Ch 31: The Monk amongst Wolves

Doing my own take on the battle in the colosseum in this whopping chapter update! Hope you enjoy it! ٩(⁎❛ᴗ❛⁎)۶

True Hyper Sonic: Thank you for your review and information! Happy that you're having fun reading the story so far! 💗

"Alright everyone," Yuri began his announcement. "Stock up on supplies and fix your weapons while you have the chance." He pointed to the stash of supplies off to the side of the room. While we don't have unlimited stock, we should have enough vulenaries and concoctions to patch us up if we're in a bind."

Soon the Ashen Wolves and Blue Lions walked with the sound of glass bottles clinking in their packs, as Yuri led them through Burrow street. Heads turned and whispers filled the air like buzzing insects. However they took a sharp right down a candle lit hallway and the commotion from Burrow street faded away.

At first, the way through was barricaded with large crates. But two guardsmen began to shift the stacks, allowing for just enough for the group to squeeze through.

"Mind the holes," Yuri announced from the head of the line as gaping chunks from the stone floor dotted the ground, exposing the whooshing water way underneath. No wonder the path had been blocked off. Then the team then entered a chamber with five other passages branching off in all directions. "This one on our left," Yuri announced as he inclined his soft heather colored head to the other nearest tunnel. Silently the Blue Lions followed after the Ashen Wolves, who knew the layout like the back of their hand. However one couldn't help but wonder how many poor souls lost their way in this underground labyrinth…

Finally the cobblestone path led out to a vast square chamber with a large raised center, as if for better viewing. Decorating along the outer viewing area were large marble statues that seemed to represent the various saints and apostles. Each one was bathed in the warm glowing light of a lit cauldron at their feet. "An underground arena?" Balthus questioned with brows raised before laughing, "The Abyss is just full of surprises!"

"Indeed," Constance agreed as she flicked her fan open. "And it's so spacious! Enough to contain my glory for I shall not hold back here!" She cackled with glee while fanning herself.

"Hmmm, large and isolated?" Hapi mused aloud as she tapped her chin. "I wonder if it would be okay for me to sigh in here?"

Yuri grimaced, "Hapi -no sighing, Constance -dial that glory down a notch. We don't want this place to collapse as the Abyss will fall with it. The goal is to lure the enemies in here to avoid damaging the Abyss." The young man reminded his teammate firmly.

"Yeah, Elfie would then have to answer to any severe damages," Hapi agreed as she crossed her arms over her chest and grimaced.

"Elfie?" Byleth asked, as she did not recall meeting an Elfie.

"Eh? Come on Professor you must know Aelfric yeah," Balthus remarked as his brows frowned at her continued blank expression. "He's one of the big wigs up at the church, but a friend of the Abyss. In fact he's the one who opened up this place to folks who had nowhere else to turn."

"Indeed, it was Aelfric who put forth the idea to establish the Ashen Wolves house," Constance added with a wave of her fan. "Sadly he faces open opposition within the Church so he cannot deploy the knights to aid us."

"And that means Aelfric relies on us to protect the people, us and now the Blue Lions," Yuri nodded to their counterparts. He watched Byleth gaze about the arena, realizing that she wasn't marveling at the architecture, but already devising a plan. "What are your thoughts Professor?"

"Three groups," Byleth began as she turned her gaze back at the Ashen Wolves leader. "Lead the enemy in with one, have the other two hold back, then flank," the young woman pointed towards the opening behind them.

Yuri's eyebrows rose as Byleth explained her strategy. "Well then, we shall follow your lead Professor," Yuri gave her a slight bow, and caught Ashe's lime green gaze, a happy smile upon the young archer's lips.

Byleth nodded and began to announce, "Group one is Annette, Mercedes, Felix, Dedue and Dimitri. Dimitri, you will lead your classmates."

"Yes! You can count on me Professor! I won't let you down!" Dimitri replied with enthusiasm. He felt that he still had so much to prove, and wanted to show the Professor that he was truly ready for leadership. Dimitri would make Byleth proud that she chose the Blue Lions, and that he was the house leader…

'Dimitri, thanks to your stalwart sense of justice, the denizens of the Abyss are safe once again," Byleth congratulated him with a warm smile, as sunlight filled the colosseum.

