Byleth walked through the halls of the monastery, his hand subconsciously gripping the hilt of the sword at his side. The Creator's Sword vibrated at his touch, the red shine of its blade causing a few passing knights to turn their heads as they went by.
"It was as though that lance swallowed the man whole…" Sothis's voice muttered in his mind. She had been like this ever since they left the tower. He couldn't see her, but Byleth could feel her focus set on the dormant Relic strapped to his back. "Upon that sight, it makes sense your students were upset."
The professor stopped, his head twisting back and forth to make sure no one was watching him.
"Yes," Byleth whispered. The image of Miklan being forced to submit to the darkness that consumed his flesh was a disturbing sight, even to a seasoned mercenary such as himself. The beast he had turned into was equally terrifying.
"I wonder if those Relics truly hide such power…" Sothis mused, her voice drifting off. "That power seems familiar somehow… That form as well…"
Byleth closed his eyes, recalling how he felt when he first saw the creature's form, or heard Sothis utter its true name. It had all seemed familiar, yet as to why, Byleth had no clue. He had no recollection of ever encountering such a monster during his travels. Why he continued to find some kind of familiarity with all of these impossible things was beyond him.
"As one who wields the Sword of the Creator, does that mean you possess that power too?"
There was a hint of concern hiding in Sothis's tone.
Truthfully, he didn't know. Him not knowing something was starting to become far too common as the days went by and the missions grew more dire.
It wouldn't stay that way, however. Byleth would find some answers one way or another. He was growing tired of being lost in the dark.
Byleth continued his march, stepping through the open door to the archbishop's throne room. Lady Rhea would probably balk at him using such a term, but it was quite literally a room with a throne at the end. What else could one call it?
Rhea noticed the mercenary as he approached, her lips curving into the same serene smile she always wore whenever the two spoke. At first, Byleth had found her smile comforting. Soothing, even.
At first.
"Professor, you have returned."
Her soft voice carried across the room, clear as the church's bells.
"The goddess is indeed generous with her divine protection." Her calm smile grew as she said the word 'goddess.'
Byleth ignored her ever pious words, stooping into a bow.
"Miklan and his bandits have been killed."
"Yes…" The archbishop's tranquil expression faltered at Byleth's brunt manner of speaking. "I have already heard Gilbert's report about what happened."
Byleth nodded. The former Kingdom knight had been quick to leave to give Rhea his account of the events when they returned.
Rhea moved towards the mercenary, bowing her head slightly so that only a few inches separated the two. Byleth quirked an eyebrow at the action but didn't comment.
"See to it that you keep what transpired at the tower to yourself," she spoke, her voice barely above that of a whisper. "People would lose faith in the nobles should rumors spread of one using a Relic and transforming into a monster."
Byleth glanced at her, his lips curving downwards. That was a sound reason, but the hypocrisy of her request wasn't lost on him. Nobles have been conducting themselves in terrible manners since the world started turning, yet the church never seemed to care about covering that info up before. Nobility had already done enough to lose the faith of the commoners. What was so different now?
"All regions of Fódlan would fall into chaos," Rhea continued, seemingly noticing the doubt in Byleth's heart. "We must avoid that at all costs."
Byleth nodded. He could accept that should it be the truth.
The archbishop stepped away.
"Please ensure the students who accompanied you understand that as well." Rhea's familiar calm smile returned. "Have I made myself clear?"
There was a sharpness to her words. Rhea would never outright threaten him, but Byleth knew that given the tone of her voice that it would be in his best interest to comply.
"Yes, of course." Byleth placed an arm to his chest and bowed.
Rhea nodded, accepting his answer.
"His transformation into a Black Beast was nothing short of divine punishment from the goddess," she said, her voice growing more and more agitated with each passing word. "Punishment for someone arrogant and foolish enough to use a Hero's Relic, even though they were unworthy and unqualified."
Byleth wanted to ask if such a fate would befall him as well, but there was something more important behind her words that caught his attention.
