The journey to the Monastery was only about a day's worth of traveling even on foot. Because Robin and his family had abruptly left the mercenary company, they gave them their horses as repayment. It wouldn't have made sense to bring the horses anyway, as Alois, the Knights and the students didn't have any themselves. Jeralt walked at the head of the Knights with Alois, leaving Byleth to speak with the students. Robin walked close behind them, observing the four and humming an old heroes tale about some king of liberation that he'd heard a wandering minstrel sing tales of.

Byleth looked decidedly out of his element conversing with the Edelgard, Claude and Dimitri, which didn't surprise the youngest Eisner, His brother was socially inept at the best of times, usually just nodding with a disturbing silence, there were many conversations that ended quickly because Byleth didn't really respond.

It was made more difficult by the fact that each of the three students had severely clashing personalities. Just compounded by the fact that as an experienced mercenary, he no doubt was capable of catching their persona's that were carefully hidden under the masks they wore.

Making good on his promise however, Claude talked his ear off about anything and everything, to which Byleth would nod or give short answers too. Robin was nearly positive he hadn't uttered a full sentence. Dimitri would join the conversation with tidbits of his own opinions, or to ask about Byleth's mercenary life and his style of fighting. Once, Dimitri had turned back to Robin and asked him some of the same questions.

A clear attempt at conversation, which Robin didn't not care about but wasn't exactly committed to. Edelgard for her part was silent for most of the way, attentive but not active in the conversation, which is why Robin was surprised when she slowed to his walking speed and struck up a conversation.

"You have a surprisingly lovely singing voice." She said. "Are you trained at all?"

Robin stopped humming and smiled at her politely. "Not really, just kind of sang a bit when I wasn't working any mercenary job, some of our mercenaries overheard me once and commented that I was actually pretty decent, so it kind of stuck."

"Your mother must be very impressed."

The youngest Eisner's smile became sad. "I don't know my mother, or my father, they died before I could remember them I suppose."

Edelgard did a double take. "W-wait, your telling me you aren't related to your family?"

"Indeed I am." Robin shrugged his shoulders. "According to father, my brother found me in the woods covered in blood by a river at the end of one of their jobs. As if I was moved there, yet there were no signs that I was. I had to only be about four years old…. That was about… fifteen years ago? I have no memories of my life before then."

Edelgard gave him a look of sympathy. "I am truly sorry to have brought it up."

Robin smiled at her, genuinely and patted her head, her face reddening in embarrassment "It's okay, I find it fortunate enough that I know my own age at the very least. Besides, I used to pray to the goddess every night for their return only to be met with nothing. I learned to accept it."

Edelgard's eyes caught a strange gleam. "Is that when you lost faith in the goddess?"

"It's much more complicated then that. But I suppose that's one reason."

"What are some others?"

"...I don't know if it's just a strange nature of mine... But usually when I have to kill someone and they beg for the goddess to save them… A sickening part of me wants that goddess to come down and attack me. So I can kill her for not saving my parents…"

Edelgard was silent for a long moment. "I don't disagree with you..." She whispered suddenly. "But… I would be wary of saying that at the monestary"

Robin burst out laughing, drawing a sly look from Claude before turning back to Byleth. "I'm not stupid enough to speak of murdering the goddess in a place overrun with believers. Even if I could strike a lot of them down."

"Oh so your telling me you could cut down our Knight Alois up front?" Edelgard teased, Robin missed it however and spoke seriously.

"Yes… Yes I could kill him, because he's slow, if i'm faster than you I'm sure I could kill you… unless your my father or my brother."

As they emerged from the trees, a clear view of a mountain came into their vision, Ramparts surrounded the foot of the mountain on which what could only be described as a fortress rested at, just outside of it was a large village in remarkable condition. If Robin had to put a name to it. It reminded him of a kingdom. Wyvern's and Pegasus flew about the entire fortress buildings, which despite the age of them, looked immaculately placed.

"There it is." Edelgard said, quietly assertive with her words. "Garreg Mach Monastery."

I thought we were walking to a church… not a fortress. Robin thought, wary of his surroundings as he trod through the village closer to the Monastery gates.

