Weeks passed. Within her cell, Byleth drifted off into yet another uneasy sleep. The cold stone didn't allow for much rest, and Byleth hadn't slept well since only Sothis knows when. Because even if she did end up falling asleep, all she saw were her students' faces, and scenes of potential trials before them. Yet, despite it all, she kept clinging on to hope, just as Rhea had asked. Some nights it was terribly difficult, but it was in those times that she found wisdom and comfort in Rhea's counsel. Slowly, the Archbishop became an anchor for her, someone she could turn to when hope started to slip. Byleth learned just how liberating it felt to have someone like that she could rely on. Or, had she always known?

As she finally settled to sleep, Byleth heard a voice. It was unfamiliar, yet so soft.

"Byleth."

In the distance, Byleth saw a figure, looking away at something. Byleth approached the figure. She had hair and eyes as green as the forest, and her presence seemed to soften any worries in Byleth's heart. Byleth couldn't understand why, but she felt connected to this individual, somehow.

"Who are you?" Byleth asked, her voice full of wonder. "How do you know me?"

The figure let out a soft laugh as she turned towards Byleth. Then she spoke, her voice as soft as the morning's first light.

"My name is Sitri." The figure said. "Surely you know that name, don't you, Byleth?"

Byleth stepped back in shock. She had heard the name before, from her father. Back when he told her that he was saving a special ring for her. Back before he was torn from her side.

"Mother?" Byleth asked, awestruck.

Sitri smiled as she nodded.

Byleth stood still and marveled, unable to place any words. Sitri broke the silence.

"Come here, Byleth." she began. "Come give your mother a hug."

Byleth stepped forward, hesitating slightly before slowly allowing herself to lean into the embrace of her mother. It was warm, like summer's day. And comforting, as if nothing could hurt her. For the first time in a long time, Byleth felt protected. Slowly, a tear began to form in the edge of her eye.

"Why are you here?" Byleth asked her mother softly.

Sitri smiled as she held her daughter.

"I'm here because I wanted to tell my daughter how proud I am of the woman she's become."

Byleth shook her head.

"I'm a failure, mother." she began. "There's nothing for you to be proud of."

Sitri merely held her daughter tighter as she shook her head.

"That's not what I see." she began. "I see a woman who was strong enough to move past her father's death. To accept a job that was foreign to her. To take people under her wing and help them grow faster than they could on their own. To rise above any challenge that's been thrown at her. That's what I see."

"But I've failed them, Mother." Byleth cried. "I left them behind in their hour of greatest need. How can you be proud of me after that?"

There was a moment of silence before Sitri spoke.

"Be that as it may, now you understand how it feels to be alone, don't you?" she asked. "This challenge can shape you into someone stronger than ever. Someone who draws upon the bonds they've forged to achieve things far greater than they ever could on their own."

"But I…" Byleth began.

"You've been on your own for much of your life, haven't you?" Sitri replied, soothingly. "Remember how Dimitri stood by your side when Jeralt passed. He understood your pain. That understanding was forged in the flames of adversity."

Sitri released Byleth from her embrace, yet she kept her hands on her daughter's shoulders.

"What was it that he was struggling with for so long when you found him after you awoke?"

Byleth looked down to the air below her.

"Revenge. He wanted revenge for the fallen."

Sitri shook her head.

"Look a little deeper, Byleth. What is something else that he's had to grapple with?"

Byleth thought back on the many conversations she had with her student while at The Academy. After many hauntingly painful memories, something dawned upon her.

"After his family was taken from him, there were times that he was… alone. He had friends, but no family that truly cared for him."

Sitri smiled as her daughter understood.

But this revelation hurt Byleth's heart.

"So… I abandoned him in his time of need. I truly had failed." she said, beginning to weep.

Sitri embraced her daughter again.

"Whoever said it would be permanent?" she asked softly.

Byleth didn't respond for a long time. But when she did, it was if all of her sorrow was packed into her words.

"But, I'm trapped here! I can't be by his side while I'm stuck in this cell…"

Sitri held her daughter tighter before she spoke.

"As one shall rise from the earth, so too must you rise from your sorrows." she whispered into Byleth's hair.

Byleth was silent before she let out a small whisper.

"What do you mean?"

Sitri laughed.

"You'll see. Wait and watch."

Then, as she began to fade, she whispered one last thing:

"To see the woman you've become, it makes my heart sing with pride. Never forget that, my daughter."

Byleth reached out, as if trying to feel her mother's warmth one last time. But Sitri faded just before Byleth could reach her.

The dream ended. And that night, for the first time in a long time, Byleth slept soundly.

Back in Fraldarius territory, Rodrigue and Gilbert stood hunched over a map of Fódlan,

"Let me get this straight." Gilbert said, his brows furrowed. "You want to send a lone spy into Enbarr, the heart of enemy territory, on a reconnaissance mission? That's suicide."
Rodrigue looked upwards, his voice unwavering.

"Not just reconnaissance Gustave. If it is true that the Archbishop is being held in Enbarr as I've suspected, I want to break her out as well. Imagine the boost to our citizens' and soldiers' morale if they know that Archbishop Rhea is alive?" He stood up straight, putting his fingers to his chin. "Besides. It may inspire others to take up arms as well."

"Who could we possibly ask to perform such a feat?" Gilbert asked, shaking his head. "Infiltrating Enbarr is a death sentence. We've sent several of our spies, all of whom have died soon after breaching the walls."

With a chuckle, Rodrigue pulled out a scroll and unfurled it. Inscribed within were the names of various mercenaries whom he had caught wind of their exploits. He pointed to one name, gesturing for his old friend to look.

"If there's one person in all of Fódlan who could complete such a task, it's The Violet Shadow."