Please take appropriate salt. I probably messed up somewhere.

Chapter 5 – Reluctance (Ethereal Moon)

"Can it be?!" said Seteth. "You were alive all this time?!"

Before Byleth and the students, the Knights of Seiros were astounded to see the teacher alive and well. Though some looked worn and perhaps unkempt, they all appeared in good shape. However, Manuela, Hanneman and Gilbert were nowhere to be seen.

Byleth opened her mouth to respond when Flayn interrupted, "Professor! It is so good to see you again. My brother and I were worried about you."

"Ah, thank the goddess…" Alois said in relief. "I couldn't bear the thought of letting Jeralt down by not finding you."

"You and me both, Alois," said Leonie.

"Good to see you guys could make it," said Caspar.

"Likewise," said Shamir.

"It's good to see you all," said Catherine, "but… I see Lady Rhea isn't with you. Damn…"

"Lady Rhea's still missing?" asked Annette.

"There has been no sign of her ever since the battle five years ago," said Seteth. "We have devoted all of our energies to finding her. However, without being able to set foot in Imperial territory, we are at a standstill. We had hoped that perhaps the archbishop would return here on this day… that of the long-awaited millennium festival."

"Doesn't look like your hopes panned out," said Anna.

"I wish I had something to share about Rhea," said Yuri, "but none of my sources have heard anything."

"You did all you could, Yuri," said Byleth.

"Still feels like it wasn't enough."

"Even if she were to return, the state of this place doesn't exactly inspire confidence or safety," said Lysithea.

"To think you've left the monastery in this state for so long," said Linhardt.

"It is a danger to the locals as well," said Ferdinand. "Pallardó's gang proved that."

"That's true…" said Alois. "Perhaps we've left it alone for too long. We've got to make things right!"

"I can clean this place up like new!" said Cyril. "It's not fit for Lady Rhea like this."

"Agreed. Leaving the monastery in this wretched state simply will not suffice," said Constance.

"I have agreement… er, I agree with Constance," said Petra. "We must be working hard to restore the monastery."

"We will require the aid of skilled craftsmen as well," said Seteth. "I shall seek out any such individuals who are willing to return to Garreg Mach."

"I'll see if any of my merchant contacts are willing to pitch in," said Anna. "We're gonna need food and other essentials."

"Indeed. If we are ever to prevail against the Empire, we must be well prepared."

"Agreed," said Felix. "We'll need warriors and arms."

"I have only a handful of men remaining under my command," said Ferdinand, "but they will aid us in our cause."

The rest of the group continued to discuss plans for a campaign against the Empire until Dorothea said, "Are you listening to yourselves?"

Confused, Byleth asked, "Dorothea?"

"Do you actually think you can beat the Empire like this? You're out of your minds!"

"Dorothea, what's gotten into you?" asked Annette.

"We can't just let them keep tearing Fódlan apart, Dorothea," said Caspar.

"Caspar is right," said Lysithea. "If left unchecked, they will soon dominate the entire country."

"And how do you plan to stop them?" shouted Dorothea. "With this tiny little army of yours against the hundreds of thousands the Empire has at their command?! What you're planning is tantamount to suicide!"

"Whoa, calm down, Dorothea!" said Leonie. "Think about what you're saying!"

"I know exactly what I'm saying! And I'm saying you're all fools if you think you can win!"

Dorothea spun on her heel at this point and marched her way out of the main hall as the others watched with concern.

"Dorothea, wait!" Bernadetta yelped.

"I'll have a word with her," said Byleth.

Byleth then strode after the singer, leaving the rest to work out the details of the monastery's restoration.

…

Dorothea cursed herself as she stood in the cathedral. She knew the Knights weren't going to take kindly to what she had said. But it was far too late for her to take it back, even if she had wanted to.

At that moment, Byleth walked up behind the diva and asked, "Dorothea, what was that all about? Why would you say something like that?"

Dorothea did not answer.

"Dorothea, we cannot just let the Empire take over all of Fódlan. They have to be stopped."

Dorothea then turned and said, "Professor, don't you remember what happened five years ago? The Empire overwhelmed us, and they've only gotten stronger since then. The Kingdom and Alliance are in shambles. If we couldn't beat them back then, what chance do we have now?"

