This chapter is a loose adaptation of Ash's prologue chapter considering all three houses are on separate missions I think it makes more sense to follow up on the blue lions storyline in this Arc with a story that's related to them. Ashe's prologue chapter I think is a great follow-up to chapter three of three houses and it would make no sense for any other house to be involved in this plotline. As I said in the previous chapter focusing on the Blue Lions Itachi is pure evil I write him this way because I prefer evill Itachi over good guy Itachi which to me doesn't make any sense and I will not argue with Itachi fans over this.
This is a fire emblem story mixed with Naruto I do not think it makes sense for the twist that I personally despise with a passion in a fire emblem setting especially in three houses. This chapter further develops Sasuke's relationship with Mercedes which as usual I love writing these two together. if you're expecting a confession in the near future don't it's not going to happen for a while considering I want to develop their relationship at a slower Pace than the others.
anyway enough with this introduction for those of you who read the original version of the chapter on archive your own this has some extended scenes that I felt like should have been in the original chapter but wasn't.
now on with the story.
chapter 14 Blue Lions conspiracy of the western church
Ashe rode his horse on autopilot; it had been 8 days since the blue lions started their return journey to Garreg Mach. He didn't know how to feel angry and sad. He still couldn't get over what Sasuke said before the battle. If Lonato was truly fighting for justice, was he and his cause unjust? It was difficult for him to understand. His classmates didn't talk to him; he appreciated it. He needed space and time to center himself.
He just wanted to be back and put the whole thing behind him. Then he saw the Knights of Seiros approaching their party. Catherine signaled for everyone to stop, and she got off her horse, along with the leader of the horsemen. He watched as she spoke.
"What's going on?" asked Catherine, knowing there was something up with having what looked like hundreds of knights.
"The Western Church's influence is much stronger than we thought. There's a plot to assassinate the Archbishop. We've got a confession out one of Lonato's supporters who wanted to save his life because he was being a pawn of the Western Church who didn't care about his son or his cause." This shocked everyone, especially Ashe.
"You mean they used him?" he said, not believing it. His fist clenched with rage.
"We cannot 100% confirm it, but we're going to put down the Western Church. We have tolerated them for too long; if they continue their heresy, it will spread to other churches' branches on the continent. We cannot allow that, or else the whole continent could potentially be engulfed in war."
Things were far more complicated than Ashe originally thought.
"Looks like we're not returning yet, sorry we're going to be needed for this" Catherine told the class.
Catherine, along with the Knight, went back on their horses and rode together to think that they would be heading toward the western church, which is located so soon they're backtracking to a degree close to where the battle was. No, he couldn't think about it; he had to stay focused. Maybe he would get answers. Then again, things would never be that simple.
"The archbishop herself is coming?" asked Catherine to the knight that she talked to earlier, whose name was Rob.
"Yes, she wants to see it personally that this rebellion is completely stamped out." Something was off; the Western Church was never this organized; someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes; there was no way they could have been this coordinated otherwise. The archbishop going herself could be the opportunity they're waiting for. Could this be what Lonato was doing? Was he the decoy to lure her out? No, he would never agree to something like that, but something was off. What were their goals other than killing the archbishop? There had been something more. There had been conflict between the Western Church and the Central Church for generations, but never got to the point of violence.
Though she knew there were many followers of Lonato, how many of them would she have to put down before this would end? No matter what she does, she will be seen as a bloodthirsty judge, jury, and executioner, not what she wants those who judge her to say she does not take pleasure in ending people's lives. She looks at Sasuke, whose expression on his face was hard to read, when he mentioned justice and revenge. She couldn't help but think that Sasuke is on his own crusade of revenge. She heard about Itachi Uchiha; his reputation was that of a bloodthirsty psychopath who took great pleasure in killing people during his missions with his class. His peers feared and hated him; it was one of the greatest mistakes they had ever made. He used that training to wipe out his family and clan.
To think that a clan that existed for centuries was wiped out in a single night, and the only survivor was the young man who was beside her. She met Itachi once, and she was terrified of him; terrified that he would kill her just to make a point. He was only 15 and had already graduated at the top of his class. Sasuke; she didn't feel the same killing intent from him, but there was something else. Mercedes; ever since they started being on speaking terms, she felt his darkness lessening to a degree. Sasuke and Dimitri were a lot alike.
There was a huge gamble to train such a man she didn't want to unleash another Itachi into the world, but orders were orders. The Blue Lions, which she feels a strong affinity for, because she was once part of that house, she hopes it's enough to keep him on the right path.
She signaled for them to stop, they were close to their destination."We're here to camp and wait for the archbishop; if possible, we hope we can resolve this without violence, but don't expect that." Catherine warned everyone. She set up her own tent and drew out battle plans for the conflict she knew would come.
Dimitri looked at the place where the Western Church used to reside; this wasn't what he wanted to do right now. He was hoping to head back home, put the violence behind him, but fate had other plans for him.
"The Western Church and the Central Church I'm so sad; I wish we could all just get along. We all believe in the same Goddess, don't we?" Mercedes sadly asked.
"Yeah, I guess it's human nature for us to fight even if we do believe in the same deity." Mercedes was someone Dimitri could talk to, even though she wasn't from his homeland, she was kind to everyone, and she hated violence. He could tell it was affecting her.
