1180

Wyvern Moon

At the entrance of the monastery, Byleth held out a package—a stylish hair clip and book of sheet music neatly wrapped—as a gesture of peace to Dorothea. "Apologies." She dipped her head. "For missing your birthday a few days ago. Finding Flayn unfortunately took priority."

Dorothea let out a loud theatrical sigh, her curly fringe fluttering under her cap. "Fine," she said. "I suppose I can forgive you. But you must know you hurt me deeply. Seeing you forgo my birthday after spending all that quality time with the others."

"Hence today." Byleth spread her arms out towards town. "Whatever you would like to do or eat."

"Oh, Professor," Dorothea simpered, taking Byleth's arm. "You sure know how to spoil a girl… Shall I rant about all the disappointing dates I've had the misfortune to go on recently? Or shall I spend hours trying on gowns? After all, the Goddess Ball is in two months and one has to be prepared! Especially if I am to snag a wealthy spouse."

Byleth forced a blank expression. "If that's what you want, I will be all ears and eyes."

A cackle burst from Dorothea's lips. "Oh, the panic in your eyes! I have seen you look less daunted facing demonic beasts! Do not worry," she said with an air of graciousness as they joined the thoroughfare to town. "I would like you to enjoy this free day too. After all the events recently, it must be a relief to return to some normalcy this month. Only the Battle of the Eagle and Lion to think of."

"Yes. Although Jeralt seems to suspect some larger conspiracy regarding these recent events. He's heard reports of strange groups of people around Garreg Mach and surrounding towns." The image of the Flame Emperor floated into Byleth's mind. "I believe we should continue to remain vigilant."

Dorothea halted in her tracks. A wagon swerved just in time to avoid running her over, the merchant waving an angry fist at them. "Is that why you're taking me into town today?" she demanded. "For surveillance?"

Partly. But she wasn't going to tell Dorothea that. "Of course not," she said defensively. "I do want to celebrate your birthday."

"Hmm." Dorothea narrowed her eyes accusingly at her.

Byleth avoided her eyes and continued walking at pace. "But why not two birds with one stone?" she said, quietly under her breath.

"I knew it!" Dorothea exclaimed, jogging to keep up with her. "Fine! But since this outing serves you to some extent, you must tell me some scandalous secrets of yours in exchange."

"Sure. I have none."

"Everyone has one, sweetie."

"Not me."

"No jilted lovers? No sexy escapades under the moonlight?"

"No."

"No woefully romantic story about stealing a princess away from a prince? You can tell me anything, you know!"

That last example seemed a little pointed. "No," she said firmly.

"How boring! Well, how about we discuss who you find attractive at the monastery—"

"No."

"What about the naughtiest thing you've ever done?"

Byleth sighed. She was beginning to regret her decision to make Dorothea's birthday up to her.

The following weeks before the Battle of the Eagle and Lion passed in a flash.

From the break of dawn to evening bell, the Black Eagles trained. Solo training in the morning on physical fitness and favoured weapons; group training in the afternoon on strategies and formations. The atmosphere in the monastery grew competitive, with little scuffles breaking out and a whole host of bets being placed by students and faculty alike.

And as the days passed, Byleth noticed with growing consternation that Edelgard was training harder than she ever did before. She'd always been a hard worker, but Byleth would arrive to the training grounds in the morning to see her already warmed up and running. In the evenings, she pored over books on fighting techniques and battle manoeuvres until she was asked to leave the library. The intensity of her discipline also stretched to cover her classmates—Bernadetta and Linhardt were frequent targets for lectures to apply themselves more consistently. And when she wasn't training, reading, or attending to matters in the Empire, her time was monopolised by Monica, who had joined their class and required some attention. It was a strange moment for Byleth when she realised that she missed the princess's company, especially as their exhaustion seemed to leave no space for nightmares and late night conversations.

