Their plan had worked, they had drawn their attackers into their trap, wave after wave. The enemy was continuing it's assault, their numbers appearing endless as they swarmed the arena.

Yet the leader of the Ashen Wolves, in the midst of all the combat, kept his eye on Byleth.

Like a switch had gone off in Byleth's head - Yuri had watched her demeanor change almost immediately. Her eyes had narrowed, breathing labored as she became hyper-vigilant. Every strike she dealt was far more aggressive than their recent crossing of blades. There was no mercy in her, unlike the hint of it he had seen in her eyes. Before she could charge in a different direction, Dimitri had gripped her up by the forearm, holding her and whispering something to her as her chest heaved. She glared up at him, struggling to get out of his grasp.

"Sir Jeralt and Torien aren't here, we do not have the power to fight him, Byleth. Your wounds are barely healed from your last encounter." Ice dripped from his tone like a winter storm in Fhirdiad, his eyes watching her with a dead stare that almost sent a chill down her spine. "We cannot afford to have you gravely injured again."

"Stay out of my way." She hissed, returning a glare at him. "He's mine."

Commotion around them, the two staring at one another as Balthus hollered from across the way. "Hey...can you two uh...save the marital spat until after we don't die?" Despite his words, he did not take his eyes off the enemies. Hurling them like bails of hay, the grappler made quick work of every fool to cross his path.

On horseback, Hapi had charged to the northwestern entrance of the arena, Ashe in tow. Calling her spells, the woman looked down at the archer as he continued to pull from his quiver, his speed and aim surprising her. "Is this normal for them?"

Ashe reached back once more, his hands finding more empty space than he had expected. Scowling as he fired another arrow, the boy glanced up to her for a moment, face devoid of anger. "They're an...odd pair."

"Odd pair, huh?" Hapi summoned another spell, blasting through a barrage of thieves before she pulled at the reins of her horse, her eyes locking with the archer. "They'll get us killed if they don't stop arguing and focus." Taking off, she continued to summon spells, matching an intensity akin to her fellow wolf Constance. The dame took to flying through the air, providing support for Edelgard and Claude.

"How are there wyverns and horses down here, inhabiting this space regularly?" Edelgard gasped, spinning as she delivered a clean slice to a rogue's chestplate.

Claude pulled back at his bow, releasing an arrow that went into the neck of a thief. Wincing at his aim he stood back to back with the princess. "Not really sure, logic seems to have left the equation, Princess." His smirk back at her got a huff from his fellow house leader.

"Now isn't the time for jesting!" With another swing and a swift kick, Edelgard sent a brawler stumbling backward as the Golden Deer leader fired at him.

Reaching down he helped to pull his classmate up. "Come on Edelgard, time flies when you're having fun!"

"Time is...how could it fly?"

Claude groaned using his bow to shove a rogue back he fired again, "Even Dimitri got that one...come on…" Backing up he pulled Edelgard with him, dodging the clouds of dust quickly rising.

Blasts of magic exploded around them, the recoil whipping the draft as screams echoed throughout the arena. Underestimating the students, especially Yuri's strategic planning, was proving to be a fatal mistake. Hard hitting in her spells, Constance delivered with powerful magic, stronger than Hapi as she circled above. Dodging archers, the mage winced as the number of archers began to overwhelm her.

"Pull back!" Yuri's voice commanded the wolves, the pack leader clearly established in his tactics as they brought the enemy in. In doing so, they pulled the enemy in.

Beside her leader, the red-head wolf watched the mercenary carefully, her expression seemingly blank to the others that did not know her.

"I have a plan." Yuri growled, whistling as he caught Balthus's attention to pull back.

With a wave of her hand, Hapi watched as a wave of magic knocked enemies back. "What's that plan Yuri-Bird? Unleashing the hellhound?" Her eyes locked on Byleth, she could almost laugh at the sight of the vagabond mercenary being held back by such a man who was the polar opposite of her. His composure and posture was that of a leader, dignified and stern. Yet he held the barking dog back, as if his own hand was a muzzle, locking her in place before he would let her lose, if he chose to.

Yuri nodded, "Precisely."

Shaking her head back and forth, the girl leaned down to her leader. "Seriously? Is that a good idea?"

The leader smirked, the color on his lips a soft pink as he narrowed his gaze toward Byleth. "Of course. I'm full of good ideas."

Enemies flanked their side as a presence flooded the large space, as if the students suddenly became smaller, akin to bugs surrounded by the marching of feet - ready to be squashed. Approaching from the distant corridor, the sound of hooves clacked, armor rattling as the whole room seemed to still.

