Byleth opened his eyes and all he saw was war. War on a scale he had never seen before. He was no longer standing at the Great Bridge of Myrddin. The skies were blood red with black clouds swirling like mist in water. The blood-curdling screams of soldiers in black charged toward demonic beasts with their weapons held high. The monsters roared out in response as they clawed, bitten or threw rocks at their aggressors. It was a cacophony of death and destruction. Suddenly he watched a pillar of Light blast out from behind him and over his head at what looked like the Immaculate One flying in the sky, who was able to just avoid the incoming beam. Byleth turned to the source of the Light and saw a golem, unlike anything he had seen before. It walked on two legs with two arms, almost humanoid in appearance. But its thick bulky black metal covered up its joins with the old light blue glow emanating from small glass windows in different parts of the body. Instead of the usual grinding sounds it made with its movements it hummed with power and sounds akin to magic being distorted in machinery. This golem raised its right arm up and from its palm, a white light gathered into a ball that slowly grew in size. The sound of a winding magical build-up grew louder as the magic ball of light grew. Suddenly the ball exploded out into a white pillar as its beam fired into the sky again. The force of the beam being fired, caused the ground to vibrate around it and all the dirt and dust to rise in the air.
Byleth had never seen anything like this before. This magic, this technology was so far advanced compared to what he had now. Suddenly a familiar monster swooped down and crashed onto the back of the black metal golem, knocking it down to the ground. It was the same lion-like monster he saw that was similar to the Immaculate one. It let out a roar as it clawed into the golem's back, tearing out the metal plating, scraps of metal and tubing from the construct. The monster then took a deep breath and let out it's light green beam from its mouth. Breathing its beam of magic into the construct before kicking off its back in flight again. The golem with some very unhealthy noises exploded into pieces. One piece flew toward Byleth so fast he was unable to dodge out of the way. He lifted his hands to helplessly block the incoming chunk of metal but was surprised that it went through him.
"This is... just like before...," Byleth muttered to himself. Suddenly the Immaculate one swooped down and landed next to him.
"Thank you Cichol," Seiros thanked the monster.
"These Agarthan's technology should have never gotten this far... Have you seen Cethleann anywhere?" He quickly questioned with worry. Byleth squinted his eyes for a moment, recognising the names of Cichol and Cethleann as two of the Saints of Seiros. But it was the familiarity of Cichol's voice that struck his thoughts.
"Wait... that was Seteth's voice...," Byleth slowly began to connect the dots in his mind from the time he, Flayn and Seteth went to Rhodos Coast and his previous vision. "So then... that means Cethleann is-"
A group of these named Agarthans were suddenly sent flying through the air after the large tortoise monster from before rammed through them to get to Cichol's side.
"I saw her with Macuil and your wife, your daughter is safe," he responded with a nod. The three monsters then looked ahead to see another group of Agarthans approaching them with three more golems behind them.
"Indech, are you ready?" Cichol asked as he lowered himself down to land next to the tortoise monster.
"Hmph... I'd rather go back to my lake...," the tortoise monster mumbled as its head slowly inched back into his shell.
"We will not let the Agarthans defy our mother any longer," Seiros growled out. "We will show that their advancements hold no power against the Nabateans!"
The three monsters then charged toward the oncoming Agarthans with loud bellowing roars. Suddenly what he thought was rain started to fall through Byleth. Only for him to find out that it was blood dripping from the mouth of one of these named Nabateans flying above him.
"You will never control us! And we have no more need of you!" a voice shouted not far behind him. There he could see Sothis glaring down at an Agarthan soldier lying on the ground, with one foot pressed down on him. "Our knowledge surpasses your faith! The Agarthan Empire will live forever!"
"You are nothing more than petulant children who need to be put into place. Your pathetic outbursts against us will not last for long. Then you'll be back on your knees begging for forgiveness once more," Sothis commented with disdain as she looked down at the soldier like he was nothing more than a spec of dirt. "Except for you. You, unfortunately, won't live to see it."
Byleth watched Sothis simply click her fingers as a bolt of holy lightning struck down on the Agarthan soldier, igniting him in radiant flames as she stepped over him. She ignored his dying screams as he burnt away while she walked towards Byleth. With each step she took, the world once more grew brighter like before.
"No wait! I have so many questions!" Byleth called out as she rushed to Sothis. She did not respond, her focus on whatever was happening behind him. The world continued to grow brighter.
"SOTHIS!" Byleth screamed as he tried to grab onto her shoulders. His hands phased through her like a ghost. Soon he was unable to see her as the brightness turned everything white.
88888888
"Damn it Byleth! Wake up! Are you seriously trying to get caught right now?" Yuri's voice called out to Byleth as he slowly woke up. He looked up from the ground to see an angry Yuri shaking his shoulders. "Not only that but your hair's green again. Look I've got a mask but it's my last one. At least have the sense to take it off if you plan to do any light shows in the future okay?"
Yuri reached underneath his cloak behind him and pulled out a plain black mask that covered the entire head except for the eyes and mouth. He dropped it onto the lap of Byleth as he slowly pushed himself up.
"Right right. I saved Constance earlier so she's ahead of us now. But they're here Yuri. They are here," Byleth said as he glared up at Yuri.
"Now is not the time to hunt them out. The mission is to slip through WITHOUT detection. We've already failed in that because of you so let's try to not fail any more okay?" Yuri said with an annoyed sigh and stood up. Byleth let out a growl of frustration before picking up the mask.
"P-professor?"
Byleth and Yuri quickly snapped their heads over to see Ignatz who was now suddenly away and staring at the visible face of Byleth. He was identified by a knight of the Alliance now. After staying hidden away for five years, his carelessness has led to a former student recognising him.
