EVENT: YOU'RE MINE TO KILL.

EXT. GARREG MACH MONASTERY – NIGHT – COURTYARD

BYLETH is walking towards his/her room. Most people are either asleep or are eating In the dining hall still. Byleth thinks as he/she walks.

BYLETH

(What a busy day...I'll have to thank Hilda later for taking one for the team. It's hard enough to keep everyone together when they're on the same side.)

BYLETH sighs, then places a curled finger to his/her chin.

BYLETH
(There must be something behind that man that showed up. If only Rhea were here, we could ask her these questions. Another reason to find her.)

While BYLETH walks, a shadow can be seen overhead. Suddenly, dropping down, KRONYA appears, standing behind BYLETH now, moving her hand to reach up so her dagger is pressed against BYLETH's throat.

KRONYA

Good...now be a nice little worm and ro-

KRONYA's words halt suddenly as she shifts, feeling what wasn't obvious before: the sword of creators out of its sheath with its point directly at her rib cage. KRONYA clenches her teeth.

KRONYA

Roll ove- Damn it! How is it that you were ready for an attack here of all places? Not to mention, how did you feel my presence? I've been perfecting that technique for decades, and yet...grrr, damn it, damn it!

KRONYA pulls away her blade, her grip around it making her knuckles whiter than they already would be as she stomps on the ground in frustration.

KRONYA

(spiteful, but begrudgingly accepting)

It would seem your...techniques are not unskilled. This does not make you better than me. There are very few who are. I am recovering, that's it...Were I not I could run anyone through, as it should be.

BYLETH

You have some nerve to try that on me. We were kind to you. Perhaps at one point you could hurt people as you wish, but you aren't able to now, and you won't be able to in the future. Not as long as I'm here.

KRONYA

Yes...I suppose that would make you the wall I must tear down for me to enjoy myself, wouldn't it?

BYLETH

Is stabbing and killing things really all you enjoy?

KRONYA

What? Is something wrong with enjoying what you do for a living? I have a purpose and I enjoy doing it. Surely vermin like you must find meaning in the day-to-day dull nature of your existence?

BYLETH

If you're going to be here, you should find something better to be entertained with. I'm tolerating you for now, but I won't allow that to happen again.

KRONYA

Yes...perhaps I should find another thing to do. You vermin find my pass time to be so distasteful. Thinking yourself so far above enjoying a bit of fun. And yet...despite it, you still managed to detect my presence, managed to draw your sword. I know you must relish in the violence, how else would you posess such talent? Tell me, how did I fail so absurdly for you to know I was there?

CHOICE 1:

BYLETH: You didn't fail, I was simply better.

KRONYA

Tch...Losing even to the best around still is a loss. One I don't take lightly. You may have succeeded here but I will prove myself your superior. Perhaps you are simply my bar to surpass now professor.

CHOICE 2:

BYLETH: You said it yourself; you're wounded.

(Kronya approval up!)

KRONYA

Yes...that must be it. A bird with clipped wings cannot fly. Point taken professor. Your advantage over me is only temporary.

END OF DIALOGUE FOR CHOICE 2

KRONYA

That said...there's little I can do with this damned wound. You wanted to know what this means for me, then fine. As someone who I cannot beat now, you alone have earned the right to hear of a rare weakness in my art. You should be honored, knave.

BYLETH

Go on then.

KRONYA

Not a talker? Good, it will make this quick then.

KRONYA looks as if she's about to speak. Then the wind blows, a light snow beginning to fall on this late winter night. KRONYA shivers, looks to the side, then to BYLETH.

KRONYA

*sigh* Well, there is one thing. My temperature regulation has been ruined thanks to this hole. This air is sharp against my lungs. Lead me to your room, a warm place, and we will speak there.

BYLETH

...Fine.

INT: GARREG MACH MONASTERY – BYLETH'S ROOM

BYLETH and KRONYA are seen standing in BYLETH'S room, complete with their desk, bed, and a bulletin board with different reminders about classes.

KRONYA

There...much better. Agarthans are used to temperatures as cold as this. My body in its weakened state has not been able to enjoy such a luxury of our biology. Damned Solon...

BYLETH

So, Solon sacrificed you to cast the Spell of Zahras, consuming your heart as the fuel.

