Chapter 8) Pack

Well, we have the chalice. Or, at least, we have a chalice that was guarded by creepy dolls and phantoms, so someone at some point considered it important. To me, it doesn't look like anything special, certainly not something to throw people's lives away for. But, then again, the whole idea of this ritual is ridiculous… and it may be the least of our worries. Hostage situations are never a good thing, but if my suspicions are right then…

Who even made this chalice and Rite anyway? How insane were they?

At the appointed time, we made our slow way to 'the chapel', an abandoned ruin a short distance away from the monastery itself. Supposedly, it had been abandoned years ago due to structural integrity issues. Someone came by now and again to make sure no criminals ran here to escape 'justice' or that there were no orphaned children starving in the halls, but otherwise, it was just left for nature to reclaim. Wasn't sure why no one just fixed the place, but then again, I barely knew anything when it came to the Church and the monastery. Especially the monastery.

So, we walked. Walked and mentally prepared. Wondering if we'd make it through all this. Wondering if we should. Well, I wondered that last part. At least I didn't have to worry about keeping track of the chalice. Yes, everyone had wanted me to carry it, but I'd refused. Knowing my luck, I'd find some way to break it. So, Yuri kept it in his pack, and I had my thoughts all over the place. Wondering, fretting, hoping that I wasn't right...

"Professor!" Hilda suddenly linked arms with me, smiling. "So, do you think our little group can get out of classes for a little longer?" she asked sweetly. It was such a 'Hilda' thing to say that I had to smile slightly. "Please? Since we're working so hard when we're supposed to be on break?"

"We can discuss that more when things are settled," I replied, not quite answering. Hilda still squealed in delight and punched her fist in the air in triumph. "If nothing else, I think I can arrange some lighter lessons." Surely no one would begrudge me that, right? "Your fellow cohort members are terribly worried, so they could use the break as well."

"Are they?" Hilda frowned, looking a little guilty. "Claude said he'd take care of the fawns, so…"

"He barely told them anything, from what they said."

"He what." All of a sudden, Hilda's tone flattened and her eyes narrowed into a… not quite a glare or scowl, but close. "Seriously?"

"Just about the mercenaries. Edelgard told no one but Hubert, and Dimitri simply made the cubs worry more with his explanation."

"...I'm going to…" She growled something under her breath. "That little… Claude!" And she let go of me to rush for Claude and yank him by the collar away from the others. "I can't believe you!"

"Yo, Hilda, I was kind of joking when I said you could grasp my neck!" Claude immediately protested, barely able to keep up. I tried to figure out what was going on and didn't manage it. For a few reasons. "Hey! Whoa!"

I watched for a couple more seconds before shaking my head and… well, I should've been checking on our surroundings. Checking on the rest of the group. But, I couldn't. I couldn't, because there were too many things bouncing through my skull so fiercely that it was a miracle I hadn't bruised. What would happen, once we arrived? Would it play out like I thought, or like I hoped? Would it be something in between? Though I knew it was pointless to fret, the questions continued burrowing through my head like maggots, festering within to make me sick, and we hadn't even started the actual fighting yet. This was going to be...

"Is this where Byleth and I remind you that we're older than most of you?" Azrael asked dryly, with a little mental 'nudge' to me to get me out of my thoughts. I frowned a little, not sure what in creation he was talking about. Or when Hilda and Claude came back. "And that Mercedes is older than us?"

"...Mercedes is?" Claude repeated, visibly startled. When and how did we get to talking about ages? Actually, when had he and Hilda rejoined? Had I been that out of it? How long? "I… seriously?"

"Mercedes is twenty-two, if I'm remembering Byleth's roster correctly."

"She's twenty-three," I corrected without thinking about it. I was so lost. "She just had her birthday." I was so, so lost. So was Sothis, which meant she hadn't been paying any attention either. "But she's the only one of my students older than us, yes. We turn twenty-one in a few months, whereas Hubert turned twenty shortly before we arrived here." Sylvain was the third oldest and his twentieth birthday had been just before all this madness started. He'd been really happy with the flowers I'd gotten him. I needed to think of what kinds to get Lorenz for his birthday, actually, since I was fairly certain his was coming up. Maybe something similar to what I'd gotten Raphael? At the least, I should see if I still had some yellow ribbons or if I had to buy more. "I am curious as to why we're talking about ages, though?"

"We were talking about how we were worried how the kidnappers might think Baltie was a knight," Hilda explained. Since she and Claude now walked side by side, I assumed she'd finished with whatever she'd wanted to do. Seriously, when had they come back? "Wait, but Azrael is a knight."

"Perhaps we shall get lucky and they will be mercenaries who recognize him as the Bloodstained Angel instead of..." I frowned slightly when Yuri and Claude both groaned. "Is something wrong?"

"Willing to bet that they forgot all about that reputation you two have when they stayed up all night scheming."

That sparked a round of laughter, which did a lot to settle residual nerves for most of the group. Not all. Mine certainly weren't settled, and the way Yuri hung back while the rest moved forward hinted that his weren't either. The concerned look he had as he watched them walk away all but confirmed it.

"Yuri," I whispered, catching his attention. He glanced at me, completely silent. "Are you worried?"

"Me? Never," he scoffed. Had to say that was almost convincing. "You're quite the cheeky one, huh?" Though he smirked, he remained tense and on edge. "...Ever since I was a kid, I've lived my life by one rule and one rule alone. That I would never play my hand unless I was guaranteed victory. I've gotten so far and survived this long by utilizing my cunning in every way possible. Lying, cheating, even killing if that was the only option… but this next play…" He looked right at the retreating backs of his fellow pups, his expression unreadable. "I'm not sure if the odds are in my favor. It all depends on something I have no control over, whether or not I have that ace or not."

"Dad always says that trusting something is the most courageous thing one can do."

"And right now, I have to wonder if it's courage or foolishness." He was silent for a moment longer before he shook his head roughly. "Well, no time for that. The show is about to start and we wouldn't want to miss out on the fun."

I didn't bother asking why he'd call this sort of thing a 'show' or 'fun'. Instead, I just followed him to catch up with the others, and we continued on our way until we were at the chapel itself. It was exactly like any other ruined building I had seen over the years. Trees surrounding the area, some vines crawling up the side of crumbling walls, a mostly intact building with a roof that had probably served as the 'chapel proper'... the only thing that stood out was the group of mercenaries standing near the collapsed doorway. They were 'at-ease', weapons at the ready, and most surrounded Aelfric. Aelfric himself looked far better than I typically saw hostages; he didn't even have his hands bound. That didn't bode well for me being wrong, but I could come up with scenarios, like if one of the mercenaries had a Silence spell and Aelfric fought primarily with magic. But it still made me uneasy, and to make sure I somehow didn't give anything away, I made sure to stay in the back with Azrael as our group approached and waited for the mercenary leader to acknowledge our presence.

"At last you've arrived!" Well, this was just lovely. Someone who behaved like a stereotypical villain, complete with 'evil cackling'. Maybe Yuri hadn't been far off when he'd dubbed this all a 'show'. "You certainly took your sweet time," the man continued, smirking. Azrael poked my side, but I ignored him. "Do you have the thing?"

"Yeah, yeah, we do…" Yuri sighed, before holding up the chalice. Aelfric's eyes widened at the sight, but that was his only reaction. The mercenaries themselves didn't react at all. "One special cup, right here."

"Let's make sure it's not some cheap imitation." The mercenary held out his hand. Azrael poked me again. Again, I ignored him. "Hand it over." How was he supposed to know it was 'real' or 'fake'?

"Not until you hand over Aelfric. There needs to be some degree of a trusting exchange here."

"I can see you don't understand your own predicament." The mercenary sighed and scowled at us. "We've no issue with killing the lot of you and taking it either way." And Azrael poked me for a third time.

"What is it?" I grumbled at my twin, deciding that he apparently wasn't going to take the hint. Particularly since he looked absent and distracted. "I'd like to-"

"Two things, sis," Azrael interrupted softly, definitely not paying attention. He nodded to the woods surrounding the area. "One, there's people hiding there." Of course there were. Why wouldn't there be? "Second, doesn't this guy look familiar?"

"The one that's talking?"

"Yes, the talking ass." Azrael, you were far too interested in this. "I swear we've seen him before."

"Does it matter?"

"No, but it's bothering me and…" Azrael suddenly looked up, distinctly unamused. "Really?"

"...I'm not going to like this, am I?" I looked up as well, and saw a giant bird swooping for us. "I knew it."

"Yeah, swooping is kind of bad." Even better, all we could really do was watch it land with a hard thud, a billow of dust, and an ear-piercing screech. Good news was that the mercenaries were rattled enough that they let go of Aelfric and he could run to us easily. Bad news… well, it was obvious; we had a giant monster to deal with. The situation became worse when Balthus charged the thing and, of course, got himself caught. "Okay, swooping is bad."

"Balthus, stop screwing around!" Yuri groused, tucking the chalice into its bag again. Almost immediately, though, the giant bird flew off with Balthus in its talons. "Oh. Huh." After a long moment of staring, Yuri shrugged it off. "He'll sort it out. At least we got Aelfric back in one-"

"Yuri, Claude, which one of you decided using uncontrollable monsters was a good idea?" I asked slowly, focusing on the two. Almost immediately, they pointed at each other. "I cannot believe you two were this idiotic."

"Did you have a better idea?"

"I think any plan that doesn't add enemy combatants to the battle would've been better, so yes, many."

"And this is why I listen to Byleth for plans and no one else," Azrael commented, slowly stretching. Meanwhile, the mercenaries were panicking and my students were understandably trying to figure out what just happened. Constance and Hapi, meanwhile, ignored everything to simply hug Aelfric, who hugged them back reassuringly. "Hapi, since I'm assuming this has to do with your sighs-"

"You didn't notice me sighing?" Hapi asked dryly. Even as she still clung to Aelfric. "I mean… I wasn't subtle about it."

"Distracted." Azrael shrugged off the weird looks. "Regardless, why did you think this was a good idea?"

"I thought the looks on their faces would be funny, and I was right." Hapi shrugged. I didn't think that was a very good reason considering lives were on the line. "Besides, not the first time Yuri-bird has gone with a plan like this."

"Your reckless actions could have been the death of all of you!" Aelfric scolded, frowning at all of us. He quickly softened, though. "Still, I thank you for saving me."

"Please don't thank anyone yet since we now have to get out of this predicament," I 'requested'. I frowned slightly at Yuri and Claude. Yuri smiled hesitantly in return, while Claude hid behind him. "As I have a feeling a certain duo didn't account for that part."

"You sound like Jeralt when the squires did something particularly reckless and disappointing."

"Well, he is my dad." And I was certainly disappointed. Mostly in myself for being so stuck in my own head that I didn't check this plan beforehand. "Azrael, figure out where Balthus is, will you? We'll determine our plan of attack once we have that." The mercenaries, after all, were a little too rattled to worry about us for the moment. Particularly when the second giant bird showed up because why wouldn't another one show up? "Hapi, did you sigh twice or is it 'any number of monsters arrive' sort of thing?"

"It was one long sigh, so it might've counted as two," Hapi mused, reluctantly letting go of Aelfric. She stretched her arms above her head before twisting from side to side to loosen up her back. "Normally, it's a one-for-one thing. Can Azrael really find B in this mess that quickly? Because this distraction won't last-"

"The wind says he's in the corner, and strangely alive considering what giant birds normally do with their prey," Azrael commented absently, barely focused on anything. I knew his attention was mostly to the woods, where those people were hiding. A quick and silent inquiry to him told me that they hadn't moved yet. "Maybe he managed to wriggle out before it dropped him."

"It drops the prey?"

"Well, yeah? From a very high height at that. Kills quickly and gives them easier access to the juicy marrow within bones. They like marrow." Azrael completely ignored the weird looks everyone was giving him. "If they just wanted the meat, they'd pierce through with the talons and rip it out that way."

"Azrael, your ability to relay such details so nonchalantly is baffling," Hilda deadpanned, looking completely unamused. No doubt because the 'prey' in question was Balthus. But I knew Azrael didn't really care either way. "Whatever. Professor, can you please fix the mess Claude and Yuri made? I'd really like to be done by dinner, and I don't want Baltie to end up as a monster's dinner."

I wasn't sure about 'fixing' anything, but I could at least figure out a plan. Mostly. Sort of. Actually, I wasn't sure how good of a plan it was, but it kind of covered the basics. Claude, Yuri, and Linhardt went to the southwest corner to rescue Balthus. Ashe, Hapi, and Dimitri went north to distract the other bird. Hilda guarded Aelfric, while Edelgard and Constance focused on the mercenaries closest to us. As for Azrael and me… we slipped through the enemy's formation to cut down who we could while targeting the leader of the group: that vaguely familiar smug mercenary. After all, the monsters had already sowed confusion and panic. If we took out their leader, it would only add to the chaos, and a disorganized enemy was much easier to pin and kill. Or, even better, force a surrender. I'd prefer that one. I knew it was going to happen, but I'd prefer it and that desire grew with each mercenary I killed. None of us were using borrowed weapons from Abyss this time, but by the fifth, I felt like I might as well have been. The difference in the strikes was staggering by then, and I swore I was simply bludgeoning them to death, not cutting. I didn't have the words for how the tenth one felt; I had to burn them to stop the screaming.

"My, my, are you two so eager to die?" The smug one, for their part, had stayed away from the fighting, and was back to the bouncing-villain act. At least, until he got a good look at Azrael and me. Then they looked horrified. "Er… wait a second…" They stepped back, trembling suddenly. "Aren't you…?" So, was that reputation really coming into play right-

"Oh, now I remember you!" Azrael interrupted, pleased he finally had that question answered. It just left me more confused, though, because I didn't. "Didn't recognize you with the smugness. You were a mess of tears and snot after Byleth broke both of your arms for killing civilians for being 'in the way' or something." ...I did? I didn't remember this. Maybe it had been one of the particularly bad battles? I could never remember those well. "Looks like they healed well enough, so should we cut them off this time?"

"I… er…" He stumbled back another step, gritting his teeth, and looked about wildly for some sort of escape. "I can't die here. I've a more important job on the way."

"Would it surprise you that I don't care?" Azrael blasted the smug one with some wind, but they dodged it. "You're such a coward, truly, running away from the truth of battle. Death doesn't give a damn about anything you want to do." Catching some movement, I turned to see some of the other mercenaries rushing over to try and assist the smug one, right as Azrael lunged forward to strike at close range.

But he didn't hit the smug one. Because they grabbed one of their fellows and threw them at Azrael instead. Azrael didn't have time to change his direction, so his strike hit the thrown mercenary, their blood flying everywhere while the corpse itself hit Azrael and knocked him unbalanced. I threw fire at the smug one once I realized what had happened, but it did no good. Because the smug one had anticipated a follow-up assault and… and dragged another of their fellows in front of them. The smoke, char, and screams made my stomach protest, while such disregard for another's life made my heart keen. I had to fight to keep from throwing up, and so, I wasn't able to attack a second time. Azrael tried, once he regained his footing, but the smug one escaped into the woods by then. All that remained was his noticeably clean weapon, dropped so that he could run just a little faster.

"Well, shit, he was more skilled than I thought he'd be," Azrael muttered. I could only look away. Battles were brutal, and there were times where you only survived because someone else happened to be in the way. But to deliberately do that to your own allies… especially when they were only near so that they could help… "I'm sorry. I should've just…"

"Why did I not kill him?" I asked softly. I still had no memory of the incident Azrael described, but if I had done so then, would these people be alive now? Would… "Was the battle that bad?"

"...It was." That was all he would say, but that was because anything else would make me lose the fight with my nausea. Pausing in the battle didn't help either as the smell of blood and death was nearly overwhelming. "Hmm? Oh, Hapi. Something wrong?"

"No, not really." Hapi hopped over, skirting the bodies with ease, and I forced myself to steady my nerves. I couldn't let strangers… well, then again, I doubted strangers would be able to figure it out. They never did. "Wanted to let you know that B is safe and as sound as he ever is," she reported. I had to smile a little because that was a relief. "Our bird flew up too high to reach, so we fell back to help protect Elfie. I volunteered to tell you two what was up and… well…" She shrugged. "Yuri-bird wants me to sigh more, like I'm some sort of sigh-servant."

"Please don't," I replied, surprised he'd consider it. We hadn't even dealt with the first two! What in creation was he thinking? Though, I did have to say that the shock of such brazen idiocy was enough to make my stomach behave. Sothis's wordless grumbling grounded me even more. "I'd like to not die today."

"Sounds good to me." She smiled, snickering even. "Glad I asked! You might've killed Yuri-bird if I hadn't!" I… wouldn't? The monsters might've, of course, but not me? Then again, I was a monster too, so… "Er… uh oh." All at once, Hapi looked up with wide eyes. "It caught sight of me." The loud screech above answered what the 'it' was before I looked up to confirm that one of the giant birds was right above us. And diving straight for Hapi…!

Azrael slipped between Hapi and the bird-monster just before its talons could tear into her, and blocked the attack. He grunted from the force and had to brace his blade with his arm to keep it from shoving past the sword to get him. Hapi took advantage of the opening to strike with her magic, blasting it in the face. It screeched again and reeled back, its beating wings kicking up a large spray of dust. Then it was back into the skies, preparing to strike while we were choking on the dust cloud left behind. But with it high above us, and not directly above anyone, we could…

"Azrael?" I managed through my coughing. I felt like I was going to cough up my lungs, but that didn't matter. Especially since my twin could sense what I wanted. He gestured sharply to blast the dust away from us and then used the wind to surround the bird-monster in the dust. I waited until the dust was sufficiently dispersed before throwing a couple of fireballs at it. I had to threw another one in order to spark the desired effect: a giant explosion. One that sent feathers and blood everywhere, triggered a loud boom that made my ears rattle, and may or may not have triggered a shock wave that cracked the top part of the ruined chapell. But it did successfully kill the giant bird, and thanks to it being high above us, few of us on the ground actually sustained damage. Mostly.

"Okay, ow…" Hapi whimpered, rubbing her ears. I immediately touched her cheek and sent a pulse of healing magic through her, worried of whatever damage there might've been. But, thankfully, it was minimal. Certainly less than what I'd seen others suffer from this trick. "What the hell was that?"

"Dust explosion," I answered, stepping away from her. Azrael was already heading for the others to assist them. "Though concentrated via utilizing wind magic. That's why the shock wave didn't cause more damage." Or, rather, Azrael using his wind magic. I wasn't sure typical wind magic could blunt it. "If it had been closer to us, it would've been much too dangerous to use." And if I didn't have the ability to set just about anything on fire, it would've either been useless or even more dangerous. I knew from experience that more than three fireballs would've triggered a giant pillar of fire that Azrael couldn't dampen no matter what he tried. "I should make sure no one else took damage. It should've been high enough, but…"

"You've done this before?"

"Yes." After all, some mercenary jobs involved fighting off these monsters when they got too close to cities or villages. The Red-Wolf Moon practically drowned with these requests, actually. "You have to hit them with large and powerful attacks extremely quickly to stand a chance. I've seen them take fatal blows and survive." Rather like me, truthfully. But that made sense, I suppose. "Regardless, we should regroup with the others and decide what to do next."

So I said, but really, it was obvious from the start just what we had to do next: deal with the other giant bird monster. After all, most of the mercenaries were just corpses because of it. Unfortunately, though, I knew from past encounters, and Dad's stories, that monsters like these only grew more dangerous as battles went on. Particularly if you managed to injure it first, and I knew it was. I could see the blood streaming down its feathers when we caught up with the others. Damn it all… this just got a lot harder.

