chapter 3 fateful encounter

Byleth woke up from his dream. It was the same. It was a dream of an ancient battle between ancient beings, another being a green-haired girl, and some of them looked like visions of the past and the future. It was hard to piece it together. It frustrated him not knowing what these things meant—were they visions, dreams, or something in between? If he talked to his father or anyone else, he would be considered crazy. But he always did this on a daily basis.

One thing that was always apparent in his dreams was a light-haired girl, the only thing he knew she was always sad. He got out of the room he was in and went towards his horse Sora. "You think I should talk to my father about my dreams?" He asked Sora; he was never able to explain to anyone why he was able to understand animals, especially his horse, Sora. It wasn't something he wanted to really talk about. He heard it had a lot to do with his ancestry on his father's side. Whenever he asked this, his father never talked about it; he always had a look of pain, so he dropped it. He never brought it up again. "You don't think I'm crazy do you?" he asked his companion. "Being able to talk to animals, I wish there was someone else who could understand me. It was difficult for him to express emotions; it's not that he didn't have them, it was difficult for him to understand them, but the feeling he was feeling was loneliness.

"Hey kid, are you ready to head out?" His father asked him. "Yes, I am." He got on his horse and couldn't help but feel like something was going to happen today that would change his life forever. A faithful encounter, he didn't know why he had this feeling; it didn't happen often. When he had this ability, he felt it six months ago when he encountered a purple-haired girl with a mercenary band. Her power was insane. Part of him hoped he never encountered her again. Something about her made him feel uneasy for some reason.

Edelgard was traveling with five people more than she originally intended in order for her plan to work, eliminating the incompetent professor of the Black Eagles who's currently with them, her plan has to work; she hired two assassins. She has full faith that they'll survive.

It had been two months since the transfer students from Konoha came to the monastery. It had been two months since she reconnected with an old friend who is next to her. She was wondering what Hinata was doing, despite what she wanted to do, she was guarded even around her because of her goal of getting rid of the irrational system that allows the domination of those with crust over those that don't. She didn't know if Hinata's goals aligned with hers and she had to be cautious, not to mention her friendship with Dimitri couldn't be ignored either.

"Hinata, what's going on?" Edelgard asked in Hinata's language. "I was using my Byakugan to see if there were any enemies nearby." Hinata answered. She hadn't had many opportunities to see the famous Byakugan in action; it was called the All-Seeing eye. She knew it was an exaggeration, but it couldn't be denied how helpful Hinata's abilities were; they gave her a clear advantage on missions.

"Do you see anything Hinata?" asked Dimitri. "No, but it's safe though we should not stay out too long. Hinata answered politely. "I wish we could spend more time together as friends outside of something dangerous like this," said Dimitri. "I agree, but I don't think Naruto and Sasuke are really happy, especially when they're around Claude." Edelgard chimed in. "Which brings up a question: what's up with Sasuke and Mercedes?" Hinata asked curiously. "Well, I have a question for you: what's going on between you and Naruto?" Dimitri countered, which caused her to turn away and blush. Edelgard knew from her reaction that her feelings for Naruto were deep; whenever his name was brought up, she acted differently.

"Does Naruto know?" asked Edelgard. She was really curious about her friend and what made him so special. "He doesn't, and I don't really have a chance. I mean, him and Ingrid." Edelgard knew immediately that Hinata was sad and disappointed. She decided to encourage her instead, even though she knew it would be better for her to move on. "You shouldn't give up on him. Something worth fighting for is something you shouldn't give up on." Edelgard said encouragingly.

"Can we please not talk about it right now? I'm on a mission,"

Hinata said sharply, not wanting to talk about it. "I think we should drop it,"

Dimitri suggested, sensing Hinata's distress. "Yeah, let's focus on the mission,"

Edelgard agreed. She wondered if Naruto, Sasuke, and Claude were doing better.

Claude was at least bored and annoyed with all the people he didn't want to be around Sasuke. "Come on Sasuke, no need to act all emo or whatever. Who is this girl that you keep blushing about whenever she's mentioned?"

Naruto didn't want to drop it. Claude didn't care either, but he found it funny seeing Sasuke getting annoyed with him. "Loser, I keep telling you it's none of your damn business."