"You knew?" Byleth asked in a level voice. "You knew what I was leading my students in to?"
"Yes. That is why we rushed to recover it," Rhea sighed. "It was not my intention to keep you in the dark. I had only hoped we could arrive in time before the worst could happen."
The narrowing of his blue eyes was barely noticeable.
"The church will formally return the lance to House Gautier. If you would…"
Byleth stared at the outreached hand.
Shrugging, he grabbed the lance that was latched to his back. The weapon pulsated in his grip as he passed it over. After what he saw happen, it wasn't as if Byleth wanted to hold the cursed thing any longer than he had to.
"You have my gratitude," Rhea said, smiling again. "I can see that I was right to trust you with this."
The archbishop nodded to one of the many Knights of Seiros that guarded the room. The knight jogged over, saluting once before accepting the lance and taking off.
"Please report back at the end of the week. I will tell you of your new mission for the coming moon at that time."
"Of course, Lady Rhea," Byleth replied automatically and bowed once more.
"Need I remind you that you don't need to be so formal around me, Byleth," Rhea laughed softly. "You may simply call me Rhea, if you wish."
"…Of course, Rhea."
The archbishop's smile grew at the sound of her name.
"I will take my leave, then."
"Take care, Byleth. May the goddess continue to watch over you."
The professor lowered his head once more, then turned to leave. He could feel the bishop's eyes following his back as he left but pushed aside the feeling.
"That archbishop sure is a curious one."
Byleth blinked at the sound of Sothis's voice, having nearly forgotten that she had been listening in that entire time.
He kept his mouth closed, knowing it was too dangerous to talk freely to the girl that inhabited his mind.
"Where are you going?" Sothis asked. "Did you not just pass the stairwell?"
Byleth turned the corner, going down the hallway that would take him further into the second floor of the monastery.
"There is something I must do first," he spoke softly.
"Something you must do…?" Sothis sounded confused.
She let out a groan as she realized where his legs were taking them.
"You're not meaning to say you're going to visit him again, are you?"
"That is exactly what I'm doing." Byleth nodded, his feet coming to a stop outside of Professor Hanneman's office.
"Must you? I do not like the way that man stares at you. It is like he is undressing you with his eyes but in the worst way possible."
Byleth felt himself smile slightly. It was true. Byleth was one of the handful of people at the monastery that had fallen victim to Hanneman's scholarly pursuits. He knew the fellow professor meant no harm, but he could occasionally be a bit tactless in his search for new information.
"Try and endure it for a little while longer. There are still things I must learn."
With that, Byleth placed his hand on the knob and pushed the door open.
He had said that, but even he found Hanneman's office space a tad… daunting.
Rows and rows of books lined the shelves that were pushed up against the walls of his office. Most were snuggly secured on the shelf, but many were slightly pulled out, threatening to fall to the ground below.
The desk beneath the stained-glass window at back of the room was disorganized, dozens of loose papers strewn across its surface.
In the center of the room was his famed Crest Analyzer, something Byleth had grown a little too familiar with in the past months.
Hanneman himself stood in the back corner of the room, chalk in hand as he scribbled something on his board. There were a handful of symbols on the green surface that Byleth recognized to be Crests, as well as his own hastily scribbled notes beside each one.
"Good morning, Professor."
The Crest scholar nearly jumped out of his shoes at Byleth's voice. He had been so enraptured in his studies that he hadn't even seen the mercenary enter.
"Ah, Professor Byleth!" Hanneman turned to him and grinned, pushing his monocle back into place. "What a pleasure to see you again. How may I help you today?"
Hanneman's eyes sparkled.
"Perhaps you've come to let me further my studies of your Crest?"
"Not today, Professor," Byleth replied, his lips inching upwards at his immediate question regarding his Crest. That was Hanneman for you. "I'm here to go over your literature a bit more."
"Oh, of course!"
Hanneman motioned towards the wall of books.
"Please, have at it. I am always happy to assist in the pursuit of knowledge."
Byleth nodded his thanks and walked over the bookshelves.
