but then again, he had before…
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1180, Blue-Sea Moon
Professor Byleth,
As trite as it sounds, I wish to thank you. For everything. You've been such a solid pillar of strength for me and the rest of the blue Lions since you started at the academy. Though I know the year has yet to fully mature, I have learned so much from you already. I look forward to the months to come. I do not wish to sound too repetitive, but knowing you are someone I can confide in means more to me than you know. I'm sorry for dragging this on. I hope you have a lovely birthday, Professor.
–Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd
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Byleth felt a smile form on his face and he placed the letter on his desk besides the one his sister gave him.
The brooch was small and held the sigil of the Blue Lions House within it. In truth he could care less for accessories like this and others like it. However, this one felt different. ' What should I do with it? ' He thought to himself for a moment and with a shrug he pinned it to his coat.
Out of habit he looked over the room once more before leaving to find his class. Most if not all of the students should be finishing up their breakfast as the hour was nearly over. If he hurried he could still make it in time to meet up with them. He turned for the door, but he paused and grabbed a piece of cake to bring with him.
"I know we're just guarding our designated locations, but you never know when a battle may break out. You can never dismiss the possibility of a worse case scenario. Take care, Edelgard."
Byleth turned the corner but stopped when he saw the look of concern on Dimitri's face. He glanced over to Edelgard— who seemed less than amused.
"There is no need to state the obvious Dimitri. But tell me… why the concern? Perhaps you doubt my abilities? If so, your lack of insight is disappointing."
Dimitri shook his head. "That's not what I meant. If I've offended you, I hope you'll accept my apology."
She shook her head. "Don't worry. I must be off now." She gave him a curt nod and left.
Byleth walked over to Dimitri once she left. "Hello Dimitri, thank you for the gift. It was kind of you."
"Ah! Good morning Professor, I was a little concerned for you when I didn't see you up and about as you usually are so early. And your welcome. It was nothing really." He eyed him for a moment. "You look like you already went through a battle yourself! I surely hope that's not the case."
Byleth looked down at his clothes and brushed off some remaining dirt. "No. I was just a little busy, but I'm here now. Whether you think it small or not, I appreciate it all the same."
"I see. Well I'm glad you like it." He seemed to notice the brooch pinned to his jacket and he smiled.
"By the way. Why are you so concerned over Edelgard?" Could he possibly know about the dreams she suffered?
He rubbed the side of his arm as he often did when thinking too much. "... I'll tell you about it, perhaps another time."
Byleth nodded. "Alright. Are you ready for today?" He looked around to make sure there was no one nearby. "My sister briefly told me she suspects the location that they are after is the Holy Mauloseum. Once everyone meets up we can further discuss the issue." He frowned and looked around. "We returned together— she's supposed to be here already."
"Boo!"
Byleth frowned deeper and turned around slowly, hand on his dagger.
It was just Claude.
He rolled his eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Trying to scare the Professor? Really Claude?" Dimitri shook his head.
Claude shrugged a shoulder. "I can't answer that for you Professor. Maybe it's because you're impeccably trained? Years of life on the road have griseled your outer shell?"
Byleth found himself looking skyward again. "Have you seen my sister?" He asked with a sigh.
"Nope, I haven't seen either of you all morning." He grinned. "By the way, happy birthday Professor! How's it feel, being order and all?"
"Not any different from when I woke yesterday." He looked over him briefly, his focus settling on his feet. He finally got new boots? He thought to himself. 'Wonder why he waited so long…'
Claude clapped his hands together, and Dimitri seemed to startle. A smirk formed on the Golden Deer leaders face. "Well! I'll go look for her for you since I'm sure you don't want to leave your post." He gave a lazy wave as he left. "Don't miss me too much."
Byleth shook his head with a sigh. He already felt tired. Though it didn't help he was digging all morning. He wondered if the legends that surrounded the blade that hung at his side had any merit.
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The Bow Parthia was believed to hold the power of the sun— at least according to one story her Father had briefly mentioned, one he said himself be didn't believe. But this only made Balaiya curious. She ran her hand along the bow carefully, the two gems that were imbedded in the gold body glittered mysteriously in the light that seeped in from her window. She'd never held something so nice before.
"Sothis? Do you know anything about this? Do you really think it holds the power of the sun?"
She appeared before her and tapped her chin in thought . "I do not know, it is an intriguing story nonetheless! It would be amazing if it did not need arrows…"
Balaiya rose a brow. "Well, what would it shoot if not?"
Sothis tsked. "Magic of course!"
Magic arrows? She silently wondered if the user needed to be sufficient in magicks in order to wield the bow… "I wonder if—"
There was a sudden knock on the door and she gasped— startled.
"Teach? Are you in there? It's me.~"
She opened the door quickly— so much so that the door picked up a slight breeze and ruffled her hair.
Claude stepped back with widened eyes. "Whoa!" He laughed, and placed his hand on his chest. "You startled me Teach!" He laughed again and she felt her cheeks warm.
"Sorry." She mumbled and pushed her hair behind her ear. "I'm late aren't I?" She had meant to clean up real quick but she'd gotten distracted staring at the bow.
He smirked and shrugged a shoulder. "Eeh, it doesn't matter too much. But, we are meeting up now. We've got to head for the mausoleum." He looked over her slowly and she suddenly felt self-conscious. She knew she looked a mess.
"Gosh, Teach, what were you getting in to so early in the morning?" He glanced over her shoulder. "I wasn't interrupting anything was I? I thought I heard you speaking to someone…"
"What? Oh—" She chewed the inside of her cheek, and brushed herself off again. "I was um. Digging?" She glanced to the side where Sothis was. "And I was just… talking out loud." She didn't want to say she wasn't taking to anybody because that wasn't true.
