Two years ago after Garreg Mach was taken by Those Who Slither in the Dark
(Fire Emblem Three Houses ost - Beyond the Crossroads)
"I see that you all made it. I'm glad you're here." Edelgard said as she, Byleth and Hubert enter the conference room in the Imperial Palace of Enbarr.
"Glad we can make it. After the situations been going on." Claude said as he, along with Dimitri, Brianna, Sothis, and Seteth are in the room as well.
"Agreed. Although I'm still busy with things in Faerghus, I know this meeting is important." Dimitri said. "This is about these people in white skin correct. Those who Slither in the Dark as you call it Lady Sothis?"
"That's correct. The Agarthans." Sothis snarl, saying that name.
"The Agarthans? Why are they?" Claude asked.
"The Agarthans were once an ancient civilization that existed in Fodlan over 1200 years ago. But that nation was destroyed due to their arrogance and domination. As some of you know from Fodlan's history, I once visit Fodlan from the heavens. However, there are some knowledge that the church had kept hidden in Fodlan when the Church of Seiros was established."
"Knowledge that the church has kept hidden when it was established?" Dimitri gasped.
"Yes. As is as Lady Sothis said, there are knowledge that was kept hidden to avoid secrets within Fodlan for the past 1200 years." Seteth said, looking down.
"When I arrived in this world before the world merges with other worlds, and Palutena revive me, I took on this form as a human and use my blood to gave birth to my children's called the Nabateans." Sothis explained.
"Wait. You have children called the Nabateans?" Claude asked in shocked.
"That's right. Some refer to them as Children of the Goddess because they're different them normal humans. The Nabateans are capable of shapeshifting into dragon creatures. You know the Story of the Immaculate One?"
"The Immaculate One... Yes. I remember that it said the Immacuclate One was sent from you to aid Saint Seiros a 1000 years ago. You're saying... the Immaculate one is one of your children?"
"That's right. But the Immaculate one is my last surviving child."
"Last surviving?" Byleth asked in shock. "What happen with your other children?"
"They were all slaughter by Nemesis." Sothis close her eyes ans answered, causing a few to gasped.
"Nemesis? The King of Liberation?" Claude asked in shocked.
"Yes. Nemesis was actually a bandit. Allow me to explain everything and the real truth. Truth about Fodlan, as well as the Heroes Relics. As I said, I arrive in this world and change my current form into that of a human. I gave birth to my children called the Nabateans. The Nabateans co-exist with the native humans of Fodlan that are scattered across Fodlan. We share our knowledge and skills to help them build a prosperous civilization called Agartha. We existed peacefully for a few years... until suddenly, the Agarthans suddenly turn back on my teaching. They have been advancing their technology to a new level. And then, they begin to wage countless and pointless war with several nations in the past for domination. They begin to be consume with greed, becoming arrogant, and imperialistic. They even think of themselves as Gods. Soon, they wage war on me and my children. Me and my children fought back. And then we won the war, and destroy Agartha, it's people, and its hubris, but it caused the entire land of Fodlan devastation. So I use all of my powers to heal the land, but it caused me great exhaustion. I retire into the Holy Tomb along with my children in Zanado and enter a deep slumber to regain my strength. However, it seems that there were Agarthan who survived the war and hid themselves somewhere in Fodlan. They begin to exact their revenge on me and my children. That is when Nemesis came in. I believe the Agarthans manipulated Nemesis into raiding the Holy Tomb and killed me on the spot. He drag my corpse and gave them to the Agarthans, turn my bones and Heart into a weapon. The Sword of the Creator. To wield the Sword of the Creator, they gave Nemesis my blood, which safely allow him to use it's power and slay my children. Nemesis took my children's corpses, gave them to the Agarthan and craft the bones and Heart into weapons in what you called... Heroes Relics. The Agarthans rewarded Nemesis's strongest subordinates: The 10 Elites with the blood of my children, and wield the power of weapons, forge from the bones of my children."
The room was silent as Dimitri, Byleth, Brianna and Claude was speechless to learn the hidden truth.
"This is the hidden truth..." Dimitri asked, sounding shaky. "You mean to tell me that... my ancestor Blaiddyn... all descendants of the 10 Elites... are murderers to the goddess's children!?"
"Whoa... that's... definitely some truth bomb right there." Claude gulped. "So... that's the real truth. So everything the church's teaches was a lie from the beginning."
"Yes. The church rewrote history because my foolish child thought it would lead to peace. but instead, it gave the Agarthans... Fodlan's greatest enemy the advantage." Sothis pinch her nose.
