Author's Note:When you stare into the abyss and it stares right back...you get ideas. You wanted that '5th route' of all the houses together? You wanted that sappy, more complete ending?

Well this isn't either of those. But it's the distant cousin of that concept on steroids and a touch of crack. Enjoy. I'm basically taking like 200+ hours of gameplay, research, and absolutely (not) genius thought and putting it to work. I wanted to do some things different and gosh dangit I'm gonna attempt it.

Also, will be posting this on and A03.

Fire Emblem Three Houses: Ashen Warpath

Prologue: Respite in Remire

Remire Village was a quiet village on most days. For many travelers, the inn and tavern were an integral reason to stop and take in the local area. Located between the Adrestian Empire and the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, the village would see foot traffic of some of the top of the knighthood and royalty of both the Empire and the Kingdom. Mercenaries were the most frequent group of visitors to Remire, with companies of many sizes touching down for a moment of respite in their line of work.

Jeralt Eisner, the infamous 'Blade Breaker', had just finished paying for his night at the inn along with his daughter, Byleth. Running a callous hand over his jaw the mercenary yawned, scratching his chin before glancing over to his child. The young woman was staring off into space, a common action for her in recent history. While her fellow company-men would joke about her disposition, they knew there was something in Byleth's head to occupy her thoughts. As clean as her blade would cut through any enemy, her return to her surroundings, despite her thoughts, was just as quick.

She had handled the business of purchasing wares for the troops and double checking their reserves to make sure they had all they needed. The direction they were heading in was still a while off, but to be better prepared was something they all wanted. After that had been done, rest and recovery were all the band could think of. Remire was a wonderful location for just that. Byleth had put away the list she had made, leaving her to whatever thoughts were taking her attention away from the present.

Clearing his throat, Jeralt finally caught his daughter's attention. "Ready to drop your things off kid?" She gave a quick nod and followed him as they exited the main hall and found their way to the suite. "I've been dying for a drink all day. This trip is a hell of a pain." Byleth wasn't told much detail of this, as it seemed her father was in the dark on some of this as well. Unrest was prevalent in the countries on the continent of Fodlan. It was unlike her father to take a mission without all the details, so she assumed the reward must be worth the trouble.

Inside the suite was a decent sitting space beside a fire space and kitchen area. On a night like that, cooking wouldn't really be a priority for them. It was time to go to the tavern, indulge with the others and have a hearty meal before setting off in the morning.

Opening the door to her room Byleth peeked in at the space. While they had finalized the payment, the chambermaids had most likely come in to ready the space. A lantern sat by the bed, a slightly melted candle burning in the glass illuminating a decent amount of space. After giving her neck a crack, she fully opened the door to drop her bag beside the bed. For a moment she sat down on the soft space, taking in the feeling of sitting as she sunk down a considerable amount. It wasn't as comfortable as one would expect for the price her father paid, but she would never complain.

A bed was a bed. A bed in a place with lockable doors and security was a treasure.

Hearing her father sigh she had assumed he had done the same. A small smile crossed her face, knowing he appreciated the comfort level more than she did. She knew her father as a man of indulgences. He loved many things. He loved a good drink, his flask, a warm, heavy meal, and victory. "Kid!" Jeralt's call brought her back to her surroundings.

Walking across the suite she popped her head into his room to see him slowly sit up and give her a small smile. For a moment she wondered if she got that from her father as well. "I take it you're not a fan of the bed?" He had learned to pick up on cues of his daughter very quickly. Something was unique about Byleth: she didn't emote...well maybe that was a bit of a grand term. Byleth didn't express herself well. She had the same expression almost all the time. The small smirk she would give was jokingly referenced by her comrades as her 'learning to human' from her father. She also shared her father's appetite and was growing to share his love of alcohol.

The woman was a blank canvas off the battlefield. She would shed no tears or rattle in fear nor anger.

