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Byleth stood in the courtyard in front of the Black Eagles homeroom. His students awkwardly spaced themselves out within their teams but he noticed they constantly had to keep moving due to the increased traffic on the grass.

He didn't engage in their dance training, instead he watched as Ingrid and Ferdinand had to once again restrain their training weapons and take several steps back as several soldiers dressed in unfamiliar colors passed them.

Byleth took a deep breath in. He would've moved class to outside of the gates, but it was much worse the further to the edge of Garreg Mach he grew. With the arrival of several noble leaders and their entourages, he found the monastery had become a lively and vibrant place. Normally, he wouldn't have minded as long as it didn't interfere with his ability to teach his class, but he also knew that they arrived to analyze him.

As house leader and heir to the Adrestian throne, Edelgard was also absent from today's training session, no doubt forced to feign a smile and greet the lords of her father's land.

"Is that him?" A passing soldier whispered to his friend. "The Enlightened One?"

Byleth tightened his grip on his wooden hilt, it was the only thing he could do short of fleeing the situation. For some reason, he did not like feeling like all eyes were on him. It recalled a lot of memories of the various villages he and his father's company would visit and the whispers that would spread like a badly infected wound.

"I thought he'd be bigger."

"I'm not entirely convinced this is a fruitful endeavor," Ferdinand rested one end of his wooden quarterstaff on the grass and placed his opposite hand on his hip. "Maybe it's for the best that we move."

"Where would you have us go?" Lindhardt rubbed his temple with his fingers. "I've yet to see an unoccupied space for several days."

Byleth could feel his chest tightening as the whispers grew louder.

"You know what truly doesn't have heartbeats? Beasts and demons. Is that what he aspires to be? I suppose if he's so willing to kill a man for a bit of coin at his age, he's not that far off!"

A familiar voice yelled in his mind. He could feel the sweat beginning to pool in his crevasses.

"Let's move inside," Byleth muttered as he clenched his jaw. "We can move some of the tables and close the doors."

"Not much room," Ingrid sighed deeply. "But I suppose it'll have to do."

The Black Eagles each turned and made their way into their homeroom. Byleth hesitated before he took his first step, his head pounded and he felt a familiar dizziness begin to overwhelm him.

"Professor?" A soft voice called out. Byleth snapped his head to see Annette gazing upon him with her eyes full of concern. "Are you alright?"

He continued into the homeroom as he offered her a gentle smile, "I'm fine, Annette. Thank you."

She tightened her lips as she followed him into the tight quarters. Caspar and Ferdinand had already positioned themselves on either end of a table and started to move it closer to the walls in an attempt to create more space in the center of their classroom.

"We'll go two at a time," Byleth spun on his heel to reach for the handles of the double doors that would separate him from prying eyes.

However, before he could swing them shut, he saw a few familiar figures appear in the slit of the doors.

"My dear Byleth," Lady Rhea's voice was unmistakable.

Byleth swallowed hard and paused for a moment before he reopened the entrance. Dimitri and another man he was unfamiliar with stood next to the Archbishop.

"Professor!" Dimitri's cordial voice boomed. "We were wondering if you'd have a moment to spare?"

"I'm actually holding a class session at the moment," he didn't remove his hands from the door handles as he spoke.

"This is him?" The long blue-haired noble's eyes scanned Byleth from head to toe. "He's much younger than you lead me to believe, young prince."

"Lord Rodrigue?" He heard Ingrid's curious voice call from inside the homeroom.

"Many nobles have traveled far to see you," Rhea tilted her head at him. "I'm sure your students will understand the gravity of taking the rest of the afternoon. In fact, they might welcome it."

Byleth tried to keep his breathing low, as not to audibly sigh in front of the Archbishop. He craned his neck slightly to see most of the tables were now lining the walls, "start in pairs, I won't be long."

"As you say, professor," Petra bowed her head.

Byleth stepped through the entrance before promptly closing the doors behind him. For some reason, he felt the need to keep his students from the many temporary residents of Garreg Mach. Perhaps it was because now that they were aware of his and Edelgard's many secrets, Byleth couldn't be sure who might try to hurt them, who was a friend or foe.

