This chapter is loosely based on Chapter 3 of Fire Emblem: Three Hopes, and Edelgard's endgame ship is revealed here, though it was actually implied in Chapter 10 if you had paid attention. This chapter introduces one of my favorite characters, but unfortunately, they weren't utilized enough in three hopes; they don't really have many supports, so if Monica comes off as being out of character in later chapters, that's why - I don't have much to work with.
chapter 13 Black Eagles the rescue of Monica von Ochs
In the abandoned fortress of the former Iron King Thieves.
It was dark and gloomy. She had lost count of how many days it had been since she had last stepped outside. She was on the verge of graduation when she was kidnapped. She didn't know where she was or who had taken her. She was scared. The possibility of her death was high, and her chances of survival were nonexistent. Monica couldn't bring herself to give up.
The one thing everyone who knew her recognized was her dark red hair and red eyes. She was known for having a great memory and she suspected this was why she was targeted. She heard footsteps and recognized this woman, the same woman who had terrorized her and tormented her every day. Her skin complexion was white; she looked like a zombie from a nightmare, with orange hair and revealing clothing.
"Oh my dear little Monica, how is your day today?" Kronya asked cruelly this woman was a sadist. Monica knew this; she enjoyed torturing her victims. What perplexed her was why she was still alive?"She did not say anything.
"your defiance is adorable." Kronya said the creature knew in her eyes she was terrified.
"Do you have any idea what kind of fate I have in store for you?" Monica refused to respond; she refused to give this creature in front of her the satisfaction.
"You're no fun, enjoy what little time you have left, you pathetic beast" Kronya said, disappointed that she didn't get the entertainment she wanted. Monica made a sigh of relief; she didn't know how much longer she could endure these torturous sessions. It would only be a matter of time before she he does something horrific to her. She had heard rumors of what Cornelia, the woman who she used to be, prior to disappearing for a month. Could that be what's going to happen to her? The idea terrified her. Would they really be wearing her skin as a piece of clothing? She shivered. A quick death would be preferable than having herself slowly devoured.
"I wish I could have seen you one last time, Edelgard, and tell you how much you mean to me." Monica was resigned to her fate. It would be a miracle if she would ever see Edelgard again, but if she somehow survived, she would never be helpless again.
She didn't know if the goddess would answer, but she prayed and hoped beyond hope that the goddess would answer if she existed.
It had been three days since they left the monastery. It was mostly in silence, they and the Rocky Mountains. There was some grass on the road but barely anyone said anything since they left the monastery. Marianne couldn't help but feel something in the air. Edelgard the way she carried herself, she was in a hurry; she was extremely worried about something. She was riding alongside Byleth, Dote, and Sora, who were not happy and could feel the tension in the air and the darkness. She hoped she wasn't the cause of it. She told herself she couldn't appear weak in front of Byleth or her friends. She didn't want him to regret having her transfer there. She had to learn a lot even in a short time, feeling more confident than she ever had before, wondering if Hilda is okay? She's worried about her. This is the longest time that she'd ever spent not seeing her; it made her uncomfortable. Hilda is her best friend, her friend since childhood. She hoped nothing happened to her on her mission. Byleth was looking at her in concern when they were out of earshot from the others. He spoke.
are you all rightMari?" Byleth asked concerned.
"I'm worried about Hilda." She answered.
"Oh, I wouldn't worry about her. She's much stronger than she appears. She has reliable friends in the Golden Deer Naruto being one of them. I think she's in good hands." he said to reassure her. It didn't.
"You don't have to hide anything from me. I'm here for you, Mari. You don't ever have to hide anything from me." she felt like she could trust him. She didn't know why.
"It's just so new to me. I just don't want to be a burden on anyone." nothing was said for a few moments until he responded.
"You're not a burden to me, Hinata and Bernadetta are happy that you're their friend. I think Hilda is too." he wanted to say more, but they couldn't because the group caught up.
"We will camp here for the night. We should reach our destination the day after tomorrow. Even though our mission is urgent, we don't want to be too exhausted to become easy targets. Rest is essential for any warrior."
Everyone got off their horses and started setting up their tents. She knew she wouldn't have any time alone with Byleth; he had his own tent, so she went where Bernadetta was. Everyone was required to share a tent.
"You're not going to where Hinata is?" asked Marianne.
"Marianne saw Hinata enter Edelgard's tent."
It must be something important if she's going to in Edelgard tent tonight.
"Do you mind if I join in?" asked Ingrid, who joined the Black Eagles right after she did.
"Of course we don't mind," Marianne said, looking at Bernadetta.
"I don't know; she kind of broke down my door the other day." Marianne remembered that it happened after they won the mock battle almost single-handedly. She felt bad for her, but she understood Ingrid didn't mean anything malicious; she was just trying to help her classmate, even if that's not how it came off to Bernadetta.
"I'm really sorry about that," Ingrid apologized apologetically.
"I wish I could believe you, but it's just no offense, you're scary when you do that." Ingrid looked down, ashamed.
"It's alright. I forgive you, just don't do it again." Bernadetta said, hoping to diffuse the situation.
"Where's your Pegasus?" Marianne asked.
"Oh, Grian. She's laying down. I've been flying all day. She hasn't had a chance to really fly in a long time, at least freely." Marianne saw her Pegasus once. She thought she was beautiful.
"I'm happy that you're friends with Hinata I was afraid there would be tension between you." Marianne said, knowing about her feelings towards Naruto.
"Though I have a question about what's going on between you two, I haven't seen you speak a word to each other in days," Bernadetta asked, which was something Marianne wanted to ask Ingrid, but Bernadetta beat her to it.
"She's a wonderful person. I can understand why so many people like her the way they do. She's so kind to everyone and so polite. I." Marianne can see it in Ingrid's eyes. Whatever feelings she has for Hinata, it was something far more complicated than friendship. It was obvious to anyone that Ingrid was in love with Naruto, but something happened between Ingrid and Hinata that caused them to not say anything to each other. Marianne was concerned.
"How did you two end up meeting Hinata?" asked Ingrid trying to change the subject.
Marianne and Bernadetta both explained how they met her. Ingrid listened patiently as they explained their first impressions. Marianne went first.
"When I first met Hinata, she was so kind to me, and she didn't have to be. She treated me with respect and used honorifics like 'san'. She treated me like an equal when she didn't have to. She went out of her way to try to be my friend when she didn't have to. I feel unworthy of her friendship. I can understand why so many people like her and why Naruto loves her." Marianne said, knowing that Naruto does indeed love Hinata, even though he hasn't admitted it to her and is too shy to. She was able to see that when she met Naruto, though she barely spoke to him.
"Hinata isn't scary; she's like an angel." Bernadetta blurted out. Marianne couldn't help but agree that she was so kind and beautiful, and she was everything Marianne wasn't.
"When I first met her, the first day she joined the Black Eagles, she was so polite to everyone and friendly, well, with the exception of Hubert, of course." Bernadetta said, which caused everyone to laugh.
"She didn't have to go out of her way to do what she did. She even helped me with subjects I struggled with. She could be scary when she's angry, but that doesn't happen often unless she is pushed. She's like an angry lioness when pushed, she's strong even if she doesn't think she is."
"When I first met her, when I first spoke to her, I was tempted to hate her because I didn't think it was fair that Hinata was in Naruto's heart. When I first laid eyes on her, when I was up close, I couldn't bring myself to hate her. She's perfect as she is, and I wish..." Marianne recognized her hesitation for what it was; she did not want to get involved in a messy love triangle, or more accurately, a love square. She couldn't see herself having more than two people in her heart; three would be too much. Marianne decided to suggest ending the conversation before it got any more awkward.