"I'll make sure to return the ones you lent me," he said, his eyes scanning the titles. "I just need a little more time with them."
"I understand. They can be a bit hard to put down, no?" Hanneman chuckled.
He frowned. Unfortunately, he didn't share his colleague's enthusiasm on the topic of Crests.
"Is there perhaps something I could assist you with, Professor Byleth?" Hanneman asked as he appeared beside him. "I know these shelves like the back of my hand, after all."
Byleth hummed to himself, glancing over at the older man. It would probably be more beneficial to get it straight from the source…
"Yes, actually. I take it you remember the specifics of my latest mission?"
Hanneman nodded, his eyes clouding with thought. Not an unusual occurrence for the scholar.
"But of course. The Crestless Miklan Gautier cast aside by his family and forced into a life of banditry."
"Are you aware of what befell him?"
"Indeed. A terrible thing what happened to him, but such a thing can occur were you to wield a Hero's Relic without a Crest."
Byleth turned back to the many journals and textbooks, ignoring his own worries on the matter.
"Do you have any books that might go into detail about that?" Byleth asked, purposefully keeping his words vague. "Or other instances where a Crestless individual turned to a life of banditry or rebellion?"
"I do." Hanneman nodded once more, his hands reaching to pull out a few texts. "It isn't an uncommon occurrence given the hierarchy in place. Those with Crests are favored, while those without are generally discarded without second thought. They might be cast aside like Miklan was, or simply used as a pawn in the pursuit for power- but I suppose such a thing is true in both cases."
Byleth shot the professor a sidelong look.
"What's your opinion on it all?"
"Hmm. There are many schools of thought on the subject," the scholar replied, absently rubbing his mustache. "But I am afraid my opinion is too sullied by my own personal dealings with the matter. It would do you no good."
Byleth raised an eyebrow. Did Hanneman have his own relative that had suffered due to their Crest, or lack thereof?
"I can point you in the right direction, however."
Hanneman dropped a handful of books on his waiting arms.
"These should prove to be beneficial enough."
Byleth tucked the books under his arm.
"Thank you, Professor."
"Think nothing of it. I'm always happy to assist a fellow colleague." Hanneman waved him off and smiled. "Was that all? Or was there perhaps something else I might be able to enlighten you in regarding Crests?"
"There is, actually." Byleth's expression grew contemplative, his free hand idly rubbing his chest. "Does the extent of your knowledge include… that of medical procedures?"
"I've dabbled in the subject, yes." Hanneman nodded, his brow creasing.
"And did that dabbling include surgeries regarding Crests?"
The Crest scholar's eyes widened, realization dawning on him.
"Ah… Of course. I should have expected the professor of the Black Eagle house to ask me such a thing eventually. Just give me one moment."
Hanneman paced over to his desk, opening one of the drawers and pulling out a stack of papers.
Papers in hand, he walked back to Byleth and handed them over.
"This is all of the research I've compiled regarding Crest experimentation, Crest implantation, and blood reconstruction surgery."
The difficult words rattled around in Byleth's mind. Experiments, implants… Reconstruction?
He accepted the work with a firm hand, his eyes scanning the first page. It was all in Hanneman's handwriting, so it was a bit difficult to decipher, but even at a glance he could spot a familiar name.
"Then you are aware of Edelgard's circumstances…" Byleth stated, his eyes darkening as he read her name over and over again.
"I had my theories- but yes, I was fairly certain. The pigment of her hair was what first tipped me off."
Byleth raised his head, tilting it to the side.
"What would hair color have to do with bearing two Crests?"
Hanneman raised a gray eyebrow.
"You are not aware?"
Byleth shook his head.
"Hmm… I see. My research goes into greater detail, but why don't I give you a summary? You see, the strain of bearing two Crests in one body is quite great and causes many adverse side effects. Everything from turning one's hair white, to causing physical weakness and shortening life expectancy."
Byleth choked on the lump in his throat, nearly dropping his books and papers in the process.
