Want to thank my newest readers on AO3! aBomeynation, Kaltmacher07, Robinho, GodonXir, Roninblaze, Nimbusgarde26, GreatLight432, Superslash123, Medicine_Gamer0110, and EdelgardCrimsonFlower, Aud, TabibitoSan - you guys rock!
To Aiur: thanks for pointing those out! I have been going back through and making minor fixes so I shall add those to my list! Thanks much!
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"Come closer," Rhea cooed. She rarely descended the stairs of her throne, but today, she made a special exception.
Byleth hesitantly took a step forward as the Archbishop neared closer. Her hand extended and rested itself on his cheek, the warmth from her palm emanated across his face though he had to fight the urge to cringe.
"Look at you," Rhea's face brightened more than Byleth had ever seen as she gazed upon his hair and deep within his eyes. "Touched by the goddess, herself."
He breathed in hard. During the last leg of their march, his students had shared much they spoke about while he rested and was unsure of how much of that information made it back to Rhea. Though Flayn showed her apprehension, the rest of his class, Shamir included, had seemed undeterred in their newfound knowledge. In fact, they seemed closer than ever. He supposed the old saying was true: nothing bonds together comrades closer than secrets and blood.
Edelgard stood just behind him as she watched on uncomfortably, she shifted her weight from leg to leg many times. Shamir stood with Catherine and Alois on the other side of the throne room. Though Catherine seemed to share in Rhea's elation, Shamir obviously did not. She kept her eyes to the ground and let her short blue hair fall in front of her face.
Rhea waved her hand in the air, never releasing him from her gaze, "leave us."
Catherine and Alois began to march toward the exit without hesitation. Through his keen ears, Byleth could hear Shamir release a long sigh before making her stride behind them.
Edelgard, however, did not move.
"Share in your thoughts, Lady Rhea," Seteth kept his arms firmly planted behind his back as he stood next to the Archbishop.
"Look at him, Seteth," Rhea's smile only grew wider. "I've waited so long… for this. Perhaps, it's finally time to hear another divine revelation."
Her eyes turned to Edelgard, who stood motionless only a few meters behind Byleth, "you are excused, Edelgard. You may return to your class."
Byleth tried to turn his head to face her, but Rhea's grip held his chin firmly in place. Through her tight grasp, he managed to nod his head as he glanced in Edelgard's direction, "it's fine, I'll be along shortly."
Edelgard was clearly not happy with his response. She took several moments to eye the situation as Rhea tightened her grip on Byleth's face before she turned quickly on her heel. Byleth could hear the stomp of her low platforms across the marble flooring to the door.
"Rhea, surely you don't mean-"
The Archbishop held her hand firmly in the air to silence Seteth, "this is no mere coincidence. This… this is fate!"
Byleth was unsure Rhea had been able to sing such a melodic tone from her voice, until now. But his inward comfortability remained on edge. Since he and Edelgard had read his father's journal… There were too many questions, and Rhea seemed to be at the center of most.
Normally, he'd have no qualms about being direct in his quest for answers. But there was something in the way his father decided to leave the monastery only days after he was born that gave him pause. He'd never known his father to run in the dark of night.
Finally, Rhea let go of his face, seemingly satisfied that she'd inspected every pore and crease. She turned and clicked to the side of the throne room, where her private altar was tucked away.
Seteth followed faithfully in tow, "Rhea, I implore you to please consider what you're saying."
"I have," Rhea disappeared into the small room, though Byleth could still hear their voices. "You don't mean for me to ignore a call from Sothis, herself."
"That is not what I'm saying at all," Seteth huffed. "I only mean to suggest we wait, after all, it was reported he was in contact with forbidden magic."
"And yet, he pierced the sky to return to us," she rebutted, her resolve unwavered.
Byleth stayed at the bottom of the stairs to her throne, but he could hear shuffling of papers, metal, and several other objects.
"I understand," her advisor grew more frustrated. "But the implications of what Solon has done… they are of far greater concern to me than receiving a revelation at the moment."
"Perhaps it was because it was meant to be, Seteth. Obviously, they have returned from the shadows," Rhea finally emerged from the small room and began to make her way back toward Byleth. She held something metallic in her hands. "What better time to know what Sothis intends for us to do?"
The conversation had taken a much looser turn than Byleth expected. He was more accustomed to trickery or stealth to receive such a wealth of information, but Rhea and her advisor had already made clear they were aware of Those Who Slither in the Dark. And from the sound of it, it wasn't their first encounter.