On the battlefield? She had earned the title of 'Ashen Demon.' Fitting as the shadow of the 'Blade Breaker', she was unrelenting in both courage and tactic. The woman would let no harm come to her father if anyone was beneath her in combat. One would not expect someone such as her to be the harbinger of death when face to face. The woman was remarkably beautiful. A busty, curvy figure was highlighted in the tightness of her corset-like cast armor. Her tights covered her legs beneath shorts that could be argued as too short. Many times, fellow mercenaries would joke that her beauty would lead fools to their deaths, underestimating the woman. Her hair was shoulder length, a deep teal that was unlike her father's light color.

"Sorry, one day we'll find a place that has a nice bed you'll be able to appreciate. Help your old man up." Reaching his hand out he chuckled as his daughter gripped on and pulled him up. Once and a while the Blade Breaker would show his age. Byleth didn't know what that was either. They were certainly an odd pair to everyone. "Thanks kid."

As he stood Jeralt stretched up and out, his shoulders popping in a moment of relief. Waving her on the two exited the room and out the suite. Jeralt took a second to glance over at his daughter and chuckled. She was so short compared to him, barely at his shoulders. Watching her mop of hair bounce with each step he sighed. "Do you want me to cut your hair again soon?"

Byleth nodded, her father's hand patting her on the shoulder. He had taught her to keep her hair short, essential to their job if she wouldn't wear her hair up. In that moment he had a realization: he had never seen her with her hair up. It was always cut short. She had seen women with braids and intricate styles but never inquired about them. Thinking back to a distant time, Jeralt thought of his wife's long hair. How it would move with the gentle breeze as they walked on open fields...how she would braid it before the two would go fishing...

"Jeralt!" Damn the young mercenary who had interrupted his train of thought. "We got the tab already running up in the tavern. Are we thinking of an all nighter?"

Jeralt chuckled, crossing his arms as the three made their way down the bustling main road of the village. "I don't know. We must be up early to be moving. This may be the rare occasion I bow out early." Some merchants were along the road, selling different things to crowds of villagers and their families. Making their way through the people the mercenaries arrived at the tavern.

Upon entering the father and daughter were greeted with a warm welcome by their band of mercenaries. Byleth knew their cheers were directed mostly to her father, but she was content to just be beside him. The group took up the bar area itself and the long table near the fireplace. Around them the tavern was packed with locals and travelers just like them. The two joined the table as space was made by the end for them.

Pints were quickly delivered with heaping plates of food. Byleth was an enigma to the mercenaries around her. The woman would kill without a second thought, destroy any and everything that stood in the way of her or her father's goals and could put away food and alcohol like it was no one's business. Between the horror of her battle conquests and the cold demeanor she gave off, they found a bit of human behavior in her when she had a few drinks in her. The woman could crack a few jokes once in a blue moon. She loved to eat and always made a mess of herself when indulging.

Their meal carried on late into the night, Jeralt carrying on with his men and women with a relaxed energy he didn't show too often. It wouldn't be until after he had a few drinks that this would emerge in him. The father and daughter were more alike than either of them would really understand. When people would comment how strange the daughter was, the mercenaries could almost scoff at it. They knew Byleth very well, and they knew underneath the surface she was the Blade Breaker's daughter through and through. Byleth watched diligently as always, making sure no one approached her father with any form of malice. Many occasions had ended with her taking out someone who wanted to pick a fight. Being her father's bodyguard had become an 'unlisted' factor of her work.

It had slowly become a favorite part of the Ashen Demon's work. Her father's laugh when she would slam down anyone who would even reach for their blade against him brought a tight feeling in her chest. Jeralt would scoff at the fools who crossed them, reminding them that his daughter is the one to fear of the two of them.

Yes, the Blade Breaker was a force of nature. A single man who could turn the tide of battle.

But his daughter...oh his daughter.

A monstrous shadow that would obliterate anyone who wished to do harm to her father. If her father told her to jump, she would leap beyond the goal. To the world around them, the Ashen Demon was not human.

If only the world knew how true that statement was.

Jeralt knew. But he loved her regardless. Yes...in the moments he looked at her and pondered about her, he knew he loved her. If she was a monster, he would stand by her side through the fire. The man would trade his life for her without hesitation.

