Within moments of the small group of four teleporting away from the now ruins of Shambhala, their feet touched the soft ground of grass as they had all made it back to their base camp.

As her eyes darted around the base, Edelgard's racing heart started to quieten as she realised, she was far away from Shambhala.

She placed a hand over her heart, but felt a familiar archer place a shaky hand on her arm.

"Y-You're safe now, Edelgard. They can't get you."

Bernadetta's eyes then glanced towards the camp ahead, where the healers were seeing to the children with small encouragements from Ferdinand, Caspar and Catherine.

"You saved them too. Saved them from what they were planning."

Edelgard turned to look at the children as they were getting checked out. While they all were a little wary of the healers and their magic they smiled and waved happily at Edelgard once their eyes locked onto the Emperor.

A smile pulled on Edelgard's face as a tear strolled down her face. She quickly wiped it away as she turned back to the Archer.

"Thank you, Bernadetta. I... I really needed to hear that." Edelgard said as she ruffled and petted Bernadetta's head.

A small proud smile appeared on Bernie's face.

"Thank you, lady Edelgard." With that Bernadetta pulled away from Edelgard's hand.

"I-I'm going to write to Byleth. Tell her we have accomplished our mission and will soon return."

Edelgard smiled as she watched the archer run towards her own little corner of the camp.

With the archer now on her own, Edelgard made her way towards the healer tents. Though what caught her attention was that Catherine, Hubert and Ferdinand crowded around the beds that were in use by two individuals.

When she reached the trio, she first came across the woman with long and curly purple hair. Though while she was unconscious, she was thankfully still breathing.

Whoever she is at least she's away from those monsters' clutches.

Though what stunned and concerned her was the familiar woman lying next to her. The one that both Hubert and Ferdinand crowded around. The very face who both Hubert and Edelgard saw plunge her small sword into Byleth's father. The same face that quickly morphed into the Agarthan, Kronya.

With Kronya long since dead, this has to be the real Monica. But how long has she suffered for.

"How are they?" Edelgard asked drawing the attention from two of her advisors.

Suddenly hearing her voice, startled the two, but nevertheless Hubert spoke up.

"The healers have seen to them both and did not discover anything malicious inside of their bodies."

Edelgard let out a small sigh of relief, but from the grave expressions coming from Catherine, Ferdinand and Hubert, her relief quickly washed away and in its place was dread.

"Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the children." Ferdinand sadly said as Catherine gritted her teeth, while Hubert clenched his hands into tight fists. "The healers discovered that they all have been implanted with two Crests. With their bodies being so young, they will not be able to manage the stress two Crests will take. The healers have given them a few months at most."

For her part, Edelgard's armoured hands flew over her heart as her mouth hung open. Fear then took over her entire body as she turned her head towards the children. Instead of seeing the faces of the children, she saw the dying faces of her brothers and sisters.

As she stood trembling, tears prickled at her eyes as more memories from her childhood flooded her mind. Memories of being chained up and her flesh tore open. Hearing the wails and screams from her brothers and sisters.

As she was trapped inside her mind at first, she did not hear the groans belonging to the red-haired mage, but that changed as soon as she mumbled out a word.

"F-F-Father?" Monica groaned out catching Ferdinand and Catherine off guard. And was loud enough to drag Edelgard from inside her mind.

The Emperor quickly wiped away her tears and moved next to Monica's bed.

"Not quite, but I mean you no harm." Edelgard said softly as held tightly onto one of Monica's hands.

Through barely opened eyes the mage turned her head towards the owner of the soft and beautiful voice.

"L-Lady... E-E-Edelgard... Is that you o-or is this a-another fake? " Monica groaned out.

Edelgard chuckled softly as she squeezed softly to one of Mage's hands. "I'm real, Monica."

A small smile spread across Monica's face as her eyes grew heavier.

"I-I'm... G-Glad..." With that Monica drifted off back to sleep as her chest steadily rose and fell.

A content smile appeared on the Emperor's face as she moved a strand of Monica's long hair and tucked it behind her ear.

