The Three Houses of Hyperdimension

A Fire Emblem: Three Houses & Hyperdimension Neptunia Crossover Fan Fiction

by Derald Snyder

Episode 15: A New Mission

"You want me to handle another bandit group in Faerghus province?" Byleth asked, standing across from Seteth and Rhea.

"Specifically, it appears the bandits that once served under Miklan Gautier have reorganized under a new leader," Seteth elaborated. "Under this leader's direction, they managed to take down a police squad sent after them. Also, it seems the leader knows you."

"Knows me?" Byleth blinked.

"Yes. According to one of the surviving policemen, the bandit leader got in his face and said, 'Tell the Ashen Demon that's he's next.' So she's clearly trying to draw you out..."

"It's a woman?" Byleth interrupted.

"Yes, with a quite unusual hair color," Rhea nodded. "I don't know what grievance this lost soul has with you, but you should take care to not be lured into a trap..."

"I'll be careful," Byleth nodded. "And if this is Miklan's former group, then I probably shouldn't take the Blue Lions house, given what happened last time..."

"Well, there's no indication that the leader has stolen any weapons like the Lance of Ruin," Seteth mused. "So hopefully you won't have to worry about any demonic beasts this time around."

"Let's hope not. Poor Ingrid had nightmares for a week or so afterward, and Sylvain was pretty shaken up, though he did a good job of hiding it," Byleth said. "Dimitri, on the other hand, almost seemed to relish the challenge... in fact, he dealt the final blow personally. Even so..."

"Still, your students have far more experience than before. I'm sure no matter which house you take, they will excel in their roles," Rhea assured him.

"I'm sure they will," Byleth smiled and nodded in agreement.

*Later, at the dorm rooms...*

(So, who am I going to take for this mission, the Black Eagles or the Golden Deer?) Byleth mused as he pranced back and forth with his head down. He planned to inform the house leader once his mind was made up, which was why he was at the dormitory... he could faintly hear Bernadetta playing video games in her room, and apparently winning from what he could tell...

"Ah, here you are, Professor!" a young male voice called out, Byleth looking up to see none other than Sylvain Jose Gautier approaching. What surprised him, however, was his current companion...

"Sothis? Why are you with him?" he asked, nonplussed. "I thought you didn't like him..."

"I don't," Sothis replied bluntly. "But neither does that Cyril. Sticking close to this fool was the only way to stop him from pestering me!"

"What was he pestering you about?"

"You have to ask?! He's oh so grateful that I comforted Miss Rhea after that nightmare she had!" Sothis grumbled. "At least this flirtatious charlatan sticks to his own age group!"

"Yeah, I may be a shameless flirt, but I do have standards, unlike what Ingrid might say," Sylvain ribbed. "Maybe in another five years or so..."

"Not. Happening." Sothis stated firmly.

"I second that," Byleth crossed his arms. "No flirting with my daughter, even if- and when she grows up," he caught himself.

"Point taken..." the redhead averted his gaze. "So, ah, changing the subject. What brings you here, anyway?"

"I was trying to decide which house I wanted to take for the latest mission from the headmaster," Byleth explained.

"Really? But don't you go in rotation? It should be our house's turn this time, right?" Sylvain pointed out.

"Ordinarily, yes. But there are circumstances that give me pause," Byleth responded.

"What circumstances would those be?"

"...It's your brother's old group," Byleth admitted. "Under new management, apparently. And they seem to have it out for me specifically for some reason."

"...Oh." Sylvain's jovial mood swiftly vanished. "Okay, I see where you're coming from- you don't wanna bring back bad memories, right?"

"More or less. I know some of you had nightmares after we slew that black beast," Byleth said. And there had also been the fact he'd had to Divine Pulse quite a few times to save some of the students from getting killed- nay, eaten by the monster that had once been Miklan... Sothis' expression showed that she also remembered that incident all too well.

"But these guys are still in Faerghus province, right? Which means this should be right up the Blue Lion's alley!" Sylvain counterargued. "I mean, sure, none of us could have expected what happened last time, but what are the chances of THAT happening again?"

"He makes a fair point," Sothis spoke up. "And since that Miklan is already dead, that means HE doesn't have to worry about any emotional baggage this time!" she pointed her thumb at Sylvain. "And before you ask, yes, Byleth told me the gist of what happened."

"Right," Sylvain nodded. "I hope hearing about that beast didn't give you nightmares..."

"Please. I don't get nightmares," Sothis snorted dismissively. "What scares me the most is this fool getting himself killed because of a stupid mistake he made..."

"He hasn't died yet," Sylvain shrugged.

"She's right, though. There have been some instances where I've only survived by luck," Byleth lamented. "Like when I was stabbed over in Lowee City... Rei Ryghts had to take care of Sothis while I was laid up in the hospital, and she never let me hear the end of it..."

"Who, Rei Ryghts or Sothis?"

"Me," the greenette clarified. "I mean, I was still recovering after he found me half-dead in the streets, and then he almost dies and leaves me alone again?! Of course I let him have it!"

"All right, enough," Byleth waved one hand in a 'down, girl' gesture. "Look, let's at least ask the other Blue Lions if they're up to this. If even one says no, then the house is off this mission. Sound fair?"

"Fair enough to me," Sylvain nodded. "Who're you going to leave Sothis with, though? Sir Alois, I'm guessing?"

"Wha- I thought I was coming along!" Sothis protested.

"To an actual battlefield? Surely you jest," Byleth said bluntly. "There's no chance I'm putting you in harm's way, especially after the attempted kidnapping..."

"Well, I don't have to go to the battlefield! I could just stay at camp or whatever!" Sothis argued. "Anything would be better than having to hide from that Cyril while you're gone!" She then added telepathically, (And I also don't know if you can use my Divine Pulse if we're not in somewhat close proximity!)

Byleth heaved a sigh, before responding, "Look, we'll discuss this later, all right? It's not like we're leaving right away, anyway... and on that note, did you ever think to ask Lady Rhea herself about Cyril bugging you? Surely she would be able to convince him to back off..."

"Uh..." The look on Sothis' face indicated that she hadn't even considered the idea. "Ugh, okay, fair point. We can go ask her after we ask Dimitri and the others about this mission..."

"And that's why I'm the professor here," Byleth gently ribbed as the trio went off together...

*Episode 15- End*

A/N: The battle begins next episode.