Dark Abyss
Chapter 2: A Thread Undone
"No way."
A dark-haired student shrugged unhelpfully.
"I'm having a hard time believing it myself. Those are the rumors, though."
Byleth had just finished an intense but fruitful first lesson. His methods had been met with skepticism at first, mostly from Ferdinand and Bernadetta, and for widely different reasons.
The former believed stable duty to be something beneath his stature, while the latter was quite adamant that setting foot near another person, not to mention a horse, would result in her death.
Naturally, Byleth proceed to inform the duo that they would be tackling their assignment together.
He also immediately split up Edelgard and Hubert, in favor of pairing them up with somebody else. Edelgard took to weeding with surprising gusto, and it was perhaps for the best that Hubert did not have to witness his liege reduced to manual labor.
As for the rest, he had them either clearing rubble off the grounds or assisting the Sky Watch. Once the more pretentious students stopped complaining about their assignments, the period had turned productive.
Communication was key to effectiveness, and that particular message had gotten through to his students clearly. Hopefully, they would perform better than their peers in tomorrow's mock battle, now that they were more familiar with each other.
It was hardly as though he could teach them how to fight in a single day, anyway.
"Professor!" exclaimed the dark-haired student as he walked by. "Forgive me, but I must ask. Is it true that you had the Black Eagles riding pegasi today?"
Byleth nodded.
His friend sighed longingly at that, her expression turning distant.
"Oh, I wish I were in your class. It's my dream to become a pegasus knight, one day." she said, before shaking her head dejectedly.
"I don't think Professor Casagranda would let us anywhere near them, though. Not for another term, at least."
A miniscule frown formed on Byleth's face.
"I'll speak with her."
"Y-You'd do that?" the girl asked, clearly in shock.
He nodded once more, before bidding them a good day and resuming his stroll. He had to speak with Manuela and Hanneman regardless, and putting in a word for the heartbroken young girl would pose little additional effort.
"You have a soft heart."
Byleth mulled over Sothis' words.
Truthfully, he did not know if he possessed a heart at all.
"Those brats are going to be the death of me."
Byleth attempted a comforting expression. Almost immediately, giggles resounded in his mind.
"You look ridiculous."
He ceased raising the corners of his lips, and resigned himself to enduring yet another one of Manuela's rants.
"I swear, Claude is going to drive me insane. Hilda loafs around, and… Oh, goddess, don't even get me started on Lorenz!"
His fellow professor had bags under her eyes, and her robes were wrinkled. Byleth could even see some of the makeup on her face coming off, likely due to a mixture of sweat and tears, and grew more appreciative of Ferdinand by the minute.
When Manuela suddenly perked up, he felt a chill run down his spine. She looked at him hungrily, and her voice turned sultry.
"Although, now that I think about it… You're here, aren't you, Professor?"
Byleth took a step backward.
"Now, now… No need to play the gentleman. Even if it is one of your many admirable traits."
Manuela licked her lips, inching ever closer.
"How about you show me a good time… and make me forget all about those pesky little children."
Just as she reached out with her hands, attempting to grab the collar of his robes, Byleth turned tail and vacated the room.
"Please allow your students to interact with the pegasi." he added belatedly, before slamming the door shut behind him."
Once safely out in the hallway, Byleth gained a newfound respect for the rest of the academy staff. Manuela was an entity to be feared, and one he did not know how to handle. Thankfully, she did not pursue him any further, and he made his way down the hall.
Hanneman's office was only a short distance away, and he was curious to know if the scholar had made any progress on his crest research. Byleth had already invested a substantial amount of himself into the project, and he felt a need to see it through to the end.
As expected, Hanneman was seated behind his desk; a look of deep concentration on his face. To his surprise, however, he was not alone.
"I cannot say for certain, but evidence seems to point to-"
Byleth entered the office, and both Hanneman and Tomas fell silent. The latter turned around, facing him with a gentle smile.
"Professor!" said the librarian. "We were just talking about you."
"Indeed." confirmed Hanneman. "Please, come in. You are no doubt curious to learn more about that crest of yours."
He motioned toward the instrument in the center of the office, and asked Byleth to approach it.
"I've made some minor adjustments, incorporating the samples you provided me a few days ago."