Desperately, I tried to think of what exactly we could do. All giant monsters had some sort of magical barrier that you had to breach to do significant damage, much like human fighters wore armor. And, just like humans, the monsters were adept at utilizing the barrier to their advantage. The bird used its giant wings to deflect most melee weapons, though it didn't work as well with those crazy enough to attack it with fists, like Balthus. However, it easily took to the skies to avoid that little headache. It was also wickedly fast, far more so than the first, in sharp defiance to its injuries. Too fast, really. Faster than me, for certain.

Still, I tried to throw a fireball at it to at least crack the barrier, if not do actual damage, but the first one missed and simply caught its attention. My second one did manage to glance off its back, but that was mostly because it chose to dive, all but plummeting really, to use its weight to crush me. Hapi ran one way; Azrael ran the other. I didn't bother deciding where to escape and just focused on rolling out of the way. Just in time, since the giant bird landed with enough force to make the ground quake and kick up a dust cloud. Immediately, I dismissed my fires, afraid of sparking another explosion. If one went off right here, we'd all die. It was as simple as that. Besides, we had another issue to worry about. It was hard to see thanks to the bird's sheer size, but it had effectively split us. My students, Azrael, and I were grouped together, closer to the chapel. The pups and Aelfric were on the other side, closer to the woods where those people still hid.

There was one gleam in the dark, though. My glancing blow had served its purpose. Along the back, you could see gold light 'sparking' amidst the feathers, a sign that the barrier was broken.

"Dimitri, Edelgard, Hilda, prep a charge," I ordered softly. I didn't feel comfortable giving orders to the pups and Aelfric without a proper visual, but we had to take advantage of it being on the ground if we were going to survive. "Ashe, Claude, aim for the eyes. You don't have to hit, just distract it." I should've given the order for Linhardt as well, but I remembered that arena battle. I remembered how he'd run from answering my question as to why he'd avoided offensive spells. I couldn't give an order I knew couldn't be obeyed. That would be heartless, and even if mine was slow-beating, it was still there. "Linhardt, be ready to heal, just in case."

"Of course, Professor," Linhardt surprisingly replied. I glanced at him just in time to see his surprised relief; the rest were doing as I'd ordered without protest. "But what's Azrael going to do? You didn't give him orders?"

Azrael decided to answer that for himself, by doing exactly what I needed him to do. Namely, he used the crumbling walls (and his wind) to quickly jump to the roof of the ruined chapel. Once he visually confirmed where the barrier was damaged, he drew on what power he had left and funneled his wind straight through. After all, giant bird monsters shared a weakness with pegasi and wyverns: razor sharp wind magic. Meaning he shredded the bird's wings, blood flying everywhere. The bird's screech of pain was heartbreaking, but we couldn't falter.

"Now." I made my voice as firm as possible as I gave the order, and led the charge myself. Dimitri, Edelgard, and Hilda were right behind me, and Claude and Ashe's arrows flew over our heads. Claude's even struck true, blinding it and giving us a side to exploit. Which we did. I struck first, slashing across its breast, followed by Dimitri who used the wound as a means of stabbing deeper into the bird and increasing the chances of a critical hit. Edelgard was third, and she actually jumped to bring her axe down hard on the bird's neck. Hilda took advantage of that and swung for the other side, so that by the time Edelgard landed, there were two large gashes on the side of the bird's neck. Gashes that gushed buckets of blood before quickly slowing to a trickle.

I wasn't sure when exactly the bird died. Only that it did. Absently, I stroked its neck and noticed its feathers were harder than a typical birds. Almost metallic, truthfully. But I didn't care. All I could think was how it had been summoned just to die. Brought over to be a distraction and then perish. No different than a mercenary or soldier, really. Its blood was just as sticky too. When I pulled my hand away, a few of the feathers stuck to my wrist and arm. After staring at them for a long second, I pocketed them, not sure what else to do. After all, discarding them felt wrong.

"Whoo boy… that was a fight," Balthus groaned, rolling his shoulders. When I stepped around the bird's corpse to look at him, I saw he was grinning, like he just had the time of his life. I was amazed he could move his arms considering he'd been carried off by a giant bird monster, and assumed Linhardt had healed him up. "Aelfric, you okay?"

"I am, thankfully," Aelfric murmured, with a kind smile. However, dread began bubbling up my throat. Something was wrong. Wasn't sure why I thought that, but I was certain of it. And my suspicion that only gained more weight when I looked to Constance and Hapi, and saw them touching their throats, mouths moving without a single sound. "Are all of you okay?"

"Yep, and Boss still has the chalice! So, looks to me like this was a big win for-"

A flash of light. That was what changed everything. A flash of light, a pulse of magic, and suddenly, there was a barrier surrounding Aelfric and the pups, cutting them off. The source was, of course, the people who had hidden in the woods throughout this entire battle. More warped into the barrier itself and quickly worked on subduing Balthus, Constance, and Hapi. Constance and Hapi were pinned down without much of a fight, and even less sound, hinting that a Silence spell had been used to neutralize them before this had even started. Balthus put up a valiant struggle, even bloodied the nose of one stupid enough to come close, but Aelfric blasted him in the back with a fire spell, and that staggered Balthus enough for Yuri to slip around at knock him out.

I hated being right.

"I see, so the use of monsters had been to tire everyone out and make them easier to subdue," I murmured, focused on the barrier. Sadly, I couldn't find an obvious weakness. Worse, Azrael's wind-sense couldn't find one either. "And if the monsters happened to kill us, then all the better, yes? Less witnesses to deal with later."

"I am terribly sorry that you and Azrael were involved in this mess, Byleth," Aelfric replied. He still smiled kindly. He still spoke in that calm, even tone. Like we were having tea in a gazebo, not… this. "Certainly, it was a surprise. But, thankfully, you're both well." He turned his smile to Azrael before focusing on Yuri, who was tying up the other three pups. Hapi tried to bite him, but one of the mages pinning her just shoved her face into the mud. Constance only glared, her eyes sparking in fury despite how she normally acted while in sunlight. But Aelfric didn't even look at them. "Brilliantly executed, Yuri, though truly, you should've led the two of them away from the start."

"Hey, it all worked out, so what does it matter?" Yuri asked with a smirk. He finished tying up Constance and Hapi, before tying up the unconscious Balthus. I noticed he took longer, and was much more focused. Odd, that. "Surely, with everything I've done for you, you'd have a little more faith in me?" He laughed when Aelfric remained silent. I frowned a little at that, and might've commented if Azrael hadn't informed me that someone was coming. Who in creation would…? "Well, that certainly spoke volumes. Guess this is the end of niceties, huh?"

"Enough with your glib tongue." Not sure that counted, personally. "We must-"

"Aelfric, halt!" And… suddenly Rhea was here. I'd never seen her run before, but here she was, rushing to join us. "Aelfric, enough of this madness!" she ordered, not stopping until she was just a few steps from the barrier. Surprisingly, despite the speed, not a single hair or petal was out of place. Also surprisingly, she didn't comment on the bird corpse or acknowledge the rest of us. "Cease this futility immediately! Please!" What in creation…?

"Rhea! You are the cause of this!" Aelfric snapped back. I felt… so awkward right now. We went from fighting, to betrayal, to whatever the hell this was. I had a headache, and walked over to Azrael to see if he'd mind trying to alleviate it. Thankfully, he didn't. "I am simply righting what you made wrong!"
"I should have guessed this would happen the moment I heard the chalice had been unearthed." Rhea's posture was stiff, but her eyes were pained and pleading. "But to think you would actually…" She shook her head abruptly. Again, her headdress and flowers remained perfectly in place, despite the movement. "Aelfric, it's not too late. Please… I know well the pain and grief losing a loved one causes..."

"Why should I listen to you? You did something to her, after all!" Her? ...I had a bad feeling about this, suddenly. "It was suspicious from the start. Normally there's at least three healers during a birthing, but you insisted on being the only one." I had a very bad feeling about this suddenly and worse, so did Azrael. And Sothis.

"Are… are you suggesting that I killed Fiona?!" Yep. Bad feeling was right. Freaking hell. "I'd never…! She was like family to me! I'd never do her harm!"

"Am I supposed to believe that? She was perfectly fine, and then suddenly died giving birth to twins, including one who didn't make a sound!" Azrael and I glanced at each other, not quite sure what to feel about the turn of this conversation. Exasperation was heavy from him; guilt gnawed at my own heart. I dreaded what everyone else's reactions were. "No tears, no laughter, nothing! Anyone with eyes could see something was wrong, but you kept insisting all was well! Like everything was exactly right!"

"There was nothing wrong! Both were perfectly healthy!" And both of us were right here and not learning anything new? This was just uncomfortable. Sure, he was a friend of Mom's, but... "Are you implying I did something to them?! Of all the baseless accusations...!"

"Then why did Jeralt leave?" He 'asked' the question with quiet fierceness, and Rhea flinched back like he'd actually hit her. "Why? Everyone knew the two of you were close. Champion of Seiros, many called him, but all in the monastery knew he was your champion. He was the only one you'd always listen to, even when you were at your angriest. The strongest knight in all of Fodlan, and he was completely loyal to you." Aelfric glared, his fists clenching at his side. "And yet he left. Escaped from the monastery, with flames and smoke as his shield, and raised his twins on the road, despite the dangers. Had them fight as mercenaries, forced into battle, and never returned here." Hearing that, I pressed my exasperation on Azrael and he returned it with sheepishness. Because Azrael had given him this particular arrow. "Now, why would that sort of life be preferable to the supposed safety of the monastery?"

"That is between Jeralt and me and has nothing to do with-!"

"And then there is how he suddenly returned, and once again became a Knight of Seiros. Captain in all but name. So quickly and without protest. Why?" Whoo boy… I had another bad feeling where this was going. So did Sothis. "Perhaps it has something to do with the very high positions the twins were suddenly given? Ones that conveniently leave them at your mercy?"

"Are you suggesting I took them hostage?!" Rhea looked outraged at the thought. And while Azrael and I were certain that was, in fact, the case, I had to admit that the expression looked real enough.

"I am not the only one who thinks so, nor am I the only one to question his disappearance. Many of us wonder, though Alois always stops such conversations when he hears. Ever the loyal knight, just as always." Aelfric was definitely warming to the topic. Me? I was more than a little done with all of this. Particularly with how mockingly he described Alois. "But-" And I wasn't the only one.

"Are you done yet?" Azrael's apathetic tone shredded the tension into pieces and thankfully silenced Aelfric's tirade. "You're monologuing like a villain in an opera," he continued, sarcasm dripping into his words. After all, he was just as done with this as I was. "No wonder the fake ransom note read as it did." He sighed gustily, completely ignoring the confused/aghast stares everyone threw at him. "Freaking hell, you could at least be interesting about it all."

"I… what?" Aelfric replied. Which was a reasonable reply given… well, everything. Even if I was glad he was no longer ranting. "Azrael, you… I am-"

"Oh please… like you're an unbiased source of information." Azrael shrugged and ran a hand through his hair. Then he fixed Aelfric with the most exasperated look he could manage. "You think Byleth and I didn't notice that you talked about our parents with the same hushed reverence people do heroes? You spoke of Mom like she was some distant paragon, not a woman you grew up with."

"I…" Aelfric took a step back, looking very lost and confused. I imagined Azrael went very 'off script'. "Yes, I admire them both greatly, but-"

"So, of course you're going to misinterpret and twist anything to do with them. It's what people do. The only time the world is honest is during a battle. No one can wear their masks when flitting along the edge of life and death." Azrael sighed again, shaking his head in clear disappointment. "Why Dad left is his business. Not yours. There's a thousand reasons he could've left. Don't just pick one, run with it, and assume it's correct. Even if you have all information, which I seriously doubt, it doesn't mean you've interpreted it 'correctly'."

"That's-"

"Besides, ignoring your total ignorance on pregnancy and childbirth because wow, you are a freaking idiot... that whole 'did something to us' stuff? You know what it sounds like? Like you looked at Byleth and me and decided that we couldn't possibly be the children of your precious heroes. We're not good enough, strong enough… no, we're not enough." Azrael scoffed, rolling his eyes. But then he settled into a glare, outrage spiking through his exasperation. Because he never let insults to me pass without violence. "So, clearly, something had to have been done to us, right? Something to make us lesser."

"That isn't-!"

"I'm not going to listen. You insulted my family with this nonsense, hurt my twin sister deeply, and then dare think yourself justified in it. Worse, you're using us as excuses. More excuses you've conjured up to strengthen your delusional belief that you're righting some huge wrong. Never mind that all you have is circumstantial evidence you've twisted to fit your perfect little scenario." Azrael gestured sharply; a blast of wind cracked against the barrier, as loud as thunder. "So, are you done yet? Anything else you want to add to this farce? I already want to rip the air from your lungs, but I suppose I can keep adding reasons why."

"You…" Aelfric took another step back, noticeably shaken. He looked to me, as if expecting me to scold Azrael. I simply regarded him impassively, even as my heart keened. Then he gestured and vanished. Him, his lackeys, and the pups… all gone in the blink of an eye and a flash of magic.

Right before Yuri disappeared with the rest, he locked eyes with me. In that split-second, I swore I saw desperation. Then he was gone, just like the others.

"How much money does a Cardinal make to afford warping talismans?" Azrael mused, stretching once the magic had faded. Only I knew how angry he still was. He was livid underneath the apathetic mask he wore. "Those things are expensive. Complicated as hell to make too."

"Does that matter?" I asked, exhausted by all of this. Already. "For all we know, he made them himself."

"Again, complicated."

"He's a bishop."

"Okay, point." Azrael sighed. I spared a moment to check on my students, and saw them looking as bewildered as I felt. "Also, why did he reveal himself like that? Wouldn't it have been better to fake a second kidnapping?"

"Azrael."

"Yes, I know that I should be grateful when enemies do stupid shit, but really, I have to wonder if he read a lot of mystery novels while coming up with his schemes." Azrael sighed again, and headed over to Rhea, taking her arm to drag her towards everyone else. I followed, and ignored the worried looks I was given. "Anyway, Rhea, why are you here? Certainly didn't expect that."

"I have had Seteth looking into Aelfric's records for some time, concerned that he was withholding aid from the Abyssians," Rhea explained slowly. She clasped her hands in front of her, and it almost hid their trembling. Aelfric certainly shook her, but was it his words or his actions? Hard to tell. "While doing so, Seteth discovered that the documented information about Constance's crest, and Hapi's, had been falsified." Forgeries, huh? I knew there was a market for them. So much for those background checks. "Based on that, and what I know of Yuri and Balthus's crests, I feared… I feared the Rite of Rising would begin again. I rushed here as soon as I realized, but..."

"What is the purpose of the ritual?" Claude asked, frowning. It was the only expression on his face. I had a feeling Yuri playing everyone hit a sore spot. "It doesn't really bring back the dead, right?"

"No, it cannot. It was simply… a beacon, shall we say? A way to ask the Goddess to return to the physical plane from her kingdom above." I had the 'strangest' feeling she was talking around something. Sothis's exasperation merely confirmed it for me. I supposed I should be grateful she was giving us any sort of explanation. "You might consider it akin to the Heroes' Relics. A token and a blessing."

"Why was it sealed, then?"

"Because such power is dangerous as well. A single misstep and total ruin befalls the land. For that reason, the Four Apostles sealed it away, and vowed to never pass down their crests." I think we could consider that 'vow' broken. "This should've never been possible, and yet…"

"And yet Aelfric managed it." How had he anyway? First of all, how would he have realized their Crests? Yuri and Balthus were apparently recorded in the Academy's files, but Constance? Hapi? Not to mention getting them close enough to manipulate… "Without so much as a whisper to the church, of course."

"I knew he was up to something, but…" Rhea sighed, not even bothering to try and defend herself further. "This is my own doing. I should've moved more quickly…"

"There will be time for blame later," Edelgard retorted. I'd almost say 'snapped', truthfully, based on her tone and her scowl. "Do we have any idea of where they went?"

"The Rite can only be performed here in Garreg Mach," Rhea answered easily. Even as the words made no sense because what made this place so special? "The chalice is attuned to the Goddess and it is here where her protection is most direct." That sounded like a lot of bullshit to me, really. But if Aelfric believed it, then who cared what I thought?

"Well, at least…" Edelgard trailed off, noticing something down the way. The grim look on her face hinted it wasn't good. A glance to Azrael confirmed that. "Is that Alois running for us?" ...It was, and if he was running... bad feeling number three.

"Lady Rhea, there you are!" Alois called, sliding to a stop. He almost fell, actually, and I saw… I saw he had fresh blood on his neck. Fresh scratches on his armor. "Thieves have breached the Garreg Mach's village walls!" ...Oh no… "They're pillaging the shops and residences, taking whatever they please and cutting down any who stand in their way!"

"Tch… Aelfric, just how many do you plan to sacrifice…" Rhea growled under her breath. For a split second, she snarled, but then she was back to her more typical serene face. That was a little… terrifying, I supposed. Unnerving, certainly. "What of the surrounding villages?"

"We've no word yet from most. All we've heard is that Remire is well." ...While I was glad to hear that, I did wonder why. "The knights patrolling there just returned, and a couple headed back to ensure it was safe. But I can't find the captain anywhere."

"I sent Jeralt on a mission I could only trust to him a short while ago." Rhea grimaced, and bit her lip. "Alois, ensure the safety of the villagers immediately. Do we have enough knights?"

"I fear not. Their numbers are too great." Of course they were. Mercenaries, and others Aelfric no doubt tricked...

"Then we have no choice but to ask the students for assistance." Rhea closed her eyes and brought her hands up in prayer. "Goddess, watch over us all and deliver us to safety." She opened her eyes and looked to the rest of us. "Rest here for a moment, and then follow us to the monastery. We must move quickly."

The two left quickly, and the rest of us just stood there awkwardly. Doing our best to not fall over as we processed everything that just happened and everything that was going to happen. It was hard, and I could see just how weary everyone was. Ashe and Linhardt leaned on each other, for instance, while none of the three lords stood with their usual perfect posture. In fact, they stood as if their own stubbornness was the only reason why they stood at all.

"Well, this just sucks," Hilda summarized, breaking the silence. She flopped down on the ground and leaned back to rest against one of the ruined walls of the chapel. "What do we do now? The monastery is huge, and that's not even accounting for Abyss."

"...All isn't lost yet, Hilda," I reassured, reaching down to stroke her hair. After all… after all, just before this, Yuri had told me two things. A place and a time. I would trust that. I would trust him. Besides, if he was going through this… yes, it could have all been an act, but the soft gaze he had when he looked at the Abyssians… the way he endured singing in front of people, despite hating it, just to soothe some sick children… if someone like him was helping with a plan like this, then there could only be one reason: hostages. So, I would trust him, for their sakes as well as the pups'.

"You sure, Professor?" Hilda looked morose when she looked up at me. I kept stroking her hair, noticing her pigtails remained this time around. "Because the way I see it, Baltie's about to be a sacrifice and I somehow doubt he's surviving that. What am I going to tell Holst..."

"I'm very sure." I glanced at Azrael, and he grinned before closing his eyes to concentrate. The wind reached many places, after all. If nothing else, we could confirm where they weren't and narrow things down from there. "So, everyone, do you wish to see this through to the end or join the others in defending the villagers?" I looked at each of them individually, and to my surprise, I saw only resolve in each of their gazes. Exhausted, but fierce resolve. "I didn't even need to ask, did I?"

"All I'm hoping, Teach, is that you tell us just why you're so sure," Claude commented. There was a light in his eyes again, steeled by determination. I was glad to see it. "What secret do you have up your sleeve?"