He was a demon's father, after all.

Running from bandits was unbecoming to say the least. How they had been cornered by such vagabonds was a horror. A peaceful night traveling back to their school was suddenly turned to chaos in what was a blind rush. Overpowered from the start, the three were forced to retreat as their security was obliterated with ease. It was said that bandit activity along the borders of the countries had increased, but this was far worse than expected.

"Run dammit! Edelgard!" The young blonde barked, throwing what remained of his spear back at a thief who had continued their chase of the group. Behind him the woman, Edelgard, was wincing as she attempted to keep up the pace with both the blonde and the other man present. She had taken a horrible tumble in the fight at the campsite, most likely pulling something as running become difficult in a short period of time.

"R-Remire Village should be close! Someone could possibly help!" She gasped, nearly falling face first into the dirt, one of many times that she didn't care to recall. Cursing under her breath she stumbled, the young man beside her catching her and pulling her arm over his shoulder. "Claude..."

Claude moved to hold his bow in his free hand, his other arm supporting her waist. "While this is a wonderful chance for us to get close your majesty...we can't have you dying on us. I'm in no mood for vengeful war. I'm only speaking of Hubert for your information." For a moment she could almost laugh at his comments.

Cutting through the woods was a decision made on short notice, unsure of whether Remire was truly as close as they estimated. When the faint glow of lanterns and buzz of the people caught their attention, they picked up the pace. "Dimitri, I hate to say it but we both owe you for this." Claude sighed. "But now what?"

Dimitri turned back to see the two. There was no time to even get Edelgard looked at. If she had been more wounded, they would be in a disastrous situation. They needed assistance in battle. It occurred to him that they were bringing these bandits into Remire Village. This would only make the situation worse if they ran in through the open. They were also gambling on the odds of anyone being awake or available at that hour to assist them.

It was all they had.

"Stay on the outskirts. If we cut through the village, we will be bringing all the civilians into this." Dimitri scanned the area before looking back at Claude. Situated beside a side street of the main road they spotted what appeared to be some mercenaries talking and smoking tobacco. "I'm going to go talk to them. If you two see anyone, run and get me."

Claude gave a short bow. "Yes, your highness." Edelgard nearly rolled her eyes at Claude's calm demeanor. How could he joke now? In that same train of thought she remembered nearly laughing at his joke just minutes before. He was truly a unique person.

Adjusting his jacket Dimitri quickly strolled over to the two, the sight of their conversation dimmed by the lanterns hanging in the center of the village.

"Excuse me! Gentlemen!" Dimitri called, approaching two men still dressed for combat. "I need mercenaries at a moment's notice. It's an emergency. Is there anyone available?"

The two men glanced at each other, the one tossing his tobacco to the side. "How many pints has Jeralt had?"

"That man can't ever not be ready for combat. I think he left for the inn a little bit ago. Turned in with the demon early."

Dimitri's realization hit him quickly. Jeralt, The Blade Breaker? He was in Remire Village?

The other mercenary nodded. "I'll go get him. See what we can do-"

"My friends are in danger. We will pay any price, please!" Giving a deep bow Dimitri clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "Money is no concern."

The mercenary who had disposed of his tobacco glanced around and nodded. "Take me to your friends, kid. If they're in danger, it's not too wise to leave them behi-oh hell." The realization hit him as he looked at the young man before him and saw two figures approaching, the woman wincing with every step. "Get Jeralt now!"

"Okay!" His fellow mercenary ran off straight to the inn. "What the hell happened to you kids?"

Claude adjusted Edelgard's arm over his shoulder, the two sharing a look. "For some reason, we aren't exactly in favor of whatever luck we have stumbled on up until now."

The mercenary smirked, waving them to follow him. "Well it's sure as hell your lucky day now."

Jeralt and Byleth had left the tavern earlier than their normal time that evening. If they were aiming to cover a lot of ground the next morning, they needed to head out early. The Blade Breaker had fallen asleep quickly, nestled in a comfy bed for the first time in what felt like an eternity. What he thought would be a peaceful night's sleep was quickly ruined by a pounding on the door. Instinct kicked in and he sprung out of bed.

