The Three Winds of Fodlan

Thank you all for attempting to try my return to fanfiction it to say I had one of those crippling cases of Writer's Block that had me give up on my passion but now I am back. A few notes I will explain before this begins.

1: I will be changing the way lessons work in this fic so that all houses study together for theory but practice they are broken up into their houses. I feel this will help create camaraderie between members of different houses.

2: Due to Mark having very little in ways of a canon personality, I am supplementing some from an OC as well as giving him quarks he picked up from his friends during Blazing Sword. Also yes I am making him combat capable. I will also augment his outfit.

3: I am open to pairing ideas but no yaoi. It is not my cup of tea and I do not know how to write it convincingly. Also while I will accept two girls getting together, be sure as to give me an explanation as to why that makes sense. "Because it is hot," does not count as an acceptable explanation.

4: Flames will just make me more motivated to write to spite flamers so you have been warned. After all you are not being held at knifepoint to read this, so if you read it and flame, you just tell me you either like it and want to test me or you wish to demoralize me and unlike certain anime characters, I don't mentally break down the moment shit gets tough.

I think that covers everything. Anyway let's get this out of the way.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem in any capacity. Any OCs I add to this fic to build up staff or students who are just faceless lore dumps or anything equal to that are mine but no one cares about them.

Chapter 1: White Clouds: Converging Gale

Robin sighed as he saw the alternate weakened and defeated as he gathered the dark power within his blood in his hand while everyone else celebrated. "Goodbye everyone." The High Deliverer suddenly said before unleashing the power of his Fell Blood upon Grima-Robin causing the death of the reborn dragon. "May we meet again, in another life." Robin turned and smiled at his friends and waved. Slowly he became transparent as his friends watched in shock before his closest spoke up.

"Robin! Why?" Chrom asked, not believing that Robin had taken this choice without telling him. "We are brothers, are we not?" Robin chuckled a little, the sound coming out like a faint echo as Robin was nearly gone at this point.

"Because you would never agree to this strategy, even though it is the one that we needed to do." Robin's voice said softly along the winds. "I will not allow the future to have to clean up after our laziness. I am sorry, Chrom, and thank you for adopting me as your brother." With that Robin disappeared into the ether, the only thing that remained was the final tears he shed.

-The Three Winds-

Mark toyed with one of the knives that were specially made for him, commissioned by Lyn, Hector, and Eliwood for his help in stopping the dragons. They even went so far as to update his clothes, saying it would do no good for a now legendary strategist to not look the part. However Mark knew this was their way of trying to get him to stay. And how he wanted to until a certain piece of news broke his heart. Mark leaned against a wall in the back during the reception of Eliwood and Ninian,his heart shattered upon looking at the bride. For as long as he knew her, Mark had nursed a love for the dancer but no matter what he read or how he played ideas in his head, he was never able to convey his feelings to her. He also had a feeling he had no chance, after Eliwood had saved her while Mark had been helping Lyn claim her birthright.

"Hey Big Brother, are you sure you want to leave?" Nino asked walking up to Mark. Mark smiled gently at the mage girl. After they had been unable to save her previous "brothers," Mark had taken it upon himself to fill the role. Nino then stuck to him happily, which lead to him getting to know Jaffar, and with Nino's help convinced the assassin to train him. Mark took the assassin arts well. Lyn had always said that perhaps the winds had blessed the strategist and that became exceedingly apparent when he trained with Jaffar. Jaffar was faster but Mark's strikes seemed sharper. Jaffar was more accurate but Mark seemed to be more silent. Jaffar end a man in a single strike but Mark could cause multiple wounds with a single cut.

"For a time Nino." Mark said sadly. "While I am glad that she found happiness, seeing Ninian with another hurts too much right now." Nino looked down sadly.

"I could be your bride." Nino suggested not wanting to be seperated from Mark as he was her only family. Mark gently patted her head, a gesture she liked and calmed her.

"We both know you are in love with Master Jaffar and he with you. I will not deprive the two of you of that love just to heal my own heart." Mark said with a gentle smile. "I will be back once my heart heals….and maybe a few times before just to reassure you I am okay. Give everyone my thanks and these to Hector, Eliwood, and Lyn." The strategist handed Nino three letters before he disappeared in a sudden gust of wind. However this gust was no ordinary one. While no one sense magic, there was a hidden power to this wind.

