There was debate amongst those gathered at Garreg Mach as to whether their goal should first be to invade the Kingdom capital or the Empire capital. Many of those from the Kingdom advocated that Fhirdiad be liberated first. It was where their families lived, and knowing they were safe would allow them to be more single-minded in their assault of Enbarr. But those who served the Church were adamant that the war effort should prioritise locating Lady Rhea who they were convinced had to be in Empire territory.
It was a divisive topic that everyone was buzzing about, but no one would dare bring it up in the vicinity of one Dimitri Alexandre Blayddid. He had made his stance on the matter a mystery to none, even fighting his professor that he had once adored on it. But Byleth had stood her ground, they were not to do anything until they could get more troops and aid. She had delegated some of the Church war funds to rebuilding the monastery and town below so that it may serve as a home base for their efforts. And she had had any of her former students with family that might be able to provide aid reach out.
The most important of these families were the Fraldarius and Gautier houses. Felix refused to communicate with his father leaving Gilbert to write the Fraldarius Lord. Sylvain, meanwhile, had written his father to request aid, though he had warned the others that the Margrave would almost certainly be of no help.
So it was down to Rodrigue. And within a few weeks they had their response.
Gilbert has filled me in on the details. He tells me you are in immediate need of additional troops. I would like to say that I will gather reinforcements and send them to the monastery at once... However, I cannot afford to leave the front lines for that long. Would you be willing to meet us south of Fraldarius territory in Ailell, the Valley of Torment? Ailell is halfway between the monastery and our territory. There, I will deliver the soldiers you require.
"The Valley of Torment..." The Professor trailed off in thought after reading Rodrigue's letter out to the war council.
"Ailell lies on the border between Kingdom territory and Alliance territory. Humans dare not approach that place." Gilbert explained.
"He's right." Dimitri spoke up for the first time that day. "In Ailell, we can meet up with them without our enemy ever finding out."
"Once my old man delivers his soldiers to us, then our war against the Empire can finally begin." Felix nodded.
"The path ahead will be a difficult one, Your Highness. Deadly, in all likelihood..." Gilbert turned to look at the prince, gauging his reaction.
"True. But what's the point in wavering now?" Dimitri stated before muttering more to himself. "Father, Stepmother, Glenn, and even Dedue and Eve... I am certain this will bring them great joy. I know if I can just offer them Edelgard's head... I just know it..."
When the war council broke, Byleth thought she might try her luck again at speaking to Dimitri about their next moves. After they got troops from Rodrigue, their forces would need to plan what their next move was. She knew that the Knights of Seiros would follow her directive, but she wanted to at least try to come to an understanding with the Faerghus prince.
"Dimitri?" She approached him where he had taken post at his usual spot in the cathedral.
"Go away." He didn't even turn to look at her, eyes fixed straight ahead.
"I want to talk to you about our next move after Ailell." She ignored him, moving to stand in his eye line.
"You know my feelings on the matter." He grimaced. "We must make haste to the Empire capital. The dead will not rest until I have that woman's head on a spike."
"Dimitri, all this time you wandered throughout Faerghus and took up watch at the monastery." Byleth frowned. "If you could wait five years without making an assault on Enbarr, then why are you in such a rush now?"
"Because now I have the men to fight the Empire soldiers." Dimitri replied.
"Our forces are minuscule." Byleth tried to reason with him. "And we have no idea how many men Rodrigue can spare, but I'm guessing it's not much. Liberating Fhirdiad would give us even more manpower."
"We don't have the time to waste." Dimitri's voice was a rumble deep within his chest, anger evident in his tone.
"Again, you waited five years, what's a few more months?" Byleth asked.
"You do not understand." Dimitri stepped forward, looming over the professor.
She was aware of both Sylvain and Felix keeping an eye on her, closely watching her conversation with the prince. When he moved to stand over her, the both of them moved forward as well. Did they really fear he would hurt her? Perhaps Byleth should have been frightened by Dimitri. But somehow she knew he would not hurt her— even like this.
"The dead demand a tribute; they haunt me asking for retribution." Dimitri continued. "Everyday their voices grow louder, so I must make my way to Enbarr to sate their cries."
"What would Eve think?" Byleth invoked her name for the first time in front of Dimitri.
He blinked at her, clearly taken aback by the name. Byleth didn't think anyone had mentioned his wife since it became apparent she was not returning to the monastery. She felt sorry for bringing her up, but she knew it was perhaps the only thing that would give him pause. Dimitri had loved Eve, of this Byleth was certain, and despite the state he was in surely his heart remained in some capacity.