Edelgard would… die?
He looked back down to the papers in his hands, his eyes frantically searching the page. Whatever worries he had regarding his own health vanished entirely at the thought of Edelgard and her own fate.
"Can it be reversed?" Byleth croaked as his eyes absorbed the information.
"Theoretically, yes," Hanneman answered in a heavy voice. "But if such a procedure exists, I have yet to grasp it."
Byleth's blue eyes continued to dart back and forth as they read each line. He felt his heart drop when he recognized yet another name in Hanneman's notes.
His hands crumpled the paper as the unfamiliar feeling of unbridled fury assaulted his senses. Byleth had felt happiness, and he had felt sorrow. Anger, however, was something that rarely reared its head.
"Lysithea, too?" he mumbled, his mouth dry.
Not just Edelgard, but Lysithea?
"I'm afraid so," Hanneman replied, worriedly watching Byleth attempt to not ball his hands into fists. "It is rare to even find one that has undergone these procedures. To find two here at the officer's academy is nearly unheard of."
Byleth dropped the papers on a nearby chair, as he could not stand to look at them any longer. His hand moved up to slowly massage his scalp. He tried to regulate his breathing through his nose, but try as he might, the white-hot fires of his rage still burned his chest with no signs of stopping.
The thought of someone violating Edelgard against her will was enough to get a rise out of the usually calm and collected mercenary. Learning that her life was shortened because of this was enough to make his blood boil. The realization that not only Edelgard, but now Lysithea as well, had endured such a thing was enough to send him over the edge.
How many lives were sacrificed for this? How many more lives would be lost because of it?
Byleth's arms shook at the strength he put into the clenching of his fists.
He didn't have an answer, but whatever the number was, it was already one too many. It was... wrong.
"Thank you, Professor Hanneman," Byleth exhaled, his muscles finally untensing. "I appreciate all of your help on this."
"Any time, Professor Byleth," Hanneman said, his inquisitive gaze moving up and down Byleth's form.
"Before I go, can I ask something of you?"
Hanneman nodded, so Byleth continued.
"You can run as many experiments on me as you want. Just promise me you'll work just as hard to find a way to undo all of this."
"I would have done that anyways, my boy." Hanneman grinned, patting him on the shoulder. "As professors, our first and foremost priority is the wellbeing of our students."
Byleth sighed in relief, the tightness in his chest lightening. His assumptions were proven right once again; Hanneman truly was a good man.
"But since you're offering…"
Hanneman reached into his coat, a stack of papers, a quill, and a vial of ink materializing from seemingly nowhere.
Has he been carrying those things this entire time?
"This may have been a mistake."
Edelgard hurried down the hallway, her arms pumping back and forth as her feet shuffled along.
"To think I would I would be so careless," she mumbled to herself, her head on a swivel as she tried to spot anyone that might notice her folly. None of the passing students seemed aware of her inner turmoil, nor did they seem to care about the speeding Eagle. "As future emperor, I must be peerless. To have committed such a blunder is-"
"Unthinkable?" Hubert finished for her.
"Precisely." Edelgard nodded gravely.
"Losing one's homework assignment is indeed a cause for concern-" Hubert sighed and shook his head. "But I do not believe it warrants such a response. If you're so worried about disappointing our professor, you can simply copy my own work, Lady Edelgard."
"Hubert!" Edelgard gasped, looking positively appalled at the thought. "That is cheating."
"Yes?" Her aide raised an eyebrow. "Your point being?"
"I will not stoop to such acts. If the assignment is not on my desk, I will simply ask our professor for another copy."
"Knowing our professor, I am sure he would be more than happy to oblige."
"Are you still on this, Hubert?" Edelgard asked, her eyes narrowing slightly at his tone. "Byleth has proven himself to be a trusted ally. What more does he have to accomplish to earn your trust?"
"Professor Byleth has his uses, I admit, but it is foolish to believe he is anything more than a steppingstone on our path. It is irrational to believe he might turn against the church and his own father when our plans finally come to fruition and our deeds brought to light."