"I don't want to kill anymore people, is there really no other way, Dimitri?" he asked himself many times before and after the mission.
" I wish I could answer that" he admitted; she looked like she was in deep thought.
" Are you alright?" he asked her." I've been thinking about a lot of things" he knew what she was thinking about at this moment.
" Sasuke is he one of them?" he asked her; she turned away, trying to hide the red on her cheeks
" I want to help him but I don't know how" he noticed how close they were getting despite the short amount of time that they'd known each other; he didn't know how to help her in this way.
"Just listen to him, that's the best anyone can do really as his friend. Sasuke trusts you. He goes to you for advice. He doesn't do that for me and he has spoken to me longer that says something. Whatever advice you give him he values it greatly"That's one thing Dimitri did know about Sasuke in the month since they started talking. Whatever he felt lost he went to her and he took her advice. Many people in the monastery call her an angel in human form. Maybe it was true romance was something he had no room for the only thing he had on his mind was avenging his father and the people that were wronged with the tragedy of Duscur.
"You should get some sleep Dimitri"Mercedes advised not wanting to go against his friend he decided to head to his tent. He heard voices in his head demanding that he avenged them. It was getting worse it was difficult suppressing them. He lied down and shut his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Sasuke was eating at the family table with his mother and father.
"So how's your school going at Garreg Mach, did you make any friends?" His mother asked him.
"Yeah, I'm friends with Dimitri, you know the prince of Faerghus along with a noble named Felix and his girlfriend Annette.
" Sasuke answered happily, talking about something other than his brother.
"I hear you have a girlfriend is that true?" His father asked."No, she's just a friend."
Sasuke answered quickly, trying to hide his blushing face.
"She must be someone special, Sasuke. Your face is red." His mother said with a smile.
"She's out of my league, she has better options than someone like me." Sasuke said, then he heard a voice behind him.
"You mean like me." Sasuke turned around and saw his brother.
"Itachi, how was the mission?" asked his father, ignoring Sasuke's presence. Sasuke felt hatred and rage, but he didn't know why this was his brother. Why was he feeling this way?
"So who is this girl Sasuke?" asked his brother. "I don't know if I want to tell you," Sasuke said, looking away from him.
"Come on Sasuke, tell us who she is." His mother asked kindly.
"I mean," he had a difficult time getting the words out.
"She's like an angel in human form." Sasuke blurted out, causing his mother to laugh, his father cringing, and his brother saying nothing. "So she's someone important to you?"
His brother asked.
"That's none of your business." Sasuke said, now getting hostile towards his brother.
"There's no need to be hostile towards Sasuke" his mother scolded him. "I'm sorry," Sasuke apologized.
Then he turned around and saw Mercedes, and then the Blue Lions; they were laughing. Then it all suddenly ended. His brother appeared before anyone could say anything; he went for the first of his victims, Ashe. Before he knew what was happening, his head tumbled to the floor. Sasuke got up to try to protect the rest of his friends, but it was no use. Itachi butchered them all one by one. Felix tried in vain to protect Annette, but he quickly overpowered him and burned him with black flames along with Annette begging Sasuke to save them.
Sasuke felt powerless, he tried to help the others. Poor Dedue was dead before he knew what was happening.
Itachi put his blade through his heart and he tumbled to the ground. Dimitri fought all he had against his brother, but it was no use. They were worlds apart in terms of strength, and he quickly overpowered the prince.
"You're just like my pathetic little brother; how fitting that you would be friends with that wretch!"
Mercedes he couldn't let her kill her Sasuke shielded her with his own body he took out his sword
."run"Sasuke said to Mercedes.
Itachi said, referring to Dimitri, whom Itachi decapitated.
"Fool, she's already dead", Itachi said gleefully. Sasuke looked at her headless body as it tumbled to the ground. Sasuke screamed.
"Everything you love will burn to ashes. Haven't you learned that by now, foolish little brother?" He screamed at the top of his lungs in anguish over his family, friends, and.
Sasuke woke up drenched in sweat. It was all a dream. It was the same dream as it was a few days ago. Mercedes woke up ever since they made love for the first time. She slept by his side. He felt like such a wretch. He put both of his hands on his face trying to cover the look on his face, the nightmare he looked at Mercedes, her naked form. The nightmare felt so real, he touched her face to make sure she actually was here, that it wasn't just another dream. She noticed him shaking.
"You had the same nightmare again," Mercedes said, putting her hand on his cheek. He breathed heavily; it was difficult for him to breathe. This was worse than his other nightmares. At first, it started off pleasant and then it ended with all his friends being butchered and Itachi laughing as he did it.
"Everything you love will turn to ashes," the dream Itachi said to him.
"Worse," Sasuke replied, turning away so that she couldn't see the tears falling from his eyes. He hated appearing weak; it was only with Mercedes that he felt he could show his vulnerable side. Everyone else, he didn't want to show this side; he never even told Naruto, his best friend from Konoha, any of this.
"It's just a dream, Sasuke-kun", Mercedes said as she hugged him. He breathed easier. Everything Mercedes did was soothing to Sasuke. He felt safe with a simple touch and he felt at ease.
"Have you ever hated anyone, Mercie?" Sasuke asked her. She answered immediately.
