Chapter 13 The First Assignment

Jeralt sat down with Lucas and Shez in his office. It was the same one from when he served as Captain of the Knights. He had been told that no one wanted to take it, but he suspected Rhea kept it empty for what she felt was his inevitable return. Various weapons, medals, and other mementos he had collected over the years hung on display. A trophy from a tourney here, a medal of valor and honor there. Mementoes an old man like him liked to keep. "You might have heard, but each class has monthly assignments. This month, Byleth kids are going to go and deal with those bandits that escaped Remire. They've set up camp in the Red Canyon, a holy site of the church. It's the Church's way of evaluating her ability to keep her students safe on missions. You two on the other hand have a different assignment."

Lucas should have guessed. They had effectively 'cut in line' ahead of other knights who had trained for years to join the Knights of Seiros. Their first month was to prove that they were worthy of working with elite knights, worthy of special treatmlent. Shez looked excited and eager to prove himself.

"For a few weeks, people have been disappearing in the Magdred Way. At first it was suspected to be bandits, but now we have reason to suspect monsters." Jeralt pulled out a map of Magdred way. There were several areas with circles, indicating areas of interest. "As you can see, who or whatever it is, it sticks to the roadside."

"You sure it's a monster? Could just be bandits." Lucas questioned. A monster staying close to a popular road wasn't too hard to imagine. Afterall, a busy road was like as a conveyor belt of fresh food.

"Hmm, pretty sure. Going by the state of the bodies at least. The victims had been partially eaten. Their bones had been cracked and crushed, like something had bitten into them. To make matters worse, there were indications the victims died very slowly. Whatever did this decided to play with their food, watch them squirm. If bandits did all of that, we are dealing with some repugnant fucks." Jeralt answered. He crossed his arms, looking away in a grimace.

"Are we going to be fighting with you Captain?" Shez asked.

"No, this is meant to be your examination. If I had my way, this wouldn't be necessary, but I can't be playing favorites. Not until you show the knights your stuff least." He added with a grin. "Seteth will be leading you personally."

Lucas was surprised to hear Rhea's second in command going with them. He had figured he was more of a behind the scenes man than a fighter. "Do you have anything else for us?" He asked. Jeralt shook his head.

"No, I don't. Go and get familiar with the monastery. I'll send a messenger if I need you for anything. You leave in a week, Seteth will fill you in on more details once you get closer."

The two left his office and made for the training grounds, hoping to get in some practice.

"So, how do you think things are going on Byleth's end?" Shez asked. It was her fast day on the job, and she had spent much of the previous evening going over the lesson plans Hanneman and Maneula had given her. It brought Lucas back to his first year at college. Late night cramming, trying to do everything the day before. He had warned her that it would be a work in progress, and to take it slow.

"Knowing her, she's going to take them to the training grounds. She needs to do a lot of homework before she starts giving lectures about history or strategy. Not to mention the mock battle is the immediate hurdle. She needs to know their strengths and weaknesses before they run into battle." Lucas responded. The house leader was required to fight in the mock battle alongside the professor, so that left three open positions.

They passed numerous knights and students on their way to the training yard. Once they arrived, they saw the Black Eagles training in pairs or on dummies, while Byleth stood to the side with her arms crossed, giving an excellent impression of a drill sergeant. She noticed Lucas and Shez, nodding at them before turning her attention to Bernadetta.

"Bernadetta?" Byleth called evenly, trying not to startle the timid girl. It didn't work, as she let out a high-pitched squeak. Byleth let out a sigh. "What weapons are you proficient in? Other than the bow?"

The girl calmed down, grabbing her hands nervously. "O-oh, well I think I'm okay with a spear… Really any weapon that helps me keep my distance." She said, "Oh, but not magic. I'm no good at magic."

"Then go and practice spears with Ferdinand, a bow isn't much good when an enemy gets too close, not at your skill level anyways." Byleth ordered. Bernadetta nodded her head, and nearly sprinted away from the scary new teacher. Byleth turned her attention to Dorothea who was practicing swordplay on a dummy. "Dorothea!" She called.

A baeutiful brown-haired girl walked over to them, her hair was loose under a black hat. "Yes professor?" she asked, looking at the two new arrivals. "Want to introduce me to your handsome friends?" She ended her sentence with a flirtatious wink, that made Shez blush slightly. Lucas was amused, familiar with flirty personalities. His sister was one of them.

"This is Shez and Lucas. I planned to pair you with Petra, but it would leave Edelgard without a partner. So, I want you and Lucas to spar with each other. He's my partner on missions and I've trained him, so he can help you out." She pointed out. He was touched by her words; she was not one for empty praise.

