Fire Emblem: Heirs of Scarlet Flowers

by ViolettheCutieGrimReaper

In a remote village in Leicester, Jeralt Eisner finds a purple-haired girl that his daughter, despite her oddities, could not part with, leaving him forced into taking the girl under his wing. This simple twist will change Fódlan forever, but will this twist of fate bring this timeline to a platinum future, or to an age of ruin? (Three Houses/Hopes with Byleth and Shez as sisters)

3. White Clouds: Garreg Mach

Fire Emblem: Heirs of Scarlet Flowers
White Clouds: Garreg Mach

---

Garreg Mach Monastery.

Byleth had never seen something so grand and large before in all of her time in this world. How did the mountains in central Fódlan hide all of this?

"It is mighty impressive," Sothis commented. "I can't help but feel this familiarity with this place. I can't explain why, however. I just do."

Byleth still wasn't quite used to the voice within her head that appeared after saving Edelgard's life, but it wasn't bad.

It was rather comforting in a strange way.

"Of course it's comforting," Sothis cockily commented. "I'm sure millions of people would love to hear my heavenly voice within their heads. But I have to know. Have you given any thought to their question?"

Byleth blinked in confusion.

"I know it's been a week since they asked but don't tell me that you've forgotten," Sothis huffed. "Who will you and your sister offer your services to?"

Truthfully, Byleth had forgotten all about that.

"Knew it," Sothis sighed.

She had a good reason to. While Shez was excited to see this monastery, their father seemed to dread this place, and the closer they got during their week of travel, the more weathered he looked.

It was causing this strange feeling to flutter in her chest.

What was it?

"It's called being worried," Sothis revealed. "And you have every right to be. That is your father. I wonder what shadows loom over him in regards to this place…."

A faint frown appeared on Byleth's face as she glanced at her father, who was conversing with Alois with an exhausted frown on his face.

She hoped that he would be alright.

But, thinking about Sothis' question regarding the trio she and her sister saved asked, Byleth crossed her arms in thought.

All three of them were very interesting.

Edelgard is a refined young woman, but she felt like she was always being evaluated by her. It made her stomach feel strange.

Dimitri seemed quite sincere, however, she could sense the darkness lurking beneath him, as if it was waiting for an excuse to come out and lash out at anyone or anything that was in its path.

And Byleth would be remiss if she didn't mention Claude, whose easy smile was striking but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I thought the same about them all," Sothis yawned. "Have you talked to your sister about them to get her thoughts? They did want you both, after all."

Honestly, she hadn't done that. She had been so busy with her thoughts of Father that she didn't ask Shez what she thought of the trio and their request.

"Then get on it, you procrastinator," Sothis teased.

Byleth slowed Starwind down so she could ride beside her sister, who was gazing at the looming castle ahead of them. "Sister?" Byleth called out.

Shez smiled at the sight of her, which made Byleth form a faint smile. "Hey, stranger," Her sister greeted. "You ready to get our reward?"

"Of course I am," Byleth replied. "But I was wondering, have you thought about their offer?"

"Um….Offer?" Shez asked.

"Did she forget as well?!" Sothis exclaimed.

"You forgot as well, didn't you?" Byleth asked with a chuckle.

"I guess so," Shez sheepishly admitted. "I guess I've been a little worried about Dad. He's been looking rough."

"So you notice it too," Byleth stated with a faint frown.

Shez nodded and said, "The only times he looks this bad is around the 7th of the Garland Moon and the 31st of the Ethereal Moon. As cool as this place looks to be, it's stressing him out…."

"Agreed," Byleth said.

"But, now that you jogged my memory, I do remember the question and my thoughts on them and it," Shez said.

"Speak your mind," Byleth urged.

"Well, it feels like Dimitri's always checking in on me every chance he gets," Shez started. "I think he'll make a good king—the kind who looks after his people. Edelgard thinks highly of us, and especially you."

"Me?" Byleth questioned.

An impish grin formed on Shez's face as she motioned behind her. "Take a look, but don't make it obvious," Shez instructed.

Byleth looked back, as if she was inspecting everyone, and saw the trio riding side by side. While Claude and Dimitri were talking, Edelgard was looking at them.

Wait….not at the two of them.

But her at.

"You should wave," Shez quickly instructed.

Byleth lifted her hand and waved, which caused Edelgard to swiftly look away.

"Was she blushing at being caught? How precarious," Sothis laughed.

Byleth smiled faintly at this and turned back to her sister, who said, "Not only does she not have any disdain for us mercenaries, Edelgard also has this elegance and drive behind her that makes me want to follow her wherever she goes. It reminds me a lot of you."

"You think so?" Byleth asked.

"By, I'm sure if you asked the men, they would march behind you into hell itself," Shez revealed. "As I would without hesitation."

Byleth felt a flutter in her chest.

"You're touched by her comment….It was a very sweet one. However, that's quite unproven. I can't wait to see if her words are true or not," Sothis commented.

Byleth hoped she could live up to her sister's kind words.

"As for Claude, he's hot," Shez bluntly said. "Not only that, but he's a laid-back kinda guy who doesn't really strike me as noble—and I mean that in a good way. If we go with him, something tells me he's gonna be easy to work with."

"She only picked up on their rosy qualities. What a delight she is," Sothis commented.

"When you say he's hot….does that mean that he has a fever?" Byleth asked.

Shez grinned and answered, "No. I mean that he's attractive. All of them are but he's just a pinch more so. But he's not my type."

"But you said he was attractive," Byleth stated. "Wouldn't that mean he's your….type?"

"You can find people attractive and not want to be with them, Sis," Shez said. "I mean, look at some of our men. They find us attractive but they dare not make a move on us because we're not their type."

"I'm attractive?" Byleth questioned.

"Oh, honey….." Sothis murmured.

"I don't think Edelgard was staring at you just to guess your hair color," Shez teased.

Oh.

"Oh, I think your sister and I would get on famously if I were not where I am," Sothis said with a pleased tone. "It seems we share the same thoughts."

Byleth didn't know why but she was concerned at hearing that.

"So, what do you think? Who would join?" Shez asked.

"Truthfully….I don't know why but I feel this pull toward Edelgard versus Dimitri and Claude," Byleth admitted as she touched her chest. "I can't explain it."

She truly couldn't.

Deep in her heart, something was drawing her to Edelgard and this feeling appeared the moment they laid eyes on one another.

What could it mean?

Byleth could feel Sothis shrug in response.

"Well, whatever the case, wherever you go, I'll follow," Shez said.

"Are you sure?" Byleth asked. "You must feel more inclined to Claude or Dimitri, right?"

"If given the choice, I would join Claude," Shez admitted. "But we're sisters and we always watch each other's backs, you know? Besides as I said before, I'd follow you to the depths of hell to keep you safe."

Byleth's gaze softened at her sister's words.

What had she done to inspire such loyalty?

"You should be lucky to have a sister like her," Sothis noted.

Byleth gave Shez a faint smile.

She was lucky.

"Hey, now what are you two talking about up here?" Claude said, making himself known as he rode up beside Shez.

Byleth noticed that Dimitri and Edelgard had taken up the sides, leaving her and Shez sandwiched between them on the trail. "We were discussing the offer the three of you made to us," Byleth answered.

"And what was the answer?" Edelgard questioned.

"After discussing it, we both feel that the Adrestian Empire would be where we hang our swords," Byeth revealed.

While Claude and Dimitri looked disappointed, Edelgard let out a faint but pleased laugh. "A wise choice," she said. "Though the empire has fallen from its former glory, the other regions are merely offshoots that pale in comparison."

"Darn," Claude said as he snapped his right middle finger and thumb together. "I guess it makes sense. The princess is pretty cute and if I had to choose, I'd side with a cute princess any day."

"While disappointing. It shall not diminish my mood at meeting two powerful people such as yourselves," Dimitri said. "Anyways, as we draw nearer to our destination, this will be both of your first times at the monastery. I'd be happy to show you both around."

"That would be great," Shez said, speaking for both herself and Byleth, much to Byleth's relief. "Even at this distance, it looks like a chore to get around."

"It can be," Claude agreed. "It really is Fódlan in a nutshell. The good and the bad."

"Like it or not, we'll be there in a few moments," Edelgard remarked as the gates to the monastery neared. "Byleth, Shez….Welcome to Garreg Mach Monastery."

"You know, when she says it like that, it sounds kind of foreboding," Sothis remarked.

"Edelgard, why did you make that sound so foreboding?" Shez questioned.

"Yep, I think I really like your sister," Sothis said.

---

"Thank you for your patience. There was a lot we had to discuss with Alois. Jeralt, It has been a long time. I wonder….was it the will of the goddess that we have another chance meeting like this?"

Shez and Byleth stood behind their father as they stood before the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros, Lady Rhea, with her advisor, Seteth.

Shez had to admit, Lady Rhea was attractive. Uncomfortably so. Like she didn't have the right nor permission to even gaze at her, let alone converse with her. She looked so perfect, that it made her feel like a hideous beast.

Meanwhile, Seteth was someone Shez did not want to hang around with. He seemed far more uptight than her father, who was already firm enough, all things considered.

"Forgive my silence all these years," her father apologized as he bowed to the woman. "Much has happened since we last spoke."

Shez exchanged a stunned look with her sister, who looked equally surprised in her own way. Neither of them has ever, in all of their years, seen their father show deference to anyone. This woman must really hold a lot of power.

"It….her….don't….."

Shez looked around in confusion.

Where did that come from?

"So I see. The miracle of fatherhood has blessed you," Lady Rhea commented with a kind smile toward Byleth and then toward Shez herself. "Twice it seems. Are these your children?"

"Yes," Jeralt answered after returning upright. "Byleth was born many years after I left this place and I adopted Shez after we found her in a village."

"Byleth and Shez. Two strong names," Lady Rhea said as she nodded her head at each of them, that serene smile still on her face.

Why was this so uncomfortable?

"Alois told me that it was you two that performed the admirable act in saving our students," Lady Rhea said. "From the bottom of my heart, I thank you both."

"No thanks is required. We were in the right place at the right time," Byleth said.

"Yeah," Shez followed up. "We're just glad we could help."