"This is Lord Rodrigue," Dimitri beamed as the man next to him puffed his chest out. "The head of House Fraldarius."

Byleth cocked an eyebrow, "Fraldarius? As in Felix?"

"I see my son has made a name for himself at the Officers' Academy," Rodrigue attempted to smile, but it appeared to be more of a grimace. "Yes, Felix is my youngest and current heir to House Fraldarius."

Behind him, one of the doors creaked open. Byleth turned his head to see Ingrid meekly step through before once again closing the door.

"Ingrid, my dear!" Rodrigue's face immediately brightened.

Ingrid immediately put her hand across her chest, resting her fist just above her heart and bowed from the waist, "it's wonderful to see you again."

"That simply won't do," the older gentleman took several strides forward with his arms open wide as he took Ingrid in a friendly embrace. Byleth watched for several moments as Ingrid was enveloped by the larger man before he finally released his grip. "How are you faring under the tutelage of the Enlightened One?"

"He's just as they say," Ingrid turned to peer at Byleth with a wide smile on her face. "I believe my dream of becoming a knight is within my grasp."

"Ah yes," Rodrigue inhaled deeply as he dropped his eyes to the ground. "Glenn certainly would've been proud."

Ingrid didn't answer him and for several silent beats Byleth wondered why he was still standing in the courtyard. He was never one for pleasantries and it seemed Ingrid had a shared history with Rodrigue that might have been better left in private and away from a stranger such as him.

"I take it you've traveled all this way to witness the ceremony?" Ingrid changed the subject.

"Me a hundred others," Rodrigue gave her a nod before turning his eyes to Byleth. "It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"It's only a shame the professor wasn't able to mentor the Blue Lions," Dimitri shook his head lightly. "Imagine the strength he could've lent to the kingdom."

"Professor Hanneman's quite capable," Byleth muttered as he watched another handful of soldiers trod across the grass in front of them.

"From what I hear, his words ring true," Rodrigue wouldn't take his eyes on Byleth. Enough so that he felt the need to avert his gaze to everything but the noble. He wasn't well versed in matters such as nobility and proper procedures, but he knew when he was being evaluated. "Besides, the Enlightened One may yet be able to bring further balance unto Fodlan, the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, included."

"We are humbled by your faith," Rhea bowed her head. "I can assure you our dear professor will play an integral part in the future of our lands."

Rodrigue nodded his head affirmatively, "then I shan't take up any more of his time. I look forward to seeing what the coming days have in store for us."

Byleth returned his nod and watched as Rhea began accompanying him and Dimitri toward the Cathedral. They spoke as they walked and the many foot soldiers making their way to one destination or another dodged and weaved so as to not collide with the three.

"I'm so sorry, professor," Ingrid didn't turn to face him. Instead, she watched as the three disappeared around the corner. "I know these types of situations make you uncomfortable."

Byleth lifted his brows, he hadn't considered that was the reason she had left their homeroom in the first place, "you've nothing to be sorry for. They wanted to speak with me but in the end I didn't do much talking."

"It's true," Ingrid dropped her head. "Most of the nobles that have traveled here are probably more interested in what you have to say after your divine revelation than they are beforehand."

Byleth let his eyes wander to the southmost pillar that held up the awning for the homerooms. He had known for quite some time that somebody stood behind it, wishing not to be seen, "you can come out, Felix. Unless it's us you're hiding from."

Ingrid quickly spun her body in time to see the blue-haired young man step out from behind the pillar.

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised," Felix threw his hands defeatedly into the air. "You have an annoying habit of besting me at my own game."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Byleth hadn't spoken much to the young man, but he knew of his brash nature and in his experience, usually meant something softer lay beneath.

"Of course it was," Felix approached them as he eyed the corner in which Lord Rodrigue disappeared, more likely to ensure they were out of earshot. "What else would it have been?"

