Ashton realized early on that to attack Fhirdiad from Imperial controlled territories would be a risky move. Not only would they need to travel through the fields of western Faerghus, but the Imperial front was never far from where they were traveling. And if their escapade in Enbarr ever caught up to them, they would be between a rock and a hard place.

Nonetheless, he led the group forward, stocking up on supplies wherever they could. Despite willfully throwing their lot in with the Empire, it appeared that much of western Faerghus was beginning to feel the full effects of their decisions; fields went untilled and barren in many of the villages the group traveled through, with little more than a few housewives and children remaining in them. All of the fighting men and women had been sent to the frontline, and bandits ran rampant. Though it pained Ashton, he could not stop for them.

Such is the way. Nobility squabbles among themselves and the people who pay suffer and die.

On their way to Fhirdiad, though, Ashton began to notice a change in one of his companions. Shez kept looking warily at Arawn. Granted, Arawn was a rather strange individual, even Ashton as his father could see that. But there was something different about the way Shez was looking. For a moment, Ashton almost thought she had a crush on him. Such a thing happening within days, though, was never a good sign. And so, he pulled her aside as the group stopped for a rest.

It was a good thing, too, as Arawn had begun to stare back.

"Is something the matter, Shez?" Ashton asked as the wind blew past them both. The sky had become a mix of blue and gray; it was going to rain soon, no doubt. "You keep staring at my son, and it's beginning to unnerve me."

Shez was silent for a moment, as if inwardly debating with herself about what to say. Her expression changed from thoughtful to shocked, complete with a slightly opened mouth before she shook her head and looked Ashton in the eye.

"I dunno," Shez finally said. "Something about him rubs me the wrong way. No offense to you, obviously, I just-"

"Is it because of his heritage? How much do you know about that?" Ashton pushed, crossing his arms. "Seiros already revealed a bit about it, but not much. I will not blame you if that is the case, by the way. Some things in this world are inherently strange."

"Yeah, I'm one of them, remember?" Shez replied, and as an example, held out her hand where her ephemeral sword appeared. It still looked strange to Ashton; it seemed both a Hero's Relic and yet not. Metal that resembled a circuit board lined the back edge of the blade. He had to admit that Shez had a point.

"Point taken," Ashton said, nodding. "Still, is there something else about him that makes you uncomfortable, then? We shall not be together as a group much longer, so if you have something you wish to get off of your chest, now is the time. I doubt we will be seeing much of each other when we rendezvous with Byleth."

Speaking Byleth's name caused Shez's eyes to narrow. Out of hatred or something else, Ashton did not know.

"It's not that," Shez replied, rubbing the back of her head as she turned away. "I don't really know how to explain it, you know? It's like every time I look at him, my heart just won't stop."

The notion of Shez having a crush on his son grew more probable, although Ashton still doubted it was that. Still, he decided to pursue that line of thought anyway.

"Like him, do you?" Ashton said, snorting.

"I dunno. I don't think it's that either. It's not love, I don't think. At least, I hope this isn't what love feels like," Shez sighed.

"It would merely be attraction at this point, not love," Ashton said, "though what you say does concern me somewhat. Are you scared?"

"Like I said, I dunno," Shez shrugged. "Probably? It's like I've met him before but I've never even seen anyone like him in all my life. It's like I'm remembering something but I can't remember, if that makes any sense."

"Unfortunately, it does not. However, I do think it's something similar to that. Fear makes more sense, although at that point, I do wonder why you fear him."

"I keep saying I dunno," Shez replied pointedly. "I don't know what else you want from me. I gave you my answer."

Ashton sighed. "I am just trying to figure out the root cause of this issue, but I doubt there even is one. Listen, do not worry about it. Much as my son can be a bit intense at times, he will not harm us. He would not hurt anyone who does not deserve it."

"You've known him for all of a week or two; how can you say that for sure?" Shez asked sourly. "Look, I know he's your son, and I don't wanna make it seem like everything's terrible, but even I can tell there's still a lotta work to be done there."

Ashton felt himself shake a bit at Shez's words, no matter how true he knew them to be.

"Very well, then," Ashton said, "you need not be afraid for much longer, then. As I said, soon, we will all go our separate ways. And you can meet with Byleth, if you so desire. Know this, though."

Ashton leaned forward, his brow furrowed as he spoke.