"Tomas has also gracefully shared some of his knowledge." Hanneman added, now smiling widely. "He tells me that the two of you have been performing some studies of your own. It warms my heart to hear of yet another crest enthusiast in the making!"
Tomas chuckled, while Byleth crouched and placed his palm against the surface of the apparatus.
"I would hardly call them studies, Hanneman, but yes. I see a great deal of potential in our young professor here."
The device flared to life, humming underneath his fingers. A moment later, and the image of a crest manifested itself a few feet above the floor.
The two old men gasped in unison.
"By the goddess…" whispered Hanneman. "I had my suspicions, but to see it with my own eyes…"
"The Crest of Flames." muttered Byleth; his hypothesis now proven correct. He was not one to argue the hands dealt to him by fate, but in this case, he dreaded the trouble bound to follow.
"Quite right, my boy." said Tomas. While he did not appear all too surprised, there was a glint in his eyes that had not been there previously.
He could not blame either of the men. Apparently, the crest was of great significance to the history of Fódlan.
Byleth would have to consult his father on the matter.
"Whatever you do, don't tell anyone about it."
Jeralt paced back and forth across his office, growling irritably, before burying his face in the palms of his hands.
"Who am I kidding, this'll probably become public knowledge by the end of the day."
Byleth nodded in agreement. While he could see Tomas willing to keep the nature of his crest a secret, Hanneman was much too passionate for that.
"Look, kid. I don't know how or why you've got that crest, but watch your back. You'll have plenty of influential people taking a keen interest in you, if you catch my drift."
"Easy money?"
Jeralt blinked, and then let out a bark of laughter.
"You know, I sometimes wonder if I taught you right." he said. "Then, you go along and say things like that, and I'm all reassured again."
"I like him."
Byleth liked his father as well. Jeralt had been the single constant in his life, and Byleth could not imagine living without him.
The rugged man then clasped his shoulder, and smiled.
"So, how's your first day as a professor treating you?"
"Well, I think. The students are… interesting."
Jeralt raised an eyebrow.
"That's akin to praise, coming from you." said his father, before smirking. Byleth had seen that expression before, and braced himself.
"Ah, but it all makes sense now. I've heard you spent some time with that princess girl… what's her name?"
"Edelgard." he replied instinctively.
"Fool."
"Oh, so that's what she's called? It came to you quicker than some of the mercenaries we've had around for years."
So that was the game his father was playing. Byleth allowed his own, tiny version of a smirk to form, and Jeralt immediately grew wary.
"Since you're so interested in romance, perhaps you'd like me to set up a date for you? I hear Professor Casagranda is availab-"
"Alright, kid. You win."
"Well played."
For a brief moment, he entertained the notion of revealing that his colleague had attempted to seduce him. Byleth pondered the benefits and drawbacks of witnessing his father's reaction, before dismissing the idea.
Manuela did not deserve to die.
"Ready for the mock battle?" asked Jeralt suddenly, no doubt in a bid to change the subject.
"We'll win."
He was confident of it. From what little he had gleaned of the other houses, the Golden Deer were an unorganized, undisciplined mess. The Blue Lions were better in that regard, but relied too heavily on physical fighters.
Between himself, Edelgard and Hubert, they could take out their opposition with little to no issues. Factor in someone like Petra, who was already skilled in the art of stealth, and it would almost be too easy.
"Don't get ahead of yourself." said Jeralt. "You have experience, but take care not to be caught off-guard."
"He speaks wisely. The jester… Claude. You would do well to keep your eyes on him. The same goes for the fair-haired one."
Byleth's answer remained the same.
"My teacher, you look pensive."
Byleth strode calmly out of the monastery's grounds, accompanied by his house. The next day had come quickly, and the mock battle was to take place in the outskirts of Garreg Mach. Apparently there was a wide expanse amidst the mountains, suitable for battle.
"I'm attempting to figure out what Professor Casagranda has planned for us."
Edelgard blinked at that; her face scrunching up in confusion.
"Claude, Hilda, Lorenz and Ignatz are the only students of hers carrying weapons. Yesterday, she nagged about the first three being – and I quote – brats and pesky little children."