"I'm sorry, Felix," Ingrid bit her lower lip. "I know this must be hard for you as well."

"Stop apologizing," he snapped. "If I wished to see the old man, I would've simply done so."

"He's still your father…" her words trailed off.

"Led by the boar prince on a leash," Felix's face grew redder. "No doubt trying to recruit your teacher to right the wrongs of the world, and to carry the blood on his hands for them."

Byleth truly felt out of place. Though he agreed with Felix's sentiment, he tried not to pry into people's past and it seemed as if he stood in the middle of a thick ooze of family turmoil, "you believe they wish to use me as a weapon?"

"Of course," Felix spat. "Take a look around the monastery and tell me of a single person who doesn't. The only difference being most of them have the dignity to show their true faces to you before they ask you to slay their enemies."

"You don't seem to think highly of your father-"

"I was speaking more of the boar prince that calls himself Dimitri," Felix interrupted.

Now this was a surprise to Byleth, a feeling he didn't get often. Felix seemed riled up beyond reason, so he decided to stay silent and let him continue.

"I've seen his true face, and believe me, you've never seen such thirst for blood," as expected, Felix let his words flow with his rage.

"Felix," Ingrid tried to interject. "There's nothing to be gained from rehashing the past."

"The past?" Felix scoffed. "How many times have you been forced into arranged marriages now, Ingrid? If not for either of them, Glenn would've been the end of it. Even then, no one asked for your preference, they only gazed at your crest and chose your mate."

"My father's proposals have lessened since I joined the Black Eagles," she tried to reassure him.

"You're to be married?" Byleth scrunched his brows. Normally he took pride in knowing everything there was to know about those close to him, but Ingrid kept this particular matter close to her chest.

"Not anymore," Ingrid sighed heavily. "At least, not until the next one my father arranges. Originally, I was betrothed to Glenn, Felix's older brother, but…"

"But he's dead," Felix's harsh words made Ingrid cringe. "Along with the boar prince's parents. You know what my father said to me after the Tragedy of Duscar?"

Byleth shook his head.

"He said Glenn had died in 'glorious' service to the king," Felix huffed, his eyes widened with disbelief. "As if such a death could be exalted, as if serving the king somehow lessened the pain for those close to him. Perhaps we should've celebrated instead of holding a funeral!"

"Felix…" Ingrid's tone grew low as she tried to calm her friend.

"There's nothing glorious about death," Byleth stated. His voice wasn't raised nor lowered as he gazed at the young lion before him. "I've seen tens of thousands, and have caused thousands more."

Felix didn't speak, instead Byleth noted his shoulders lowered slightly.

"Dying in service to someone doesn't make death better," Byleth continued, his eyes locked onto Felix's dark pupils. "In the end, they're not here anymore and that's all it boils down to."

Felix dropped his head and let a smirk form on his face, "heh."

"Did I say something funny?" Byleth didn't lower his guard.

"Quite the opposite," Felix lifted his head, it was much less red than before. "I can't say I've heard truer words before. Perhaps Ingrid was right in flocking to your class, maybe I was foolish for not doing so myself."

"You don't have to be in my class to talk to me," Byleth reminded him.

"Maybe not," Felix nodded. "But at least then I would've been able to distance myself from the kingdom's so-called prince. I refuse to end up like my brother all for the sake of Dimitri's bloodlust and arousal for revenge."

"There's still a few new moons left," Byleth subtly shrugged. "Do what you feel is best."

"Not much time," Felix chuckled. "But I suppose any time is better than none. I shall think on it. For now, I must return to my homeroom before I get roped into this spectacle of showmanship at the monastery to see who can impress you with their peacock feathers more."

Byleth nodded as Felix turned and hastened down the short walkway.

"You handled that expertly," Ingrid swallowed hard as she watched Felix disappear into the Blue Lions' homeroom. "Better than I've ever been able to."

"He still mourns, that much is clear," Byleth replied. "He just needs someone to hear him."

"I find that strangely ironic, professor," Ingrid hummed.

"How so?"