"Wait... foolish child?"
"Yes. After the event of Zanado, there was one last of my children who survive the massacre. The Immaculate One... Rhea." Sothis explained.
"Wait, you mean to say Lady Rhea is your only surviving child?!" Dimitri exclaimed.
"And the Immaculate one is Rhea this whole time?" Claude asked in shock.
"Yes. Lady Rhea is the last and sole survivor of the Progenitor God Sothis." Seteth nodded, looking down. "Rhea wondered around Fodlan, enraged and grief-stricken by the slaughter of her people and the theft of her mother, took on the name of Seiros and waged war against the King of Liberation to avenge her family and reclaim Sothis's remains. But in order to do that, she seek allies and gather the other remaining Nabathan who was away from Zanado to help her. The Nabathan who aided Rhea was the Four Saints. Along the way, Rhea befriended and persuaded Wilhelm Paul Hresvelg to fight Nemesis and help him build the Adrestian Empire, gave her blood to him, and build the Church of Seiros. With everything complete Rhea and Wilhelm rage war against Nemesis, and thus, the War of Heroes was born."
"And if my history is correct... the Imperial Year 91 where Seiros and Nemesis took their final battle at the Tailtean Plains." Brianna closed her eyes as she thinks.
"Yes. That one is the actual truth. Rhea avenge her people and took back Sothis's remains. When Nemesis is defeated, Rhea and Wilhelm order to subdue the 10 Elites, and take back the remains of her brethren." Seteth continues. "Rhea has been thinking long and hard to build Fodlan a place of peace. So in order to do that, she rewrote history, and took the children of the 10 Elites and nurture them into her teaching."
"By nuture... you mean brainwash?" Claude asked.
"Claude!"
"It's fine Seteth." Sothis told him. "Harsh is a strong word but he is not wrong in a way. Still, either way, I don't think Rhea didn't know that the surviving Agarthans until it was too late. And yet, despite that, rewriting history gave them that advantage to do many mysterious events throughout Fodlan. Such as the Tragedy of Duscur, Aieil, and other events behind the scenes. I been looking into a few unexplain situations throughout Fodlan. And I believe Those Who Slither in the Dark are behind every last one of them, to throw Fodlan into chaos."
"Yeah. I think you're right." Claude nodded before noticing Edelgard look normally react. "Wait, why aren't you shock by this Edelgard?"
"Because I knew the whole truth to what Sothis and Seteth explained." Edelgard answered
"What? You do? How?" Seteth ask in shock.
"Because that knowledge has been passed down from Emperor to Emperor."
"I see..."
"So you knew the real history about this Edelgard?" Dimitri asked.
"Yes. But unfortunately, I cannot say anything about it."
"I guess I understand why." Claude said. "Still... I always wonder about Fodlan and the church. Sothis. I'm grateful to learn this truth. It will be hard to explain to the others though."
"Agreed. But they'll understand regardless. I'm sure they'll be shocked as Dimitri is right now." Sothis turn to him.
Dimitri sighed while facing the dark truth with a painful expression. "I can't believe... All of the teaching I've of my ancestor, and the church..."
"Dimitri..." Brianna hold Dimitri's hand as Dimitri look at her. "I know this is no douth some truth you weren't prepare for. But what Bladdyd did, does not affect you. I know what he done was horrible and that you inherited his blood. But that doesn't mean you're not like him. You are your own person Dimitri. What you do is your own decision. Even if your life is to the Kingdom, as its Crown Prince... or even its King, none of the dark truth of Bladdyd is your responsibility. The responsibility you have now is for the future. Your future, and Faerghus's future as it's wise and noble king."
"Brianna..." Dimitri paused at he listen to his fiance's eyes with a warm comfort. Dimitri let out a sigh as he calm down. "Thank you my beloved. I needed that."
"Of course." Brianns smiled as she and Dimitri heard Claude's whistle.
"So you wanna get a room or something?" Claude teased which earn him a glare from Dimiri and Brianna. "Haha! Worth it!"
(BGM ended)
Edelgard look down in concern as Byleth touch Edelgard's hand as she turn to him, giving him a nod of encourment. Edelgard nodded.
"Pardon me, everyone. There's something else we need to discuss." Edelgard said.
"Something else?" Seteth asked.
"It's about the Flame Emperor. You remember what Thales said?"
"Oh yeah... Thales said he plans to remove the Flame Emperor. But I thought he was his ally." Claude said.