Ignatz, who was still pinned underneath a boulder, stared with surprised eyes at the former professor of Garreg Mach. Ignatz remembered everything that happened. Seeing this masked black-haired individual tip them off from an ambush and trying his hardest to stop it from happening. Only to then be forced to cut down his whole battalion when their curse took over. It felt horrible. He wanted to be sick as he lost control of his body but was able to see himself go deranged. He hoped that this masked man would put him out of his misery so that no one else would see him like that. But instead, he touched his head and suddenly everything felt so calm and relaxing that he fell to asleep. Now he laid here awakened by the conversation happening nearby, to see that that the black-haired person was the green-haired Professor Byleth Eisner! Despite being shocked to see the professor again he couldn't help feeling overjoyed to see him. A big smile grew on the young knight's face.
"It is you! What are you doing here? How did you get-"
Yuri stamped his foot down onto Ignatz's head, knocking the young man out cold.
"And now he's going to tell everyone that you are now in Alliance territory! This could not get any worse right now. Just... Get up and move your ass!" Yuri furiously shouted as he ran off into the shadows, sticking to the plan to split up and make his way across the Great Bridge of Myrddin alone. Byleth groaned as he pulled the mask over his head and got to his feet. He had never been as careless as he had been so far on this task. He should have been able to slip by unseen. But he let his feelings for Edelgard freeze him up at the worst time. It not only put a spotlight on him but also the Ashen Wolves as his companions. He became a liability. He would not do it again. He looked around and picked up his Silver Sword before taking off in a different direction to Yuri, heading for the wooden bridge.
However, once he made it halfway across the wooden bridge a cavalry of soldiers rode from a connected wooden bridge to the right of him and cut him off.
"Halt! We have questions for you," On his steed at the front was none other than Ferdinand, his silver spear at hand.
This just was not Byleth's day.
"I don't appear to wear the colours of the Alliance. Does that mean you are one of... Arundel's?" Ferdinand questioned with disdain evident in his voice and face. Byleth didn't say a word as he tried to come up with an escape plan. He couldn't answer him, for he was sure his former student would recognise his voice.
"Speak up then. What manner of vile magic have you done here? What was that green light that came from here?" Ferdinand questioned further. Byleth counted at least twenty other cavalries behind Ferdinand. They had completely blocked off his escape.
"Wait..." Ferdinand narrowed his eyes. "That sword..."
Byleth looked over his shoulder to find that the Sword of the Creator was no longer in its wrappings, but was now glowing red. Did his Faith magic earlier also burn away the wrappings?
"Where did you get that sword?" Ferdinand slowly rode toward him. His face contorted from disdain to fury. "That sword belonged to a man I respected. How have you come about it?"
Byleth wanted to scream out in frustration. If Sothis was still around was she intentionally making this the worst day in Byleth's professional career as a skilled mercenary? He debated ripping the mask off with how the world seemed to want to highlight his presence this day.
"What did you do with its owner? Does Edelgard know of this? WHERE DID YOU GET THAT SWORD?!" Ferdinand shouted as he pointed his spear at Byleth and rode towards him.
"Charge! Show them how strong I made you all!" A bellowing voice called out from behind Ferdinand's cavalry. Charging toward them was the familiar behemoth of a man leading a battalion of brawlers and axe wielders. Byleth had never been happier to see Raphael than he was today. "Once we're done here! We'll feast like there's no tomorrow!"
Raphael pounced from the ground and landed a sickening punch into one of Ferdinand's cavalrymen and the two battalions locked into battle. Byleth took this opportunity to retreat across the bridge. He'd have to find another way off the island. Ferdinand looked back and forth from the battle that was happening with his men and to the retreating Byleth. Hesitation took over as he was conflicted about what he wanted to do. In the end, he shook his head and turned to his battalion.
"Hold your ground! Do not let them through!" He ordered before pulling the reins of his horse and galloping after the retreating mercenary.
"He has the Professor's sword. I need to know what Arundel's done to him," Ferdinand muttered with conviction. He was willing to abandon his orders and men to get to the bottom of this. He will get his answers one way or another and deal with a furious Edelgard later.
Byleth continued to run back towards the ballista that was ruined by the cultists. But could hear the fast-approaching horseshoes clopping on the stone pavement. Byleth was left with no choice.
"Nosferatu!" Byleth spun around and aimed for Ferdinand's horse with his palm outstretched. The radiant light fired from his hand and struck the horse in the chest. Its armour protected it from severe damage but it was enough to knock the horse off balance. Both the horse and Ferdinand reared back as they skidded along before falling to the ground.
Ferdinand quickly got to his feet with his spear in hand as he watched the masked mercenary before him with a silver sword in hand and the Sword of the Creator sheathed behind him.
"The professor was a good man! One of the best I have ever known. If you brought harm upon him then I shall deal swift justice upon you!" Ferdinand glared at Byleth. Byleth said nothing in response but readied his sword. Ferdinand gritted his teeth and charged forward.
"His footwork has improved immensely. I won't be able to knock him off balance as I use to years ago," Byleth thought to himself as he was forced to sidestep to the right of the thrust. Ferdinand followed it up by turning his spear and following the momentum of sending the other end of the spear toward Byleth's head. Byleth was surprised by Ferdinand's follow-up but managed to lean backwards in time for the strike to pass over him. Byleth followed up with a strike at Ferdinand's leg as he straightened up. His plate armour stopped it from piercing flesh but it would leave a bruise underneath. Byleth jumped back as Ferdinand swing his spear around to knock him back.