Approaching the door, Jeralt heard conversation on the other side. Recognizing one of his men's voices he cracked open the door to see what stood before him. "What the hell is going on?" Rubbing his face, the man grumbled. "What are you doing at this hour? We gotta head out early. Also, what do you want?" His glance turned to Dimitri. "Kid, what are you doing out at this hour? You sure ain't a mercenary."

Soon the bustle of noise behind the mercenaries grew, they had been joined in the hallway. "Oh hell. Get in here. I'm not going to get thrown out of here. Be quiet Byleth is still sleeping." Soon two others joined them, a man and woman unfamiliar to Jeralt. "What the hell is going on here? Can someone answer my damn question?"

"Please forgive our intrusion." Dimitri watched as Claude sat Edelgard down on the sofa near the fireplace. A mercenary experienced in faith magic had joined the small group and began to inspect her injuries as Dimitri spoke. "We wouldn't bother you if the situation were not dire."

Jeralt glanced around at the commotion and brought both of his hands to his face to rub his cheeks, a poor attempt to wake himself up. For once he was getting a decent night's sleep and it was already stolen from him. "Instead of apologizing, as I continue to ask, what do you want at this hour? What are you kids doing out at this hour? Can someone please explain to me why a group of kids are in my room?"

Dimitri continued, admittedly shaken by the Blade Breaker's appearance. He was clearly annoyed, but it appeared he was interested. Maybe it was just to get them to leave, but Dimitri would take the chance. "A group of bandits are pursuing us. They have isolated us and as you can see, we need assistance. If you would be so kind as to help us, we could make it worth your while."

Looking over at the woman being healed he watched as she turned her ankle. It was clear she had been hurt and wasn't in the best condition to fight. These kids were odd, and most likely were important. "Bandits? Near here? Of course..."

The young woman stood, walking over with a still hesitant step. But the axe she carried was hoisted on her shoulder. "They attacked while we were at rest in camp. We had nowhere else to go."

"We've been separated from what remains of our escort. We were luckily to flee in a direction that brought us here." The other man joined them, "We are outnumbered and outmaneuvered. They're not just after our gold...they want our lives."

Nodding at the conclusions the three had come to, Jeralt was impressed. "For the situation you three are in, you've remained calm. I'm impressed. Wait..." As he got a better look at the three, realization struck him. "That uniform! Fine. Wait here. I'll go wake my d-" Before he could even turn to walk toward Byleth's door he was shocked to find her emerging, cape in hand and rubbing her eyes. "Sorry kid. We gotta move. Work to do."

The three on the run turned to look at the young woman yawning as she fixed her cape around her. She wasn't much older than them. Her hair was a mess, not even caring to fix her bed head. Before they could address her another mercenary ran to the door of the suite. "The bandits are at the outskirts of the village...there's a lot of them."

"They really followed you all here. Well we can't simply run from the village. Alright." Jeralt nodded to Byleth. "Let's go. You!" Pointing to one of his troops the leader nodded. "Get the horse."

Giving a quick nod in return the mercenary turned to take off to the stable. "Yes sir!"

Byleth approached the group, still looking half asleep. "Get yourself together kid." They walked ahead of the three, seemingly ignoring them as they conversed. Or rather, Jeralt conversed. "Can't have you dying on me cause you're still dreaming." His daughter nodded, giving a quick smirk. Rubbing her eyes with the balls of her hands Byleth let out a loud yawn before shaking her head. Her dream was quite...unique. She would have to share it with her father when the two were alone, most likely on their way to Faerghus. "I hope you're ready."

Byleth revealed her bag slung on her back, ready to go as always. With his horse brought to him Jeralt hopped up and glanced down at the four standing beside him. "Are you kids able to fight? You got weapons?"

Dimitri spoke up, realizing his previous weapon was lying somewhere deep in the woods, splintered into multiple pieces. "My weapon is gone."

"What do you use?"