"Simply a little bit of information that lets us be the ace up someone else's sleeve," I answered, hoping that I was reading this correctly. Right now, I truly did feel like we'd become the unexpected pawns in a chess game that had been going for a while, or a card game where the stakes were everything. Yuri gambled on us; I'd prove worthy of that trust. "For now, however, there's other things to discuss, like chains of command since we'll be away from the others."

Freaking hell, this was a mess.

We returned to the monastery to prepare. Gather our weapons, inform the others, rest and let our magic replenish… normal things when you were going into a battle. Even my worry was normal, even if it was greater. After all, this would be the second 'real' battle for most of my students. And I… I wouldn't be there. I had to deal with Aelfric, had to be there for Yuri. So, I wouldn't be with the rest. I hated not being there. I taught them what I could, but I knew I was a terrible professor. So, if someone died, it would be my fault. Just like how the whole mess was my fault. Mine and Azrael's…

"Damn it," I hissed when I dropped the vase I had been fussing with. 'Vase', rather, as it was just a random glass I had planned on tucking some flowers into. And, of course, I'd dropped it, so now there was glass everywhere. "Wonderful." Biting back a sigh, I knelt down to try and pick up the shards, but a gauntleted hand stopped me. I jerked up to see Dimitri there, kneeling next to me and calmly cleaning up my mess. "Dimitri?"

"I was reassuring Dedue, and heard the glass break as I was leaving," he explained, answering my unspoken question. It took me a moment to remember that Dedue's room was next to mine. "I knocked, but there was no answer."

"Sorry…" Well, this was pathetic. "I was going to arrange my flowers some, but…"

"I see." He threw away the shards and then offered his hand to help me up. But when I was standing, he didn't let go. Instead, he cradled my hand between his own. "Your hands are shaking." That they were, unsurprisingly. I imagined the trembling was why I had dropped the glass in the first place. "Anxiety? Stress?"

"Pardon?"

"...That was aloud, wasn't it?" He smiled ruefully and ducked his head. "I was… how do I explain this without…" He debated for a moment before sighing. "This will sound rude, and I apologize for it, but when we first met, Professor, I didn't think you had emotions."

"Most don't." I knew that well. I had heard it so many times over the years, and I had the scars from where strangers tried to 'knock some humanity into me'.

"You appeared eerily calm. Bandits were upon us, you were injured, and you showed no expression I could read." That… had more qualifiers than I expected. Certainly more than I usually heard. "There was, however, something that contradicted that assessment."

"Really?" Like what? Strangers never...

"Nicole." ...Huh? "When she was in danger, both you and Azrael moved faster than anyone I had ever seen to save her. When she saw you reaching for her, that hope and complete trust in her face…" He looked me right in the eyes, with enough sincerity to blind a person or three. "That sort of thing isn't given because of martial skill. She knew she wasn't merely safe. She knew she would be taken care of, supported." He spoke with such seriousness that if I could blush, I might've. Hell, it might've caused my first blush if I weren't so shocked. "So, I thought that perhaps you simply didn't care for us. After all, Edelgard, Claude, and I brought bandits to your home, unintentional it may have been. And even if you became a professor, it could've simply been for a steadier pay and relative safety. You don't have to care for people in order to teach them." Ha… I had no idea how to reply to that. "But I quickly realized I was wrong."

"You did?"

"Yes." He smiled softly and warmly at me now. "The way you throw yourself into the work, the gentleness you treat everyone, how you are always willing to listen… all of that spoke of someone who cared a great deal. Then we spoke after your nightmare, and you empathized so much with my people. Understood their anger, even if you didn't approve and knew their actions were not just. You spoke so warmly of the beauty in the world, despite how much bloodshed you've seen." When he said it like that, I almost sounded impressive. "I realized then that you felt a great deal, perhaps even more than most." He went back to being sheepish. "So, I have been trying to learn how to read you. What you heard was me trying to place why your hands were shaking, based on the other times I'd seen it happen."

"Ah." I… huh? I never had a stranger… "Pain."

"Hmm?"

"Pain. My hands shake when I hurt. Physical, mental… it doesn't really matter." It was embarrassing to actually say, but in my surprise, I just blurted it all out. "Though, those were good guesses."

"I see." Though he still smiled, it had a sad look to it now. "I imagine that betrayal hurt you a great deal. He was close to your family, yes?"

"Well, he was, but it doesn't really hurt on a personal level. I just met him, and I'm used to strangers telling lies." I dreaded Dad's reaction to all of this, though. Dreaded the reaction the Abyssians would have. Worried about how much pain the pups were going through. But that 'betrayal' didn't hurt. No, what hurt was the fact that… "You know; Mom loved flowers."

"She did?" Dimitri blinked a couple of times, confused. But he went along with the subject change. "Really?"

"Yes. Dad told me that. She loved flowers and cooking. She was apparently great at cooking. And she'd sing whenever the mood struck her." I smiled slightly as I thought of the stories I knew. "Alois told me that many in the monastery thought her like the sun. That she helped Rhea. She's actually Seteth's predecessor."

"That so?"

"Yes. And Aelfric was her first friend. They grew up together." My smile faltered as I thought about it. "So, the person he wants to bring back with the Rite? The one he and Rhea were arguing about? That's my mom. Her name was Fiona. Fiona Sitri Eisner."

"Are you conflicted, then?"

"About what? Stopping him?" I frowned a little, almost annoyed. "Of course not. The dead don't come back, and we have people to save."

"I… right." He looked taken aback, and I wondered just what was weird about what I said. "I suppose… well, the line of thought..." ...Ah. I supposed it did sound like I was leading up to that.

"I'm rambling, aren't I?" Jumping from one thought to the next without any sort of coherency, I sounded like Azrael. "I would've liked to have met my mom, of course. I love her, and I wish I had memories of her. But this? This is nothing but madness." To kill so many for the sake of one person, especially for a person who wouldn't have… "So many died because…" Because Azrael and I killed Mom. If not for us, none of this...

"There will be no more sacrifices, Professor. We'll save them."

"I can only hope we're not fighting more mercenaries, but people who actually believe in the idiocy." I couldn't help but be bitter. Those mercenaries… they had only signed on for the job. For the money. For the reassurance that they'd survive a little while without having to risk their lives again. Not... "Ah, I'm sorry. I should be more confident, huh?" I really was the worst professor.

"I do not think it is a bad thing, to remember your enemy is human." He smiled warmly and squeezed my hands. A little too tightly, truly, but I didn't mind. "Will you be okay, Professor? I fear I am not good at comforting, but I am here if you need me."

"Truthfully, talking about it helped." And it had. It was still there, but it didn't weigh on me as much. It didn't echo in my head and batter my spirit. "But you should finish your preparations."

"True. I have no doubt Felix will have my head if I miss anything." He studied my face, and I made sure to smile slightly. "You look better. There's more color to your face." Had I been pale when he walked in?

"That's good." What was I supposed to say to that? I felt awkward. But, at the same time, I did feel more grounded. Grounded enough to get out of my own head and… and smell the blood. The Blood on my hands, on my arms. The death and rot that clawed and burrowed deep. I'd taken a bath as soon as I'd gotten back, scrubbed myself until I was certain the blood was off, but I still smelled it. My stomach rolled at it, and the weight of it all… "Oh, my perfume."

"Your perfume?" Dimitri tilted his head, no doubt confused, but I pulled my hands from his to head for my vanity. I selected one at random and dabbed a little on, relaxing as the floral scent wafted through the air. "Er… it smells nice?"

"Sorry, I just realized I'd forgotten to put some on." I'd planned on arranging the flowers and then put my perfume on, but then got distracted. It was such a stupid thing, especially since I knew it was all still there. It always would be. But I had to keep going, especially now. "My mind is a little scattered. I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine." Dimitri smiled kindly, and I wished I could manage to be anything but a mess around him. "I certainly don't mind. I'm used to Sylvain, and most days, I cannot fathom how his mind works." He bowed formally to me. I could only smile a little bitterly, knowing he had to think me incompetent. All I was good for was killing, really. "But Felix really will have my head if he thinks I'm ill-prepared."

"I'll see you later, then." I waited for him to leave, and sighed as soon as the door clicked shut. But I didn't have time to wallow in self-pity. Not a second later, someone knocked and I had to pretend to be professional. "Come in." I hoped I looked suitably stoic, especially because it was Ferdinand who opened the door. "Yes?"

"Professor, I'm sorry to disturb you…" Ferdinand began slowly, lingering in the doorway. He fussed with his cravat, and I smiled slightly, guessing why he was here. He'd been confident enough when I'd made the announcement, but… "I know I am the most obvious choice, of course, but are you certain you wish for me to lead us eaglets in Edelgard's absence?" Somehow, I wasn't surprised that he'd been putting on a brave front.

"Yes," I answered immediately. After all, I'd thought a great deal on who should lead while the heirs were away, and I'd factored in everything I could think of, including Seteth's leadership advice. "I'm very certain."

"Truly?" My instant answer startled him. "I…" And also cracked his facade a little. He did his best to hold up, but his expression crumpled anyway. Truthfully, I was reminded of a scared puppy. "I must admit that recent interactions with my fellows lead me to worry." Recent interactions? Did he put his foot in his mouth or something? "Besides, everyone knows Hubert is the most talented of us when it comes to tactics. He is arguably the best in the Empire, or will be."

"Hubert is very talented at tactics, yes, and in organizing people." I thought I saw a shadow at my door, and wondered if a certain someone was listening in. Curious as well, Sothis appeared and peeked around the door for me to confirm it was, in fact, Hubert. Ferdinand didn't react at all to her hovering over his head. "However, he falls short in being an actual leader." Well, if he was going to eavesdrop, then I'd give him a little lecture as well. "I apologize for the lack of tact."

"I certainly take no offense, even if I am surprised by the words." He hesitated, trying to decide how to continue. "He and I… we do not get along. We have very different views of how best to serve Edelgard."

"So long as the two of you respect each other, I see no reason to intervene. Otherwise, you may find yourself on the wrong side of my temper." Was that appropriate to say? Probably not, but it was true and damn it, I was tired. "To focus on why I did not choose Hubert to lead, it is simple. He is entirely too certain that he knows what's best, always, and is deplorable at listening to anyone who isn't Edelgard. His demeanor makes him completely unapproachable. That is not the sort of person one chooses to follow, regardless of their personal skill, and so, he does his own thing, potentially wasting valuable resources or, worse, sending people to their deaths when there was another way. That isn't going into his tendency to underestimate his opponents." Sothis's bubbling laughter informed me that whatever reaction Hubert had to this 'lecture', she found it terribly entertaining. I almost wanted to see it myself. "Not to mention how quick he is with threats. You would think he'd be warier with that, since he is Edelgard's vassal. He leaves people with the impression that she's a tyrant, or will be once she ascends the throne." Sothis practically cackled then, so apparently, I hit a nerve there. "That ended up being a little longer than I meant."

"Still, it is obvious you put a great deal of thought into it." Ferdinand cheered up a little, like he was glad I listed out those flaws. "So, why…?"

"You are kind, and you're willing to admit your mistakes. Even better, you're willing to fix them. Yes, you can be tactless, and you can stand to be quiet and listen to others more." I might as well be fair. "You focus too much on Edelgard, and a belief that you are superior. You put too much stock in being a 'noble', and often do things without explaining yourself." Ferdinand drooped a little at the words. "But you are adaptable. You listen. You learn. Those traits are far more important for a leader. Let Hubert handle the tactics. You handle the orders, and the goals." I smiled slightly at him. "There is a great deal all of you have to learn, but at this moment, I believe you are the most suited to lead in Edelgard's absence. Thus, my choice."

"I understand…" Ferdinand straightened and bowed formally. "I won't let you down, Professor. I promise."

"An easy promise to keep, so long as you be yourself."

"...Thank you." Ferdinand excused himself then, and I sighed, shaking as I attempted to think of what all I needed to do to prepare for the coming fight...

["Oh, how I wish you could've seen Hubert's face!"] Sothis's laugh distracted me, though. Particularly since she floated around me as she laughed and laughed and laughed. ["The poor boy! So many barbs!"]

"Hubert has a kinder heart than he likes to admit, and really, his skill with tactics is truly amazing," I murmured absently. Mostly just thinking aloud. "If sometimes a little too pragmatic for me." But that was my own issue, not his. "His willingness to accept the darker aspects of combat can be a boon, particularly for those whose hearts would break if they had to do it. In that sense, one can even call him protective." I might disagree about when it was needed, but again, that was my own issue, not his. "His work ethic is excellent, though if some days, I worry he might collapse. I also worry that some of this pragmatic nature is a way to cope with the chaos that followed the Insurrection." However, I also wasn't qualified to dig into that. "But he'll be a fine leader if he can learn to work with others, instead of simply working for Edelgard. I'm certain of that." There was a scuffling sound, and I went to peer outside just in time to see Hubert disappear down the way. "Ah. He was still there."

["I knew you'd feel bad later if he only heard your lecture."] Freaking hell, Sothis. ["Oh, look, you've another guest. I'll just listen in this time. We can test how far I can go from you later, because spying is quite amusing."] Freaking hell, Sothis!

"Knock, knock, Teach!" Before I could complain, however, Claude swung inside my room. "Huh. Guess I'm not the only one whose visited today," he observed before closing the door behind him. "Sorry for the privacy, but I wanted to talk about Aelfric." Of course he did.

"What about him?" I asked, feeling exhaustion weigh in on me again. I didn't want to think about him. I knew I had to, but… "I thought things were straightforward."

"What we have to do? Sure! But the things he said? Not quite so much." Of course it was about that. Claude's curiosity sometimes outstripped his sense. "I mean; he seems to think Rhea killed your mother."

"Spoken by someone who clearly has no idea how many things can simply go wrong during a pregnancy and birthing." I shook my head, frankly annoyed by the accusation. "Many times, it's straightforward, but there can be complications. Chloe nearly died, for instance, and she was in the peak of health through the whole pregnancy. I can also assure you that there were none at the birthing who wished her harm." Everyone had done everything they could to save her, myself included. Though, I'd been distracted by helping Elijah as well. "You can talk to a midwife if you're truly curious, Claude, but of all the accusations he spewed, that had to be the most ridiculous."

"You think so?" Claude appeared thoughtful, but his gaze was sharp. He took it seriously, and watched me closely for my reactions. "And the hostage thing?"

"Claude, do you truly believe Azrael and I would choose to be hostages?" I had to speak carefully here. He'd see through a direct lie.

"Er… actually, yeah, now that I think about it, Azrael would just attack." Claude crossed his arms, still thoughtful. Still sharp-eyed, but a little softer. "Bit strange that he'd choose to be a knight with his personality and all, but hey, he might've just chosen to stay with you and Sir Jeralt." He sighed, shaking his head. "Yeah, I guess it all does sound strange."

"It is common for people to try and find a focus for their anger when losing a loved one so suddenly." I knew that well. I had been scapegoated many times over the years. 'Demons' were useful like that. "If Rhea was Mom's attending healer, then she would've been an easy target." I did have to admit that Rhea being the sole healer was weird, but I only had Aelfric's word for that.

"And people do love an easy target." The words were surprisingly bitter, but I chose against pointing that out. "Okay, I'll drop it for now. It bugs me, but you and Azrael clearly think it's nonsense." Didn't like the 'for now' part of that, but there was nothing I could do about it. I already knew that. "People's lives are worth more than my curiosity." He at least had his priorities straight.

"Yes, so please, finish preparing." A thought occurred to me, and I was too tired to bite it back in time. "If there's time, prep a few smokescreens or poisons, will you?"

"Teach, did you just give me permission to go all mad alchemist?" Claude's entire expression lit up in unbridled glee. "I am ever at your service!" ...Uh oh. What did I unleash? I didn't even have time to try and question him. He bolted out the door with a skip and a hop, and before I could follow or even close the door behind him, I had another guest.

"My, my, did he get the fabled lady's favor or something?" Sylvain teased, walking up. He grinned when I glanced at him, but I thought I saw the worry in his eyes. Maybe. "So, Professor, mind if I ask you something?"

"I wonder if it's the same thing that Ferdinand asked about my choices," I responded. After all, I'd named Sylvain the leader of the cubs in Dimitri's absence. "How accurate am I?"

"Damn, I need to not be so easily read! Girls like the mysterious sorts!" Though he laughed, his gaze was definitely serious. I was sure of it now. "But yeah, why me?"

"Would you be offended if I said that it was by process of elimination?"

"If anything, that confuses me more." Let it never be said that Sylvain had much of an ego. Except maybe with how much he flirted. "How was I not eliminated first?"

"Well…" I debated how to word this for a moment before just deciding to be blunt. I couldn't think of a tactful way to put any of it. "Dedue is too focused. He lets people do what they want, so long as Dimitri is safe. When he's not near Dimitri, he's clearly at a loss and, during this particular battle, he's likely to be distracted by his worry." Not to mention how there was no guarantee that people wouldn't listen to him because he was from Duscar. While I was sure none in the cohort would be so hateful (except possibly Ingrid), I couldn't say the same for the other students. It was a reason why I hadn't chosen Petra to lead the eaglets, along with her difficulties speaking Fodlan's language.

"Well, that… sums up Dedue in a nutshell." Sylvain glanced back at Dedue's door, but it was closed. I didn't think Dedue would overhear, or that he'd deny any of it if he had. "The others?"

"Felix can't hold a simple conversation without making someone want to punch him, and he's very inclined to insults." I wasn't sure how else to explain that Felix's people skills sucked, but Sylvain's snickering showed he agreed. "Ingrid is too stubbornly chivalrous, even when it might be to the detriment of the soldiers, and she's very prone to arguing her point of view."

"I feel like I should defend them."

"I'm stating why they were passed over, not giving a full review of their capabilities on the battlefield and certainly not on their character as people." Leadership was a complex beast. I knew that well, and hated that I was forced into the position for my students. They deserved better. But I was what they had, unlucky them. "As for Mercedes, she's a healer and needs to focus on that job, particularly since Linhardt will be with the rest of us. Annette, meanwhile, is prone to getting frazzled and distracted, and hasn't learned how to work well under pressure yet."

"Uh-huh…" Sylvain pointed at himself. "And me?"

"You hold back on everything, yes, but I've noticed your ability to roll with sudden changes and your keen eye for tactics in class." I shrugged. "Your tactlessness and inability to remember that not everyone appreciates gallows humor might one day get you stabbed, but the ability to maintain an even temperament is good for reassuring soldiers. You need to listen to others more, though, and stop assuming you know the reasons behind a person's actions."

"Wow, that's…" His eyes widened. "Uh… Professor? I think you're putting too much stock in me. I am what I am and that's-"

"Someone I am counting on, and so is Dimitri." I smiled faintly, pretending I didn't notice how he'd stiffened at Dimitri's name. Bit of a low blow, but I had a guess that if I'd thrown his name in, Sylvain would stop pretending and deflecting. Seemed like I was right. "You should utilize Annette's ability to cheer up everyone to keep morale high, and confer with her during the battle. She's not good with high stakes yet, but she's good at tactics."

"Noted." Sylvain hesitated before bowing. It was impossible to guess the expression on his face, but it at least looked serious enough. I'd take it. "And I'll… do my best, Professor."

It didn't escape me that Sylvain escaped as quickly as he could. But I ignored it for other things. It should've been, of course, me preparing. But… well… that didn't happen quite yet.

"Professor!" Ignatz nearly tripped over the threshold of my door and barely managed to keep himself from running face-first into said door. I'd been trying to close it when he'd run up. "I… that is…!" he tried to say. But he stumbled over his words too much to form any coherent sound, not to mention how he seemed like he was on the edge of a panic. "I can't be Lorenz's second!"

