"What can you tell me about the Crest of Flames, professor?" Edelgard stood at Professor Hanneman's desk. His face brightened with an unhindered smile.
"Do you speak of Professor Eisner's crest?" His voice was slightly muffled by his large, thick mustache. "Well, as you probably well know, it is the most understudied crest in mankind, due to the fact that the last bearer of the crest died a thousand years ago."
Edelgard nodded. She knew all of this. "Nemesis, yes. But what else can you tell me about it?"
She had become determined to find an explanation to Byleth's heartbeat and was grasping at thin straws. She, herself, had the major Crest of Flames as well. While it was not something she was born with, rather forced upon her, it never affected her heartbeat.
"What we do know about it would barely be enough to fill a single page, Lady Edelgard," His whiskers blew outward with every word he spoke. "It's said to be the most powerful crest in existence and as of now, there is only one bearer of this insignia."
He rubbed his chin as he frowned, "but even with all the blood samples that I've taken from Professor Eisner, I fear it will still take years for me to make any kind of breakthrough."
Blood samples?
"But imagine when I do!" Hanneman's exuberant voice bellowed, "the world of crest academia will change as we know it!"
"With the amount of the power it supposedly holds, could it possibly affect one's body?" Edelgard tried to carefully ponder her words before speaking.
"Affect one's body, how?" Hanneman scrunched his eyebrows together, "I am unsure as to what you might be referring to."
She tried to think on the fly, "Oh, I don't know. Perhaps, it's all gibberish. But could it…" Edelgard struggled to find irrelevant examples, "increase one's strength, or make them faster?"
He readjusted his monocle as he thought about her words. "Well, I suppose it could. Honestly, so little is known, the possibilities are endless."
"Could it hold so much power that it might hurt it's bearer?" Edelgard's voice lowered.
"Professor Eisner seems fit as a fiddle to me," Hanneman shook his head. "I've seen no cause for concern."
She didn't think so. After all, if the reasoning behind his lack of heartbeat was due to his crest, then why would she not have the same condition?
There had to be another explanation. Something even beyond her grasp.
"Professor," Edelgard recognized that voice.
"My teacher, what brings you here?" She greeted Byleth as he entered Hanneman's office.
"Professor Hanneman requested my presence," He turned his gaze to her. His features seemed softer than before, his usual cold tone was slightly warmer.
"Wonderful timing!" The older man exclaimed, "Lady Edelgard and I were just speaking about the Crest of Flames."
Since that night in her room, they're interactions seemed a lot less formal and more… personal. But Edelgard was quick to dismiss them away. Solon had made his observations known that her teacher had been spending more time with Shamir than she had realized.
He could have been lying. Solon has every reason to make you want to doubt yourself.
"I just thought…" Edelgard began, "that you would be in the library with Shamir."
Byleth lowered a single brow as he tried to study her face, "I'll be meeting with her later. There have been a few topics I've found interesting lately, she's been helping me."
It seemed Solon was telling the truth.
Edelgard took a deep breath, desperate to push her feelings as far down as she could. This was not a productive train of thought. What mattered was that Solon and his lackeys would be prepared for her teacher's arrival at the Holy Mausoleum. She was certain that Solon would end Byleth's life as quickly as he could evaporate into thin air. He only needed an excuse. One that she was determined he would not find.
"Thank you for coming, professor!" Hanneman's jolly voice interrupted her thoughts. "I've a new contraption that I had sent straight from the forge, I'm certain it will shed at least a little more light into your crest!"
"Contraption?" Byleth questioned. Edelgard became quite curious herself.
Hanneman lifted the cloth that covered a large, metal structure that sat on his desk. Edelgard's eyes widened. She could make out what appeared to be a handle on the top, and the large nozzle resembled that of a miniature cannon. Other than that, there were no other recognizable features to his machine.
"Wh-what is that meant to do?" Byleth's voice grew with concern. She found it humorous as his body fidgeted but dared not display such an emotion. Not with Professor Hanneman present.
"Well," Hanneman patted the contraption with a single hand. "Hopefully, it will amplify how your crest and blood are intertwined. Perhaps, if we were able to see the codependence, I might be able to deduce it's true power."
"Hopefully?" Byleth knew exactly which word to focus on. "Has this… machine been tested?"
"Oh, heavens no." Hanneman vigorously shook his head, "Archbishop Rhea would not take kindly to me using it on any of our students."
