Part 1: White Clouds

Trust

"…Well, kid? What are you all doing down here?"

"…"

Byleth just kept looking down at the ground not saying anything and the group all noticed how… tense the air felt between the father and daughter. The Knights and Alois were confused why that was the case. But for the students, they knew why. She only just learned about herself being a Saiyan. Yet Jeralt kept tight lipped about the whole thing. So Byleth felt betrayed about having to learn about it from Aelfric.

But on the other hand, the Abyssians were just confused at the newcomers who managed to find their way into Abyss. Though they recognised the insignia of the Church. Yuri spoke up and looked between Byleth and Jeralt.

"You know these people, Ashen Demon?"

Jeralt flinched at that title but kept his stern face, looking at Yuri. "Yeah. I'm her father, Jeralt. And-"

"And I am Alois! Captain of the Knights of Seiros and former right hand man of the former Captain, Jeralt Eisner!" Alois grinned, wearing his titles with pride as Jeralt groaned.

"Oh my. It seems that being a warrior runs in the family!" Constance smiled, seeing the resemblance.

"Can we get back on topic, please?" Jeralt grunted and glanced at the Black Eagles. Then to Byleth.

"We'll talk about this later. But for now, we need to address the situation." Jeralt turned to Alois who nodded.

"Right. Aelfric's kidnapping." Alois cleared his throat and stood before the group.

"Since he is an important member of the Church, we must use any means necessary to find him."

But then he rubbed his neck sheepishly. "That being said… most of the Knights have been deployed to still deal with the repairs to the Monastery after the Moon Beast had attacked. On top of that, we're still dealing with the aftermath of the Western Church."

"Sure." Balthus nodded. "But any knights are better than no knights, yeah?"

"I like your attitude!" Alois grinned. "Though I'm still embarrassed that we're not in full force, at least we're quite… FORCEFUL!"

Silence just followed that joke as Edelgard groaned and pressed her finger to her temple. Yuri rolled his eyes and nodded to Hapi to give him the letter that was left behind. He then handed it over to the knight leader.

"Here. We believe it was left behind by the people that took him." Yuri explained. "In it, the enemy clearly spells out their plan. They're after a Chalice that was hidden beneath Abyss."

"A Chalice?" Alois frowned. "A Chalice… Ah! Do you mean THE Chalice?"

Jeralt looked over at Alois. "You know something about this?"

"Indeed Captain- er, I mean, Jeralt! A legendary Chalice thought to have been capable of granting any wish! But no, that doesn't make any sense. Why would it be hidden under Abyss?"

"Yeeeaaaaahh, this is gonna come as a shock, pal." Balthus said and nodded to Constance who looked a little offended that he would suggest it. But then sighed as she realised there was no point in arguing. She slowly reached into her satchel and pulled out the golden Chalice and showed it to Alois. Behind him, the knights all recoiled in shock as Jeralt narrowed his eyes at it.

"So is this what you were talking about? The magic Chalice?"

"What in the Goddess's name?!" Alois exclaimed. "It's really the Chalice of Beginnings!"

"Why yes, and we were the ones who got to it!" Constance laughed in glee.

"It was guarded by a bunch of creepy giant doll beast things." Hapi explained. "We managed to easily dispatch of them but then it was surrounded by powerful magic and everything."

"So that explains the explosions we heard earlier." Jeralt said and he turned to Byleth who looked up at him.

"Only one gave us trouble because it waited until we went back into the caves before giving chase. Because of the enclosed space, we weren't able to go all out in case of the risk of a cave in."

"Hm. You played it smart. Good job kid. And judging by how I'm seeing you all here, I take it you took care of it?"

Byleth nodded and Jeralt let out a long sigh. He really didn't want to do this. But he had no choice. Byleth knew what he had in mind too.

"We gotta report this to Rhea."

"Ah! Excellent idea!" Alois yelled. "And the rest of you must come with us, we need witnesses! And since you were all with Aelfric last, it only makes sense."

"I'm starting to regret this…" Yuri groaned, feeling a headache coming on.

"Yes. I'm inclined to agree." Byleth said.

But she still couldn't shake away this feeling when she saw Jeralt. Like her chest was heavy. Her hands kept clenching. What was this feeling? Was it… hurt?

