Shattered Songs of Faith

by Sakura108645

Now, one does not expect to wake up in another body when they die. She did not expect to come to such a world that she had only read and played through technology. What's more, that she wakes up as Female Byleth during her childhood days. "Come and see the world in different ways from the River of Time before it all shatters away!" (SI OC) (AU)

92. Chapter 91:1183:Part 3: Black Moon Rises

{Chapter 91: 1183: Part 3: When The Black Moon Rises}

Zander flew high into the sky as he spun his lance. He could feel his magic about to burst but all would be well once he poured it into his lance and unleashed the spell. The Faerghus army began to get out of the way, Zander raised his lance and then it in front of him with both hands. Beleth gritted his teeth as he raised his hand, The Crest of Serios burning bright in his eyes as he commanded the wind.

"Oh, Mother Earth. Oh, Dragon of Blooms. Lend me power and strength, absorb the filthy and puffy it." Zander began to chant as the hues of green, pink, blue, and purple began to surround him and Fireheart.

His body felt lighter. The gem on the bicep of his mechanical arm began to glow brightly. Blackthorns in difficult color hues began to grow above him as Beleth began to crest spears of wind. Both armies and their generals began to back away. Zander opened his eyes and Beleth froze, seeing The Crest of Noa in them.

"That's impossible!" The man yelled and Zander raised his lance.

"I call upon the power of the Earth! Tear the sinners! Inex—!"

STAB!

Zander's eyes slowly went wide as iron overpowered his mouth. Those on the ground were far too shocked to comprehend what had just happened. Glenn and Sylvain's hearts shattered seeing the familiar weapon of Blaiddyd, Areadbhar, going right through Zander's chest. Blood poured from his lips as he trembled, looking at his fingers stained red. He turned to look at the hill, where he spotted a Wolf Knight, his hand raised, and the witch, Anacharis.

"ZANDER!" Beleth roared, his hand reaching out but it was too late.

Blaiddyd waved his hand and Areadbhar ripped through the young man and return to his master. Screams and wails were heard all around. Ingrid flew as fast as she could to catch the prince as he fell but it was too late. Time slowed down as everyone watched the prince fall into The Lake of The Damn. Zander's gaze became void of emotions as the darkness consumed him.

"So this is it..."

[—]

"ANACHARIS WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" Beleth roared as the woman only looked at him with a half-lidded gaze.

Ingrid was forced to fly back, gritting her teeth as tears fell, the woman roared, Luin burning bright in her hands as she charged at the two.

"Ingrid, don't!" Roared Glenn but the woman unleashed Quake, the ground under the Wolf Knight and mage began to shake, The Crest of Daphnel burning brightly in her eyes, as the meteorites fell.

"Ahh, you know what to do Uriel. Tear the Faerghus army down."

From the shadows, the little slime that aided them returned to the lake, to save the boy that fell into the darkness.

[—]

Black.

There was nothing but darkness.

He kept falling, deeper and deeper, it felt like, water was pouring into his lungs. But it was over, he lost. The Empire would win, and the strange Wolf Knight that killed him, and his one regret, was that he couldn't save Amir. Right when he was going to close his eyes, he heard a voice.

"So, are you going to give up?"

He laughed bitterly as he subconsciously touched his arm.

"What's the point? My family is gone...that knight ripped right through me the woman I love is gone." He said and the voice let out a sigh.

"Honestly! You kids are always like this! Giving up so easily! This is why I told Arisa to go slightly harsher on you all! But no, she went strict but soft. At least she didn't baby you all." The voice said and Zander was puzzled.

"Wait, who are you?" He said and the voice chuckled.

"None of your business. But...it's time. Wake her up. Wake Amir up." The voice said and Zander landed on a cold stone floor.

He looked around, seeing nothing but fragments of glass floating. He kept walking and waking for what felt like an hour till he reached a small purple light. He stopped, it gently floated around him till it nuzzled his cheek. He remained silent and still till he smiled sadly.

"You know voice...You're reuniting me with Amir, aren't you?" He said and received silence, "Amir...Amir..." the man fell to his knees and wept for the first time in years as he held the light to his chest, "I'm sorry...I failed. I couldn't do anything to stop them. I couldn't save Dimitri. I couldn't save Lestia. I couldn't save my aunts...My father...Step-mother...I've failed. Now, I'm a dead man. A deep pathetic man." He wept.

"Zander..." a familiar voice, the small light floated to the tip of his nose, "You're not a pathetic man. You did everything you could. You are no king but you are a leader. You stood up and helped those in need and raised an army. Your friends and those you love, stand together. It's not over...what about your siblings. It's okay to cry, it's okay to break." Amir's voice said and he smiled softly.

"You're right...They are still out there. Even my little cousin. I can't just leave them. Damn...I need to make Beleth pay still." He said and the light glowed, taking on the shape of a faceless woman hugging him, "I'm sorry Amir...I can't join you yet." He smiled sadly.

"I know. That's why I'm going with you." She said and his eyes went wide as the world around him started cracking.

"It's time I go back."

[—-]

"Argh!"

"That's the lost one." An imperial soldier said as Glenn was tied up and Fireheart was trashing and roaring, as the generals of the Faerghus were tied down and the remaining soldiers were forced to surrender.

"Easier said than done," Anacharis said as she walked up to Beleth with Uriel.

"You bitch..." Beleth snarled, Anacharis scoffed when she saw white scales on the man's cheeks but when she blinked they were gone, "Zander was not supposed to die!" He roared.

"This is war, boy. The prince had to die." Anacharis said as she patted the knight on the shoulder, "Now Pittacus just needs to kill J—-!"

"AAAHHH!"

The imperial soldier that was tying up Glenn was suddenly grabbed by the legs and dragged towards the black lake along with the other soldiers. They screamed and trashed, trying to escape the back mud but the soldier that tried to stop them was dragged in as well. Before everyone's eyes, the mud devoured and ripped them apart. The wind began to pick up and laughing could be heard all around them. The shadows began to waver and the lighting began to boom even louder. Bolts of lightning started the strike down. Pittacus screamed when one lightning bolt missed her by a hair but the demonic beast she roared was killed.

"What the hell is going on?!" Bias yelled and she and Beleth both jumped as now bolts of black lightning came down on them.

Agarthan soldiers started running for their lives before they were struck down. Glenn gritted his teeth and quickly untied him, stabbing the one that tied him up before racing to untie Ingrid.

"SOLDIERS FIGHT!" Glenn roared and the kingdom soldiers stood up once and with their weapons back in hand, it was war once again.

The black mud of the lake began to vibrate. Emerging from its water slowly rose the humanoid slime but this time it fully took on the shape of a woman.

"This power...it can't be." Pittacus gasped as her eyes locked with the creature who held...

"URIEL KILL THAT THING!"

Anacharis clicked her teeth and whispered an order to the Deadlord to kill The Faerghus army, then disappeared. The Deadlord unleashed a roar and his power, lunging at the creature but it fought back. It moved swiftly, movements that Glenn and Sylvain thought they never see again. Another figure emerged from the mud, and to everyone's shock, it was...

"Zander!" The group ran to him, and he coughed, frantically touching his chest only to see a scar and the killing wound completely healed.

"Impossible..." Beleth muttered and jumped back in time to see the black slime creature swing a strange hammer at them and managed to graze his nose.

Beleth hissed, feeling the horizontal cut, the blood that poured, "Now I understand why Pittacus said to kill you!" And charged, their weapons clashing as DeadLord Blaiddyd joined, and both fought.

It was playing with them. It was dancing. It was giggling as it moved its hips like a dancer and then raised its hand. The more they fought, the mud around the hammer cracked, and they revealed Mjolnir.

