This moon is passing quickly, and things are about to get bloody.

Chapter 12 – A Desperate Plea (Guardian Moon)

Dorothea did her best to leave a chamber in Abyss as quietly as she could, not wanting to disturb a group of sleeping children within. She had just finished singing the orphans a lullaby, meant to calm her own nerves just as much as theirs.

The Empire was due to arrive the next day. The people in Garreg Mach had nowhere to go. And they were still woefully outnumbered.

She didn't know how Byleth would ever pull off a victory against such long odds. And if they failed, these children, along with everyone else in Garreg Mach, would be at risk.

As she walked through the corridors of Abyss, she suddenly saw Anna slip around a corner that led to the underground arena. Curious as to why the merchant was down there at such a late hour, Dorothea found herself following the redhead, doing her best not to be discovered.

Anna arrived in the arena and moved to the center of the massive chamber. Dorothea hid behind a broken pillar, peering out to see Anna enter a casting stance.

Then, to Dorothea's surprise, Anna took a deep breath and began to sing.

Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal

Emustolronzen Finé el balal zizzl

Magic stirred around Anna's body, unlike any Amina spell Dorothea had seen. The redhead grimaced as she struggled to control it. A runic circle appeared beneath her, rotating under her feet.

Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal

Emustolronzen Finé el zizzl

Anna was about to continue the song when the magic surged. The redhead yelped in pain as she was overpowered by the surge of Mana. She broke off the spell, causing the circle beneath her to fade away as she fell on her left knee.

As she gasped for breath, Anna scowled and said, "Dammit…! Still can't control it…"

"Anna? Anna, are you okay?" Dorothea said, unable to hold back her concern as she walked toward the redhead.

Shocked, Anna looked at the diva and said, "Dorothea! How much of that did you see?"

"What was that spell? And what was that song? I've never heard words like that."

"I'll take that as you saying you saw all of it." Sighing, Anna said, "It's a really old Hymnos spell. Something I was hoping I'd be able to use just in case something goes wrong tomorrow."

"Hymnos?" Dorothea asked in confusion.

"It's a very old form of magic based on song. Legends say that Hymnos songs could create earthquakes, calm the hearts of entire cities, or bring forth the stuff of miracles. I don't know a whole lot about them, but I found this one spell when I was in northern Faerghus last year. It was on a scroll sealed in an old tomb. I wanted to be able to use it if things go badly tomorrow. There's so much that's riding on my plan, and so much more that could go wrong. By's depending on me, and I can't let her down again. Not like last time."

"Anna…"

"But I don't think this is gonna be a viable backup plan for me. I just can't get the spell under control. Maybe it's for the best. I don't even really know what it does."

"Wait, you don't?"

"Not entirely. The scroll gave me a general idea, but… Here, lemme show you."

Anna reached into a pouch on her belt and pulled out a tattered scroll. As Anna unrolled it, Dorothea saw an ancient, stylized image of what looked like fire raining from the sky. Arranged on the scroll were ancient words that the diva could not recognize.

"I couldn't quite figure out the words until I found a translation in the library," said Anna.

"What do they say?" asked Dorothea.

"I still don't really know. Hymnos isn't really based in language. It's more primal than that, as far as I know. But, seeing as I can't use it anyhow, it probably won't be much use to us."

"Oh…"

Putting the scroll away, Anna said, "We'd better get back up to the surface. Maybe some rest will help me come up with something else. But I gotta be ready. Everyone's counting on us to keep them safe."

As Anna strode out of the arena, Dorothea mused over the redhead's words.

…

It was late in the afternoon when the Knights of Seiros and the other defenders of Garreg Mach Monastery heard the loud marching footsteps of the Empire entering the town below. Men and women of the Imperial Army dressed in heavy armor began taking up positions in the town, setting up a command post while infantry secured their perimeter. A battalion of fliers was ready to swarm over the walls, heavily outnumbering the Church's own fliers.

Near the outer wall of the monastery, the knights and soldiers rushed frantically to prepare their defenses. The fire carts that were so crucial to their defense were kept some ways behind the walls so they could be deployed effectively and to reduce the risk of them being hit by stray fire arrows or spells. Wooden stakes had been set up on some parts of the hill as palings to hinder enemy cavalry, but there wasn't enough to cover everything. The wrecked gates had not been repaired since the monastery had been reoccupied, so Constance had been forced to create giant walls of ice in each of the openings. They wouldn't stop the Empire, but they could certainly slow them down.

And instead of flying the flag of the Church of Seiros atop the wall, the defenders of Garreg Mach flew a new flag, one that bore the Crest of Flames upon it. Byleth had been a bit put off by the decision to use such a symbol, but she had eventually relented at Flayn's urging.

On top of the wall, Shamir peered through a spyglass and said, "Looks like they picked up two extra battalions on their way here. Probably around 200 more troops."

"That's not good," Alois said grimly. "That puts them at around 2,200. We're still outnumbered more than three-to-one."

"At least they don't have any trebuchets this time," said Leonie. "Heck, I'm not even seeing a single Onager on their side."