But it wasn't just Edelgard she was concerned about. Lysithea seemed to work equally as hard, if not more. She'd made significant strides in physical fitness since she joined the Black Eagles, but she was certainly pushing the limits of that newly gained stamina. She frequently insisted on extra training sessions with Byleth, even when it was clear she was worn out; fatigue slowed her movements and forced careless mistakes. After one such training session, Lysithea collapsed onto the ground, chest heaving.

"Thank you for helping with my training, Professor," she panted.

Byleth sat beside her. "Anytime."

"Your advice is always so useful," Lysithea said, turning her head to her. Her face and neck glistened with sweat. "I used to think you didn't pay attention to people, but it's clear I was wrong—you somehow manage to help me capitalise on my strengths without being weighed down by my weaknesses. I'll continue to learn and grow from your instruction."

"Lysithea, my advice is one thing, but your determination is another. You're always pushing yourself."

"Oh." Lysithea's flushed face grew redder. "Thank you, Professor. You're… the only one who's ever praised me like that." Lysithea fell quiet for a moment, then continued, "People always tell me I've got a knack for magic. That I'm powerful because of my two crests. No one sees the hard work I put behind the scenes to not rely heavily on the power they bestow. So for you to notice how hard I work… It makes me happy."

"But Lysithea, why do you push yourself so hard?"

"No reaction to my two crests? I suppose you would've noticed by now. I'd have to retract all my praise if you hadn't…"

Byleth did not rise to her bait. "It is clear to all you possess extraordinary abilities and that you work hard. But why push yourself to such an extent? I'm worried you might be too tired when the battle comes."

"It takes days to travel to Gronder Field. I will rest then."

"You didn't answer my question."

Lysithea considered her for a while, then rolled on her side so Byleth couldn't see her face. "I am the only child of House Ordelia. I'm determined to someday be of value to them and that day must come soon. I can't waste any time. I don't have much of it left."

"What do you mean? You're young, Lysithea. There is no rush."

"You don't understand."

"Then help me understand."

Lysithea rolled back to face her. Her expression was pained. Then abruptly, she stood. "I'm going to rest now. Thank you for your help."

And she swept out the training room, leaving Byleth's question still hanging.

The evening before the battle, Byleth strolled through the Garreg Mach campsite. The air was filled with the smell of grilled meat for dinner and the friendly banter between students and soldiers alike. In the Black Eagles section, she watched her students eat, prepare their armour and training weapons, and start to wind down. She was taken back to her time as a mercenary, the quiet day before a job, and she knew the participants would be feeling the flutter of nerves and the eager anticipation to show off their skills; and for others, trying to manage the fear and nausea that fighting could entail. So, where she could, she offered a word of comfort or advice, whatever she thought they needed most. She'd watched Jeralt do it all her life, building a confident and loyal team who would follow him to death, herself included.

She saved Edelgard for the last, and scratched at her tent flap.

"Come in," Edelgard called.

The princess sat cross-legged in her tent, poring over a map of the battleground with wooden markers for the Black Eagles and the other Houses stuck on them. She wore a long tunic with stockings underneath, and she could smell Edelgard's favoured jasmine scent.

"My teacher!" Edelgard gasped when she looked up to see who had entered. "I'm not properly dressed!" She looked around frantically for a robe

"Oh." Byleth looked down at her own casual shirt and pants. "Neither am I. Nor is anyone else?"

"Yes. But I am the princess and must be seen to be proper at all times! I thought you were Hubert."

"I've already seen you in your nightgown," Byleth reminded her.

"Oh! That is true. Well… I suppose this is fine, then." She ducked her head, her unbound hair falling to cover her pink cheeks.

Byleth sat by her. "I see you're still hard at work."

Edelgard nodded. "Now that I've seen the soldiers the other Houses have brought with them to account for yours, Mercedes, and Lysithea's presence on our team, I was going over the strategies we've discussed for any weaknesses—"

"Edelgard," she interrupted gently. "We have discussed all possibilities throughly and come to a conclusion. Tonight is for rest."

