A remake of the scene before one of the biggest battles in the game.
Enjoy.
Chapter 90 – Prelude to Carnage (Great Tree Moon)
Byleth gazed out at Gronder Field, which was enshrouded by a thick layer of fog. The Archbishop had no doubt the fog was magical in nature, and it was likely being conjured by the Imperials. This would make coordination with the Alliance far harder, as well as avoiding the Loyalists. She knew that once the fighting started that it would be almost impossible to tell friend from foe. And with Dimitri so hostile to everyone else, the Loyalists were going to be just as big of a threat as the Empire.
Fortunately, the Archbishop had managed to put together a broad plan with Claude earlier that morning. The Alliance would concentrate its efforts on trying to take the central hill of Gronder Field. Taking the high ground would allow the Alliance to set up siege weaponry and give their archers a strong position to dominate the field. From there, the Alliance would be able to provide the Church with some much-needed support. However, even with the high ground, there was still a high probability of friendly fire unless the fog was dealt with.
Byleth turned to Linhardt, Lysithea and Flayn as they and some of the other mages worked together to try and dispel the mist. To her disappointment, their efforts were thus unrewarded.
Sighing loudly as he stopped channeling Mana, Linhardt said, "It's no good. We can't get the fog to clear."
"Whoever is conjuring this mist must either be extraordinarily powerful or has a lot of help," said Lysithea. "Even I can't do much against it."
"I'm sorry, Lady Eisner," said Flayn. "We did the best we could."
"Don't beat yourselves up over it," said Anna. The merchant then sighed and said, "This is gonna get messy really fast."
"Agreed," said Seteth. "The Imperials must be conjuring this fog to try and cause the Alliance and Loyalists to attack one other."
"Wouldn't that cause the Imperials to attack their own people too?" asked Lana.
"Edelgard must think it's worth the risk, Lana," said Cia.
Anna then pulled out a spyglass and said, "Well, the good news is we can still see the Empire's main camp from here."
The redhead then looked through the spyglass at the Imperial camp. It took only a few seconds before she could see the ruler of the Adrestian Empire.
"She's here," Anna said with some dismay.
"Edelgard?" asked Byleth, prompting Anna to nod.
The gesture made Dorothea's heart sink. Of all the people she wanted to avoid fighting, Edelgard still topped the brunette's list.
"What is she doing here?!" Bernadetta asked anxiously. "Oh, I hope she's not planning to come after us first!"
"If she does, you can get behind me, Bern," said Brigitte. "I'll keep you safe."
Bernadetta smiled at Brigitte's gesture, though she was clearly still anxious about the upcoming battle.
"She's talking with a woman I don't recognize," said Anna.
"May I see who it is?" asked Seteth.
"Thought you didn't like these things," Anna replied as she offered the spyglass to him.
"Given the circumstances, I am willing to make an exception this time."
With a small smirk, Anna handed the spyglass to Seteth before pointing to Edelgard's position and saying, "She's the one with the navel-deep neckline."
Seteth was slightly confused with Anna's description, but upon seeing the pink-haired woman Edelgard was talking to, he realized the redhead's words were apt.
"So, do you recognize her?" asked Anna.
"I'm afraid not," Seteth answered as he lowered the spyglass.
"What does she look like?" asked Annette.
"Tall, long pink hair, green eyes, and her wardrobe doesn't leave much for imagination," answered Anna. "She's also even bigger in the chest department than By."
Before anyone could quip about Anna's description, Felix said, "Cornelia Arnim. It has to be her."
"The Duchess of the Faerghus Dukedom?" asked Byleth.
"Why's she here? I thought she was busy up north," asked Annette.
"I have no idea," answered Felix. "But this gives us a good opportunity to take out both Cornelia and Edelgard."
Dorothea fought not to wince at Felix's words. Even though she knew Edelgard had to be stopped, the thought of killing her former best friend made Dorothea's resolve waver.
"Is there any sign of the Black Eagles?" asked Catherine. "They've gotta be around here somewhere."
Having taken back her spyglass from Seteth, Anna answered, "I see one of their flight wings. They're being led by a blonde Skrael woman with a lot of scars and tattoos."
"Damn… Zola again."
"Again?" asked Alois. "Do you happen to know this 'Zola', Catherine?"
"I ran into her and her gang once before I joined the Knights of Seiros. She wanted a bounty that was on my head."
"Obviously, she didn't collect it," remarked Yuri.
