Hey, fellas! Welcome back!

Sorry for the longer wait for this shorter chapter. It's become a running theme with Love in the Dark so far, but I ended up deciding it better to take what I had written and divvy it up between this chapter and the next. I'll go more into detail down below!

Hope you all enjoy!

Byleth stood at the river's edge, his eyes lost in the rippling of the water.

"It's been awhile since we last fished, hasn't it?"

For a moment, it almost felt as if he saw his father's smile in the water's reflection. Byleth didn't realize just how greatly he missed it.

It wasn't as though he could close his eyes to shield himself, either. With his eyes closed, surrounded by nothing but the sounds of nature… In that dark silence, the gaping hole left by Sothis's absence was only amplified. In those quiet moments, Byleth found himself yearning to hear the chimes of her laughter just once more.

Byleth sighed, realizing there truly was no escape from the pain of losing someone you loved dearly. Those wounds could never truly heal, could they? The hurt supposedly lessened over time, but he didn't believe that to be true. He didn't have as much experience in this subject as say, Edelgard or Jeralt, but Byleth wagered the pain never lessened- you only grew used to it.

And those pangs of loneliness he was feeling now made this coming task seem near insurmountable.

Once upon a time, Byleth used to fish daily. It helped him unwind after especially difficult days. It helped him clear his head and focus on the things that were important.

The last time he held a pole in his hands, his father was still alive. The last time he casted a line, Sothis's voice had been there to remind him of how 'mundane' the task seemed or how 'putrid' the fresh catches were. Most people considered fishing to be tedious or boring, but with those two there beside him, Byleth had enjoyed it greatly. Even when they weren't there, they were at least out there somewhere.

Knowing now that they were simply gone from existence, their only lifeline to this world being the memories formed by others was a heartbreaking realization.

It was a sobering thought knowing that if Byleth died, in a way, so would they.

With these thoughts flowing freely through his head, Byleth found it difficult to take any enjoyment in this activity like he used to. Just like the sleepless nights, fishing had grown far too lonesome and painful. There was no one to talk to. No one to share the moment with. Of course, there was always Edelgard… but she was somewhere behind him, preparing the campfire for the night.

While she worked on that, it had been his intention to catch a fresh meal and prepare it for the two of them. However, standing here now and watching how the falling sun's light shimmered in the ripples of the water, Byleth just couldn't find the motivation.

When it comes down to it, fishing was just killing a lesser creature for your own survival- like all hunting was. Byleth understood that was the entire concept, but… They were just lingering souls going about their daily lives, just as he was. Who was he to end their existence just to prolong his own?

But it was either fish or another meal of dried goods and trail mix. The fish would provide more nutrients. A fish was far more filling than a handful of nuts and dried fruits. Now was hardly the time to consider the ethicizes of such a simple activity as fishing.

And, seeing as it would be the last night they spent together on this little adventure, Byleth wanted to do something nice. Now, he wondered just how 'nice' this activity was.

Sighing again, Byleth slipped off his boots and rolled up his pant legs. He placed the discarded boots next to his jacket on the grass.

He stepped into the river one foot at a time. As careful as he was, the water still splashed and ripples cascaded across the surface. Evidence of the disturbance in the water echoed across the river.

The professor shifted the grip on his makeshift spear as he pushed the nagging doubts out of his mind. As he didn't consider bringing his fishing equipment along with him for this journey, a knife-sharpened branch was the best that he had.

Not that it mattered much, in the end. This was hardly the first time Byleth hunted with a pointy stick. It was hardly the first time he had killed with one, either.

His eyes scanned the river's depths, searching for any sign of movement. Any glimmer beneath the water's surface.

To his surprise, it did not take long. Almost seconds after he stepped into the stream, his trained eyes already spotted at least half a dozen fish. Bluegills, perch, quite a large variety of freshwater fish, in fact.

Never had he seen fish behave in such a manner. Usually when they sensed a disturbance in the water, they'd vanish and make themselves scarce. It made fishing by hand incredibly difficult, as even one poorly placed step or rushed movement sent them flying in the opposite direction. It could end up being extremely time consuming to wait for the fish to settle down again.

Clearly, that was not the case here. If anything, they seemed curious by Byleth's presence among them. They swam so closely to his legs, that Byleth could feel them flow around him. On more than one occasion, he felt them brush against his bare skin. In all his years of fishing, this was a first for him.

It seemed that wildlife's strange fixation with him extended to creatures of the sea, as well.

