This latest revision for this version of the chapter is basically a new chapter altogether. It's more than double the length of Chapter 3 and 4, which were originally going to be Byleth and Shez-centric chapters. However, when I originally wrote this, the chapter was short and I felt like it was rushed overall. So this new version is an adaptation of Three Houses Prologue, along with Chapter 1, with aspects of Three Hopes Prologue added in.
I do some foreshadowing about a character who's going to appear in the current Arc. I added this detail in order to have a plot twist that isn't out of nowhere for those who will read it after the fact.
chapter 3 fateful encounter
6 months ago
She opened her eyes. She had slept terribly the night before. She looked next to her. Another one of those one-night stands she hated so much. She had almost forgotten what the person looked like. She moved away from the naked woman and got dressed. She got out of the tent and saw one of her friends and her mercenary band, who are called Berling. They were a formidable band of mercenaries. One of the best there was, only a few that rivaled them. One of them being Jeralt, the legendary blade breaker.
There were few people who were even able to fight him and lived until the tale he was told was stuff of Legends.There was someone else who was also someone that people ran when they heard his name Byleth Eisner, commonly known as the Ashen Demon.
She didn't believe most of what she had ever thought were exaggerations. It was difficult for her to believe in any of the rumors.
Getz one of the members of the Berling band who was a person that has become like a friend to her greeted her.
"Shez I see you're up early. I take it Molly wasn't satisfying this time?" he asked, referring to the 20-year-old woman she slept with the previous night.
"It's just a one-night stand; nothing else." She replied indifferently.
"I still have a difficult time believing you're 16, considering you look like a woman in her early twenties."
Getz said in disbelief.
"believe what you will." Shez said annoyed.
"Shape it up; we have a big job today. I will not have my people screw this up."
Berling said in a tone that left no room for arguments.
"so what are we up against?"asked one of the other members of the mercenary band.
"We're going up against Jeralt and his mercenary band." Molly just finished getting dressed.
"Are you kidding me? I'm not going anywhere near those people. Screw this." said a man named Jonathan he left along with the men that were with him.
"Cowards" said Berling with disgust.
"Well, I'm not afraid of those people, and I think the rumors are just rumors. I'll believe it when I see it." Shez said, showing no ounce of fear.
"Well, at least one of you has some courage! You've certainly come a long way since I plucked you from that mountain village. But this battle is about more than just victory. Jeralt's team has a sterling reputation. Rumor has it they've never blundered a single job. But once we've put them to rout, we'll finally be the greatest mercenaries in all of Leicester!"
The captain excitedly said that this would be their day, where they would finally be the greatest mercenary band in Leicester.
She took her sword and made sure to sharpen it before the battle began.
"We're being hired for a job to take them out. This is our chance to make a name for ourselves. Victory!" yelled the captain.
Shez raised her sword along with everyone who stayed with Berling.
"Today will be the end of the Ashen Demon along with Jeralt." she continued.
Everyone cheered. This job would give the Berling mercenary band a name. This was her big break.
Her mercenary man got into formation, and she started to get ready for battle.
she saw an army that looked like to be around 40 to 60 people they may outnumber her mercenary band by at least 20 people but numbers weren't everything in battles.
The first among the men she was fighting, he looked at her and thought he had an easy target because she was a woman. It would turn out to be a mistake; she ended his life quick and clean.
She wasn't about making her opponent suffer; she believed that in a fight, especially one that involved getting paid, an enemy deserved a quick death, not prolonged suffering. It was not personal.
Due to her training from her mother, who showed her all the vital spots to strike in order to quickly end someone's life with minimal suffering.
The man she defeated didn't even know he was dead when she struck him. His comrade tried to strike at her in order to avenge his death. She slit her throat and left her there. She would be dead in a matter of seconds due to her bleeding out.
Eight more approached her one after another, each being defeated. The first among the eight cut the woman's head clean off. The second tried to charge at her for a surprise kill, but it was useless. She took out her second sword, which she had in her possession, and stabbed her quickly in the heart. She took out the blade and before anyone knew it, she struck at the fourth.
When she was in battle, she was completely in her element. She was a natural. The 5th and 6th opponents were much more difficult. She didn't pay attention as she cut them down she didn't bother checking if they were dead.
When the last two opponents attacked her, she struck them, but unlike the others, they weren't dead. The can possibly be saved if they got treatment in time. Her goal wasn't to kill them; she struck at non-lethal spots.
Her mercenary band was doing well, sharing clashes with swords and spears and axes. She saw her captain, who was killing one enemy after another, like a one-man army.
she was the strongest among them one day she hopes she could be as strong as Berling but her admiration for her Captain did not last long when she heard screaming.
"He's here!" Lazley said, cut down from behind by the man she had only heard legends about. He looked at her and everyone with a cold, indifferent expression that terrified her. This or that she was feeling was out of this world.
"Screw this shit, I'm out of here."
He said, one of the leaders of the battalions, who ran for their lives, she wanted to curse them. But they didn't get a chance to run for long until they were cut down by Jeralt and his men."
"You should know the consequences of starting a fight if you're not ready to deal with them. Don't start a fight in the first place." Byleth said coldly.
He was technically right, but this was not necessary; she thought. Her mercenary band was being killed, and her captain had a look of determination. She had no fear; she was determined to defeat her opponent.
"If I kill you, I will become a legend." she said with a voice without fear. She ran as fast as her legs would carry her. She was about to strike at the Ashen Demon.
She hoped beyond hope that her captain would be able to turn the tide, but it was not to be. She was cut down like the rest of them. She fell face down, dead. She had almost died instantly.
It was a slaughter Shez had blood on her face. The face of her fallen friends she remembered, even if it was a short time. The times they had together, she had nowhere to go, no home, and it was all gone. Tears fell just seeing everyone that she had known for the past three months gone.
"Damn you, monster!" she yelled, enraged. She didn't care if it wasn't rational or had no reason behind it; she ran as fast as she could and engaged in battle with the enemy.
Byleth slashed at her. She blocked with her left sword and tried to strike with her right, but he dodged. When she was about to strike, she felt his blade go through her stomach, and she coughed up blood.
"Damn it", she said.
She got up again determined not to lose. Despite the pain, despite everything, she went on. He dodged her like it was nothing. His entire body was liquid. She wasn't able to hit him. He was about to strike at her again, and she blocked with her right blade, which was broken to pieces. She wasn't back.
He walked towards her and looked at her with an expression she couldn't read.
"It's nothing personal, but you started this fight. Hopefully in the next life, this won't happen."
He said with indifference his stance was in an execution style that was used when swordsman executed their opponents. the anger and the frustration couldn't end here; it couldn't end here; not after everything that had happened; her friends; she couldn't let it end here.
"I want you to live a long life. Shez Don't Die Young" her mother said before she passed.
"I'm sorry, mother" Shez said apologetically as her life was about to end, as if time itself had stopped, she heard a voice.
"I can't allow you to die here. Our destinies haven't been fulfilled yet." She heard a mysterious voice. She felt her entire body being engulfed in an aura. Her hair changed color, from a dark purple to a flaming purple. Her eyes looked like burning flames. Her skin became paler in complexion.
Another sword appeared out of nowhere. It was a different blade from the one she had before. She had a cape made of materials she couldn't put her finger on.
This power that she had was greater than anything she had ever imagined. She never knew such power existed. She went straight at her enemy, who was caught off guard by her sudden power boost. She knocked him back.
The wounds that she received healed as if she never had them. Byleth's men looked terrified at her appearance. She slashed at him, a purple aura surrounding her swords. He was knocked back almost, knocking his sword away from his hand.
She was striking hard and fast. Not only was she stronger but she was faster. She was faster than light. Any other opponent she would be fighting against would already be dead. But this was not an ordinary opponent. This was Byleth Eisner. She was dealing with not some random bandit.
No matter what he did to try to attack her, it was useless. It was as if his sword was hitting hard metal. This made her confident. She struck at his cheek, he dodged narrowly.
She jabbed where his heart was, another would have been a death blow. He barely managed to get out of the way of the earlier advantage he had, which he was losing.
She slashed and he dodged left and right; it was nearly impossible for him to keep up with her. She was gorging herself in terms of the amount of power she was possessing. He couldn't do anything to her; he was on the defensive.
His expression didn't change; he didn't have a look of panic. It was as if he was waiting to outlast her rather than fight her outright. She wasn't going to allow him to beat her in such a way.