KRONYA

Oh good, your vacant expression in the dining hall was not disassociation. Yes, Solon betrayed me. My heart was the catalyst, and my body would have been consumed by it soon after. Were it to succeed, we would have eliminated both of the finest warriors of the Monastery in one month. Yet through your...foolhardy determination, it would seem, you broke out and though my heart was consumed, my body was not. Thus did the magic see fit to return me to the world. That's my assumption anyway.

BYLETH

So, me coming back brought you back too?

KRONYA

Yes. A strange thing, isn't it? Two destined to die on that day, yet here we are. It would seem our fates have been twisted together, like silk in a spider's web. I've had the great displeasure of my life being completely turned upside down thanks to that.

BYLETH

Better than being dead. You did beg for my help after all.

KRONYA

(with an annoyed expression)

So, I did. You of all people, who was my enemy. Tch, and what good it did me, to survive that day and be cast aside from all I knew. My powers, my people, all have left me. And what awaits if I return? A lucky day would mean I am killed immediately on arrival. I don't feel lucky either.

BYLETH

You're lucky to be alive. Luckier that we have allowed you to stay here.

KRONYA

Yes...I suppose I am in that respect.

BYLETH

KRONYA

…*sigh* Then I suppose I 'ought to be thankful to you, my enemy. I am grateful to be alive, that is true. Ick, it tastes like ash in my mouth, but I am grateful to a vermin like you. There's little I value more than my own life, so I will not forget this.

BYLETH

Good. Then, about your powers?

KRONYA

Yes. I suppose that was why I was here. It would have been so much easier if I'd succeed in killing you, then you would have been a worthy offering to make good on my failure. But...this proved something else I did not want to admit. That you are better than me. And more despicably, you were holding back too. Your talent for violence makes it clear...You are my only path. So, I'll let you in on my secrets and with it, my shame.

KRONYA shifts uncomfortably for a moment, then offers her arm to BYLETH.

KRONYA

Touch my flesh, the flesh of an Agarthan.

CHOICE 1

BYLETH: Is this a trick?

KRONYA

Are all surfacers this insufferable, or is it just you? There is no trick.

CHOICE 2

BYLETH: Alright...

NO EXTRA DIALOGUE FOR CHOICE 2

BYLETH reaches out and touches KRONYA's arm, a surprised look comes over his/her face.

BYLETH

…! Your arm, It's...

KRONYA

Cold as a cadaver. Mind you, an Agarthan's blood does not run as hot as you surfacers's nor in such a brilliant crimson for that matter, but this is not the same as my body once was. There is still warmth in an Agarthan's touch, there was in my touch, too. Now I am this way.

BYLETH

Your heart isn't pumping blood the same.

KRONYA

As was my assumption. Yet I move and I dance in the shadows as I ever have. My blade still loves my guided touch. I still rest and eat the same. But my blood does not move the same, and yet, I breathe. A walking contradiction.

BYLETH

We should let Manuela, no...maybe Hanneman, know about this. With some research they c-

KRONYA

NO!

KRONYA pulls away with force, breathing heavily and taking a step back. Then, realizing her outburst, she looks slightly embarrassed.

KRONYA

(slowly composing herself)

No...Tsk, I will not suffer any of your surfacer experiments. I am NOT some mage's guinea pig.

BYLETH

Fine, fine. No experiments. But if you're going to recover at all, we will need to learn more.

KRONYA

Which is where I was getting to, before you rudely interrupted. My body operates mostly as normal. An Agarthan however should heal from wounds naturally, provided they are not killed. A part of our superior nature. Yet, my body's wounds recover slowly, what should take hours to recover takes days. A vulnerary or healing magic works as it should, apart from my chest wound.

BYLETH

Agarthans have advanced healing? The first I've heard of it.

KRONYA

Are you really this clueless? Agarthans have many advantages to a human's body. You've accustomed to comfort here on the surface, while we not only have always been superior, but also developed magic and technology, adapting to be better to survive, banished from the surface for being too powerful. Such as the punishment Seiros gave our ancestors. I'm not here to give you history though, read yourself if that's what you want. I've lost more than just my vitality. My ability to change my shape and to summon my weapon to my side, gone and gone.

BYLETH

Your shapeshifting is gone? So, we won't see you as Monica again?

KRONYA

No, nor as anyone else. You'll be blessed with my natural beauty. So count your blessings, worm.

BYLETH

And you summoning a weapon?

KRONYA

Yes...my beautiful Athame used to come to my hand whenever I beckoned to it, then turn invisible whenever it was not needed. Now it is only when it is on my person, and even then, hardly a distance at all. Nor does it conceal itself.