Sasuke said he was sick of being asked about his obvious crush. It almost became an open secret.

Claude couldn't help but smile. Out of all the girls, Mercedes was it. She had a big-sister/motherly vibe, which he wasn't into, but he could see the appeal.

"How about you tell everyone about your thing about Hinata, which is pretty much an open secret, or what about your thing with Ingrid? Or is it too much to choose between the two?"

Sasuke challenged. "Me and Ingrid are just friends. What's wrong with a boy and a girl being friends? Is that such a bad thing, Sasuke?"

Claude put his right hand on his forehead this wasn't what he wanted to deal with. He hated being on the same team as both Naruto and Sasuke. It was no secret that they always argued when they were together. "You know, Naruto, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. I mean, you could have polyamory. It's pretty common where I'm from."

Naruto looked at him the same way as Sasuke. "This loser thinks he's going to get two girlfriends. Good luck with that."

Sasuke said, disgusted at the very idea. "Yeah, I bet I could. Sasuke. Hell will freeze over before you have a girlfriend. I'll likely have two—no, three—girlfriends before you have one."

Claude couldn't help but agree.

"Oh come on, Naruto! The idea is ridiculous. I could buy maybe having two, but three? You want to make things even more interesting if you have your partner's love you and each other. The best of both worlds, but I doubt you'll get that lucky."

Naruto looked at Claude as if he were challenging him. "I believe it's fully possible. Believe it." Claude rolled his eyes at Naruto's ridiculous decor. Hell would freeze over before either one of them had a partner.

"Can we focus on the damn mission?" Sasuke asked Claude. "Yeah, we should." Before they could do anything, they heard a noise. Claude took his bow and drew an arrow from his quiver. "Whoever you are, you better bring your hands out where I can see them, or I will shoot." A mature female voice said. She approached them and, for what he could tell, she looked like a mercenary. She wore black leather clothing with red on her arms and chest, which exposed her cleavage. Her hair was purple, as were her eyes, and it was long enough to reach her back.

"I'm not going to do anything; you can lower your bow." The girl said to Claude. He put his bow away. The girl signed in relief. "I've been lost, and I had no idea where I was. I've been wondering for days. Do you know where I am?" The girl asked the group. "We're actually close to Remire Village." Replied Claude. "I'm looking for the Ashen Demon, and I've heard he and his mercenary group is in this area." Claude has heard of The legend of the Ashen Demon: a man without mercy who kills his enemies without remorse. He doesn't know how true these rumors are, but it wasn't within Claude's character not to at least investigate. "Well, my companions and I are heading to Remire Village now. You could come with us if you want." Claude offered. "That would be helpful. I'm lost." The girl said. Relieved that she didn't have to get there on her own.

"Is there a name we could call you by?" asked Naruto. "My name is Shez," the girl replied. "We should get going; we've been here long enough," said Sasuke, annoyed. They walked towards where their companions were.

Hinata was surprised to see another companion with them; she asked about her and was introduced to everyone. From there, her accent suggested she was from Leicester. She heard something she recognized; it was those footsteps. She activated her Byakugan and then saw an army of bandits. "Ambush!" Hinata yelled. Hinata got into a fighting stance; a gentle fist style, no one in Fodlan had ever seen. Sasuke took out his sword from its scabbard, which was shaped like a katana. Naruto did hand signs for a signature jutsu. "To think that I would be able to kill the demon brat here of all places" said a silver-haired man who had a shuriken on his back.

She looked around, unsure if she had ever killed before and she didn't think anyone else had either. Could she really do this? She remembered what her father said about such weaknesses; she felt scared because of her hesitations. A bandit charged right at her, ready to slash her with his axe, until he was cut down by Shaz, who killed him with ease. "What the hell are you doing? You hesitate and you're going to get killed." The girl said coldly. She felt fear like she never felt before; she couldn't move. She heard a scream. It was Edelgard, but something strange happened - almost as if time itself stopped.

Earlier

Byleth heard a scream, something told him to follow that voice. His father was looking at him. "People are probably being attacked by bandits." He looked at his father. He couldn't let someone get murdered, not if he had the power to do something and they were nearby. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I can't stay here." Byleth ran as fast as his legs would take him. He saw a blue-haired girl, scared, but that's not the voice he heard; he heard a silver-haired girl who was about to be cut down. He ran as fast as he could and he shielded himself to protect her. He didn't know why he was going to die protecting a stranger.