"What hell happened?!" Zander coughed as he looked around and Fireheart broke free, "You know what...fuck it! EVERYONE TAKE THE ENEMY DOWN!" He yelled and charged.

"DAMN YOU!" Pittacus roared and the creature began to crack and dealt blow to Blaiddyd, destroying a part of his body.

"This battle is lost." Beleth said, "RETREAT!" He roared and imperial solder began to evacuate, Pittacus receiving the news was also forced to retreat.

It was a victory.

Cheers were heard all around, may quickly went to the king and hugged him for dear life, thankful that he was alive. But most of all, Zander smiled softly as he hugged his friends. He turned, hearing that familiar sound of mud walked up to it. Many looked at the creature with caution but he reassured them that it was safe.

"Thank you...I'm guessing...Amir sent you, using the last of her power." He said but the creature walked towards him.

Its body suddenly cracked and crumbled when he ran towards it to catch it but crumbling away revealed a tan skin woman with long pink silver-black gradient hair covering her body, and she fell right into his arms.

"Whoa! Whoa!" He had to quickly kneel on the ground to hold the woman right, looking at her face, he gasped, and he recognized it, "Amir?"

Sleeping in his arms, the silver-black colored hair, the black mud crumbling off her, was the woman he th—-

"KYYYAAAA! SHE'S NAKED!"

Zander didn't even have time to react before Ingrid violently ripped off his coat and put it over the woman. It finally clicked the only reason the woman wasn't exposed was because of how long her hair had grown and covered her. Zander quickly shot the coldest glare at his army and his comrades (except Ingrid and Hira) to look away.

"Hand her to us, boy. We'll watch over her." Hira said and Zander was hesitant but carefully handed her to Ingrid and her, "She's beautiful." The woman muttered softly and nodded in approval.

Just when everyone was going to leave, the ground began shaking as if an earthquake hit yet all eyes turned to The Lake of the Damn, glowing brightly before it started cracking like glass and shattered. Purple dust fell and gathered all together into a small sphere, the size of a crystal ball, and floated towards Amir. It hovered above her chest and slowly went in her. Then her body began to glow and her hair went from normal silver pink to silver pink fading to black. The pale color disappeared and her cheekbones had color one more. Her chest rose slowly, small snores could be heard. Zander couldn't help but walk up and place his forehead on hers, crying as he gently caressed her cheek.

"Welcome home..."

[—]

"It shouldn't be possible. It shouldn't be possible." Beleth kept muttering as he paced back and forth in his tent, the soldiers packing up everything so they would return to the Empire, "This is beyond my calculations. Zander should not have a crest." He muttered and stopped when someone crashed into his tent.

Pittacus looked like a walking disaster. It was obvious she was struck by the black lightning, her hair was completely puffed out, and sizzling, and some of the joints were melted together. He was in no better shape. That creature and slime, he should have killed it. It injured him and thanks to his crest, healed and now he had a horizontal scar over the bridge of his nose. Hubert was going to have a long talk with him and Henry was never going to let him live it down. Pittacus sat on a chair and began rapidly muttering numbers before suddenly cocking her head back and forth, and shutting down like a magic tool. The next person to walk in was Bias, who looked ready to crash.

"Where is Anacharis?! I specifically said to not kill the first prince and that is exactly what she did!" Beleth hissed, "Be grateful that he survived because of his crest!" And Beleth stormed out of the tent and to the woods to go destroy a tree or two to blow off some steam.

"...That boy should not have a crest." The crystal ball near Pittacus's body lit up, "Cleobulus said that the prince was not born with one. And he for sure was not experimented on. Could it be possible that he at some point received a blood transfusion from a Nabatean?"

"Specifically...Noa?" The woman's voice said and Bias narrowed his eyes.

"That woman is dead."

"That's where you are wrong."

Before they could continue, one of Beleth's spies warped inside and kneeled in front of him.

"Sir! We have a report regarding what is going on in the County of Aubin!" They said as the Knight narrowed his eyes.

"Speak," Beleth said coldly.

"A tan skin woman with silver pink hair has been found and it is being tended to and protected with strict security. The slime creature that you all fought, after you all left, it began to crack and the woman I just described emerged from it. As of now, the description of the woman matches that of Amir Volgani Amyrillis!" The spy reported and Beleth froze.

"I knew it! I knew I recognized that power and damn lake!" Bias roared as Pittacus growled like a beast, "THE POWER OF GAIA! THE DARK DRAGON!" She yelled.

"The power of regeneration...The power to bend the shadows and speak to nature...Gaia...Oh, Gaia, the former ruler of the lands of Duscur...You still haunt this world to this day! I knew that woman look familiar!" Bias cursed and stormed out of the tent.

Beleth gritted his teeth and spoke to his spy, looking at him with void eyes.

"I see...I will confirm it myself when the opportunity arises."

[—-]

The world around her was pitch black yet the fragments of glass that glowed and floated all around showed images of her childhood and friends. Memories passed by like waves of the ocean, yet the feeling of them was warm, not cold. Then she walked till she arrived at a certain space, and before her stood a familiar figure. Long green colored hair, they were dressed in pure white robes with ribbons of pink and white. And a flower crown of white lilies on their hair.

"Sothis..." Sothis smiled softly and hugged Amir tightly, "Am I dead...?" The woman muttered.

"No. I am beyond happy you kept the pin Arisa gifted you. It was the key for me saving your life." Sothis said as Amir looked in her hand and saw all the stones of the pin, shattered.

"What happened? The last memory I have is me, Arisa, and Alexandra..." her eyes suddenly went wide, "Wait what happened to everyone?! The war! I remember we—" it suddenly flashed through her eyes that she was blasted to pieces, "Oh...Oh..." the woman hung her head, "We lost..."

"Not exactly." Sothis said as she gently took the girl's hand, "All will be explained to you by a familiar person. It will be difficult but try not to panic." Sothis said and took her to a door.

"Wake up Amir. They are waiting for you."

[—]

"Urgh...Hmm..."

Light.

Never once in her entire life did light ever feel so painful. Everything hurt. Her entire body felt like it was being stabbed by needles and even trying to sit up was painful. She cried out but no voice came out of her throat. She looked around, her vision clearing, seeing she was in a fancy room. The thing she was lying on, the soft plush and silk feeling, was a bed. The pillows made her want to sleep again but she refused. She forced herself to sit up, even if she screamed and no sound came out. Shelves made of maple and oak wood were all around as well as a desk. But the first thing in her sight was the small shelf counter near the bed she was laying in and the sight of a glass of water.

"Water...Water..." was the first thought in her mind as she tried to move, but silently screamed as she did, her hand reaching out to the glass cup on the counter.

She was so close and everything hurt and she tried to move it, the tips of her fingers touched it, only to cause it to fall and shatter onto the floor. She could hear running footsteps and the door to the room slammed open. A plumb curvy woman with brown colored hair, brown eyes, and wearing a red dress gasped, seeing her hanging off the bed.

"Goodness, lord!" The woman ran up to her and quickly but carefully had her lie back on the bed, "It's alright, it's alright." She spoke in a gentle tone seeing the panic on Amir's face, "You are safe. I promise. I'll go get Naga and Annette to come to check on you." She said and right when she was about to leave, she felt Amir's hand grab hers.

The woman looked at her and saw the girl was scared.

"It's alright. My name is Hira. You are currently under the protection of my nephew. This is Aubin County." Lady Hira said and saw the woman relaxed, it looked like she recognized the words, Aubin County.

A few minutes later, running through the door was a group of familiar faces. The first one she saw was...

"Amir!"

Orange-colored hair tried into two braided curls, a white milkmaid cloth, tied over her head like a veil, she wore a cream-orange colored dress with frills, blue ribbons, and black tight black shoes. On her waist was strapped a tome. But the small baby face she recognized and the pale blue eyes.

