It had been a few days since Leah had pulled Byleth aside and visited her home. Things had been quiet since then. No bandit attacks on the roads. No wild creatures running amok. Not even a single report of a pickpocket.

Something was in the air, and Byleth did not like it.


After finally finishing her tasks for the day, she had stumbled upon the Castle's library. As it was getting late in the day, she had expected the entire library to be pitch black, but as she glanced around, she noticed a small glimmer of light, emanating from a small corner of the library. Normally Byleth would have chalked it up to Linhardt staying up late, but not this part of the library. Not in the part of the library that hosts the collection of books for Politics for lands outside of Fódlan.

As Byleth delved deeper into the library she had spotted the candelabra and the culprit for the late-night escapade in the Library. Though to be truthful she did not expect it to be the former Songstress passed out as her head laid on a book about past Brigid policies that were in place before it was tied to the Empire.

A small smile appeared as she took off her cloak and hung it around the sleeping songstress. Though this did not last for long as Byleth heard Dorothea groan and wipe at her eyes.

"Hmm… must have dozed off." Dorothea groaned out, unaware of the presence next to her.

"Not for long though. Well, I hope not, I've just got here." Byleth said as quietly as she could, yet Dorothea was surprised as she turned around to face the owner of the voice.

Her eyes were wide awake as they locked onto Byleth.

"Byleth! You almost scared me half to death. Give a girl some warning next time." Byleth chuckled to herself.

"Sorry, but it's a chilly night, and when I found you asleep, you looked like you needed it. Besides, it would only worry Petra when she returns to see you taken ill with a cold."

A sweet smile settled over Dorothea's face as she thought of her returning beloved.

"So, what were you doing anyway? Trying to come up with some policies to help make a more amicable split with the Empire and Brigid." Byleth asked as she turned her attention to the small notes that Dorothea had made. The former Songstress however, grimaced. "Not as much as I would have liked, but it's a start."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate all the effort you're putting into this. Learning another language just to help Petra and her people grow into a prosperous nation standing on its own two feet." Byleth said as she patted Dorothea's shoulders.

Hearing this, Byleth managed to cheer up Dorothea somewhat.

However, before Dorothea could utter another word the pair heard rushing armoured stomps heading their way. The two immediately sprang into action as their magic swirled around their hands. Moving quickly enough, the two managed to catch up to a few guards.

"What's going on?" Byleth asked.

The soldier shook his head nervously. "I don't know. General Karma ordered all of the guards to be on high alert. Ah, here she is right now."

The soldier pointed in the direction towards Leah as the General ran towards Byleth and Dorothea in full armour and greatsword's attached to her hips.

"Leah, what's going on?"

The General looked as if her mind was in another city. This was until Leah snapped herself out of her inner thoughts.

"Byleth! Dorothea! They have launched attacks all over Fódlan. And what's worse, they are the exact same locations that Her Majesty and the others are investigating for their bases. Worse yet, they used the pillars of light that destroyed Arianrhod. To attack those bases as well as Garreg Mach. I have lost contact with my men stationed there." Leah spoke as Byleth's mouth hung open while Dorothea's hands flew to her mouth and covered it.

El… everyone… please be all right.

Byleth let her thoughts drift to her friends for a few moments before she steeled herself for what could come next.

"Tell everyone that remained behind, to go to the Council Chamber. We need to calm the general public before they strike again."

Leah nodded her head as she left Byleth and Dorothea. Byleth was about to go to the Council Chamber, but stopped as soon as she noticed that Dorothea had yet to move her hands from her mouth.

"Dorothea?" Byleth spoke as she reached out to the former Songstress, however she noticed that Dorothea had started to sway. Thankfully, for the former Songstress, Byleth caught her before she could collide with the ground.

"Got you."

Just to ensure she's unharmed, Byleth checks the back of Dorothea's head. And thankfully found no blood.

