"Tell me, how long do we have to continue this charade, Byleth?"
"If all you want is to waste my time with your empty chatter, then leave at once. I do not need your words."
"Ah, little Byleth- the righteous warrior of Fodlan- just like how your father wanted you to become. Or is it just one of another lies of yours? To escape from the truth that you are nothing but a puppet in her grand scheme."
"My choices were made long ago, and I would do anything to protect those innocents and precious to me."
"Oh, how quaint. You see, you might have convinced yourself of your autonomy, but I've seen the strings that bind you, the masterminds who pull them. You're a pawn in a grander game, a mere instrument of destiny."
"Say whatever you like, false King of Fodlan. I shape my destiny with my choices, and that's something you'll never understand."
"Oh, but I do, Byleth. More than you can ever imagine. It's a pity that you've kept denying my generous offer. But then again, since I was a benevolent King, I will extend my hand to you once more when all hope is lost to you."
"An inspirational speech but words of a deceiver. I will never break, no matter what."
"You will never break? Even though you already have a lifetime ago, isn't that right, Wings of the Hegemon?"
20th of Garland Moon, 1180
After returning to the Monastery, Byleth and Bylass made their way to the Audience Room. As expected, Seteth had a look of surprise on his face which quickly changed to a scowl as Catherine explained what had happened. Fortunately, the advisor kept his composure and directed the captured villagers to the town's jailhouse then asked the duo to meet the archbishop. After sending the students back to their respective rooms, Byleth and Bylass could almost feel the tension building as they braced themselves for what was to come. When they entered, Rhea stood stiffly with an unreadable expression on her face while Seteth remained by her side and Catherine stared at them intently.
"I'm glad to see that you've returned safely. The goddess is gracious with her divine protection. But it was not only her divine protection that shielded you, was it? You are just as skilled as I hoped." Rhea smiled warmly at Bylass as if she did not notice Byleth, making Bylass roll her eyes a bit.
"My students deserve praise as well, especially my most trusted partner. Without him, there would be unnecessary sacrifices in this task." Bylass answered neutrally while Byleth remained apathetic.
"And that's where the problem arises, Professor," Seteth said.
"I heard some of the students were hesitant… about fighting militia." Rhea's gaze suddenly turned toward Byleth as if she were scrutinizing him. "However, we must punish any sinner who may inflict harm upon believers." Rhea's voice cut through their eyes like a chill wind, freezing the duo.
"Even if they are civilians?" Bylass countered.
"And that's exactly what I reported, lady Rhea," Catherine said. "She was behaving exactly this way during the time we were in the Gaspard region."
"I said that I would train my students to become executioners or assassins for hire and I truly meant it." Bylass frowned. "Lady Rhea, these militias are merely innocent citizens forced into an inevitable fight for their survival. You cannot call this a declaration of war!"
"But it didn't change the fact that they chose to fight alongside Lonato who openly defied the Church, and we were also aware that most of them were willing to die for him. Your arguments are invalid, Professor."
"And what kind of fate awaits them?" Byleth's fists clenched tightly.
"It should be obvious. Treason can only lead one way - tomorrow, all shall be executed in the name of the Goddess. It is our only recourse."
"Are you serious?" Byleth and Bylass burst out in unison.
"A regrettable outcome but that must be done," Rhea answered firmly.
"These people are not soldiers or bandits! They are farmers, blacksmiths, and shopkeepers who barely survived and have no intention to cause harm - yet you would send them all to their deaths over one mistake?" His voice rose to a fever pitch as he shouted, his entire body trembling with outrage.
"Now I see your point, Catherine. This is undoubtedly an act of defiance and heresy!" Seteth seethed with rage, his glare sharp as knives directed towards him.
"So, tell me, my boy," Rhea demanded, her eyes burning into Byleth "What will you do then?"
"Free them, of course. We agreed that these people have only ever wanted to live their lives without interference from us." Byleth answered in a calm yet stern tone."Isn't that one of the teachings of your faith- The Goddess always extends her hand to aid those in peril?"
"But they posed a threat to us and some of our own Knights were harmed in the process. How can we trust that no one still holds resentment toward the Church and will seek revenge?"
"I stand by what I believe in and I have no regrets for my actions," Byleth replied confidently.
"Arrogant as ever, aren't you?" Seteth sneered, his voice dripping with venom.
"Care to remind me where was your mercy displayed in Zanado?"
"Why don't you take up with me then? He was not the only one participating in our battle against those bandits in Zanado?' Byleth snarled icily.
"It's puzzling me why you two always have issues with us, but that only proves your hypocrisy, doesn't it? Based on the report I got, this is not the first time you two participated in apprehending an uprising." A deathly hush descended upon Seteth's words as Byleth and Bylass widened their eyes before transforming into a scowl.
