As the day winded down and everyone began to settle, the blue haired professor found himself tidying up, dressing well for the occasion that awaited him. An outing with Edelgard and Hilda demanded his best. He was nervous to say the least.
A gentle hand on his shoulder brought him back to his senses.
"You'll be fine," Sothis told him. "You've been on dates with them before, haven't you? Well, you didn't think of them as dates though, did you."
"Not in the heat of it, no. Quite honestly, I had just thought I was spending time with my students. Nothing more, nothing less. Looking back, it's clear that they were pretty much dates…" he admitted.
"Well now you can do it properly. Have fun, will you? It's been a long time since you've been able to relax like this," she insisted.
Just then, a thought struck him. Who did he go to first? He didn't want to seem rude to one or the other. Picking one of them to pick up first seemed like picking favorites. What could he do?
"Oh shut up and get going! They aren't gonna care who you get first! They aren't that shallow!" Sothis read his thoughts, scolding him for his hesitance.
She pushed him out the door, garnering a few stares from a few nearby passersby. It was clear from his outfit that he had plans. And many of them were interested.
"Looking slick, eh Professor? Got a date?" Sylvain asked. "Good on you. Go get 'em!" He cheered him on.
"You look rather stunning today, Professor," Catherine called out from his left. The knight seemed to have just come from the training grounds with Shamir in tow. It wasn't often that he saw either of them, so it was a surprise to hear her compliment him as such.
"Thank you, you two," he nodded.
"Awkward as ever, huh," Shamir raised an eyebrow once he was out of earshot.
"He has his charm. It may be a little strange, but we all know him by now. Gotta wonder though, who's the lucky lady?" Catherine crossed her arms, smiling as she watched him walk away.
"Eh, leave him be," Sylvain waved them off. "A man needs his privacy sometimes. He never once asked me about what I was up to when I didn't want him to know. Least we can do is give him the same treatment."
"Fair enough," Catherine conceded. "But I'll admit I'm very curious. He never seemed to show much interest outside of keeping you guys safe and teaching. Never thought I'd see the day he gets all dressed up for a date."
"Interested, are we?" Shamir asked amusedly.
"And if I was?" Catherine countered.
"Nothing, I'm just not sure what you see in him," the mercenary admitted.
"You're not around enough then. I know the Knights have been keeping you busy especially with your skill set, but you really are antisocial even when you're here, huh. You know, I could probably set something up for you. Get some time with him for something," Catherine nudged her arm.
"Oh please," Shamir shook her head. "It's true I'm not around enough to really know him, but I'm not sure that needs to change. I'm a mercenary at heart-"
"Perfect! So you've got something in common. Just another thing to talk about when you two are alone doing whatever you need to do," Catherine teased her. "He doesn't bite you know."
"…" Shamir didn't even bother responding, instead looking down. But in the back of her mind, she had to admit that she was interested in learning more about him. She recalled seeing his archery skills back when he had first arrived, but she never followed up on it. She could just talk to him to hone her own skills. Nothing more, of course.
When she looked up, she saw Sylvain with his mouth agape. When she turned to where he was looking, she immediately understood his surprise. Behind him were not one, but two girls. And even if she wasn't often at the monastery, she knew just who they were.
"I uh… think we should keep our mouths shut," Sylvain said nervously. "I don't think we were supposed to see that."
Catherine, mouth equally open, nodded. "Yeah. Maybe not."
They both understood the wrath that would befall them should the Adrestian Princess learn of their newfound knowledge. And just as they were about to breathe a sigh of relief, they saw the pink haired Golden Deer turn around, a finger over her mouth to shush them.
It seemed best to keep their own mouths shut.
-B-
"Everything alright?" He asked Hilda. He noticed she had been looking behind them for a moment.
"All good," she smiled brightly. "But we should get going. Don't want any eyes on us if we can avoid it. Might make some of them a bit jealous."
He simply nodded. He was certain if something was wrong, she would tell him. It didn't take long for them to leave the monastery grounds, heading into town. When they finally arrived, Edelgard led them to the place they would be dining.
It wasn't anything fancy. In fact, it was quite the opposite. A family owned restaurant with just a few workers and a few tables. But this was somewhere she had been before. A place that she was happy to share with others.
When they entered, both Byleth and Hilda were surprised to see the workers greet Edelgard. It seemed she came around often enough to be a regular.
"Wow, it's pretty cozy here, huh? How'd you find this place anyway?" Hilda asked the girl.
"It was sometime shortly after we rescued Monica and Flayn. I was looking for a nice quiet place to think when Hubert and I happened upon this restaurant. It was unlike anything I was used to. As the Princess of the Adrestian Empire, I was used to uptight, fancy places. It was a nice change. So I often came here when I was troubled. A fair bit of my planning against the Empire happened here."
"Your own little hiding spot, huh?" Hilda grinned. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with us."
"It's no big deal," Edelgard waved her off. "Besides, I'm sure they'd enjoy higher traffic if we told others. But for now, they'll just have to settle with us."
It didn't take long for them to be seated with nobody else even in the building.
-S-
She couldn't believe it. Just as she offered, Catherine managed to get the two mercenaries alone together. And much to the Dagdan's dismay, she had no idea what to talk about. It didn't help that the man in question was also quiet.
"So… the students like you a lot, don't they? Ever since you came here, it's been pretty lively, right?" She asked. She had to end the awkward silence somehow.