Well, that's some good news at least. Still a trip to the infirmary to rest will do you some good.

Ensuring that she had enough of a grasp on Dorothea, Byleth steadied herself before leaving for the Infirmary and Manuela.


A few hours had passed, and everyone of Edelgard's inner circle of friends had arrived at the Council Chamber. Ingrid, Sylvain, Shamir, Raphael and Ignatz were reading over the reports that General Karma had shared. Linhardt, his father Count Waldemar Hevring and Hanneman were pouring over their own research into Crests. Finally, Manuella was obsessing over Dorothea after she fainted like a doting mother would for her daughter. Dorothea tried to calm down the former Songstress, but eventually gave in, and let Manuela carry on.

As Byleth read over the report of the destruction of the Slither base that was based in Fhirdiad. How the capital city had been wiped out in a matter of moments, as if it never existed, sent tremors up and down her spine.

Such destructive power. To destroy everything in their path without batting an eye. Without as much as feeling about the thousands upon thousands of people living in Fhirdiad gone in an instant. I hope they found peace.

Byleth drifted away from her thoughts as she turned her attention back to her friends as Leah returned just as urgently as she had left. As soon as her eyes fell onto Byleth. All eyes fell onto the General.

"The Emperor and the others were spotted a few miles away in carriages. They'll be here in a few hours." Leah said as Byleth and Dorothea raced to her.

She's safe.

Byleth let out a small sigh of relief as she heard that Edelgard and her friend were safe. Something, she bets Dorothea feels similarly.

"We got a message from Bernadetta. Petra got hurt, but she's doing fine now… Count Bergliez, though, he didn't make it."

Silence settled over the room as everyone turned their attention to Linhardt and his father. The latter took the news hard, but Linhardt took the news even harder. Waldemar placed his hand on his son's shoulder as Linhardt tried to contain his emotions. He looked up at his father who wore a comforting smile.

"We got word back from the other raiding parties. Lorenz got hurt badly, so he's staying with Claude and Hilda in Derdriu. Marianne is staying with them, but Leonie, Lysithea and Judith are heading back to Enbarr with one of their mages. I have already prepared the dungeons when Hubert returns."

Judith!? She's alive. I thought Leonie took care of her at Myrddin Bridge, but if she's helping us then I guess we can work together.

"As for Felix's group, everyone made it back in one piece. Along with some new additions." Leah smirked as she moved her head to directly glance at Ingrid. Something she took notice of.

"They met up with my brothers, didn't they?" Ingrid sighed as she rubbed the temples. She didn't need Leah to confirm, knowing her brothers she knew they would not be able to keep quiet.

"Yeah. They picked their own bruises and wounds, but they're doing fine and headed back to Enbarr. Though Felix wrote that there's someone that must meet her Majesty. Saying she used to work for her Mother."

This sent warning signs blaring in everyone's heads by this, but Leah was quick to calm everyone down. "She isn't one of them. Mercedes and Annette made sure when they returned to camp. They cleaned her and found out that those monsters had tortured her."

Leah grew silent as she hesitated to read more of the report. "T-There's children with the Emperor's group.

From the brief note from Bernadetta's letter, it looks like they were… experimented on. In similar ways to what the Emperor and Lysithea described."

The room was silent as the only sound was a gasp from Dorothea. Byleth clenched her fists tightly as anger flowed through her.

Those immoral bastards. They'll pay for everyone they have hurt. There won't be anything left of them.

"We should prepare rooms for the wounded and the new arrivals. They will need some space. Especially the children." Dorothea spoke as her hand moved and covered Byleth's own.

Tension started to alleviate almost immediately in Byleth's clenched hand. The Swordswoman nodded her head and breathed out a little.

"You're right. I can be of use to them. It's what they deserve." Byleth answered with a small smile, before turning her attention to Linhardt. "Will you come with us?"