"Where did you hear that from?" Bylass asked coldly.
"From here and there but does the name Varley ring any bell to you?"
"That is not for you to know, sir Seteth," Byleth growled with narrowed eyes; he sneaked glances at Bylass whose features were indiscernible.
"What incident are you referring to, Seteth?" Rhea questioned with interest.
"Lady Rhea, based on what my men informed me, more than a year ago an insurrection occurred in Varley which made the Count call upon Jeralt's mercenary group to quell them down. And to no one's surprise, the Ashen Demon and her Shadow spared no one that night. Not even the soldier's wives."
"You have no idea about what you're saying!" Byleth snarled venomously; the tension in the room growing so thick that Rhea and Catherine shot glares of molten fury.
"Behave yourself, dear child! If it weren't for Jeralt and the Professor, I would already put you in jail for such insolence a while ago."
"I'm no one's child by my parents', lady Rhea." Byleth immediately corrected. "I care not what those rumors said but there is one undeniable truth- we did our best to make amends for our grave mistake that day." Byleth grabbed hold of Bylass who started trembling with rage and held her close.
"Slaughtering the woman alongside their husbands in front of children- what kind of redemption is that? Tell me, if you were capable of such barbarism, why bother caring for the rebels now?" Seteth said mockingly.
"You know nothing about us. Especially, not about him!" Bylass screamed out in fury, making the others jump back in surprise - all except Byleth who kept his composure.
"Lady Rhea! This is unacceptable! If she isn't punished soon, what kind of message does it send to the others?" Catherine interjected as Rhea raised her hand to signal for silence before exhaling a deep sigh.
"Enough!" Rhea shouted, her face a mask of anger and disappointment. "Professor, the Church of Seiros has protected this land for centuries based on our virtues and disciplines. If we forgive such a betrayal today, it will only encourage others to do so for there is no consequence for disrupting the peace that the Empire, Kingdom, and Alliance had built for more than a thousand years."
"But at what cost? Sacrificing those who are in the minority?" Byleth spat with disgust.
"I have enough of your insolence. Guards." Rhea barked as several knights began to move forward towards Byleth only to be stopped by Bylass stepping between them.
"Lay a finger on him and you will regret this moment dearly!" She hissed through gritted teeth, her eyes aglow with burning hatred.
"Professor, stop this at once! I don't wish to punish my friend's kin."
"Then punish me as you wish. I'll not stand back and watch any harm come to him ever again." She grasped her sword tightly between both hands as if preparing for battle.
"Heed my words. My name is Bylass Eisner – blade of Byleth." She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing in a chillingly powerful tone.
"And Demon of Remire!"
The air seemed to thicken as Bylass finished her declaration. The archbishop, Seteth, and the guards remained motionless as tension crept into the room. Bylass's grip around her blade tightened as if she were ready for a fight at any second. Catherine prepared her Thunderbrand while the guards stealthily reached for their lances. Seteth's face hardened with disapproval while Rhea observed Bylass with a disappointed expression.
"This is it then," Byleth whispered bitterly as he turned towards the door.
"Where do you think you are going?"
"If this is the justice you want to teach the students here, feel free to do so." He made his way to the door only to be stopped by the knight before turning back to declare loudly. "I quit!"
"And you think we are going to let you walk away like that?" Seth scoffed.
"Try if you dare!" Byleth's cold voice cut through the silence, making the knights hesitate for a moment before Byleth continued his march out of the room. He did not know whether Bylass was calling for him but at this moment, he needed to get out of here. With a goal in mind, he continued marching toward his room and prepared to pack his belongings.
For the first time since he came to this academy, he wished for nothing more than to escape this place.
Entering his room, Byleth felt a stab of guilt as he looked at the bed that would be empty in the morning. He knew what was coming tomorrow and he had promised Ashe, Lonato, and even the villagers themselves that they would be safe. Even though it went against their principles, his friends respected and honored his selfish desires. But this only made him feel more guilty with every thought. Would they resent him for leaving without saying goodbye? Did all these moments mean nothing to him when they welcomed them both without judgment? And most importantly, what would happen to Bylass now?
He had known since the first day went to the academy that she was willing to go to extreme lengths to protect him. She had taken on a huge risk in defending his honor, and every time they received a task from the archbishop, she was always there for him. But today was different; he could see that she was ready to fight against the entire Church just to keep him safe. He knew if he stayed at the academy with her, there would be no future for either one of them. Despite all their promises, he couldn't bring himself to take away any chance of happiness from her. As he grappled with this decision, she suddenly appeared outside his room, out of breath from running. Never before had he been unable to speak to her, but now here she was with eyes fixed on him and his silence seemed too heavy to break.
