Byleth, Edelgard, Dorothea and Francesca all hurried down towards the infirmary, with Astrid still held tightly in Byleth's arms. There were a million thoughts rushing through Byleth's head, but the only one that mattered was to quickly get Astrid to the infirmary safely. Edelgard's and Byleth's hearts were beating so loud that it felt like their hearts were going to explode out of their chests.
However, as they finally made it to the Infirmary, they both wished it had. Seeing all of the children that were just smiling and laughing only a day prior, were now writhing in pain.
It was as if all of the air had suddenly been sucked out of their lungs. All sounds were drowned out as they both saw Manuela and many of her nurses try to treat the children with their healing magic. It wasn't until Manuela let one of her nurses take over for her healing Valter, the nurse placed one hand on the young boy's forehead and the other over his chest, right over his heart, that it snapped both Edelgard and Byleth from their shock.
"Byleth! I need you to focus on me." Manuela urgently spoke. "Place Astrid on the bed and focus on stemming the crests away from the brain and the heart. Healing magic is so far working."
Byleth did as she was ordered. Softly placing Astrid down on the bed, taking great care of her head and her body. Immediately she got to work as her hands glowed with a blinding light.
"Thea,' I need you too. Katarina has been asking for you." Manuela spoke. Dorothea nodded her head as she went to the young girl's side. She glanced at Vanessa as she saw the slow rise and fall of her chest. Thankfully however, she was reassured by Manuela that she was just resting.
Dorothea softly stroked Katarina's hair softly as she turned her attention to her sister. "Manuela said you asked for me? Everything okay, sweetheart."
It took a moment for Katarina to open her eyes once she recognised Dorothea's voice. She was just too exhausted.
"Hmm… I j…just wanted to h…hear y…your voice… it's… so pretty."
Dorothea fought back tears as she listened to the young girl and tried her hardest to put on a brave smile.
"That's so sweet of you, darling." The Songstress said as she softly pressed her lips onto Katarina's forehead. "How about I tell you and your sister a story tonight."
A small smile appeared on Katarina's face as she lightly squeezed Dorothea's hand. "I… would like… that. Everyone here… is really nice. You… Miss Petra… Miss Edelgard."
The young girl's eyes slowly closed again as she drifted off to sleep with the steady rise and fall of her chest. For her part Dorothea finally let her tears go as she held tightly to Katarina's hand.
Through tears, Dorothea turned her attention towards Edelgard. "Edelgard, we have to stop this. I don't think I can take it if they…"
Dorothea didn't continue as her anguish had overtaken her.
However, before Edelgard could reply, she heard a knock on the infirmary door.
Edelgard, Byleth and Dorothea turned to see Hubert, Bernadetta, Petra and surprisingly Monica waiting outside.
Bernadetta opened the door and went to Byleth's side to help her out, as did Petra go to Dorothea's.
Byleth and Edelgard shared one look as she glanced towards Hubert and Monica for a few seconds, but then back to Ayra and Astrid. Byleth nodded her head as she turned her focus back to the young girls.
As she felt the steady heartbeat coming from Astrid, she started to relax for a few moments before turning her attention towards Ayra.
Petra joined Dorothea in caring for both Katarina and Venessa, right as Bernadetta checked on Priscilla.
With one last reassuring nod from Byleth, Edelgard softly caressed Astrid and Ayra's hair before leaving the Infirmary and the children in Byleth's care.
"Lady Edelgard, we have news from Leonie and Felix." Hubert said, catching the Emperor by surprise.
"Please let it be good news, Hubert. I am in no mood for anything less." Edelgard said.
"It is, my Lady Edelgard." Monica said as she glanced towards Hubert. "Your friends have been sighted to be within sight of the City Gates. Both armies should arrive in the capital within the hour."
"That is good to hear." Edelgard felt relieved. Then her gaze turned to Byleth as she hurried to another of the children. This time to Roland. "Hopefully, the prisoner Leonie and Lysithea captured can shed some light on a cure."
"I am sure we will get everything we need, your majesty." Hubert answered as he placed his hand over his heart. "I give you my word, I will extract a cure from the vile worm's mouth."
Edelgard gave her loyal friend a small smile as she patted his shoulder and looked at him with his one good eye. "I know you will, my faith in you has never wavered."
Hubert smiled as he placed his hand over his heart and curtly bowed. "I never will, my Lady."
With that, Hubert took his leave, leaving only The Emperor and her trusted advisor.
"Monica, there is somewhere I need to be. Fill them in on everything that has been going on, but… I don't think I'm strong enough to face them myself." Edelgard said as she dipped her head to avoid Monica's gaze.
However, as fast as lightning Monica moved to hold Edelgard's gloved hands into her own. "That's not true, Lady Edelgard. You are the strongest woman in all of Adrestia, if not all of Fódlan. But even still, I'll go with you. Wherever you need to go, I'll always stand by your side." Monica declared as her cheeks lit up a rosy shade of red.