"What would you believe Sothis would have us do?" Byleth muttered as Rhea approached him. He could see the object in her hand clearly now, it was gold and bore several indendentations where dark purple jewels resided.
"The last time the goddess spoke to Saint Seiros herself," Rhea placed the crown atop his hair. Byleth swallowed hard, it seemed Rhea had become manic, almost consumed with the thought that he was a mere conductor for the voice of the Goddess. "She instructed her to protect the people of Fodlan from the King of Liberation."
"Nemesis was a mere commoner, no?" Byleth chose his words carefully. For one of the few times in his life, he had no idea what to expect. "Was he truly that much of a threat to the people of Fodlan?"
Rhea, half-distracted, pulled several strands of his hair over the prongs of his new crown, "he bore a crest that wasn't meant for him and he abused that power to slay many of the goddess's own children."
Byleth thought for a moment, his next words were crucial to finding exactly where he and Rhea stood, "perhaps crests themselves hold too much power if a single person could commit such atrocities with but one."
His words stopped Rhea in her tracks, she lowered her gaze from the top of his head to his eyes. Byleth was careful not to make a movement that she could take as a challenge, but rather lowered his brows to feign simple curiosity.
"My dear," Rhea offered him a soft smile. "The crests were gifted to us by Sothis, herself. It's the only true power we ever need. It is why we must quell rebellions as fast as they arise. Should a single kingdom or house ever gain too much clout, or stray away from the power of their gifts… why, where would the church belong in a world such as that?"
That was all Byleth needed to know, though he took a mental note that she seemed to believe she was instructing him something. He did not know if Flayn had received the opportunity to speak with her brother yet, or if she had misgivings. But it did not seem Rhea was aware of his and Edelgard's revelations.
Or she was very good at hiding it. If that were the case, Byleth had grossly underestimated the Archbishop.
"There," she gave his new crown a last polish from her moistened finger. "A symbol fit for an enlightened child of Sothis."
Byleth had no urge to seek out a mirror. Jewels and crowns were never his style, "is that what I am now?"
"My child," Rhea placed a palm on each of his cheeks, "you are so much more than that. You are the very light of Fodlan, now. Before the next new moon, you'll receive your divine revelation and truly ascend to the next level of your gifts."
"Divine revelation?" Byleth furrowed his brow as he pushed out a heavy sigh from Seteth in the background.
Rhea nodded as her smile widened, "I will escort you to the Holy Tomb, the same location where the goddess spoke to Saint Seiros. There, you will hear her words fall upon you as a light spring shower."
"I…" Byleth felt a small peak of excitement. "I'll be able to hear her voice?"
She bobbed her head up and down, seemingly allowing her own excitement to swell at the sight of his, "you will, and she will guide you and thus this church against our enemies."
Byleth already had a fair amount of knowledge of their enemies on a much more personal level than he would have preferred. However, the thought of hearing Sothis's uninvited voice ringing in his head again made a small smile form from his lips.
The silence had been deafening. During the march, his students were hardly quiet, but it wasn't the same. He longed to hear Sothis chastise him again, to call him a fool, or a child. Anything would suffice.
"Somehow, I knew that would make you happy," Rhea tightened her lips, her eyes pierced his once again. "Of course, your class will be allowed to accompany you, along with the other house leaders. Seeing as how they are destined to be the new reigns of Fodlan, it's only fitting they hear Sothis's guidance for themselves."
"And Shamir?" Byleth's words left his mouth before he thought them through.
Rhea narrowed her gaze as she nodded slowly, "a few select Knights of Seiros will also be permitted to attend. Lady Shamir, if you wish."
"I do," Byleth stated. If each of his students were to be in attendance, he wanted to ensure the knight would also be there. She had become so much more than just another Knight of Seiros to him, and to his class.
While the church claimed the white mages had provided sufficient protection against the dark magic of Those Who Slither in the Dark, he didn't want to take any chances, and there were none he trusted more than Shamir and his students.
"Very well," Rhea grinned and then gave his face one last squeeze. "You haven't been back long, you will need your rest, my dear."
Byleth nodded, "I am quite fatigued."
It was a lie. He never heard Edelgard's boots descend the stairs all that time ago and knew she was lurking nearby. It would seem he would have to wait until Rhea decided to take him to the Holy Tomb before he could find the answers as to where Sothis truly dwelt… if she was still there. But for now, he knew he couldn't isolate himself in the hopes that he could be reunited with his phantom twin.
"Take as much time as you need," Rhea replied. "I will send Cyril once the preparations are completed."