"He is my great-grandson. And Arawn is my only son," he whispered. "And should any harm fall upon them, by your doing, there will be hell to pay."

Shez took a step back before shaking her head. "Fine. I'll just, uh, I'll just go now."

Ashton half-expected that to mean that she was leaving the group before they made it to Fhirdiad, but she remained with the group all the way, though she made it a point to avoid both Ashton and Arawn after that.

"Are you ready?" Ashton asked.

Seiros had no armor, wearing little more than a white robe that they purchased in one of the villages they passed. Ashton knew even unarmed and unarmored, she was dangerous. Still, he couldn't help but ask that on the eve of the next battle.

Fhirdiad stood as it always had: a speck of civilization at the end of the Tailtean Plains. The sky was clear the days before the battle, though the smoke of fires was just barely visible over the horizon, just beyond Fhirdiad. If they were coming from Fhirdiad itself, Ashton could not say.

They would be assaulting the city from behind the front, opening gates and doors wherever they went to ensure the Kingdom army had ample access points. It wasn't a glorious task, but Ashton had had enough glory for one lifetime. Likewise, other than Catherine and Felix, his companions likely thought the same.

Seiros turned to look at him, a small smile on her face. "Concerned for me, hmm?"

"Well," Ashton said, letting out a breath. "I would be lying if I said I was not, you know? We have only really just reunited. Not that I expect you to suddenly keel over during the battle, but you were starved and weakened for a long time. I just want to…"

"I understand, my dear Ashton, but I have recovered," Seiros replied, holding her hand up as ethereal light danced between her fingers. "And beyond the sword and shield, I have many other powers to call upon."

"Are you sure you have recovered? It has only been a few weeks," Ashton pointed out. "Although, it is good to see you holding that shield again."

Seiros held up her shield. Ashton had used it since awakening in the Holy Tomb, although it had originally been intended for Byleth. With it in Seiros' possession again, its true power would be unleashed.

"I have missed it, I must admit," Seiros said, holding it up so that the light reflected off its white face. "Hopefully, one day, my sword will be returned to me as well. Until then, I will have to rely on magic. And do not worry about me any longer, my love. I will not let you out of my sight during this battle, and I believe you shall not either."

Ashton shrugged. "I suppose I just expected it to take longer, if that makes any sense? I saw those bones around the campfire when we returned, and I talked to a few of the others and they said you-"

Seiros' cheeks showed the faintest hint of a blush. "Ah, yes, that. I had underestimated just how hungry I was. Please, do not think of it again, as I surely will not."

"Already forgotten," Ashton declared, before letting out a chuckle. "This reminds me of the old days. Do you remember back then?"

"As if it was yesterday," Seiros replied with a sigh, "I would often find myself thinking of those times whenever my position as archbishop proved to be… mentally taxing. Sometimes I wonder what would have become of Fódlan were I not to have taken that position. If I had simply left once the vengeance of my people was complete, fulfilling our dream whether or not you were at my side. Such idle fantasies, but perhaps one day, they shall not be."

"It is going to take a lot more bloodshed than either of us thought, I suspect," Ashton said, his voice lowering as if doing so would lessen his words' impact. "So, based on what you said a second ago, we shall be fighting side by side?"

"Of course! Did you expect something different?" Seiros asked.

Ashton shrugged. "We never really have done that before, so I suppose I was not thinking of it. Still, if I get to see you fight up close, it is definitely worth it."

"Careful that you are not stunned into a stupor, my dear Ashton," Seiros replied with a coy smirk. "Perhaps you and I should not fight together after all, if you are so easily distracted. Not that I mind the attention, mind you…"

"Uh, how about we, erm, wait for the end of the battle before anything happens, yes?" Ashton said, playing with his fingers as he tried to keep his blush down. Even when she was wearing a, albeit form-fitting, robe, Seiros looked immaculate. And Ashton felt like an awkward teenager at that moment. That was something that Seiros was picking up on, and she was milking it for all it was worth.

"Hmm. Very well," Seiros said, moving forward. "I will hold you to that. It has been some thousand years since last it has happened, after all, and I have been, shall we say, looking forward to it."

Ashton swallowed the golf ball-sized lump in his throat. He felt like prey within a predator's sight. Even still, a part of him was looking forward to some alone time.

"I'll, uh," Ashton stammered, "I hope I can provide, then."