As what she said eventually registered in her brain, she immediately let go of Edelgard's gloved hands. Her cheeks only intensified in colour as she started to stammer.
"I-I-I apologise, L-Lady E-Edelgard. That was too forward of me to say and not proper for someone of m-my s-station." Monica stammered as she hid her face behind her hands.
Edelgard however chuckled to the back of her hand. "Now Monica, you know I despise the nobility rules dictating who I can and can't be friends with."
"You're my friend… and I regret not being able to rescue you sooner."
Edelgard's head drifted off to the side to avoid Monica's eyesight, and in turn she placed her gloved hand over the door leading to the children's infirmary room.
"Had I known, then you nor the children would have been put through the vile experiments, and then the children would be…"
Now undeterred by her own self-doubt Monica stepped up and placed her hands on Edelgard's gloved one, once again. This time with a bit more confidence.
"They'll recover from this, Lady Edelgard. I know it. They're stronger than whatever those worms have put them through."
Edelgard raised her head and looked directly at Monica with a small smile. "You're right. They wouldn't want me to worry and fall apart. They're fighting for their lives, and I will too."
"Yes!" Monica cheered. "Now that's the familiar look of fiery determination I know, and lov-" Monica cut herself off as she covered her scarlet red blush.
Before Edelgard could say anything, Monica had run off as a small smile settled over the Emperor, before turning her focus back to the task at hand.
She placed her hand over the door with one small prayer.
Hold on just a bit more. We will get the cure and then we will all be set free.
[Line break]
As Hubert predicted, the others had arrived at Enbarr gates within the area and were greeted with cheers and applause from the general public. It didn't take them long to reach the palace gates as carriages full of soldiers coming home to rest their weary bones and return to their loved ones.
Among the first batch of soldiers were Felix's group who Edelgard, Ferdinand, Hubert, Ingrid and Sylvain all immediately raced forward to greet. Mercedes had helped a young woman down from her horse, Lily. The woman's eyes darted from one area of the Palace to another within seconds. However as soon as a friend's hand rested on the woman's shoulder from Mercedes did, she start to calm down.
Landing next to Mercedes and the woman was Annette and her Wyvern, Ember. Hugging close to her was a young man that Ingrid immediately recognised. Not far behind them was her other brother as Ashe and his horse, Jasper, had arrived.
Finally, arriving last in a carriage with the rest of the soldiers was Felix and Emile.
Before either brother had landed onto the ground for merely a few seconds they were immediately hunted down by their older sister. "Edd! Sylv! The hells are you two up to."
"Ingrid!" Both younger brothers let out a small sigh of relief as they both ran and hugged tightly to their older sister.
Sylvain raced to welcome back Ashe and Annette with a small group hug, whilst Mercedes had helped the woman, who stayed by her side, over towards Edelgard and Hubert, with help from Felix.
"Felix! Mercedes! It feels good to see you all return unscathed." Edelgard said as she shook Felix's hand.
"Not for a lack of trying on their part." Felix sighed out as he rubbed his side, groaning quietly to himself.
"I would recommend you get yourself checked out in the Infirmary." Ferdinand said.
"It's nothing, just a nagging feeling. Nothing to take too seriously." Felix claimed trying his best to appear unharmed.
However, Edelgard knew him better than most. "Then you won't be opposed to a healer to check that out."
Before Felix could reply back Sylvain wrapped his left arm around his neck. "I'll make sure he gets there, Edelgard." Sylvain continued as he pulled Felix away inside the castle, much to the latter's loud complaints. Edelgard watched them disappear beyond the castle doors with a small smile on her face.
"I see that no matter the distance, nothing can separate those two." Mercedes said as she chuckled into her hand.
Edelgard turned her attention back to Mercedes and the mysterious woman she had not met before, who was cowering behind the healer.
"Hello. You must be one of the friends Mercedes and Felix made. I am Emperor Edelgard von Hresvelg." Edelgard said with a warming smile.
The skittish woman nervously nodded her head. "Y-Yes, I-I-I know. I w-worked closely with your M-Mother. S-Sylvia… My name i-is Sylvia."
Edelgard was stunned hearing her mother being mentioned. "My m-mother?"
Sylvia shyly nodded her head as she pulled out a slightly crumpled envelope. "S-She g-g-gave me t-this. I-It's for y-you."
Edelgard took the envelope from Sylvia's shaking hand. "I thank you Sylvia. For the letter… and for standing by my M-Mother's side."
The Emperor smiled as she pocketed the envelope and held onto Sylvia's trembling hands. "You're safe now. I won't let them touch you again."
Tears immediately welled up in Slyvia's eyes as she held tightly to Edelgard's hand. "T-Thank you, y-your Majesty."
Edelgard smiled as she turned her attention to Mercedes. "How about Mercedes taking you to get a change of clothes, a warm meal and some rest."
Mercedes smiled as she nodded her head. Edelgard let go of Sylvia's hands as the healer softly touched her shoulder. "Come, I know a quiet room that is out of the way of the soldiers. We can even have Emile stand guard to stop anyone from disturbing you resting."