"I will do just that," Byleth put his arm across his chest and gave her a half-hearted bow before swiveling his body.
The throne room doors were still wide open but not a soul was to be seen. He walked with his gaze straight ahead, careful not to let his eyes wander to any lingering persons. He didn't want to give Rhea any reason to believe he was not committed to whatever divine revelation he might receive, or worse, that he might be relaying information not meant for other ears.
It didn't take long before he passed the grand double-doors and immediately saw a flash of white to his right, hovering just before the stairs.
Byleth didn't turn to face her, instead he began to descend the stairs and subtly waved his hand in Edelgard's direction. She followed without any vocal acknowledgement.
Together, they walked in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Edelgard didn't walk with her usual confident stride, instead, he meekly crossed her arms in front of her chest.
It wasn't until Byleth felt the grass of the courtyard beneath his shoes that Edelgard finally broke her silence, "what are you wearing?"
Byleth turned and rolled his eyes, "it's… a crown, I guess."
"Rhea gave you that?" Edelgard's eyes were wide, either in disbelief or embarrassment for how it must look on him.
"She believes me to be… enlightened now," Byleth felt foolish for not removing it the second he left her throne room. But he didn't want prying eyes to tell the Archbishop that he had removed it so soon after she had bestowed it upon him.
"But… aren't you?" Edelgard lowered her brows. Her eyes searched his face, almost as if she didn't recognize him.
Byleth wasn't sure what to say to that. He narrowed his gaze upon the white-haired young woman and took several steps closer to her and was immediately relieved when she didn't back away, "El… what's wrong?"
Edelgard moistened her lips before tightening them. Something was clearly weighing on her mind, "over a short period of time, I find myself in a rather… precarious situation. I must admit, it is a rare time of my life that I am uncertain of how things will unfold."
"That's not quite what I meant," Byleth reached out his hand and placed it on her shoulder. She didn't cringe but her eyes didn't brighten either. "I meant with us. Things have been… different."
"That is what I meant," Edelgard clarified. "With… us. Of course, I have also divulged my darkest secrets to my peers, a vulnerability that I am also not familiar with and am also unsure how to handle. An act that I must admit was ill-planned on my part."
"None have turned their backs on you," Byleth tried to assure her. "In fact, they seem more unified than ever."
Edelgard slowly nodded, "but it's only a matter of time before my words reach Rhea's ears."
"We'll deal with that when the time comes," Byleth swallowed hard. Flayn was a dear student to him, but he knew of her close affiliation with not only her brother, but all members of the church. "But for now, why is it that you look at me as if you don't know me?"
"That's not it," Edelgard zealously shook her head. "In fact, you may be one of the few people I do know. As I mentioned, I just find myself in an odd state of limbo."
"How do you mean?" Byleth lowered his head, desperate to catch her eyes.
"What I said…" Edelgard began. "When you woke up in the forest…"
She seemed to have to fight to vocalize each word she said.
"About us never being meant to be apart?" Byleth tried to alleviate the burden of saying the words that frustrated her.
Edelgard nodded as she dropped her eyes to the ground, "it was a silly thing to say. I wasn't thinking-"
"El," Byleth took another step closer to wrap his other arm around her shoulder. "You don't have to explain anything to me. For many moons now, we've shared things about ourselves that no one else had known. I thought I made my intentions very clear to you."
"Intentions?" Edelgard seemed taken back by that word. "What… intentions?"
Byleth pulled her closer to his chest in a tight embrace. He let many memories flow through his mind before he dared to open his mouth to speak, "most of my life, I've been known as the Ashen Demon. The mercenary who would sooner cut you down than smile."
"That's not who you are now," he could feel Edelgard shake her head against his skin.
"Only because of this place," Byleth elaborated. "No, that's not right. Because of these people. All of the students, Shamir, my father… but most of all you."
Edelgard lifted her head to peer up at him, "me? I've done nothing but bring havok into your life since you stepped foot in Garreg Mach."
"You've also taught me there's more to life than killing and surviving," Byleth was careful to keep his hands on her shoulders and back, though he felt a strange urge to place his fingers through her hair. "Surviving is not living, El. And killing for the sake of coin brings no purpose. With you, I've learned what it means to save… and to be saved."
"What are you-" Edelgard lowered her head as she tried to hide her face from him.
"I'm saying that no matter how many enemies we amass," Byleth took in a deep breath of the cold night air. "No matter who they might be. I believe you to be right, we're also never meant to be apart."
Edelgard lifted her eyes to meet his. The moisture in her eyes made them glisten as they darted back and forth from the features of his face.