"We should go to the tent so people don't eavesdrop on our conversation," Marianne suggested.
"Good idea," Ingrid agreed. The trio went inside the tent. There was enough room for at least four people. Marianne sat in her corner, which was the farthest from the entrance. Ingrid sat near the entrance on the left side. Bernadetta sat at the back, on the opposite side of Marianne. The girls decided to talk to about their hobbies to pass the time.
Edelgard was anxious because there was so much at stake that she didn't know who to talk to or who to trust. This action could have dire consequences if it went wrong. She knew Hubert wouldn't approve of what she was doing. Her doing what she was doing was a huge risk in itself. Rescuing Monica could destroy everything she had been planning carefully for the past seven years. The day Her siblings died; everything changed. The brutal experiments she endured left her with nightmares physical and emotional scars, but she couldn't indulge in her thoughts for long. She heard Hinata enter, and she was relieved that she was alone. She didn't know what to say.
"El Chan, you look troubled; what's wrong?" Hinata asked worriedly.
"I'm sorry for doing this on such short notice. I just don't know who to talk to or who to trust." She admitted.
"We are friends, El Chan; you don't have to hide anything from me. What's wrong?" Edelgard didn't know what to say; Hinata couldn't be fooled. Her eyes would be able to detect lies, so she had to tell the truth to the best of her ability without revealing too much.
"Hina-chan, what if I told you that there's a lot at stake in this mission? Would you trust me even if I didn't tell you everything?" Hinata looked confused.
"I know there's things you can't tell me, but tell me what you can. I'm your friend, aren't I?" She looked at her pleadingly.
"Someone important to me is in that hideout we're headed to. It's not strategically a good idea to save her, but I can't bear the thought of losing anyone else." She felt like she said too much. Hinata didn't have a judging look on her face; instead, she looked at her with understanding.
"I would do whatever it takes to save those I love. I know it's not rational for me to say that you're doing the right thing. Are you sure you can't tell me?"
Asked Hinata she really wanted to tell her.
"You have to understand that trust doesn't come easily for me, not after what happened to my siblings."Hinata looked understandingly.
"After losing my mother, I never wanted to be weak again. I also know what it's like not to trust anyone. The ruthless politics of my clan, not knowing who to trust, even family I know all too well." Hinata understood her better than she thought. She had seen the ruthless and cutthroat nature of the Hyuga clan first hand when she stayed in the compound in the summer in 1173. She wouldn't press her for an answer right now.
Hinata was about to turn around, but then Edelgard said one last thing.
"Thank you," after she was finished, Hinata left. She didn't have long before Hubert appeared behind her.
"She would make a valuable ally; you two are more alike than I thought."
She didn't like having him in the same room, but he wouldn't agree to her proposition unless he heard from Hinata's own words if she could be a potential person they can get into their inner circle.
"The lioness of the Hyuga clan; that girl is way too kind for someone to be a member of that clan."
Edelgard couldn't help but agree; she was way too kind and gentle, but maybe that's what the world needed was more people like Hinata. Despite all the trauma she's been through, she's able to be a kind and gentle person; she's one in a million.
"You won't talk me out of this, Hubert. I will not lose any more, not her." He left her tent and left her alone. When she was sure she was alone, she took her locket out of her shirt and opened it. It was a picture of her and Monica. This was a gift for her 16th birthday.
"I can't give you anything that can express my love for you better than this. I love you with all my heart. I don't care what other people think or say."said Monica she was 17 when she gave her the locket. Nobody in the Empire knew that Monica is Edelgard's lover. She would do everything necessary to save her and anyone else who got in her way would die; she would not lose any more people, not one more.
Everyone was asleep. Ingrid decided to go outside the tent; there was so much on her mind. Things had changed rapidly in the past few months: meeting Naruto, her new professor, and Hinata. When she thought about Hinata, she clenched her chest, trying not to think about it, but her heart felt like it was being pulled in three different directions. She had never thought she would fall in love with two people in such a short amount of time, one of whom was someone she had been tempted to hate until she got a chance to know her.
When she and Hinata trained, she felt the happiest she had ever felt, the kind of happiness that Naruto gave her. She forgot about everything; Hinata made her happy, made her feel wanted. At first, she ignored the feelings that she had developed for her, her longing. It was harder and harder for her to resist, to deny her feelings, until being alone with her for an entire day, sharing a moment that she would never have with Naruto. Ingrid had a unique moment with Hinata; she had never expected to fall in love with her, but she did. She tried to bury her heart, to try to act like nothing had happened, nothing had changed, but it was difficult. She was giving off the wrong impression that she hated her. She was trying to take her mind off of what happened. She heard footsteps behind her and saw it was Hinata. She had no idea what to say; she wanted just to focus on her Pegasus, but she knew that wouldn't be possible.
"We haven't spoken in days. What happened, Ingrid Chan, that day when we trained? Did I do something wrong?" Hinata asked her in a hurtful tone.
"You did nothing wrong," Ingrid said, not wanting Hinata to be hurt over something she didn't do.
"Do you think we can do this alone in one of the other tents so we can have privacy?" Hinata asked. She took a deep breath. She had to do this. She couldn't walk away from it, even if her heart was broken. She couldn't lie to Hinata.
"Of course," Ingrid said. The two girls walked in silence until they went to one of the tents and waited until they knew the coast was clear and they had privacy. Hinata motioned for Ingrid to say a prayer, crossing herself. She had no idea how this would go, but she knew this had to happen sooner or later.
"Have you ever felt like your heart's being pulled in three different directions, that you feel like every choice is wrong?" Ingrid asked Hinata. She looked confused by Hinata's question.
"Yes, I feel like right now my heart's being pulled into three different directions, and no matter what choice I make, I feel like I'm going to hurt someone in the end." Hinata replied.
"Do you want to know why I haven't been able to speak to you since that day? My feelings for the past month that we had spent time together have been wonderful. I don't regret anything we did together; you're a good person. I'm not jealous of you, and I can't be." Ingrid was afraid of revealing the rest; she was afraid of rejection, but she knew she had to face it. It was too late to turn back now.
"Everything we have done together, Ingrid Chan, I feel like I've known you much longer than I actually do. The sparring sessions feel like I've known you for most of my life, even though it's impossible that's the culture where you're from. The more you spar with someone, the more you know them intimately." Their faces were inches from each other, very close.
"I would be hated by my clan and have them look at me in disgust doing what I'm about to do now, but I don't give a damn." Hinata did something that Ingrid did not expect; she felt her lips on hers. She was so caught off-guard that she had no idea how to react. She felt her arms wrapped around her waist, and Ingrid, losing all sense of self-control, kissed Hinata back. Ingrid wrapped her own arms around her; her right hand was behind Hinata's head, while her left was on her back.
The intensity of their passion was nothing like she'd ever experienced before. She felt Hinata start to remove her uniform, and knowing what she was going to do, Ingrid did not resist. She didn't want to.
Ingrid's hands were on Hinata's uniform as well. Ingrid was on top of her. Ingrid's braids on her hair were undone, and her long hair was down to her back. They stopped when Hinata put her hands through her hair.
"You're beautiful, Ingrid Chan," Hinata said as she started to remove the top of her uniform. The first layer was tossed to the side. Ingrid did the same to Hinata. It was clumsy how they were doing it, but neither one of them cared if it was appropriate or not or if it was the right time. She couldn't control her passions. She didn't desire to. She was sick of denying what she wanted.
Ingrid undid the buttons on Hinata's undershirt, and Hinata threw it to the side. Unlike Ingrid, Hinata did not wear a bra. She could understand how uncomfortable it was for her, considering her chest size. Enough to remove hers, which exposed her chest. It wasn't as big as Hinata's, not even close, but it wasn't small either.