"In that case, please take care of me Lukie." Lucas raised an eyebrow at the nickname.

"A nickname so soon? I feel honored." He joked. "But then again, you might think differently after a spar." He twirled his sword, taking a relaxed stance, blade level at his hip.

"Just try not to make me break a nail" She retorted. "I'm just joking though, I'm not Hilda. Don't let my appearance fool you, this rose has thorns. Give me your best Lukie!"

He didn't know who Hilda was, but the snickers other students said enough. Lucas went to retrieve a training sword, assuming an offensive position. Dorothea took a defensive one. "A rose may have thorns, but it will take more than a scratch to beat me." Lucas sent two slashes to her, to test her reflexes. One was aimed at her wrist and the other at her jugular. She deflected both but with too much wasted movement for Lucas's taste. Byleth stood to the side and watched, and eventually the other Black Eagles noticed the stranger sparring with Dorothea. Now it was time to test her offense. Lucas turned to a more defensive stance, holding his sword level with his eyes. Dorothea took a breath and stepped forwards, thrust her sword to his leg. Lucas parried downwards, but Dorothea took the opportunity to jab his throat. Lucas turned his head to the side, dodging the blow. He didn't have enough room for a swing, so he drove the pommel of his sword into her hip. Dorothea sucked in a breath and backed up. She had a frown and now limped.

bad. For a noble, she knew how to fight dirty. Lucas gave her a smirk, before sending a feint to her abdomen. She fell for it, and Lucas pivoted, sending a quick thrust into her shoulder. She hissed painfully. She chose to charge him, but Lucas's earlier blow ruined her balance. Lucas dodged the blow, stepping inside her guard and ended the fight by tripping her. He walked over to put her sword to her throat and make her submit. But Dorothea wasn't done, because she sent a punch to his genitals. It would have been painful had he not grabbed her fist. He twisted her arm, and held her still, in a pinned position. She struggled, before finally giving up. Her frown faded, as an amused smirk took root.

"Well, you know how to show a girl a good time." She sent him a wink; her hair was disheveled. Being close to her like this reminded him how pretty she was. He decided to get off her before he started to blush. Lucas let out a laugh and stood up and offered her a hand. "So, how did I do, mercenary?"

"You're a fighter all right. I was expecting you to avoid using dirty tactics because it would be beneath you. Bit too much wasted movement, but you are a lot stronger than I expected."

Dorothea giggled. "Don't be so surprised. I'm the only commoner in the Black Eagles. I don't have "noble pride" holding me back." Lucas was surprised at her background. "As for my swordplay, well I was taught how to defend myself against more zealous fans years ago. I only got serious about it once I enrolled in the academy."

"Consider me impressed. What did you do before the academy to get fans?" Lucas asked, curious about the girl.

"I was the diva of the Millett Opera Company in Enbarr." He raised an eyebrow. She sighed. "I suppose mercenaries don't really have time to visit operas, especially in the Imperial capital…" Lucas chuckled at her pouting.

"S-so you're a singer, swordswoman, and student at the most famous academy in Fodlan. Well, consider me impressed." Lucas said, laughing, but also serious in his praise. Byleth joined them and gave Dorothea a nod.

"She did well. Too much wasted energy in her swings though. Good instincts overall too." Byleth complimented. "Your magic is no joke either. You have a few different paths you could try."

Edelgard stepped up. "Such as a Mortal Savant?" Lucas looked at her in shock. It was a rank he had only heard of. A person who was as dangerous with a sword as they were with a spell. Each story he heard about them implied they killed soldiers by the dozens. From what Byleth had told him, most warriors never reached the level of a Swordmaster. To become a Mortal Savant, she would have to accomplish that and be an expert in magic as well.

Byleth gave a slight frown. "I'm not saying she can't become one someday, but it is risky to divide up your focus like that. A dabbler in all is a master of none."

Lucas summed it up. "Well, they are different fields, but a range option would be great to shake up your fighting style. Going in for a slash, but then letting a fireball out of the other hand would be a killer combo." Not being able to use magic was one of his greatest regrets. He would kill to be able to use magic, he had so many ideas in his head on how to incorporate spells into his fighting style. It reminded him of illusionists and magicians. Part of the trick of illusions was keeping your audience look at the magician's face instead of his hands.