"And she said it was okay to use on me?" Byleth's distress only amplified.
"Come to think of it," Hanneman started as he readjusted his monocle once again. "I haven't asked. Well, let's get started, shall we?"
"Professor?" A high voice called from the hallway behind them.
"Yes?"
"Yes?"
Both Hanneman and Byleth answered. Edelgard saw Cyril emerge in the doorway. "Lady Rhea requests your presence, as well as your house leader."
"Of course," Edelgard saw her teacher let out a visibly deep sigh. He turned his body to face Hanneman, "I apologize, professor. But it sounds urgent. I must go."
"Of course, of course," Hanneman waved his hand. "There will be plenty of time later."
Edelgard waited for her teacher to depart, but instead, he waved his hand and motioned for her to lead the way.
"It must be time to depart, again," Edelgard's heart was heavy. She knew what this mission would entail.
"It would seem so," Byleth also seemed disheartened though she was unable to decipher the cause. He didn't know what they were to face. Not yet.
It was a short walk from Hanneman's office to the throne room where she could see Rhea and Seteth awaiting their arrival.
"Professor, it is good to see you once again," Rhea's gentle voice was unwavering. Edelgard clenched her jaw.
He gave her a bow and Edelgard followed suit.
"We've recovered a disturbing note amongst Lonato's belongings," Seteth began. "It detailed a gruesome plan to assassinate the Archbishop, written by the Western Church."
"Assassinate?" Byleth's expression didn't change, "a bold plan."
Seteth nodded in agreement. "It seems they intend to make this attempt on the day of the Goddess's Rite of Rebirth, a day when our security will be tightly concentrated. The plan seems unrealistic, at best. However, a threat is a threat."
"Agreed." Byleth nodded.
"Considering the ceremony is only a few days away, we would like you and your class to help fill any gaps in security. Perhaps in the areas that are especially lacking."
"Understood," Byleth gave another bow before he turned on his heel and began to walk out with Edelgard close behind.
Neither said a word until they had already descended the stairs. It seemed Byleth did not like disclosing his thoughts until he was farther from the church's prying ears. Maybe her hope of him joining her cause was not so far-fetched, afterall.
"I'm going to ask Shamir to join us," Byleth finally said. "Is that something you can agree to?"
Edelgard blinked. Why would he ask her permission?
"Of course, my teacher," she replied. "Are you expecting more than a simple security detail?"
Or are you just wanting more time with her?
"This is no simple security detail," he answered. "Nor is it an assassination attempt."
His words caught Edelgard off guard. She knew he was observant, to say the least, but she had expected at least a little more time to pass before he deduced their true motive.
Byleth's walk became more brisk and she had to skip a short distance to catch up with him. Soon, they rounded the familiar courtyard where they always seemed to gather to discuss a battle plan.
"There he is!" Dorothea emerged from their homeroom followed closely by her classmates.
"So, professor," Caspar puffed out his chest. "Where are we going this time?"
"Nowhere, at least not outside of Garreg Mach," Byleth shook his head. "Apparently, a note was found with Lord Lonato's belongings that detailed an assisination attempt on Lady Rhea. We're to provide security for the areas that would appear more susceptible to attack."
"Oh, my Goddess," Dorothea covered her mouth with both her hands.
"They only grow more brazen!" Ferdinand threw his hands into the air.
"That is… pretty bold," Leonie sounded unsure. "With the note having been discovered, there's sure to be an army protecting Lady Rhea now."
"Exactly," Byleth simply stated as he lifted a single brow. "What does that tell you?" His eyes scanned across each of his students as they each became lost in thought.
Edelgard knew he was trying to get them to use their reasoning skills. She admired the way his students absorbed every little thing he tried to teach them, and how willing he was to teach them to survive.
"Lord Lonato would be foolish to carry such a note on him," Leonie's brows were scrunched together so tightly that Edelgard didn't know how her head wouldn't ache. "If I were him, I would've burned that note as soon as I finished reading it."
"And yet they didn't," Byleth was trying to lead her to the correct answer. "It was found in pristine condition, for all to read."
Suddenly a light glistened in Leonie's eyes, "because that's what they wanted us to read!"
"Yes!" Byleth pointed at her, a grin formed on his face.
"B-but why would they want us to know they planned to do such a horrible thing," Bernadetta's anxiety rose. "C-could it be a threat? If they could do that to Lady Rhea, then imagine what they could do to us?"