With some silent nudges from his father, he agreed and made his way towards Byleth and Dorothea. As the meeting devolved into idle conversation about Ingrid's brothers and the hopeful return of their friends, Dorothea, Byleth and Linhardt parted the Council Chamber.


Hours passed with Byleth, Dorothea and the others keeping themselves busy as they waited for Edelgard's group to return. Byleth got word a few minutes ago from Leah that Edelgard and her group were minutes away from the City Gates. Though as cheers erupted throughout the city, Byleth, Dorothea and everyone that remained behind left the Castle and made their way to the Castle gates.

A few minutes later were a series of familiar friends on Horseback trotting closer to them. Bernadetta was riding on her horse, Misty with Petra riding behind her. As soon as Dorothea saw Petra on the back of Bernadetta's horse, she ran towards them. For her part, Petra managed to get down from Misty, with help from Bernadetta, and ran towards the Mage. When they were mere metres away from each other, Dorothea lept into Petra's arms and Petra caught her. Immediately, their lips collided with each other as tears trickled down Dorothea's face.

"I-I t-though that I would n-never see you again." Dorothea cried out as she buried her face in Petra's neck, breathing in her scent.

Petra pressed her lips into the Songstress hair. "I promised you. That I will always be coming back to you. I will always be keeping my promises."

Bernadetta boarded her horse Misty and handed her off to a stable hand before running off to Byleth. "I'm back. Bernie-bear is strong and tough."

Byleth giggled hearing her adopted sister boasted about herself. She then pulled the archer into a hug, which the shorter woman reciprocated. "I never doubted you for a moment. You're not that scared girl that hid in her room all day. You've grown so much."

After a few moments, the pair pulled away from each other as Bernadetta gifted Byleth with a confident smile.

A few minutes later, Caspar walked up to the gates to the castle alongside a carriage carrying the fallen soldiers. One in particular stood out more than the others, as it held the body of the former Count Leopold Bergliez, General Leah Karma watched on as soldiers stopped the carriage and carried out the Count's body. She placed her hand on her chest and dipped her head in respect. As for Leopold's son, the War Master looked like he was trapped inside his own head, his thoughts drifting to his deceased Father. Not wanting him to face it alone, Linhardt ran up to him, and wrapped his arms around him in a tight embrace. No words were exchanged as Caspar's shoulders hitched as tears cascaded down his face. Linhardt let his lover grieve as he brought him inside the Castle.

Finally, a small squadron of soldiers marched towards the Castle as another carriage was pulled by a horse alongside them. Ferdinand was on his horse with Hubert's arms wrapped around his waist, on the carriage's left while Catherine flanked the carriage on the right. A smile settled over Byleth as she saw her friends return safe.

As soon as she spotted Catherine, Shamir raced to her and leapt into her arms. Luckily for her, Catherine knew this would happen and caught her. Shamir snared Catherine in a long and passionate kiss before stating,

"My room, 30 minutes. Don't be late."

Catherine immediately blushed as Shamir sported a coy smirk, before heading back into the castle. Catherine was stunned in her place as she touched her lips with her armoured hand. Then ever so slowly a smirk appeared on her face as she turned her attention to Byleth.

"Well, I better not keep her waiting."

With that Catherine took off in full sprint inside the castle. A series of chuckles erupted from Byleth,

Dorothea, Petra and Ferdinand as they watched on. Though for Byleth, her attention was quickly taken away as she heard the door of the carriage creek open.

As soon as Byleth saw the crimson armoured hand, her heart started to race. First it was the armoured hand. Then her armoured boots. Then she finally saw the crown atop her head. Those beautiful violet eyes and the !rose red lips. And finally, the way Edelgard's eyes widened as soon as her eyes made contact with Byleth's, made her heartbeat speed up even more.

"El."

"By."

The two were immobile as they were both lost in each other's eyes. It wasn't until a tanned hand touched Edelgard's armoured hand from inside the carriage, did it snap the two out of their own little world.

