The City Without Light.
Immediately following Edelgard's defeat, the Alliance army discovers the existence of another adversary - a group operating behind the scenes within the Empire. Claude suspects that if the true enemy is left unchecked, disaster will befall Fódlan. And so he cuts short the celebration, and the troops head for Shambhala, where this foe resides.
In the Cathedral, Claude along with Byleth and some of the other Golden Deer were discussing their next move.
"I just don't get it..." Claude said.
Leonie looked at him "What is it, Claude?".
"Those javelins of light... They were trying to use it to kill us at Fort Merceus, right? But then why not drop it on Garreg Mach? They must have known for a while that we were here" Claude said.
Rhea arrives with Seteth beside her "It is not that they chose to refrain, but rather that they were unable to do so".
"Rhea! How are you feeling?" Claude asked.
"I am well enough... I cannot afford to rest while Fódlan is in danger" Rhea answered.
"What do you mean when you say they couldn't drop a javelin of light here?" Claude asked.
"Once, a very long time ago, a massive ball of light fell upon this monastery. However, that light mysteriously changed course in mid-air and landed in Ailell instead" Rhea began explaining.
Leonie looks down in thought "Ailell, the Valley of Torment... So that's what the wreckage of those javelins of light looks like".
"The Holy Tomb is not only the location of the progenitor god's eternal slumber, but also a sacred vessel for a power that repels evil. Supposedly, the progenitor god built the Holy Tomb herself to protect her children from the evil light" Rhea finished explaining.
"So the children of the goddess gathered in Zanado because of its proximity to the monastery? But we've fought at distant locations many times" Claude remembered.
"Despite that, the javelins of light only fell on Fort Merceus" Leonie said.
Judith thinks for a momen "In his letter, Hubert said that he detected their magic when the fort fell. In other words, because they used a javelin of light, Hubert was able to pinpoint the location of their base".
"So they didn't use it before then because they didn't want us to know where their base is?" Leonie asked.
"In any case, those javelins of light must be something they can't just use whenever they want. And they finally decided to use one at Merceus, where they were sure they'd be able to finish us off. It's only thanks to the whims of the Death Knight that we escaped with our lives. And no javelins of light have fallen since then" Claude said.
"It's possible that the enemy hasn't yet realized that we've learned the location of their base" Judith said.
"If so, their guard may be down, which makes this the perfect time for a surprise attack" Claude declared.
"I will accompany you" Rhea said.
Seteth looked shocked "What?! No! That would be far too dangerous! Your long confinement weakened you greatly, did it not?".
"Those people have opposed us since ancient times. I wish to learn the truth about them for myself" Rhea said.
"I... I understand. I will not stop you, but please take care not to overexert yourself" Seteth said and Rhea nods.
"We don't know exactly what we're up against here, but having you around is very reassuring, Rhea. Let's prepare to strike at Shambhala before they make their next move!" Claude said.
"So we are finally striking at the monsters behind all this" Came the voice Esdeath as she and Akame entered the room.
"Glad to see you two are still onboard with this" Claude said.
"The Empire is defeated and Edelgard is dead. It's to late to back out now" Akame said.
Seteth gave them a small glare "After everything you two have done, don't expect me to trust-".
"Shut your mouth!" Akame warned in a deadly tone before looking at Rhea "I haven't forgiven you for what you did, Rhea, and I doubt I ever will. For all your preaching and false kindness, you used lies and manipulation to twist the world in to what you wanted it to be. You are no different from Edelgard, if anything you are far worse".
Rhea looked down "Akame, I...".
"Your mindless followers look at me like I'm a demon who deserves penance for what I did. But I don't care about them, I've already suffered. I abandoned the path I believed in for several years, and killed one of my closest friends, a pain that will never fade. But I'm going to make something very clear: I'm loyal to my sister, Byleth. Not to Claude and not to you. Your life means nothing to me and I would sacrifice you in a heartbeat if it helps my sister, never forget that" Akame said.
"Akame, that's enough" Byleth said. Akame said nothing as she walked away.
Esdeath watched her leave before she spoke "Same goes for me. My loyalty lies with Byleth and my former students. Their lives matters to me a lot more than your's ever did. You wanted honesty. Honesty hurts sometimes".
