To Aiur: Thanks for your input! I did struggle over the outline regarding setting up some of the political aspects, in the end, I decided to save it for toward the end of the first half and all of the second half, but I do see your point! As always, weakness and strengths are welcome as it helps me become a better writer!
Yep, it's super early, but didn't sleep last night and I'm afraid if I wait to post this chapter until later today, I might not be awake :P Hopefully I'll get back to either a daily or every-other-day schedule from here on out!
"You've gotten better," Byleth thrusted the point of his wooden sword toward the young, white-haired girl.
Lysithea double-hopped to the side, her breathing was rapid but he could tell she had not reached her limit yet, "when will I be able… to upgrade to weighted runs?"
"I don't see why you couldn't start tomorrow morning," he smiled as he turned his body and brought his blade down. Though he couldn't move as fast as he could with the other Black Eagles, she had definitely improved. "We'll start with a single sandbag."
"Hmph," Lysithea groaned. She lifted the training weapon that seemed much too large for her stature and swung it towards Byleth. He deftly pivoted on his heel. "Would I not be running lopsided then?"
"No," Byleth couldn't help but chortle at the imagery. "We'll empty out half of the contents of two sandbags so your balance will remain intact."
She let out another groan.
"It's better than a simple stick, is it not?" He tried to show her the silver lining.
Byleth peered over his shoulder and saw the rest of his students dutifully engaging in mock combat, many had even evolved their own techniques. After watching Shamir so many times, Leonie had found her new favorite move was a horizontal in-air twirl of the body to avoid attacks. It was flashy, but effective. Bernie preferred stretching her waist and back to their limits by swaying and leaning while her feet moved swiftly beneath her. Petra, by far, had the most variety to her style.
"My, how far the little ones have come," Sothis almost sounded proud. Byleth couldn't help but to agree.
He heard rapid footsteps in the distance.
"Did you hear that?" Shamir turned her head.
"Is it lunchtime already?" Byleth knew his Black Eagles had set a bad example for the rowdiness of the student body, but still, they seldomly ran at the meal bell, which shouldn't be going off for another-
A woman's scream.
"Shamir," Byleth's eyes scanned the direction in which the scream came. It was much further than the dining hall. "See the students to their homeroom to retrieve their weapons." He tried to keep his voice low but calm.
"Let's go," Shamir waved her hands.
"Are we not going to see to that?" Ferdinand had ceased his practice and stared toward the dining hall.
"I said, let's go," she was much less patient this time.
More footsteps. They overlapped one another, no hesitation.
Cautiously, the students followed her the short distance to their homeroom. Byleth broke out into a stride.
"My teacher," Edelgard called after him.
He waved his arm behind him as he caught glimpses of several people jogging past the cafeteria, "get your weapons, now."
Every sense within him throbbed. Catherine's light, blonde hair was further in the distance, but it was unmistakably her.
Byleth turned the corner and made for the stables; most of the crowd had used it as a shortcut. There were dozens upon dozens of students, faculty, nuns, and merchants pressed against one another's backs, trying to get through the tight bottleneck.
A familiar gold and blue blur caught Byleth's attention, "Dimitri!"
The boy snapped his head and squeezed his body through the crowd, "Professor! It's horrible!"
"What's going on?" Byleth turned his body and tried to step closer to him but the bodies of the crowd pushed and pulled.
"The outer city," Dimitri called out. "It's being attacked!"
Byleth's heart sank. Solon's distinguished face floated across his mind.
"It's said to be monsters, many of them!" Dimitri finally emerged from the crowd.
"And the knights?" Byleth queried. Shamir had not been summoned, she seemed as clueless as they.
Dimitri shrugged, his eyes were wide, "I can only assume they're preparing."
"Hey kid," Byleth pivoted his body to see his father standing a short distance away. His voice was barely audible over the crowd's symphony of voices. "Get your class."
"They're already on their way," Byleth nodded. Dimitri walked beside him as he approached Jeralt.
"Please, Captain Jeralt," Dimitri hurriedly put his arm across his chest. "Allow us to join you."
"We certainly do need all the swords we can spare," Jeralt nodded. "Get the rest of your peers, The Deer too, and meet us on the eastern edge of the cathedral's entrance.
Dimitri gave him a determined nod before sprinting toward the dormitories.
"Professor!" Ingrid called out. Byleth saw his students rapidly approaching them. "What's going on?"