"A...Annette?" Finally, she was able to speak but it was just barely above a whisper.

Annette nodded as tears fell, and she carefully hugged her. She was taller and older. Amir was just stunned as she kept looking around. She spotted the familiar face, Ingrid, who also had changed, and Bernadetta, who looked somewhat the same but had her bangs tied up. Linhardt as well, who had his hair tried up and was slightly taller, and...Ashe. They all were crying.

"You're okay...You're alive!" Annette wept as the others carefully came in.

But running was heard and accidentally slamming into the frame of the door. Groaning, they looked up and Amir saw the man. Curly blonde hair that was tied up in a messy bun, his skin was somewhat pale and there were some dark circles under his eyes. The clothing he currently wore was a plain long sleeve shirt and black pants with black boots.

"Z...Zander?" Amir croaked as the man, taller, broader, knelt, hands trembling as he carefully held her hand as if she was about to break.

"Yes...It's me..." Zander whispered and gently kissed the palm of her hand, "It's me...Amir..."

"I...see..." Amir smiled softly as she felt her vision fading, "I'm...glad..." and her eyes closed.

Before everyone started to panic, Hira spoke up.

"It's alright. She fell asleep." Hira smiled softly, "Annette and Linhardt. You two stay. Everyone else, out." Zander was about to protest but one look from his aunt shut him up and they all left.

[—-]

"A woman of Duscur." Margrave Gautier as Zander had a closed eyes but a vein was forming on the side of his forehead from the anger he was holding in, "Interesting...choice."

"Margrave Gautier, that woman is saved our lives. Your life. Everyone's life. You do well to shut your mouth before I sew it shut." His eyes opened just a tad bit and everyone could feel something felt different about the prince but they didn't know what.

"No. It is not that, your majesty." Margrave Gautier sighed, "I just hope you know that there will be many hardships to come should you wish to peruse her. There are still many in Faerghus who will protest against you because of where she comes from. Are you prepared to face them?" He said seriously.

The reason he said this was that Lambert had to fight tooth and nail to be allowed to marry Durandal. Even if she was of house Zoltras, she was originally from a fallen noble house. Matthias still remembered how angry Lambert was when the late king did not approve of their relationship and at some point in time, even tried to sabotage it.

"Yeah, I better not say anything either." Sylvain thought as a certain white-haired Duscur woman came into his mind.

"My focus right now is her well-being. For three years we all believed she was dead. Killed during the Invasion of Garreg Mach. Amir is alive, which means there is a chance." He said as Jeralt gritted his teeth and nodded.

"There is a chance that Arisa and Alexandra are alive. But where?" Jeralt said as Naga, through the mask, looked at him worried.

"For now, let us keep the news low. Once Amir is fully recovered, then we can say she is alive." Zander sighed, "Has Rensen been told yet?" He asked since the blacksmith had been busy because of the war.

"The bastard was the first one to race over here." Jeralt chuckled as well as Rodrigue.

[—]

Days passed and Amir's body was recovering much quicker than anyone expected. Perhaps too fast others would say but Linhardt was quick to put everyone's worries away.

"Your crest surprisingly gives you faster regeneration abilities." Linhardt said as he was checking Amir's hands, "I must admit, it's strange, weird but also fascinating." He said as Amir cocked her head.

"So you are saying, if I break my arm, my bones would pop back into place and heal themselves but it will be painful. Like a lizard whose tail got cut off." She said and Linhardt looked at her like she had grown a second head.

"...I don't why you put it that way. But yes, that is correct." Linhardt said as Annette used Heal on her one last time.

"Okay, I think you can stand up now." The cheerful woman said as both helped her stand up and she took her first step, but it felt...like she was walking normally.

She motioned them to let her go and she moved around like she was never sick. Amir did a few skips and spun like a ballerina, she was better.

"I can move now!" The woman grinned and noticed Annette being careful with her hair, "Annette, I know this is sudden but, could you help me braid it." The mage was more than happy to help.

It took a few minutes after kicking Linhardt out, the girl helped Amir braid her hair and change into light clothing. Amir changed into a summer blouse with black pants and black boots. But thoughts swirled through her head as she looked around. Some of the guards and soldiers were students she had seen from the Blue Lions regular class. The ones that were younger were now older,

"Why is everyone older?" Amir thought as they walked to a room and she blinked, seeing...

"Jeralt! Rensen!" Amir yelled and ran to the men, both opening their arms and hugging her, "You're okay!" She wept as the two smiled sadly.

"You're okay, kid. You're okay. Let out." Jeralt said and Amir just shook her head as she let go of them.

"No...I have to hold my tears back." The woman sniffed, "I'm happy to see everyone again but...why does everyone but Jeralt look...older? Zander, no offense but you look like a walking disaster who needs to sleep." She said and Glenn snorted as Regina opened her fan to cover her mouth.

"...Kid, I'm going to ask you some questions and I need you to answer them." Jeralt said and she nodded, "What year is it?"

"The imperial year 1181. Why?" Amir looked at him puzzled and many flinched at her words, "Why is everyone looking at me like I am crazy?"

"Amir, please sit down." Rensen said as Amir nodded and went to sit at the nearest chair, "What we are about to tell you... maybe difficult to accept." He said as the woman narrowed her eyes, "Amir, today is one week after your birthday. It is the Imperial year 1183. It has been three years since the fall of Garreg Mach. The war has been a stalemate these past three years." He said and Amir let go of his hands.

"Oh...Oh..." Amir's smile became shaky as she looked down at her lap and the tears began to fall, "So this is what...The Goddess meant. That someone would explain everything to me when I wake up." She whispered but Zander heard her.

"Tell me...Everything."

A minute turned to hours, Jeralt and Rensen carefully explaining to her what had happened over the past three years. The fall of Garreg Mach, the invasion and fall of Fhirdiad. The creation of resistance in the Empire and Faerghus. As well as the Alliance declaring themselves neutral. How the war has been but most of all, how her family, the land, and the people of Remire have been. As well as those that have been lost.

"As of now, some people of Remire are living in Nuvelle Territory. They are under the protection of the Resistance that has formed under a man that goes by the name of The Herrscher. I'm sure you can figure out who it is." Jeralt said as Amir's face became puzzled for a moment and then eyes went wide.

"It's..." Jeralt nodded and smiled softly, "I see...Then can I ask if Arisa has been found along with Alexandra?" She said and the room went stiff.

"I guess not..." Amir smiled bitterly as she took a deep breath to calm herself, "I...need to be alone for a moment. Can...I go back to my room?" She muttered and Jeralt nodded.

Zander wanted to say more but seeing her look so defeated, it was better not to.

"Take a rest, Amir. It's been a long day for you." He said and Amir stared at him for a good two minutes, "Umm..."

"She's saying get some rest as well." Regina spoke up, "Goodness Zander! Eat! Wash up! You reek!" She opened her fan dramatically and covered her smirk.

"I do not reek!" Zander said and lifted his arm to smell himself but froze, "...I'm gonna go get my clothing ready..." The man hung his head in utter defeat.

Amir couldn't help but burst out laughing and a few others joined her.

[—-]

After a shower, a bed, and a mental breakdown that had her grab a pillow and scream the vilest profanities in her life, Amir collapsed on the floor and then punched it.

"Three years...I have been dead for three years?! Everyone is older! I...I!" Amir just wept and grabbed the pillows and cried.

"It's alright to cry." Amir sniffed and looked up to see Sothis appear in her child form with a sad smile, "Come here." The Goddess opened her arms and Amir sprung, into them, crying her heart out.

She asked herself if this was what Arisa felt when she woke in a new world, where everything and everyone had changed and she as well. Yet, time was cruel and left Amir the same. She didn't she, she remained the same, the only thing that grew was her hair which...she found very strange because it only ever happened to Arisa.