At least she is back with us now. Away from whatever those fiends had planned for her. Still six years too late. I'm so sorry Monica. We should have rescued you earlier. Who knows what they subjugated you to. For that I am so very sorry Monica. I should have done more.

As Edelgard let's go of Monica's hand she stood and turned her head to Hubert.

"If there are any changes in their health, please let me know."

Wordlessly Hubert nodded his head as he turned towards Ferdinand as he needlessly fussed over the Minister's wounds. As Edelgard left the pair to their own devices, she walked over towards the healers that were checking over the children, with Catherine by her side.

As soon as the children noticed the Emperor, they all rushed towards her, hugging tightly to her armoured legs.

"Edelgard!" The children cried out as they all surrounded her.

A smirk spread across Catherine's face as she noticed how unprepared Edelgard was for the horde of little children. As she tried to maneuver freely, she found out that the children restricted her movement.

"Never thought the dreaded Emperor of Adrestia would be defeated by a small army of children." Catherine said as she tried her hardest not to burst out into laughter.

Edelgard sent Catherine a steely glare but turned her attention back to the children. At that moment, the healer in charge of the care of the young children, emerged from the healing tents looking around frantically. As if she was looking for someone.

Or a small group of children.

As soon as the healer turned her attention to the gaggle of children surrounding Edelgard, the healer panicked and rushed towards the Emperor.

"I am so sorry, your Highness. I turned my back for a moment, and they were all gone." The healer apologised profusely though stopped as soon as Edelgard calmly raised her hands to calm down the healer.

"It is quite alright." Edelgard calmly said as she gave the healer a small smile. "I wanted to check up on the children."

It seems as Edelgard's actions to try and calm down the frantic healer worked as she took a deep breath to settle her nerves. With her nerves settled, the Healer lowered her head towards the children with a solemn frown.

"You have no doubt been told about what they did to the children." Hearing the healer say this, all of the children squeezed tighter to Edelgard, burying their heads into her waist.

Edelgard gritted her teeth and sadly nodded her head.

"Right now, the children are malnourished and need a meal that's filling and rich of nutrients."

Edelgard placed an armoured hand on her chin, thinking on what she could do next. Then it hit her. She lowered her head and smiled at the young children. "Petra and I will find something for you all, but I need you to do me a favour."

The children let go of Edelgard as she crouched down, so she was eye level with them.

"I need you all to watch over everyone. Especially, Hubert and those two in the beds. If they wake, I need you all to tell a healer. Can you all do that for me?"

The children turned to each before nodding their heads.

A soft smile appeared on Edelgard as she stood up.

"Thank you..." Edelgard spoke softly, but then nervously rubbed at her armoured hands. "I am so sorry. After rescuing you all, I did not get to know any of your names."

The same girl with tanned skin and black hair that made the courageous first steps forward back inside Shambhala did so again as she placed her hand on top of the Emperor's.

Though this time she was not alone as she held the hand of a much younger girl's hand that shared her skin tone but had brown hair. She looked like she was no more than six years old.

This other girl hid behind the former, who Edelgard presumed is her older sister.

"Astrid. M-My name is Astrid, and this is my younger sister Ayra."

The young girl nervously moved her hand slightly and mumbled out a quiet.

"'lo."

Then one by one the children moved forward and placed their hands on Edelgard.

"Roland." A boy with freckles, fair skin and blonde hair answered.

"M-M-My name I-is P-P-Priscilla." A very shy girl answered as she quickly scurried away behind the group. Though from what Edelgard could see was that she had darker skin than Astrid and Ayra but had a similar hair colour to the latter.

A boy with the same shade of Priscilla's skin and brown hair was next. "Valter."

Another boy with pale skin and long blonde hair with freckles dotted across his face spoke up. "My name is Kain."

Next it was two young girls that looked like they were twins. Both looked exactly like the other. Both had tanned skin. Long, curly, pink hair that reaches down to their waists. Both with freckles dotted across their faces.

"I'm Vanessa, and this is my sister Katarina."