"I have no doubt that you will. Now, come with me. There is still time before the battle yet, and I will not spend it alone."

"You care for her."

The question came as a surprise to Ashton. On the night before the battle in Fhirdiad, hearing Catherine's voice was the last thing he expected. The Relic-wielding Knight of Seiros had been almost completely quiet since the group saved Seiros from Enbarr, with the only times she spoke during meetings.

"Who is this 'her'? Do we need to talk about this?" Ashton asked. Though the fires of the camp were low, they were still enough to let him see Catherine just beyond, her face covered in dancing shadows. "We have already had this conversation, Lady Catherine. And continuously having it will not change the outcome."

"I'm not talking about that," Catherine scoffed, "That conversation's over. I never had a chance, I get it, alright? No need to rub it in. I just wanted to… I guess I put a nice bow on it. Even though I hate bows."

"Bows, not bows, right?" Ashton asked, brow raised. "As in, the tied ribbon and not the weapon?"

"I don't like either, so it works either way?"

"Not unless you feel like balancing a bow on the conversation. Which I do not know how you would do, since the conversation is not physical."

"You really don't wanna talk, huh?" Catherine sighed.

Ashton looked to the side. "It's not a matter of 'wanting to', Lady Catherine-"

"Stop calling me that. It makes me feel old."

Ashton's eyelid twitched before he continued. "Point of the matter is, I do not hate you, nor can I fault you for having feelings for our… mutual interest. And I would be lying if a part of me did not feel guilty that you have been led on for so long, apparently. Were Seiros and you to have been in a relationship when I awoke, or if it turned out that way… I would not have objected. I would have been saddened, for certain, and broken-hearted, but I would not hold it against you. It is a wonder to me that she still returns my feelings to me, even now. For her, it has been over a thousand years. That is a long time to go without companionship."

Catherine went silent at that, mulling over Ashton's words. He poked at the fire between them with a stick. He thanked the goddess that the others were asleep, especially Seiros; she likely would not have taken the conversation well.

"So, I guess that answers my question," Catherine grumbled. "I guess I should've taken Shamir up on her offer after all. Probably too late now."

"You'll find someone. Look at you; you are a gorgeous and strong woman. Whether it be a man or a woman, I am sure you will find someone, someday.

Catherine shrugged. "Maybe, but not anytime soon. Five years of war have a way of making it difficult to talk to people regularly, and I didn't exactly have an easy time of it before that."

"Most people do not, in their own way," Ashton admitted. "I will not pressure you further, but do know that I respect your prowess in battle, if nothing else. I have heard tales of your exploits, you know - you were there in Remire five years ago, were you not? You helped save many innocent people that day."

The Agarthans will answer for that, too.

Catherine chuckled slightly. "I've had plenty of adventures, yeah. Though sometimes I wish not all of them ended in someone dying. I may have saved people, but the students were there, too. And I'm a part of the Knights of Seiros; I'm never alone. Eh, I don't even know what I'm talking about anymore. Wish I had a drink."

"I do not even drink alcohol, and I wish I could join you," Ashton admitted. "I am serious, though. Maybe just give it some time? Perhaps the one for you is someone you simply have not met yet."

"Are you playing matchmaker with me?" Catherine asked, raising a brow. "I didn't know you had it in you. You always seem so serious."

"For me to play as the matchmaker, I would need to know the other person and forcefully mash you two together. Not physically, but still," Ashton replied. "It was good we had this conversation, though, do you not agree? It was a relief to clear the air between us. I am starting to think you and I are not so different."

"Oh, there's plenty of differences between us. Unless there's something you haven't told anyone else," Catherine said, leaning forward as her face became fully illuminated by the fire. "But I think we should leave it there. We aren't doing a very good job looking out since we've been talking this whole time."

Ashton chuckled. "Fair enough."

The day of the assault on Fhirdiad, Ashton was surprised by just how quiet it had become.

He was used to massive battles starting with a bang. Every single one he had been a part of had started with a charge, and the sound of steel and flesh clashing together in the air. As he and his group made their way towards Fhirdiad's rear walls, though, there was hardly any sound. It was as if the entire world had suddenly become a vacuum.

Even the battlements of Fhirdiad looked bereft of activity. Though the forces of the Kingdom and Church of Seiros were not approaching from the same direction Ashton and his group were, the fact that no soldiers could be seen along the walls was a mark of either suicidal assurredness or terminal incompetence.