"Answer me, cretin! What did you do with him?" Ferdinand pulled his spear back and from the bladed tip down the shaft it began to glow with a white aura.
"He's not holding back. If I'm to get out of this then I can't. I'm sorry Ferdinand but I will not be taken or killed by the Empire," Byleth bent his knees low in preparation. Ferdinand let out a battle cry as he thrust forward with unimaginable speed, using the Tempest Lance ability. Luckily for Byleth, he dived out of the way in time, rolling to the side. He then pushed off from the roll towards Ferdinand with a flurry of slashes at his former student. He didn't want to give the Aegir heir a chance to breathe as he pressed the attack on him.
Ferdinand gritted his teeth as he blocked each blow with his spear. But he remembered his lessons from his old professor and upon Byleth's next strike Ferdinand twisted his spear to redirect the slash. This too Byleth off balance as he pushed against Ferdinand and staggered forward. The spearman took the opportunity to spin around behind Byleth and slashed his spear up the back of his opponent. The spear tip pierced through the leather padding on his back and cut into the flesh up his back. It even cut a bit of his mask in the back of his head.
"Gah! I remember teaching him that. Damn it!" Byleth grit his teeth as he felt his back bleed. Byleth spun around to see Ferdinand readying his spear again as it glowed with a white aura once more.
"Allied with Edelgard or not, if you do not answer me then I will end you here and now for my Professor!" Ferdinand glared as he pulled his spear back. Byleth did not want this fight to go on any longer. He didn't know how long it would be until another battalion of any side would come and complicate things further. He needed to get out of there as quickly as possible. He had to get the upper hand and end this fight. Ferdinand let out a battle cry once more and charged toward him. Byleth saw the pain in Ferdinand's eyes. He was truly hurt by the possibility of his professor's demise. Emotions bubbled up within him at the thought but he quickly pushed it down as it led to an idea. He opened his mouth and deepened his voice.
"He would be greatly disappointed in you, fighting for Edelgard."
That did it. Ferdinand faltered in his charge for a split second. The hesitation Byleth needed to turn this battle around. Byleth charged forward and ducked under the spear, holding his sword up as it dragged down the pole. Ferdinand tried to pull back but to no avail. Byleth pushed the spear away with his sword as he moved up close to Ferdinand and sent a punch into his face as hard as he could. It did not knock out his former student but he surely saw starts. Byleth spun around and went low again, swinging his sword into the side of Ferdinand's knee. He yelled out in pain as he was brought down to one knee. Byleth pushed up and spun around Ferdinand's back and stamped his foot down onto the spear, pushing it out of his hand. Finally, Byleth sent the flat of the guard of his sword right into Ferdinand's face. The young student was knocked backwards, bleeding from the no doubt broken nose and fell onto his back. Before he could do anything else Byleth placed the tip of his sword against his student's neck.
"Damn it... damn it..." Ferdinand slammed his fist into the ground as the pain of his nose kept his eyes shut for a moment. When he was able to open them again he looked up at his masked opponent. The battle was over. Whoever this man was would report to Edelgard or Hubert what he did. He'll be called a traitor to the Empire and locked away like his father. If he wasn't killed here and now. If he was going to die then he will die with an honest heart and say his peace.
"I know he would be. I stuck with Edelgard not just because I thought I could help guide her to be a just Emperor. But because I couldn't just leave my friends either. Those that are still fighting under her. Bernadetta is living in fear that she'd be executed for saying the wrong thing. Linhardt feels sick every day with blood on his hands. Dorothea... I can see that in every battle she's in she loses a piece of herself. She may hate me all she wants but I cannot bare to see her like that. If being there for them helps my friends then I will stay with them!" Ferdinand spat out blood that trailed from his nose to the back of his throat. He glared up at the masked Byleth. "I will not willingly abandon them!"
"Yet you fight alongside those who moments ago, used the same dark magic that destroyed Remire village five years ago," Byleth replied, keeping his voice deeper and low enough for Ferdinand to hear.
"What... how do you-"
"Look around you. You lie before an entire battalion that tore themselves apart in an uncontrollable rage," It was a white lie on Byleth's part, as he and Constance killed them all save Ignatz before that happened. But it didn't change the fact that that's what would have happened if he had not been here. "The people that your Emperor fights alongside. They do not fight for honour. They do not fight for nobility. They are pure evil that is being allowed to spread in this world."
Ferdinand looked around to see the fallen bodies of the Alliance archers that once manned the ballista. Ignatz's prone form was out of view on the other side of the boulder that pinned him. Ferdinand slowly rested his head back in defeat. Seeing the work of the cultists reminded him of the horrors he saw at Remire Village. To think Edelgard gave them the okay to use such magic once more, knowing how opposed the Black Eagles were to it. He could not deny it any longer. He was on the wrong side of this war. He was going to die on the wrong side of this war. "What could I have done differently?"
Byleth gave a long hard stare down to his student. Ferdinand... was still the same young man he taught five years ago. He was caught up in this war just as much as all of Fodlan was. He was still a good man trying to survive another day with his honour and values intact. Byleth could have just run and left him there and then. Get into the Alliance territory without being spotted again. But the sight of his student in utter defeat, pleading for an answer, pleading for guidance. He just couldn't do it. He let out a sigh and removed the blade from his throat.
"A long time ago someone told me the meaning of being a noble wasn't about status. It wasn't about the crest they bore. It wasn't how they saw themselves as superior. He said to be a noble was to be the best person you can be in helping all that need help. To have a noble heart," Byleth remembered these words well. It was what Ferdinand told him five years ago when they had tea on his birthday. It struck a cord in his student as he looked up to Byleth with a gasp. Byleth knelt at Ferdinand's side and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Never linger on what could have been done differently. Think about how to be the true noble you know yourself to be. Be true to yourself. No matter what anyone else says."