'My Professor, I was merely performing my duty to help those who cannot help themselves," Dimitri gracefully knelt upon one knee before her.

'So humble,' Byleth simpered with one hand upon her heart. 'But for all your hard work, surely you deserve a reward. Pray tell what is that you desire?'

'Professor, my heart only desires to steal a kiss from thy lips,' Dimitri confessed as he looked up imploringly.

'Oh, Dimitri!' Byleth gasped scandalously as her cheeks blushed prettily at his request. 'But, I worry what father would do to you should he find out!" Byleth cried out as she placed the back of her hand upon her forehead in an anguished expression.

'I worry not for his wrath for your kiss would provide me protection,' Dimitri proclaimed bravely as he held his hands up to her, awaiting her decision…

While the prince was lost in his own thoughts, Yuri raised a brow at the exuberant blonde. He noticed that Dimitri was still looking at Byleth, who had shifted attention to the second group. Indeed, there was something like adoration filled within the Prince's blue eyes; interesting…

The prince sighed wistfully before realizing that heather hued eyes were upon him. "Uh, yes? Do you need something Yuri?" Dimitri asked when he realized the other young man had been observing him keenly.

"Oh nothing," Yuri smirked before turning away.

Dimitri then realized that his gaze had been lingering upon Byleth as she assembled Dorothea, Ashe, Ingrid, Balthus, and Yuri into the second group. Had he been staring this whole time? Dimitri's cheeks reddened as he quickly turned away. The prince wasn't too keen on Yuri catching on to his…admiration for the Professor.

"And group three, who will lead the enemies in are Hapi, Constance, myself and Sylvain. I will ride with Constance, Sylvain you will ride with Hapi."

"What?!…Professor come on," Sylvain groaned as he raked his hand through his tousled red hair.

"Yeah, I thought you were cool Professor," Hapi grumbled as she crossed her arms over her chest.

Sylvain snorted at Hapi's remark, yet he knew Byleth was doing this on purpose. Ever since the Professor overheard Sylvain accuse that female student of wanting him only for his crest and made the female student cry, Byleth has been testing Sylvain in ways that weren't even for the certification examination. Pairing him up with Ashe for stable duty, having him fight alongside her, and now pairing him up with Hapi.

Byleth peered over at the griping pair with her passive gaze and stated matter of factly, "Deal with it." And once Dimitri and Yuri finished organizing their groups, Byleth nodded to Constance for them to get ready as the bait.

"Oh this will be grand indeed, feigning like poor defenseless students until the teeth of the trap snap shut! Oh ho Ho!" Constance guffawed into her fluffy purple fan as she led the team back down the stone passage and continued straight on ahead through the multi tunneled chamber.

"Yeah, it'll be great as long as someone doesn't light my hair on fire. It's red enough as is," Hapi stated sarcastically as she walked alongside the blonde mage.

"I wouldn't do that," Sylvain huffed from behind Hapi as he walked alongside the Professor. He then caught Byleth's gaze and recalled Dorothea's singed hair. "I wouldn't do that twice," he grumbled under his breath.

"My ladies," a male rogue greeted the two Ashen Wolves, as he presented them the reins of the white armored horse and black armored pegasus the pair had ridden earlier. They were near a passageway that had been previously patched over, but still a weak point. "Take care, the mercenaries are on the other side, sniffing out the entrance to this tunnel," the rogue warned.

"Fear not good sir," Constance allayed the rogue. "We shall make short work of the rapscallions. Come Professor, ride with me to victory!"

Hapi, who was already perched upon her steed watched as Byleth climbed upon the pegasus behind the blonde mage. The Valkyrie held in her sigh for it meant that Sylvain would need to ride with her. And sure enough she peered down at the redhead and found him shifting uncomfortably.

"So…can I, you know, ride with you?" Sylvain asked awkwardly as he fiddled with his lance, inwardly he cursed himself. The redhead was really having a hard time holding up his suave charismatic mask around Hapi.