"Dorothea, I know you think we can't win, but–"

"It's not what I think, it's what I know! I've seen others try. Armies far larger than what we have now, led by brave men and women from the Kingdom and the Alliance, and the Empire and their supporters have crushed them time and again. And it's not just armies they've wiped out, but entire communities and villages all over Fódlan, swept up in the fires of the war."

Dorothea turned away from Byleth at this moment. Byleth chose not to interrupt as she continued her rant.

"I've been trying for the past five years to find a place where I could just… just get away from all the fighting. Three years ago, I was staying at this little hamlet named Alterney Village in Kingdom territory. The people there were taking care of some wounded Loyalists when Imperial troops found out about it. The Empire brought Demonic Beasts in and… and leveled the town. They massacred everyone just for helping wounded men who posed no threat to anyone. I got out just before the attack came, but I… I can still hear their screams sometimes…"

"Dorothea…"

"That's why I said those things to Seteth. That's why I don't think we can win. And that's why… why I'm afraid of what will happen if we try. If we try to fight the Empire, we'll all be slaughtered. We'll never stand a chance! And you…" Dorothea paused before taking a deep breath and almost shouting, "You're a fool if you think we have one!"

Byleth was a little shocked to hear such harsh words from Dorothea, even though she knew they were born out of fear rather than spite. But at the same time, they ended up spurring the greenette to place a hand on Dorothea's shoulder.

Firmly, Byleth said, "Dorothea, you're right. We'd stand little chance against them." Dorothea turned her head to avoid Byleth's gaze as she then said, "And it may be foolish for us to try to fight the Empire. But if we do nothing, we'll have already lost. Fódlan will be forced to bend to the Empire's rule."

"But… but would that be such a bad thing…?" Dorothea said softly. "If the Empire won, wouldn't that end the killing? Wouldn't we be able to have peace?"

Byleth did not have an answer to this. She had no intention of backing down from fighting the Empire, but she could not find any words to convince Dorothea to help. In the back of her mind, she didn't even want to convince her to fight.

What right did she have to force her dear friend to fight for such a seemingly hopeless cause?

The two were silent, with the only noise being the echo of footsteps moving away from them.

…

Seteth watched as Anna returned from the cathedral, the redhead bearing a grimace on her face.

Seteth then said, "Miss Anna, if I may–"

"You wanna know Dorothea's reason for opposing the war?" asked Anna. "She's afraid, and she's got every right to be. We'd need a miracle to pull all this off."

"Regardless, whether Miss Arnault agrees with it or not, we still intend to prepare Garreg Mach Monastery and our forces for a campaign against the Empire. As long as the emperor continues her path of conquest, it is our duty to stop her."

Anna gave a silent nod to this. She didn't agree with Seteth's motive, but it would be futile to try and convince him otherwise.

"Annabelle, I need to know where you stand in all of this."

"Still haven't gotten the hint that I don't like people using my full name, have you?" Anna quipped. "Not like it matters." Then, with a sigh, she said, "I'll go with whatever By thinks. I swore to Jeralt to look after her and, five years ago, I almost broke that promise. I'm not gonna let that happen again."

"I see."

"And, on the other hand, I still haven't gotten all the answers I wanted from Rhea. She wanted By for something in the Holy Tomb, and I intend to find out what, whether you like it or not."

"I understand. I am afraid I am still not at liberty to discuss such a topic with you."

"Seriously, Seteth? Are you really going to keep covering for Rhea at a time like this?"

"It is not simply for Rhea's sake or my own. It is for the Professor's as well. She is not ready to learn the truth of the matter."

"Bullshit."

"Think what you will, Anna. I cannot divulge Rhea's intentions on the matter, even if I wanted to."

"What do you mean you can't… Wait a second, did you swear an Oath to her?"

"I did."

Anna hissed at this. An Oath was a form of magical contract, of sorts, that forced one to abide by its terms, usually in exchange for some benefit. If Seteth had indeed sworn an Oath of secrecy to Rhea, there was no point questioning him on the matter. He simply would not be able to tell them what they wanted to know unless Rhea allowed it.

"I know that is not what you wish to hear, Anna," said Seteth, "but the terms of the Oath were clear. I cannot divulge the nature of Rhea's intentions for Professor Eisner unless she learns the truth on her own, or unless Rhea herself grants me permission."

"I'm gonna guess you can't even give us a tiny hint where to look, can you?" said Anna.

"No, I am afraid not. You should also know that Flayn is under the same Oath as I am. It will not do you any good to question her."