"I know you, yourself, are still in a great deal of mourning," she elaborated. "In a much shorter time span you've lost not only your father, but… your other half, as well. Yet, you've never asked anyone to hear you."

"I never claimed I was without my own flaws," Byleth moistened his lips. In truth, Ingrid's words struck him harder than he thought. Maybe his students were to blame for his newfound emotions as before, he never felt the need to be heard. "But we must all make peace with the choices we make, whether it's to hold onto our grief or not."

"Regardless," Ingrid met his gaze. "You have an entire class behind you, professor. We've never expected you to be infallible, though recent revelations about your abilities might contradict that. You've risked your life for all of us, to change fate and bring us back from whatever the afterlife held for us. The very least we can do is hear your words."

"I'd never expect anything in return," Byleth felt odd discussing the fantastical nature of all that had occurred over the past imperial year. Until recently, the only person in which he was so free to speak was Edelgard. But Ingrid- no, every person in the classroom behind him now knew the truth. "Perhaps that was a lie, I suppose there is something I expect."

"Oh?" Ingrid lifted her brows in curiosity. "Gladly, professor."

"I consider myself ignorant of all things political, so what I ask might be impossible," Byleth began as he narrowed his gaze on his student. "I wish for each of you to make your own decisions in life. Not to let yourself be guided by what others have planned for you, or what your crest dictates you do next. It is your life, I want you all to do what you want with it."

"That is, indeed, a large request for those of us born into this world," Ingrid sucked her teeth. "But, if it's any consolation, I already am. I've declined every proposal my father has sent me, and I've decided to stand by your side, and Lady Edelgard's, a decision that I made for myself that others would not look kindly upon if they were to learn the truth."

"Though it is a dangerous road?" Byleth blinked several times and tried to push the faces of his lifeless students from his mind. He had to constantly remind himself, it was a different life, a different time.

"A dangerous road," Ingrid held her breath as she pondered her words. "But it is my road."

Edelgard wore her mask perfectly, just as she had been taught to do all of her life. She walked with her hand on her hip and a smile that spread from ear to ear as she kept in stride with Count Bergliez. The large man towered over her and clinked as he walked in his heavy armor.

Randolph and his sister, Fleche, trailed a short distance behind them.

"I apologize I was unable to make it to the historic Battle of the Eagle and Lion," the Count stroked his pale blue beard. "But word traveled fast that you demonstrated impeccable command."

"Embellishment, I'm sure," Edelgard let out a fake laugh that bellowed above the other voices in the dining hall. Though she felt her words were true, as her peers played just as an integral part as she, if not more, she desperately wanted to appear modest in front of the Count.

"Tell me more of this… Enlightened One," his words seemed unsure. "He's your direct professor, is he not?"

Edelgard vigorously nodded her head, "he chose us, in fact. It's rumored Archbishop Rhea gave him the choice of houses, and it was the Black Eagles he was drawn to."

"Due in no small part to you, I'm sure," Count Bergliez chuckled and Edelgard dutifully returned his laugh. "But is he all they say he is?"

Edelgard opened her mouth to speak, but promptly closed it. It would be best to think her words through before vocalizing them, "it depends on the words."

"Your solitude at Garreg Mach has left you in the dark about much, Lady Edelgard," he elaborated. "All the houses across the land are abuzz with the rumor of the Ashen Demon turned prophet for the Goddess."

"He is no demon," Edelgard's light tone dropped quickly. "He never was. As for prophet… I suppose the ceremony will be able to tell you all you need to know."

"Truly?" The count scrunched his brows at her. "His legends of cutting experienced soldiers down as if they were mere fodder seem solid in their foundation. Imagine, a soldier with no emotion. Don't misunderstand me, Lady Edelgard, that is someone I might even respect."

"He is truly the most deft fighter I've seen," Edelgard struggled to put her mask back on.

Count Bergliez came to a stop as he neared the middle of the walkway next to the hedge garden. Edelgard quickly ceased her motion, as did Randolph and Fleche.