"Byleth, look at me! Please tell me that you are not going to do this to me." She said, her voice shaking as she watched him try to avoid her gaze.
"You should not be here, Bylass." He said weakly, still refusing to look at her.
"This is my mistake and my burden to bear. You can reconcile with her once I leave this place."
"And you think that's going to solve anything?" She shouted. "After everything we've been through and yet you still chose to shoulder all of this by yourself. Byleth, why can't you let me in?" Her voice began to crack, and tears filled her eyes.
"That's why you are also blamed for my mistake, Bylass." He finally looked at her, his tone fragile and vulnerable. "I can't stand seeing anyone else paying the price for my foolishness again. I lost my family once ... I can't lose you too!"
A hiccupping sob escaped his throat as Bylass slowly pulled him closer to her. She ran a gentle hand through his hair, her eyes shut tight against the tears streaming down her cheeks. The room felt still and silent; all was quiet save for their shaking breaths and sniffles of emotion. A sliver of moonlight spilled into the room, bathing them in a warm glow. With reluctance, Bylass finally pried herself away from him and held him at arm's length, her blue eyes searching his for any sign of what he wanted to say.
"So, what now?" Byleth asked unsurely.
"If our only choice is to go, then the answer is easy," She answered without hesitation. "Then we will leave this place. Together!"
He was about to respond, but she quickly placed her finger against his lips and cupped his face in her hands, making him look into her eyes.
"This is my last order as your professor- either we leave this place together or I will hunt you down to the end of the world."
"Besides… I may have declared my resignation earlier so at least responsibility, idiot." She shrugged her shoulders and added casually.
"You did that?"
"Who knows? Lady Rhea was shocked when I told her and insisted that I reconsider. But I've made up my mind: wherever the future takes me, it'll be somewhere with you."
Byleth sighed sadly. "What about our friends? You won't have a chance for a peaceful life like this again, Bylass. My path leads only to uncertainty and sadness."
Bylass was hesitant before replying. "I know it would be great to stay here with all of them, but I also cannot forget what we experienced together. I've made so many memories here, but they don't compare to the time spent with you. This may be selfish of me-I hope you understand." Her tone was determined as she finished her speech.
"So then, what should we do now?"
"Whatever you intended to do." She replied softly.
"I'm still searching for my family, even though the chances of finding them are slim. Are you certain that this is what you want Bylass?"
"Yes. So, what do we do now?"
"Let's start looking into my clues and see how far they take us." He paused again, remembering their friend. "What about Jeralt?"
"He'll find out soon enough given the rumors around here," she replied weakly, trying to put on a brave face despite the tension. "Don't worry—we can all travel together again soon!"
"I guess I should have been a fortune teller then—never think that my joke about you being fired becomes true." He said, a hint of bitterness in his voice. Despite his words, she managed to laugh and smile at him.
"By the way…" He asked her hesitantly. "Sorry for ruining your plan of setting up a shop due to this hopeless task of mine." He said weakly but Bylass didn't seem too disappointed.
"Don't think too much, silly. We have a lifetime to do that once your journey is over—if it ever ends. Now then, shall we pack our belongings now?"
"Yes, let's do it now."
"I should have seen this coming." Jeralt sighed heavily, watching his daughter helping Byleth pack their belongings.
"Jeralt, I'm sorry for bringing you into this mess. I…" Jeralt raised a hand to stop him, yet instead of a scowl, he looked at Byleth with a sympathetic smile.
"It's alright, Byleth. Though the transition is surprising, it's not unexpected at all given how were at odds with them since day one. However, are you sure you want to do this?" Jeralt asked sternly.
"I won't stay here and continue to do their twisted biddings in the name of justice. That's not what my father wanted." He whispered bitterly.
"I heard that brought the prisoners back. Let me guess, lady Rhea insisted that they must be punished?"
"And they dared to compare this mission to that incident in Varley." Bylass clenched her fists as she put the books into the bag.
"I know there is something fishy about Rhea but to think she will fall this low." Jeralt furrowed his brows in frustration. "Then, assuming you two will leave here by morning, what will you do?"
"I will continue my search for my family, assuming they still exist out there. There are few clues, but I guess the Empire is a start." Byleth replied.
"Why didn't you ask your classmates then? Wouldn't it save more time?"
"It…it's complicated. Besides, I'm not sure how much of what I remember is true." Byleth said awkwardly. "What about you, Jeralt?"
"I doubt Lady Rhea will let us leave quietly; when we last parted ways, it wasn't amicable. Furthermore, she's unlikely to permit you to leave either, especially you, Bylass."