Lady Rhea let out a pleasant laugh. "Such modesty is not required around me. Both of your actions were truly commendable."

"Hmph," Jeralt grunted.

"Jeralt," Lady Rhea started as she turned to their father. "You already know what it is I wish to say, do you not?"

"You want me to rejoin the Knights of Seiros, don't you?" Jeralt wearily questioned. "I won't say no, but…."

A delicate frown crossed the Archbishop's face, and it made Shez strangely sad to see it. "Your apprehension stings," Lady Rhea told their father. "I had expected that Alois would have already asked this of you."

"He hinted at it several times," Jeralt said. "And if you truly need me, I will come back."

"And you are truly needed," Lady Rhea said. "So I welcome you back as Captain of the Knights of Serios, Sir Jeralt."

Jeralt sighed.

"It is good to be back, I suppose." Jeralt turned back to Shez and Byleth and said, "Looks like I'll be stuck here for a while."

"Do not worry, Jeralt, I also have an opportunity for your daughters here as well. However, we must depart and discuss your return with other knights," Lady Rhea said with a smile on her face. Jeralt sighed but he followed after a look to Shez and Byleth, leaving the two alone with Seteth.

"As for the two of you. The reason we summoned you two here was not simply to express our gratitude."

"Is that so?" Byleth asked.

"That is so," Seteth confirmed. "We have a proposal for you both—one made on behalf of the church itself. Alois recommended both of you two be teachers here at Garreg Mach's Officers Academy."

"I'm sorry, what?" Shez asked while Byleth blinked.

"Unfortunately, there is only one spot available, and after speaking to Edelgard von Hresvelg, Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, and Claude von Riegan, we've decided to offer it to you, Byleth," Seteth revealed.

Shez almost let out a sigh of relief. Unlike Byleth, who has shown leadership qualities and was actively being trained by their father, Shez didn't want to be a leader. It was too much responsibility for her. She'd rather fight than teach anything.

"However, we would hate to reward one of you and leave out the other, so Shez, we're also offering the position of teaching assistant underneath Byleth," Seteth revealed. "This offer can be refused, as we know that mercenaries aren't typically beholden to any one employer. However, the class you will teach and assist in teaching will be filled with students closer to your ages and your lives can be greatly enriched here."

Shez frowned.

It sounded like they already know that she and Byleth would accept this deal. But their father was just knighted apparently and he would be stuck here for a while. Should they accept?

"Can we talk about this in private for a moment?" Shez questioned.

Seteth nodded and said, "I shall remain here. Feel free to speak it over."

"Thanks," Shez said as she took Byleth's hand to escort her a safe distance away from the green-haired man.

Shez turned to Byleth and asked, "So, what do you think?"

"Father was just strongarmed into becoming Captain of the Knight Seiros and he'll be here for a while and while I was trained to lead the men, I doubt they would listen to me over Father," Byleth said. "Besides, they seem to trust us quite a bit with their students, which is strange."

"Not to mention he talks as if our joining is a forgone conclusion. It makes me want to punch him in his assuming face," Shez said. "But you do have a point about Father and the Hungry Wolves. They wouldn't listen to us without Father and we will be stuck here otherwise without making any coin….However, if we accept the deal, we could be getting paid by this place, and we wouldn't have to move around so much."

"Truthfully, that does sound nice," Byleth admitted. "But making me a teacher and making you my assistant without any sort of test and only going by word of mouth of three students? Something doesn't feel right about this…."

"They certainly have us in a corner. So what is the verdict?" Shez asked.

"I think….I think we should accept it," Byleth said. "While I am unsure of why this is happening, the perks of being near father, having a firm place to rest our heads, and making coin without needlessly risking our lives sounds enticing. We'll just have to stay on our guard."

Shez looked back at Seteth and she could have sworn she saw a hint of victory on his face.

She was going to make his life hell.

"Well, if you're in, I'm in," Shez decided. "Let's just hope we don't regret it."

Byleth nodded in agreement and together, they returned back to Seteth.

"We accept your offer," Byleth said.

"We're in," Shez followed up.

"A wise decision," Seteth said. "We will do all we can to ensure you both do not regret it. Now follow me, I shall introduce you both to our fellow professors."

---

Byleth was slightly amazed and overwhelmed by it all.

After being introduced to Manuela and Hanneman, The two professors showed both her and Shez around the school while also being brief on the nature of the three houses that she would be taking charge of.

The Black Eagles – Led by Imperial Princess and heir to the throne, Edelgard, The Black Eagle House holds students from the Adrestian Empire.

The Blue Lions – Led by Prince Dimitri, the next king of Faerghus, the Blue Lions House holds students from the Holy Kingdom of Faertghus.

And lastly, The Golden Deer – Led by the Grandson and Leader of the Alliance, Claude, the Golden Deer House holds students from the Leicester Alliance.

Hanneman made a good point.

It was certainly amazing that the next emperor, king, and sovereign duke were all here this year, and Byleth was supposed to lead one of their classes.

"It is amazing that once again, it is down to these three," Sothis said. "Will you and your sister stick to what you told Edelgard on your way here?"

Byleth crossed her arms in thought. The two of them did agree to assist the empire and this would be fulfilling a promise. But Byleth wanted to make sure that the choice she would make here would be the best one.

Thankfully, her two new co-workers stated she had a night to think it over before telling Lady Rhea her decision. "Alright," Shez stated as she plopped down on the bed with several folders in her hands. "You ready?"

Byleth nodded.

"It was a good call to get the dossiers of each member in all three houses to research," Sothis noticed, impressed.

Byleth gave a faint smile.

Her father often drilled into her head to always collect any viable information regarding their new mission. This was just more of the same thing.

"Ready," Byleth answered. "Let's examine the Black Eagle House first due to our promise to Edelgard."

"Had a feeling about that," Shez teased as she placed the stack of folders between them. "It's why I had theirs on top. I gotta say, Edelgard is very meticulous. She gave these to me in alphabetical order and she even wrote down brief comments about each of them within her team's dossier."

Byleth nodded and opened the first folder she saw.

Bernadetta von Varley.

She opened the folder and saw a picture of a pale-skinned girl with dark purple hair that was styled in a bob, and fearful grey eyes. She looked panicked almost in the photo. "Bernadetta is Count Varley's only daughter. She's something of an eccentric but seems like a gentle soul, according to Edelgard's note here," Byleth noted. "Apparently, she shuts herself away in her quarters and doesn't care to leave but Edelgard states she will make sure the girl finds her way to class."

Byleth then looked at Shez and said, "Doesn't that sound a little familiar….."

Shez blushed and defensively replied, "That was when I was five years old, By. I didn't quite trust you and Father quite yet. Not until the river…."

Byleth shuddered in remembrance.

That was the closest she ever came to dying.

"Hm….What's the story there, I wonder," Sothis pondered.

"Don't worry about her, I think I can help out with that if we do decide on joining the Black Eagles House," Shez said. "What else?"

"She's proficient with bows and lances, which may come in handy," Byleth answered. Byleth sat Bernadetta's folder down and picked up the next one.

"Caspar von Bergliez, second son of Count Bergliez," Byleth said as she gazed at the photo.

Caspar was a fair-skinned young man with light blue hair and matching light blue eyes. He had a boisterous smile on his face and he was flexing in his picture.

Byleth remembered seeing him very briefly when Alois bought them back to Remire Village after convincing Father to return to the monastery.

"From Edelgard's note, he has no inheritance in his future, which is why she feels he is eager to prove himself," Byleth explained to her sister. "He's overly energetic and rushes headfirst into any battle. Edelgard notes that if we do join this house and he's in our care, we'll need to keep a close eye on him."

"Sounds like my kind of guy," Shez noted. "What is he proficient in?"

"Brawling," Byleth answered. "Which means we'll need to make him a fast striker."

"Something you're familiar with, By," Shez noted. "Whose next?"

"Dorothea Arnault and—"

"Wow, she is gorgeous!" Sothis exclaimed, interrupting Byleth. "That hat really adds to her beauty. I demand you learn more about her this instant."

Byleth stared down at the picture and found a girl with long brown hair, bright green eyes, and a fetching smile on her face. "And what?" Shez asked.

"And she is a commoner," Byleth continued, trying to beat back the strange feeling in her chest.

"A commoner? I didn't expect to see one of those in Edelgard's house," Shez admitted. "What's her story?"

"She's a songstress from a famous opera company in the Empire. Edelgard notes that's she not quite sure what bought her here to the Officers Academy but she is the exception to the noble house rule. She must be quite skilled," Byleth noted. "She's skilled in swordsmanship and reason but I feel like there is more we can do with her."

"Agreed. Whose next?" Shez asked.

Byleth lifted Edelgard's dossier for Shez to see. "Ah, the princess you seem drawn to," Shez noted with a teasing smirk. "Did she write a note for herself?"

"She did," Byleth answered as she gazed at Edelgard's focused face. Even in the picture, it felt like her piercing lavender eyes were observing her, trying to peer within her very soul. "She notes that some think that she's cold, distant, and even a little arrogant, but she feels there is little to be done. She states that she must rise to become the next emperor. She's proficient in heavy armor, swordsmanship, axes—"

"As we know," Shez interjected.

"—and authority," Byleth said.

"Are you not going to tell your sister that Edelgard feels like you two have similar personalities?" Sothis questioned.

"Oh, and you were right. I guess Edelgard sees what you see in us as well," Byleth added.

"I figured she would," Shez said. "Now, whose next?"

"Why don't you see?" Byleth asked.

Shez lifted the next dossier and said, "Ah. Ferdinand von Aegir! I think I saw him briefly when Alois bought everyone to camp. He's the orange-haired, orange-eyed guy. Kinda on the pale side? Good looking but really not my type."

Byleth nodded.

She remembered him speaking to Caspar in the brief moment she saw them both. "I also remember him," Sothis said. "Seemed mighty high on himself."

"Edelgard notes that he thinks of her as a bitter rival and is always trying to challenge her. Says that it's irritating," Shez continued. "He is home is that of Duke Aeigir, which produces Adrestria's Prime Ministers, whatever they are. She also notes that the entire family is too pleased with their status. He's good with a variety of weapons but really good at riding."

"He has versatility. That's needed on the battlefield," Byleth noted. "Who is next?"

