Shez packed up everything before checking everything. Sure she doesn't have much since she's a mercenary, but there were a few things that made her cherish these small items. A set of poison holding knives from Byleth-sensei, used in a place called the Kingdom of Dusk that can be used to weaken foes for allies to gain the upper hand. Freshly stoned and polished with the poisons safely contained in their special container compartments in the handles. Then there was that set of bracers from Captain Jeralt himself, meant to protect her arms from being injured by specific weapons. Which was a good thing since she does love to have her sword arms intact.

"To think that we'd be saving the royalty of all people this day. Looks like things are going to change for us, huh?" she asked aloud as an unknown voice spoke to her.

[I must agree, and thankfully you and your 'sensei' have caught the eyes of the highest nobility that want the both of you recruited to their sides.] the unknown voice responded with hints of interest. That was Arval, a strange entity created by dark magicks if what Hakuno had learned of them when studying Shez's body. It was from her own study of the strange core inside of Shez that she discovered it was some sort of reincarnation spell meant to bring someone back in a new body at the cost of the host's original soul being lost.

Surprisingly, Arval had requested a failsafe or means of canceling the reincarnation function for the sake of his host. What made it especially strange was that Hakuno was able to see and hear them and was more than happy to oblige them with their request. It was a rather unpleasant three months after the alteration and Shez took quite a while to get her body back in peak condition with Byleth as her sensei.

Sensei, a foreign word for a teacher or someone in a profession that is older than you in a respectful tone. Shez found it quite catchy and her own nickname for Byleth, although there is a more formal shishou for Master and Apprentice that the Ashen Demon themselves use for the Ashen Witch. To think that lady was far older than she appeared to be and had been the surrogate mother to Byleth.

From what gossip she picked up from Jeralt's Mercenaries, Hakuno was the first member to help Jeralt found his company and raise Byleth when they were a babe. Given that she's skilled in the magic arts and even physical combat gave testament of just where Byleth acquired his honed might and unique abilities. Sure she tries to downplay her achievements but even Arval admits that the Ashen Witch's magic made the dark arts that created Arval look primitive (with a bitter taste of defeat which Shez noted) in comparison.

She even admitted to come from a different world where the progress of magic is different from Fódlan, which definitely explained the differences in abilities and those Rift Beasts the entire mercenary company have been trained to fight against.

[On the subject of those Rift Beasts…I fear that our lands will be invaded by a far sinister force in the future and drag this entire world into war.] Arval said, looking deep in thought as Shez looked at her partner with a look.

"Relax Arval, we have experts who've traveled and dealt with these things before. As long as we reach the location of these rifts and close them fast enough, then the invasion might never happen." Shez assured them confidently while Arval rolled their eyes at that.

[I'm being realistic. Not everything can easily be solved by the wave of a hand-or sword in your case and just call it a day. What if there were more than one rift opening simultaneously and we can't reach them in time? Only Hakuno so far has the means of closing them and she can't be everywhere at once.]

Now Shez blinked at actually thought about it. Arval did make a good point though, and wondered how on earth did Jeralt's Mercenaries deal with that kind of scenario if it actually did happen in the past. That was an interesting question she had to ask on the road as she finished her packing.


*Fódlan Wilds*

Byleth watched as his father talked with Alois about how things have been in the Knights of Seiros since his absence, and it made him realize this was what his father promised him when they came to these lands after traveling through several Emblem Realms in his youth. This strange land he's been fighting as a mercenary for several years in was the land of his birth. They've taken jobs through the lands of the three ruling powers of Fódlan to take in the sights and culture. But there was also a different reason why they decided to come back to these lands even if Jeralt was originally against it.

Hakuno foresaw Jeralt's potential death. It wasn't absolute yet, but it was still possible and Jeralt was determined that if he was going to die, it was going to be on Fódlan soil where he met Byleth's mother. This actually scared Byleth. For the first time in his life, he felt afraid. Afraid of losing the person he was proud and happy to call father. Hakuno assured him that as long as certain events don't take place, then this future would not come to pass. Byleth wasn't sure if it could be prevented only to hear an annoying scoff echo in the depths of his mind.

Cease this worry at once! As long as the conditions of triggering that terrible fate on your father do not come to pass, then he will live as he does now. Besides, does the young one you sire not have a higher priority to fret about?

