Mako's Message: I've not forgotten this story...I've just been trying to focus on other stories that need finishing. That said, this chapter has existed for MONTHS but I didn't know if I wanted to write more to this scenario and if I wanted to make it part of this chapter or a separate one... But recently I was given a reason to post it so I'm doing it. I'm posting this as is and maybe it'll get a Part 2 some time down the line or maybe it won't. I dunno. Follow and Review if you want more.

#13 – A Different Path

The moon shone down out of a clear sky onto Garreg Mach, clearly showing the damage five years of neglect had left on its halls. The grounds were silent and empty...or rather, nearly empty. A lone figure dressed in imperial red paced the Goddess Tower, her white hair shining in the moonlight.

"Why am I even here?" she asked herself, "I know they wont come, but here I am anyway…" Her gaze drifted towards the ceiling, as memories briefly passed through her mind, "How has it already been five years? Time stops for no one, I suppose."

Byleth stepped out from the shadows of the steps and into the light, their footsteps heavy on the stone, stopping just out of arm's reach of Edelgard.

She turned at the sound, stepping back as shock washed over her, "Huh?! It's...it's you!" She shook her head in disbelief, "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you. Well, you and the rest of your class."

She snorted and shook her head, still not believing this was real, "So you've been alive all along. What have you been doing all this time?"

"Is there an answer I could give that you'd believe?"

Edelgard stared at her teacher for a moment before closing her eyes and shaking her head, "No, I suppose there isn't." She looked at Byleth with an expression that might have wanted to be a smile, but wasn't, "But all that matters is this… Will you return to the Empire with me?"

Byleth closed their eyes and took a deep breath, "I…can't."

"That means… we're enemies now, you and I," she shook her head, "My teacher, the time for discussion has come to an end!" She stepped back, and with only a moment of hesitation, drew her sword and prepared to strike.

Byleth brushed their cape behind their back and put their hand to their hip...where an empty scabbard rested. Edelgard's attack stuttered as Byleth made no move to defend themself. "What...what are you doing? Where is your sword?"

"I left it outside. I didn't come here to fight you."

Edelgard's features tightened, and if Byleth was right, tears started to form in her eyes. She pulled her sword back to strike and renewed her charge, swinging her sword towards Byleth's neck. The blade stopped before it could end their life. It hung there, still as death in the air. "Are you really going to make no move to defend yourself?"

"Are you really going to strike me down on the night of our class reunion? It'd be a shame if everyone else arrived only to find you'd killed me."

Edelgard's breath hitched, "They're coming?"

"Well, I haven't seen them, but I have a feeling they'll show soon enough. You always trusted my instincts before, will you trust them now?"