The soldiers keeping guard allowed them entry when they saw Alois and the students, Following behind Byleth and Jeralt he nearly bumped into them when they stopped.

"Rhea's here..."

"Rhea?" Both Eisner whispered at the same time.

Robin tracked his fathers line of sight skyward onto a balcony where a striking women looked down upon them with a pensive expression, her soft green hair fluttering in the cool breeze of midday, and her matching eyes gazing down at them. Her white dress with many expensive looking adornments gave off a noble and divine aura.

"The three of you should return to your houses. Your classmates were in a frenzy over your well-being." Alois said as they came to a stop in the courtyard. "The rest of the Knights and I will make our report to lady Rhea. Jeralt, why don't you and your children go wait in the audience chamber? I'll inform her of your arrival. She'll be so pleased to see you've returned, with your company as well!"

Jeralt looked like he decidedly didn't want to do that. "We'll do that Alois, thanks." Was what he said instead.

"Do you happen to need a guide? it's been well over twenty years since you've left this place."

"No that's fine, I still remember this place clearly. You go report to Rhea."

"Then please, excuse me!" Alois said brightly.

"Excuse us as well, Sir Byleth, Sir Jeralt, Sir Robin." Dimitri bowed formally. "I thank you once again for coming to our aide, if the opportunity presents itself I would like to treat you as a courtesy."

"Yup, we'll be here at the officers academy if you have need of us. Come around and we could talk more." Claude smiled.

"Indeed." Edelgard said, then looked at Robin and bowed elegently. "Our… discussion was quite enlightening, please if you ever would like to talk more then I'll be here."

Robin nodded. Then decided words might be best here. "It was a pleasure Edelgard. Farewell."

"Not your usual bunch of kids." Jeralt shook his head as he watched the teens depart. "But it seems you boys got along well with them… that's good I suppose. Anyway, let's go. I'm sure you have plenty of questions, and I will answer them, but only when I figure out our next plan of action."

"Of course." Byleth said.

"Yeah, sure." Robin said.

"Hmph. Always leaving the formalities to me huh?" Smiling, Jeralt led the way through the monastery.

Robins thoughts of a fortress were enhanced at the sheer scale of the Monastery from the inside, the entire structure was masterfully maintained despite it's age. Almost like magic. It made his head spin.

And that was ignoring the fact there were many different types of people, some wearing the same black uniform as the three students, Knights wearing similar armor to Alois. And some wearing white robes with a large unknown symbol on them that Robin could only assume was of the actual church part of the church.

They reached the audience chamber after being allowed in by the guards outside. Robin noticed that some of the older people of the place stared at his father in gaping awe. Were they shocked from seeing Jeralt again? Or was it because he hadn't seemed to age at all?

"It's been years since I've last seen this place… To be forced to see her now..." Jeralt lamented, scratching the back of his neck.

"Her…?" Byleth asked.

"The woman in the courtyard. You saw her didn't you? Lady Rhea… the Archbishop."

Robin and Byleth shared a private look. It was the name Alois said before, while he spoke with adoration… their father spoke with hesitation. Robin saw Byleth trying to picture the pieces of Jeralt's past together despite not outwardly showing it.

"As you know. The majority of the folks in Fodlan are devout followers of the teachings of Seiros. The leader of that ridiculously large organization is Archbishop Lady Rhea."

"Twenty years ago… Alois said you've been missing for twenty years… So how old is Rhea then?" Robin's brain was practically smoking, he wasn't dumb. But he currently felt like it. His brother didn't know his age, roughly a little old than twenty. His father was a complete mystery. The only one who was sure of his age was Robin himself. Who was one year from twenty. Yet the woman in the courtyard didn't look much older than her early twenties.

He was getting a headache. And the feeling that something wasn't right just wouldn't go away. Robin found he suddenly didn't want to be at the monastery anymore.

"Well..." before Jeralt could answer the door behind them burst open so suddenly that Robin drew his sword in a panic. Only to sheathe it a few seconds later: red-faced as Lady Rhea walked in with another man. Dark-green hair. Green eyes and facial hair-they looked like they could be distant relatives due to their similar hair color. A youthful man wearing formal clothing and a circlet upon his brow. The two stood before the three of them tall and proud.

