Interlude: The State of Fodlan
When Seiros informed them of her troubles, she hadn't thought it to be anything she wasn't already capable of handling on her own. The burdens of a leader were many, and Seiros has had a literal millennia to understand such a thing—especially since she herself once led an entire rebellion in one of her lifetimes. It wasn't until a few years ago that she truly took her position seriously and hadn't asked for advice since, so she could be forgiven for her desperation—just this once.
What Sothis did not account for was the possibility of an all-out war with the Church of Seiros being pinned on all three sides by hostile forces.
How did something like this come to pass?
Thankfully, Seiros, technically, had no direct influence on the matter at hand despite her confession. If anything, most of it was hearsay combined with allegations that held no concrete proof other than the word of the Lord's who had been slighted.
That wasn't to say there was no spark to start their flame. There was a spark, alright—one that started an inferno that spread throughout Fodlan.
In Faerghus, countless lords and even peasants had been violently mutilated, some to the point where they were unrecognizable. Their lands burned, and their fortresses were razed with very few living to tell the tale.
And among those fallen was a noble woman in service of the Faerghus royal family known as Cornelia Arnim—found disembowed in her room along with several knights and handmaidens.
While it was not well known to the masses her importance to the kingdom, the woman had a reputation amongst her peers as a brilliant and gifted mage. So much so that her name had been spread beyond the walls of her home country and was a sought-after candidate for the prestigious school of Sorcery in the Empire. Why she and other Lords were targeted specifically was a mystery yet to be uncovered.
Following that was the disembowelment of three known generals in the Leicester. Two mages and a knight were strung up for everyone in the castle to see, their limbs broken and their insides spilled to the ground. It was tame in comparison to the attack on the nobles, yet the fact they were crucified in broad daylight by the perpetrator where thousands were able to witness was a level of madness none thought capable.
And yet, it was nothing compared to the mayhem that shook the capital of the Adrestian Empire.
What started off as an assault on the castle quickly turned into a massacre the likes unseen in generations. The castle of Adrestian was no more—the king missing along with his heir, both presumed dead. Corpses of servants, knights, and demonic beasts were said to litter the royal grounds as if they were fallen leaves. The roars heard across the capital that day brought nightmares to even the bravest, and the damage done would likely take months, if not years, to fully repair.
Yet not a soul could explain, nor even comprehend, the level of power one would need to possess to erase a mountain.
A MOUNTAIN.
Shortly after the attack on the capital, another attack shook the Adrestian Empire. However, where the attack on the capital was contained and easily missed if far enough to the walls, absolutely no one missed the beam of light that shot from the ground and entered the heavens. What was left behind was a crater nearly half the size of the capital—not a single remnant of life to be found within a mile of the hole due to the almost miasmic mana blanketing the area.
Now, what you should be asking yourself right now is, 'What does any of this have to do with Seiros?' The answer to that is quite convoluted.
As stated before, Seiros had no hand in the matter, nor did the Church to the best of the Archbishop's knowledge. The Church of Seiros had very little presence in the Empire. Though none were over the 'Goddesses will', Seiros had not participated, nor allowed the punishment of the unfaithful since Sothis's return. Whether or not that created discord within those who were more zealous was roughly unknown, but she had done her best to change.
The problem stemmed from the description of the one said to be seen by the survivors.
Covered in black from neck to toe, a posture that exuded power, feral azure blue hair, slit-red eyes, and scars along her cheeks closely resembling those of an animal. Though those features alone normally wouldn't be enough to confirm anything, but a drawing of the woman who had walked into two of the strongest kingdoms with nothing but her own two hands and a sword at her hip confirmed the identity of the perpetrator.
She was almost an identical copy of her mother; hair and all. Her features were slightly more sharp despite her age, yet there was no mistake that the woman on the picture was Byleth Eisner.
The three kingdoms wanted her head. At the moment, they were pointing fingers. Neither nation has concrete proof of the other's involvement in this matter. Hell, for all of this to happen within a week, by the same person no less, brought doubt to the rumor's validity and whether or not any nation had a hand in this catastrophe. Small folk would still talk however, and keep what had happened silent was all but impossible. Public opinion would reign and more questions and theories would spread until the masses concluded with only one possible outcome.
Someone had to be blamed for this attack, and the fact that Garreg Mach hadn't been so much as scratched in this whole fiasco already put the Church at the top of the list.
And if those who knew Sitri connected the dots back to her? That she was once in service of the church?
There would be more than just war.
There would be a revolution.
Sothis could now see the severity of their situation. This wasn't the kind of mess they could just sweep under the rug. It was too large; too widespread. Multiple decisions were laid in front of them, yet very little involved keeping their hands clean.