"Then I'll cut down any knight who dares to pursue us!" Bylass sneered angrily, taking Jeralt aback.
"Kid, mind explaining to me why you pointed your blade toward not only the Knights of Seiros but even Rhea herself." Jeralt sighed exasperatedly. "The gossip has been rampant that you had a duel with Catherine in the Audience Room while Byleth took down the knights without raising a finger."
"It doesn't matter once we vanish from this place. I'm sorry for not informing you earlier but I will take responsibility for all of this. Thank you for everything, Jeralt" Byleth nodded apologetically.
Jeralt sighed heavily. "Very well, I'll meet Rhea and see if we can repair this situation. Until then, wait for me at the tavern nearby. If you see me coming with my belongings… you know what it means."
"Sounds good to us. Till then, Jeralt." Bylass bid him farewell as he left the room.
"I'm sorry for all this trouble, Bylass, Jeralt," Byleth whispered.
"But we already made our choice and there is no other option but to move forward. Isn't that what you told me?"
"Fair enough. Let's finish this now!"
As they finished packing their belongings, the duo took a slow walk through the halls one last time. The sound of Ferdinand's laughter echoed off the walls while Edelgard, Dorothea, and Hubert released disapproving sighs in response. Upon arriving at the Training Field, memories of their first day flooded back. They could almost see Caspar charging towards them with his characteristic enthusiasm only to be bested instantly; Linhardt- the not-so-lazy student either would not show up at the exercise or he would come up with the explanation that Professor Hanneman requested for his assistance.
As Byleth and Bylass opened the door to the Dining Hall, the eerie quiet was like a heavy blanket that smothered the room. He smiled despite himself, thinking about how Petra had nearly set fire to the kitchen while they cooked together. Nearby, a display case of cakes reminded Byleth and Bylass of Bernadetta scurrying in with an armful of treats when she saw them - her panicked screams echoing off the marble walls as she begged for mercy. But after some gentle prodding from Bylass, she accepted one of their handmade cakes - something that seemed unlikely tonight.
"It feels like forever since we came here, don't you think?" Bylass spoke with a heavy heart.
"It has only been two months, but it feels like an eternity. We have built so many memories here… and now we are leaving without a proper goodbye." Byleth heaved a deep sigh.
"Shouldn't we say something? I know it is late and they might be all asleep, but I think they would understand." Bylass looked intently at her companion.
Byleth sighed again as he shook his head. "No, that would only make things more difficult for them. It is better if we leave this place without troubling them anymore."
"Never look back, right?" Bylass trailed off before shaking her head. "No matter what awaits you ahead, you will not face it alone anymore, Byleth. We will get through it. Together!"
He smiled softly and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before extending his arm towards her. "Shall we go?"
She squeezed his hand in return, determination burning through her gaze. "I'm counting on you, partner!" And with that, they started their journey towards the gate.
Byleth and Bylass took their evening walk, strolling side by side on the mossy path that led away from their home. The tranquil night air played host to a symphony of gentle rustles from the trees and trills from crickets in the distance. Stars twinkled in the ink-blue sky, illuminating the monastery as if it were drenched in moonlight. With each step they took, their feet sank into the plush grass below while the grand gate at their destination loomed ever closer. On reaching the gates to the vast courtyard, they both smiled in appreciation of this perfect moment one last time.
As they reached the grand gate, a chill ran through them. An eerie mist appeared on the horizon and slowly spiraled around them, cloaking the night in an unsettling haze. Every breath felt heavy, and the ground trembled beneath their feet as though something powerful lurked nearby. A sinister energy filled the air, making them both fearful and alert.
"Do you feel that?" Byleth asked cautiously and put down his bag, his hand slowly touching the blade.
"Yes! Do you think they already made their moves?" Bylass eyed the surroundings and prepared her daggers.
"Possible but I don't think so. This scent… it doesn't belong to humans." A shadow walked past them as he finished before vanishing into thin air.
"Whatever it is, get ready!" Byleth nodded and unsheathed his blade, their backs were leaning on each other.
A strange, otherworldly wind began to howl through the narrow alleyways of the slums, and eerie whispers filled the air. The once peaceful night grew eerie and foreboding. The air was heavy with an otherworldly presence, and the very ground beneath them trembled with an unnatural energy.
Out of nowhere, a group of cloaked figures materialized from the mist. These beings resembled nothing Byleth and Bylass had ever encountered before; they were like living shadows in the shape of cloaks, with hoods concealing their faces that didn't seem to exist. They moved around like ghosts and surrounded the duo like wolves were playing with their prey. Tightening their grips on their blades, the duo narrowed their eyes cautiously which were mixed with shock.
