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)

94. Chapter 93:1183:Part 5:Trials

Chapter 93: 1183: Part 5: Trials of Ice and Snow

- Present Time -

Riding to The Frost Forest brought some sort of excitement to Claude. Perhaps it was because it had been so long that he had been outside. Still, the thrill of some sort of adventure even on a mission brought forth a sense of nostalgia for his times in the academy. Even more so because he was going to a place deemed forbidden by The Church of Serios. The clothing they all wore was made for the freezing temperatures. Emily told them once that the temperature of The Frost Forest was colder than Faerghus and Albinea. That there was very little life there and only a few animals could. The forest seemed as if it rejected life itself.

Not much was known about it, only that it was the place where Cirina crash-landed after she cursed the north. Claude took a deep breath. It's now been around six hours since they left, taking occasional breaks for their flying mounts to rest. Before they left, Rensen have given them all special collars for their flying mounts to protect them from the cold. These magic tools were made by those of Aubin House since ancient times.

Mostly because many of the wars took place during winter. Each collar had a rose size red stone that glowed with fire magic to keep their animals safe and protected from the cold.

"Marianne, I am curious." Lorenz spoke up, "How much do you know about The Frost Forest?" He said as the woman looked at him surprised but gulped.

"I honestly do not know much. The most I know is what my adopted father told me. That the Elite Maurice's clan once used to live where House Edmund is. That they would watch over The Forest and prevent anyone from entering. But one day, the clan suddenly disappeared and scattered all over Fodlan at the instructions of Marcel Maurice, number eleven of Nemesis's Elites." Marianne muttered and looked out to the horizon.

Within their sights, they started to see blue, "Alright everyone, we need to stop here!" Marianne yelled and had her pegasus, Yura, dive down.

Down they dove and landed. They were all confused as Marianne got off Yura, and sure enough, all their mounts started to get restless.

"Whoa! Whoa!" Claude said as he gently patted Zahra's snot, "What's wrong, girl?!"

"This happens each time any animal gets close to The Frost Forest." Marianne said and took out the collars Rensen gave them, "Start putting them on your mounts. And also, everyone change into winter clothing Edward, Ignatz, and Raphael prepared for us." She said and Lysithea, Flayn, and Hilda waved their hands to change into thick winter clothing.

Lysithea wore a white fur warm coat dress with a fur shawl, thick boots, ear muffs, gloves, and a hood. Hilda wore a thick pink trench coat with thick fur, pants, boots with fur, as well as gloves. Flayn wore a cute styled winter dress that was similar to the one she wore during The Days of Blessing. Claude kept himself from bursting out laughing because of how puffy she looked.

As for Marianne, she wore a winter dress with a fur cape with a hood, and strapped on her waist was her tome but Claude noticed the blue gloves she wore. They had some sort of magic stones on them as well as rune symbols sewn on them. Lorenz wore similar clothing to him, a thick duffel coat with pants, gloves, and a fur hat, except his, was a dark purple. Claude's was brown.

"I can't believe everything feels so light." Hilda said as she summoned Freikugel and swung it, "The clothing doesn't feel like it gets in the way." Lorenz said as he also did some simple movements.

"Edward told me that he had these made beforehand. Ignatz said the clothing was inspired by those in Albinea since they live in winter all year round." Claude said as he grinned putting on the collar on Zahra, "So Marianne, what do we do now?"

"O-Okay." Marianne let out a shuttered breath, "From here on out, everyone just...be prepared. The closer we get, the more the temperature will drop. And...life will fade."

"Life will fade?"

"It's...best you all see for yourself."

Marianne told them to stay close as they got back on their mounts and flew. She told them that they should start slow so that their mouths would adjust to the temperature as they got closer. And sure enough, she was right. The closer they got, the more the temperature began to drop. But what was disturbing was how the lush green trees slowly faded to red, yellow, and lastly no leaves. They flew over an area that just felt dead and a few minutes late, they could see it.

The way frost started to come into view, its blue and white color felt eerie, the more they flew, the more the trees and ground became bluer, and coming into their sight were stones frozen over. They all felt a chill go down their spines as the atmosphere dropped and they could breathe. Even with all the protection they were wearing, the temperature was beyond anything they ever felt.

"S-So cold..." Flayn shivered as they kept flaying and snow started to fall.

It even felt like the sky changed as all well and soon they landed in an open area that Marianne led them to. Carefully they all landed and could not believe their eyes.

"Incredible..." Lorenz gasped as they slowly got off their mounts.

Trees, bushes, and even flowers were frozen in blocks of deep blue ice. The ground was covered in pure white snow that shimmered like stars with what little light there was. Claude spotted some strange plants with some fruit that was frozen, emitting ice. Icicles were all over the branches of the trees and not a single sound of a bird chirping was heard.

"It's beautiful..but...it also feels sad." Hilda said and suddenly Lysithea gasped, "What?"

"Hilda, you're crying." Lysithea said and Hilda was confused until she touched her cheeks and felt something hot and wet, "Lysithea, you too." Hilda said and Lysithea quickly touched her cheeks as well stunned.

"O-Oh...w-why am I suddenly-up!" Flayn let out a sob and started sniffing, trying to wipe her tears away.

"It's not just them..." Claude was stunned as Lorenz turned to him with teary eyes, "I-Ulp! I'm sorry!" And then Claude felt his own tears.

"Gah!" The group except for Marianne, fell to their knees, holding their heads in agony as an overpowering wave of anger, rage, sorrow, and despair suddenly came over them.

"Everyone! What's going on?!" Marianne panicked and didn't know what to do.

"M-Make it stop!" Lysithea cried out as she held her head tightly as a voice started to scream in their minds.

Agonizing, terrifying, voices.

"Traitors!"

"Traitors!"

"Get out!"

"Leave!"

"Aaaaaaahhhh...aaaaahhh...AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"A piercing scream ran through their heads, and they felt unimaginable anger and rage.

"HUMANS! HUMANS! BEGONE!"The voice cackled madly, "La, la! La, la!LalalalalallalalAaaaaaassalsjshamlala!"It roared.

"What do I do?! What do I do?!" Marianne wept and her breathing was starting to become rapid.

"THE AGONY! THE PAIN!" It cried out and images started to flash before their eyes of a woman wailing to the sky as she had a bloody hole in her chest, "YOU! ALL! TTRAAAAAIIITTTOOOOOORRRSSSS!"The voice screamed out to the sky and their crimson eyes were suddenly looking directly at them.

The forest felt like was becoming smaller and smaller by the second. Everything was closing in. Marianne trembled and shivered as tears started to fall from her eyes, all she could do was watch her friends wither and cry in pain. But...

"You have the authority to give them permission to enter the forest."

"Everything is a liar!" The female voice screamed in their minds.

"FLAYN VON CETHLEANN! CLAUDE VON REIGAN! HILDA VALENTINE GONERIL! LORENZ HELLMAN GLOUCESTER AND LYSITHEA VON ORDELIA ZOLTRA HAVE MY PERMISSION!" Marianne screamed and suddenly the forest became still.

What once felt like it was closing in slowly began to back away. The cold temperatures slowly turned to the temperatures of a normal winter night. The cold and violent winds became gentle likes a breeze and the feelings and voice the group was overwhelmed by, started to fade away. The crying and grunts of pain stopped as well as the tears before all four of the group just slumped on the snow, panting and gasping for air as they tried to control themselves. Lysithea and Flayn were twitching as Hilda was a trembling and shaking mess. Claude and Lorenz were just trying to process everything that had just happened. They all just remained in their positions for a good while till Marianne moved.

"Everyone!" Marianne wept and scrambled into her purse, taking out a small box, "Here! Can you all sit?" She said as Hilda and Lorenz managed, and she helped Lysithea, Claude, and Flayn sit up.

"W-What was that?" Hilda croaked, trembling and Marianne whispered a sorry and quickly stuffed something in her mouth.

Hilda was about to yell but blinked multiple times as the rich, tangy, and sweet taste of chocolate filled her mouth. Marianne proceeded to do the same with the others, the stress and panic melted away and were replaced with a warm sensation from the chocolate. The group was stunned and looked at their friend, who chuckled a bit nervously.

"Ehe...The Professor said that if someone is feeling down, you should give them chocolate to help them feel better. So...I always carry some chocolates and truffles with me now." She said and Claude couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"The Professor's smart. Thank you." Claude said and the mounts quickly ran over to them, nuzzling and licking their faces.

"Kyyyaaa! Cupcake!" Hilda laughed as her wyvern kept nuzzling her furiously as Flayn's kinshi kept chirping and wrapped its wings around her, "Oh! Wwwaarm~" Flayn melted into the warmth of the fluffy feathers and then...

