Welcome, everyone! I have never written fan fiction before, but Three Houses was far too moving for me not to go through with this! I don't know what you're supposed to say here, but I think reviews are welcome? I would appreciate them, at least! I wrote this for fun, and I hope you have fun too. You can probably see that this chapter is called "prologue" and infer that there is more to come. There might be, if people actually like this. I had a lot of fun writing it so we'll see if it happens. So without further ado, buckle up, pour yourself your favorite fan fiction time drink, and get ready for my sliiiightly less serious take on Fire Emblem: Three Houses, mostly told from Flayn's perspective.

I see this a lot so I think you're supposed to put a disclaimer here. It seems like the most obvious thing in the world, since it's called fanfiction, right? But no, I do not in fact own Fire Emblem. Had you fooled, didn't I? Ok, with that out of the way, let's really get going.

.

.

.

.

Flayn vs The World - Prologue: Rumors of a Keeper

Flayn was sitting on her bed, cheeks puffed in anticipation and an effort to remain absolutely quiet.

Any time, now!

Her anticipation was rewarded when she heard a sharp knock on her brother's door across the corridor.

Yes! It's all coming together! Flayn had a hard time keeping the air stored in her cheeks to herself. This was much more exhilarating than she could have ever imagined, and it was only just beginning! She heard the sound of a door creaking open.

"Greetings, sir! Something to report!" It was the peppy guard normally stationed near the market. Flayn would recognize that voice just about anywhere.

"You have my ears, gatekeeper. What would you report to me at this time of day?"

"Something most unusual is happening near the new professor's classroom, sir! I'm afraid I do not understand it myself, sir! I implore you to come with me right away!"

"The new professor… I knew it would come to this! Come, gatekeeper, we must investigate the Golden Deer homeroom at once!"

Flayn wasted no time. This would be her only chance, and she knew that well. The gatekeeper almost never had anything to report, so when he did, he made quite the deal out of it. Luckily the new professor had been swayed by her irresistible charm and agreed to be her accomplice in the secret plan. But this was not the time to think of such things! As soon as Flayn could no longer hear the hurried steps of her brother and the gatekeeper, she quietly slipped out her room and made her way toward the fishing pond.

The little body of water was Flayn's favorite place in all of Garreg Mach. It did not look like much, but it was quite deep, and it harbored many delicious fish. For as long as she could remember, Flayn had had an affinity for fish. Petra had once said that it must be her "spirit animal". Flayn did not know what that meant, but she enjoyed the sound of it.

At last, I will know the truth, Flayn thought. She figured that if she has such an affinity for fish, then fish must be just as unable to sleep as she is. It is a perfectly logical conclusion, after all. But no matter how she implored her brother, he would not let her visit the fishing pond at night. But Flayn had to know, she had to see for herself. Do fish sleep?

When she arrived at the fishing pond, the sun almost completely set. The sky held a deep blue color, with a slight hint of crimson beyond the rooftops of Garreg Mach. It was a fitting setting, Flayn thought, for such an important discovery. She stopped right in her step, however, when she realized that she was not alone. Two boys wearing uniforms of the Officer's Academy were standing on the pier. One had grey hair, and a face that screamed "too wholesome for my own good". She couldn't see the face of the other boy, but they were holding a book between them. It looked like some sort of bizarre tug-of-war. The smaller, grey-haired boy had his back to the water, and he appeared to be losing the contest of strength. It would likely not be long before he ended up in the water.

Uh-oh. If I interrupt this struggle, my brother might find out that I left my room. That could lead to me being unable to find the answer to the question burning in my heart! It would all be in vain! Oh mother, if only you were here! Is it truly right for me to lay witness to such an improper event without intervening?

Flayn's overly dramatic thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a fourth individual made their present known.

"You're having a bit too much fun."

For a split second, Flayn feared that someone had found her out, but it was not so. As she turned to where the voice had come from, she saw a masked figure, clad in black and red armor. The person's face was hidden behind a white mask adorned by red flames. Flayn found her eyes drawn to the attire of this persona. The black and red armor… the mask… the axe held at his side! This was far too exciting to be proper! Oh, her brother would not approve in the slightest!

The boy with his back toward the mysterious… knight(?) slowly turned around. His appearance was quite unfortunate, Flayn decided. His eyes sat uncomfortably deep in his skull, and he looked as if he had never hear of any kind of hair care.