"I know this is difficult for you but for now...explore. Take your time. And when you are ready to pick up your axe, it will be when you are ready." Sothis muttered softly before she disappeared.

Amir sniffed and stood up, nodding as she grabbed the cloak that was provided for her and put it on.

[—-]

Zander's mind wandered as he walked around The Garden of Aubin. After the mansion was burned down years ago, it was rebuilt to its former glory. Cornelia was left out of the planning because his father wanted to preserve the memory of his friend. Whatever evidence they also secretly looked for, and found, was kept hidden away in the archives that only House Zoltra had access to. He could only imagine Cornelia cursing a storm trying to break into Emily's office. Even to this day, she still hadn't succeeded. The prince stopped, hearing whispers of the plants, and looked out towards a certain direction.

Head that way...

Head that way...

The plants whispered and he listened. Away he went, carefully walking till he reached the pond but stopped when he saw Amir crouched near the edge, the koi fish eating from her hand and some of the animals surrounding her. Zander watched her with a sad gaze, she looked the same except for the long hair. He asked himself if those chosen by the goddess gain some sort of power because of their hair.

"Nah...stupid." He thought and carefully walked over to her.

Amir looked up and the animals all quickly scurried away.

"Hey." Zander smiled softly as the woman stood up, "A bit late to be sneaking out." He said as the woman stared at him for a bit.

"Perhaps..." Amir muttered as Zander took a step closer but she put some distance, making him stop, "I-I'm sorry...I'm still...adjusting to all of this. It's difficult to accept that it has been three years. You've...all grown." She said and Zander smiled sadly.

"I have...I wouldn't say for the best. It has been...difficult being the leader in all this. Fighting the war...and with the recent news of my aunt..." Zander muttered softly and Amir sucked in her breath and stepped forward, hugging him.

The prince was surprised but...he hugged her back tightly, afraid to let go.

"I missed you...I missed you so much. Funny..." the man smiled bitterly, "I was planning to avenge you...yet, the anger I feel...it's gone for some reason." He said.

"Even though you are now older and have changed..." Amir gently cupped his cheek, "You're still the same Zander I know. Despite I can tell you are more cunning and manipulative when it comes to tactics, you are still the man I fell in love with through the letters we would exchange over the years." She said as he gently placed his hand over hers.

"Amir..." Zander whispered and both leaned forward, slowly coming closer, their lips mingling, and the faint scent of lavender soap filled their nostrils, but...

"So it's true."

Both quickly broke apart but Zander was quicker, carefully standing in front of Amir, making his lance appear in a blink of an eye as the shadows approached a person. No, a man. Yet, Amir recognized those black colored clothes that her friend wore as a female version of them. Had Arisa not worn her dragon stone and the shades of brown in her hair, people would think they were twin siblings.

"Beleth..." Amir gasped the man walked out fully, yet on his face over the bridge of his nose, was a horizontal scar.

Yet, images flashed before Amir's eyes, a strange state she was in. It felt like she moving and floating at the same time, dancing, but she saw a hand covered in black slime slashing and cutting and...Beleth's face was bleeding.

"You are the one that injured him..." the shadows whispered to her as the images became clearer and clear till...it all clicked.

"What the hell are you doing here, dog?" Zander snarled as Beleth stopped, 10 feet away from them.

The Knight only cocked his head and his eye twitched, feeling his scar sting at the sight of Amir as if she was the one that inflicted it. But she was the one.

"I simply wanted to confirm the woman of the rumors." Beleth said as his gaze traveled to Amir, "And it's true..." his gaze softened, "I'm glad to see you are alive and well."

"Dip shit, I'm right here." Zander snarled and Beleth covered one ear, "You have a lot of nerve coming here. Shall I kill you and send your head to Edelgard?" He grinned wickedly.

"No need." Beleth said, his tone dismissive, "Amir, I'm here to make you an offer." He said, "Join the Empire and we will grant the rebuilding of your nation and its independence. The only thing we ask in return is to ally with our nation." He said and Amir could not believe what she was hearing.

The shadows covered her eyes as she gritted her teeth yet...

"Leave," Zander said coldly but Beleth did not move.

"I am speaking to Amir, not you. Or, do you plan to chain her up and lock her in a cage like a little bird? After all," Byleth held his chin and smiled cruelly, "everyone knows the old story of The Wolf Knight that chained his partner to a bed and raped her like a beast. After all, the story originated from a Blaiddyd Knight that became obsessed with his partner and killed her because of his obsession then killed himself. Everyone knows your clan is nothing but rotten seeds." He chuckled and Zander's anger flared, the garden withering away and thrones and poison ivy began to grow.

"You son of bitch!" Zander snarled but Beleth was right...

The Blaiddyd Household, like all households in Fodlan, has had its share of dark stains in its history. The story of the Blaiddyd Knight was an old tale that was born during the end of The War of Heroes. The fifth and youngest son of Uriel Blaiddyd fell in love but was rejected. Because of this, a dark mage that held grudge against him took advantage and cursed him. His emotions were turned into a sick obsession and...the rest is just like Beleth said.

Amir remained silent and stepped out from behind Zander, her gaze void of emotions.

"Do you give your word?" She said as she stopped five feet from him.

"Amir?" Zander looked at her shocked,

"Of course. On my honor as a knight who wishes to reform The Church of Serios after the war." Beleth said as the shadows covered her eyes but...

The frown on her lips suddenly became a grin, and she snapped up, eyes wide, crazed as the white of her eyes turned pitch black as well as her hair. Beleth suddenly felt fear.

"WHAT A LOAD OF BULLSHIT!"

Beleth quickly jumped and ran, maneuvering left in right, dodging as fast as he could the spikes of black magic following him constantly till he finally barely managed to dodge a spike but somehow she managed to stab his left shoulder. The pain he felt was excruciating as if it was eating him alive. He gritted his teeth as he held his shoulder and looked over to Amir, her right hand outstretched out towards him, and swirls of black and dark magic surrounded her. The Crest of Timotheos glowed brightly in her eyes.

"Amir!" Zander was about to run to her but was suddenly stopped as she glanced his way, the vines wrapped around his wrist, telling him to stop and let her handle the knight.

Amir was silent for a moment before looking back at Beleth.

"Once upon a time, you and I could have been friends." Amir's voice sounded possessed, "But as of now, all I see is a dog. A dog of Agartha. A Dog of the Foolish Emperor." She spat venomously.

"You're working with the people that damned my family! That destroyed my nation! Who gave my uncle the supplies and power to massacre my family! MY MOTHER WAS PREGNANT WHEN SHE WAS MURDERED! THEY KILLED MY BABY BROTHER! MY GRANDMOTHER DIED WHILE SHE HELD ME IN HER ARMS, PROTECTING ME! MY FATHER!" She panted gasping for air as black tears rolled down her cheeks, "GAVE HIS LIFE TO PROTECT EVERYONE OF MY CLAN!" The shadows were screaming at this point and Hapi could feel something was happening from Abyss.

In Fhirdiad, a young woman chained to the wall snapped her eyes open.

Amir panted breathily, she could kill him. She could kill Beleth and get over it but...

"This isn't you." Sothis whispered in her ear, "Amir."

Amir closed her eyes and put her hand down, the magic fading away, her hair turning back to normal as well as her eyes. She hissed, her eyes narrowed as she placed her hand on her forehead and looked at him with a pained expression.

"I'll let you go today...You're not worth it...You betrayed everyone. At the same time...I understand why..." Amir croaked as she started to have the faint taste of iron in her mouth, "I hate the system of this land...But the methods your Emperor chose are not right. War...is not the answer." And she swayed, Zander quickly caught her in his arms.

"You know Beleth...You're right." Zander muttered as the knight stood up properly, "We Blaiddyds are rotten seeds." He said, "But there is one thing that you are wrong about."