"Miss Edelgard, is everything okay?" A quiet voice asked startling Byleth.

Edelgard's eyes drifted from the voice inside the carriage, back to Byleth, and then back inside the carriage again wearing a wide smile.

"I am now." Edelgard said as she smiled happily at Byleth.

The Swordswoman did not waste any more time as she ran towards the Emperor. The Emperor did the same. The two met in the middle of the pathway as their lips connected. Byleth wrapped her arms around Edelgard's waist, as Edelgard pulled her love closer to her.

"I've missed you so much, El." Byleth breathed out as she rested her forehead against Edelgard's.

Edelgard placed her hands on Byleth's cheeks as she nuzzled her head into Byleth's neck and breathed in her scent.

"As have I, my light."

The two spent a few minutes together, before Byleth felt a tug on her cloak.

The Swordswoman looked down and saw a young boy, with tanned skin and black hair. Though what disturbed Byleth more were the familiar intricate scars spread across his arms and hands.

"Hmm… A-Are y-you friends with L-L-Lady Edelgard?" The little boy asked, though just as quickly more children flooded out of the carriage and tried to stop the boy from interrupting. Each of them having the exact same raggedy clothing and scars.

Smiles appeared both on Edelgard's and Byleth's faces as they split apart. Byleth then crouched down, so she was eye length with the group of children.

"I am, yes. My name is Byleth." She slowly moved her hand and touched the young boy's shoulder.

"And Bernie-bear told me in a letter that you're all the brave new friends she's made."

Then a girl with tanned skin and black hair stepped forward. She looked like the de-facto leader of the small group as the rest of the children visibly relaxed as soon as she stepped closer to Byleth.

"W-Will we be safe here?" The young girl asked.

Byleth nodded her head as she placed a hand over her heart. "I promise you; no one will ever hurt you all again."

Tears welled up in the young girl's eyes as she launched herself at Byleth. Wrapping her little arms around the Swordswoman's neck. It took a few moments for Byleth's mind to catch up to her, as she wrapped her arms around the young girl. Softly, Byleth started to rub circles into her back as the young girl's tears only intensified. After a few minutes of repeating this, Byleth felt the tears stop and the slow rise and fall of the young girl's chest. Byleth tilted her head and saw the girl had fallen asleep.

Poor girl has had to be strong for her friends for so long that once she got the chance to let her guard down, she let it all out.

Noticing this as well, Edelgard turned to the children and crouched down. "How about we head inside and get you all some new clothes, some fresh food and a hot bath."

The children vigorously nodded their heads just at the thought of getting new clothes and a healthy meal.

Edelgard smiled at the children as she turned to Petra, Dorothea and Bernadetta. "While we take the children inside, could you take the others to the Infirmary? I'm sure we'll have a lot of questions for them when they wake up."

Both Byleth and Dorothea gave Edelgard a questionable glance, but Petra and Bernadetta follow through with the request. It only took a few moments for Petra and Bernadetta to return from the Carriage with some soldiers to help. One of the unconscious was a purple-haired woman, her twin swords were placed safely on top of her. She was being carried on a stretcher by Petra at the front and a soldier at the back.

As for Bernadetta, she was carrying a woman on a stretcher that was very familiar to Byleth. Someone that she thought she would never see ever again.

"M-Monica?" Byleth gasped out. Her attention was immediately taken away from Monica as she felt Edelgard's hand on her shoulder.

"She's the real Monica, this time. Hubert confirmed this. She was being held captive by them all this time. Even before we had met."

The real Monica…

Byleth closed her eyes and let out a small sigh. She quickly opened them and smiled at her love. "I guess we all have a council meeting to attend."

Edelgard smiled back. "You can say that." She then looked down to the children who were all chatting amongst themselves. The subject of warm meals and new clothes had lightened their mood.

"Come along everyone." Edelgard smiled as she held the hands of Ayra and Priscilla and headed inside with Byleth and the rest of the children.