What frustrated her more was that he wasn't taking her seriously; it was as if he saw her as someone beneath his notice. Frustration had her do a cross guard strike and slash, sending a X-shaped projectile flying at him. Surprise, he was hit hard.
She did not give him a chance to recover. She was about to strike, until she felt a blade through her. But she felt no pain. He looked surprised and jumped away. The wound that she had instantly healed.
"What the hell are you?" Byleth asked confused.
"Your doom." Shez replied.
He was on the defensive. He was going to die. She was going to avenge her mercenary band. But before she could do anything, something happened. She was about to do a critical blow when she felt herself getting weaker, which wasn't unnoticed by her opponent.
She felt the power she had earlier extinguished, and then she fell to the ground exhausted. Completely caught off guard, he looked at her perplexed about what had just happened.
"This battle is over." He said coldly, turned his back on her.
"You don't get to leave after what you have done." She said in anger, breathing heavily.
"You should be grateful that you're even being allowed to live. Don't throw your life away over a pointless battle." Byleth said as he walked away, shaking his head.
She felt her vision fading. The last thing she saw before everything went black was the Ashen Demon walking away.
in an unknown plane
She opened her eyes and saw what looked like another dimension. She could see stars in structures that looked completely out of the ordinary. She was nowhere in the place she was at when she was nearly killed by Byleth Eisner. It was so strange, but she didn't have time to indulge in her thoughts for long. Then she saw a being she didn't recognize. He didn't look entirely human, or was it she? It was hard to tell from what she could gather. The gender of the individual in front of her was unknown.
He wore a strange robe, which was white along with his skin and hair, which was also white. His eyes were red like a flame.
For some reason, though he felt familiar, like this being always existed inside of her, she couldn't explain why. She didn't get a chance to think for long until she heard the strange being speak.
"that was close if you had died our destinies couldn't be fulfilled"said a voice that didn't sound neither feminine nor masculine which made placing the gender of the individual in front of her difficult though she suspects it was male.
"What do you mean, who are you?" Shez asked him curiously.
"Arval, you and I are tied together. Our destinies are intertwined. I don't know what happened. I just woke up. I couldn't allow us to die until our destiny is fulfilled." Arval said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He didn't really answer her question.
"What do you mean our destinies are intertwined? I don't understand." Shez asked.
"I don't know myself, I do know one thing for sure: we both want to destroy the Ashen Demon. I can help you with that, though, as you are now, you are no match for him. You will need to train."
He said this, which caused her to be even more frustrated.
If only she were stronger, if only she wasn't so weak. Maybe she would, she disregarded that thought. She cannot think of what ifs especially on her little Brother, who was killed 5 years ago.It was one of the main motivations she vowed to get stronger.
"Will this power really give me the ability to end Byleth Eisner?" She asked.
"With time and training, yes, right now your priority should be surviving. As it stands, now, if you pursue him, you're just going to be killed. There's no need to throw your life away right now. Our priority right now should be to survive, to train, and only then, when and only then, when we're strong enough, should we destroy him." Arval advised
"We're partners, I guess. So, where do we begin?" she asked him.
"We do the most obvious thing in the world and rest." He said in annoyance as if it was the most obvious thing to him.
"What is this place?" she asked Arval, curious.
"I don't know. You could say this is the plane in your mind. It could represent a place you've been to. I'm as lost as you are." Shez said.
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Arval. I wish we had met under different circumstances." Shez said, feeling generally that she had a lot of questions, but she would save them for another time. She was feeling sleepy.
"Sleep, we have a long journey ahead of us. We will run into him again as long as we follow his trail." Arval said like a parent telling his child to go to bed.
She closed her eyes. She thought about her fallen comrades and made a promise that she would do whatever it took.
6 months later
She was lost; she had no idea where she was. She was terrible with directions. She had been saved multiple times from accidents that would have killed a normal human.
She had greater strength and agility, and a greater healing factor, than she had before. These changes did wonders to her physique. She was leaner than she was before. Those who would look at her would find her even more attractive if they saw her without her leather outfit on.
She went everywhere and anywhere for tips about where Jeralt and his mercenaries were. It wasn't helpful most of the time. The place she was tracking this time was one place she knew for sure. The trail was going to run cold if she didn't get there quick.
Remire Village was a place where the trail would run cold soon if she didn't find them. She had heard rumors in her travels about foreigners from another land, a place she had only heard in passing called Konoha. Her mother taught her about the five nations; Konoha, where most transfer students in Garreg Mach came from, was a school where elite fighters and scholars went.
She'd have to continue following the path shown on her map. She was hopelessly lost when she was about to look at it again. The wind blew very hard, and she lost it because it fell from her grasp.
"God damn it" Shez said annoyed. Now she would have to walk aimlessly. Hopefully, it won't be towards a hostile enemy.
"Be careful, Shez. I feel a hostile presence in this area." Arval advised.
She took out her sword so she could be prepared to defend herself against enemies at any time. She was ready for anything.
dreams of an ancient battle
There was a woman who looked at a man with intense hatred. This battle between them was personal. Her hair was blonde, and she looked like a warrior from ancient legends. She was cutting down enemy after enemy. She was ruthless in her assault.
She was skilled as a warrior; she was considered a goddess of war. She was covered in blood on her right side of her face from the enemies she cut down. She did not pay attention as one enemy after another fell to her feet.
She did not register their deaths. There was only one death that mattered, and she sold the man who took everything from her. There were no words exchanged; he slashed at her with a sword that looked like a chain whip. She fought with a vicious hatred for her foe.
He retracts his sword, but he is careless. She knocks the blade away from him and aims her sword close to his throat.
"Do you remember that red canyon? Do you remember all the people you have killed?" she said with a barely contained calm.
"How am I supposed to know the difference between one dead abomination and another? You're all the same to me." he said with hatred.
"You bastard, you killed everyone I loved." She didn't care about appearing strong anymore; she stabbed her fallen enemy repeatedly. She didn't care if she looked crazy; she kept stabbing him. She continued doing it until he was covered in the pool of his own blood. She looked at the sword he had possessed and picked it up, cuddling it.
"No one can hurt you now, mother." She said in a childlike tone, tears were falling. Nothing else mattered; her victory over her enemy, her recovery of her mother's remains, and.
Byleth woke up from his dream. It was the same. It was a dream of an ancient battles between ancient beings, another being a green-haired girl, and some of them looked like visions of the past and the future. It was hard to piece it together. It frustrated him not knowing what these things meant—were they visions, dreams, or something in between? If he talked to his father or anyone else, he would be considered crazy. But he always did this on a daily basis.
One thing that was always apparent in his dreams was a light blue-haired girl, the only thing he knew she was always sad. He got out of the room he was in and went towards his horse Sora. "You think I should talk to my father about my dreams?" He asked Sora; he was never able to explain to anyone why he was able to understand animals, especially his horse, Sora. It wasn't something he wanted to really talk about. He heard it had a lot to do with his ancestry on his father's side. Whenever he asked this, his father never talked about it; he always had a look of pain, so he dropped it. He never brought it up again.
"You don't think I'm crazy do you?" he asked his companion. "Being able to talk to animals, I wish there was someone else who could understand me. It was difficult for him to express emotions; it's not that he didn't have them, it was difficult for him to understand them, but the feeling he was feeling was loneliness.
People in his father's mercenary band didn't have to speak it out loud; he could see it in their eyes. "Be careful not to let him look at you the way he kills his enemies without mercy; he is unnatural; a freak." He heard a man say to one of his friends.
"He talks to animals and kills without mercy or remorse. It's hard to believe he is Jeralt's son, considering the kind of freak he is." said a man known as John.
He tried not to let what the man was saying get to him. It was hard not to have times. It was extremely lonely. He didn't have any genuine friends anyway. Everything he had with his Jeralt mercenary band was superficial. None of the friendships he ever had was real.
Contrary to what people think, he isn't without emotions. Though it had always been a struggle to comprehend them, knowing the difference between sadness and happiness was difficult for him to understand. The only emotion he understood without it being explained was loneliness.
There's only one friend he thinks of, Sora, his horse, who has been part of his life as long as he can remember. He met Sora when she was 6 months old, 10 years ago. Most of the members of the mercenary band abandoned her, not thinking she was worth tending to, due to her being weaker than the rest of the horses that were chosen.