"Like wolves, we will defend our pack and protect our mates. And if one in the pack heads down the wrong path, we take responsibility and put them down. Just like the siblings of the Blaiddyd Knight, we will put down those who harm others and do the worst...It's our responsibility, as Rotten Seeds born from sins." He said as Beleth smiled bitterly.

"You both..." Beleth sighed, "Lestia is alive." He said and Zander looked at him shocked.

And with that, Beleth disappeared back into the shadows before either could make a move.

"He's gone..." Amir said and covered her mouth, her knees giving in.

"Hey! Are you alright...I've..never seen you use such powers." He said as she coughed.

"I'm just as shocked as you...The last time I unleashed such power was when I fought Rhea." She explained as he carefully picked up.

"Dimitri and Lestia told me everything along with Glenn." Zander muttered as he walked through the garden with her in his arms.

"Wait, put me down." She said and he looked at her confused but nodded, "Hand me your dagger." Again confused but handed it to her.

Amir unsheathes it, looking at its flat surface and the reflection in her eyes. She grabbed her hair held it up and slashed it, watching the long strands drop to the ground. Zander's jaw dropped as she shook her head, her hair was short like in the past but a bit choppy. She handed him back the dagger and looked at him, determined.

"I fight with you. So," she knelt, "No! No! Do not kneel!" He stopped her.

"Amir, we are equals. There is no need to kneel. I know you are recovering but if you chose to fight, I won't stop you." He said and Amir smiled softly, as she cupped his cheeks and nuzzled his nose.

"Thank you. Truly..."

[—-]

Days passed, and new armor was made for her as well as new clothing fitting. During that time, she spoke with her former students, learning everything that has happened during the past two years as well as re-getting to know her friends and family. The most shocking thing she learned was that Chris and Gina had a kid. But the news that Dedue and Mercedes were alive and in Duscur was a big relief. But Sadi and Dimitri were still missing. But Zander was quick to tell their group what Beleth had told them. As of now, it was speculated that Lestia and Rhea were being held prisoners in Enbarr.

Zander informed her of everything that has happened as well as the waves of demonic beasts that fought once a week as well as bandits and such. Her first battle was going to be today. She put on her new armor, as well as...

"Amir." The woman turned to see Zander with a box in his hands, "Kuza sent this. He said it belonged to you." He smiled softly and handed her the box.

Amir was confused but she carefully opened it and gasped. Slowly, she took out a silver head dressed with silver braids. Amir was too stunned to speak as she gently held it, her eyes watering up as she recognized it. But most of all, the amaryllis flower and gem on the forehead.

It was her father's headdress.

It was the headdress worn by the head of the Amyrillis house. Zander smiled sadly and gently tapped the letter that was in the box. Amir handed him the box and scrambled to open the letter. Her hands trembled as she began to read it.

After your uncle was arrested and trialed, we were able to find the bodies of your family and gave them all proper burials and send-off ceremonies. The headdress was found locked away inside a bed headboard. Many of us thought it was lost. I was careful in cleaning it and fixing some of the missing gems. Naturally, such a precious artifact is to be returned to you. I wish I could be there and welcome you back, but unfortunately, I must remain here in our home. Dedue and Mercedes send their best wishes. Soon, you'll see them again. Take care my friend and welcome home.

- Kuza

"Thank you." Amir whispered and looked at Zander, "Could you help me put it on?" She and he nodded, and carefully moved her hair a bit to put on the headdress.

He nodded when he was done and Amir looked over to the window with reflection. She smiled softly, seeing herself with it, placing her on it as she closed her eyes. The memory of her father when she was a child, both sitting by the fireplace as he playful put the headdress on her. In the past, it was too big for her but now...she remembered his grin as he spoke and looked at her fondly.

"The role of the head of the Amyrillis Clan is to be a pillar of hope. A guiding light, a pillar of support. But also, the flower of our clan represents pride, strength, and determination. When we fall, we rise stronger than ever."

Amir opened her eyes and nodded, her hand balled into a fist.

"I'll make you proud...Mom, Dad."

[—]

Zander remained silent as he watched from the balcony Glenn and Amir head off to their wyverns. The woman did ask about Puka but was told that he had also disappeared along with Falco and Red Hare. Even Blanca and Hessian went missing. Though, Zander had a high suspicion that Hessian was with Dimitri. There had been also a recent rumor of a one-eye mercenary who would leave a bloody path after they finished the job. Imperial Soldiers and dark mages were killed, and people gave this mercenary the name, The One-Eyed Demon. He would only take on jobs to hunt down imperial camps and destroy them or mages who were on a bounty list. Each time, he would question and torture them for answers. Zander shivered. The way The One-Eyed Demon left his enemies reminded him of what he did in the past on his first maiden battle.

The prince subconsciously put his hand on his prosthetic arm. Now...

-Flashback-

"Alright, are you sure about this Zander?" Hanneman said as the prince nodded, removing his shirt to be examined.

"Positive. We defeated Beleth and saved Amir. Ever since I came out of that lake, my body feels lighter. I know it's been two days but, I'm not in pain anymore. I feel...normal." The prince says as Sylvain and Glenn stood by the side of the door, casting a sound barrier to make sure no one heard them.

"It's only been six months for me since I escaped Enbarr but during those six months, while keeping track of your health along with Kuza, it is indeed strange how your magic system was...suspended." He said and Glenn spoke up from looking at the medical records Emily had left behind for Kuza when the man was made Zander's Courtmage of House Aubin.

"Professor Hanneman, these are the records from since the day he was born. It says he had no crest and was even tested. The records of magic disorders are after The Tragedy of Duscur, that was when the changes started." Glenn said as he handed the professor the documents.

"Hmm...How odd." Professor Hanneman fixed his glasses not squinted, "These records are similar to Sadi." Sylvain's eyes went wide.

"Excuse me?" Zander said as Glenn uncrossed his arms.

"Oh that's right, I never told anyone else this because Sadi has asked me to keep it a secret..." Hanneman sighed, "It won't hurt to speak of it. But Zander, Sadi, like you was not born with a crest. It's after The Tragedy of Duscur that she too started to have changed. And, it was during the fight against Miklan that in rage and in wanting to protect Sylvain, it was revealed she had a crest." The Professor explained and the trio was stunned.

"Professor...could you do a blood test?" Zander said and Hanneman nodded.

"Thankfully I still have my device to see if you have a crest." Hanneman said and pulled a "remote control" shaped magic tool.

Over Zander's wrist it was placed and turned on, the magic device began to beep and began to project a symbol with a straight line, two curved lines pointing upwards and two down. Zander was frozen, and a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek as he was looking at The Creat of Noa.

But not only that...

The device started beeping again and the gem on his arm shattered, turning into a deep blue gem with The Crest of Noa engraved in it. Zander suddenly felt a stinging sensation in his head and an image flashed before his eyes. A tall green-haired woman with long curls and glasses, wearing a white toga. But she looked at him with a sad gaze. He recognized her. A part of him was in denial but he knew who the woman was. The woman smiled sadly as she walked up to him and gently placed her hand on his chest.

"I see the seal finally broke. I was hoping it would last longer. But now it won't." She sighed, "Your arm, your relic, is called Airgetlám. Use the power of the Bloom Dragon to eliminate the filth of this world and bring new life to the land." She said and disappeared but...

"Wait, Emily!"

The prince snapped his eyes open, gasping for air as he looked around and saw the other looking at him.

"Zander, are you alright?! You passed out for two minutes!" Glenn said, and looked at his friend's arm, the color of it changed from bronze to silver, with the metal around the shoulder part turning gold along with the area around the blue gem.

That wasn't normal but the feeling of it felt exactly like when Glenn would hold The Sword of Moralta. Zander took deep breaths and gulped.