Somewhere in the back, Byleth heard a bout of Hubert's chilling laughter. The ominous youth caught up to him, intent on sharing his thoughts.
"Perhaps the dear professor has already foreseen her defeat, and is merely issuing her punishment."
"He has a point."
"Alright!" said Jeralt, who lead the march from the front. "We're here."
All three houses and their respective professors came to a halt, and appraised their surroundings. There were fields stretching as far as the eye could see, divided by rocky hills and topped with patches of tall grass and trees.
Byleth nodded to himself, confident that he could use the terrain to his advantage.
"Now, this is only a mock battle, which is why you'll be using practice equipment. If you're knocked down or forced to yield to an opponent, that's it. You're out."
Jeralt narrowed his eyes; his gaze lingering on Claude. The tanned, mischievous boy was grinning wickedly, and Byleth could her Mercedes murmuring a soft sound of apprehension.
"Got it?"
"No need to tell me twice, Captain!" said Claude, offering a cheerful wave. "I heard you loud and clear!"
"Well then, to your posts. And make sure to put on a good show. I don't want the archbishop or Seteth breathing down my neck for the rest of the month."
"I believe that statement was directed toward you, Byleth."
He was aware.
A few minutes later, following Lady Rhea's best wishes and some ambiguous encouragement from Seteth, the Black Eagles' five champions found themselves smack in the center of the battlefield.
A small breeze tousled his hair, and Byleth prepared to issue his commands.
"Our goal shall be to rout the enemy." he said calmly; his eyes roaming across the lands in search of their foes. "The Golden Deer appear to have taken shelter to the west, while the Blue Lions have occupied the eastern plains."
Petra chose that moment to speak up, having securely fastened her bow to her back.
"Professor. I would be… No, I am wishing to pursue our prey to the west. There are trees where I can be hunting from."
"Acceptable." he said, giving a sharp nod, before turning to Edelgard and Hubert.
"The two of you shall deal with the Lions. Expect a frontal assault from Mister Blaiddyd and Mister Molinaro. Weaken them from a distance, and move in for the… knockout."
Byleth realized he was falling back on his mercenary habits, and hoped no one had noticed the slip. He would have to restrain himself in more ways than one, it seemed.
It was yet too early for the Ashen Demon to awake.
"What about you, Professor?" asked Ferdinand, the final student he had chosen for the battle. After his passionate declaration, Byleth did not have it in him to refuse the pompous noble.
"Yes, what about you, Professor?"
"I will be routing the enemy, of course." he said. "With you at my side."
Ferdinand's eyes widened briefly, before a broad smile spread out across his face.
Meanwhile, Byleth gripped the hilt of his wooden sword, giving it a light swing. While inferior to his regular weapon, the practice sword still balanced nicely in his hand.
He took a step forward and inhaled, feeling the rush of cool, alpine air filling his lungs.
"Let the lesson begin."
Far, far away from the sacred place of Garreg Mach, a young girl whooped in joy. She could hardly believe it, but she had been chosen.
Chosen to serve her people in the noblest and most distinguished of ways. Chosen to play a role in their quest for salvation.
Chosen to become one of the select few who would bring them light.
"This task is not to be taken lightly, Kronya."
The pale girl settled down, twirling a lock of her deep, orange hair between her fingers. Solon was right, of course, but she could not help it. Her chest bubbled with excitement, so much so that she thought her heart might burst.
"I know, I know. It's just, after all this time…"
She trailed off, looking down into the cold, metal floor below. For all of her life, she had been told the tragedy of the Agarthans. How they had been forced into hiding, all but exiled to the depths of Shambhala.
It made her angry, and Kronya wanted nothing more than to rip the primitive surface-dwellers apart, limb from limb, for their transgressions.
More than that, however, Kronya wished to see the sun. She wished to feel its warmth on her skin; the sting of its light in her eyes. She wanted to experience it all, and if she could make the beasts suffer while doing so, all the better.
"Indeed." said Solon, nodding graciously. The venerable old mage was highly respected amongst the Agarthans, and Kronya was delighted to be working alongside him.
"However, there has been a change of plans."
She froze.
"It would seem that Monica von Ochs is needed at the academy... far earlier than we had previously anticipated."