"Why not?" I asked in return, urging him inside while I got him some water. I ended up having to get him a second glass when he downed the first one in one gulp. "I think you suit it well. That's why I assigned you to it." Truthfully, I had wanted to make him the leader, but I feared his lack of self-confidence would be too detrimental. Hence Lorenz being the leader in Claude's absence.

"But I'm… me!"

"Precisely." I gently stroked his hair, hoping it might help calm him. "You're you. You're very smart, have keen sight, and you never miss a detail no matter how innocuous it may seem. All of those are valued traits, Ignatz. Lorenz will need your advice to do well." Particularly since Lorenz was often too certain he knew everything. But I had noticed in class that he'd listen to Ignatz, so… "You don't have to be loud. You don't have to give orders. You just help Lorenz."

"I… but…" Ignatz squirmed before sighing in defeat. "If you're sure…" I simply nodded, startled at how quickly he gave up. Wasn't sure if that was a good thing, even if it 'saved' time."I'll… try then…"

"That's all I ask." I smiled faintly. "You can confer with Lysithea if you're unsure." I'd considered her as well for either Leader or Second, but her temper and tendency to make assumptions were a little too detrimental to place her in a position of authority just yet. "Make sure you have enough arrows when you're preparing. Do you want more water?"

Ignatz let himself have another glass before shying away and disappearing into his room three doors down. I closed my door and tried to head to my desk to make a list of the things I'd need. However, there was yet another knock and I had to fight off my annoyance. At this rate, I wasn't going to prepare at all, but there was nothing I could do about it. If my students needed me, then as their professor, I needed to be there for them. So, I readied myself to explain whatever needed to be explained and opened the door to greet whoever was there. I had to admit, though, that I wasn't expecting Edelgard to be standing there. Particularly when she looked so hesitant.

"This really should wait, but I simply… it keeps worming into my head," she mumbled, smiling apologetically. I waved her in and shut the door behind her. "It has to do with what Aelfric said to the Archbishop." Somehow, this didn't surprise me. "About her… doing something to you and Azrael? Her experimenting on you?" So, the one thing Claude surprisingly didn't ask about. "Do you… I mean…" I wondered why she stumbled so much over her words. It wasn't really like her...

"As Azrael said, it seems less plausible than him deciding there had to be some sort of experimentation done on us in order to explain how disappointing we were," I answered softly. She didn't seem reassured by the words. If anything, she held herself even more stiffly. "As such, I personally don't place too much stock in it."

"But it's possible." She seemed fixated. And she was so stiff by this point that I thought she might start trembling at any moment. "Does it… does it bother you? That something might've been done?"

"Not really, no." I didn't know why she was asking. This didn't seem like curiosity or gauging my reactions, as Claude's purpose had been. So, all I could do was be honest. "Perhaps if there was more proof, it might, but as it stands, it's just the ramblings of someone mad enough to believe the dead can come back to life. Circumstantial evidence isn't good enough, particularly when there are lives at risk." I was simply a monster. There didn't need to be an 'explanation' for that. Some things in the world just happened for no reason at all.

"I… right, of course." She took a deep breath to calm herself. It almost worked. "Sorry, it was just…"

"You don't need to explain yourself." I smiled slightly and reached over to stroke her hair. At first, she tensed from the gesture, but she relaxed before I pulled my hand away, so I kept at it. "I know you're worried. But, right now…"

"There's a traitor to deal with."

"And people to save." Still, it felt a little wrong to end the conversation just like this. "If you want, Edelgard, we can discuss it more later."

"I… think I would like that, Professor." Finally, she managed a smile. "Again, I'm sorry to be a bother."

"You didn't bother me." I did nudge her to the door, though. "I will be cross if you miss something with your preparations, however."

"Given the way Hubert is examining everything, you would think I was charging into a war alone." She said it seriously, but I thought she might be joking. "If you see him later running like a headless chicken, it's because I threw him out of my room."

"I'll keep it in mind." I made sure to keep my smile until she left of her own accord, and then I closed the door and rested my forehead against it. I was exhausted, and there was still much to be done.

Would it all be enough? Would it be 'in time'? I could only hope.

As I had suspected, the Holy Mausoleum was in the Cathedral. Specifically, it was 'across' from the alcove with the Four Saints' statues. So, while everyone else in the cohort was fighting desperately and doing their best to protect civilians… Claude, Edelgard, Dimitri, Hilda, Linhardt, Ashe, Azrael, and I… we snuck through the quiet, hoping beyond hope that we would make it in time.

"The Holy Mausoleum is where the Four Saints are interred alongside Saint Seiros," Linhardt whispered as we crossed the bridge. In the distance, you could see the fires and smoke from the battles around the monastery. A little closer, you could hear the battle raging in the market at the gates. I hoped my students were okay. "Supposedly, that's all that's in there. Though, I've read that each of the tombs is engraved with their respective crests. I would love to take a look, if we can." Why? I would assume the Crests of the Four Saints were well known?

"Somehow, I doubt we'll have the time," Hilda replied. She glanced over the side of the bridge, no doubt thinking of how, just a day or so ago, we were down there, running from metal dolls and phantoms. Had it really only been a couple of days? It felt like months. "It's normally sealed, right? The Mausoleum?"

"It is, to protect from would-be graverobbers. It's only open to the public once per year, during the Rite of Rebirth." The… the what now? "Which is no-doubt very different from the Rite of Rising we're trying to prevent." What was with this church and violating the laws of reality?

"Honestly, no matter what the official reason is, it's really just an excuse to throw a huge festival. I've attended before when Holst and Baltie were studying here, and it's actually a lot of fun!" Hilda smiled briefly, her attempt at cheer weighed down by how we had no idea if Balthus was still alive or not. "I think it's next month, truthfully. I hope..." It wasn't hard to guess what she hoped for, given the situation.

"Going back to the whole sealed thing, does anyone else feel like the graverobbing part is just an excuse?" Claude asked lightly, keeping up the cheer. He grinned, and I didn't need to read minds to know what he'd suggest next. "I bet some people decided to have a little 'fun' there."

"Sex in the Mausoleum?" Edelgard replied, visibly aghast at the thought. Hilda bit back a startled laugh, while Linhardt rolled his eyes. Azrael and I were just resigned, though I spared a moment to notice Ashe and Dimitri were quietly talking about something. "What in the world would be so romantic about that?"

"Goodness gracious, dear princess! I would never suggest such a thing!" Claude comically pretended to be offended. "My stars and garters, I cannot believe-!"

"Oh, please." Edelgard scowled, which did nothing to hide her bright blush. "You'd tease no matter how I answered."

"Maybe." Claude grinned before focusing on Ashe and Dimitri. "No reaction from you two? You're from the Holy Kingdom, after all." Silence, with the two still deep in their conversation. Though, if he asked that, then he didn't know much about Faerghus folklore. "Uh… Dimitri? Ashe?"

"Hmm? Oh, did you say something Claude?" Ashe asked, with genuine sincerity. I had to smile a little at both the earnestness and Claude's nonplussed look. "I'm sorry. I was remembering a passage from a book I've read and was discussing it with His Highness."

"Ingrid would remember it far better than me, but I at least know the scene he speaks of," Dimitri explained, smiling slightly. Though he looked confused when he noticed Claude's irritation. "I… did we miss something important? I figured you were simply talking to ease the silence and steady our nerves."

"If that's the case, then it really is like that scene!" Ashe's eyes sparkled as much as the stars above our heads. "'Sensing the dread mood that hung about his chosen troops, Loog decided to speak not of war or the dreaded confrontation ahead, but of happier times he hoped to experience again…'" ...Wait, I actually…

"'Though fierce Kyphon protested such whimsy, quiet Pan prevented him from silencing their shared lord, seeing well the determination that flickered in the hearts of the soldiers'," I recited almost absently. Azrael smiled indulgently at me, but I was more focused on remembering the scene. Too focused, really. "The words and hopes of the King of Lions would spark that determination into a raging inferno, and shrewd Pan knew that it would take nothing less to save their captured friend, the Maiden of Wind.'" It was from the middle of Loog and the Maiden of Wind, detailing their grand scheme to free her after she had been captured while defending wounded soldiers during an ambush.

"Yes! That's it!" Ashe gushed, practically vibrating now. Of course, I noticed the weird looks from everyone too, and looked away sheepishly. "I didn't know you knew the story, Professor."

"I own a copy." And that was all I would say. I poked Azrael to make sure he didn't add anything snarky to it. "Do your last checks, everyone. We're almost there."

In the moonlight, the Cathedral doors loomed over us, and they opened with a groan so akin to a wounded person's that I half wandered if we were wandering into the gaping maw of a beast. In contrast, the doors to the Mausoleum practically blended into the wall, and opened without the slightest bit of noise. Though it was confusing, particularly since they were supposedly sealed most of the time, it did make it easy to slip inside and find Aelfric and his people. Along with… along with quite a few things to focus on. The numerous people wearing priestly robes standing by large stone pillars, the pulsing magic that flickered over the walls and floor, the pups who were restrained near stone coffins and had their blood slowly be ripped out of them, the altar where Aelfric watched over everything and where the chalice filled with blood… yes, there were many different things. But my attention went to the coffin on the altar, or rather, the body laid out on top of the coffin. It was hard to see details from here, not much more than the pure white dress and long greenish hair, but that… that was enough for me to realize who this was. This… this was Mom. Mom, laid out on a coffin, completely still. Mom, who should've been in her coffin, buried in the graveyard. Mom…!

He dug her up? He seriously dug her up? I… that was… I didn't… it was so hard to comprehend that I unintentionally took a step back. I might've taken another one, but someone gently rested their hand on my back to ground me. A quick look showed it was Dimitri. Another quick look showed Azrael was in a similar state of shock, with Claude keeping a grip on his arm.

"Ugh… I don't know what's happening here, but it definitely doesn't look good," Hilda muttered, clenching her axe tight. She might've said more, but Linhardt suddenly doubled-over and dry heaved. "I hope… never mind. You okay?"

"Fine," Linhardt rasped. It wasn't a convincing lie. His complexion was a strange mix of pale green and gray, for one thing. For another, he couldn't stand up straight. "Their blood is being drained, and then transformed into…" He coughed, choked, and dry-heaved again. Edelgard quickly supported him so that he didn't have to worry about standing up. "Transformed into raw power. It's… it's a lot of blood."

"Linhardt…" Hilda went to Linhardt's other side and rubbed his back.

"There are points where it focuses… so an obstruction of the flow…" Another cough. Another choke. This time, Linhardt spat up something, but he simply wiped his mouth with a shaking hand. "Obstruction of flow… disruption of the magical circle… yes, that should be enough to halt the Rite and save the four."

"Okay." Hilda looked awkwardly at the rest of us, and most of us grimaced. After all, out of this group… "Professor? Azrael? I know you two have a different magic, but…" Both of us shook our heads. A spell pattern could be disrupted, but something like this? We might be able to, maybe, but we'd need help finding the vortices, which didn't solve the issue of how the only truly magically versed person we had was… "Er…"

"I can do it." Linhardt, you looked like a wreck. "Just keep them away from me and I can do it."

"But…"

"Okay," I whispered, deciding to let him go ahead. Because even if he was a wreck, even if he couldn't stand on his own, his eyes were hard and blazed with determination. Who was I to stop him when he was so determined? Particularly when I had so stupidly just stared in shock at seeing a dead body. "Hilda, Edelgard, you protect him. Edelgard, help him as needed. You've been doing well with your Reason lessons." Not well enough that I'd suggest her being the one to disrupt the spell, but enough to help. "The rest of us hold their attention."

"Teach, are you and Azrael going to be okay?" Claude asked before any of us could move. He still held onto Azrael's arm. "I'm kind of weirded out by all this, but… uh… well, Riegan Crest gives great eyesight and the lady back there looks a lot like-"

"Yes, that's Mom. Azrael and I look a lot like her." This was all just… "Pups first. Their lives are in danger."

"Okay, but you told me that your mom died giving birth to you, and the person up there looks remarkably undecayed for-"

"Pups first." Just as Mom would want.

"Right. Of course." Claude smiled almost sheepishly. "Freaking out, but that's no excuse. I'm sorry. How should we pull off the rescue part?" That was a good point, actually. The four weren't close together.

"Claude, head towards Balthus." Balthus was the one most likely to try fighting back once freed, and Claude could provide good cover. "Dimitri, you're in charge of Hapi." Hapi needed a guard, plain and simple. So did Constance, so… "Azrael?" I glanced towards my twin, and he nodded, agreeing to my suggestion. "I'll get Yuri." Yuri, after all, was probably the farthest from us. He or Constance. "Claude, did you actually take my suggestion or-"

"No poisons, but I had time to make up a couple smokescreens!" Claude immediately pulled one from his pocket. I ignored the dubious looks everyone was giving us. "They do require fire, so…"

"Throw it towards the center." I glanced at Azrael and he grinned. The perceived excitement almost fooled even me, who could sense his quiet anger. Aelfric had already pissed him off, but seeing Mom like this had spiked it into fury. "Please no one run into any walls or pillars?"

Claude threw his smokescreen as hard as he could, and I ignited it before charging forward with the others. Though, I had to say that Claude was an effective alchemist. I had thought that Azrael might need to utilize the winds to get the smoke to billow out enough to be effective in a short amount of time, but his single smokescreen had the entire center area engulfed in strangely sweet smelling smoke in less time than it took to actually reach the center area. Nearly ran into a pillar myself because I hadn't expected that, and tripped over a few mercenaries. Thanks to the smoke, though, they were disoriented and I was able to escape without a fight. Stupid, I knew, since I doubted this would end without a battle. It was rare for mercenaries to surrender, because of the consequences. Those who surrendered didn't get paid, meaning they couldn't eat, and the damage to their reputations was crippling. That was assuming that their employers didn't have them killed for the 'embarrassment' or to make a scapegoat. And that those who 'took' the surrender didn't take it to make an 'example' of the mercenaries.

No, it was stupid to not take advantage of the situation and kill them now. But I just… couldn't. It was as stupid and ridiculous as it was selfish, but I couldn't.

I did, however, end up lost in the smoke and emerged from the cloud far closer to Aelfric than I'd anticipated. Closer to Mom than I'd intended. Closer to the glowing chalice than I'd like. It let me see just how the pups' blood swirled slowly into the cup, and let me see how its light actually pulsed like a heart. Let me sense the power surge and push out in a wave…

When it hit, I felt like I'd been hit by a boulder again. All the air knocked out of my lungs and utterly dissociated from my body. At least, until the pain hit. Then it felt like every speck of my skin had been ripped off. I choked on blood and spat it out as I tried to make sense of everything. A large amount of blood splashed and puddled at my feet, and it took me a second to realize it was my own blood. Before my healing sealed my wounds up. Scabs at first, but already itching. Terribly itchy. Then gone, but there was an echo of pain still. Pain from Azrael, who sent reassurances that he was fine. But I turned to look anyway, to reassure myself, and instead saw all the blood pooling on the stone. The power or whatever it was had cleared the smoke, so it was all too easy to see it glinting in the torchlight. Too easy to see the priests and mercenaries twitching in puddles of their own blood, whimpering in pain. Too easy to see my students gasping and struggling to stand with gaping wounds. Too easy to see...

"So, this is how it feels." Aelfric's whisper was strangely loud to me. I focused my attention back on him, wondering if he'd gotten closer without me noticing, but he hadn't. He was still on the altar, still by Mom. Still by that glowing chalice. "Infinite power flowing forth from the chalice," he continued, as if thinking aloud. He was the only living creature not smeared with their own blood in the room and just as he did before, he spoke with that even calm. It was like nothing mattered at all to him. "Without the chalice's protection, I doubt anyone will survive."

"No, I suppose not," I agreed, because he was right. The blood made that all too clear. Deciding to seize a chance, I surged forward to strike. I'd rather not go with violence, but somehow, I doubted words would reach him. When I actually tried to stab, though, the chalice shone brightly and a barrier flickered into life between me and him. A barrier that had enough power radiating off it to shatter my blade into pieces. "Ow." I calmly looked at the resulting gashes, and picked out a couple of metal fragments before my healing rate sealed them under my skin. "Well then." It seemed a direct assault wouldn't work, at least while the Rite was active. Of course it would be complicated like that.

"Highly skilled bishops are capable of drawing Faith magic within themselves to heal their own wounds, but that is far more substantial than any I have seen." Aelfric regarded me forlornly. I met the gaze calmly. "What did she do to you?"

"I don't care." The blunt words were worth his visible surprise. "There's more important things to worry about." Taking advantage of the surprise, I quickly threw fire at him. The barrier deflected it, of course, but that let me see the 'shape' of it and I spread my flames over it to engulf it, leaving Aelfric blind. It would be great if the barrier kept him from attacking, but I somehow doubted that would be the case, so it was better to confuse and mask. I didn't have to worry about the mercenaries and priests. Yet, at least. Surely someone among them could heal. But that was for later, not now.

Some part of me expected Yuri to somehow be on his feet when I reached him. Not sure why, given everything. But it was surprising to see him gasping for air alongside his former captors, all of them curled up in the blood. With him losing even more, thanks to the Rite. I could actually see it rip from his wounds, curl above us like smoke and drift towards the chalice. Knowing I could do nothing to stop it, I did the only thing I could think of. I rolled Yuri onto his back and rested his head on my lap. Then I held him still and used my magic to heal him up as best as I could. It was an uphill battle, but I could at least slow his blood loss.

"Well, nice to wake up to such a pretty sight." He even had the energy to open his eyes, though with a joke like that, I worried he might've hit his head a little too hard. "You made it," he whispered, smiling slightly. A little bit of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, but I just wiped it away. "Guessing you split and rescued?"

"Ideally," I replied. I had no idea how the wounds might've slowed everyone. "I don't suppose you can break out yourself, huh?"

"Would if I could, milady." He hissed in pain, but I eased some of it. "Plan? Constance mentioned disruption, but…"

"Linhardt is on it." I hoped. I might've said more, but the whimpering of the surrounding people hurt my heart. Yet I couldn't really heal multiple people at once. Quick succession, yes, but not at the same time. And Yuri had to take priority. "So…" I struggled to make conversation, but I didn't have to. Not long after, I saw the wisps of blood above my head vanish. Aelfric's anguished 'NO!' confirmed it. "Here." I helped Yuri to his feet, both of us slipping a little in the blood, and got his arm around my shoulders to drag him away.

"Seriously, thank you." Now that he wasn't being actively drained, he smiled with tangible relief. It must've been very scary for him to trust a stranger, especially a monster of one. "Thank you, for being the ace up my sleeve. I definitely owe you a date."

"You don't have to force yourself, since I figured you were giving me a message," I reassured. He chuckled and shook his head. "I hope you have someone taking care of the hostages?"

"You even figured that part out." It wasn't exactly hard. "I've been working with Lady Rhea for months, watching Aelfric for her. Him taking hostages limited me, but not enough that I couldn't keep her in the know." Was this why Flayn had mentioned Rhea had been whispering about the Four Apostles recently? He had warned her? "I've got my people and Lady Rhea said she assigned the one she trusts most to lead them. Aelfric put everything on this moment." Hence the specific time. He'd needed Aelfric fully distracted. "This has been a nightmare and a half."

"I'm sure." I 'nudged' Azrael, worried, but quickly got the reassurance that he had Constance and was carrying her to the back. Not quite sure where, but I could follow his presence to it. Hopefully, by that time, everyone would… "Are you okay like this, or should I carry you?"

"Please let me walk."

"Okay."