Byleth gave a nod to Ferdinand and turned around and took off running. He hoped his parting words would leave an impact on the young man. He hoped he would clear his conscience from this point on. Ferdinand watched the masked man leave, not attempt moving from the ground. He wondered how this masked man knew of the events of Remire village. He also thought of the parting words said to him. That was what he use to say back in the academy. But how could-
Then he saw it. At the back of the masked man, there was a hole in the mask made by his spear. It revealed a tuff of light green hair. The same shade of colour as... as the...
"P-professor?"
88888888
Byleth ran back toward the wooden bridge but this time vaulted over the ledge and positioned himself underneath the bridge. His hands were on each side of the ledge of the bridge as he started to shuffle himself across it slowly. The strain caused his back to feel like it was on fire with the pain but he gritted his teeth and ignored it. He just had to get across the bridge back to the main bridge of Myrddin. The bridge then started to shake with the sound of pounding feet running across it.
"That's the last of them! Now let's find out what that light was! Ignatz was there so let's move it, team!" Raphael's voice echoed above as he and what was left of his battalion rushed across the bridge. Byleth kept still, using all his strength to not let go and fall into the running river below. Once the wooden bridge stopped shaking he slowly made his way over toward the Great Bridge itself. It took a while before he made it there, but once he finally reached the end of the wooden bridge he slowly pulled himself up onto it. Luckily for him, there was a large crate nearby that he was able to duck behind. Finally, back on the Great Bridge of Myrddin, he surveyed his surroundings. He could see that the front lines of the Empire had pushed further across the bridge but were still kept at bay by the Alliance defenders being led by-
"Lorenz? He finally changed that god-awful haircut," Byleth commented as he saw Lorenz on horseback giving orders and swinging his spear at the Empire's cavalryman that approached him. Not far behind Lorenz standing among her battalions was the Hero of Daphnel Judith. Despite the front lines now close to her she still looked confident in her defences. He also noticed not far behind him was an open archway leading into the wall that surrounded this part of the Great Bridge. He quickly ducked into there and saw a spiral staircase that lead up to the top of the wall. Byleth was thankful for the opportunity to get to higher ground and ran up the stairs. As soon as he got to the top of the war he saw a despicable sight.
More of the cultists were finishing up a makeshift catapult on the round tower with plenty of barrels nearby. They planned to unleash more of that curse upon the Alliance forces below. Byleth wondered how the hell they were able to get behind enemy lines this far without being seen. Unless they came from the Alliance side of the bridge, which only brought on more troubling implications. Byleth kept close into the shadows as he watched them stack barrels next to the group of them. He felt his anger build up within him as he watched them set up what would be a horrific massacre. Byleth kept his distance and with his hand extended out he channelled his faith magic. He didn't often use this spell as it was harder to do than Nosferatu. But this spell was the only way to do what he planned without it revealing his location.
"Abraxas," Byleth whispered as his hands glowed brightly. He clenched his hands into fists and pulled them down quickly. Suddenly from the sky, a beam of radiant light shot down from the skies and struck the pile of barrels in an explosion. The whole area of the cultists was quickly engulfed in a purple cloud, causing all of them the cough and choke. Byleth waited for the cloud to disperse and for the coughing sounds to morph into growls of uncontrollable rage. Once it was clear he stepped out of the shadows with his silver sword in hand and charged. He showed no mercy and no sympathy as he cut down every one of the cultists. Flashes of Solon and Kronya entered his mind with each cut his blade made on them. Flashes of his father's death. Flashes of falling into Solon's trap.
"I will kill you all. Every one of you. I will make sure that you are all wiped from the face of this world!" Byleth shouted as he continued to tear into their flesh and rip out their innards. Blood stained his clothes and mask. He could taste their blood on his lips but he didn't care. He continued to hack into the remaining one until his sword broke halfway down the torso of the remaining cultist. He took a moment to catch his breath and shake the red haze from his eyes. Once that was done he made his way over to the makeshift catapult they had made and with his bare hands tore it down. Satisfied that this plot had been destroyed he turned to give a last once over on the bodies when he noticed something he hadn't before.
They were all wearing black. He had always known they always wore black before over the years of battling and killing them. But now after learning new information, he realised something. This black uniform these cultists wore, those who slither in the dark wore. Was the same as the Agarthans in his vision with Sothis, Rhea and Seteth.
He kept note of this as he proceeded to run across the wall, running away from the front lines and approaching the end of the bridge. He could finally see the end of the Great Bridge in the distance. A small gatehouse stood facing a forest on the other side. This was perfect for him to slip into, make his escape and hopefully reunite with the Ashen Wolves. He was nearly in the clear. Suddenly the gatehouse opened and a large cavalry rode through. He immediately recognised the one in the front. Her short ginger hair had grown out into a small ponytail that rested down her left shoulder. What was striking however was the obvious homage her armour bore to his father. Even to this day, his father meant the world to Leonie.
"We're here! Acheron ready your men. We will make our way to Judith and repel the Empire from proceeding any further!" Leonie ordered as she raised her spear. Her battalion cheered and raised their weapons. As Byleth ran across the wall and got closer to see the cavalry. He was sure he was able to recognise some of Leonie's battalion. He recognised all of them. He fought side by side with them for many years. They were all part of his father's mercenary group. Byleth couldn't help but let a proud smile grow on his face. When he first met her he saw her as an annoyance who tried to force herself into his family. But as the year went on in the academy they grew almost a sibling bond with each other. Bonding over their time with his father. He was happy to know that she got her exceeded her dream of not only joining her father's mercenaries but ending up leading them as an officer of the Alliance.