She gave Byleth a look before following Akame. Byleth sighed. She hoped this hostility wouldn't effect the next battle.
Relying on map entrusted to them by Hubert, the Aliance Army sets their sights on the base belonging to those who slither in the dark. Beyond its entrance, they are met by a sprawling underground city.
Lysithea looked around in awe "Incredible… Who knew that there was such a vast space beneath the ground…".
"It's like an underground city. I've never seen buildings like these before" Judith said.
"It's like an ancient ruin… But not just because of its appearance" Lysithea said.
"It's ancient... And yet it looks far more advanced than anything I've ever see" Akame said.
"I don't recall ever seeing architecture like this" Ignatz said.
"Yeah, it looks like it's not even from our world" Leone added.
Lorenz looked around "It is magnificent in a sense, but I could hardly call it beautiful, Even the air feels stagnant".
"In any case, it seems like we need to go further. Let's look around and see if we can find some stairs" Claude, Hilda, Lysithea, Lorenz, Ignatz, Leone and Judith advance.
Rhea remained on her spot which Byleth noticed "Something on your mind? Or are you not feeling well?".
"No. It is simply… We must defeat those who slither in the dark, no matter what happens. But if my conjecture is correct, the one who they will wish to kill the most…" Rhea turns to Byleth "Is you, dear child".
Byleth looked confused "Why me?".
"They are aware that you can use the Sword of the Creator. Your body houses the same power they once bestowed upon Nemesis. That is why…I fear for you" Rhea said.
"That's not much to go on" Byleth admitted.
"Perhaps. Please forgive my errant thoughts. Once this battle is over… I will explain everything. I will tell you all I know about who you really are" Rhea said.
Akame listened but said nothing. If Rhea was being truthful, then she too would wish to know about who her sister truly is.
Though the flame of war is quenched, its embers endure. The Alliance travel deep underground to confront those who slither in the dark and bring lasting peace to Fódlan.
Thales glares at his enemies "For thousands of years, we have existed underground, living on only that we might someday see our vengeance realized. Here and now, that vengeance is finally within our grasp. There is but one thing left to do. Destroy them! Damn those who stand with that arrogant goddess to oblivion, away from the world of the living! Now is the time. Remove the binding spell of Titanus. Let their metal bodies be drenched in blood!".
"Hey, what are those big…things?" Claude asked as he noticed massive mechanical constructs.
"Demonic Beasts… No, I think not. They appear to have no will of their own. Someone must be controlling them" Rhea said.
Akame had a feeling her sword's curse wasn't going to work on those things. Whatever they are, she figured it would be best to avoid them and focus on killing the ones controlling them.
"Initiate all that remain! We must advance our preparations!" Thales ordered.
The battle broke out. Esdeath clashed with an Titanus, sending a barrage of ice shards at them. But the mechanical menace blocked them with it's shield and advanced on her. Esdeath put up a wall of ice, which the Titanus easily smashed through. What it lacked in speed it more than made up for in raw power. Esdeath cursed under her breath, this was going to be annoying.
Leone jumped on top of it and smashed her armored fists in to it's head, leaving dents which forced it to try and swipe her of, but she jumped of just in time, annoyed by the lack of damage she had caused.
"Damn... This thing wont go down easy" She said as she stood ready to fight.
However, Akame's skill in stealth came in handy as she found one of the people who controlled the Titanus. She quickly stabbed the woman through the back, causing some of the Titanus to shut down.
"Those awful weapons have been stopped. They were being controlled from that facility!" Rhea said.
Moving quickly, Akame killed the other woman who was controlling the Titanus.
"Aw, those big things have gone to sleep on us. That will make moving around a lot easier. A dead end? Or perhaps... No, if we worry about every little detail, we won't get anywhere" Claude said.
Thales emerged with clear anger "You!".
"That is the leader of those who slither in the dark. We must go after him with all our might!" Rhea said.
Akame glared at him and tried to leap at him from above. But Thales noticed this and made a magical shield which blocked her strike and forced her back. Akame slides for a bit before getting ready to fight.
"The wielder of Murasame. I should've known Edelgard's assassin would show up sooner or later" Thales said.
"Shut your mouth! You don't deserve to speak her name!" Akame said in anger.
"Such anger. You must've really cared about her" Thales said.