"Hmm, alright." He tilted his head. "Why were you digging?"
"Oh, well… my brother and I were digging out some weapons our Father wanted to give us for… the mission."
He hummed to himself and stepped forward. "Oh? Could it be because it's your birthday today?" He grinned.
She gasped quietly. "How did—"
"I might have figured it out.~" He held out a small black box that fit in his palm. It was tied with a periwinkle ribbon. "Happy Birthday Teach."
Her eyes widened slightly, no one had ever gifted her anything besides her Father. Having her brother gift her a necklace yesterday had made her feel multiple things. Undeserving was at the top of that list. But now someone who wasn't even her family was giving her something? Not even those in the troop had ever gifted her anything, and she'd grown up with most of them!
"It's not much— but I hope you'll like it…"
She focused on his face, he was glancing to the side— a finger twisting around that braid of his. She frowned, how long had she been staring at it? Was she making him feel awkward?
"Take it you fool!" Sothis scolded beside her.
She yelped and grabbed the box.
His eyes moved back to her face and he smirked. "What was that, Teach?"
"Nothing." She muttered, her ears pricking with heat. The ribbon that held the lid secure was pretty. It reminded her of a flower petal. She pinched one end and carefully pulled it loose.
There was a small piece of paper that greeted her and she unfolded it as if it were an autumn leaf.
Claude's writing was always neat. Though he often flew through pages in minutes, every loop that accentuated the letters was like a secret laid bare, but in a language no one but himself knew.
Would he teach her that one too?
She smiled to herself before she even read what it said.
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They say your birthday is today! Is that true? I bet you didn't think I'd search for that information. In any case— your Golden Deer got you a little gift!
Enjoy!
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She shook her head. She should have known he'd do his darndest to find out.
Silly.
She took her time placing the letter in the lid then peered into the box.
Did someone forget she wasn't nobility?
She lifted the bracelet into her hand, and ran her thumb along the rows of chain-like links that seemed woven together in multiple layers. Was it real gold? It felt sturdy. It reminded her of chainmail. She turned it over and a gasp left her lips. The clasp was an outline of a deer head. The antlers being the hooks to keep it together. Two tiny charms also hug from it—one in the shape of a crescent moon. The other a star.
It suddenly felt terribly authentic.
…Undeserving…
The letter implied the class had gotten it for her but—
She looked up at his face curiously. "Claude? Did you… make this?"
His finger was twisting that braid again. She wondered why he did it so often lately— unless it was just that she was staring too much lately… She frowned.
…Creep…
He waved his hand at her. "Hurry up and try it on, Teach. I wanna l see if it fits you."
She nodded and tried to undo the clasp but her hands felt unsteady so she paused and looked up at him, her frown deepened. "I can't get it…I've never had a bracelet before."
He raised an eyebrow and stepped closer to her. "No worries." He took the bracelet from her hand and unhooked it easily. "Which hand do you want it on?"
Wearing the bracelet in battle didn't seem like a great idea, she didn't want to damage it, but then again— she gently fingered the charm that hung from her neck. Today she'd worn it tight around her throat— a style Hilda had called a choker , the ribbon soft against her skin. It hadn't bothered her till now, though now she felt like it was choking her. "On my left hand." She rasped after a moment, and held her hand out hesitantly. Wearing it on her non dominant hand should keep it away from most damage— she could also wear her vambraces over it…
"Got it." He murmured and fastened the jewelry around her wrist. It hung around her almost snug, leaving enough room for maybe a finger or two. He laughed softly, and held her hand delicately in his. His thumb smoothing the metal flat against her skin. "Stars, Teach… your wrist sure is tiny…" His voice was a whisper, as if he couldn't believe it.
She looked down at her hand with furrowed brows. The way he held her hand reminded her of how she'd seen noble men greet a lady. Impossibly delicate. Unbearably gentle. Dreadfully soft… But she wasn't a lady. No where close. Though she'd used the term to refer to herself in jest with her brother— it was just that. A jest. Tiny or no, her hands were calloused, molded for grasping the hilt of a blade, her knuckles were rough, from years of training. Even the sharp jut of her wrist bone seemed to protest against the band that now decorated it. Precious metals were for ladies, not gruffed up women that held knives instead of fans. Women who knew more about skinning a beast then sewing with tread. It didn't belong on her wrist. Much like she didn't belong here…
She bit the inside of her cheek and tugged her hand back. He released her instantly and took a step back. Her skin felt like it burned and it felt cold.
"Do you like it?"
She nearly missed his question with how quiet he spoke, but her ears seemed to zero in on his voice and her head shot up to look at him. She supposed she had her training to thank for that.
"Yes… thank you." She did her best to smile, but she felt heavy. It felt heavy. She held her wrist up to examine it— enjoying the way it caught the light. She stretched her arm up higher. She just barely shook her wrist and the star charm reflected light into her face. Her voice felt unsteady and came out in a whisper that matched his own. "I love it…"
He eyed her in silence, his brows furrowed. He seemed to be analyzing her again— she wanted to punch something, instead she grit her teeth together roughly. If he could tell she was struggling to smile, a gesture that felt so taxing as of late— he didn't show it. She was grateful for that, she didn't want to dwell on something so trivial. She just needed to shake whatever phantom hung over her and lock it away.
"You know Teach—" He spoke slowly at first but quickly resumed normal conversation speed. But his eyes continued to scan over her, she wondered if he could see through her…"This whole time we've been talking, and I was just waiting to see if you noticed that bit of dirt on your nose." He smirked and swiped his index finger down the bridge of her nose and over the tip. All in an instant. "There~."
Her ears pricked again and she rubbed at the rest of her face— twice for good measure.