These shadowy beings, ghosts or whatever their names were, circled ominously in the air, their cloaks billowing and their forms shifting in and out of focus. The very air seemed to hum with their presence; the former professor and student could sense that these creatures were not bound by the laws of reality.
"This doesn't look good at all!" Sothis yelled in panic as Bylass could imagine how she freaked out on her throne.
"Sothis, what are they?" Bylass asked, trying to remain calm even as her arms began to shake.
"I have no idea; I've never seen anything like them before. But I know one thing for sure: this does not bode well." Sothis crossed her arms tightly around herself. "Bylass, I know you may not want to hear this, but we have to run if we want to survive this."
"Like there's any other way for us to escape from this hellhole!" She scoffed derisively as the shadowy figures continued their uncontested flight above them.
"Bylass, can you hear me?" Byleth shouted, jerking her back into reality from her conversation with Sothis.
"Yes. It looks like our only hope is to make a break for it and head for that gate over there. We don't have time to waste so let's go!" She said determinedly.
Then the duo started to march toward the gate, ignoring the small storm that those beings were causing. Despite the heavy wind, the duo charged without any hesitation. Each step wavered with determination as they cut through the flying figures. Suddenly, a trio of those shadowy figures emerged from the ground as Byleth and Bylass were away from the gate only a few meters. Without hesitation, they raised their swords in unison and assumed a defensive stance, preparing for a fight.
"I guess we're out of options here. What do you think, Professor?"
"I have already submitted my resignation; however, it would be a shame to not see this through. It has been great knowing you, partner." Bylass replied with a smirk despite the dire circumstances.
"Still joking around even when our lives may be in danger. You sure chose the wrong class this time." He remarked teasingly. "But I know you, Bylass, and I know you wouldn't back down from a challenge no matter what awaits us."
"Excellent attitude! Here they come!"
With a fierce rage burning within, the infamous duo sprinted towards the trio of cloaked figures. A thunderous screech echoed in the air as these creatures soared toward them with unstoppable ferocity, like vicious predators hunting for their prey. With every swing of his sword, Byleth was determined to draw blood and end their terror - Each strike more precise than the last until one of the monsters fell but to no avail as one fell, another one quickly replaced their fallen friend. On Bylass's side, however, the situation was dire. She continuously attacked these unnatural beings with a dagger in hand, yet none of her strikes landed a hit. In response, the cloaked beasts retaliated by pecking at her relentlessly until she finally threw her daggers into the air in frustration. At that moment, Bylass was forced to accept defeat as her weapons flew away, each one failing to reach its mark.
"What's the status now, Byleth?" Bylass shouted as her sword clashed with that of a mysterious entity.
"It's not looking good. Nothing seems to deter them; nothing serves to slow them down. Even my daggers are depleting rapidly. I can't seem to even make a dent in their forces," Byleth cried out as he dodged yet another black-cloaked figure.
"And it doesn't help that they just keep coming and coming with no end in sight. I know we are called a one-man army, but this is beyond our control!"
"This isn't time for joke, Bylass."
"Sothis, can our Divine Pulse work against these creatures?"
"Don't count on it; they'll continue to pursue you no matter how often you leap through time. Not to mention how you're supposed to explain this situation to him and your father?"
"I hate it when you are making sense, Sothis."
"Bylass, look out," Byleth yelled as one of the cloaked figures flew toward her, knocking her out.
However, in contrast to what she expected, the being did not come to finish her life, instead it was staring at her intently. Its formless face was just visible beneath the tattered, grey robe. Suddenly, she heard a faint whisper, like a tickle in her ear, and it seemed to be saying something important. Just as she was about to decipher the message, Byleth rushed forward with a yell and swung his sword at the creature. It slunk away into the darkness. He ran over to her side and kneeled beside her, gently inspecting her bruised knee.
"Are you alright, Bylass?" Byleth asked.
"I'm fine. Just a minor injury." She stood up and brushed the dust from her clothes.
"What do they want from us? It looks like they are just trying to prevent us from leaving this place."
"Do you think this is Rhea's doing?"
"I doubt she can command such a force. Furthermore, this doesn't seem to fit the image of servants of the Goddess like her."
"Then who …" Before she could finish her question, the sound of footsteps was getting heavier.
"Professor! Byleth!" Dimitri, Ashe, and the Black Eagles shouted; most of whom were out of breath from running.
"Everyone! Fall back now!" Bylass ordered.
"What are you saying, Professor? Hey, were you two fighting?" Dimitri asked with a confused expression.
"You can't see them?" Byleth stuttered.