"He was his ally now that Thales decided to betray him. But there's something else you need to know about the Flame Emperor." Edelgard close her eyes. "His identity."
"His Identity?" Dimitri asked.
"Lady Edelgard... what are you saying?" Hubert turn to her in shock.
"Hubert. There's no need to hide it anymore." Edelgard said to him before she turn to the others. "I know who his identity is. His identity... is me."
(Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity ost - Disquiet)
"What?" Dimitri eyes widen along with Brianna, Sothis, Seteth and Claude, before his eyes turn to rage. "You're the Flame Emperor!?"
Byleth got up first. "Dimitri, before you do anything-"
"So you help Thales bring havoc onto Fodlan!?" Dimitri got up from his chair, ready to wield his weapon.
"Dimitri, it's not like that. Let me explain-"
"DON'T PLAY INNOCENT WITH ME!" Dimitri yelled. "Do you have any idea how many lives were lost to you!? Do you!? You help stage the Tragedy of Duscur and you help burn Remire Village, and now you-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH DIMITRI!" Byleth yelled with his booming voice which shook Dimitri as Byleth let out a glare.
(BGM ended)
Everyone was shocked of Byleth's booming voice, until an Imperial Soldier enter the room.
"Lady Edelgard, what's going on in here?"
"Everything is fine. Just a little tension. Return to your post."
"U-Understood." The Imperial Solider bow and close the door.
(Fire Emblem Three Houses ost - Spiderweb)
"Professor... why are you defending Edelgard?" Dimitri clench his fist.
"Dimitri. I want you to think carefully." Byleth said in a calming yet stern voice. "Do you truly think Edelgard is responsible for the Tragedy of Dsucur by aiding Thales? Weren't you fourteen years old when that happen?"
"Yes..."
"Then let me ask you this. How can Edelgard be responsible for devising a diabolical scheme? When the truth is that Thales is the true mastermind behind it all."
"That's..."
"Then, there's the next question. If Edelgard really did come up with it, what was her reason for doing that?"
"Because... because she want to kill my father, including with me, her own mother and so many others that had fallen in the Tragedy of Duscur!"
Byleth close his eyes. "Then let me ask you this. How?"
"What?" Dimitri raised an eyebrow.
"How did Edelgard do it?"
"Because... because she must have used some unknown weapon that cause it!"
"And how could she control such a weapon?"
"I... I don't..."
"Exactly. Dimitri. I want you to think this very carefully. Do you truly think Edelgard is capable of creating such a nefarious plan? I want you to look carefully at Edelgard. Look her in the eyes and ask yourself. Is she truly capable of such a thing... with her own hands? Her personality?" Byleth asked.
Dimitri turn to Edelgard who look at him with a sad expression on her face. Dimitri let a quiet gasped.
"No..." Dimitri sit down at the chair. "She would never."
"Exactly. Edelgard couldn't do it. Edelgard, the Empire isn't capable of creating a weapon that powerful. Because if she and then Empire does. Why use it? Why didn't she destroy the Kingdom with that kind of weapon? It would have been pointless without a reason. To test it? If so, why test it in the kingdom when the church or any other political power could investigate this? Plus, you should be wondering why she was the Flame Emperor. Instead of jumping to conclusion."
Dimitri close his eyes and let out a sigh. He open then and turn to Edelgard. "Edelgard. I have few questions I must ask you. Why were you the Flame Emperor?"
"I never wanted to become the Flame Emperor." Edelgard answered. "I was forced to by Thales... and Those who Slither in the Dark."
"What? Thales forced you?"
"Yes. Do you see my hair?" Edelgard play with it. "This isn't my original hair color."
"Yes... I remember... it was original brown, right?"
Edelgard blick "Yes but... how did you know that?"
"I'll answer that after the other question." Dimitri answered.
"Very well. As you said, it was originally brown. However, it change when the Insurrection of the Seven happened. I was kidding in the Kingdom at the time... Until I was to return home. After that... something horrible happened. I was taken into the dungeon with my siblings with strange mages dressed in black. They perform a horrifying experiment on me and my siblings. Blood Experiment."
"Blood Experiment?" Dimitri gasped with the others, while Hubert and Byleth close their eyes.
"Yes. Thales, who was my uncle, Lord Arundel at the time conspire with Duke Aegir at the time and reduce my father as a figurehead. He and several other corrupted nobles approve of Thales's research. They extracted me and my siblings blood, experimenting on us, forcing my father to watch in horror, powerless to stop them. Each experiment cause my siblings to die, even fell to madness. I was the only survive. The succeeded experiment. Because of that. I bear two Crest. The Crest of Seiros... and... the Crest of Flames."