Dimitri watched as his combatant's shoulders pulled back, her lips parting as her breath grew ragged. "It's him…" The glow of her blade seemed to respond to her emotions as she tightened her grip, the light radiating and reflecting around her. "Finally…"

"I thought I smelled fresh blood...the worms will feast tonight!" His voice was gravely, distorted by the armor he donned. Since Jeritza's disappearance, it was assumed that he was indeed the man capable of slaughtering the innocent that inhabited Garreg Mach and it's nearby town.

Wrenching her arm from his grasp, the prince cursed himself for his light grip. Any tighter and he would have feared breaking her arm, the thought nearly making him shudder. Cursing himself he readied his lance, surprised to find backup beside him as the other leaders readied themselves. Hands tightening around the weapon, images of his nightmare flashed through his mind. Unable to stomach the thought of his allies falling, he pointed the edge of his weapon at the Death Knight.

"What business have you here, you monster?" Gritting his teeth, Dimitri could feel his blood begin to boil. The thought of Byleth lying on the ground, bleeding and battered as the Death Knight toyed with her. He had made a mockery of her in front of the students, as if she was less than dirt.

His composure was beginning to slip, the humiliation and defeat of the woman he called his friend flooding his mind. Never before had he felt this way, a new type of revenge. It felt immediately tangible, so close that the hairs on his neck stood in excitement.

The Death Knight rose his sickle, his gaze locked on the mercenary, seemingly ignoring the Prince of Faerghus. "The sword awaited you in the Holy Mausoleum...it brought you to me...my greatest conquest." Echoing through the vast space, the boom of the Knight's tone startled Constance as she flinched in response. "Show me it's power...unsheathe your sword...demon." Hand risen, the Death Knight prepared for usage of dark magic, the energy radiating overwhelming in pressure. "Deliver your corpse to me…"

Charging at him, the mercenary's movements were almost foreign to her, her body acting of its own accord as she dodged the spell, her instinct carrying her to strike back at him with full force. All protests of Sothis had become drowned out by the ringing in her ears, her only thoughts being the need to strike.

"Show me all that you are!" His command was met with the flying fragments of her blade shooting toward their target. The glow of the Sword of the Creator contrasted greatly to his armor, light reflecting off the darkness that enveloped the knight. Shock plastered across the mercenary's features as the strike landed, the knight staggering as his breath hitched. Flying up from behind, Dimitri jumped to strike, the Death Knight raising his hand once more. "I have no time for you...to your grave!"

The Prince dropped to his knees, his dodge surprising those around him as his eyes widened, face twisted in a snarl as his expression went undetected by his peers. "Don't you touch her!" Rolling to a knee, the blonde's face twisted to a deep scowl as his lance connected with the knight's sickle. On defense, Dimitri brought both hands up to block the scythe with his lance, his strength surprising to the onlookers. The sound of cracking brought a flash of fear to the Prince's features, the mask of the knight hiding all emotion besides the deep chuckling rumbling in his chest.

"Constance! From above!" Yuri's command cut through the stillness of the audience. For the students, it was a dreadful reminder of what they had stumbled upon. Nausea pooled in Ashe's throat, the fear instilled in him at the sight of Byleth defeated so easily leaving him paralyzed. Hilda shared a similar sickness, her hands gripping at her axe as her body trembled.

Soaring to the roof, the magic wielder unleashed a barrage of spells, a torrent of magic flooding the battlefield. Clouds of dust flew up and around, the blonde wincing as she leaned down to yell. "Oh goodness! Are they quite alright? That was...far more than I had anticipated!" Covering her mouth with the back of her hand, the young woman cackled. "I suppose I do not know the limits of my own strength! How marvelous, I rise to the occasion!"

Descending through the clouds of dust, the wings of Constance's Pegasus slowed as she touched down to the ground. Jumping off, the settled scene before them revealed the mercenary on a knee, panting as the blue of Dimitri's cape hung around her, his body serving as a shield to the blast as he crouched down. Bouncing back on his heels, the prince stood, pulling Byleth up with his as the other house leaders ran to their sides. Holding her to his side, the prince thought nothing of the closeness in contact, eyes fixed on their foe.

The Death Knight was still settled on his mount, yet his posture seemed different. It had appeared to the group that they had landed a blow to the monster as he panted. "I've indulged too much…" He wavered for a moment, watching Byleth as her grip on her sword tightened once more. "I will take my leave, for now."

In an instant, the harbinger of death was gone, a gust of wind blasting against the students as he vanished out of sight.

"Honestly…" Edelgard looked to the woman at her side, Byleth's eyes still locked on where the Knight had been. "What a nuisance." Her observation of the mercenary went on in her head. Details tucked away for a later date to reflect on.

While in the middle of her thoughts, the bustle of footsteps behind the gaggle of students caught them off guard. Turning around revealed soldiers of abyss: mercenaries, thieves, vagabonds and rejects of society. Yet their pride to defend this place brought a smile to Yuri's face. One soldier approached the young man, giving him a quick nod. "That's the last of 'em, boss!"