"We can talk as we move," Jeralt turned and Byleth followed.
"We're ready, Captain Jeralt," Leonie's unwavering voice was betrayed by the worry in her wide eyes.
"Reports are sparse," Jeralt continued as they walked briskly toward the great bridge. "One knight made it back talking of monsters in the outer city."
"A brazen attack…" Edelgard mumbled under her breath, but Byleth peered down at her and gave her a steady nod.
"Beasts are hardly ever coordinated," Jeralt didn't hesitate. "Nor are they brazen, they either attack or flee."
"But to see so many congregated in such a heavily populated area," Shamir sucked her teeth. "That is a first."
"Sh-shouldn't we be going faster?" Bernie's breaths intensified. "Those poor people… w-we have to help them."
"Edelgard," Byleth thought quickly. "Take Lysithea within your group. Dorothea and Hubert can provide extra cover."
Edelgard lowered her brows as she glared up at him, "and you?"
"We need to move fast and efficiently," he took a deep breath. "My father, Shamir and I can move quicker and subdue as many as we can, at least injure them to give the people time to evacuate."
"Sounds like a plan to me," Shamir took a deep breath. "Go for the quick incapacitation, kill if we have time."
"Dimitri and Claude are no doubt on their way to meet us," Byleth tried to peer over Garreg Mach's wall as the class began crossing the great bridge. "But I want you in charge, Edelgard. First and foremost, protect the civilians and other classes."
His words were met with a frustrated sigh.
He wished he could tell her it was only because he trusted her. Byleth wouldn't entrust the fate of his students to anyone else and he knew Edelgard was ready.
But there were hundreds of innocent people within the outer city of Garreg Mach, this was not the time for a slow and steady approach.
Jeralt turned at the end of the bridge and descended the stairs toward a smaller wooden gate.
"Stay here until the other classes arrive," Byleth stopped as he turned his body to face her. "You decide the groups and then join us."
Edelgard was not happy. Her violet eyes pierced him with a glare that told him she wished to slap him. She lowered her voice to barely a whisper as she leaned closer, "if you think you need to protect me, you are sorely-"
Byleth vigorously shook his head, "that's not it, El. I need you to protect them."
"Wrap it up and let's go kid," Jeralt called loudly as he pulled the metal ring to the small gate.
"The Lions, the Deer," Byleth began to backtrack his steps as he kept his gaze on her. "The Eagles."
Edelgard's expression softened, though he could tell they would have words again later. Byleth could accept that. It was a small price to pay for the quick work of a mercenary's blade to buy the civilians as much time as they could to escape.
Byleth turned his back as he went through the exit after his father. Shamir closed the gate behind her. He was a little relieved to not have Edelgard's fiery gaze burning a hole into his back any longer.
He took a moment to assess his surroundings. They walked on the outskirts of the city, in the short distance, he could make out dozens of figures running behind buildings. Their screams were muffled out by the nasally roars of several four-legged beasts.
"Alright," Jeralt released his blade from its cover on his back. "We know the drill."
"Legs, throats and wings," Shamir held the hilt of her sword in her right hand, and the handle of her upside-down dagger in her left.
Jeralt and Shamir broke out into a stride, each of their eyes narrowed on a different beast. Byleth unsheathed his sword as a bright red light emanated from it.
A brick building exploded as an enormous, scaly tail collided into the structure. The screams grew closer and Byleth could swear he saw a ragdoll fly into the air.
"Going right," Shamir broke off from the three and continued down a cobblestone path.
"Be careful!" Byleth's own words caught him by surprise. He had never worried for Shamir's safety in the past. She was a fellow mercenary like him, deadly and hardened. Still, his sister-in-arms being so far from his sight made him uneasy.
Byleth double-stepped and flung his blade forward. It unhinged fluidly as it sliced through the air. The tip snapped as it gashed through the closest beast's leg and swiftly recalled itself to his hand.
Jeralt passed him on his left and he could see him disappear behind an old fabric shop at the edge of the city.
The beast whipped its massive head to face him. A few civilians wearily ran past him as the beast's eyes narrowed on him, desperate to put distance between themselves and the rampaging monster.
"Please, you have to help us!"
"Go, run!"
"This way, move!"
Byleth didn't turn his head to see each of the faces that passed him. The creature lifted it's foot and took a giant step toward him. The dirt shook as it took another step, and a few muffled screams were quickly snuffed out under its paw.