"Huh-", was all he had time to say before the enormous steel axe held in the masked knight's hand smashed into his already sorry face. The other boy nimbly ducked out of the way as his rival was flung into the water. As he ducked, he managed to snatch the book for himself and clutched it tight to his chest.

"I am the Flame Emperor. It is I who will reforge the world, one unreasonable ideal of justice at a time," said the masked figure and Flayn had to suppress a squeal as a pang of excitement rose within her.

How… how could someone so... cool appear before me?! Flayn did not have the proper vocabulary to describe this individual. They… he? did not appear to be a knight, but Flayn did not know what else he might be. He did not look like any figure she knew from history, and Flayn knew her history well. She had heard the word "cool" from one of the students at the academy, and thought it must be appropriate here. Triggering a strange sense of excitement? Seeming to belong to a level of prowess all to their own? Yes, this must be what it means! This individual is truly cool!

Flayn's thoughts were interrupted by the masked man disappearing in a flash of violet light. Only she and the two boys were left at the pond. Completely forgetting her mission, she started hastily making her way back to her room. She had an idea, and like all her ideas, it was amazing. She did not see how the grey-haired boy helped the other boy out of the water or how he offered him his jacket. No, Flayn had an idea. If someone else could be a hero, so could she.

.

.

.

.

Seteth was quickly striding towards the Officer's Academy. He had a bad feeling about the professor from the start, and he was more than willing to confirm his hunch. Lady Rhea had always been far too trusting. It was up to him, Seteth, to expose the professor for the dangerous, untrustworthy individual that she is!

Once the academy came into view, Seteth could immediately see why the gatekeeper had seen fit to report to him with such urgency. All was calm, and looked completely normal, except for an ominous light coming from the Golden Deer classroom, sticking out like a sore thumb. Seteth recognized such light as something arcane, likely the result of some kind of reason magic.

"I have you now, dear professor", Seteth chuckled to himself. It appeared that he had moved too quickly for the gatekeeper to keep up the pace, and so this would fall on him alone. Seteth stealthily made his way closer to the door, careful not to make a sound. Some strange murmurs were coming from within the classroom, but there was no way to make out what they were. Curtains were blocking the windows, so there was no way for Seteth to look inside.

Trying to hide, are you? It is only fitting that I should be the one to discover you, then. Nothing in Garreg Mach escapes my ever watchful eye!

As Seteth leaned toward the door and placed his ear to it, the murmurings from within the room quieted down. Could Byleth have taken notice of him? No, he was sure that he had not made as much as a single sound! Seteth waited. Quiet. Could this be a trap? But before Seteth could continue his train of thought, a bombastic voice from within the classroom forced him to steel himself.

"And now, my dear children, your souls shall be laid bare upon my altar!"

Unable to restrain himself, Seteth summoned his holy strength and charged straight through the door, turning it to splinters in the process.

"Fear the wrath of the Goddess!" Sword held high, Seteth had to stop himself, for as soon as he entered, he was greeted by Byleth and a handful of students looking up on him in confusion from their spots around a large table, placed in the middle of the room. Byleth sat on the short end, with some kind of screen in front of her. The students were spread out around the table, which was covered in papers, dice, and little figurines depicting various heroes and monsters.

"What… is the meaning of this?" Seteth was suddenly uncertain. As far as he could tell, there was nothing dangerous about this situation.

"Would you care to join us, Seteth? That was quite the enthusiastic entrance." One of Byleth's eyebrows went up, and an amused smirk made its way across her definitely-not-distractingly-attractive face. Seteth couldn't help but feel like he had just become the victim of some elaborate ruse. The stunned silence was suffocating, and Seteth found himself without words.

"Hey, teach, I'd like to roll to seduce Seteth", Claude suddenly spoke up. The Leicester heir gave Seteth a wink, as if to emphasize the ridiculous comment.

"Umm, Claude, I don't think you can do that." Now Ignatz was speaking, and some of the students have started laughing a bit too much for Seteth's comfort.

"I- I say good day, sir. Maam. Good night." Seteth turned and left, flush in the face, just in time to run into a confused and out-of-breath gatekeeper.

It would seem that there was, after all, nothing to report.

.

.

.

.

Author's Note

I have some ideas for where I would like to take this story. There is currently no endgame, but hey, it's the journey that matters, right? Tune in next time for the kick-off to Part 1: The Secret Life of Edelgard von Hresvelg!

.

.

Jejmaze, signing out