"I figured as much…"

It was at this moment that the two turned as Byleth returned from the cathedral with Dorothea in tow.

"Dorothea, have you calmed down yet?" asked Anna.

Dorothea did not answer this.

Seteth then said, "Miss Arnault, I understand your sentiment. Our odds of victory are slim indeed. But if we simply stand by and do nothing, all of Fódlan will be made to suffer. We cannot allow that."

Dorothea scowled at Seteth, seeing he wouldn't budge on the matter.

"Listen, Dorothea, you don't have to fight if you don't want to," said Byleth. "You don't have to help with the war. But we can still work to rebuild the monastery so that the locals are safe again. Okay?"

Dorothea thought on Byleth's words for a moment, then sighed and said, "You're… you're right, Professor. Thank you for understanding."

"It's the least I can do. But… um…"

"What is it, By?" asked Anna.

"I don't think it's really appropriate to call me a Professor anymore."

The other two women were baffled by this, and then Dorothea had to chuckle.

"I suppose that's true," said Dorothea. "You aren't exactly teaching anymore."

"So, what should everyone be calling you now, By?" asked Anna.

"Just… Byleth is fine," answered Byleth.

"I can live with that," said Dorothea.

"I do believe a more appropriate title is in order," said Seteth. "Might I suggest… Archbishop Eisner?"

Byleth choked at hearing this, her eyes going wide as saucers.

"A-A-A-A-ARCHBISHOP?!"

"It would be a temporary position. You would be standing in for Rhea as leader of the Church until she can be returned to us."

"Is this some kind of joke, Seteth?" asked Anna.

"It is no jest. Rhea left this note in her chambers meant for you."

Seteth then pulled a letter out and handed it to Byleth. Byleth read it immediately. The handwriting, though in Rhea's signature, was clearly rushed.

Dear child… I have little time, and so I will keep this brief. If you are reading this letter, it means that something has happened to me and that the Church of Seiros will be left without my guidance. I know this may be too much to ask of you, but if I should not return, I implore you to take care of the Church in my stead. I hereby appoint you the title of Archbishop of the Church of Seiros and ask only that you lead our people with wisdom and sincerity. I know I have not done well to deserve your trust, but I have always sought to do what is best for you. I am sorry to place this burden on you with such short notice, but our time has run out.

Until we meet again. May the goddess Sothis protect you.

Rhea

P.S. I have left something that I hope will be useful to you. It is sealed away inside the Holy Tomb. Seteth will know how to retrieve it. Please use it as you see fit.

"Rhea wrote this just before the battle five years ago," said Seteth.

"Yeah, the sloppy handwriting kinda makes that clear," said Anna, prompting Seteth to frown at her.

"I have already taken the liberty of retrieving the item Rhea had left for you. It is over here."

Seteth led the others back into the main hall and gestured to a nearby table. Atop it was a pristine Mythril shield with the Crest of Seiros emblazoned on it. Byleth recognized it as the same shield Rhea had wielded during the battle in the Holy Tomb.

"That's Rhea's shield…" Dorothea said in awe.

"This shield is a precious artifact of the Church, once wielded by Saint Seiros herself," said Seteth. "It is yours now, Archbishop Eisner."

"A-Archbishop…" Byleth gulped as she said this.

"I know it is a lot to take in," said Seteth. "But I assure you that no one is more suited for the task than you."

Byleth went pale at hearing this. Having this much responsibility thrust upon her so abruptly was unwelcome for her.

"Give me… some time to think about it," said Byleth.

"I understand. I must see to the planning for the reconstruction effort."

Seteth left the main hall as Byleth had to sit down, overwhelmed by everything she had been told.

"Geez, talk about laying it on thick," said Anna. "You gonna be okay, By?"

Byleth said nothing in reply.

Byleth's gonna need a moment.

In the other three anti-Empire routes, your allies all wish to see the Empire go down. However, I chose to contrast that with Dorothea wanting to avoid a fight with them. It's not unreasonable, right? After all, they did get their asses handed to them at the end of Part 1. That doesn't mean our heroes aren't going to fight, though. We'll touch more on this later on.

As for that "Oath" part, that was something I lightly pulled from Tales of Berseria. If you've played that game, think of the Oaths as more-or-less the same thing, but perhaps not as OP.

The next few chapters are going to pivot away from Garreg Mach and swing over to the villainous side of the story, as well as to the heroes of the Empire. Expect quite a few OC's and plot elements that aren't in the game.