…And it seemed that killing them would prove more difficult than he expected. It was hard to muster the stomach for such a deed when the fish were right there before his eyes, completely unguarded and vulnerable… As if they felt safe in his presence.

It was… hard ending the life of a being that trusted him so.

Lacking control over your emotions means death on the battlefield.

They were just fish. They were just fish. He was being silly.

In this life Byleth had cut out for himself, he could not afford hesitation or doubt. To falter for even a second… It could not happen.

Indecisiveness means death on the battlefield.

Gritting his teeth, Byleth's grip hardened.

The water splashed as his spear broke the surface. Droplets flew into the air, landing on his chest and arms.

Even without looking, he could tell by the sensation that his aim had been true. The sharpened edge pierced one of the fish as crudely as a dull blade would cut flesh.

Byleth frowned as he pulled the spear from the water. The impaled bluegill was already dead, its blood dripping down the branch and splattering on his arm and the river below.

He pulled the fish from the tip, tossing it on the riverbank behind him. The sight of the carcass bouncing off the grass made him slightly nauseous.

Again, to his surprise, when he turned back to the water the remaining fish were still gravitating around him. It was as though they hadn't just witnessed one of its brothers die right before them.

Why hadn't they moved when his spear broke the water's surface a second time?

Nearly half an hour later, Byleth began his short trip back to their designated camping spot. It was nearing nightfall, but his fishing spot hadn't been but a few minutes away. He was close enough that he could already smell the pleasant aromas of wood burning in a campfire. As he grew closer, he could make out the faint wisps of smoke billow into the sky.

Despite that lump in his throat, Byleth was quite hungry. Smelling the burning wood and realizing a hot meal was soon to follow made his stomach grow and his mouth salivate.

As he approached the camp, he removed the two fish from the tip of his spear. He would have to clean and gut the two meals, then after that he could-

Byleth froze as the site came into view, the spear and two dead fish falling from his hand. The pangs of hunger quickly morphed into nausea, followed by that familiar burning sensation in the depths of his still-heart.

Edelgard was standing off to the side, her arms crossed over her chest as if to protect herself. She was pale as a sheet, her hands gripping the sleeves of her blouse fiercely. Her entire body was tensed, her backfoot tapping the ground anxiously. Her lips were flickering into a near snarl as her narrowed eyes glared at the figure beside her.

A figure Byleth instantly recognized. One that plagued many of his thoughts and haunted many of his nightmares.

A figure that Byleth had seen once before. A face he did not wish to see again unless it was beneath the heel of his boot, smeared in freshly spilled blood.

The man, if he could even be considered as such, towered over Edelgard's modest height. His skin was ashen and white as the snow, perfectly matching those empty eyes and his mane of hair. The only clashing colors on this creature's face were the bags around his eye sockets and the single, brown streak in his hair. A single figment of the man that used to inhabit that body.

His posture was perfectly straight, his broad shoulders fitting the shoulder pauldrons of his black suit of armor rather well. The collar made of feathers hardly seemed fitting for such a drab armor set, but Byleth would freely admit that the inclusion made the man seem more… imposing.

As Jeralt's killer met Byleth's eyes, his twisted lips snaked upwards. No introduction was necessary to realize that this man before him now was Edelgard's former uncle, Arundel.

The man was smirking, but Byleth felt nothing but hatred emanating from the man. The way that those white eyes fixated on his green hair made him feel uneasy. The arsenal of defense mechanisms within the mercenary's brain were screaming at him to either fight or flee.

He had never been one to flee, however.

"Ah, there you are."

Byleth frowned, glancing at Edelgard to double-check that she was safe and unharmed.

As difficult as it was, he realized that Edelgard's 'uncle' was supposed to be an ally. An enemy of his enemy was a friend, and while Byleth would never extend such a term to something he hated so deeply, the saying fit. He would never forget what 'Arundel' did to Jeralt, to Edelgard, the part he played in the suffering to those he cared for dearly, but the power the villain offered would be required for this coming war. Byleth was rational enough to realize that.

That being said, such a courtesy went out the window the very second he laid a hand on El. Byleth would tear those wrists from their sockets should he give him even the slightest reason to. Arundel's blood would stain the grass below them before there was even a chance for him to register the pain.

But, seeing as Edelgard wasn't harmed in anyway, only extremely uncomfortable and on edge, Byleth resisted the urge to draw his sword.

"…It is brazen of you to appear before me in this form," Byleth whispered. "After all that you've done."