"See who? Nobody else is here except us." Ferdinand replied, unaware of the hooded figure swirling around him.
However, to their surprise, the cloaked figures lifted into the air, and their robes billowed like dark wings in the wind. They ascended higher and higher until they were no more than specks on the horizon. Byleth and Bylass craned their necks to watch them go, but even as they vanished from view, their presence lingered, a faint whisper on the breeze. The two of them exchanged bewildered looks, still struggling to make sense of what they had just witnessed.
"It's no one important. However, what are you doing here?" Bylass said sternly, trying to steer the topic away.
"It's us that should be asking you this question. Professor, Byleth, are you going to leave without a word?" Ferdinand asked heatedly, their eyes widening in sadness as the duo avoided his gaze.
"You shouldn't have come here." Byleth looked away and started to pick up his bag, but Edelgard's hand suddenly caught his wrist.
"Someone needs to talk some sense into both of you. As house leader, I can't believe how irresponsible you two are being. Especially you, Professor!" She glanced at Bylass whose eyes showed clear exhaustion.
"There is nothing left to say. I said that I didn't come here to train my students to be murderers. But despite my protests, they insisted on executing these innocent civilians. Moreover, this might be selfish of me, but he needs me as I need him." Her voice was barely audible as she bowed her head slightly.
"Why don't you stay and fight for what you believe in instead? Don't let your principles waver now!"
"I must agree with Edelgard here. Professor, Byleth, isn't that how you fought so hard to protect those civilians in Gaspard?" Dimitri questioned them.
"Moreover, it was you who told me to keep moving forward no matter what. Was all of them nothing but lies?" Ashe added, his voice was barely a whisper.
"Of course not, but does it matter anyway? In the end, we are nothing but mercenaries for hire." Byleth answered tiredly.
"It's not two have exceeded every expectation. Not only do you fight with mastery that outshines most knights, but your cooperation in the heat of battle has proven to be unparalleled. Byleth, even Catherine, a renowned master of the Thunderbrand sword, couldn't defeat you." She then turned her attention toward Bylass.
"Professor, your lessons made a great impact on us. Moreover, it was you who taught us to treat everyone with kindness no matter their social background." Edelgard hesitated before finally speaking out loud "We need you. We need both of you. Mother, Father." At that moment, Byleth and Bylass were rendered speechless by her words.
"Finally, she admitted then." Dorothea giggled.
"Now it's not time for jest, Dorothea." Hubert sighed. "But I think it's working. The professor and Byleth seem to be thinking deeply."
The air seemed to thicken as the two of them bowed their heads in unspoken contemplation. Byleth and Bylass stood still, each lost in their thoughts while the students around them held their breaths in anticipation. Seconds trudged slowly by until a single footstep echoed down the hallway, pulling everyone out of the pregnant silence that had befallen them.
"You're still here, Bylass. Thank goodness!" Rhea said with a relieved smile, but it quickly faded when her former professor shifted into a defensive stance, shielding Byleth protectively.
"What do you want from me, lady Rhea?" Bylass asked warily, her expression guarded.
"May I have a word with you, Bylass?" Rhea said softly, trying to defuse the situation. But Bylass remained tense.
"There is nothing to be discussed, lady Rhea," she replied sternly. "Besides, due to what happened earlier, I believe that I will be executed along with the prisoners as well. Those that dare to point their blades toward the Church shall be punished by the name of the Goddess- isn't that what you told me?"
Rhea bit her lips and rolled her eyes for a moment, definitely not pleased to bring it up in front of the students. Taking a deep breath, she asked calmly.
"May we have this conversation somewhere more private? I know we did not part on best terms but it won't take you that long. If that still doesn't convince you, you may leave at your will."
Bylass hesitated before finally nodding.
"Very well then - but on one condition."She directed her finger toward Byleth as if to emphasize her point. "We will discuss this together. If not, there is nothing more to be said about this matter."
"If that will convince you, then do as you wish. I shall see you at the tea tables in the garden." She gave a curt nod and turned away, leaving the duo alone with other students who were still in shock from what had happened.
"Professor." They asked simultaneously, voices laden with trepidation.
"It is fine now; you may all go about your business. I will see you tomorrow morning, so long as everything remains unchanged." Bylass sighed and all the students started to walk away one by one until only Byleth and her remained.
"You don't have to do that, you know. I can wait while you are discussing with her."
"Didn't we say that we would do this together?" Bylass frowned, though Byleth couldn't help but chuckle.
"Relax, I'm just joking. Anyway, are you sure this is the right choice?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure but let's see what she has in store for us. Shall we move then?" Despite their doubts, they both began toward the garden.
"There you are, I've been waiting for you." She smiled warmly as she finished filling three cups of tea.