"Spear." In an instant a spear was thrust into Dimitri's hands. "Thank you."

At the edge of town, a hoard of bandits stood waiting, almost mocking the group approaching them.

Jeralt's tone had suddenly changed to a more serious nature. "Let's take care of them before they get any closer to the village." He sighed, "What a bother this is."

As the young woman glanced down at her recovering ankle she sighed, hopefully she wouldn't hinder the fight. It took a second to realize that no one was behind them. The larger troop had not followed. "Where are the rest of them?"

"Protecting the village." Finally, Jeralt's daughter had spoken. Cutting between the two young men she went ahead of the others. "We won't need them." Unsheathing her blade Byleth anchored her feet to the ground, taking a fighting stance. "This will be taken care of quickly." Her eyes narrowed at the figures in the distance.

A group of thieves quickly approached the entrance of the village, taking aim at the group ready to defend. Before the three in need of aid could speak up, Jeralt spoke to his daughter. "Take down the front lines."

Byleth readied her blade, it was already yearning for the taste of blood again. If Byleth was to give these kids a show, she would most certainly deliver. "Understood."

In an instant Byleth charged ahead of the rag tag team they had formed. With her target locked on the bandit directly in front of her she pounced. Her blade thrusting through her foe before he could respond. His scream caught them all off guard as Byleth removed the blade, watching him tumble to the ground before the other bandits backed up. Whipping her blade in the air she flung some of the blood spilled from the blade to the grass at her feet. A quick glance back should have revealed the groups' immediate impressions of her. But she couldn't read them.

Fear was not something the three of them carried. It was useless and only hindered them. As the blonde charged forward, he joined Byleth at her right, elbowing his encounter before driving his spear through the bandit's shoulder. With his weight Dimitri knocked his foe back before removing the spear and spun to smack the wood of the spear against the man's head. As the bandit collapsed to the ground Dimitri glanced over at Byleth. Her expression remained blank as she watched his attack. This woman was unique, and her apparent disinterest in everything only added to her mystery.

The others joined the duo before pressing ahead, Edelgard taking out a bandit before she stumbled over her ankle. It wasn't perfectly healed but it would have to do. Even the small wedge of her shoe posed a problem as she tried to keep up with the speed of the others.

"I'd advise you to take position in the forest." Jeralt rode up beside the woman before continuing ahead and veering off toward the woods. Byleth would soon follow as Claude took aim at their foes from a distance. His marksmanship proved itself as he struck down the enemy far from where they stood.

Jeralt charging ahead with Byleth the two approached the leader of the bandits. He was a large, brooding man. Scars decorated his face that could be seen before his thick beard. Dark hair tied back in a ponytail he was geared in ragtag leather armor, the most put-together of the team he led. Kostas certainly had the look of a scary bandit leader, and his building rage only fed that appearance.

"These damn mercenaries-wait! Dammit!" It wouldn't take long for him to realize the foes standing before him. "These aren't just any mercenaries!"

His troops stepped back, fear suddenly overtaking them. "The Blade Breaker...and the Ashen Demon. Kostas, I don't wanna die!"

Kostas couldn't believe what he was seeing as some of his men ran off, abandoning all of them as they fled for their lives. It was at that moment he realized he was running low on bodies to fight for him. The mercenaries had run through or ran off what he had brought for his mission. They were all useless, and because of this he was backed into a corner. Before he could continue cursing his former crew Byleth had taken him on at a frontal assault, Kostas clearly lacking perceptional awareness as she slashed at him.

"Dammit!" Before he could give another thought of his current situation the bandit leader picked up his axe and attempted to charge at the Ashen Demon again. She knocked the man back with her blade before going to pierce him. At that angle Kostas took the fall over being stabbed, tumbling down a short hill behind him. Above him, what was left of the bandits were screaming at him to get up and run.

Springing up the bandit charged up the short hill and focused in on the woman they had injured in the raid of their camp. Even with a basic healer she was not fully recovered. If he could take out at least one of them, he could run off and at least still profit from this disaster. Before Edelgard could realize what was occurring, the woman was staring down the sharp edge of an axe coming down on her. For what time she had, instinct told her to draw her dagger and brace for the attack.