"Not yet." Edelgard focused her attention back on the map, moving some of the counters. "I will once I have considered the soldiers' classes and capabilities."

Byleth reached out to still Edelgard's hands. "There is no greater sabotage to our strategy than to go into tomorrow exhausted. We have already prepared as extensively as possible. The night before a battle is for rest." Her eyes met Edelgard's, lingered on the dark shadows underneath. "You seem to be particularly worried about this battle. Is something the matter?"

Edelgard didn't reply for a while, drawing her knees up to her chest to hug them. The flame from the oil lamp danced in her eyes. "I must confess to a small fear that we might lose," she said eventually, voice small. "Dimitri and Claude have been training hard and their extra soldiers are strong. If we suffer defeat, the Black Eagles may view me as a failure of a House Leader. An incapable future ruler."

"But victory does not rest solely on your shoulders, Edelgard. Our performance tomorrow will be a combination of your leadership, my guidance, and the student's efforts and skills."

"But a leader's role is prominent in any outcome of a battle. It falls to me to consider your advice, lead our ranks, rally the others, and show a good example."

"I don't deny that. But it is not the only role. If you assume all responsibility, you not only put unnecessary pressure on yourself but miss the importance of including others in your final decisions and having trusted allies to rely on."

Edelgard swallowed and looked away. "But isn't that weak? To not be able to withstand sole responsibility? That's what everyone expects of me. As future Emperor of the Empire. I cannot be seen as weak."

"I don't think anyone could ever see you as weak, Edelgard."

"But you were worried about me… with the Flame Emperor."

"I…" Byleth hesitated. Was that why Edelgard had been pushing herself so hard? Her chest tightened. "I was concerned for your safety, not about your abilities."

Edelgard eyed her quizzically. "But is that not the same? To be concerned for my safety must mean you think me incapable of fighting the Flame Emperor."

"No. I know you are capable of fighting strong enemies. But I still do not like the idea of you being hurt, or upset, or pushing yourself the way to the point of exhaustion you have been doing these past few weeks." The words spilled from her lips without much thought, driven by the tightness in her chest. Edelgard's mouth fell slightly open in surprise at her unusual ferocity. "I care for you, Edelgard. I wish you would see the team around you—me, the others—who are here to fight with you, not only for you."

"I…" She looked away, then lifted worried eyes to her. A stray wisp of hair fell onto her cheek. "How do you do it?" A rare vulnerability softened her face and she remembered that Edelgard was only eighteen, despite how mature she held herself. "Rely on others?"

"You just do." Byleth shrugged. "Give others a chance. Jeralt leaned on Pablo and me as his trusted advisors. Then on his mercenaries to do the job. Even though I'm a professor, I relied on you to advise me on the monastery and important matters I apparently know nothing about." Edelgard snorted, and Byleth smiled, raising her hand to tuck the stray wisp of hair behind her ear. "So, Edelgard, you should consider leaning on others too."

Their gazes held; the air felt suddenly stifling. Then Edelgard smiled, her cheeks pink. "Hmm. I will take that into consideration."

Byleth chuckled. "That's all I'll ask for." She stood and placed a hand on Edelgard's shoulder. "Rest, alright?"

Edelgard nodded. She touched her ear self-consciously. "Alright. Thank you, my teacher. Goodnight."

"Sweet dreams, Edelgard."

On Gronder Field, Byleth assessed the conditions.

Cold day. Bright sun. Flat but damp ground. Ballistae on the small hill in the middle.

All these she absorbed, then turned to the Black Eagles who huddled around her. All warmed up and in full armour, they stood at attention.

"What are your orders, Lady Edelgard?" Hubert asked.