Shez's face scrunched up. "Oh, it's this. The creepy ghoul that shadowed Edelgard when she wasn't with Dimitri and Claude. Hubert von Vestra," Shez answered.

"Who?" Byleth asked.

Shez showed her a picture of a man with ghostly pale skin, dark forest green hair, and yellow eyes. "This guy. Even looking at him makes me want to deck him."

"She has a point," Sothis said.

"Apparently, he's the heir of Marquit Vestra and has served Edelgard since she was a child, according to her notes," Shez continued. "Edelgard also states that while many think his blood runs a bit cold, which she agrees with, she finds him loyal, astute, and responsible. I doubt it. He excels in bows, reason, and authority. I bet he's a mage or something."

"He must be," Byleth murmured. "Who is next?"

"Linhardt von Hevring, the guy who Caspar had to carry constantly because he was sleeping back in the village," Shez grinned. "Tall, lanky guy with green hair and blue eyes. In Edelgard's note about him, he's remarkably intelligent, but he only wishes to apply himself to tasks that interest him and nothing else. And, big shocker, he loves to nap."

"So no work ethic. We will have to train him on gaining some," Byleth said with a faint frown.

Shez snorted in amusement and said, "You know, Edelgard thought the same thing. That's kind of cute."

"Hmmm, uncanny really," Sothis said.

"He excels in reason and faith," Shez finished. "I bet he's their healer."

"Sounds like it," Byleth said. "If we can up his speed, we can make him into a good medic."

"And last but not—whoa," Shez interrupted herself.

"What is it?" Byleth questioned.

"This girl….she's breathtaking," Shez breathed out. "Like, seriously, her braided hair, her focused expression, her eyes. She looks like a fearsome warrior."

"Who?" Byelth asked.

"Oh!" Shez's face reddened. "Sorry. Petra Macneary. She's the granddaughter of a king in Brigid."

"I've heard of Brigid. It's an archipelago to the west of Fodlan," Byleth said. "We had a member in the Hungry Wolves from there. He was very nice. He died the day we found you."

"Oh…." Shez murmured.

"What else?" Byleth asked.

"Well, since Brigid is a vassal state of the Empire, that's how Petra came to be enrolled here. She's incredibly smart, fearsome in battle, and studious, as Edelgard noted here. Edelgard also states that she has trouble with our language but she's making great strides," She continued. "She excels in a lot of skills, including flying."

"Another all-rounder, much like Aegir," Byleth murmured. "That's all of the Black Eagle House?"

"Yep. Time for Blue Lions," Shez said. "Starting with Ingrid Brandl Galatea."

"This is going to be a long night. Be sure to wake me up when you both are done," Sothis told Byleth, who nodded to both Shez and Sothis.

---

"Since you are new here, we have decided to allow you first pick," Hanneman revealed the following day as the Eisner sisters stood in between Manuela and Hanneman and before Lady Rhea and Seteth. "Manuela and I will take charge of the remaining two houses."

"I wonder which one you will choose," Manuela pondered with a slight smile.

Byleth and Shez exchanged a look.

The two of them researched for hours until the early morning on each student from each house. It was a tough choice for both of them. Out of the three houses, Black Eagles and Golden Deer were the top choices.

In the end, they had a spar to determine which House to teach and in the end, the Black Eagle House was chosen as the house they would teach.

However, there were other members of the other hours that caught their attention after making that decision, and that spawned a new goal.

If there was any chance of bringing those students into their House, they would take it without hesitation.

"You won't have to wonder for long," Shez said with a grin.

"We chose the Black Eagle House, Led by Edelgard von Hresvelg," Byleth revealed.

"And you both are certain of this choice?" Lady Rhea asked.

Byelth and Shez nodded.

"Your hearts have made their choice, then. All I ask is that you guide these open minds with virtue, care, and sincerity," Lady Rhea said.

"They are all promising youths who bear the weight of Fódlan's future upon their shoulders," Seteth sharply interjected. "I hope you both appreciate what an honor it is to lead them."

"Brother?" A new voice called out, Byleth turned her head, only to hear Sothis squeal within her head.

"Oh my, she is adorable!" Sothis cried as Byleth stared at the mint-haired girl. "You must get her name this instant!"

"Oh, I'm so sincerely sorry! I did not mean to interrupt," The girl apologized as Shez placed her left arm on Byleth's shoulder with a grin.

"Well, aren't you utterly adorable," Shez commented, causing a luminescent blush to appear on the girl's face while Lady Rhea gave a gentle laugh.

Byleth saw the displeasure on Seteth's face and Byleth immediately nudged Shez in her side, causing the purple-haired girl to squirm from the contact.

"This "utterly adorable girl" is my little sister, It would be best for you to censor your thoughts around her, Teaching Assistant Eisner," Seteth warned.

"He did not like that. Your sister really does not have a filter," Sothis noted.

It made sense why. In a mercenary group, especially one filled with men, Shez, and even herself to an extent, had to be blunt to get your point across, even if it rubbed some the wrong way.

"I guess. But we will still need to soften her edges. Along with yours. But still, she is utterly precious. I wonder how she made her hair have those perfect twists at the end. I expect you to get the answer," Sothis commanded.

"Now," Seteth started as he turned to her, his gaze softening ever so slightly. "I am in the middle of something. Is it urgent?"

Flayn shook her head and answered, "No, no, it's nothing. Importantly….Who are they?"

Seteth frowned and said, "This is Byleth Eisner, the newest professor here at Garreg Mach, and this is her sister and teaching assistant, Shez Eisner."

"Oh my! New additions to the Officers Academy and sisters as well. I am so very pleased to meet you both," Flayn greeted. "As my older brother already stated, I am Flayn, I am so happy to make both of your acquaintances."

"Likewise," Byleth said.

"It's great to meet you too," Shez then turned to Seteth, smirked, and then said, "Little Green."

Flayn giggled while Seteth's frown deepened.

"Oh, this is going to be something, isn't it?" Sothis asked with both dread and amusement.

"Let us focus on the topic at hand," Seteth stated. "There is something you both should be aware of. In a few days' time, there will be a mock battle between the three houses, intended to gauge the current progress of the students. We will be using this battle as an opportunity to ascertain your own abilities as well."

"But before there, there is a mission I would like you two and your house to complete as quickly as possible," Lady Rhea said. "You are to eliminate the remaining members of the Iron King's Thieves that attacked our students' camp. Thanks to your efforts, their chief, Kostas, has already been struck down, and now, only a scattering of their brigands remains."

"Even with your limited experience, you and your house should be able to defeat them handily," Seteth said. "That is your mission and it is to be done today. You both have a grand opportunity. Please do not disappoint the archbishop, that is all."

"Well, it seems it all ended well," Sothis said. "And a mission already. Looks like you both have your work cut out for you. It is weird but I can't help but feel that something is watching us from the shadows."

Byleth's eyes scanned the area behind them but found nothing.

Why would anyone be watching them?

"I don't know, but we should be careful, just in case," Sothis instructed.

---

"So, what is the verdict, Hubert?" Edelgard asked once Hubert appeared in a mist of dark magic.

"It seems you've gotten your wish, Lady Edelgard. The Eisner sisters will be joining our house, with Byleth Eisner as our professor and Shez Eisner as her teaching assistant," Hubert answered.

Edelgard let out a satisfied hum.

She knew her words had swayed them. Having two mercenaries, especially the famed Ashen Demon and Violet Whirlwind, would be a huge benefit to their class and potentially even beyond.

"I do want to mention, there is something Shez Eisner that puts on me on edge, more so than the Ashen Demon," Hubert told her.

"Oh, what is that?" Edelgard asked.

"I do not know, but there is something about her that concerns me. I request that you allow me to shadow her," Hubert said.

"Granted," Edelgard said. "Who am I to stop what could be a budding crush."

Hubert looked less than pleased at her teasing. "It is amusing that you say that, Lady Edelgard," Hubert noted. "Considering you've been waiting for this decision since the Ashen Demon and her sister took the tour to examine the houses with the other professors yesterday."

Edelgard looked displeased. "Truce?" She questioned.

"Truce," Hubert agreed.

"But to comment on that, I do not know why I feel so drawn to her," Edelgard admitted. "It feels like since the moment we locked eyes, something in my chest is pulling me to her. But regardless, I have succeeded over Dimitri and Claude in gaining two powerful assets. Now, back to our original discussion. Have you thought it over?"

"I have, Lady Edelgard," Hubert confirmed. "But is that chance not outweighed by the danger of matters going awry? We have managed to walk the knife's edge so far, but what you are suggesting is open hostility. If they so much catch wind of our intentions, things will go sideways very quickly, and I don't think even the famed Eisner sisters will make a difference if that occurs."

"Regardless," Edelgard said. "This is our last opportunity to save her from her fate as a puppet. Frankly, it's a miracle we even have the chance."

Hubert chuckled and then said, "I thought you once proclaimed not to believe in miracles, Lady Edelgard."

"And I don't—at least not the kind one has to sit around and wait for," Edelgard vehemently replied. "But right now, everyone is exactly where we need them, The bandits, the string-pullers….and now, the perfect instructor and teaching assistant with the perfect mission."

A determined gleam appeared in Edelgard's lavender eyes as she swore, "I am going to make this miracle happen, Hubert, and I will do so for our future."

A faint smirk appeared on Hubert's face. "Very well, Lady Edelgard," Hubert aquicsed. "Then we'd best have a plan in place to finish the job in case they catch on. I expected you to burn a few bridges, but this plan would be akin to setting half the countryside on fire."

"Which is exactly why I'm counting on your, Hubert. And why I'm grateful to have you by my side," Edelgard told him, her voice dripping with sincerity.

Hubert bowed his head in appreciation.

"Now," Edelgard said. "I believe we have a new professor and teaching assistant to meet. It would be rude for us to be late in greeting them."

---

"I must say, I am excited to see how both do in your first mission," Sothis stated as Manuela led Byleth and Shez to the Black Eagles' classroom. "Are you feeling nervous about your first official outing as a teacher?"

Nervous?

Why would she be nervous?

This can't be any more different than leading her group of men during a mission.