He snickered but she couldn't help but feel relieved. Lighter. Warmer.
"Oh! That reminds me!" She swung the bow from her back, nearly hitting him in her rush.
"Ah— whoa!" He bent backward to dodge her.
This was the second time she'd seen him do this. She was no less impressed. "Look at this." She poked his chest with the end of the bow.
He straightened up so he was standing normally again. Watching his back snap back up left her wondering where he learned any of that. "Wow, that's a fancy bow you got there Teach." He leaned in a little to get a better look.
"This is the bow my father gave me as a gift." She looked up at him, thankfully his head just covered the sun so it wouldn't hurt her eyes… she looked back down at the bow then back up at him, and the way his eyes seemed to glow with curiosity. "Do you… want to hold it?" She mumbled.
"Really?" He sounded as surprised as she felt, but the curiosity that rolled off him only increased.
It wasn't too long ago she was reluctant to let him hold her dagger— the last gift her father had given her. And now she was just offering the bow to him? The bow that was supposedly so rare, so magical? A bow believed to hold the power of the sun?
She nodded quickly and held it out again.
It was amusing how he was as hesitant to take the bow, as she had been to let him hold her dagger. Funny how things change. Funny how she changed.
Once it was in his hands he carefully ran his hand down every curve of its spine and let out a low whistle. "This craftsmanship is amazing… your father just had this in a truck in the dirt?" He handled the bow with a sort of reverence that made her feel like she had been using the weapon wrong since the moment she first picked one up.
She nodded again. "Yeah."
"Was there a magic seal on it?"
"Nope."
"Wow, the gods of fortune must have been watching over it…" He spun the bow once in his hands then slowly pulled the string taut.
She almost wanted to tell him to keep it…
"Hang on a moment." She quickly returned to her room and placed the box on her desk, then grabbed a quiver of arrows that hung around her bedpost and returned outside. "Here." She handed him an arrow.
He took it slowly. "Um, teach? What are you—"
She gestured to a pile of sandbags. "Just… shoot one of those or something so we can hurry and meet you with the others." She crossed her arms. As if her request wasn't totally out of nowhere… as if he was the one currently holding them up.
"Aaalright." He laughed lightly, and spun the arrow once then hooked it in place. "Your wish is my command~." His expression grew serious when he pulled the bow taut once more and his eyes narrowed in his concentration. A sharp whistle and the strum of the bow was all that signified the arrow had been loosed. Followed by the dull thump of the arrow sinking through two of the sandbags she'd pointed to.
Wow .
Why was she so impressed?
He turned back to her and held out the bow. "Here you are Teach, promise it works great." He winked.
She took it from him, the tiny smile on her lips coming easier this time. "Thank you for indulging me… let's go." She replaced the bow on her back and hurried off to their meeting place.
She wanted to tell him to keep it…
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When they reached their group most of the Blue Lions were present and half of the Golden Deer. Balaiya frowned and surveyed the group, Hilda, Raphael and Sylvain were missing from her class but she could see them in the distance. She stood beside her brother and Dimitri and waited for them to catch up.
"Good morning Professor Balaiya." Dimitri said with a smile. "Happy Birthday, I got you a little something. It should have been with your mail. Did you see it?"
"Oh! I'm sorry Dimitri. I seem to have missed it. I promise I'll look for it when all this is over." She mentally went over everything in her room but she was admittedly too distracted to have noticed anything.
"Oh no worries at all! I understand your very busy." He looked around. "Good, everyone's here now."
Claude stepped forward. "Okay! The Rite of Rebirth is finally underway. Time to see if our hunch was right."
Hilda groaned. "Ugh, I hope it's not. Then we wouldn't have to fight anyone."
"There is a huge chance that we will have to fight. I would be surprised if we didn't." Balaiya said.
"What if we're wrong?" Marianne mumbled. "What if something terrible happens?"
Ignatz shook his head. "No, we've all come to this conclusion together. I'm sure we got it right. I wouldn't be so worried Marianne."
"Yeah! Besides, even if we are… there are other students and knights patrolling the grounds to help keep it safe!" Hilda added.
Claude shrugged a shoulder. "Right or wrong the clock is ticking. All we can do now is to stick to the plan."
"Yes, we should probably get going now." Dimitri said. "We don't want to risk anyone slipping past our watch."
"Leave it to me. I'll make sure to keep an eye out." Dedue said.
Byleth motioned for them to follow. "Let's get goin—"
"You seem a might too relaxed for my liking." Seteth said as he approached, Flayn at his side. "The Goddess's Rite of Rebirth is about to begin." He looked over their group with a tight jaw, arm set behind his back. "While we are in the Goddess Tower, we are relying on you to secure the locations that are lacking in defenses. So tell me, why are you just prattling about?"
"We are just reviewing everything to make sure everyone is prepared." Byleth explained without missing a beat. "We were just about to head off."
Flayn didn't seem affected by her brother's serious demeanor and she stepped forward with a smile. "May I let you guys in on something? My brother can be a bit… callous. He told me he was concerned for you two, and hinted that perhaps you two would be better off patrolling a coffin!" She giggled and covered her mouth with her hand.
Seteth's eyes widened. "That was said in jest , Flayn. And in confidence. Please just remain by my side and do not cause any more trouble." He sighed and turned fully to them. "As Professors, you would do well to remember your duty is to guide your students down the path of righteousness."
Flyan smiled widely. "Please excuse us everyone, we shall see you then after the ceremony has concluded!"
Byleth cleared his throat. "Let's go everyone." He ushered the group away.
"Seteth is waaay too overprotective…" Hilda mumbled as they left. "He reminds me of my brother!" She shook her head and followed the rest of the class.