She bonded with Sora, Byleth did what was unprecedented and chose Sora as his horse, much to the objection of everyone thinking that she wouldn't last the year, but they were proven wrong when she reached adulthood. She was not receptive to anyone but Byleth when anyone approached her; she got aggravated.
it was hard to believe and had been 10 years she'd been with him half of his lifetime. she was the one friend that he went to for advice or just someone to talk to but it was still lonely nevertheless dude I'm not having anything else to talk to put in look at him as a freak. even with Sora being his friend it was still lonely and he wondered on the back of his mind would he ever find anyone that didn't judge him?
He was almost done attending to his horse when he heard footsteps behind him. It was his father.
"Hey kid, are you ready to head out?" His father asked him. "Yes, I am." Byleth answered.
"Are you all right?" Jeralt asked concerned.
Byleth replied, trying to hide what he truly felt, "I'm fine."
"Don't let what they say gets to you" his father said, knowing the words that were said about him bothered him even if he didn't show it openly.
"Do you think there's someone else out there that can understand animals like I can?" Byleth asked Jeralt, hoping for some answers.
"I'm pretty sure there is someone out there who probably feels the same loneliness you do. You remind me of your mother." Jeralt said with sadness.
He wanted to ask about his mother, but decided against it, as they were in a place where it might not be appropriate, and then moved on to their next job, perhaps another time.
He got on his horse and couldn't help but feel like something was going to happen today that would change his life forever. A faithful encounter, he didn't know why he had this feeling; it didn't happen often. When he had this ability, he felt it six months ago when he encountered a purple-haired girl with a mercenary band. Her power was insane. Part of him hoped he never encountered her again. Something about her made him feel uneasy for some reason.
Then, when he thought about it, he didn't know why, but he had a strange feeling that tonight his life would change in a way he couldn't comprehend. He looked up at the sky and wondered if there was someone out there doing the same thing, if they felt the same loneliness he felt.
"If there is such a soul out there as lonely as I am, I hope I meet you." Byleth said as he rode alongside his father to their next job, whatever it may be.
Edelgard was traveling with five people more than she originally intended in order for her plan to work, eliminating the incompetent professor of the Black Eagles who's currently with them, her plan has to work; she hired two assassins. She has full faith that they'll survive.
It had been two months since the transfer students from Konoha came to the monastery. It had been two months since she reconnected with an old friend who is next to her. She was wondering what Hinata was doing, despite what she wanted to do, she was guarded even around her because of her goal of getting rid of the irrational system that allows the domination of those with crust over those that don't. She didn't know if Hinata's goals completely aligned with hers and she had to be cautious, not to mention her friendship with Dimitri couldn't be ignored either.
"Hina Chan, what's going on?" Edelgard asked in Hinata's language. "I was using my Byakugan to see if there were any enemies nearby." Hinata answered. She hadn't had many opportunities to see the famous Byakugan in action; it was called the All-Seeing eye. She knew it was an exaggeration, but it couldn't be denied how helpful Hinata's abilities were; they gave her a clear advantage on missions.
"Do you see anything Hinata?" asked Dimitri. "No, but it's safe though we should not stay out too long. Hinata answered politely. "I wish we could spend more time together as friends outside of something dangerous like this," said Dimitri. "I agree, but I don't think Naruto and Sasuke are really happy, especially when they're around Claude." Edelgard chimed in. "Which brings up a question: what's up with Sasuke San and Mercie Chan?" Hinata asked curiously. "Well, I have a question for you: what's going on between you and Naruto?" Dimitri countered, which caused her to turn away and blush. Edelgard knew from her reaction that her feelings for Naruto were deep; whenever his name was brought up, she acted differently.
"Does Naruto know?" asked Edelgard. She was really curious about her friend and what made him so special. "He doesn't, and I don't really have a chance. I mean, him and Ingrid San." Edelgard knew immediately that Hinata was sad and disappointed. She decided to encourage her instead, even though she knew it would be better for her to move on. "You shouldn't give up on him. Something worth fighting for is something you shouldn't give up on." Edelgard said encouragingly.
"Can we please not talk about it right now? I'm on a mission,"
Hinata said sharply, not wanting to talk about it. "I think we should drop it,"
Dimitri suggested, sensing Hinata's distress. "Yeah, let's focus on the mission,"
Edelgard agreed. She wondered if Naruto, Sasuke, and Claude were doing better.
Claude was at least bored and annoyed with all the people he didn't want to be around Sasuke. "Come on Sasuke, no need to act all emo or whatever. Who is this girl that you keep blushing about whenever she's mentioned?"
Naruto didn't want to drop it. Claude didn't care either, but he found it funny seeing Sasuke getting annoyed with him. "Loser, I keep telling you it's none of your damn business."
Sasuke said he was sick of being asked about his obvious crush. It almost became an open secret.
Claude couldn't help but smile. Out of all the girls, Mercedes was it. She had a big-sister/motherly vibe, which he wasn't into, but he could see the appeal.
"How about you tell everyone about your thing about Hinata san, which is pretty much an open secret, or what about your thing with Ingrid San? Or is it too much to choose between the two?"
Sasuke challenged. "Me and Ingrid Chan are just friends. What's wrong with a boy and a girl being friends? Is that such a bad thing, Sasuke?"
Claude put his right hand on his forehead this wasn't what he wanted to deal with. He hated being on the same team as both Naruto and Sasuke. It was no secret that they always argued when they were together. "You know, Naruto, it wouldn't be such a bad thing. I mean, you could have polyamory. It's pretty common where I'm from."
Naruto looked at him the same way as Sasuke. "This loser thinks he's going to get two girlfriends. Good luck with that."
Sasuke said, disgusted at the very idea. "Yeah, I bet I could. Sasuke. Hell will freeze over before you have a girlfriend. I'll likely have two—no, three—girlfriends before you have one."
Claude couldn't help but agree.
"Oh come on, Naruto! The idea is ridiculous. I could buy maybe having two, but three? You want to make things even more interesting if you have your partner's love you and each other. The best of both worlds, but I doubt you'll get that lucky."
Naruto looked at Claude as if he were challenging him. "I believe it's fully possible. Believe it." Claude rolled his eyes at Naruto's ridiculous decor. Hell would freeze over before either one of them had a partner.
"Can we focus on the damn mission?" Sasuke asked Claude. "Yeah, we should." Before they could do anything, they heard a noise. Claude took his bow and drew an arrow from his quiver. "Whoever you are, you better bring your hands out where I can see them, or I will shoot." Claude said threateningly.
"Don't shoot" A mature female voice said. She approached them and, for what he could tell, she looked like a mercenary. She wore black leather clothing with red on her arms and chest, which exposed her cleavage. Her hair was purple, as were her eyes, and it was long enough to reach her back.
"I'm not going to do anything; you can lower your bow please?" The girl said to Claude. He put his bow away. The girl signed in relief. "I've been lost, and I had no idea where I was. I've been wondering for days. Do you know where I am?" The girl asked the group. "We're actually close to Remire Village." Replied Claude. "I'm looking for the Ashen Demon, and I've heard he and his mercenary group is in this area." Claude has heard of The legend of the Ashen Demon: a man without mercy who kills his enemies without remorse. He doesn't know how true these rumors are, but it wasn't within Claude's character not to at least investigate. "Well, my companions and I are heading to Remire Village now. You could come with us if you want." Claude offered. "That would be helpful. I'm lost." The girl said. Relieved that she didn't have to get there on her own.
"Is there a name we could call you by?" asked Naruto. "My name is Shez," the girl replied. "We should get going; we've been here long enough," said Sasuke, annoyed. They walked towards where their companions were.
Hinata was surprised to see another companion with them; she asked about her and was introduced to everyone. From there, her accent suggested she was from Leicester. She heard something she recognized; it was those footsteps. She activated her Byakugan and then saw an army of bandits. "Ambush!" Hinata yelled. Hinata got into a fighting stance; a gentle fist style, no one in Fodlan had ever seen. Sasuke took out his sword from its scabbard, which was shaped like a katana. Naruto did hand signs for a signature jutsu. "To think that I would be able to kill the demon brat here of all places" said a silver-haired man who had a shuriken on his back.
She looked around, unsure if she had never killed before and she didn't think anyone else had either. Could she really do this? She remembered what her father said about such weaknesses; she felt scared because of her hesitations.