She felt he not to remove her bra and threw it to the side. She couldn't believe what she was doing. Naruto and Hinata were currently dating. Isn't this cheating? She tried to do everything she could to resist because she couldn't do that to Naruto. She loves him. She cannot hurt him, but Hinata stopped her.
"Naruto Kun doesn't mind, please, Ingrid Chan, I need this." Hinata said pleadingly. She stopped resisting and let him not to kiss her neck; she slowly went down until she felt Hinata's mouth on her chest. she let out a moan it been 2 years since she had last had sex she didn't understand how Hinata simple touch with her tongue caused her to instantly moan in pleasure she felt completely at her mercy. she felt hinatas and go lower to where her skirt was and by some miracle she doesn't know how she was able to do it remove it the only thing that stood between her and Hinata now was her underwear which she already felt wet by Hinata's simple touch.
Before she went any further, he stopped and removed the rest of her clothing. The only thing they both had on now was their underwear.
"I'm sorry if I caused you any pain." Hinata said as their faces were close.
"He didn't cause me pain, I just didn't expect it." Hinata wiped the tear that dropped.
"I can't control what my heart feels. I love you, Hinata." Ingrid said, not knowing what the consequences of her confession would be.
"I love you too, Ingrid Chan." Hinata replied. Ingrid cried, happy, but she didn't get a chance to do anything when Hinata, with her right index finger, went to wear her vagina and started inserting her fingers in and out. Ingrid did not expect this sudden surge of pleasure; she moaned loudly, which caused her to blush and feel embarrassed. Hinata was even redder than she was.
"Oh, fuck." Ingrid moaned as Hinata removed the underwear she was wearing to make it easier. She spread her legs, not able to see what Hinata was doing, but she knew what was about to happen.
She felt Hinata's tongue inside her vagina, and she covered her mouth with her hands, not used to receiving such intense pleasure in that position. Out of all the times, why was she making love to the woman she had fallen in love with during a mission? It was ridiculous, it was irrational, but it didn't matter at the moment.
Hinata was aggressive, dominant, and it turned Ingrid on even more, the idea of her shy friend being so bold.
"Oh, God, fuck," Ingrid moaned, unable to hold it in. She made sure to cover her mouth so she wouldn't scream loud enough to wake everyone in the camp. She climaxed all over Hinata's face, and after the ordeal was over, she removed her hands. Hinata leaned towards her face, their lips inches apart.
"You taste amazing." Hinata said to her. She didn't want to be the only one to have received pleasure; she wanted him to feel great as well. Ingrid, with Hinata's permission, went down to her neck. There was so much she wanted to do; she wanted to feel the same pleasure Hinata gave her earlier. She grabbed onto Hinata's chest and started to aggressively rub them against each other. Hinata was lighter than she was. She covered her own mouth as Ingrid aggressively sucked her breast. She was like a hungry, sex-crazed animal. She wanted not only to pleasure her lover but also to dominate her.
"Oh God, I can't..." Hinata's breast released liquid, which Ingrid consumed greedily. It tasted amazing to her. she wanted to taste everything about her she took off Hinata's underwear and threw it to the side. Hinata was blushing when angry was looking at her private area with a lustful look.
"Oh, please, it's embarrassing," Hinata said as Ingrid inserted her finger inside of her. This turned Ingrid on more when she heard Hinata moan. She didn't care if anyone walked in on them at this moment; she wanted to be a good lover to Hinata.
"Oh God," Hinata covered her mouth. She wasn't gentle; she was going really fast and aggressive, wanting Hinata to scream her name. She knew Hinata had a boyfriend, but Naruto would have no problem with them comforting each other. He wanted to make them both happy, why couldn't she do the same for Hinata?
Tears were falling down Hinata's eyes.
"Oh God, Ingrid, please don't stop." Hinata said. Ingrid stopped momentarily. She had never done this before, but he knocked it to her earlier, and it was only fair that she returned the favor. She didn't give Hinata time to prepare as Ingrid started to eat her out like a greedy gluttonous woman wanting to eat her food. Though, for Hinata's case, it was her vagina.
Hinata was groaning, her head was jerking. It took all of her self-control not to let go of her hands on her mouth. Ingrid was incredible, how she used her tongue in her mouth and her private area. Naruto wasn't able to do it as well as she could now with his own mouth. She was a natural, despite having no experience being the one to pleasure another woman. Though she knows Ingrid is experienced, it must be because she had another lover before her.
She continued to moan, it was unbelievable to her how anyone could be this good. She felt herself about to reach her limit; she didn't want to end so soon. Oh God, she didn't want to end so soon.
But it did. She released, and then didn't hold back anymore because she couldn't.
"Fuck," Hinata moaned as she felt liquids come out. Ingrid greedily consumed all of it. She went to Hinata and collapsed by her side. She couldn't believe what they had just done.
She played with Ingrid's hair for so long and so beautifully that it was as if she was in the presence of a princess, even though that is something that Ingrid would hate due to her not being interested in such things.
"I'm sorry, I wanted this since I laid my eyes on you." Ingrid confessed, which confused Hinata.
"Ingrid." Hinata said.
"For the past month, I've been conflicted. Before I started talking to you, before we became friends, before we sparred, I was jealous of you. How you were Naruto's heart, I thought I didn't have a chance, I don't know if I still do. The way he spoke highly of you, I was so jealous that it was tempting to hate you because I didn't think it was fair." Ingrid confessed, she turned away, ashamed. Hinata couldn't blame her; in a way, she was jealous, too.
"When I first met you, Ingrid Chan, I was jealous of how easy Naruto Kun was able to talk about you and how much he praised you. Even when we started dating, I felt inadequate. I was tempted to hate you at first, despite saying I wanted to be your friend, because I didn't know if I wanted to share Naruto Kun with anyone. I loved him since I was a child, but then..." Hinata hesitated on the next part.
"Then what?" Ingrid asked her.
"We sparred a lot, we spent time together, laughed together, and ate together. The more I sparred with you, the more I got a chance to know you. Then I started feeling guilty for a different reason." Hinata paused.
"What do you mean?" Ingrid asked her.
"I fell in love with you. I don't know how it happened; it doesn't make much sense. My feelings were already complicated with Dorothea San, but I didn't expect to fall in love with you. I tried to fight it, I tried to suppress it, but the more I did, the more I longed for you. For so long, I have suppressed who I truly am because I was never allowed to be truly myself due to my clan." Hinata said, opening up about her clan was never easy; it was always difficult because of her not wanting to even talk about her clan around others due to how much she doesn't want to discuss it. She would rather discuss anything else.
"I don't get what you're saying." Ingrid said, confused.
"For the longest time, I've had to suppress that I'm attracted to both boys and girls, though mostly girls. I asked myself multiple times, 'Am I a lesbian?' and if I am, why am I in love with Naruto Kun? It's a question that I have never been able to confront until Dorothea made me face who I truly am." Hinata confessed. It felt good telling another, it felt good not having to hide it anymore.
"I thought I was a lesbian too until I met Naruto." Ingrid confessed.
"What? You're the last person I thought." Hinata said, confused. He did not know that Ingrid was as confused as she was at one point.
"I didn't know what I was until I met a girl I thought she was pretty though I suppressed my attraction to her because I didn't want my fiance at the time to think less of me." Ingrid said referring to Glenn who she never talks about.
"I'm the same way. I didn't think I was attracted to girls until I met Monica. She was the first girl I've ever had a crush on. I thought she was pretty - her red hair, her eyes, her skin." Hinata said, closing her eyes, thinking about what Monica would currently look like. She wondered what had happened to her, where she was.