Such is the admonishment of the amnesiac goddess living rent free in his head. But she did have a point. Looking behind him, riding the black wyvern without a care in the world as the three future rulers were taking turns watching over the little girl as she listened to them talk with innocent eyes. Chao Xing, his biological daughter that was born while he lived in Teyvat for a time as a Traveler. One of his rather foolish times as a teenager undergoing puberty, alcohol in Liyue via Paimon's antics, and Shenhe with her red ropes removed. Needless to say, that was one hell of a night he won't be forgetting in his life.

This made his friendship with Shenhe become more than it once was once she was revealed to be pregnant with his child as they both vowed to do whatever it took to become great parents to the yet to be born child at the time. But the shock and joy from the revelation that Jeralt himself was now a grandfather was something Byleth enjoyed. Everyone in the company seemed to enjoy Chao Xing and her ever budding curiosity and were quite protective of her.

She had Shenhe's original black hair and pale, iridescent eyes with white pupils. But she got her looks from her father (and grandmother's if Jeralt's mutterings were to imply) as Byleth realized he'd actually have to worry about something far worse than monster and bandits in life and death struggles as a mercenary. It was parenthood and dealing with…boys. Byleth knew his daughter would grow into quite the beauty when she got older and that meant he would undergo that passage of right as any father would with their precious daughters. Fortunately that was still far away but given how marriage works in these kinds of worlds…

The sound of something breaking caught Jeralt's attention as he looked behind him to see Byleth in a bit of a daze…and a crushed stone. He knew his kid well enough to know he's thinking about something fatherhood related and can't blame him, especially since they were heading towards Garreg Mach Monastery. That place was a cesspool of petty nobles trying to gain favors and marriages to improve their prestige. Of course, there will be a few noble brats that would target an exotic beauty (or a growing one once she'll come of age) and suddenly Jeralt understood his son's concerns and the urge to impale numerous boys with extreme prejudice.


Hakuno, who observed the whole thing between the Eisner men, merely had an amused smile on her face as she trudged behind the three royals, the black wyvern Rosa, and Chao Xing.

"So…Miss Witch?" Claude von Riegan spoke up, getting Hakuno's attention. "I've heard a few tales of your special brews that a lot of female nobles have been crazy to get their hands on. Got any in stock for a few of my female friends?" he asked with a friendly smile. Hakuno was no fool, her eyes showed his intent of trying to win her over with false friendship. That and he's seeking her skills for something else.

"...Unfortunately, I'm out of the necessary ingredients, von Riegan. But I do offer a quid pro quo. If you get me the ingredients, then I'll sell them at half price. Deal?" she offered as the future Duke agreed with a smile. Then Dimitri turned his gaze to her, and the witch saw the darkness deep inside those sorrow-filled eyes. But at the same time, hope and respect. Huh, what did she do to earn that from him?

"I have heard stories of you Lady Kishinami, I believe my Kingdom holds a grudge for your defense at Duscur. But if anything, I am grateful for you defending the people at that time." Dimitri spoke up, getting the looks from Claude and Edelgard. They knew the Tragedy of Duscur well enough since it was a big incident, but they didn't hear anything about the Ashen Witch's involvement.

Oh, that incident. Recalling those disgrace of knights and revolting racist nobles made her blood boil on the inside. The only catharsis was her killing them and leaving their remains for the demonic beasts to feast upon.

"I happened to be there to witness the incident from a distance to know it was an assassination attempt by Faerghus nobles who didn't approve of King Lambert's rule in an attempt to overthrow his policies with their own." Hakuno admitted with a tone of disgust rising in her voice at the mere recollection of the incident. "Those so-called holy knights coming to purge the people of Duscur, attempting to slaughter innocents to mask their bloodlust and prejudice under a veil of righteousness, hypocrites! I did the true knights a favor by ridding the world of those disgraces in the name of justice and knighthood!" she spat out with controlled anger. Even Dimitri was caught off by the admission of a witness to the scene and the pure fury she held in her voice.

She gave the prince a look, one that was serious. "I'll give my testimony to you as well as a piece of evidence I picked up some time after the assassination. But you better become king first so we can properly clear Duscur's name and bring the true culprits to justice." Dimitri's eyes widened at the notion of clearing Duscur's name and avenging those that died that being feasible. Edelgard was looking contemplative for some reason that Hakuno noticed from a side glance while Claude was busy getting his hair braided by Chao Xing as the five-year-old was explaining the ways of the exorcist…as well as a five-year-old could anyway as Claude paid attention to the small details the child was explaining.

