Dear Readers,
Sorry for the very long pause of this story. I hope you all like this chapter.
Chapter 9: Happy Birthday
Professor Byleth let out a sigh while working on grading papers. A lot has happened over the months. First, we must stop Ashe's adopted father and Sylvain's older brother. It is painful, yet he still sees his students smile. They are powerful individuals. Then Byra appeared in front of him. "Good Morning," She said.
"Byra, you're earlier than usual," Byleth said. She then flicked his nose to get his attention. He turned to her and found her with a wrapped gift. "What's this?"
"Happy Birthday, Brother," She said, giving him a gift.
"Byra, I completely forgot what today is," Byleth said, sitting up. "Forgive me, but I didn't get you anything."
"It's fine. I know you were busy with work and all. So don't worry about it, "she said. He opened his gift, which was filled with bear jerky. "I made it myself."
"Thank you. I always like it when you make it," He said, taking a bite and sighing with awe. "You made it spicy. Thanks,"
"I am happy you like it," She said. Then, her classmates rushed in with gifts for him.
"Happy Birthday, Professor," They said, giving him their gifts. Byra couldn't help but feel a little envious.
He is moving away from me. I knew this day would come eventually. She thought
Byra, are you mad they didn't give you a gift, too?
No, I am not Sothis. Anyway, I want to go somewhere. I need to think. Byra thought, leaving without them noticing. She then remembered the Red Canyons. Sothis, do you want to go with me to the Red Canyon?
Well, that place brought fragments of my memory. I can't help but wonder why we must return to find some answers.
So, a girls' trip?
Yup, let's go, birthday girl.
Byra went to her dorm and gathered her things. She didn't want to tell anyone because she didn't want to disturb them. They looked so happy, even her brother. She finished packing and made her way to the entrance gate. Dimitri and Dedue were there, watching her leave.
"It is not likely for Byra to go wandering alone like that," Dimitri said, concerned.
"Curious, Your Highness?" Dedue said.
"Yes, I have a bad feeling about this," Dimitri said. Where is she going, especially on her birthday? "Let's gather the others and find out what's going on," They went back to the classroom to warn everyone.
Byra and Sothis were back at Zanado, the Red Canyons. They looked around, and it was beautiful.
Yes, it is coming to me. This structure…Oh, but it's as though my memories are clouded. The most important pieces are obscured. I once called this home. I have no doubts. I seem to recall something… on the other side of that wall. I cannot see it, but I can feel it.
I can help… Byra said, using magic to remove the wall, but loud and monstrous screams filled the air.
Oh, what was that awful sound?
It sounds like we're not alone anymore. She kept her ground as huge and vicious beasts emerged from the wall.
There is another one near the entrance near the valley. It is enormous compared to these.
Don't worry Sothis, we will get out safely.
The enormous beast roared loudly, and more beasts came to its aid.
Byra, we have no choice but to fight our way out of this. I am sorry for dragging you out here.
No, it was my idea. I just… Byleth and I were always together. We were siblings, friends, and comrades in arms. But everything is changing, and it is not like I don't like it or am jealous of him. I know that he will depend on other people instead of me. I might not be useful to him anymore.
Byra, he won't abandon you. You have come so far as well. You know, you have friends like your classmates and me. You are not alone, Byra. It's normal to have a hard time accepting change, but it is also good if you let it.
Thank you, but seeing all these beasts makes me happy. This is going to be a fun birthday.
The Blue Lion made their way to the Red Canyon. "This is bad," Dimitri said, looking at all the vicious beast. "At least we managed to catch up to Byra." I hope she is okay.
"Wolves at the front, Hawks at the rear, and the Demonic Beast at the mouth of the canyon," Dedue said.
"Byra will be fine," Byleth said. "We just need to get rid of that Demonic Beast,"
"But Professor?" Annette said. "Are you sure she will be okay?"
"Yes, she is my sister, and I know she is having the time of her life on her birthday," Byleth said. They were stunned. They forgot that it was also Byra's birthday as well. He turned and found his students frowning. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, Professor, we kinda did something wrong," Mercedes said.
"We forgot that today was also Byra's birthday," Ashe added.
"Oh, she hates me," Annette cried. "How can I forget she is your twin, and you two share the same birthday? I am so clumsy,"
"She is probably mad at all of us, not just you, Annette," Ingrid said.