"Dorothea told me the same thing when we dated in secret about her first crush that it was a girl. So, it's a mindfuck when you develop a crush on a boy, too, and it's all sorts of confusing." Ingrid said, thinking about her own infatuation with Naruto when they first met.
"Both of us have our hearts in three different directions. Could we really make it work, Hinata?" Ingrid asked, their faces close enough for their lips to touch.
"We'll make it work - the four of us: you, me, Naruto kun, and Dorothea San. I love all of you, and I won't choose." Hinata said with conviction. She didn't care what anyone thought.
"I would love that would Dorothea agree to such a thing?" Ingrid asked her she felt Ingrid's fingers through her hair she allowed her to play with it she enjoyed Naruto doing it too though Ingrid's hands were softer than how Naruto did it but she didn't mind it either way.
"I'm tired." said Ingrid, who was barely able to keep her eyes open.
"Me too." Hinata said. Ingrid kissed her, and Hinata returned the kiss. The taller woman placed her head on Hinata's chest and fell asleep, Hinata not too far behind. Her last thoughts as she fell asleep were about what she would do to protect the people she loved most.
Byleth was on lookout, everyone else was asleep; he had a lot to think about. It's thanks to the powers of Sothis that he didn't need as much sleep as his students. There was a lot on his mind; he didn't know why, but he felt like this mission that he was going on would change the fate of many people across the entire continent. He had a premonition; it was hard to understand. He saw multiple possible futures. It terrified him how this mission might go could change the fate of everyone. He looked at the tent where Marianne was; he was worried about her more than anyone else.
"You should get some sleep." Sothis advised.
"There's so much at stake if I screw up. My students could die if I make a wrong call. I'm not used to this." He admitted his insecurities; he wasn't used to being in command.
It angered him that the archbishop was sending his students on a mission so soon when they weren't ready. Most of the students were inexperienced in the harsh world; only a few of them had any combat experience. The Konoha transfers he had no worries about because they had prior training. He had no concerns for Edelgard or Hubert The Way they carried themselves, they had experience. It was the others that he was concerned with, the ones who had never picked up a weapon before and used it to kill someone to take a life. Marianne was the kind of person who didn't revel in violence, but if he left her out of this mission, he would show her that he didn't have faith in her. Actions speak louder than words, and he couldn't afford to make his students seem like he didn't have faith in them.
"This is what the burden of leadership is." she said, Byleth knows his father had told him the burden of being a leader, that not everyone could be one, that only certain kinds of people could be a leader because difficult choices have to be made in certain situations. The other thing that made it difficult is being responsible for the lives of others, which is something Byleth hasn't done before. He was always the one that was taking orders, not the one giving orders.
"I am sure your father felt the same way when you went on your first job as a mercenary. It is natural to be afraid, but you cannot let that fear control you. I can help you. My powers can reverse time to a limited extent, but it has its limits." Sothis reads every one of his thoughts. It's not surprising that she's been inside of him his entire life, though he didn't know until recently.
"Don't worry, I will do a lookout get some sleep; you're going to need it." The way she said it left no room for argument. Byleth fell asleep and, for the time being, put his worries aside.
Everyone woke up early in the morning. If they wanted to get to their destination by the end of the day, they would get there. The professor was always on time. Lysithea was new to the Black Eagles. She didn't have strong opinions about anyone; in the Black Eagles she couldn't help but be reminded of herself when she sees Edelgard because her hair was like hers, she wondered if did she went through the same experiments as she did? She couldn't imagine someone going through such horrors, but she wouldn't be surprised she was wary of the Empire due to her past experiences and what it has done to her and her family. Hinata was another story; she heard from the Golden Deer her former classmate Naruto that she was the equivalent of an angel. She thought that was an exaggeration. They said the same thing about Mercedes. What she had seen since she transferred, the rumors lived up to what they said, even if they were exaggerated.
She was kind to her classmates and didn't judge anyone harshly, and she treated everyone with respect. Hinata noticed her looking at her; she never talked to her once. They were next to each other, and things were silent before Hinata spoke.
"I've heard much about you, Lysithea-san. I haven't had a chance to talk to you up to this point because we've been so busy. I've always wanted to talk to you one-on-one; but we have never been presented with any opportunities due to how busy things have been since the mock battle"
She spoke softly, knowing that she couldn't help but think that this is who Marianne could be if she had more confidence in herself. She noticed that Marianne was next to the professor; she couldn't help but notice something of an attraction between them, though she would keep it to herself."
"At least you're not treating me like a child like everyone else seems to." She said, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Why would I do that? You work hard. You're talented. I wish I could be half as good as you are." This irritated her. She clearly was far stronger than she wanted to admit, and she was downplaying her abilities. She saw herself spar time and time again, beating most of her opponents in the dueling ring. Even the new transfer student, Ingrid. This pissed her off. She felt like she was being patronizing rather than respectful.
"Don't insult me me there's nothing that pisses me off more than someone downplaying their own abilities just to make me feel better. I don't like it."
Hinata was shocked that she snapped at her like that, but she didn't care. She wasn't going to let anyone pity her or downplay what they can do just to try to gain her respect.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you. I'm just not anyone special." This made her angrier.
"Have you forgotten that you almost single-handedly won the mock battle due to your skills and leadership? Stop downplaying them just to try to put me at your level." Lysithea marched forward. She didn't want to be anywhere near her. Those who downplay their abilities to try to appease her made her angrier than anyone else, and she wouldn't tolerate such people, no matter who they are.
Lysithea stormed off; Hinata was about to tell her to wait, but someone placed their hand on her shoulder she looked around. It was Ferdinand.
"Don't take it personally; she doesn't like it when people downplay what they can do, but you shouldn't really do that; you dishonor yourself by doing that."
She did not want to hear this from Ferdinand.
"I don't want to be arrogant," Hinata replied.
"You're from a noble house; from your homeland, you dishonor your house by putting yourself down in order to lift others up."
She listened as he continued.
"You are a hard worker just like Lysithea is, and I think you're doing yourself a disservice by putting yourself down; you're not going to gain her respect that way if you talk to her as an equal, she'll be far more receptive."
She couldn't help but agree with him on this one, but she didn't want to come off as arrogant, that's what Ferdinand came off as.
"I don't want to come off as arrogant, I'm not like you,"
Hinata said, more irritated than she intended.
"Come on, no need to act so rude." He said defensively.
"If I'm coming off as being rude, it's your fault." Hinata rode ahead of him.
People were surprised and whispered.
"Did she just snap at him?" asked Caspar, surprised by the normally soft-spoken girl snapping at their classmate.
Hubert looked amused. She didn't pay attention to what the rest of her classmates were saying; she was focusing on the task at hand.
There's a lot of things she was concerned with Naruto and Dorothea. Were they okay? She was anxious, she was worried sick about them, she wouldn't indulge in those thoughts.
She heard the wings of a Pegasus. It was Ingrid and Grian. She looked up at the sky. Nothing more was said throughout the day. She wished she could fly on Grian with Ingrid, but because of where they were, she couldn't. She had to focus on the mission. She knew they were getting close to their destination. She saw a fortress on the horizon; it was completely made of stone and looked ancient. She saw Edelgard, who was anxious. Just what was it about this place that made her that way? She activated her Byakugan and noticed something: there was a girl who was tied to a wall, her hands were tied by a chain. Hinata realized things were not so simple anymore. This mission wasn't just to eliminate all the bandits; it was a rescue mission. Did she know this? Why didn't Edelgard tell her? She knew this the whole time. There's no way she didn't.
She was going to get answers when the opportunity presented itself. Everyone got off their horses, this will be the first time she would ever take a life. All her life she was trained to kill, but she never liked taking a life. She applauded the idea; however, if she was going to be able to protect those she cared about, she had to steel herself.