"Would Eve have chosen to liberate Fhirdiad or attack Enbarr?" Byleth asked when he didn't reply.
"Don't." Dimitri warned.
"You say you are haunted by the voices of the dead, but I believe they are just your own thoughts, Dimitri." Byleth pressed. "Eve would not have demanded anything from you, you know she wouldn't."
Byleth wasn't used to speaking out this much and it felt odd to her. But she had people counting on her and she had made a promise. Back in the academy days, Eve had asked the Professor to be Dimitri's support when she could not. When she had asked, Byleth had never imagined that there would come a day that Eve would not be by his side. But here they were now. And in Eve's memory Byleth felt it only fair she keep her end of the bargain.
"Eve cared deeply about protecting people." Byleth continued on, chancing her luck. "Would she really be in favour of your suicide mission for vengeance over saving the people of Faerghus?"
"Do not speak for her!" He roared.
Byleth looked over his shoulder at Sylvain and Felix approaching the two and shook her head. She was not frightened by his display and the two of them would only serve to exacerbate the situation.
"You were not there." His volume lowered but his rage was still clear. "She was taken from me. The Empire took away her freedom and they will pay for it with their lives."
"You were the one who allowed it to happen."
Dimitri whipped around to glare at Felix who had spoken up. Byleth shook her head wildly at the Fraldarius heir from behind Dimitri. She was hoping to convince him of her plan to head to Fhirdiad first and antagonising him wasn't the way to do it. Sure, bringing up Eve perhaps hadn't been the best move, but she had hoped that the reminder of the woman he loved would soften him a little.
"She was in your charge and you let them take her." Felix reiterated when no one else spoke.
"Felix, don't." Sylvain said softly, grabbing his friend by the shoulder.
"He wants to talk about killing Edelgard to avenge Eve, but what was he doing to protect her when she was still living?" Felix asked his friend before turning back to Dimitri with an accusatory glare. "She trusted you, she chose you, and you got her killed."
"And you would have done more?" Dimitri asked, stalking towards Felix. "You who could not focus on anything other than your schoolboy crush for my wife?"
"Don't act like she didn't love me." Felix scoffed.
Byleth's eyes widened in mild shock at Felix's statement. She had known for quite some time that Felix had had feelings for Eve, but she had never seen any evidence of Eve reciprocating his feelings. If he claimed she loved her, Byleth wondered how much the two of them had hidden away behind closed doors.
"Perhaps." Dimitri snorted. "But you cannot deny that a part of her loved me as well."
"Tch. You really are delusional." Felix sneered. "She married you for appearances and you know it. But you go around calling her your wife to convince yourself it was anything more."
"You said it yourself." Dimitri lifted his chin to look down his nose at Felix. "She chose me. War came and she stood by my side. She left you at the Battle for Garreg Mach to ensure my safety. And until the very end she refused to forsake the Blayddid name. If she loved you so much, then why did she die a Blayddid?"
"If she had been a Fraldarius she wouldn't have had to die." Felix spat back.
"Felix, stop it." Sylvain cut in before any more words could be exchanged between the two, physically grabbing the Fraldarius heir and pulling him back.
"Tell me I'm wrong." Felix struggled against Sylvain's grip.
Byleth's eyes darted between the men before her as Felix continued to struggle against Sylvain. She was glad that the redhead seemed to have a good grip on his friend; otherwise she wasn't sure the situation wouldn't escalate to blows.
"Get out of my sight." Dimitri snarled before turning his back to Felix.
"That's enough." Sylvain said to Felix who he was still holding back. "You've done enough."
"Let go of me." He hissed.
"Both of you, let's go." Byleth said.
And as the three of them left the Cathedral together, she turned back one more time to look at Dimitri. For a moment he looked small again like he had been in his Academy days. And as he raised his head to look up at the ceiling she could've sworn she saw his shoulders heave in a silent sob.
"This valley isn't a place I'd care to return to…" Gilbert wiped his brow of his sweat as he spoke.
They had all finally arrived in Ailell to meet with Rodrigue and the conditions were wearing on everyone. Even all of the stories had not truly prepared those who had never been to the valley for just how unbearable the heat was.
"After the chilliness of Faerghus, I can't seem to adjust to this extreme heat." Ingrid panted.
"Historically, there have been battles whose outcomes were determined in part by the climate. You can't argue that this heat isn't a factor." Sylvain offered as he fanned himself with his hand.
"In conditions like these, who knows what will become of our morale…" Ingrid looked behind them at the rest of their party.