"The Crest of... Flames..." Seteth gasped.
"However, it comes from a price. Bearing two crests dramatically shorten my life and change my hair to white." Edelgard said with her eyes closed as Brianna covered her mouth in shock while the others eyes widen. "As the survivor... I was chosen to be Thale's Puppet ruler for his nefarious scheme to bring Fodlan to chaos."
The room was silent after Edelgard's answered.
"Edegard... I..." Dimitri shaken and clenched his fist. "You're... a victim to Thales too?"
"Yes. But just me. Lysithea too."
"Lysithea as well? You don't mean..." Claude gasped.
"Yes. She was the first blood experiment to succeed. I have been told of this." Edelgard nodded.
Sothis, out of rage, unleashed a powerful aura that shake the room. "Those vile, wicked, evil, things... they done a completely inhumane experiment no you and Lysithea?! They... will pay with their lives!"
"Lady Sothis, I understand your rage, but please control yourself!" Seteth exclaimed, causing Sothis to calm down.
"Those Agarthan must pay for this crime... They must not be forgiven."
"Agreed... that... is completely messed up. But... now I understand why Lysithea is pushing herself too hard." Claude muttered.
"Edelgard... I'm sorry..." Dimitri look down in shame.
"Please Dimitri, you didn't know. I understand your reason to lash out like that." Edelgard stated as Dimitri look at her.
"I... Thank you..."
"You knew about this brother?" Brianna turn to him.
"Recently yes. Edelgard had suffer for too long by the hands of Thales and his ilks."
"Then... I have one final question. What becomes of your mother?" Dimitri asked
"What do you mean?" Edelgard asked
"Your mother... was my step-mother. She was also among those was supposed to be a victim to the Tragedy of Duscur. And yet, an investigation on her was discovered. There was no evidence of her corpse nor her carriage been found among the death. And she use a secret route to escape."
"This... is the first time I'm hearing about this. But... I was told my mother had died in the Tragedy of Duscur. Wait a moment..." Edelgard gasped. "I remember something from my memory. When I was heading home... I remember a boy who gave me a dagger. By any chance... was that boy... you?"
(BGM ended)
(Fire Emblem Three Houses ost - Unfulfilled)
Dimitri close his eyes and nodded. "Yes. That was me. I had a feeling you might forget three years ago. You and I are stepsiblings."
"Wait, hold up! You and Edelgard are family?" Claude exclaimed.
"By marriage yes. Like I said. I had a feeling Edelgard might have forgotten about me at the time."
"So that explains why you were worried about me." Edelgard close her eyes. "Dimitri... thank you. For giving me that dagger, all those years ago."
Dimitri chuckled. "Heh, I'm still sorry about that. I should have given you something that would've made you happier."
"Perhaps. At the time, I was quite flustered by such a dangerous gift. I left without giving you a proper response...and that was the last time we saw each other."
"True. It is a sweet memory with a bitter ending."
"And yet... I'm afraid it will do no good to reminisce, Dimitri. That girl you knew back then is gone. As good as dead." Edelgard sadden.
"I don't think so." Dimitri said.
"Oh? What makes you say so?"
"Because you're you. You're still the same Edelgard as I remember." Dimitri smiled.
"I see... Well, in that case, let me tell you now what I wasn't able to tell you back then." Edelgard smiled "Thank you. My dear, forgotten friend...because of you, I never lost my heart."
"I'm glad I can help... Huh... It felt... so happy to see you again... as my stepsister. That is... if you're all right with that."
"I'll think about it. Is that all you need to ask me?"
"I think so."
"In that case, I think it's time we got this meeting to an end, don't you think?" Sothis suggest. "After all, the main reason we're here is all three nations form an alliance against our greatest enemy. And the Church will also help."
"Yeah. After all the sidetrack, we basually forgot about it." Claude chuckled.
"Right. All three ruling powers joining forces against the greatest evil in Fodlan. I'm glad I don't want to fight all of you." Edelgard smiled.
"Us as well Edelgard. Us as well." Dimitri smiled.
"Very well. I'll bring the papers for the treaty." Hubert said.
"And, let us see if we can also help each other out as well. We share the same enemy after all." Byleth said.
"Agreed." Brianna nodded. "Let's get to talking shall we?"
All three leaders and Seteth and Sothis nodded and then they begin to talk.
And there you have it. the form of the alliance of all three ruling powers in Fodlan, to bring peace to Fodlan.