"Yes, I'm glad they do. I try my best to teach them everything I know," he nodded.
"Hm, not even modest about it. I like that. It's incredible how far they've come since then. A lot of them are better than the majority of even the highest ranking knights. Hell, I'll even admit they're better than me. Helps to have a devoted teacher, huh?"
"I understand their strengths and weaknesses pretty well. A skill I picked up from helping with my father's own mercenaries," he told her.
"I'll admit, it's unbelievable that you used to be a mercenary. When I was a mercenary in my years before coming here, I never picked up on the whole tactics portion of it all. But you're one of the best tacticians that the monastery has. I could never. Even now, I still freeze up around nobles and royals," Shamir admitted.
"Not a fan of nobles?"
She shook her head. "Never have been. You deal with too many as a merc. I don't mind putting my life on the line, but having to bow to a noble never sat well with me. It's what I like about being a knight. Don't take any orders from nobles. Instead, I devote myself to Lady Rhea."
She stayed quiet for a bit as the two stood side by side.
"You know," she began. "I never believed in the Church of Seiros. It made me a bit of an anomaly among the knights. Lady Rhea took me in so many years ago so I became a knight to repay her kindness. Even now though, it still feels like I'm doing the same things I did as a merc. But now? After seeing everything that's happened since you came here? I'd be an idiot to not be a believer. Your goddess walks this world still. Can't say the same for us Dagdans. Not that we know of, at least."
"Why do you fight? Just out of loyalty to Rhea?" Byleth asked. He was curious. He didn't interact with Shamir too much in his past either. Never had the penchant to seek out others.
"At first, yes. After all, she was the one who took me in after I lost my home. I- sorry, I shouldn't be dumping all my trauma on you like this."
"No, it's alright. If it helps you, I'm happy to hear what you have to say," he assured her.
"Well… if you say so," she sighed. "I lost my home during the war against the Empire. I made it out and turned to mercenary work. Odd jobs and the like. Then, Lady Rhea found me. I was growing tired of the mercenary life. I had to take whatever job I could get no matter the morality. My past is… stained with blood. Nothing I'm proud of. So when I had the chance to atone for what I did, I took it. Lady Rhea gave me salvation. Gave me a home. And although at first I fought for her sake, now? I fight for the future of the place I can call home."
"That's very admirable. And I'm glad you can call this place home. Even after going through so much hardship," he nodded.
"Thanks… for listening to me. It really does help to talk to someone about it," she smiled.
"Don't thank me," he told her. "Thank Catherine."
"You knew?"
"Well, I don't think you'd be the type to approach me first," he shrugged.
She laughed. "You got me there. She's always been my rock. Always knows what to do, what to say… She's my best friend. I'm lucky to have her."
"Met her as a knight, I presume?" Byleth asked.
"Yes. I've fought many battles with her at my side. She's saved my ass a few more times than I'd like to admit. Only reason we're as close as we are now," she recalled.
"Not the type to get along with a lot of other people?" He questioned.
Shamir simply shook her head.
"Guess we're the same in that regard. If I never took up this job as a professor, I would still be as isolated as ever staying with my father and his mercenaries. I was never really one to seek out the company of others, but spending more and more time with them has taught me a lot."
"You suggesting I should start trying to talk to more people? Maybe I can start with you then," Shamir said.
"Huh? No, I-" he tried to correct her.
"Nope. It's settled then. I'll talk to you more to maybe learn a bit about not being as much of a loner as I am now," she crossed her arms, a mischievous grin on her face.
He shrugged. "If that's what you want, then I won't stop you. If it helps, then I'll do everything I can."
"I'll be counting on you then."
-C-
Catherine was troubled. As Rhea's bodyguard, she was one of the closest people to the Archbishop. The time she spent with the Archbishop had given her deep insight as to what the woman liked. But as she stood in the marketplace of Garreg Mach, she realized that she was still short on a few items of the Archbishop's shopping list.
"Catherine? You look a bit troubled. Is everything alright?" She heard Byleth call out to her.
"Professor," she greeted. "Come to do some shopping of your own?"
He nodded. "I wanted to get a gift for Sothis. She's been cooped up in the room for a while so I figured it might cheer her up a bit."
"Oh? I didn't know you did things like that. You two are inseparable," she mentioned. "I should pick something up for Lady Rhea as well…"
"Well, I know a merchant, but… I'm not quite sure where she is right now. She's one of the best. Actually, probably the best. Always knows the demand of her customers. A little feisty at times, I admit," he explained. Of course, he was talking about Anna. He hadn't seen her before the war against the Empire in his own past, but as a merchant, they were bound to find her eventually, right?
"What's she look like? I've been around so maybe I've seen her," Catherine asked.
"Red hair. Very distinct. She's always looking for the best places to make a profit. She's not a bad person though. She still has her own code that she follows. Won't sell to anyone that she thinks is shady."
"Huh… yeah, I feel like I've seen her. If we're talking about the same girl, I feel like she's either real fast or able to be in two places at the same time… One moment she's in a town where the Knights have rested, the second she's in a town where the Knights have gone," Catherine scratched her head.
"She's got a few siblings," Byleth admitted. She had told him about her family before. Something about them all looking pretty much identical to one another whenever another girl was born.
"Is that so… Well anyway, where do you think she'd be? I'd like to get whatever I need soon so that I can get back to Lady Rhea," Catherine asked, crossing her arms.