"Watch your tone commoner. Remember that you address a noble," Acheron sneered as he prepared his spear.
"I remember you as the smallest noble house in all the alliance, you whiner!" Leonie snapped back, not bothering to look at the lesser noble.
"That's about to change," Leonie felt all the air leave her lungs as Acheron skewered his spear through her. Her eyes were wide as they looked down at the bloody spear tip that protruded through the centre of her chest. Byleth skidded to a halt as he saw this.
"NOOOOOO!" He screamed out as he leant on the walls battlement.
"Kill these filthy mercenaries! We join the Emperor and crush the so-called Hero of Daphnel," Acheron ordered as he pulled the spear out of Leonie's body. Her body went limp as she fell off the horse. The rest of Acheron's men took Jeralt's mercenaries by surprise and started cutting them down bit by bit. Byleth wanted nothing more than to go down there and slowly torture Acheron to death. He never like the bastard since that time he helped Lorenz stop his little uprising five years ago. The politics of the Alliance's nobility and how the five great noble houses controlled Leicester. Somehow allowed Acheron to continue living. Byleth had no intention of letting that mistake continue any longer. However, he had someone to save.
The world shattered as once again Byleth reversed time with his divine pulse. His head felt like it was now splitting into two with how many times he's done it this battle. But he'll do it enough times to save the people he cared for five years ago.
The people he still cared for.
The world repaired and time resumed. Byleth ran down the wall as quickly as he could. The muscles in his legs burned from exhaustion as he did. He had to save her.
"I remember you as the smallest noble house in all the alliance, you whiner!" Leonie snapped back, not bothering to look at the lesser noble.
"LEONIE BEHIND YOU!" Byleth screamed at the top of his voice. Leonie knew that voice. That was Byleth! What was-
On instinct, she took the advice and spun around in time to see Acheron attempting to run her through with his spear. With the limited time she had she redirected the spear by catching the blade tip with her free hand and pushing it aside. Acheron was frozen. He did not expect his assassination attempt to fail! Now he held onto his spear with one hand while Leonie held the tip with her free hand. Her face contorted from shock to absolute fury.
"N-n-now now! Let's not be hasty here! Let's just-"
Acheron was quickly silenced as Leonie swung one leg over her horse and spring-boarded off of it to tackle Acheron off his horse. Both landed with a thud on the stone pavement. Acheron arched his back in pain. This was not how this was supposed to go! Before he could get up Leonie was on top of him and sent a punch into his face. And she kept on punching. Punch after punch after punch she unleash her fury through her fist as she began to disfigure his face.
"AAAAHHH! S-STOP! PLEASE! DON'T JUST STAND THERE! KILL THEM!" Acheron screamed. However unlike last time when his soldiers took Jeralt's mercenaries by surprise, this time the roles were reversed. The mercenaries were quicker to act and cut down the Alliance traitors, leaving only those that surrendered immediately. Byleth sighed in relief and kept on running across the wall. He had made it to the end of the wall as it narrowed to the gatehouse. He looked over the wall and saw a long banner of the Alliance reaching down almost to the ground. He sheathed his silver sword and jumped over the ledge, grabbed onto the banner and quickly made his way down, holding onto the banner as he walked down the wall to the ground. Once he touched down he sprinted toward the trees. He sprinted toward the trees without looking back. He heard the sound of two guards calling out to him, no doubt stationed outside of the gatehouse. But he was confident in losing them in the trees. He made it. It almost killed him. It was in hindsight a terrible idea. But he made it through the battle and finally reached the Leicester Alliance. Now he had to reunite with the Ashen Wolves.
88888888
Leonie finally stopped punching Acheron's face and slowly stood up. Acheron was unrecognisable. His teeth, nose, jaw and cheekbones were surely broken and if Leonie was, to be honest, one or two of her fingers were broken too. She bent down to pick up her dropped spear and walked over to the lesser noble's prone body. She put a foot on his chest and pointed the spear at his neck.
"W-wait... p-p-please," Acheron slurred his worse. His lips were swollen already and blood dribbled from the corners of his mouth. "I...I have information... on the Empire... We can beat them together! Be heroes! W-what do you say?"
Leonie did answer. She raised her spear. "N-NO! WAIT-"
Her spear slammed down and stabbed into the neck of Acheron. A blood-curdling scream somehow managed to escape his mouth as the blood bubbled over. She twisted the blade and snapped his neckbone. Acheron silenced and went limp. She pulled the spear out and quickly looked around. She heard Byleth. She knew she heard him.
"You all heard that warning right? That was... that was Byleth right?" she asked her mercenaries.
"That sounded like him. But I ain't never heard that much emotion in his voice before," one of the senior-looking ones answered. Leonie couldn't blame him. When she first met Byleth she thought him a soulless uncaring monster that did not respect Jeralt. As the year went on, she saw him as a brother she never had. She grew to care about him.
But then she was told he betrayed the Church and joined the Flame Emperor.
For years she was left feeling betrayed, hurt and furious that Byleth would abandon them all to join in this crusade against Fódlan. In the five years, she hoped to see him or hear of his participation in the war. But after that, he seemed to disappear from existence. He couldn't be found anywhere. Which only served to anger her further. For years she wondered where he was, wanting to see him again so she could get closure on the many questions she had. If he did join the Flame Emperor after everything they had done, after killing Jeralt, then she would kill him. If not... she didn't know. She ran her fingers through her hair, regretting it quickly as her broken fingers protested.