Balaiya had to agree with her, Seteth was indeed very protective of his little sister. However Flayn didn't look like she knew how to handle a sword. She thought of her own brother and sighed internally, was it just something to expect of brothers? Though her brother wasn't nearly as suffocating as her father could be… she turned back to watch Seteth's retreating form. Were their parents out of the picture?...
"Come on Teach!" Claude nudged her shoulder and she turned back to face him. "I know a hidden space where we can monitor the stairs that lead to the Holy Mausoleum. If there's anyone down there they'll be trapped like the rats they are." He grinned. "We'll just have to take them down without getting bitten."
She nodded and followed the group.
Claude fell into step beside her. "Back to the subject at hand. What I found last night was a sealed coffin in the underground Holy Mausoleum. I did—"
She stopped walking and stared up at him with widened eyes. "You went down there last night?"
He grinned. "Yeah, it was surprisingly easy to get down there too! I wouldn't be surprised if—"
"By yourself?"
He nodded. "Yup, I was actually expecting—"
"That was dangerous Claude!" She hissed between her teeth. "What if someone caught you? Or if someone attacked you?" She shot him a glare. "Why did you do that anyway?"
He shrugged a shoulder."I uh, couldn't sleep…" He glanced to the side and cleared his throat. "So I thought, I might as well scope the scene."
"Ugh." She held her fist up in his face. "I can't believe this, I should—…well forget it for now I guess…" She sighed and hurried to catch up with the others.
.
.
As it turned out, the alcove that they ended up stuffing themselves into wasn't big enough for everyone. As she figured it wouldn't be. They had to tell the rest of the class to hide elsewhere while her brother and herself went ahead. Their house leaders seemed adamant to tail behind as well. The space wasn't very wide either but the look on Dimitri's face when Claude shoved him into the small space was pretty entertaining. She had to hold her breath to keep a laugh in. Unfortunately just as she held it her breath was forced out of her lungs when Claude grabbed her own wrist and tugged her in the tiny space. Pulling her back against his chest.
Her brother had given them a strange look but she found herself motioning along side Claude for him to hurry up and hide as well, because he would quote 'Blow our cover Professor so hurry up.' His brow was furrowed when he finally stepped into the narrow space and she had to tug him the rest of the way in.
They were squashed like flat-cakes and she resisted the urge to giggle, she had no idea why she felt so giddy but it was making her restless. This wasn't some game! They were on an important mission, but she still couldn't help but be reminded of her childhood in this ridiculous situation she'd allowed herself in.
They were probably about nine when she thought it would be a great idea to sneak away from where their father left them for the night. She was hungry after all and figured that she would go find something to eat. The ladies at the nunnery that watched over them had given them a terrible gruel to eat. They'd both eaten it without complaint, but she wasn't used to eating watery mush for supper. After all, Father always made sure he had at least some kind of meat prepared for them! So logically she decided to go find something to eat herself.
She'd just managed to sneak into a food pantry and had been an inch away from grabbing some salted meats when her brother yanked her away and shoved her into the space behind a shelf.
What are you doing? He'd demanded in a hushed voice.
She'd huffed out an annoyed: Getting us more food to eat! You always eat more than me, so if I'm still hungry then you must be too!
But you can't steal! He'd protested with a frown.
She just shook her head and wormed back out of the space. It's not stealing if we eat everything we take! Father always leaves taverns without paying!
"Stop movin' Dimitri!" Claude muttered in her ear and she felt his arm move back.
She sighed, he better not have elbowed him.
"Ah! Alright, sheesh." Dimitri muttered.
He did apparently. "Claude, stop fussing yourself or I'm going to knock both of your heads together." She muttered.
"Ooh, Teach. Do you want to scramble my brain? Surely you realize hitting me with anything connected with Princy here will damage me."
That's not how that worked— was it? She rolled her eyes and strained her neck so she could look over her shoulder. Which was a bad idea because he was nearly on top of her. Annoyingly her pulse shot into her ears. "Claude, If you don't—"
"That's not how that works!" Dimitri protested— as if he'd read her mind.
"How about all three of you shut up?" Byleth muttered.
She felt her ears burn and she glared at the idiot behind her. The idiot who's brain she admittedly did not want to scramble. It was after all a valuable asset. However smacking him around a bit couldn't hurt…
He smirked and winked. Mouthing : Oops.
"Someone just went down there, looks like a mage…" Byleth whispered and pushed out of the space. "Get everyone and let's go. Be careful."
She nodded and shimmied out herself then the pair behind her popped out next. Dimitri's hair was sticking up all over, which contradicted fiercely with the stern expression he wore.
She felt silly that she had to restrain another urge to giggle but the look Claude shared with her eased her mind a little. He must have also thought it was funny.
There wasn't any harm in having a light spirit going into a fight was it? After all, he'd said himself there was no use in taking everything so seriously all the time. It wasn't like she wasn't serious about the mission— she definitely was.
Once they'd rounded up the rest of their class they filed down the winding steps that lead into the Mausoleum and spread out. Each student was properly armoured and equipped for a full assault— she wasn't taking any chances.
She didn't expect the place to be so huge! It was almost like entering a whole other world, they'd definitely traveled down enough steps for the ceiling to be so high up. But standing here now felt so strange— knowing all this was hidden beneath the ground made her wonder what other secrets the monastery hid. She glanced at Claude— There are many secret passages in the monastery— how many secrets did he know of? Just how many places had he snuck off to? If she asked, would he tell her?
"Our guess was spot on, looks like we got company!" Claude said beside her.
"But how did they get so many people down here?" She whispered. "We only caught one person slip past."
"Obviously they must have snuck in through some sort of back-way." Lysithea mumbled.