Dorothea nodded in excitement. "Exactly what I was thinking! But there is another reason I want to become a Mortal Savant." Lucas and Byleth waited for the girls reason, while Edelgard gave a knowing smile. Dorothea took a breath, closing her eyes. "My whole life has been about breaking through ceilings. I started out on the streets. Then I became an opera singer, making it all the way to becoming the Diva. Now I'm a student at the Officers Academy. I know that it takes determination and skill, but I'd rather aim high and miss. Because If I don't try to do what people call difficult or even impossible, I would have never left the streets of Enbarr" She opened her eyes, giving the two a winning smile. Lucas had to admit, this girl made an impression.

Byleth nodded, somewhat understanding. "Just so you are aware, there are few Mortal Savants for a reason. It's a long road, and you should focus on one way of fighting for now. I'd rather you get good as a mage than let your swordsmanship catch up. Or the other way around." Dorothea nodded. "Speaking of which, your swordplay needs work. You have too much wasted movement. We'll work on that later, for now keep drilling." She turned around to the training dummy and began her drills again, letting out a dramatic sigh.

Shez took the moment to be known to Edelgard. "I hear that it's a lot of money to be able to attend the academy, not to mention the connections required. She probably made great money at the opera, but not enough for this place." Edelgard gave a smile, knowing where he was going.

"Before you accuse me of anything improper, it was all completely above board. A few financial backers and I set up a fund to sponsor exceptional individuals in the Empire to attend the Academy. I had seen Dorothea at the opera and was thoroughly impressed, not to mention Professor Manuela also got her start there. Many, including myself were hoping to discover the next Maneula Cassagranda."

Lucas hummed. "So, she wants to be the best, to prove herself and help that fund succeed."

Edelgard shook her head. "Actually, she doesn't know. And I would keep it that way. Right now, she thinks that the tuition was paid for out of my personal account. She has no idea about her other backers or the fund."

Shez nodded. "Consider our lips sealed." He turned back to Byleth. "Need any help with training them Byleth? Shez and I leave in the morning for our mission. We could use a bit of practice" She put her hand under her chin.

"I'll put you with Petra while Edelgard goes with Ferdinand." Byleth looked at an orange haired teen. He looked up and met their gaze. It was as if he could sense his name being said. The orange haired spearman, Ferdinand he presumed, gave a winning smile so bright, Lucas swore he saw sparkles. Edelgard looked far less enthused.

"Who are you thinking about taking into the mock battle?" Lucas asked. They were watching the Eagles train. Caspar was continually rushing Hubert, only to be pushed back by his magic. It was impressive how quickly he got back up, only to get thrown back on his ass. "Don't worry, I won't run to the professors to tell them your secret plan."

"I'm thinking of Hubert, Dorothea, and Lindhard. With me and Edelgard as frontline fighters, Dorothea mid-range, Hubert long range, and Lindhard our healer." Byleth proposed. Lucas would have added an archer instead of Hubert, but Bernadetta looked a little… skittish. "What about you, what's your mission?"

"Sounds like a routine hunt. Mysterious targets, missing traders, mauled bodies. The usual." he said. Byleth hummed. "Worried about us?"

Byleth let out a breath. "I think you'll be fine as long as it's not giant birds. Save for them, I have faith in you."

"I had an excellent teacher. I'm almost afraid of what kind of monster's you'll make with this lot." Byleth smiled at his compliment. "I'm planning on checking out the library later today. I think we must catch up on Fodlan's history. Wanna come?"

"It's a date then." Lucas nodded at her and went to practice on a target. But before he walked away, he turned back to her.

"Oh yeah, what were you trying to tell me earlier? When we were on the road?" Byleth looked around. It was too public, especially if she was going to tell him about Sothis.

"I'd rather talk in private about that. It isn't something I want to be overheard."

"It most certainly is not," Sothis agreed.

Lucas hummed. "We can talk after dinner, maybe in that private room you were given? They have Shez and I in the barracks" Byleth nodded, promising they'd talk then.

However, nearby, Bernadetta heard their conversation. She stared at the scary mercenaries, thinking about how the two of them would be alone in the professor's personal quarters. Her overactive imagination rushed through the possibilities, each stranger than the last. She felt the urge to go back to her room and write down some of her ideas for her books.

Seteth stood in Rhea's personal quarters for their daily meeting. These meetings' function both as a way to keep Rhea up to speed on the day-to-day operations and for the two to relax. Though for the past few days, Seteth has been under more stress than usual, in part due to Rhea herself.

He trusted her, they were kin after all. But that did not mean he had to agree with this ridiculous decision. Rhea sat down at a small table, with a small tea set, waiting for him to sit. "Seteth, I understand you have concerns regarding my decision for young Byleth." Seteth relaxed, his shoulders drooping somewhat as he finally joined her at the table.