"I saw that young man. While it is good for you to be wary of your surroundings, I can assure you that you will come to no harm here." The man said to Robin before turning to his father. "Thank you for your patience Jeralt, my name is Seteth. I am an adviser to the archbishop."

"Right. Hello."

Lady Rhea smiled, her hands folded over her stomach. "It has been a long time Jeralt. I wonder… was it the will of the goddess that we meet again like this?"

Robin was certain a lesser man would fall in love with Rhea in seconds her voice was so charming and youthful. It was most likely expected with her position either way.

Jeralt bowed. "Forgive my silence all these years… much has happened since we last spoke."

"So I see. The miracle of fatherhood has blessed you not once. But twice." Lady Rhea's gaze shifted from Byleth to Robin. Though the latter noticed it lingered on the former for a moment longer than necessary. "They are you children yes? Such lovely young men."

"Yes..." There was a short pause before Jeralt continued speaking. "Both born many years after I left this place. I wish I could introduce you to their mother… but we lost her to illness."

Byleth and Robin had to resist looking at each other. Their father was either being very ambiguous or straight up lying. Because if Byleth was born many years after he left the monastery, then that means Byleth was younger than Robin. That didn't make any sense. But why would their father lie?

Rhea's face fell… and became saddened. "I see… my condolences Jeralt… As for you." She turned to Byleth. "I've heard of your valiant efforts from Alois, will you tell me your name sweet child?"

Upon being asked for his name, Byleth bowed, imitating Jeralt. "Byleth Eisner."

Rhea then turned and gazed at Robin. "Sweet child, I fear Alois did not tell me much about you, however, I heard some rumblings from the students you saved that you are very fast. Will you tell me your name also?"

Robin stood to his full height. "I am Robin Eisner. My lady." He added at the last second.

Rhea looked pleased. "Fine names indeed. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for saving the students of the officers academy."

"Hmph." Jeralt grunted.

"You already know what it is I wish to say Jeralt?"

"You want me back in the Knights of Seiros… I wont say no but… I won't have you roping my sons into them either."

"Your apprehension stings Jeralt. I had already expected Alois to have asked this of you." Lady Rhea smiled despite her words. Clearly, they had known each other for many, many years. However they looked much younger than they should have been to supposedly know each other from so long ago. Their banter suggested years of friendship. And if twenty years had passed then Lady Rhea should be slightly younger than Jeralt at best?

Robin was beginning to get a headache, Lady Rhea's eyes lingered for a long moment on Jeralt before sliding over to Byleth. "I must step away for now, but I expect they will desire a word with you soon… so please listen carefully to what they have to say… until tomorrow, farewell."

They?

Who was they?

"Jeralt…Byleth...Robin." Seteth inclined his head, then promptly turned to follow behind lady Rhea.

Robins eyes followed the archbishop, and… something happened that gave him pause. For a moment almost so quick he barely percepted it… rhea seemed to change into something… not human, but then slithered back into a human like it was a trick of the light.

The youngest Eisner's heart was pounding, and upon laying his right hand on his chest he noticed a soft purple glow emanating from his right wrist down to his elbow, fading away into nothingness.

Robin thought it looked a bit like a dragon. Looking at his family, he was somewhat relieved to see that they seemed to have missed his glowing arm. But now his mind was full of questions, most of them being what did he just see?

Jeralt sighed for what seemed like the thousandth time in the span of an hour. "I cant believe It… forced back into the Knights of Seiros. I'm sorry I dragged you two into this. Looks like I'll be stuck here for a while..."

Then he turned to Byleth. "It looks like… your services are requested here as well."

"I must… work here?" Byleth asked. His voice hoarse, surprisingly his eyes flickered to Robin for an instant before going back to Jeralt. "As a mercenary?"

"...What would a church need a mercenary for when they have their own group of Knights to do their bidding?" Robin asked. "And… what about me?"

Jeralt ignored the second part of the question. "They want you to teach by the sound of it. You heard those brats earlier talking about the officers academy right? Well, the academy just happens to be short of a professor and apparently that damned Alois went ahead of me and recommended you to Lady Rhea."

