Day 10 of the Harpstring Moon
"We are gathered here today to honor the deaths, and celebrate the lives of Ferdinand Von Aegier, and Hephaestus Von Trinity. We have brought several close friends and family to speak on them. The first to speak will be Santaniel Blessing."The priest made way for the man who had bags under his eyes and disheveled hair. Lysithea had been helping him through Hephaestus' death, he had pretty much been locked into his cabin.
Lysithea had only gotten through due to him not closing a mirror. She told him about the funeral and he reluctantly agreed to come, just to speak and then leave.
"Ferdinand was a good friend and a great man. He swung to our side to fight against Edelgard, to fight for his beliefs. We'll miss him dearly, but I was called here today to talk about my brother."
He took a breath and pushed the tears down. "Hephaestus was not only my brother, but my best friend and father figure. He had guided me through a lot in life. He had been there since my birth and it's very surreal that he died in my arms."
He shifted his body uncomfortably under the eyes of so many people. "Sometimes things are destined to happen, but this was the result of Edelgard attempting to cut her own path, and she did so over my families' graves. This isn't a future anyone wants, it'll be one riddled with too much pain, too much fighting. I'm going to say here and now that I'll fight for the future Hephaestus wanted and that's a future where the human race thrives against the Agarthans, and we see our own ambitions through to the very end."
He had momentum now. No tears would fall until he left. "Him, Arti, Xavien, and my mother always told me, no matter how dim things look, to fight like hell. If you want to honor his life, fight like hell. No matter what."
He turned away from the podium and left, Lysithea close on his tail as he went back to the cabin on the island.
It was too much for him to stay any longer.
———
Day 17 of the Harpstring Moon
Santaniel rolled out of bed and stretched, "I have to do something. The world doesn't just stop because I tell it to. Time for vengeance."
Santaniel nicked his finger and flicked the blood on the mirror, watching it ripple to that of the Kingdom Capital.
Fhirdiad.
He had been a couple days ago as he agreed to help Annette scavenge the old Dominic estate.
He stepped through and looked around, guards spotting him immediately. He raised his hands and flashed the Crest of Macuil and Ernest, "Take me to Dimitri."
The two obeyed under his strict glare and led him through the streets, to the castle for the king. They did it very easily however… It was unnerving.
They opened the double doors and he walked through the darkened halls, brushing his hair back as he made the impromptu visit to the royalty.
"Santaniel?!" Ingrid rushed forward and threw her arms around him, he felt nails digging in and he winced, "Hey Ingrid, what you been up to?"
"Where have you been?!" Santaniel tilted his head to the side, "Fighting the Empire and freeing Brigid from their control with the Alliance. What has the Kingdom been doing?"
"Well…" The doors opened and Dedue walked out, bowing to Santaniel who returned the act. "It's been a long while Dedue, surprised you haven't gotten taller." The Duscur man let his lips part a bit for a grin and began to speak, "I understand you wish for an audience with your highness. However he is-"
"I'm not taking no for an answer Dedue."
"He has gone through-"
"A lot? So have I. My entire family has been killed by actions Edelgard, directly and indirectly, had full participation in and executed herself. She killed my brother in front of me. Hubert killed Mercedes, and Ferdinand died just last moon while freeing Brigid. I know what he's been going through. I can speak to him."
Dedue and Ingrid shared a worried glance and reluctantly let him pass, Dedue close on his tail, whether it was to protect him or keep an eye on him he didn't know.
Eventually he came to the doors that looked straight out of a novel, intricately designed with gold trims and black steel, the fangs of a lion were the door handles.
He carefully pulled on the door and he was met with a grunt, sounds like Dimitri was deranged. "Dimitri."
"Great… just another voice of the dead…" Santaniel rolled his eyes and walked forward, hand on a Holy Twin just in case, "No. I'm alive. Still real. Have you seriously been completely shut off with everyone besides Dedue?"
He growled again and turned, glowering at him with a new look. Longer hair, a black cape, and he had an eyepatch now, "Huh. New look eh? I don't prefer it but whatever makes you happy."
"What do you want? Here to torment me?"