"That's such a great idea." Claude whispered with a smirk. "You're so smart."
The younger girls face flushed in rage and she took a breath to no doubt protest but he held his finger up in her face.
"Looks like the enemy is going after the casket in the back."
"Do they intend to steal the Saint's bones?" Dimitri asked, bewildered.
Claude shrugged. "I'd like to defeat them before they finish the job, we don't want the ghost of Saint Serios coming out for revenge or something…"
"G-ghost?" She heard echo behind her by two fair haired individuals.
Balaiya frowned and elbowed Claude in the ribs. "Why'd you do that?" She hissed. "Be serious." Both Ashe and Lysithea were not too fond of scary— anything. Ghosts in particular. It wasn't much of a secret either, no matter how much Lysithea denied such things as childish.
"Oof—" She'd knocked the air right out of him. "S-Sorry, Teach…" He gasped out, hands on his knees.
"Look." Byleth turned to them. Ignoring the pain she'd exacted on him. "There's some sort of trap mechanism placed throughout the area. Be careful."
"Okay, stay focused everyone." Balaiya stepped forward. "We have to try and stop them—"
She paused when she saw the figure in armor dark as a starless night blocking the middle pathway— of course they'd put someone there. Someone that looked menacing. Someone that looked like they spawned from the infernal. They sat atop a horse that looked like it too crawled from the depths.
"I'm getting a really disturbing vibe from that guy… no one go near the evil looking knight, okay?!" Recovered— Claude held his arm out in front of Lysithea and Ashe and pushed them back.
Balaiya took a step back as well. Her eyes flying to her brother. This knight's presence felt oddly familiar. But she couldn't figure out why. Maybe if they rushed him together they could— she shook her head.
Even so, they had their class to look after, they couldn't afford to get reckless.
Mercedes moved to the front of the group. "Oh goddess…" She covered her mouth with her hand. "Professor's please be careful!"
Balaiya nodded. "Mercedes, stay out of the front lines. We need you to be safe."
The Knight withdrew their lance with a scoff. "What are you do— I don't take orders and I won't waste my time on weaklings!" The knight declared in a voice that echoed throughout the place and vibrated within her ribcage. Apparently answering some distant command.
'Perhaps it would be better not to try and risk it. If he claims to be too above us to challenge then that opportunity should not be wasted.' Sothis warned in her head.
"If we go around him, there are more enemies there…" She whispered.
'Yes, but they are puny in comparison! They can be taken down easier.'
"You're right." She nudged her brother. "Leth lets go around. If he's not going to fight us if we don't engage— I don't want to risk it. You said yourself that I should be more careful."
He glanced back at the knight before nodding and taking a step back. "You're right, we don't know what he's capable of yet." He motioned to the class. "Let's go around. If he's going to stay over there then we're not going to complain. Let's go around." He motioned to the right. Then turned back to her. "Did you…" He glanced ahead to where the knight stood and then back at her.
She shook her head, her voice a whisper. "No, I haven't used it yet— but I have a bad feeling. Sothis thinks we should go another way as well…"
He nodded. "Alright."
She let out a relieved breath, she didn't want to have to argue over anything now, and thankfully they were on the same page.
Byleth paused and turned to look at the back of the group. "One of us should be in the back, just in case that Knight changes his mind…" He glanced at her then sighed. "I'd hate to separate with you but, we should cover our bases. There's always the risk of reinforcements. If the knight does come after us, I'll be there to stall him. Besides, you're quicker than me. Hurry and stop that mage. This pathway will take us longer to get there." He started backing up. "Dimitri, I want you to push the front with my sister, and—"
Felix withdrew his sword and skipped to the front of the group. "I'm going too."
Byleth paused for a moment but nodded his agreement. "Ingrid, Dedue with me. Annette stay towards the middle with Mercedes and Ashe."
Ingrid sighed and tightened her grip on her lance. A frown plain on her face. "Very well, I'm ready for anything…" She hurried over to the back of the group.
Balaiya bit the inside of her cheek. Obviously she didn't want to have her brother where she couldn't see him but if he was with her at the front then the students behind them would be exposed. "Raphael, Leonie, go with my brother, Lorenz I want you to be in the back of the middle group with ignatz. Lysithea stay in the front middle with Marianne. Sylvain with me up front."
"Got it Professor! I've got your back!" Sylvain moved up to her right, and knocked his lance against Dimitri's to which the latter frowned in silent protest.
She sighed and jerked her head behind her. "Claude, stay behind the four of us."
He pursed his lips but nodded once and fell back.
They progressed slower than she wanted to and it aggravated her because she needed to stop that mage. But on the same coin none of the enemies had managed to slip past her, which meant the students behind her were safe.
Sothis had mentioned during her first spoken meeting that she stopped time. Balaiya had to admit if she herself could do such a thing and still function in the space she was in— she would probably use it often. Now would be a great opportunity.
She cut down an opposing sword user and grit her teeth as the man screamed out for the goddess to save him. To spare him. A pang of guilt tugged at her, more than she was used to. So many at the monastery spoke so reverently about this goddess she grew up knowing nothing about, and yet being thrust in a world where many revolved their lived on this being— it had her reevaluating many things. Was this goddess of theirs real? What would she really do if she were here? Was there a place for the ones she cut down?
Her sword clashed against another blade and she twisted her wrist to disarm her attacker. The man grunted but charged a spell in his other hand and punched her in the chest with a wave of electricity.
She cursed inwardly and her body convulsed with the aftershocks. Temporarily her vision blackened and she felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her to her feet.
"I got you Professor!"
Another clash and her attacker was silenced in the next breath.
She blinked and when her vision returned it was to Sylvain still by her side, his lance stained red.