Byleth actually looked somewhat annoyed. "Must we?"

"It's not wise to turn down an… invitation from Lady Rhea. For now, we'll have to accommodate them. There is a bright side to this. Us three can stay in one place for a while and we'll have a steady income, I know you never exactly enjoyed the life of a mercenary, this job will give you a chance to try your hand at something new."

Robin cut in. "Two… Just… you two."

"Excuse me?" Jeralt asked.

"I was… forgotten about again. So what am I supposed to do father?"

Jeralt clearly hadn't thought about that, and Robin would be lying if he said he didn't feel hurt by this. It was always this way, Jeralt and Byleth's achievements always outshining his, that stupid moniker 'Lightning Angel' wasn't even that well known, only the mercenary company they led really knowing it.

"Never mind father. I'll leave now, there's no place for me here. I'll see about that mercenary job in Faerghus." Robin turned to his father and began to stride to the door.

"Robin-" Jeralt was cut off by the doors opening, and two people strolling inside, a man and a woman. Without a word Robin ducked past them and left.

"So… you must be the new professor. My how stern and handsome you are." Is all Robin heard before he was too far away.

Line Break

Robin didn't really get a chance to explore the village outside the monastery but he noticed how much better it looked compared to other villages, there were Knights of Seiros about the town, lines of stalls and the bustle of the people trying to bargain they're way to better prices. Street performers doing they're dangerous stunts for tons of gold.

"Hey you little brat! Come here now!" A voice yelled above the crowd silencing it somewhat and a little screech could be heard.

Where there's money to be made, there's also crime I suppose. Robin thought, curiosity driving him to nudge his way through the crowd, careful to mind his coin purse.

In the epicenter of the gathering crowd was a small male child, no older than ten or twelve, struggling to free himself from the grip of a rather shady merchant, the man looked more like a pirate to Robin.

"You thought you could get away with that you little shit? Give me what you stole from me!" The man savagely yanked the kid to him and reached into the boy's raggedy pocket, yanking out a rather lovely diamond and gold necklace.

"Let me go!" the boy screeched, giving the pirate looking merchant a swift kick to the shin.

The merchant yelled in pain, and dropped the necklace by sheer circumstance landing at Robin's feet, Robin bent to pick it up as the man grabbed the boy by the hair, the child screaming in pain.

Robin examined the necklace, the glittering adornments on it were in the shape of a lion, which signified a warriors bearing. A higher ranking necklace at that due to the diamonds, he knew what this was. It was a Brigid tribal necklace for a chief or king.

It was also only made for a chief or king. Which means either this merchant found it by pure luck. Or… he stole it.

"Hey boy! Thanks for grabbing that for me, hand it here would ya?" The merchant reached his hand out and tried to grab for the necklace but Robin kept it out of his reach.

"What's going on here?" Robin demanded, affecting a tone of voice that he heard his father use on his mercenaries, by the sudden shift on the mans face and the way the surrounding crowd backed up. It worked better than he intended.

"Th-this little rat tried to steal from me obviously." the merchant gestured to the boy he was holding by the hair, who was sobbing quietly now. "I was about to teach him a lesson until you showed up sir."

"I see..." Robin muttered. They think I'm a knight. "What… manner of goods do you sell merchant?"

The shady merchant puffed himself up, but didn't release the boy from his grip. "I am a prize seller, I sell things I acquire from all over the world! Almyra, Dagda, the Empire, Faerghus! The Alli-"

"Brigid?" Robin cut in, raising an eyebrow, the merchant began to sweat a little.

"N-Not there sir."

"Then explain to me how you have a necklace from Brigid. Meant for a chief or king? Made only for a chief or king? And then give me a reason not to strike you down."

The shady merchant gaped like a fish out of water before releasing his grip from the boy and drawing two hidden daggers. "Damn you, you dastard! Boy's! Let's kill this fool and then escape."

Out of the shadows five large men strolled out with their weapons drawn, all of them were holding pirate cutlasses and looked like a stereotypical pirate.