"An entire fortress of bandits; what are our orders, Professor Byleth?" asked Shino Kiba, who was also waiting for orders along with everyone else.
"Defend yourselves by any means necessary; they have no qualms about killing you, so don't have any qualms about killing them. I will not have any of you die. All of us will make it home; do what is necessary to survive. This is not a game; this is real. Remember your training."
Everyone looked at him with acknowledgement; Hinata got into her fighting stance. She looked at her friends Bernadetta and Marianne; they were looking at her for orders, so she was leading them.
"Follow my lead, both of you," Hinata ordered. They got into formation. She hated the idea of taking another life, but she would protect her friends by any means necessary.
Edelgard saw her companions go ahead; she knew it was now or never. The first of the bandits that the Black Eagles encountered, Edelgard killed with ease. The first of the bandits tried to attack Hinata only for him to be cut down by Byleth. The man fell into a heap and died instantly. To her left, Edelgard cut two of the bandits in front of her; they fell to the ground before they could do anything to strike at her. A dark spell used by Hubert hit them.
To Edelgard's right, Hinata fought a group of bandits. One of them tried to attack her from behind, but was killed instantly when Hinata did a rotation, which was a technique foreign to the inhabitants of Fodlan. Five of the bandits died instantly, and she was shocked at the brutality. Hinata wasn't playing around. The normally shy and gentle woman had the look of a beast. Which unsettled her this was not a side of Hinata she thought ever existed she put that thought aside right now what was important is saving Monica.
There were two lion fists formed from her hands; the bandits were confused. The first of them tried to approach, but Hinata didn't give them any time to attack. They were dropping like flies. Edelgard thought it was too easy; she couldn't ponder. She had to focus on the task at hand: rescuing Monica. Monica took priority. She noticed Hinata had her Byakugan activated. She didn't know how the Byakugan worked the only thing she knew for certain is they would assist her in her search faster.
Hinata was going ahead of the group she was being accompanied by Ingrid who cut down multiple groups of bandits with her sword that she had equipped. She wants to cut through these bandits like the vermin that they are but she cannot lose control of her emotions too much dependent on her. She was risking everything to save Monica. Her plan her ambition could crumble if she dies here. she dealt with one bandit after another; she didn't notice there was one about to attack her from behind before she could strike at the bandit; the woman was killed by Marianne. She silently thanked her as she progressed further she would save Monica no matter what it took she would not lose anybody else.
She killed for the first time Marianne felt dirty her hands were shaking she couldn't be a burden on anyone another bandit attacked before she could strike a blow the bandit was struck with an arrow in the eye instantly killing him. Bernadetta had a look of horror on her face what she had done but she couldn't, like Marianne, think about it. She killed another one and another one with her bow. Marianne didn't pay attention to the blood that was on her hands; she couldn't be a burden especially to Byleth; he accepted her so she wanted to pay him back by any means. A bandit was about to strike at her Marianne was about to cast a spell but she knew it would be futile she would be killed she closed her eyes accepting her fate but the blow never came.
She saw it blade through the bandit's chest, he collapsed in a heap. Byleth shouted at her.
"What the hell are you doing? You could have been killed!" He had a worried look on his face. Another band that was about to strike, unlike Marianne Byleth, was much faster; he didn't give the bandit a chance to strike at him.
"Stay by me" He commanded Marianne did exactly as she was told. She felt like she disappointed him; she wished she could be so much stronger. The bandits kept coming. Why was there so many of them? What were they guarding? Marianne may not be an expert, but there would be this many bandits in this fortress that they're going to unless there was someone or something important hiding there. She had no time to think about survival; it was the priority.
Along with Bernadetta, they covered each other's backs.
Bernadetta took another arrow out of her quiver and fired. The arrow entered a man's skull.
Marianne cast a thorn that killed five bandits instantly.
"There are so many of them, professor." said Bernadetta, fear in her voice. She was terrified, just like Marianne. She wished she could be like Hinata and Ingrid. If only she could be as brave as them! She felt like a coward.
"Steal your fear, Bernadetta. Do not let it control you." Byleth said as he cut down a bandit that was about to cut Marianne down. She couldn't be a burden, she couldn't be a coward.
A bandit was about to strike at Byleth's back. She didn't know what happened. She felt like there was a power within her. With a motion of her hand, she made the bandit freeze in place. She saw icicles come out of the man's chest as if he was being frozen solid from the inside.
She couldn't explain this power she had just used, but she wasn't going to let fear control her. Not fear to take a life, not fear of the battle that was happening around her. Her friends were what mattered. Her friends depended on her. Byleth depended on her. If she had to soil her hands with blood to ensure they came back safely, so be it.
The beast inside her that she fears, she would use even the power that she hates to protect everyone.
The surrounding area's temperature dropped to below zero; the bandits were freezing. Marianne did not know what this power was; it was as if on command she saw the hearts of the enemies in front of her and froze them solid. They had a look of terror on their faces as they fell down on their backs, dead.
This power was intoxicating, but just like that, her control of it was gone. Bernadetta went to her side and shot multiple arrows to prevent any bandits from doing a killing blow to Marianne, who was not able to move. She felt exhaustion suddenly, and the surge of power that she never knew she had...
"You have to get up," said Bernadetta, barely able to get the words out. She forced herself to move; there was death all around her. She defended herself the best she could. She had wondered in the back of her mind what that sudden surge of power was, why she didn't have it before, and why it felt different from her crest.
Monica heard noises. Was there a battle going on? She thought her tormentor looked at her, not happy about what was going on.
Kronya had a cruel smile. No, it couldn't end like this; she wouldn't allow herself to be consumed by this monster. Death would be better than being taken by this abomination. Her cell opened; she grabbed her. Monica fought back with all her strength; she wasn't going to allow herself to die. Not if there's hope that something might happen up there. If what's happening above is what she thinks it is, then she won't grovel and die like an animal.
"I will not die! You abomination! Keep your hands off of me!"
Monica said with hatred. It was no use; she was so much stronger than her, with barely any food and barely any water, in months had taken their toll on her. She was overpowered quickly.
Multiple bandits fell from the stairway, their bodies blown to pieces.
There was a girl with long blue hair and lavender eyes. Both sides of her face were covered in blood, and her eyes didn't understand what she was seeing. Though something about her face looked familiar, she couldn't be sure.
"What the hell are you?" Kronya asked her.
"You're worst nightmare. Let her go now." The girl said coldly.
"No." She said as she dropped Monica to the ground. She took her blades out; she was going to cut her to pieces. She thought.
"You should feel privileged. It isn't often that the gentle fist is used on foreign soil, especially not often when I get to use it against an abomination like you."
The gentle fist Monica thought that girl couldn't be? Kronya tried to defend herself but the girl was a lot faster than she was and stronger. She dodged the best she could but she was too fast.
"1.8 trigram 64 palms"
with lightning speed she hit every single point in her body which looked like a regular technique of martial arts but it was nothing like that what Monica saw she remembered that technique well when she traveled with Edelgard to Konoha when she temporarily stayed at the Hyuga clan compound.
Kronya was about to cast a spell, but it was no use; she looked at the girl with hatred.
"You beast! So you're one of those damned ones!" Kronya ran away; she could no longer fight any of them. If she were to fight any member of their group, they should be killed because she couldn't use any of her magic. She was suspicious of this girl after being locked up for months; she didn't know if this was another one of Kronya's terrible jokes.
"Don't worry, I'm a friend. I'm not here to hurt you." The girl said calmly, a contrast to the cold-blooded nature she had earlier.