Edelgard glanced at Byleth. She looked more refreshed, and Byleth was pleased at the thought she might've had a full sleep for the first time in a while. At her nod, Edelgard faced her team. "We will enact the second strategy. Three teams. You have your assigned positions." She paused, then drew herself to her full height. "Black Eagles, I have witnessed your remarkable efforts in training for this battle—" Linhardt coughed slightly and she turned to him with a small smile. "Even you, Linhardt. "Let us display the might of the Adrestinian Empire!"

The class cheered, raising their fists.

"We will not let you down, Edelgard!" Caspar boomed.

"And you, Professor," Dorothea added.

"We will be stamping their toes!" Petra said.

"And crush their spirit," Lysithea grinned, grinding her fist into her palm.

"Having fun all the while!" Mercedes clapped her hands with delight.

Ferdinand barked out a laugh, then raised his training lance. "Black Eagles!"

An almost fond look crossed Edelgard's face at their enthusiasm. "Very well, let's do all that," she stated.

The trumpets blared—the first signal to take up positions.

As they moved into position, Byleth took Bernadetta's elbow and gave her a reassuring smile. She'd been quiet all morning. "You can do it, Bernadetta," she said.

"But what if I can't do it?" she wailed. "All of you are counting on me and I fail—"

"Uh uh, we're not doing that. I wouldn't put you in that position if I didn't have confidence in you. Look at me." She turned Bernadetta's face to her. "Breathe in. Then out."

Bernadetta did. Then did it again. Some of the panic leaked from her eyes.

"Good. Now go. Your team will support you."

The trumpets blared again. The second signal.

Bernadetta left then, sending her a shaky wave. Byleth turned to see Edelgard already on Lilye, watching their interaction.

"Is she alright?" Edelgard asked when she joined her and Hubert.

"She will be." Byleth focused on their opponents across the river. Ingrid sat astride her pegasus horse with two other knights at her back. Felix stood haughty at her side, his eyes flat and his blade sharp. The familiar thrill of an imminent battle bubbled in her veins.

And something else—a scorching gaze on her back. She knew it would be Lady Rhea. No doubt watching her every move.

The trumpets blared. The fight began.

Everyone charged at once. Footsteps thundered, wings flapped, and the first ringing clash of weapons shattered the stillness. As she expected, the fiercest battle was for the ballistae. Ferdinand led the Black Eagles' furious charge, with Caspar, Bernadetta, and Mercedes in support. They needed Bernadetta to man the weapon, offering them a huge long-range advantage in every other battle. On the other end of the battlefield, Petra led Dorothea, Lysithea, and Linhardt towards Claude and the Golden Deers.

As for them, she gritted her teeth and braced herself as Felix came flying at her, relishing a rematch with this excellent swordsman. Wind buffeted their swift strikes as Edelgard tangled with Ingrid and the Pegasus Knights, Hubert providing support from below. Felix had improved since their last match, and she found herself tested with new moves and quicker reflexes, her muscles singing in response.

But Edelgard trusted her to win her battles. And she would.

A double feint, a close shave near her ribs, and she head-butted him to stun him, her dagger at his throat. He snarled in frustration and hurled his weapon away. It landed by the other Knights' feet, already eliminated.

Ingrid crashed onto the ground mere seconds later. When Byleth looked up, Edelgard smiled at her. Victory shone on her face.

They wasted no time. They pushed towards the Blue Lions' base, where Dimitri and Dedue were likely to be. But frantic cries shattered the air—the fight for the ballistae was reaching feverish peaks. They halted.

Bernadetta had the weapon, launching projectiles towards the Golden Deer's base to support Petra and the others. Caspar and Ferdinand flanked her, Mercedes covering them from behind. But they were under immense pressure. Annette and her mages encroached on one side, Raphael and Marianne advanced on the other.

"We should support them!" Edelgard shouted, landing by Byleth and Hubert.

Sweat dripped down her temples as she studied their position again. They had higher ground and the upper hand. "No." She shook her head, shaking the sweat off. "They can do it. We have to take Dimitri while Bernadetta's at the ballistae."