"My feelings are of planning the opposite, no-that is incorrect," Petra began, but Byleth was already nodding his head as if he knew what she meant. "My feelings are they plan to do the opposite."
"They want the bulk of the knights to be protecting Lady Rhea," Byleth looked at each of them. "Because that will leave many other places lightly guarded, if at all."
"There is a sizable armory just begging to be raided," Lindhardt added, though he did not appear to be all that interested in the conversation. "The Knights of Seiros have some of the best forges in all of Fodlan at their disposal."
Byleth shook his head, "I already have a place in mind. It's usually guarded year-round, except on this particular day."
"The Holy Mausoleum," Edelgard answered. She knew that Byleth had already figured out their plan at lightning speed. There was no use in playing ignorant any longer.
"That's right," Byleth shot her a rare smile. "We only have a few days, so I want all of you to work on your evasion with your partners as much as possible. Going into a place considered to be sacred by the church… they'll definitely bring out their heavy-hitters in case their plan was deciphered. So expect resistance, stronger than you've faced before."
If only you knew, my teacher. Edelgard's shoulders slumped at the thought of the inevitable. Byleth was a formidable fighter, but could she really expect him to best the Death Knight?
"Pair up and go ahead and get started," Byleth instructed as he began backing away. "Caspar, join Ferdinand and Lindhardt."
"And you, my teacher?" Edelgard weakly inquired. "Where will you be?"
"I need to work on some stamina of my own," Byleth simply answered with a warm smile.
Edelgard wondered how many more times she'd be able to revel in his more-common smile before they would end at the hands of the Death Knight.
Byleth carried the quarterstaff he took from the training room with him to the market. He bought some thick twine and two sandbags and stood near the gates of Garreg Mach. He tied a sandbag to each end of his quarterstaff and draped the rod behind his neck, over his shoulders, adjusting it so the weight was evenly distributed.
He took a few steps outside of the gates and turned to the beaten path. Byleth kept his hands gripped on the quarterstaff as he broke out into a light jog.
"What exactly are you doing?" Sothis startled him. He had assumed she had taken an extended nap.
"I'm jogging," he simply answered.
"With this weight around our shoulders," Sothis seemed irritated. "It makes this task a bit more daunting, does it not?"
"That's the idea," Byleth nodded to himself. "I expect this fight to be harder, I'll need to be quicker if I'm going to have a chance at saving everyone."
"Then why not simply run faster?" She queried, almost as if she were mocking him.
"Because we only have a few days," he answered. "Quickness will depend on not only my ability to run, but the muscles in my legs."
"Well, you are the mercenary. I am not." Sothis resigned, "But you must look silly."
"Silly or not, it'll save lives."
"You really are determined to save them all, aren't you?" She let out a soft chuckle, "and all this time you thought yourself to be emotionless."
Byleth quickened his pace. "Some part of me must be, otherwise my childhood wouldn't have been as lonely."
"Or perhaps, you've changed," Sothis rebutted. "One can change, you know."
Byleth had considered this many times, but how could the Ashen Demon change it's spots? Yet he couldn't explain the new feelings that still remained a mystery to him.
"I, too, have grown fond of the little ones," Sothis assured him. "I feel what you feel. And I am not emotionless. Even the arrogant one has grown on me quite a bit."
"She's not arrogant," Byleth felt as if they had this conversation before.
"I feel something more than just… fondness," Sothis ignored him.
"Edelgard called it desire," Byleth filled in the gaps. His eyes focused on the trail before him as he quickened his pace even more.
"Desire, yes, that's it!" Sothis exclaimed. "It feels quite nice."
Byleth only smiled as he sped up.
Edelgard stood just outside of the gates to Garreg Mach as she watched Byleth disappear just beyond the horizon. Being a princess and house leader had its advantages, such as ordering Hubert to dance with Caspar. A thought that made her want to laugh. But she could not muster one.
Thoughts flooded through her mind as she stood silently. Sorrow swept through her and it made her heart ache. Edelgard even considered telling Byleth everything once he returned from his run. About Those who Slither In the Dark, about her role in their grand plan in hopes he might abandon any ideas of facing the Death Knight. But she knew doing so would only guarantee Byleth's place in his coffin.
