Day 1 of the Pegasus Moon

"So, we'll be taking off towards the end of the month, right Claude?" Claude nodded and tapped his foot, "Yep. As soon as we get reinforcements from Judith that is."

Santaniel rolled his head to the left, question in his eyes. "About half way through this month we'll be leaving for Ailel-'' Felix groaned behind him, not exactly relishing the idea of heading to such a hot place, "And we'll receive her troops and supplies there." Hilda piped up from behind him, "Santaniel, try and make sure you don't transform this time. You said it yourself that transforming takes a week off your life, and when you hold it for longer periods of time it takes off weeks as well."

Santaniel rolled his eyes, "We win this war, it's worth my life." All three frowned at him and he shook their gazes of pity off, "Listen. I'm already developing two possible cures, ones to drink, ones a surgery. Much more similar to open heart then you'd think though."

Claude peaked his eyebrow and Santaniel shook his head, "I'll have Lin performing it. I've been talking to him about it anyways. Let's get refocused though, we're heading to Ailel on the eleventh, correct?"

"Yep. We'll be preparing our ships in Deirdru when we're done there. We also have to hold a…"

"Claude… what else do we have to do?"

"We have to hold a vote between all five of the major alliance lords-"

"OH COME ON!"

———

Day 11 of the Pegasus Moon

Santaniel hummed in the heat, his muscles loosening as it rolled over him. "Well, good news is that we more than likely won't receive any kind of interception. At least not here."

Felix and Annette grumbled behind him in protest and he rolled his eyes, "We'll be fine. You guys could've stayed at the monastery anyways." Felix shook his head, "Not a chance." Annette looked at the Fraldarius heir in confusion, "He's just worried about my leg locking up in the middle of the fight. Don't worry Anne."

"Uh. I'd say be worried." Santaniel followed Lysithea's glance and met with that of a grey haired general, and a familiar looking boy with a similar hair color.

"Looks like Count Rowe then. Get Byleth and Claude, we should have this in the bag if Judith gets here first." Lysithea took up position next to him and Felix flanked him. This would be all too easy.

"Felix, you go to the left and Lys will teleport me in. Linhardt!" He broke away from his dreams sitting up in a panic, "W-what?!" Santaniel smacked his face, "Teleport Lys to me when she's done getting me there, alright?"

He nodded and took up the Caduceus staff, and they both made the glyphs, Santaniel teleporting into the fray right above Ashe. "Are you seriously fighting for the Empire?!" He landed on his shoulders and pinned him effortlessly, "Just join up with us. Lonato wouldn't want you to die man."

The small boy looked at Santaniel with fear like he'd seen a ghost, "Ashe. I'm still alive. You don't have to worry. Just help us fight these idiots, ok?" The boy nodded and put on a determined expression, knocking his bow when Santaniel pulled off of him. "Good. Let's knock their socks off."

The battle didn't last very long. Claude was the one to kill Gwendal, a long stock of pure energy piercing his chest. Ashe caught them up on the current situation of the Kingdom and they learned of Dimitri's whereabouts, "Maybe we can-"

Ashe shook his head, "He's gone mad. I don't think anyone can pull him out of it." Santaniel grimaced, "I'm sure I could get it to him if we saw each other. I don't think that'll happen though."

"Hey! There's Judith! Let's go and greet her guys!"

———

Day 20 of the Pegasus Moon

"Yes. Bring the socially awkward outsider and the most stone faced person you know to give inspiring speeches. That's an amazing idea." He grumbled as he waited outside the meeting room of the Riegan Estate.

Claude, Hilda, Lorenz, Lysithea, and Marianne were already with their respective parents as a part of their advisory teams. Well, Claude was the Sovereign Duke and Hilda was temporarily representing Holst as he came back from an Almyran raid. He was hoping and praying to whatever the hell was listening that he wouldn't have to speak.

A woman in servant's clothing came and told him and Byleth to go in. "Thank you." Santaniel nodded his thanks, and they walked in, taking position on the side of the table. "Oh. Great. More trouble makers…" Lord Gloucester grumbled.

"Lord Ordelia." Santaniel reached forward and shook his hand, smiling, "It's nice to see you again." He leaned over to Lysithea and gave her a small kiss on the head to snap her out of whatever bad mood she was in. He gave her a bright smile afterwards.