"Zola Axberg," said Lorenz. "She is perhaps the most ruthless killer among the Black Eagles. Do not underestimate her; she has the blood of hundreds on her hands."
"Yeah, and that includes the people in Favorsham," Leonie said angrily. "I've heard of her; the Imperials call her 'Kill'em-All Zola'."
"Do you see any riders from Brigid?" asked Petra.
"No sign of them yet," said Shamir. "The fog's making it hard to see any distinguishing features."
"Are you still worried about facing that, uh, Seta woman?" asked Caspar. "Sorry, can't quite remember how you said it."
"She is Setiawati," answered Petra. "She was my pengajar when I was young."
"Pen-gu-what now?" asked Lana.
"It means 'teacher'. She taught me how to use a bow and a knife. She showed me how to hunt for food and how to skin pelts. But now, she…"
"What's wrong, Petra?" asked Dorothea.
"Setiawati said that I have angered the Dewata. They are Brigid's spirits of fire, water, earth, sky, and more. She said that my helping of you all has… displeased them."
As the others looked sympathetically at Petra, Seteth said, "Regardless of her reasons, do not forget that she will be an enemy in this battle. Do not allow your past with her to cloud your judgment or stay your hand. All of Fódlan is depending on us to prevail over the Empire this day."
As the conversation continued, Dorothea looked to where Anna had pointed out Edelgard's position. She could not clearly see the Emperor at such a distance, but for a moment, the diva felt as though Edelgard may have been looking back at her.
And as she continued to gaze upon her from afar, Dorothea felt her resolve continue to slip.
…
Dimitri snarled as his scouts reported back after only a short while in the fog. The mist was making it impossible for his forces to tell the Imperials from the Alliance. Yet it hardly mattered to him; the King of Lions had made it clear that they were to cut through all opposition, regardless of their side.
As the one-eyed king tried to see through the mist, Sylvain said to Ingrid, "This takes me back. We both got our butts kicked during the mock battle."
"I didn't lose to Bernadetta," Ingrid said crossly. "If I'd known she couldn't swim, I wouldn't have dropped her in the river."
"Yeah, I know. Annette really made up for us there." Sighing Sylvain added, "Wish she was on our side in this fight."
"Do not pay any heed to sympathy, Sylvain," said Dimitri. "We are here to take the Emperor's head and destroy the army she has amassed."
"No worries there, Dimitri. We know our job."
"Then I suggest you get to it."
Nodding, Sylvain and Ingrid mounted up on their steeds and moved to command their battalions.
Dimitri then turned his head and asked, "Dedue, is my wife safely away?"
"Yes, Your Highness," answered Dedue.
"Good. I can focus all my attention on killing Edelgard."
"We are ready to fight, Your Highness," said Rodrigue. "Simply give the order."
Dimitri was about to give a reply when he heard the Imperials cheering across the field. He turned back toward the south and saw orange lights appear within the fog.
…
Claude was not pleased that he could barely see a hundred meters in the fog that engulfed Gronder Field. Though he knew the general whereabouts of the Church and Loyalist armies, he knew there would be utter chaos once the fighting started.
Fortunately, he knew the general layout of Gronder Field, and his forces were positioned close to the river north of the central hill. Taking the bridge over the river would be far too dangerous, so he was preparing to have some mages freeze the river to allow his troops to cross over a larger area.
He wished Marianne could've been part of that group; she was one of the most skilled at ice magic in their whole semester at the Officers' Academy. But she was a queen now, and her king was not about to show Claude or his army any mercy.
"Everybody knows the plan," Ignatz said to the leaders of the Alliance's battalions. "We cross the river once it's been frozen, and then move to capture the high ground in the center of Gronder Field. Once it's been taken, we set up our artillery and fight off any counterattack the Imperials launch."
"What if the Loyalists try to take the hill?" asked one of the officers.
"We're hoping it won't come to that," said Raphael. "Claude's orders are not to fight them unless they attack us first."
"That'll be easier said than done," said Hilda. "This fog's making it almost impossible to tell who's who."
"Yeah, well, you just stay near me, Hilda," said Balthus. "I'll keep you safe."
"I appreciate the concern, Baltie, but I'm not letting you guys do all the fighting today. I can take care of myself."
"Actually, I was saying that more because I'm afraid of what Holst will do to me if you get hurt."