Well, it made sense. She was very hurt that she had to learn about her mother from someone she never met before rather than her own father. He kept saying how she should wait. But like she told Aelfric, she was already in her 20's. How much longer would she have to wait?

But for now, she had to push aside those emotions. They had a job to do, and find Aelfric. Even if it meant-

*BUZZ*

She groaned loudly and held her head. Static overtaking her vision once more as she saw her father… laying on the ground.

"It looks like… I'm gonna have to leave you behind."

Then that same power up her future self got. Golden hair, teal eyes… that cold look. Was her father… going to die?

"Kid?"

She blinked and once again saw everyone looking at her. She stood up straight and kept that same cold mask.

"I am okay, father. Let's report to Lady Rhea."

She walked on ahead as Jeralt was going to say something to her, but then decided against it. They could talk about everything later. But for now, rescue Aelfric. Though Jeralt was thinking to himself as he lead the group to the surface. What the hell was Aelfric doing in a place like this? And more importantly, what did he tell Byleth that's making her act like this? She was doing so good at expressing herself to. What could he have said to make her regress?

'He didn't… dammit Aelfric. Did you tell her she's a Saiyan?'

Meanwhile at the back of the pack, the House Leaders were discussing amongst one another. Edelgard kept on stealing glances at Byleth while talking to the two boys. Claude brought up the big topic.

"She did it again. It's like she zones out into another world or something. Doesn't even look like migraines or anything of the sort."

"Yes, it is quite odd." Dimitri nodded. "But I can relate. I do have my moments when I am lost in my own head."

He then widened his eyes when he realised he said too much and bowed his head. "I mean… I mean…"

"It's okay, Dimitri." Edelgard said. "I get it too. Unfortunately due to… what happened, I have gaps in my memory. And when I try to look into said gaps, my head feels like it's about to explode."

Dimitri looked at her in awe. "So that's why… have you been keeping up with counselling with Seteth?"

"Until this little adventure of ours, I have." Edelgard nodded. "I have to admit, I used to think he was one dimensional. But I think I have been seeing a whole new side. One I wasn't aware of."

"What about you, Dimitri?" Claude asked, with his hands behind his head. "I hear yelling coming from his office every time."

"You've been spying on me?! Claude, that is a breach of privacy!" Dimitri exclaimed, shocked that he would stoop that low. But Claude just gave him an unimpressed look.

"Dude. Everyone can hear you. I was in the library when it happened."

"I'm afraid he is correct, Dimitri." Edelgard confirmed, hiding a smile at Dimitri's reddened cheeks. But then he sighed.

"I don't think the sessions are working. Every time I leave, I feel like nothing helped at all. But I keep on doing it because Professor Byleth told me to. And I won't let her down."

Edelgard's attention shifted back to Byleth, who thankfully, was chatting to Ashe who wanted advice on how to refine his Ki control on his new move. She couldn't hear the Mercenary's answer, but Ashe's eyes brightened up all the same. That's what her teacher always did. Brighten up everything, was a valuable instructor and she does this cute thing with her nose where it scrunches up when she's confused-

Her cheeks heated up immediately again when she was thinking about Byleth in such a way. She had to get it together. No time to think of her in that way. First find Aelfric, then present the Chalice, then help out Constance. Perhaps once she's Emperor she could restore House Nuvelle…

Suddenly, her eyes stung badly as piercing light overtook her vision as Edelgard and the others all had to shield their eyes with their hands over seeing sunlight again. Honestly, even though they were just outside to collect the Chalice not that long ago, Edelgard longed for the sun. Anything to not remind her of what she went through as a child. Anything to forgot those dungeons.

"Come on Coco, let's keep moving. You'll be under shade soon enough."

Edelgard turned to see Constance was back in her gloomy self and had to get shoved by Hapi in order to keep up.

"Oh, we're not going to find Aelfric… not while I am around…"

Back with Jeralt, he looked confused at the girl and turned to Byleth. "Is… she okay?"

"Honestly, I'm not too sure." Byleth responded, thankfully in a better mood.

"She gets like that under sunlight."

"Jeez, you attract the weirdest people."

Byleth was about to respond to that until she saw something in the corner of her vision. She turned to see that it was the pond that she and Jeralt always fished at. She then heard sounds of grunting and peered closer seeing Leonie and Lysithea swimming away from the fallen arrows coming from Shamir's bow. Shamir saw her and gave a nod, greeting her.