"No, maybe dislike but never hate is too strong of a word that is only reserved for truly awful people. I haven't met anyone that I hate in my life." Now Sasuke knew what Naruto felt about Hinata; she was the same way. He also knew they would both be good friends.
"I hate him! Itachi is scum; he's roaming free right now. Justice has not been done, but I'm helpless against him. I couldn't do anything to him. I hate him so much every memory I have of him is tainted. My childhood ended when my family died because most of my memories are associated with him. Do you think it's wrong for me to hate him as much as I do?" Sasuke asked her.
"No, he's evil. He murdered your entire family and clan. Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter; there is no act more evil than what he has committed. There is no forgiveness for such scum, and I will not tell you to forgive him - that would be wrong. Evil like that must be punished."
The way she spoke about Itachi" it was with righteous hatred for evil.
"I'll support you in every step of the way to avenge your family and clan. I won't tell you how to feel - that would be wrong."
This made him feel better. This woman he felt his heart beating."
"We should go backsleep."
Mercedes advised. Sasuke laid back down.
Sasuke buried his face in her bare chest and closed his eyes. It was difficult for him to sleep. Mercedes sensed his agitation and spoke with a soft and soothing voice.
"Goddess, please protect this one from his nightmares. May you bless Sasuke, and may you forgive me, for I have sinned." Mercedes said. He didn't know how or why, but her soothing voice and her prayer made him able to fall asleep peacefully. He didn't have nightmares for the rest of the night.
Itachi looked at the fools at the Western Church who he easily manipulated. The Archbishop would arrive, and they actually believed they would be able to kill her. He wanted to watch, he wanted to hear their dying screams when they realized how hopeless it was and how they were led into a trap. The Western Church still had its uses once they saw their brethren being slaughtered; they could be useful in the future for the upcoming war. He cared not for those things; he only cared about one thing: How was Sasuke's eye?
A western church soldier approached Itachi
"Lord Itachi, our leader summons you" he said nothing to this worthless scum; he walked past him and treated him like an insect; he would kill him where he stood, but he had other things he had to accomplish the goals of the Akatsuki—that's all that mattered to Itachi at this point. Their goals were his goals. He entered the citadel; it was nothing special—just like any other Church. The man that stood before them was Tomas, though Itachi knew his true identity. He was the librarian in Garreg Mach; though the fool's in the western church saw him as their leader, if only they knew who he truly was and he saw them all as useful tools. He uncovered his identity but kept silent about it.
He might have been able to prevent many tragedies that had occurred in the past 10 years, but he didn't care. He only cared about one thing: Sasuke's eyes, the power of which was all he needed.
"Is there any reason you wish to speak to me, Solon?" he asked emotionlessly.
"You don't get to call me by my real name," he said with contempt.
"I just want you to know so that you can give a message to the Akatsuki back home. Don't get any funny ideas. beast you work for us, not the other way around. Go tell your leader Pain also to live up to his end of the bargain. We don't care about your goals, and as soon as our goals are met, we will treat you as we treat every one of our enemies." An alliance with Those Who Slither in the Dark and the Akatsuki, along with various echelons of the Adrestia Empire, is a mere alliance of convenience. They all have the same enemies, but their goals couldn't be any more different.
"I will tell him your message, is that all?" Asked Itachi.
"Monica has been freed, this will set back our plans. I want you to eliminate her immediately."
Itachi was surprised by the urgency. What was it about this woman that was so important? Then he thought about it if it set back their plans this would work in the akatsuki's favor. Pain always told him to do everything necessary to undermine. Those Who Slither in the Dark he wasn't going to help though he did have to have the appearance of doing it so he would accept the mission but would not succeed at doing it after all what good was the akatsuki's goals if their enemies got stronger and not the Akatsuki?
"I will leave at once but I have to be cautious; my mission is espionage not assassination. My priority is my mission to the Akatsuki not yours."
Itachi said to him. He didn't try to rebuke because he knew it would endanger both of their plans.
"Do what you have to do."
He told him. How ironic Itachi thought; Edelgard was helping the Akatsuki with their goals and she wasn't aware of it.
Same thing with her professor and all the other members of their class, he smiled. The students were helping the Akatsuki, and they had no idea how useful they were to their plans. He would laugh if it wasn't so amusing, but he had to appear to follow his orders. He was still going to head to his former home, where his classmates (the ones that he killed) were. He was going to see how far his brother had come in the past 10 years.
Rhea got off her horse to think she was going to personally put down a rebellion herself; she didn't want to do it, but she was forced to because of a potential war starting. She shivered when she thought of the last war she was a part of. She had lost everything: her family, she wasn't going to let that happen again. She looked at the camp soldiers. She thought some of them had little to no experience, then she saw the students from the Blue Lions. Everyone bowed respectfully and she put her hand up.
"No need," she said. "Lady Rhea, it's an honor to be in your presence." Dimitri bowed to her.
"The honor is mine, Dimitri." She looked at Sasuke, wondering what he was thinking.
"As you all know, the Western Church was involved with Lonato and his rebellion. We must put an end to it before the flames of war spread beyond our borders. Most of you have never experienced war. War is horrific: many lives are lost, futures are destroyed, famines are caused. I am here personally to ensure that there will not be a war. Let the Goddess protect you all in the upcoming battle". Everyone cheered.