The woman known as Sitri was no simple nun. She was popular not only amongst her peers but also the nobility. Many had sought her out, and many more knew of her demise. It had only been 18 years since her death, and Seiros rightfully feared a woman of her particular features and notoriety wasn't so easily forgotten. In a month, maybe even a few more, once the bounty photo had reached all corners of Fodlan, someone would make the connection. It only took one man, one grieving soul to spread the word and send Fodlan into chaos.
Seiros really had only one option to prevent the inevitable catastrophe.
They needed to find Byleth, preferably before she caused more damage to the realm. If not to stop her, then to at least find a motive behind this madness.
"...This is the only viable option I can see moving forward." Sothis concluded for the gathered Nabateans, each taking the news in their own way. Seiros and Seteth sat in resigned resolve, though the tired look in Seiros' eyes did not go unnoticed by any in the room. On the other side of the table, Flayn looked dismayed at the decision, while clone Naruto's usual placid features scrunched into a light frown, Sothis already prepared to counter whatever argument he means to bring up.
"Are you sure this is the best course of action? Is there truly no other way than to condemn her?" Flayn questioned, her eyes darting between the Goddess, Seiros, and her father. "I understand the threat she poses, but if we simply hide her away, maybe send her beyond Fodlan, perhaps-"
"That is not possible." Came the voice of her brother, his interruption a rarity in the room. "I understand how you feel, Flayn. She is technically our kin, and I myself have my doubts on her actions being that of malicious towards the nations, but we cannot deny the damage she has caused." He closed his eyes, his hands coming together atop the table. "Right now, the only thing keeping all nations from pointing their weapons at the church is the fact they do not yet believe us to have a hand in it. That will change. When word gets out, public opinion will change. Rumors will spread before soon reaching the right ears. And when that time comes, any and everyone who had once held animosity towards the church will use this opportunity. Faerghus and the alliance may not be so quick to do so, but the same cannot be said about the Empire, especially in the absence of their royal line."
"But that is all assumption, Brother. You do not know for sure that-"
"We can't take that risk, Flayn." Seiros chimed in, looking at Flayn with an apologetic gaze. "Hearsay has already spread throughout the monastery. As it stands now, we are the primary suspects in this catastrophe. If we truly wish for a future that includes peace and prosperity and not war and bloodshed, then we must find Byleth—if not for Fodlan, then for my own past mistakes."
"But what good will come from this?" Naruto spoke up next, seeking to understand the decision they'd come to.
"It will appease those who matter." Seteth said, not unkindly. "Bringing forward the culprit will absolve us of blame in the eyes of the public, even if the royal lines do not fully trust our actions. Over time, things will cool, but if it were to come to war, then it will be one we haven't seen in millenia. Faerghus would no doubt side with us, regardless of their thoughts on the matter. The empire has no leadership, and the alliance does not stand a chance against a combined force such as ours. It would be a swift victory."
"What good would any of that information be if war is what we strive to prevent?"
"Because airing on the side of caution is better than being caught with your breeches down, Child." Sothis clarified. "We do not know for sure that this will come to war. If we truly wish for this mess to not escalate, then we must be willing to take risks while also being prepared for the worst."
A lull passed between the five, each with their own thoughts on the matter.
"Then I believe we are in agreement." Seiros finalized, bringing attention back to her. "Finding Byleth will be a start. What we do after that can be discussed when the time comes... Mother, will the two of you be assisting us in her capture? If it is true what you said before about these 'tailes beast' then I believe it better we have your assistance on this matter."
"Of course, Child. It is as much our responsibility as it is yours." Seiros smiled gratefully at her mother before turning her gaze towards Naruto.
"...The real me will likely only agree if we talk to her first."
"Of course. There will be no need for violence if we can convince her otherwise. Though it would be best that we are prepared."
"Then I believe that's all there is to discuss." Sothis drew the deliberation to a close, floating over to the clone. "Our time here will have to come to a close. I fear this one doesn't have much time left."
The clone nodded in confirmation, "About 10 minutes to be exact. I'm almost depleted."
"Very well. In the meantime, we will march for Aegir. It is said to be home of an 'Angel'. I have no doubt that's where we will find her." Seiros informed them, to which Sothis and Naruto nodded their confirmation. Moments later, both disappeared from sight in a puff of smoke and shimmering light. When Sothis returned to the Elemental Nations, she expected to see her ward.
What she did not expect was to find him strapped to a table in nothing but his breeches.
A/N: I made Sitris slightly more important to the Church of Seiros here. Don't know if she was in cannon but thought it would be useful to go the direction I want to go with the story.
And this will be the conclusion of interludes along with the Fodlan fiasco following the next 5 chapters before the Chunin Exams.
Next chapter out this Monday!