"Given how much my niece as told you of me, there's hardly any reason to cling to formalities."

Arundel stepped away from Edelgard, but her eyes never stopped following him. The sheer amounts of disgust and contempt that she bore in those once bright eyes startled Byleth. He had never seen her look such a way- at least, not to this degree.

"I am Thales, a humble ally to the emperor of flames."

The 'man' placed a hand to his chest and bowed. There was no sincerity behind it, nor any sincerity to his words.

As Thales straightened, Byleth was taken back by how drastically the expression changed. It was… eerie how quickly that smirk faded. It was frightening how quickly those emotions vanished. Byleth did not like it. It was far too reminiscent of a lonely past.

"Though, I am sure you already knew that, Fell Star."

Byleth twitched at the familiar name. It hadn't been long enough since he heard it last.

"What are you doing here?"

Thales opened his mouth to reply, but Edelgard answered first.

"To discuss the coming battle."

The ashen man glanced at Edelgard, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Yes; that is correct." Thales nodded slowly, his gaze turning back to Byleth. "A new dawn is close at hand, a war fast approaching. I am here today to offer my assistance once more in this coming conflict."

"And why would you do that?" Byleth questioned.

Edelgard had given him a brief rundown of her uncle's involvement with her cause in the past, but when it came to Thales's schemes, they were as cloaked as his organization. From what Byleth could gather from the bits Edelgard had shared, neither her nor Hubert knew the full extent to what Those Who Slithered in the Dark had planned.

Byleth knew he was an 'ally…' He just did not understand why.

"We both share a common cause," Thales explained. "We both have stakes in this war."

The thought of having something else in common with this twisted snake made Byleth's chest tighten.

"That being…?"

"There are things that my people would fight, kill, and die to reclaim… I am sure that an ashen demon could understand such a notion," Thales spat. His anger at Byleth's mere presence seeped into his words. "To reclaim what has been stripped from us, we will cooperate with you in this matter."

Thales exhaled through his nose, shaking his head just once.

"You, and the peerless Flame Emperor, of course."

"What did you have in mind?" Edelgard inquired. Given the wrinkles in her brow, Byleth assumed she did not believe his words. Neither did he.

"When the bloodletting starts, I will bolster your troops with my own. With our combined forces, the monastery should fall easily. It will be a violent, bloody affair, but even with the children of the Goddess standing against us, they alone cannot hope to stem the tide."

"Do you think me a fool? That cannot be the extent of your schemes." Edelgard glowered at the much taller man. "Surely there is something else that you have planned. Something else that you require."

Thales examined her coolly, not fazed in the slightest by the thinly veiled hostility in Edelgard's voice.

He waved his hand flippantly.

"The situation has changed."

Thales turned back to Byleth. The professor shivered as he felt those white soulless evaluate him once again. The way this monster stared at him… it was as though Byleth was nothing but an object rather than a human man.

"We have no intention of interfering with your little charade in the tomb."

"You expect me to believe that?" Byleth's frown deepened. It was barely a month ago that Thales and his minions had tried to kill him. For what reason would he believe such a clear lie?

"Believe what you will." Thales shrugged. The human movement seemed wrong coming from him. "Yet, here you are, still alive and drawing breath. You have made your allegiance known, Fell Star. As much as I might detest your existence, to erase you and the Goddess nowwould only lessen our collective strength."

There was a burning in Byleth's chest. A red tinge to his vision. The urge to draw his blade had turned into screams pleading for him to do so.

It was maddening. Thales had Jeralt killed, yet he acted as if it was nothing. They had tried to kill Byleth, yet he acted as if it was nothing.

And now, since Byleth was a valuable asset and a means to an end, it was all forgotten. Forgotten as if Thales had simply drawn a bad hand in a game of cards and he was already on to the next.

Byleth had no doubt they would make more attempts at his life once his usefulness came to an end, however. Of that, he was sure.

Thales and his kind would likely have Edelgard and the others killed, as well. After all, they were allies in name only. Once their 'shared' goal was accomplished, Thales wouldn't hesitate to end them all.

The audacity to stand there and speak so casually… It truly was maddening.

…But, this creature was nothing like the pathetic Prime Minister they had left behind in Enbarr. Thales was far more powerful, and far more cunning. Likely more so than both Edelgard and Byleth as they were now. Were Byleth to snap like he did in that dungeon's cell, the repercussions could be far more dire. Not just for him… but for Edelgard and the future of Fódlan itself.