She saw Edelgard and Dimitri get into formation as if they were protecting Hinata from the bandits. They were in perfect sync when the bandit was about to strike at Dimitri. Edelgard covered his back by cutting down the first among the bandits. The second one tried to strike it, but Dimitri broke his jaw with his Lance.
One of them was about to strike at his back but was killed by an arrow that Claude fired from his bow, which entered the woman's right eye. The lack of hesitation from the house leaders made Hinata feel insignificant.
A bandit was about to strike at her, but Naruto punched the bandit in the face. She heard bones crack, and he fell to the ground dead, his bones broken.
Everyone had killed before, except her. She was terrified. She was scared. This was the thing that was criticized the most about her. Her hesitation to kill is what caused her to be labeled a failure and not fit to be a ninja. A band that was about to throw an ax at Naruto's back, Hinata charged, despite being afraid, and grabbed a hold of the bandit's arm, breaking it and not giving him enough time to respond. She snapped his neck, he fell over dead. Another bandit attacked her hesitantly, she snapped the man's spinal cord.
Another tried to attack her, so she killed them again. In a matter of 10 seconds, she was covered in blood. When the adrenaline wore off, she looked at her hands and screamed.
"I'm not a killer. I'm not a killer. I'm not a killer."Hinata said she was frozen. She wished she had the strength from earlier. She couldn't do anything. She was completely helpless.
A bandit charged right at her, ready to slash her with his axe, until Shaz cut him down with ease. "What the hell are you doing? You hesitate and you're going to get killed what the hell happened to your resolve from earlier?." The girl said coldly.
The girl Shez was striking bandits like it was nothing. She killed one with her left sword and the other with her right. She was killing them like it was nothing. The first one she killed was cut in half with her first play. The second was stabbed in the chest.
She didn't pay attention to any of the dying screams from her fallen foes. She wanted to puke. This violence wasn't something she reveled in. Why did she have to freeze? Why was she so weak?
Edelgard shook her to get her out of it."Hinata step out of it we're in the middle of a battle. Edelgard said trying to get her to stop standing there but she couldn't.
Edelgard was killing bandits like a savage animal protecting her herd.
Edelgard was fighting fiercely. But she was tiring.
Hinata still wouldn't move. Before she could do anything, the bandit leader was about to cut Edelgard down.
Then she saw a blue-haired man shield her with his body, but nothing happened. It was almost as if time itself stopped.
Earlier
Byleth couldn't help but feel like something was wrong in the air, almost as if he wasn't supposed to be going to his destination with his father and their mercenary band. In his dreams, he saw multiple possibilities of what could happen. Special individuals he was supposed to meet would change his life. That wasn't the only thing Sora was agitated about something . "What's wrong, girl?" he asked, agitated. She was telling him someone desperately needed his help, that he was going down a path that wasn't the right one. "I don't know what you're talking about, Sora," he said to try to convince himself more than anyone else. He wasn't convinced any more than Sora was. The horse's angry rebuttal told him he was wrong.
"Oh look he's talking to himself again or that horse of his whatever" said one of his father's commanders in the mercenary army. He ignored the middle-aged man's comments. This felt wrong. No matter how much you wanted to deny what Sora was saying, she was not wrong. Someone needed his help. His father was shouting.
"Some fool is trying to make a name for himself, kid. Everyone defend yourselves." Jeralt ordered in an authoritative manner. The mercenary band wasted no time; they withdrew their weapons, swords, spears, bows, arrows, and axes. Unfortunately for the bandits who ambushed them, they were against an experienced army that had little experience in defeat and almost nothing but experience in complete victory. There was a reason why his father's mercenary band was held in such high esteem: hate and fear.
He withdrew his sword, much as he hated to, take life unnecessarily, he did what was necessary to protect himself and those around him, even if they hate and fear him. Byleth wasted no time; the first of the glory-seeking fools who sought to become a legend was cut in half, sideways. He didn't realize what was happening until he looked up and saw his legs; he was dead. Wondering what had just happened, he wasn't a cruel person to his enemies; he made sure to end their lives quickly, as he felt there was no point in prolonging an enemy's suffering unless one was a cruel and sadistic person who delighted in the suffering of others, something Byleth took no pleasure in.
The second among them was a woman who thought she would get an easy kill. She was about to slash at him from behind with her axe. He didn't need to look; he just cut. She tried to clenched her neck to try to stop the bleeding, hoping to save her life. But it was fruitless. When she looked at him, she had a look of horror. The last thing she saw as she left the world was someone from her point of view, a demon from hell.
The woman he had killed was in her early 20s. There was another who tried to go at him. His thought was that he could win, but he was wrong as well. The young man who was no older than 17 died without realizing what was happening. His head tumbled to the ground. When he was in battle, it was as if he were a different person. He didn't particularly like this part of the life his father had raised him in. It was as natural as breathing. Any revulsion he felt he did not show.
The only saving grace was that he wasn't killing any animals in this skirmish. He wouldn't even call it a battle. None of the bandits he killed were trained in warfare. He might as well fight children because that's exactly what they were. And as soon as the battle began, it was over.
"That wasn't even good enough for a warm-up" said a man named Todd who looked around 25 years old. He was of average height and looked scruffy due to not wanting any hair, as he felt it wasn't necessary for a warrior. He was bald. He put his sword back into its sheath. The battle was over, and he was glad it was over.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" asked Todd, annoyed by his uninterested expression.
"Those who seek battles are fools. We don't pick fights unnecessarily." Byleth said, dismissing what he felt was a ridiculous question.
"Oh, you think you're better than the rest of us, huh?" asked another person, a woman who was only two years older than Byleth. She was average height, with brown hair down to her shoulders, blue eyes. She showed off her body to the army, to showcase how attractive she was. She was a mage who wasn't just about her looks; she was a powerful mage and wasn't afraid to show off her strength. Byleth personally couldn't stand her; he didn't understand why his father would have such a narcissist in his company. She thought extremely highly of herself, to the point where she constantly had to remind everyone how much better she was. She was self-obsessed and cared only about her image, and caring about the problems it caused.
Her name was Joann. It didn't matter to her if she angered the other women in the army, who, unlike her, actually respected each other and their comrades as a whole.
He couldn't stand her. People like her had tried to seduce him on many occasions, but he turned her away. She was a woman who looked down on other women and made it very clear what she did not consider a true woman to be. It made him sick. None of the women in the army liked her, especially the more non-traditional women who wore men's clothing because they felt it was more practical in the life of a mercenary.
"No, I don't think I'm better than the rest of you, but I do think I'm better than you." Byleth said, not caring that he was being disrespectful. Joanne doesn't treat any of her peers with respect. He has no obligation to treat her with respect either.
"Watch yourself one day you may end up with a dagger in your back"said Todd who did not make it a secret he disliked him.
"I love to see you try" Byleth replied indifferently to Todd and Joanne's hateful looks on their faces. He was about to go to his horse, Sora.
Byleth heard a scream, something told him to follow that voice. His father was looking at him. "People are probably being attacked by bandits." He looked at his father. He couldn't let someone get murdered, not if he had the power to do something and they were nearby. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I can't stay here." Byleth ran as fast as his legs would carry him.
He couldn't explain how he knew he saw bandits surrounding 9 individuals. One of them was an elderly man, while the rest were men and women in their late teens. He wasted no time as he cut one bandit in half, who fell face down, not realizing what had happened. The second he slashed his victim's head clean off from behind, who had no idea what was happening. None of his victims saw him coming. He cut one down after another, killing anyone in his way. He didn't pay attention as he sliced one woman's throat and another's chest open but didn't bother finishing them off due to his priority being to save people's lives.
He saw a blue-haired girl, scared, but that's not the voice he heard; he heard a silver-haired girl who was about to be cut down. He ran as fast as he could and was using body to protect her. He didn't know why he was going to die protecting a stranger?
in an unknown plane
He looked around; he wasn't in a forest anymore. He wasn't about to be cut down by a bandit shielding a girl from certain death. What was this place? Before he could ask his question, he heard a voice of a girl who sounded like an ancient being. "You idiot! Are you trying to get us both killed?" He turned around and saw the same girl from before. She was sitting on a throne. She had long green hair; her ears weren't human. Her eyes were green. She looked otherworldly, as if she came from somewhere completely different.