"You sweet Garland Moon child," Sothis sighed. "This is far more different than that. You're not leading a bunch of sweaty, ugly, brutes that already know how to fight and kill! These are the future of an empire, not mercenaries!"

Byleth tilted her head in thought.

This place is an officer's academy and Seteth did explain that there was a mock battle at the start of the next week. These people came here to learn how to battle. This felt no different than one of her father's missions.

Besides, their lives were in her hands and she wanted them to not only follow her commands but to keep themselves alive as well.

"While that much is true," Sothis reluctantly admitted. "There are still things you'll have to teach, Byleth. It can't all be about combat."

Byleth nodded in agreement.

That much was certainly true.

"Of course it's true. But, I guess we can go over that with Shez and the house leader, Edelgard," Sothis shrugged. "In the meantime, I've been meaning to ask, you looked over the files for Hubert, Bernadetta, and Linhardt before we left your room to give your House decision. Why did you do that?"

Byleth cocked her head.

She wanted to perform a test on those three.

Well most of the students would potentially follow her command, those three concerned her. One shadowed Edelgard whenever she saw them, the second seemed to be a lazy genius, and the other was fearful of her shadow and could potentially freeze up or refuse to leave her room for assignments.

If they were to be in battle, she couldn't have one napping away and the other awaiting his commands from Edelgard.

She had to see if they would follow her words or not.

"Ah, a little test for those two. I see….Shez is looking your way," Sothis noted.

"So, Sis, you ready for our first official step into this mess?" Shez asked.

"I doubt it will be much different than our mercenary work," Byleth said. "If not, we will adapt."

"That's what we do best," Shez said.

"And here we are," Manuela announced with a theatrical air as she stopped and performed a twirl to face the sisters in front of two closed doors. "The Black Eagles' Classroom. And waiting within it are the hopes and future of the Adrestian Empire."

"Byleth. You're staring at her chest. Look up but don't make it too obvious that you were staring at it," Sothis instructed.

Byleth lifted her head to see a twinkle of amusement in Manuela's eyes.

She didn't even realize she had been staring.

Sothis snorted in amusement and said, "Well you were. Your eyes seem to gravi—"

"Shez, any more staring like that and I'll have to ask you to take me to dinner," Manuela teased, which caused Shez to jolt in surprise.

"I don't know what I'm going to do with you two," Sothis sighed. "Well, maybe we got lucky and she didn't catch you staring at her sizeable bust."

Shez let out a sheepish laugh, her hand scratching at the back of her neck. "Whoops?" Shez remarked.

"Nice save," Manuela snorted. "Anyway, now that I have escorted the two of you here, good luck and be safe."

"Thank you for leading us here, Lady Casagranda," Byleth thanked.

"Seriously. If you hadn't shown us the way, I would have had to remember where it was, and trust me, that's not a good idea," Shez tacked on with a grin. "Alright, I'm going in! Meet you in there, Sis!"

And without any further fanfare, Shez walked into the classroom with her familiar confidence and shouted, "Alright! Line up for your new teaching assistant, Shez Eisner!"

"She certainly doesn't waste any time endearing herself," Manuela smiled.

"Her confidence is quite grand," Byleth said. "It is one of the things I admire about her."

"It is certainly a breath of fresh air compared to Hanneman, Seteth, and Rhea," Manuela said with amusement. "I could also say the same about you. You're quite reserved but not to the extent of being stuffy like the three mentioned. Especially Seteth. That man can make paint drying interesting."

"That's a compliment, dear," Sothis explained.

"Thank you," Byleth replied.

"Now, best get your students, they are ripe and ready for your knowledge," Manuela told her as she turned away but then, she paused and glanced at Byleth from out of the corner of her eye. "And Professor Eisner? Don't think I didn't catch you staring longer than your sister. You owe me dinner."

"Welp!" Sothis commented.

"Forgive me. I was truly thinking about how to lead my class," Byleth replied, feeling strange for a moment. "I suppose I shall when I return from our mission?"

"That sounds perfect. Farewell and good luck," Manuela said and then walked away.

Well, at least she'll get to know more about her fellow professor….

"And maybe get to stare at her breast some more," Sothis teased. "But don't forget, you must meet with Professor Hanneman as well for whatever he wants to talk about it."

She had forgotten about that.

"Hence why I reminded you, Byleth," Sothis huffed. "Now get in there. You have a class to teach."

After a nod, Byleth swiftly turned and walked through the doors that led into her new classroom with her sister and her new students.

"And this is your professor, Byleth Eisner," Shez introduced as Byleth joined her side. "We've chosen your class as of today."

"Well, I, Edelgard formally welcome you both to the Black Eagle House," Edelgard greeted. "And I thank you both for selecting our house. The choice must not have been easy, compared to those in the Golden Deer and Blue Lion houses."

"Thank you," Byleth answered. "And while both houses are skilled, my sister and I felt this one was more appropriate for us."

"Wait, the Violet Whirlwind is our teaching assistant and the Ashen Demon is our professor?!" Caspar gasped. "I really didn't see that coming."

"Even here, you two are well-known," Sothis murmured. "I wonder how spread out your reputations truly are."

"Caspar," Dorothea chastised. "Don't be rude."

"You know it's a waste of time to expect politeness from him," Linhardt drawled with half-lidded eyes.

"I didn't say that to be rude," Caspar defended. "It's just….These two are well-known members of the Hungry Wolves. Their fierceness in battle is near legendary! I'm stoked to learn from both of them!"

"He is loud but there is a charm to him," Sothis said.

"Regardless," Linhardt continued. "It will be a pleasure to learn from you both of you."

"Wait, S-Stop!" Bernadetta frantically exclaimed. "I don't know these people! Too many new faces!" Bernadetta then turned to Byleth and Shez and stammered, "D-Don't look at me like that! And p-please don't talk to me too much, either."

Bernadetta then turned around, leaving her back open to Byleth and Shez.

"W-Wait. Then how are we supposed to teach her?" Sothis dryly questioned while Byleth and Shez blinked in unison.

"And that's what happens when you skip this year's first field excursion, Bern," Dorothea sighed. "A lot happened—there was even a bandit attack. Did you really not hear about any of that?"

"Bandits?" Bernadetta whimpered as she crouched down, her back still to Byleth and Shez. "Now I'm extra glad I skipped out."

Byleth watched as Dorothea rubbed Bernadetta's hair with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry for the chaos you both walked into," Dorothea apologized while Byleth could feel Sothis leaning from her throne at the green-eyed girl's words. "We're normally not like this."

"She sounds like an exhausted mother," Sothis said. "But wow, that picture does not do her justice."

It certainly didn't.

"I must say," Ferdinand spoke up with a hand to his chest. "The church took a bold step in having the Violet Whirlwind and the Ashen Demon lead our class-a decision which I, of course, fully support. You helped Edelgard, and we stand to learn quite a bit from ones so skilled.."

Ferdinand grinned with closed eyes as he added, "I also notice with my keen eyes that we are all rather close in age. I hope you both do not mind if we treat you like one of us."

"Oh?" Shez questioned while Byleth raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, Assistant Eisner," Ferdinand confidently answered. "In our class, we try to treat each other as equals, despite any differences in age or status. Personally, I would love to include both of you in that inner circle."

"Doesn't seem like a bad idea," Sothis muttered. "But, that could get dicey on the battlefield. You better set up some conditions."

Byleth agreed with this. In The Hungry Wolves, she did not care about how she was viewed or interacted with outside of assignments and battles. Within them, especially if she had a small squadron beneath her, she was the commander and her orders were to be followed.

"I do not wish to speak for my sister, but we would like that," Byleth said. "Outside of class and missions, you may treat us however you like."

"That I wholeheartedly agree with," Shez spoke up as she put her hands behind her head. "I may be the teaching assistant, but please don't hesitate in treating me like an equal. And just call me Shez. None of that "Assistant Eisner" nonsense."

"However," Byleth continued. "Inside the classroom and on the field, I am your leader. What I say, goes. And if I am not present, then my Sister and The House Leader, Edelgard, will step in and lead in my stead."

"Judging from your sister looking as if she swallowed a whole egg, I don't think she expected you to say her name," Sothis said.

Byleth knew this.

However, while she knew her sister did not like the leadership role, she was in that position as her Teaching Assistant. And much like Byleth's role as her father's second-in-command, she would have to be taught how to be a leader.

And there was no time like the present.

"You have a gut, Professor," Petra chirped. "I will take great joy in your teachings."

"W-What did she say?" Sothis stammered.

"Petra, I believe you mean to say that our professor has guts. That's a bit different from having a gut," Dorothea corrected. "You can't go around saying someone so slim and attractive has a gut."

"Oh my," Sothis giggled. "You may want to watch out for this one, Byleth. She may charm you out of your skirt."

Byleth felt the collar beneath her neck heat up as Dorothea's green eyes twinkled with delight.

"Are you blushing? Well, well….Isn't this a fun little thing to see," Sothis teased.

"Oh? Please take my apologies, Professor," Petra apologized. "I have not yet mastered this language."

"That is quite alright," Byleth said with a supportive look. "I knew what you meant."

"I am glad," Petra said. She then turned to Shez and said, "And I have the eagerness to examine the fighting of mercenaries! We should be sparring, one versus one."

Shez looked alarmed at this but grinned, a streak of red going across her face. "I look forward to it, Petra," Shez replied. "How about after this mission?"

"I will be forward looking to it," Petra replied.

"Petra, I believe you mean that you'll be looking forward to it," Dorothea gently corrected.

Petra blinked and then smiled. "Yes, what Dorothea has stated," Petra added.

"Professor, Teaching Assistant," Edelgard interjected as she stepped forward. "Now that you have met our house, I assume you both know what you are getting into, correct?"

Byleth nodded while Shez said, "A lot of chaos and growing pains for everyone."

"Yes," Edelgard chuckled. "We may not be perfect, but we support each other as best as we can. Please try your utmost to get along with everyone."

"She seems rather protective of them. If Dorothea is the mother hen, she is the mother eagle," Sothis stated with amusement.

"And with that said, I want you both to know I may be the imperial princess, but here at the academy, I'm just another student. It's perfectly acceptable for you two to treat me as you do the others," Edelgard said. "However, I do have high expectations of you both. And high hopes. But I am certain you both can lead the Black Eagle House to greatness."

