Happy New Year everyone! Just as a fair warning to everyone, shortly after this (I think most of you know which part I mean), I'm going to be diverging from any of the paths quite a bit into a more original second half. The sequel I'm outlining will go beyond the original war into something brand new! I hope you are all as excited as I am!
Thanks quinkana for your input! As always, I love readers who love the story as much as I do!
Byleth narrowed his eyes as he watched Kronya peer back at him. He gripped the hilt of the Sword of the Creator with both hands as he swiftly jogged through the woods.
She was quick, but Byleth wasn't weary yet.
"I'm glad… your first tears were for me."
Jeralt's words rang in his head as his nose twitched. His eyes narrowed as Kronya emerged from the tree line, a stone altar stood in ruins in the distance. Four pillars surrounded the concrete square.
Byleth tried not to let his mind wander, if that is where Kronya preferred to die, then so be it. The blood may not dry for quite some time as it wouldn't seep into the dirt, but maybe Kronya wished to leave a lasting mark of her last moments.
She frantically threw her arms to and fro as she gazed back at him effortlessly gaining on her. It was a mistake. Kronya's toes caught where the concrete met the dirt and she forcefully fell forward onto her chest as she tried to catch herself with her arms.
Byleth slowed his pace. Kronya flipped her body and used her arms to pull herself further back into the center of the stone square.
"But how-" her breathing exponentially increased. "How could I really lose… especially to a lowly creature such as you?"
Byleth didn't dignify her insult with an answer. Instead, he took a moment to watch as she snapped her head side to side, looking for an escape. Perhaps it wasn't a memory he should savor, not with the man he convinced himself he had become, but it sure felt good. But Byleth knew, deep in his heart, or wherever it was he stored his feelings, he was still the Ashen Demon.
He raised his sword high above his head as he looked into Kronya's eyes. They were wide with terror and for a moment, Byleth imagined that's what his father's eyes must have looked like as she plunged the knife deep into his back.
"How disappointing," an elderly voice hissed.
Byleth already knew who it was before Solon appeared from behind the furthest leftmost pillar.
A week ago, he might have had some reservations about facing both at once, but not today. Byleth lowered his sword as his eyes darted back and forth between Kronya and Solon and wondered which wished to face him first.
"Solon! Don't just stand there and stare! I need your help!" Kronya's fear dissolved into anger. Her confidence seemed to build with his presence. But it did not deter Byleth.
"Yes," Solon chuckled as he slowly walked toward the fallen Kronya. "You most certainly do."
Byleth's face did not betray the lack of fear he felt. In his mind, it was more than he could've hoped for, now he had the chance to sever almost an entire arm of Those Who Slither in the Dark. A message of his own.
However, Kronya peered up at her master, her face scrunched in confusion as he grew closer.
This was unexpected. Byleth cocked his head as he watched the elderly monster bend down over her, it reminded him of his time wearing Tomas's face and the way the old man used to shuffle about the library.
In one swift motion, Solon plunged his hand into Kronya's chest. Her mouth hung agape as her body tremored. She attempted to peer down to see her master's hand wrist deep within her but Kronya's head shook so violently, it was unclear if she was able to discern what had happened.
The elderly man was no more. He stood at lightning speed with Kronya still attached to his arm as he slammed her body against one of the pillars. A black shadow shot out from the hole in her chest and began to circle her.
Byleth took a step back. He was unsure as to what he was witnessing. All he could tell for sure was this was a type of magic he was unaware of.
"Have no fear, Kronya," Solon sneered as he tilted his head, reveling in her paling face and sunken cheeks. "Your sacrifice will help to rid this world of the filthy vermin that have long infested it."
"Solon-" Kronya's voice squeaked as her limbs struggled to grip his arm. "Stop… this."
In one fell swoop, Solon cocked his arm back and Kronya fell to the concrete. In his hand, he held something dark, fleshy and full of shadows.