Hearing his name, Emile turned his head away from his sister's and grunted.
Sylvia shyly nodded her head as she allowed Mercedes to take her inside the castle, with Emile following shortly behind them.
As Edelgard let out a sigh of relief seeing her comrades and friends return relatively unscathed, unhealthy thoughts entered about the others that had still yet to arrive.
Specifically, one in particular.
'Where are you, Lysithea? Please be alright.
As if to put those unhelpful thoughts to rest, Edelgard saw the familiar sight of Leonie's Wyvern Azure landed with her owner and Lysithea on her back.
Following behind them was a heavily guarded carriage. Surprising to both Edelgard, Hubert and Ferdinand, Judith emerged from the carriage with guards behind her, dragging the prisoner to the Emperor, the Prime Minister and the Marquis of Vestra.
As soon as Judith's eyesight settled on the group ahead of her, she dipped her head in respect.
"Emperor Edelgard, Leonie sent a letter explaining everything."
Edelgard nodded her head. "That is correct, and we take it that he is the prisoner."
Judith nodded her head as the soldiers dragged the Agarthan mage towards the Emperor's group. Instant recognition had set in for the mage as he took in Edelgard's features and her white hair.
"Ah, Thales's prized toy. It's remarkable to see you have lasted this long. I really am a genius at my work." A sneer appeared on the Argathan.
One that sent the others into a blinding rage.
"I will ripe the flesh from your bones!" Hubert spat as miasma flowed into his hands.
Ferdinand was about to cleave the man into two as he gripped the handle of his sword. "You speak another word, and there won't be enough of you to feed the worms."
However, before either Hubert, Ferdinand or any of the guards could fulfil the act, Judith knocked out the Agarthan with the pommel of her sword.
As for Edelgard, she was trapped inside her own head as soon as she heard that familiar voice. Immediately, she was teleported back to the dungeons.
Her skin getting peeled open and the sick maniacal laughter coming from the man that was tearing her skin open. A young Edelgard begged them all to stop. However, her operator denied her that right. Instead inflicting more pain onto her. Slicing her open more deeply. From the sneer he gave to the young girl, it looked like he enjoyed it. Treating her scarred body like a work of art.
Edelgard was so trapped in her kind that she didn't see Hubert; Ferdinand and the soldiers drag away the Agarthan mutilator to the dungeons.
Edelgard was only brought out from inside her mind as she felt a hand softly hold onto hers. As her eyes focused back to reality, she saw Lysithea holding onto her hand.
"Edelgard… was he the one that did it to you too?" Lysithea asked as she squeezed softly to Edelgard's hand.
Edelgard did not say a word, instead opting to slowly nod her head.
"The bastard." Leonie cursed as she gently squeezed Lysithea's shoulder.
Edelgard shook her head to get away from those memories instead finding the strength to her voice.
"T-There's something you need to see, Lysithea. It's… important."
Edelgard held contact with Lysithea, so she fully understood the gravity of her words.
"Right…" Lysithea dipped her head as her hand fell from Edelgard's own hand and held tightly onto Leonie's. The archer returned the gesture as she squeezed the Mage's hand.
"How about you go with them, Leone. I'll get my back checked and then we can talk, Edelgard. I'm sure there's a lot you want to ask." Judith said as she gently nudged Leonie with her arm.
Leonie then felt Lysithea held tightly to her arm. "Please… I need you with me."
Leonie smiled at Lysithea as she pulled her into her chest and kissed her forehead. "I'm going anywhere. I promise."
With a smile and a wink at Leonie, Judith heads off towards the Infirmary while Edelgard with the other girls made their way towards the Emergency wing.
[line break]
As Lysithea's footsteps echoed in the hallway as she held tightly onto Leonie, Edelgard led them down to one specific room. As Edelgard stopped in front of a window and peaked inside and let out a small sigh, Lysithea's heart fell. Her grip on Leonie' arm tightened.
"Are you ready?" Edelgard asked.
Lysithea's grip on Leonie's arm tightened even further as she took several deep breaths to try to steady her heart, beating as fast as a galloping horse.
However, even with Edelgard's warning, the safety embrace from Leonie's arms, and her heart; she was not ready as Edelgard walked inside the room, heading to Byleth as she pressed her healing hands over two young girls.
There were two things that Lysithea immediately noticed were that all of them had white hair emerging through their regular colour.
Just like Lysithea's and Edelgard's own.
The other thing she noticed were the precise surgical cuts in the same regions on all over their bodies.
Just like Lysithea's and Edelgard's own.
Lysithea's mouth hung open as she placed her free hand on the glass window. Uncontrollable tears fell down her face as her shoulders started to tremble and sobs escaped from her mouth.
"Come here." Leonie said softly as she opened her arms.
Lysithea did not hesitate for a moment. Burying her head into Leonie's chest and wailed. Leonie wrapped her arms tightly around Lysithea and slowly and softly rubbed her back while pressing her lips onto her forehead.
"I promise you; we'll kill them. We'll kill them all."