Whatever the case was, it allowed them easy access. Scaling the walls was easy enough, and by the time they began hearing the sounds of battle, they were well within the city itself. The only person they came across was the odd deserter, who was obviously fleeing the battle.

They moved past the castle, ignoring it for when the full brunt of the army was within, the group kept going until they finally reached the front lines of the battle. In stark contrast to the walls on the other side of the city, even from their distance Ashton could see the walls lined with troops, and the sounds of battle were nearly deafening. Bolts of magical lightning, fire, and ice shot over the wall, occasionally striking it and sending unlucky soldiers to their deaths. Despite the beating the walls were taking, the gates were not opened.

It was time to change that.

Ashton had always known that Seiros was a powerhouse, even without her armaments, but seeing magic flow so easily through her hands as she sent it forward, he remembered just how powerful she really was.

The gust of magic she sent forward crashed into the gates once, causing them to crackle and burn at its onslaught before settling down. It was enough to grab the attention of several soldiers, but they would not reach Seiros in time to stop the second blast. Ashton didn't know what manner of magic she was using; it was like an arrow of divine might that she was calling down from the heavens and sending forward, and when it slammed into the gates a second time, they could not withstand her might.

They came apart, sending bits of wood all along the outside fields. The walls they had been attached to were blown apart, sending parts of it sprawling through the nearby countryside, smashing into the ground and into any unlucky soldiers that were in their path. Instead of taking them on, many of the enemy soldiers simply retreated. Ashton wondered how many of them were there by choice.

By the time they were all gone, the Kingdom army and Knights of Seiros were just moving through the gate. The Knights of Seiros appeared nonplussed, and Ashton had to admit, seeing their shining armor on the other side of the ruined gate was a nicely nostalgic experience. The Kingdom soldiers appeared far more ragged in comparison, with similar plate armor yet in worse condition, but they had held it for far longer than Ashton thought they would. And it was a good thing, too, as the palace nearby still remained ripe for the taking.

With all of them in no immediate danger, the group broke up. Ashton didn't expect that they would ever be in one place ever again. He wouldn't blame them for that; the last weeks of their sojourn into Imperial territory were especially icy. By the time a few familiar faces entered the gate, only a handful of them remained: Ashton himself, Cethleann, Seiros, Arawn, and Shez. Shez was off to the side, kicking around beneath a looming building when Byleth showed himself.

"Long time no see, professor," Ashton said, hands on his waist as Byleth entered, with several Knights of Seiros at his side, along with Cichol. "I brought a few friends. I hope you do not mind."

Holding his hand out, Ashton half expected the professor to ignore it. However, Byleth smiled warmly and took it, giving it a firm shake.

"It is a wonder that you destroyed that gate when you did. You followed my instructions to the letter," Byleth said, looking past Ashton and to the distant palace. "It is not over yet, though."

"Indeed, professor," Seiros said, stepping forward. "Hopefully, when this battle is over, we will have the time to speak. There is much that must be discussed."

"Lady Rhea," Byleth whispered, bowing his head. "It is wonderful to see you again as well. I am glad to see you well."

"You are too kind, Byleth," Seiros stated, a smile on her face. "And I see Seteth is with you as well. It is good to see you again, old friend."

"This battle is the first in the true fight against the Adrestian Empire," Seteth stated, "it is only right that I see it to its end. I was not able to do that last time."

"As much as this is touching," Arawn began, stepping forward, warhammer in hand, "we should get moving. There is a castle that must be taken."

Byleth turned and titled his head. "I assume this is the real champion?"

Ashton nodded. "Yes, but we should follow what he says. To the palace."

With the breaching of Fhirdiad's walls, Ashton could see that much of its army had either deserted or surrendered, with only a small contingent holding out with the palace itself. Little blood had to be shed on their ascent to the ancient stronghold. Ashton could see that it wasn't the same castle he had seen during his own time; the layout was completely different from the outside, and the stone used to construct it had changed from limestone to marble. Or at least, that was what he surmised.

In the interim between battles, Ashton procured the only weapon he could find: a large greatsword, plain but finely crafted. He hadn't asked Arawn about the warhammer, and he didn't plan to; it was Arawn's. He'd had it for longer than Ashton had. Ashton didn't mind parting with it, although he wished he could find a similar replacement. Alas, a greatsword would have to do. He was never good at sword-and-shield techniques.