Something seemed familiar about her; it couldn't be.
"Hinata, is that you?"Monica asked the girl who looked familiar.
"Moni Chan?"Hinata asked, surprised to see her at a place like this. She was relieved to see a familiar face. Her face looked fchanged immediately. The kind face turned into a serious and cold one.
"There's no time to explain. I'll get you out of here." The girl lifted her up, despite being someone of her stature, she was quite strong.
She noticed a symbol on her chest; it was a Black Eagle, which meant Edelgard was there. She was relieved she'd be able to see her again; she had almost given up all hope of ever seeing Edelgard again. She didn't know what her reasoning was for saving her, but she didn't care. Being saved from a fate worse than death was good enough for her.
Lysithea fought her first battle in her life, and all that training she had done up until this point was paying off. One bandit after another was being incinerated by the spells she was casting. Her classmates supported her: Petra jabbed her sword through a bandit's throat, preventing Lysithea from getting a fatal blow. Her other classmates were also protecting her: Kiba used a strange technique that she would have to ask him about later, where he transformed into a wolf-like form (though it was a dog) and incapacitated multiple bandits; they weren't dead, at least she thought they weren't. She didn't have time to think.
She cast another spell, and here an incantation needle popped up in the air and killed five bandits instantly, leaving no bones behind. It was quite powerful; she was amazed she had managed to do it.
"You should be careful about using a spell that's powerful," Linhardt warned, not wanting to hear it from him. The fighting was almost over; there were fewer and fewer weapons clashing. She saw Ingrid get off her Pegasus and block multiple blows from bandits who were trying to assault her. She wondered why she would get off her Pegasus? The bandits were knocked down; the battle was all but over.
Decapitated bodies were everywhere there must have been at least a hundred bandits if not more. How does a class of under 20 people at best kill that many? She couldn't help but think that they were a small army. She saw Hinata holding a red-haired girl just who she was exactly? she wondered Hinata spoke.
"We should get the hell out of here, Byleth-sensei," Hinata said, as a gigantic beast accompanied by a pale-skinned woman with pale orange hair.
"I'm not letting you take our prize,"the woman said.
A gigantic monster; how can they take it on? She felt terrified and couldn't move; the beast claw sliced at her, cutting her to pieces. The last thing she heard as her life left her were her classmates screaming.
Ingrid couldn't believe what she had just seen. Lysithea was torn in half by the beast in front of her. The look on the girl's face was one of shock. Hinata had a look of pure rage over the brutality and cruelty of the pale-skinned woman, who took great pleasure in the act. Petra didn't fare much better; the creature's claws went straight through her chest. She didn't get a chance to even cry out as her life left her. Caspar tried to defend his comrades, but he didn't get a chance to move as the creature smashed his classmate to pieces. The pile of blood and gore was unrecognizable; she didn't even recognize that the body in front of her was once her classmate.
Ingrid couldn't let fear control her. She got into her defensive stance, determined to protect those who were still alive. The next victim was Ferdinand, who had his torso ripped from his body. Hubert was so shocked by what had happened to him that he was momentarily distracted as his head was ripped from his body and the creature ate Hubert's body.
She was trying her best to defend herself, but the creature was too strong.
"I'm not going to die here, damn it." Said Ingrid as she struck at the creature, it screamed in pain. It slashed wildly, and then it looked at Ingrid in a fit of rage, aiming its claw straight at her. She barely got out of the way, but the person killed next was the red-haired girl, who was smashed against the wall of the castle, leaving a gigantic blood stain. They had just rescued her, and now she had hurt her classmates.
"MONICA, YOU BASTARDS." She had heard Edelgard charge in and attack the beast wildly, but she didn't get far as the creature, with the pale skin woman's command, ripped her in half. This was not a battle; this was a massacre.
Hinata, fighting to avenge her friends with Bernadetta by her side, tried to kill the beast, but it was no use. As if they could read their minds, the beast and its Rider crushed Bernadetta, and the girl didn't get a chance to scream as her life ended.
Hinata was trying her best to save what was left of their classmates. Ingrid went to her side, but they said nothing. She was not going to fail Hinata. When the beast moved faster than she thought it would, it went straight for Hinata. Ingrid pushed her out of the way, and the beast put its claws through her heart. Blood came out of her mouth.
There were so many regrets. Her inability to protect her friends, Hinata, and herself. She would die, and she dropped her lance. Naruto, she failed him. She filled Hinata just like she had failed Glenn.
In her final thoughts, these regrets consumed her.
Byleth saw his students die one by one, the first one was Lysithea she wasn't the only one. The second victim of the beast's was Petra then afterwards Caspar then Hubert then Bernadetta The girl didn't get a chance to run; her body was smashed and she no longer looked human. One by one, his students were being torn to pieces. Even Hinata couldn't survive the onslaught. He felt helpless; it was all happening so quickly. Then he saw the beast grab Marianne. The girl's body was being crushed. She looked at him and spoke weekly. "I'm sorry for being a burden to you." Marianne; said to him the last words that she said as the beast ended her life
"NO", he went on his knees, he failed all of his students were dead; he had completely failed them.
"What the hell are you doing? Have you forgotten about the power I gave you?" The words barely registered. The beast was about to strike at him; his claws would pierce through his chest if he didn't do anything.
"Are you really just going to stand there and let us die?" She asked him angrily.
Time stopped. He looked at Sothis and asked her a question.
"Well, my students remember that they died?" Byleth asked Sothis.
"They will not remember; it will be as if it never happened, but remember it has limits. Your chances aren't infinite." She advised him; he reversed time up until the point where the beast was about to strike at Lysithea.
With his sword, he jabbed his blade into the beast's hand. Yelling at the white-haired girl to run, she did as she was told.
"Bernadetta, aim your arrow at the beast's eye." He ordered the girl, who hesitated due to her fear.
"DO IT, DAMMIT!" He didn't mean to shout at her; but he couldn't bear it to fail again.
She did exactly as she was told, and let her arrow loose. The arrow went through the beast's eye but didn't take the beast down.
It screeched in pain. Hinata put the red-haired girl down gently and activated her Byakugan.
"Sensei, aim for his stomach; that's his weak point." Hinata told him that he didn't know how her abilities worked. He would ask her later. The beast tried to attack him, but he dodged and slashed at his stomach. The beast screamed in pain.
The beast was about to strike, but a lance went through its head. It looked up and it was Ingrid on her Pegasus. Hubert cast a dark spell which burned the creature's skin on its right side. The beast still wouldn't go down before he could defend himself. He saw the beast was aiming straight for him when it could strike at him. A thorn smell destroyed the creature's right hand. It screeched in pain. He looked and it was Marianne who had saved his life. He felt foolish for making such a mistake that an amateur would make.
The beast was still attacking wildly. How is this thing still alive? What kind of abomination is it?
"Hinata, can you tell everyone else about any other weaknesses?" Edelgard asked her. She couldn't believe it; they were on the verge of getting out. All they had to do was kill this beast, and Monica would be rescued.
"I don't know. We struck at its weak spot, and it's still alive. I don't know what the hell this thing is made of. We're going to have to hit it until it's dead." Hinata admitted. This was dangerous. She thought so much could go wrong, and this mission could be for nothing. She had to think quickly.
With the power of her Crest and Hinata's gentle fist, she theorized it would be possible, though it would be a risk.
"Hinata to me," Edelgard ordered, and went to her side.
"When I tell you to strike, we will strike; do you hear me?" Edelgard asked her.
"Yes," Hinata answered.
Edelgard went ahead of her; the beast would focus on her with her axe, Edelgard jumped in the air and slashed at the beast's chest. Hinata charged with lightning speed, with her Byakugan activated and with her fist yelled.