A crest...

He had a crest...

How...

How...

"Emily..." he muttered making the others confused, "Emily knew...Emily knew why I suddenly changed." He said and gritted his teeth.

"Professor Hanneman, this new knowledge, it has to stay between us. Do not ever speak of it. Do you understand?" He said and the professor nodded grimly, "I have a feeling this has to stay hidden. But also..." the prince looked at his hand and balled it into a fist.

"Cornelia's days are numbered." He said as Hanneman looked at him worried.

"When this war is over...I'm going to demand answers from Emily."

- End of Flashback -

"SSSCRREEEEEE!"

Soldiers quickly pulled out their weapons as a black creature landed suddenly on the ground. It screeched and raised its claws, many began to realize it was a griffin. But, where did it come come from? Why was it here? The black griffin screeched with a roar, before it lowered its head, growling as its eyes scanned the crowd. Griffin riders quickly came out and attempted to calm the beast but with one look at them, the black griffin either snapped at them or raised its claws.

"Wait a minute!" That was when Bernadetta was the first to realize who the griffin was but too late.

It suddenly screeched and lunged in their direction. Everyone was ready to fight but it jumped over them with a screech was heard. It had lunged at someone.

And that someone was Amir.

The woman had been coming down with Zander and Glenn when suddenly a shadow fell upon them. On instinct, Amir pushed the two away and the griffin landed on her. Amir was stunned, as the beast looked down at her. Her heart felt like it was about to explode as its slit brown eyes looked down at her but they looked familiar. She ignored the voices calling out her name and slowly raised her hand, the griffin's gaze watching her till her hand was gently on its beak. But the name that left her lips...

"Hyper?"

Seconds passed and soon, the griffin leaned down and licked her cheek. Amir's eyes widened as the griffin got its claws off her and she sat up. Her eyes started to water as the griffin started to nuzzle her and soon lay, resting its head in her arms. Her shadow began to vibrate and coming out of it was a strange creature. Its shape body form and soon four legs, a tail, and a head with pointed ears. It opened its eyes, red like rubies and five pearl size orbs floated around it. Amir was stunned by this but felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"It's Puka." Sothis's voice spoke gently in her mind, "His...time came." A sob left Amir's lips as the two creatures came into her embrace, "Hyper must have sensed you've returned. And Puka did not wish to leave you even if he passed on."

"Oh, you two...I'm so sorry I couldn't be there..." Amir whimpered as they purred, "I'll make things right...I promise."

"Welcome home." The two creatures said and she nodded, smiling softly.

Zander remained silent as he watched the interaction. Sylvain crossed his arms and spoke.

"If she is alive...Do you think there's a chance, Alexandra and Arisa are as well? Same with Dimitri?" Sylvain said and Zander pressed his lips together.

"I do."

[—-]

"It's good to see you all." Amir said as she hugged Bernadetta, Ashe, and Linhardt, "You've all grown so much! You two are now taller than me!" The woman couldn't help laughing a bit as Ashe chuckled along with the others.

"How is Chris doing?" She said and Bernadetta grinned.

"You're not going to believe this but..." She leaned in and whispered, "He and Gina have a son!"

"What?!" Amir screeched and the tree quickly hushed her to keep away too many eyes, "Are you for real?" She squealed quietly.

"Yes." Ashe said, "It's a healthy baby boy. His name is Miguel." Amir could only imagine what the baby looked like.

"Yes, and I never want to help someone go through childbirth again. Too much blood." Linhardt gagged.

Amir listened to the trio chatted away but the smile on her face was sad. She was still trying to process everything that was happening around her. The students in front of her used to be shorter and younger, innocent even. But as she kept walking around and observing people, she could see how much everyone had hardened. The look in their eyes was much more mature, and their personalities as well. Despite the way, they were the same, they were also different. She can see that war and loss forced them all, to grow, to survive.

What had her family gone through? How was Chris doing? The fact he started a rebellion surprised her. Everyone around her had grown and yet...she looked at same as if she was frozen in ice for a long time. Even Zander, who once had a carefree look, now had a cold gaze, unlike anything she had ever seen when discussing war. And having learned of everything that happened during the three years she was "dead"...

"I feel...guilty." She thought as Sothis appeared beside her, looking at her sadly, "Am I...the only one that has returned?" She thought and Sothis nodded.

Hyper chirped a bit as Puka yipped. Sothis sighed and floated beside her as Amir walked to the gates.

"Yes. Alexandra is...soon to wake up. Claude will find her body soon. Falco as well." Sothis said, "As for Arisa...She won't return till the day of the promised reunion." Amir smiled bitterly.

"Wait, Arisa is alive?"

Both women turned suddenly to see Zander standing there with Glenn and Sylvain, who were stunned but their eyes were on Sothis. Zander was trying to process what was just said but his eyes quickly landed on Sothis.

"Who is this?" He pointed at Sothis, "I've never seen you before. Are you the spirit that Chris spoke about?" He said Sothis was trying to process what he just said.

"Y-You can see me?" The Goddess managed to choke out as the king nodded, "T-That's impossible. O-Onlt those t-that have...C-Crest can!" She said and Zander's gaze suddenly became dark.

"This is the first time I've seen her." Glenn said as Sylvain nodded gravely but quickly realized what the goddess just said, "What do you mean, only those that have a crest?"

Before anyone could say anything else, Sothis quickly disappeared into a shower of green dust. Amir felt betrayed that Sothis just abandoned her like that but right now, she flinched feeling Zander's gaze boring into her soul. Amir slowly turned to the trio and Zander just stared at her.

"We'll talk about this later." He said, "For now, Amir, I want you with me. I trust you have my back?" He said and the woman nodded firmly.

"Of course."

Everyone went to their positions and mounts. Hyper was more than excited to have her ride him again. Puka was by her side and time would tell if she would be able to withstand it all. The gates opened and Zander lead their army. The gates closed and barriers began to form around the walls of Aubin. Rufus and Hira nodded to each other and then to their nephew. The former students gulped as the sky started to turn a deep orange and soon red. Puddles of black mud formed on the ground and slowly rising through them were monsters. Amir felt her heart drop seeing the corpses of soldiers now standing up as undead. She remembered Alexandra and Arisa called them Risen, undead brought back to life using dark magic and necromancy.

In Fodlan, necromancy was forbidden, and seeing humans turned into such things...along with Demonic beast joining their side. Zander gritted his teeth and glanced at Amir, his heart stung seeing her terrified. She had only just returned. It didn't help that Leif also had a change of plans in attacking Gautier Territory. At least it bought them some time to regroup, Lief was planning to attack the 31st. Despite what she was seeing, Amir gritted her teeth and readied a Mjolnir in her hands.

"Gods above...Protect us." She whispered and Zander raised his hand and...

"CHARGE!"

"RRAAAHHHHH!"

Soldiers charged forward, and Pegasus riders and archers raised their lances and weapons. Mages commanded the elements at their will and blades clashed. Hyper flew up and then dove down, the shadows engulfing her relic as Hyper sped forward as she served the bodies of the undead. She then began to spin her axe and the heaves responded, thunder began to boom in the sky and then crashed down on four demonic beasts that were targeting the battalions.

"W-What?" Amir suddenly felt a wave of tiredness wash over her body, "I haven't even moved so much and I'm already tired?" The woman thought as she gulped and quickly had Hyper fly up.

A demonic vulture screeched and brought up its claws. She raised her hand and Puka jumped up her shoulder and ran up her arm, jumping in the air and then spinning like a top surrounded by purple lightning. He zoomed right through the bird's body as it let out a painful cry and fell to the ground.