"I-I can always come back."
Byleth released Edelgard from his embrace and she took several steps backward. He turned his head to see a young, green-haired girl standing just in front of their empty homeroom.
"Flayn," Byleth began, though in truth, he had no more to say.
"If this is an improper time," Flayn bowed her head several times in a panic.
"No," Byleth interjected. "Not at all. What can I do for you?"
Flayn's eyes moved back and forth between himself and Edelgard several times before she took a few cautionary steps toward them.
Edelgard intertwined her arms in front of her, "I can always retire if this is a private matter."
"No," Flayn said softly. "It's actually for the best that you're both here."
Byleth put his hand on his hip, he wasn't sure why, but he had a horrible feeling begin to rise from his stomach.
"I haven't told anyone, yet," Flayn continued. "But I must make it clear that I cannot condone Lady Edelgard's affiliations with the Agarthans…"
"She's no longer affiliated-"
"Regardless," the young girl interrupted her professor. "In fact, her separation is more than likely the only reason I haven't shared what I know with Lady Rhea and my brother."
"Flayn," Edelgard muttered softly. "I do not wish for you to do anything you're uncomfortable with. If you feel it necessary-"
"I'm not usually this forward," she interrupted once again. "Nor this brave, and I attribute my growth to you, professor. While I cannot condone any grievances against the church… I find myself at odds."
"At odds?" Byleth learned to keep his questions short, lest he be interrupted again.
Flayn nodded wearily, "like Lady Rhea, I've always sensed something special in you, professor. The mere fact that the goddess had dwelt within you only validated my feelings. And for this reason, I find myself torn between the church, and… what might be."
"What might be?" Edelgard tried to gain clarity.
"Lady Rhea would never approve using the goddess's power to remove crests," Flayn tightened her lips. "Not in one person or across the land. It would be considered… blasphemy."
"What if it was what the goddess herself would've wanted?" Byleth knew this to be the truth, but still he wished to carefully consider his words.
"I don't see it making much of a difference," Flayn's shoulders deflated. "It was the last thing Sothis gave her people before… her long slumber. Unfortunately, it is also a way to ensure the church stays in power."
"You mean to say you believe she'd go against her own goddess?" Edelgard blinked several times as if she needed a few moments to comprehend what Flayn was telling them.
"Not in her heart," Flayn continued. "In her heart, she believes crests to be the one true path set in motion by Sothis, herself. You've been touched by dark magic, professor. Let's say it would not take much persuasion for her to believe you've also corrupted any gifts or words the goddess may have given you."
"You know I can't sit idly by, Flayn," Byleth swallowed hard. While he was thankful for the dialogue she had started, he was still uncertain of where it would lead. "I can't let two of my students fall due to their lives having been stolen from them."
"Which is why I find myself torn," Flayn looked to the sky. It was a clearer night and her eyes darted to each of the stars above her. "For the first time, I wonder what a land without crests might look like. Would it lead to less war? Less death? Even less pain and suffering?"
"I can't answer those questions," Byleth wished he could. He wished he could offer her all the assurances in the world, but lying for the sake of gaining an advantage against one of his students didn't seem right. "But I believe that it could. But one thing we do know is how a world functions with crests and it's already led to all of those things many times over."
"Perhaps, in the end, belief is all we have," Flayn straightened her head to peer at her professor and class leader. "My brother will be furious."
"What do you intend to do?" Edelgard took a deep breath.
"I think…" Flayn trailed off for several moments. "I think I should like to decide for myself, and I would very much like to see this brave new world."
"I'm saying that no matter how many enemies we amass, no matter who they might be. I believe you to be right, we're also never meant to be apart."
The night before had been an emotional whirlwind for Edelgard. While Flayn had certainly surprised her with her willingness to see where this path would lead them, it was her teacher's words that rang in her mind, over and over again.
After the initial fierce beats of her chest had subsided once Flayn had interrupted their conversation, Edelgard was fully prepared to have Hubert pack all they could so that the three might flee Garreg Mach. Fortunately, she found carving her own destiny had already paid back in folds.
Not only did she learn that Byleth held a special… loyalty to her, though that word seemed inadequate. She also learned that she'd shared all she could with all the people she could. Flayn had made it perfectly clear that any further divergence from their class would be a dangerous endeavor.
However, it seemed enough. Edelgard had learned to take the simple victories. After all, at the beginning of the year, she had kept her feelings close to her sleeve to avoid any emotional distress at the thought of having to slaughter any friends she made along the way. Then she found… her teacher. And at the time, one ally seemed like a thousand times more than she had. Now, not even a dozen new moons later, her entire class knew of the festering disease that ate away at her consciousness, and not a single one of them turned a shoulder.