Throughout the center of town, the screams grew louder and more frantic. He had to move. As the beast was still turning to fully face him, Byleth took off in a sprint toward it.
It worked for Miklan, Byleth thought as he tightened his grip on his hilt. He dropped to his knees and skidded under the large creature. The Sword of the Creator punctured and sliced the beast's stomach until he came to a full stop.
Byleth peered behind him to see blood and other chunks falling from the incision as the creature's movements became erratic. He rolled on the ground until he could see the sky once again.
The beast was still moving, but it waved it's head to and fro and opened its mouth several times though no sound escaped.
"It'll have to do," Byleth muttered to himself as he took down the cobblestone path further into town.
His eyes darted to the many walkways pedestrians used to use to travel about their day, now most were covered in a dark, red substance.
Doors slammed as he ran by. Byleth didn't have time to try and coax them from their homes and shops, though he knew fleeing was their best option given what one creature was able to do to brick.
"Byleth!"
It was Shamir's voice. She didn't sound injured, no did she sound desperate. He turned the corner of an old print shop and ran toward the sound of her voice.
He frantically searched every alleyway for his friend until he approached a circular terrace. Byleth slowed his pace as he saw the blue-haired knight kneeling next to something still. It wore a familiar uniform though he couldn't tell if it was male or female.
Byleth's air was pulled from his lungs as he got closer. It was an Officers Academy uniform, all right. The many faces of his lifeless students in another life flashed before his eyes. He did a quiet count of each student he remembered leaving at the cathedral gates and wondered who could have snuck off without their group.
"It's…" His words caught in the back of his throat as he stood above Shamir. She felt for a pulse and inspected the torn and bloodied uniform. "It's a student."
He would deal with his guilt later. For now, all he could focus on was the student's face. It was that of a young man whom Byleth had never met but believed he was in the Golden Deer.
"A casualty?" He tried to keep his relief hidden far from his words.
Shamir stood and shook her head, "you don't understand. I just slayed this beast."
"A beast took him," Byleth lowered his brow. He was unsure if Shamir was letting her feelings show through her cold exterior. Perhaps, she had arrived only a moment too late to save the boy's life-
"He was the beast," Shamir interrupted his thoughts. "He had the snout of a wolf and hair covered his body. As tall as any second-story building here."
Byleth tightened his lips as he listened to her words. Shamir was not one for fantastical stories and it wasn't as if they hadn't seen something similar recently, "Solon."
"That's my guess, too," Shamir nodded. "If he could turn an entire village into rabid, blood-lusting… things. This would not be out of the realm of possibility."
"Our goal remains unchanged," Byleth averted his eyes from the young man's body. "We must save the ones we can."
"Agreed," Shamir's tone was solemn. "But I am growing sick of him getting my hands dirty."
"It's not your hands, Shamir," Byleth could feel the cracks begin to form in his friend. "You did what you had to."
A loud, high-pitched shriek filled the air. Shamir covered her ears as she turned to face the sky. A large shadow danced below their feet and covered the entire terrace. A winged-creature flew low to the ground, it's talons were the size of both of them combined.
The ground beneath them quaked as it landed and snapped its beak with several loud clicks.
"Clip its wings," Shamir had already taken off toward it.
Byleth swung his arm over his head and let his chain fly again, it whipped through the monstrous bird's feathers, though it was hard to tell if it had made solid contact. He ran forward and watched Shamir's movements, he didn't want to strike her. She swiftly made her way to its side and swung her blade so quickly that he almost didn't see the skin on it's scaly leg begin to bleed. It cocked its injured leg and Byleth flung his arm forward once again.
The bright red chain whipped into the bird's opposite side and revealed a fresh gash. It's large feathers swirled around the terrace as it extended its wings and shrilled into the air.
"It's going to take off!" Byleth tried to think. The last thing he wanted was for this creature to land in a more populated area of the outer city. He couldn't separate his thoughts. Instead he thrusted his sword forward and watched as it rapidly wrapped itself neatly around the creature's injured leg.
The bird began to flap its wings. Dirt and feathers whirled into the air as it's flapping intensified.
"Don't let it!" Shamir rolled away from it's dagger-sharp talons.
"Not sure I have a choice," Byleth gripped his hilt with both of his hands as the beast lifted into the air, and the end of his sword with it.