"Noted," Byleth said as Shez smirked.

"Alright, now that introductions are complete," Linhardt cut in. "If anyone needs me, I'll be asleep in— Wait. Scratch that. Does either of you have a Crest? Did Professor Hanneman even check?"

"No but we plan to have that checked after we return," Byleth said.

"Good because I don't know why, I feel that you two must have Cre—"

"Return from where?" Dorothea asked.

"The field," Byleth explained. "We are to eliminate the remaining members of the Iron King's Thieves that attacked your camp and chased off Edelgard, Claude, and Dimitri."

"Yeah. Rhea figures the time is right to strike 'em down since Kostas bit the dust," Shez explained. "Leaving the remains of his brigands behind."

"Whoa! That's way better to break the ice than a sparring session!" Caspar exclaimed.

"Why will the ice be broken?" Petra asked with an inquisitive glance at Caspar. "Is this a custom I have missed in my studies?"

"No, it's a saying we have," Shez answered, seeing Caspar's frazzled look. "It typically means to get a conversation going at the start of a party or when people meet for the first time. In Caspar's case, it means getting to see what we can do."

"I have the understanding. I give you my thankings…I mean, I thank you, Assistant Shez," Petra said with a thankful smile, which caused Shez to glance down at the floor. "When shall we experience the breaking of ice?"

"Right away, so we need to prepare ourselves," Byleth said.

"Perfect," Hubert finally spoke. "We'd better get all of our waterfowl in a row."

"W-Wait!" Bernadetta exclaimed as she stood upright and turned around. "Is it too late t-to say that I can't participate?"

"Far too late," Shez replied.

"Oh," Bernadetta moaned. "Good work, Bernie. Why didn't you speak up sooner? I don't want to go out and face bandits. Why can't we just stay in the classroom and learn from a book?"

"Bernadetta," Byleth spoke. "I expect all Black Eagles to participate in this mission, which means you as well."

"You can do this," Shez encouraged. "We will protect each other and make it out of this unscathed. I promise you that."

Bernadetta looked unsure but Dorothea placed a hand on Bernadetta's shoulder. "Let's just calm down and have a nice cup of tea before the mission. Will that help you?" Dorothea asked.

Finally, Bernadetta nodded and stuttered, "O-Okay…."

Edelgard looked pleased with this interaction. She then turned her attention back to Byleth and Shez and said, "I look forward to seeing what you two can do out there."

"We won't let you down," Shez promised. Byleth then watched her sister blink as Linhardt's snoring reached both of their ears.

"Oh, for the Goddess' sake," Ferdinand groaned. "I know we all agreed to treat each other as equals, but there is a limit to what I can tolerate." Ferdinand walked up to Linhardt, who slept away at a desk, and shook him awake. "Wake up, Linhardt. We must have some decorum!"

Hubert chuckled and shook his head. "Looks like your first job will be to quiet down this racket. I certainly don't envy you," Hubert taunted.

"Does he have to sound like a creep?" Sothis noted.

"Ah, Professor Eisner," Seteth announced himself as he stepped into the room. "I see you have met with your students."

"I have," Byleth stated.

"What's up, Sete?" Shez asked.

Seteth glowered.

Sothis sighed.

"I have word from our knights," Seteth stated. "The bandits have fled north into the canyon bordering Count Rowe's land in the Kingdom. They successfully cut off their escape, and now stand ready to provide whatever support your students may require."

"They work fast," Shez said after a whistle.

"We just arrived yesterday," Sothis noted. "And they already have them pinned."

Byleth nodded.

Byleth did recall that Alois told their father that he sent a group of knights to chase after the escaping bandits. They must have spent the whole week getting the bandits into this position while the main group traveled to Garreg Mach.

"That's what I'm thinking as well," Sothis agreed. "This canyon….How far is it, I wonder."

"How far is the canyon?" Byleth asked.

"It's a four-hour journey from here," Seteth answered.

"That's not too bad," Sothis said.

"I needn't remind you this is the first real battle for some of our charges. I trust you both will keep them safe," Seteth said with a critical gaze at Byleth and Shez.

"What do you take us for?" Shez asked. "A bunch of wet-behind-the-ears kids? We got this, Sete."

Byleth shook her head at Shez and calmly replied to Seteth, "We will keep them safe."

"I hope you do," Seteth frowned as he walked away.

"So….what crawled up his butt and died?" Caspar asked.

Shez, and to Byleth's surprise, Edelgard, smirked at this.

"How incorrigible," Sothis chuckled.

---

"Another clear blue sky," Dorothea announced as she rode beside Edelgard, with Hubert trailing close behind them, on the way to their mission. "It feels so good to be out of the stifling, oppressive air of the monastery."

"On that, we agree," Edelgard chuckled as the breeze flowed against her. "I always cherish moments like this, where we aren't under the eyes of everyone."

Dorothea nodded and then eyed their new professor and teaching assistant. "So, that's the Ashen Demon and the Violet Whirlwind….They're much more attractive than you led me to believe."

"I wasn't necessarily looking at their looks, Dorothea," Edelgard chuckled.

"True, but that would have been a nice thing to tell me," Dorothea grinned. "What do you think of them?"

Edelgard narrowed her eyes.

"Personality-wise? Shez leaves her emotions open like a book," Edelgard started. "It's obvious that she dislikes Seteth. She's very confident in her skills and very personable. I also noticed that during our time on the road and in that village, she greatly admires her sister. It's touching in a way…."

Edelgard drifted off and Dorothea noticed a flicker of grief in her eyes. Dorothea always managed to catch Edelgard when these blink-and-you-miss-it emotions appeared. "Although, She seemed surprised that the Professor named her as co-second-in-command alongside me."

"Skill-wise, her moniker is well-earned. I watched her shred through enemies as if they were nothing when she and the Professor saved Claude, Dimitri, and myself. She is a strong tool to have on our side."

"And the professor?" Dorothea asked.

"She is….reserved, almost emotionless at times," Edelgard answered. "She keeps things short and simple. She is also quite blunt, which is a trait her sister shares, but there are brief moments of something within her eyes. The only time I see emotion is when she gazes at her sister. That's where I see the warmth. Skill-wise….It would be foolish for anyone to fight her."

"Is she that strong?" Dorothea asked.

Dorothea watched as Edelgard looked at Byleth's back. "Who would you say is the strongest out of the students? In terms of physicality." Edelgard asked.

Dorothea tilted her head in thought. "Well, I would say you, Petra/Ferdie, and Caspar. In that order," Dorothea answered.

"The way both of them fight makes us all look like mewling children who just picked up our weapons," Edelgard revealed, which took Dorothea aback. "And that's both of them in general. But Professor Eisner's skill eclipses Assistant Eisner's to a shocking degree."

"Really?" Dorothea gasped.

"I watched her, in one draw of her sword, slice through the necks of two bandits near the end of our second battle. These men were bigger than her and were ax-wielders. They were in mid-swing," Edelgard said. "And she did it as easily as we breathe, and with an expression that puts winter to shame at how cold it was. She is every bit of a demon they claim her to be."

Dorothea then grinned when she saw a hint of red on Edelgard's pale cheeks. "So….I take it she was amazing, Edie?" Dorothea asked.

"Very much so," Edelgard answered. "I truly believe that with both of them, we are in safe hands."

"I-I hope so," Bernadetta mumbled from behind Dorothea, her arms tucked around Dorothea's waist.

That was the only thing Bernadetta had said since they left. The poor thing was so scared, Dorothea wished she could do something to help her but asking that question seemed to stop Bernadetta's trembling.

But while Edelgard and Bernadetta seemed relieved, Dorothea frowned.

While she was confident that everything would be alright, she still had her concerns regarding the two unknowns that joined their team. Dorothea was never the type to believe words. She was about action and she would watch these two and gather the truth with her own eyes.

---

Caspar was visibly vibrating with excitement as he rode in the middle of Ferdinand and Petra.

Their first field assignment, led by the Ashen Demon and the Violet Whirlwind. He was going to learn so much from them. "Can you stop shaking?" Linhardt grumbled from behind him. "I'm trying to get some rest."

Linhardt decided to use the hour their professor granted to nap so Caspar was forced to have Linhardt ride along with him. While Caspar rode the horse, Linhardt leaned on his back with his fingers steepled on his chest and his eyes closed.

"Can't help it, Lin," Caspar said. "We're just a bit away from seeing The Ashen Demon and the Violet Whirlwind in action. We'll be fighting alongside them."

"Or, they will handle the enemies on their own and let us watch them," Linhardt guessed.

Caspar frowned.

He truly hoped that wasn't going to happen.

"Don't look so down at that thought, Caspar," Ferdinand said with a confident smile. "I doubt Lady Rhea would send us on this mission to just watch."

"I agree," Petra added. "And if that occurs, we shall do the learning of them while watching."

"I just hope for a physical lesson," Caspar said. "So, what do you guys think of them?"

"It is strange that they look as lovely as Histriones or Divas and yet are skilled mercenaries. Perhaps the most skilled in Fódlan. It is quite an amusing sight," Ferdinand commented.

"Histriones?" Petra questioned.

"They perform in theatre plays. It is something the nobles have been enjoying alongside hearing the sweet songs of Divas," Ferdinand explained. "There have been plans for the noble houses to combine them into one. Though considering the fierce rivalry the two groups have, it has been going slow."

"We do not have these in Brigid," Petra noted. "But they are normally beautiful as Assistant Eisner?"

"They tend to be," Ferdinand answered. "You find them Shez beautiful?"

Petra frowned and said, "The Professor is quite lovely, but the shade and color of Shez's eyes and hair are reminding me of the Flame Spirit of Brigid."

"The Flame Spirit….Is that your version of the Goddess, Petra?" Linhardt questioned. Caspar could hear his curiosity and snorted in amusement.

"Of course, that would perk you up," Caspar joked.

"I spoke in haste. I do not be wishing to speak any longer." Petra said and then rode ahead, leaving the boys behind.

Linhardt sigh.

Caspar knew that Petra always clammed up when she spoke about her home and that made him feel guilty.

"But, I for one look forward to seeing if their reputations are well founded," Ferdinand swiftly continued.