"SKRRRII!"

"WHAAA!" Flayn screeched when a zoomed green and black fluffy popped out of the kinshi feathers and landed in the intro of her, "Kri! Kri!" A cute puppy-size wyvern and teen-size husky had jumped off the Kinshi's feathers.

"Nagi! Shirou?!" Flayn screeched and looked at her kinshin, "Hana, you let them sneak in?!" The kinshi lowered their heads, in shame.

"Ah, don't worry Flayn. Besides, seeing these little guys brings us joy." Hilda grinned as Shirou ran up to her, "Isn't that right?! Who's a good boy?! Yes, you are!" Hilda talked cutely to the husky that was in bliss receiving scratches.

"Wait, how come they aren't affected by the cold weather?" Lorenz said as Nagi climbed up his shoulder and then jumped to Claude's.

"Nagi I don't know. Shirou however is because he is from Albinea, I think his breed is called a husky. Dogs that are tuned to the cold weather. I saw many of them when I was in Albinea with the Professor. They pull sleds and help hunt and such." Flayn said they all helped each other stand up.

"If I recall, Sandana mentioned that Nagi was the same breed as Falco. If that's the case, then this weather is nothing to Nagi." Lysithea said as Nagi chirped and jumped back to Flayn and went into her coat.

"Oh, you troublemakers." Flayn huffed but couldn't be angry at them, "I am so sorry about this Marianne."

"It's alright." Marianne smiled, "I think their company is nice." She said and the group looked out to the forest, "Is everyone ready?"

They nodded.

[—-]

Claude had never seen such beautiful yet sad sight of a place. The voices that screamed in their minds sounded similar to the one he had in the dream yet this one sounded like a possessed person. The most frightening thing was the visions they saw. A woman on her knees, surrounded by a lush forest, one to be stained by her covered in blood with a hole in her chest. And at that moment, her head snapped toward them, as if she was looking directly at them. The snow and ice-covered place felt like there was not a speck of life, safe for the strange plants that Marianne told them were called mist flowers.

"So let me get this straight, you're saying that Edmund's famous glacier moon wine is made of this plant?!" Lorenz said as he stood over a mist flower, "How?!"

"Well...let me show you," Marianne said and summoned a ball of fire, then launched it at the plant.

The ice around the flower melted and revealed a deep blue fruit that she picked.

"This is a mist fruit. We use its extra to make a cooling medicine for burns and bruises. Edward often comes here to harvest it as well as pick extras for the wine we make." She explained and looked around, "It may not look like it but The Frost Forest is home to many rare herbs that grow in extremely cold environments." She explained and Lysithea spotted blue moss growing high in a tree.

"Incredible..." Lorenz said, "To think this place despite so desolate seems to have some life. But...with what happened earlier." He gulped and shivered.

"Those visions we saw...who was that woman?" Hilda muttered and Claude remained silent as they kept walking.

Nothing but snow and frozen trees and stones as far as the eye could see. But they could feel the high magic contraction in the air. If Ignatz or Raphael or even Cyril had come, they wouldn't have survived, most likely pass out for even setting one foot there. Marianne walked carefully beside Lorenz and then stopped, turning in a different direction with narrowed eyes.

"What's wrong?" Flayn said.

"I thought I saw..." The woman shook her head, "Never mind, let's continue." She said but did glance the way she did again.

Once they were out of sight, a certain pale-skinned woman with sickly pale blue hair walked out. Cirina narrowed her eyes as she watched them leave but smirked seeing the direction they were walking.

"Witness what happens to trespassers."

[—]

"What in the seventh heavens….?" Claude swore as a skull the size of a storage room came into their sights.

The more they walked, the what fully came into view was shocking. A full skeleton. At first glance, many would have thought it was the skull of a giant wyvern but no. It was way too big. If anything, it was the size of The Riegan Manor. It was cracked, some of its ribs were buried in the snow but its fangs were still there. Flayn carefully walked and her lip trembled seeing it. But seeing the expression the mint-haired girl had, Claude refrained from seeing anything else. The skeleton itself was frozen in ice, they can sense some sort of magic coming from it. Nagi let out a small whine as well as the other mounts, lowering their heads. Their riders recognized it, they were paying their respects to the remains. Flayn already knew who the remains belonged to but the others did not. But looking at it, Claude did not know why but a sense of guilt filled his heart.

"Is…Is it okay if we stop here for a moment? I…I wish to pay my respects." Flayn said and the group nodded.

No one asked questions as Flayn knelt and closed her eyes. She began to whisper a prayer. Still, they decided to follow her example and joined her. Claude was silent throughout the entire time as they prayed. He wondered why Flayn became so emotional seeing the skeleton. Still, he didn't want to be rude. After they were finished, Lysithia made some snowdrops grow near the skeleton. They had to continue forward.

[—-]

The more they walked, the more they stared to notice some strange glowing flower-like plants with vines and some strange blue butterflies with some sort of gem. Flayn couldn't help but let out a gasp as she saw them.

"I thought these ice butterflies were extinct!" The girl said as one landed on her finger.

"What are they exactly? They look similar to crystal flies." Lysithea said as she caught one.

"These butterflies once were all over the Fodlan when winter came. They were a species of butterflies adapted in high magic concentrated areas. But because of war, and the disturbance of the magic veins, their population dwindled and soon, they went extinct. I...didn't think there were any more." Flayn said as they saw more flying around them.

"I guess this place is a hidden treasure trove of surprises." Claude smiled a bit as he petted Zahra's snot, "Looks like a lot of plants and some life are thriving here."

The group nodded and continued it but it wasn't long before the place started to feel eerie. Any life they had seen before started to disappear the deeper they walked into the forest and soon, a haunting scene came into view.

"Gasp!" A gasp of horror left their lips as before them were not one but hundreds of statues of ice in different positions. Some were men and women in the middle of a battle with their weapons drawn. Others looked like people were trying to run away from something. But at the center of the battle human statues were a circle of ice crystals that looked like something exploded from there. Some of the statues had pieces broken off or even missing limbs or torsos. It did look like a war had occurred or...they were attacking something.

"Edward told me that there will be times when we will find scenes like this..." Marianne whispered, "All these...used to be human. He estimated that these have been here since the end of The War of Heroes." She said as she looked at them.

"That long?" Lysithea was shocked, "Anything else we should know?"

"Well...the direction we going is towards an old shrine. It's..." she gulped, "said to be where Cirina was laid to rest by Roman Reigan, Mila Lamine, and Uriel Blaiddyd." He said and Claude didn't know if he should laugh or just cry.

Why was almost everything that had happened connected to his, Dimitri's, and Mercedes's ancestors?

[—-]

Jeralt once told that he, Sanadana, Florencio, Miss Sitri, and a knight named Cherche had been to The Frost Forest. That there was an ancient temple-like shrine that was built at the end of The War of Heroes. The final resting place of Cirina. It was a rock-laden classical-style temple with a stone pathway. Three stone pillars on its left and another three on its right. The colors of the stones were a dark gray, it was as if the place was frozen in time. What was disturbing was the stone tablet at the start of the stone pathway. Covered in frost, Lysithea walked and used a bit of fire magic to melt it off, revealing words carved into the stone.

In this shrine, only those who are of Maurice, Aubin, Illac, Gaspard, and those granted permission may enter. Outsiders, leave unless you wish to suffer Cirina's grief and betrayal.

"Well, that...is disturbing." Claude said, "Unfortunately for us, I think we already experienced it when we set foot here." He sighed as the others were nervous.

"Kri?" Nagi popped their head out, and sniffed the air, "Hisss..."

"Nagi? What's wrong?" Flayn said and suddenly Flayn's kinshi started screeching loudly and the pegasus of Lysithea and Marianne started to toss their heads up and down, pawing the snow, even trotting, trying to back away. Their ears pinned back and they neighed loudly. Zahra along with Lorenz's and Hilda's wyverns started growling and folding their wings. Even Shirou whined and quickly jumped into Hana's feathers.

"What is going on?" Marianne said and suddenly...

"Gggrrrrrrr..."

A low growl began to echo all around them. Loud and low stomps made the ground somewhat shake.

"Oh, things just keep getting better and better..." Claude said sarcastically and whatever was responsible for the growls unleashed an ear-piercing roar.

Everyone covered their ears and they could hear the flapping of powerful wings but it was the shadow that loomed over them as the creature was in the sky that terrified them. Another roar and at this point, everyone quickly ran to their mounts and jumped on.

"Go! Go! Go!" Claude yelled and Zahra roared and they all took off but it started chasing them.