He pulled with all of his strength, but it paled in comparison to the beast's raw power. Byleth felt his feet lift from the ground, his toes grazed the cobblestone desperately as his hands held onto his sword high above his head.
Byleth's toes lifted from the ground and he felt a hard pressure collide with his stomach. He peered down to see Shamir had wrapped her arms around his waist and tried to dig her heels into the ground. With her added weight, it only took the creature an extra flap of its wings before they were both airborne.
"Looks like we're going for a ride," Shamir gripped him harder. "Wait."
Byleth had never fought in the air before, so he snapped his head as much as he could to see what she was peering at.
"Look!" Shamir tilted her head up toward the bird.
Byleth could see dark purple ashes falling from the sky. The creature shrieked and darted frantically from side to side. He and Shamir swung from his sword with each of its erratic movements.
"Recall your sword!" Shamir loosened her grip on his waist to make his way down his legs.
"How far up are we?" Byleth wasn't comfortable with the idea. He could see the rooftops of many of the surrounding buildings.
Another fiery collision, red this time. He could feel the heat emanating from the creature above as it howled in pain.
"Just do it!" The knight released her grip and Byleth looked down as far as he could to see if she made it to the ground safely.
He tightened his lips and took several deep breaths before he tugged on the hilt of the Sword of the Creator. The weightlessness felt odd, but it only lasted a split second before Byleth hit the cold hard stone of the ground with a bounce.
On his back, he could see the beast falling from the sky rapidly. Byleth scrambled to his feet and pushed as far as his legs would carry him before it collided to the ground with a violent shake of the ground.
"Are you okay, professor?" It was Dorothea's voice. He straightened his stance to see several of his students standing not too far from the wailing creature.
"I'm fine," Byleth spun his body to do inventory. Shamir brushed herself off, Edelgard's axe was still clean. Lysithea's hands glowed a deep purple.
"That's at least three down," Shamir approached the students. "Where's the rest of the student body?"
"They've split themselves among the other Black Eagles," Edelgard scrunched her brow. "But we didn't see any creature remains…"
"The creatures are the townspeople," Byleth watched as another group of residents and students ran toward the cathedrals' entrance. Behind him, the birdlike creature shrieked as its wings molted and was consumed by Lysithea's deep purple magic.
"Solon?" Edelgard swallowed hard as she watched the beast shrivel and lose most of its mass, revealing a small body on the ground.
"It would be a wise guess," Hubert replied. "Though I find it unlikely he'd have inflicted this damage and not be nearby to revel in his madness."
"Evacuate as many people as you can, buy them time," Byleth repeated. "If Solon is nearby, I need to find my father."
"Very well," her voice was low as she dropped the bottom of her axe to the ground, the metal made a loud clunk as it hit the cobblestone.
"Edelgard, Hubert, with me," Byleth began to briskly walk down a wide walkway, past where the birdlike creature once was. Now, only a ragged, lifeless body lay. "Shamir, stay with Dorothea and Lysithea."
"You got it," Shamir took a deep breath as she put her hands on her hips.
Edelgard double-stepped to catch up with him, "you want us to go with you?"
"We are a team, aren't we?" Byleth had already regretted his decision. He was more efficient alone. When he was by himself, he didn't have to divert his attention to all of those around him that could be killed. But Byleth knew that the lone wolf act was only getting him so far. This was their war, too, after all.
Byleth jogged along the beaten path, his head whipped in every direction as he reached a crossroad. Noises flooded the city, screaming, yelling, growling. But he tried to tune out as much as he could. Some might call it cold, but Byleth called it necessary. He could recognize each of his students' screams, and as long as he didn't hear those, there was only one focus.
"I'm glad you're finally starting to see that," Edelgard quipped.
"Solon keeps wanting us to listen," Byleth made a sharp turn to his right, further into the city. "His blatant shows of power keep getting people killed. I say we end this now."
"You'd be naive to think it'd be that easy," Hubert scoffed as he kept pace.
"Of course it won't," Byleth frowned, his eyes scanning every building they passed. "But we can let him know there's consequences every time he tries to intimidate us. For every life he used as a pawn. It'll be a message of our own to his superiors."
"Back beast!"
"Dimitri?" Byleth slowed his jog and peered in between the buildings.
"Did you hear something?" Edelgard followed his lead.