Caspar hoped so as well.

---

"Lost sight of them? How in the world do you lose sight of a whole bandit group?" Shez asked in sheer disbelief as the knight in front of her sheepishly looked away.

"I'm ashamed to admit it, but yes, we lost sight of them," The Knight of Seiros admitted. "It's possible someone magicked the bandits away. But why go to that kind of trouble for a handful of highwayman scum?"

Shez turned to her sister, who visibly frowned. "What do we do?" Shez asked.

Byleth crossed her arms in thought, staring past the knight. Shez then saw her eyes narrow. She saw something in the distance. "Follow me," Byleth instructed as she kicked the sides of Starwind, sending her horse galloping ahead.

"Let's go, Black Eagles!" Shez instructed as Heatwave chased after Byleth and Starwind while the galloping horses of the Black Eagles followed close behind her.,

As Heatwave charged forward, Shez couldn't help but be annoyed. Why was Starwind so much faster than Heatwave? It was obscene! In the distance, Shez could see the shapes of running figures and Byleth removing her sword.

Were those the bandits?

As Shez drew closer, Byleth had a bandit on the ground with her blade at his neck and once she was close to Byleth, she said, "Sis, you really have a bad habit of running off."

"I noticed them dart off in this direction," Byleth explained as she stared down at the shaking bandit.

"W-What they say is true. You really are a demon," The bandit stammered out as Byleth raised an eyebrow.

"Well, if you want to live, you'll want to answer our questions," Byleth said.

"And answer truthfully or else," Shez followed up as she got off of Heatwave.

"Professor, Shez, you shouldn't charge ahead like that. It's far too danger— Wait, what is all this?" Edelgard asked as they rode up behind them.

"Whoa," Caspar breathed.

Bernadetta turned her head from Dorothea's back, and squealed, "Eeek! B-bandits!" And then nestled her face back between Dorothea's shoulder blades.

Linhardt turned his head and raised an eyebrow. "Well, they are quite dead," He drawled.

"Yes, they look quite dead indeed," Ferdinand said. "Professor, Shez, are these the miscreants we were meant to deal with?"

"We were just getting the answer to that," Byleth said as she stared at the bandit, her face an emotionless mask. "Were we not?"

"L-Look, I'll give you anything you want. Just don't kill me!" The bandit cried.

"Then talk," Byleth softly commanded.

Shez couldn't help but admire her sister in her element. She didn't have to shout or make threats like Shez did, all she had to do was keep her voice even to command respect.

"You guys see that fortress there? That's our base! We were retreating into it!" The bandit explained. "To hide from the knights and maybe use our prisoner as a bargaining chip to keep our skins."

"Prisoner?" Byleth asked as she pressed the edge of her blade against the man's neck.

Shez could see the fear growing in the man's eyes as he exclaimed, "Yes! S-She's some red-haired girl in some uniform. Our boss kidnapped her on the command of some fire king or whatever but with our boss dead, and that guy not coming, we gots no use for her anymore."

"Where is she?" Shez asked.

"The cell in the fortress," The bandit answered. "She's there."

"How many men?" Byleth asked.

"Seven outside guarding the place…A-and six inside," The bandit answered.

"A total of thirteen men," Edelgard noted as she got off of her all-white horse. "But the knight did say that someone magicked most, if not all, the bandits into the fortress. That must mean mages are around."

"Y-Yeah," The bandit said. "Three of 'em. And a thief too!"

"Seventeen men," Shez concluded as she turned to Byleth.

"They will be perfect for me to see how well all of you follow commands," Byleth announced as she pulled her blade back from the bandit's neck. She took her foot off the man's chest and motioned for him to flee.

The man wasted no time in scrambling to his feet and running for this life.

"So, it seems that there is a hostage in there," Dorothea said.

"Yes. Which means that the mission perimeters have changed," Byleth announced. "We are to eliminate the bandits and save the hostage."

"That gives us allowance to be storming their base and crushing them under our feet!" Petra exclaimed.

Dorothea shook her head and said, "Professor, It might be a little dangerous for us to handle on our own."

"Yes! I mean, I agree. We should all, um, go home. Right now!" Bernadetta exclaimed, her voice muffled by Dorothea's shirt.

"But the bandits are inside, and they must answer for their crimes of attacking our camp and kidnapping!" Ferdinand combatted. "It is our noble duty to finish them off before they can bring harm to another soul."

"This isn't about nobles—it's about doing the right thing, period. And striking down evil is the Caspar way!" Caspar exclaimed with a fist pump.

"I mean, Sis…. We'll be heroes if we manage to take out the entire bandit outpost," Shez told Byleth with a grin. "This is the kinda stuff we live for."

Shez watched as her sister narrowed her eyes at the fortress and said, "Dorothea, you and Hubert will go back to the outpost and inform the knights of our location. The rest of us will proceed with entering the fortress to clear it out. Once done, Dorothea and Bernadetta will return….While Hubert remains out here to await further instructions."

"I can do that," Dorothea remarked.

"P-Professor? Do I have to?" Bernadetta stammered.

"Professor. That would be a mistake," Hubert started. "Are you sure that is wise to send me back with them when I will do well here alongside Lady Edelgard?"

Shez watched as Byleth turned to the ghoulish man and asked with a glint in her eyes, "Are you both disobeying an order?"

Bernadetta whimpered as she slid off Dorothea's horse and stood alongside the group.

Hubert glowered at Byleth, which caused Shez to step in front of her with a frown. "Well, aren't you going to go?" Shez asked as she glared back at him.

"It's alright, Hubert," Edelgard said. "Please follow her commands."

Hubert narrowed his eyes at Byleth, turned his attention to Edelgard, and then bowed his head as he said, "I will obey."

"But I can't but agree with him, Professor," Edelgard admitted. "His magic is a boon to the Black Eagles."

"I am quite aware," Byleth answered. "However, from your notes, he has been with you since you were a child and I noticed that the entire time we've been together, save when we first met, he has hovered over you like a ghost. I wanted to test and see if he would listen to my command or if he would combat it and wait until you commanded him. He not only tried to undermine my choice by stating I made a mistake but then looked to you instead of obeying my command."

Byleth looked to the rest of her group and said, "I am willing to listen to advice when needed, as I have done with Dorothea, but I will not have someone like that in my class unless they know to follow commands from their field leader. Retainer or not."

Shez smirked as Byleth concluded, "As I said, this is my class and my rules and command will be followed. If anyone fails to heed that one rule, there will be repercussions. Am I clear?"

The group nodded.

"Good, now, let us proceed," Byleth instructed.

---

"So, Sis, mind explaining the shield?"

Byleth turned her head to the right to gaze at her sister and then glanced at the concave disk shield that was taken from Berling's deceased body and currently dangling on her back, held close to her by a leather strap that was situated around her right shoulder.

The shield was twenty-seven inches in diameter and was slightly heavier than most silver shields at eighteen pounds but Byleth would still be able to use it to protect the majority of her body while being able to keep her speed and agility.

She was slightly concerned about not being able to protect her legs but since she was fairly nimble and most would often aim at her head, neck, or central mass, she felt comfortable with it.

The silver shield was beautifully made, with the shield having four layers of different imagery etched into the silver.

In the very center of the shield was the image of the goddess with a halo that had several strange sigils within it that Byleth wasn't too sure about.

The first layer outside of the goddess held images of the Earth, sky, and sea.

The second layer held the image of the sun, the moon, and the constellations that often appeared in the night sky of Fódlan.

And the final layer that stretched to the edge of the shield was that of the great ocean with all nine continents within it.

"I am also quite curious about it," Edelgard said. "It's far too large compared to the buckler-type shields most of the others are wearing. Are you training to become an armored or fortress knight? And if so, are looking to wield an axe versus a sword?"

"Neither," Byleth answered. "The shield is far too light for a fortress or armored knight to wield and while I am decent with axes, I prefer to throw them than to wield them. Truthfully, I wanted to use this mission to test something with it. To see if a sword and shield can be used in tandem."

"That's all you're giving them?" Sothis asked.

"That's all you're giving us?" Shez asked.

"I suppose I can give more information," Byleth said to both her sister and Sothis.

"You better," Sothis grumbled.

"After our spar in Remire, Shez, I started to think more about dual-wielding," Byleth admitted. "I was caught off guard with your new style and could easily see it overwhelm me in combat eventually once you become more comfortable with it or if I face an enemy that had a similar idea. However, I didn't feel comfortable with a weapon in my other hand. So, as I am trained in using a shield, I figured I would combine it with my sword use. Since this mission doesn't hold many risks, I figured this would be the right time to test it"

"She seems mighty pleased that she's the reason you decided to come up with your own style," Sothis noted as Shez looked at the floor to try and hide her massive smile.

Byleth was pleased with this knowledge. Her sister was a very skilled swordsman, and in some ways, better than Byleth in the art. She deserved to know that her skills that day caused Byleth to rethink her own weapon style.

"I must say, it feels right seeing you wear a shield," Sothis noted with a nostalgic tone. "It reminds me of someone from long ago….But why?"

It felt right as well to Byleth.

"I don't like how quiet it is here," Edelgard noted from Byleth's left. "Shouldn't we be expecting something?"

"Yeah, when does the ass-kicking start?" Caspar asked.

"Caspar, stop being so cavalier about battle," Ferdinand chastised. "Honestly, I've never met someone so carefree about fighting as much as you."

"His name is Felix Hugo Fraldarius," Linhardt dryly corrected as his eyes gaze at his book. "And he—Bernadetta, must you shake like a leaf behind me?"

"S-Sorry," Bernadetta shakily apologized. "I-I don't want to be in here. I-I want to leave."

"Focus up," Byleth commanded as she moved her shield from her back to her arm, where she gripped the straps attached to the inside of the shield. "I hear footsteps coming from ahead. Linhardt, and Bernadetta, I want you two to flank us for healing and cover fire respectively. Edelgard, I want you back there as well to protect them in case we do get flanked. Ferdinand, and Caspar, watch the west and east respectively to make sure we aren't flanked. Petra, you and I will remain at the head of the group. Shez….Do you mind scouting ahead?"

Shez smirked and said, "Got it."

Shez raced ahead of the group down the hall while Petra took Edelgard's place.