"No idiot. I'm here to snap you out of whatever the hell deranged, nightmarish hellscape you trapped yourself in."
Santaniel smacked him with his right arm, and pulled him back up from the ground, "Listen dumbass. We have gone through the same amount of pain. I've lost my entire family, you have too. You've lost friends, I have too. Edelgard doesn't count anymore. She's made herself an outcast."
Dimitri grabbed at his arm and Santaniel smacked him again.
"No. You listen to me. The dead have never held onto anything in this world. They never will. Your people need you, and so does the Alliance. You want revenge for your family? Let us help you. Now are you going to be a cowardice king, or the one you promised me you'd be?"
Dimitri stared at him with dead set eyes, "The Dimitri you once knew is dead. I am just but a beast wearing his corpse, a sheer-" Santaniel smacked him again, harder this time, drawing blood from his nose.
"No. You're not. You're still Dimitri. It's called you've changed. Everyone does, you don't need to hide yourself behind that mask like you did at the Academy. If not for yourself, your people. You understand now?"
A reluctant yes eventually came, mostly at the conditioning of the slaps, and Santaniel pulled Dimitri back to his feet.
"Good, take this." He handed a Holy Twin to Dimitri and told him how to use it, eventually a malicious, purple aura burned on it, and Santaniel absorbed it, grunting as it became energy for him. Felt like he just had a shot of espresso.
"I have Felix, Ashe, Annette, Byleth, Claude, and Lysithea coming here soon, so get your gang together. Oh, and a feast prepared so we can start an ally talk with the Alliance. We free Faerghus at the end of the month. Then we take Edelgard down."
A fire danced in Santaniel's eyes, one that had been ignited by his desires.
A fire that would warm his family and scorch anyone that dared harm them, ever again.
———
"Santaniel."
"Yes?"
"How did you snap Dimitri back out of it?" Santaniel rolled his eyes, "Blunt force trauma." Claude laughed nervously, dressed in a dandelion yellow suit, decked out with a red tie and headband with Failnaught hidden underneath the thick jacket he wore, mainly to ward off the cold. 'Knowing him… The kid could be telling the truth.'
"I pointed out how the dead have no grip on the Earth, and never will again. If that were the case I'd be even worse off than him." Claude's smile turned sour and he patted him on the back, "You'll get revenge soon enough man. Soon."
Santaniel nodded and Lysithea joined them in the dress Santaniel had bought for her. It was a beautiful swirl of vanilla white and lavender, the fabric frilly towards the bottom and around the shoulders, hiding scars and Thyrus. Santaniel smiled and took Lysithea's hand in his own, "Looking good Shortstack."
"You too Santi." He smiled and showed off his ice blue suit, a viridian tie adorning his chest, the amulet hidden underneath. His pants were a similar color, dipping a bit into the lighter shade and his shoes were as white as fresh snow, several daggers hidden amongst his body and he disguised Sturmrufer as a walking stick. "Have to dress to impress. I made Byleth wear a suit for once."
Said man stepped out into the hallway, a night black suit and white undershirt. His tie was a brilliant red, a pair of black slacks and shoes accompanying it. "You can dress sharp when you need to." Claude's pun was evident at Byleth still plainly carrying the Sword of the Creator.
Santaniel rushed back and forth to his room, handing him the umbral steel sheath, "You can at least be appreciative of my gift."
Byleth apologized and hooked the sheath to his belt and slid the sword in. "Where's Felix, Ashe, and Annette?" Santaniel nodded backwards, the pitter-patter of Annette's clumsy feet loud against the linoleum floors. "Right there."
Felix had reluctantly gotten dressed in a white and blue suit, similar in color scheme to Santaniel's, while Annette wore a slender orange and cyan dress, Ashe in a grey and blue suit. "All accounted for?" No one spoke up and Santaniel let Byleth lead them in.
Dedue and Dimitri were at the head of the table, Ingrid waving them over excitedly, and Sylvain was nowhere to be found.
Rodrigue and Lord Gautier sat on the left of Dimitri, in a small conversation before recognizing their guests.
"Son. Annette. Ashe."
"Father."