"I can do both," Edelgard insisted. "I'll support them for the moment and return as soon their position is more secure. Before you engage him. We cannot lose, Professor!"

"Look!" Byleth pointed to Bernadetta, who at that moment had spotted them, and flashed them a thumbs up. "They are as determined as you not to lose. Trust in them."

Edelgard's fists clenched around Lilye's reins; her face contorted in frustration. There was a brief moment of respite—Ferdinand turned to look down at them, nodding resolutely. Behind him, Caspar grinned and waved his absurdly large training gauntlets. Byleth could see the war in Edelgard's mind—to believe in her team, or to take over and control their situation with her prowess.

Then, Edelgard let out a loud exhale and nodded. "Let's go."

Byleth smiled. "Alright—"

She leapt back in time to avoid Dedue's fist in her face, the big man bursting from the long grass and surprising them all. His fist brushed the tip of her nose and she spun on her heel only to see Sylvain's lance swinging towards her. But magic pushed him back, Hubert's quick reflexes and counterattack saving her from being eliminated.

"Watch—" Edelgard's warning was cut short when Dimitri and another soldier charged from their other side, and she brought her axe up in time to block the first blow but had to spring back to avoid the second.

"We meet again, Edelgard. There will be no mercy this time," Dimitri said, grinning. Dedue, Sylvain, and the soldier surrounded them. "Prepare for defeat."

"I wouldn't expect any," Edelgard retorted. "But it is you, who will suffer defeat."

"You're outnumbered, Edel—"

Edelgard whipped towards him, and Byleth immediately moved to cover her, taking both Sylvain and Dedue at once. Without the element of surprise on their side, Byleth should have been more than a match for both of them. But for some reason, it was taking longer for her to slip into the skin of the Ashen Demon—concern for Edelgard clouded her mind. The princess was up against Dimitri and the other soldier, with Hubert's support. But they were strong and—

The warrior fell; a projectile stuck out from his armour.

Bernadetta.

Now there was only Dimitri for Edelgard to contend with. She would be fine.

Byleth closed her eyes.

Breathed in.

The Ashen Demon opened her eyes.

There was a reason she was a legend. And it was this. When nothing else mattered to her but fulfilling her objective, she was unstoppable. She twisted to avoid Sylvain's lance, gripped his wrist and yanked him forward. In the same movement, she kneed him in the gut, making him grunt. While dodging Dedue's next attack, her knife found Sylvain's rib guard. He was eliminated. And before Dedue could even realise, she pushed Sylvain into him, and he staggered back. Then she advanced in a whirlwind of strikes. He was fast. But not fast enough—she grazed her sword along his neck.

The two men stared at her in amazement.

But she was already looking at Edelgard. She and Dimitri were a blur of movement. The fighting was so intense there was no way to enter the fray without the risk of hurting Edelgard. She saw her wince and grasp at her ribs. Hubert watched from a safe distance away with the soldier, white armbands indicating their eliminated status.

A loud thud. Edelgard and Dimitri sprang apart, taking a second to breathe.

Edelgard's eyes met hers.

Then Dimitri was on her again. Edelgard's movements grew slower, her ribs giving her pain.

Byleth moved closer. Waited. Hoped. And when Edelgard gritted her teeth and intentionally let a blow glance off her arm, she flew into the space she opened. Her sword went straight for Dimitri's heart. He blocked. But Edelgard was ready. She knocked him to his feet and rested her axe on his chest.

Dimitri laughed. Admiration sparkled on his handsome face. "Excellent work. You win," he conceded.

The trumpets blared.

They looked to see Ferdinand and Caspar raise the flag of the Black Eagles on the ballistae. Mercedes and Bernadetta beamed at their side.

It was over. They had won.

Edelgard and Byleth turned to each other. Drawn as always, by that pull between them. Just like after the first mock battle, the loveliest smile bloomed on Edelgard's face, victory and relief all together, and she smiled in return, proud.