Finally, the last of the two children were twins too. For them, they both had tanned skin and short black hair.

"I'm Castor and my brother is called Cassius."

Edelgard smiled at the children in front of her. Though while she tried to make the smile, she gave the children look real enough to them, the healer saw through it.

As soon as Edelgard saw the colour of the roots belonging to all of the children's hair were starting to turn bleach white, just like her own and Lysithea's washer heart torn asunder.

"Thank you, everyone. I wish we could have all met under better circumstances." Edelgard muscled through her words with a fake smile.

The group of children hugged Edelgard but did not answer her back. Instead, the Emperor heard small cries and sobs escape from them. Not wanting them to feel alone, she held tightly to them all. Even when a few tears formed on her however she wiped them away before the children could see them.

After a few minutes, Edelgard pulled away from the children and patted each of their heads while trying not to think about the children's health.

"Why don't you all introduce yourself to my friends. I'm sure they would like to know you all a little better."

Astrid turned her attention back towards the other children who nodded their heads at her. Her sister, Ayra and Priscilla held hands and nodded their head too. A small smile appeared on the young girl's face as she turned her attention back towards Edelgard.

"We will. Thank you so much, Edelgard."

With that the children dispersed. First moving towards Ferdinand and Hubert.

A smile crept up on her face as she watched Astrid nervously introduce herself to her left and right hands of the court.

Edelgard heard the Healer step closer to her as she too gazed at the children and spoke softly.

"We currently do not know how much little time they have left, but right now they just need someone who will love and cherish them."

Edelgard curled her hands into tight fists. Her teeth clenched together.

No, I refuse to let them die. They will not share the fate of my brothers and sisters. I'll find a way to cure us of this curse.

I will.


Edelgard and Petra departed for the nearby forest to search for any meat that would be filling for the children. With an experienced hunter like Petra finding food that would be filling and rich of nutrients to last the children till they all get back to the capital will help. However, what Edelgard did not consider was an uninvited guest.

As Petra discovered the tracks of a deer and followed the hove prints, with Edelgard quietly behind her, the two were interrupted when they heard the heavy armoured footsteps and the bright blue hair of their companion and friend.

"Petra! Edelgard! There you are."

The pair heavily sighed as they heard three deer's quickly run away after hearing Caspar's loud voice.

"Oops. Sorry about that." Caspar apologised as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

Edelgard massaged her temples with her armoured graves. "Caspar, what are you doing here?"

"Ferdinand and Hubert were worried that you're taking on too much, Edelgard. They wanted some of us to lighten your load, so I volunteered to help you out." Caspar then leaned his head to the side curiously as he noticed that Petra was with her. "What are you two doing out here anyway?"

"Edelgard was asking me to help track down food for the children. Since I have experience with hunting Edelgard asked if I could be helping her out." Petra answered as she heard a twig snap ahead of herself and Edelgard.

Petra immediately raised her sword as a figure emerged from nearby bushes.

Emerged was a man with short blue hair that reached just below his neck. Chiselled out in his armour he wore when he slayed Petra's father and wearing the very same gauntlets, he used to end the same man's life. This was every part the man that was Caspar's father. But there was something missing.

Something that both Edelgard and Petra noticed immediately.

Life was missing from his eyes. Instead of his usual fiery competitive glint in his eyes, it was replaced with dull and an unnerving look.

As if he's…

"Father!" A happy smile appeared on Caspar's face as he moved to approach him.

Petra and Edelgard noticed immediately noticed the slight movement of his gauntlets and took action.

As soon as he stepped forward Edelgard dropped Aymr and dived at Caspar pushing him to safety as Petra blocked Leopold's attack.

As Petra grind her sword's blade against Leopold's gauntlets Caspar was taken aback by what his Father was doing.

"Father! Stop this. That's Petra, my friend! You can't just attack her."

However, Caspar's pleas fell on deaf ears as he pulled his gauntlets back before lunging at Petra again.

"Your words will not reach him. He is just a puppet for my disposal now." A maniacal voice said as purple smoke appeared, revealing Thales. "I have stripped away who he once was, and now he's my mindless killing machine.