They were back at Garreg Mach. For Byleth, it did feel like time crawled to a stop while they were down in Abyss. She felt like she hadn't seen the rest of her students and fellow Mercenary in so long. But then she felt an armoured arm wrap round her.

"There you are! Finally came out of hiding, did you?"

She saw it was Catherine with a big grin. But the Knight then noticed the giant group and raised an eyebrow. "I notice we have some… newcomers."

"They were last seen with the Cardinal." Jeralt briefly explained and Catherine's eyes widened, then slowly narrowed them in suspicion. But Byleth quickly shut her down.

"I was with them the whole time. They didn't kidnap Ael- the Cardinal. In fact, we know where they are. We just need to know how to proceed."

"Exactly." Jeralt nodded. "So if you don't mind…"

That's when it clicked for Catherine and she quickly sidestepped out of the way. "Sorry! You best get on your way to Lady Rhea. I imagine she would want the Cardinal back safe and sound."

Byleth nodded to her and looked over to Shamir who was looking at her. She was wondering if Shamir would come to say hello, but they just exchanged nods to one another as Shamir fired more arrows. She then smiled at Catherine who grinned back with a thumbs up.

But like a page turning in a book, a different image replaced her friend. Instead of the friendly grin in the peaceful Monastery, it changed to her with a murderous glare gripping her Relic tightly with both hands. Splotches of blood on her cheek as the scenery around them was on fire. But then it changed back as if nothing happened. Catherine noticed her staring and frowned. But before she could enquire if she was okay, Byleth walked towards where Lady Rhea usually resided.

"Hey Jeralt." Catherine quickly nudged his arm while the group went on ahead. "She okay? She looked a little spaced out."

"I don't know." Jeralt sighed. "Ever since we found her, she's been oddly… distant. Whatever's bothering her, I'll talk to her after we rescue the Cardinal. Just gotta explain things to Rhea."

He then walked ahead as Catherine looked on, worried for Byleth. But, it was out of her hands. Only thing she could do is hope that the Goddess was looking down on her friend.

"I see… so that is what happened." Rhea said after a long moment of silence. She had just heard everything that had transpired in Abyss courtesy of Yuri. He left a couple things out, but everyone present understood the situation. She looked at the trinket in her hands, which Constance was very reluctant to give up. Seems like she developed a small attachment to it.

"This is indeed the Chalice of Beginnings. It matches the descriptions in the few records that remain."

But Yuri wasn't one for small chat and rolled his eyes, looking at his fingers and then to Rhea. "Don't beat around the bush. What's our punishment?"

Rhea closed her eyes and inhaled through her nose. Seems like no point in making their heads hurt with anxiety. "You removed a most sacred treasure. Truly it is my obligation to mete out punishment for that transgression. However, you also recovered a sacred artefact. In light of this good deed, I shall forgive the bad one."

But her eyes were fixated on Byleth who felt a little unnerved. Jeralt looked over at her and then to Rhea who traced her fingers on the intricate designs that were carved onto the trinket.

"I do wonder, Byleth. If you had something to do with the artefacts unbinding."

Seeing the confused looks on all of those present, she elaborated further. "As the legends state, the Four Apostles sealed away the Chalice with powerful magic. The only way to remove the spell is for the Crests of the Four Apostles to come together. Or at least that's what the legend says. However, perhaps with your Crest, you managed to undo the spell yourself."

She then handed over the Chalice to an attendant who bowed and stepped back. "For the time being, I shall keep the Chalice safe. And as for Aelfric, I assure you, the Knights will find him and return him in due time. I consider him one of my many children, after all. I would hate to see harm come to him."

But Rhea then sensed something… unstable within Byleth. She was about to ask if everything is okay when suddenly Constance spoke up.

"Lady Rhea, I must ask a moment of your time. You cannot expect us to give up our search for Aelfric. He has done so much for us, and we cannot just idly stand by and wait while those no good bandits are doing who knows what!"

"It's true. The Knights are great and all, but they don't have our power and could get him killed. We can take care of it. With Chatterboxes help." Hapi agreed and Balthus also nodded.

"This woman has the strength of a hundred Knights! Quite frankly, she can probably handle it herself. Well, as long as she has me! What do you say, Rhea? Leave the Chalice and Aelfric to us!"

Yuri finished it off by looking at her with pleading eyes. He knew they were the only ones who could make sure the rescue can go without a hitch. But they couldn't do it behind the Church's back.