"Well… if I had to guess…" Byleth put a finger on his chin, thinking hard. But it clicked soon after. Sure, Anna was almost always looking for a good deal, but at her core, she was a good person. "Abyss."
"Beneath the monastery? What for? She can't hope to make much down there, can she? They may be in need, but I can't imagine the economy is-" Catherine began to reason.
"No. She may be a businesswoman, but she's also kindhearted. Perhaps her resources have been going to help the residents of Abyss? Only one way to check, right?" Byleth suggested.
It didn't take long for them to spot the girl. Her red hair was a dead giveaway afterall. However, she had spotted them first it seemed. She was already waving to them when their eyes met.
"What brings you two down here? Didn't think I'd see any of you surface dwellers around these parts," Anna admitted.
"Looking for you, actually," Byleth explained. "Figured you'd be the best person to look for gifts for some people."
"Ah! Let me guess," Anna nodded. She faced Catherine, staring at her with narrow eyes before she snapped. "The Archbishop, right? You're always with her or so it seems. I may have something she'd like. As for you…" she trailed, looking at Byleth. "The Adrestian girl? No wait- the pink haired one?"
"Sothis," he corrected.
"Oh my," Anna's eyes widened. "A gift fit for the goddess herself? High profile characters, huh? How 'bout I give you something," she said as she began writing on a piece of paper. "Willing to spend a lot?" She asked, looking up at the man.
He nodded. He had accrued plenty of his own personal wealth. Plenty of hours worked meant plenty of pay. He had to give her something good.
She finished writing, folding the paper, and handing it to him. "Hand this to the fella that stands by my stall in the market. He'll know what to do with it," she told him. "As for you," she turned back to Catherine. "I can arrange something for the Archbishop. But I'm afraid it'll likely take a few days."
"That's alright," Catherine nodded. "If he can place so much trust in you, then I suppose I can as well. I can pay you right now if-"
"No no, nothing to pay for just yet. I can't have you pay for something when you don't even know what it is,"
Anna shook her head. "What kind of merchant would I be taking money without a product to hand you? I'm sure you'll appreciate the gift as well. Besides, even if you don't like the gift, I'm certain I could find another buyer."
"Thank you then. I'll be happy to speak with you again in the future," Catherine smiled.
"Thank you as well, Anna," Byleth nodded. "But if I may ask, what brings you down here?"
"Oh you know, just doing my duty. Hitting my quotas and whatnot," Anna smiled nervously.
"Oh? So would you mind if I buy something from you now? I'm sure it would help."
"Ah- oh I'm afraid I can't do that! The prices are uh, all wrong and I need to fix-"
"You don't have to hide it Anna," Byleth patted her shoulder. "Nothing wrong with helping people."
Anna sighed. "Alright… just- promise me you won't tell the others… If they know I'm giving discounts to anyone, they'll be hounding me for the same deals…"
"You have my word. If that's your request, consider it done," Byleth nodded.
"Thanks. I know I have a reputation to uphold, but someone has to help these people. It's been a long few months trying to get them back up to shape," Anna admitted.
"We'll be on our way then. Good luck with your work."
The two waved goodbye before making their way out of Abyss and back to the marketplace.
The man by the stall took a moment to read the request that Anna had given him. He raised both eyebrows, surprised by what he had read.
"Unbelievable…" he muttered. He looked at Byleth before speaking. "Quite the request, huh? And to think… a gift for the goddess herself. Give me a moment. I'll have to speak with a few people to get it for you."
Byleth and Catherine could only look at one another in confusion. What had Anna requested?
When the man returned, he returned empty handed. It was no big deal, but his words only further increased their curiosity.
"The jeweler will be in contact with you sometime in the future. They've asked that you personalize the necklace yourself if it's a gift for the goddess,"
The merchant explained.
"Ah, a necklace?" Catherine asked.
"Yes," the man nodded. "One of our most prized pieces. If not for Anna, we wouldn't have ever gotten where we are now. Only for her would we offer such a discount on an item like this. Think of it as thanks from the merchants that work with her."
"So how much will it be then?" Byleth asked.
"Five hundred thousand. With your discount? Two hundred fifty thousand. Talk about a steal. A fifty percent discount per Anna's recommendation, as well as for the purpose of giving back to the goddess," the merchant said.
"I see. That's doable," Byleth nodded. "Shall I pay you now?"
"Ah- no. The jeweler will take the money after delivering the final product. Any issues you may have with it, feel free to make corrections before your purchase."
"I understand. Thank you then," he nodded.
It seemed Anna's connections went far deeper than either of them had expected. Now, they just had to wait. The two left the market, walking deeper into the monastery grounds. It seemed their day had come to an end.
"Never thought I'd spend a day walking around with you," Catherine admitted. "Er, no offense."
Byleth shook his head, waving off her words. "None taken. I understand that you're often busy. It was a side of you I've never really seen. I mostly know you for your diligent work whenever it comes to Lady Rhea. Seeking out a present for the Archbishop isn't something I really expected."
"We aren't done yet," Catherine reminded him. "Hey, I'll make sure you're there when Lady Rhea receives her gift. It wouldn't have happened without you, after all. I'll come find you. We'll talk again later, yeah? Don't be a stranger now," she smiled at him before the two parted ways.
As he watched the woman walk away, he had to admit, he was looking forward to it. To see the face of the Archbishop in reaction to whatever Anna had planned. He knew the merchant had only the most exquisite of tastes. But for the time being, he would just have to wait.