Caspar gritted his teeth as anger radiated around him.

"You bastard! Give him back." Caspar snarled as he lunged forward with his axe drawn. However, before it could make contact with Thales purple smoke started to swirl around him again as he disappeared.

He quickly reappeared a short distance away. Caspar gave chase after Thales as Edelgard was torn over who to help.

As Petra grind her sword against Leopold's gauntlets, she managed to gain a foothold and push him away.

"Go to Caspar, Edelgard. I will be doing fine." Petra said never taking her eyes off of Leopold.

Edelgard nodded her head and picked up Aymr. She was about to chase after Caspar and Thales but stopped for a moment.

"Petra... Do what you must." With that Edelgard ran after Caspar and Thales. Leaving only Petra and the man she has always wanted to kill. The man who murdered her father.

Petra prepared herself as Leopold roared with all his might and threw a punch directly at Petra's head.

She was quick enough to dodge out of the way and slashed at his stomach. Blood dripped from his wound, but he didn't seem to be affected.

He really is just a mindless being.

Petra kept her distance from Leopold as he reared his fist back to strike at Petra. Though this time instead of going for a punch, he caught Petra's leg. He grabbed her leg and threw her towards a tree.

Petra was quick to right herself as she landed her feet on the tree trunk and pushed herself off of it, still carrying the momentum, and drove her sword down.

Unfortunately, Leopold caught this attach with his gauntlets and shattered her sword.

Using this to his advantage, the mindless man punched Petra with his gauntlets into the left side of Petra's chest, shattering a few ribs.

Petra cursed in her own native language as she tried the best as she could to put some distance between herself and Leopold.

However, there was only so much she could do with a few broken ribs. Instead, she opted to stand her ground and throw away the hilt of her broken sword. Then then reached down to her skirt and withdrew a small dagger.

A dagger that belonged to her grandfather that he was going to hand down to Petra's father once he ascended the Brigid throne. Now it belonged to her. To bring revenge on the man that killed her father. The dagger itself bares the Macneary coat of arms and the Brigid heraldry on its sheath. The blade itself was forged with refined, unbreakable Brigid steel.

Petra stuck to the shadows and the trees as Leopold searched desperately to find the Brigidian Princess. As for Petra, herself she pushed herself to try and forget about the immense pain in her chest as she focused on remaining hidden and waiting for her chance to strike.

She didn't have to wait long as Leopold stomped into view. Mindlessly, he thrashed his fists about trying to find his target. Unbeknownst to him however, Petra was already on the move. Quickly dashing behind him, Petra slashed at the back of Leopold's left leg. Just as quickly as she appeared and attacked, she disappeared back into the trees.

Leopold grunted in pain, but tried to swipe at Petra, but she was too fast. She slashed at his other leg, bring him down to his knees. She dashed away to the darkness one final time before slowly stalking towards her prey from behind.

With one hand over Leopold's mouth Petra dragged the dagger over his throat. He sank to the ground as blood pooled around him.

It is done grandfather. The man that cost Brigid everything is no more. Now please trust me as I place my faith in Edelgard. She will grant us the freedom we need. I swear it.


It was a struggle for Edelgard to try and keep up with Caspar as he thrashed his axe around as he tried to slash at Thales. However, the Agarthan mage repeatedly teleported away, dodging Caspar's swings. It wasn't until the three had reached a clearing did Thales stop his teleporting and stood at the cliff's edge.

Caspar charged at him with his axe drawn but he was quickly knocked out cold as Thales placed a hard chop to the back of Caspar's neck.

"Leave him alone." Edelgard growled out as she gripped tightly to Aymr.

"His usefulness has run its course anyway. All I required was you alone." Thales tutted as he picked up Caspar and threw him towards Edelgard.

Edelgard went to his side immediately checking him over. Thankfully, he seemed unharmed and was still breathing. She let out a small sigh of relief before turning her attention back to Thales.

"What do you want." Edelgard growled out as she gripped tightly to Aymr again.