Now getting a better view, Claude could see it was a Giant Wyvern, but it was three times the size of a normal wyvern. Falco was twice the size but this... The giant wyvern had black and blue scales, and its eyes, on its right were blue and its left red. But most of all, Claude could see a hint of red on its scales. It roared again, its speed... the wyvern suddenly made a left turn, disappearing into the winter night.

"Did we lose it?" Lysithea said and suddenly, it appeared right in front of her.

"Aaaahhh!" Lysithea screamed and quickly pulled the reigns of her pegasus as fast as she could.

The pegasus neighed, rising on its back heels and Lysithea held on as best she could.

"LYSITHEA!" The others yelled but thankfully she managed to pull back on time.

The girl gasped and gulped for air as the giant wyvern narrowed its eyes at them, its gaze falling on each one by one before it let out a snort. But, Zahra suddenly flew forward, even if Claude protested and pulled her reigns but she wouldn't listen.

"Girl, what are you doing?!" Claude yelled but, Zahra started...chirping and the wyvern responded with a grunt, "Huh?"

Chirps and grunts were suddenly being exchanged between the two wyverns, the group holding their breaths till Marianne let out a sigh of relief. The unknown wyvern growled a bit but descended normally and the others followed.

"What just happened?" Lorenz said and Marianne spoke, "It's...best we all land. The wyvern won't harm us." She said as they descended.

Soon they reached the ground and all got off their mounts, but they all remained still, holding their breaths as the giant wyvern circled them. Claude gulped as his eyes were focused on its talons but it suddenly stopped in front of him and leaned closer, narrowing its eyes. It sniffed him, and he just stood still, knowing if he made one wrong move it was over.

"Grrrr."

The unknown wyvern stopped and turned to look at Zahra, who growled. It snorted and sat down, the tip of its tail wagging a bit. Claude studied it for a moment, observing its features now that he had a better look. The crimson and blue eyes he imagined, were more of a gold color. The scales looked blue because of the lighting but they were indeed black and some of the scales on its head and ears were red. For its horns, they looked like tree branches covered in snow. But what Claude noticed was the collar it was wearing. And Claude recognized the charm of it. A snowflake charm with a green gem in its center.

"F-Falco?" Claude said and the wyvern nodded and Flayn squeaked as Nagi zoomed out of Hana's feather along with Shirou.

Nagi jumped and down excitedly as Falco looked at them with a half-lidded gaze. Shirou barked happily and ran circles around him till Falco snorted, making him whine but stop.

"T-That's Falco?!" Lorenz croaked, "H-How?! He's three times a regular male wyverns size?!"

Falco let out a low growl but rolled his eyes.

Marianne blinked.

"He says that this is the size of a mature Fernyiges who has reached adulthood." Marianne said as they looked surprised, "My...Crest allows me to speak to animals like Sadi and Hapi."

"You can understand what they are saying?" Lorenz said and the woman nodded, "I must say, that's impressive." Marianne's turned a bit red.

"So Fernindad was telling the truth. Falco was here." Lysithea said as she walked up to the wyvern, "But why are you here? Shouldn't you be with Jeralt and the others?"

"Ggggggrrr..." A low growl and Marianne translated.

"He said...He was protecting his friend, like the others." Marianne translated, "That..." Falco growled again, "He has been keeping away The Agarthans trying to harvest...bones and ice sapphires?" That confused the woman.

"Ice sapphires?" Hilda said, "I know Ice sapphires are a type of mineral that grows in extreme cold in the mountains of Albinea and Faerghus. They are very difficult to get a hold of and are worth around 200,000 gold coins. And that's just one the size of a crystal ball. One the size of a marble is worth 20,000 gold coins." She explained, "They have magical properties and are used for making magic weapons. I know all this because as someone of part of a House that owns multiple mines, it's required for us to learn this." She explained as the others nodded.

"Yes..." Marianne nodded, "Claude, I noticed you staring at my gloves earlier. Specifically the blue gems on them." She said the archer nodded.

"They are Ice Sapphires, aren't they?" Marianne nodded, "I'm guessing your father gave them to you."

"No." Marianne said, "It was Alexandra..." the group looked at her shocked, "I received these three years ago on the day of the ball. She told me it was to help me learn to control my magic. And so I won't have to carry a tome all the time." She explained, "But, Falco, I don't understand what you mean by harvesting bones."

Another series of growls and grunts, this time Marianne became pale.

"W-What? T-That's horrible!" Marianne said and the group looked at her to elaborate, "The skeleton we saw earlier! Falco said that the enemy was trying to sneak into the forest to harvest the bones and turn them into a weapon!" Claude narrowed his eyes.

There was only one sick individual who would do such a thing…

"Does the name, Pittacus sound familiar?" Claude said and Falco hissed, "Looks like I was right. That witch is back. And if she's trying to sneak in here, it means she has recovered from the injuries Chris did to her. She probably even got a new body." He sighed and looked at Falco.

"Falco, I know you are trying to protect this place but we're looking for Alexandra. She's here...Isn't she?" Claude said and the wyvern narrowed his eyes, "Please, takes us to her. We...sigh..." the man sighed, "we just want to bring her home."

Zahra chirped to the wyvern and Falco snorted and then turned away, earning himself a glare from the female wyvern. Zahra barked at the giant wyvern and Claude swore that Falco looked nervous then the white wyvern roared and Falco roared back. The group at this point was confused at what was going on between the two, except Marianne who had her cheeks puffed out, desperately trying not to laugh.

"Um...Mari? Do understand what is going on?" Hilda said as Marianne nodded but was trembling at this point as the two wyverns were arguing with each other.

Even Hilda's wyvern was starting to look bored along with Lorenz's. Flayn's kinshi lowered its head and folded its wings over itself as Marianne's pegasus and Lysithea's just gazed at each other with bored looks and rolled their eyes. Shirou was just confused as Nagi went back to Flayn. Falco huffed and turned his head away but that was a mistake. Zahra lunged and bit his hind legs, sending the giant wyvern roaring and whimpering as the female huffed and snorted.

"Hahahahahahah!" Marianne burst out laughing and held her stomach and Claude was processing what had just happened because the action of biting the hind leg is something only the female wyvern can do...to their mates when they are angry or disaffiliated with them.

"Since when is Falco your mate?!" Claude yelled and the two wyverns looked at him with a half-lidded gaze then snorted and looked back at each other, "Don't ignore me!"

Falco growled and one glare from Zahra made the wyvern huff and nod. After recovering from her laughter, Marianne wiped her tears and spoke.

"H-He'll take us to her...Haha..." the woman tried to calm down what she witnessed was too much for her.

"I have never heard you laugh so much. It's good to see you smile." Lorenz said and Marianne looked down to the ground, her face turning pink.

Hilda just looked back and forth between the two and huffed, crossing her arms. She knew what was going on. Still, she smiled a bit, happy for her friends.

"So, what did Falco say?" Flayn asked and Marianne giggled.

"I can't say for a reason but just know that they were arguing like a married couple." A strangled cry was heard from Claude, "Also, Falco will now take us to the shrine. That's where he sensed Alexandra."

Finally, they were going to see her.

- The imperial year 1182: Three months after the death of Duke Oswald -

"Everything that is going on, now we have to worry about monsters attacking our territories!"

"Lord Claude, we must mobilize the army and fortify our defenses!"

"Reports are showing that monster waves consist of strange undead creatures! We have a suspicion that it could be the use of dark magic and necromancy!"

"Casualties are a total of 250! Citizens, 150. We must prepare should another sudden attack happens!"

Arguing in The Roundtable was almost an everyday occurrence but this time it was for a valid reason. It happened all of a sudden. The day was normal, everything was going smoothly when suddenly the sun disappeared, the sky turned red along with the sun, and the undead began to emerge from the ground and attacked the city. No one was prepared. Soldiers and fighters were called left and right at the sudden attack, doing everything they could to defend and protect the citizens. Judith commanded her army to help the citizens escape to the boats as she fought. Leonie had arrived at Derdriu just in the nick of time and aided in defending and defeating the monsters.

What felt like hours only lasted 20 minutes. The last of the demonic beast that managed to enter the city were killed but Claude was furious. Claude wore a wooden, draconic ally-inspired chest piece on top of a gilded, long black tunic tied with an ascot at the collar and a short black cape with golden insides. He raised Failnught and aimed, his anger at that moment seeped into his charge attack and unleashed on the strange monster with a stone body, obliterating it. The monster screamed and turned to dust, and the remaining ones disintegrated. Silence fell on the city and the red sky turned blue once more...