Byleth peered down to see Kronya still wriggled in agonizing pain on the ground, her wrists clawed inward toward her body as her back arched further than he thought possible.
As Solon took a single step closer to him, Byleth snapped his eyes back up and saw the thing in his hand still spasmed… no, it was still beating.
"Finally the time has come…" Solon stared at the heart in his hand with a toothy grin. "To release the Forbidden Spell of Zahras upon our enemies."
Byleth didn't like the sound of that in the least, he raised his sword above his shoulder. He closely watched Solon's body, awaiting any twitch that might give away his next move.
But as quick as he removed Kronya's heart, Solon squeezed the black mass within his hand until it crumbled under the weight of his long, thin fingers. A burst of shadow emerged from what used to be her heart, it quickly spread across the floor of the altar.
Byleth turned on his heel but the edges of the concrete had already glowed with a dark blaze that rose by the second. He turned to face Solon again and was met with an inhuman smile that was much too large for the face of such a frail looking creature.
"Begone with you, Fell Star," Solon hissed as the shadows rose quickly and formed a wall around the concrete slab.
Byleth could feel the heat rising from all directions as the shadows formed a thick smoke that impeded his vision. It made his lungs burn as he covered his mouth with his sleeve. His eyes darted in all directions as he looked for any area that might be safe to leap from. If only he could manage the height to avoid the flames.
But his body wouldn't move. He looked down to see a thick black smog had wrapped itself around his legs like arms pulling him to his grave. Byleth swung his sword downward, careful not to gash at his own skin. The sword sliced the shadows but it immediately formed back together as it slowly grew up his abdomen.
His breathing became more rapid as he desperately tried to push the substance from him, but it was as futile as swatting at air.
The last thing he heard was Solon's insufferable cackling as the shadows descended into his nostrils and eyes.
Byleth could no longer breathe. But he no longer felt the constricting bind of the dark substance around his body. He looked down and saw his body. His coat still hung from his shoulders and his sword remained in his hand. Beyond that, only darkness.
His eyes scanned his impossibly black surroundings. Solon was nowhere to be seen. Neither was the altar that Kronya's body rested upon. No sunlight, no sound… not even a breeze.
"You fool!"
Byleth pivoted his body to see a great stone staircase that led to a throne. It was one he had seen many times before, and upon it, sat Sothis. She leaned her elbow on the throne's armrest and used her fist to hold up her head.
Her disapproving glare told him all he needed to know about his reckless behavior.
"What were you thinking charging into an enemy's trap?" Sothis was clearly furious, her long, dark green hair bounced with every chastising word. "Are you just a boulder that rolls down whatever hill it's on? No, even a boulder has more sense."
Byleth slumped his shoulders. Her words were true. He had let his blindness shield him from the obvious signs he normally would have avoided.
"I, too, wished for justice for our father," Sothis huffed. "We've received half of that justice, but at what price?"
"I'm… sorry," Byleth dropped his head and closed his eyes tightly. He had become so consumed with evening the odds and revenge that he lost sight of the other things he wished to do. Edelgard and Lysithea… if they were truly stuck here, then hope had been lost for them as well. Dorothea, Leonie, Caspar… each of his students' faces flashed in his mind. If Solon was still out there, he'd surely make quick work of them.
"Apologizing won't make things right," Sothis's voice only grew more angry and Byleth had no intention of trying to calm her. She had every right to be angry with him. "This darkness is terrifying!"
Sothis took a deep breath as if she were trying to calm herself. Perhaps Byleth's childish demeanor had made her take pity on his foolishness, "as you and I are one, I too, am trapped in this void. But please consider this, the realm of darkness we are in is separate from the world in which you came."
Byleth gazed up at her, his brows lowered in confusion, "there could be a way out?"
She sucked her teeth as she rubbed her temple, "I mean that it would take a god to leave this place. In time, our hearts and minds will cease to be. Are you prepared to die?"