He looked around; he wasn't in a forest anymore. He wasn't about to be cut down by a bandit shielding a girl from certain death. What was this place? Before he could ask his question, he heard a voice of a girl who sounded like an ancient being. "You idiot! Are you trying to get us both killed?" He turned around and saw the same girl from before. She was sitting on a throne. She had long green hair; her ears weren't human. Her eyes were green. She looked otherworldly, as if she came from somewhere completely different.

"I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention." he said stupidly. He wanted to kick himself for that one. He felt like an idiot. What the hell was he thinking? "You're lucky I have the ability to stop time, but that has its limits. As soon as time stops, that axle will cut through your back, and then you'll instantly die. And that girl will die shortly afterwards. All the other kids will die, except the purple-haired girl. But she'll survive." What purple-haired girl? He could think about that later. He had questions he needed answers to.

"What the hell are you?" he asked her. She answered him patiently and talked to him like she was speaking to a child. "Some would call me the beginning you can call me Sothis." he said her name so he wouldn't forget it; perhaps she finally had the answers he sought. "You must know something about my dreams and glimpses into the future. Are they visions? I don't know; I have so many questions." Despite the situation, he was excited; finally, he would get answers. "One thing at a time; first off, how are we going to get out of this mess that you put us both in?" she asked him. He thought about it. If she can stop time, can't she also reverse time? If she has the ability to stop it, it would make sense that she can reverse it. "Why not just reverse time? I already know what's going to happen. I simply kill the person trying to kill the girl and that would be the end of it." he said simply as if it was already solved.

"You're not as simple-minded as I thought, but my power does have its limits." She warned. "Byleth wanted to ask questions, but she was right; he knew he would get his answers later."

Time reversed itself; he knew he didn't have much time, unlike the last time. He didn't bother shielding the girl; he just cut a man who was trying to kill her in half, killing him instantly. The other bandits looked in terror; the silver-haired man looked at him in terror. He was terrified of seeing him. "Screw this! Killing the demon isn't worth this shit!" The silver-haired man ran away, obviously aware of his reputation. The bandits also fled; the people he saved looked at him and couldn't believe it, how easily he killed that bandit who was trying to kill the silver-haired girl.

"That was impressive,"said the raven-haired boy that looked like he was around 17. "So that's the rumored Ashen Demon. I'm glad he wasn't our enemy"remarked a blonde haired boy who had whiskers on his cheeks. "Thank you for saving my friend"the blue haired girl said softly, her eyes was not something he thought he would see, he never saw someone look like her. "Someone of your skill would be perfect for the kingdom"said the taller of the males of the group" he was polite he didn't know why but he saw something darker underneath. "Wow you are already trying to recruit a stranger you just met? That's so like you Dimitri"said the black haired man. "Well I think the empire would definitely make good use of your services thank you for saving my life"the silver haired woman she looked very strong and ambitious in her demeanor and the black haired man he looked pleasant to talk to but he sensed that he wasn't honest it was more difficult to read him of the three. The easiest one to read was the girl with white hair with purple on the center.

"Halt, you bandit fiends!" shouted a man in armor. He saw his father approaching, whom he didn't really want to run into. Why did he want to know? "Jeralt, I can't believe it - meeting you here. I have to take you somewhere; there's no way I can let you go. And who is this young man with you?" The middle-aged man asked him, looking like he had just reunited with an old friend he never knew about. Who is he? "Alois, it's been too long." His father said to him, as if they were reuniting after being apart for a long time. Who is he? "Lady Rhea will be happy to see you again. And who is this young man with you?" Alois asked him. "He's my son. His name is Byleth." The man looked excited to see him. What was his relationship with his father?

"As for you, what is your name? You also helped our students."

The girl looked like she didn't want to be there, even more so when she was near Byleth. "Shez and I were looking for someone, and I found him." She stared at him coldly. Why did she look so familiar? "Well, it's going to be a few days before we get to Garreg Mach; you should get acquainted with everyone. I have a feeling for some reason we're going to be working together for a long time to come." He went ahead, along with his father, catching up on old times. He didn't bother asking.