Everyone was getting into their battle positions, but she wanted to talk to Sasuke one-on-one. She never had a chance before, and this was the perfect chance.
"Sasuke-san, do you have a few minutes?" she asked him. Sasuke looked at Mercedes and told her he would be by her side in a moment.
When she first laid eyes on Sasuke, she saw darkness engulfing him. But since he enrolled in the Blue Lions, the darkness has dimmed. There is more light now.
She was reluctant to accept him because of his brother, but Sasuke was nothing like Itachi. She thought he was full of darkness when she laid eyes on him, but Sasuke was the opposite.
"What did I do to deserve this honor, Rhea-sama?" Sasuke said after he bowed as a form of respect.
"I overheard the other day about how you feel about our work. Sasuke looked surprised that she knew.
" Most people don't appreciate what we do nowadays; they're suspicious and think we have ulterior motives. It's frustrating and heartbreaking. I want what is best for the people but it's hard. She waited for Sasuke's reaction. He spoke. "The church isn't perfect, no institution is, but it'd be foolish not to see the good that you do. The people look up to you like you're a mother figure at least that's what I look at from where I'm from. That's what you would be considered. The sage of six paths figureheads of the temples who are women are usually looked up as motherly figures. I think that's what I see when I look at you." The way Sasuke said it made her feel sad. He had lost his mother at a young age.
She lost her mother as well in the Red Canyon massacre. She was 17 years old when it happened. She was very close to her mother and it traumatized her. She was the youngest of her siblings, all of whom died. One of the most painful others besides her siblings and her mother was her betrothed; she hadn't thought about her in almost a thousand years, the painful memories when she ran away being one of the few survivors
."I lost my mother too when I was young." She said out loud. Sasuke looked surprised that she was speaking about something so personal.
"I'd be lying if I didn't hate the person who murdered my mother. I have other regrets too. I think about the things I could have said to her that I didn't. I took her for granted. I would do anything to talk to her one more time." It was the closest thing she could say to the truth without Sasuke knowing who she truly is.
"Everyone is capable of hating someone, but some hate more than others." It wasn't easy for her to admit this out loud.
" Mercie from what I've heard from her, you're a good person. better than any of the leaders in the five nations who care about nothing but themselves you have done so much for the people of this land and so much for. Mercie.I'm grateful that you gave me the chance to be part of this program. I would never have met her otherwise ."
Sasuke turned around, hiding his blushing face from the rumors about him being in love with with Mercedes. They were more than accurate, but something else was in his eyes. She had seen this many times before in her many years of living.
These were the eyes of a man deeply in love she had seen that look too many times not to notice the pattern she looked at the woman who was talking to Annette she is a good influence on Sasuke. Though what she had heard from Mercedes was also deeply in love with Sasuke even before they started talking a month ago. Red threads of fate, interesting things those are. She recalls what happened to her thread a thousand years ago. No, she has to disregard that thought; it was too painful.
She had to be careful not to betray Sasuke's feelings for Mercedes, which were strong. What made it even worse was her potential enemies taking advantage of that and using his feelings for her to manipulate him for their own ends.
She wouldn't lose someone like Sasuke to Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi, though an old friend of hers, she hardly trusts him. Under his watch, his entire family and clan were murdered. Itachi Uchiha, using the training her knights gave him, destroyed his entire clan, which will forever be a stain on her honor.
"I'm not here for altruistic reasons. I don't mean any disrespect; I'm mainly here for the training to be able to get stronger so I can avenge my family. She understands that well, which is why she trained for the next 10 years, going from Nation to Nation long before any of the ones that currently exist. When she thinks about the first emperor, she cannot remember him; it has been many years.
"Sasuke San I believe your parents would be proud of you of the kind of man you have become."Sasuke for what she can tell had a look of sadness when is family was brought up.
"you really think that Rhea Sama?"he asked her.
"I'm positive that the goddess will protect you, Sasuke. If you need anything from me, you know where to find me." She made a dismissive gesture after all; the battle was near. Sasuke bowed respectfully and left to return to his comrades in the Blue Lions.
She knows she might have overstepped. She dismissed him and he left her to her thoughts; was it really the right thing to try reviving her mother? At first she was aesthetic about it, but now she's feeling skeptical. No, she would not let a thousand years go to waste. She would go through with it. She would see her mother again. She put her doubts in the deep depths of her mind for now and prepared herself for the upcoming battle.
Ashe was with his classmates in the forest, their task was to protect Rhea if there was a thick fog. Neji with his Byakugan wouldn't work, nor would Sasuke's Sharingan due to the large area. Catherine was next to the archbishop; she had her hand on her sword, ready to draw it at any time. Tenten already had her own weapons out. Neji was in his fighting stance, Felix had his hand on his sword, and Annette behind him had her hand on her spell book so she could cast it at any time.
Dimitri at the back flank had his lance out, he was in a guard stance. Sasuke was to the right of Ashe. Mercedes was to his left. Dedue is always next to Dimitri, ready to protect him from any onslaught. Sylvain is where Neji and Tenten are; all sides are covered. There are 200 people protecting the archbishop.