Hapi made a face that was clear she had misgivings over this arrangement, and Sylvain couldn't help but feel a twinge of hurt in his heart over it. Finally she shrugged her shoulders and replied, "Yeah, I guess you better."

Sylvain released the breath of air he had not realized he had been holding in. He quickly got onto the horse and sat behind Hapi, but then realized that his hand would be holding around Hapi's exposed tanned skin and Sylvain hesitated at this.

"Uh, you're gonna want to hold on," Hapi advised, then asked skeptically, "Are you scared to hold onto a girl?"

Sylvain frowned as he quickly retorted, "I know that, and I've held onto plenty of girls!" He then cursed himself under his breath. "Wait, that came out wrong."

This time Hapi really had to bite her tongue to hold in quite a long suffering sigh at Sylvain's insightful reply. In the past she had dreamt of him, wondering what type of young man Sylvain would become, however a flirtatious skirt-chaser had never crossed her mind. Then again, maybe she could now right her wrong, and finally help Sylvain.

"Hey," Hapi gently spoke as she held the reins of her steed. "You know how I said you're chaos, well don't fight against the chaos magic in trying to control it. Instead, work with it."

"What?" Sylvain gaped, surprised by her sudden change of heart. One moment she was trying to rid herself of him, the next, giving him pointers in chaos magic.

"Just trust me okay?" And a small smile on her pink hued lips as she looked over her shoulder.

"Oh, okay," Sylvain replied, slightly bewitched by her smile. Though the moment was quickly broken as she looked away. 'Alright Sylvain, you can do this,' he pep-talked himself and with a deep breath hugged Hapi around her warm middle as if it was his first time embracing a girl. And as he inhaled again, Sylvain caught the scent of spicy cinnamon from Hapi's fiery red hair.

Suddenly Constance shouted, "Ready Hapi?!"

"Uh, yeah," Hapi replied, though Sylvain could have sworn she sounded distracted.

"Sagittae!" Constance proclaimed, sending a dozen luminous light arrows to rapidly bombard the weak point in the stone wall, breaking open a sizable hole.

Hapi's steed rushed forward at full speed into the cool outdoors. It was difficult to get one's bearings to where they were as it was dark outside and the stars sparkled overhead. But what was obvious was the band of at least a dozen mercenaries spread out before them, stunned at the sudden explosion and now the sight of Hapi and Sylvain upon the horse.

"What the!" Gasped a gruff male voice.

"That must be them!" Another mercenary shouted as he pointed at the pair. However Hapi had already turned the steed around and rushed back into the hole.

"Oh no! We've been spotted!" Constance remarked with exaggerated concern as Hapi passed by her. "We should retreat back into the Abyss!" Quickly the obsidian pegasus fled as the mercenaries followed after them.

The voices of the various hollering mercenaries echoed against the stone as they sprinted into the corridor.

"What the! After them!"

"Those brats!"

"Jeez they got horses down here?"

"Fine with me, those hooves are easy to follow!"

"Well, one's a pegasus…"

"Shut it Robert!"

"Which corridor did they go through?!"

"Straight ahead! Follow the horse's hooves, ha, see Robert!"

"You mean hear Robert?"

"Oh for the love of…"

"Aah! I knew following those shady kids was a bad idea! This place is massive! Wait what?!"

Suddenly the large group of mercenaries were flanked by the other two teams, who now blocked their escape. And like a sheepdog herding its flock, the group of mercenaries found themselves divided amongst the three groups of students.

"Professor! The archers!" Constance cried out in worry at the sight of three archers.

Quickly Byleth remarked, "Leave them to me, go take flight," as she leapt off the pegasus. In response, Constance urged her obsidian pegasus to ascend higher, causing the archers to focus upon her with their bows drawn. Distracted by trying to focus their aim, they did not notice the blur of movement in their direction. Not until Byleth closed in and sliced them down, causing their wild aims to completely miss Constance.

Meanwhile Hapi charged forwards, taking other opponents by surprise and in just the perfect proximity to Sylvain's sharp lance. However a large burly berserker jumped at the horse, frightening the steed violently, causing the animal to jump and buck its hind legs.

