Byleth awoke with a jolt and sprung upward, wincing. A hand came down on his shoulder.

'Hey, take it easy, you're okay.'

He opened his eyes and saw his father.

'We're in the bungalow we slept in last night,' Jeralt continued, his face tired and covered in fresh scratches. 'The bandits are dead and Remire's safe. You've been out for a few hours. How are you feeling?'

Byleth exhaled. Dull aches throbbed across his body. The side of his head burned, and his neck was raw. His shoulders ached as did his right ankle. He felt lightheaded and a strange tingling sensation, like pins and needles, prickled in his abdomen.

'Rough.'

Jeralt nodded, studying him. 'Knights came and helped us finish off the bandits and one of them gave you healing magic whilst you were out. Healing magic can take a while to settle in, especially after bad injuries, so just make sure to take it easy for now. Once you get a proper sleep later you'll be fine I'm sure.'

Byleth nodded and looked around. He saw morning light shine through the bungalow's single window, illuminating its wooden interior.

It was as he did this that he noticed the light headedness and tingling sensations in his abdomen vanish… at the exact same moment.

Jeralt grabbed a cup from a nearby desk and handed it to him. 'The others told me what happened in the woods,' he said. 'I'm…. (He exhaled.) Kid, I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you. There were so many of them in the valley, I couldn't get to you time… I couldn't… I couldn't rescue the others. Dalsk, Adrien, Ralph, Mik… we lost twenty-eight men.'

He raised his head. 'But you dealt with that fucker Bayen, and I'm proud of you.'

He gently put his arms around his son for a moment before releasing him. 'We still don't know who those bandits were or how there so many of them. They were after those teenagers we ran into, and my guess is that at some point Bayen joined them and followed the ones that came our way.'

He stopped and studied Byleth again. Despite his tired face, Byleth saw a spark in his eyes. Why it was there, he didn't know. The front door then opened and a grinning man with short, slicked-back hair and a peculiar moustache strode in.

'And how's our young champion doing?' he asked, his voice loud. He walked forward, his chest puffed out, his white armour clanking on the ground and his cape flowing behind him. His jolly grin made the crimson-stained axe hanging from his waist look out of place.

At first, Jeralt didn't turn. He closed his eyes and then exhaled. 'All good Alois.'

Alois met Byleth's eyes for the first time. The man's smile wavered for a split second before returning. 'Nice to finally meet you Byleth! My word aren't you a dashing man, just like your father! (He bowed.) Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alois, and I'm captain of the Knights of Seiros. The house leaders informed me of what happened last night, of you and your comrades' heroics in the woods. On behalf of the Knights of Serios and the Officer's Academy, I thank you, and sincerely apologise for the loss of your friends.'

'Suppose you still have no idea where all those bandits came from?' Jeralt asked.

Alois shook his head. 'We were conducting training with the students when they attacked. Completely caught us off guard. (He shrugged). But we dealt with them. I guess you taught me well after all!'

He grinned at Byleth. 'Did your old man ever tell you that he used to be my captain? That he was once the captain of the Knights of Seiros? I bet he hasn't, has he? But then he vanished twenty years ago! He still hasn't told me why he actually left!'

Jeralt shook his head. 'As I said earlier, long story. Anyway, we'll get out of your hair soon, we're heading north for another mercenary assignment.'

'You can't be serious,' Alois said.

'Of course I am.'

The knight folded his arms. 'Jeralt, I absolutely insist that you return to the monastery with me.'

'Alois'-

'That's an order.'

Jeralt sighed. 'Really?'

'Just come and say hello to everyone, you owe them that much! Besides, that would allow us to get a good catch up, and for everyone to meet your amazing son!'

Jeralt rubbed his eyes. 'Garreg Mach Monastery... I suppose this was inevitable.'

Alois turned to Byleth again. 'I suppose you've never been to Gareg Mach?'

Byleth shook his head.

'But you have heard of it at least?'

Byleth shook his head again.

Alois's jaw dropped. 'Everyone knows about it! W-Well, do you at least know about the Knights of Seiros, the most famous order of knights in all Fódlan? Or the Archbishop herself?'

Byleth shook his head a final time. Alois turned to Jeralt, but the mercenary leader shook his head as well.

'Long story.'

A short while later, Byleth was dressed and outside.

The morning sunshine made his eyes squint and the breeze sent a chill rushing down his spine. People talked and children laughed, a far cry from the screams of pain that'd filled the air just a few hours before.

He shuffled through the village, his body stiff and sore. A couple of villagers offered their thanks as he passed. He gave them nods but didn't stop. He moved out of the village and along the outskirts of the trees where the battle had taken place earlier. To one side he saw some fifty-odd tents along the meadow. Knights in identical white armour to Alois's patrolled. In and around the tents were people, perhaps teenagers, all in black uniform. Some strolled along the meadow, others conversed whilst some were sat and reading books.

He glanced at them and then turned towards the trees.