"It's nice to see you again Professor,
Santaniel, Lysithea. My congratulations to you as well Claude. You've done well for yourself as the Sovereign Duke." Santaniel listened and scanned the room, surveying it for potential threats. Anyone acting suspicious.
His stomach was telling him something was wrong, but he just couldn't tell.
He summoned his scry and notified the group. 'High alert. Something's wrong and I can feel it.'
'Same feeling here too.'
'Ditto.'
'Seems we're all in agreement.'
The only one to not respond was Byleth who just gave a slight nod to him. "Hey Rodrigue?"
"Yes?"
"I have a couple questions. Let's start with the first, where's Sylvain?" He stroked his beard and hummed in thought, "I wouldn't be able to tell you."
"The next is what's up with Gautier over there? Seems a bit out of it." Rodrigue shook his head, "He and Sylvain got into a fight earlier. He had been chasing women more than usual lately, and his father scolded him for it. He got heated and left. That's why I don't know entirely where he is." Santaniel ran some thoughts through his head and let the others hear them.
'We gotta get the rest of them out of here. Something's coming and I don't like it. Ashe, go find a mirror and get the rest of the group. Tell them to bring their weapons.'
Santaniel discretely handed him a bottle of his blood and he was off, saying he needed to go to the bathroom.
He and Lysithea got back to back and scanned the area, Dimitri and Dedue eventually came over and greeted them, mainly talking to the Professor more than anything. "Hey Dedue. Who prepared the food?"
"It was the newly hired kitchen staff."
Sound the alarms!
"Red alert! Everyone get out! Felix, Anette, go and get Ashe to the mirror for reinforcements, Ingrid! Don't eat the food!"
"S-Santaniel what's gotten-"
"Agarthans. Rodrigue, Gautier, let me test your blood." He drew the Holy Twin and cut them both on their fingers, drawing red blood. "Good. Dimitri, Dedue, I have to test you as well." Once again it was only red, "Ingrid?"
She was hesitant and he got suspicious, black blood. He drew it again from her neck. Her severed head contorting into grey flesh as it fell to the ground, the face of an Agarthan instead.
"Sorry Ingrid… I couldn't save you. But I could put you out of your misery. Byleth, lead the pack and let's get the hell out of here. Now!"
The mint haired man turned the corner and he was met with a wall of soldiers who held Felix by the scruff of his suit, Ashe and Annette unconscious as they tossed them to the ground. Byleth casted Recover on him while he and Lysithea used Heal.
They heard two familiar voices ring out around the dining room. "I apologize that it took so long. Manuela, do you believe you could stop eating and come out already!"
"Hanneman. Shut up. We need to be intimidating for Cornelia." Everyone grumbled at the former Professors bickering, all drawing weapons, Santaniel dual wielding axe and staff, Thyrus extending from Lysithea's hand and Byleth drew the Sword of the Creator.
Claude grumbled as he fumbled with Failnaught and its arrows, knocking one and aiming it in the vicinity of the voices. Dimitri and Rodrigue drew Arendbhar and the Sword of Moralta, Dedue pulling his axe and shield from his back and they formed a ring.
Soon the sneering laugh of Cornelia and Sylvain filled the room.
"If it isn't the beast, the king, the Duke, and the Archbishop all in one place! Thank you Sylvain dear." Cornelia's pink hair flipped over her shoulder and she snickered again, "Oh, such a lovely killing I'll make today. It's nice to meet you Beast and Claude."
"Really? Can't even learn my name? Lame. Work on your lines next time ya hag." Granted he stole that one from Xavien.
Santaniel sent a spinning axe into her stomach, closing in and slamming his fist into her jaw. She warped away and it left three more important ones, now they-
"Reinforcements have arrived!" Hilda crashed through the front line with Freikrugel, slicing through traitorous soldiers, who told them though? Shouldn't they haven't gotten there? Did Ashe make it somehow?
"Dimitri, Dedue! Take on Manuela, Santaniel, take Sylvain with Felix and Raphael. Lysithea, you and I are on Hanneman. Claude, keep us covered and direct the reinforcements so we can clear out the castle!"
