"One of us needs to get our cavalry certification soon," Caspar threw his hands in the air.

The Black Eagles marched on a worn trail, much less enthusiastic than before. Edelgard wondered if it was because they'd learned the true horrors of battle, or if they were as concerned for their teacher as she was.

"Then are we meant to share only one horse?" Ferdinand queried as he kept his head lowered. "Or possibly, we should construct a sled for the horse to pull the rest of us on." He mocked the absurdity of Caspar's suggestion.

"Yes! That one!" Caspar ignorantly exclaimed.

"I wouldn't want to pull up to a battle in a sled," Leonie groaned. "Not exactly very intimidating."

Edelgard saw no harm in their banter. It seemed it was her classmates' method of coping. Though she had noted her teacher was much more quiet as they marched than usual. He had barely said two words to Rhea as she told him of Sylvain's brother, Miklan and his group of thieves.

Her teacher had only given her a silent bow before preparing his new weapon. It was up to Edelgard to inform the rest of the class of their new task. The most he had spoken was to Sylvain, as he attempted to give him the same courtesy he had given Ashe several new moons ago.

Sylvain didn't seem very interested in his gesture, however. He told the professor that Miklan had to reap what he had sown. It was a cold reply, but Edelgard dismissed it as his way of dealing with the pending loss of a brother.

She found a small amount of relief in the fact that her teacher had not allowed Ingrid and Annette to join them on this mission. He had insisted that they stay behind until their transfer was official, though he could have very well informed Rhea of their wish, he chose not to.

"Lady Edelgard," she snapped her head to the side to see Shamir had fallen back and now walked in stride with her. Edelgard nonchalantly returned her eyes to the trail as the mercenary spoke, "you've no doubt the same worries that I have."

"Oh?" Edelgard had no reason to be cold with her, but she could not help it. At least, that's what she told herself.

"We'll be at Conand tower soon," Shamir looked to the sky and shielded her eyes with her hand from the sunlight. "Before nightfall. I am unsure if your professor will be up to the coming battle."

Shamir was right. They did share the same concerns. Edelgard looked toward the sun and found it edging closer to the horizon, it would not be long.

"But he insists it's not the fight that has caused his fatigue," Shamir continued. Edelgard suddenly found her hands balled into loose fists. "Rather, what 'lays in between', whatever that means."

It appeared Shamir had learned much more than she had. Edelgard felt a small lump of resentment form in her throat, she swallowed hard to try and make it subside. This was not the time.

"Is that not some mercenary saying?" Edelgard tried to calm her tone. "What 'lays in between?'"

Shamir shook her head, "none that I've heard. But he refused to elaborate."

Sounded like her teacher. He may have already shared a few of his secrets with Edelgard, but there was much more to it, she could sense it.

"I thought you should know that he intends to do the heavy lifting himself," Shamir continued. "I know it's only a group of thieves, but always expect the worst."

Edelgard snapped her head to face her. Her brows lowered, in both anger and confusion, she couldn't decide which.

Shamir kept her face forward as she nodded and gave her a slight shrug, "I know. I thought you might be able to talk some sense into him."

"Why would I succeed where you couldn't?" Edelgard felt the beat in her chest quicken. The mere thought of her teacher falling to a simple group of bandits and thieves because he wasn't allowed the time he needed to recover infuriated her. Rhea was clearly oblivious or had not cared, either was inexcusable in her eyes.

"Call it a feeling," Shamir simply replied. "If anyone can, my coin's on you."

"Very well," Edelgard nodded. She was eager to put this matter to rest, once and for all. Her teacher needed them now more than ever.

Without another word to the mercenary, she sped up her pace. Passing Petra and Dorothea, then Leonie and Bernadetta.

Byleth led their small marching line. He kept his head forward as they marched on the dirt trail though no doubt he had heard her approaching steps.

"My teacher," Edelgard began. Byleth had not turned his head to face her, even as she took her place beside him. "I hear that you-"

"Shamir told you," Byleth's eyes remained focused. "I heard."