He didn't answer her question, his mind focused on a single word, "you are a god, Sothis. Or rather, Goddess. You could leave this place!"
"I lack my own body," Sothis shook her head. "How could I return to the other world without legs to carry me? No, we were bound from birth. Fated to share a single vessel. But seeing as how I also do not wish to die…there is no other choice."
"What choice?" Byleth was certain he was not going to like the answer.
"Do you recall your father's diary?" She seemed to not hear his query. "He said you were a child that never cried nor laughed. I am certain I am the one to blame. I must have been asleep, but even then, I feel I was a part of you long before we ever spoke."
"I feel the same, Sothis," Byleth focused his gaze upon his twin flame.
"I do not know how Rhea managed it," she continued. "But she allowed me to exist inside of you, of this I am sure. It is within you that I found my power yet again. The power of a goddess. The power of a progenitor god."
He didn't answer her. If she lacked the power to leave the void herself due to the limitations of his human body, he didn't want to think of the alternative for it scared him more than he knew was possible.
"My name is Sothis," she lifted her chin higher into the air as she stood from her throne. "By now, you must be well aware of what that means. I am the one who watches over Fodlan and all of the creatures dwelling there. I am Sothis, she who died and then returned."
"Somehow, I knew it to be true," Byleth averted his gaze. His voice was low as he fought the familiar moisture that began to form behind his eyes.
"There is only one thing to do to save us from an eternity of darkness," she tightened her lips as he looked down on him. "I must use the power of a god. However, I lack a body of my own. And so, I must relinquish all of the power that I have… to you."
"What would become of you?" Byleth spoke louder, determined to not allow her to dodge his questions any longer.
"The time has come for us to join as one," she spoke, a hint of sadness within her voice. "And when that comes to pass… I shall disappear."
Byleth zealously shook his head, "no, no I won't allow it."
"When I say disappear," Sothis hesitated as she carefully contemplated her words. "I do not mean that all I am will be no more. My soul will join with yours, and you and I will never be apart. But… I will no longer have the chance to speak with you. I must admit, I shall miss it. So long have I been on this path with you."
He took several steps back. He wouldn't entertain the idea. Sothis was a part of him, without her… what would become of him? It felt as if he now had to face the punishment of ripping out his own heart just as Solon had done to Kronya.
"Through you, I got to see and hear the world once again," Sothis grinned softly. "I even got to chastise you from time to time. I may not have acted like a goddess… but it certainly was fun. For all that you've done… I thank you. I am glad it was you that my fate was bound."
"This can't be the only way," Byleth wouldn't relent.
"We must pray," she knew of his reluctance, he had made it abundantly clear. "For if we share this wish, our spirits two will join as one. Your wish… is to return to the forest, stop Solon and rescue the little ones. No need for words, I know your heart as if it were my own."
Byleth swallowed hard, he still couldn't muster the courage to look at her even as she began descending the staircase.
"Your will and mine are now as one," though she appeared young, each step echoed with unparalleled grace he had never heard before.
The throne she once sat upon began to glow with a bright, golden light that shone down upon her as she walked. Her shadow elongated to the end of Byleth's feet.
Finally, she reached the bottom step but her footsteps made no more sound. It was almost as if her feet floated above the ground as she grew closer to him, "you know I am the beginning. What shall you do?"
She held out her left arm to him as she approached him. Byleth couldn't hold back the tear that fell from the corner of his eye as he lifted his right hand, mirroring her reach, "I shall find a way to bring you back to me. This I promise you, Sothis."
Sothis gave him a wide smile as her fingertips touched his own. But he couldn't feel her skin. Her hand dissolved into his. He could feel the warmth of the light of her throne growing brighter as more of her body diffused into him until finally all he could see was a few shining specks of light dancing in front of him, illuminated by her throne.
Byleth lowered his arm and gasped for air. His cheeks were moist from his tears as his body turned in the darkness. The silence was heavier than before. He had hoped against all odds he might catch a glimpse of Sothis's green hair, or perhaps a light giggle from the distance. But he found no signs left of her.