"Same to you boy." Santaniel smiled and took his position next to Byleth and let his face get set in stone again, 'I'm a general. I have to be closely guarded here… I just kissed Lys, so that may be more difficult. I doubt many people noticed however.'

He crossed his hands behind his back, the warmth of the silver pleasant to the touch. "Alright. Back to the meeting." Edmund demanded, "Listen boy. I don't care what ya do, but my help has a cost. Always has, always will." Edmund was built rather well, his arms wide and decorated with tassels and his fingers gleamed with golden light under the fire. "Of course Edmund. Though we have taken the great bridge of Myrdin-"

"Without my permission might I add…" Claude rolled his eyes at Gloucester and Lorenz grit his teeth as he placed a hand on his father's shoulder. "He did it for the best father. We needed to have the bridge otherwise we would have been swept away in the war."

The old grump slumped back in his chair. Byleth spoke about the status of the war and the Church, gaining multiple groans until he pulled his trump card on them, "-As Rhea left, she gave the responsibilities of the Church and Archbishop to me. Therefore I am the head of the Church for now."

No one spoke until they looked to Santaniel, opening their mouths to ask questions about him until a loud knock was wrapped out from the door. "Ah. That is general Holst. Let him in."

Two wide built men accompanied by Judith walked in and Santaniel recognized both. One was Holst obviously, a similar build to Raphael with a pink tuft of hair on his head. The other was the man Santaniel recognized from five years ago, he was the one who threatened Annette.

He seemingly recognized him too and nodded his respect with a cheeky smile. Santaniel returned it with a slight nod. "Now, you'll see that Holst is here with the captain of the Almyran army-"

'What.'

Several protests broke out among the table and the children of the advisors had to calm them down to listen. Well, Marianne and Lorenz had to calm their fathers at least.

"But. I shall propose we shall take a vote to take on the Empire and finally declare war." Everyone present grumbled and started talking with their advisory team, Santaniel strolled along the table and came side to side with Claude. "So. What's the plan here mate?"

The Riegan lord smiled and Santaniel bit his tongue, "Ok. Don't like that look. Let me guess, Almyran navy helps us free Brigid and then plan on Dimitri mounting an assault on the front side? You know, I thought you were joking about that plan."

The conversation turned silent as Claude snickered at his correct guess, standing to announce said plan. Santaniel waited until he was done and all the lords seemingly turned at once to start speaking to their advisory team with the exception of Holst who looked very amused, and chatted with Nader, the man who Santaniel sent a dagger into five years ago in Deirdru.

"Might I ask a question boy?" Edmund spoke up, standing up like Claude did previously, "What does the green haired boy by your side have to do with anything?" Santaniel bit his tongue and let Claude speak for him, "He's a lead general in our army, he's also the retainer and guardian of the island we'll use to restock upon when we sail."

Edmund nodded and looked towards Santaniel, his eyes a solid storm grey and quite piercing, "And why should we trust the boy?"

"I've-"

"I'm referring to the Sovereign Duke. Not his puppet." Santaniel gritted his teeth and took the blunt insult like he always had, purging the feeling into his axes on his back, a faint red glow visible on the silver outlining of his jacket.

Claude told them about his feats on the battlefield and the connections he had among them. He had gotten rid of Maurice in Edmund's territory, Xavien had killed Acheron's wife at the order of Gloucester, his assistance in helping with the defense of Fódlan's locket in the stead of Holst, who gave him a hardy slap on the back, and his current relationship with Lysithea.

Much to his and Lysithea's disgruntlement as they kept it hidden from people outside of their former class, excluding Lysithea's parents. 'Well. Claude is going to need a new cape later.' He ignored the glances between him and Lysithea and returned his attention back to Edmund.

"If you need further proof, I will handily beat anyone you have to offer on the battlefield. And it seems you are a betting man, so I have a gamble prepared for you."

This piqued the curiosity of everyone in the room, including Claude, he was going off script now. "If your best soldier can defeat me, I offer my full, lifetime savings to you. If I win, you give us your support for free and for the good of the Alliance. We can win this war. It just depends on whether or not we'll be able to back each other up when the time depends on it. If this is how I prove it, then so be it."

Claude smiled slyly and stood up, "How about we put this to a vote. All against fighting the Empire, say naye."