"Then you must know that we do not approve," Edelgard's firm tone betrayed the worry that bubbled inside of her.

"I don't need your approval," her teacher's voice was more distant. Edelgard did not enjoy this feeling, she thought they had grown quite close over the past couple of new moons.

"Whether you need it or not is beside the point," she argued. "Shamir is not one of your students, and she also does not believe this to be a wise plan."

"Shamir is a Knight of Seiros," he continued. "She knows the most important thing is the safety of the students."

"How are we to learn if you won't let us fight?" Edelgard had many more cards up her sleeve. If she had learned anything from Hubert, it was that you must have several points to bombard your opponent if you were to win an argument decisively.

"There will be time to continue your training when we return to the monastery," he answered.

"We have been training, every morning," Edelgard pleaded. "Even while you rested. We are well prepared, my teacher."

"Do as I say," her teacher finally turned his head to give her a weak smile. "Please, Edelgard."

"But I simply-"

"I can't afford to lose any of you," her teacher interrupted. "When we get back, I'll increase the curriculum and next time, you'll face your opponents with ease."

Edelgard was taken back by his statement. She ran through all of her arguments she planned to use, but found that none were an appropriate response, "my teacher, you haven't lost any of us."

Byleth closed his eyes tightly. He did not reply.

"Is that it?" Edelgard was determined not to give him time to come up with a rebuttal. "You are afraid your students will fall?"

"Are you not?" He broke his silence, "I know you've been asking around, trying to find the source of my recent behavior. You appear to be worried yourself, or you would not be arguing with your professor right now."

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Edelgard should've known better than to try and hide her intentions from him. Byleth had a way of seeing through her. He knew her concern didn't stem from losing out on battle experience, but rather, for his well-being.

"Please," his tone beseeched her. "Trust that I have my reasons."

"My teacher," Edelgard slowly shook her head. "I fail to see how putting us on the back line will benefit your condition."

Byleth raised his hand into the air. Almost simultaneously the Black Eagles ceased their movement. Edelgard peered behind her and saw each of them lower their bodies closer to the ground. She couldn't help but to be in awe at the uniformity of their movements.

They have learned a lot, she thought to herself, knowing better than to vocalize her observations after Byleth's hand went into the air.

"To the right," Shamir's voice was low. Edelgard had not heard her approach, but she was getting used to being snuck up on.

Byleth's eyes scanned the dense trees that lined their sides, "they don't know we're here, yet."

Edelgard focused her ears on her surroundings, she listened for anything out of the ordinary. Only a deafening silence filled her ears. No wind, no birds. How could they both deduce the enemy's presence, let alone their movements from nothing?

"What do you hear?" Byleth leaned closer to Edelgard's ear. She could almost feel the warmth of his breath on her neck.

She shook her head in frustration. Edelgard had hoped by now, at least some of his superhuman instincts might have transferred to her.

"Exactly," his voice was low. "The birds in the trees aren't singing. As long as we stick to the trail, they are undisturbed and go about their business. But there's something within the trees that has quieted their chirps."

It was so obvious now, Edelgard inwardly kicked herself. It was within the silent void that he and Shamir found their clues.

"And you don't hear footsteps, or voices, do you?" His voice was barely a whisper.

Again, she shook her head.

"That means they're not rushing into an ambush position," Shamir finished his lesson as she scanned the trees.

Byleth pivoted on his heel to face the rest of the class, "you are to follow me at a distance. Do not engage. Do not allow yourself or your partner to get close to an enemy."

"But, professor…" Leonie began.

Byleth shook his head, ending her protest before it began.

"I'm your buddy," Capsar whispered loudly. "I can't leave you unguarded."

"Today," Byleth gave him an affirming nod, "your buddies are Leonie and Bernadetta."

"But-"

"Just for today, Caspar," Byleth interrupted him.