Santaniel drew his Holy Twin back with his magic and Raphael tossed him his other, "Thanks big guy! Let's roll 'em!"
Santaniel and Felix moved in tandem while Raphael covered them with his shield. Felix ducked the Lance of Ruin and Santaniel caught it, sending volts through. Sylvain grunted and ripped it from his grip, stabbing at Felix and catching flesh.
"Hang back-'' His voice caught in his throat as Felix dropped unconscious, an arrow's head protruding his chest. "No-"
Anger erupted and Santaniel slammed his Holy Twins into the archer's head, making a bloody pulp on the floor. "You're next..!"
———
Dimitri deflected a sword strike at his stomach and broke the blade with his lance, the orange glow gleaming off the shattered metals. "Professor Manuela, stand down. None of us want to hurt-"
"No!" Santaniel's scream rang in his ears and he turned to see Felix drop, the last of his childhood friends… Santaniel immediately avenged him, killing the archer. "Scratch that. I really want to hurt you."
———
Hanneman shot Fire at Lysithea, and she deflected it easily, "You could have helped me and Santaniel so much. Yet you sided with her?" Hanneman blinked and shot Fire at Byleth to stall his assault.
"Santaniel? Whatever do you mean child?"
"Wow, you are really stupid aren't you? He has the same colored hair as me and Edelgard. He gets visibly uncomfortable when people mention Macuil-"
"No!" They all watched as Felix dropped to the floor unmoving, and Byleth's heart squeezed. He had used his Divine Pulses earlier, was this some kind of punishment? Did fate truly want so many to die? Why was it so cruel?
"Professor. Lysithea. I surrender. I don't want to cause any more trouble than I already have. I lay down my weapons and magic." He bowed and soldiers took him away, cuffing his wrists. "I promise to help you and Santaniel, Lysithea. I was unaware of such a pred-"
A dagger protruded from his stomach, "I-" He knelt down and on closer inspection it was the same one they used to kill Jeralt… Someone was an assassin… Who?
She gazed around the area where it punctured, "Byleth! Over there!" She pointed at a shadowy figure, his frame very familiar. "Is that…"
"Ashe. Someone is impersonating him now. He must've gotten caught after he came out of the mirror, they planted him. No hesitation."
He cut through the pillar he hid behind and caught flesh, oil like blood coating it's blade. "He's gone too. We've lost many in this war. They'll Rest In Peace from now on." She nodded and inhaled sharply as she saw-
———
Dimitri punctured Manuela's chest with Arendbhar, blood spilling onto the floor.
"I'm sorry professor. But you chose the wrong side."
He turned with Dedue and watched the rest of the fight, his breath catching in his chest as-
———
Santaniel grunted in pain as he felt the Lance of Ruin penetrate his stomach, the blade twisting. "Sorry Santaniel. But you know this should have happened long ago." His vision was fading… Can't hold on for too long… "Don't worry, I'll take care of Lysithea for you."
A second wind. His eyes glowed dimly, gathering light and strength as his anger did.
He mumbled something out, but Sylvain couldn't hear it. So he leaned in, grip loosening on the spear. "Sorry, what was that? I want your last words on your tombstone."
"Put this on my tombstone whore, Ragnarok."
"What the hell-"
"Ragnarok!" Santaniel summoned the spell beneath their feet, his Crest manifesting and surging with power. He sent them both launching into the wall, the relic embedded in his stomach still. He wheezed out breaths, his blood painting the floor as he clutched at his stomach.
He used Sturmrufer to get up. Sylvain was already on his feet and made a run for Santaniel, meeting a pillar of fire as the injured warrior spun his staff and breathed the flame through, creating a hellfire tornado.
He stumbled forward towards Sylvain, on his knees and the begged for life, "P-please, I'll do anything-"
"I don't hold grudges."
"Does that mean-" His please froze in eternity as Santaniel lopped his head off, falling silently to the ground. "But I'm the one who doles out the justice. I won't see you in the afterlife, but I hope you enjoy the flames you womanizing man-whore."
Santaniel pulled the spear out and nearly collapsed from pain, "Little help over here?" Linhardt and Yuri rushed forward and started tending to his wounds, gasping as they noticed flecks of purple in his already mixed blood, "Won't matter how much research you do if I'm dead guys, hurry!"