"Are we going to drink tea at this hour?" Bylass asked confusedly.
"I know but I just want to prove to you my sincerity, or perhaps the tea is not to your liking?"
"Never mind. It would be rude of me to deny such courtesy then. Thank you, lady Rhea." Bylass and Byleth sat next to each other and began to sip their tea.
"How about you, Byleth? Does it suit your taste?" Rhea's sudden politeness made him widen his eyes in surprise, and Bylass was doing the same.
"It's good enough. It has a soft and subtle flavor, akin to the gentle light of the moon." Byleth answered as politely as he could despite the tension only a few hours earlier.
"I see you have a good taste of tea then. This is one of my favorite ones after all. Perhaps, you would like …" Bylass suddenly raised her hand and replied flatly.
"Lady Rhea, could we please cut to the chase now? What do you need us for?" Rhea was silent for a few seconds and took a sip of her tea. Then she left with a heavy sigh.
"For many generations, the Church of Seiros has been a source of safety and security for its inhabitants." her voice shook with the effort to remain composed as she spoke, avoiding their gazes. "But there are times when even the most devout followers must make difficult decisions. When do we draw the line between justice and mercy? How much do we stand to lose if we choose to forgive? Can we risk it all on faith alone?"
The two of them stayed quiet, their faces expressionless as they drank their tea. Rhea inhaled deeply before speaking again.
"Therefore, I have abolished the sentences of death handed down to them. Instead, I shall personally speak to each of them and hear what they have to say, then send them back to Gaspard." The duo's facades disappeared once Rhea finished. However, the brief moment of joy did not last long until they remembered what happened earlier and Jeralt's warnings.
"Is there something still bothering you two? I thought this is what you wanted." Rhea asked with a frown on her face.
"And that's why it's bothering me," Bylass replied flatly.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Just hours earlier, you were determined to live up to your convictions, no matter how much we pled our cases. And what happened now? You simply chose to compromise it to keep her teaching here." Byleth replied grimly.
"I've had listened to Jeralt's takes on the matter and I was reflecting myself," Rhea explained which didn't seem to convince the duo.
"It's been a mystery not only to me but also to every resident here at Garreg Mach you know. A mercenary that you barely know – the one that is rumored to be Ashen Demon no less. Furthermore, I did challenge not only the Knights of Seiros but you as well. Did I get a full pardon like that just because I'm a child of Jeralt? Why do you hold me in such a high regard? What did you see in me to the point of putting me in such an esteemed position?" She finished and put the cup down roughly, shaking the table.
"My dears, would you believe me if I said it was fate that guided us?"
"Of all the possibilities, it must be fate?" Byleth asked sarcastically as he sipped another tea.
"You don't believe in fate then?" Rhea inquired curiously.
"I've seen so many moments in my life where people believed their paths were preordained, guided by the whims of the gods or some unseen force. They look to the stars, the moon, and the prophecies as if they were written in stone. But I can't bring myself to believe in that." He stopped for a while before continuing. "For if such a fate exists, we are all merely puppets on strings, our lives exerting no meaningful influence over the future." His hand curled into a fist and he was about to stand when Bylass took his hand in hers. "If there is one thing that I don't mind about being a mercenary is freedom. We are responsible for setting our destiny, even when the odds seem hopelessly stacked against us."
"If that's what you believe, then I won't stand in your way." She intoned coolly before darting her gaze toward Bylass. "However, I still trust that you will stay here, Bylass. Regardless of whether you share his opinion, fate has brought you here for a purpose. So, if my words fail to dissuade you, please remain until the end of the Rite of Rebirth. If not for me then at least consider it for your students." She paused, giving Bylass a meaningful look as she continued, "You saw how much they loved and respected you earlier, Bylass. The house leader of Blue Lions and young Ubert even vouched for you. Isn't it too cruel for them if you simply left without a proper farewell?"
Rhea's words hung in the air, as Bylass and Byleth glanced at each other in a moment of silent understanding. Both seemed to search their minds for an answer to her question and sighed heavily. Bylass broke the quiet first, her voice hesitant.
"Alright, I suppose I can stay here until the Rite of Rebirth is over. Maybe even help you out with your investigation into that assassination plot, as recompense for our earlier disobedience."
"I see. What about you?" She looked at Byleth.
"I guess I will stick around for a while then. Although, some won't be too pleased about how this ended up."
"Yes, since your little "declaration" had gone out of control as everyone in this monastery has caught wind of it. I'm afraid you two are on probation. You'll be doing service tasks for the next week or so." Rhea replied firmly.
"That's a bit light for someone who committed heresy, if I may be frank," Bylass said in an unenthusiastic voice.