"What's the plan?" Shamir retrieved a small dagger from her waistband. "We can probably take out quite a few if we stick to the trees before they even notice."

"No," Byleth replied. "Stay with the students. If you see any enemy get close, take them out quietly. Other than that, help them to stay hidden."

Shamir lifted a single brow.

"Please, Shamir," Byleth let out a sigh. "I need you to protect them if they get past me."

She gave him a defeated shrug and met his sigh with one of her own, "it's your call, I guess."

Edelgard grinded her teeth as she watched her teacher unsheath his new sword in his right hand and retrieved his knife in his left. He held the small blade pointed downward toward his forearm rather than upright.

He really intends to fight by himself, she thought as the franticness began to consume her. However, she silently followed as they began to penetrate the tree line.

Edelgard was keenly aware of the foliage in front of her as she stepped in between any twigs or dead leaves.

Ferdinand was to her side and Hubert followed behind. If it wasn't for the myriad of infuriating thoughts that plagued her mind, she might've taken a moment to note how quietly the Black Eagles had become in their movements.

She gripped the haft of her axe, her hands perspired with sweat.

Odd. Edelgard narily broke out into a sweat before, she considered herself more composed than others when it came to a pending battle.

An eternity must have passed as they made their way through the trees, her face grimaced every time she heard a crinkle under her feet. She lifted her eyes more than she should have to see her teacher focused on something.

He lifted his hand into the air and the Black Eagles froze in place. Between the tree trunks, Edelgard saw a slight movement and a hint of red dot.

Byleth lifted the small blade in his left hand as he quietly made his way toward the movement. Edelgard watched intensely, unable to divert her eyes.

Like a viper, her teacher sprang forward and Edelgard craned her neck to try and get a better visual. He struggled with something between his arms. The more she focused, the more she could see that Byleth restricted a man within his arms, his right hand over his mouth. The man's muffled groans grew quieter as she saw Byleth had stuck his blade into the side of his neck.

As the bandit's movements weakened, he became limper and Byleth gently lowered his body to the ground. Her teacher motioned for the class to continue on.

His instructions be damned. If she saw Byleth so much as stumble, her axe was ready.

Edelgard saw Shamir shake her head and twitch her nostrils.

While she did not exactly favor the woman, she couldn't deny the relief she felt at the thought that Shamir wouldn't let anything happen to her teacher, either.

For several long minutes, their motions became a child's game. Her teacher would raise his hand, the class would freeze and he would silently down another enemy before allowing them to move forward again.

Edelgard found herself stepping over at least three of the bodies that Byleth had left behind while her classmates weaved around them. The forest was now littered with dozens of bodies.

She tried to study her teacher's movements. The fatigue she saw a week ago as he approached the Death Knight was gone. His movements were swift and showed no hint of weakening.

In the distance, she began to see the form of a tower in between the trees. They were nearly there.

Edelgard felt her heart sink as a nagging feeling overwhelmed her. Perhaps, her teacher's instincts were rubbing off on her. The feeling screamed to her that so far, it had been too easy. She knew something horrible awaited them.

Byleth spun his body quietly as he scanned his surroundings, he stepped into a small opening devoid of trees. There was no one left that stood between them and the crumbled archway of the Conand tower.

It was going well as far as he was concerned, he did not have to turn back the hands of time at all in their approach.

It isn't over yet, he thought to himself, refusing to believe that it was going to be as easy as taking out a loose coalition of poorly trained thieves. Miklan was reported to be in possession of the Lance of Ruin, after all. If it was anything like his Sword of the Creator, he was in for a fight.

Byleth stepped through the archway, his eyes darted across the room. No archers, no mages. No one to attack his students. The stone that formed the Conand tower was poorly maintained and in the distance, he saw a glimmer of light. A reflection.

He cautiously stepped forward as he tightened his grip on his weapons. Byleth peered behind him to see his students emerge from the tree line, Shamir swiveled just as he had done, no doubt feeling exposed by the lack of cover.