But what was the point of celebrating when so many were lost? Claude yelled out instructions on what to do. First, he ordered that the medical and mages tend to the wounded, Manuela was put in charge of that along with Edward and Robert. Next Leonie, Ignatz, and Raphael were to give out food and clothing to the people. Lysithea, Boey, and Silque were to help once in organizing supplies. Lastly, Lorenz, Hilda, and himself were in charge of commanding the army.

"Sir!" A soldier came running and Claude turned to them, "At the gates, a woman of the clans' named Selkie is here looking for you!" He and the group ran as fast as they could.

Quickly they arrived at the gates and sure enough, the Kitsune woman was there, waving her hand and jumping excitedly but what threw him and the others off was the number of people with her.

"Heeey! It's been a while!" Selkie yelled out as her father shook his head, "Come on, pops!"

"What's you all doing here?" Hilda said, shocked, "Did something happen?"

"Where is Claude von Reigan?" Kaden said and Claude stepped forward.

"It's been a while, Lord Kaden." Claude bowed politely as the other leader did the same, "What do I owe the visit?"

"We're here to help!" Selkie spoke, "The Alliance, Kingdom, and Empire, have also suffered monster attacks." She said and they looked at her shocked.

"Allow me to explain." Kaden sighed, "Just like my daughter said, all three nations were attacked today. These monster waves were created by Anacharis." He said and a shiver ran down Claude's spine, "She is bored. She is doing this to toy with you all."

"What did you just say?" Lorenz said, "You're saying, that…woman attacked all three nations because he was bored?!" Kaden unfortunately nodded.

"It's not just them..." Selkie said, "She sent monster attacks to the borders of Sreng, Almyra, and Duscur. Thankfully those three were able to hold them off but the rest of Fodlan is a different story. It now involves us of The Clans." She said.

"That's right." Kaden said, "The Clans of Leicester Alliance have come here to officially announce that we will be joining you in this war. We have come to aid you and rebuild." He said and everyone but Selkie was shocked.

"What's changed?" Claude said, "For many years, The Clans did not involve themselves in human affairs. What's happened?" he said and Kaden gritted his teeth but spoke.

"The Sages have been attacking and kidnapping our people. Them doing such a thing is a declaration of war. The Clans of Faerghus will be joining hands with the King of Faerghus. As for The Clans of the Empire, they declared that they will help protect the people but will not join hands with Emperor Edelgard. They will remain neutral." He said and Claude nodded.

"Very well." Claude said and turned to his soldiers, "They have come to aid us! We welcome the leaders of The Clans and their people!" He declared.

Rebuilding and aiding went smoothly. There was some uneasiness because it was the first time the people of The Alliance have seen so many non-humans in the place. It will take some time for people to adjust. Those that lost their lives were collected and given proper funerals. A giant bonfire was made at the center of the city for people to stay warm. Claude let go of a sigh as he stood at one of the watch towers, looking out to the field where soldiers continued to put up spiked fences.

"It's only going to become harder from here."

He glanced behind him and saw it was Lorenz. The purple-haired man smiled bitterly as he stood by his side.

"I spoke with my father. The other territories were attacked as well. Thankfully causalities were kept to a minimum but still...lives were lost. At the moment, all we can do is aid the common folk." Lorenz said as he crossed his arms, "I saw you become pale when Lord Kaden mentioned a woman named Anacharis." Claude smiled bitterly, "She was the one you met that day...wasn't it?"

"Nothing ever gets by you." Claude laughed dryly, "Yeah. It was her...I've never been so avarice in my life. Now hearing that she is the one responsible for the attack all because she was bored...Now I understand why Flayn said she was treating this war like a game." He sighed.

"But on the front, the possibilities are endless. No matter how many tricks I got in my pockets, there's still this lingering worry I can't shake." Claude said and Lorenz was stunned hearing the archer say that.

"I am surprised that you sharing your anxieties like this. Is this another scheme to going my trust?" Lorenz said and Claude looked at him offended, "Alright, Alright. Somehow I have a feeling you are being sincere. You haven't been like that since we left the academy." He said as Claude sighed.

"Can blame me or any of us? Compared to what we went through back then, this..." he extended his hand to show the scene before them, "is a whole new level of madnesses."

"Indeed, it is. But somehow...I feel we were somewhat prepared. The lessons the professor taught us. The survival training Amir put us through. The magic lessons and controlling the power of our crest from Christian. And Alexandra, who taught us history we did not know." He said and Claude smiled bitterly.

"You're right."

- Present Time -

"What happened to those that snuck in?" Claude asked as they arrived at the entrance of the shrine.

Falco growled and grunted as Marianne looked a bit spooked by whatever he said.

"Falco said that he killed all those who tried to break into the shrine or invade the forest." The woman said and everyone gulped.

Claude's eyes zoomed on the wyvern's talon especially and at its horns. The horns especially looked more sharp and pointed, and the bit of light, made the scales on them shine black, red, and blue, depending on the angle you would see it. Falco led them in, chirping, a signal that everyone understood to stay close. For Flayn, the last time she was in the shrine was near the end of The War of Heroes. She remembered when she tried to enter the forest...a bitter memory it was...

[—]

"What is this place?" Lorenz was awed as they walked through the frozen temple, "I had no idea such a place existed in The Frost Forest." He said as Claude stopped in front of a stone altar covered in snow.

"I mean...not many people know about this place. Everyone in Fodlan avoids The Frost Forest. I heard stories about it as a kid but this is my first time here. There's this...unsettling wave of sadness I feel over this place." Lysithea said as she instructed the will-oh-wisp to not stray too far.

Claude remained silent as he placed his hand on the stone altar and wiped away the snow. On it, were craved words.

"In memory of an old friend. Imperial year...86. Lord of Ice and Snow...Rest in peace, Cirina."

At that moment, unbestowed to him, ghost crimson eyes suddenly snapped open and looked at him with pure hatred. Claude and the others suddenly felt their lives were in danger and quickly pulled out their weapons. Not one was around them yet it felt like they were being watched. Falco along with the other animals began growling or hissing. The spirit of the temple began to circle them in the shadows, grinning wickedly.

"Hehehe~"

Giggles.

Giggling suddenly echoed all around them, something was moving as the shows could be somewhat seen in the reflections. The four stood back to back, as the ice temple suddenly looked like mirrors circling them, coming closer. The temperature also was dropping.

"Liar~ Liar~ Liar~ You don't care...You don't care. In the end, just like Roman, you'll kill her also...Hehehehe~"

The sentence kept repeating over and over again. A sense of overwhelming guilt filled Claude but why? Why did the spirit or whoever it was chanting kept saying the name of his ancestor? Why did the voice sound familiar if this was his first time hearing it?"

"Everything is a liar..."

The whisper was suddenly right next to his ear.

Claude quickly pulled out the dagger he had in his sleeve and slashed behind him, only to see no one. The giggling didn't stop and faded away, leaving them all on high alert. Flayn gritted her teeth and suddenly stepped forward, raising her relic high in the air.

"Purify!" She yelled and light burst from its gems, making the group cover her eyes.

"AAAHHHHHHHHHH! YOU BITCH!" The voice of a possessed woman screamed and went away.

Flayn glared as her arm went down and looked around. The inside of the temple was built similarly to the holy mausoleum minus the stone coffins. Instead, there were many headstones with names carved into them. Each one represented an individual that fought in Cirina's army. Cirina made it her life mission to know the name of every single soldier in her arm as well as their faces. Even when she crashed, with what little life she had, she used her memories to create the marble headstones, each with the name of the individuals that lost their lives. And a new one would appear each time one passed away. The final individual of her army was laid to rest on the day Nemesis was slain.

Lastly, at the far end, was a statue of Cirina. The statue was built similarly to the four saints but unlike them, it was never maintained. The gold had lost its shine to time and had become dull. The statue was of a woman with her tome in her left hand and Skadi-Ondurgud in the other, the relic raised. She wore the armor of a Magil Knight, her long hair was tied in a high ponytail, long curled bangs that framed her slender face and she wore a crown that looked like icicles. And from her back, sprouted dragon wings.

There…was this strange feeling. As if the statue was looking down at them, watching their every movement.

Flayn's eyes finally landed in a corner and waved at the group to come. There, covered in a thin layer of ice, she smashed it using her staff, revealing a stone staircase that led down. But first, Lorenz lit the torch that was next to it.

"How many floors those this place have?" Marianne asked as Falco snorted, "So three more?"

"Oh, great." Hilda whined, "You're telling me we have to keep going?" She said and looked down, "I don't wanna! This place gives me the creeps!"

"But what was that earlier? I'm pretty sure we all heard a woman curse at Flayn after she used purification magic." Lysithea said and Flayn placed her hand on her hips, glaring down at the staircase.