-M-
"The night is young! Come, Professor. Won't you spend some time with me?"
Byleth sighed as he heard the words from closely behind him. Manuela was damn drunk when she asked him. Classes had only let out a few hours ago. How had the woman gone and gotten so wasted so quickly?
"Manuela… You know I can't accept an invitation like that from someone who won't even remember a thing the day after," He tried to tell her.
"Oh? So if I was sober, would you accept?" She asked, giggling as she grabbed hold of his arm, pressing up against him.
"I'm not sure. Would you still want my company if you were?"
"For you, Professor? Anything," she gave him a seductive grin. Or at least, something she thought was one. In all actuality, her mental state brought out a strange smile that looked more humorous than sultry.
But he would never admit that. Not out loud. Manuela was usually a mess outside of work. He had gotten used to it considering how much they had worked together in the past. As fellow professors, it was no surprise he was aware of her tendencies.
"Do you need to return to your infirmary?" He has to admit, he felt bad seeing the woman constantly in her state of rejection.
"Oh? Is the professor asking to bring me back to my room? How bold of you! I never thought I'd see the day," she laughed. "If it's you asking, of course I'll accept.
"Alright, I've got you," he told her before swiftly scooping her up into his arms. He supposed he could humor her for a little.
Manuela on the other hand was shocked. She had never seen him reciprocate this much. She liked to tease him, but he never really reacted. A warm feeling welled up in her chest as he held her in his arms.
Even if he drew attention as he walked, he didn't mind. It didn't take long for them to arrive in the infirmary. For once, the room was empty. By some miracle, no one in the monastery required Manuela's aid. Well, almost no one. If she could help herself, she knew she would appreciate it, but as she was only one person, she would have to deal with her intoxication by herself.
"Bringing a maiden to a quiet room by herself?" Manuela teased. "You flatter me so, Professor. It was only a matter of time before you fell for my charms."
-S-
"When are you gonna be done with work?"
Byleth looked back from his desk at the Goddess' words. She sat in bed as usual, staring at the ceiling, bored out of her mind.
"I don't need to be doing this now, so I could be done whenever. Why? Would you like to do something?" He asked.
"Let's go somewhere. If you have free time, let's get out of the room for once. You're always in here," Sothis demanded.
"Sure," he shrugged. What could she have had in mind?
She got out of bed and threw on some shoes. She grabbed his hand before opening the door, practically dragging him out. And as they walked, he quickly realized where they had ended up.
"The greenhouse?" He asked. He hadn't expected her to have much interest there.
"Here," she said, leading him to a small bed of flowers. It didn't take long for her to cut them, grabbing his hand and placing the whole bunch in them. "I understand that men do not often receive flowers from their loved ones. I figured, what better way to change that than to grow them myself?"
Even if he couldn't feel his heartbeat, he felt something stir within him at the kind gesture that Sothis had given him.
"I… don't know what to say," he said, eyes wide open. "Thank you, Sothis."
Normally, he was the one giving flowers to those he cared about. But now? He had been given some himself. Was this how his students felt whenever he gave them flowers as well?
"You've been working so hard lately, so I… I wanted to give back to you. All I do is sit around all day, bothering you or just laying in bed. I've been going out a bit between your classes to grow those," Sothis explained.
"You're not a bother," he shook his head. "I'm still not very good at expressing myself, but I always enjoy just spending time with you. It doesn't matter what we're doing, so long as we're together."
"O-of course! I already knew that! I just-" the goddess couldn't find the words she was looking for. As she fumbled her words, she was quickly silenced when she felt his hand grab hers.
"Relax," he smiled at her. "I appreciate everything you've done. And… I'm glad I'm able to talk to you again. When you and I joined souls, I was lost. I had nobody for such a long time. But now that we're back together, I won't let that time go to waste. I know I'm only human. So I'm sorry that you had to fall for someone like me."
Sothis could only shake her head solemnly. "No, don't be sorry. That's what it means to live, doesn't it? Humans fall in love no matter what barriers there are. And… if I can be close to you, I don't mind being alone after you're gone. If it means I can look back and remember the memories we made together, I'm more than happy to fall in love."
And she meant it. Every word that she said. As the goddess of the land, Sothis had seen many lives come and go. So many people, young or old, fell in love all the same. She had never dabbled in it herself. How could she? There was no one she could ever be close to as a goddess. But now? Things were different.
"And it's not just you," she reminded him. "Those girls… maybe you're rubbing off on me, but I'd like to make memories with them too. Though, maybe it wasn't from you considering your thick skull took so long to answer their feelings," Sothis joked.
"You got me there," he admitted. "But I'm glad you get along so well with everyone else."
"Hey, if you care about them, that's good enough for me. Of course I'll want to get along with them," she crossed her arms. "Bah, enough with the sad talk! You better answer the rest of their feelings properly! Don't you dare make them all make the first move. Goodness knows how long they've been waiting."
"Don't worry. I know I've got a lot of work ahead of me. I'll make things work," he sighed.
"Well I'm glad you know. Perhaps I'll look into the whole crest thing for you while you're busy saving her country," Sothis nodded. "If you promise me you'll keep everyone safe, I'll do everything I can to deal with Edelgard and Lysithea's problems. I'm a goddess after all. I should be able to figure something out."