"That is correct Rhea. She is a mercenary that we only know rumors of, few of which are flattering." He had done his research, asking the Church's spies and informants anything they knew about the Ashen Demon. Many had reported a woman with a demonic visage who brutally killed her enemies, others claimed she burnt her enemies alive and watched them die. But all agreed on the fact she was dangerous and possessed a sheer lethality few have achieved.

Seteth was a smart man, that he could say without an ounce of arrogance. The rumors were fantastical, and likely exaggerations based on her past deeds. He would not object to making her a combat instructor, or even make a similar arrangement to Shamir. But a full-blown professorship!?

"Oh, but she is not unknown. She is Jeralt's child after all. And she saved our students. Surely that must count for something, Seteth?"

"I do not deny her deeds. But a full professorship is far outside of what she should have been given."

"I feel the Goddess sent her our way Seteth. I feel it in my very blood. I think she will even surprise you, in the end." Rhea was insistent to the point of bull headedness. It was both a trait he loved and annoyed by.

Seteth let out a sigh. "I sincerely hope you are correct. But please, I must stress the importance of caution. Flynn is with us now, and she still has not fully recovered." Rhea's eyes softened at his concern.

"Rest assured, I have not forgotten my promise. Nor would I ever endanger her. She is dear to me as well…" Rhea pointed out softly. Seteth slumped into the back of chair, closing his eyes for a moment. He had to relax. When he came out of hiding with Flayn, he knew that would come with risks. But he also knew it was unfair to keep her sequestered away from the world forever.

Seteth opened his eyes and changed the subject. "I know, I did not mean to imply otherwise. But what of Jeralt himself? You two were close once, but it has been twenty years." He had never met Jeralt before today, only hearing stories about the old knight. Mostly that he was one of few constant companions for Rhea over the years, and that he had disappeared after a personal tragedy. Seteth had asked Alois and other older knights of Serios what had occurred. They had all been uncharacteristically tight lipped, telling him that it was not their story to tell.

"Please, leave the matter of Jeralt to me. I assure you, despite how things ended, I trust him with my life." Rhea was utterly convinced, and he could do nothing to change her mind.

"If you say so."

"Moving on, I take it that you have no objections regarding those two mercenaries?"

Seteth thought about Shez and Lucas. They had also been instrumental in rescuing the students and deserved a reward. Rhea had proposed admitting them into the Officer's Academy under their sponsorship. It was not unheard of, and a free education at one of the most prestigious institutions in Fodlan would be an apt reward for saving the heirs of the Kingdom, Alliance, and Empire at the same time. The problem was that one of them was in his mid-twenties, a bit too old to be attending. While Mercedes and Hubert were both at the same age, they were outliers. So, another reward was decided.

"I do not. But I must ask why you feel the need to test young Shez as well? Do you not plan on enrolling him in the academy?" Seteth asked.

"I do. But making Byleth a professor raised many eyebrows. With this mission, we can prove to the knights and any other doubters that they are worthy of such positions." Seteth hummed in approval. Even if Rhea brute forced Byleth's position, she recgonized that acting in such a way too often would be problematic.

"Any Lucas? Do you think he will be worthy of a position in the Knights?" That was the only logical choice for a person his age. He was too old to squire, but if his skills proved sufficient, he could have a similar situation as Shamir. That was a decision Seteth could stand behind. If he was of worthy character, he would have no objections. If there was reason to doubt him, there were other ways to compensate him without knighting him.

"I understand Rhea. If I may be so bold, why did Jeralt leave all those years ago. Alois was unusually tight-lipped and avoided the question." Rheas smile faded. In an instant, it was like Rhea had gone veryh far away, likely into the past. Seteth regretted his probing, for the expression on Rhea's face was something he had not seen in a long time. Loss, grief, agony, to name a few.

"Do it Rhea. Mine for hers" A ghost whispered to her. Even the memory of her voice cause Rhea to tear up.

"Seteth, I…" She began, trying to find the words and strength to begin. Seteth sharply inhaled.

"No, Rhea. Forgive me, I have caused you pain." He rose, eyes closed. "Just know, I am always willing to listen. No matter what." He would not push, not today. He knew how Rhea processed grief, he had to let her come to him.

"Thank you, Seteth. It… is not something I like to remember. I will elucidate the truth for you soon, just give me time" Rhea was always touched by his thoughtfulness. So many years without her family had affected her more than she let on, more than she wanted to admit. Having him and Flayn back truly abated her loneliness. And now with Byleth returned, an old hope bloomed in her heart.