At the feast the next night back in the monastery, the mood was festive. Although only one House won, individual feats of valour and creative battle strategies and techniques were always celebrated. Byleth stood in the corner, sipping her drink as she watched the students let off steam by eating and dancing.

Spotting her, Edelgard excused herself from Dimitri and Claude, and came over. "My teacher, mind if I join you?" she asked. She had dispensed with her cape, and her hair looked soft from a bath.

"Please," Byleth said.

Edelgard leaned on the wall beside her. For a while, they simply watched Dorothea and Petra do a jig on the dance floor. Dorothea seemed amused at how forceful Petra's movements appeared to be, stopping her to demonstrate more graceful movements that were rejected, also forcefully.

"I wanted to thank you." Edelgard broke the silence. "You were right."

"What was I right about?"

Edelgard's eyes flashed. "Hmph, must you make me say it?"

Byleth smiled.

"Fine!" Edelgard pinched the bridge of her nose. But a smile tugged at her lips. "Until yesterday, I thought it would fall to me to command and guide our ranks all by myself." Her face grew serious. "The emperor doesn't take orders from anyone. It is their duty to stand alone and lead the entire Empire. But… with you leading us, I've been able to experience what it's like to fight alongside everyone. To experience the joys and tribulations of being in a team. To do my part and believe—no, trust—that others would do theirs."

Edelgard looked out towards the crowd, face growing wistful. Byleth waited.

"I've realised…" Edelgard continued in a softer voice. "How happy it makes me, fighting under your command. I feel less alone. So perhaps it's better to have someone to rely on. To support and guide each other through the darkness."

Byleth faked a gasp. "Why, Edelgard! Am I that someone?"

"Ugh! Must you always tease me so?"

"I'm afraid relying on someone means one has to tolerate occasional teasing from said someone."

"Perhaps I shall rethink my grossly misinformed new venture," Edelgard retorted.

Byleth chuckled at her adorable frown. "You impress me with each new day, Edelgard." She looked at her full in the face. "It seems I may not be the only one changing here."

"I suppose…" A flush reddened Edelgard's cheeks, but she held her gaze. "But what will never change, is how grateful I am to have the fortune of your tutelage. Even when I fulfil my destiny and become the emperor. I told you long ago that I wished to enlist you in the service of the Empire. Well, I take it back. Now I wish only for your guidance during my eventual reign." Her eyes bore into hers. "For you to be someone I can lean on."

Byleth's chest tightened, almost painfully. She nodded.

Edelgard smiled wide. "Good—"

"Don't just hide away in the corner, Professor," Linhardt said, startling them. Neither of them had noticed the Black Eagles coming over. "You're the reason we're celebrating."

"That's right! Your guidance is without parallel, Professor," Petra added.

"It's because of you that I had the courage to hold the ballistae today," Bernadetta said, tears welling in her eyes. "And to leave my room for a bit each day. I'm… so grateful, Professor!"

"Bernadetta," Edelgard said, somewhat sternly. "You did well yourself manning the ballistae. The professor might have given you the courage, but the prize was won by your extraordinary efforts."

"To be honest," Caspar said. "With all your nagging—oh, I mean, uh, encouragement this month, Edelgard, I thought you would come over and take over the ballistae yourself!" He scratched his head sheepishly, then quailed at Hubert's dark glare.

Ferdinand nodded. "I agree. It was tense for a moment, but it felt good, Edelgard, to know that you trusted us to hold that crucial position. Even when you saw us under pressure."

Edelgard blinked in surprise, but then nodded. "Yes. I am pleased I trusted you. All of you." She looked at the rest of the Black Eagles. "All of you played your part spectacularly. The future of the Adrestinian Empire is in good hands."

"Especially with the Professor," Dorothea said. "Whatever would we do without you?"

"I feel the same," Edelgard agreed. She faced Byleth, soft smile on her lips. "You are something special, my teacher."