"I'll keep everyone safe. Besides, it's not just us. We all understand the risks of going to war. But we're the most qualified for it. They didn't come to the Officers Academy to sit around all day. I've done everything I can to teach them about combat. It's only a matter of applying it."
"I'll hold you to that. You know, I actually saw Kronya in here a few times. Your influence, no doubt," she grinned.
"It's a good way to familiarize herself with everyone. The greenhouse has surprisingly high traffic. Hopefully this will show everyone that still doubts her that she's harmless. But I'm interested… How are you two getting along?"
"An Agarthan and the goddess their people condemned getting along? I admit, I may never remember my entire past or regain my original form, but I wish things could have been different. I'm not one for war. I'm happy that she can get past our history," Sothis admitted. "She helped me get started, actually. She saw me staring and approached me first."
"That's good to hear. I'm glad she's at least opening up to others. You know how she was when we first came back to the monastery. Always sticking with us. She seemed a little scared to reach out to anyone else. I can't blame her. In her eyes, everyone here was an enemy just moments before she came back."
"I'll keep an eye on her. She and I are alike in some ways. Our closest contact is you, and without you, neither of us would be here. I'll help her. Maybe my own influence can shine a new light on her in the eyes of anyone still doubting her loyalty."
"Thank you, Sothis. I'm always counting on you, aren't I?"
"Naturally," she gave a smug smile. "Now then! Let's get those flowers some water as soon as we can! No more delays!"
-P-
"Are you feeling any better?"
As Petra Macneary opened her eyes, she heard the voice call out from beside her. The last thing she remembered was…
"My training! Ah, I am apologetic, Professor. I do not recall what happened when we were training,"
"You've been pushing yourself a lot more than usual, Petra. It has to do with the coming war and your home, doesn't it?" Byleth asked her.
"Please do not be concerned. I just did too much overworking and lost my strength," she admitted. "I have- I mean, I am sorry to be fainting at a time like this. Even though I was not asking for your care and attention, you gave it willingly."
"Just rest, Petra. Of course I would give it willingly. I care about all of you. You don't have to work hard by yourself, okay? We're all here for you," he reassured her.
Petra sighed. "I have much gratitude for you, Professor. I am thinking you have knowledge of why I came to Fódlan…"
"To make peace between Brigid and the Empire. Rather than peace, to ensure that your people wouldn't be wiped out by them. A hostage."
She nodded. "It feels like… a knife against my throat. That I am making my grandfather obey the Empire. But… Because of Princess Edelgard, I am feeling gratitude. Because I am knowing that she will be fighting the Empire, my home will be safe. That is why I am overworking. If it is for my people, I will not be resting."
"You have to take care of yourself as well. If you're not well, how can you expect to win your battles?"
"That is a truth. I wonder what I should be doing… I want to be granting the wants of my tribe, so their wants are my own, correct?" She asked.
Her professor shook his head. "Only you know what you really want."
"What I really want…" she pondered his words. "What I really want is you, Professor…"
"Me?" He asked.
"Ah, your strength is what I am meaning. You are the strongest of those I have seen in Fódlan. The strongest of anyone. If I had the strength of someone like you… my people would be free."
"You're fine as you are, Petra. You have plenty of strength yourself. There are many things you can do that I myself can't. Erasing your presence as effectively as you do is something very few can match. There's a reason I always have you on the enemy's flank by yourself. I trust you," he told her.
"I understand… I must rely on others more than during a hunt. If you all are with me, my home will be safe as well. But even so, if the Professor and I were to be wed… Perhaps after this war," she spoke aloud.
-B-
It was time. All the work they had done, the training, the missions, the learning. All of it mattered now. As they stood just outside the gates of Garreg Mach Monastery, they knew many lives would be lost in the impending battle.
But if it could prevent the deaths of innocents, they knew it had to happen. It was what they had pledged when they became knights. They formed their ranks, falling in behind one another as per Seteth's commands. To either side of the Knights of Seiros were Jeralt's mercenaries and the students of the Officers Academy.
The atmosphere was tense. They knew the Imperials marched on their position, yet they stood strong, waiting for their arrival.
The students' emotions ranged greatly. As expected, Bernadetta was in hysterics. The Adrestian girl was afraid of fighting against her own country, but she understood just why it had to happen. Her panic was abated when she felt a hand on her own. Monica was beside her, calming her even if the mage herself was also worried about the coming battle.
Had the day been overcast, Constance would, in all likelihood, have been excited to be able to test her magic in an actual battle. Unfortunately, with the sun out, the poor girl was extremely downtrodden, with only Hapi being able to keep her on her feet.
To make up for her lack of energy, Balthus was raring to go, only being held back by the leader of the Ashen Wolves himself. Yuri could only shake his head at the man's enthusiasm.
At the forefront stood an unlikely pair. Edelgard and Dimitri side by side, speaking with their Professor. It was a surreal experience. Even in their multiple months since turning back time, she had never had a chance to fight side by side with the Prince. He had to lead his own house after all. But now? The world would understand just how powerful the two could be when they fought on the same side.
"And you're certain that we should be up here?" Dimitri asked.
"Getting cold feet?" Edelgard teased him. It was a jab out of pure respect for the prince. She knew he was capable. She only wished he would be more confident in his strength.
"Yes, I'm certain. You two are among our best pointmen. Just remember what your responsibilities are. You are not here to take on as many as you can. You are here to provide a front for your backline. I know you two can fight the entire army yourselves, but leave the bulk of it to your ranged peers," he explained.