"Byra never forgets our birthdays and always gives us gifts," Sylvain said. "I feel terrible,"
"Same," Felix said, crossing his arms.
"It might be why she left so suddenly," Dedue said.
"And we just watch her leave," Dimitri said. "I wish I stopped her when I had the chance,"
"Listen to me well, my students. Byra never had friends beside me, but I know she will forgive you all even if she is mad. Because you are all her precious friends," Byleth said. His students were stunned to hear that. "You all made her open up and gave her fun times to remember. I do not doubt that she is not mad at any of you," Then a monstrous filled the air. "Well, let's get her back so we can celebrate together,"
"RIGHT!" They screamed.
Byra had no problem killing every beast that came her way. But she heard voices. She turned and noticed her classmates were fighting the Demonic Beast. "Why are they here?" She said,
They must be worried about you.
They shouldn't be…
She finished the last of the monsters and swiftly made her way to them. However, the Demonic Beast howled loudly again, and monsters surrounded her. Dimitri noticed this. "Professor, I am going to help Byra," Dimitri said.
"Go," Byleth said. Dimitri smiled and swiftly raced to her. As she was using magic to bring down wolves, she didn't notice a winged beast behind her.
"BYRA!" Dimitri screamed, jumping in the air and stabbing the winged beast with his spear. She turned and found him, killing it. "Are you okay?"
"Dimitri?" Byra said, staring at him with a blank expression. It was impressive that he killed that beast so quickly.
He then cupped her face. "Are you hurt?" He said, pulling her close. He was so worried that he didn't realize that his free hand was holding her hips. "Are you okay? I am very worried about you, Byra. You shouldn't leave on your own like this," Byra grabbed his hand on her cheek.
"I am fine, Dimitri, thank you," She said. He blushed when he realized how he was holding her. He quickly let go of her and looked away, hiding his blush. "We should get going,"
"Wait, I wanted to give you this early, but you left," Dimitri said, giving her a small rectangular black box.
"What's this?" Byra asked.
"Well, today is your birthday, and I thought…" He said, blushing. She unwrapped her gift and found a silver chain necklace with an Amethyst pendant. "I just wanted to give you something better than that handkerchief," She smoothed it gently.
Your prince gave you a gift and didn't forget about your birthday.
He remembered…
"Dimitri, it's very beautiful," She said. "Is it really for me?"
"Of course, I saw it, and the gem reminded me of your eyes," Dimitri said, blushing and scratching his head.
"Can you help me put it on, please?" She asked. He nodded and put the necklace around her neck. She turned to him and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, I like it,"
OH MY GOSH, SHE KISSED ME! Dimitri thought, about to faint. She caught him in time and fanned him. Byra used a healing dome around them to heal him. Byra never felt this before. Her heart couldn't beat, but being with Dimitri, she felt something. Dimitri finally became conscious and found his head resting on her lap.
"Thank you. This gift made my day, Dimitri. I do appreciate it," She said, touching the pendant. "I will cherish it forever," And for the first time in years, she genuinely smiled at him. He froze in place.
Is she smiling at me?" Dimitri thought, staring at him. No, I must be dreaming. This can't. "Byra, can you make that expression again, please?" He asked.
"Oh, like this," She said, smiling at him again.
He blushed in front of her. Beautiful… He thought, sitting up and staring at her. He couldn't keep his eyes off her as she smiled. "I don't think I've ever seen your face like that. I apologize. I've forgotten myself and come dangerously close to teasing you. It's just I have never seen you happy before. It is downright mesmerizing." He caresses her cheek.
"Dimitri?" She said, looking at him confused. He snapped back in reality and noticed he was caressing her cheek again. He pulled back and blushed in front of her. Then he heard roaring once more.
"Well, that is enough of idle chit-chat. We have to help the others," Dimitri said, sitting up. She then offered his hand to her. "Let's go, Byra," she smiled. She grabbed his hand, and he pulled her up. They stared at each other for a brief moment.
"Dimitri, thank you very much. You made my day," Byra said, smiling more. He blushed yet smiled at her back. Byra raced beside him, making their way to the others. As they reached them, Byra used magic and chained the Demonic beast.
"BYRA!" Her classmates screamed, happy to see her safe.