It was a bit of a struggle, but between us, we managed to make it to the others. More specifically, to the place Azrael had indicated, an alcove with a strange pattern along the walls, almost like the railings of a balcony, and a floor that was a noticeably different color than the rest. But, I couldn't really study it. For one thing, I couldn't see much of it since all of us were crammed together in it. For another, I focused on healing, taking some of the burden off Azrael and Linhardt. My students and the pups sorely needed it.

"Linhardt, we owe you our lives," Constance murmured, once everyone was at least healed enough. I'd wanted to go with full heals, but that risked draining Linhardt, Azrael, and myself. We couldn't afford that. "I thank you, from the bottom of my heart." She bowed her head, and that little motion was almost enough to make her topple. Edelgard caught her, though, and held her up. For her part, Constance just went on like it hadn't happened at all. "I cannot imagine how difficult it must have been, particularly when that magic wounded everyone."

"Honestly, I was so focused that I didn't notice the pain until I broke the spell," Linhardt deflected tiredly. He was the only one of us sitting, though the pups had to be held to keep steady. "But we can talk about that later. Azrael, will you please let someone heal you now? Our professor did." I… uh… didn't. But I wasn't sure how to explain that for now.

"Yes, please, those wounds are-"

"I barely notice them," Azrael refused. To most, I was sure he sounded like he was just being arrogant. But I knew he truly didn't notice them, once the initial pain subsided and battle-fever numbed him some. He had the same fortitude and resilience Dad had, after all, and was able to fight longer and with more injuries. That was why people dubbed him something inhuman, much like Dad and me. "However, we do have other problems."

"I'm going to regret asking, but like what?" Claude asked. Like Azrael and me, he wasn't supporting one of the pups. Instead, he counted how many arrows he and Ashe had. "Wait, no, don't tell me. Aelfric is about to throw a spell at all of us for disrupting his plans."

"Nah, he's in shock still. But the priests and mercenaries are up and ready for battle."

"They're what." Claude pushed his way to the front to confirm Azrael's words and he immediately groaned once he had. "What the hell? Do these people not want to live or something?"

"Well, if they wish for death, I wish they'd off themselves and not bother the rest of us." Azrael glanced at me, and I smiled thinly because I knew what he was really angry about. "Welp, decide what to do, okay?" So he said, but I sensed what he wanted us to do and I...

"Huh?" Claude blinked a couple of times and just stared as Azrael darted out of the alcove and jumped into the fray. "Uh… did he just…?"

"I suppose that decides our next objective," Dimitri noted dryly. He softened when he looked to Hapi, who leaned heavily on him. Her legs wobbled too much to stand on her own. "How are you four? We all may have suffered injuries, but you dealt with extensive blood loss before hand."

"Oh, it'll take a lot more than that to stop me," Yuri dismissed breezily. He even waved the words off, and it almost hid how dizzy he looked. It didn't hide how he nearly hit me in the face, even with Ashe bearing half his weight, and he arguably was in the best condition, since I'd healed him earlier. "If anything, I feel speedier with less blood weighing me down."

"I think that's the shock talking, personally."

"Not the least shocking thing about me, really."

"Honestly, it's probably for the best that he drained us," Balthus commented, with a shrug. He was the reason why I'd said 'arguably' for Yuri because he looked and sounded like he was just fine. In fact, he was the only one of the pups who didn't need to be supported to stay up, though Hilda clung to him anyway. "Otherwise, our blood would be boiling and we'd be charging like Azrael right now."

"Ugh… speak for yourself, B," Hapi grumbled, scowling. She even tried to swat at him, but he was too far away. "I may be used to losing blood, but my head is certainly spinning from it all." She made a face, and covered her mouth. "Whoops, almost sighed." Well, a monster showing up would certainly be interesting, if only because I wasn't sure how. "We kind of need to punch Elfie in the face, though."

"Now you're talking." Balthus grinned. "So, how do we go about that?"

"...Actually, is it okay if I make a request?" I mumbled, feeling terribly awkward. I almost wished Azrael hadn't put the thought in my head. But I just… I couldn't… "I know how much you all want to deal with Aelfric, but would you mind if we retrieve Mom first?" It was terribly selfish. By all rights, if we weren't going after Aelfric, we should go after the chalice. But I… but we… "Azrael and I… we don't want him near her anymore."

"Of course we'll get her, Professor!" Ashe reassured instantly. It made me feel a little better, especially when everyone else nodded in agreement. "I'm… not sure how. But we'll get her. Promise!" He smiled warmly, but then looked out to where Azrael was running circles around the staggering enemies to dizzy them further and maybe just keep them down for the rest of this fight. Neither of us expected it would work, but it at least bought a little time. "Azrael might need some help, though?"

"He's fine." More or less. Still, Ashe's worry was almost tangible. "If you want, though, you can-"

"Tell me the plan later!" And Ashe was gone, barely giving Yuri to Claude before dashing away. He wasn't alone, though. Surprisingly, a stone-faced Hilda followed without a sound, leaving Balthus to stand on his own.

"I suppose we'll have to." Now to think… "For something like this, two distractions will probably work best." I noticed both Claude and Yuri stiffened, like they weren't used to someone besides them handling the planning. But I was too caught up in my thoughts for now. "Yes, a large and a small." I 'reached' for Azrael to check if my tentative idea would work, and got reassurance in return. "Azrael and I will handle the big. Let the pups be part of the small. Claude, do you still have any smokescreens?"

"Just one," Claude answered, fishing it out of his pocket. He almost dropped Yuri by accident, but managed to keep them all balanced. "Anything special you want me to do?"

"No, I trust your judgement, so long as you don't agree to bring monsters again," I replied, deciding to joke a little. Most cracked smiles at the weak attempt, but I noticed that, for a split-second, I saw genuine surprise on Claude's face. "I wish we had more time to discuss things, but leave it in that outline, will you?"

"Will do, Teach, but are you sure just you and Azrael for the 'big'." The surprise faded for a skeptical frown. I couldn't blame him, really. None of my students had seen Azrael and me put everything into a battle before. "Yes, you're skilled, but…"

"Aelfric will no doubt focus on Azrael and me anyway. We might as well take advantage of it." It was for the same reason I suggested the pups for the 'small' distraction. Aelfric knew them well, after all. "Oh, but since this is sneaking, please remember that Ashe is the only one of you who actually knows how to be sneaky."

"Teach, you wound my pride!"

"Then prove me wrong, at a different time." I turned away, only now noticing I didn't have a weapon anymore. I'd have to steal one, then. "I expect everyone to be alive and well when we meet up again."

I walked away, each step slow and deliberate. Azrael floated to my side, leaving the enemies behind in dizzied confusion. Together, we made our way through the center of the room, to the altar. To Aelfric, who simply watched us. It took a moment to realize it was with complete incomprehension, but I supposed that was to be expected. In his madness, he thought himself 'correct', after all.

"Byleth, Azrael, you would stop this?" Aelfric asked with soft confusion. He reached out a hand towards us, like he could somehow drag us into his insanity. "She's right here, waiting for us. Waiting for you. She wanted to meet you two more than anything." And she loved us. We already knew this. "You two deserved to meet her as well! Don't you want her back?"

"Ignoring how the Mom we've always heard stories about would have never wanted people to die for her, Mom is dead," I replied. It took everything I had to not be sarcastic right now and I was more than a little certain I had failed. "She died giving birth to us, and has been dead for twenty years."

"And yet, her body is perfectly pristine!" Aelfric gestured at the corpse. I felt sick. For his deranged dream, he had dug up her body, yanked it from the earth, and… "It's as if she remains untouched, despite the long years. She looks the same as she did when she died, and has not changed once in the ten years since I found her." ...Found? What in creation did he mean by that? Mom was supposed to be buried in a very noticeably marked grave? Why was he talking like…? "Resting in a room deep under Abyss, frozen in time. I have worked tirelessly since trying to learn the secret of her death and the way to reverse it." The 'secret' was no doubt something like 'she bled out', and furthermore-

"Except there's spells for preserving corpses," Azrael countered, not bothering to mask his own irritation. Still, he was right. Dad had told us about it, and other spells like it. "It's a blood magic spell, separate from Reason and Faith. Much like this apparent Rite of Rising bullshit. It was used historically to keep the dead from rotting while they were transported back home for proper burial. Though, I guess Dad did also mention something about it not being all that common nowadays." Considering the blank stare Aelfric gave us, I'd say he was right. "Huh. Guess we had a strange education." Somehow, it didn't surprise me that there was yet another thing strange about us. "Regardless, we're at an impasse, or whatever the term is. You're mad enough to keep going for this ritual, and we're determined to stop you. So, what will you do?"

"I…" Aelfric hesitated before closing his eyes and shaking his head. "I did not want any harm to befall you, as you two are her children." Just as he had at the Cathedral, he looked forlorn. "She would've wanted you safe." Despite the calm tone, despite the forlorn expression, he brought up his hand and fire flickered around his fingertips. "But if you insist on getting in the way of this, I have no choice but to strike you down." Right, because Mom would definitely want to come back to a world like that. Selfish and mad, plain and simple.

"So, now you're going to try and kill us?" Azrael shrugged, unbothered. I simply glanced around and noticed the mercenaries and priests attempting to surround us. They recovered more quickly than I would've expected, but it wouldn't matter. "Probably the most normal thing you've done, attempting to kill your beloved's murderers. But, since it's also us, it's probably the stupidest thing you've done as well."

"You two may be battle hardened, but-"

"We didn't give ourselves those fancy titles, you know. Bloodstained Angel, Ashen Demon, Twins of War… others gave them to us." Azrael slowly smiled, baring his teeth just as a predator did. His canines actually glinted in the torchlight, resembling fangs. "Shall we show you why?" I sensed what he was about to do and stepped closer to him. Already, I could hear the air 'singing' with power, 'dancing' in anticipation. "Oh, hallowed winds…" The words almost seemed to echo across the stone, magnified by the winds themselves. "Harken to my call."

He gestured grandly, like he was the narrator of an opera inviting the audience to enjoy the show. Immediately, the wind whirled into a fury around us and sent those closest to us flying. Some survived their crash landings; others didn't. But I didn't pay attention. I couldn't. The point of this was distraction, and that meant making sure all eyes were on us, especially Aelfric's. So Azrael gestured sharply again, this time to slam the wind down onto some fallen enemies and eviscerate them. The smell was nauseating, but there was no time to focus on that.

Particularly since Aelfric casted a fire spell at us, the large fireball hinting it was actually a Meteor spell. One of the two Reason spells with a long range, the strain on its user was considered well worth the damage in most cases, due to the wide range it hit. However, it was fire. And when I didn't hold back…

"Life-giving flames," I whispered, bringing up my hands. Immediately, the warmth of my power flooded me. "Heed me." As soon as my invocation was completed, I summoned my fire to devour the meteor and infect its magic with my own. Then I flung my hands apart and tore the meteor into embers that flickered away to tiny specks of ash. Through the falling ash, I saw Aelfric's eyes widen in shock and saw him quickly try to heal a nearby ally, one Azrael hadn't reached yet. But I tossed a little fire at it, and burned the magic. Because my flames devoured everything. Like a parasite. Like a monster. If it existed, then when I invoked the full force of my power's might, I could burn it.

"Wouldn't blink if I were you!" Azrael laughed from nearby. As if he was having fun. I probably was the only one who knew he wasn't. He never had fun in battles. But the noise drew attention, and that was the whole point of this. "You'll only get to see this once!" With wind and lance, he tore through those he could reach. Not that those he fought didn't try to take him down. I sensed the echoes of the blows he couldn't dodge. But the way Azrael acted… "Aw, well aren't you all just adorable? Thinking that your false bravo will stop my assault like that!" Azrael easily dodged an attack and whipped the wind to 'crack' across the attacker's back. Pieces of their spine joined the explosion of blood. "Still, that's no reason to hold back! Come on! You're doing great! Just a little bit more, and you might make me work for your deaths!" The way he acted, you'd think he was just playing a game.

Me? I stole a sword from a corpse and silently moved from enemy to enemy. Whipping my fire about like a shield to break through guards so that I could stab them. Catching blades with my flames and melting them into nothing. Scorching armor until it blackened and cracked and let me skewer their wearers. The air around me choked on smoke, and the bodies at my feet soaked in ash. Still, I fought. I bled. I healed. Fought, bled, healed. Fought, bled, healed. Again and again and again, even past the point I...

"Your deaths are reflected in my eyes!" Though Azrael pushed himself just as much, he made sure not to show any sort of weakness. If anything, he decided to be showier. When one attacker managed to disarm him, he wrapped the wind around his hand and arm before thrusting it forward. Thanks to the razor-sharp wind, his hand went straight through his unfortunate victim. Then he 'released' the wind in all directions to rend his victim into pieces. Showy, and I supposed it looked cool enough, but the little pinpricks of pain I sensed crawling up my arm hinted he'd gotten bone splinters stuck in his arm again. "After all, there's only one end for the hunted!"

"But who is being hunted?" Aelfric asked quietly. Despite the number of people we had killed, he almost looked smug from atop the altar. "I was surprised at first, but it's clear to me what's going on. You two inherited Sitri's magic." Dad hadn't been telling a white lie when he told us that? I'd always assumed he had, to make us feel less abnormal. "But I know the weakness of this state. You cannot hold it long." ...Damn that he knew. Because he was right and, worse, Azrael and I were at our limits. Yet Mom was still… her body was still… "I simply have to outlast it."

"Are you so certain you can?" I asked quietly. I held myself as still as possible, my expression as impassive as I could make it. I could afford to do so; I'd killed all those around me. "After all, we're Dad's children too." If I could play on that hero worship, then could I buy a little more time? A little more time for Azrael and me to pretend? A little more time for the others?

"I… that is…" Aelfric hesitated, just as I'd hoped. "Jeralt might be…" Didn't know how he'd finish that sentence. Didn't care. Because at that point, Yuri emerged from the shadows to attempt a strike. I didn't know if it was because they were close to the chalice or if it was because the Rite had been disrupted, but either way, the chalice didn't conjure up a barrier to stop him. "Yuri…!" Aelfric dodged, probably because Yuri's earlier blood loss unbalanced him. But I did notice he took a step away from Mom. "I should've expected something like this." Aelfric's eyes were hard with hatred. Yuri rolled his eyes in turn. "Just like all birds of prey, you turn on your masters as easily as you turn on your victims." Excuse me?

"Nothing and no one can shackle me, Aelfric," Yuri scoffed. He tried to attack again, but missed. Still, Aelfric was a little further away from Mom. "A caged bird never sings, after all." He dropped to one knee and at first, I worried he'd overextended. But then a spell flew over his head. Aelfric deflected it, and took another step back. "Beautiful, Hapi."

"Thanks, Yuri-bird," Hapi replied, slowing stepping up. I felt unsteady just watching her. Or maybe that was the backlash coming. "You know; I thought I'd be angrier. I suppose I'm just used to betrayal." She shrugged and cast another spell. I noticed it was significantly weaker than what I was used to from her. "Still, I don't think I'm in the mood for sitting on my hands and letting him hurt us. I'm not going to be tied up and bled again. I've got too many memories of that."

"Let's show him just what a traitor deserves."

"Sounds good to me." Hapi smiled slightly. "I bet B agrees too."

"You know it," Balthus confirmed, leaping onto the altar from behind. He actually landed two punches on Aelfric, though he had to dart back to avoid the retaliatory fire spell. "Aelfric, I'll admit that I owe you a lot. But you never saved my life, so I don't think I owe it to you. This is definitely not an even trade."

"I do feel some remorse for what I must ask of you," Aelfric replied. With the calm tone and even expression, he certainly didn't look it. "Still, I will not shirk from what is necessary."

"What's necessary is breaking your skull so that someone else can pour some sense into it." Balthus quickly closed the gap and punched Aelfric again, catching him in the face with one. Aelfric avoided the other, but not the fire spell that hit his back. I knew even before she climbed onto the altar that its source was Constance. "Very nice, Constance."

"Why thanks you, Balthus," Constance replied haughtily. She leveled a glare at Aelfric. "The bill has come for your misdeeds, Aelfric." Aelfric simply chuckled and shook his head. "Do you think us too weak to do so? I fear I must correct you. We are the Ashen Wolves, after all."

"And wolves hunt their prey in packs," Yuri added, standing again. He swayed briefly, but otherwise stayed upright. He then smirked. "Sometimes, they'll even join up with others. Like maybe some eagles. Some lions. Hell, maybe even a deer or two." Had to admit that I was tired enough to think about how little sense that made. But it didn't really matter. After all, the words had been a signal.

Arrows flew from two different directions, one catching Aelfric in the shoulder and another grazing his cheek. Aelfric stumbled back from the pain, and that was when someone ignited the smokescreen. It was also when I couldn't keep posturing any longer and collapsed, spewing up blood. Every single bit of me screamed in agony, well past their limits. By the time I recovered to weakly lift my head, the smoke had cleared and all that was left on the altar was a bleeding Aelfric and the chalice still filled with blood.

"Why…?" he breathed, staring at the spot where Mom's body had been. I noticed he had another arrow in his arm, and some gashes. I imagined there had been a bit of a scuffle, to keep Aelfric away from Mom. I wondered who, but decided it didn't really matter. "Why do you not see? Why do you not understand?" He turned to look at me, and presumably Azrael. Wherever Azrael was. I was too tired to sense for him; all I got was echoes of his own pain. "Of all the people in this hell of a world, you two should understand the most!" I laid my head down on the stone, too tired to care about the blood, and wished he'd just shut up. It wasn't that we didn't understand. Of course we did. However, this was all- "All of this is just a small price to pay for bringing her back!"

"...Small? Did you just call their lives small?" Though I whispered the words, they sounded loud to me. Just as loud as the 'sound' of something snapping in my head. In my heart. "Is that what you think?" I asked, keeping my voice even. Slowly, I pushed myself up, bracing myself with my borrowed blade. I really shouldn't have, since I knew that would just chip and break it, but I couldn't stand up otherwise. Yet, I couldn't… I couldn't let those words go. "How dare you?"

"Pardon?"

"How dare you say that? There is no such thing as a small life. No such thing as an insignificant person." My blood burned in my veins, the radiating heat pulsing from my heart. 'Thump, thump, thump', 'crackle, crackle, crackle'. "Every person who lives in this messed up world is important, their lives sending ripples through time. No matter their age, their rank, or anything… that fact holds true."

"I…" Aelfric's voice shook, for some reason. "Well…"

"Those who died… the mercenaries you hired, the priests that fought to protect you… their lives weren't small. Their lives mattered to someone, even if they meant nothing to you." I lifted my head to stare at Aelfric. He took another step back, his eyes wide with… something. I almost thought it fear. "These priests believed in you, for whatever reason, and you repaid them with death. The mercenaries took a job to survive, and you discarded them."

"I… I would give anything to see the light in Sitri's eyes again." He stepped back again. This time, I was certain it was from fear. He was afraid of me. "To-"

"Their lives were not yours to give. They were not yours to sacrifice." It was no different than those who claimed to fight for the 'greater good'. Spending lives for a goal that they envisioned, without any regard for the ones who lost their worlds and without caring that their actions made the present a living hell. "Just as the safety and peace of Abyss was not yours to sacrifice."

"I-"

"The terror and dread they faced… not knowing if their home would be stolen from them… not knowing if those they loved would survive…" The nervous crossbowman… that child who begged for reassurance… the grandfather who held but the barest of hopes… Grandma Lisbeth and Ely… I thought of all of them and my heart ached. "You inflicted all of that on them and more. These people who relied on you, cared for you, and you still put them through hell, to satisfy a selfish delusion."