Byleth returned his gaze to the reflection, the closer he got, the more he could make out a figure. It was crouched, low to the ground… no, it sat upon something.

"Not bad for your kind…" A voice echoed across the room.

The echo made Byleth uneasy. If sound bounced that easily from the stone, it would be difficult to listen to his surroundings.

"A bunch of spoiled rotten children," the voice finished.

Byleth maintained his speed as he neared the figure, "Miklan?"

"I could have had a throne such as this," Miklan ignored him.

He could now see that Miklan sat in a crumbling stone chair. The Lance of Ruin in his right hand as it reflected the little sunlight that peered through the windows.

"Was Sylvain too much a coward to face me himself?" Miklan lifted his eyes to meet Byleth's gaze.

Byleth quickly looked behind him and saw his class had already entered the tower, they were closing the distance between them. Much too close for his liking. Byleth waved his arm backward, trying to signal them to slow down.

"Unfortunately, it's just me and my class," Byleth wanted to keep him talking. He knew foes that liked to talk usually gave away their hands before the fight ensued. A twitch in their arm, a crack in their voice, anything. An enemy consumed by anger did not hide their fighting style well. "I guess we'll have to do."

"A shame," Miklan stayed seated as his grip tightened on the lance. "I would've enjoyed the look on his face when he saw his discarded, crestless brother bested him in battle."

"It's no excuse for your actions!" Dorothea unexpectedly blurted out from behind him. Byleth nearly jumped at her bellowing voice, "I don't have a crest and I would never resort to stealing and murder!"

"Did you also have an exalted brother rubbing his precious crest in your face every day of your life?" Miklan crazily cackled.

Personally, Byleth didn't find his statement very funny, but it did reveal Miklan's state of mind. A crazed enemy consumed with rage was dangerous, more dangerous than a soldier who fought for coin or even his own beliefs.

"I was thrown to the streets," Dorothea continued, a hint of resentment in her voice. "Forced to survive on my own as a child."

Byleth wasn't comfortable with Miklan's attention on her, he much preferred to be the center of his anger. However, Dorothea kept him talking.

"And yet you turned out as spoiled and repulsive as the rest of them!" Miklan stood from his decaying throne. Byleth could clearly see his eyes now. Dark bags hung beneath his bloodshot eyes.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Miklan," he recognized Miklan's muscle twitches. It was about to begin. "Just give me the lance and we can all walk away from this."

"Why would I want to walk away?" Miklan yelled, his voice echoed through the room. "Not when I can show you just how powerful the crestless can truly be."

"I don't doubt that," Byleth shook his head. "Those men outside, they died for you. They died because they believed in what you told them, you have a lot of power, indeed."

"Qualities of a fine leader," Edelgard added, her steps were slow but her grip on her axe was tight.

"And who am I to lead if not a band of resentful commoners?" Miklan lifted his lance into the air. "Sylvain will command House Gautier, not I."

He took several steps forward as Byleth stopped in his tracks, "please don't do this, Miklan. I don't want to have to kill you."

"Why not?" His voice grew angrier. "Isn't that what your kind do? Kill and dismiss the crestless?"

"Not me," Byleth shook his head. "I only kill those that threaten me or the ones I care for."

"Well if you intend to defend your little… group of putrid self-proclaimed nobles," Miklan pointed the spearhead of his lance forward, toward them. "Then raise your weapon."

Byleth couldn't talk him down. Miklan was too far gone, corrupted by his rage, and he had just threatened his students. He lifted the Sword of the Creator in front of him as he put his knife back into his waistband.

Miklan twitched. Byleth remained motionless.

Another twitch… no, a spasm.

Byleth lowered his brow, he noticed Miklan's hands were covered in black soot.

Miklan groaned as if he were in pain. He threw one of his arms backward, as if an invisible force pulled it behind him.

It wasn't soot. Whatever the black substance was, it began crawling up his arms from his hands.