Byleth didn't answer, he caught a glimpse of something blue. Then of something purple. He cautiously turned his body to fit in between two closely built structures.
Dimitri stood mostly stationary on a patch of dirt with his lance held in the air, several surrounding buildings collapsed around him.
A creature with a wolf-like snout bit into the air as it reared its fangs.
"G-get to the monastery!" He snapped his head to see Bernie helping an elderly couple to their feet.
"Thank you, miss!" The older man's face was covered with blood, but he still managed to give her a bow.
"Th-the goddess be with you," his wife laid her hand over Bernie's.
Lindhard stood further back with his hands cocked into the air as he watched the elderly residents shamble away.
"Where's Petra?" Byleth's chest tightened as he emerged from the buildings.
The beast howled as it waved its head in the air, it's teeth nipped at nothing. There were several arrows embedded in its back but with its massive size, Byleth found it hard to believe it would be bothered by such an inconvenience.
"I am here, professor."
Byleth snapped his head toward the beast. It's feet became unsteady as it's legs quivered. With a final gurgle, its giant body fell to the ground.
Beside it stood a small figure, it began to walk toward them. It was covered in a thick, red and brown goo.
Byleth broke out into a stride until he could make out more of Petra's features. She used her hands to wipe her face from the blood and bile and he could finally make out the marking on her face.
He turned to face the beast and saw several long slashes across its stomach, "that's why you slide, Petra, then the innards won't fall on you."
"I will be sure to be remembering that," she tried to put her hand across her chest, but found some of the bile had fallen into her mouth as she spoke. Byleth watched as she tightened her lips.
"Have you seen Captain Jeralt?" Edelgard queried.
Petra did not speak. She only lifted her hand and pointed toward a small road that led further into the city.
"Stay together," Byleth gave her a quick nod before taking off once again.
"He could be in grave danger," Hubert jogged next to them as they made their way down the next road.
"Hubert," Edelgard shot him a disapproving glance.
"It's true," Byleth came to a stop at yet another crossroads. "He doesn't know what we're up against."
He hesitated as he studied the concrete pathway. Most of it was covered with dirt and blood, and dozens if not hundreds of footprints.
But only one set was leading toward the city and not away.
"This way," Byleth took off in a stride.
"This secret is proving hard to keep," Edelgard followed without question. "Perhaps, it's time we told some of our closest allies."
"Lady Edelgard," Hubert began, his concern boomed from his tone. "That would be ill-advised."
"Noted," she snapped. "But if they did know what they were up against, we could all be better prepared."
Byleth came to a quick stop and held up his hand. Instinctively, Edelgard and Hubert lowered themselves closer to the ground, "do you hear that?"
"I hear only screaming," Hubert shook his head. "Maybe a few fires crackling."
"Is it him?" Edelgard's nostrils flared.
Byleth shook his head, "it's a woman… not a woman, a girl."
"Should we not continue evacuations of any small persons while we search?" Hubert stood straight.
"Vermin!"
Byleth felt as if he'd been kicked in the stomach. Without a word, he began in a full sprint.
"Wait, my teacher!" Edelgard struggled to push off as fast as he had done.
He could not hear her. He took a sharp turn between two wooden houses, his eyes were keenly aware of his surroundings. Byleth searched for any hint of red that would give away Monica's position.
"I don't know what you hope…" his father's weak voice trailed off, "to accomplish here."
Another turn. Byleth was getting closer now.
"Just a message, of course!" Her jovial voice was sickening.
"I find that… hard to believe."
Byleth's mind raced. Was he injured? Was he fatigued?
Another shortcut through a small alleyway, he could make out two figures in the distance. Edelgard and Hubert's hurried footsteps were much further behind him now.
"Here he comes now," Monica stood beside Jeralt, who clung to his stomach. Only… she wasn't Monica any longer. Her skin was a pale blue or purple, her red hair was much shorter and flipped outward. Her eyes were outlined with a heavy black.
Byleth didn't stop running.
"Thales says to stay out of our way," Monica pressed the tip of one of her daggers to her cheek as she watched him approach.
"Get out of here, kid!" Jeralt wearily waved his hand.
"Monica…" Byleth came to a stop. He feared if he got any closer, his father would be caught in the crossfire. "This is between us-"
"You can call me Kronya," her voice deepened and her feigned smile faded from her face. "I mean really, 'Monica?' Ew, I always hated that name."