"Hubert!" Edelgard hissed, her eyes darting back and forth. "Do not speak so freely. We do not know who might be listening."
"Forgive my blunder, Lady Edelgard, but I must speak honestly." Hubert glanced over at his liege as they walked. "I have humored your interests in the man, even going so far as to give you two privacy to converse in a more… intimate fashion."
Hubert shook his head, looking downright disgusted at his own words.
"But I must insist- you would do well to distance yourself from the professor. You're only setting yourself up for disappointment and heartbreak when he inevitably stands against us."
Edelgard looked to the ground, her heart twisting at his words. He was right, of course. As close as the two have gotten over the course of the year, she still feared that Byleth's ambitions might not align with her own. And while Byleth truly seemed to favor her, she couldn't assuage the doubt that ate at her. After all the things she had done, and has yet to do, there was a very real possibility that Byleth would turn against her. He said he was a man of his word, but even the most upright man might break his vows when faced with the dark truth.
'Nothing you could say or do would make me come to hate you, Edelgard.'
She wore those words like a sheet of armor, protecting herself from the bombardment of doubt and worry that laid siege to her. With all of her being she hoped those words that brought her so much strength would remain true.
"If that is the way it must be," Edelgard swallowed the lump in her throat. The very thought of fighting Byleth made her feel weak. "So be it. I would rather have hoped and been let down then to have never been given the chance to begin with."
Hubert watched her closely, his dark eyes murky with thought. She knew no matter what she said, he would never give in so easily. She could only hope that he might see her side of things.
The two's conversation was put on hold as they reached their homeroom, only to find that the door was already open.
"Curious," Hubert remarked. "Perhaps some other forgetful soul lost their schoolwork."
Edelgard shot her ally a glare as she nudged the door open.
The peaceful room was empty save for the one man sitting alone at his desk in the back.
"Speak of the devil," Hubert grumbled, rolling his eyes. "I suppose I should say I'm surprised, but the words fail to reach me."
Edelgard ignored his dry remark and stepped further into the classroom.
Byleth's head perked up at the sound of the footsteps, his aloof gaze landing on the two students. His eyes seemed to linger on her, however.
"Ah, Edelgard. Hubert." He sat up in his seat and closed his book, putting it atop the stack next to it. "Was there something you needed?"
"No. I will take my leave, Lady Edelgard."
Hubert placed an arm to his chest and bowed, then stalked out of the room.
Byleth tilted his head to the side, an eyebrow slightly raised.
"Okay, then. Is there anything you needed, Edelgard?"
"No. I just came by because I had lost something," Edelgard explained, spotting the bundle of papers sitting openly on her desk as if to mock her.
"Do you need help finding it?" Byleth asked genuinely.
"No need." Edelgard smiled, trying not to tip him off to the papers on her desk. She was hesitant to admit to her teacher that she had misplaced one of his assignments.
"I see."
Byleth retrieved the book he was reading, opening it back to the page he had it on.
"If it's the work I assigned today," he continued without raising his head. "I made sure to place it neatly on your desk."
Edelgard winced. Caught red handed.
"Forgive me, Professor…"
"Don't worry about it. Just make sure it doesn't happen again."
She couldn't see his expression at this angle and distance, but she could swear she saw the traces of an amused grin on his cheeks.
Edelgard walked to her desk, snatching up her paperwork and tucking it away neatly under her arm. She was turning to leave, but Byleth's studying caught her interest.
"Going over tomorrow's lesson, my teacher?" she asked.
There was a strained silence before Byleth replied.
"No. This is just something Hanneman lent me."
To prove his point, he lifted the book for her to see.
"Professor Hanneman?" Edelgard blinked. "You're studying Crests?"
Byleth lifted his head.
"Is it all that surprising given what's happened?"
Edelgard frowned, a hand on her hip as she turned her head to the wall. It didn't take a psychic to gleam an insight as to why the professor had a sudden interest in Crests and the like.
"No… I find my own mind wandering down that path as of late."