Would there really be a battle that requires this many people? He heard sounds as if someone were taking out their bow and arrow from their quiver, waiting for any side of the enemy to strike.
"How convenient we will kill that abomination and finish what Lonato had started"
He couldn't tell how many there were. The fog made it hard for him to see more than ten people approaching them. He ended his arrow at the nearest enemy and fired. The arrow went straight into a woman's eye, instantly killing her. He aimed quickly and fired again.The arrow went through a man's throat and he tumbled to the ground. Another was about to strike at Mercedes, but Sasuke with his sword jabbed it into the man's throat and drew it out of him. Then he went on and attacked the next person. It seemed like Sasuke was at multiple places at once. He fought like a fierce animal protecting his mate.
He couldn't pay attention to what was behind them; he had to protect the archbishop. His hesitation almost cost Mercedes her life last time. Had it not been for Sasuke's intervention, one of the soldiers was about to strike at Sasuke's back but he was killed instantly by Mercedes when she casted thunder. She had a look he never saw before on Mercedes' determination. She was determined to protect Sasuke and everyone. He felt completely pathetic, as kind as Mercedes was, she wasn't hesitating like he was compared to her he felt pathetic that someone like Mercedes was stronger than he was despite hating taking lives.
Dimitri focused strictly on the battle at hand. At times like these, the voices demanding vengeance are silent. It is one of the few times he feels like he is truly free. The first of the Western Church soldiers charged at him, thinking they could become famous if they killed the prince. However, they were wrong; Dimitri easily disarmed him. Fortunately for him, Dimitri only knocked him out, but most of his enemies didn't get lucky. A woman tried to charge, but the Archbishop stopped her. A soldier in a battalion behind him fired a volley of arrows, killing the woman and her entire squad.
It wasn't a complete slaughter; 10 of his own battalion were injured or killed; he didn't pay attention to turn his eye away would get him killed. He dodged like it came naturally to him as breathing. He grabbed the man's face and slammed him to the ground, not paying attention if he killed them. Another tried to go for Dedue but he didn't get far.
He was wondering what was taking the archbishop so long to clear the fog, which was difficult to see. How many men were being killed, he couldn't tell; it seemed like the fog was getting worse. He deflected blow by blow. It seemed like the enemy's numbers were endless, but it wasn't that they had the advantage in the terrain because they couldn't see. It was like fighting with his eyes blindfolded. He hated fighting blind. It was at times like this that he wished Hinata were there, as she would know what to do. Hyuga ninjas are trained to fight in any situation, even blind. Neji was doing very well, better than anyone else along with Sasuke. He would have to train with him when he comes back.
Sakura Dimitri couldn't help it look at her with contempt was not doing anything but trying to impress Sasuke at a time like this. Manuela was doing her best protect her students. He couldn't pay attention to his anger towards Sakura now he had to focus.
"Sakura help your classmates,"Manuela ordered." okay"Sakura said not really caring Sasuke was the only thing that mattered. Mercedes just couldn't believe the nerve out of all the people Sasuke doesn't need her protection.
"We don't need you here Sakura, other people could use you," Mercedes said, trying to keep herself calm."I didn't ask for your opinion,"Sakura snapped.
"We're in a battle and you are simping for Sasuke are you serious?"said Felix angry.
"fuck you I didn't ask for your opinion"Mercedes would slap Sakura hard if they weren't in a life and death situation.
"Stop being useless and make yourself useful," Annette said with contempt. Before she could rebuke the archbishop, he had finished the chanting she was doing and the fog was completely dispelled. She looked around; there were fewer western church troops than she had thought. The leader of them looked displeased.
"Useless scum! Charge all of you! Kill the archbishop!" A man in black-clad armor said something sinister about him; he wasn't part of the western church. Just who was he? She wondered.
Then she saw another man with Raven hair; he had a black cloak with red stripes. He looked at her with a sinister smile.
"interesting So you're the light for my little brother, interesting" the man said. Something about him made her feel terrified. He approached her Ashe drew his bow but couldn't get the arrow from the quiver.
"Stay away from me" Mercedes said, backing away. She never felt so terrified in her life. The murderous intent was clear on his face
"Out of all the women, it's you" he smiled even more. Before he could do anything, she heard a shout.
"STAY AWAY FROM HER" she heard Sasuke shout with murderous rage.
Sasuke attacked him without hesitation, like a wild animal. He blocked his blow with his own blade.
" You've certainly gotten stronger it's been 10 years." She felt the hatred from Sasuke. The killing intent couldn't be Sasuke's.
" I'll kill you here and now, you bastard!" Sasuke performed a fireball technique, using the signature jutsu of the Uchiha clan. He had told her in one of their many conversations.
The man Sasuke was fighting did his own hand signs to counter them. It looked like they were evenly matched, but the person Sasuke was fighting had the edge. He knocked Sasuke down and put his foot on his chest. Then he put the blade to Sasuke's throat and spoke coldly.
"Pathetic. Is this all you can give me after ten years?"
He looked at Mercedes and then smiled.
"I wonder if I killed her would that motivate you to want to kill me. Would that awaken your Miyoko Sharingan? You know the conditions".
He stomped on Sasuke's chest, screaming in pain.
"Touch her and I'll". He pressed even harder, making Sasuke screamed.