Puka yippee happily and jumped onto her shoulder. Yet, from the sky, Amir felt sick. Never before has she seen such a bloody battle since the day of the Officer academy. To her, everything around her felt wrong. Why did she remain frozen in time while everyone around her aged? Were the elderly that she respected still alive? How many former students of the academy that she would greet in the hallways were still alive? How much damage and suffering had everyone endured till now? What happened was the question that kept ringing in her mind. Guilt plagued his heart and unfortunately at the worst moment.

"AMIR!"

She barely had time to comprehend as she looked up, and saw the jaws of the demonic beast that jumped in the air and toward her. She could smell its rotting flesh, the scent of its breath, and blood, she was frozen as its jaws came closer and closer when...

"HYYAAAAHHH!"

Zander suddenly rammed into from the left side of its face. Gradivus piece right through its eye, the beast roared in agony but that didn't stop Zander. No, before Amir's eyes, she was witnessing the brutality of Blaiddyd strength.

The Tempest King.

Zander gritted his teeth as the gem on his arm glowed brightly and he jumped off Fireheart, onto the beast. Zander roared as the beast fell to the ground and rammed the lance through its skull using the force of the drop. He panted and looked to the field, seeing another wave of monsters coming his way. He roared and charged, swinging his lance and slashing beast after beast. Not a care in the world as blood splattered all over him. Glenn and Rufus soon joined his side as Felix was being backed up by Bernadetta. Sylvain and Ingrid raised Luin and The Lance of Ruin, balls of fire raining down on the enemy army.

"This...is true war..." Sothis whispered in her mind, "This is the reality that has befallen Fodlan." She said and Amir trembled, "Go. Zander needs you. They need you." And she disappeared.

[—-]

"Hyaa!" Zander roared and waved his hand, making torn vines sprout from the ground and wrap around the monsters then tear them apart.

"Not bad, boy!" Rufus laughed as Margrave Gautier decapitated four Risen and Rodrigue did the same, "This brings back memories from back when your father would battle."

"Now really inset the time for praise!" Hira yelled from above as her mages healed the wounded and she threw her husband a potion, which he caught.

"I would pe—Your Majesty!" Rodrigue yelled and Zander cursed as another Demonic wolf lunged his way.

He wasn't going to be able to move on time or cast a spell. The worse part was that the wolf chose to attack when he had his back turned. Right when it was going to attack, in a blink of an eye, locks of black and pink silver came into his view. Blood splattered up only a few drops on him but Amir...

The demon wolf was sliced in half from the torso, and Amir stood in front of him, panting and gasping for air. The group was shocked at her sudden appearance as she turned and glanced at him. Tears were streaming down her eyes but not clear, black. Black tears she was crying as the white around her eyes had turned black as well. Her face was covered in blood but crouched and readied herself for the next wave, even if her body screamed in pain.

"I got your back!" She yelled Zander was stunned but quickly shook his head and nodded.

"Thank you!" he yelled and they stood back to back.

Zander once again spun his lance and then trusted, Amir cut down risen after risen, both King and Champion moving fluently, each movement in sync. Both then crossed and ran towards the final giant demonic beast they needed to destroy to win. As they ran, Zander nodded to her and she did back. Both then moved left and right together and roared when they jumped in the air. Earth magic and lightning magic danced together in the relics, their pupils turning to their crest as they screamed and brought down their relics on the beast. The demonic beast roared and tried to fight but..,

"RETRIBUTION OF ROSES!" Zander and Amir roared together, the power of the crest combining for a moment as their relics pierced through the body of the beast, and finally, it was gone.

It let out one last howl before it fell on the ground. Its body twitched before it turned to dust. The remaining monsters screamed from the blinding power of their relic and turned to dust. The sky began to turn back to its gray color and some rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining down on them. Cheers erupted from the army as Amir fell but was quickly caught by Zander.

"Are you alright?" The king asked, worried as Amir gulped for air but nodded.

"I-I'll be fine." Amir said but Zander pursed his lips, "I'll be fine."

"I'm having Sophia check you." He said and Amir looked at him stunned.

"Zander, you d-"

"Enough."

Amir quickly shut her mouth as the man let a heavy sigh as he ran his fingers through his bloody hair. He looked at her and then to the ground before closing his eyes and letting out another sigh.

"I'm not risking you getting hurt." He said as the woman looked at him worried, "It's...your first battle after three years. Please...don't fight me on this." He said and Amir sighed.

"Alright, I'll have Sophia check on me." She said and he nodded, "But you're getting checked as well." Now it was his turn to be surprised, "I saw those cuts. I'll treat your wounds."

"No it's f—" Zander didn't even get to finish when Rufus suddenly appeared behind him and smacked him on the shoulder, sending the king screeching in pain but also stumbling towards Amir.

"He's all yours," Rufus said as Zander looked at him betrayed but ultimately grumbled a thank you as Amir took his hand and they started to walk back towards the gates.

Rufus watched the two leave with Hira now standing beside him as well as Margrave Gautier, and Rodrigue. Soon, joining the woman and king, was their friends all grateful that they were okay. As they walked, a wistful smile formed on Rufus's face. With the image of Lambert and Durandal walking together, he felt a pat on his shoulder and looked to see his wife, smiling sadly.

"They remind you of them, don't they?" Hira said and Rufus smiled bitterly but nodded.

"His Majesty and his siblings, they all possess their mother's passion and their father's kindness," Rodrigue said and Matthias sighed.

"It...brings back memories," Mathias said, and just when he was about to turn, he suddenly noticed Amir was running towards them.

She was yelling something at them but she was too far away. The confusion came on the adult's faces and finally, she was close enough they could hear her. Amir was reaching out to them, horror marred her face as she screamed.

"GET DOWN!"

It was as if darkness suddenly fell on the group of adults. The gleam of the sun reflected on a black blade. Time seemed to slow down for Amir as her hand reached out to the adults. She watched as they tuned only to see the reflection and gleam of the blade coming their way. Zander also screamed and reached out to them. At that moment, their heart rate increased, and their crest burned in their blood. Deep in her sleep in Zoltra, a single tear fell.

"Control it. Embrace it."

BOOM!

Amir was suddenly in front of the group, her eyes black once more as her relic clashed with the blade. Zander had quickly created a dome of vines to protect the adults from the force of the impact between the two relics.

"Hhhhhrrrrgghhhh!" Amir growled as she finally was able to push back the one responsible for the attack.

"Amir, you alright?" Zander yelled as he and the group ran up to them.

Hira has shaken and was holding onto Rufus tightly. Rodrigue and Matthias were stunned and instinctively raised their shields to protect themselves.

"Be careful everyone!" Regina's voice ran through their minds, "New enemy spotted! And they are wielding The Lance of Ruin!"

"What?!" Sylvain and Matthias yelled as the dome of vines disappeared and they could now see it.

Amir panted and gasped for air yet held her relic tightly as she glared at the individual that now stood 15 feet away from them. A dark knight with crimson black armor, and a helmet with a familiar shape that she couldn't remember where she had seen. It had a single pointed horn and the back of the dark knight armor had eight spikes. Tattered bandages hung around the armor arm areas and the black replica of The Lance of Ruins was in the dark knight's right hand.

"That's not Bias." Sothis suddenly appeared not to her, "Who is that?!"

"I don't know..." Amir coughed and wiped away the blood from her lips, "But...I can sense they have a crest. The Crest of Gautier because they can wield The Lance of Ruin but the other one I can't figure out." She said as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek.

"Who are you?!" Sylvain roared, "Are you Jose Gautier?!" He yelled earning a shocked look from his father.

"...Nice guess." The dark knight said, "But no." It turned away, "That punk was nothing but a bastard. I see his spawn survived." They said and spun the lance then slamming it to the ground, creating a gust of dust.

Everyone covered their eyes to protect themselves but the voice of the dark knight rang all around them.