The crowd backpedaled in fear, and the boy scrambled behind him, Robin didn't even flinch, hadn't even drawn his sword yet. "You idiots couldn't even put in the effort to look like anything other than pirates or crooks, and you smell too."

"Shut up!" The now revealed pirate snarled. "well 'ave your 'ead for that one!"

Robin gently put the necklace around his neck, then slowly drew his sword, wielding it with his left hand. "Hey kid."

The boy squeaked at being addressed but looked at him fearfully. Robin smiled at him then turned away.

"Go alert the Knights, they're gonna have some bodies to clean up." he didn't see the boy run off, but he heard him.

"There's only going to be one body today, an' that's yours!" The pirates all came at him at once. Each swinging they're weapons at him wildly one at a time.

Robin parried all of them, the last guy, a pale man with a head completely devoid of any hair, was the first to fall, locking his sword with the pirate, he dragged his blade up the length of the pirates, showering painful sparks on the other pirates as his sword cut halfway through the pale mans neck, blood exploded from his neck in a flurry, coating his clothes with it as the light faded from his eyes.

The crowd screamed, Robin turned to the other pirates and smiled. "One down."

Robin lunged at the nearest pirate, a man with hair down to his back, and impaled him through the mouth, crushing his teeth and slicing his tongue out to fast for anyone in the crowd to see, he gargled horribly for a moment before blood ran out of his nose. Eyes, rolling back into his head as he died.

He swung his blade in the direction of the remaining pirates, splashing their comrades blood on them. The man with the dual daggers growled in fear and anger. "Y-you sick bastard! You're enjoying this!"

Robin smiled again. "Two down."

One of the pirates screamed in fear, and turned and began to run, begging for mercy.

He didn't make it two steps, his head however was still running. His body though was on the pavement, blood staining a large area around him.

Robin didn't lose his smile. "Three."

Another pirate attacked, Robin raised his sword to block but suddenly the pirate let the sword drop from his hands, only to catch it and inch from the ground and swing it up with a battle cry.

It stayed on the ground, and the pirate stared in fear at the reason why. Robin had blocked the strike by simply stepping on the sword. The pirate yanked his sword so hard that it flung out of his hands and into the crowd.

"Nice trick, but it wasn't enough." Robin said.

"P-please! Please don't kill me! Look me in my eyes! Please I'm begging you not to-" The pirate stopped talking, and the eyes he asked Robin to look into were suddenly gone, crushed into his brain by The Lightning Angels sword hilt.

Robin wasn't smiling anymore. "...Four." He said, as he dashed forward the last bandit with a sword got to raise it just in time for him to lose both of his hands, before loosing his life via a stab to the heart.

He couldn't even be seen that time.

"Five..." the youngest Eisner looked at the last pirate-the leader with the daggers- with eyes so cold and lifeless they rivaled his brothers.

"Y-You will not kill me like those fools! I am Nigel the Cutthroat! And I will escape."

"You will fall to my blade." Robin said. "I am Robin, the Lightning angel."

He roared a desperate battle cry and rushed at Robin with a surprising speed, Nigel swung his left dagger which Robin ducked and followed up with a stab from his right. Robin side stepped and slammed his left elbow down as hard as he could on his attackers wrist, and the pirate howled in agony as it snapped like a twig and he stumbled back.

Robin gripped his sword with both hands and swung across Nigel's stomach. blood flowed like a river from the wound and the pirate's hands hovered over the opening, his internal organs spilling out.

Nigel's eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed, splashing blood on Robin's pants. Robin swung most of the blood off his blade, coating the side of a building with the crimson liquid.

"Six… that's all of them." Robin muttered quietly, he finally allowed himself to de-focus, and noticed that everyone that watched the fight was staring at him in fear, the bystanders retreating when he scanned them with his eyes.

His eyes widened when he caught his reflection in the glass of a nearby shop. He was splattered with blood, his hair was a wild mess, and his sword was dripping blood.

And his right arm was glowing purple. A scattering of armored footsteps assaulted his ears, and the people cleared for a large group of men and one woman in white armor.

The Knights of Seiros, that's twice now they've been late. Robin thought idly, he was about to sheathe his sword when the woman, a blonde woman who was probably in her mid to late twenties, drew a glowing tree shaped sword and aimed it at him.