She turned her head to see what he was peering at and saw several familiar faces standing in the courtyard. One belonged to Byleth, and another to Ingrid.

"It looks like they've already begun to dig their claws in," Count Bergliez sighed as he narrowed his gaze on the other two that spoke jovially to her teacher.

"Is that… Judith?" Randolph craned his neck to gaze past the count.

"The Hero of Daphnel, herself," he nodded.

Edelgard swallowed hard as she watched Claude slap her teacher hard on the shoulder as he tried to bridge the gap between Byleth and Judith.

Though he did not appear amused. He wore no smile, he did not laugh or even speak. It would seem he did not know how to wear the mask all nobles were taught to wear during events such as this.

Ingrid nodded her head as she spoke to both Judith and Claude, seemingly trying to spare their teacher from the conversation.

"No doubt Rodrigue has already made his appearance," Randolph added as he watched. "What do they hope to gain?"

"The same as us, of course," the count replied coldly.

Edelgard did not add to the conversation. She watched as Byleth began breathing deeply, he appeared to say something before he quickly turned on his heel and made haste to the northern end of the courtyard, disappearing quickly around the corner toward the dormitories.

"Hmph," the count grinned. "Seems he didn't like what they had to say."

Ingrid shook her head at something Claude had said and tried to continue their conversation, for which Edelgard was grateful for, lest they try to follow him wherever he retreated to.

"If you'll excuse me," Edelgard's focus was no longer on her noble escorts, but rather what must be going through Byleth's mind.

"Smart girl," the count nodded. "You are his class leader after all, find him."

Edelgard barely made out his words as she cut in front of him to make her way to the gate that separated the hedge garden from the dormitories. She quickened her step and reached for the latch to the gate just in time to see the door to his quarters slam shut.

What could they have said to him?

Edelgard felt her heartbeat race as she left the gate open and lightly jogged across the pathway before ascending the wooden stairs to his door.

She lifted her fist to knock but hesitated. What if he wished to be alone?

No, it may have been crass for her to think, but she made a promise that he would never be alone again. The only part she didn't add was it would be whether he liked it or not.

She banged her fist against his door several times but heard no reply. She heard rapid breathing, maybe even strained. Rapid footsteps. Was he pacing?

Edelgard knocked again, lighter this time, "my teacher, it's me. Please open the door."

Still no reply, but she could hear groaning, almost as if he were having a bad dream. But surely that was impossible, she could hear him pacing his room and he had entered only moments ago.

Edelgard lowered her hand to the handle and slowly turned it. Something was wrong, she felt it radiate through her bones as if they were made of metal, "I'm coming in. It's only me, Edelgard."

She wanted to give him ample warning. She knew his reflexes were quicker than she'd ever seen and she did not wish to be on the wrong end of a misunderstanding should she surprise him. Though that seemed impossible, in all of her time knowing him, she had never known him to be taken by surprise before. But this was different.

Edelgard slowly pushed the door open as she peered inside, she wanted to make sure he wasn't reaching for a weapon before she stepped inside.

She saw him pacing just as she thought. It would seem all of his lessons were not lost on her. He held his hands tightly against his head as he gripped his hair tightly between his fingers.

Her eyes widened as she saw the distress in his face. It was as if he didn't even know she was there. Edelgard quickly stepped inside and shut the door behind her.

"Byleth," she stepped closer. But he did not respond. He'd take several strides forward, turn on his heel and continue. In between his heavy breathing, she could hear a pained moan coming from deep within his diaphragm.

Blood seeped from his nose, but he hardly seemed aware.

"Byleth!" Edelgard rushed to him and tried to grab his wrists to loosen his grip on his head.

His footsteps ceased immediately, his eyes darted back and forth on her face.

"Byleth? Can you hear me?" Edelgard's panic grew exponentially. "What is happening? Please, talk to me."

Her teacher blinked several times as his eyes began to dilate. It was almost as if he could see her now, "El?"

Edelgard zealously nodded her head as she let go of his wrists. His body loosened and his hands began to drop to his sides, "yes, it's me."