The two nodded in understanding.
"Besides, you'll also have Dedue, Ferdinand, and Raphael with you. Keep each other protected. Above all else, I want you to value your lives. If it gets bad, fall back. Find support. There is no point being the hero if you don't need to. Besides, the Knights will also be dispersed within our ranks. Stick together and help one another."
"Yes, Professor."
He nodded back to confirm before turning his attention to the others.
"Felix, Caspar, Sylvain, Hilda, Leonie. Pair up with your frontline and stay behind them. Support them however you can. Mages and archers, you know what needs to be done. Petra, Ingrid, Balthus, Yuri. Cover the flanks and make sure nobody gets to our ranged units. Healers, I trust your judgment. Support whoever you believe needs it the most. Defend our main body and move together if you need to," Byleth commanded.
"Professor," Seteth called out. "It's time."
Byleth looked over. Imperial standards flew in the distance as an incredible offensive continued their march on their position.
"Everybody, I wish you the best," he called out as he turned to face the enemy. "Oh, and one last thing. We can resume classes in a few days, so make sure you show up to it, alright?"
A few of them rolled their eyes. Even so, they understood what he meant: Stay alive.
They went silent as the tension rose. All that could be heard was the marching from the approaching army. Seteth turned to look at his fellow commanders before nodding.
That was their signal.
"Archers! Mages!" Byleth held up a hand. "Fire!" He shouted, signaling with his hand to begin their offense.
In an instant, a hail of projectiles flew overhead. Hundreds if not thousands of arrows began to fly from both sides. Magic was spewed across the battlefield to varying effects. The Knights of Seiros began to move. As the largest force, they were responsible for the bulk of the frontline.
Swords were crossed, axes swung, and spears thrusted as the fighting quickly erupted into chaos. Byleth took to the frontlines, his battle instincts kicking in as he took down horde after horde of Imperial soldiers with the Sword of the Creator.
Suddenly, a unit of the Empire's army stopped fighting. Unheard by the Knights, a command was issued by one of the Empire's forces.
"Father!" A voice called out from behind.
Monica von Ochs was frozen in place. Baron Ochs had stopped fighting. He had seen his daughter even if she hadn't seen him. That was all he needed to cease his own fighting. He called off his own unit, telling them to stand down. Even if they weren't a very large force, any amount that they didn't have to fight meant less bloodshed.
The entire time, he had complied out of fear for his daughter. He hadn't known whether she had lived since being sent to Garreg Mach. It had been his greatest regret. Yet seeing her alive and well, he knew he had been duped. He immediately called off his army, leaving the Empire's side and standing off to the sidelines.
His sudden choice to stand down caused much confusion from both sides. On one hand, the Empire had just lost a chunk of their army, albeit a small one. On the other, soldiers that were about to make contact with them saw as they turned at the command of their leader and backed up. As they were on defense, the Knights didn't pursue them.
Any that approached would be met with retaliation for the time being. Be they Knights of Seiros or the Empire's own infantry, none would be granted passage to Baron Ochs.
Across the army, Baron Ochs' influence began to spread. Many of their Brigid soldiers stood down when word spread among their ranks of the Princess' safety. Others who were loyal to the former Adrestian princess also stood down. Most importantly, House Bergliez, including General Leopold, stood down. It seemed the Empire's army was in disarray.
Even so, many of their forces stood strong. Houses Aegir, Hevring, and Varley never faltered even after they saw their children fighting against them. They were shocked nonetheless to see the general stand down.
But Leopold was no fool. Seeing his second son instilled in him a feeling of immense guilt. He may not have been the one in line to take the Bergliez leadership, but Caspar was no fool. There had to be a good reason he stood against his own home. He couldn't fight his own son.
Still, with the numbers that the Empire had, the fighting raged on. But they were outclassed. For every Knight of Seiros that fell, three more of their own soldiers fell as well. Their assault was unsustainable. They had to retreat.
And just like that, the Knights of Seiros emerged victorious. However, they had many prisoners to take in. Baron Ochs and many of the Brigid soldiers willingly gave themselves up. Leopold however, only remained to speak momentarily with his son.
"I'm glad to see you well," Leopold said.
"Of course I'm well. I'm the son of the greatest general the Empire has. What… what made you stop?" Caspar asked his father.
"You. If my son has the guts to fight against his old man and his home, he has to have a damn good reason to do so. I wasn't going to have any of my men die in a needless battle. For now though, I'll be returning home. Someone has to defend our land. I don't suppose the Empire will take my surrender kindly," Count Bergliez stated.
He looked over at Seteth and the two made eye contact.
"Your soldiers are strong," he complimented. "Made the Imperial army turn tail and run even with the numbers advantage."
"I don't suppose I can ask you to surrender right now?" Seteth asked. "I appreciate your reluctance to fight, but it may be difficult to just let you go."
"No," Byleth stepped in. "Let them. This man… he's a good man. He would lay down his own life for the sake of his soldiers. That is a man we can work with."
"Thank you," Leopold nodded. "I will defend my home. Not the Empire itself. Just the territory we hold. Should you need a way in, House Bergliez will support you. This war was needless anyway. They wouldn't even listen to me when I told them not to do this. Something is wrong with the higher ups. If you aren't going to listen to your minister of military affairs, why bother?"