"This is all I can do for family and a friend of Jeralt. If there is nothing else, I would like to excuse myself. May the Goddess watch over you." She rose from her seat and began to walk away, leaving the two of them alone once more.
"So, I guess your resignation was refused then?" Byleth asked with a touch of amusement.
"It seems so." Bylass sighed. "There is no doubt after tonight, we will be blacklisted by Seteth and the Knights of Seiros, so it'd be wise for us to stay away from future encounters. Rhea won't be as lenient next time."
Just like how Jeralt warned us. Do you remember what Rhea said?" Byleth narrowed his eyes in thought, to which Bylass nodded.
"The archbishop even mentioned she did something she had never done before just to keep me here at Garreg Mach Monastery. Though my final decision has nothing to do with her mercy, it still makes me uneasy."
"More reason to avoid her then. What's worrying me though are those cloaked figures during the battle earlier." His voice grew more serious.
"Even though they put us at a disadvantage, they didn't seem keen on harming either of us...I know it's far-fetched, but do you think…?"
He felt a hint of concern in Byleth's voice as he replied, "It doesn't fit the ideology of someone who is supposedly 'virtuous' and 'benevolent' like Rhea claims to be. By the way, how are your knees doing now?"
"It's okay, just a minor injury." She smiled softly before inquiring hesitantly. "Do you mind if I ask something?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"When she mentioned fate, you got mad, didn't you? Your fists almost shattered the cup and your eyes were burning with rage. Is this because something bad happened to you?"
He scratched his head in confusion.
"I was?"
"Yes, it seemed like you had some serious hatred towards this concept. Was there any particular reason for it?"
So, this is the choice you made then. You are just another failure, just like her.
"It's complicated. I will tell you next time, okay?" Byleth groaned as his head twitched in pain.
"Will you? Or will you continue to leave me behind again?" Bylass replied sadly.
"I swear on my name that I will not run away from my loved ones again. And this time, I truly mean it. Do you remember this?" He extended her hand to her invitingly with the blue dagger in his hand.
Bylass nodded slowly, looking at him with understanding in her eyes. "It was a symbol," she said softly. "As long as you continue to struggle, a new path will be forged- one to a brighter future."
"Let me try again, if you'll allow me. I want it to be a promise—one that I won't run away from this time." Bylass's ears perked at his statement, and he took a deep breath before continuing.
"All this time, I've been nothing but a coward, thinking that I could take all the burdens by myself as no one deserved to suffer like me. But that was just an illusion I created, to deny that some truly care for me and will walk by my side. There was a time when I thought I finally could make amends for that, but every step forward felt like two steps back. Now, after everything that's happened tonight, I'm not so sure anymore. You and everyone else have shown me such unprecedented kindness- something that finally proved to me it was my fears that were illusions. It might be too late for me to say this but thank you. Thank you for accepting this fool once more." He said happily as his tears started to stream which Bylass swept away before they could drop to the ground.
"It's never too late, Byleth! I'm glad we finally could make it through that thick skull of yours. Besides, we should return now, or your reputation will ruined when someone sees this." Bylass let out a giggle.
"As if it could get any worse. However, I was surprised that our house leader was already influenced by that mischievous Claude. See what I told you?"
She blushed, remembering what Edelgard had called them. "It was surprising, indeed. Have we been acting like their parents all this time?"
He shrugged indifferently. "Given how often we help out the students and look after children at the orphanage, maybe it's true to some extent. Are you bothered by it?"
"It's not like that. It's quite an experience, isn't it? She smiled happily as her face was blushing slightly.
She smiled brightly, her cheeks flushing slightly. "It's not like that. It's quite an experience, isn't it?"
"There she goes again," Byleth sighed, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "Looks like nothing has changed."
"It's getting late now; shall we head back?"
"Agreed," he replied as they started back towards their respective rooms and stood in front of the doors for a moment until Byleth spoke up: "It still feels strange knowing we just said goodbye to this place and..."
"I know. But like you said before, we've made our choices and there is no room for regret now. That's what matters most, right?"
"Yes. There is no point in looking back." Byleth gave a resolute nod before giving one last wave. "I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, Bylass!"
'Good night! Byleth!"
Author's note.
Two chapters in a week? I'm almost as surprised as anyone else, but the ideas kept flowing so I just had to keep writing. Those who spotted it might have noticed this chapter is inspired by Final Fantasy 7 remake's Whispers—but don't worry, it won't be a crossover (so no Sephiroth obsessed with an alien mom, and no Church taking on the role of Shinra hunting Cetra). All I can say for now is that more will be revealed once the Sword of the Creator has been recovered. Until then, stay safe.