"Okay," Byleth nodded as he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Kronya, then. Either way, I think I'd be a much better message for-"
"You don't get it?" Her condescendance made him wince. "The message is for you. Wouldn't do much good if you were too dead to hear it."
"Fine," Byleth tried to control his breathing as he stepped closer. "What is this message?"
"Edelgard is ours," she tilted her head. "We made her. She's bound by blood to fulfil her destiny."
"I can't accept that," Byleth took another step.
The dirt beside him kicked up as Edelgard and Hubert came to a prompt stop next to him.
"I'll go with you," Edelgard must have heard the latter part of the conversation. "We may go right now."
"Lady Edelgard-"
She raised her hand to stop Hubert before his next word as she stepped forward.
Byleth held out his arm across Edelgard's chest to stop her from going any further, "no one's going anywhere."
"My teacher-"
Byleth shook his head as he kept his eyes on Kronya.
"Is that a fact?" Kronya's eyes widened. He couldn't tell if it was rage he saw in her eyes or just madness. "Are you so eager to leave this world?"
"Quite the opposite," Byleth tried to keep her talking. Jeralt had moved his hand from his stomach to behind him, where he always kept his extra blade in his waistband. However, Kronya's eyes were only on him. "I wish to live, I've found a new purpose, you see. What is yours?"
"My purpose?" Kronya seemed amused. "Is to make you hurt."
Jeralt swung his arm from behind his back but Kronya quickly leaned forward as his arm passed above her. She deftly cocked her arm and plunged her knife deep within his back.
"Jeralt!" Edelgard's voice cracked as she gripped Byleth's arm he still held in front of her.
Byleth felt numb. He watched as his father's feet stumbled beneath him.
"Don't just stand there!" Sothis's voice was the only sound he heard.
His eyes darted back and forth as he tried to make sense of her words. His father fell to the ground as a pile of dirt exploded from underneath him.
Byleth held his fist in front of his chest. He tried to drown out Kronya's cackling laugh as he closed his eyes.
"My teacher?" Edelgard was breathless as her grip tightened on his arm.
The ground beneath his feet began to shake violently. He could hear his surroundings begin to fade away as if he fell into a black hole. He could no longer feel Edelgard's hands on his arm. The swishing of everything around him swirled around his head.
Byleth released his fist.
"Is that a fact?" Kronya's crazy eyes narrowed on him. "Are you so eager to leave this world?"
Byleth didn't hesitate, he pulled his arm Edelgard and unsheathed his sword. He thrusted it forward and it soared through the air.
Kronya flipped backwards as the tip of his blade struck nothing but air as it flew back toward him. Jeralt swung his arm from behind his back but was immediately met with Kronya's crossed arms, preventing his knife from going any further. She pushed his arms away and dug the knife into his stomach.
Jeralt let out a loud 'oof' as he doubled over, his hands covered his stomach.
"Jeralt!" Edelgard cried.
Byleth could feel his own eyes widening with madness as he once again held his fist in front of his chest and squeezed as tight as he could.
He watched this time as Kronya melted into a black blur as did his father. They shook as they rewound themselves. Soon, all the dark colored blobs merged together as they began to vibrate. Byleth waited as long as he could before releasing his grip.
"Is that a fact?" Kronya's eyes narrowed on him. "Are you so eager to leave this world?"
"She's going to kill him!" Byleth began to run forward before pulling his sword from its cover. Hubert didn't hesitate. He cocked his arm and sent a purple fireball toward the monster that pretended to be a girl.
It landed in between Jeralt and Kronya and it sent both flying a few meters from where they first stood. Byleth felt a wave of relief and made a note to thank Hubert later.
He threw his arm behind him and sent his sword flying. It unchained itself as it pierced the wind. Byleth watched the tip of his blade as it flew closer to Kronya but a bright white light obstructed his view.
His sword flew wildly to the left, deflected by the white light that eventually subsided. Solon stood between him and Kronya.
Solon craned his neck to peer at his minion, "finish it."
Kronya scrambled to her feet as she leapt into the air and landed close to her father, who was still reeling on the ground.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Edelgard's axe fly end over end but Solon raised his hand and with a quick flick of the wrist a black breeze sent her axe flying to the side.
Byleth could see Kronya straddling his father, her dagger was already a deep red.
It was too late again.
He held his hand in front of his chest and made another fist.
Solon's laughs grew more distant, "try as you may, Fell Star."