The library of Garreg Mach was enormous. It held books of history, theology, economics, agriculture, architecture, combat manuals, you name it. Lucas had to admit, that it was amazing. It was here he and Byleth would begin their crash course in the history of Fodlan. Both had the foresight to ask different students and faculty for recommendations on which books to read for recent and historic events. And now they were here, ready to begin a long day of reading.

Lucas figured the best place to start was with the librarian. According to Bernadetta, who did not run away in terror for once, Tomas was the kind elderly librarian that would be able to help them out. Lucas spotted a robed individual hunched over with a cane, an amiable smile on his face, matching the description given to them. "Excuse me, are you Tomas?" Lucas asked politely.

The librarian turned to them, giving them an appraising look. "I am indeed. I take it you are the newest additions to our staff?" He asked.

"That would be her. I'm just a mercenary that is going to be working with the knights. I think at least." Lucas waved his hand in dismissal. Thomas smiled and raised a brow.

"I see. In that case, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Professor Eisner. And you as well, Mr…"

Lucas returned the smile. "Lucas sir. Lucas Raithe."

"A pleasure young Lucas. Now, what can I help you with?"

Byleth stepped forwards. "We were looking for books to study up on the history of Fodlan, recent and not."

Tomas nodded in understanding, putting a hand to his chin. He looked up, somewhat embarrassed. "Forgive me if this sounds rude, are you both literate?"

"We are. But as you can imagine, historical texts are not readily available to mercenaries like us." Byleth explained. Lucas was extremely fortunate, for when he arrived in the world, he learned their language was nearly identical to his own.

"That simplifies matters. I have with me a list of texts recommended for students when they first arrive. This shall fulfill your needs for now, feel free to ask for more once you have gone through them. Remember, the search for knowledge is eternal, never grow complacent." Tomas said, a twinkle in his eyes.

Lucas walked over to accept the list Tomas had produced. Once their hands touched, Lucas felt an odd sensation. Tomas seemed to go rigid. "Are you alright?" Lucas asked in concern.

"It is merely these old bones of mine. As I age, aches appear in odd places at even odder times. An early nights rest would be a good remedy, I think. Good day, both of you." Tomas turned to leave, his cane clacking into the distance. Lucas lowered his hand, which let out a nearly imperceptible glow, before fading.

Lucas and Byleth sat with various historical textbooks outlining the history of Fodlan. Byleth made no comment about the librarian's swift departure. Instead, they focused their attention on their long list of books. They had just read a brief history of Fodlan all the way up to the independence of the Kingdom. One of the topics Lucas was interested in was the so- called War of the Heroes. Some of the accounts appeared mythical and apocryphal at best. He shouldn't be surprised though; the Empire was in its infancy, right after a ruinous hundred-year war. Lucas lowered the book and spoke to Byleth.

"You really think that Loog managed to drive back the Empire who outnumbered them ten to one? Even with better tactics, it seems a bit to exaggerated."

"It's possible. But only if the Empire made massive tactical blunders." Byleth hummed. "The book also references that the Empire was in decline at the time, so maybe it was possible. Or maybe the historians lowballed his numbers so his victory would be more impressive."

Lucas hummed. "Reminds me of a story about a conqueror, Genghis Khan back home. He managed to unite the Step Tribes into a nation, but with his large army, he had to expand continuously in order to keep order. Perhaps the Empire had a similar problem? That without constant conquest it was destined to fall apart?" Byleth saw his point, but disagreed.

"The Empire had been around for about 700 years. It's hard to keep something together for that long regardless of if they had been expanding. To rule a whole continent might have just been too difficult."

"Good point. I'm more interested in the amount of influence the Church has on the Kingdom itself." In the aftermath of the Empire's defeat, it was the Church that mediated victory. Then Archbishop, Althea, crowned Loog King of the Holy Kingdom. A clever way to ensure the Church would forever be a power in the Kingdom, having the archbishop crown him herself. A ceremony which had been repeated over the years, with either the archbishop or a representative crowning the king at their coronation.

Byleth shrugged, not seeing the big deal. "Would it really be any different from any other nation in Fodlan? All of them follow the church, it's the one thing the three nations agree on." Lucas hummed, not arguing the point.

"So, impressions so far?" Byleth looked at him curiously tilting her head. "Your students I mean." He clarified.

Byleth drummed her fingers. "They have potential. I just wish they weren't so… loud" Lucas held back a chuckle. Movement caught his attention, as he noticed a drama going on between a few students. He cocked his head in their direction.