"Her actions were wrong, but she had good intentions. She may be dead, but her dream will live one" Akame said.
Thales scoffed "Edelgard was nothing but a weapon we forged to wield against our hated enemies. That's all she was".
Angered by his words, Akame charged at him. Thales unleashed some magical blasts which Akame narrowly avoided before thrusting her sword forward, but Thales blocked it with a magical shield. Akames unleashed several strikes as Thales used his magic to block them while moving out of the way. He finally managed to gain some distance and charged up an orb of dark magic before sending it at Akame who blocked it with her sword but the blast sent her back.
"Pitiful animal. You shall join your precious Edelgard in hell" Thales said as he prepared another blast, only for ice shards to rain down on him, forcing him to back up "You!".
Esdeath glared at him "At long last, I've found you".
"You carry the blood of Nemesis. You should be on our side, help us slay the goddesses children, the one who killed your ancestor" Thales said.
"I may share Nemesis' blood, but my path is my own. I will kill you in the name of the people I love" Esdeath declared.
Thales growled "Then you've chosen death".
"No. You are the one who will die here" Thales looked and saw Byleth walk up with her sword in hand.
"So you have shown yourself, Fell Star. Or, should I say…Sothis? I will spill every drop of blood in your body to fulfill the longstanding goal of the Agarthans!" Thales declared.
Akame got up "What is he talking about?".
Byleth closed her eyes "When this is over, there is something I need to tell you, Akame. Something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now".
Akame looked at her before looking back at Thales "I'm holding you to that. I'm sick of being lied to".
"Then let's end all lies here and now!" Esdeath said as she and the others got ready.
"You're nothing but animals performing tricks in the hopes of pleasing the goddess. You will never see the sunlight again!" Thales said as he unleashed his full power.
Dark orbs were launched at the three women. Esdeath used her ice to block them and Byleth dashed forward with the sword of the creator in hand. Thales quickly brings up a shield to block a devastating blow from Byleth. However Byleth's strike proved to strong as she overpowered his magic and broke his shield making him slide back... Just as Akame came down from above and slashed him across his chest.
Thales backs away as the curse began taking hold of him, clearly angry "You will never get to enjoy your victory".
Thales kneels down and activates a switch in the floor, much to Rhea's shock "It can't be...".
The switch's light grows brighter and Thales looks at his enemies "For all Agarthans... Let there be light!".
Outside a javelin of light descends on Shambhala. Inside Shambhala the javelin hits and the roof collapses. Byleth, Akame, Esdeath and Rhea survive the impact; Thales is still on the switch. The women look at the gaping hole in the roof of Shambhala. As another javelin approaches, Rhea jumps out of the crater, turns into her dragon form, and uses her power to destroy the javelin and dodge the explosion. Rhea dodges another javelin and destroys an third one, but she is then caught in the explosion of a fourth. Green blood drips from her head as more javelins approach. The rest are looking at the sky as the explosion expands, enveloping Rhea, and Shambhala crumbles.
"It's coming down!" Three soilders run away from the rubble.
Outside of Shambhala a large plume of smoke emerges from its destruction. Back inside, Byleth, Akame and Esdeath emerge unharmed from an ice cover Esdeath put up to protect them from the crumbling city. They look around at the debris. Thales was finally dead, bringing an end to his atrocities at last. Byleth then gasps as she sees Rhea, in her human form, unconscious on the ground. Byleth rushes over to her and cradles her. Rhea briefly wakes up, looks at Byleth, smiles, and passes out once more.
"We need to get her back to the Monastery... if she dies, we'll never get the answers we need" Akame said.
"Agreed, let's regroup with the others and leave" Byleth said as she picked up Rhea.
As everyone began to leave, Esdeath remained for a moment... for some reason she could sense something... something dark... She had a bad feeling this wasn't over yet... not by a long shot.
Deep underground was an chamber with several capsules. One pod, chained, glows red and rumbles. Two hands covered in darkness burst out of the pod and break the chains, before the pods bursts open. The dark figure steps out of the pod, revealing themself to be the resurrected Ancient Fell King: Nemesis.
"Seiros..." He said darkly.
At long last... the world would feel his wrath once more... the wrath of The Fell King Of Liberation.
.
We are nearing the end now. Tell me what you think.