"Lady Rhea. Please."

Rhea closed her eyes and thought to herself. But then Jeralt chimed in. "They have a point. The Knights are too spread thin. Plus, Byleth here can get him in and out before they even know what's happened."

"Yes… perhaps if you join your power with theirs. Very well. I will entrust the Chalice to you."

Despite some protests from nearby Knights, Rhea nodded to the attendant who nodded back and handed the Chalice to Constance who very graciously took it.

"You know. It is said that the Chalice once had the ability to bring loved ones back. If such a feat could occur again… that would be a truly magnificent sight…"

But Rhea shook her head. "But in any case. You are free to plan on how to rescue our dear Aelfric. I place my trust in you."

Trust.

That was it.

That was the word that finally broke all sense within.

"Trust?"

Everyone looked at Byleth who kept her eyes on the ground. But they noticed her tail was coiling and unfurling.

"You talk about trust? Like I should trust you?"

Rhea was floored at this. And gasps sounded across the room. Never had anyone said something like that to the Archbishop.

"Excuse me?" Rhea said, having a dangerous glint in her eyes. Jeralt frowned at Byleth.

"Kid? Is everything-"

"Like I should trust you too? 'Father'?"

Jeralt was now the one taken aback. But he pressed. "Come on, what's wrong-"

"Aelfric told me what you wouldn't. The truth."

Byleth turned to Jeralt and walked up to him. "How that crater outside wasn't what you and Alois said it was. It wasn't some spell gone awry. It was my mother who crashed here."

Jeralt and Rhea silently cursed under their breath. How foolish could Aelfric be, telling her that kind of information? But Byleth wasn't done, as cracks formed on the floor under her feet.

"Uh, hey guys, it's getting a little rocky here!" Balthus said as Constance got close to the big guy still clutching the Chalice.

"Professor, please remain calm!" Edelgard said as Byleth wasn't even listening. Focused on Jeralt.

"He told me how she came from the stars. That I'm not even… HUMAN. And do you know what hurts the most? I spent years, YEARS, asking you questions about mother. But you said nothing."

"Maybe we should leave." Hilda said, nervously looking at more cracks appearing.

"Maybe…" Claude had an uncharacteristically steady look at Byleth while keeping close to Hilda. As if deciding what happens next will dictate his actions.

"And yet I got all my answers from a man I never even met! Do you know how much that hurts?!"

"I didn't think you were ready-" Jerslt started to say. But then Byleth stomped her foot.

"I AM NOT A CHILD!"

The sounds of glass shattering filled everyone's ears as Byleth released her energy, breaking every window around her and causing a massive dent in the floor beneath her. Cracks appeared on the walls and various objects were knocked back by the force.

But then she realised that as the red mist left her vision, swords were trained on her as the Knights all drew their weapons. They saw her as a threat.

"Say the word, Archbishop! And we will lead her off in chains-"

"No."

Rhea eyed the Knights and motioned for them to sheathe their weapons. After a few moments, they relented and stepped back. She and Jeralt locked eyes as if having a silent conversation before Jeralt sighed loudly running a hand through his hair.

"You're right. You're not a kid anymore, are you?"

Byleth's eyes softened as she stared at the floor again, her tail wrapped round her waist. But then felt a hand on her head. She looked up to see her father.

"You have questions. I have answers. Long, overdue, answers. But right now, we have a job to do. After you and your group rescue Aelfric, I promise, we will have a long talk and I will answer any question you have."

"…Promise?"

"…On my life."

She looked down at the floor again, as if contemplating, before looking up with a determined nod. That's when Rhea spoke up.

"I can help you with your questions too."

They both turned to her as she looked at Byleth. "I knew your mother when she was alive. Perhaps not as much as Jeralt here but, I can answer any questions as well."

Byleth was silent and thought to herself… before nodding. "After the rescue is done. Then we can talk."

"Okay, kid. Good luck."

With that final word, the group all left. As the doors shut behind them, Constance let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding.

"I thought that was going to go so much worse!"

"I didn't realise Chatterbox had such a temper." Hapi said. "Though I guess maybe that comes with that… Saiya-whatchamacallit."

"Professor, are you okay?" Edelgard asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It all worked out in the end. You will finally get your answers, aside from what you already know."