"Leonie. Judith is waiting for us," the same senior mercenary reminded as he leant down and used his Faith magic to heal her broken fingers. After it was healed she clenched her hand in a fist and nodded. She got back onto her horse.
"Leave the dead traitors there. We'll explain what happened to Judith, along with YOUR testimonies!" she shouted as she pointed her spear at the surrendered soldiers of Acheron. "You have two choices! You join your traitorous lord and die right now! Or you ride with me into battle and you remember who you are! That you are brave soldiers of the Alliance! Who is going to be remembered today as not traitors, but heroes that stood side by side with the Hero of Daphnel and defended Leicester!"
After a moment's pause one by one the soldiers formerly under Acheron cried out in support of Leonie. Soon enough all the mercenaries cried out in support of her too. She gave a toothy grin of confidence to them all. Even with the losses of the treachery, she still had just over three battalions now under her command. She pointed her spear forward and reared her horse up. "FOR THE ALLIANCE!"
88888888
Edelgard swung her axe down into another Alliance soldier that stood before her. Pulling her hero's relic Aymr out of the body made her stagger back for a moment, but Hubert was there behind her to keep her steady.
"Your majesty. The soldiers can't keep this up for long," Hubert informed as he sent a miasma into a soldier in the distance.
"Just a little more. At least until my Uncle's forces turn the tide. Acheron should be arriving soon to help elevate our forces too," She looked behind her to her troops. She could see Dorothea in the background looking very tired as she channelled a fireball in her hands. Not far from her was Linhardt looking equally exhausted as he tried to stop a soldier from bleeding.
"Where's Ferdinand and Bernadetta?" Edelgard asked as he stepped back behind her soldiers.
"We do not know. Bernadetta was last seen chasing down assassins targeting you and Ferdinand was sent to look into that green glow earlier," Hubert explained as he looked around. "I'm afraid I have also lost sight of Ladislava as well."
"Just a little longer. That's all we need to hold out for. Just a little longer..." Edelgard squeezed a little harder on her axe as she glared across the battlefield. She knew this battle would be tough. But it'll all be worth it when her Uncle's troops unleash their attack upon the Alliance forces and Acheron arrives as reinforcements.
Dorothea tried to conjure up another fireball but the flames whimpered out. She lurched forward, utterly exhausted. That was it, she had nothing left in her. All she could do was stare out as soldiers fought and died before her eyes. It was tough when she was a student, but it was never to the scale of this. The stench of blood and burning flesh intruded her senses and she lifted a hand to cover her mouth. Until she felt the sticky substance touch her mouth. She pulled her hand away to see blood on her gloves, now also on her face. She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream. She wanted to go home!
"Dorothea!" she heard a voice call out. She turned just in time to see a blur of purple lunge at her and squeeze her into a tight hug.
"B-Bernie?" She looked down to see the poor archer crying as she hugged her tightly. She noticed that she was followed by Ferdinand too, looking downcast and white as a sheet.
"Ferdie... what happened?" Dorothea asked as she wrapped her arms around Bernadetta, not just to comfort her, but to also keep herself steady.
"I... I found Bernadetta in a building when I was forced to retreat from Raphael. Once they passed we made our way back to safety," Ferdinand explained as he moved the hair from his face.
"What was that bright light? you went to see what that was," Dorothea questioned further.
"...I... I think-"
"Aegir! What have you to report?" Hubert called out as he approached the three.
"...Arundel's men are dead," Ferdinand answered with a glare.
"You are sure?" Hubert glared further.
"I saw their bodies atop the walls. Including the bodies of their victims. Where they used the same curse they put on Remire!" Ferdinand shouted in a fury.
"They what?" Dorothea gasped. If she didn't feel sick before she certainly did now. "What are we doing letting this happen?"
"Edelgard's plan has failed. Look around Hubert, we're barely hanging on as it is! We need to retreat before more of us die," Ferdinand exclaimed, waving his arm towards the tired soldiers.
"You wish to run like a coward Aegir?" Hubert sneered with his arms crossed.
"I wish to save what we have left, Vestra! Ferdinand did not bother waiting for a retort as he barged past Hubert and walked with a limp straight to Edelgard. He pulled her shoulder to make her face him.
"Your uncle's forces are dead. Your plan has failed Edelgard! You must call the retreat before more of your men die," Ferdinand pleaded to her. Edelgard felt a wave of relief when she saw Ferdinand stand before her.
"You're here. Do you know what's happened to Bernadetta?" She asked him. This softened Ferdinand's features slightly. He was happy she still cared about her friends in this senseless war.
"She's okay. She's with Dorothea. They are both exhausted and unable to continue. This battle is lost, call for the retreat I beg of you," Ferdinand spoke softer, not letting his frustrations get the best of him. Edelgard quickly shook her head.
"No, we still have a shot. We need to wait for Acheron's reinforcements an-"
"FOR THE ALLIANCE!" Leonie's voice cried out followed by a wall of cavalry charging from around the bend of the Great Bridge. Edelgard grew pale when she could not see Acheron among them at all.
"Reinforcements are here!" Judith's voice called out. "The Sovereign Duke has sent reinforcements to us all! Push forward men and women of the Leicester Alliance! The Great Bridge of Myrddin will not fall! Not this day! Now let's be rid of the Empire from our lands!"
"Leonie! Your timing is impeccable! Where's that Weathervane?" Lorenz called out as he rode along the rear lines of the Alliance towards her.
"The traitor tried to kill us and join the empire. I left his corpse near the gatehouse," Leonie spun her spear around overhead as she rode toward the Empire. "Now let's show the Empire that the spirit of The Blade Breaker lives on!"