"And hearing her curse at me confirms our suspicions." Flayn said and turned to them, "The spirit that guards this place confirms that Alexandra is here. And she is trying to keep us from getting to her." She said and they looked at her worried.

"Then more of a reason to get to Alexandra." Claude said, "You...seem to know this spirit."

"I do." Flayn sighed, "She has been with Alexandra since she was born. And this spirit...holds a deep grudge against the descendants of The 11 Elites and Saints. So...everyone, be careful." She warned them as Falco growled.

"Falco said he'll fight with us. He has a score to settle with the spirit." Marianne said and the animals soon joined in, saying the same thing.

"Alright everyone...into the belly of the beast we go."

[—-]

The second underground floor of the shrine looked like it was once some sort of garden. If only the plants were alive but no. Tree roots that had found their way underground were frozen and covered in icicles. But even so, the place was beautiful in a strange haunting way. Yet, at the center of the giant space, was a willow tree that...strangely looked like it was alive and thriving. Its leaves were an iridescent blue, its bark white as pearls, and the cracks of it were light aquamarine. Around it was a type of flower that looked like lilies but its petals glowed blue. It was...such a sight.

"It's beautiful. But...why is such a place like this here?" Marianne said and then, noticed how pale Flayn had become, "Flayn, what's wrong?"

"We...We need to find the exit of this place, fast!" Flayn yelled but too late, the place started trembling along with laughter.

"Welcome to my domain! You think I'm going to let you make out this place in one piece?!"

A female voice cackled as Lysithea screamed as a pile of snow suddenly popped up and more and followed along.

"Won't allow you filthy sinners to get even one inch closer to Alexandra! Come forth my army! Souls of snow!" The voice roared and the snow began to melt and take the shape of men and women that were either mages, berserkers, archers, or gremories and the list continued.

"Wait, I've seen this before," Lorenz said as a memory from the past resurfaced from his days in the academy.

"These are your opponents," Alexandra said as she touched the ground, and as she rose, a pile of snow grew and took on the shape of a person.

The shape it took on was that of a man in the fighter class. It held a dull axe made of ice but it bowed to her and then she turned to them.

"These are puppets that I created using my magic. As you can see," she turned to a puppet that spun its axe and got in a fighting position, "I made them so they could fight. Of course, this is a beginner-level one. Your goal is to pinpoint its weakness and strike that area." She turned back to them, "Should you achieve that, the puppet will shatter, meaning you won the sparring match." She explained the process.

"Teacher!" Fernindad raised his hand and she nodded, "I must ask, will we all be going against different opponents?"

"Correct." Alexandra said, "I will be creating a puppet for each of you. And each puppet will be based on your weak points and areas you need improvement on." She said and crossed her arms, "Your goal, last five minutes and pinpoint the weakness. For this, I made the weak points all in the same area." Alexandra said as her gaze became half-lidded with a mysterious smile.

"Observe your opponent. Watch their body language. You'll be surprised how open they truly are, once you know where to look."

"HYA!" Lorenz yelled and thrust his lance at the shoulder of a Berserker ice puppet. The puppet shattered upon impact and then spun his heel and hit the center of the chest of a mage, then twisted his body to thrust at the thigh of a mercenary and threw his lance at the chest of an ice wyvern.

Those he got, shattered to pieces and he raised his hand, calling back his lance. He took a deep breath and Marianne was right behind him.

"Marianne, I need you to give Thyrsus to Lysithea," Lorenz said and the woman looked at him surprised as the battle continued.

"What?! But you need Thyrsus!" She said and blocked an arrow that came their way.

"Magic attacks won't do much against our foes!" Lorenz said and spun his lance once more and slashed in half a Bow Knight, "But physical attacks will! Do you still have your Aura Knuckles?!" Marianne was shocked by him knowing that but nodded, "Good!"

"I want you all to know physical self-defense." Arisa said as all those of the main classes were surprised while a few were excited, and then there was Hilda who whined, "I know you are all either terrified or excited but this will be helpful." She said.

"There will be times when you won't have a weapon are your disposable. Not even tome or in the worst case scenario, your magic is cut off. That's," Arisa and Chris faced each other, and placed their feet shoulder-width apart.

Their hands are up just above chin height. They made a fist and their elbows tucked into their sides, "Where brawling and boxing come in!" And Arisa threw a punch and Chris dodged, then threw a punch as she put her arms up to guard herself.

They repeated it quite a few times before slowly movements became more advanced from punches to kicks, and Arisa suddenly spun her body, jumped, and threw a fly kick.

"You weren't supposed to do that!" Chris yelled and Arisa quickly apologized, "No, it's fine. Even I was about to get into the fight." He sighed.

"RRRAAAHH!" Flayn, Hilda, and Lysithea roared as they threw uppercuts at their foes and then twisted their bodies, kicking at them to break them to pieces.

Claude had also turned to physical attacks and at the moment, used Failnaught to launch a charge attack at the archer, blowing it to smithers.

From deep underground where Cirina had Alexandra, the spirit was seething as her ice army was being obliterated by the descendants of The Elites and Flayn. She made it specifically that her puppets could not be melted with magic. Even Falco was helping them fight.

"Traitor." Cirina hissed as they defeated the last of the puppets, "Fine then. I'll let you have this victory."

"That's the last one!" Lorenz yelled as the relic in his hand, The Axe of Ukonvasara, slammed down on a Grappler, "Lysithea, how's Thyrsus working for you!?" He yelled and he was shocked to see the woman cackling as she unleashed a wave of dark spikes on some battalions of Tricksters, "Never mind."

"That's all of them." Claude panted and wanted to sit on the floor, as the group gathered together, "Huff...Huff...I need a minute!" The man gasped for air as he used Zahra for support while Falco just gave him a disappointed look.

"I have to admit, fighting those was a nice workout." Hilda said as she wiped her brow, "I didn't think we have to fight like that. The Professor's self-defense class paid off." She grinned.

"Easy for you to say!" Claude glared along with Flayn and Lorenz, "I've never punched so much in my life!" Flayn cried out as Marianne handed Lorenz her canteen and Lysithea to her.

"Ha! To think you got worn out so quickly! You've changed. You're getting weak...heh."

The female voice rang all over the room and the group was quickly on guard.

"And this is only the second floor. You have two more floors. Honestly, I'm surprised you survived. Everyone always dies on this floor." Cirina chuckled as she watched from a shard of ice.

"Is this all a game to you?!" Flayn yelled, "Let us take Alexandra home!"

"Home...Home..." Cirina hummed, "Does she really have a home?" She said and leaned closer to the reflection, "Or are you all seeking her only to use her? Or even investigate her behind her back?" She said and saw how Claude became still.

"You're the spirit that attack my guard three years ago," Claude said and Cirina grinned.

"So you finally realized it, Claude." Cirina sneered, "Indeed. How is that woman by the way? Does she still have scars from my burns?"

"You!" Claude growled as the woman burst out laughing, "None of this is funny!"

"Really?" Cirina said, "Say, humans who bear the blood of sinners, do you all recognize the floor you are all in? Or maybe felt something familiar of it?" She said.

"We've never been here before!" Lysithea yelled, "And I have a suspicion of who you are! Emily told me about you!" She said and Cirina stopped.

"Aunt Noa...Did she know?" Cirina thought and shook her head, "Like I would believe the words of a child." She said and Lysithea gritted her teeth, "You all may not recognize it but Flayn does." She grinned.

"Flayn, you know this place?" Claude said and Flayn gulped but nodded, "What is it?"

"This place...is where Cirina's parents were married." She said and Cirina burst out laughing as the others kept looking around.

"Right you are. This place is a recreation of ice, formed using the Dragon Veins under this land. Let me tell you all a story," Cirina walked as it sounded like heels clicking around them, "Many years ago, there once was a woman and her brother. The two were banished from their homeland because they opposed the war. One day, they traveled through the lands and came across an injured dragon. The dragon of ice, looked at them coldly, believing they would kill him. But no. The two siblings healed the dragon." She said and the shards of ice on the ground began to take shape and show the story as she spoke.

"The dragon asked them, Why? You are Agarthans. Your people at war with mine and the Goddess." The dragon said and the woman shook her head.

"Dragon, not all of us wish for war. My brother and I along with many others were banished from our land because we opposed the war. We wish for peace with your people and others. The woman said and the dragon was skeptical but nodded." She said as the ice dragon flapped its wings and lowered its head.

"Very well. I can sense you and your brother are honest." Cirina said, "Come. I want you to tell what you told me to the goddess. The Dragon took the two siblings to the city where the goddess and her children lived. The Goddess at first was confused and even told the ice dragon he was bold for bringing two Agarthans to their land. But the woman did as she was told. She told the goddess what had happened in her home, that many others were banished for opposing war. That those banished were now branded and called Exiles. The Sages have been killing their people for opposing and speaking out against the war. The Goddess knew that they were telling the truth. So she made a decision. She granted those banished asylum." She finished and turned back to the crystal ball.