"Am I interrupting?" Edelgard swiveled her body to see Dorothea poking her head out from behind the gates. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"I could ask you the same, aren't you supposed to be in training with Petra?" Edelgard asked sternly.
"Oh come on, Edie," Dorothea mused. "I saw you sneak off and I couldn't resist the chance to play hookie with you."
"Hookie?" This word was unfamiliar to Edelgard. "What exactly do you expect we'll be hooking?"
"It must be a commoner term," she sighed. "I could tell something's been weighing on you. So instead of staring woefully into the horizon, why don't we have some fun?"
"I'm not sure I'm feeling up to it," Edelgard returned her gaze to the trail. She could no longer see Byleth.
"And that's exactly why this is the perfect time!" Dorothea exclaimed. She gripped Edelgard's arm and pulled her back into the monastery.
"Dorothea, I'm not sure-"
"You may be the next emperor, but today you're still a teenager!" Dorothea giggled. "So what do you feel like doing?"
Edelgard couldn't help but admire Dorothea's carefree ways. She always had a way of extracting a smile from her, whether she wanted to or not.
"I am unsure," Edelgard shook her head. "What do you usually do when you are hooking?"
"Hookie, Edie," Dorothea blushed as she laughed softly. "Hooking means something completely different, at least to us commoners."
Edelgard almost questioned her about it, but decided it was best to accept her lesson. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer from the way Dorothea blushed.
"We could flirt with some cute knights?" Dorothea swayed her shoulders as they reached the entrance to the Great Hall.
"Flirt? I don't flirt." Edelgard vigorously shook her head.
"Okay, 'court' or however you put it. Surely, there's someone you've had your eye on," Dorothea pried.
"I've no time for romance," she hoped to shut down that avenue of conversation as quickly as she could.
"Oh sure you do," Dorothea waved her hand in dismissal. "Okay, let's pretend that I'm a cute knight. What would you say to me?"
Edelgard couldn't help but to roll her eyes. It felt strange forcing herself to think of something to say. She felt herself at a loss for words around her teacher, let alone Knight Dorothea.
"Um… I suppose I could say…" She searched for the right words, the ones that would satiate her classmate so that they may end this childish exercise. "I am Lady Edelgard, the next emperor of Adrestia. From what territory do you hail?"
Dorothea's smile quickly faded from her face, "that wasn't very good, Edie."
"No?" Edelgard could feel her face reddening, "I mean, I would want to know where their loyalties are."
"You were absolutely right, you do not flirt," Dorothea pursed her lips. "Perhaps, singing? Oh, how I love to sing when I'm feeling down!"
"I haven't had much experience in singing," Edelgard considered her proposal. "I see no harm in trying."
"Great!" Dorothea couldn't contain her excitement, "The cathedral's holding choir practice right now!"
She grabbed Edelgard's hand and led her through the Great Hall.
"The cathedral?" She inquired, a slight worry rang through her voice. "I had assumed you meant just me and you. Perhaps in the privacy of one of our rooms and not in such a crowded place for all to hear."
"Oh, Edie," Dorothea gave her a wink. "Are you saying you'd like some alone time in my room?"
It was all in jest, of course. It wasn't the first time Dorothea had made such an offer.
Dorothea practically skipped across the long bridge that led to the cathedral while Edelgard struggled to keep up. "I can't wait to hear your voice! It must be so wonderful!"
"I would not want to fall short of your expectations," Edelgard's nervousness grew as they approached the large cathedral doors. "But in truth, I know my voice isn't nearly as beautiful as yours."
"It seems you do know how to flirt!" Dorothea feigned a blush.
"That's not what I meant-" Edelgard cut her sentence short as she heard singing from within the large place of worship. "I… I have a confession."
Dorothea turned to face her with her brow raised.
"I may exude confidence…" Edelgard's voice lowered, "Arrogant, some might even say. However, the thought of singing publicly is making me quite nervous."
"Yes, but," Dorothea held up her pointer finger. "I bet you've forgotten whatever it was that made you look so dreadfully sad outside of the monastery's gates."
Edelgard blinked several times at her words. It was true that walking through the cathedral doors had taken precedence over the matter that was to occur in just a few days. Though the two were incomparable, it seemed there was a reason behind Dorothea's madness.
Wow! My next chapter is not only the longest, but most INTENSE to date. I think my heart skipped a couple of beats just writing it. I'm so excited to post it and see what you guys think!