A fool might have called this power Destiny.

-The Three Winds-

Byleth was used to this dream. A battle of grand proportion being fought. She had this dream for years and knew what would come next. She would appear in an odd room with a sleeping girl on a throne. The Ashen Demon sighed to herself. Due to how much she had seen this, it bored her. While she felt bad for those who died, while unable to properly express this emotion, she had seen this battle so many times that the deaths no longer fazed her. Soon the battle was over and she was in the throne room but something was different. Beside her were two confused young men around her age.

The first had white hair and chocolate eyes. While a look of confusion was on his face, it appeared that it was not towards the room but himself as he seemed to examine himself. He wore boots, simple breeches with a matching tunic, brown belt, a dark purple coat with odd eye like markings on the sleeves and a high golden collar as well as a hood, and a pair of dark gloves. His clothes did not hint at his build but somehow Byleth could tell that he was solid and fit. On his waist was a pair of swords and sling that held a book. Byleth could feel the thrum of magic from the book which was odd to her. She also felt the same thrum on one of the swords, which was shaped like a bolt of lightning. Byleth then turned her attention to the other young man. His confusion was less evident as he was more fixed on the throne and the girl on it.

The second male had messy brown hair that was slightly longer than the white haired male's and his eyes were deep grey, like a strong fog. He wore dark boots, black and green trousers, a yellow tunic, a black long coat, a green traveler cloak with a hood, and black gloves that were lightly armored. Byleth saw no weapons but could feel an odd energy around him, like he was under the effects of a staff but she could not pinpoint the effect. Like the first male, Byleth could not guess his build but somehow she could tell from the odd effect she sensed that this man was a more lean build. However before she could speculate further, a yawn was heard as all three now looked at the girl who slowly woke up.

"Oh my. It seems I have guests. It's rude to interrupt a moment of reprieve you know. Please come closer, let me have a look at you." The girl said tiredly and with a bored sense of entitlement. The only one to step forward was Byleth and knew the men were sizing her up as well as the girl. Byleth wore black boots with armor on her left knee, stylized stockings, a black pair shorts, a black armored top that exposed her tight midriff and some of her cleavage that had an attached white collar, a black coat that was worn on her shoulders, armor on her elbows, and bracers. Her teal hair was longer than her shoulders and her eyes were light blue. Her build was lean and strong but she was also rather well endowed and curvascious.

"Now what are you?" The girl on the throne asked. She had long green hair with white and red ribbons in the braids on either side of her face and had eyes that matched her hair. She wore old style sandals and a short blue dress that looked ancient in design. She also had on golden jewelry. Byleth thought for a moment before answering.

"I am a demon." Byleth said with little inflection so her voice sounded monotonous. Both males stared at the girl with raised eyebrows but the girl on the throne shook her head annoyed.

"Do not deceive. You would do well to keep your wit in line." The girl on the throne said unamused, seemingly more awake. Byleth shrugged as she was technically not joking due to her unfortunate nickname. Still Byleth decided to not mince words.

"I'm a mortal." Byleth said. The girl seemed to perk up at that and sat up straighter. "No doubt the two men with me are the same."

"Ah yes, them. Please walk out of the shadows if you please. You are being rather rude." The girl said. The two men hesitated before they walked forward. "Excellent. Now you all must have names if you are mortals. What are they?"

"Byleth Eisner." Byleth said simply.

"Mark Frey, a pleasure." The brown haired man said, placing a hand on his hip and flashing a wolf like grin.

"Robin Zephyr." Robin said after a minute, using the last name of his mother. During the time between the Plegian War and Valmese War, Robin and Chrom had found the caravan he was raised in and was able to reclaim the memories of his mother. Technically he was supposed to use his father's last name but like hell would Robin ever bear the name Darrut, the last name of his father Validar.

"Interesting. I will never get accustomed to the sound of human names. And what of your dates of birth?" The girl asked.

"Sixteenth day of the ninth month." Mark said. Many countries, he had learned, had their own month names. He had no idea why something so simple was so complicated.

"First day of the sixth month." Robin said following Mark's lead.

"Twentieth of the Horsebow Moon." Byleth said, wondering why the men had answered oddly. Upon hearing Byleth's birthday, Sothis got excited.