Sylvain lost his grip upon the lance and it clattered to the floor meanwhile Hapi was trying to control the steed. The berserker readied his heavy axe. Sylvain had to act now!

With all his might, he focused on what he wanted to do, imagining a fiery orb to take shape in the palm of his right hand. Yet the chaotic magic wanted to take a life of its own as Sylvain's hand began to tremble for control. 'Don't fight it, work with it', Hapis' words echoed in his mind. He allowed the chaos to draw power from his body, but in turn, coaxed the temperamental magic into a fireball…yes it was working, and the fireball now stayed floating upon his palm allowing Sylvain to take better aim and…

The mercenary shrieked as the crackling fireball hit him squarely in the face.

"Whoa, nice one Sylvie," Hapi complimented as she finally got the steed under control.

Sylvain smiled at Hapi's praise before he realized she had called him 'Sylvie'. However before he could ask Hapi about it Dimitri shouted the alarm, "Professor! There's another wave of them coming!"

There was another band of mercenaries coming through. Now with their trap sprung, they were left without a surprise.

"All groups join together!" Byleth ordered. And the three groups banded together as one against the incoming onslaught of armored opponents.

"Hold it!" Shouted a kind yet strong voice from behind the second wave of mercenaries. The bandits whipped around to gaze back at the entrance. "Stand down, and no one will be harmed," the voice added, and from the entrance's shadow strood out a male who wore long robes of black and crimson and held a thick tome of orange and gold. He had shoulder length hair, which was warm brown cedar in color, matching his kind eyes underneath thick eyebrows.

"Alfie!" Hapi gasped.

"Alfric, you're here," Yuri smiled as if that had been the plan all along.

"What? A Monk? Think you're so tough, clothy?" A burley fighter mercenary teased.

"I will only warn you one more time, lay down your weapons, and you will be unharmed," Alfric stated calmly once more, and his lips pressed into a thin line as he gazed back at the opponents.

There were derisive snots and smirks as they all raised their weapons in defiance. "Let's cut him down to show those brats a lesson!"

"You leave me no choice then," Aelfric remarked sadly and opened the tome. "Bolganone!" He thundered, pointing at the line of mercenaries charging towards him.

The ground beneath their feet shook violently, as a long slit of stone tore open, revealing a hot glowing molten core from which lava spewed out, erupteing right under the mercenaries' feets.

"Wha!"

"Shit!"

"Aaaah!"

The mercenaries screamed as they slipped through the volcanic maw, falling into the molten lava below. Then the seams of the torn ground haphazardly reunited, trying to conceal what had just transpired, yet a long burnt serrated scar remained across the stone where the earth had torn open.

"Woah!" Annette remarked in amazement at the sheer power of the spell, and no doubt the wielder behind it.

Even Byleth sensed the broiling inner power dwelling within Aelfric. It felt familiar, and reminded the young woman of her father. Or was it the way Aelfric held himself, tall, proud, yet caring?

'Sothis, what is this power I am feeling?' Byleth asked within her mind. Yet her inquiry was met by silence. 'Sothis?' Byleth questioned.

"I…pardon Byleth," Sothis finally piped up and Byleth could feel Sothis frown in unease. "It's just…huh…I don't understand…It's very familiar, powerful, frighteningly so…but I can't put a name to it."

"Aelfric! How serendipitous that you have come to our aid!" Constance cheered, her energetic voice caused Byleth to return to the present as the monk strode towards them.

Aelfric smiled warmly upon the Ashen Wolves, and then looked politely curious from one Blue Lion student to the next until his gaze fell upon Byleth. His warm cedar brown eyes widened in shock. Then he quickly blinked as if recalling his manners. "Ah, Professor Eisner, so this must be your class with you. Beg pardon, allow me to introduce myself. I am Aelfric," he bowed respectfully. "The church has granted me custodianship of Abyss. And while I thank you deeply for helping my flock, I must urge you and your students to return with me to the surface post haste. Your absence, along with the entire Blue Lions class has not gone unnoticed." And without another word Aelfric turned upon his heels and began to stride out of the colosseum.