They nodded and started applying the spells, his flesh mending together as he kept himself from fainting, the sounds of fighting still ringing in the hallways, "I'm sorry for causing this."
He glanced over at Annette's and Felix's unconscious bodies. They were still alive. Barely.
"Don't be. You have made the Kingdom people's resolve stronger. It is unfortunate that we lost so many people in such little time. Most of them my friends. Though they were everyone's friends. There's no need for me to grieve for them alone now, we'll rest until the end of the moon to attack the Silver Maiden where Cornelia is hiding away like the cowardice rat she is. When we free the Kingdom, my lance is at your command."
"Should be talking to Claude about that rather than me mate. He's the one who had the idea." Santaniel lied through his teeth, but he didn't want to be hailed as some hero when he'd nearly gotten his best friend killed, "I just executed."
He gripped a Holy Twin as he looked around and poured his emotions in for later. No point in hanging onto the dead now. He couldn't afford to be like Dimitri. He still had his family, and they still needed revenge.
———
Day 31 of the Harpstring Moon
Lysithea twirled Thyrus and summoned Miasma, launching a hail storm of the thick shadowy blobs into the Titanus.
It deflected two of them, but it shattered the thing's shield, opening it up to her next strike, Death. 'Titanus is down over here, what's the report on your side Professor?'
'Already down. Me and Dimitri are closing in on Cornelia, you take the other side. Should be a breeze.'
She signed off her scry and nodded to Hapi, and they started closing in, she could feel the tremors in the earth as Hapi sighed and summoned several dirt crawlers and she commanded them forward. "Let's go Shortstack-"
"Come up with a new nickname. That's Santaniel's pet name."
"Ok cupcake, let's go!" She rolled her eyes at the nickname as she mounted Devil and they took off for the center. The loud battle cry of Raphael nearly scared her off her Pegasus, she held on though and growled in frustration, she'd yell at him later.
The duo landed behind Cornerlia as she yelled at Dimitri, her face contorting hideously, and the two mages summoned Death, blasting away her wards. Her scream pierced the air in panic, and Dimitri closed in with Arendbhar, slashing it across her face and practically blinding her.
Next was Byleth and he drew his sword across her neck, making it a fountain of blood, and it coated his already pitch black clothes and threw it into further darkness.
"We have won. The Kingdom is yours to control, Professor." Byleth nodded and looked over the large city, "We'll invade the empire next month, end this war all together."
Lysithea nodded and Hapi slid up to Byleth and thanked him with a thick blush on her face.
She knew that look. The same kind she gave Santaniel when she confessed to him.
She giggled at it and it made Hapi blush even more, but a smile graced her lips instead of a sigh escaping her throat.
Santaniel paced around the forge with the Crest stones of Gautier and Daphnel. "I can make something with this, but what? A shield? It seems impractical to make a weapon with them, armor?"
He growled in frustration, getting the next batch of umbral steel ready to smelt. He inherited the forge after his former teacher died during the war. He had died during an Empire raid.
Another name to the list.
He picked up his helmet and noticed two notches of differing size in the top, "Is that for…" He picked up the chest plate and noticed a similar notch. "I know Arti made this… When did he..?"
Santaniel smiled as he fit the Crest of Gautier into the chest plate and set the dragon gem underneath it. "There's no way this is safe. Maybe as a last resort… Or maybe I could use it like a weapon. I can maybe do partial transformations, but there's no doubt that as soon as I fully transform, there's no going back. Maybe I'll just use it as intimidation?"
He rubbed his finger over the ridges of the jade armor fondly, "The future is coming, the past is gone, and the present is now. Edelgard and Claude focus on the future, Dimitri was lost in the past, it's time for me to live in the present."
He glanced at the veins slowly growing across his body and frowned. There was only so much time left, so the present was all he could afford to live in.
His time to shine was coming, now it's time to let his flame shine the brightest.
He didn't need to cut his path.
He'd Burn It.
Thirty Four Weeks Remain
Progress on Cure(s): 84%