She scanned his face and found confusion, pain and something else she didn't quite recognize. Edelgard pulled his arm and led him toward his bed. With a soft push, his body did as she commanded and he plopped at the edge.

She took a seat next to him and lifted her sleeve to pull it over her white glove. Edelgard lifted her arm to his face and wiped the blood from his face, "did you… turn back the hands of time?"

Byleth shook his head, which made cleaning the blood harder, but in his confusion he did not seem to realize what she was doing, "no… I was talking."

"To Claude and Judith, yes," Edelgard scrunched her brows. She would be lying if she said it did not send her into a panicked frenzy to see her teacher in such a state, but at the same time, it almost came as a relief that even he was prone to vulnerability. "Did they say something to you?"

"They spoke…" Byleth's eyes shook rapidly as he tried to recall their conversation. "Of the Leicester Alliance, and of Judith's battles. But Sothis… wasn't there."

A lump caught in Edelgard's throat as her own breathing increased. She was unsure what was happening to him. Had he lost his memory? Had all of those times he was forced to turn back the hands of time finally taken their toll on his mind?

"Sothis is within you," Edelgard pressed her hand against his chest. He lowered his head to watch her hand rest upon his shirt. "Remember? She merged with you so that you may both escape the void."

"After my father told me I could never return to that village," Byleth's words made no sense to her. He appeared to be talking about a distant memory shortly after what presently occurred. "The Ashen Demon was never welcome, El."

Her chest tightened. Had he heard Count Berliez's words? Surely not, they were still at quite a distance before they even caught sight of him. Had Judith called him that?

"Both sides of time, El," Byleth continued. "I can't… piece it together. She said both sides of time would be revealed."

"Byleth," Edelgard put both of her hands on either side of his face. "I need you to focus. I need to know that you're okay."

His pale green eyes rested on hers, his body relaxed more as she pressed her palms further into his cheeks, "what's happening to me?"

"I think…" Edelgard scooted closer to him as she leaned her head closer to his. "I think this is a side effect of your merge. Sothis did say a mortal vessel was a poor capsule for a Goddess."

"Something's coming," Byleth tried to shake his head from within her grip. But she did not relent. If anything, she wished to press harder. "It's like… I can see it, but I can't."

Instead, she rested her forehead against his. His skin was hot to the touch, "you need rest, my love."

She immediately recognized her slip, but she did not try to correct it. So much had transpired recently it was no wonder Byleth would suffer from a mindbreak, or perhaps he was truly feeling the effects of inheriting godly powers. Either way, one slip up would not change the path they were on, she was sure of it. They were bound and whether her feelings were returned or not, they would forever be tied together.

"Something bad, El," Byleth didn't seem to notice her words.

Edelgard released his face and used her hand to push herself to the other end of the bed. With her free hand, she tugged on his sleeve and urged him to lay down.

Once again, his body did as she asked and his head rested within her lap, "will you still have those feelings in years to come?"

Perhaps he did notice her slip of the tongue. Edelgard didn't answer him, she placed her hand on his head and intermingled his hair within her fingers.

"Years of darkness," Byleth's voice started to lower, as if he was growing tired. She continued to stroke his hair, inwardly hoping she was contributing to his smoothening demeanor.

"Darkness or no," she finally mustered the courage to say. "I will always feel that way, I am sure of it."

"Even if I'm gone?"

Edelgard's felt as if someone pushed the air from her lungs. It was not a possibility she cared to imagine. She clenched her jaw as she silently cursed Sothis. If his words were true, could he be speaking of the future? Could he have foreseen his own death?

No, she would not allow it. She wouldn't let Those Who Slither in the Dark have him, and she certainly would not let the reaper have his chance. It mattered not if she made enemies of the Church, the Alliance, the Kingdom, even the Empire. He belonged to no one, except for her. Though she could make an exception for her classmates considering they had also stoked feelings deep within her that she believed long dead.

"It matters not where you go," Edelgard swallowed hard as she concentrated on the feel of his hair between her fingers. "I will always find you."