It seemed he had already had his suspicions. And he was right. With Edelgard absent, the Agarthans had already swooped in and controlled much of Adrestia. It was the only reason they had marched on Garreg Mach.
"We'll take you up on that offer then," Byleth called out. "We'll prepare to assault Enbarr. If you can hold until then, we will aid whatever efforts you may have at home. Should she so choose, we will instill Princess Edelgard as the rightful owner of the crown. And with her help, we will ensure that your people are safe," Byleth explained.
"Professor, you know I-" Edelgard tried to protest, but cut herself off. "If… if I must."
She didn't want to. She was still afraid. Afraid of what she had become before. Even if she had no chance of becoming that person again, the scars were still healing. But she knew the Empire would need a leader. And if she had to be the one, then so be it.
"I'm sorry. I know you're hesitant to take up that position again, but if you're the one, I'm certain you can steer your country back on track. I'll be at your side the whole way there," Byleth reassured her.
"If you're there, then… I can do it. Minister Leopold, please wait for us. And… Thank you for standing down. My friends have all suffered enough. I couldn't bear the thought of losing anymore than they already have."
"The Empire that I called home is not the one that exists today. Something is wrong with your father. But I trust that you still have a level head. If it is you that will be the one to restore the Empire to its former self, then I will support you as best I can. From today onward, I resign from my position as the Minister of Military Affairs. I will await your return and ascension to power, Princess," the man said as he turned to walk away.
"I'll be home soon enough!" Caspar called out from behind him. "If you need me, then I'll-"
Leopold held up a hand, signaling for him to stop
"It's alright, Caspar. Grow strong. I'll see you when you all come to retake the Capitol. Whoever or whatever is lurking in the shadows must be strong if they can manipulate us the way they have."
Leopold and his army began their march back home. They knew the road ahead was long and the faster they made it home, the better.
With their initial confrontation over, all they could do now was train. They would be the aggressor this time. With the Empire officially declaring war, they now had the green light to go on the offensive. Only then could the Agarthans be defeated. For good. Nemesis had to go, and with him out of the picture, the world could finally see some semblance of security.
But until then, they would have to prepare. One last war. One last push. One last battle.
-B-
The air was tense in the classroom. It was clear that his students were stressed. Class hadn't even begun, yet he could feel just how weary his students were.
Byleth sighed. He stood up from his desk, garnering the attention of all of his students. "I see that you're all feeling unwell. For that reason, I suggest we do something else rather than holding our usual classes. Any ideas?"
Hands began to raise as suggestions came in.
"Yes, Bernadetta?" He asked.
"Um… maybe we could go back to our-"
"No can do. I won't let you spend any more time in your room than you already do. Something else, please," he swiftly shot down her suggestion.
It was somewhat admirable. She knew he was more than likely going to say no, but what was the harm in asking?
"Linhardt?"
"Sleep," he suggested.
"Just as I responded to Bernadetta, no. I'd like you all to be active in some way."
Linhardt shrugged. Oh well. He figured that, even if they weren't allowed back in their rooms, they could simply sleep at their desks should they so choose.
"What about you, Caspar?"
"Oh! Uh, food maybe? Nothing better to take the nerves off than a meal or two," the boy shrugged.
He thought about it for a second. It truly wasn't a bad idea. "All in agreement?" Byleth asked.
Shrugs went around the room. The decision seemed unanimous. And why not invite the others? Everyone needed stress relief.
"Right. Then get a fire going and grab me a cooking pot. Chairs and tables too. Edelgard, Hubert, could you two run down to the market and pick up some ingredients for me? Here, let me write it down," he said as he sat up in his chair.
Heads turned in the classroom. Other than their house leader, the other students had never had a chance to try his cooking. Years of cooking with his students in the past had given him plenty of skills working around the cooking pot. It was just a matter of applying them.
Edelgard and Hubert were the first to leave, their destination already in mind. The rest of the Black Eagles offered to get everything set up while he went to ask the others. He began by peeking his head into the Golden Deer classroom. It didn't take long for Manuela to notice his presence.
"Professor? Is everything alright?" She asked. It was unusual for him to be around when classes were in session.
"Our class figured we needed a bit of a break," he answered as he stepped into the classroom. "And judging by the atmosphere in here, I'm sure you all need a break as well. We'll be taking the rest of the day off. I'll be checking in with Hanneman next. Feel free to come outside though. My students are setting up in the meantime."
"Well…" Manuela looked around the room. It was clear that they had perked up at his words. "If you insist, Professor. I agree that they need a break. All this talk of war isn't good for their health."
The mood immediately shifted. Gone was the dread and nervousness. In its stead, relief filled the room.
"What're you planning on doing?" Claude asked.
Byleth pondered his question. Rather than answer, he shook his head. "You'll see soon enough," he said before leaving.
It didn't take much convincing for the Blue Lions either. And with the other students contributing, it didn't take long for them to get set up.
It seemed as though their activity was garnering attention from others. And when they saw the Professor at the helm of it all, they had to stick around and see what was up. Even the Archbishop was intrigued.
With all their preparations ready, everyone began to enjoy themselves. It was a far cry from the usual dreary mood that had taken hold over the Officers Academy.
Considering it would likely take the Professor a while to cook their meals, tea was served instead. And just for a bit of entertainment, he encouraged the students to set up an area to spar. Even if they didn't have proper classes being held, a bit of sparring was great entertainment for anyone around.