"Yeah… I will. And I am okay, thank you Edelgard."

She then turned to the students and nodded. "Meet up with the rest of your class. Let them know what's going on. I'm thinking that they miss you considering we left out of the blue."

"But what about you?" Dimitri asked and Byleth looked at Yuri.

"I will continue devising the plan with the Abyssian's. Better to make a concrete plan with no errors."

"I agree." Yuri said. "Leave no gaps. I'd prefer to get Aelfric in and out with no complications. Come with us, Ashen Demon."

"Come back to Abyss at the end of the day. Get something to eat, and get some rest." Byleth told the students as she walked off with the four underground dwellers. The students all looked at one another.

"She is right." Ashe said. "They must be worried about us."

"Yes, and I need to get out of these gross clothes." Hilda groaned looking at her uniform still stained in blood. "And I need to check on dear Marianne."

"Yes!" Dimitri exclaimed but then backed up once he saw all the weird looks. "I mean… yes! An excellent point, Hilda! We should… check on everyone! Let us go!"

He walked away a little too quickly and Claude leaned over to Edelgard and murmured. "It seems like subtlety doesn't run among you two."

"Claude, I swear. I will castrate you."

"I'm just pointing out what I see- woah!"

"Come on, House Leader!" Hilda said dragging him by his hands. "I'm not walking by myself."

"Okay Hilda! I'm coming! You can let go of my hands now!"

Edelgard suddenly realised it was just her, Ashe and Linhardt. Ashe cleared his throat and slowly made his way to the courtyard.

"I'll ummm… catch up with Prince Dimitri. I'll see you all tonight?"

"We will be there, Ashe." Edelgard nodded.

"Wait, we are?" Linhardt said, a little too shocked as Edelgard glared.

"You're in too deep now. Besides, we still need a healer."

"Why has the Goddess forsaken me…"

"Come on Linhardt. I will at least permit you one nap."

As the two walked away, Edelgard stole one last glance at Byleth's retreating form. She hoped that she could get closure. For everything. But she then made her way to the Black Eagles classroom to inform her peers on what's happening.

"There's something plaguing my mind Yuri, that I was hoping you could help me with." Byleth asked while walking with the Abyssian's as Yuri causally turned to look at her.

"What is it?"

"I want to know where you found my title. You say a network of spies yet my title isn't well known in Fódlan."

"…You caught me." Yuri shrugged. "Actually, I once met this woman who knew you. Saying how she was going to train hard and one day surpass the Ashen Demon."

Byleth frowned in confusion. "Woman? I've met a lot of people."

"Yeah, apparently you killed her entire Mercenary group. Then beat her within an inch of her life."

"…Doesn't exactly narrow it down."

"…Purple hair covering one eye?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh, her. She was a nice challenge, but I just assumed she died to her wounds. Is she around?"

Yuri shrugged again. "I offered her a place in Abyss, but she just ran off to train who knows where. Actually she was kinda like you, always talking to herself. I just let her go since it looked like she had her own agenda. But her descriptions of you weren't wrong, I have to say."

Byleth rolled her eyes. She did wonder who that woman was though. She was a great fighter for a Mercenary, though Byleth didn't exactly catch her name. Maybe if she was alive, they could have a rematch one day. But that would have to wait, because that's when she realised they were at the entrance to Abyss once more. She looked to the Chalice in Constance's hands and nodded.

"Let's talk strategy."

"Indeed! Sally forth!" Constance giggled.

*Song: DBZ Closing Theme*

With the blessing of the Archbishop, Byleth begins the plan of rescuing Aelfric! Will it go off without a hitch or will something get in the way? Find out next time on The Ashen Saiyan!

Sorry guys, bit of a shorter chapter today. But I didn't want to just bloat up the chapters with meaningless stuff that don't really help just to make the usual quota. That's what I will be doing in the future too. It'll either be really long or quite short. I hope you understand.

But again, thank you all for reading the stories and reviewing as well as favouriting and following the story. Always a pleasure when you do. Gonna try and improve my writing each time so I don't let you down. But I know my writing isn't up there with like Robert Jordan or the other big ones.

Also I gave a little reference to Shez at the end there. I picked Female Shez for my playthrough of Three Hopes. She might be in this story, but that's still up in the air. And very in the future. I mean like timeskip kind of future.

And for next time we will be getting this rescue underway.

Catch you later!