"I'll let you all live...Blood of Sinners."

[—]

"Ow!"

"Silence you." Amir grumbled as she was stitching up Zander's shoulder cut, "Reckless, just like Dimitri." She huffed as they grumbled.

Both were in his room, Amir in a tank top and baggy pants after getting patched up by Sophia and Tharja, who both proceeded to scold her along with Flayn. The same thing, she shouldn't have joined the battle because she was still "fresh" after sleeping for so long. Flayn ended up explaining to her that she will have to train to build up her strength again. Next, Tharja handed her a first aid kit and told her Zander's location and in her words...

"The son of bitch does not care for his well-being! Go tend to him before I go myself and tie him to the lantern post next and use Silence on him!"

"Tharja!"

Zander wore his pants but his shirt was removed, revealing the scars he had gained over the past three years. He could feel Amir's gaze on him and then looked at his mechanical arm that was on the table. Emily taught him and Glenn how to properly clean and maintain their mechanical arms. It was still a hassle no matter how many times he now has cleaned it. And the silence in the room was killing him.

"The scar on my left shoulder," he began as Amir was cleaning another wound, "I got it in 1182. The first monster wave Cornelia sent after us..." Zander muttered, "We...lost a lot of people and many of us were injured gravely." He said.

She... decided to listen. Zander sighed and smiled bitterly.

"When I heard the news of...your death... I felt like the world was crumbling. It...took a while for me to process everything. Then, I learned of Beleth's and Edelgard's betrayal. I wanted to kill them. I wanted to kill them so bad..." he muttered as Amir wrapped another bandage around his arm.

"But Lestia said she wanted to talk. She wanted to know why they chose to side with the enemy." Zander said and Amir was done treating his wounds.

"I'm done treating your wounds." She said and went to sit on his right, "Zander...you think I abandoned you all?" Zander looked at her stunned.

"No. Why would I think that?" He said and noticed how the woman looked down to the ground.

Amir let go, of his hand and intertwined hers together. Her lips pinched together, wondering if she should speak out or not. But in the end, she did.

"It's...I feel that I...should have been there with you all." She said and Zander sighed.

"What happened back then was not your fault. Lestia told me that you, Alexandra, and Arisa protect them. I too would have done the same to protect those I care about." Zander and Amir smiled bitterly.

"I know this is a sudden change of topic, but who was that spirit? And what did she mean, about Arisa? And that only those with Crest could see her?" He said and Amir sighed.

"She is...a spirit that has been contracted to Arisa since her birth." Amir began to explain, "Before, only Arisa could see and hear her. A few years later, soon Alexandra and I could. And now, since Arisa, Alexandra, Christian, and I have become champions of The Goddess, the spirit's power grew and allowed not just us, but those with crest to be able to see her." She said and looked at him, "Which...bring my question to you."

"How was I able to see her when I wasn't born with a crest?" He said and she nodded, "Honestly, that's what I want to know." Zander held up his hand and projected the Crest of Noa, "And the only one that knows is Emily. Hopefully, when we take back Fhirdiad, I'll finally get the answer." Amir remained silent.

"Also, what did you guys mean about Arisa? Is she alive or not?"

"Honestly, I'm not completely sure." Amir said, "The spirit, her name is Sirius, told me that Alexandra was in a similar state as me. That she was put into some sort of magic... cacoon. Arisa on the other hand is in a state that she won't return till 1185." She said and Zander thought for a moment.

"I've heard stories of something similar in the past." He said and Amir looked at him puzzled, "Have you heard the story of Sleeping Beauty?" Amir raised an eyebrow but nodded, "The story is based on Saint Hymra and Saint Cethleann." Now that surprised the woman.

During the War of Heroes, Saint Cethleann was gravely injured. To save her life, Saint Hymra sang till she could no more and fell into a deep sleep having used all her strength. Saint Cethleann was healed but now like her friend, had fallen into a deep slumber. Both were laid to rest in a secluded cave in the Olga Mountains.

But one day, a mysterious mage snuck into the cave and kidnapped both, took them away, and sealed them in abandoned ruin in what is called, The Frost Forest, the resting place of Cirina. Many years passed and no one could enter the Frost Forest to save them. Both women were frozen in ice, and the mysterious mage cackled as they watched so many fails. But what the mage did not know, was that even though the Saints were frozen in ice, they were not harmed. For they were being healed by it. Cirina's soul still lingered in the forest. Angered that the mage used her resting place to freeze the Saints, as the lord of ice and snow, she used the last bit of her soul to turn the ice they were frozen, to turn the ice to heal them.

Saint Cichol, enraged that his daughter was taken, grabbed his lance and flew across the land to save his daughter. Saint Macuil, who had just recently confessed his love to Saint Hymra, and both men teamed up to save them. Cirina's lingering soul sensed this and when they arrived o the forest, she used her power to aid them. She took it upon herself to drag the mage to the depths of hell, but not before threatening the two saints that if they even dared make her friends cry, she will haunt them forever.

The saints swore they would no such thing. Saint Cichol wept and hugged his daughter. Saint Macuil kissed Saint Hymra. All now, could return home.

"The part where you mentioned they were invaded in ice..." Amir held her chin and pursed her lips.

"That's because you went through a similar situation."

Both quickly looked up to see Sothis floating in front of them. The girl huffed and crossed her arms.

"It's you!" Zander said, "You didn't run away!"

"I see now where Dimitri and Lestia get their enthusiasm from." Sothis huffed and looked at Amir, "I can only be here for a short while. I know you have many questions but I can't answer them all due to time. So, I will be brief." She said, "When you, Alexandra, and Arisa were "killed" I used my power along with the power the goddess shared with me to save you three. For you all to fully heal, you needed to be frozen." She said as they listened.

"Alexandra is frozen in a cocoon of ice. You, I made you sleep in a pond of dark and black magic. I did this because the original bearer of your crest would the same to heal." She said and Amir understood what she was referring to.

Sothis's children:

The Dark Dragon: Gaia

The Ice Dragon: Rhesus

Each dragon had a different healing method when they were exhausted or injured. The first one is, all her children would fall into a deep sleep. The second was to go or create an environment that corresponded to their magic.

Gaia would go to a secluded location or a devastating place filled with dark and black magic and absorb it in their sleep to heal. At the same time, healing that environment.

Rhesus would encase himself in a cocoon of ice or fly north to the coldest mountain top which no human could ever reach.

As for Sothis, she would retire to her underground shrine and sleep, encasing herself in crystals to protect herself. But that time, she believed she would be safe so there was no need to encase herself in crystal.

How wrong she was….

"Where are Arisa and Alexandra?" Zander asked, "Please, at least so we know so when can protect their resting place."

"I'm sorry, I can not tell you." Sothis said but raised her hand to stop Zander from interrupting her, "But, know that Claude will find Alexandra. That man doesn't understand the concept of not sticking his nose in someone else's business." She sighed and Amir looked at her worried.

"As for Arisa..." Sothis smiled bitterly.

"The lion in the shadows has his ways."

[-]

The cold nights of Faerghus always brought him a sense of comfort. Up on the hills, stood a lone giant wolf. Next to him stood a white wolf and between them stood a hooded man. The man looked down at Aubin County and turned, but stopped for a moment looking back.

"Tch. You are a better king than I ever was."

The man walked to the black wolf and mounted him. The wolf let out a small whine to the man, who sighed.

"No. I won't go back. I have no right to be with them." The man said and the white wolf narrowed its eyes at him.

"Don't look at him like that." The man glared the wolf barked lightly at him.

"Let's go."

Away he and the wolves left, riding into the cold night.

[-]

Amir has finally returned! Thank you all for reading this story! May you all have an amazing 2023! 2023-2024 will be the official final arc of SsoF! Look forward to the upcoming chapters!