"Eight Trigrams: Lightning Air Palm!" A lightning blade came out of Hinata's palm which pierced the beast's heart. There was silence, and the beast collapsed. Nobody did anything.
Byleth singled for the students to stay put; he checked everywhere to make sure the beast was dead, and then said, "The base is dead. We completed our mission and rescued the girl. We should get as far away from this place as possible. I don't like the stench here."
Edelgard couldn't help but agree with him, but she noticed he went straight to Marianne with a worried look on his face. Making sure she was okay, Marianne reassured him, Edelgard can't help but notice he has a haunted look on his face. What is it exactly?" She would like to speak to him alone; she hasn't had many opportunities due to how busy things have been and her lack of trust.
She went to Monica. The girl looked at her and she didn't care what everyone thought. She wrapped her arms around her Edelgard and let her tears fall.
"Monica, I thought I would never see you again."
Monica spoke softly.
"Thank you."
No words were needed between them; she pulled her face away, facing Edelgard, and placed her lips on hers, not caring if everyone saw. Everyone was shocked, including Hinata. It was the most passionate kiss she had ever had with her. It didn't matter about her smell or anything. Just feeling her again for the first time in her life. She didn't fail to protect someone important to her.
Hinata decided to give Edelgard and Monica space. She could see it in their eyes that they loved each other and the kind of love that they had was deep. She hadn't seen Monica for 7 years, another friend from her childhood. Edelgard was keeping something from her; she knew why—didn't she tell her? Wasn't she her friend? She had to find out why and she would find out why, but not now. She wouldn't ruin the moment between them. She went as far away from them as possible to give them some space. As they walked away from the fortress, Ingrid noticed something about Hinata.
"Are you alright, Hinata?" asked Ingrid, concerned. "Yeah, I just can't help feeling like something happened back there, and it didn't happen at the same time. It just..." She shivered. She could have sworn that she saw one of her classmates get torn to pieces and one of her friends being smashed, but that didn't happen She still can't help feel like it did it was unnerving.
It was messing with her mind.
"so you noticed the effects that Byleth's powers had; it seems like your bloodline is immune you, remembering what happened". She looked around, wondering who was talking to her, then she saw a girl with long green hair; Ingrid couldn't see her because Ingrid was wondering what Hinata was looking at.
"Only you can see me, other than your professor, of course; you have something in your blood that makes it possible."
This perplexed Hinata even more.
"Who are you?" Hinata asked. Generally, she wanted to know; Ingrid couldn't hear what Hinata was asking her, which surprised Hinata even more.
"Time is standing still, but it's only going to happen for a brief amount of time. At least for me; for you, it'll be much longer. I am what you would call the beginning. My name is Sothis." the green-haired girl said, which surprised her—the goddess herself. She didn't want to believe it.
"How is that possible? You couldn't have existed at the same time as the sage of six paths" Hinata said.
The girl looked at her confused.
"I never heard of someone with that name." Sothis said to her. This put her even more confused. This is supposed to be the Goddess; how could she not remember something from over a thousand years ago?
"You're a Goddess; how can you not remember?" Hinata asked her. The girl ignored her question.
"There's one thing I want to tell you. Do not tell anyone. You will only make things harder for your friends. I don't think anybody wants to be remembered how they died or how someone they care about. It's best that you don't tell them."
Hinata remembered it all vividly, nearly all of her friends died, including her.
"If you think it's best, then I won't tell them, but I still find it strange how a goddess doesn't remember anything. I thought you were all-knowing." The girl laughed at her as if she felt she said something foolish.
"I don't know myself, Hinata. I'm learning too; Byleth is learning, so I will likely find the answers in time. I've observed you so far; I like you. I find Naruto to be especially interesting, especially with your harem that you're both building." Hinata was blushing; she was in a deep shade of red. How did she know about that?
"You're so cute when you blush, no wonder Dorothea and Naruto want you. You even added Ingrid to your harem as well, so it's a win-win for both you and Naruto." This caused Hinata to blush in an even deeper shade of red.
"What the four of you do in your bedroom is your business." Sothis teased. Hinata wanted to bury her head deep underground.
"I have to go. It was nice meeting you, Hinata. I hope we can talk like this again."
Sothis disappeared, causing Hinata to return to the road. She couldn't believe it; the time she spent talking to Sothis had only been a second.
"Are you okay, Hinata?" Ingrid asked, concerned.
"Today was an exhausting day; I just can't wait to sleep." Ingrid remarked; Hinata couldn't help but agree.
They continued along with the rest of the class on their journey until nightfall, where they camped. Everyone was exhausted. They were glad to be near a hot spring. Maybe they could take a bath. She would give anything to bury her body in hot water. "If you want to take a bath, you're all welcome to do so. The girls will go first; we men will go afterwards." said Byleth.
Not all the girls went at once; the first among them to go was Edelgard, Monica, and Petra. Hinata would go with the others when it was their turn. For now, she decided to make dinner for everyone since it was her turn to do so.
When she went to the hot spring, Monica couldn't help but feel like she was in heaven. The past few months had been hell. I felt like it was a decade. Washing herself from all the dirt and grime that was in her skin, she couldn't stand being in clothes that she was stuck in, so she tossed them aside as soon as she took them off. When she entered the spring, she closed her eyes. It felt so good to finally feel alive again. She was afraid this was all a dream and she would wake up back in her cell. She felt a hand on her cheek. It was Edelgard; her hair was wet. It wasn't often that they were both naked together. It wasn't the first time, but to be alone like this with her, it felt like a dream after what had happened. She struck Edelgard's hair.
"I missed you," Edelgard said to her on the verge of breaking down. "That was reckless of you, but thank you."
Monica felt her own tears drop into Edelgard's arms once again; there was so much she wanted to do, but there was someone else: Petra. She was quick about her bathing, unlike them.
She knew what Edelgard was thinking. "We shouldn't be doing it here; people would hear us."Monica said to Edelgard.
"I don't care. I didn't think I'd ever see you again." She kissed her neck. This wasn't the most appropriate time to make love, but Monica didn't give a damn after everything she had been through. Usually, it was Monica who was the dominant one when they made love, but she didn't care this time. She allowed Edelgard to control the situation.
The two lovers made love. It would take them longer than everyone else, but Monica needed this. She let go for now of the nightmare that she had suffered from for the past few months.
The two lovers made love. It would take them longer than everyone else, but Monica needed this. She let go for now of the nightmare that she had suffered from for the past few months.
The two lovers made love. It would take them longer than everyone else, but Monica needed this. She let go for now of the nightmare that she had suffered from for the past few months.
The two lovers made love. It would take them longer than everyone else, but Monica needed this. She let go for now of the nightmare that she had suffered from for the past few months.
The rest of the Black Eagles girls got into the hot spring. Marianne undid her braids, her hair falling to her back. She doesn't go to hot springs very often, but when she does, it always feels relaxing. The other girls from her class were in the spring with her. The last one to enter was Hinata, who covered her chest. She blushed deeply, trying to cover herself; she could relate only too well. She was glad there were no men to stare at her.
"I'm so glad we're at a hot spring. It certainly hits the spot," said Ingrid, whose hair was down. "It's nice to be able to relax after that scary experience." remarked Bernadetta.
The two lovers made love. It would take them longer than everyone else, but Monica needed this. She let go for now of the nightmare that she had suffered from for the past few months.
"I don't understand why you're hiding yourself Hinata, you have nothing to be ashamed of"Ingrid said to her.
"I'm sorry it's just"she removed her arms away from her chest which shocked all the girls at the hot spring including Marianne. She wasn't attracted to women but she could see why Hinata wears the modest clothing that she wore due to the amount of attention that men would give her if they saw more of her body.