As Hilda was about to scold Balthus, Claude said, "Alright, everyone. It's the moment of truth. We've been preparing for this fight for months now. Let's win this so we can put an end to this war."
Just as the others nodded affirmatively, the discussion was interrupted by the sound of cheering Imperial soldiers.
A second later, they heard someone shout, "Incoming!"
The Golden Deer spun around to see multiple fireballs flying out of the mist and heading right for the Alliance's frontline troops.
…
Edelgard looked out to where the Church of Seiros's army was assembling. They were easily the smallest army of the four factions, but the Emperor knew they would arguably be the most dangerous. Even though she had bested Byleth when the war started, it had only been due to disparity in numbers and facing the Professor when she had already been exhausted.
In some way, however, Edelgard was almost happy to see her former teacher alive and well. When she had learned of Byleth's defeat at Thales's hands, the Emperor did not wish to believe it. Learning he had failed to kill her made Edelgard's heart flutter. Even after all this time, she held onto some small hope that, perhaps, Byleth could be convinced to help her.
But she knew it was a fantasy. Byleth Eisner was now Archbishop of the Church of Seiros. There was no way the green-haired woman would take the Emperor's side.
As she continued to gaze toward the Church's army, Edelgard saw someone else near to Byleth. It was a woman, brown of hair, wearing a red dress. Edelgard could not make out any further details from such a distance, but somewhere deep down, she could tell who it was: Dorothea.
Seeing her former best friend at the Archbishop's side did nothing to help Edelgard's heart. The two people she wanted most to walk the same path as her were here.
But it was all too clear that their paths would never cross.
"Lady Edelgard, our forces are prepared," said Hubert, snapping Edelgard out of her thoughts.
Doing her best to hide her emotions, Edelgard replied, "Very good, Hubert."
Edelgard then turned to Ladislava and several of her generals, who all stood at attention before their ruler. They were all ready to fight for the future of the Adrestian Empire, and she knew so many were about to give their lives for it.
Edelgard began her speech.
"The Loyalists and the Alliance are throwing everything they have left into this fight. This battle upon Gronder Field will decide the course of the Adrestian Empire for generations. I expect the utmost of you all in order to secure the future of the Empire and of Fódlan. When this day is done, the Adrestian flag will fly over the bodies of our enemies!"
The soldiers of the Empire roared in cheer.
As they did, Hubert signaled his mages with a wave of his hand. The spellcasters readied a volley of fireballs and sent them careening through the air.
…
Byleth heard the call of an eagle as it flew over Gronder Field. She remembered hearing one five years ago when they had fought there.
Back then, they fought as rivals. Now, they fought as bitter enemies.
Fireballs from the Imperials rained down on the front lines of the Alliance and Loyalist troops. Some of their mages tried to block the barrage, but there were simply too many. Men and women screamed as the first blow of the battle was struck.
Unfazed by the attack, Dimitri strode forward with Areadbhar in hand, ignoring the flames around him.
Raising Areadbhar toward the enemy, he said, "Know that I will tear your heads from your shoulders. The dead must have their tribute."
At the same moment, Claude looked around at his front line's casualties. Things were already getting off to a bad start.
The Master Tactician groaned and said, "As big class reunions go… this one's gotta be the worst in history."
Looking at the devastation Hubert and his mages had wrought, Edelgard stepped forward and said, "Years ago, we fought here as classmates. But not today."
Byleth, knowing the fight was about to begin in earnest, readied the Sword of the Creator as her allies prepared for battle.
Raising his head, Dimitri shouted, "KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!"
The Loyalists roared as they surged forward, following their king into battle.
Claude raised his arm, signaling his army to attack. As the Alliance's soldiers ran past him, Claude shouted as he took to the sky on Simurgh's back.
Seeing the Loyalists and Alliance charging, Edelgard said, "And so we fight on."
The Imperials let out their own battle cries and charged to meet the enemy.
Behind the Emperor, Cornelia smiled as the Battle of Gronder Field began, and over 100,000 of Fódlan's people rushed into the carnage.
90 chapters in and we FINALLY get to the clash at Gronder. Sorry it took so long.
I should note that my previous chapter's length wasn't short due to health issues. I was having motivation problems there. But I'll do my best with this massive army clash.
I was first thinking to delay this by one more chapter to cover a few things at Garreg Mach, but I decided against it. You guys have waited long enough for this to happen.
Not sure how many parts are gonna be needed to cover the Battle of Gronder Field. I guess we'll find out as we go.