It was true, their men were miserable. If it hadn't been so dire a situation, many of those in attendance never would have agreed to go. In fact, no one had been willing to volunteer to the point that the Church soldiers were forced to draw lots to determine who would go to the Valley of Torment and who would stay to protect the monastery.
"Professor, be honest. How are you holding up?" Gilbert turned to look at Byleth with concern.
"I never imagined it would be like this..." Byleth shook her head.
"They say Ailell was born of the goddess's rage..." Gilbert said in response, looking out at the barren land before them.
"Her rage?" Byleth frowned. She couldn't remember any stories that painted the Goddess as vengeful.
"If you believe the legends, this valley is evidence of the goddess's judgement...passed on humanity for its corruption." Gilbert nodded gravely. "The forest that once covered the surrounding area was burnt to ash by a pillar of light that descended from the heavens. That legend fueled belief in a place of torment between our world and the next...where one's sins are purified in the cleansing flames."
"Nonsense." Dimitri scoffed. "Sins are not so easily washed away."
"Indeed... And there are no accounts of such a place in scripture. Yet those who cannot face their own sins have no choice but to cling to the idea." Gilbert glanced at Dimitri warily. The prince, for his part, said nothing in return.
"Ugh, I just don't think I can take this heat anymore. I think I'm starting to see things..." Mercedes sighed weakly. "Near those mountains over there... Is it just me, or is there a group of people gathered there?"
"No... It would seem you are not hallucinating after all." Gilbert shook his head, looking to the ridge Mercedes had pointed out. "Are those Rodrigue's soldiers? No, but their banner is that of... No! It can't be…"
"That is House Rowe's banner." Dimitri stated. "They curried favour with that witch and sold out Faerghus."
"We messed up. There must have been a spy among us..." Gilbert glanced around with concern as if the spy might be standing there with them. "Will you have us meet them in battle or wait for Rodrigue to arrive?"
"There is only one option." Dimitri said before chuckling grimly. "How kind of them to save us the trouble of killing them later."
"They sold out the Kingdom, right?" Byleth asked him.
"I will not repeat myself." He glared at her with his one good eye. "That banner belongs to the Gray Lion. It's a waste of breath to exchange words with one such as him."
"His Highness is correct. He is not an opponent whom we can expect to negotiate with." Gilbert agreed before calling out to their forces. "Everyone! Prepare for the attack!"
No one wasted any time following Gilbert's directive, falling naturally into battle formations. Byleth noted that her students were even more adept in battle than they had been before she fell asleep. It would be vital that they were, of course, but it saddened her heart to see. They were not supposed to know conflict like this, not at their age. She could remember a time when she had invited Eve to tea that her elusive student had shared this same sentiment with her.
"How do you bear to take those children into battle, Professor? Doesn't it strike you as tragic how bloodthirsty they've become?"
Tragic, yes, but also necessary. Byleth had at first not seen anything wrong with the missions her class was sent on at the Academy. Having grown up a mercenary, she did not see it as odd that young teens would be exposed to battle. But as their missions became more and more serious, she did begin to question it. Conand Tower had been the turning point, and it had been after that mission that Eve had spoken to her about the subject. Surely, a matter that grave should not have been handled by students.
But now, Byleth was glad they had the experience. She wasn't so certain that all of her students would have survived five years of war without it.
As they fought against House Rowe's men, suffering in the Ailell heat, Rodrigue arrived with the support he had promised. And with House Fraldarius' aid, the Church forces were able to defeat Lord Glwendal, though not without difficulty. When the dust had settled, both Rodrigue's forces and the Church's soldiers reconvened at the edge of the Valley of Torment.
"It's been too long, Your Highness." Rodrigue beamed at Dimitri as he approached him. "But try to temper your joy, will you? This is a war, after all."
"To say such a thing at a time like this. You have not changed one bit." Dimitri's demeanour didn't change at all even in the face of an old friend.
"Don't let looks deceive you. I've had a rough go of it ever since I crossed blades with those traitors in Fhirdiad." Rodrigue sobered up. "When I heard you'd been executed, I rushed there as fast as I could, blind with fury. When I got there, I was fed some garbage about not being able to see your body. The next thing I knew, I was gripping my blade and... Gilbert, you have done well to locate His Highness. I am truly grateful."
Gilbert nodded, looking between the Fraldarius Lord and the prince.
"And you..." Rodrigue now turned to Byleth. "I have you to thank, as well."
"As his professor, it was my duty." Byleth said, unsure of how else to respond.