By their demeanor during their morning run, it was almost as if nothing had changed. But, as Edelgard knew well, was not true. She was certain they all felt the weight of their newfound knowledge weighing heavily on their shoulders. But instead of turning it inward as she had once done, they talked and laughed as Ferdinand and Caspar had tried increasing their sandbag quantity and failed miserably.
It was definitely a collective quality that Edelgard wished she hadn't wasted so many years opposing as she had to admit, their way of coping was a lot better than hers.
Several of her peers stood next to her as they gathered their wooden practice weapons from the training room as they readied themselves for morning dance.
"Okay, but are you just teaching me bad words again?" Leonie held a quarterstaff in her hand as she glared at Shamir. She held the back of her free hand to her forehead with her index and middle finger making a "V" shape.
"Byleth will take it as a compliment," Shamir coolly replied as she tossed the hilt of her wooden sword from hand to hand. "After all, he's wearing a crown now, so it's only fitting."
Edelgard had made a mental note that the knight didn't actually say "no" to Leonie's question.
"You guys coming?" Dorothea gave her wooden sword a twirl as she exited the training area, followed by Leonie and Shamir.
Petra remained behind as she thoughtfully looked at each of the remaining sparring weapons that sat upon the rack.
"Is there a particular one you're looking for?" Edelgard eyed the wood, each appeared the same to her, but she also knew the Brigid warrior had a method to her madness.
"Not in specifics, no," Petra narrowed her gaze as she paced along the wall of weapon racks. "A weapon is only being as efficient as its wielder."
"That is true," Edelgard retrieved the haft of the same sparring axe she used every day. While she agreed with Petra, she was also fond of the familiar.
"In truth," Petra's words were slow and calculated. "There has been a matter of great weight on my mind."
"Oh?" Edelgard didn't turn to face her. Instead, she kept her eyes on the wooden grains of her weapon.
"See, I fear I must be apologizing to you," Petra turned her body to plant her arm firmly across her chest.
She blinked several times at Petra's display, "whatever could you be apologizing for?"
Edelgard was truly at a loss. After everything that had transpired over the past few days, she felt it should have been her to be quick with the bows and apologies.
"A great time has passed since you had named me your 'friend,'" Petra began, her eyes fell to the ground as she recalled the memory of her and Dorothea enjoying tea together. "But even at that time, I was not in belief."
"Petra," Edelgard swallowed hard. She remembered that day very clearly, it was one of the first times she let her emotions loose without thinking. "You are most certainly my friend."
"I think…" Petra put her index finger to her chin, perhaps to contemplate her grammar. "I am in belief now. I am knowing that my homeland of Brigid and that of the Empire are not… how do you say, on the best of terms. I am also knowing that I was being sent here as an offering."
Edelgard shook her head, "not an offering, nothing of the sort-"
"Maybe I phrased it incorrectly," Petra interrupted her. "Political collateral, that is what my grandfather was calling me. To ensure Brigid's compliance."
Edelgard did not reply. While she certainly didn't feel that way about Petra, she couldn't deny the tactics that were employed by the Empire against Brigid.
"But after you were being so open with us," she continued. "I was having feelings of choice. As if you were allowing me to be making my own choices, whether it would be to stand beside you or to being running."
Edelgard was quick to vigorously nod her head, "yes, I absolutely want you all to have that choice."
"Choices are given to friends," Petra let a grin form across her face. "Without having fear of consequences. I believe that is what you were having given to me, Lady Edelgard. So I am now in belief… that we are truly friends."
"I…" Edelgard wasn't sure how many more highs her adrenaline could take. "I want you to know, Petra. When I ascend to the throne of the Adrestian Empire… I will change things."
"I am most confident in your words, Lady Edelgard," she tilted her head downward in a sign of respect.
But respect wasn't what Edelgard was seeking, "no, I'm not sure you understand. Brigid and the Empire will be friends, separate and equal."
"Separate… equal?" Petra's brows lowered in confusion.
"Yes," Edelgard lifted her chin. "As you know, there are many threats out there. They are far too great to let petty squabbles divide us. I intend to grant Brigid its full freedom so that you and I may truly stand side by side as equals, and friends."
"Lady Edelgard…" Petra's eyes widened. "It seems fate has brought us on this path to be walking together… so that we may both achieve our dreams. And let this path be stained with the blood of those who would intend us harm."