"Wh-what's happening?" Bernadetta tried to keep her voice low, but the hollow room carried it unhindered to Byleth's ears.

Miklan's body seized but he never loosened his grip on the lance. The black swallowed his body. Byleth could only make out the pink flesh of his face for an instant before the mysterious goo dripped down his throat, up his nostrils and dug its way into the crevasses of his eyes.

Byleth took a step backward and found his students much closer to him than before. "Get back!"

As instructed, they all took several steps behind them but it seemed they were reluctant to be too far from their professor.

Miklan's black arms grew exponentially in size. His hands sharpened into claws. His body swelled as it convulsed.

As impossible as it seemed, Byleth never denied what he witnessed with his own eyes. Miklan was no longer a man, but some unholy creature.

Horns formed on his snout and sprouted from his back.

"Get out!" Byleth yelled as he waved his left arm behind him. "Get out of the tower!"

"We're not leaving you!" Edelgard's tone was firm in its resolve. Hubert cupped his hands as he gave a slight nod.

"I'm with the princess," Shamir added as he heard her blade being unsheathed from its cover.

He peered behind him and saw that none of his students had moved from their positions. Instead, they widened their stances and readied their weapons.

"Sorry, professor," Caspar stood in front of Bernadetta, shielding her with his body. "You can write us up later."

The creature shrieked and Byleth snapped his head forward in time to see it fall from its hindlegs onto all fours. The floor quaked as it landed on its front claws.

Why wouldn't they listen to him? He was trying to protect them! Couldn't they see that? Byleth's mind raced as the creature swayed its head to and fro, no doubt attempting to adjust to its new form.

"They are trying to protect you as well," Sothis unexpectedly rang in his head.

He had no time for a back and forth with the girl in his head. Byleth turned his head to his students. "Spells and arrows only, keep your distance! Aim for its eyes!"

Another quake, Byleth turned to see the creature took a mighty step toward them. He didn't hesitate. He darted forward and snapped his arm, extending the Sword of the Creator into a whip.

He saw two arrows fly high over his head as they pierced the creature's head. It didn't seem to phase it.

Byleth swung his arm over his head, his chain flew into the air and tore a small gash into the beast's cheek.

It released another ear-piercing shriek as it stepped to its side. The ground shook beneath him. It's tail swung toward them with a loud WHOOSH.

"Get down!" Byleth yelled as he swung his chain. It rapidly wrapped itself around the creature's tail. He needed to restrict its movements. Byleth simultaneously listened for any screams that might indicate one of his students might have fallen.

He heard none, only the overlapping voices of the Black Eagles as they yelled to their partners.

"Get back!" Ferdinand yelled as he gave Lindhart a rough shove. The mage fell backward as the tip of the creature's tail flew over their heads.

Byleth held the hilt of his sword with both hands as he pulled back with all of his strength. His body leaned backward as he attempted to reign in its tail, his feet glided across the floor as the force pulled him forward.

The beast pushed itself onto its hindlegs as it howled. Byleth snapped his arm back, recalling his whip as it neatly pieced itself back together into a solid sword.

"There!" Leonie shouted, "Aim high!"

Byleth didn't turn to face them as he saw thin slivers fly into the air, followed by several fireballs. He was just glad to hear their voices.

A purple fireball came from Byleth's side, he saw Hubert extending his hands as he and Edelgard moved to surround the beast.

Byleth threw his arm forward and let his sword expand. It darted toward the creature's stomach and pierced its hide with ease. The sword whipped back as each notch clicked into place, solidifying itself again. It was then he saw a thin, vertical glow coming from inside the beast's belly.

"The stomach! Aim for its stomach!" Byleth yelled as he sent his sword flying once again, it tore into its flesh before returning to its wielder. He rushed toward it, his eyes narrowed on its belly.

But before he could get close, the creature leaned forward, falling to its front claws. Byleth was just able to make out Dorothea's wide eyes before one of its front legs fell on top of her, hiding her remains under its massive paw.