"It seems we have the same date of birth Byleth. And as for you two let's see, Robin you're birthday is the first of the Garland Moon while Mark's is the sixteenth of the Horsebow Moon." The girl said. "How strange! Almost familiar." The girl then yawned suddenly. "Oh my, it seems it is time for another nap. Nearly time for it all to….begin." The girl fell asleep as the room turned to darkness.

-The Three Winds-

Byleth woke up and got dressed before she left the room in the inn she had been staying in with her father and fellow mercenaries. Byleth spotted her father waiting for her. Jeralt was an older man with sandy blond hair that had hints of grey in it. His hair was short on the sides and longer on top and he had a matching beard. He wore armored boots, dark pants, a long orange tunic with white fur on the collar, armor on his arms with a noticeable pauldron on his left shoulder. He smiled upon seeing Byleth.

"Hey there. Have that dream again?" Jeralt asked with concern in his voice. Jeralt was many things, including a badass mercenary but he was also a good father and always concerned for the well being of his daughter. Byleth didn't mind it if she was seen as a bit of a Daddy's Girl. In fact she'd rather be called that then Ashen Demon.

"Yes, but it was different. The battle was the same but the girl woke up and I was not alone. There were others." Byleth said before she noticed a lack of mercenaries. "Oh no, were you waiting on me?"

"Almost. We had to double check the supplies too before we headed out. A few things did not add up quite right." Jeralt assured his daughter before the young woman grabbed a roll and ate quickly before heading outside to help with preparations. Jeralt shrugged and shook his head with a sigh. "She's going to work herself into the ground." Byleth ran over to the supplies but before she could start to help, a ruckus was heard not far off as three figures ran into the small village of Remire. Jeralt walked out and met Byleth at the figures. They all wore uniforms of some kind that were black and gold. Byleth scanned them quickly to take in what features she could. A tanned young man with naturally curled hair with a yellow cape carrying a bow, a blond haired young man with a blue cape and skin that spoke of colder climates as well as a spear in hand, and a white haired young woman with a red cape and matching stockings wielding an axe.

"Please you must help us. There are bandits following us." The girl said. "They might have caught up to us if two men hadn't appeared and started to hold them back." Jeralt thought for a moment and turned to his daughter. Byleth nodded without hesitation. While Jeralt was the leader, Byleth was a better judge of character. This helped to spot traps by nobles who thought it better to rid themselves of mercenaries than paying for silence.

"Very well then." Jeralt said mounting his horse after grabbing his spear and shield. "Besides this village has been too good to us. We can't allow bandits to hurt it." Byleth nodded once more. Remire was a sort of base for them. The people were nice and calm and always willing to cut them a deal if they could. Byleth ran ahead with a sword in hand as well as a hand axe. Jeralt made sure his daughter knew how to fight in many ways so that her opponents would underestimate her. Byleth took this farther and developed an "sword and axe" style. The two mercenaries and three add-ons soon arrived at the battle field to see the men fighting back against a large number of bandits but holding their own. Byleth rushed forward to help them, soon recognizing them when she was close enough and had cut down a bandit.

"Mark? Robin?" Byleth asked, confused, catching the attention of the young men, getting a pair of smiles. A kind one from Robin and a wolf like one from Mark. "Guess that was no ordinary dream."

"Looks like." Mark laughed before dodging a punch from a bandit with bladed gauntlets. "That looks interesting. I guess I can take those from your corpse." Mark's arm flashed across the bandit's neck before blood ran from a cut that almost appeared from nowhere. Byleth then saw that Mark was holding a pair of curved daggers that were longer than was normal. She could also see the wind distort around the blades slightly. "May the winds take your soul and cleanse them." Byleth was surprised by the sudden prayer before she turned and saw Robin holding the book before he held up his hand.

"Thoron!" Robin roared as a beam of lightning pierced through several bandits. Byleth had sensed that the book amplified Robin's magic. Robin then put the book away and drew a curved saber with a red hilt. "I think our best course of action is for the two of us to draw attention while Mark strikes from behind. Sound good Byleth?" Byleth answered by throwing her hand axe into the chest of a bandit and running forward and tearing it out of her quarry and using the momentum to perform a circle slash that took out two more bandits. "Now that's strategy." Robin chuckled as he rushed forward and stabbed a bandit in the heart. Byleth noticed a cut on Robin's arm healed when the blade made contact with bandit.