Entrance into the fortress wasn't too bad. Bernadetta, with some encouragement from Edelgard and Shez, was able to strike down two of the seven guards that were guarding the outside door. The remaining six had run inside, giving the class the ability to enter the fortress.

It was much bigger than Byleth initially thought it would be, but she didn't want to risk getting ambushed by separating the group quite yet.

"Professor?" Petra questioned. "Why have you sent your sister ahead?"

"Shez is the faster and stealthier between the two of us," Byleth explained. "It's one of the reasons she wears the red capelet I purchased for her two years ago into battle."

"Ah, she is doing the taunting of them," Petra noted.

"I suppose you can see it that way," Byleth said with a faint chuckle. "I don't know why she continues to wear it."

"I don't know why you continue to wear what you wear," Sothis noted. "I mean, lacings? Shorts that if they were just a bit higher, would be improper? A shirt that keeps your stomach, while very toned, bare?"

Byleth looked at her clothing with a curious expression.

The clothes she wore were given to her by some of the female mercenaries her father sometimes employed. Sure, it was mismatched and left more of her unarmored and unprotected against the elements, but she thought it looked ok.

"Yeah, it looks fine as a mercenary but you're professor now!" Sothis exclaimed. "You have to dress like it."

Byleth tilted her head.

Perhaps Sothis was right.

"Perhaps?!" Sothis exclaimed.

Shez returned to the group and said, "There are ten bandits in the room with the large golden statue to the right. To the left, there are stairs leading down to the basement. Thing is, I heard someone calling for help."

"That could be where the prisoner is being held," Byleth muttered. "Shez, Petra, Caspar, you three go down to the basement and see if the prisoner is there. The rest of us will secure this place for when the other knights, along with Dorothea and Hubert return."

"Got it," Shez said, "Come on you two, let's see what's going on down the basement."

Petra nodded as Caspar fist pumped and said, "You got it. Leave it to me, Professor."

The three departed and Byleth looked at her remaining group of Linhardt, Edelgard, Bernadetta, and Ferdinand. "Alright, Bernadetta, Linhardt, your instructions remain the same. Cover fire and healing. Edelgard, Ferdinand, you two will be my fighters so don't let me down."

"Of course, Professor," Edelgard said.

"I am Ferdinad von Aegir. Letting anyone down is not my forte," Ferdinand bragged.

Sothis let out a hum of disapproval. "You know, he reminds me of someone. They were arrogant and oddly charming too. We will really need to work on humbling him down," Sothis said.

Byleth nodded in agreement.

"Let's hope not," Byleth remarked. "Now, let us begin."

The group rushed down the hall and turned right, where they saw the bandits conversing with one another. "We got company! Kill 'em!" One of the bandits exclaimed.

Byleth immediately saw a bandit behind the main group lift a bow and notch an arrow. They fired it straight at Byleth, who lifted her shield and blocked it from hitting her head. She moved her shield arm aside while unsheathing her sword, and the first bandit that met her was instantly dispatched with a slice of his neck.

The second bandit that came across her path attempted to pierce her chest with a spear but she stepped to the side and smacked the spear away with her shield and pierced his chest twice with her blade, and then dropped the blade at her feet to grab the bandit's spear as he fell.

She lifted her shield and blocked a downward swing of the third bandit's sword and rammed the spear into his neck, causing his body to tremble as blood poured from the life-ending wound. She pulled back the spear while pushing the man's body back with her left foot until the spear was free and the man was on the ground.

Byleth slung her shield around the front of her body and over her right shoulder, inadvertently causing an arrow to bounce off of it, where it slid against the leather until it stopped on her back while she lunged the blood-soaked spear into a fourth bandit that attempted to charge her.

She pushed the spear and the man away as she kicked up her sword to her left hand and smacked a bandit in the face, leading him indirectly at the aim of Berndetta's arrow, which pierced his skull.

Edelgard rushed ahead and expertly smacked a bandit's lunging sword to the left with her axe and then immediately swung it at an upward angle to rip at her opponent's neck. Without stopping her arm, she then swung her arm from right to left to slice another bandit in the face from eye to eye, causing him to scream before Bernadetta's arrow silenced him with a shot to his forehead.

Ferdinand leaped into the air and lunged his spear into the chest of a bandit and then yanked it out to deflect the lunges of another spearman which ended with Ferdinand forcing the spear out of the man's hands and lunging it into the base of the man's neck.

Byleth rushed passed Ferdinand with her shield back in front of her, using it to deflect three more arrows before she moved her shield behind her and stabbed the bow-wielding bandit in the chest. She watched as the life drained from his eyes and she yanked her sword free.

Byleth turned around and saw Edelgard, Ferdinand, and Linhardt looking at her in surprise while the sounds of Bernadetta releasing the contents of her stomach filled the air.

"Good job," Byleth congratulated her team once Bernadetta calmed her stomach down. "How is everyone feeling?"

"A little saddened by the loss of life, but it was unavoidable," Edelgard answered first.

Ferdinand looked a little green in the gills, but he shook his head and said, "Edelgard speaks true. While this was a sad end to their lives, it was something that had to be done. Who knows how many people they have slaughtered before this point? Although, I do wish they had given me time to announce my name."

"All of these dead bodies are enough to numb the senses," Linhardt stated with a pale expression.

"I feel woozy," Bernadetta groaned as she sat on her knees, also sickly pale. "I can't take this anymore. I want to go home."

"Those two look absolutely awful," Sothis noticed. "This must have been their first time exposed to death."

Byleth agreed with this.

She should have prepped them for this moment.

"You should have. A good lesson for the future, I suppose," Sothis said.

"Linhardt, Bernadetta, take a few moments to rest here. Ferdinand, you remain as well. Edelgard and I will search the area," Byleth informed.

"I shall protect them with my life," Ferdinand promised.

Byleth nodded, motioned to Edelgard to follow her, and they quickly left the room.

---

"Stay behind me," Shez instructed with a whisper as she crept down the stairs of the fortress, with Caspar and Petra behind her. She narrowed her eyes as she heard the pleas for help coming from below.

"Someone?! Anyone?! Help!" the feminine voice cried.

"Shut up!" Another voice yelled before she heard the familiar sound of a sword hitting metal bars. "You've been doing this since you got caught. No one is coming to save you, girlie. So sit there and look pretty."

"This guy sounds like a complete and total jerk," Caspar whispered.

"I am in agreeance," Petra muttered.

"Sit tight and watch our backs," Shez instructed as she peeked around the corner to get a better look. There was only a single bandit and the prisoner was a red-haired girl wearing a familiar uniform.

The bandit had his back toward the entrance while talking to the trapped girl.

"Sit tight," Shez instructed as she moved ahead, unsheathing one of her blades. She placed her index finger over her lips to shush the girl, who spotted her, and once she was close enough, her sword pierced through the man's back and chest while her free hand covered his mouth.

"Shhh," Shez softly shushed as she lowered the man down to the floor on his side. She pulled out her blade and grinned at the redhead.

"Are you...here to rescue me?" the girl croaked.

"Damn right," Shez replied. Shez dug into the dead man's pocket and pulled out a key. She unlocked the cell, rushed into the cell, and unlocked the shackles the girl was hanging by.

"Thank you for saving me!" Monica exclaimed as she clung to Shez.

"Who did this to you? Actually, never mind. Let's get you outta here before any of that," Shez said.

Shez then heard a commotion by the stairs.

"You must be a bad guy if you're pointing a weapon at me. Get ready to pay!"

"Don't let the girl escape, or Kronya will make us wish we were dead!"

Without warning, a man flew from the stairwell with Petra in front of him, her sword plunged through his chest. Petra landed on the man once he landed on the ground as she panted.

A cloaked individual then flew from the stairwell and slammed into the wall in front of Petra, and Caspar walked down the steps, rolling his right shoulder.

"I looked away for just a second," Shez groaned as she rushed to Petra and Caspar, with the mysterious girl behind her. "What happened?"

"This thief and this mage snuck up on us," Caspar explained. "Apparently, they want the girl so we better split."

Petra muttered something to the dying man and then looked at Shez, who held out a hand to Petra. "Need a hand?" Shez asked with a grin.

Petra nodded and Shez found her face heating up as Petra gave her a thankful smile. "Thank you," Petra said. Shez nodded, not able to trust her words as she pulled Petra to her feet. "We must be dispatching these villains before they take this person," Petra said while she removed her blade from the man's chest.

The sounds of battle reached Shez's ears.

"Let's get out of here and get to the others!" Shez announced.

"O-Oh!" The girl groaned as she stumbled, only for Petra to blink and hoist the girl into her arms. "I-I'm sorry….the world is still a little wobbly at the moment."

"I shall do the carrying," Petra said. "Let us proceed with haste."

Shez blinked at Petra.

She was really strong.

"R-Right," Shez coughed. "Let's go."

---

Byleth gripped the handle within her shield tightly as she repeatedly blocked the rapid lunges of this strange being that called herself Kronya. "My, my, you're very fast!" Kronya laughed as Byleth swatted her shield, only for the girl to dance back, her eye twinkling with amusement.

"Oh, you're not going anywhere with my Monica," Kronya told Byleth as her spiky black tails swayed methodically. Byleth looked around to see that all of her students were engaged in combat.

Even Linhardt was using his spell, Nosferatu, to stop an enemy mage from striking him down.

"So if you've got any pretty last words lined up, now would be the time. Not that I'm going to pay attention!" Kronya exclaimed as she rushed forward. Byleth narrowed her eyes and met Kronya head-on, using her shield to deflect the lunging black tails before her sword lashed out at Kronya's chest.

Kronya used her own blade to block Byleth's swing, causing sparks to fly from the colliding weapons. Their weapons clashed at a furious speed as both warriors attempted to get their opponent to make a mistake.

That mistake soon came when Kronya overextended in a swing, which allowed Byleth to duck the swing and bash her shield against Kronya's chest, causing the girl to gasp as her body was thrown back.

"Byleth, you need to focus. Something is going on with one of your students!" Sothis warned as Kronya lunged her spike black tendrils are Byleth. Byleth heard Sothis' warning but she was unable to glance around due to the oncoming tendrils.