"Byleth, I just-"

"All of that… you called 'small'. Their lives, their fears, their dread… you claim it is small?" I looked at Aelfric impassively, unable to truly express my rage and sorrow. A rage and sorrow joined by Sothis's own, because she felt the same as I did. To claim all the blood shed was 'small', to claim this betrayal was 'small'... she was enraged, and it simply built my own into an inferno that bubbled in my blood and pulsed with my heart. "I understand and pity you, Aelfric. I grieve that I inflicted such pain on you."

"What are you…?" Aelfric frowned, like he was genuinely confused. Sadly, however, I no longer had the patience to listen.

"However, none of this justifies anything you have done." Without thinking, I tossed my sword to the side and brought my hand out in front of me. As my hand moved, motes of light… no, tiny sparks of flame emerged from the blood spilt across the stone tiles. Tiny sparks that floated around me and part of me wondered how I was able to stand up straight now. I should be too exhausted. But the answer came quickly, because it was Sothis. Sothis who kept me upright, through the power that she lent me. "So, I'll oppose you with all that I am and everything I have."

The sparks converged around me, building and lengthening until I had ten 'spears', one for each 'wing tip' of the Crest of Flames. As it proved when it materialized in front of me, just as it had when Sothis first turned back time for me, glowing bright enough to make the torches look dim. For one second, one long second of eternity, everything held still. Like I had frozen time, but nothing was frozen. Instead, everything burned and in the ashes, with barely a thought, I 'launched' the spears of fire.

Though the Ritual had been interrupted, the Chalice still glowed and a barrier flickered into life just as the spears approached. The first two cracked the barrier. The third, fourth, and fifth pierced it. The sixth and seventh shattered it. The eighth went straight through Aelfric's wounded arm, incinerating it and the arrows into a charred black mess. The ninth would've gotten his chest, if he hadn't passed out and collapsed from the pain. Instead, the ninth blasted the wall behind the altar, scorching the stone, while the tenth… the tenth and last one hit the Chalice dead on and shattered it.

In the silence that fell, the pieces of the Chalice hitting the ground were terribly loud and strangely high-pitched given the blood that splattered from the mess. They hit and rolled and rolled and rolled. One gem, one that didn't match the four that had been on the outside, actually hit my foot. Absently, I bent down to pick it up, but I had just barely gotten my hand around it before I collapsed in a heap, struggling to breath as I coughed up more blood. I… definitely over did it.

"Professor!" Strong and gently hesitant hands carefully took mine, and I recognized the gauntlets as Dimitri's. "Professor, are you conscious?" he asked, peering worriedly at me. I didn't have the strength to reply, but I did make sure to smile slightly. "Good…" Carefully, as if I was made of glass, he gathered me up in his arms and stood slowly to not jar me. Of course, whatever injuries I might've had were already healed, but I was definitely exhausted and all of me ached. "Apologies, Professor, but I do not believe you can walk." He was right, though part of me panicked anyway. A stranger carrying me… that never led to anywhere good. Never.

But this time was different. After all, Dimitri carried me to the back of the room, where the others had gathered. They were discussing something I couldn't process, both because of exhaustion and distraction. After all, Mom was laid out on the ground and I… as soon as Dimitri gently set me down, I crawled over to her so that I could hold her hand. Was it creepy? Probably. But I couldn't resist. It was the first time I'd ever been able to hold her hand, even if she was dead, and I had always wanted to. Even better, I learned something I never would've thought of; my hands were the same size as hers. Hers were less callused, of course. Less scarred. But the same size.

"Ugh… why won't my arm move right?" Azrael grumbled. I barely glanced up at him, since I could sense why he was annoyed. He wanted to hold Mom's hand too, but not with all the blood on it. "Freaking hell, it's not broken."
"I think it might have something to do with the bone splinters you have jammed into it," I deadpanned, still not looking at him. Mom held my full attention, since this would be my only memory of her. 'Memory', really, since she was dead and all. But I couldn't let this chance pass me by. "There's something larger lodged in your upper arm, by the way. Near your shoulder."

"There is?" Azrael poked and prodded the area until he found what I was talking about and pried it out. "Huh. Wonder if it was part of a rib or a vertebrae."

"It would be neither if you aimed a little more off-center." Mom had… it looked like some sort of incision on her chest, actually. I could barely see it due to the collar, but it might've been over her heart? I wasn't sure; I'd have to take the dress off in order to full examine it and I didn't want to do that.

"You both talk far too easily about that," Edelgard noted. It took me a second to realize the rest were giving us weird looks. "I also have many, many questions about… oh, everything, really. But Azrael, why insist on moving at all? You nearly passed out." Wasn't surprised that he had. "Not to mention you coughed up blood."

"I want to hold Mom's hand," Azrael answered easily. After all, he didn't care if it might be creepy. "Byleth and I never got to. Yeah, it's not as good as holding her hand while she's alive, but still, I want to. I have to clean my hand first, though." For the same reason he was always careful to not hug me while drenched in blood. I didn't like violence, and according to Dad's stories, neither had Mom.

"Ah." That was all she said. But, surprisingly, she scooted a little closer to him and took a handkerchief from her pocket. Then she gently wiped Azrael's hand as clean as she could before helping him take Mom's. "I'm amazed. You two look so much like her."

"The resemblance truly is most uncanny," Constance murmured, sitting down with her legs tucked under her. Absently, I knew we shouldn't be relaxed like this, but I think we were all just too tired to act sensibly. "Balthus, I simply cannot believe you looked upon her and said she looks 'real dead'."

"Since when is a living person so still?" Balthus instantly countered. I gathered this might be something said while we weren't here, since only Hapi and Yuri seemed to know what the two were referring to. "Sure, she's not as rotted and smelly as a dead person should be, but seriously, she's too still to be anything but a corpse."

"I suppose you are correct." Constance studied Mom's face closely. "I am amazed to see so little rot. Is there truly a spell for that?" Both Azrael and I nodded, even though Mom held most of our attention still. "Fascinating… I can hardly believe it and yet, there appears to be proof right in front of my eyes."

"What I can't believe is that our professor broke the chalice," Linhardt bemoaned, leaning heavily on Ashe. Now that I was a little less distracted, I actually focused on everyone and noted we were all sitting, clustered by Mom. Edelgard remained by Azrael, intently cleaning his other hand. Dimitri supported my back, probably to make sure I didn't fall. Hapi and Yuri rested against each other, and Claude wisely kept watch, even as he continued sitting with the rest of us. Hilda was actually sprawled out, using Balthus''s leg as a pillow. "A sacred treasure of the church, and now it's nothing but shards!"

"I think it says something that it broke so easily," Claude mused, glancing up at the ceiling. Then he looked to Azrael and me. "Or maybe it wasn't that easy. The hell did you guys do?" Er… well… how to explain…? "Aelfric seemed to know, but…"

"If I had to make an assumption, they were able to temporarily increase their ability to manipulate the elemental forces they are attuned to, at the cost of stamina. Then our professor harnessed the power of her crest to further boost it." Linhardt rattled that off easily. "It's an ability seen with both the Crest of Fraldarius and the Crest of Gloucester." It was certainly a more believable theory than 'the gremlin that lives in my heart lent me her power'. "Granted, I'm not certain how they did the first part, and I fully intend on studying it." Joy. "However, seriously, you destroyed-"

"It's destroyed… all of it…" ...You know; I wouldn't have thought Aelfric would regain consciousness so quickly. But when we all looked to the altar, there he was, standing and holding the single shard of the chalice that remained on the altar with him. "All of it was…" he whispered, staring at that little shard. Then, slowly, he looked at us. No, he looked at Azrael and me, and ignored the others. Just as he ignored his ruined arm. "Why? Why do you not want your mother back?" Oh, for crying out-

"Because one of the first things I taught them was that the dead do not return." Dad's voice was quiet and soft as he suddenly entered the Mausoleum, splattered with blood. More slowly dripped off his lance, marking his path inside. "I didn't want them to feel like Fiona abandoned them," he continued, not even looking at Aelfric. He studied the area, filled with blood and corpses, and then his gaze fell on us, still clustered on the ground. His eyes widened when he saw Mom, but his attention didn't linger long on her. Instead, he checked on Azrael and me, and both of us smiled slightly to try and reassure him. "So, they know this whole farce has been pointless from the start."

"Jeralt…?" Aelfric's eyes widened. I couldn't blame him, since I didn't know what Dad was doing here either. "What are you…?"

"Lady Rhea tasked me with investigating Abyss, in order to rescue some hostages." Dad shrugged, like it was no big deal. But I thought of what Yuri had just told me. 'The one she trusted the most'... somehow, it didn't surprise me that was Dad. "Bit of a surprise to hear what you've been up to these past few years, Aelfric. Never would've guessed you had it in you, but twenty years does a lot to a person."

"Am I correct to assume that you rescued those I held captive, then?" Aelfric smiled bitterly, and he even chuckled when Dad simply nodded. "Of course you did. The knight in shining armor, just as always."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm still the hero or something." Dad's voice flattened, unamused by all of this. "I wish I could say I've never known a grown man to be so foolish, but you're the latest in a long line of fools, Aelfric. Still wouldn't have expected it of you in particular, though."

"I would give anything to see her alive again." Aelfric, you said this before and I somehow doubted it would work any better now than it did then. "Wouldn't you?"

"No." ...Had to say, not even Azrael and I quite expected the quick, blunt, and utterly no-nonsense answer. Then again, everything about this whole thing had been beyond expectations.

"You… what?" So, of course, Aelfric looked like he'd been hit over the head by it. That is, before he glared. "You… how can you say that? Did you even love her?" Excuse me? How dare he say-?!

"Of course I do. But you said 'anything', and I wouldn't give up my twins." Just as before the words were quick and no-nonsense. Though this time, while they were too soft to be called 'blunt', they had a trace of annoyance lingering in them. Like he couldn't believe he had to explain that to Aelfric. "I also know better than to give anything up for something completely and utterly ridiculous."

"The Rite can…" He glanced at the shard he still cradled in his palm. "It could've…"

"No. It couldn't. Because nothing can bring back the dead. No matter how much you despair, how much you rage, the dead stay dead. I know that lesson far too well. I have killed more people than you would see in ten lifetimes, Aelfric, and I have seen even more die. Yet, I will admit that I never felt that lesson more keenly then when I was told Fiona had died." Dad closed his eyes, no doubt remembering that horrible day. "The sorrow I felt was almost overwhelming. I'd never been so tempted to walk off the Cathedral's bridge and see if the fall did what a thousand arrows and blades hadn't." Dad… he just said the words lightly. Like he was talking about the weather or something. Not saying how close he'd been to… "But I couldn't. Because I had my twins. They deserve better than me, but I'm the one who was blessed with them. So, I had to give them my best."

"But wouldn't-"

"In a better life, Fiona and I would've raised them together. That was our wish. But it didn't happen, and I have to keep on walking. Because despite everything, I'm still alive." Dad shifted very slightly, and both Azrael and I tensed, knowing what was about to happen. "However, Aelfric, I didn't come here to lecture you. I came here for two reasons. The first, and the perhaps most important one, is that you hurt my twins."

"I…" Aelfric stepped back, and at first, I thought it was from fear. Like how he'd been afraid of me. But then he flipped his hand over to drop the shard and a magic circle appeared at his fingertips. "I'm sorry, Jeralt." Then there was fire…! "But I…"

"I'm not the one who needs to hear your apology." Dad surged forward just as Aelfric finished and launched his spell. A simple fire spell, probably all he had the strength for. Dad ducked under it without slowing, and in what felt like the blink of an eye, he'd reached Aelfric. "Fiona is."

Hard to say just what Aelfric's reaction to that was. After all, Dad skewered him through the heart, and then ripped his lance out through Aelfric's side in an explosion of blood. Aelfric died quickly, and his body crumpled to the ground at Dad's feet. And the only sound afterwards was the steady dripping of blood from Dad's lance. 'Drip, drip, drip.'

Dad remained frozen at the altar, just staring down at Aelfric's mangled corpse. Stared at it, and the blood oozing out of the fatal wounds. Absolutely rigid, pulling whatever anger and sorrow he felt into himself. So, I squeezed Mom's hand one last time, and then used Dimitri as a crutch to push myself up. I nearly collapsed immediately, but I stubbornly forced myself to walk forward. One foot in front of the other. Didn't matter that I slipped in blood, or tripped over bodies. I just dragged myself forward, until I was near the altar.

"Papa?" I called softly, as soon as I was close enough. I knew I wouldn't make it up the stairs in my current state, short as the distance was. "Papa." Instead, I simply waited for him to realize I was there. Waited for him to slowly turn to face me. Then, when I knew I had his attention, I smiled slightly.

Dad dropped the lance and it hit the ground with a clang and a clatter. I didn't see where it rolled to, though. After all, Dad had jumped down the stairs and gathered me up in a hug. A tight and warm hug, and I tucked my head under his chin so that I could listen to his heartbeat. 'Thump, thump, thump'. The most soothing sound in the world… it always was, and always would be. Dad, for his part, just held me, stroking my hair. Only loosening his hug so that Azrael could join and he could hug us both. Warmth and comfort, both for us and for him.

Finally, Dad sighed and shook his head before mumbling, "I need a drink."

"Father!" It was hard to say which one of us spoke first: Azrael or me. But we both frowned at him at the same time, and we certainly thought it at the same time.

"Oh, no. No, this whole situation definitely calls for at least one drink." Dad hugged us tightly again, clinging even. Neither of us minded, of course. "How in creation did you two fall into so much trouble anyway? And did you two use your invocations or something? You look like something a cat's dragged in. Especially you, Azrael."

Dad quietly scolded us, while Azrael half-heartedly protested. I quickly stopped listening, knowing it was simply Dad reassuring himself that we were here. We were alive. We were safe. Besides, given how long all of this had been, I just wanted to soak up the comfort. Nothing could go wrong when Dad was around, after all. So, it was okay to finally relax and let my mind drift…

Finally, it was over. Thank goodness...

A few days after everything with Aelfric was settled, I wove another garland in my room with Sothis watching. Though, I couldn't say I was in as good of a mood as the last time I wove flowers here. Instead, I was conflicted and felt a little ill to my stomach. After all, yesterday, they announced the 'official story' of what all had happened with Abyss. And I didn't like it. I didn't like it so much that I couldn't even bother remembering what it was.

["I don't like it either…"] Sothis sighed, stroking my hair to reassure me while I carefully threaded in another flower. ["I think they should've at least accused him of some sort of crime or scandal. Completely covering everything up… that's just begging for corruption to fester."]

"Sadly, there's not much I can do," I sighed, picking up another flower to weave into the garland. I was almost done, just a few more. "Neither Azrael nor I could change Rhea's mind. She said it was for the good of all." And, truthfully, I'd been afraid to push. She'd already been… cranky… when I told her about what happened to the chalice...

["I am not certain how much I believe that. Feels more like she's just trying to keep the status quo. Though, I suppose you could rationalize that as being for the 'good of all', given how precarious this peace is."] Yes, you could. But I… I disliked the phrase 'for the good of all'. 'For the greater good'. 'Sacrifice the few for the many'. I disliked them… no, I hated them. I loathed them.

Those phrases always meant blood and battle, and the ones who spoke them rarely, if ever, were the ones to actually make the sacrifice. They would act as if they did, of course. Feel guilt, perhaps. But those who said that weighed the lives of people like a merchant weighed coin, and judged based on their own beliefs. Judged that the deaths were worth less than intangible ideals that may or may not be carried out properly. Then they forced others to sacrifice for those dreams. Ordered people to die, ordered people to kill, ordered people to mourn…

Those phrases, those selfish and cruel phrases, all they led to was broken spirits, shattered hearts, and mangled corpses stretching out to the horizon. Led to rivers of blood that poisoned everything it touched. Led to society bleed out from wounds that festered and never healed. Led to screams and wails that were drowned out by victorious proclamations of how it was 'the best and only way'.

I hated those sorts of jobs the most as a mercenary. It all felt so pointless.

["Over all, I agree. It would be nice if violence can be avoided. Yet, sadly, blood must sometimes be spilled for change to occur. Sometimes, systemic change can only occur through revolution and terribly great sacrifices."] Sothis continued stroking my hair, sensing how nauseous it made me feel. ["Of course, without change, stagnation occurs and everything rots from within."]

"Perhaps…" I whispered, focused on my weaving. It was hard because my hands trembled. Remembering all those I had seen die for 'the greater good'. "I also know logically that the world is simply built on blood and corpses. I mean; vital agricultural sites like the Tailtean Plains and Gronder Field are the locations of famous battles." Logically, I could understand. But my heart… it keened. "I just wish people wouldn't turn so logical that they ignore their own emotions. I wish they would remember to value life, and not simply their ideals and beliefs."

["As do I. Once people make the decision to buy their ideals with lives, everything is dragged into an abyss of suffering, drowning in agony. Battles and war, justified or not, destroy everything in its path and leave nothing but ruin. Once war comes, all you can do is weep and hope that burning everything actually does destroy the roots of the original conflict. Otherwise, they will simply grow into the next war."]

"Then the cycle simply begins again. More tragedy, more pain, more revenge…" I sighed. "Of course, to peacefully end such a conflict, both sides not only have to have a conscience, but be willing to compromise."

["Indeed. In this land, in this twisted and broken world, no one can accomplish anything alone. No one at all, not even a goddess."] Sothis's words were almost absent, and they were… they were terribly sad. Sad, and old… the same tone she'd had when she first turned back time to save me. ["But I… am here with you, you know?"] She hugged me, and the warmth I felt was only matched by the reassurance and sincerity she radiated. ["I am always with you. So, we will weather this storm, and its aftermath."]

"Sothis?" I wanted to know what she meant. I almost asked. But a knock on the door stopped that. "Just a second." I tucked the last stem in and set it safely on my desk before opening my door. "Hello?"

"Professor!" Did not expect a bright-eyed Dorothea, especially with serious Ingrid. "I know this is a serious affair, but will you let me do your hair?" she requested, bouncing a little. Took me a moment to process the words, and I found myself nodding before I had. "Thank you~! Let's see… I brought some hair pieces, but Mercedes mentioned she bought you some previously?"

Dorothea hummed a song I recognized from an opera I'd guarded a couple a years ago and skipped over to my vanity, hunting for the 'hair pieces' I only vaguely remembered existing. So, a little confused, I watched her for a second, noting the nice dress she wore, before turning my attention to Ingrid. She dressed more simply than Dorothea, though still formal, and… well, honestly, I couldn't imagine her wanting to 'do my hair' with Dorothea. Nor did she seem like she'd been dragged along. Instead, she simply watched Dorothea in silence and I waited, just as silently, not sure what was going on at all.

"Seems like she's distracted enough," Ingrid finally whispered. She stepped closer to me, and leaned in so that she could keep talking quietly. "I'm sorry to bother, but when Dorothea mentioned coming to see you, I decided to take the opportunity." Opportunity for what? "His highness informed Felix, Sylvain, Dedue, and me about what actually happened. With Aelfric and Abyss." ...Somehow, that didn't surprise me. I was certain Edelgard had told Hubert the truth as well. And Claude… actually, I couldn't think of anyone Claude would've told… "So, I wanted to ask how you were."

"I'm okay," I answered softly. She frowned a little, like she thought I was lying, but I shook my head. "It is difficult to process everything, and I have been better, but…" But others had suffered far more than me. Those of Abyss… I hadn't visited since Aelfric died, but I knew they had to be hurting. My heart keened at the thought, especially since it was my fault. So, because of that, I… "I'm okay." The guilt I felt wouldn't erase the pain I had caused. I simply had to bear it, along with everyone else I had killed. Bear it, and keep on walking even when the weight threatened to crush me.