"Awfully confident of them to come without any siege equipment," said Catherine. "And no Demonic Beasts in tow, either."

"Any sign of their leader?" asked Annette.

"I think I see him," said Shamir. She handed the spyglass to Caspar and pointed as she said, "Center of town."

Caspar took a moment to look through the spyglass and, upon seeing the enemy commander, said, "Yeah… that's Randolph alright."

"Randolph von Bergliez is known to be an accomplished general," said Seteth. "But according to rumors, his army was routed five months ago."

"So why would they entrust him with such a crucial task?" asked Lysithea. "The Empire is not often forgiving of failure among their generals."

"My guess is that he's being given the job of eliminating us as a way to redeem himself in the eyes of the emperor," said Linhardt. "Maybe his lack of siege weapons is meant to test him."

Then, Caspar said in dismay, "Oh no…"

"What is it, Caspar?" asked Byleth.

"It's Randolph's little sister, Fleche. She shouldn't be here; she's not even fifteen yet."

"They're bringing a kid into battle with them?" Brigitte said in shock.

"Wait, who's that down there?" said Bernadetta, pointing down at someone approaching the Imperial line on horseback.

As she looked down at the rider, Byleth's eyes widened with dread as she immediately recognized who was heading toward the Imperials.

…

"The enemy seems prepared for our arrival," Randolph von Bergliez said to his officers. "But we have far more soldiers than they do. We should be able to overwhelm them."

"Sir, what is that strange flag they're flying?" asked one of Randolph's officers.

"I thought we were fighting the Church of Seiros," said another officer.

"They must not have had enough soldiers with just the Knights, so they probably upped their numbers with the rogues who've been roosting here. It doesn't matter what flag they fly. They're nothing more than a mob. Ready our men to advance."

"Yes sir!" said the officers, who turned to organize their troops.

"Brother, let me accompany you," Fleche said to her brother. The fourteen-year-old girl was not dressed in armor, at the insistence of her brother.

"No, Fleche, you are not ready yet for battle," said Randolph. "And taking on the Knights of Seiros will be perilous. Besides, I still need you running messages back to the Great Bridge of Myrddin, understand?"

"But I–"

"Do this for me, Fleche. Do not worry, we will prevail, and I will return. I promise you."

After a short pause, Fleche said, "Alright, brother. I–"

"General, there's a lone rider heading toward us!" shouted one of the Imperial sentries.

Randolph finished writing down a letter and gave it to Fleche as he said, "You had best get going, Fleche."

Mounting up on her Pegasus, Fleche said, "Please, stay safe, brother."

Fleche then took into the air and flew away from the town, heading to the southeast. Randolph was grateful for this; he didn't want Fleche to be involved in such gruesome business at her young age.

Knowing his sister was safe from what was to come, Randolph turned his attention to the lone rider who was approaching the Empire. The general was surprised to see it was a woman dressed in red, her long brown hair cascading over her shoulders. She did not look dressed for war, but Randolph knew appearances could be deceiving.

Dorothea stopped her horse and, after taking a deep breath, shouted, "General Randolph von Bergliez. I wish to parlay with you."

Several Imperial soldiers took aim at Dorothea with crossbows as Randolph stepped forward to speak with the singer.

"Are you the one in command of the defenders of Garreg Mach Monastery?" Randolph demanded.

"No. I am not," Dorothea answered.

"Then what business do you have with me? What is your name?"

"Dorothea. Dorothea Arnault. I'm just one of many who has sought refuge within the monastery with no desire for conflict with the Empire. Inside the monastery are several hundred civilians. Children, the elderly, starving families who had nowhere else to go in the cold of winter. Innocent lives who pose no threat to you and are about to be caught up in your conflict with the Knights of Seiros. I ask of you to allow these people safe passage from this place. I know I have nothing to offer in exchange for this request, but I–"

Randolph's answer was a simple "No."

"W-What…?"

"I cannot allow that, Miss Arnault. My orders, given by Lord Vestra, are that all who have hidden themselves within Garreg Mach Monastery are to be annihilated."

The officers and soldiers of the Empire turned to the exchange as Dorothea's face filled with horror.

"What?! General Randolph, please, you can't just–"

Interrupting, Randolph said, "If I were to allow your request, the Knights and their criminal allies would use the opportunity to slip through our fingers. I'm not about to let that happen."

"Criminals? What are you talking about? There are no criminals in the monastery!"

"Is that so? Then whose flag is that your allies are flying?"

Dorothea turned back toward the wall and, upon seeing the Crest of Flames flying atop the parapets, realized with dread what Randolph was thinking.

In desperation, she said, "That isn't–"

"And even if you are telling the truth about so-called civilians within the monastery, the fact that they choose to aid the dogs of the Church makes them equally guilty. They supply food and essentials to the Knights. They help to rebuild this place, a symbol of the Church's tyranny. They have made their allegiance clear."

Dorothea was almost shaking as her eyes watered, unable to believe Randolph could be so draconian over his orders.

"General, please… I'm begging you, you can't–"

"I have heard enough. Sylas, take her into custody. If she resists, kill her."