He pressed his hand against his chest, though he still felt no heartbeat, he felt a pain as if a part of himself had fallen off and died. He felt hollow.
The empty throne she once sat upon dimmed until the light was no more. A moment later, the Sword of the Creator heated within his hand. He lifted it to his eye level and saw a familiar red glow, only it was brighter than before.
Byleth inhaled through his nose deeply to retrieve the fluids that leaked from his nostrils. Though he was certain he still had two legs and two arms, he felt a phantom longing that an extremity was missing.
He had made a lot of promises the past imperial year. Each as important as the last. Byleth tried his best to clear his mind because he knew if he lingered much longer, the chances of him fulfilling most of those would be gone. But he silently filed away the last words he said to Sothis as another goal he would keep, or die trying.
Edelgard placed her foot onto the back of a dead soldier to better pull her axe from him. Her arm jerked back as her weapon released itself with a sickening gurgle.
She turned her head again to see the black smoke in the distance had only grown taller, it was hard for her to pay attention to anything else.
It had been some time since she last saw her teacher. It was as if he was there one minute and gone the next as he gave chase to Kronya through the woods.
"Edelgard!" Shamir yelled.
Edelgard jerked her head and saw a lightly armored soldier rapidly approaching her. She had begun to lift her axe but before she could swing, the dark-haired knight had leapt onto his back and sent them both falling to the ground.
She deftly pierced his side with the tip of her blade before jumping to her feet, "keep your head in the battlefield!"
"Lady Edelgard," Hubert's breathing was heavy, "I must concur, you must maintain your focus."
Edelgard spun her body but saw very little enemies left. Bernie had just released an arrowhead into another archer faster than he could nock his arrow. Leonie pulled her spear from the chest of another fallen foe. Caspar wiped his face from the blood splatter while Ferdinand and Petra had begun going from body to body to end any suffering that remained.
Lysithea stood close to Edelgard and Dorothea, as she fluidly waved her hands and fingers, recalling the dark black spikes that protruded from the ground and releasing several bodies that were impaled by them.
Flayn stood with her fingers intermingled as she tightly closed her eyes, no doubt saying a prayer for the fallen.
Annette and Ingrid had double teamed the last remaining foe that Edelgard could see. Ingrid drew his attention with a few strikes while Annette pushed her arm forward, setting his body ablaze.
Lindhardt wandered aimlessly to each of his peers as he looked for wounds that he might assist with.
"There's no one left," Edelgard grew impatient. She lifted her arm and pointed to the rising shadows in the distance, "that's where we need to be."
"I agree," Shamir wiped her blade on her pants. "But we still need to be cautious in case they have something else planned. Let's not forget we willingly walked into a trap."
"He walked into a trap," she grew angry. "We're only keeping more enemies from flanking him. But if you haven't noticed, his sword already cut a path through most of their encampment."
"I know, alright?" Shamir sighed as she placed a hand on her hip. "I'm only doing what he would've wanted, and that's keeping you all alive."
"You speak as if he's already gone," Edelgard shook her head and pursed her lips.
"He's not gone," Shamir's voice rose as she pointed a finger at Edelgard. "We just need to be careful as we head over there. Is that clear?"
Edelgard didn't appreciate her tone, and she couldn't recall the last time she allowed someone to speak to her in that manner. But given the circumstances, she could let it slide if what Shamir said was true, that they would begin making their way toward whatever darkness lurked in the short distance.
She gave the knight a defiant nod.
Shamir sighed heavily as she turned her body once more, looking for any other looming threats. Satisfied, she stuck her finger in the air and made a circular motion, "alright everyone, let's go."
"Do you think…" Annette peered at the rising shadows. "That he's still okay?"
"He has to be," Leonie was not her usual cheery self as she aligned herself next to her classmates. Together they started walking toward the mysterious black smoke.