Not a single voice rang out and Claude clapped, "Then it's unanimous. All against Santaniel's proposal of trial by combat?"

"I need to know what's at stake here boy. For all I know it could be-"

"Five hundred thousand gold and a slew of land." Lysithea and Lorenz's eyes widened exponentially at this, Marianne covered her mouth and Claude dropped his act for a moment. The only one who didn't react was Byleth and that was because he may have only been partially paying attention.

He told him back at the academy he didn't care for politics. "Well then boy you must be awfully confident… I'll make sure my best warrior is here tomorrow and ready."

Santaniel nodded and rolled the Dragon Stones in his fingers, he knew this fucker would play cheap and he had his own plans.

———

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?!" Lysithea tore into him and Claude when they left the building, her face furious. "Claude was off script for when he told them about our relationship. I went off script to gather the Lord's trust. I can win this easily."

"You idiot! It's a fight to the death!"

"Ok? I can still win easily." Lysithea grumbled and palmed her forehead, "That- Goddess- You're so stupid!"

Santaniel shrunk into himself at her verbal lashing, it hurt worse than the last time Hephaestus did it. "Lys-"

"No. No pet names right now Santaniel. You need to prepare for this fight." Santaniel frowned a bit and nodded, "I will."

———

Day 21 of the Pegasus Moon

Santaniel slung the Holy Twins from his back, the magical energy stretching from his hands and attached the axes together, flowing through them as they glistened clean white. "Ok. Just gotta win this. I'll be fine."

He slipped his jade armor on to his body and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I'm ready." He stood and walked out into the battle arena, few cheers rang out across the stands and they thundered when a very tall, muscular man rammed through his doors. 'Of course it'd be this idiot.'

A thick smelling poison radiated off his body, and it seemed he was wearing entirely venin armor.

Yet he was partly Basilisk… The man was screwed.

He cackled madly as he glared through Santaniel and it seemed he had as bad a case of bloodlust, that or he was on some kind of drug. His fish breath was as bad as it was at the academy. "Let's get this over with…"

A bell rang and signaled the beginning of the battle, Santaniel conjured Fire and shot into his chest, pinning him to the wall. He walked forward and the crowd booed, until he flashed the wings of Macuil, extending in the ring.

'Guess they thought this idiot was strong.' He extended his arm and slit his throat with a Twin. "I win. Let's get the ships loaded."

He took off his helmet and wiped some blood from it. "Show never started folks. Never needed too either." He walked through the equipment room and tossed them his armor, "Thank you. Have a nice day folks."

He walked out and waved at Claude who was beaming and a very relieved Lysithea, "Doesn't take much honestly, just be smart, he wasn't when he accepted a losing bet."

"That was an interesting trick boy." Judith, Nader, and Holst all came out to congratulate him. "Yeah. Lots of things people don't know about me. Or about the past. I'll tell you about them when we win the war."

———

Day 28 of the Pegasus Moon

The boats were loaded but the former class of 1800 took to the Monastery before they took their leave for his island.

Lysithea grunted as she set up a small table and chairs in her room before Santaniel came over, setting the plates of food from the dining hall on the now standing table.

The plan was just to have a small celebration between the two for today and she was really excited since it would allow her to get some alone time with him.

He had offered to take care of the preparations, but she had a couple ideas of her own she wanted to try…

———

Santaniel knocked on the door to Lysithea's room and she happily greeted him. "Hey Lys. Happy birthday."

He leaned down and kissed her gently, "You're twenty one today right?" She nodded and he pulled his gift from behind his back, "Well, it isn't much but I wanted to make up for scaring you last week."

She took the box, setting it down on the table, and took the top off. Inside was a slew of items, ranging from perfume, to a new dress, to a small hand made cake in a pastry box. "This must have cost a lot… How much did you spend?"

He shook his head, "Well, won't matter if you use the stuff now will it?" She rolled her eyes and hooked her arms around his neck, "Goof…" Their lips met and stayed there for a couple minutes, "Yeah I know, now let's eat."

"Wait, I have something else." She went behind her bed and pulled out a couple glasses of ale, two each for them. "Lys. You are an exponentially light drinker. Are you sure this is a good idea?" She pouted and he raised his hands in surrender.