So, he bottled up his volatile emotions and shoved them back down. Byleth's hands remained at his waist, not daring to inch towards his sword.

"Besides-"

Thales's head slowly rotated back to Edelgard. Underneath that chilling gaze, El did not shrink nor buckle.

But, Byleth could see the way in which her grip tightened on her sleeves. The way in which her backfoot carefully retreated a few centimeters.

"Should we require something further, it can be acquired after Garreg Mach has fallen. There are sure to be many valuable artifacts and weaponry hidden away beneath the monastery's hollowed grounds. To try and attain that during your declaration would be ill-advised at best."

Edelgard's eyes lit up in recognition as the truth behind Thales's words revealed themselves to her. Even Byleth could understand an inkling of what he was getting at with the professor's limited knowledge on these subjects.

Byleth had only seen glimpses of it during their battle in the mausoleum and their second confrontation with the Death Knight in that maze beneath the ground. There were many things hidden behind the closed doors of Garreg Mach.

If something as powerful as the Sword of the Creator was hidden away so surreptitiously inside Serios's 'tomb,' or if such a scaling labyrinth could somehow lay undetected beneath Jeritza's quarters, Byleth was certain there were more secrets tucked away within the monastery. Possible Relics or other artifacts of a distant past, weapons or tools purposefully concealed so that humanity would never see them again.

It did not take a vivid imagination to realize why Thales might want to obtain these hypothetical things.

"Very well," Edelgard replied through gritted teeth. "If that is your aim, so be it. Simply stay out of our way until after we have claimed victory."

"But of course, Flame Emperor."

Thales placed his hand to his chest and lowered his head once more. Another feigning of respect. It irritated Byleth, but he kept quiet.

"With that squared away, there is not anything more for us to discuss."

"That is all?" Edelgard frowned, appearing entirely unconvinced.

"Indeed. I only wished to touch base with you and your… professor before the siege." Thales paused, shooting Byleth yet another sharpened glare. "We will observe the coming days with great interest, Flame Emperor. May you deliver a crushing defeat to those sycophants disguising their corruption as service to a worthless god."

Thales turned sharply, his cloak whipping behind him. He walked a few feet past the growing campfire, the light of the flames causing his shadow to grow.

His lifeless eyes met Byleth's over the flickering of the flames. Normally, one would expect to see some small, distorted reflection of light within someone's eyes. Some minuscule sign of life.

However, in this instance, Byleth saw nothing.

Nothing.

"Before we part, a word of warning to you both."

Thales's expression hardened. His lips contorted; his nostrils flared. The wrinkles in his brow seemed more like bottomless canyons than creases in his sickly skin.

"Do not underestimate the archbishop and the depths of her madness."

Following his cryptic message, Thales dispersed into a pillar of glimmering, purple light, leaving both without any further explanation. Byleth watched the space in which he had vanished from for several seconds.

The professor's gaze slowly turned to the grass beneath his feet. He could feel Edelgard's eyes drilling holes into the side of his head. In his peripheral vision, he could see hints of her furrowed brow and distraught expression. He had no words to comfort her, no alieve her of her worry. What Thales had said… they both knew it to be true. From firsthand experience, both knew Rhea to be a truly terrifying creature.

"Forgive me, Byleth," Edelgard whispered, her arms hugging herself a little tighter. "I did not anticipate him joining us this evening."

"There is nothing for you to apologize for," he replied, mechanic in nature. Byleth bent down to retrieve his almost forgotten catch of the day. "All that we should focus on is the fact that Thales will not impede our mission."

Edelgard was silent, her eyes following Byleth as he strode to the campfire. She was quiet as she watched him unsheathe his knife to clean and gut the fish.

"I suppose you are right…" she murmured.

The emperor placed her back to the tree trunk beside her, slowly sinking to the ground. Hugging her legs to her chest, she rested her chin on her knees. Edelgard observed Byleth prep their meal without a word. The pupils of her dim eyes followed his hands as they went about their work.

Occasionally, one of the two would break the silence, but any attempt at conversation was doomed to be snuffed out but a few seconds later- related to the topic or not, they were bound to fail. Byleth did not want this final day to go this way, as he was sure Edelgard felt the same, but it was hard to act very chipper after meeting with a 'man' of Thales caliber.

This little excursion with Edelgard's uncle, at least to Byleth, really hammered home the reality of their situation. These were people he had only heard about second hand through Edelgard. People he had fought and killed on the battlefield. People that murdered his father…

And now, he was their ally. Their weapon.