"My teacher?"
Byleth squeezed his eyes shut, focusing was becoming harder and it took longer for the shaking to start.
"This is quite… tiresome," Sothis breathed heavily. "We've never… done it this frequently, Byleth."
"I'm sorry, Sothis, but we have to keep trying," Byleth didn't bother filtering his words.
He let several moments pass by, unsure if he had the strength to turn back the hands of time faster.
"Is that a fact?" Kronya's voice filled his head. Byleth hadn't even released his fist yet. "Are you so eager to leave this world?"
Byleth didn't say a word. He jogged forward, his feet were unsteady as his head began to swim. He reached behind his neck and retrieved his old sword and mustered what power he could to hurl the sword toward Kronya, it caused him to stumble but he watched intently as he unsheathed the Sword of the Creator in anticipation.
The bright light emerged and deflected his sword. Byleth swung the Sword of the Creator across his body and let his whip unhinge in a more horizontal arc. If they intended to play unfair, he would strike as many down as he could.
Solon raised both his hands and formed a dark barrier, the blade struck it and Solon stumbled backward.
"Heh," Solon seemed amused. "We're to dance again so soon?" He craned his neck toward Kronya, "finish it."
"No!" Byleth yelled. His hand went to the handle of his Black Eagle dagger. He swiftly brought it above his shoulder and heaved it end over end into the air.
The black mage tried to lift his weapons into the air once again, but the dagger plunged into his palm and through the back of his hand.
He screamed in agony as he gripped his wrist to try and dull the pain, "how dare you!"
Byleth spun his body and brought his sword horizontally across, it whipped into the air but with a bright white light, Solon was gone and his chain fell to the ground.
He took several breaths as his eyes scanned for his father. Kronya had just lifted herself to her legs and with wide eyes and a bloody face, she turned and began to run.
"No," Byleth's words were weaker now, he could barely hear them himself. His father remained motionless on the ground. "No."
He lifted his fist.
"Byleth…" Sothis's voice was as weary as his own.
Byleth's body swayed as his background disappeared. The violent tremors were softer this time. His eyes stared forward blankly. His ears were filled with something warm and moist and something dripped from his chin.
"Is that a fact? Are you so eager to leave this world?"
Byleth let his arm fall to his side. If he never heard those words again in his life, he could die happy.
"They're going to… kill him," Byleth reached for his blade but he stumbled to his side. "Solon."
"My teacher?" Edelgard tried to grab his arm and steady his balance. "How many times-"
"They're going to kill him," his words were harder to vocalize now.
Edelgard swallowed hard, "then you must let me go."
Byleth tightened his lips as he unsheathed his sword once again, "never."
"It's highly unlikely they'll simply abandon their pursuit, Lady Edelgard," Hubert pleas fell on deaf ears.
"I have to try!" Edelgard snapped.
"Please don't go," Byleth weakly brought his sword above his head and used what strength remained to send it flying toward Kronya. This time he had no intention of hesitating once Solon showed his face. "Stay with me, El."
He briefly peered to see her blinking several times. Her violet eyes glimmered as she darted her eyes across his face, "how many times-"
"Too many," Byleth couldn't feel his face and her voice was muffled by the wall of what he assumed was blood in his ears.
Edelgard pursed her lips as she lifted her axe. In one swift motion she turned her body and flung it over her shoulder. Her aim would have been spot on had Kronya not flipped to her side.
Hubert snapped his arms forward, releasing multiple purple balls from his palms. Each missed but caused some separation between Jeralt and Kronya.
Byleth pulled out his dagger first as he cautiously stepped forward. His chest burned with each breath he took and his focus was not nearly as keen as it had been. If he were to fall, he would be of no use. He heaved it over his shoulder and no sooner than the handle left his hand, he reached for his old steel sword.
The particles of white light descended from the sky and his dagger went through it as if it were nothing but air.
Only a moment later, Solon peered at him. His face was less amused than before, "finish it now, Kronya!"
"Something happen to your hand?" Byleth pointed his blade at the dark mage's bloodied hand.
"You know what happened, Fell Star," Solon hissed.
He watched as Jeralt revealed the small blade in his hand. Byleth turned his head from Solon and flung his steel sword toward Kronya.
With a gust of wind, his blade went wildly off course and landed somewhere in the distance. Solon pulled his arms back to his sides, "when will you learn?"