A slight bending of the truth. In reality, it was something she often thought of. She had always kept her cards close to her chest, Hubert being the only one that knew the true length of her convictions. Her other classmates had been given glimpses here and there to the truths that lied behind that mask of hers, but it was all out of design, a subtle attempt to gauge her classmates' views on Crests and the system in place.
Though, if it is Byleth… I wouldn't object to revealing a little more than I would usually. Maybe this is the prime opportunity to find out once and for all.
-Is what she told herself. While true, it wasn't the only reason.
"Professor, do you recall what Gilbert told us before we entered the tower?"
Byleth leaned back in his seat, his book being pushed aside once more.
"About Miklan and House Gautier?"
"Yes." Edelgard nodded and walked towards his desk. "Miklan was discarded by his family because he was born without a Crest."
"I… I am aware."
Byleth's usual apathetic expression faltered, if only for a brief moment.
The slight tell was enough to spur her onwards.
"Eventually he became a masterful thief and gathered enough ruffians to capture a fortress. Right or wrong, he was a gifted leader. Do you not agree, my teacher?"
Her professor was quiet for a moment as he mulled over her words.
Eventually, he rose to his feet.
"Were we to speak of this a year ago, I would agree with you."
"What do you mean?" Edelgard asked, her curiosity regarding Byleth's mysterious past getting the better of her.
"As a mercenary, I cared not for the trivialities of right or wrong," he explained as he walked towards her. "Good or bad, light and dark, they are all such subjective things. I didn't bother myself with the pointless worries of if I did the right or wrong thing; I lived a life of various shades of gray. I killed without hesitation because I was asked to and nothing more. I never questioned it. I never tried to change it."
Edelgard's life was no picnic either, but she couldn't help but feel saddened at hearing him speak so casually about his own traumatic past. The thought of a young Byleth killing another man, his impassive face covered in splotches of blood, was enough to make her heart ache. However, she knew if she voiced such a thought, Byleth would simply brush it off with an indifferent 'it is what it is' or some other remark. But still, she couldn't avoid the feeling.
The man in question came to a stop beside her, his blue eyes staring off into the distance.
"Now, I am not so sure that I can be so pragmatic." Byleth trailed off, his eyes closing. "Nor am I sure I want to..."
"It is unusual to hear you speak like this, my teacher."
His responses did little to clear the fog of doubt that clouded her chest, but she could understand his sentiment. It was something she struggled with herself in the dead of the night when left alone to her thoughts. She had no desire to be viewed as a ruthless tyrant, but if reshaping the world meant being one, then so be it. Edelgard would be the tyrant as often as it takes for the sake of her dreams- for the sake of a brighter future.
Would Byleth feel the same, however? Would he find her conquest right or wrong? Or perhaps some shade of gray…
Byleth took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
"…Yes, I suppose it is." He turned his attention to her, the ghost of one of his rare smiles playing at his lips. "Perhaps it is because of you and the Eagles that I feel myself beginning to change."
Edelgard felt her heartbeat quicken. The sight of his smile had more of an effect on her than she cared to admit.
"But, to answer your question- no. I do not think Miklan was a gifted leader."
Byleth's curt answer pulled her back to reality. She had nearly forgotten the question she put forth in the first place.
"He died a man who had accomplished nothing, pinning the blame of his failures on everyone but himself." Byleth frowned. "While it is not his fault he wasn't born with a Crest, a gifted leader would have at least met his end trying to challenge that fate. Not just for himself, but for all of the others who shared the same path as he did. Instead, he died with no cause, subjecting his men to the same end."
Miklan was a cowardly man blinded by resentment. A real man wouldn't have let his emotions cloud his actions like that. A real man would have used it as fuel for the fires of change.
"If society wasn't shackled to the notions that only those that bear Crests are worthy, things like this wouldn't happen."
"I agree." Byleth nodded, his immediate response surprising her. "Were this a different life, I truly believe Miklan could have been a gifted leader."