Memories resurfaced of dark trees and silhouetted men. He remembered sounds of clanging steel and cries of dying men. He remembered the burning pain that'd erupted from the side of his head when he'd been hit as well as Dalsk crumpling to the ground. He remembered the giant, Bayen, tearing through the woods towards him, and then strangling him.

And then he remembered something that made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. A voice and a set of stone steps.

'Byleth?' a girl's voice said.

He spun, feeling another tingling sensation ripple down his body as he did so. Three people approached him, one wore a red cloak, the other a blue, and the third a yellow.

The "house leaders", Edelgard, Dimitri and Claude were covered in scratches and bruises. Dimitri's eye had a black marking and Claude had a bandage emerging from his shoulder. Edelgard, although covered in scratches, seemed to have less injuries than the other two, and was the only one who didn't limp.

He gazed at them. It only occurred to him then that although many of Jeralt's mercenaries had been killed, these three, who looked no older than himself, had survived.

'How are you feeling?' Edelgard asked.

Byleth met her gaze and felt a shiver crawl up his spine. Her purple eyes stood out amongst her white hair and ghost-like face.

'Tired.'

'I am not surprised. You have been through much.'

'Byleth,' Dimitri said, bowing. He was taller than Byleth remembered. 'Our intrusion cost you many friends. It brings me great shame that we have caused you so much trouble. I will never forget Adrien, Dalsk or the rest of the mercenaries that sacrificed their lives in defending us and this village. I apologise and sincerely thank you for everything you've done for us.'

'I apologise as well,' Edelgard said. 'Your men were forced to lay down their lives because of us. We shall never forget their sacrifice.'

'And I apologise too,' Claude said. 'Dalsk and Adrien saved my life. (He shook his head.) They should still be alive; no one here should have suffered. The Knights of Seiros would have been able to deal with the bandits if they hadn't chased us.'

Edelgard's eyes narrowed on Claude. 'If you'd stayed at the camp and not ran off then that's exactly what would've happened.'

'I strategically retreated,' Claude said, shrugging. 'The bandits only followed because you two chased after me. If you'd stayed put everything would've been fine.'

Byleth eyed the man. He bore the same relaxed smile that he'd had in the woods a few hours earlier, as if it were plastered to his face.

'Ah, my apologies Claude,' Dimitri said, his own smile gone. 'I didn't realise that was your intention, and here I thought you were acting as a selfless decoy for the sake of us all.'

'He was only focused on saving himself, his intentions were as clear as day, Dimitri,' Edelgard said. 'You will prove to be a lacking leader if you can't see the truth behind a person's words.'

Dimitri's gaze narrowed. 'Hm, you will prove a lacking leader yourself if you look for deceit behind every word and fail to trust those whom you rely on.'

'Oh joy,' Claude said. 'A debate between'-

Byleth looked back into the trees, and that's when he remembered something else. He traced his hands down his chest and abdomen. His armour was intact.

It hadn't been sliced open.

'Apologies we are being rude,' Dimitri said. 'This is not the time or place to argue.'

'Agreed,' Claude said. He winked at Byleth. 'And hey, don't worry about us. We always squabble, it keeps us on our toes,'

'Enough about us,' Edelgard said, fixing her eyes on Byleth again. 'It's you I want to discuss. You're…'-

She broke off, shaking her head. 'Amazing,' she breathed. 'The way you fought… you're clearly an experienced mercenary. And I never realised that your father was the Jeralt. Jeralt the Blade Breaker, the former captain of the Knights of Seiros, oft praised as the strongest knight to ever live.'

'And you clearly take after him,' Dimitri said. 'When me and Edelgard were being overrun, you stepped in and saved our lives. You were already exhausted from your battle the day before and yet you fought with such captivating skill. You are an incredible warrior. I'-

'I didn't get to see as much of you as the others did,' Claude said. 'But I saw enough at the end. You were toe to toe with that giant, and that's enough in my book to be labelled a badass.'

Edelgard stepped forward. Her purple eyes were alight.

'And that is why I must ask you to consider lending your services to the Adrestian Empire. I might as well tell you now. I'm no mere fighter, I'm also'-

'Halt Edelgard,' Dimitri said. 'Claude interrupted my proposition to the man, please allow me to finish it.'

Knowingly or not, the three of them now surrounded Byleth. A tree pressed into his back.

'The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus is in dire need of exceptional individuals like yourself,' Dimitri continued. 'Please, do consider returning there with me.'

'Whoa there! You two sure are hasty,' Claude said, still smiling. 'Trying to recruit someone you just met. Tactless, really. I was personally planning to develop a deep and lasting friendship on the journey back to the monastery before begging for favours. (He feigned a shrug.) But it seems there's no time for niceties in this world. So, capable stranger, let's get right to it. Where does your allegiance lie, the Empire, Kingdom or Alliance?'

'I have no allegiance,' Byleth said.

Dimitri blinked. 'Really? Where were you born?'

'I don't know,' Byleth replied. Claude smiled.