"Your swords are rather curious." Byleth said simply getting a chuckle from Robin. "But we can talk shop later. There's a village nearby we need to keep these bandits from." Byleth felt a hand on her shoulder before she felt the weight of a person before seeing Mark had used her vault over a bandit running at her and cut into his back.

"Sounds good. That style of yours lends to a lot of possibilities." Mark said before moving as a blur, like a living gale to another bandit nearby. Byleth let out a small smile. She had no idea why but she knew that these two would be great comrades. The trio rushed through the swarm of bandits, aided by the three uniformed newcomers. The tanned young man let loose a hail of arrows. The blond male struck with practiced strikes. The white haired young woman showed that her body, while nice on the eyes, held terrifying strength. Soon Byleth had cut down the last of them. However before she could relax she saw a new bandit, bigger and stronger than the others, rushing towards the white haired young woman who had lost her axe and now only had a small dagger. Byleth sprinted to cover the girl, her back towards the axe. However the pain and spray of blood never came.

"Are you insane? Trying to die and take me with you perhaps?" A familiar voice said before Byleth, Mark and Robin found themselves in a familiar room, looking at the annoyed face of a familiar girl. "What were you trying to pull with that stunt?" The girl sighed and stood up. "Oh well I guess I can forgive you, since you do not know the value of your life and neither do your companions. Best let me guide you from now on, right? I am Sothis, but I am also called 'The Beginning.'" The girl now known as Sothis seemed to taste the words on her tongue. "Yes that sounds right. My name is Sothis, but who was it that called me 'The Beginning?' And why did I just now remember?" Sothis then turned her gaze as the three before her and narrowed her eyes annoyed. "I see those looks! You see me as a mere child who forgot her name until just now. Well this child Just saved her life! So what does that make her?" Byleth had the decency to look ashamed as well as her male allies.

"Less than a child?" Byleth said, though she was not happy to admit it. Sothis nodded with a self gratified smirk on her face.

"Glad to see you understand. After all, you foolishly threw yourself before an axe to save one girl! And you two! You let your guards down! If I had not stopped the flow of time, Byleth would be dead." Sothis lectured the trio as Mark had let his guard down thinking the bandits were fully dealt with while Robin had lost himself in thought.

Thank you for saving me/her." Byleth, Mark, and Robin said in unison. Once more Sothis nodded with that same smile on her face.

"There now. Is gratitude so much to ask? I deem you worth saving after all." Sothis said before getting a contemplative look on her face. "Still now what? Once time resumes the axe will bury into her flesh. Even with the magic Robin knows and the Wind Blessing Mark seems to have."

"Could you not perhaps reverse the hands of time?" Mark suggested. "I mean if you can halt them, surely you must be able to reverse them, at least a little." Sothis looked at the young man and smiled.

"Yes of course! I must reverse the hands of time! Well suggested. Very well, let's try this again." Sothis said before time reversed to just after Byleth felled the final bandit. On instinct she ran towards the white haired young woman to defend her by disarming the large bandit.

"What the? Dammit! This is not what was supposed to happen! First Jeralt the Blade Breaker and now this?" The leader said before a noise could be heard nearby. He dodged an attack from Mark and a blast from Robin before retreating. "The Knights are almost here!" The other nearby bandits heard this and ran away with their apparent leader. The trio stayed ready before they saw Jeralt ride up.

"Well that was something. Did you just….nevermind. You okay?" Jeralt asked his daughter.

"I'm fine, Father. I was lucky to have help from these two." Byleth said pointing to Robin and Mark who both nodded at Jeralt to greet him but before more could be said a loud booming voice was heard.

"The Knights of Seiros are here!" The voice proclaimed, almost heroically. "The thieves seem to be running away. After them! Thankfully the students seem to be unharmed and...who is that?" The six nearby could feel Jeralt's disappointment like it was a physical force in the world.

"Why him?" Jeralt asked. Mark and Robin looked at Byleth who seemed confused as a man in white and gold armor with brown hair a small mustache walked up.

"Captain Jeralt! It is you!"

-The Three Winds-

And that is chapter one. Again I have not written in quite a while so if it seems too short or a bit stiff, I am trying to once more get into the groove of things. Anyway along with pairings, I would love it if people would suggest who of Robin, Mark, and Byleth heads each house. And don't worry about Manuela and Hanneman. While they won't act as opposing House Heads, they will still get love. Still please leave a review and fav. Until then always remember:

Even a chance encounter is due to the fate of a previous life.