"MERCIE RUN!" Sasuke screamed in desperation.
She has to do something. She cast the most powerful spell she possibly could and she yelled out loud,
"May the goddess judge you, Ragnarok". Itachi was caught off guard; his body was incinerated but he laughed as if what she did was pointless.
"This body that you've destroyed, girl, isn't real. I'm far away from here". She heard the laughing.
"Saved by your woman, how pathetic, Sasuke. You'll have to do better than that if you'll have a chance to kill me if you can't even defeat my clone that I've created with my chakra. You have certainly no chance of fighting the real thing. You're not worth my time". The clone laughed as the body was done burning, turning to ashes.
Everyone who witnessed it was shocked. She rushed to Sasuke's side and performed healing magic on him. Sasuke looked at her with shame.
"I can't," he couldn't get the words out of his mouth because of the shame.
"At least you're alive; you still have a chance to avenge them." This is no comfort; she knows that but she can't let Sasuke fall into despair.
"I'm sorry, Sasuke Kun I was scared. I couldn't do anything." She apologized apologetically.
"You did nothing wrong." Sasuke replied with controlled emotion.
While Sasuke was fighting against Itachi Uchiha
Dimitri looked at the man in black armor, his skin was white, definitely white. Who was this person?
"You're the one leading this revolt?" Dimitri asked, preparing himself for a fight.
"And what if I am?" he said with a sadistic smile. "Then I will bring you to justice." He laughed like it was a joke.
"Like you did for those people you killed who fought for their lord?" he said mockingly, angering him. He didn't care about the cause; these men and women were dying for something they didn't even understand. He just wanted pointless violence.
"That I will sentence you to die for starting a pointless revolt that led to the meaningless deaths of Honorable Men and women who served their lord"
No more words were needed, he charged Dimitri. To him, he wasn't a man; he was a monster. Their weapons clashed; both of them used the same weapon. It was difficult to tell which one had the advantage.
It's very rare for Dimitri to face an opponent who uses the same kind of weapon. Some opponents are even faster, some being even stronger, and most of these battles determine victory not by strength but by skill in the combination of one or the other. Dimitri isn't the fastest fighter, but he definitely has the strength to back it up. So when he faces an opponent who is equal to him in strength, he has to rely more on his skill than his strength.
This opponent was almost equal to him with one wrong move and it would be over for Dimitri. He was knocked down by the man who tried to stab him with the tip of his spear. Dimitri rolled in order to dodge what would have been a death blow. He grabbed a dagger from its scabbard and stabbed it into the man's abdomen. It wasn't the most honorable way to do battle, but this man didn't deserve such an honorable end. He took his dagger and tossed it to the side like it was nothing and smiled at him.
"So you are a challenge, boy!" he said mockingly. He charged at him again. Dimitri dodged the best that he could, whatever this thing was, he couldn't even call it a man; it barely did anything to him.
If there's one thing Dimitri wishes he didn't have to do was fighting other opponents before this man, he was no match for him as he was now if he was his fresh; Dimitri was confident he could defeat him he was tiring but it was only a matter of time before Dimitri would be killed by this enemy in front of him. Before a death blow could be dealt, Catherine with her sword blocks what would have been a death blow.
"You should leave this fight to me; you're not ready to face someone like him." The dark figure laughs.
"Oh, I get to kill Cassandra thunderstrike! Oh, this is definitely going to be a worthy kill." He's clearly enjoying the fight. Dimitri watches in amazement as Catherine blocks every one of his blows like it's nothing. The black-clad figure isn't so confident anymore; he's clearly outclassed.
He tried to do a quick killing blow, but Catherine, who had faced many opponents like him before, blocked it with her sword.
"You could have surrendered; you know" Catherine said.
You would have killed me anyway. I'm not a fool to believe in empty offers like surrender when you had no intention of letting me surrender to begin with. Dimitri knew this was true. He watched as the battle led inevitably to its conclusion. She cut the man's hands off, and he fell to his knees. She took up an executioner's stance, but before she pronounced his sentence, she spoke.
"Do you have any last words before the goddess judges you?" He looked at Dimitri and then back at Catherine, and then he laughed.
"You have no idea what is coming: all you know, all you love, will turn to ash." He finished what he said, and then he laughed again. His head tumbled to the ground.
He saw the face of the severed head; it was almost as if he was laughing at Dimitri. Dimitri, in anger, kicked his head. It was foolish, but for some reason he couldn't help but feel like this was a bad omen.
When the battle was over, 60 out of the 200 were killed, and 80 were injured. The surviving enemy soldiers had casualties that were much higher: 120 out of 180 were killed, while those who survived surrendered without hesitation. The church was deciding whether to pardon them or kill them. They refused to fight and would be taken for questioning. It would be decided whether they lived or died.
Ashe was tending to the injured; they temporarily made the Western Church's capital a place to rest the injured we're being tended to by healers. He saw someone he recognized.
"I wanted to give this to you. It was his last request."Ashe took the letter. It was everything. Could this give him the answers he had sought? Why his father did what he did? Part of him was scared of what if he found something that shocked him to his core.