"Acheron has also fallen. Edelgard we must retreat! Please!" Ferdinand pleaded once more to Edelgard. But she was staring out ahead. How could all her plans fail? The Alliance could not have had any knowledge of what her Uncle was about to do. Nor would they have known of Acheron's treachery. Yet both were discovered and foiled before they could happen. How could it all fall apart? They couldn't have failed. That would mean that she had failed. The battle that was supposed to be the turning point for the Empire would end in defeat.
"Edelgard!" Ferdinand called out again. But he got no response from her. She continued to stare out into the battlefield in disbelief. Ferdinand saw that there was no getting through to her. She was lost in her ambition and pride that she couldn't admit defeat. Even when there were lives on the line.
"Be true to yourself. No matter what anyone else says."
Ferdinand took a deep breath and shouted at the top of his voice. "ALL FORCES RETREAT! FALL BACK TO GARREG MACH!"
Ferdinand pulled Edelgard back toward the other three Black Eagles. Hubert looked furiously at the Aegir heir. "What are you doing Ferdinand?!"
"Saving what's left of this losing battle. If you wish to stay and fight go ahead. We are leaving. FALL BACK! FALL BACK TO GARREG MACH!" Ferdinand called out further as he pushed Edelgard into Hubert. He looked up to see that the Empire soldiers were listening. They pushed the Alliance soldiers off of them and began to run. Those that couldn't hear Ferdinand was told by the growing numbers that were in full retreat. Soon the Empire was in full retreat, no matter what Hubert said. He let out a growl before looking down at Edelgard.
"Your majesty. We must retreat," Hubert began to guide her with him as he too joined in the retreat. Edelgard eventually was knocked out of her stupor and continued to run without Hubert's assistance. She ran with the Empire in full retreat from the forces of the Alliance. A battle that will not only forever be a dark blot in the Empire's history. But a colossal failure in her dream to free Fódlan from the slavery of the crest system.
Ferdinand ran behind Bernadetta and Dorothea in the retreat. Though the two were slowing as Bernadetta was struggling to help Dorothea keep up.
"Dorothea... come on! We got to hurry or we'll be left behind," Bernadetta urged her friend on. But Dorothea knew she overexerted herself with her magic usage. The drawbacks of it take a toll on the body and she was now suffering from it. Suddenly she was picked up, one arm under her knees and the other across her back.
"F-Ferdie what are you doing?" Dorothea exclaimed.
"I know you're exhausted from magic. I'm making sure you won't be left behind," Ferdinand answered, giving a nod to Bernadetta to continue.
"Ugh... I'm too tired to fight against it," Dorothea sighed and rested her head against Ferdinand's shoulder.
"You can hate me as much as you want. It doesn't change that I see you as a friend I care about," Ferdinand spoke softly. Dorothea looked up at his face. He did not look down at her, keeping his gaze ahead in their retreat. She could see the tired look in his eyes. She wanted to say something back to him. She wanted to tell him that she saw him as a friend too. That she didn't hate him. But then the doubt crept into her mind of that day in Enbarr at the fountain. And she would guard herself around him again. Instead, she rested her head on his shoulder again, lifting a hand to rest on the other.
"Hey... Dorothea," Ferdinand spoke quietly enough that only she could hear him.
"What?" Dorothea tilted her eyes up to him, now too comfortable to move her head.
"...I think I saw the Professor."
88888888
"Victory to the Alliance!" Judith shouted out as a deafening cheer echoed around the Great Bridge of Myrddin. The Alliance were victorious against the might of the Empire. Judith wiped the sweat from her brow. She thought that the Empire would have plenty of underhanded tactics to dish out at her, but was pleasantly surprised that she was faced with none of them. There was a thought that she would have stayed and fought to the death here, but was thankful for the extension of her life.
"Judith!" Leonie called out as she walked toward her.
"Leonie, you arrived just when we needed you. Though I could not see Acheron among you. Did he chicken out?" Judith smiled as she offered a hand to the young girl. Leonie grasped her forearm in a warrior shake with a nod.
"I wish that were the case. The truth is that Acheron betrayed the Alliance. He almost run me through at the gatehouse when we got here," Leonie explained with a frown.
"No... he never..." Judith sighed and shook her head. "What was that fool thinking? I knew he was power hungry but to brazenly try to betray the Alliance at a time like this?"
"He put his lot into the Empire. I was able to avoid his attack and me and my men put him down along with the rest of the traitors. Though half of them surrendered immediately when his attempt on my life failed. They joined me in the defence of Myrddin in the hopes to redeem themselves. I'll let them testify for what they did and leave their judgement to the nobles," Leonie nodded her head to Judith.
"Well so much for no underhanded tactics," Judith commented a sigh and smile on her face.
"I'm afraid it doesn't stop there Lady Judith," Lorenz rode over to them with a grim expression. "I've received word that bodies matching the description of those who worked with Solon years ago were spotted on the walls. One group was in fact on the round tower just there."
The three looked to the nearby round tower. "There were the workings of a catapult that would have targeted this area. It would appear the target was you in particular."
"They were going to rain rocks upon us from our very walls?" Judith glared at the tower angrily.
"No... my lady... it's much worse than that... ngh" A voice called out. The trio then turned to see Raphael supporting Ignatz who was struggling to walk.
"Hey, easy Ignatz! Don't push yourself! The White mages said you still hadn't recovered yet," He kept behind Ignatz with his hands at the ready to catch him if he fell. Ignatz fought through the pain until he reached the trio. When he did he then leant against Raphael uneasily.
"What happened to you Ignatz?" Leonie exclaimed with great concern.