"Well, we are in your debt. I will repay you for this someday, I swear it." Rodrigue nodded before addressing his son. "And you, Felix... You have also done well to bring His Highness here."
"Tch." Felix scoffed in response.
"Tell us all you know, Rodrigue." Dimitri said.
"I'm afraid there's not much to tell." Rodrigue frowned. "You are aware that the western region of the Kingdom was taken by the Empire, correct?"
"Yes, so I have heard. They are now calling it the Faerghus Dukedom or some nonsense." Dimitri nodded.
"If you know that much, then the rest won't take long." Rodrigue replied. "Enemy or not, it's undeniable that Cornelia's plan was nothing short of genius. After seizing power, she invited the Imperial army to Fhirdiad. There, she reorganized her troops and then sent soldiers to hunt me down. Because of that, we were forced to act defensively. And now we're being forced into a difficult battle. She's been controlling the situation all along."
"So that's been the witch's plan from the start. I should have killed her ages ago." The prince grimaced.
"Your Highness... Fhirdiad is in a terrible state right now. The tyranny is unbearable, and so the rebellions are endless. Refugees starve to death in the streets." Rodrigue stepped forward, his voice softening. "If I may speak freely, Your Highness... We should change course for Fhirdiad and take down those traitors before we embark to Enbarr."
"There's no time for that. We must annihilate Enbarr before all else." Dimitri shook his head.
"Think this through. I understand wanting to destroy the Empire and the emperor. I want that so much it hurts. But which is more important, the dead or the living?" Rodrigue pleaded.
"Silence!" Dimitri barked, crossing his arms as he glared at the Fraldarius Lord.
"No, Dimitri, you will hear me out." Rodrigue held his ground, unflinching.
"Are you asking me—asking the dead— to forgive that woman?" Dimitri asked with a glint of hatred in his eye.
"No, I would not ask that of you. What I am asking is that you allow us to prioritise the Kingdom capital over the Imperial capital for now." Rodrigue stepped forward once more, closing the gap between him and Dimitri. "As Lambert's close and trusted friend, I am confident that he would have advised the same."
"Do not dare to put words in the mouth of the dead." Dimitri growled. "They are your words alone, even if you borrowed their lips. Until I offer up that woman's head, Father will remain a slave to his lingering regret and hatred... Even now, he suffers. It is ceaseless. As we waste time with idle chatter, his suffering continues!"
"You are my king. Our king. Wherever you lead, we will follow." Rodrigue sighed in resignation. "But Your Highness... There are those who take up their sword in the name of revenge, and yet along the way, lose the strength and composure to follow through... You would do well to bear that in mind."
Dimitri did not reply, instead moving to walk away from Rodrigue. But as he stepped away Rodrigue stopped him, motioning to a member of his convoy.
"Ah, I nearly forgot. Take this, Your Highness." He brandished before him a Hero's Relic handed to him by one of the soldiers. "The time has come for it to be wielded by its true master."
"Areadbhar..." Dimitri's eye widened at the sight. "The Hero's Relic once wielded by my father."
"The very same." Rodrigue nodded. "I managed to steal it back from one of Cornelia's underlings in
"Understated as ever, Father." Felix huffed, but there was a glint of something that almost looked like pride in his eyes. "It must have been a true struggle to get it back."
"I... I am grateful, my friend." Dimitri bowed his head, accepting the weapon. And for a moment, everyone around saw a glimpse of the Dimitri they all used to know.
"Gilbert, Professor. May I request something of you?" Rodrigue now turned his attention to the Professor and the knight. "I wish to fight at your side."
"Senile already, old man? Who will protect our territory?" Felix interjected.
"I expected it would come to this, so I left those matters to my younger brother." Rodrigue explained. "He has my complete faith. I must keep my promise to our fallen king...to my dear friend."
"What promise?" Byleth cocked her head to the side.
"A very old one. I swore it nearly 10 years ago." Rodrigue smiled wistfully. "Now then, Your Highness. Let's destroy the Empire together. My men and I will spare no effort. I pray that you are right...and that this will save the Kingdom."
And with that, the Church forces departed from the Valley of Torment to make haste for Garreg Mach. With bolstered numbers they could finally begin preparations for their next move. And despite the pleads of many, it was evident that Dimitri was set on making an assault on Enbarr. But for Byleth she was hopeful that whatever path they took, this was the beginning of the end of the war.
A/N: Sorry for the delay in update! I've been crazy busy with work lately, but I'll try my best to keep up with updates.