"Could have been worse." Raphael who was eating a drumstick while Lorenz chastised him for his lack of manners.

"Fair enough." From outside, the bells chimed again, signaling it was nearly midnight. Byleth and Lucas rose, making their way to her quarters. They had spent hours reading, and Lucas was ready for bed. Byleth's nervousness and insistence they speak alone convinced him that it must have been important, so he stifled his yawn. They walked the immaculate marble floor, their footsteps echoing. A few knights nodded and even saluted as they passed by. They had spent far too much time in the library, even the most studious had retired for the night, save Lindhart.

"Inviting you to her personal quarters? You get some flowers. There's a pot up coming up, just take them when she's not looking." Prometheus manifested, walking to Lucas's right. His steps made no sound, and Lucas had to remind himself no one else could see the man. At least, he was mostly certain he was a man. The echo like distortion of his voice made it a bit harder to narrow.

"I don't think that's why she wants to talk." Lucas responded, keeping his eyes firmly on Byleth's back, as she led him to her room.

"Oh, come on, live a little!" Prometheus laid his arm across Lucas's shoulder, though his nature as a phantom made it purely for show. "A beautiful mercenary, an admittingly okay looking man, getting it on in a church of all places! It's like one of those smutty romance novels your mom liked!"

Lucas stifled a laugh. For all the things that annoyed him about Prometheus, he enjoyed dry, mocking humor. Prometheus vanished from his side, manifesting down the fall, arms crossed leaning against a pillar.

"For real though? Make a move. Girl that good looking won't wait forever."

Lucas sighed. "I want to. But I need answers Prometheus. Why am I in Fodlan? Why do I have these powers, why are you inside me?" He stressed Prometheus's involvement, a man who confessed to having the answers Lucas sought but refused to give them. Every time Lucas found himself relaxing or trusting Prometheus, he reminded himself of that fact. For all his claims of being his ally and guide, he couldn't trust him. Prometheus went silent, vanishing once again.

"You have questions? Fair enough. But if you think answers will make things any easier, you are in for a rude awakening. Truth is not always an answer. The most you can expect is closure. You want to take a pause and figure things out? If you wait for life to slow down, you could wait for a very long while." Prometheus paused, sensing Lucas's annoyance. "I'm not pulling this wise man schtick out of my ass. I lost things too kid. I watched my whole fucking life go up in flames. My home gone, family dead, and I was alone in the ashes." Prometheus paused. "I didn't live for years, just existed from day to day. I was a ghost. No, I was a wraith, twisted and bent..." Prometheus stopped, and Lucas could tell he said more than he originally intended. Prometheus was always there, but now he felt very distant.

Solon sat down at his desk. The moment he touched the younger man, he felt a familiar pulse of magic. One that matched their kind, the true humanity. He considered that Thales had sent a second to infiltrate the monastery, but quickly discounted that possibility. He would have been informed ahead of time if that was the case. Another possibility was that he was a defector. If that was the case, he would need to have him eliminated tonight, before he exposed Solon. He activated the communicator.

"Lord Thales, it is urgent."

"Speak" He responded in an annoyed tone. "What has happened now? Is our little pet misbehaving again?"

"No, my lord. Forgive my impertinence, but I must ask. Have you sent another infiltrator to the monastery without informing me?" Thales went silent for a moment. Solon heard the clicking of keys. He was likely searching for anything in their files before he answered.

"I see nothing. Though I cannot account for another of our Sages acting without my knowledge. And I doubt that very much." Double dealing and politicking were common, with each of the Sages having a group of followers, Solon included. Some sages spied on each other, others acting in the other's territory to show their superiority. But all agreed that their plans for Garreg Mach were sensitive, its success would be a victory for all of them. Not even Cleobulus, that vain buffoon would take such a risk. Not when Thales was leading the operation himself.

Thales was eldest of their people and had served as a Sage ever since the rank had been established. He had the largest following and was seen as the unofficial leader, though he never tried to claim such a title. When he spoke, all listened and followed his orders. Or face the consequences.

"Then I fear my position may be compromised. When one of those mercenaries shook my hand, I felt my magic react to his. He is one of us or at least related. I do not think he noticed, but such risks cannot be taken."

Thales hummed. He could not see his fellow Sage, but he imagined a small frown. "No, such a risk is unacceptable. Be ready to escape at a moment's notice and find a time to arrange for his death. Kronya or another of our assets shall do the deed."

Solon released the breath he had been holding. Despite how savage and unpredictable Kronya was, she was their best assassin. "It shall be done." He was about to end the call, only for Thales to stop him.