"I see." Ingrid studied my face for a moment before smiling thinly. "I can never tell what you're thinking." Most couldn't. "So, I must simply take you at your word, huh?" Well, how was I supposed to respond to that? "Oh, that's a pretty necklace." The sharp change in subject was even more confusing, at least until I saw her glancing at Dorothea. Not that Dorothea was paying attention to us, but I couldn't blame her for being cautious. "I've never seen a gem like that before." She carefully picked up a necklace from my desk, showing just which one she was referring to. I wasn't surprised it appealed to her. It was a simple design, just the gem with a silver chain, but she seemed the type to find it more beautiful because of the simplicity. "What kind is it?" Of course, now I didn't know how to reply for very different reasons.

"I'm not sure, truthfully." That seemed safe to say, though I felt my stomach twist into knots as she studied the necklace. How could I explain that the gem was from a sacred treasure that I accidentally broke? Not to mention that I'd commissioned the necklace for…

"Professor!" Dorothea's cheerful call stopped the conversation before I had to think of how else to continue it. "Over here!" she 'requested', snagging my arm. She yanked me over to a chair and immediately began fussing with my hair. "Ingrid, put that necklace down and come over here, will you? You're next, after all." The sudden blank look on Ingrid's face hinted she hadn't planned on being the next 'doll' for dress up. "Ah, this is going to be so much fun! So many options!"

Still wasn't sure what was so amusing about fiddling with someone else's hair, but Dorothea certainly seemed to enjoy herself as she braided and unbraided my hair with various ribbons and trinkets as she attempted to decide which one 'suited me best'. When she dubbed me 'done' and moved on to Ingrid, though, I snuck out with the garland in hand and the necklace loosely looped around my wrist. Much as I did like watching my students have fun, I had other things I wanted to do. Most importantly? Visit Mom in the Cathedral. After all, she was being buried today, as she should've been twenty years ago, and it was apparently tradition for the body to be 'prepared' in a back room of the Cathedral. So, I'd assumed that no one would be there when I visited and, of course, I was wrong. Not only was I wrong, but I was so wrong that I had to awkwardly hide behind a pillar.

"Jeralt, I…" Rhea began, looked at the ground. Because she and Dad were here, standing side by side next to Mom's body. Rhea seemed… it was hard to say. Guilty, fearful…and there was none of her normal ramrod posture. Instead, she curled into herself, clasping her hands to her chest like it hurt. The impression of frail atonement was only enhanced by how she didn't wear her normal robe and headdress. Just a simple white dress, and a single white flower in her hair. "I am so sorry. The thought of her being in the cold ground…" So, it was Rhea's fault Mom hadn't been buried to start with? That her body had instead been Abyss? Aelfric had been telling the truth there? "I had planned to tell you, of course. Take you there, but-"

"Lady Rhea." Dad's voice was quiet and calm, but Rhea flinched like he'd shouted. "I have never doubted that Fiona traded her life for Azrael and Byleth," he whispered, gently brushing the hair out of Mom's face. He even smiled softly at her. "I know that if that's what it took for them to live, she would've made that choice with no hesitation." Dad's fingers lingered on Mom's cheek before he stepped away and faced Rhea. Unlike before, his expression was impassive, the soft smile vanishing into nothingness. "But we both know that there's more to her death than that. Far more. I've not forgiven you for that secret."

"Jeralt…" Surprisingly, Rhea curled a little more into herself. This time, I was sure… I was sure I saw 'shame' amidst the guilt. "I…"

"I have no words for what I feel about her not being properly buried. What I feel about how you hid her body in your own personal viewing room, like a trophy to be admired instead of a person who was loved." Dad's eyes hardened. "Anger is perhaps the closest. I suppose we'll go with that."

"That's…" Rhea flinched again, and if she curled up any further, she'd be a ball on the floor.

"We won't go into my feelings of what my twins went through during this. To see their mother be treated as a trophy… to have that old scar dug into, especially when I know damn well that, despite my best efforts, they blame themselves for her death-"

"That isn't the case!" Surprisingly, Rhea's response was immediate and vehement. Even with her flinching away, there was no hesitation or doubt in her words. She believed it with every fiber of her being. "She made her choice, and it's a choice any mother would make!"

"I know that. You know that. But, sadly, it's little different from anyone else who survived at a loved one's sacrifice." Well, that and we really did kill her. "And they love her with all their hearts. So, all of this…"

"I…" Rhea flinched yet again. "I didn't mean… I just couldn't..."

"However." Surprisingly, Dad's voice and expression softened. "I cannot change the past. That is not a power I have. I cannot undo the decisions I made and their consequences, and neither can you. You made your choices. I made mine. Aelfric made his. So, we simply have to live with the burden. After all, the present is what we must live in, not the past or the future." Dad smiled very faintly. "So, I am saddened. I am furious. I am wary. But, at the end of the day, my twins are alive. They are alive and they are content. That's all I care about, really." Dad… "They are my everything. My joy, my pride, and my light. I love them more than anything."

"Just as Fiona does." Rhea whispered the words and finally looked up from the ground. Just to look at Mom, but still. "The bonds between people are the one thing death can never server. Not from the dead, nor from the living. That is why their memory becomes chains once they are gone."

"You say chains, Lady Rhea, but I view those memories as sources of strength. But, then again, that is one of the many things we have agreed to disagree on, over the years." Dad fell silent, waiting for something. Rhea tentatively glanced at him. "Again, we cannot change the past. We can only be grateful for the present it has brought us, and hope that the future will be better. So, ultimately Lady Rhea, so long as whatever secrets you keep do not harm my twins, we'll be fine. Even with this, we'll be fine. We've known each other far too long for me to fully hold it against you, especially since the bulk of this mess lied in Aelfric's hands." Dad's eyes, however, narrowed very slightly. Not quite a glare, but certainly a warning. "But this skirts the edge of what I deem 'acceptable'. If it looks as if the other secrets you hide will hurt them in any way…"

"I understand. I couldn't expect anything else from you." Rhea hesitated a little and looked back at Mom. "And of course you are right, Jeralt. There is more to Fiona's death." ...There was? That was… suspicious. "It's not a lot, and what I said was the truth. Still, what I hold back may be important, if only for closure. I know that. I know that I should tell you. I know I owe you that. And yet..." She paused, trying to find her words. Dad simply waited. "It is… it is connected to a secret I have kept for so long that I do not know how to even begin. Worse, I am frightened to do so."

"Okay." That was all Dad said. But given how Rhea brightened at it, and looked so much lighter, it was clearly enough for her. "You do need to make up for not burying her, you know."

"Of course. Tell me later." Rhea smiled softly at Mom one more time before turning to Dad. "I just realized. I never told you her last words and actions, did I?" ...Wait, huh? "I know I wanted to, but you were just so… broken back then. I feared it might add more weight and shatter you."

"I'd complain about being considered fragile, but her death still hurts." Dad smiled bitterly and wryly. "I think that was the first time in a long while I contemplated walking off the bridge."

"I'm not surprised. In all the years I've known you, I had never seen you so distraught. Not even when we thought Leonidas might die." Who was that? I didn't know the name. "I did want to tell you, though. About her last moments. Do you want to hear now?" Rhea waited for Dad to nod before continuing. "There was a little bit of time, after I confirmed the twins would be okay. With what strength she had left, she hugged both of them as tightly as she could. With the breath still lingering, she whispered how much she loved them, how she wished she could be there for them as they grew up." Mom… "How they'd be just fine, because they had you as their father." Rhea closed her eyes and coughed to try and clear away tears. Dad listened without an expression. Me, eavesdropping, just smiled slightly because I liked the story. Even if… "Then she kept whispering 'I love you' to them until she passed." Even if it was just a lie to make Dad feel better, it was still nice.

"That so?" Dad studied Rhea for a moment before smiling sadly, with more than a little bit of bitterness. "Well, I hope she's not too disappointed with how I raised them, then."

"I don't think it's possible for anyone to look at your twins and feel anything remotely like 'disappointment'." Rhea opened her eyes, and I saw the sincerity in them. It shone alongside the tears she refused to shed."You don't think I made all that up, do you?" I certainly did.

"Lady Rhea, I've known you for too long for you to lie to my face." Dad, however, seemed inclined to take her at her word. "I know all your tells."

"That's true." Rhea frowned a little, almost like she was sulking about it. "Makes it so difficult to hide when I get you birthday presents."

"I keep telling you that I don't need to celebrate getting older." Dad rolled his eyes and laughed softly. Then he smiled sadly at Mom. "Besides, I can believe all of that easily. Fiona… she always saw the best in me. Though I still don't quite understand what would make her fall for a old, scarred up warrior like me. I'm only good for war." That wasn't true at all!

"I can think of many in the monastery who would protest that." Like his twins!

"If you're talking about the ones I mentored, I'm not sure being good at teaching others how to kill is separate from being only good for killing." Dad, seriously…!

"Just as always, you are far too quick to dismiss your good points." Rhea smiled slightly. "I think it's obvious, personally. Fiona saw the kind heart you like to try and hide behind the guise of an ale-guzzling, grizzled mercenary." Rhea quickly muffled a little laugh, and Dad rolled his eyes. The way they acted made it seem like this was an old joke between them. "Speaking of which, I noticed you don't frequent the taverns as much as you used to. Did you lose your taste for it?"

"My twins have strong opinions about alcohol and all of them are negative." Dad immediately made a face; Rhea muffled another laugh. "And when they think I'm indulging too much, they call me 'Father' and I get squirming."

"Is it bad to be called that?"

"They only do it when they're annoyed, exasperated, or mad at me. So…" Dad scowled when Rhea muffled yet another laugh. "Yes, I know. Like Fiona, they have me completely wrapped around their fingers."

"I wasn't going to say anything."

"Of course not, Lady Rhea."

Sensing they were at a stopping point, I knew I had to make a decision quickly, lest I get caught eavesdropping. Did I sneak away or walk up? I was tempted to do the former, but the garland in my hand told me just what I needed to do. So, I stepped out from behind the pillar, and then walked on over, doing my best to pretend I had just showed up.

"Dad?" I called softly, pretending to be surprised. Both Dad and Rhea turned to look at me, though Rhea was quick to bow away and leave the room. Giving me time alone with Dad, and Mom. "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

"Of course not," Dad dismissed, shaking his head. He held out his arm and I quickly ducked underneath it for the offered hug. "What's up? Did you want to say something to her?"

"I can say whatever I want to Mom whenever." She just couldn't say anything back, but that was fine. I was used to that, and so was Azrael. That's why my twin wasn't here with me, but doing something with Alois. "No, it was simply… well, it's the Garland Moon, and I made one for you and one for Azrael." Carefully, I held up the garland I made earlier, the most intricate one I had ever made. It was also the very first one I had ever made Mom. "I don't want her feeling left out."

"She would pout at that. She loved making flower crowns." Dad smiled sadly, no doubt remembering the ones she had made him, and took the garland from me. To my surprise, though, he didn't set it on her hands or anything. Instead, he lifted her head up slightly, so that he could put the crown on her. I didn't mind. Since Dad and Azrael always made sure to wear theirs, there was something just so bubby and nice about her 'wearing' hers too. "A perfect fit."

"Well, I did adjust the size based on what I would wear." I was really glad I'd done that now. "I suppose I can see why so many comment on how much I look like her."

"You do." Dad smiled at Mom for a moment before focusing completely on me. "Speaking of that, though, those clothes?"

"Ah, yes, they're Mom's." I didn't really know what to wear to a funeral. I'd just worn my normal clothes for Charles's, like everyone else in Remire. But I'd seen others dressing formally, so I went with this. One of Mom's dresses and the lace shawl that had held my attention when I first looked through her things with Alois. I wouldn't call it a perfect fit or anything. The dress was a little tight around the chest. But it fit well enough for me. "Does it look weird? Should I change?"

"No, they look nice. I'm just surprised Alois kept so much." It was honestly a little ridiculous how much Alois saved. Touching, but ridiculous. "I didn't think anything would be left at all. That's why I carried the rings with me."

"Aren't we lucky?" I smiled slightly, before glancing at Mom's hands. I could see the faint tan line from where she'd worn her wedding ring while alive. "Hey, Dad?"

"Hmm?"

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but…" I looked at his hands, and how he didn't wear his own wedding ring. I'd never seen him wear it. "Why wasn't Mom buried with her ring?"

"Ah, that." Dad fell silent, and I thought it meant he didn't want to answer. But, surprisingly, he did. "It was a short time, our marriage. But it was filled with happiness. I cherish all my memories of her, even as I wish we had more time together." Dad pulled me into a hug, and I tucked my head against his chest to listen to his heartbeat. "And, as I said, I didn't think there would be anything left. So, I figured the best thing for you and Azrael to inherit were those rings. The wedding rings that represented a time of nothing but joy."

"Dad…"

"And, one day, if you and Azrael find someone you love as I did Fiona, you can give them the rings." Dad smiled. "Though, you'll have to pick who gets which one. Mine is larger than Fiona's, of course."

"Dad." I frowned a little at him. "The question was serious. You didn't have to make up something to satisfy my curiosity."

"My sweet little girl, you should know that I was very serious in answering." Yeah, but even assuming I fell in love with someone, why would they love a monster like me? Azrael had a better chance, sure, but given how he was, I wasn't sure if he'd meet someone who didn't want to stab him. "Fine, fine, just take the first part, then. I wanted you and Azrael to have them."

"I shall accept that." It made sense, after all.

"That's too formal." Dad made to ruffle my hair, but stopped. Like he'd just noticed the ribbons braided in my hair. "What's with the ribbons?" Then again, he had to be really distracted.

"Dorothea insisted." I smiled slightly and stepped away. "Regardless, though, I just wanted to give Mom her crown. I'll leave you alone."

"Byleth-"

"Papa." I shook my head, knowing already what he'd say. He was always quick to reassure, especially when he feared we felt lonely or unwanted. But that wasn't the case here. "I'm you want a better goodbye, right? You should take it, and I'm sure you wouldn't want an audience for it." This was just me giving Dad his privacy, just as I respected his desire to not talk about his own past. Nothing more.

I left Dad to his goodbyes, and left the Cathedral. I didn't return to the monastery proper, though. Instead, I stood by the edge of the bridge, looking down. Somewhere below, there was the remains of the creepy doll and those phantoms. I wondered about the one we trapped below in Abyss. Rhea had said she would take care of both, but how in the creation was she going to do that? Then again, she was the Archbishop. Maybe she had a spell to control them. Of course, that might be the least of our worries in the future. Thanks to this incident, word of my crest, and Azrael's, had spread like wildfire and I had no doubts that it would lead to trouble. Crests always did. I was glad we at least managed to keep things quiet about the pups' crests. They'd gone through more than enough trouble because of them...

"Professor?" I didn't expect to see Dimitri while out on the bridge, but when I turned towards the voice, there he was, dressed far more formally than I'd seen. Still favored the blue, though. "My pardon, but we have been looking for you," he explained, coming to stand right next to me. "Dorothea was apparently put out that you escaped… something?"

"I thought she was done with my hair," I explained, confused. Had there been something else to the process? "I suppose escaping my own room might have seemed odd."

"Perhaps a trifle." Still, Dimitri smiled. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes?" Did I seem off? Or was this him making sure he was reading my expression correctly? Hard to say, really. "I wove a garland for Mom and wanted to give it to her while I could." I supposed I could've left it on her grave, but this was much better.

"If you need time alone, I can divert everyone."

"Hmm? No, I already given it." I wondered if there was something strange about how I was acting. I couldn't figure out what it would be, though. "Ah, since you're here, though…" I did, however, remember a potentially awkward thing. But I'd already had it commissioned and I had it on me, so… "Here." I slipped the necklace off my wrist and gave it to him. "This is for you."

"For me?" Dimitri held up the necklace with a strange bit of hesitance, letting the gem catch the light. "Thank you, I appreciate it. But what is this for?"

"You can consider it both a thank you and an apology." I smiled slightly, thinking very quickly. After all, I wasn't really giving it to him for those reasons, but they seemed like good enough excuses. "For assisting me when I collapsed a couple days ago, and for hurting you." I didn't think I had properly apologized for the hurt I'd caused by calling him a 'stranger'. I'd certainly rambled a lot then, but I couldn't remember saying sorry. "Respectively."

"I don't recall doing anything worth such gratitude, nor you doing anything to warrant an apology." He held up the necklace for a moment longer before carefully putting it on and tucking the pendant part under his collar. "Still, if you believe so, then I'll gladly accept it. I already know you're more stubborn than me."

"I somehow doubt that." However, I was relieved. After all, the real reason behind me giving him that necklace was… well, the gem was actually the one I'd absently picked up after accidentally destroying the chalice. Though I should've given it to Rhea, I'd chosen instead give it to him. I remembered how the chalice had produced a barrier of some kind even after the ritual had been disrupted. Though it was silly and ridiculous, I hoped there might be some small remnant of that power in the gem, and that it might keep him safe, since I knew now how he hid his pain. I didn't want to announce that, though, since I didn't have such talismans for everyone and I had no guarantees this would work. It just made me feel a little better for being so unobservant. "I thank you for letting me 'win' this time, though."

"I'm really not conceding anything." Dimitri laughed, and smiled warmly at me. "Well, would you like me to escort you to the others? Everyone has been worried." Why would they do that?

"Yes, thank you." I supposed I should just go along with it. Sothis certainly seemed to think so, in addition to thinking me 'silly'. "Lead on. Where are they?"

"I imagine quite a few are at the greenhouse, since we wanted to lay some flowers on the grave." They were what now? "Shall we check there first?"

...My students were weird. I really needed to just accept that.

After the… funeral? Ceremony? I wasn't sure what you called it when most people believed it was a 'reburial', and a handful knew it was truly a 'first burial'. Regardless, afterwards, Seteth asked to speak to me. At first, I worried it was a mission for my students, but I quickly learned otherwise. Namely, it was the 'fate of the Ashen Wolves', to borrow Seteth's rather dramatic turn of phrase. It implied some sort of punishment, but really, it was more… I didn't even know.

["Well, well… that was interesting."] Sothis mused as we left Seteth's office. I headed to an alcove not far away to better hide and think of what just happened, and she floated alongside me, casually 'sitting' in the air when I was suitably hidden. ["Not what I expected, truly."]

"You and me both," I mumbled, leaning against the wall. I couldn't help but wonder if this was Rhea's revenge for me breaking the chalice. "Yuri is going to be helping me, huh?"

["Yes, as an assignment from Rhea, since he works with the Church."] Apparently, that cooperation wasn't going to be a one-time thing, but on-going. I was a bit surprised Yuri agreed to it, but… ["Similar to Balthus."]

"That one at least makes some sense." Rhe Church paid off a large portion of Balthus's debts to help make up for everything he went through. Except that the amount was so large that they were having Balthus pay some of it back. I didn't know the amount, but Seteth's little twitches hinted it might be more than I could imagine. "I don't know why he was tasked with helping me as part of that, though."

["Perhaps because you are so new?"] Actually, that was a good point. ["I must say that I'm surprised Constance refused the church's aid, though."]

"I'm not." I had to smile a little. Constance seemed the type to want to earn something, not simply have it given to her, especially with something as important to her as restoring her house to 'proper nobility'. To have it given simply as an apology was beyond what she could stand. "I'm more surprised she asked to join my class."

["Well, we know she trusts you."] Somehow. ["And your cohort does contain lots of very important people."] That was true. It would be to her benefit to spend time with them. ["Hapi is the one that…"]

"Surprises, confuses, and yet is somehow perfectly expected." Seteth didn't elaborate much on it, but had simply said that Hapi would join my class since the others were. Except I had a feeling it was said with much more sarcasm, and pointed words, mostly because of how quickly he'd moved past that part of the conversation. "As it stands, though, it seems like I have four more to take care of."