Petra fell on her behind as her eyes searched for her partner. She pushed herself to her feet, "Dorothea?"

Only the beast's thick leg stood before her.

Byleth's chest tightened as he held his arm in front of him. He tightened his hand into a fist as he took a deep breath.

Byleth tried to push the screams from his ears as he closed his eyes. The beast no doubt lifted its leg, revealing Dorothea's remains. Instead, he only focused on his fist. He felt the vibrations begin but dared not to open his eyes just yet. The vibrations grew stronger before he released his fist.

The beast stood on its hindlegs, the glowing shimmer of its stomach exposed. He took off running. "The stomach, aim for its stomach!" He yelled as he ran toward Dorothea and Petra and dropped his sword to the floor. It was easier to swing his arms to and fro without it.

Byleth passed Leonie and Bernadetta as they released their arrows. The creature leaned forward and began its descent to all fours. Byleth jumped into the air as soon as he saw the whites of Dorothea's eyes. His arms wrapped around her and the two flew into the wall.

A deafening thud rang in his ears as he turned to see the beast's leg land just beside them where she once stood. Dorothea was still in his arms as she held the top of her head. They had crashed into the wall so fast, he didn't have time to shield her head from the collision. But she was moving.

"Dorothea?" He heard Petra, call though his view of her was blocked by the creature's leg.

"She's okay!" Byleth yelled as he released Dorothea from his grip.

"Move, move, move!" Caspar frantically repeated. Byleth guessed he tried to distance Leonie and Bernadetta from the beast.

He stood on his feet and scanned the ground for his sword. It laid undisturbed in the middle of their arena. Byleth inwardly felt gratitude for assigning Caspar to a new group as he took off running once again.

He let his body fall, legs first as he slid across the ground. Byleth gripped the hilt of the Sword of the Creator as he came to a stop. He flung his arm forward and his whip cracked as it sliced the beast's side.

It let another howl bellow throughout the tower. Byleth pushed himself to his feet and swung his arm over his head, determined not to give the creature another moment advantage.

The ceiling glowed as more fireballs flew toward the beast. One struck its nose and the other its cheek. He could hear faint whistles as two more arrows burrowed themselves close to its eye.

"Don't let up!" He heard Ferdinand call to the others.

The beast swung its massive body to the side as its tail collided with the stone wall. The tower shook violently and Byleth could hear an eerie crackling sound above him. His eyes scanned the ceiling as wide cracks darted across the stone.

His eyes followed as many of the cracks as he could, until he saw several chunks of stone jiggle slightly. Then they fell.

Byleth had already begun his sprint when he heard Hubert yell.

"Lady Edelgard!" His eyes rested on the black-haired mage as he shoved Edelgard as hard as he could before the stone landed on top of them.

Byleth came to a stop as his gaze landed on Edelgard's white hair. Only her head and a single arm were visible, the rest of her body hidden beneath the stone. Blood pooled around her head as it colored several strands of her hair red.

"I know what we must do," Sothis assured him as he put his hand in front of him and tightened his hand into a fist.

Each time it became harder. The hands of time became more resistant to his meddling. He tightened his grip as he clenched his eyes shut, determined to put every ounce of strength into his fist. It took longer this time, but he finally felt the vibrations surrounding him. They were weak at first, but slowly grew stronger. Byleth waited until his head began to swim, his sense of direction dulled before he released his grip.

He laid on the floor, the hilt of the Sword of the Creator in his hand. The creature released its pained howl that echoed throughout the tower. Byleth pushed himself to his feet and sprinted across the room.

The ceiling above him glowed with fireballs that flew into the air. Byleth watched Hubert release a purple flame from his extended arm. He came to an abrupt stop beside Edelgard, her gaze still focused on the beast in the center of the room.

Byleth grabbed her hand as her gaze turned to meet his. He pulled her along with him as he jogged away from where he knew the debris would fall, confident Hubert would follow Edelgard.