"What in the name of the goddess happened here?" She asked, hostility in every word and action she made.

"...I killed them." Robin said, he noticed his arm was still glowing. "They attacked me for taking something they stole. So I killed them. They were pirates."

The blonde woman took a second look at the scene, her face pinched with disgust. "Killing them is one thing, but… Saint's you slaughtered them like they were cattle."

Robin looked around at the bodies and sea of blood. "I've seen worse…. They're heads are still… mostly intact…" Then he saw the pirate who tried to run on him. "Except him, he… tried to run. I'm sure his heads somewhere down that avenue though."

"I… Come with us now. Your under arrest." she glared at him. Robin didn't like the way she was looking at him.

"You want to arrest me for doing the right thing?" Robin asked, he shook his head. "They stole from a Chief or King of Brigid, and now I'm the one in trouble?"

"You don't get to decide that, come with us now. If you refuse, then I - Catherine of the Knight's of Seiros - will be forced to subdue you."

Robin sighed. "Then you to will fall to my sword."

Catherine lunged at him across the bloodied pavement and swung her blade, Robin blocked… or attempted to, his eyes widened as he was launched backwards into a cart full of cabbages, shattering the cart and most of the cabbages.

"My cabbages!" Someone in the crowd cried out. Robin got up on shaky legs, pain rocketing up his back in waves.

"Surrender." Catherine said.

Robin responded by phasing out of her sight, her eyes widened before she rolled forward, getting blood in her hair, but saving herself from a death by decapitation. She raised her sword just in time for a sweeping strike to clash against it.

"Catherine do you need our help!" A Knight of Seiros yelled.

"Don't you get any closer! Keep the crowd back!" she yelled in response. "This guy will kill you effortlessly!" she grunted with effort as she forced Robin's blade into the air, swinging her, letting partway go of her sword she hit her foe in the face with a fiercely metal gloved back-hand.

Robin wobbled backwards, but didn't fall. Catherine was actually impressed, the stranger could take a hit. Or maybe…..

Her eyes fell to his crest, she'd never seen one that glowed that brightly or one that big, she couldn't tell, but it seemed to cover almost his entire right arm.

Suddenly, she almost died. Literally, if it wasn't for her natural instincts she would be dead, she parried a vicious stab from Robin then blocked a powerful overhead strike. His attacks weren't particularly powerful, in fact they were a bit on the weaker side.

But the kid just seemed to phase out of existence, it was either that or he was just unbelievably fast, he was also left handed, which made it harder for her to predict his attacks.

Robin went for another overhead strike which Catherine raised to block, only to feel a sharp pain blossom in her left leg as she nearly went down. She swung her sword and came up empty as her opponent jumped back.

"Cheeky brat." Catherine said, favoring her right leg now. "You feinted me."

"You don't have to die today, Catherine."

"Funny, I didn't say you were gonna kill me. As a matter of fact, this fight is over."

"Oh?" Robin raised an eyebrow.

Her sword. Thunder-brand glowed brightly and with the speed of a lightning bold she hit him with a combat art called wind-step. Incredibly, Robin blocked the attack, but his sword rocketed into the air as he was launched into a shield wall created by the Knights of Seiros under her command, he hit head first, which knocked him out instantly.

She caught his sword out of the air and admired it, it was a fine blade, and under the blood it looked to be completely white, which meant it was likely Brigid made.

Her thoughts were interrupted by one of her fellow Knights. "Hey Catherine! I recognize this kid, he was with the blade-breaker! He's his youngest son!"

Catherine strolled over and picked the kid up princess style. "It doesn't matter who he is at the moment, let's get back to the Monastery."

A sniffle caught her attention, and she realized that it was from the kid she just fought. She looked at him, surprised. Because he was crying in his sleep. It shouldn't have, but for some reason it pulled at her heartstrings.

"Catherine?" A Knight called. "Is something wrong?"

"...No. Nothing."

A/N: Another chapter out, oh yeah. I decided I wanted Robin to have the spotlight in this chapter since he is my character after all. But the story shouldn't be all about him.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.