She couldn't help but admire her body. It was everything she wasn't perfect beautiful she looked at her own body. She did not notice Hinata looking at hers.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of Marianne Chan. I think you have a beautiful body far more than mine."She didn't understand why she talked down about herself so much; she had everything she didn't she has confidence, beauty strength attributes which she wished she had.
"Please stop doing that Hinata I don't like when you talk bad about yourself you're everything I'm not"the girls notice the tension between them. Ingrid stepped between them.
"let's just relax."Ingrid suggested they both sighed in relief."I'm sorry"Hinata said apologely."I'm sorry too,"Marianne replied.
Marianne couldn't help but notice Hinata was blushing; she wasn't aware that Ingrid was exposing herself fully to her; she turned away.
"Am I doing something wrong?" Ingrid asked, then she realized why and turned red herself. Lysithea rolled her eyes.
"Is it me, or is half of this class bisexual?" Lysithea asked.
"I don't mind; I mean it's safer to be a lesbian here than it is in other classes." Bernadetta admitted, which shocked Marianne.
"Wait what?" Hinata asked, surprised.
"Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that it's not something I'm open about." Bernadetta admitted.
"it's not common where I'm from personally my clan people are more socially conservative they consider anything that goes against the cultural norms as socially degenerate." that was something that Marianne was not surprised about.
"Well, it sounds like your clan is full of a bunch of assholes." Bernadetta said, which surprised everyone that she cursed.
"I didn't expect that so many people here would be bisexual or gay." Hinata said, feeling foolish over something that seemed to be obvious to everyone else.
"it's actually quite common for bisexuals, gays, and lesbians to be in the Black Eagles." Ingrid informed Hinata.
"which explains why Dorothea hit on you." remarked Lysithea, not surprised.
"Am I really that popular?" Hinata asked her peers.
"Well, out of all the girls, you and Dorothea are pretty much at the top. The guys are especially angry that Naruto is dating you in the first place." Ingrid pointed out.
"You know, among all the people, I never thought Sasuke and Mercedes would ever be a thing." Hinata said, which surprised everyone.
"I take it, you know Sasuke?"asked Ingrid.
"I don't know him on a personal level. We barely talked but of all my times of what I've seen he barely interacted with anyone. All the girls that admired him and squealed every time he appeared he didn't pay attention to them yet with Mercie Chan things changed you were in the Blue Lions Ingrid Chan you know Sasuke better than I do what happened what was Sasuke's reaction when he first met her?"
Marianne was curious as well; she never spoke to Sasuke but she saw him from a distance. He always looked like a lonely soul; she couldn't see herself ever showing any romantic interest in him. Something was dark about him and she could see that.
"Sasuke was awestruck when he saw her for the first time. The way he looked at her is hard to describe."Ingrid answered.
"You mean like a red thread?"
Hinata asked.
"That's what I've been meaning to ask you. What is a red thread, Hinata?" asked Marianne wanting to know what it is.
Marianne had heard about the red thread of Fate, but she didn't understand what it actually meant.
"It's when two or more soulmates meet each other for the first time, a bond is formed for a brief moment they could see their thread with their respective partner. The deeper red, the stronger the bond; there are other words for it, but soulmate is the most universal way to describe it.
Marianne recalls her first encounter with Byleth. She felt awestruck when she first met him, then she remembered when she thought about it, a thread formed between them. She didn't think of anything of it at the time.
"I don't know, but the idea of it is kind of wishful thinking. It's too good to be true." Bernadetta said sadly as she looked down at the water.
"I agree; it seems too convenient." Lysithea said, not believing it. Marianne knew where they were coming from. She put her hand on her chest and thought about everything that had happened since Byleth came into her life. It's only been a short time, but her heart beats rapidly. The night that she made love to him for the first time, she felt he had touched her soul. She remembers the night vividly. She remembers a red thread between them; it was even darker red than it was the first time she saw him.
When she's around him, she feels safe. He isn't judgmental; he's everything she ever wanted in a man. She almost forgot one of the things she wanted most; she almost gave up on it until he came into her life.
"I don't agree with either of you. I think what Hinata says is true" all the girls looked at her, including Hinata who was curious about what she had to say.
"Well, I find it a little convenient, but is it possible to have more than one soulmate?" Lysithea asked Hinata.
"Yes, but it doesn't happen often," Hinata answered. They were silent; the girls washed themselves one by one until it was only Marianne and Hinata left.
She was finishing washing her hair when Hinata spoke.
"You've experienced it yourself, haven't you?" Hinata asked her. She took a deep breath, maybe Hinata would understand because of Naruto. She understood what she was going through better than anyone.
"I don't know in what way it's similar to you and me. It's just" She stopped working on her hair; she didn't feel like braiding it that night. Hinata finished putting on her clothes. Marianne finished before she continued. She put the rest of her clothes back on and sat down.
"For the first time, I feel safe. I feel confident when I'm around him. I feel like I'm stronger. I want to be better, I want to be stronger so I won't burden anyone, especially him." Hinata made her face her.
"I know that feeling too well. I will support you every step of the way, Marianne Chan. I've been through the same thing. I support you every step of the way."
She's in love with her professor. That's absurd. She didn't want to even think about that; she doesn't think she's worthy. She thinks there's someone else who's more deserving, but the thought of another being in his arms makes her angry when she thinks about it.
"Is that how I feel towards him?" Marianne asked Hinata.
"How does he make you feel?" Hinata asked her.
"When I'm around him, I feel safe, I feel confident, I feel stronger. I don't have to be someone I know I could just be me. I'm not good with talking to people, and he's okay with that. We could just do nothing for hours, and he'll still be happy to be in my company."
Hinata continued to listen.
"He's patient; he listens; he respects people's boundaries. He's like a light that cuts the darkness compared to me; he's an angel, and I'm a demon." She felt a tear run down her face; it was difficult for her to express these feelings openly with another, but she knew someone would understand what was going through her mind.
"You deserve to be loved by Marianne Chan when you're ready to tell him, I will be there for you, okay." She hugged Marianne; she was such a good friend. What did she ever do to deserve someone like Hinata?"They went back to camp. Marianne can't help but think when she looks at Hinata, she's like an angel. She can understand why Naruto loves her so much and why Dorothea loves her as well. She's so kind.
She didn't really care about braiding her hair; it felt good to let it down for once. She went to her tent with Hinata and fell asleep.
Byleth decided to bathe alone; he had a lot to think about. A lot to ponder. A lot to reflect. No matter how much he wanted to deny it, he felt like he had failed. He thought about what would have happened if he didn't have Sothis's powers. He remembered their deaths, even though he had prevented their deaths when he reversed time. He still remembered them. He remembered his students getting torn to pieces, being crushed. Worst of all, he was hopeless when Marianne was also killed. All this power. This whole mission almost went to hell because he wasn't strong enough.
"That girl is alive, that should be enough."
She pointed out, but it wasn't; he couldn't protect Marianne with his own power. He didn't understand these feelings.
Sora might be able to help; Sora may be able to give advice.
He has to be better; he has to train his students better to avoid the disaster that happened.
"Then when you return, you'll have to train; that's what you would have done anyway, right?" Sothis pointed out.
"I won't let a disaster like what happened before happen again." Byleth promised. He looked up at the sky, wondering something he hadn't wondered in years: who was his mother, more than ever, he wanted to learn about her. Who she was and why his father didn't talk about her?
One day he would get the answers he wants to know where he came from, who his mother was, and most of all why is his father keeping secrets from him. He may not say it, but he can detect the answers he seeks. He will get an answer someday, though; if he can have his way, he would rather get his answers sooner than later.