"Don't let up!" Ferdinand called out to his classmates. It wouldn't be long now.

"Professor," Hubert calmly started from behind him. He was indeed following.

Once Byleth felt comfortable with the distance they made. He released his grip on Edelgard's hand, he turned to see her confused eyes pleading for answers. "You two, stay here. Hubert, you can cast your spells from this spot."

"My teacher, your nose-"

He felt a violent tremble as the beast's tail collided with the wall. Byleth turned away from Edelgard and Hubert as he snapped his arm forward, releasing his whip into the air. He heard the same eerie crackling above him as the tip of his blade tore the flesh from the beast's cheek.

Then he heard a loud crash. Byleth quickly turned to see that Edelgard and Hubert did not move from the place that he ordered them to stay in. Instead, both of their gazes were on the debris that fell directly on the spot they had once stood.

Good.

Byleth smiled as he turned, he broke out into a light jog toward the creature. He was desperate to end this. His jog turned into a sprint. This time, he kept the hilt of his sword tightly in his grasp as he neared the beast.

It howled with every fireball that landed on it. Byleth leaned backward and slid across the floor and underneath the creature. He saw the same faint glow from deep within its belly. He lifted his blade as he slid. It pierced the flimsy flesh and continued cutting until Byleth's momentum came to a stop.

It was dark underneath the beast, but Byleth could see the faint glow begin to brighten, and pulsate.

Before he could contemplate how he could emerge from underneath the creature, it let out a deeper shriek than before as it pushed itself onto its hindlegs, desperate to separate it's delicate stomach from Byleth's blade.

Byleth's vision brightened with the sunlight that shimmered through the windows as the creature stood tall and opened its mouth to howl.

"Now!" Byleth stood on his legs, "everything you've got!"

Without hesitation, he saw fireball after fireball. He turned to see Dorothea flinging her arms forward, alternating them with fluidity he had to admire.

Arrows flew through the air, one after the other.

The creature inhaled through the nostrils on its snout before opening its massive jaw. Its scream made the ground shake beneath them. Byleth covered his ears but did not avert his gaze. An axe flew through the air and burrowed itself in its stomach followed by a small knife.

Byleth shook his head, the scream made his dizziness worse. He watched as the skin of the creature began to blacken. Its scream subsided into a weak moan.

He uncovered his ears as he swung his sword over his head. The sword unhinged and whipped the creature across its stomach before snapping back to its hilt.

Byleth lifted his arm again, but paused. The beast began to shrink in size. It's black skin melted and fell to the floor. He lowered his arm as he was able to make out the form of a normal-sized man.

Byleth took a few cautious steps forward as the blackness evaporated into the air. Miklan was on his knees, his hair draped down and covered his face. He kept a loose grip on the lance that laid on the floor beside him.

"It doesn't have to end this way," Byleth began as he approached the deflated Miklan. "You lost the battle, but you don't have to lose your life."

Miklan didn't make a sound, he didn't lift his head. Byleth only heard a few wary steps around him. No doubt his students felt uneasy as they approached.

"Why…" Miklan began weakly, his voice was barely audible. "Why would you… spare me?"

Byleth didn't have to think about his answer, "because I can sympathize with your reasoning. I don't agree with your actions but you can change it."

"Change who I am?" Miklan chuckled, a small amount of blood splattered onto the stone underneath him.

"We have healers," Byleth quickly turned his head to Lindhardt. "We can get you stabilized so-"

Byleth's words were lost as his chest seemed to cave in on him. He turned his head to see Miklan on a single knee, his hand gripping the lance that was now firmly planted through Byleth's chest.

He could barely make out Petra's sword swing down and the blur that was Miklan's head as it fell from his body.

"My teacher!"

"Professor, are you okay?"

Their voices overlapped.

Byleth stumbled backward, and blinked several times. He dropped his sword as he gripped the lance. His breathing became strained as he gasped for air.