KRONYA demonstrates this by pointing to her thigh, where her weapon is strapped to her thigh with the leather of the gloves she no longer wears. With a puff of dark smoke, her dagger disappears from her thigh and appears in her hand, held by the blade.

KRONYA

Perfectly visible at my side. Now, HMPH-

KRONYA tosses her dagger towards the wooden wall of his/her room in a lax but incredibly fast toss, where it sticks into the wood. KRONYA then lifts her palm out in the direction of Athame. A swirling black energy moves around her palm then fizzles out. KRONYA sighs and lets out a low growling noise

KRONYA

Nothing.

KRONYA walks past Byleth to the wall and grabs her weapon, sheathing it again.

KRONYA

There. You're the only soul who knows these things about me. Well, you and Sabelina anyway. Whatever beasts await you, it seems I'm tangled in your mess. For now, anyway. Until you find a solution to this wound of mine, I'll be in your camp.

BYLETH

KRONYA

What are you making that face for, I thought our matters were settled? Do you disagree?

BYLETH

Yes. Our matters won't ever be settled. You took my father from me, and I'll never forget that. We offer you mercy and the first thing you did with your freedom was attack me. You told me about yourself, yes, but how can I trust you not to attack me again, or someone else?

KRONYA

You'll have me under constant watch, won't you? Do you not trust your own men enough to keep me in line? Heheh...but...no. My blade doesn't hunger for their flesh. No, now, it only wants yours, and a few others beside. I wish to make you bleed, that I won't hide, but your students are safe professor. Call it an oath if you would. I may seek to attack you again, and you will be ready for it.

KRONYA takes a step closer to BYLETH, so she is right only a foot away from him/her. Her red eyes look directly into his/hers.

KRONYA

Heheh...I see it. Those eyes. Exposed to violence at a young age, gifted at shedding the blood of others, loving the adrenaline of combat and the singing of weapons clashing. We're the same, even if you refuse to see it. I will find you again, and I will try to take your life. And you, so desperate to live, will stop me, no matter what. I know it. Consider it a way to measure myself against you, measure my growth, my health. One day your blood will decorate the grass, but it will be my blade, I assure you, but in proper fashion. No backstabbing whilst you're distracted. That would sour my mood. Until then, I will keep your precious soldiers safe, and you make sure you do not die, for you're mine to kill. THAT is my oath to you.

CHOICE 1:

BYLETH: Only until you're healed, then you're gone.

KRONYA

Of course. I don't intend to overstay my welcome. Which...

CHOICE 2:

BYLETH: I accept your oath. For the safety of my students, I'll fight you off as often as I must.

(KRONYA approval up!)

KRONYA

Ooooh, is that excitement I hear? The joy will be mutual. When our blades clash, when every cut narrowly misses something vital, when your blade cuts my flesh, when mine cuts yours. Well, call me ecstatic! But for another meeting, one must end, and I don't wish to overstay my welcome.

KRONYA lets out a shrill laugh then turns walking to the door, then stopping.

END OF CHOICE 2 DIALOGUE

KRONYA turns her head to the door to hear footsteps coming towards them.

KRONYA

It appears I may be doing so now actually. That's the pink girl you sent. I can hear her heels. She's sharp, one of the few to care enough to notice that I barely tried to mimic the Monica girl. Strong too...heheh, I quite like her. Well...

KRONYA moves to the door and opens it, waving to HILDA who was rushing over, seemingly in a panic.

HILDA

Wah? Huh, Professor? What's she doing here?

KRONYA

Private discussion, little peony. I was feeling quite faint, and your professor assisted me. So, so kind of them.

HILDA

Riiiiight. Hold on, peony? W-well, whatever, you're going to your room!

KRONYA

Of course, rest is the best solution after all. Please, lead the way.

HILDA

I...geez, get us all caught up in a search and you just go and come with us!? I guess it's less work than the alternative at least..

HILDA slumps over and rubs the back of her head, looking to BYLETH.

HILDA

Thanks for handling this Professor. We've got Cecil and some knights ready to go, so once she's in there she's not going anywhere. Just uh- *yawn*, ready to get this day done with.

BYLETH

Thank you HIlda. I hope you have a good night.

HILDA

Aww, thanks Professor, you too! Now...come along you, let's get going.

KRONYA

Of course.

HILDA and KRONYA walk down exterior hallway, leaving the scene.

END SCENE