["It does, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Do not forget that I am here for you."] Sothis slipped behind me to give me a gentle hug. ["And, you know what? Your mom is watching for you as well. So, you'd best take care of yourself! Wouldn't want her to worry, right?"]

"Sure, let's use this as an excuse to nag." The only answer was Sothis's bubbly laughter. "You really think she is, though? I like to imagine so, but…"

["I agree with Rhea in that the choice she made that day was a choice any mother would make. Of course, being a mother is much more complicated than simply giving birth to someone. Blood ties are not everything, after all. Still, the bond between a mother and child is strong, stronger than anything. Not even death can break such bonds. Death takes all that live, all that exist, but the bonds and affections between people endure."] Sothis smiled warmly. ["I do not know what lies beyond death. Yet, I cannot help but believe strongly that she watches over you. Just as all those who have passed watch and fret over their surviving loved ones."]

"I see." I had to smile slightly at her in return, just because it was nice to hear she thought as I did. But the thought of mothers reminded me of something and, considering everything, I should apologize. "Let's head to the infirmary."

["Okay."]

Most of the people Aelfric took hostage were just fine, tended to and discharged within the day. If one had to say a good thing about the situation, it was that Aelfric had at least kept them in decent conditions. One of the hostages, however, had to stay a little longer: Yuri's mother. She had a frail constitution, plagued by some chronic conditions with no true cure, and the stress of everything had ruined her health further. So, at Manuela's firm insistence, she remained here to recuperate.

"Mother, you need to stop trying to push yourself." Yuri, of course, spent most of his time fussing over his mother, to the point that I'd honestly wondered if he slept, though he appeared well-rested when I saw him in the infirmary, still dressed in the same nice clothing he'd worn to Mom's ceremony. "Let me take care of that," he gently insisted, taking an apple from his mother's hands. He sat on the edge of the bed and began cutting and peeling the apple so that they looked like bunnies.

"Little bird, I'm not so fragile that I can't eat an apple," his mother scolded, though an adoring smile softened the words. She had more color to her face than she had the last time I'd peeked in, but she still reminded me of a spun-glass statue. Beautiful, but in the way that you feared a stray breeze might somehow shatter her. "You fret too much."

"Considering everything, Mother…" Yuri glanced down, pretending to focus on slicing the apples. "I…"

"Ah. What did I say?"

"I know what you said, Mother, but it's my-"

"Little bird." His mother frowned and reached out to gently poke his nose. Yuri instantly made a face. "I am here, safe and sound. Let that be enough. You cannot let the past be a chain."

"I…" Yuri sighed. "You're right."

"Of course I am. I'm your mother." She went back to smiling and Yuri rolled his eyes. "Ah, but we are being rude to our guest."

"Guest?" Yuri blinked a couple of times before looking to the door, where I awkwardly stood. "I think that's twice now you've eavesdropped, milady."

"Miss Manuela and Lady Rhea have told me that she's come by quite a few times to check on my health, and even heals me when she's able." Yuri's mother smiled at me, and I'd looked away in embarrassment. I'd told them not to tell her, damn it! "If you hadn't been so fretful, then there would've been nothing for her to eavesdrop on."

"Bah, whatever." Yuri carefully arranged the apple slices on a plate before taking a mug from the side table and heading for the tea-making set in the corner of the room. "I'm making you more tea."

"Of course." She muffled a laugh, before beckoning me over. "I'm glad I am awake and coherent when you came this time. I've been wanting to thank you for helping my little bird."

"I think he helped himself more than I helped him," I mumbled as I walked over, feeling… I didn't even know. But she had suffered… she and Yuri had suffered because… "I'm sorry."

"For what? For Aelfric's actions?" She shook her head, and gently touched my cheek. I had to fight to keep from flinching. "His actions were his own. I can no more blame you than I can blame your mother. If anything, hearing why just makes me angrier at him."

"It does?" That surprised me.

"I am a mother as well, and I almost lost my little bird long ago, when the plague ripped through the Kingdom." Yuri and I had talked briefly about it, but I didn't remember him mentioning that he was one of the few who had survived that plague. "Back then, if it took my life to save his, I would've chosen to give it without a second's hesitation. I would've given it now, so that he could fly free." She said the words easily, but I caught Yuri flinch in the corner there. He would've blamed himself forever if… "I can understand well the decision your own mother made. If it took her death to bring you into this world, so that you might experience life and happiness, then of course she made that choice. It was wrong of Aelfric to not honor that. It was wrong for him to claim it was a mistake that could, and should, be rectified." She stroked my cheek before brushing her hand over my hair. "It's not as if you hate your mother for the choice, yes?"

"Of course not. I love her." I just wished I hadn't killed her. Killed her, and then dragged so many people into this nightmare. "How are you feeling, though?"

"I'm getting better every day." She smiled sweetly at me. "Lady Rhea comes in every day to check my progress, and Miss Manuela is very meticulous with her work." That she was, though I was still surprised Rhea had the time to come here herself. Then again, it could be her way of apologizing. "I should be able to return home soon."

"Will that be safe?"

"Once I am in the Kingdom, I should be as safe as anyone else." That didn't exactly reassure me, considering all the bandit-killing jobs I'd done in the Kingdom the past few years. "I am worried about the journey there, but Sir Jeralt has offered to lead a group of knights to escort me."

"That so?" That didn't surprise me. Dad would've felt guilty about this too. He wouldn't say it, but I had a feeling he wondered if things might've been different if he hadn't left and taken Azrael and me with him. Or if he'd taken Aelfric with him. "I'm glad to hear that."

Yuri returned then with a fresh mug of tea for his mom, and not long afterwards, Manuela appeared to chase the two of us out so that she could give Yuri's mom a checkup. Yuri tried to protest, but Manuela proved the more stubborn of the two. So, the two of us walked side by side after leaving, heading for the stairs. Though we walked in silence, the weight of everything threatened to overwhelm me. So, I...

"I'm sorry," I whispered to Yuri as we headed down the stairs. He tilted his head towards me to show he was listening. "If Aelfric…" If Azrael and I hadn't killed Mom… "I'm sorry your own mom had to suffer because mine died."

"Like Mother said, it was Aelfric's idiocy," Yuri replied easily. I wished it were that easy to shake the blame. "Just curious. When did you suspect Aelfric?"

"Around the time of the fake hostage note."

"And me?"

"Your coded message provided the final piece." Still wondered why he'd phrased it as a 'date', though. If anyone had been listening in, then they'd know how ridiculous that was in a second or less. "I figured hostages based on how you acted."

"Didn't think I was putting on a show?"

"No, your gaze was too sincere when you looked at the Abyssians, particularly the children." I studied his expression now, noticing he looked noticeably lighter than he had before. He also had a red spot on his cheek? It was very faint, but… "They were also the only ones you looked at without calculating something."

"Yikes, I need to watch it around you." He laughed, though, like he didn't take the words seriously. "Still, thank you again. I didn't expect that we wouldn't be able to break free on our own."

"Of course." My eyes were drawn to the red mark on his face again and I pointed to it. "What happened there?"

"Hmm? Ah, damn, must've not put on enough concealer if you're asking." He made a face, and I tried to think of what in creation 'concealer' was. "Balthus punched me."

"He what?" That… huh?

"Oh, it was in retaliation for everything. Regardless of my motivations, I did trick my friends. They had a right to be angry. So, Balthus decided to take his fist to my pretty face." He shrugged it off. I personally was horrified. "It's no big deal. He felt better afterwards, and Constance and Hapi had their time to yell. I really should've tried to bring them into things quicker, but…"

"Why didn't you?" I needed to just focus on that and not… was that a normal reaction or something? I wasn't sure I liked it.

"Well, truthfully, I never thought Aelfric would ever 'complete' the job, so to speak." Yuri brushed his hair behind his ear. "For one thing, Hapi was the last of us to come to Abyss and she only arrived last year, give or take. Balthus arrived just a few months before her."

"They did, huh?" How long had Aelfric planned this? What all had he done? I feared we'd never know the true answer. "Wait, a year ago?"

"Yeah. But even with all the pieces, he hesitated. Didn't actually go through with it. I didn't understand. He'd manipulated everyone, took the people I loved hostage, yet he didn't follow through? Thought it was some sort of conscience thing. But now…" He fell silent as some priests walked passed us, and didn't speak again until we'd descended the stairs and were on the first floor. "Now, I think I know why."

"And that is?" I led the way down one of the hallways, to head outside. "Why do you think he didn't go through with it until now?"

"I thought he wanted his old love back for himself. But that wasn't it at all. The way he talked to you and Azrael, the way he talked to Jeralt… it made me realize that he didn't care about that at all. He didn't care if she returned his love, nor that if he revived her, she'd somehow choose him. He just wanted to see her alive again, to see her smile again." He chuckled and shook his head. "So, I think he didn't because no one knew where you three were."

"Because Dad, Azrael, and I only arrived a month or so ago."

"Exactly. And I wasn't kidding. There were no traces of you on the rumors. Hell, I hadn't even realized you two were the famous Twins of War. Whatever Jeralt did to hide, it was effective enough that no one suspected anything. Meaning that until a month or so ago, all three of you were missing, presumed dead, for twenty years. The three people she loved most gone…" He chuckled. "Not exactly the ideal circumstances for smiling."

"No, I suppose not." Even more guilt pressed into my heart. This was all our fault. Not only did Azrael and I kill Mom, but our arrival had sparked… "So, was that the only reason you didn't inform the other three?"

"More or less. I admit that my bias might've also affected things. I thought the whole thing was bollocks, and if Aelfric didn't have that hold on me, I would've stabbed him to see if the stupidity would bleed out." Well, that was an interesting mental image. "Besides, people die every day. What makes one person so special that they get to come back while others remained dead?"

"That is an interesting philosophical question." I shrugged, and almost shrugged my shawl off by accident. "Ah…" Yuri caught it, though, and helped me put it on again. "Thank you." I clutched it tighter around me, just in case. "I never thought of it that way, before. Or, rather, I never thought of it at all."

"I figured, given your little ramble when everyone first learned. You and Azrael immediately just assumed the bringing back people would be for everyone." He started snickering at the memory. had no idea how to respond, since he was right. That was what we had assumed, though it seemed obvious in retrospect that it would've been kept to those 'in power'. "Thank goodness that I could blame my amusement on Constance back then. I just couldn't stop laughing."

"I'm sorry." What else could I say? "I suppose Aelfric's good standing might've also made it difficult for you to make your move?"

"It did." Yuri grew somber as we finally left the building and stepped out into the sunlight. "Bit of a shame, what all happened. Aelfric started his changes in Abyss… oh, probably about eighteen years ago, roughly. The Ashen Wolves were founded three years after that." But if what he'd said was true, he'd found Mom's body a decade ago. So, perhaps… "Maybe it was self-righteous from the start. But perhaps he once had been genuine and then his inability to let go of the dead drove him completely mad."

"I hope he gets to apologize to Mom now."

"Maybe, before the Goddess smote him to the eternal flames or whatever." Yuri stopped suddenly, and I turned to face him curiously. "Still, my mother is right. The past is the past, and we should keep pushing forward to make the future we want. So…" He playfully bowed, and I had to smile a little. "This fine bird is at your service, milady. I look forward to working with you."

"I think I'll mostly have you helping my students." I needed all the help I could get. "So… oh." I looked up and saw some of my students in the distance. Including the other three pups, with Constance staying firmly in the shade while chatting happily with Mercedes. Balthus was in the middle of it all, laughing and joking about something with Raphael and Caspar, while Hapi… attempted to keep her distance, but unable to due to Annette's cheerful insistence to chatter at her. "I wonder if they've heard." That was when Claude noticed us and extracted himself from the gathering to race over.

"There you two are!" Claude called, waving to make sure he had our attention. Like the others, he was dressed far more formally than I was used to seeing. "Sorry to interrupt the moment or whatever, but since the pups are helping you out, Teach, we figured it was a good idea to get introductions out of the way."

"Pups?" Yuri repeated, frowning. I could only sigh and shake my head. "I'm assuming you mean Balthus, Hapi, Constance, and me. But why that?"

"Well, we're all a big old menagerie, you see. Filled with eaglets, cubs, and fawns. And now, we've got pups in the mix." He laughed, delighted by the perplexed look on Yuri's face. "Hurry up, though! Everyone's eager to meet you!"

"I… see?" Yuri stared for a moment before turning to me. "So, this is really a thing?"

"I think this is ultimately Azrael's fault," I 'explained', pushing the blame completely on my twin. Though I did remember calling the four 'pups' aloud to the others, it was ultimately Azrael's fault that the students had even heard the 'eaglets', 'cubs', and 'fawns' thing. Or so I would tell myself. "They started using the terms to collectively refer to their groups within the cohort. Since you four are the 'Ashen Wolves'..."

"We got called 'pups'," Yuri finished. He still looked bewildered; Claude still looked delighted by his reaction. "I… yeah, I've got other things t put my energy towards, so I'd best just go along with it."
"That's the way!" Claude cheered, seizing Yuri's arm and dragging him to the others. Yuri yelped in protest, but there was no stopping anyone today. "Teach, come on!"

"I'll be right there," I reassured, though I took my time walking over. After all, I wanted to watch my students having fun. It was a wonderful and reassuring thing to see.
I just hoped this would be the worst thing that happened this year. I wasn't sure how I'd deal if there was worse on the horizon.

Yuri Leclerc

Crest: Aubin (Major)

The unofficial leader of Abyss, and has been since he was expelled from the Officer's Academy and sent to Abyss two years ago. His crass speech and easy threats bely his inherent kindness and his absolute loyalty to those around him. He stops at nothing to protect them, willing to use anything and everything to his advantage to succeed. Including himself.

A very fast fighter with equal skill in blade and magic, though he's not necessarily the strongest magically or physically. He relies a great deal on cunning and trickery to get through his battles, assuming he doesn't trap his enemies before the fight has started at all.

Has a great deal of knowledge about the criminal underworld, and an even greater knowledge of the general state of affairs in both the Kingdom and Empire. His own stories imply a great deal of travel between the two countries, though given his age, no one is quite sure how much is his own experience and how much he has simply gathered from others. He himself refuses to elaborate.

Balthus von Albrecht

Crest: Chevalier (Major)

Born the eldest son of a minor lord in the Alliance, he attended and graduated from the Officer's Academy eight years ago alongside Holst, Hilda's older brother. He relinquished his position as heir a year later and began traveling, with his free-spirited and reckless ways led him to gaining a large amount of debt and a number of bounty hunters on his head.

A grappler through and through, who relies heavily on his strength and speed to see him through his fights. With that said, he's very insightful while fighting and has no qualms utilizing magic is he feels it's needed to get the upper hand in a true battle to the death. Particularly when he's taken enough damage to realize he has to take things seriously, or truly perish.

Despite how he typically acts, he's actually a very devoted follower of the Goddess and prays to her daily. Mostly, he prays for Her to watch over his family, from his father and brother in the Alliance, to his mother who returned to her home village in the mountains. He doesn't see the point in praying for himself, since he's well aware that his problems are of his own making.

Hapi

Crest: Timotheous (Major)

Often called the 'most dangerous of the Abyssians' due to her ability to summon monsters when she sighs, she is a cynical person who suspects anyone and everyone, especially those with 'good intentions'. This was first sparked when she ran away from home twelve years ago and was lured by her captor with promises of safety. It was just reinforced when a year ago, she was found and taken by the Knights of Seiros to the monastery after promises of them helping her, only for her to be shoved down to Abyss.

Though she's not necessarily the most comfortable with it, she utilizes spells she saw her captor use while in battle (partially because she briefly entertained the thought of hurting her captor with her own spells), resulting in her not using the typical elemental magic associated with Reason spells. Her skill and speed in casting is top-notch, though her lack of defensive capabilities mean she might want to consider taking a mount in order to actually survive a battle.

During the nine years she was captive and subjected to magical experiments, there was only one person who was kind to her, a friend of her captor's who vehemently defended her when she discovered her five years ago. It was the memory of that kindness that gave her the courage to escape three years ago, and even at her most cynical, she holds onto it.

Constance von Nuvelle

Crest: Noa (Major)

Born the eldest daughter of House Nuvelle, she lost everything when they fell five years ago in Dagda's assault. The trauma of seeing everything burn and everyone die while the sun shone high overhead seems to have sparked her 'sudden change of behavior' when in sunlight, though efforts to pinpoint the exact nature haven't been very illuminating besides that hypothesis.

Prone to bombastic and showy displays of magic, its no surprise to anyone that despite Constance's incredible magic, her speed and skill in using said spells are often lacking. Still, her previous study and her enthusiasm with researching leads her to pursue a wide variety of spells in order to make herself useful.

Graduated from Fhirdiad's School of Sorcery three years ago and originally came to the monastery in an effort to attend the Officer's Academy. Her shame and embarrassment over her 'mood swings', however, led her against properly enrolling and instead seek asylum in Abyss, where she was surrounded by people who didn't care for her past and encouraged her to pursue her dreams, even when all seemed impossible.

Author's notes: And with that, the Cindered Shadows side story is complete~! What a long few days for the kids, huh? ...Okay, yes, technically, the side story itself has another chapter. I avoided it for a few reasons, including how I didn't want to lessen the impact of something that happens later in the game and how… well, I really wanted Aelfric and Jeralt to confront each other and I honestly couldn't see Aelfric escaping that alive.

(Feel like I should clarify that I do really like Hubert. He's just very easy to poke fun of since Byleth wouldn't take him seriously as a threat for now.)

The mention of 'grasping necks' comes from Claude and Hilda's C support. 'Swooping is bad' is an iconic line from Dragon Age: Origins that I simply couldn't resist sliding in. The fight with the first giant bird has a nod to its Staggering Blow and its death basically borrows physics from thermobaric weapons, but magic. And I'm using magic to explain why it didn't kill all of them like it probably should've. The second giant bird fight has references to the in-game abilities: 'Giant Wings' (which grants avoid+30 against sword/lance/axe users), Defiant Speed, and Darting Blow. (Plus the general avoid+10 it has.) The reason why the bird focused on Hapi is due to her personal skill.

Lots of conversations that ended up getting moved up because of how I've characterized Byleth and because it just seemed to fit. Namely Dimitri's conversation with Byleth mentioning how he thought she didn't have emotions at first (in-game, it's during Chapter 7) and Jeralt talking about the rings (in-game, this is during Chapter… 5, I want to say?). Linhardt and Hilda's talk about the Mausoleum and Rite of Rebirth comes from their Chapter 4 exploration dialogue.

When deciding leaders, it was tempting to just stick with those with authority boons (Hubert, Annette, Ignatz, and Lysithea), but then I thought about how their personalities might be a little detrimental, so I did some process of elimination of my own and that's why we have what we have there.

During the battle in the Mausoleum, while the Rite is on-going, the chalice gives Aelfric 99 Def/Res, so it's basically impossible to damage him without saving the pups first. In-game, you have to physically block the vortexes, but I figured this would work better writing-wise. The conversations Aelfric has with the twins is based on his boss banter with them, as are the brief dialogues he has with the pups. Balthus being in remarkably good shape compared to the others is based on his personal skill, which activates when he's at less that 50% health.

As for Rhea and Jeralt's conversation… how much does Jeralt know about Rhea and her secrets? I've got no clue, but he definitely knows more than most. So, I wanted to show that and show a little more of their bond and how strong yet fragile it is. And give some hints about just how long they've actually known each other.