"I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention." he said stupidly. He wanted to kick himself for that one. He felt like an idiot. What the hell was he thinking? "You're lucky I have the ability to stop time, but that has its limits. As soon as time stops, that Axe will cut through your back, and then you'll instantly die. And that girl will die shortly afterwards. All the other kids will die, except the purple-haired girl. But she'll survive." What purple-haired girl? He could think about that later. He had questions he needed answers to.
"What the hell are you?" he asked her. She answered him patiently and talked to him like she was speaking to a child. "Some would call me the beginning you can call me Sothis." he said her name so he wouldn't forget it; perhaps he finally had the answers he sought. "You must know something about my dreams and glimpses into the future. Are they visions? I don't know; I have so many questions." Despite the situation, he was excited; finally, he would get answers. "One thing at a time; first off, how are we going to get out of this mess that you put us both in?" she asked him. He thought about it. If she can stop time, can't she also reverse time? If she has the ability to stop it, it would make sense that she can reverse it. "Why not just reverse time? I already know what's going to happen. I simply kill the person trying to kill the girl and that would be the end of it." he said simply as if it was already solved.
"You're not as simple-minded as I thought, but my power does have its limits." She warned. "Byleth wanted to ask questions, but she was right; he knew he would get his answers later."
Time reversed itself; he knew he didn't have much time, unlike the last time. He didn't bother shielding the girl; he just cut a man who was trying to kill her in half, killing him instantly. The other bandits looked in terror; the silver-haired man looked at him in terror. He was terrified of seeing him. "Screw this! Killing the demon isn't worth this shit!" The silver-haired man ran away, obviously aware of his reputation. The bandits also fled; the people he saved looked at him and couldn't believe it, how easily he killed that bandit who was trying to kill the silver-haired girl.
"That was impressive,"said the raven-haired boy that looked like he was around 17. "So that's the rumored Ashen Demon. I'm glad he wasn't our enemy"remarked a blonde haired boy who had whiskers on his cheeks. "Thank you for saving my friend"the blue haired girl said softly, her eyes was not something he thought he would see, he never saw someone look like her.
"Someone of your skill would be perfect for the kingdom"said the taller of the males of the group" he was polite he didn't know why but he saw something darker underneath. "Wow you are already trying to recruit a stranger you just met? That's so like you Dimitri"said the black haired man. "Well I think the empire would definitely make good use of your services thank you for saving my life"the silver haired woman she looked very strong and ambitious in her demeanor and the black haired man he looked pleasant to talk to but he sensed that he wasn't honest it was more difficult to read him of the three. The easiest one to read was the girl with white hair with purple on the center.
"Halt, you bandit fiends!" shouted a man in armor. He saw his father approaching, whom he didn't really want to run into. Why did he want to know? "Jeralt, I can't believe it - meeting you here. I have to take you somewhere; there's no way I can let you go. And who is this young man with you?" The middle-aged man asked him, looking like he had just reunited with an old friend he never knew about. Who is he? "Alois, it's been too long." His father said to him, as if they were reuniting after being apart for a long time. Who is he? "Lady Rhea will be happy to see you again. And who is this young man with you?" Alois asked him. "He's my son. His name is Byleth." The man looked excited to see him. What was his relationship with his father?
"As for you, what is your name? You also helped our students."
The girl looked like she didn't want to be there, even more so when she was near Byleth. "Shez and I were looking for someone, and I found him." She stared at him coldly. Why did she look so familiar? "Well, it's going to be a few days before we get to Garreg Mach; you should get acquainted with everyone. I have a feeling for some reason we're going to be working together for a long time to come." He went ahead, along with his father, catching up on old times. He didn't bother asking.
"This changes nothing" Shaz said to him coldly as she walked right past him where his father was. Why did she hate him so much? "You are awesome. I hope to spar with you when I have the chance," said the blonde-haired boy, whose name was Naruto. "You should be an interesting opponent," said the raven-haired boy known as Sasuke. "Thank you once again," the girl named Hinata said politely. He conversed with all the students and learned a bit about them; where they're from, he was surprised that three students with foreign ways of fighting were from a different continent altogether. He noticed the accent in each of them, but the girl from Konoha named Hinata had the least noticeable one.
He learned about the three students from the academy. He talked to them at length, learning about where they're from, their Houses, and who they are. It was interesting to learn that, with the exception of Naruto and Sasuke, all of them were essentially royalty. Part of him felt it was way too convenient to meet all these people in one place, like it was meant to be. He dislikes this idea, as it goes against what he believes in.
Edelgard couldn't believe her luck; the professor who was with them looked scared that she would drive him away; she hoped to secure her ideal professor inside, hoping to be able to employ the mercenary who saved them. Things didn't go exactly as planned, but things could turn out even better. It was a gamble she knew: it was only a matter of time before the chance of saving her friend Monica came up, with the death of the bandit she had hired, there was a possibility, but she didn't know where she was. She couldn't think about that now; her actions almost got her killed and her childhood friend Hinata killed. She felt dirty, even resorting to such underhanded tactics to rid the world of the Crest and the organization that has plagued Fodlan for the past millennium. The organization that has tormented her and caused the deaths of all of her siblings.
She felt so alone; the only people she could truly trust were Hubert, but even that was questionable because of the paranoia, which made her heart cold. She didn't want to be like this, but she had to, as it was a necessary evil for the one who would bring a new dawn.
Hinata, when looking at Byleth and Shez, couldn't help but notice that there was something different about them from the other students in the monastery. She activated her Byakugan to see if she was imagining things, but she saw nothing.
It felt too much of a coincidence when her group went out and ran into a bunch of bandits, and when Edelgard was about to be killed along with everyone else, Byleth showed up. She couldn't help but feel like something had happened, but it hadn't happened like time itself had reversed.
She knew it must be her imagination. She noticed the way Edelgard was eyeing the mysterious stranger. She was impressed with his skills. Hinata wasn't the only one. Not only was he skilled with a blade, but she sensed there was something else about him that seemed out of the ordinary. He had an overworldly presence. Dimitri wasn't the only one who noticed.
"Awestruck by the mercenary, aren't you?" Dimitri asked Hinata.
"I just find I cannot really explain it. Dimitri he has an overworldly presence about him. I can't explain why."Hinata confessed.
"Does it have to do with your eyes?" he asked her.
"It's hard to explain when I look into him. I feel like I'm staring deep into the world itself. Maybe I'm just imagining things. Maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me because I'm tired. I'm tired of the ordeal due to us barely sleeping in the past few days. I almost feel like our meeting with him was preordained along with that purple-haired mercenary." Hinata answered.
"Do you believe in any deity, Hinata?I know in the Black Eagles, some are non-believers, while others keep their beliefs to themselves."Dimitri wasn't prepared he's was about hear.
"I don't know I don't know I find it hard to believe that there is such thing as the goddess if she did exist where was she when I needed her?"Hinata said bitterly
"I'm sorry for asking, I didn't mean to upset you, Hinata." Dimitri said apologetically.
"You have nothing to apologize for; you did nothing wrong." Hinata replied.
She was seeing Naruto talking to Claude. She wished she was brave enough to simply speak to him. There was nothing stopping her. What was holding her back?
"Hinata if you don't mind me asking, what is your relationship with Naruto?"Dimitri asked her, which caught Hinata off guard. She had never told anyone about her relationship with Naruto except Edelgard and Monica.
" He is a precious friend to me. he believed in me when no one else did. He inspired me. I wouldn't be the person that I'm today isn't worth it I don't" Hinata couldn't finish.He didn't need to hear anymore. He knew what her feelings were.
Dimitri was able to pick up on Naruto's feelings for Hinata. Naruto in the months that he has spoken to her, he loved her that was obvious to anyone that was paying attention. The way he spoke about her, the way he smiles whenever he thinks about any memories involving her.
It frustrates him to a degree that it is so obvious that Naruto and Hinata were in love with each other but couldn't see it and were too afraid to make the first move. The things didn't help at all that Ingrid could possibly have fallen for the same person he doesn't want to be in that position nor does he desire.
flashback one week ago
Dimitri and Naruto had been alone for the first time since the first day at the monastery. They were doing an assigned activity by their professors, which required students from different classes to work together to do cleanup. Everyone hated this task, but everyone had to do it, even those from noble backgrounds.
Naruto got through this by using a strange technique that had multiple duplications of himself cling to the cafeteria. Dimitri was glad to be paired up with Naruto due to how much he hated this task.