When the gates into the castle were finally breached, Ashton went all out. He had held himself back before, during the initial attack, but it was time to put the fear of the goddess in the usurpers.

Scores of soldiers fell to his blade. Ashton didn't cut down any that ran away, but those who decided to challenge him joined the piles of the dead. And he could see beside him that his comrades were doing the same. Arawn sent men and women careening through the air with all but a casual swing of his warhammer, and Byleth with the Sword of the Creator made several soldiers flee from the shee sight alone.

And then Prince Dimitri arrived, Hero's Relic in hand. Ashton could barely recognize him. Not because the prince had changed much physically; he still looked the part of a wandering, murderous vagabond, but there was a different glint in his one visible blue eye. While the Dimitri Ashton had known briefly almost seemed to relish the bloodshed, the one he saw fought with speed and grace as well as ferociousness. It was a sight to see.

When they breached the inner parts of the castle, the men they fought changed. It wasn't a subtle one, either; their skin was paper white, as if the people they cut down were nothing but decaying corpses who hadn't realized that it was time to stop moving. It unnerved Ashton. Were they the Agarthans that Arawn had spoken of?

Whatever the case was, they fell and broke and died all the same. And as they breached the throne room, they came face to face with the usurper.

Ashton had not heard much about Cornelia. She had been involved with curing a plague a few decades before, but beyond that, nothing much was known to him. She had betrayed Faerghus, gathering the western lords under her banner and swore fealty to the Empire, effectively annexing half of the Kingdom without a fight. It was a cunning strategy, if Edelgard had put it into place, but that would also show that she was working with the Agarthans.

Whether or not such a relationship was forced or not, remained to be explained.

Cornelia wasted no time as soon as the throne room was breached. What awaited them as they broke down the doors was a blast of magic that narrowly missed Byleth and Dimitri, who were leading the charge.

"Sorry, kids, I don't have time for this," she said, her voice somehow booming over the cacophony of violence that permeated the throne room. "Be good little royals and die quickly!"

She didn't look like the soldiers that surrounded her; there were no more people with color to their skin. Every single one had become a paper white, as if their bodies had never been touched by sunlight. Cornelia looked almost normal, but there was a strangeness to her face that Ashton couldn't quite place. There was nothing specifically wrong with her, not that he could see in the few seconds he was allowed a chance to look, but she just felt wrong, as if just the simple fact that she existed at all was the issue.

While the forces within the throne room were strong and armored well, they were no match to an entire platoon of empowered men and women, and before long, only a handful remained. And even then, Dimitri and Byleth made short work of them, and all that remained was Cornelia. Ashton had focused too much on destroying the opposition to notice what she had been doing - either she had winded herself fighting against Dimitri and Byleth, or she was far weaker than even he had thought.

"Curse this woman and her weak flesh!" Cornelia snarled. Dimitri did not bother spearing her upon Areadbhar, instead punching her in the gut, sending her sprawling upon the throne.

Cornelia went silent at that, looking around at the throne room. The bodies of her fellows lined the floor, and when her eyes fell upon Ashton, her face drew back in a snarl that looked wholly unnatural upon a human face.

"To think a failed experiment would find its way here, truly the would-be King of Faerghus has allied himself with only the cream of the fetid, beastly crop," Cornelia growled. "What will you do to me, I wonder? Am I to be your prisoner? Left to rot within the cells below? Or will you execute me, here and now? The choice is yours. I am at your mercy."

Ashton didn't hear what Dimitri said in response. He didn't hear much of anything after that. He was too caught up in his own mind, too focused on what Cornelia had just said. He had only known the mage in person for a total of a few moments, and yet he had the distinct urge to-

He shut down that thought but he knew it would be back.

Yet still, his feet carried him forward, only to be stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Ashton turned to see Arawn, bloodied warhammer in one hand and lightly shaking his head.

"I heard it too," he said quietly, "but not now. The prince up there will not kill her here. Tonight. We will go tonight."

Ashton had to find solace in that. Despite his promises, and despite the possibility of what he heard being interpreted in a million different ways, nothing else could occupy his mind.

And that's a wrap. Apologies for not uploading last week but I think, with university starting up again, I'll be going forward with a bi-weekly update schedule. Not gonna bother making excuses, just thought I'd let the five people who read this story know lol.

Anyway, see you next time!