"Yes, and a true asset to Fódlan. Such a waste," Edelgard clicked her tongue. "Measuring one's worth based solely on if they bear a Crest or not is simply… asinine! There are plenty of talented people in this world without one."
"Again, I agree. Many of the Eagles bear no Crest and are more than capable."
"Indeed." Edelgard had to resist the urge to smile at his words. "People believe Crests are blessings from the goddess, that they're necessary to retain order."
She shook her head, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. While she was sure her expression betrayed nothing, she could only hope Byleth didn't hear the hammering of her heart as she continued.
"But the people are wrong, my teacher. Crests are to blame for this brutal, irrational world we live in. Their power is granted only to a select few, whom we elevate and allow to rule the world. If we were to judge our people not by the blood in their veins but rather the quality of their character or the strength in their hearts, I truly believe Fódlan would be a better place."
He remained silent, his gaze shifting to her as Edelgard turned to face him.
It was finally time to ask the one question that she longed to hear his answer to more than anything, but equally feared at the same time. She wouldn't let the anxiety that squeezed her heart stop her now, however. Not when she was this close.
Edelgard steeled herself and opened her mouth once more.
"Have you ever wondered if the only way to create a truly free world is to dispense with the goddess and the Cre-"
Byleth's hand shot out, covering her mouth with his hand.
Edelgard nearly jumped at the contact, a small gasp escaping her lips. She had a thousand questions and protests to his sudden action but was too dumbfounded to voice a single one of them. And as long as his hand was there, there seemed to be little reason to try.
"Quiet."
His eyebrows twitched, his eyes moving to the door behind her.
"Someone is coming."
Byleth removed his hand, allowing his arm to fall back to his side.
Edelgard's brow knitted in confusion, her head turning to the open door behind her.
Sure enough, a second later, a Knight of Seiros came barreling through the entryway.
How could he possibly have-?
"Professor Eisner!" The knight sprinted up to him and saluted. "The archbishop requests your presence immediately!"
"The archbishop?" Byleth raised an eyebrow.
To her knowledge, Byleth had already spoken with Rhea just this morning. It was unusual for her to call for him twice in one day. What more could she possibly have for him?
"Did she say why?" He questioned. He must have been wondering the same.
The knight's helmet turned towards Edelgard. It was very slight, but noticeable.
"The archbishop requests your presence posthaste."
With that, the knight turned and left as quickly as he had come in.
Edelgard turned to her friend, only to find him already frowning, his eyes lost in thought.
"What was that about?" She asked.
"I am not sure…" Byleth mumbled, a hand rubbing his chin. "Whatever it is, it must be urgent. It is rare for Rhea to summon me like this."
Byleth's hand moved to the hilt of his sword as he looked to her.
"Gather the Eagles. I have a feeling I'll be needing you all very soon." Byleth paused, his cerulean eyes evaluating hers. Even now, they seemed to see right through her. "And regarding your previous question, I have no answer for you yet. But when I find it, you'll be the first to know."
"…Understood."
Byleth nodded, then followed after the knight.
Edelgard watched him leave, her shoulders falling as she let out a sigh of frustration. It had taken nearly all of her willpower to even pose it in the first place, so for their conversation to be interrupted by the archbishop of all people was only slightly annoying.
The fact that another pair of ears had been listening in on her conversation was even more so.
"Hubert, you can come out now. I know you're still there."
The brooding mage materialized in the doorway, his head turned towards the corridor Byleth had gone down.
"He must be off his game. It is unlike the professor to not notice my presence."
He turned to Edelgard, his expression stern and unforgiving.
"Out with it," Edelgard huffed, crossing her arms. "It is clear you have more to say on the matter, so by all means, go ahead."
Hubert stepped closer, his one visible eye narrowing.
"I simply question whether you revealed too much to the professor, Lady Edelgard."
"Perhaps I did."
"Once again, I must ask- is it truly wise to reveal so much to him?" Hubert frowned. "Frivolous conversations are one thing, but the professor is no fool. He will eventually catch on if you continue to lead him."