Cheers began to erupt from the students as they began to get rowdy, excited by the duels that were taking place in front of them. Even if they were just spars, they upped the interest by changing up the rules: using their non-dominant hand, swapping weapons, first to three clean strikes, striking a limb would tag it out, and more.
Even the goddess herself found herself having fun.
Food from the dining common was offered as a meal while the Professor prepped. And with other cooks from the dining common offering to help, he had his hands freed up a bit quicker than he had expected.
Rather than do all the work himself, he simply instructed them on the dish. It was familiar, yet different. It was a culmination of familiar foods that the cooks themselves had been making for years, just with a new breath of life.
It was a strange day in Garreg Mach Monastery. And as he looked on at his students happily cheering on whoever was sparring, he came up with an idea. As he approached the ring that had formed around those that were dueling, he walked towards one person in particular.
"Lady Rhea, would you humor me with a duel?"
All eyes were on him.
"The Archbishop?! Is that even fair?" One of the students blurted out.
"She knows much more than you might expect. You'd be surprised," Byleth told them. And as he looked Rhea in the eyes, he was met by a playful glare.
"Fine," she sighed. "Just for you, Professor."
She took off the ornaments that adorned her usual Archbishop outfit and was left wearing the white dress underneath it all.
"Well then, Professor. How would you like to lose?"
The students were surprised to say the least. None of them had seen this side of the Archbishop. Gone was the authoritative, regal leader of the Monastery. In her place stood a confident, fierce warrior.
"I can't look bad in front of students now," he jabbed back. "Swords. We'll use what we're strongest with."
He grabbed two practice swords, tossing one to Rhea who swiftly caught it. She soon fell into her own sword stance, something the students never thought they would see. Even if they had never seen her fight, it was obvious that her stance wasn't just for show. Her posture was immaculate.
"First to take a clean hit loses. Fair?"
"Yes. And don't even think about using the Goddess' power if you lose."
"I wouldn't dare. Dimitri, if you would?"
"Of course, Professor," he stepped forward. He set his hand between the two, signaling them to get ready. "Begin!" He shouted, moving his hand out of the way.
Any doubts in Rhea's abilities were quickly squashed when the words left Dimitri's mouth. With lightning quick reflexes and what equated to decades of combat experience, Rhea made one swift motion. Had it been any other combatant, they would have lost instantaneously. The precision and power behind her swing would have made even all of Jeralt's mercenaries jealous.
But Byleth was better. Although some may think that using Sothis' abilities would only handicap him in the long run, he instead utilized it to his advantage. Any mistakes he needed to correct would be immediately rectified in his next training session. Rather than simply use it as a cheat, he would take note of any mistakes in battle and strive to fix them. That was what truly made him a remarkable swordsman.
He quickly parried the wooden blade and initiated his own counter, but he was forced to course correct due to the speed of her next swing. The students cheered, in awe at the display that Rhea was putting up. Their professor was actually on the defensive for once.
But the anticipation quickly dissipated when he countered every single swing Rhea made with a swift parry. The two returned to a standstill, waiting for the other to make the next move.
It was the professor who moved first. And in the blink of an eye, he had passed by her. The only indication that he had moved was the slight breeze that ruffled Rhea's clothes. With the tip of his training sword pressing against her back, she raised her hands, conceding the match.
"Impressive," she said as she turned to face him. "It's been quite a while since I last picked up a sword. But it's clear that you've done far more than I ever could have. Well done, Professor."
"Thank you, Lady Rhea," he said as he set his sword aside.
"Perhaps I'll have to take some private lessons," she teased.
Silence hung in the air after Rhea's words left her mouth. But it was Catherine to break the silence, howling with laughter. Even Shamir tried to suppress her laughter.
The students gawked at the implications that the Archbishop was making. Even so, none of them questioned it. Better to keep to themselves than provoke the ire of the one person in charge of the most influential institute on the continent.
Hours passed and by the time the food had been served and everyone had eaten, the day was coming to a close. Of course, the Professor's food was incredible, but it was just one piece of an unforgettable day for them.
"Come on, Professor, you gotta show us how you did that! You were just standing there then bam! You were right behind the Archbishop!" Caspar asked excitedly.
"Relax, Caspar. Let Professor Byleth wind down a bit. He's been on his feet for a while," Hilda chided him. "Besides, you do know that he's leagues ahead of anyone you've probably seen, right?"
"It's fine," Byleth chuckled. "But it really is just as she says. Not to mention, it's entirely impractical in an actual battle. Most opponents won't let me concentrate to that extent."
"Man…" the boy frowned much to the amusement of his peers.
"Alright, that's enough," Edelgard chimed in. "Let Professor Byleth get some rest," she said. "Go on, Professor. We can clean up here."
"You sure? I feel bad leaving it to you all…" he admitted.
"Just go," she smiled at him, waving him off. "Let us do something for you for once."
Any attempt at arguing was shot down immediately. In the end, all he could do was smile.
Wow, I did not realize just how long it's been since I last posted anything. Been sitting on this for a while since I couldn't really figure out where I wanted to go with it, but it eventually happened. Still haven't started the next chapter but I'll get there eventually.
Been busy with school and other life stuff. On the bright side, had a chance to play Persona 3 Reload, so if you're a fan of that game, I've got another fic in the works. I know, I should probably focus on finishing one thing at a time but it's just easier for me to have multiple outlets to write about.
Thank you for reading.