"I've been meaning to ask you, Naruto. I know I shouldn't ask this, but what are your feelings for Hinata exactly?" Dimitri asked something that has been on his mind since the first day.
"I've told you I think she's amazing"Naruto stopped doing what he was doing and Dimitri noticed him glancing at Hinata. She was doing her own task with Hilda. He knew that look.
"Why not just talk to her? It can't be that difficult," Dimitri asked, wanting to know.
"We're from different worlds, Dimitri. What chance do I have? I'm nobody. She can have any man she wants. Why would she even look at me as anything more than a friend?" Naruto said insecurely.
"She's someone special to you, isn't she?" Dimitri asked him.
"I don't know if someone like me really deserves someone like her? I mean"he looked down, depressed. He didn't need to say anything for Dimitri to know these feelings now were headed towards Hinata, love. He may not understand it yet, but that's what it was.
Then there was another thing bothering him: Ingrid. He hadn't seen her smile as much since Naruto came to the monastery. He brought a smile to her face. She had the same look in her eyes that he didn't have on hers. Hinata understands her feelings, but Ingrid doesn't and probably won't for a while.
"Then what about Ingrid?" Dimitri asked.
"I don't feel worthy of her either; she's a great friend. She hasn't said anything, but I know there's something in her eyes that tells me she lost someone important in her past. I don't ask her because I don't want to see her cry. I feel like such an idiot. How do I? Never mind. I shouldn't have said anything."
Naruto said not finishing his thought.
Dimitri had no words for this. He didn't know whether to be baffled or angry or a bit of both. Naruto has feelings for two women. This was not something he had ever seen. He knows it has happened many times in history, but he never thought he would see it firsthand.
"The best thing you can do for both of them is to be honest. It isn't fair for either one of them if you don't at least tell them your feelings." Dimitri advised.
He would be lying to himself if he didn't wish she would look at him the way she looks at Naruto, but he knew that was a childish fantasy. He never had a chance even as a child; you know it's his heart that's always with Naruto and likely always will be.
but if there's one thing he would like to see is to see his friends happy.
"This isn't going to clean itself, come on, Dimitri. I don't want to be here all day." Naruto said as he created more duplicates of himself. They were making short work of the task at hand. It was no wonder everyone pretty much wanted Naruto as their partner due to this strange technique and how fast it made their job.
By the time they were done, the place was completely spotless. When they were done, Dimitri wanted to say one last thing before they headed to their next task.
"Please keep in mind what I said earlier to talk to both of them and be honest there's nothing to gain if you don't tell them how you feel." Dimitri said.
Naruto didn't respond due to him not having anything to respond back with. They walked side by side, not talking about anything for the rest of the day. Due to them wanting to focus on their next task, the next one being even harder than the cafeteria cleaning the stables, which is a test no amount of duplications would be able to do quickly.
it would be a long day, but it was insightful; he had learned a lot about Naruto without him saying anything. If he could settle his feelings; then that would be okay with Dimitri, even if he wishes Hinata had her eyes on him instead.
Hinata had that same longing look on her face that Naruto did that day. He knew no matter what he would say wouldn't change her mind. It wasn't love that he fell towards her. He didn't realize he still had a crush until he met her again.
"even if I do what good would it do if I told him he likely doesn't feel the same way."she didn't need to say anything for him to know what she was going to say.
"I think you have a chance, Hinata. I don't think anyone, especially Naruto, would change their feelings towards you that easily. It just doesn't work that way." Dimitri said, referring to himself from experience.
"I don't know", she said quietly.
"The longer you put it off, the worse it's going to get. I think it'd be good for both of you if you talked." Dimitri insisted.
"I'll do it when we get back."Hinata said, trying to get Dimitri to drop it. Dimitri knew it would likely take help from Claude to get Naruto to talk to her. He thought they were helpless, the fact that she needed outside help along with Naruto made him think that maybe the goddess was pushing them to get together and she was using Claude and Dimitri to get that done. He didn't know how he felt about that.
"You and Sasuke seem to be good friends despite the short amount of time you two have known each other. I never thought he would choose you; I thought he would have chosen Edel." Hinata said in disbelief even after all this time.
"I think what Sasuke needed more than anything was someone to reach out to him. I think what he needed more than anything was a friend, whether he knows it or not. I just want to help, and whatever way I can, I know there's a deep darkness in him, and if I reach out to him in some way, it helps him, then I feel like I've done something right." Dimitri said, thinking about what had passed and what had happened when he returned to his homeland.
"You haven't changed, Dimitri. You're as kind as you were then. I'm glad that's the case. There's so much cruelty in this world. Knowing that Faerghus will have a king like you brings me comfort. So many despots in this world, and having you be one of the exceptions brings me hope." Hinata said, generally meaning it, not thinking he deserved her praise.
"I don't know if I deserve your praise, thank you, Hinata. Don't ever change who you are. I don't care what your clan says; you're not a failure. The very fact that there are very few people like you, kind and gentle, usually has that part of themselves beaten out of them by the time they become adults and they become cold and ruthless people. You're one in a million." Dimitri said, on the verge of revealing how he felt.
"I appreciate these feelings, Dimitri, but I can never feel that way about you. I see you like a big brother; I can never see you as anything but that. I'm sorry." Hinata said, letting him down gently.
A brother he thought would that be such a bad thing surely love doesn't always have to be a romantic love. It could be that of a sibling or platonic love. The fact that he can have her love and even as a sibling was more than he ever thought possible.
It hurt, but he would get over it in time. It was just a crush, nothing more. He had forgotten how long it had been since they met.
Hinata's feelings for Naruto started off as a crush, but it developed into love. Was that how he felt about Hinata? Was it truly love?
He felt like an idiot."A little sister I never had. A sister, actually. I wouldn't mind if that's how you see me." Dimitri said, trying to salvage the situation, trying not to show that he wasn't said that he was hurt.
"It's fine, Dimitri. Really. I really hope this doesn't ruin our friendship." Hinata said.
"No, it doesn't. I keep forgetting it's been 7 years. Things have changed since that time." he admitted.
"It's all right. I didn't want to mislead you. That's all."
Hinata said, not realizing that his crush on her wasn't something recent.
"Sasuke looks like he's in deep thought right now. It was nice talking to you, Hinata. I hope we get to do this more, preferably on a non-dangerous mission."
They both laughed at that.
"You, me, Moni Chan, Edel Chan, I wish we could be together once again. I know it would not be like old times, but it'd be nice."
Hinata said nostalgically, remembering the times they had at the Hyuga compound.
"I would like that if only we knew where Monica was." Dimitri said out loud.
This caused Hinata to look at him in shock.
"What do you mean, what happened to Moni-chan?" Hinata asked, worried about their friend.
"She disappeared without a trace. None of us know where she is or where she went or where she vanished to."
Demetri said with the same concern on his face as Hinata. They weren't as close, but it didn't change the fact that four of them were friends.
"I hope she's okay", Hinata said with a worried tone.
He had no idea how to respond and decided not to."I'm going to get some sleep. See you tomorrow." Dimitri said as he bid her farewell. The one thing that kept him up at night was wondering where Monica was and how she finished.
He hopes that nothing horrible has happened to her because the last thing he wants is for Edelgard and Hinata to lose a precious friend, and Dimitri wouldn't want to lose her either, despite him not being as close to her as they were.
He headed where Sasuke was to help him out with whatever was on his mind.
In Naruto mind while Dimitri was talking to Hinata
He was in a place that looked like a cage. It felt hot. Naruto screamed. It was terrifying. What the hell was this place, he wondered, he was sleeping after a long day where he and his entire group narrowly avoided death. Why is he suddenly here? He saw a huge fox. He didn't know what to make of it. What was he looking at?
"To answer your question, I am what that village would call me, Kyūbi, but I go by another name. However, I don't give my name unless it's someone I trust."
Naruto felt like he was going crazy; the story there's no way this thing standing before him could be the nine-tailed fox spirit; it was destroyed 17 years ago. "You actually believe those stories? The village told you? There's a reason why they hated you, but I won't reveal that at this time because there is only so much; let's just say. I've been inside of you your entire life; we're tied together; you and I along with Sothis; our destinies are intertwined; there will be a role that we will be playing in the future with you and the man named Byleth, along with the girl named Shez. I can't tell you why; cuz. I don't know; I will guide you in the best way I can. It's a promise I made to your parents prior to their deaths."