"You're calling the shots tonight, up to you." He sat down across from her and she set the glasses on the table, they ate and just spoke quietly for a while, 'Maybe she has something on her mind?'

He set his silverware down and picked up his cup of ale, offering a cheers to her. "Let's have fun tonight, alright?" Lysithea smiled and clanked her mug against his and he downed his within a minute or two, smiling as she got halfway to hers.

"Ha, seems like someone has been trying to practice." She pouted at him and drank the rest of it, her face not scrunching at the taste like it had a couple years back. "Hey, at least you're getting used to it."

They finished the rest of their meal and sipped their other drinks, Lysithea getting noticeably flushed. He pulled the cake from the box and set it down in front of her, "I know you said not to worry about making anything but I couldn't sit still…"

She flashed her smile and his heart started melting faster than the icing. He cut the small thing in half and passed her the plate, taking his piece and just taking a chunk of it.

———

While he busied himself with eating the cake, Lysithea downed the rest of her second drink.

She needed the confidence boost.

———

Santaniel popped the last of his cake in his mouth and looked over to a very flushed, and very drunk looking Lysithea. 'She's still an emotional drunk, isn't she?'

He sighed and set his head in his hand, "Goddess what am I gonna do with you?" He closed his eyes and when he opened them again, Lysithea stood up and walked around the table, straddling his lap, "Lys-"

He was cut off by her mumbling, "You have icing on your lips…" And a sloppy, drunk kiss followed, her hands moving under his shirt and to his chest. Her tongue fought with his for control, and he could feel the heat radiating from their faces. 'Ok then. This is happening… Wait. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. She can't take off my shirt.'

She pulled his jacket off his arms and it fell to the back of the chair and she moved her lips to his neck, nibbling it lightly. Normally he was the one being affectionate, is this how she felt when he messed with her in public?

He winced as she left a large purple mark on his neck and moved down farther, leaving similar splotches on his paler skin. 'Ok so, I could enjoy this while it happens and let her figure out I have much less time than originally thought, or I cut this off-'

He wasn't able to make the choice because of the sound of war horns blaring in the distance. "Ugh. Now?" Lysithea whined, seemingly sobered up, and she pulled herself off his lap. "I'll make this quick…"

She beckoned for him to come on and he pulled his jacket on, rolling the collar up like a frill to hide the hickies now littering his neck. He summoned his wings and took off towards the entrance hall, landing with a grunt as his leg locked and he dropped to a knee. "Byleth! What's the situation?"

"Empire raiding party. They're launching an assault-"

"I'll take care of it." They both looked to Lysithea who took Thyrus from the convoy of weapons and whistled, Devil coming from the stables. She hefted herself onto the pegasi's back and took off, Santaniel following her with Byleth on his back. "Are you coming down with another sympt-"

"Shut it."

They landed next to Claude on his wyvern and waved, "Yo." Claude nodded in recognition and pointed to where Lysithea had taken off and Santaniel groaned, "I'll go-" A magical explosion rang out as the Crest of Gloucester manifested in front of Lysithea's Pegasus, the screams of many meeting their end. "-Get her."

He groaned and took off, listening to Claude ask Byleth about the bruises on his neck. 'I'll get my payback.' The two experiments landed and brutally tore through the raiding soldiers without so much as a sweat, not even blood could land on their clothing.

They closed in on the commander and shattered his body with dual Fire, "I-I failed…"

"Well yeah. You pissed us off." He was going to continue until Lysithea pulled on his arm and led him back to her room, right past Claude and Byleth who stared at him and Lysithea as they went back. Claude made an evil grin. Santaniel flipped him the bird.

Needless to say neither of them got much sleep and the climate in the room matched that of the island, very humid and sweaty.

Transforming your body has more uses than combat, ya know?

Thankfully, due to the ale, Lysithea didn't see the purple web of veins on his chest. His secret was still safe.

Well, he almost got that lucky.

———

Day 1 of the Lone Moon

"Good morning…" Santaniel stretched his arms out and shook Lysithea awake. "Morning Santi…"

She wrapped her arms around his own and realization washed over him and Lysithea made the observation, "What's wrong with your chest?!"

He nervously laughed and scratched the back of his head, "Um. It's more or less my heart."

"WHAT?!"

Forty Seven Week Remain

Progress on Cure(s): 27%