As they all exited the forest, they beheld something grand, Garreg Mach, a monastery that might as well be a citadel with its defensive measures and towns within. Byleth observed the aged walls, noting how well intact they were and were capable of defenses against invaders no problem. The layout made it an ideal stronghold and place of command in times of war, which made Byleth wonder what kinds of tricks any people in Fódlan would have to successfully invade and conquer this place when war comes knocking.

As they made their way to the entrance of the monastery itself, Byleth felt like someone was looking at him. Looking up to see the source of the gaze, there on a balcony, with green hair and eyes, a woman looked down, her gaze directly at him. "Rhea is here." he heard Jeralt mutter in a quiet tone as Byleth instinctively clenched his fist. He had heard of her from his father after Hakuno explained the unusual condition of his heart and the goddess now dwelling within him as a side effect. Rhea was there that day he was born, when his mother died and most likely intended to use him as a sacrifice to revive the goddess he just met.

That is disturbing. Given what I know from your memories and your teacher's explanation of my nature I find it wrong to take something like your body. It belonged to you long before I even inhabited it, and then there's a fact I have a following faith I know for a fact I did not make even after my supposed passing.

It comforted Byleth that the goddess dwelling within him wasn't hostile or malevolent, so a forceful takeover wasn't going to happen anytime soon. But Byleth had his suspicions about Rhea the minute he saw her green hair. Other Emblem Realms had beings that looked human but were not actually human. Taking on mortal guises, these beings (dragons) blend in with the people and try to do good most of the time. His encounter with the Divine Dragon Naga and her Voice Tiki in his youth gave credence to the goddess Sothis within him. Of course, given that Sothis has genuine divinity compared to Naga that was close to it in human standards showed a difference in what was divine between the Emblem Realms.

The main question that is bugging Byleth was this: Was Rhea a friend or foe? Since they were going to meet her, perhaps he'll catch glimpses of her true motive and nature.


That's a wrap folks! And yes, there will be a few surprising changes to FE3H canon due to outside interference. The Tragedy of Duscur is one of the events that has changed and will be explored during the story and certain supports. Anyways, onto Hakuno's profile.

Hakuno Kishinami

Age: Unknown

Bio: A mage from a different world with different rules to that of the Emblem Worlds. This woman is the most enigmatic of Jeralt's Mercenaries and the Vice-Captain. Loves to eat sweets.

Class: Warlock

Level 27

Other Classes

Commoner (Mastered)

Soldier (Mastered)

Monk (Mastered)

Mage (Mastered)

Weapon Levels:

Sword: E (Budding Talent)

Lance: B

Reason: A

Faith: D+

Magecraft* (Undefined)

Abilities:

Lunar Witch-Bonus damage to Humans and Monsters (Personal Skill)

HP+5 (from Mastered Commoner Class)

Draw Back (Monk Mastery)

Magic+2 (Monk Mastery)

Reposition (Soldier Mastery)

Defense+2 (Soldier Mastery)

Fiendish Blow (Mage Mastery)

Black Tomefaire (Default Warlock Ability)

Black Magic Uses x2 (Default Warlock Ability)

Quotes

"Let's begin."-Character Select

"You lead this time."-Character Select

"Light the night up."-Character Select

"The moon shines brightly tonight."-Character Select

"Please be careful…"-Low HP

"I've…(grunts) had worse…"-Low HP

"Tch, I'm getting careless!"-Low HP

"Suffer."-Attack

"Perish."-Attack

*Smirks* "I am a witch after all."-Critical Hit

"O' clouds of Orkney!"-Critical Hit

"Tch! I've gotten careless…Byleth, it's all up to you now!"-Defeated Retreat

"Looks like…my…end…"-Death

"I'm…so…ry…"-Death

"My time has come…take care, Byleth…"-Death

*Frowning* "I've reached a bottleneck. How bothersome." (1-2 stats up)

"Adequate growth for my efforts." (3-4 stats up)

*Smiling* "My Servants would be happy if they heard this!" (5-6 stats up)

"Learning new things improves one's growth." (New skill learned)