"Are you okay?" She removed his hand from her waist and turned to look him over with a grimace.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine Professor!" He gave her a lopsided grin and Felix came over from her side— a look of disgust on his face.
"Professor what was that? Do you really need your students to be saving you?"
She narrowed her eyes and took a breath to speak but something whistled past her ear. Her eyes widened and it whizzed past Felix's face— cutting off his next retort and taking some of the loose hair by his face with it.
It hit a lancer behind Felix with a dull thud and the enemy hit the ground— unmoving.
She whirled around, her brows furrowed. "Claude! You could have hit one of us!" She narrowed his eyes when she was met with a simple shrug but his eyes were hardened. He wasn't even looking at her.
"Sorry,Teach." He nonchalantly spun another arrow between his fingers. "I didn't think risking the chance of that guy skewering our fellow Blue Lion here would be a good idea. After all— he seemed a bit too occupied to be able to watch his own back." He smirked and his brow rose slowly— almost tauntingly.
She frowned and turned to see Felix, glaring with enough energy to freeze someone two times over. "Okay guys, enough." She pulled Dimitri between them to block Claude's view. "We're a team. And I can't have— whatever this is going on." She sighed and surveyed the area. They had made it halfway but they still weren't as close as they could have been, and she was running out of time.
"Professor! I just got word from the back group." Lysithea interrupted with a frown. "There's reinforcements. Professor Byleth and the others are currently engaged. No major injuries."
Reinforcements? She grit her teeth and drew her bow. "Thank you Lysithea. I'm going to push ahead." She shot a soldier a few paces ahead then withdrew her sword again. "Everyone be careful, there are a few more in front of us. Try to stay together. Don't worry about me."
She held up her sword and rushed through the next two opposing soldiers that blocked her path.
The clash of metal ecohed fiercely in her ears as she took down the last mage that blocked her before she stepped in front of the one standing by the coffin. Better off guarding a coffin? Flyan's message— given by Seteth was definitely ironic.
The mage managed to push back the lid of the coffin and Balaiya felt a chill run down her spine. It was fast and unsettling, and somehow managed to take her breath away.
"It's no use! The seal is broken. You can't— Huh? A sword?" The mysterious mage reached in the coffin, and pulled out a sword. He gripped the handle and spun to face her.
Though his face was masked she could tell he was unsure, his stance was weak— he didn't know your to wield it.
Balaiya took a deep breath in an attempt to calm the waves of unease that strummed with in her, and quickly swung her sword at the mage. She disarmed him easily, and the strange sword flew into the air. Instinctively she reached out to catch it.
She'd never seen anything like it before, it couldn't be made from metal, at least not any she was familiar with.
A fire spell flew towards her, and she felt the heat chap her cheeks. 'Use the sword' . She tore her eyes away from the strange weapon in her hand and swung it blindly at the flame.
To her disbelief the spell dissipated, but she filed that away for later. She needed to focus. Dropping her other sword to the side she cut through two more balls of fire. An overwhelming rush of resentment pushed through her and she swung the sword down on the mage— only to be met when a magic shield. She grit her teeth and pushed harder on the barrier until it shattered. In an arch that started from below she swung the sword up and across the mage's chest.
Heated red sprayed fourth and splashed against her boots, her face. The mage's body crumbled and fell in a heap on the cold stone. The choked scream that he had uttered— cut off. Whatever remained echoed coldly off the walls, not unlike the chill that was rapidly forming on her face, her neck. Another chill attacked her body, this one caused by the heat that radiated off the strange blade that she held in her hand. Whatever emotion that had overwhelmed her previously now left her feeling confused and empty. Just what was that?
She turned around to survey the rest of the room— having a better view from the front. The Dark Knight was facing her, staring her down.
"That sword is… I see. What a pleasant surprise." He tugged on the reigns of his mount as if to charge and she tightened her grip on the sword but he was hit with a beam of light and vanished. It was so sudden she wasn't sure if it came from above or below.
Claude ran up from the side, a frown pasted on his lips. "The jerk got away. Was that magic? We can't even chase after him!" He stepped closer to her but stopped once his eyes fully looked over her. "Hey professor?" His brows were furrowed as he looked at her and he approached her with his hands up. "Are you alright?"
She frowned at the formality. "Yes. I'm fine Claude. Why are you—" A shiver ran down her spine and she felt something drip off her nose. She recoiled and rubbed at her face. Smearing the quickly cooling blood all over her face.
Realization dawned on her and she took a step back. She wondered how many of the students saw her in this grisly state. Judging by the looks she got from Felix, Dimitri and Sylvain they had seen the whole thing or at least part of it. The rest of her students were beginning to crowd to the front and she once again, futilely wiped at her face.
"Here." Claude reached into his pocket and held out a handkerchief but he didn't step any closer to her, his eyes were focused on the sword in her hand.
Her frown deepened but she reached forward to take it. "Thank you." She mumbled and hurriedly wiped the worst of it from her face. She would have to scrub it as soon as possible or perhaps buy him a new one. She looked down at the reddened fabric, and chewed the inside of her cheek. She hoped it wasn't too valuable to him…
He spoke again and she looked back up at him. "The way that sword is shining do you think it could be—"
"Bala are you alright?" Byleth asked, stepping between them.
"I'm fine. I'm not hurt." She mumbled and tried to look over his shoulder.
Another voice echoed through the place, a familiar one. "Is there an intruder here?" Catherine rushed into the room— the glow of Thunderbrand shining like fire. "Oh, looks like you have this under control." She gestured to a soldier at her side. "You go roundup those stragglers. They're trying to make a break for it."
"Will do!" He nodded to his group and they ran off down a different pathway.