"This changes nothing" Shaz said to him coldly as she walked right past him where his father was. Why did she hate him so much? "You are awesome. I hope to spar with you when I have the chance," said the blonde-haired boy, whose name was Naruto. "You should be an interesting opponent," said the raven-haired boy known as Sasuke. "Thank you once again," the girl named Hinata said politely. He conversed with all the students and learned a bit about them; where they're from, he was surprised that three students with foreign ways of fighting were from a different continent altogether. He noticed the accent in each of them, but the girl from Konoha named Hinata had the least noticeable one.

He learned about the three students from the academy. He talked to them at length, learning about where they're from, their Houses, and who they are. It was interesting to learn that, with the exception of Naruto and Sasuke, all of them were essentially royalty. Part of him felt it was way too convenient to meet all these people in one place, like it was meant to be. He dislikes this idea, as it goes against what he believes in.

Edelgard couldn't believe her luck; the professor who was with them looked scared that she would drive him away; she hoped to secure her ideal professor inside, hoping to be able to employ the mercenary who saved them. Things didn't go exactly as planned, but things could turn out even better. It was a gamble she knew: it was only a matter of time before the chance of saving her friend Monica came up, with the death of the bandit she had hired, there was a possibility, but she didn't know where she was. She couldn't think about that now; her actions almost got her killed and her childhood friend Hinata killed. She felt dirty, even resorting to such underhanded tactics to rid the world of the Crest and the organization that has plagued Fodlan for the past millennium. The organization that has tormented her and caused the deaths of all of her siblings.

She felt so alone; the only people she could truly trust were Hubert, but even that was questionable because of the paranoia, which made her heart cold. She didn't want to be like this, but she had to, as it was a necessary evil for the one who would bring a new dawn.

In Naruto's mind

He was in a place that looked like a cage. It felt hot. Naruto screamed. It was terrifying. What the hell was this place, he wondered, where he had a conversation with the mercenary who saved his classmate Edelgard from certain death. Why is he suddenly here? He saw a huge fox. He didn't know what to make of it. What was he looking at?

"To think we would finally meet though thanks to Sothis it happened sooner than intended.," he said, annoyed. "I'm sorry, but who's Sothis?" asked Naruto, dumbfounded. "Not your concern right now, considering I was awakened sooner than intended. I will have to talk to you about your powers; that can wait." He spoke to Naruto as if he were speaking to a child.

"To answer your question, I am what that village would call me, Kyūbi, but I go by another name. However, I don't give my name unless it's someone I trust."

Naruto felt like he was going crazy; the story there's no way this thing standing before him could be the nine-tailed fox spirit; it was destroyed 17 years ago. "You actually believe those stories? The village told you? There's a reason why they hated you, but I won't reveal that at this time because there is only so much; let's just say. I've been inside of you your entire life; we're tied together; you and I along with Sothis; our destinies are intertwined; there will be a role that we will be playing in the future with you and the man named Byleth, along with the girl named Shez. I can't tell you why; cuz. I don't know; I will guide you in the best way I can. It's a promise I made to your parents prior to their deaths."

Naruto couldn't believe it; an answer about his parents he didn't know who they were.

"You know who my parents are?" Naruto asked him. "I know very little about your father, but I do know about the previous host, which was your mother. I'll tell you about it later, because right now it's not safe for us to communicate with each other. I'll talk to you again." Kyūbi sent him back to the real world.

Sasuke had no idea what to think of the mercenaries named Byleth or Shez. They both looked really strong, seeing how easily Byleth defeated those bandits. It made Sasuke want to be trained by him. He had skills worth learning from, unlike his current professor. Sasuke sees this mercenary as a potential teacher to help him defeat Itachi. He would keep his eyes out for this one. He had a strong feeling he would have an important role to play. He didn't know why. The group barely conversed, which was okay with Sasuke; he didn't particularly like conversing with people anyway.

Dimitri was walking beside him, and the two months that he had been a student in the Blue Lions, all he had focused on was training. Dimitri had defeated him in every one of their duels. Felix, who was barely able to keep up with him, Ingrid, another all-the-students-in-the-Blue-Lions-in-one-way-or-another were talented. In a way, Sasuke was glad he chose the Blue Lions; it made it so his training would be more worthwhile. Though the only one he particularly really wanted to train with was Dimitri. He was a training partner that he liked training with the most due to his respect for his skills. He was curious, however, about his relationship with Hinata Hyuga. How did he know her?

