Chapter 1: New Year
Author Note: Professor Rusalka is the mysterious teacher from Abyss
Garreg Mach Monastery, Great Tree Moon, 1180
Rhea watched as this year's students arrived, noble's servants carrying bags stuffed with clothes, books, and the many fine yet frivolous things they enjoyed. She saw the commoner students haul their luggage slowly behind them, their only help being whatever family they had to assist. They were all heading to the reception hall, where she would introduce them to their new lives. She also saw the four abyssians making their way past the classrooms. After Aelfric had, nearly ruined the holy tomb last year with his attempt to sacrifice the ashen wolves, they had managed to escape and stop his ritual. In return she had allowed them to join the academy. The decision to change the common room to a classroom had nearly caused a revolt. Even now the abyssians were met with contempt.
The Archbishop stood in front of the 28 new students who had all stopped to look at her. "Welcome to Garreg Mach. We look forward to seeing your growth at our officer's academy. Allow me to introduce your professors." Stepping out from behind her were their teachers. "Professor Manuela will lead the black eagles." Hubert immediately started assessing her to see if she was a threat. "Professor Rusalka will lead the blue lions." Felix noticed how nervous the man looked. "Professor Hanneman will lead the golden deer." Marianne broke into a cold sweat. She had heard of the father of crestology, and knew she would need to work twice as hard to hide her crest. She noticed the pale white haired girl was similarly nervous. "And Professor Jeritza, who will be leading our newest class, the ashen wolves. The students exchanged surprised glances. "The ashen wolves house is for those who don't fit into the other classes. "Way to make us feel welcome." Hapi remarked under her breath. She did NOT want to be on the surface. The knights were already glaring at her from their posts around the room.
The professors gathered their students, taking them to their dorms. The next morning they would set out on their first assignment. Something about bandits. Linhardt had been too busy napping to hear the rest. If not for Hubert's elbow in his ribs he would have missed that too. Now he sat in his bed musing over the strange book he had bought. The merchant had practically given it away, saying that it was evil. All that had done was convince Linhardt to buy it. Staring at it he saw the strange markings. They belonged to a language he had never seen. The book looked ancient. The leather bound pages threatened to fall out at any second. The illustrations were the strangest part of all however. The first page showed a picture of three women surrounding a golden triangle with the middle missing. In the background was a fourth woman, carrying the missing piece. The other drawings were just as mysterious, a monstrous army rising from the ground, a girl with a harp and a sword surrounded by strange creatures, a burning castle with a man on a black horse leaving the scene. This man gave off a sense of evil, even if it was just a drawing. Flipping the pages to the end he noticed it was blank. He flipped the pages rapidly, looking for an answer. The last page with writing showed a picture of a boy in a glowing blue bed that was full of water. He yawned and felt himself drift into sleep.
He snapped awake at the sound of pounding on his door. He got up, and opened the door to see Caspar. "C'MON IT'S TIME TO GO!!!" This was going to be a long day.
They had finally set up camp after walking all day. Walking all day and barely sleeping at night had become routine for them. This was in large part due to two factors. One, Flayn had snuck along, dragging Cyril with her. They had only been caught once they set up camp the third night. By that point they were too tired to turn around, so they stayed. Their second problem however, did not have an easy resolution. Felix had been right, their professor was a coward. So it was unsurprising when he ran away screaming when the bandits attacked. Now they sat in a circle, watching as the thieves looted their tents. Edelgard watched "Monica" with suspicion. Monica had enrolled at the beginning of the year saying that she wanted to finish her education after escaping from bandits. The idiot archbishop had accepted this story. The real Monica Von Ochs had been killed soon after her capture, allowing Kronya to use her form. Her train of thought was interrupted by the bandit leader's voice. "What the Ailell is this!" In his hands was an old dirty book. Linhardt yelled for him to give back the book so he could continue his research. The bandit grabbed him by the collar, before dragging him to the front of the group. "You think you can tell me what to do, you noble brat!" He raised his fist, only to be interrupted by the appearance of a demonic beast. "Nice one Hapi." Yuri whispered, before jumping up to grab Linhardt. Before he could reach him though, the green haired boy had opened his book. A flash of blue light surrounded them.
Opening their eyes the students saw they were surrounded by total darkness, save for one small glowing blue light. Bernadetta started screaming. "WHERE ARE WE WHAT"S GOING ON WE'RE GOING TO DIE!!!!" She fainted, hitting the glowing stone pedestal on the way down. A ghostly voice surrounded them. "Sheikah slate activated." They jumped as the room began to shake violently. The pillar towards the back of the room split open, revealing a boy laying in a bed of rapidly disappearing water. He looked to be their age however he had pointed ears. Dedue noticed the amount of scars on his body. How this boy could survive such injuries was a mystery. Linhardt meanwhile was quickly glancing between his book and the boy in front of him. The scene was identical. Flipping the page he saw a new drawing. It showed a group, their group, in front of the awakening boy.