"You bitch! Die!"

In that instant the blow was intercepted, Byleth appeared in front of Edelgard she knocked the axe from Kostas before sending him flying back. Before the two could assess the bandit leader they could hear yelling from a short distance. Turning around to see Claude and Dimitri race over, the two were smiling before glancing at Edelgard. The smile she wore rivaled the other two, something they were unfamiliar with.

As Jeralt rushed over to Byleth he jumped off his horse to get a closer look at his daughter. "Are you alright? Were you hurt? Did you just..." Before he could continue a voice bellowed from the woods near them.

"The Knights of Seiros have arrived! We'll cut you down for terrorizing our students! Look! The thieves are getting away!"

Byleth noticed her father's reaction to the voice. His expression went from shock to one of annoyance. He knew who this was. As the figures approached them, a man donned in regal armor became visible. Jeralt's expression grew more somber by the second. Whoever this was, Byleth realized that this man was not someone her father wanted to see. Ready to strike she went to unsheathe her blade once more.

Jeralt rested his hand over hers, shaking his head in response to her action. The man's approach seemed focus on the three near them. "Thank the goddess you're unharmed!" He turned to glance at Jeralt and Byleth. "Wait, it can't be!"

Swearing under his breath Jeralt groaned, his irritation reaching levels Byleth rarely saw.

"Captain Jeralt! It really is you! It's been ages!" The armored man's face lit up as he gushed to Jeralt. "Don't you recognize me? It's Alois! Your trusted right-hand man-"

"Alois...yes. I'm not your captain anymore. Drop it. You haven't changed a bit." Looking back at Byleth he refocused his thoughts, there was no need to get carried away or hostile. "I'm a wandering mercenary now a days, and I have work to do. Good-bye, Alois."

For a moment Jeralt thought he had gotten away with such a clean escape. But that wouldn't be the case as Alois jogged up to him to continue their discussion. "Absolutely not! I must insist you return with me to the monestary!" He paused as Jeralt shot him a glare, one that he had not seen in years.

"I have no interest in returning to Garreg Mach Alois." Jeralt adjusted the saddle on his horse before climbing back on. "I have work to do and a destination to get to tomorrow. Let's go kid."

Byleth's nod seemed to be ignored by Alois, who looked to continue the discussion. "Are you the captain's child?"

"Yes." Byleth's answer was short, her irritation mirroring her father's.

Alois nodded, pressing his thumb to his chin he gave a large smile. "Appearances aside you two are quite alike in mannerisms! I would love for you to see the monastery! Why don't you join us?"

Shaking her head at the knight she turned away from him. "No thank you. I am a bandit, and we have work to do."

Before they could set off the three students quickly joined the ongoing discussion.

"You're leaving?" The blonde asked, seemingly shocked by the sudden parting.

The young woman cut in; a look of intrigue written on her demur features. "Your skills are without question. I and my cohorts cannot thank you enough for your aid. Without you...who knows what would have happened." Her violet eyes pierced the Ashen Demon without hesitation. Byleth found her long white hair unique. She had never seen a young woman with such white hair. "You're an experienced mercenary, and you're the daughter of Jeralt the Blade Breaker. He's a former Knight of Seiros, arguably the strongest to ever grace the church."

Byleth did not respond, visibly annoying Edelgard. Did his daughter have no clue of her father's origins? Did she not care?

"Are you coming with us to the monastery? You have to be." Claude inquired, "I'd love to bend your ear as we travel." He glanced at the other two, realizing an important piece of information had been left out. "I also believe it's important to mention we are students of the Officers Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery. We were out here for some training exercises when we were attacked. I definitely got the worst of it."

Edelgard shot him a glare from where she stood, one that could most likely kill a man if it were lethal. "You ran only until you saw me injured! If I had not been hurt, you would have been far gone by then."

Claude wagged a finger at her, shaking his head. "I believe them term is making a strategic retreat. I could have reached Remire earlier if you hadn't been injured or we were scrambling to know where we were in the dead of night. How utterly ridiculous. Geez...I'm so exhausted."