Their tool.

It felt like the last domino had finally fallen.

Byleth sighed as he ran a sharpened stick through one of the fish's gullets. He implanted the base of the stick into the ground and at a slant towards the fire. The two meals were close enough to the campfire to cook, but not close enough to catch fire or burn.

He watched the food cook, his eyes losing focus as they stared into the flames. Byleth could no longer see their orange-red color without picturing Remire Village. With the prospect of their war fresh on his mind, his thoughts went from the ravaged village to those dreams he used to have. Back before Jeralt died, and back before Sothis fused with him.

Those early dreams of a city engulfed in flames. Of a muddy plain drenched in rain.

Byleth lifted his gaze, meeting Edelgard's across the campfire. This entire time, she had been watching him. Her expression was impassive, the fire reflecting brightly off the whites of her eyes. They were glassy and clearly not in the present, but when she realized Byleth was staring at her, Edelgard refocused.

Byleth gave a stilted smile, and so did she. Neither seemed all that genuine. He certainly didn't feel genuine.

But, as it always did, the sight of her smile had a calming effect on him. Rising to his feet, he circled around the campfire.

Edelgard watched him curiously, her smile turning a little more honest as Byleth approached her. She scooted to the side to give him a little space.

With a tiny grunt, Byleth fell on his rear, his back resting against the trunk of the tree behind him. He spread out his legs, leaving his palm facing upwards on the top of his thigh. Edelgard accepted the silent invitation, weaving her fingers between his.

No words needed to be said between the two to understand what the other was feeling within their heart. Edelgard rested her head against Byleth's shoulder, while he rested his against her hair.

He continued to peer into the dancing flames, while Edelgard was fixated on their conjoined hands.

It was true- the way he felt.

Byleth was just an object to Thales. A tool, a weapon, a means to an end. Who he was did not matter, only what he was. Byleth was not a person, but a calamity. A calamity Thales wished to control.

With her, though… Byleth never felt that way. Sometimes, it felt like Edelgard was the only one that saw Byleth for the person he truly was, and not for the laurels or accomplishments he bore. It felt like… It felt like she was the only person that could feel the beating of his heart, even when he could not.

Byleth's gaze moved from the fire and to their hands, slowly traversing up her arm until he reached her face. From this angle, he could only see a fragment of her purple eyes, but that was more than enough. He continued to watch the flames dance. This time, from the reflection in Edelgard's bright eyes.

With the end fast approaching, Byleth once again found himself considering his dreams. Not the dreams he had when he slept, but the things he wished for upon a star or within the walls of the Goddess's Tower.

There were many things Byleth wanted to do in life, but perhaps accomplishing them all was unfeasible and unrealistic. Byleth wondered now if that was the point of wishes, hopes, and dreams. Instead of milestones to achieve, maybe they were really just mountains on the horizon for you to admire.

Maybe that's the way it was supposed to be- you may be able to scale one or two in your lifetime, but even if you couldn't surpass all of them, that was okay, too. After all, the mountains would still be there. They would still give you a purpose or a calling simply by their existence. Even if you were never meant to stand on their peaks, you could still look at them in the distance and marvel in their innate beauty. They would remain long after death, standing for all eternity.

Maybe that's the way dreams should be.

It hadn't been that long ago when Byleth made his second wish in the Goddess Tower. Staring into Edelgard's eyes as he was now, he had wished that the light within them never faded. That the flame behind those purple eyes never went out, just as he was now.

If Byleth could climb but one mountain, he would ensure that Edelgard could climb them all. If he could not, Byleth would be the wings that allowed her to reach heights far greater than he.

If that was what fate decided for him, Byleth would be at peace knowing that Edelgard would be able to gaze upon the peaks he could not reach.

In this world of unknown variables and undealt cards, that promise brought him a great deal of solace.

The night and the following morning came and went. Edelgard and Byleth were back on the trail again after giving their horses some water to drink.

They were not far from the monastery, now. They were already back in Garreg Mach's territory. There wasn't much time left for them before the sprawling campus of the academy appeared on the horizon.

While the meeting the night before had taken a toll on Edelgard's psyche, it seemed to do the exact opposite for Byleth. It surprised her greatly, all things considered. She expected meeting Thales face-to-face to affect him more harshly, but after the tense encounter the night before… Byleth's focus was elsewhere.

Atop his saddle, he sat straight and tall., There was not a telling expression on his face, but there was a softness to his features. There were no wrinkles to betray a disguised emotion. No tightening of his jaw, no distant eyes.

He simply sat there, his gaze pointed towards the clouds above. Byleth was quiet as he watched the birds fly freely overhead.

Watching him now, Edelgard just didn't understand the notion that Byleth was emotionless, that he was aloof or didn't care, or that he was a 'demon' of all things. She didn't get that impression from him, and watching him now, she knew it to be false. Maybe people didn't look hard enough, or they simply did not understand her professor, but they were wrong.

As clear as day, she could see the small smile on his face.

Byleth was smiling as he followed the flying birds. Edelgard wouldn't claim to admit that she knew what he was thinking, but if the sight of a flock of birds made him happy, she wouldn't question it.

"Have you ever wondered what it might be like to fly, El?"

Edelgard jerked in her saddle. She had been so fixated on Byleth, that when he actually spoke, it startled her.

Regaining her composure, she replied.

"Of course." Edelgard nodded. She turned her own attention to the sky, and in particular, one bird that seemed to be lagging behind the flock. "I believe that is a common daydream for people to have."

Byleth hummed, growing reflective.

"I suppose it is."

He lowered his gaze, turning to Edelgard.

"Truthfully, I had not considered it until very recently," Byleth mumbled, shooting the sky another look. "Now that I have… I find myself envying them."

Envying them?

Well, Edelgard supposed it was not a strange feeling to have. Soaring among the clouds and the sky, feeling the sun's warmth so closely on your cheeks… To be able to see the world from a bird's-eye view must be quite lovely.

She had a feeling, however, those were not the reasons Byleth was considering.

"How so?"

"A bird flies because it must, right? It is a necessity for their survival," he explained, nodding towards the flock. "And they are able to do so without restriction. No burdens, nothing shackling them to the ground- nothing preventing their survival or prosperity. I was only thinking that it must be nice to…"

"Be that free?"

Byleth met her eyes, nodding again.

"Such a thing would be," Edelgard agreed.

"Maybe one day we'll be lucky enough to experience it."

She stared at Byleth with a furrowed brow.

"Experience flying?"

"Well, nothing is impossible, right?" Byleth asked, a small grin forming.

Edelgard blinked a few times. After a few seconds of a stunned silence, her gaze returned to the clouds above. Her pupils followed the path the birds had taken, eventually landing on the horizon before them.

"…Perhaps not."

As her eyes fell from the sky, so did the heart in her chest.

They were closer to the academy than she realized.

"Looks like we're here," Byleth sighed, his horse slowing to a stop.

Edelgard followed suit, stopping beside him. The path they were on took them atop a hill, giving the two a perfect view of the valley beneath them.

She never felt any joy on these adventures when Garreg Mach finally came into view. There were great, hard-working, and worthy people within those walls. Edelgard had experienced many wonderful memories within those cherished halls, but the sight of the academy from this angle always caused her blood pressure to spike.

It reminded her of her place in this world; as an outsider looking in, as someone that did not belong. Whenever she looked down upon Garreg Mach at this angle, she wondered if she would share a similar sight when she led the army that would storm its grounds. As lovely as a bird's-eye view could be, she could never stare upon the entirety of Garreg Mach without feeling the swirls of anxiety.

And knowing that a place that brought her such joy was a monument to a tyrant she wanted to dethrone…

It made her nauseous.

Looking at Byleth, it appeared that he was sharing a similar moment.

Unlike before, Byleth's expression almost seemed weighed down- as if some force was tugging on it. His eyes were avoiding hers and the monastery, pointed directly at the ground below them. The hands holding the reins had tightened around them.

He closed his eyes. After a prolonged sigh, his posture straightened to what it was. His grip lessened and his shoulders broadened.

This past month following their battle in the Sealed Forest, Byleth had felt and appeared… different at times. It was like his mind was always somewhere else, his eyes seeing things that weren't there. Edelgard knew that he was battling internally with something, but as to what, she could not say.

Though, given their position and some of their past conversations, Edelgard had a few guesses.

But right now, in this moment, Byleth… looked just like he did so many moons ago. That distance in his eyes, that burden in his mind, that doubt in his face, whatever it was, that hold on him lessened.

Right now, he looked just as he did that day he led the Eagles into their first mock battle. When he led them into the Red Canyon, or against Lonato and his men.

He looked… resolute.

"Edelgard?"

"Yes, Byleth?"

"It is the weekend, so there will be no class until the start of next week."

The emperor rose a brow. What was he getting at? A conversation starter she had not expected.

Byleth turned to her.

"There are a few things I must do before we reconvene with the Eagles. Would you mind making up an excuse for me?"

"I do not mind." Edelgard nodded slowly, but she found it curious. "…May I ask why?"

"I…" Byleth hesitated, casting his gaze downward for a split second. "I realize that this path we take will inevitably diverge from the others."

Edelgard frowned, averting her eyes.

"And I realize that for some, there is nothing I can do to change that. That… there is nothing we can say or do to make them see it our way. That is the nature of life."

Byleth looked to her again, this time smiling. It wasn't a genuine smile, however. It was sad. Pained. It reflected every emotion but happiness.

"If possible, I'd like to take some time to wrap up a few things."

Edelgard returned his pained smile with one of her own, reaching out her hand to bridge the gap between them.

Byleth grabbed it on reflex, holding it closely.

"Of course, my Byleth. Take all the time you need."

"Thank you, El." He squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb across the back of her knuckles. Byleth had a moment of silent reflection before continuing. "May I ask for one more favor?"

"Anything."

"Before the weekend is over, let's meet one last time in the Goddess Tower."

The Goddess Tower? Edelgard did not expect to share another moment in that place before the war started, but if it was Byleth offering… She would very much enjoy one more opportunity to stand beneath that roof, staring out over the monastery below with Byleth at her side. To share one more moment together, as close to the moon and the stars as they ever could be.

"I would be happy to."

Byleth's smile grew, the upsetting emotions that colored it slowly fading.

A pair of eyes that reflected the light of the sun breaking through the clouds. Green hair fluttering in the gentle breezing, matching the vibrant colors of the foliage around him. It was a face so breathtakingly beautiful, Edelgard wished she could capture it forever- if only to prevent it from being damaged or sullied.

The moment ended sooner than she would have liked, as their hands parted and fell back to their reins.

"Well, I suppose we best be off," Byleth cleared his throat. "Hubert is likely beside himself without you nearby."

Edelgard laughed. Laughed. The very sound of her own laughter shocked her. The noise almost felt foreign in her ears after all they have done, and all they have yet to do.

Such a thing is far too common when one spends their days considering a gruesome war… Sometimes one forgets that happiness has not disappeared or vanished.

It simply hides for a while. It is like… the sun, in a way. No matter how long the rain falls, a day will come where it shines again.

Together, they spurred their horses and began the slow descent towards Garreg Mach.

Seteth covered his lips with a hand. He could feel the way they had hardened and twisted beneath his palm. The words on the pages before him were disturbing. They were hard to read. They made his stomach somersault in ways he had not felt in many years.

As troubling as the writing was, he could not look away.

Seteth continued to devour every single word Jeralt had written. He hardly blinked. He hardly breathed.

He simply stood in a stunned silence; eyes wide as they digested each new line. Each word revealing a new, terrible truth. Each sentence taking his preconceived notions and crushing them into a fine dust.

As damning as Jeralt's testimony was, the person Seteth was most disgusted with was himself. How had he not known? How had he been so blind? In hindsight, it all was so very obvious…

Finally, Seteth closed and lowered the diary. His glassy and absent eyes rested on the closed door to Jeralt's office, his mind completely and utterly blank. It was such an overload of information, that his addled brain could not seem to translate it all at once.

It was a moment of terrifying silence one feels when their entire world has been upended. Where the mind seemingly ceases to function, time slows to a standstill, and the surrounding world seems to fade into a dull gray.

With a slow and steady hand, Seteth returned Jeralt's diary to where he found it. Placing the false bottom back in place, he closed the drawer.

Seteth had been so absorbed in the words on the pages, he had lost track of time. He had been standing here for near an hour. If he did not want his absence to be noticed or raise suspicion, it was best that he returned to Rhea sooner rather than later.

Yet, the prospect of returning to the archbishop's side after reading that was disconcerting, to say the least. Seteth did not know what to say to her. He did not know if what he learned was something he should keep to himself, or something he should bring to her attention.

On the one hand, Seteth desired the truth. He wanted to hear Rhea's side of this.

On the other… Part of him feared that the truth he sought might not be the truth he longed to hear.

Seteth shook his head, stowing his worries to the back of his mind. He did not have the luxury to pursue this line of thought at this moment in time. There was much to prepare for. He had to return to Rhea's side, for now.

Straightening out his tunic, Seteth stepped out from behind the desk and walked to the door. Once Professor Byleth returned and they made their final preparations, then Seteth could bring this matter to Lady Rhea.

He placed his hand on the knob and turned it. The door creaked as it opened.

For now, he would simply have to ruminate on-

"Good morning."

Seteth jumped, a very pathetic shriek nearly escaping his lips. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he had nearly walked headlong into Byleth's waiting chest.

Byleth was perhaps the last person he was hoping to see standing on the other side of that threshold.

The professor's impassive, green eyes bore holes into Seteth's. The former mercenary was shorter than he was, yet, for some reason, it felt as though he towered over Seteth.

"P-Professor Byleth," Seteth murmured, running a hand across his brow as he composed himself. "You startled me. I had not realized you had returned."

"My apologies." Byleth dipped his head. "I only just got back."

Byleth's eyes moved past Seteth, eventually landing on Jeralt's former desk. They lingered there for a few moments before inching back to their original position on Seteth's façade.

"It was my plan to meet with you and Lady Rhea, but first I wanted to drop off my things."

Seteth's curiosity heightened at that. Drop off his things? In Jeralt's old office? What could he possibly wish to deposit here instead of his room…

But, he knew better to question the professor on that. Especially considering that Seteth was currently on the backfoot here. Going down that avenue might only bring up the one question Seteth did not wish to answer at this moment in time. Not when there were so many uncertainties.

"I see," Seteth cleared his throat, posture straightening. "Then, do not allow me to keep you. We can simply reconvene after you have finished."

"Very well."

Byleth nodded and stepped past him. He unslung his bag, resting it on one of the dusty chairs. The professor hesitated, his hands hovering near the straps to unfasten it. If that hesitation was any indication, he could feel Seteth's eyes still on him.

Seteth cleared his throat again, turning to leave the room and Byleth in peace.

"Seteth."

However, he had hardly made it to the door before Byleth's low voice called out to him.

He swallowed, turning his head back to Byleth. The man was staring steadily at him.

"Yes, Professor?"

The mercenary was silent for a few moments, quietly examining the adviser with a scrutinizing gaze.

Just when Seteth expected the worst, Byleth's blank expression dropped and his lips curved into a small, albeit crooked grin.

"It is nice to see you again."

Seteth blinked dumbly, internally letting out a sigh of relief.

"And you as well, Byleth."

With that said, Seteth dipped his head in respect. Finally, he vacated the room and left Byleth to his own devices.

As he closed the door behind him, Seteth caught one last glimpse of the professor staring intently at Jeralt's desk.

Thanks for reading everyone! I hope you enjoyed it!

So, originally the plan was to post a doosy of a chapter. Little baby woulda been the longest to date, likely nearing 20k, but I realized that the scenes I REALLY wanted to write were not up the quality I wanted. Too much of the chapter's focused laid in this opening half, and I really really wanted to dedicate more space to the other scenes I wanted. Spending so much time writing and planning out the scenes you see here instead of the rest of the chapter started making me impatient.

Buuuut, I also realized it was kind of important to tie up the loose ends that were Thales and Seteth. It was a hairy situation.

In the end, I decided to simply cut the chapter into two and end it with that interaction with Seteth. On the plus side, I get the update out quicker than it would have been, the next chapter shoooould come sooner, and I can put more of my focus on the scenes that I really wanted to. On the negative side, this chapter is kind of short and not much REALLY happens other than tying up some things, giving Byleth's mental state more focus, and leading us into what the main focal point of what Chapter 43 is going to be about, closure.

Anyhow, I'll touch on a few bits with the content of this chapter here before finishing up.

As you may have noticed, I am completely removing the whole "CREST STONES" shenanigans in the Holy Tomb. I believe there are better ways for the story I've written to achieve the same results without the inclusion of stopping graverobbers desecrating the tombs. The hope is to create a chapter that flows better while still reaching the same result (Rhea losing it).

And, as you may have noticed, that final bit was me incorporating the moment in canon where Seteth finds Jeralt's diary. That felt important to include (for similar reasons to Thales). These two scenes felt criminal to ignore- for me at least. Just shoehorning them into "oh it happened off-screen" felt ill-advised.

Finally, an author UPDATE: Edeleth week is coming up on Twitter (Sept 27-Oct 3rd), and I'm strongly considering writing a one shot for that. If I do, I'll post it in the usual places, so be on the lookout!

Anyhow, hope you all have been safe! For those in areas affected by the recent wildfires, please, please, please be careful! See you all in the next chapter!