"Before you go Solon. What was the mercenaries' name? Even a false identity may help us trace other traitors." Thales asked. Solon had not thought of that. He was a researcher first and foremost, the only reason he had been sent to infiltrate the monastery was to be there firsthand to experiment on the Nabatean.

"Lucas Raithe. If Kronya cannot be reached in time, I shall contact local cutthroats and find someone…"

"What was that name?" Thales demanded. Solon blinked in surprise at the interest.

"Lucas Raithe, my lord. He is the man in question."

"Did you take a picture of him?" Solon's right eye doubled as a recording device, something which came in handy for his experiments.

"I did. Sending them to you now." Solon used a spell to transmit the data to Thales. Thales remained silent for several minutes. The silence unnerved Solon, but he did not wish to end the call until Thales explained why…

"Solon. Forget killing him. Consider him a high priority observation target." Thales finally decided.

The sudden shift sent him reeling. "I-I will do as you bid sir. But why?" Something was very wrong Solon realized. His position was in danger, and the boy represented a risk, an unacceptable one at that. "My lord, who is this boy to…" Thales cut him off.

"Was there anything strange about Lucas?" Thales asked. He sounded different, something about Lucas affected him.

"... There was. His powers felt… suppressed. Dormant would be a better word." Solon chose his next words carefully. Something else that he only realized with hindsight. "There was something else. His power felt ancient. It felt like…"

Thales cut him off. "You will simply observe him. Report back to me and we will change our approach as needed. But only when I say so." Thales ordered.

"He warrants caution, but surely one man is not worth risking my discovery. Not when we can obtain a live Nabataean." Solon argued, subtling trying to fish for more information about Thales's sudden shift.

"Do you understand?" Thales repeated forcefully, ignoring Solon's protest.

Solon took a breath, reminding himself that Thales was their leader for a reason. But that did not lessen his frustration. "Yes. I do."

Lucas and Byleth sat down at her desk in the corner of the room. She retrieved a nearby bottle of Brandy, one which Lucas recognized. It was from one of the jobs they had done together before Shez had joined. Neither were habitual drinkers, but they made exceptions for bad nights or celebrations. Byleth looked down at her hands, trying to figure out where to begin.

Lucas decided to help get the conversation started. "I hope you remember I have my assignment with Shez tomorrow? Don't think I'll make a good impression on the knights showing up hungover." Knights were predominantly nobility, and showing up in any state but ready would only reinforce their feeling about two mercenaries "cutting in line". Byleth let out a huff, before uncorking the bottle.

"I think a single glass for each of us will be fine. Lightweights don't last in the Blade breakers after all." Byleth gave a smile which Lucas returned, allowing her to pour him a glass. She put a finger on the side of his cup, channeling a small amount of ice magic to cool it down. The duo toasted, before tasting their drinks.

"Do you remember what I told you about my dreams?" Byleth asked. She took another sip, her nervousness returned.

"I do. The battlefield, and then the sleeping girl in the throne room, right?" Byleth nodded. She did not mention the dream about being stabbed. That was months ago, and she had not had it since, dismissing it as a one-off.

"A few days ago, that girl woke up. And spoke to me." Lucas nodded, sensing more. "And then she started talking to me when I was awake too."

Prometheus reappeared, looking at Byleth intently. "And I'm guessing no one else can hear her? Or see her?" Lucas asked, trying to focus on Byleth and not the specter.

Byleth looked away, feeling embarrassed. She sounded crazy, and had Lucas not had his encounters with Prometheus, he may have asked if she hit her head recently. "Guess it is hard to believe… I swear, I'm not going crazy Lucas."

Lucas waved a hand. "I'm not saying you are By." Lucas bit his cheek, trying to decide how to tell her about his situation. He had told her and Jeralt about the voice but had not had the time to tell either about recent events. "Don't forget, there that voice I hear every time I use those powers. In my world, I would send you to a shrink. But with all this goofy magic shit?"

Byleth let out a soft chuckle. Then her chuckle turned into a laugh. "We are both hearing voices, swearing up and down, we haven't gone crazy. What a team." Lucas stared as the normally stoic woman kept laughing. It wasn't a girlly in the least. It was raspy and low. Lucas's lips twitched. Then he started to laugh as well.

"Y-you think Shez or your dad is going through this too? Maybe we disturbed some burial ground and pissed off the spirits at some point?" Lucas joked, unable to stop himself from making light of their situation.

Byleth snorted placing her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "At least we have plenty of priests on hand. Won't have to look far if we need an exorcism!"