"I, too, find it hard a man of his… ability would fall in a place like this," Hubert didn't let any concern seep through his voice but Edelgard knew it was out of character to hold faith in anyone but her.
Edelgard's heart felt as if it might explode from her chest at any moment. She knew the chances of Kronya being alone was slim and whatever magic caused such a dark display was none that her teacher would be capable of.
Visions of Byleth's lifeless body flashed before her eyes, no matter how hard she fought to keep them at bay.
A loud whoosh stopped the group in their tracks. Edelgard lifted her eyes to see the black shadow had rapidly imploded and was no longer visible. Not a trace danced toward the sky.
Shamir's eyes frantically darted across the sky, "let's pick up the pace, but please, keep your ears open. Who knows what we might be walking into."
Edelgard gladly complied as she broke out into a light jog. Her peers kept pace. She could feel her heartbeat throughout her body, especially within her palm that held her axe.
The trees that surrounded them became more sparse and she could make out a lone stone structure.
Shamir came to a quick stop as she held out her arm that Edelgard's chest collided with, "wait."
The students followed suit, many craned their necks as they peered at the out-of-place ruins. Edelgard felt her head begin to swim as her eyes struggled to focus on what laid in the center of the square slab.
They were still too far away for her to make out any details, but a single body was sprawled across the cement.
There was another figure too, but this one stood just fine, uninjured. The way they tucked their hands into the sleeves of their robes, the stringy white hair… it was Solon, no doubt.
Shamir began again, but slower this time with her sword cocked above her shoulder. Edelgard would not pass her. While she sympathized with Byleth's sense of revenge, she knew she couldn't endanger her peers or his friend that had laid her life on the line for them more than once.
"Where is he?" Shamir didn't relax her stance as she grew closer to Solon.
Edelgard's eyes fell to the body in the center of the altar and couldn't hold back a deep sigh of relief as she recognized a female body. Though most of her features were paler than before, her red hair caked in a thick black substance, it was most certainly not her teacher.
"Hmm?" Solon feigned ignorance. His eyes rested on Edelgard. "Oh, my dear, it seems you've returned to me."
"She asked you a question," Edelgard lifted her axe.
"Oh?" Solon sucked his teeth. "It's a shame, I thought you'd be happy I've finally ridden this world of that wretched vermin."
"You knew long ago that I had no desire to affiliate myself with the likes of you or your kind," Edelgard sneered. She could barely control the flaring of her nostrils.
"So you've truly made your choice, then?" Solon tightened his lips. "Abandon those that created you, Edelgard?"
"I think that's been made perfectly clear," Shamir interjected.
Edelgard blinked several times but didn't loosen her muscles. She had expected a lot of confusion among her peers, perhaps even apprehension. But Shamir's words were just the opposite despite not knowing the story behind her perceived treachery.
"And who are you to speak on her behalf?" Solon cocked his eyebrow. "Just another wretched vermin. I already disposed of one, are you so eager to join him?"
"I don't see a body," Shamir edged closer. "Where exactly is he?"
"Oh, no body yet, not that you'll ever find it," Solon grinned. "But wandering an endless void of darkness will take its toll soon enough. It won't be long before all he was will cease to exist."
"Dark… blood magic," Lysithea swallowed hard.
"Forbidden magic," Dorothea added.
"Most definitely," Solon seemed elated with himself. "Magic that cannot be undone."
Edelgard shook her head, "I will not believe it."
A loud ringing echoed in the air. In unison, the class turned their head to the sky.
Edelgard's brows scrunched as she saw what appeared to be a red blade poking out of the air, seemingly from nowhere. Slowly, the blade made its way downward, cutting a fissure into the sky itself. Inside the gaping hole, she could only see darkness that even the glowing sword couldn't brighten.
"Is that-" Ferdinand opened his mouth several times to speak but no further words escaped.
"The Sword of the Creator," Edelgard finished his sentence. She took a deep breath and fought back the smile that tried to form from her lips.