As he sheathed his sword at his side once more, Yuri felt able to let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Finally." Turning on his heel he approached the mercenary as Dimitri dropped his hand from her arm, his eyes still locked on her. "Thanks for all the help, everyone."

Byleth took a deep breath, her eyes closing before she dropped her shoulders. "Of course."

"Are you alright?" Yuri rested a hand on his hip, watching her as if she was a spectacle. The Ashen Demon was known as a merciless, blank being. She held no remorse for enemies on the battlefield - no pity in eyes that some said were dead. "Let's head back, we have much to-"

He was cut off by a figure approaching, his agility almost surprising as he brandished a blade. "I ain't going down without a fight! I'm taking you with me, punk!"

A figure appeared before the straggler mercenary. Despite the sudden arrival, his appearance was not one of ill-intent. Dressed in robes, he appeared to be an ally. His face was not one written with twisted plots. "I won't allow that to happen." Even his tone was not harsh as the young man jumped back.

The man's allegiance was clarified when Yuri approached him, arms crossed. "Aelfric, you're here!" Standing beside Aelfric, the young man pointed to their prize. "Well, shall we capture this fool?"

Allies approached, grabbing up the mercenary as they drug him down the hall, his screaming echoing as Constance was quick to perk up at the sight of Aelfric. Her smile was larger than the others had seen it in their short time together. "Aelfric! How serendipitous that you have come to our aid!"

Joined by the others, Byleth took note of the relief in the body language and facial expressions of the wolves.

"I am relieved I wasn't too late. I do hope my presence proved useful."

Balthus raised his fist, nodding in approval. "No doubt about it! We needed the backup."

Quick to silence herself, Claude almost chuckled at the small scowl on Byleth's face. It had become clearer by the day to the house leaders when their ally was annoyed.

"He did nothing!" Sothis scoffed, speaking on her partner's behalf yet again. Shooting Byleth a knowing glance, the girl watched on quizzically.

Edelgard looked over at the Golden Deer's leader, the group surprisingly on the same page for once. He had done nothing to help, yet the students fawned over his arrival immediately.

Standing beside the house leaders, Byleth tightened her fists, hidden underneath crossed arms. "You work for the church?"

His expression, his gentle demeanor from the moment he appeared, had her unsure of him. "I do believe this is the first time our paths have crossed, is it not?" A large smile crossed his features. "Of course, I have heard all about you from Her Grace, the archbishop. Allow me to introduce myself." His bow was deep, surprising the mercenary. "I am Aelfric. The church has granted me custodianship of Abyss."

Questions began to fire off in the mercenary's mind. She began to ponder how the church would allow people to live underground, preferring them to live far away from the 'surface dwellers'. Jeralt's words rang in her ears, unable to trust Rhea for her actions and beliefs. When she had refused to turn over the Lance of Ruin, she could still hear the rage in the archbishop's tone as clear as day.

Whatever the keeper of Abyss had been saying fell on deaf ears, her own thoughts beginning to mingle with Sothis as the world shut down around them. Darkness enveloped the corners of her peripheral as Sothis turned to stare at the monk. "Something of this feels so wrong…" Normally, the jeering of the small girl could envelop any topic or trouble. Yet, it couldn't unnerve Byleth in her feelings of the church. "You don't trust these people. Your father's words…"

Arms still crossed, Byleth took a deep breath. The two of them had not paused in existence since Sothis had saved her from the bandit that was going to clear her head from her shoulders. For the girl to freeze both sides of time, there was something that needed to be addressed.

"There is something nefarious at work here." Sothis stared up at the mercenary, her hands on her waist and she looked around at the crowd that surrounded them. "I can't shake this feeling...that we can't trust the church."

The words coming from such a small being made Byleth's eyes widen in response. "You're not wrong."

"Oh?"

For once, for a rare occasion, the two were in agreement.

"Whatever the church is hiding…" She had no proof of the church hiding something, merely just a hunch. That hunch hadn't left her from the day she had stepped foot into the campus. The monastery was not her home, nor would it ever be. She did not trust the archbishop. She certainly didn't trust the knights, or the advisor to the archbishop. They were all suspicious. One thing stood above the other reasons: the fear instilled in her father.

Jeralt had never bent his knee to a soul. No foe made him feel fear, and any time he was backed into a corner he fought his way out. He had raised his daughter to stand against the world, and if need be, stand alone.

Yet he fell to Rhea, almost immediately. Despite her protests, they remained there. Whatever this had been, from the start, was not right. She'd get to the bottom of it.

Looking back to the house leaders she took a step toward them. "Do you doubt yourself?"