"Hey, you guys," Byra said. Annette used fire magic on the demonic beast while Felix, Sylvain, and Dedue attacked it. Ashe was shooting down winged beasts with Byleth. Mercedes made sure everyone was in full health. Dimitri joined in attacking the beast while Byra focused on immobilizing it. In the end, they killed off all the monsters. "You guys are pretty amazing," They all looked at her silently. "Guys?" Annette ran to her and hugged her tightly. "Annette?"
"I am sorry, I am a bad friend. I forgot your birthday," She cried in her embrace. She then got hugged by Mercedes and Ingrid.
"We didn't mean to," Mercedes cried. "You must feel so hurt seeing us giving gifts to the Professor, not you," Mercedes said.
"We are very sorry," Ingrid said, holding back tears.
"Yeah, we are sorry, By," Sylvain said, scratching his head.
"I hope you don't hate us," Ashe added.
"I will pay for lunch," Felix said. "Only you as my gift."
"Apologies for not realizing today was your birthday," Dedue said.
"I am not mad at you guys," Byra said, looking at them confused. She was being hugged and cried on.
"Wait, you're not…" Annette said, pulling back from the hug.
"But you left," Dimitri said.
"I lost something here, so I came to look for it." She lied. " However, I didn't expect monsters to show up. I am sorry if I worried you all," Then her brother patted her head.
"Let's go back and enjoy the rest of our birthdays," Byleth said.
"I will like that," Byra said. As they returned to the Garreg Mach, Byra rubbed her pendant happily. She didn't smile, but she was happy inside. Byleth noticed this and was curious.
Where did you get the necklace, sis?"
From her Prince, of course. He is so into her. She even kissed him on the cheek. He fainted.
Sothis! That was private information, you know.
Prince Dimitri gave you a gift.
Yes, he remembered my birthday.
You must really like him to give him a kiss.
Are you mad?
No, why would I be mad when my sister found someone special?
But something is upsetting you.
Byra, I have something to say. I am sorry for forgetting our birthday. I was lost in thought about something.
Really?
Sister, we have been together ever since we entered this world. You were always by my side, but everything is changing, and you have found someone else to depend on. I see you are happy with the Prince, and it makes me feel uneasy, as if I am losing my best friend.
Brother, I feel the same way. Your students adore you and admire you. They always ask you for help. I am drifting away from you.
You two are blockheads. You two are siblings and bonded for life. You two will always need each other.
It is something new. We have never experienced this kindness before. People are smiling at us. People want to be with us. People treated us as humans. We were also treated and called demons.
Yes, brother, it is something new indeed.
Byleth and Byra smiled as the Blue Lions went ahead. As they walked into the classroom, their father was there with a cake. Also, the Blue Lions were there, smiling. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY PROFESSOR AND BYRA!" They joined the party and had fun for the first time.
"Father, you made it," Byleth said.
"Of course I did," Jeralt said, running his hands on both heads. "I wouldn't miss my twin's birthday for the world. I bought a cake," There was music. Ashe was playing the piano while Byleth was playing the violin. Everyone was stunned that their Professor could play an instrument. Byra watched everyone dancing. Seeing them happy made her happy inside. Then Dimitri walked up to her.
"Hey Byra, enjoying yourself?" He said, smiling at her.
"Yes, it is something different yet pleasant," She said, watching Annette and Felix dance. She then turned to Ingrid and Sylvain, dancing and arguing. Dedue and Mercedes were dancing as well.
"Don't you want to join them?" Dimitri asked nervously. He moved closer beside her as they watched everyone dance.
"I am unfamiliar with this type of dance," Byra said.
"It's not hard, and I am willing to teach you," Dimitri said, offering his hand to her. "Do you want to dance with me, Byra?" She smiled again, but only he could see. He blushed at the sight, and then she grabbed his hand.
"I would love to," She said. They held each other as they danced. Her eyes were on him as they danced elegantly.
"Byra, you are a natural," Dimitri said, smiling.
"You think so," She said.
"Yeah, Happy Birthday Byra," Dimitri said.
"Thank you," She said. "I believe this is the best birthday yet," Byleth watched his sister happily dancing with Dimitri.
She looks so happy. Oh, young love… Sothis said, sighing in awe as she was hovering around Byleth.
She does. To be honest, I am happy to see her this way.