"If you want to hear the rest of the story, let's hope you survive the third floor," Cirina said and waved her hand, the second floor, and then the floor disappeared.

"AAAAHHHHHHH!" The group screamed as they fell into the darkness but Cirina's laugh echoed all around them and their mounts suddenly disappeared.

"Good luck. You're going to need it.

[—]

"AAHHHHH!"

SPLASH!

Blue.

Nothing but blue as far as the eye could see as Claude felt like water was seeping into his lungs. His lungs burned and he mustered his strength, forcing himself to swim up, where he could see the light. He swam, and swam, the more he did, till finally, he reached the light. But...

"Look! Hahaha! The half-breed survived!"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Gasp!" He gasped for air as he was suddenly pulled out of the water, gasping and panting, looking around frantically.

He could hear muffled voices yelling at each other till his eyesight adjusted and he felt warm hands holding his cheeks. Brown eyes looked at him worried and then angrily turned to look at a group of kids.

"What's is wrong with you all?!" The voice...no...

"I-Inami?" Claude rasped but was more shocked to find his voice was at a higher pitch and most of all, his hand was smaller, as well as his body, but most of all, what should have been an adult woman, was now 15 years old that lunged at a group of kids.

"You punks! Do this again I'll report you all to father!" Inami roared as the kids, now he realized we were his half-siblings, ran for their lives.

He spotted one with a broken nose, and the other with a black eye. Inami with a busted lip but went up to him, and threw a towel to his face.

"Get dried." Inami huffed, "You should go to Nader's self-defense class." The girl said and put the small packet in his hands, "Make sure to fight next time." She said and left.

Claude didn't know what to say or do as he watched the girl walk away. He turned back to where he was thrown and gasped, kneeling as he gently touched his face. Looking back at him was not a young man of 21 years, but a young boy of eight years old. Dark brown hair that was currently wet and frizzy, emerald eyes, and wore a black shirt that was currently stuck to him with pants and a green headband tied around his head.

"What is this?" The boy whispered then sneezed, feeling the cold, "I...should head back."

[—]

"Jasper did a number on you." Inami said as she treated the cut on his shoulder and Mahatma was helping by wrapping some bandages on his right knee, "Khalid, what happened?"

"Hm...they were saying I should have stayed in Fodlan." Khalid said as Inami became still for a moment.

Her gaze became half-lidded and continued to treat him then spoke.

"Do you have a dream?" She asked and Khalid looked at her confused, "Do you have a dream?" She repeated.

"A dream..." Khalid muttered and thought for a moment, "I guess...being able to be accepted without getting yelled at would be nice." He said and Inami nodded.

"Hmm...Say, who is Alexandra?" She said and Khalid froze and slowly turned to look at her with a frightened expression as his brother just raised an eyebrow and his sister grinned, "Alexandra! Alexandra! You call out her name in your sleep!"

"I do not!" Khalid screeched as his sister finished and skipped around excitedly, "Abji, please! Don't tell mom! I'm begging you, I'll never live it down!"

"Don't worry I won't!" Inami said, "After all!" she grinned.

"You're going to kill her anyway!"

The scene suddenly changed and this time he held a dagger, covered in blood as his hand trembled. But the dagger was lodged into something, no...someone's chest as he slowly looked up and saw himself. No, this person was a much older version with a beard, his skin was light tan, and his hair longer. A sob escaped his lips as his older self coughed blood and smiled sadly, a trembling hand rose and touched his cheek.

"M-My son...It's okay...I...know why you did this." The older man said, "Serios will...be here any moment..." he coughed.

"D-Dad..." he sobbed as the older man leaned in a bit, and whispered in his ear, "Cirina...never...betrayed anyone. She...protected all of us. M-My journals...they are..." his eyes widened as the man finished whispering and looked at him shocked.

Suddenly, a door burst open and knights came pouring in but they all stood to the side. A woman who looked like Rhea, dressed in battle regalia and a winged headdress, looked down at the scene coldly but gasped in shock seeing the young man stand up and set the older man down gently.

He wiped his tears and glared at the woman before throwing the dagger on the floor.

"I finished him, so you wouldn't." The young man spat and Saint Serios took a deep breath to control her breathing.

"Young Romani...you..." Serios let out a heavy breath and nodded, "Where is Failnaught?"

"Hold on," Romani said, "Will you keep the end of your deal? No harm will fall on my family?"

"Of course." Serios said, "Your mother and siblings are innocent. The only one I wanted dead was your father. That is all. And the books I asked for?" She said and Romani thought of his father's words.

"The ones Serios wants...They are fake. The real ones...are hidden where I told you. She will try to erase the truth. Do not let the sky hide the darkness."

"Over there," Romani said and pointed to the trunk.

Serios nodded and had a knight open it. Inside was a pile of books along with Failnaught. Serios fell to her knees and gently cradled the bow in her arms, whispering "It's okay...it's time for you to go home. It's okay..." she whispered and again the scene changed once more but this time, it was...a very odd one.

He was in some sort of crowd. Men and women wearing strange clothing all black, but it was the woman next to him that was dressed in a lab coat, glasses, and crimson hair tied in a messy bun. Her dull brown eyes were looking at the man giving some sort of speech and when he was done the crowd dispersed. The woman with crimson hair let out a heavy sigh as she walked to a desk and sat down. Claude was curious about who this woman was. Specifically, the place she was in he had never seen before. There are strange things with glowing and moving images on them. Men and women went back in forth with documents and other things he had never seen.

"Hey, Theresa!"

Theresa looked up from her work and saw a woman with black hair also tied in a bun, wearing a black trench coat and fedora. The woman smiled a bit and held some sort of paper cup with a cap towards Theresa.

"Thank you, Unique." Theresa said and took a sip, "Huh...I'm surprised you got me a caramel one."

"You've been working a lot lately with this recent murder case. Anything strange found on the body?" Unique said and Theresa smirked a bit.

"Our victims had drunk before they were murdered. We also found something you wouldn't see in a person at the bar." Theresa said and handed the woman bag with some see-through material.

"Cement powder..." Unique said, "There was a construction sight about 20 minutes from the alleyway we found the victim. Guess I'll call the boys and start looking there." She said and Theresa nodded.

"Hey, thanks." Unique said and Theresa smiled, "No, seriously. I'm glad you're doing better." She said, "It's...been 10 years since Arisa passed. 8 for Sophia and Iris. 7 for Edith and her brother." She said and Theresa smiled bitterly.

"How's Christian by the way?" She asked.

"He's doing alright. He recently got a job at the engineering department downtown." Theresa said and Unique nodded.

The scene suddenly shattered and it turned to night, rain falling hard in some sort of alleyway filled with garbage and cans but it was the haunting ear-piercing scream wail that made Claude feel cold. He kept walking, searching for where the cry had come from. All he saw were bricks, some sort of loud sound blasting all around, and the pattering of rain. And a rat that ran by. But finally, he found the scene as blood streamed in his direction. There on the ground, was the woman named Theresa, wailing loudly and surrounded by people dressed in black. But the woman in her arms, he recognized was the woman Unique. Her eyes were lifeless as blood poured from her lips, but it was the wounds on her chest that made Claude feel sick.

One of the people dressed in black knelt, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Theresa...We...We're sorry we couldn't make it on time." They said as Theresa sobbed.

"Those people..." She spoke, "They work for the one that killed the murder victim...aren't they?" She said and a man looked at her worried but nodded.

"Yes. Why?" He said and suddenly a weird laugh began to escape Theresa's lips and it became a cackle, "Theresa?"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Theresa burst into a fit of dark laughter, it was the most haunting thing Claude had ever heard but...no...he heard that laughter before.

No...he was present when that laughter was heard.

"Sergio." Theresa's laughter suddenly came to halt and she spoke, "Take her. I got business I need to take off." She said and carefully set down her friend, "Don't worry. This will all be over." She whispered and began to walk away.

"Theresa, wait!" Sergio called out and she stopped, "Don't do anything reckless! We understand you are angry but please! We can't lose you too!" He said and The woman only glanced his way.

"Oh don't worry. I'm going to make sure—-"

"Claude..."

"Claude..."

"CLAUDE!"

"GASP!"

Claude's eyes snapped open and she gasped for air. His lungs felt full, and he could breathe again but he coughed violently as he frantically sat up. But on the side was Hilda, who let out a sigh of relief and hugged him.