He put it in his bag; he would take a look at it later when it was safe to do so; after all, the western church wasn't the most trusted source. Some of his classmates were injured as well, they had cut on their shoulders. Neji had some minor injuries as well, along with Tenten. The archbishop herself was doing her part to heal the sick and the injured. He couldn't help but see something radiant about her. Why was she hated so much by the western church? It didn't make sense; the world was so much more complicated than ever before. Since he enrolled in Garreg Mach, nothing made sense anymore.
If only things could go back to the way they used to be, but he knows that's childish and it can never happen. This is what it means to be an adult. He had to be strong for his brother and sister. They needed him. He couldn't live in his fantasies anymore. He needed to be a knight so he could provide for them, but the shaking feeling he has inside him he cannot help but feel like something else is going to change and not for the better.
Itachi was disappointed that Sasuke wasn't as strong as he wanted him to be, but he recognized Mercedes von Martritz, the daughter of Mariana Marie, a commoner who married a nobleman. He knew that out of all the people, it was Mercedes von Hrym that he was familiar with her family; it seemed like a coincidence.
"So, Itachi-san, are we actually going to kill that Monica girl?" He asked, amused.
"No, we will make make it seem like we tried. I won't do anything that helps Those Who Slither in the dark; they are our enemies that we will have to deal with eventually, so we might as well weaken them as much as possible." Kisame licked his lips in anticipation; he was looking forward to fighting. He loved it.
"It's quite a shame I don't get a chance to kill that Zabaza boy; I've always hated him." He knew the feud between the two; it was something that he constantly heard about when they first met.
"Let's get going, Kisame, before our chance passes us by."
They both left the forest where they had been staying. The place where the battle took place is where he faced his brother for the first time. If he wanted to, he could fight Sasuke again. Hopefully, he would be stronger.
He needed his light, and he wasn't going to lose his light. He would do whatever necessary, even killing the woman who Sasuke has developed strong feelings for. She was perfect; if all else fails, her sacrifice would awaken his latent powers. Afterwards, he would take it from him and his life, and he would be the only surviving Uchiha doing what Madara failed to accomplish.
Sasuke felt pathetic and weak, a clone of Itachi easily overpowered him and it not been for Mercedes he would have been killed. He couldn't protect her. He didn't want to be near her he felt so shameful but she was next to him.
"How can you stand the sight of me? I couldn't protect you"he said angrily he wanted her to leave not to see him so pathetic so weak.
" I don't think you're weak Sasuke Kun I was terrified if anybody is weak it's me I couldn't protect you or my friends"he didn't want to see her cry why is this feeling so contradictory he doesn't want her to see him in this vulnerable state yet he doesn't want to be away from her.
"You're stronger than I am I was terrified the whole time I was fighting him when he placed his foot on my chest I gave up"that was his greatest shame to admit that he was terrified of his brother the flashbacks he had the powerlessness he felt like he was seven again.
"I want to be stronger so I can protect you,"Mercedes said with resolve. The look of determination he couldn't talk her out of this even if you wanted to is this how Naruto and Hinata feel about each other? No, that was ridiculous. They haven't known each other for more than a month and they barely spoke to each other prior to the new professor of the Black Eagles. He looked at his hand his reasoning for getting stronger was to avenge his clan but if he couldn't protect his friends if he couldn't protect Mercedes his angel then what good was his quest for revenge if he couldn't protect the people closest to him?"Everything you love will burn to ashes Itachi said in his dream.
That nightmare he had was a warning. Catherine was the key, but he wouldn't just train with her if he had to; he would transfer to the Black Eagles and do what Dorothea is currently doing with the Golden Deer in order to train with Byleth. No, he couldn't depend on one teacher; he would train with every teacher possible. Looked at Mercedes. Never again would he be weak and unable to protect her.
"I will never fail you again, my angel. I promise you."Sasuke said to her. She blushed.
"Did I say something wrong?"Sasuke said, confused.
"No, I like it." Despite the situation, she smiled and it to Sasuke. It was like the sun itself was right in front of him.
He would protect her by any means necessary, and he wasn't going to lose anyone else. His new friends; he looked at them, and they were asleep outside his room.
The one thing Sasuke was scared of more than anything was failing to protect those who are important to him. It's been a short amount of time, but this woman has become something precious to him. Something he wants to protect. It scares him.
He should stay away from her for her own protection, and it would be the right thing to do, but he can't stand the thought of not being near her. She kept him grounded, and she was his light.
His life's only purpose was revenge; that's all he lived for the past 10 years, not even Naruto could give him any purpose outside of revenge. Dimitri and everyone: the Blue Lions were his precious people; he understood what Naruto felt when he defended Konoha all those years ago. He buried his head in her chest, and she wrapped her arms around him. Their hands felt so close, really close, their faces were inches apart.He closed his eyes and made a promise: he would never again be helpless. He would protect her, his angel, his friends, whatever it takes. The Blue Lions were his family now, and he would not ever lose anyone again.