Byleth lifted the Sword of the Creator and tried to swing it forward, but his foot stumbled beneath him. He fell to the dirt and braced himself with his knees and hands. Byleth lifted his head just in time to see Kronya plunge her dagger deep into Jeralt's back.
With a wince, his father fell to his knees.
"How many more dances, time bender?" Solon lifted his chin as his nostrils flared. "Destiny cannot be changed. The sooner you learn that, the better it will be."
Solon forcibly put his hand on Kronya's neck and in a blink of an eye and a bright white light, they were gone.
Byleth watched as blood droplets soaked the dirt beneath him, one after another that it appeared to be more of a stream. He pushed himself back on his knees and wobbled from side to side.
Edelgard fell to her knees beside him. She placed one hand on his back and the other on his arm to steady his balance.
Byleth could barely keep his eyes open, so instead, he let them close. He took a deep breath and lifted his shaking arm in front of him and made what could loosely be called a fist. The world was already spinning, but he couldn't tell if it was from him or if turning back the hands of time was getting easier.
He felt a warmth cover his fist. That was new.
Byleth opened a single eye to see Edelgard had covered his fist with her hands.
She peered down at his fingers and gently caressed them with her fingertips, "you cannot take much more of this."
"I… have to try," Byleth's lungs felt as if they were only a fraction of the size they once were.
"Do you not see yourself?" Edelgard scooted her legs across the dirt to face him.
Byleth shook his head. He didn't care how much blood seeped from him, his body would make more.
"What if… what if this is it?" Edelgard's breathing was rapid but she tightened her grip on his hand. "What if this is the last time you can manage this?"
"Then…" Byleth couldn't think, his thoughts fleeted from his mind as soon as they entered. "That's what was meant to be."
"You told me destiny could be changed," her voice grew louder, more desperate. "You've proven it time and time again. What if you do not wake from this one? Then I suppose you'll be fine leaving us?"
Byleth furrowed his brow as he craned his neck. The blood must have clogged his hearing more than he thought as he didn't even hear the footsteps of his students or the other classes slowly approaching them.
"So this time, I'm asking you," Edelgard continued, she placed her hand on his chin to lift his head so she could look in his eyes. "Stay here with me, Byleth. Stay with us."
Byleth dropped his arm. He was tired. All her words were true but it was somehow harder to accept when Byleth felt helpless to change fate.
His eyes rested on the body in the short distance. He pushed himself to his feet and Edelgard rose with him.
Each step was harder than the last, his toes dragged against the dirt, but he kept his eyes focused on Jeralt's slowly rising and falling chest. He hurried his pace as much as he could without toppling over.
As he grew closer, he could see Jeralt's eyes peer at him from the side, he forced a weak smile.
Byleth lowered himself to his knees. Falling or passing out was not how he wanted his father to see him. He scanned Jeralt's body from head to toe. Beside the blood that began to seep from the corner of his mouth, he seemed relatively unharmed. But Byleth knew how fragile the human body could be, after all, it was his father that taught him that lesson.
Byleth reached for his hand. It was cold.
"Hey, kid," Jeralt forced a chuckle.
Byleth didn't speak. He leaned over his father, he studied every line, every scar on his face. He felt a warmth begin to swell from behind his eyes.
"Sorry… but it looks like, I'm going to have to leave you now," Jeralt's breathing became more strained.
Byleth shook his head, "don't say… such things."
"An old man… knows when it's time," Jeralt squeezed his hand.
Byleth swallowed hard. He felt something fall from his eye, it landed on Jeralt's dusty beige armor. Whatever it was, it was wet.
"You're… crying," Jeralt furrowed his brow.
Crying? Byleth thought to himself. Is this what crying feels like?
He didn't like this feeling. It was unlike the other emotions he'd felt lately. Even with Edelgard, he'd feel a sense of pain, but it was a sort of… delightful pain that he'd rather enjoyed.
This was not. This was just pain and sorrow.
And darkness… and loneliness.
Byleth didn't like any of those feelings.
"I'm glad," Jeralt started. His breaths became more erratic, "your first tears… were for me."
For a few short moments, Byleth only stared at his father in the eyes. He wanted to remember what color they were.
Then he felt several tight squeezes from his father's hand, he peered down to see Jeralt's hand twitch… then it stopped.
He lifted his head again and watched Jeralt's chest. It did not rise. It did not fall.