"Something on your mind, Sasuke?" asked Dimitri. "Yeah, there's a question that's been bugging me. How do you know Hinata-san?"

Sasuke asked him inquisitively, "I can't answer that because it involves something I don't really want to talk about right now."

Dimitri answered. Sasuke knew he was hiding something; he would get the answers in time. Dimitri asked another question that caused Sasuke to turn red with embarrassment. "I've been meaning to ask why not talk to Mercedes? You've been eyeing her almost every day since you entered. It wouldn't hurt to talk to her."

Dimitri tried to encourage him to talk to her. Sasuke never had any experience with feelings for anyone. "I don't know what you're talking about,"

Sasuke said, denying anything that Dimitri said.

"She's one of my friends, Sasuke she won't judge you just simply talk to her"he said kindly to him he did not want to admit that he did find something about Mercedes that made him drawn to her he did not know why. "If I do it will you be quiet about it?"Sasuke turned away in embarrassment not wanting to see Dimitri's reaction. "I won't say anything, she's a good woman, if you simply just have a conversation with her it will be a lot easier."it was easier said than done Sasuke did not know the first thing about talking to women. Mercedes was at least 5 years older than him. " You make it sound so easy,"Sasuke said, annoyed. Dimitri chuckled "I'll help you by making it so there's nobody to get in your way I'll even make it so you both are able to work together on an assignment this way it will make it easier for you to talk I'll make sure to tell Annette about it so she won't get in your way"Sasuke appreciated that.

"Thank you Dimitri San", Sasuke said, thankful that he was willing to give him privacy when he thought about it, he was glad he chose the Blue Lions. "Just don't let Claude know about this; I'll never hear the end of it." Sasuke requested. "I know what you mean"; they both chuckled as they were getting closer to the monastery. It was dawn he got used to this scenery in some ways. Sasuke seeing this brought him more peace than being in Konoha, which didn't do anything but remind him of what he had lost.

Byleth saw what the students he had saved a few days earlier; he looked at the place that was called the monastery, which is known as "The world at Large" (Garreg Mach). It looked like a church, but also like a fortress and a castle at the same time. It looked ancient. He didn't know why he felt something familiar about this place.

Shez, who was right next to him, also looked up. They saw a green-haired woman. She looked really important. He couldn't put his finger on it, but she was familiar and he didn't know why.

Byleth, Jeralt, along with Shez, were summoned to the chambers of the woman who resided in Garreg Mach. He turned around and looked at Byleth, along with his father, and Shez. "Oh, Jeralt, it's been so long. This man standing before you is he your son?" The woman asked him. "Yes, though he was born after I left, it was too painful after Siri's passing." She looked at him, almost as if questioning what he said was true, but immediately changed her mood when she turned her eyes to Byleth. "I'm pretty sure you have many questions. I'd like to know the names of the people who saved my students." Byleth didn't see anything suspicious about her and she met them and their father no harm; he gave her his name. "My name is Byleth Eisner." He couldn't tell why she was happy when she heard him give his full name. Then Shez gave her her name.

"My name is Shez "she said in a business-like manner. "Very good names. My name is Rhea. I am the archbishop and have heard much about you. Alois vouches for both of you. One of you I'm offering you to be a student at this academy, while the other. I'm offering you the chance to become a professor. Byleth, I believe you have what it takes to be a professor. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; you could be a great help." Again, he couldn't read her for some reason; there was something about her he couldn't quite trust. "I know what you're going to ask about me rejoining the knights. I couldn't say no even if I wanted to." Said his father.

"You both should rest; you've had a long journey. Tomorrow, you could both decide where you would like to go." Rhea dismissed the trio; they left the chambers. Shez went ahead of them, not wanting to be anywhere near him. "She's offering you a chance to do something other than be a mercenary. It's something I would have wanted for you, but be careful and be wary of her." His father warned him. He didn't sense anything sinister about her or her intentions, but he took his advice to heart.

He was escorted to his quarters. The next day, he would talk with many students. It would be overwhelming. He didn't know which class he would ultimately choose. He decided to put that thought aside and went to sleep.