"Everyone come with me." Catherine looked over them quickly. "Professors, I'm sure Lady Rhea would want a word with the both of you."
.
.
The Sword of the Creator once belonged to the King of Liberation? Byleth sighed internally, but what kind of name was Nemesis? He glanced to his side warily where his sister stood. And Rhea was giving the weapon to her? He didn't like it. Perhaps more so than Seteth did.
"They're you have it Professor Balaiya. See that you do not betray the trust the Archbishop has seen fit to bestow upon you." Seteth crossed his arms and eyed them for a moment before turning to him. "I ask that you not go gossiping about with such sensitive information."
Rhea turned to him with a smile. "No need to worry Seteth. Professor Byleth is just as trustworthy. I am sure if it. If for any reason you must handle this relic yourself. Know that I trust you with it as well."
Byleth gave a curt nod and followed his sister out into the hall. The strange sword was strapped to her back, and she hadn't said much since they arrived to the audience chamber.
"Are you alright Bala?" He asked quietly once the doors shut behind them.
"Yes. I'm fine. I'm just—" She scratched at some dried blood on her neck. "I'm confused. I need a bath."
Sothis appeared before them, a frown on her own face. Byleth restrained his surprise but with the look she gave him, he had a feeling she noticed.
"You two are alright? Right? I was concerned when those reinforcements showered up… but you handled it well." She turned to him. "I'm glad no one was seriously hurt. Nothing a cleric couldn't fix…" Her eyes turned to the sword on Bala's back. "The Sword of the Creator? The king of Liberation? Each tale is more confusing than the last!"
Byleth nodded in agreement but a frown quickly formed on his face. ' When could I hear Sothis without needing direct contact with my sister?' He thought to himself and glanced at the sword. There wasn't a connection— was there? Had he simply overlooked the change?
"And I really can't read that Rhea at all…" Sothis continued. She crossed her arms. "That sword is clearly precious… so why is she so keen to gift the thing to you Bala?"
Balaiya shook her head. "I don't know. I…" She chewed her lip. "She must have her reasons."
Byleth turned to her. "You mustn't trust her Bala. Father has already warned us. This is just even more a reason not to."
"I feel as though we have become entangled in a mystery…" Sothis mumbled. "Ah, and there is one more thing that had been plaguing me…The Sword of the Creator… it somehow feels distinct from that other Relic we have encountered." She held her the side of her face in thought— an action Byleth recognized as one his sister did often. "Such as the one that… Of goodness what was her name? Cat? Caaat…" She started snapping her fingers.
Balaiya rose a brow. "Cat?"
"Catherine." Byleth supplied with a sigh.
"Yes her! The Sword of the Creator is different from her Thunderbrand in one key way."
The image of Thunderbrand flew through his memory. The main difference he could remember was the lack of the odd stone… "There is a hole in it." He said quietly.
"Yes! Ugh I despise not knowing what is going on! It…" Her voice softened. "It frightens me… And yet. I place my trust in the two of you." She grabbed Balaiya's hand in both her own. "I must." She gave him a stern look and visibly tightened her grip on Balaiya. He wondered if she could actually feel her touch. "Whatever comes to pass… please, swear to cut a path that is your own."
Balaiya nodded. "I will."
"You should get cleaned up." Byleth said and motioned with his head down the hall. "Go on ahead. I'm going to check to see if Father is on his office. We should talk tomorrow after we meet with the students. Be careful."
She sighed and nodded. "Yeah. See you later Leth…" She turned down the hall quickly, Sothis remaining by her side.
From the corner of his eye he caught someone exiting the Audience Chamber, and he hid around the corner.
"Damn— I finally find it, and yet it ended up in Teach's hands." Claude stepped out into the hall and sighed heavily, a hand twisted in his hair. "Could I even use it anyway? Damn it." He scowled at the ground and released his hair— leaving it an even bigger mess. "There's no telling what's to come… I wonder—"
Byleth frowned and stepped out from his spot against the wall. "Hello Claude."
He spun around quickly, surprise evident in his face. "Oh! Professor?! I uh… didn't see you there."
"What are you up to?" Byleth narrowed his eyes. Just what was he doing in the Audience Chamber? Students weren't allowed in the briefing. Had he heard their whole conversation? He had to have… not to mention the way he spoke to about his sister— it screamed of suspicion.
"Oh, I'm just…"
"Snooping?" Byleth muttered with a frown. He really didn't like the nonchalant attitude. It seems he was right to be suspicious of him from the start. He shook his head. To think he'd almost been fooled as well. "Listen Riegan, we're not stupid. Whatever you have planned— keep my sister out of it." He eyed him for a moment, unease creeping in the back of his mind. "I'm not afraid to draw a weapon on a student. Don't forget that."
"Whoa! Professor? What's this hostility all about? I assure you, there's nothing that I—"
"Save it." Byleth narrowed his eyes at him again. He knew his type— at first he wasn't sure but after hearing that? The dark frustration that bubbled in his voice when he thought no one could hear. Folks with a silver tongue were easily overlooked. They could talk their way in and out of anything. He'd encountered a few on the road when traveling with the troop. Always sneaky bastards who's words might as well be a spell of deceit. If he hadn't been wearing such lavish materials— he'd probably be mistaken for one such person on the street. But what was it? Was it the sly look in his eyes? The no doubt fake smile he harboured?
Byleth looked him over once more and left to his Father's office. He'd have to have a long talk with with his sister as soon as he could.
Unsurprisingly he wasn't in, probably still taking care of security issues since their actual had been an altercation. He slipped a note under his door in case he returned before he ran into him again.
'I guess I should use this time to freshen up myself…' Classes hadn't been cancelled tomorrow but they were given a later start time to at least allow the students some rest. He was still meeting in the morning though with his class to discuss some important information.