Solon bellowed a low groan, "so, the Fell Star consumes the darkness, itself. It's… it's impossible… unless…"
"It seems you've underestimated not only me, but him as well," Edelgard turned her gaze back to Solon. "It will surely be your last mistake."
The glowing blade pulled back into the darkness, and a moment later Edelgard watched as her teacher leapt from the hole he had made in the sky. He landed deftly on his feet, only, it didn't look exactly like him.
Byleth immediately turned toward Solon and raised his bright sword. The creature raised his hands and began pushing them forward, releasing a black wave of magic with each thrust, "what did you see in the void, Fell Star? You must tell me."
Byleth did not answer him. He swung his blade faster than Edelgard had ever seen as he deflected each shadow Solon threw his way.
Solon stepped back with such a hurry that his feet could not keep up and he clumsily fell to the ground.
Byleth did not hesitate. He lifted his sword above his head and in one swift motion brought his blade down with such speed the rapid whistle echoed through the forest.
Solon threw his arm across his body and pressed his hand hard against his chest.
Her teacher flipped his sword and held the tip of his blade over the fallen creature. With only a slight jump he brought it down as hard as he could within Solon's chest.
He released an inhuman shriek as his skin began to melt from his bones as if the sword was poisonous to his flesh. A white smoke floated around him as his body shrunk and soon, there was nothing left but the robes he wore.
"Professor!" Leonie couldn't contain her relief as she rushed forward. "What happened to you?"
"Are you alright?"
"How did you-"
"You look… different!"
The students clamored around him. Edelgard saw Shamir sheath her sword as she exhaled deeply.
Byleth only smiled as he began making his way toward her with each of his students clung to his arm or shoulders.
"My teacher," Edelgard didn't fight her smile any longer. "I must ask… how did you manage to pull that one off?"
"Sothis gifted me her power," Byleth did not seem happy at his explanation. His face dropped.
"I thought she already had," Edelgard stepped closer to him. "With the hands of time."
He wearily shook his head, "this was different, she… merged with me. I can't hear her anymore, El."
She looked into his eyes, they were heavy with sorrow and they were no longer blue but a light green that matched his new hair color, "that would certainly explain your new… look."
"My new look?" Byleth furrowed his brow.
"You look more like me, professor!" Flayn's wide smile grew from ear to ear. "We make quite the pair!"
"You are still… you?" Edelgard felt uncomfortable asking him, but she feared whatever merge he spoke of could have robbed him of everything that made him… well, him.
He gave her a weak smile and a matching nod, "I'm still me."
Edelgard swallowed hard and without thinking she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight embrace. The one thing she promised herself was that she would not cry in front of her peers.
"You gave them quite the scare," Shamir stated coolly as she crossed her arms.
"She's merely trying to play it cool, professor," Ferdinand threw his arms around him and Edelgard as well. "She was as scared as any of us."
Edelgard couldn't tell if it was the myriad of hands that had wrapped themselves around the two, or if Byleth had begun to sway. She released her arms and the rest of the students took a step back.
It certainly wasn't their embrace, her teacher was indeed swaying his body. His eyes fluttered for just a moment before he fell forward onto the ground.
"Is he alright?" Annette's panic resurfaced.
Edelgard knelt beside him, she knew she wouldn't be able to check for a heartbeat but she placed her hand on his back and felt his lungs fill with air, "he's breathing. I'm sure it's just a side effect of whatever… happened to him."
"I would be most happy to be making another cot," Petra turned her eyes to the nearby forest.
"I think we should camp here, at least for tonight," Edelgard interrupted her search.
Shamir stepped closer as she eyed Byleth's motionless body at her feet, "I have to agree, he needs to rest. I can keep watch in case anyone tries to return."
"We can take turns," Ingrid added. "It would be unreasonable to expect you to watch out for all of us."
Edelgard took a deep breath as her peers towered above her, "it would also make a fine time for you all to learn the truth. About everything."