Mercedes saw Sasuke closes eyes he looks so peaceful she thought she put her hand on her chest what was this feeling she was feeling she fell her heart beating. This man in front of her he had gone through so much she had learned so much about him in the short amount of time that she had known him. she was told to stay away from him when she first laid eyes on him by the staff in the monastery.
she had wanted desperately to speak to him to get to know him but she was nervous she was scared of approaching him not because she was afraid of him but because she felt like she wasn't Worthy how full is she felt now that she thinks about it it was because of encouragement from Annette and Hinata along with Hilda that she had got her courage to speak to him she prayed to the goddess that day to give her this courage to speak to him her prayers were answered it was that day that changed her life forever.
flashback the cafeteria day she spoke she to Sasuke
She couldn't get Sasuke out of her mind, something about him drove her to him when she first met him; she was awestruck. What she saw in his eyes when she first spoke to him was a sad look with a deep darkness. She wanted to give him a hug and tell him it would be okay. She wanted to speak to him, but she didn't know why she was drawn to him. A red thread developed the moment she laid her eyes on him, which perplexed her. She had no idea how to talk about it.
She was barely touching her food when she saw Sasuke walking past her. She wanted to say something, anything, but she couldn't. Her throat froze; she couldn't say anything. This was not unnoticed by Annette. "What's wrong, Mercie?" Annette asked. Hinata was eating with them, along with Hilda."it's just that I want to speak to him but I don't know how." Mercedes said referring to Sasuke.
"You should just speak to him, you know it's starting to get really annoying and no offense, Mercedes."
Hilda said bluntly."But what if he just thinks I'm like every other fangirl where he's from?"
She didn't even know why she was so flustered; she was never like this with anyone."
"Mercie Chan, Sasuke won't do that. No girl back home has ever had the effect you have on him. You should speak to him."
Hinata said gently."It's easy for you to say that when you won't even speak to Naruto."
Mercedes replied, Hinata turned away blushing in embarrassment."
Don't change the subject; we know you like him. Why not just talk to him? It shouldn't be that difficult." Hilda said not understanding her hesitation.
"I can't explain the feeling that I have; it's so strong, and it's irrational. I saw something forming between us. Feeling that I have, I cannot explain it."
Mercedes was afraid of revealing what she felt. She didn't want to open herself up only to find out it wasn't real. Her crest has been coveted by so many men who only want to marry her for her Crest, so they could produce children. She hated it. She just wanted someone to love her for who she is."
I know what you feel, Mercie Chan. More than anything.
Hinata said, speaking from experience.
"Hina, I don't know."
She looked down at her food.
"I'll have to pray to the goddess and ask her for answers."
She left her friends to pray to the goddess at the cathedral for guidance, as if the goddess would answer her prayers. Sasuke and she spoke at length. That day Sasuke became her friend, and the feelings she had developed for him were out of control.
after the mock battle
The Blue Lions lost to the shy girl squad she wasn't bitter about it she saw Naruto and Hinata holding hands they were officially a couple they were so happy she wondered what it would it be like if someone else looked at her that way?
"Are you all right?"asked her she looked away embarrassed allowing her thoughts to wander.
"I'm Sasuke Kun."she said trying to keep her mind off of what she was thinking and her imagining herself and Sasuke and Naruto and Hinata's place.
"The dope and Hinata San finally have gotten together it's about damn time"Sasuke smiled happy for his friend.
"Hina she loves him, doesn't she?"
Mercedes asked Sasuke.
"It's a known fact back home that she is in love with Naruto Uzumaki. It's no secret though Naruto is oblivious to it."
he answered.
she laughed at that, along with Sasuke.
"She's so lucky; I wish I could have have what she has."
she said loudly enough for him to hear.
"Why not pray to the goddess? Maybe that person will come to you."
Sasuke looked at her with longing.
"Do you really believe that person would love someone like me?" she asked him.
Sasuke looked up at the bench where they were sitting.
"Whoever that man is, he would be the luckiest man in the world." She was touched by this; she leaned against Sasuke, putting his arm around her, and they watched the sunset. This would be the first of many days of them doing this together. When she was with Sasuke, she felt complete; she felt safe and.
She looked at Sasuke with feelings when she thinks about him, he fully accepts her for who she is, doesn't ask her to be anything other than who she is, that many of those who eye her only want her for her crest and have no regard for her beliefs that are precious to her. The goddess who has helped her in so many ways, who guided her through tough times, most of these vain men would have her give up what is the most precious to her.
She looks at Sasuke, but he never asks for anything other than her friendship. She wants to protect him, and she wants to shield him from his nightmares. What is this feeling she's feeling? She would have to talk to Hinata and Ingrid about it when she has the chance. These feelings are so strong; they feel like she's suffocating when she's not in his presence. The feeling scares her; she can't tell anyone. She can't talk to anyone except someone who has experienced this before, and the only person she can think of is a friend, Hinata and Ingrid.
Ever since that night, Sasuke and she gave into their desires, things have not been the same. She cannot think of him as a friend; he was something else to her. When she has a chance, she wants to talk to Hinata about her feelings. She was scared; she thought it was too good to be true. Someone like her couldn't possibly have a good man like Sasuke. She closed her eyes and went to sleep, dreaming about having Sasuke by her side.
Wow, and this new ending! I didn't sugar-coat that Mercedes had completely fallen in love with Sasuke. I wanted to give further context to why she didn't speak to him at the beginning. It wasn't in the original version of the chapter; it will be uploaded on as well as Archive Our Own.
There won't be a love confession the next time I write about them. No, it's too soon for that. Mercedes is Sasuke's Hinata, and I intend to have a pain arc equivalent of a confession when the time comes.