Why did Rhea give the sword to his sister?
What was Claude planning?
Where did that Knight go?
Why were they in the Mausoleum in the first place?
Not knowing didn't frighten him, but it sure did frustrate him.
He allowed himself another frustrated sigh before he hurried off to clean up.
The meeting had gone by quickly they ended up all meeting in the Golden Deer's classroom and discussing the situation as a group.
The ins and outs of the inner workings of the Church of Serios was a little frustrating too comprehend. Everything was always about power, but yet so many things remain unanswered.
Hilda had mentioned how ridiculous it was too attack someone who worshipped the same goddess you did. Byleth had to agree with that. The more he learned about Fódlan and it's people the more confusing it got. Fódlan was really more like three separate countries tired loosely together by a thread that was fraying itself.
He was suddenly glad his Father raised then away from all of that nonsense. He glanced to his side where his sister stood. Her brows furrowed in confusion. Even though people judged them for not knowing, for being strange. They had each other, that's all that mattered. This responsibility they shouldered now couldn't possibly come between them— could it?
However— his eyes drifted to the sword strapped to her back. It seemed they were going to be more involved than he wanted to be, more than they already were. He glanced around at the students chatting amongst themselves, now coming up with their own theories on what the motivating were for this Western church. Who the Dark Knight could be.
Balaiya elbowed his side. "Look who's spacing out this time."
Byleth shook his head. "I was paying attention. You're talking about the church's factions."
Dimitri nodded. "Right. Naturally the knights will be riding out to question the Western Church's top officials. Or rather… to punish them."
"To the shock of no one." Claude mumbled. "We'll probably get the chance to assist." His usual laid back attitude unchanging.
"It is also possible only one of our groups will be asked though." Dedue said.
Dimitri turned to them. "Indeed, they could send any of us really. Now I don't mean to be rude, but I must say your situations are rather unusual. I mean, you guys grew up in Fódlan, and yet you never had any contact with the Church of Serios… it's rather hard to believe."
"If you think that's weird, consider the fact that Rhea hired you two despite all of that!" Claude shared a look with Hilda.
Dedue shook his head. "I wonder why the Archbishop would hire people like that…"
That was exactly what Byleth had been wondering for the last few months, he was sure there were many others who were more capable… could it have something to do with that sword? Did their father know?
"So those people that were caught from the Western church were… um Lady Rhea had them killed, didn't she?" Ashe mumbled with a frown.
"Lady Rhea can be rather intimidating at times." Lysithea said. "In fact… she can be downright terrifying."
Marianne stepped forward. "Um, Professor? Those who cannot be saved must be delivered to the goddess is that not so?"
"Going against the teachings of Serios like that is quite unforgivable." Mercedes said solemnly. "Lady Rhea did what she must…"
Ingrid shook her head. "Those who stay must be punished, I suppose. That said… Professor, I—"
"You shouldn't be so quick to agree with the opinions of others just because they rank above you." Claude interrupted. "Have you ever—"
Ingrid scowled. "What? You're one to talk! You don't even have respect for those above you!" She grit her teeth. "I mean look at you! I bet you don't even—"
"Ingrid please. Enough." Balaiya stepped forward with a frown. "Our time is up. You all have classes to attend so hurry along."
Ingrid sighed and gathered her things. "I'm sorry Professor." She strode out of the room, her hair swinging behind her.
Byleth stepped aside as the students filed out of the room. When everyone had left her moved over and pulled the doors shut. "You didn't sleep last night did you?"
She shook her head. "I couldn't. I tired but I just stared at the ceiling all night…"
He sighed and sat on one of the desks. "We should get a scabbard for that thing so it won't be exposed so much." He gestured to the sword on her back. "It won't be good if people find out you have such a valuable relic when you."
"I guess you're right…" She removed the sword from her back and held it out to him.
He hesitated for a moment before taking it from her. The sword seemed to wake up when he touched it and started to glow. "Whoa." Surprised, he dropped it on the table and the glow faded.
Her eyes were wide when she picked it back up, the glow returning to the weapon. "It glows for you too? I wonder what that means."
"Well, we can do some tests another time… But for now be careful okay?" He ran a hand through his hair and searched her face. "Especially around Claude. I'm sorry Bala but I don't trust him."
As expected a frown formed on her face. "What are you talking about Leth?"
"I heard him muttering under his breath about the sword Bala. He said he'd been searching for it, and he didn't sound too happy when Rhea gave it to you. Which by the way, I caught him sneaking out of the Audience Chamber. Who knows what he heard. What he knows. I tried to give him a chance, but he's too suspicious. He's planning something and I would advise you to stay away from him as much as you can."
She placed the sword back on her back and wrapped a hand around her wrist. "Did you confront him? It could have been a misunderstanding Leth."
"I did. He acted oblivious. But even if he didn't, think about it Bala. Why would he be snooping around anyway? Have you ever wondered why no one knows anything about him?" He jumped off the table. "I want you to consider these things, don't let his smooth talk deceive you Bala. It's suspicious, he's suspicious. I'm just asking you not to trust him."
.
Now that he thought about it, something about this Claude reminded him about that time the two of them had to spend a week working off a debt their father had gotten stuck with. Their father had shamelessly fallen prey to a gamble hosted by this woman with sly eyes and long dark hair that curled in thick ringlets.
She'd cheated her way to winning the pot and had somehow managed to swipe the hidden coin pouch their father kept in his belt.
.
"If you're not careful Bala, he might take that sword out right from underneath your nose. And you would be none the wiser until it was far too late. I know what I heard, I wouldn't lie to you."
She stiffened but nodded slowly, her teeth worrying her bottom lip. "... Okay."