Byleth awoke to the sound of footsteps against stone, each step echoing like death knells as they neared. They stopped right in front of her cell. Then, a familiar voice spoke, one she hadn't heard in five years. A voice she wished she could forget.

"Well, it has certainly been a long time, hasn't it."

Byleth didn't even have to look up to confirm her suspicions. This was Edelgard, Empress of Adrestia.

"I must say, I was shocked when Ferdinand's report reached my desk. For the Ashen Demon to fall into our hands, away from the Kingdom Army. Well, I had to read it several times just to make sure I wasn't seeing things." Edelgard began, her voice calm as she spoke.

"Did you come here to gloat?" Byleth growled.

Edelgard looked at the mercenary in the cell before her. "Quite the contrary. I wanted to see the truth myself. To abandon your students was an boon I was not expecting. Thus, I've come to personally offer you a position in The Imperial Army. Your skill is undeniable, and we certainly could use another tactician of your caliber."

"You've started a war that has led to rivers of blood and the slaughter of the innocent. Why would someone like you even waste her breath offering me that." Byleth retorted as she glowered at the empress.

Edelgard's eyes darkened as her voice took on a much more dangerous tone.

"I started this war on behalf of the innocent. To free them from the shackles that The Church of Seiros has placed on them. To allow every soul the chance to make something great of their lives. If you cannot see that, then…"

Edelgard's voice trailed off. She knew that, no matter what she said, she couldn't change Byleth's mind.

"A shame, though perhaps it was too much for me to hope that you'd see sense. If that is the case, then I have one last thing to show you."

Edelgard turned towards one of the prison wardens.

"Bring me the prisoner's sword."

Within less than a minute, the prison warden returned, handing The Sword of the Creator to Edelgard, who received it graciously.

"Your capture was quite a boon for the Empire, in more ways than one." The empress continued. "First, we deprive The Kingdom of one of their most talented warriors, and we finally acquire The Sword of the Creator as well."

Byleth scowled. "That sword is useless to you, Edelgard. Surely you of all people know that you won't be able to…" Her words drifted into nothingness as the sword began to glow an ethereal red in Edelgard's hand.

Edelgard smiled as she saw the shift in Byleth's eyes.

"I'm afraid you're quite mistaken." She began. "See, you are not the only one to possess The Crest of Flames."

Byleth's breath hitched at the revelation. This can't be happening. How does Edelgard have that crest?

"How?" Byleth asked, her voice a mere whisper.

She saw a sudden pain wash over Edelgard's eyes, as if the empress was remembering something horrible.

"That…" Edegard began, her head turned, her voice lacking its usual conviction. "Is a process far too horrifying to recount."

For a long moment, silence reigned, suffocating. But then, Edelgard steeled herself once more, turning towards a neighboring cell.

"Archbishop Rhea. We've captured you, the professor, and have taken The Sword of the Creator. Surely now you see that my victory will be absolute."

"You heretic! That sword was meant only to be wielded by those chosen of the goddess! I swear, when I break free, your soul will burn in The Valley of Torment." A voice from the cell to Byleth's right growled.

Edelgard couldn't stifle another smile. "It's a shame that you'll never be leaving this place then, isn't it?"

Byleth couldn't believe what she was hearing. Rhea has been here all these years?

"Wait, Rhea?" she asked, dumbfounded.

Edelgard turned again towards Byleth.

"The Archbishop, you'll find, is in the cell beside you. I thought the two of you could use the time to catch up." Edelgard responded, gesturing to the cell.

With that, she left, leaving Byleth in her cell.

"Professor," Rhea called out, her voice much softer now. "Is that really you?"

"Lady Rhea." Byleth began. "I'm sorry. I've failed you. I've failed my students. I thought that I was only protecting them, but now, I'm trapped here with no way back."

"Calm down, professor." Rhea began, her voice taking on a more soothing tone. "Tell me what happened."

After a deep breath, Byleth continued.

"I tried to help quell the darkness in Dimitri's heart. But when I finally awoke and returned to the monastery, he had completely fallen into that darkness." Her voice faltered as tears began to form.

"But I failed, Rhea. So, I thought that the only way I could help him was to stay away. If I failed him then, how could I possibly think that I could bring the light to him now? So, I left."

Silence filled the air as Byleth buried her head in her arms.

"But, I was wrong, and now… now I don't know if any of the Blue Lions will make it! What if I didn't prepare them enough? What if they…" Byleth's voice broke completely, as if all of her sorrow were contained in her next words.

"What if they die?"

For a long moment, silence reigned, only broken by Byleth's weeping. Then, Rhea spoke.

"The goddess often works in mysterious ways." she began. "Surely you of all people would know that, hmm?"

Byleth's head shot up. "Huh?" she asked.

"What I'm trying to say, dear child, is that you mustn't give up hope." Rhea continued. "Perhaps the goddess is trying to teach you a lesson here. But we can't give into despair. We need to believe that she'll pull through. I don't believe she wishes for us to be trapped here until we die. We must wait for the moment when she shows her hand."

Rhea looked upwards, as if to look to heaven.

"Maybe," she began. "It'll be from a source we'd never expect."

The words sunk into Byleth's mind. With a shaky breath, she asked.

"What do you mean?"

Rhea laughed. It was small, but even that fleeting expression of joy was enough to help bring just a little light into the darkness.

"It means that all hope is not yet lost. Heaven will open its windows. We just need to watch, and wait."

After all, Rhea thought to herself. That might just be all that we have left.

Then her thoughts turned towards the Blue Lions. Towards those that Byleth had cared for so much at the monastery. She lowered her head, and offered a silent prayer.

"Goddess," she began. "Please watch over them. The trials ahead will be grave. I believe that the professor has prepared them well enough. Help them to remember what they have learned. Guide them, and keep them safe."

Author's note: I know that this story has played with some very heavy themes and had its heavy moments. I wanted to end this chapter on a bit more of a hopeful tone, even if it's small. Hence Rhea comforting Byleth, who has had the consequences of her actions come crashing down on her for quite some time.

This is where I ask: Which direction do y'all want me to take Byleth's arc going forward? I have two directions in mind, one that is more bittersweet, yet hopeful, or another that is much sadder. Depending on the choice, I may potentially introduce things found in Three Hopes.

So... What will Byleth's fate be? This decision will drastically change her arc going forward.