'Looks like we'll just need to take it in turns trying to bribe you on the way back to Gareg Mach Monestary then. You are coming with us, right? Alois said you were. We're students at the Officers Academy there, ever heard of it?'

Byleth shook his head and Claude chuckled. 'No worries, I'll tell you all about it on our way there.'

'Ah, there you all are!' a voice came.

The four of them turned. Alois strode towards them, his chest still puffed out.

'It's time to head back to the monastery!' he said.

The three "house leaders" followed Alois across the meadow back to the village. Byleth looked back into the trees a final time and then turned and followed the others.

'Say,' Alois said, turning to look at the house leaders. 'Jeralt had no idea who you three were, I bet Byleth doesn't either!'

The three teenagers turned and glanced at Byleth. They smiled at the same time, sending a chill down his back. They spoke in turn.

'I'm Edelgard von Hresvelg, heir to the Adrestian Empire.'

'I am Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd, heir to the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus.'

'And I'm Claude von Riegan, heir to House Riegan of the Leicester Alliance'.

There was a moment of silence between Byleth, Alois and the future leaders of Fódlan, and then Edelgard spoke again.

'At some point we will ask you again where your allegiance lies. Please make sure to choose your answer carefully.'

Podrick's hands were raw red.

He'd spent the early hours of the morning, as the men had fought outside, with his hands clasped together and his eyes mashed shut, pleading with the goddess to protect him and the village.

Now, he didn't care about the condition of his hands, the goddess had answered his prayers.

He sat on a rock just outside the village, overlooking the meadow. He drank the cool air in and let the morning sunlight dance on his skin. He couldn't stop smiling.

Below, the knights and mercenaries who'd helped to defend the village were gathered. They'd spent the morning burying the dead and paying their respects to them. Some were staying to help look after the village for a few days, but most were leaving. Podrick smiled down at the empty basket beside him. He'd made sure to go around every one of them and offer food as a thanks for their service, and as a way to thank the goddess.

She is watching over us, he thought.

Soon, the mercenaries and knights started to leave alongside the youth in black uniform. They walked along the village and many of the Remire locals stood on either side clapping and thanking them for their help. Podrick did the same from up on the rock.

He recognised some of them, including the mercenary leader, Jeralt and the loud but kind knight who'd introduced himself as Alois. He wasn't surprised that many of the mercenary faces he'd seen the day before weren't amongst the leaving group, including the tattooed mercenary he'd spoken to. He'd learnt that many of them hadn't survived the battle.

But then he saw a mercenary that made the hairs on his neck rise. He first saw theblack tabard, then the blue mop of hair and finally the purple eyes.

The one known as the "Ashen Demon" limped at the back of the group.

Podrick blinked. He hadn't seen the boy and had presumed him dead.

But there he is….

He watched the Ashen Demon, the boy had scratches on his face and crimson patches on his armour. Alongside his pale face and dull eyes, Podrick expected himself to recoil, to perhaps soil himself again.

And yet he felt calm.

The day before he'd been unable to look at the boy for more than a few seconds and now he couldn't stop watching him. He frowned. The group, and the Ashen Demon, neared the end of the village and towards the trees that would take them out of sight.

And that's when the Ashen Demon's eyes flickered in his direction.

Podrick stopped breathing. The boy's dull, purple eyes bore into him for a split moment. Except-

They're not dull. His face has more colour as well.

They stared at each other, and this time it was the boy who looked away first. He limped away and soon was out of Podrick's sight.

The old man sat on the rock for a long time, thinking about the boy whose name would one day become known in all Fódlan. He scratched his chin.

'H-He's different somehow,' he muttered.

Lilia's Journal Entry: 23rd Great Tree Moon, 1166

Byleth was staring at a wall all day again.

I'd seen him do it the morning, and when I returned that evening he was still there in the exact same position. No one had tried to get his attention. Jeralt and Arthur were away at a negotiation and the other mercenaries had left him alone. Perhaps deep down they're afraid of him as well.

I also wanted to leave him alone, but then I remembered what I'd promised Jeralt. I promised that I'd give the boy another chance and place my faith in the idea that he shall change as he gets older.

I grabbed one of my books and asked Byleth if he wanted to read. When he turned to look at me, I saw his horrible, bruised eye and I felt like screaming. That moment was one of the closest I'd been to leaving the mercenary group. My mind screamed at me that Jeralt was wrong, and Byleth would never change.

But I remembered the vision of Byleth smiling at me with sparkling eyes, making a warmth dance in my chest. That thought made me stay.

Byleth eventually came and sat beside me. His presence made me shiver, but I kept the thought of his smiling face in my head. I read to him, and just like all the other times, he said nothing.

Yet, something was different this time. It felt like he was really listening. Every time I looked, his eyes were following my finger on the pages. Maybe I was just seeing things, but I like to think that it was evidence that he is changing, and that over time, he will become like the boy I see in my mind.

I hope that Jeralt is right about him, and that he'll become more human over time, I dearly hope so.