Dimitri had grown increasingly tired of the spat between the two. Their bickering was far more annoying now that they were safe. He had forgotten for a brief period how frustrating it was to try and have them work together under any non-threatening circumstances. Claude's selfishness was very familiar to his fellow students. "Here I thought you were acting with concern for us all Claude."

His statement earned a scoff from Edelgard. "His intentions were as clear as day. If you cannot see through a person's falsehoods, you will prove to be a lacking ruler."

The blonde was nearing the limits of his patience in the current environment. Crossing his arms, he narrowed his eyes at the woman. "Seeing only deceit and trickery in the words of others will make you just as horrible a ruler as I. Your lack of trust in those whom you rely on will only aid your failure."

It appeared Claude was bored by the discussion at that point. "How interesting...a royal debate poised as hypocrisy between Their Highnesses. I wonder how badly predictability affects power?" Byleth observed their natures, finally seeing some form of truth in Claude's demeanor emerge. "Personally, as the embodiment of distrust, I'd say your little exchange wreaks of naivete."

He had removed the veil of decency in front of the strangers that still occupied the same space. Edelgard was first to lose her composure. Tightening her fist, the young woman snapped. "Me? Naïve? Tell me, are your incapable of keeping quiet? Or is your lack of self-awareness a condition of some sort?"

Byleth turned to look away, trying to spot an opportune time to escape this. She wanted to speak with her father about multiple things, not listen to students bicker amongst themselves.

"I apologize for our behavior." Dimitri gave a short bow. He had returned Byleth's attention, much to both of their surprise. "Your work out there was exemplary. You never lost control of the situation. We all have a lot to learn from you." His insistence on the word 'all' had the other two looking away. The embarrassment was palpable in such a short period of time.

Edelgard nodded, her expression softening. "I must say, please reconsider coming to the monastery. If not that, then consider lending your services to the empire. I am no mere student; I am also the Adrestian Empire's-"

"Edelgard." The blonde's tone was short. "Allow me to finish what I was saying. The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus is in dire need of individuals like yourself. Please, consider returning to the kingdom with me."

Claude extended his arms, a sigh escaping his lips. "How tactless. You two bicker alike, and your thought processes are so similar you're almost the same person. Now you're clamoring at the chance to recruit a stranger. You both are so rash. I had planned on developing a deep and lasting friendship with our new friend on the way back to the monastery." Turning back to Byleth, Claude continued. "So, tell me stranger, where do your allegiances lie?"

"My father." Byleth's response was short and sweet, something none of them were expecting. "We are to finish our work in the Kingdom of Faerghus. After that, I will go where my father goes."

Looking to her father, he was still being badgered by Alois. Jeralt sighed, clearly worn from the events of the late night. "Alois, we are traveling in the same direction. I suppose it would not be horrible to travel together. But after that, I and my daughter are continuing our own way. Understood?"

Nodding in response Alois gave a thumbs up to him. "I'll do my best to convince you otherwise until then! Come students! It's time to rest. Perhaps we can make use of this time in Remire Village to get a good night's sleep!"

The three students bid Byleth farewell as they followed the Knight of Seiros. Once alone Byleth heard a voice speaking to her. For a moment she had forgotten what transpired.

You're no fun at all! These three are very interesting...who would you align yourself with?

Byleth hesitated a moment, debating her acknowledgement of the voice. "Dimitri. He seems sincere...but I sense darkness lurking." With that thought she let out a powerful yawn.

I feel quite sleepy as well. Perhaps it is time to go to sleep...before the journey in the morning. Prepare to have your ear talked off by not only me!

Following her father back to the inn Byleth had picked up her sack once more, eager to head back to that slightly uncomfortable bed. She had to tell her father of what had occurred. But in the meantime, sleep was calling to her. That slightly uncomfortable bed had easily become the best part of her day upon reflection.

Author's Note: So I made an executive decision to combine the prologues into one chapter. Hope no one minds! Thanks!