A smirk pulled on his face. "A warning. You and the rest of the insignificant worms may have achieved victory today. Celebrate it while you can, but it will be short lived. Once the ritual is a success, we will bring back our Lord. The one that will lead our kind to victory. We will rule over our rightful land with an iron fist. Then we will take our conquest beyond the Fódlan borders and expand our great people to the rest of the world."

Thales elucidate his point, but Edelgard did not fail to notice the small glint of metal that was wrapped around the Agarthan mage's wrist.

A proud smile slowly appeared on Edelgard's face as she pointed Aymr at Thales.

Thank you, Caspar.

"You can bring whoever you want, but you will not stand in our way to unite all of Fódlan together into a brighter future for all."

Thales chuckled maniacally.

"You will soon see the error of your ways as Nemesis and his ten elites crush you and this land under his boots."

With that he cast his spell to teleported away to whatever little hole to crawl under.

.

.

.

.

However not this time. Instead of the usual swirling purple smoke appearing around him, none appeared. He remained where he was.

"W-What is the meaning of this." Panic immediately set in for Thales as he tried to cast his teleportation spell again.

Still, he remained.

"What have you done!"

A sinister smirk appeared on Edelgard's face as realisation had finally started to set in for the Agarthan mage.

"Caspar might get accused of being a bit too head strong, but he always thinks ahead. That metal bracelet around your wrist is a magic inhibitor. One of Hubert's creations. It blocks out any magic the wearer conjures, rendering them unable to cast anything."

Thales further panicked as he tried with all of his might to remove the magic inhibitor, but it was no use. It was like it had permanently fused with his skin.

"It pays to have close friends. Ones that they entrust their lives to, and yours to them."

Thales started to panic even more as Edelgard stalked closer towards him as he backed off closer to the edge of the cliff. He tried to form Miasma in his hands, but nothing appeared in his hand.

Edelgard stabbed Aymr's blade into the ground just as she reached Thales. She reared her arm back and punched Thales in the face. As he fell to the floor, Edelgard dragged him by his hair towards Aymr.

"That was for my Father."

Edelgard growled out as she dropped Thales's head, colliding it with the hard ground. However, there was no reprieve for Thales from Edelgard's assault.

She heaved Aymr out of the ground and slammed the side of the blade against Thales's left arm. With the combined strength of her two Crests, the attack broke the bones in his arm.

"That was for Emmeryn."

Edelgard continued the violent beating on Thales with Aymr. Each time Aymr connected with Thales, Edelgard spoke of another sibling that was taken from her due to the crest experiments they all went through.

"For Anthony."

"For Desmond."

"For Eleanora."

"For Hayden."

"For Candace."

"For Frederick."

"For Clair."

"For Laurent."

"And for Anna."

Edelgard heaved Aymr up one more time and cracked it down on Thales's back.

"M-M-Mercy..." Thales whimpered out as he spat blood out of hi mouse whilst trying to crawl away from Edelgard, but his mangled body could barely make him move an inch.

"Mercy!" Edelgard gritter her teeth, hearing the audacity from him. "Mercy. My brothers and sisters begged for their lives for the experiments to end while you cackled away. The pain and suffering we went through is nothing compared to what I'm doing right now."

With the last of his strength Thales turned his body over so he could glare at Edelgard one final time, however she was unfazed.

"Y-Your m-mother is alive. W-We kept her in our facility in Faerghus."

This startled Edelgard as her mouth opened and she thought on his words.

My m-mother?! She's alive?!

Her eyes met Thales one more time and saw a sickening smirk appear across his face.

Edelgard gritted her teeth as her anger consumed her. She heaved Aymr high up in the air.

"No!"

Thales screamed, it however will be his last as Edelgard brought Aymr down on him, ending his life.

Edelgard let out a bellowing scream as she slammed her fists onto the ground.

Finally, he's gone. No more will he torture us. Just wait a little longer everyone till we wipe them all from existence. Then you can all rest in peace.

But is it true?

Is my Mother still alive?