"Those dark mages... had barrels that contained a gas. This gas was dark magic that turned me and all my archers mad. We were filled with a wave of uncontrollable anger. This urge to kill... it was like my body was possessed and all I could do was watch," Ignatz shook against Raphael as he remembered what happened. He couldn't help the few tears escape from his eyes. "I'm sorry. I should be stronger than this..."
"No no Ignatz it's okay. I can't imagine what that must have been like," Leonie quickly wrapped her arms around Ignatz as he sobbed.
"They're all dead! All my men..." Ignatz cried as he held onto Leonie's shoulder with one hand. Raphael patted him on the back, hating to see his friend so broken.
"It almost sounds like what happened in Remire Village years ago. From what we were told that was done by Solon who worked with the Flame Emperor. To think Edelgard would continue to work with such people and diabolical magic," Lorenz glared with disgust in the direction the Empire retreated to.
"But you said you were affected by this curse also?" Judith questioned with concern for Ignatz's well-being. He was just a kid in her eyes after all. They all were. Thrown into this war far too young.
"When we were mad there were two people that were forced to defend themselves and killed my whole unit. One of them I did not see, but she was a magic user. She conjured rocks and she threw a boulder at me, pinning me to the ground. She left... but the other had a mask on. He came over to me and he... he must have healed me because I fell asleep when he held my head. When I woke up... it..." Ignatz rubbed his eyes with his hand and gently pushed Leonie back so he could look at her. "When I woke up. It was him. Professor Byleth."
"Professor Byleth was here?" Lorenz was so shocked he dropped his spear. Leonie took a step back in surprise. Her mind raced with the previous questions she had about Byleth. Who's side was he on?
"Before I knew who it was he tried to warn us. He pointed out the ambush before they could do it. We were just unfortunate that their barrel rolled down before we could get away in time..." Ignatz explained further.
"As I was with Ignatz while he was recovering, some of my men went onto the wall and found three more barrels. They're still there if you want someone to take a better look at them. Me and my men ain't the kind of guys to touch cursed barrels like that," Raphael shrugged his shoulders.
"Where did this happen?" Judith asked looking at Raphael.
"At the ballista on the island. The wall right above it has the barrels," Raphael adjusted Ignatz slightly so he didn't slide off his chest.
"How did the professor appear in the middle of the battle? He hasn't been seen for five years," Lorenz pondered with a hand to his chin deep in thought.
"He saved me..." Leonie finally said, all eyes now on her. "I heard a voice that sounded like his, screaming to watch out behind me. It was because of him I stopped Acheron before he killed me. I didn't see where he was."
"From the ballista to the gatehouse... he made his way through undetected the entire way..." Judith pondered aloud. She turned toward the direction of the mentioned gatehouse. "...he's in Leicester."
"He crossed the bridge to Leicester while it was under attack?" Raphael blinked his eyes in shock.
"Aside from Fódlan's Throat and Derdriu, Myrddin is the most fortified and defended location within the Alliance. He chose to cross the bridge while our attention was on the Empire. Very risky... but a high reward if you were skilled enough," Judith pondered.
"So... what now?" Raphael asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Now? We reinforce the Bridge," Judith gave a stern nod and pointed to each of those around her to give out orders. "Leonie take your troops to relieve the soldiers from their posts. I want eyes to make sure the Empire did run back to Garreg Mach and not leave anyone behind to watch us. Raphael, you take Ignatz back to the white mages and take your men to look for more injured to transport. Lorenz, I want you to ride for Derdriu to inform the Sovereign Duke of everything that has transpired here. Of our victory, of the Empire's tactics, and our guest in the Alliance territory now."
"Yes ma'am!" They all saluted her and quickly went off. Leonie went off barking orders to her mercenaries. Raphael picked up Ignatz and ran off to find the white mages. Lorenz called for someone to bring him his horse. Once she was alone Judith let out another sigh. Thankful that none of the kids lost their lives in this battle. Now that the battle was over, clean-up took priority. She reckoned that she was getting too old for this. But if she was, she was happy that the kids set to take over were good ones.
88888888
Byleth slowly trudged through the trees, having lost his pursuers from the gatehouse. Now he was following the trail of someone large that walked through the trees. He was confident that this was Balthus's trail and was proven correct when he heard his voice coming from around the corner of a collection of trees.
"He'll be fine! He's like super skilled in being undetected," Balthus leaned back against a tree with a grin on his face.
"I caught him being spotted twice Balthus. This was a terrible idea that almost got us killed," Yuri shook his head as he sat on a tree stump.
"Speak for yourselves. I wasn't spotted at all," Hapi shrugged with a grin.
"I didn't expect such ruffians to be walking amongst the walls. Who knows what those uncouth cultists would have done if Byleth wasn't there to catch me," Constance exclaimed almost theatrically.
"You don't want to know..." Byleth answered as he stepped around the corner. All turned towards him. Hapi and Balthus smiled happily while Constance ran up to him and hugged him. He patted her back in return as he looked at Yuri, who was frowning with his arms crossed.
"Tell me you weren't spotted again," Yuri questioned with a frown.
"... okay," Byleth removed himself from Constance and continued ahead.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"... Damn it Byleth!"
A/N: Here's part two of the Battle of the Great Bridge Myrddin and now, we enter the non-canon territory. This ended up much longer than I thought it was going to be. It's now my longest chapter by far. But I was compelled to continue writing about the retreat from Ferdinand's point of view and the moment of peace Judith had at the end. Then just when I thought I was done, I had to write Byleth reuniting with the Ashen Wolves.
So. What's going to happen now for Byleth, who is not as hidden as he hoped? A lot of stuff happened in this chapter so I hope you guys enjoyed it. I'm going to rest my head now and sleep.