Byleth quickly smacked one tendril away and narrowly avoided the second tendril from piercing her face by moving her head to the side, causing a slice from the middle of her right cheek to her right jaw from the edge of Kronya's tendril to happen.

Unfortunately, the third tendril managed to find a mark as it pierced through her right shoulder, causing her eyes to widen in agony.

Despite this, Byleth gritted her teeth, grabbed the tendril with her left hand, allowing her shield to hang at her side, and sliced through the tendril, sending this black substance spurting from both sides of the cut tendril as Kronya screamed in pain.

Byleth charged forward and with a lunge of her sword, managed to slice Kronya's left cheek, with her opponent barely moving her head to keep herself alive. Kronya staggered backward as the black substance slid down her cut cheek.

She thrashed her tendrils at Byleth wildly, who blocked each attack, as she screamed, "You asked for it! Release the be—!"

Byleth pinned both of Kronya's tendrils to the ground with the edge of her shield while simultaneously throwing her sword with as much force as possible, causing it to pierce Kronya's opened mouth. Her eyes widened in unimaginable pain black liquid fell down the front and sides of her mouth.

But as Kronya began to fall, Byleth heard Linhardt scream, "Bernadetta!" Byleth turned her head just to see a bandit's axe landing against Bernadetta's neck screaming neck.

Byleth screamed, "No!" as she reached forward, wanting to do anything to stop what was about to happen to her terrified student.

Hearing Byleth's request, Sothis snapped her fingers as she shouted, "Prohibere!"

The world's color suddenly inverted stopped as Byleth stopped screaming, feeling that familiar out-of-body experience she had once before after saving Edelgard. She was in frozen time again. "So…." Sothis began as Byleth turned to her, heavily panting. "Where do you think you screwed up?"

Byleth stared at Sothis and then looked at the frozen and terrified face of Bernadetta's as the axe impacted her skin.

"I-I couldn't respond face enough," Byleth said. "I heard your warning, but I was barely able to move from getting hurt. Bernadetta paid for that mistake."

"I know on the field, you don't have to worry about the Hungry Wolves," Sothis admonished. "But while this is the battlefield, you are a teacher now. You cannot get caught up in a battle like that again. If I were not here, that girl's life would be over."

"Then what am I supposed to do, Sothis?" Byleth asked. She turned back to Kronya's body, which had frozen mid-fall. "She was a crafty enemy to pin down. How will I do it again?"

"I don't know," Sothis admitted. "But, you'll have to find that out. If you want to save Bernadetta…."

Byleth sighed and then nodded. "Even in her final moments, she was terrified….If I can spare her this death. I will…Even if it puts me on the back foot," Byleth said. "Please, rewind time just enough to save her while keeping Kronya pinned."

Sothis nodded and created a circle from left to right with her right index finger as she said, "Novis."

Byleth felt herself back in her physical form right as she pinned both of Kronya's prehensile tendrils to the flood with the edge of her shield. "You asked for it! Release the beast!" Kronya screamed as Byleth launched her sword at the bandit running toward Bernadetta, who sat on the ground, screaming in terror.

The blade pierced the man's neck from behind and he stumbled toward Bernadetta and then fell face first. Byleth sighed in relief, only to duck Kronya's lunging stab, gaining a shallow cut on the right corner of her forehead.

Byleth quickly retaliated by punching her opponent in the stomach, causing Kronya to lean forward due to the hard blow.

Byleth rose off the ground sharply, causing the top of her head to slam against the bottom of Kronya's chin, sending the woman staggering back.

Finally, Byleth lifted her shield from Kronya's pinned appendages and swiped it against Kronya's exposed neck, slicing it, and causing the black liquid to splash against Byleth's face.

Kronya staggered back, the black substance spurting from her neck as she grabbed at Byleth, with sheer hatred in her eyes. "I'll….be….ba…ck…." Kronya gurgled out before she fell to the ground, where she proceeded to bleed out.

Byleth fell to the ground as she gripped the tendril still in her shoulder and yanked it out, tossing it on the ground. Byleth panted as Linhardt rushed to her side and said, "I'll heal you, Professor. Hold still."

Byleth nodded as she felt the cold, healing breeze rushing through her body. She could feel the damage taken from Kronya's tendril and sword heal, leaving only a faint scar on her cheek, forehead, and presumably a scar on her right shoulder.

"Professor! Thank you so much!" Bernadette exclaimed as she tackled Byleth and hugged her as hard as she could with tears pouring down her face. "I thought I was a goner!" Byleth gave the girl a tired small smile as she rubbed her back.

"Professor, you did it!" Edelgard exclaimed as she and an exhausted-looking Ferdinand walked up to her. "You actually killed that snake…."

"She was a deadly opponent and I didn't get out of it wound-free," Byleth replied. She then turned to Bernadetta and said, "However, considering the alternative, my body can handle a few more battle scars…."

A loud roar shook the fortress as Linhardt groaned, "Now what?"

"By the Goddess!" An unfamiliar voice yelled, which prompted Byleth and her team to turn their heads to see Shez, Caspar, and Petra, with the latter holding an unfamiliar girl in her arms.

The girl smiled in delight as she yelled, "Lady Edelgard!"

"Monica?!" Edelgard exclaimed. "How d-did you….No, my questions can wait. What was the noise?"

"There is a large beast outside…." Monica replied, only for her eyes to drift on the still form of Kronya, and for a split second, Byleth saw horror and sadness in her eyes, before they quickly faded.

"We see some knights battling it," Shez said. "But that won't be enough." Shez sat Monica on the ground and said, "We're going to help them. Meet up with us when you're ready. Petra, Caspar."

The two nodded, And the trio quickly departed.

"I agree," Byleth said as she gingerly pushed Bernadetta aside and murmured, "You stay here. You have suffered enough bloodshed for one day."

Bernadetta gave a shaky nod.

Byleth stood up and as she went to walk past, she paused and slowly ruffled Bernadetta's hair, something she had often done to Shez when she was deeply upset. "It'll be alright," Byleth promised. "Linhardt, Ferdinand, remain here with Bernadetta and Monica, I believe her name is. The rest of you, move out!"

---

Shez, Petra, and Caspar were the first to exit the fortress to see a large beast swiping down at the various knights along with a few bandits that remained. Shez was going to find that lying bastard her sister spared and kill him if they survived this.

Shez could also see Hubert and Dorothea casting both thunder and miasma at the beast, who seemed to shrug off the attacks.

Shez unsheathed both of her swords and without hesitation, she jumped into the fray, her blades slashing one after another, cutting down each bandit that passed her without rhyme or reason.

To the left of her, Caspar's gauntlets punctured a bandit's chest with each quick jab before he finished the bandit off with an uppercut, sending the bleeding man down. And to the right of her, Petra skillfully avoided the wild swings of a bandit and landed a well-placed stab at the base of the man's neck.

As swift as the breeze, Petra then glided behind another bandit who was trying to a knight from behind, moved her blade into a reverse grip, and stabbed the bandit in the back of the head. She was so swift and wasted no movement in her kills, it reminded her of Byleth in a way.

Except she never found her sister as beautiful with blood splatting her left cheek and jaw and with an intense gaze in her eyes as she did with Petra. Shez snapped out of her state when she heard the beast roar and swing its left front paw down toward an unsuspecting Petra.

"Petra!" Shez screamed as she dashed forward and pushed Petra out of the way. Petra fell to the ground in shock as Shez turned her head and saw the paw rushing down toward her. Without hesitation, she used crossed both of her blades to stop it, immediately falling to one knee as the full weight crashed down on her, breaking several bones within her.

This was not good.

She was going to die!

Crushed by a big overgrown lizard!

"Byleth! Help!" Shez screamed in terror as she saw her sister's horrified face out of the corner of her eye.

Just as Byleth started to raise her right hand….Everything stopped.

"Don't fret," A voice said in her head. "The cycle of this world. I won't let it perish with you."

Shez felt a pulse of power escape her body as an orange-ish yellow aura emanated from her body, causing the weight of the beast's paw to lessen. Shez let out a roar as another burst of this aura flew from her body.

Floating rings made of glowing molten-orange spikes manifested around her wrists and neck. Her skin turned grey, her eyes and the top of their hair turned orange, and white markings appear on her face as she screamed, "Get off of me!"

With a final burst of power, she pushed the paw off of her blades, causing the beast to roar as it fell to its side. Shez growled as her blade, cracked from the impact it had taken from blocking the paw of the beast, shattered, and then reformed into a new blade.

The blade was stone-gray with its cross guard on its side above a pair of wings, both separated by the hilt of the mysterious blade. And the blade itself looked like teeth meeting in the middle of it, with the space between the teeth glowing a molten orange.

Shez didn't understand what was going on, how she was even alive, and how the bones that she felt break upon impact with the beast's paw were healed, but that didn't matter.

The beast roared as it twisted itself over and roared at Shez, who smirked and performed a right slash with her new blade, causing an arc of purple energy to fly at the beast and slice at its head. Shez dashed forward and proceeded to slice at the beast repeatedly at a speed so fast, it was like she could see the wind part with each slice, which rocked the beast's body.

After performing a smaller cross slash, Shez jumped into the air and shouted, "It's over!" As she performed a stronger cross slash, causing two arcs of purple energy that crossed into an "X" to slam into the beast's body before the ground exploded with purple light beneath the beast.

The beast roared its death cry as it flopped to the ground while Shez landed on her feet. She looked around and saw everyone's faces staring at her in awe.

Except for Byleth, who rushed through the crowd and embraced her as hard as she could. Shez was momentarily shocked by this. Her sister hardly showed any emotion except when it was just the two of them, and yet she was hugging her out in the open before everyone.

Shez smiled as the strange power left her body, returning it to its original form.

She felt so tired….

But at least she was safe in her sister's warm arms….

---

As explosions raged outside the fortress, a burst of dark energy exploded in front of Kronya's body.

Stepping out of the energy, was a hooded figure, who regarded Kronya's body with a shake of the head. "Oh, Kronya," the gravelly voice chided. "You met your end this soon? My, we can't have that, can we? You still have a job to do."

The cloaked figure hoisted Kronya's still body into his arms and slunk back into the dark portal, where it then vanished as if it never appeared.