Naruto couldn't believe it; an answer about his parents he didn't know who they were.
"You know who my parents are?" Naruto asked him. "I know very little about your father, but I do know about the previous host, which was your mother. I'll tell you about it later, because right now it's not safe for us to communicate with each other. I'll talk to you again." Kyūbi sent him back to the real world.
Naruto woke up and wondered what that was about. He got out of the tent and saw Edelgard, who was surprised to see him up so late in the night.
"I take it you can't sleep?" Edelgard asked him, wondering why he was up so late.
"I have difficulty sleeping tonight. We narrowly avoided a near-death experience. It's just crazy."
Naruto said feeling like an idiot, but he couldn't help saying what was on his mind.
"I know that feeling only too well." Edelgard replied.
"You know Hinata, don't you?" Naruto asked Edelgard when he saw the two talking. There was something familiar about them, along with Dimitri.
"We're childhood friends. We met long ago." she replied.
Naruto sat down and looked at the sky.
"Naruto, I can't help but voice my disappointment that you didn't choose my class. I think you have talent, and those back at your home don't appreciate it." Edelgard said, pointing out something that Claude himself told him on the first day that he was part of their class.
"Claude tells me the same thing, but why would you want me in your class when you have talented people like Hinata or Dorothea?" Naruto asked.
"There are different kinds of talent, Naruto. You're very innovative, and how you come up with new techniques and how you can think on the spot. I don't think I would be able to pull off the kind of technique you use, called Shadow Clone Jutsu, right?" she asked him.
"Yes, it's an A-rank technique. I couldn't do the lower-rank version of the technique at all, but this technique in particular, I did it without any problems." Naruto answered.
"People underestimate Hinata as well. That damn clan dismisses her because she's not as good in the gentle fist as her cousin or her sister. It's complete nonsense. I've seen what she can do. If it weren't for her confidence, she should be far stronger than she is."Edelgard said.
"I think she's strong as she is now. There's different kinds of strength. It isn't just physical."
"I agree, but why do you feel that way, Naruto?" Edelgard asked him.
"She's kind and gentle, most people see kindness and gentleness as a weakness. I don't agree; anyone can be ruthless and heartless, but not everyone could be both kind and gentle. Hinata has a strength I don't have and never could have; I'm not as forgiving as she is nor as understanding."
Naruto said, looking and hiding his blush from Edelgard. "How come you don't tell her these things?" she asked him.
"I don't know, I just don't feel like I'm worthy of her. She has far better options than me. I'm a nobody. Just look at me."Naruto said, ashamed
She couldn't help but feel like Claude and Dimitri would be needed to help both of them simply talk about each other's feelings. Edelgard didn't need to ask Naruto to know that the feelings he felt towards Hinata were deep; they were love. She couldn't help but feel like it would be a crime not to help them both; it would be wrong not to help her friend find happiness in the arms of the person she loves.
On the other hand, she disregarded that thought immediately. She would not be like the people she hates.
"It's a shame that you and I haven't had a chance to talk alone, except on a mission like this. If you don't mind me asking, Naruto, would being Hokage truly make you happy?" Edelgard asked him.
"I don't know what I want more than anything is a place to belong." Naruto answered.
"Talking to Hinata would be a start," she said gently, pushing Naruto in the direction of getting him and Hinata to talk.
"I don't know" Naruto said, Edelgard wanted to slap Naruto for her friend's sake and tell him to stop having cold feet.
"You should get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Edelgard suggested. He yawned and said good night to Edelgard and went to his tent. She couldn't help but think, "If I could befriend Naruto, he could be someone who could help me in the future, but that would be fruitless."
If only someone could reach out and take her hand, she wants to pursue her dream without losing her humanity in the process.
Sasuke had no idea what to think of the mercenaries named Byleth or Shez. They both looked really strong, seeing how easily Byleth defeated those bandits. It made Sasuke want to be trained by him. He had skills worth learning from, unlike his current professor. Sasuke sees this mercenary as a potential teacher to help him defeat Itachi. He would keep his eyes out for this one. He had a strong feeling he would have an important role to play. He didn't know why. The group barely conversed, which was okay with Sasuke; he didn't particularly like conversing with people anyway.
Dimitri was walking beside him, and the two months that he had been a student in the Blue Lions, all he had focused on was training. Dimitri had defeated him in every one of their duels. Felix, who was barely able to keep up with him, Ingrid, another all-the-students-in-the-Blue-Lions-in-one-way-or-another were talented. In a way, Sasuke was glad he chose the Blue Lions; it made it so his training would be more worthwhile. Though the only one he particularly really wanted to train with was Dimitri. He was a training partner that he liked training with the most due to his respect for his skills. He was curious, however, about his relationship with Hinata Hyuga. How did he know her?
"Something on your mind, Sasuke?" asked Dimitri. "Yeah, there's a question that's been bugging me. How do you know Hinata-san?"
Sasuke asked him inquisitively, "I can't answer that because it involves something I don't really want to talk about right now."
Dimitri answered. Sasuke knew he was hiding something; he would get the answers in time. Dimitri asked another question that caused Sasuke to turn red with embarrassment. "I've been meaning to ask why not talk to Mercedes? You've been eyeing her almost every day since you join our class. It wouldn't hurt to talk to her."
Dimitri tried to encourage him to talk to her. Sasuke never had any experience with feelings for anyone. "I don't know what you're talking about,"
Sasuke said, denying anything that Dimitri said.
"She's one of my friends, Sasuke she won't judge you just simply talk to her"he said kindly to him he did not want to admit that he did find something about Mercedes that made him drawn to her he did not know why.
"If I do it will you be quiet about it?"Sasuke turned away in embarrassment not wanting to see Dimitri's reaction. "I won't say anything, she's a good woman, if you simply just have a conversation with her it will be a lot easier."it was easier said than done Sasuke did not know the first thing about talking to women. Mercedes was at least 5 years older than him.
" You make it sound so easy,"Sasuke said, annoyed. Dimitri chuckled "I'll help you by making it so there's nobody to get in your way I'll even make it so you both are able to work together on an assignment this way it will make it easier for you to talk I'll make sure to tell Annette about it so she won't get in your way"Sasuke appreciated that.
"Thank you, Dimitri-san", Sasuke said, thankful that he was willing to give him privacy when he thought about it, he was glad he chose the Blue Lions.
They were welcoming and friendly, unlike Claude and Edelgard, Dimitri didn't have ulterior motives when he spoke to him. He was an honest person, someone he had grown to respect over time, so he had not said that openly.
Other than Naruto, he never really had friends back home. The closest he can think of are Dimitri, Felix, and Annette. They respected his boundaries and, unlike back home, the girls weren't fan girls. The exception was the banshee, who treated him with respect and generally meant it.
None of the women at the monastery were intriguing to him in the way Mercedes was. It was driving him crazy why she was the one person he found the most intriguing compared to the rest. He thought about it what her interests were. He knew about her religiosity but that didn't turn him away. He made her more intriguing to him.
Those are the main reasons he has been reluctant to approach her up to this point. It was how he felt he was unworthy. She was like a saint; someone like him shouldn't be anywhere near her, but he couldn't deny that he desired her.
"Just don't let Claude know about this; I'll never hear the end of it." Sasuke requested. "I know what you mean"; they both chuckled as they were getting closer to the monastery. It was dawn he got used to this scenery in some ways. Sasuke seeing this brought him more peace than being in Konoha, which didn't do anything but remind him of what he had lost.
Dimitri was walking with Claude and Edelgard, and he couldn't help but notice. He wasn't the only one; the way Naruto looked at Hinata with longing in his eyes was obvious. He kept his distance from her, as he had limited interactions with Naruto in the past two months. He could gather that Hinata was someone important to him, as he had talked highly of her on the second day in the monastery.
This was not like Sasuke's infatuation with Mercedes. Edelgard noticed as well.
"Those two should really talk; it's driving me crazy." said Claude.
Dimitri couldn't help but agree that he knew Hinata had strong feelings for Naruto. She did, even when he met her back in the Konoha compound 7 years ago.
But to think that it would be both of them who would have strong feelings for each other yet neither one of them was willing to make the first move. Part of it feels like he would have to give one or both of them encouragement.
"They're like two idiots in love." Claude continued.