"Oh thank the goddess, you're okay!" Hilda wept, "I thought I lost you! You were frozen in ice! Literally!" She said and Claude looked around to see the room.

Besides them, was Zahra, Falco, Hilda's Wyvern: Cupcake. Lysithea's Pegasus: Hershey. Flayn's Kinshi: Hana, Lorenz's Wyvern: Mobius along with Shirou and Nagi. But it was the room that made Claude reel back. Hundreds if not thousands of crystals and shards of ice played different moving images. Some were blurred while others were clear.

"What is this place?" Claude said as Hilda helped him stand up.

"I don't know but I don't like it." Hilda said, "I was trapped in one of these originally and managed to break out. I think...this place is a memory trap. Making us relive memories we want to forget." Hilda said as Claude coughed.

"Did you break me out?" Claude said and Hilda nodded.

"I did. Punched that thing till it cracked!" Hilda said proudly, "But," she looked at him worried, "I'm surprised to learn you have siblings." Of course, she saw some of his childhood, "So you're half-Almyran..." Claude smiled bitterly.

"Are you angry?" He said and Hilda sighed, shaking her head.

"No. I...understand why you hid it. I...understand now." Hilda whispered as she looked down to the ground, "The way I spoke of the people of the east...looking back on it...and my childhood...I am the worst, aren't I?" Hilda smiled painfully.

"Hilda...what did you see before you broke free?" Claude said as Hilda was looking at a memory shard.

The memory shard was showing her happily eating a cake as Almyran children that were captured at the front lines looked at her plate of food with a sense of longing. At that moment, Claude understood.

"It was so obvious they were suffering...and I ignored it..." Hilda said, "No…I didn't know. My family always told me they were just servants. To think it was said that way to get around the rule of no slavery in The Alliance." The woman cried as she wiped her tears.

"Hilda…" Claude whispered, "There is…a lot to talk about. Would you prefer we talk of it now or when we return home?" He asked carefully because somehow…he can sense the woman was emotionally unstable.

Her entire view of the world was shattered. From away, Cirina scoffed as she crossed her arms. There was a reason why she was also emotionally and psychologically attacking them. The mental games all had a purpose, to test their will and faith. The battles coming in the future will either break or make them. She wanted to test their resolve. Hilda, the girl had been sheltered her entire life, protected from the ugly of the world till a certain year. And that was the year she met Amir. That year an assassin broke into House Goneril and tried to assassinate Hilda's mother. Hilda was with her at that time and the girl was caught in between.

However, Hilda managed to get a hold of a utensil knife and stabbed it into the throat of the assassin. The sheltered little girl's world was shattered that day and it continued to be shattered over the years as she grew. Now, another mental slap to the face was done to her. The reality of House Goneril has slaves. That they were the people of Almyra that were captured at the borders after the battles. And Cirina made her relive the memories of the times her brother and parents tried to steer her away from the truth. But this time, Cirina didn't let it happen. She had the people that Hilda tried to talk to in the past to not be interrupted, making her hear and learn of the harsh realities that were hidden away in her home.

Hilda was made to listen to the harsh and horrible labor the people go through. That they get no pay, that they don't have a choice, that they have no way of leaving or returning home, suffering from harm. That they weren't even treated as humans.

"No..it's fine." Hilda said, "I now understand why Cyril was offended when I called him one of the good Almyrans…" She sighed and looked at him seriously, "I need to speak with my father when we return. House Goneril must change." Her crest appeared in her eyes.

Claude felt proud of Hilda at that moment.

"Change is possible."

[—]

The more they walked, the more memory shards there were. But they were becoming more blurred each time as if someone was missing memories. But it felt wrong to look at something that should remain private.

"What do you think is the purpose of this?" Hilda said as they walked, "Whatever the spirit is reeeaaalllyy doing a good job at torturing us." She said and Claude sighed.

"I don't know. They are doing everything they can to keep us from getting to Alexandra. I just want to bring her home." He said and suddenly the two stopped at a memory shard.

On it, was Lorenz sitting at his mother's bedside. Duchess Gloucester was smiling weakly as Lorenz cried and held her hand.

"Oh!" Hilda gasped, "I think...this is the memory of when his mother passed." She said and Claude looked shocked, "Lorenz's...father was very private of the matter. Only my father and a few others knew." She said and the crystal shard suddenly wavered.

The scene changed and it showed Lorenz covering his mouth, tears streaming from his eyes as he hid in some sort of cupboard. He was trembling and shaking but also...they could see he was looking through a crack seeing a maid and a person in a cloak, talking.

"Duchess Glouster is dead now. Took three years but the poison finally took her life away. I made sure no traces were left." The maid said as the individual in the cloak nodded.

"Nice job. Anything else you found?" The man said and the maid shook her head, "I see. Keep an eye on this place." And the man disappeared along with the maid.

Once gone, Lorenz crawled out of the place, stunned by what he had just heard.

"Mother...was poisoned?" He whispered and suddenly he could not see it but a translucent figure smiled wickedly and began whispering in his ear.

"The shard is suddenly turning black!" Hilda said and Claude quickly looked back to the shard and saw Lorenz enraged as the voice whispered in his ear.

"They took her from you. Poisoned. Hunt them down. Make them suffer." The voice kept whispering and the black fog was spreading but Claude knew...it wasn't right.

No...the painful memories were being tainted on purpose. The spirit was trying to make them succumb to their grief and pain.

"LORENZ!" Claude yelled, "Lorenz! This isn't you!" He yelled and the translucent woman grinned seeing him, "Lorenz! Your mother wouldn't want you to go down the such path! Lorenz!" He yelled and Hilda joined.

"Lorenz, please!' She yelled and more of the memory shards started to turn black, "Lorenz please!"

"No matter how much you call out to him, he won't listen." Cirina thought as she smiled and her translucent hands covered Lorenz's eyes, "All you need to do to trigger such emotions is to bring forth the most painful memory. I failed with Claude and Hilda, but there is a much more valuable prize here." She smiled but then frowned.

"But why did Alexandra's memories as Theresa leak into Claude's? No...even Romani's memories did. What the hell is going on?" She thought as she ignored the two calling out Lorenz's name.

"Lysithea was drowning in her despair of losing her siblings but seems Arisa's memory of saving her triggered her to wake up. A few more minutes before she breaks free along with Flayn. Well...I couldn't break those four. But this one..." She giggled as Lorenz's emotions became more muddled, "You really cared about your mother...didn't you?"

"Mother..." Lorenz growled, "They will pay...They will...pay..." he snarled as the emotions were becoming more tainted but Cirina suddenly screamed as she was pushed away.

A warm sensation suddenly surrounded Lorenz and the crystal shards that were turning black suddenly started to turn white. In the next moment, they shattered, and out fell the man. Hilda and Claude quickly caught him as he gasped for air and tried to calm himself down.

"M-Mother...W-What happened?!" Lorenz said as he frantically looked around and saw Hilda on the verge of tears along with Claude who just hugged the man, "W-What is going on?"

"Nothing...Just...stay right there..." Claude said as Hilda just sobbed.

"Guys?"

The trio looked behind them and saw Flayn and Lysithea using each other as support. Both looked out of breath and had tear-stained cheeks.

"You're okay!" Hilda wailed, "Wait...where's Marianne?"

"Aaaaaarrghhhh!" Cirina's furious roar was heard all around them and it sounded like something was punched and then shattered, "You filthy...Arghhhh! You won...this round!" The woman snarled, "GET OUT!" And a doorway opened.

And right Marianne was looking around frantically for them and finally, she spotted them. Even her pegasus: Misha, was with her.

"Everyone!" Marianne yelled and the group quickly ran as fast as they could as the third floor began trembling and the shards started to shatter and aim at them. Lysithea help Thyrsus up to create a shield of fire, thankful it managed to melt most shards but a few still managed to pass.

"Argh!" Claude yelled as an ice shard penetrated his left shoulder and right thigh.

"Hurry!" Marianne yelled as the doorway became closer and at the last moment, the group roared and jumped through, and the door closed.

[—]

"Enough of this!" Sothis roared at Cirina as the spirit only crossed her arms and huffed, "They are to see Alexandra! They are to take her back on her birthday! Stop pulling this game! They are not The 10 Elites!" Her voice rang through an ice crystal.

"Oh, as if you didn't suffer betrayal!" Cirina yelled, "I will keep doing this till they fall! None of them are worthy! None of them!" She yelled and the crystal that Sothis spoke shattered.

Cirina panted, her breathing rapid as dark magic and flames started to swirl around her. The white around the eyes of the spirit began to turn black as crimson and blue scales began to form on her cheeks. Her nails began to turn to claws as the sound of bones popping could be heard. The hole in her chest began to poor blood as she buried her face in her hands.