Their laughter finally ceased, but the air of uncertainty Byleth originally had dissipated. Lucas couldn't help but think about how much he liked her laugh. They sat in silence, sipping on their drinks, trying to figure out how to continue their conversation about their ghostly woes. "So, does your mystery girl have a name? Know how she got inside of you?"

Byleth pursed her lips. "Not really. She doesn't remember anything. Save for her name and title." It was the exact opposite of his problem with Prometheus. Prometheus had confessed to having answers but refused to share them. Byleth's ghost had nothing but questions.

"And are you okay? Physically I mean?" Lucas asked. She nodded, putting his fears to rest.

"I'm feeling okay. Better than okay actually, I feel… more awake than I was before. If that makes any sense." Lucas hummed, filing that away for later.

"And your ghost? What's she saying?" If Prometheus wanted to keep secrets, that was fine by him. Maybe Byleth's companion would be able to shine a light on things.

Byleth winced. "She really does not like being called a ghost. She would prefer you call her by her name, Sothis. She calls herself the Beginning."

Lucas's head began to throb. Lucas was connected to Prometheus; they could feel what the other felt. When they spoke about his past, Lucas could feel his melancholy, sadness, and a hint of anger. Now, he felt trepidation.

"Byleth, I…" Lucas began, getting ready to tell her about Prometheus. The pain became worse, and he grabbed his head, groaning slightly. Byleth half rose from her seat, worried about her friend.

"Shit, not now! He's not…" Ringing filled his ears, and his mind was racing with images he didn't have time to process. He thought he heard someone call out. Finally, the static and ringing cleared. He was kneeling on the floor, with Byleth holding his shoulders. Prometheus stood; his helmet angled down. He tried to reach out to Lucas, tried to tell him something. But no words reached him. His image flickered and faded into red motes.

"Lucas? Lucas are you alright?" He focused back on Byleth and nodded. Prometheus did something to Lucas, of that he was certain. But what? And why did he sound so panicked?

"By, you're not the only one who made progress with your ghost." He could have kept Prometheus secret. He could have let Byleth stumble, thinking she was alone. They both had the same issue, and now they would be able to tackle them together. Afterall, two heads were better than one. Three if you counted Sothis. It could have been four, but he doubted Prometheus would be willing to help too much.

Thales sat alone in his office. He wore the skin of Arudndel, a man whose identity he claimed several years ago. He was staring at the footage, more specifically at the image of Lucas. He teleported back to Shambhala, right into his private chambers. Due to status, he had access to information and things no one else did. Beneath his room was a collection of files and information that were meant to stay secret. He had been going through several filing cabinets, trying to find the right file. Paper documents were always more secure than digital, it was true when he was young, and it is true now. Finally, he found the folder he was looking for. He re-read everything three times over to make sure nothing escaped his mind. He sat back in a chair, desperate for a drink. He closed his eyes, trying to decide on his next course of action. Finally, he reached into his pocket and grabbed his communicator.

"Kronya, I have a new assignment for you." The girl was their best infiltrator and assassin. Her bloodlust and acting skills needed work, but they sufficed for the elimination missions they usually sent her on.

"Go ahead, Thales." Her lack of respect for formality was grating, but not the worst he had faced. He nearly laughed in amusement, knowing how she would react to what he was about to tell her.

"A person of interest has appeared. In fact, he is in Garreg Mach."

Kronya connected the dots. "Will he be a target as well?" Thales began to smile. A smile that would have inspired dread in Kronya if she could see him. A genuine smile not seen in the world for years.

"No Kronya. In fact, the whole mission is about to change."

Authors note

Sorry for the late release. Got a bit stuck on this chapter, I couldn't figure out if I wanted Byleth and Lucas to keep their literal ghosts to themselves or share them willingly.

Slithers' are slithering, Preachers are preaching,

Also want to thank everyone who took an interst in this story. It's gratifying to see the following this story has gotten.

As for the weapons in Chapter 1, we will get back to those, and their back story will be expanded on

Like I said before, Prometheus is an OC, one who I am trying to keep ambiguous. He swears up and down he is Lucas's ally and guide, but can he be trusted?

I like calling them Agarthans or Agartha more than Those who slither in the dark. It is a good nickname made by Hubert, but I feel they would take pride in their real name. Like modern people in Rome calling themselves Romans, a way to connect yourself to the glorious past.

Remember, Agartha was destroyed a very long time ago. Most of the people who are members of TWSITD are just remnants. Maybe even remnants of remnants. Very few of their members in this story lived in Agartha, one of which is Thales.

Edit. I have no idea what causes that format issue. Never happened before, real annoying