"Yes sir!" said one of Randolph's officers.

"No, please! General Randolph, you can't do this!" Dorothea screamed.

Dorothea's sudden scream startled the Imperials, and several of them hastily took aim at her with their crossbows. Before she could say another word, two of them fired bolts at her, catching her by surprise.

Light surrounded Dorothea as a Rescue spell whisked her away at the last second, the crossbow bolts sailing harmlessly over the horse's back. Scared, the horse whinnied and ran away.

Scowling, Randolph shouted, "Ready your men! We march on the monastery, now!"

…

Dorothea was about to scream in protest again when she realized she was back atop the outer wall of the monastery. Flayn made a loud sigh of relief that her Rescue spell had been just in time. The diva fell to her knees.

"Dorothea, are you okay?" Byleth said as she knelt next to her and put her hands on the brunette's shoulders.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" Brigitte said in a mix of anger and worry. "You almost got yourself killed!"

As the others asked why Dorothea had done something so foolish, the diva burst into tears and buried her face in Byleth's shoulder. Byleth cradled the girl's head in her arms, trying to comfort her through her trauma.

"They're going to kill everyone!" Dorothea wailed. "I begged him to spare the civilians and he said he was going to slaughter all of us!"

"It's okay, it's okay," Byleth said, trying to reassure the brunette.

"Byleth, I… I don't know what to do! We can't stop them! They'll kill everybody!"

Dorothea's wailing filled the hearts of the others with dread. Sensing this, Byleth knew she had to stop it before fear gripped the defenders.

"Dorothea! Dorothea, listen! Listen to me!"

Byleth moved Dorothea away from her by her shoulders, prompting the diva to look her in the eye through her tears. She stopped sobbing as she saw the determination in Byleth's eyes.

"Everything is going to be okay," Byleth said with a comforting smile. "We'll stop them. We'll win. Please, have faith."

"F-F-Faith…?" Dorothea sobbed.

"The Empire will not get through our line," said Ferdinand. "I will make sure of it, no matter what it takes."

"Me too!" said Bernadetta. "I ran away last time, but everyone's counting on us! I won't run away!"

"We will be stopping them, Dorothea," said Petra. "They will not win."

The others began to give their own assurances of victory, giving rise to a cheer from the knights and other defenders. Dorothea was stunned. How could they have such confidence that they would prevail?

"Dorothea, we will win. I promise," said Byleth.

Again, Dorothea was stunned silent, but the smile Byleth gave her was one she had to have faith in.

The loud sound of clanking armor drew their attention, and they looked down the hill to see the Empire readying its army to advance. At least 800 soldiers were readying themselves to attack, a force slightly larger than the defenders of the monastery.

Byleth then stood up, drawing the Sword of the Creator and raising it. She knew she was going to have to inspire more than just the diva kneeling before her.

"Defenders of Garreg Mach!" she shouted. "The Empire has made clear their intention to annihilate this monastery and everyone in it! But they will not prevail on this day! We will drive them from the steppes of the monastery, no matter how many soldiers they send at us! Trust in each other, strike together, and we will have victory!"

The defenders roared and cheered as Byleth swung around to face the army approaching the monastery.

"Everyone to your positions! Let's go! Move, move, move!" shouted Catherine, prompting the soldiers to rush to their posts.

As they did this, Dorothea slowly rose from her knees and asked, "Where am I needed?"

Surprised, Byleth turned and said, "Dorothea?"

"How can I help?"

"I thought you didn't want to fight, Dorry," said Cia.

"I don't. But you all need me here. And I don't think the Empire's giving us much of a choice anyway."

Lana then said, "Well, when you put it that way–"

"No," interrupted Byleth. "You don't have to fight if you don't want to, Dorothea. We can handle it. No one is going to force you to–"

"It's my choice, Byleth," said Dorothea. "You need me here. And I… I think I forgot that for a little while. But I'll do my part now."

Byleth paused for a moment to look Dorothea in the eye, tears still running down the diva's face. Despite her tears, Dorothea's expression was now one of determination. Byleth suddenly felt her own eyes beginning to water.

"Thank you, Dorothea," said Byleth.

Poor Dorothea, right? She just wants those civilians to be safe, but she can't even get that.

This part took me a while to figure out, as I needed to come up with a good reason for why Randolph would follow an order to kill everyone in the monastery. I didn't want him to look like a total zealot or fanatic (though he ended up a bit of one), but I think the reason I came up with is believable. After all, smuggling your warriors out with refugees is something armies have done for centuries. Additionally, when you look at it, his second reason should make sense too. Even if those farmers and construction workers aren't belligerents in the conflict, they're still supplying the Knights of Seiros with food and essentials. Oftentimes, when you wanted to starve out an enemy army, you went for the local farms and farmers, and you'd accost any merchants you thought were selling goods to the enemy. After all, why let the enemy get anything if you can prevent it?

As for Anna's little singing bit, that comes from a really awesome anime series. Here's a hint: Lysithea's Japanese voice actor plays one of the main characters in said anime series.

Lastly, are the numbers I'm using for army sizes good enough? It's hard to get ones that work.