"in love it was quite obvious even to someone who's blind Claude." Edelgard replied.
"I've spoken to him more than either one of you. He talks about her a lot. Whoever she is, she left a huge impact on him. I'm not an expert or anything on these matters, but I think Naruto is in love with her and has been since childhood."
Claude answered.
"Do you think it's possible that we can help them?" Dimitri asked.
"Well, nothing's going to be done until Naruto himself makes the first move, I'm done all I can the rest is up to him." said Edelgard.
"I agree Hinata shouldn't be the one to make the first move."Dimitri added, agreeing with Edelgard.
"I have a way to make them talk. I'll just do a little blackmail and make Naruto talk to Hinata. I've got this in the bag."Claude said with a mischievous smile.
"I don't know if I should feel sorry for Naruto for whatever you have planned, Claude." said Edelgard.
"Sasuke and Mercedes will talk before Naruto and Hinata do that's one thing I know for sure." said Dimitri.
"I can believe that those two would make a good couple, t, when I think about it."said Edelgard.
"Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself?" Dimitri asked.
"No" Edelgard answered.
"There's one thing that makes us both lucky, Edelgard. We don't have to deal with the banshee." Claude said, which caused Dimitri to want to punch him just mentioning Sakura.
"You have no idea how much she pushes my patience to its limits." Dimitri said contemptuously.
Claude said, "I can only imagine."
"We should cut the chatter. We have a long day ahead of us today." said Dimitri, who wanted to focus on getting back as soon as possible.
"I agree", Edelgard said.
The trio mainly traveled in silence for the rest of the journey. So Dimitri couldn't help but notice something in Edelgard's eyes like she was pleading for someone to open up to her. Was he imagining it? He disregarded that thought for now. The main thing he wanted to focus on at the moment was getting home.
Byleth saw what the students he had saved a few days earlier; he looked at the place that was called the monastery, which is known as "The world at Large" (Garreg Mach). It looked like a church, but also like a fortress and a castle at the same time. It looked ancient. He didn't know why he felt something familiar about this place.
Shez, who was right next to him, also looked up. They saw a green-haired woman. She looked really important. He couldn't put his finger on it, but she was familiar and he didn't know why.
Byleth, Jeralt, along with Shez, were summoned to the chambers of the woman who resided in Garreg Mach. He turned around and looked at Byleth, along with his father, and Shez. "Oh, Jeralt, it's been so long. This man standing before you is he your son?" The woman asked him. "Yes, though he was born after I left, it was too painful after Siri's passing
." She looked at him, almost as if questioning what he said was true, but immediately changed her mood when she turned her eyes to Byleth. "I'm pretty sure you have many questions. I'd like to know the names of the people who saved my students." Byleth didn't see anything suspicious about her and she met them and their father no harm; he gave her his name. "My name is Byleth Eisner." He couldn't tell why she was happy when she heard him give his full name. Then Shez gave her her name.
"My name is Shez "she said in a business-like manner. "Very good names. My name is Rhea. I am the archbishop and have heard much about you. Alois vouches for both of you. One of you I'm offering you to be a student at this academy, while the other. I'm offering you the chance to become a professor. Byleth, I believe you have what it takes to be a professor. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; you could be a great help." Again, he couldn't read her for some reason; there was something about her he couldn't quite trust. "I know what you're going to ask about me rejoining the knights. I couldn't say no even if I wanted to." Said his father.
"You both should rest; you've had a long journey. Tomorrow, you could both decide where you would like to go." Rhea dismissed the trio; they left the chambers. Shez went ahead of them, not wanting to be anywhere near him. "She's offering you a chance to do something other than be a mercenary. It's something I would have wanted for you, but be careful and be wary of her." His father warned him. He didn't sense anything sinister about her or her intentions, but he took his advice to heart.
He was escorted to his quarters. The next day, he would talk with many students. It would be overwhelming. He didn't know which class he would ultimately choose. He decided to put that thought aside and went to sleep.
Rhea dismissed Jeralt and Byleth, and she couldn't resist what she felt any longer. Siri, her son, was home. Her grandson was also there. However, there were other things as well. Her entire family was under one roof now, under normal circumstances, she should be happy, but she also felt guilty.
There is a huge secret that she's keeping from Jeralt and the girl in the abyss who nobody knows exists. When she thinks about her grandchildren, she feels pain every time she thinks about Siri, the girl she held when she brought her into this world. One of the few things she had left, she was all that was left of her people and she was gone.
Byleth was the key to bring her mother back but would she really be willing to pay the price that he required to do so? Siri died so her son could live did she really have a right to take away no she couldn't lose her resolve she wanted to see her mother again to hold her again. he was alive even if should her mother come back through him he will still be alive.
The guilt she felt wouldn't stop. It kept gripping her, and the voice of her lover, the woman she hadn't named, echoed in her mind over a thousand years.
She would do anything to protect her family, regardless of the consequences. She felt like a mess. She was happy that all of her family were in the same roof, but also she felt scared at the same time. Like all of it could burn to ashes.
"I'm lost without you mother I could use your guidance more than ever." Rhea said quietly to herself how much longer would she have to put up with the lies that she had built in the past millennia how many secrets would she have to keep for how much longer.
It would feel much better if she could just tell the truth, but she was terrified of that because of how long she had been lying. Lying about the history of Fodlan, she had to play the part of being the archbishop because that's what the humans think she is. They're ignorant of her true nature.
She curses Nemesis every day when she goes to sleep, over everything he took from her: her lover, all her siblings, a part of her, even blaming him for what happened to Siri. That monster destroy her life and everything, that she once had.
No amount of time that passes can change the revulsion and that was discussed when she looks at those heroes' relics. If she were able to, she would compensate all of them and let the souls in those relics rest.
If there was one thing she would like to see before she dies, it's for that to happen. Will it happen? She doesn't know. Things have changed with Siri's son back home. She could finally step down from being the archbishop and have someone she could trust succeed her. Byleth or Sonia seem like ideal successors.
That was for the future, though tomorrow he would choose a house, and with it, the fate of all would be decided. Though she didn't know why the three transfer students from Konoha, Byleth, and the girl with a mysterious origin named Shez, all would have a huge role to play in the future and would shape the fabric of the world.
She didn't like this feeling she had, but she was once told by her mother that when a huge shift was about to occur. She should be prepared, whether it is for good or for ill, remains to be seen.
Which class will he choose: the Black Eagles, the Blue Lions, or the Golden Deer? She would know by the end of tomorrow, and so would the purple-haired girl.
Marianne was looking at the sky in her room. She didn't know why, but she had a strong feeling that something would change in her life. She heard a commotion about somebody who saved the house leaders. Two individuals would be chosen to be in a house tomorrow. She wondered what they were even if she didn't really want to talk to anyone nor did she dare to.
She regrets not taking Hinata's offer of friendship, but she couldn't risk spreading her misfortune to her. Hinata was too pure; she was everything Marianne wasn't. It would not be fair if she was infected with her curse.
"I wish I could meet someone who understands me. I wish I didn't feel like a freak. Is it really so bad that I'd like to meet someone who understands animals like I do?" Marianne asked out loud.
The goddess, will she really gives her what she wants? Friendship, love, she would love nothing more than to have these things. But she doesn't indulge in fantasy because that's all it is; nobody would ever take an interest in someone like her.
She fell asleep dreamlessly.
Little does Marianne know that her life will change tomorrow.
Those who are reading this for the first time can ignore this note.
Wow this chapter is more than double the length of the original i could say I am proud of this new version and I do not attend to do another revision unless it's too fix some grammar here and there.
The reason for this particular revision is that I didn't feel like there were enough scenes with Dimitri and Hinata alone. They're supposed to be childhood friends, but there were barely any interactions. I wanted to fix that to the best of my ability.
I also wanted to develop Naruto's relationship with Dimitri and Edelgard he isn't quite friends with either one of them yet but I want to build the foundation for their eventual friendship especially Edelgard
Also, I felt that Shez barely had any character, and there were barely any scenes with her in this fanfiction until the most recent chapters. I wanted to fix that by adding more scenes in her introduction.
At the time I wrote this fanfiction, I wasn't sure how to write Shez, so I didn't include her. I was inexperienced since I was going back to my earlier chapters. I wanted to fix things and add scenes that should have been there originally.
I hope this is not excessive for those who have already read these chapters.