The students were momentarily taken aback until Byleth nodded at Yuri and strode after Aelfric. Quickly the Blue Lions departed in turn while a few lingered to exchange their goodbyes.

"I'm sure we shall see you soon Constance," Mercedes smiled kindly.

"Yes! Maybe you can come up to the Officer's Academy for tea?" Annette added with excitement.

There was a brief hesitation in Constance's reply before she smiled brightly and remarked, "Oh that would be delightful! I have a few exotic teas you two must simply try!"

Meanwhile Ashe smiled at Yuri. "I'm glad you are giving the Professor a chance," he remarked with bright thankful eyes.

"You know me, I like to know all my options," Yuri replied with a wry smile.

"Indeed, some things never change," the young archer replied with a grin. He was about to turn away when Yuri added in a hushed but urgent tone.

"Ashe, take care of yourself up there, the Abyss isn't the only target," Yuri whispered.

Ashe's mouth was slightly agape, then he closed it and nodded with a look of understanding.

Nearby the trickster and archer, Dorothea caught Balthus's attention. "I haven't forgotten your request Balthus. I plan to return and bring someone special to help me out," the songstress added with a kind smile.

"Hey the more the merrier am I right!" Balthus cheered with a thumbs up.

And finally Sylvain let go of Hapi and slid off of the armored white stallion. Once down on the ground he turned to peer up at the young woman. "Uh, thanks for that advice. It really helped." Sylvain remarked as rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, no prob," Hapi replied with a small smile. Then arched a questioning brow at him as Sylvain continued to stare up at her.

"Oh yeah, I should go," Sylvain caught himself and quickly turned around as he felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

Hapi snorted, and watched him leave after the others. Maybe…maybe the Sylvie she knew was really still there after all…

At the surface Jeralt awaited them in the moonlight. "There you are," he sighed with relief at the sight of Byleth. Then he looked at the man standing beside her. "Aelfric? Aelfric Dahlman?" Jeralt remarked in surprise. "Why it feels like an age since I last saw you!" He gave the monk a good natured albeit strong pat on the back nearly making Aelfric take a step forward to catch himself.

"And you don't look a year older Jeralt," Aelfric replied warmly.

"Neither do you old friend," Jeralt beamed.

Byleth paused at this exchange for she couldn't recall Aelfric being mentioned before. Yet she watched as her father greeted him as a good old friend. Wasn't it a bit off that her father's seemingly past life here at Garreg Mach Monastery had never been spoken about. She wondered what more she would come to learn here of his past.

"I see Archbishop Rhea already has you working overtime," Alefric noted good naturedly

"Some things never change huh," Jeralt chuckled. "Well I see you've met Byleth." He gestured to his daughter who seemed a bit daydreamy again.

"Indeed, she takes her beauty after Sitri, but your fierceness in battle," Aelfric noted kindly as he smiled at Byleth, who silently blinked in return.

However Jeralt frowned at this as he repeated, "Battle? What battle?"

"Oh, I, ahem, pardon but I must report to Archbishop Rhea post haste, nearly slipped my mind due to our reunion, if you'll excuse me," Quickly made his exit and distance from any further questioning.

Jeralt gave Byleth a stern look, one that said, 'We will discuss this later'.

Yet Byleth's mind was focused on something else; her mother's name.

…Sitri…

(NOTE) I just noticed Aelfric has the minor crest of Seiros - so does Jeralt, does that mean Rhea gave her blood to Aelfric at some point as well? Just for fun I allude to it in the story when both comment that neither one of them has seemed to age! -theories are always invited!

Also, who else has been playing the Three Hopes Demo?! 😍Not going to mention any spoilers (plus I have gotten that far in, taking the demo slow to enjoy it before the actual game is released). However, I am toying with the idea of incorporating some of Three Hopes into this story, but that's still up in the air. I am super curious as to Byleth's role in it.

(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise, Intelligent Systems Co., and Ninetendo's exceptional work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness.