Part One: Concepts of A New Dawn
Ethereal Moon
Chapter Eleven: Dusk
After successfully defending themselves from Seth's forces the Emerald Sharks make a quick return to the monastery. All of the Sharks met with Byleth in his chambers to warn him about who Seth is and what is to come.
"Father, Seth is Kostas' son. His intention is to take revenge by killing you and destroying the monastery." Maira told him.
"I suspected as much." Byleth shook his head solemnly.
"Headmaster, how does he expect to destroy the monastery? Isn't it guarded by the remaining magic?" Finn asked.
"It is. But the magic is concentrated into something. If Seth finds it, the monastery will crumble and crash into Fodlan." Byleth revealed. "Maira, will you and your students accompany me to guard the concentrated magic?"
"Of course. We will make our stand there." Maira agreed.
"Emerald Sharks! This is our biggest mission yet. We have to guard the Headmaster and the magic. We can not fail, if we lose then the Officer's Academy falls. We have to defend this place." Finn told the Sharks.
"We know all that Finn. We won't let you down." Fiafia smiled.
"We won't fail Finn. Have a little faith in us." Penina joked.
"I'll hold Seth off by myself if I have to." Olaga said.
"Olaga you won't have to. I'll be beside you every step of the way." Keola told her.
"I can't let you have all the glory Keola." Malosi said.
"I will give it everything I can, Finn. I won't run away from this battle." Kai smiled.
"I've come to like being here. I'll help you all, nobody is going to fall while I'm around." Fetu encouraged all of them.
"The Naval Meritocracy finally got some recognition here. I won't give this up easily." Atamai agreed.
"You all are the greatest classmates I could have asked for. Headmaster, Polopeka, lead the way." Finn told them.
"This way." Byleth ran. "Quickly."
"Where is it?" Finn asked.
"The magic isn't here, it is in the cavern directly under here. We are the last line of defense. When Seth shows his face…" Byleth was interrupted when the entire monastery shook. Above them they could hear the sound of frantic footsteps.
"Wynne should be handling that, right?" Maira asked.
"Yes. Wynne is leading all the houses. I suspect that Seth used some sort of magic to get all of his troops here. Ready yourselves." Byleth told them all. As each student got their weapons out they heard a slow clapping. Finally Seth came into sight with a small legion of warriors.
"So this is where you make your final stand Byleth. It's cozy, better than the Red Canyon where you left my father." Seth said, his voice shook with anger.
"It was a mission. Your father tried to kill the future lords." Byleth shot back.
"I know he wasn't perfect. But didn't you kill people as a mercenary? You were called the Ashen Demon. Fitting even then people saw you as the devil that you are." Seth smiled.
"Don't let him in the cavern. Defend it with your lives." Maira instructed.
Then both sides charged.
With fighting all around them Maira and Seth clashed. Somehow Seth's black mist was countering Ultimus. His power was equalling Maira's. The energy waves didn't hurt him and he countered every slash Maira made. Maira fought with all that she could. She used all her power in her attacks and was using all of her concentration not to let Seth get a hit in. Seth was seriously skilled though. He could dodge Maira's attacks, though he couldn't find an opening to strike back. He was being forced to fight purely defensively. Finally Maira knew how to win. She sent a blast of energy at the ceiling above Seth and the rocks fell. But they fell through him. Maira's heart sank.
"It's an illusion. Father is the cavern.." she trailed off. When she looked behind her she saw Seth dragging her unconscious father down into the cavern.
"Come on Polopeka, let's get him." Finn started to rush forward.
"No, it's too dangerous. Finn, tell everyone to evacuate. I'm going to try to save my father." Maira ordered him. Finn looked like he wanted to argue but Maira looked at him and he knew he wasn't going to be able to argue.
"Everyone retreat. Polopeka, good luck." Finn said before leaving.
"You made it." Seth laughed. He was standing next to a large crystal. The energy emanating from it was intense.
"Father!" Maira cried out.
"I'm glad you get to see this." he smiled cruelly.
"Maira, I love you. Tell Wynne that I love you both so much." Byleth was in tears. "Live for me."
Those were the last things Byleth said before Seth stabbed Byleth through the heart.
"Finally Father. You are avenged." Seth smiled. But Maira tried to reverse time but it wasn't working. Seth was keeping this moment in time. Maira threw Ultimus, slashing Seth in the side and knocking him to the floor.
"Father!" she sobbed as she held Byleth's cold and lifeless body. "No! You can't be. I need you." she whimpered.
"You should've finished me off." Seth swung at the crystal and it shattered.
Maira looked at him in horror. She had to leave Byleth's body and raced through the cavern closing it with a blast from Ultimus. Cracks started to form in the walls. Maira barely made it out of the monastery before it fell from the sky. Thousands of tons came crashing on Fodlan. But all Maira could think about was her father's lifeless body.