"Fu...Fu...Ahahahaha!" Cirina threw her head back as tears of blood began to pour from her eyes, "To think the most ancient magic of all, Love, burned me! Oh, the man Lorenz, even beyond the grave, your Mother's love protected you!" She cackled madly.

"THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING! NONE OF THEM ARE WORTHY! THEY WILL ALL BETRAY ALEXANDRA JUST LIKE THEY DID TO ME!" Cirina screamed with an insane smile on her face.

"JUST WATCH! THEY WILL POINT THEIR BLADE AT THEIR OWN FRIENDS!"

[-]

"That's what happened." Claude said as they sat around a fire and Flayn finished treating him, "Whoever this spirit is...they truly know where the strike is." He muttered as the group was huddled together.

Claude stared at the fire with an emotionless expression. This spirit...was testing them psychologically and emotionally. The lengths they were going just to bring out the most painful of memories and make old buried emotions resurface...she was going to such lengths to keep them away from Alexandra. She kept calling them descendants of sinners. Did she have a connection to The 10 Elites?

"I do not like this at all." Lorenz spoke, "What does she gain from doing this to us? Especially after..." His lips became a thin line, "Sigh...I didn't think I relive such memories again..."

"Lorenz...was your mother's killer ever caught?" Lysithea asked carefully as Lorenz smiled bitterly.

"She was. After I heard everything, I waited a few days before I told my father. The maid did try to run but before my father could get her to talk, she set herself ablaze." Lorenz explained as the group listened, "Edward was called in to investigate. I even told him what I heard. He told me, I promise I will make the one you poisoned your mother pay." He let out another sigh.

"We... had brought up the topic recently. He suspects that the reason my mother was killed was to weaken Gloucester Territory. As for the man, he does not know yet." He said.

"Lorenz..." Marianne whispered and gently held his hand.

The man smiled softly.

"Sigh...We understand the feeling of loss." Lysithea said, "Those memories...I'm sure you all want to know what exactly happened in The Ordelia Massacre." She said and the group listened, "There was never a massacre." Everyone quickly sat up straight, "It was staged."

"What?" Everyone said and Lysithea groaned.

"You know what happened to my family during the Insurrection of The Seven, correct?" She said and they nodded, "Well, what you don't know is the aftermath. During that time, strange people — mages, perhaps — came and performed rituals on all the youth within my family. With the Empire monitoring our every move, my parents could do nothing but watch in horror as all of this unfolded. One after another, the children died, until the only one left...was me." Lysithea said as the group listened, horrified, "I never thought...I would be telling anyone this..."

Lysithea took deep breaths to calm her breathing as best she could.

She felt Flayn gently rub her back and smiled softly.

"My hair was not always like this..." Lysithea said as she touched her white hair that faded to pastel purple, "During their experiments, they'd been doing things with my blood. One morning, I awoke like this — a shock of white hair, all trace of pigment, gone. Upon seeing me, the mages were delighted. They realized that their experiments had finally succeeded. Losing pigment from my hair wasn't the only loss. The mages informed me that my lifespan was now greatly shortened. Five more years at most. Perhaps less." She whispered and Hilda along Marianne covered their mouth in horror.

"Odesse was one of the mages along with Pittacus." Lysithea said and suddenly a burning rage filled them all for their friend, "Shortly thereafter, the mages lost interest in me but...Pittacus and Odesse ordered their minions to stay. Every day people that were kidnapped were brought to the basements of Ordelia. They threatened that they would kill us all if we even attempted to ask for help. We did so anyway in secret. No one from the Alliance answered our calls. We were ignored. It's why I...have some bitter feelings towards the lords of this place." Lysithea said and the group was feeling guilty.

They remembered it so well. The countless times they would hear their parents and family members argue about helping the Ordelia household or not. Lysithea took another deep breath and continued.

"One day, someone did respond to our call for help. A woman named Noa told us to wait for them. They will help us in exchange we make a deal with them. We were desperate at this point so we accepted. Weeks passed and 48 hours before the event, help arrived." She said and looked at the, "Four individuals came. They came and helped us. They collected everything underground to use as evidence. What little fortune we had was transferred and they helped us escape. From there...we'll you all know the rest." Lysithea let go of breath as they nodded.

"Two bodies were found with a letter greatly detailing what was done to the Ordelia Household, as well as the identities of the bodies, the organization Those Who Slither in The Dark and exposing the crimes they did. It's what kicked off a lot of secret investigations." Claude said, "All the Alliance was turned upside down."

"I still remember everything." Flayn said, "A—-!"

Flayn didn't even have a chance to finish when the fourth and final floor started rumbling and everyone quickly started getting up. They looked around, seeing the room suddenly shift, and suddenly, they were all blinking in confusion. The room transformed into another place similar to the third floor. Floating shards of ice-playing memories floated all around them but the shards this time were black and blank. Not a single one of them had an image playing. But what was disturbing were the five mirrors that surrounded them.

Tink, tink, tink...

"Is that...piano I hear?" Marianne said and the sounds of the piano suddenly started to play in a slow and melodic tone.

But the notes, Flayn recognized them. She nearly yelled for everyone to cover their ears but suddenly it felt like she couldn't talk. Her voice wouldn't come out as she touched her throat but...

"I see water in the weak..." A voice began to sing but that made Flayn blink, "That isn't Cirina's voice." She thought as the voice kept singing.

"I see the weak in the water..." the voice sang, "I see early the tree..." and the mirrors began glowing and a blinding light hit them.

They covered their eyes but the light faded and they were all standing on a battlefield. Rain poured as blood spilled. Soldiers fought and fell to the ground as magic was sent at others. Dark skies and rain fell, and all they watched was a bloody nightmare.

"Play the roles...of the Elites in this game." Cirina smiled as she made sure no one could see her as she floated behind Marianne, "You'll make an excellent vessel for me for now." She said and went in.

The battlefield disappeared and was once again replaced with the earlier room. Only this time, Marianne's eyes turned crimson and became dull. Her head slumped for a bit before her eyes opened again and were blue. A smile formed on her lips and she spoke.

"What was that?" Marianne said as the group somewhat distanced themselves, "I've never heard a voice like that. It sounded...so sad." She said as they started to look around.

"Seriously, what is that spirit's game here?" Lysithea grumbled, "First she toys with us physically. Then she tortures us psychologically and emotionally, what's next?!" She threw her arms, she was starting to get tired.

"How about we check each of the shards? Perhaps there is some sort of clue?" Marianne said, "Flayn and Lysithea, you two stick together. Lorenz and Hilda, you two check that direction." Marianne pointed to the north and then south, "Claude, you and I can check this area."

"Sure," Claude said but he had this...very strange feeling looking at Marianne.

He didn't know why there was something that kept nagging him at the back of his mind as the two wandered around the place together. Claude touched one of the shards and jumped back a bit when it turned white, showing a memory.

"Oh my. Is that you and Alexandra?" Marianne was awed as she covered her mouth with one dainty hand.

The crystal shard showed Claude as a child playing hide and seek with Alexandra. The blue-haired girl cackled as she threw snowballs at him. Claude smiled fondly at it.

"We used to play a lot when we were kids. Jeralt would come to The Alliance from time to time. Brings back memories." Claude sighed as they continued to walk.

"Claude, I must ask, what are your feelings towards Alexandra?" Marianne said as the man raised an eyebrow, "S-She's a very important person to me! It's just...I don't her to get hurt." She said and Claude felt a path of guilt in his heart.

"I..." the archer sighed, "There are a lot of things that happen in life. I understand how you feel about not wanting someone you care about hurt. I don't want to hurt her either. I want Alexandra to be happy." Claude said and the shadows covered Marianne's eyes as he looked turned to look back at the shard.

"But...Claude? Why are you always chasing after her? Don't you think...you're being...a bit clingy?" Marianne said and that took Claude by surprise.

"You think I'm being clingy?" Claude said and Marianne flinched.

"W-Well, what would you do if she chooses someone else? Or is not happy with the decisions you make? Or, what if...you're hiding something from her because you believe she is the key to something? That you can't afford to lose her. You're always so close to her. Aren't you...being manipulative in a way?" Marianne said and Claude felt the nagging feeling grow.

"You think...I'm trying to use Alexandra?" Claude said and Marianne shifted nervously.

"Well...it's been bothering me for a while but...It's the way you look at her relic... The way...your eyes are." She said and the man narrowed his eyes.

"The way I look at her..." he muttered.

Marianne looked away, her hand covering her mouth a bit, "Not just her...the professor as well. The way you look at their relics..." she glanced at him.

"As if you are hungry."

{To be continued…)