He only heard muffles as he fell backward. Byleth didn't know if he had hit the ground as he still felt as if he were falling, but slower.

Ferdinand's orange hair. Hubert's piercing eyes. Byleth couldn't make out more than that. Finally, he stopped falling but it felt as if he were laid down gently.

Byleth's eyes darted to the blurry figures that surrounded him. White hair. Orange hair. Blue. It looked as if their mouths were moving but he could only hear muted sounds that weren't any words he recognized.

"It hurts," Sothis's voice wasn't muffled, it was clear as day in his head. "I can feel myself… fading."

Byleth's gasps became more rapid as the edges of his vision darkened. He opened his mouth to speak and felt a warm liquid drip from the corner of his mouth. "Hold…on…" Byleth gasped, "Sothis, hold… on."

His student's weak voices grew more distant but more frantic.

"I'm… afraid," Sothis was also desperate for air, as if the lance had also pierced her, "to die."

Byleth lifted his hand into the air though he couldn't see it. He tightened his hand into a fist and felt warmth cover his hand. Someone must have been holding his fist. He saw a blur of white hair hanging over his chest.

"I won't…" Byleth tightened his fist, "let… you die."

"But we… are," Sothis breathed hard. "We were born… together… we shall leave… together."

Byleth couldn't tell if the vibrations had begun or if it was his vision fading. He focused his drifting thoughts on his hand and on his hand alone.

He no longer felt the cool air in his lungs, instead, it was replaced by a thick liquid. It filled his throat as he struggled to breathe.

Byleth felt his world shaking so violently that he was certain he had begun convulsing. Yet he tightened his fist.

His lungs screamed at him for air. He no longer knew if his arm was in front of him. His world went black.

"A stubborn… one," he couldn't see her, but somehow he knew she was smiling at him. "Aren't you?"

"Where am I?" Byleth didn't feel his mouth move, yet he heard his voice echo in the darkness. His eyes only saw darkness, his body was numb.

He felt nothing.

Sothis let out a soft chuckle, "I'll protect you as well."

"Are we dead?" Byleth tried to move, but he had no hands.

Then a light. It was far into the distance. He didn't try to walk toward it as he knew it would be useless.

"Not yet," Sothis called to him from beyond the light. "We still have much to do together before that happens."

The light rushed toward him, it was slow at first but Byleth was unable to make out the variety of colors within the brightness before it blinded him.

"However," Sothis continued, "it would seem we're not out of danger just yet."

Byleth took a deep gasp of air.

"Change who I am?" Miklan chuckled, blood splattered onto the stone beneath him.

Byleth lifted his sword in his right hand. He could clearly see now. He could feel the weight of the sword in his hand.

His chest pounded and stung. Byleth placed his left hand over it and felt a throbbing pain.

There was no time. Miklan threw his body forward with all of his might, the lance was firmly in his hand.

Byleth swung his sword across his body and heard a satisfying CLINK as he saw the Lance of Ruin fly into the air. It slid as it collided with the ground.

Without hesitation, Byleth brought his sword downward, impaling Miklan through the neck. His body went limp.

He lifted his sword and stumbled backward. Byleth looked down at his chest. There was nothing there, except his shirt. But then why did he feel so much pain?

"My teacher," Edelgard caught him by surprise. He instinctively rubbed his arm across his nose to wipe away any blood from his nose. "Your… ears…"

Byleth tried to meet her wide eyes, but he was unable to focus. He lifted his hand and placed the tip of his finger just inside of his ear. He brought his hand in front of his eyes as his body swayed. Blood pooled on the tip of his fingers.

"He's going down!" Caspar yelled.

"Somebody catch him!" Leonie matched his tone.

Byleth's feet stumbled, searching for solid ground.

"Hubert, help me!" Edelgard rushed toward him.

It was no use. Byleth's eyes darted to the stone walls that surrounded him, then the ceiling. He was falling again.

Byleth's vision went black.