"That would be the idea, yes. If we blindside him with this, I fear it highly unlikely he would wish to side with us."
Hubert scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.
Before he could get a word in edgewise, Edelgard continued.
"I alone am insufficient. That is why I'm borrowing from those people."
The mere thought of Thales and his ilk was revolting. What she wouldn't give to finally be rid of those foul beasts that slither in the dark.
"We need his strength. I…" She hesitated, avoiding his gaze. "I need him. If he can do what I cannot, then I believe that would be for the best."
"It's a risk. A dangerous one."
"We didn't make it this far by playing it safe, Hubert," Edelgard countered. "One mustn't be afraid of risks if they ever want to achieve anything truly great in life."
"A valid point." Hubert shrugged, looking unconvinced. "But I can no longer trust if that's your honed mind doing the talking, or your feeble heart."
Edelgard narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"You leave me no choice but to take matters into my own hands." Hubert returned her scowl with one of his own. "Please excuse me."
His farewell was as formal as always, but his tone was anything but. Animosity seeped through every single word.
The moment he had left the room, Edelgard collapsed into the nearby chair. The papers beneath her arm scattered on the floor below, but she hardly gave them a second thought.
She buried her face in her hands, letting out an exasperated groan.
Edelgard couldn't continue hiding from the truth. Why couldn't he understand that? For him to believe she could do this all on her own was as foolish as her reaching out a hand towards the unknown in the hope that someone might latch on. If all she had to rely on was her own ambition, the road ahead would be far from easy. Did Hubert not realize that?
She lifted her head, her purple eyes lingering on her gloved hands.
"Is it so risky just to reach out a hand?"
Everyday it felt like she added another stone to the walls that surrounded her heart. How tiresome a ritual it was.
Her hand moved to her chest, clenching at the cloth that covered her erratic heart.
"Is it really so risky… just to open my heart for one man?"
She knew the answer to that as soon as the words had left her mouth.
For someone as sullied as her to expect someone like Byleth to accept her and the things she's done when it was all brought to bear was childish. As much as he might try to assure her otherwise, she was rational enough to not expect a fairytale ending to her story.
"My regret. My grief. My whole life…" Edelgard's unwavering voice trembled as she spoke to the empty room. "I've thrown it all away… into the darkness…"
In that moment, the princess had never felt more alone in the abyss she called her own.
All she could do in the face of such prevailing darkness was continue to stoke the small flames of hope that struggled so valiantly against it...
And continue swearing to the ghosts of her loved ones that she would succeed, no matter the cost.
Thanks for reading everyone!
Let me take this moment to thank all of you guys for all of your awesome support! To think this puppy has already broken 400 followers and 35k views in just a month is beyond awesome. I've really enjoyed chatting with all of my reviewers (and the guest reviewers! I can't reply to those, but don't worry, I read them all too!), and have very much appreciated all of those who followed and favorited my story so far. I love writing, so I'm so glad I could share some of that enjoyment with you all!
Anyhow, back to the main story-
We're about halfway through the first part of White Clouds! I know I hype up the second half of Part 1 a lot, but I just love those chapters so much. Nothing like the slow burn turning into a steady fire as things get heated. Flame Emperor and Slitherers, the Ball and the Goddess Tower, the copious amounts of angst following Chapter 9. That's that good shit.
Speaking of, I think Edelgard's monologue at the end of Chapter 5 (titled Crests: The Good and the Bad in the event gallery if you're curious- shoutouts to the event gallery by the way a literal god send) might be one of my favorites in the game. Tara Platt just kills it there too, as do most of the English VAs. I originally picked Black Eagles because I've been lusting after a morally gray lord who embodies "the ends justify the means" since I first played Fire Emblem. I think it was this scene in particular that reeeally opened my eyes though.
Next chapter we'll get into the nitty and the gritty of the Flayn Retrieval Arc, along with some guest appearances of two other students (two that I used in my first Beagles run and adored having in that route).
See you all then!