The mercenary shook her head. "No, I don't." Glancing over each of them, she felt the nostalgia of the night they met. It felt as if it was ages ago, the desperation and anger boiling over due to their situation. If she had become a professor, she most likely wouldn't have been able to spend the time she had with all of them. Despite her disgust in the church and her lack of trust, despite her concerns, she couldn't regret one thing. Her time with those three.

"Feeling sentimental, are we? How expressive of you, my boulder!" Sothis floated over, her arms wrapping loosely around Byleth's neck as she hovered above her. "You do cherish these three. Perhaps you should have been a professor…"

With a scoff, the mercenary shook her head. "I don't think I could tolerate such an existence...this is already...tiring." The laughter of her companion admittedly rejuvenated her, Sothis's arms snaking closer around her neck, almost as if they could truly embrace. "I'd have run away from the monastery."

Sothis smirked, her face moving to rest beside Byleth as she stared at the house leaders. "Yes, I suppose...but!" She snickered once more, a playful tone filling the silence, "If...you had to pick one...who would it have been?"

With a groan that could have echoed through the arena, Byleth rested a forearm against her brow. "I'm not arguing semantics with you Sothis...we can do this any other time." The freezing of time was beginning to wear on her. It was unlike the first time, fueled by adrenaline and the split second moment between life and death, Byleth was in a different position. Worn from battle, especially after recent injury, the mercenary found the halting of time to be exhausting the longer they held the strings of beginning and end in their hands.

"We must do something about...you." Sothis pondered, returning to her throne she let out a yawn before drumming her fingers on the stone armrests. "Not only are you not fun! You have not called on the power I bestowed upon you, not once! And you are exhausted from us even halting time, instead of returning to the past." Annoyance was painted on her features, her cheek molding to her fist as she rested one against the other. "When this is done, I'd like you to go somewhere for me. I'll explain it later...but I want to see something."

Byleth groaned, crossing her arms she felt a light pounding at the front of her head once more, becoming a common occurrence in the months her life had been turned upside down. "That's rather vague...coming from you."

"Do not argue with me! You, of all people! Chastising me about vagueness!" Her yawning caught the mercenary off guard as she began to curl up on the throne. "I am going to sleep...use your power for once and remove yourself from my presence. I would like a peaceful nap." With a wave of her hand, silence filled the space until Byleth focused. Hand raised, the mercenary focused on the thought of returning to the flow of time, the magic circle appearing before her suddenly flooding her senses with noise and light.

Stumbling back, she fell into Aelfric's extended arm, catching her without second thought as her leg gave out against the other. Dimitri's panicked voice was the only other thing she could immediately recognize before slipping into the darkness. In that space, she was cursed with the same images that had tormented her over and over. Sothis, in her small frame, being picked up by the head and snapped so easily. There was no mercy in the action, the smell of blood and cinder quickly flooding Byleth's senses as she watched the scene unfold. Somehow, the fire that echoed the screams and anguish outside the walls she was hiding in were replaced with a different location. After months of recognizing the walls and the scenery, there was no denying it. It was Garreg Mach.

Panic and chaos flew by her, members of the church racing around in the midst of a fire as a figure sprinted down the green, toward the stables. The cloaked person cradled something wrapped in his arms, swaddled in a thick blanket as they hoisted their body up and over a horse after saddling it. Sitting up straight, the hooded figure adjusted what was settled in their arms, the voice sending chills up Byleth's spine.

"Nothin' makes ya cry, does it?" The gruff tone was a dead giveaway. Running over, Byleth could only look up in awe at the face underneath the hood. "Even if ya did worry...don't. No one will touch you."

"Father?" The only word that could leave her mouth was a cracked whisper. A crack of the reigns and Jeralt was racing off on horseback, his arm holding the bundle of cloth tightly to his chest as the fires raged on.

Around her, the noise stilled - a dead silence washing over as the flames continued to ascend. The screams, shouts and commotion of the monastery was non-existent. Only one sentence cut through the silence. A distant voice, like a pin drop in an empty chamber.

"The flames of the fell star will continue to consume...reborn again and again...until nothing remains...such as ash in the wind"

Eyes widening, Byleth flung herself up from the position she was in, the shift of a poorly mattress alerting the prince as he sat across from her. Eyes shooting up from the floor, he darted over, crouched beside the mercenary as he surveyed her. She had been sweating, and at times had shown struggle in her sleep. Whatever nightmare she had been in only made his stomach twist into tighter knots. After their battle against the death knight before, only to face off against him again, it made sense for her to be suffering even in her dreams.

"Byleth…" A heavy sigh left his chest as he brushed his palm over his forehead. "How are you feeling?"

Rolling her head to the side she glanced down at him. The worry on his face surprised her, just as any other time he had been involved in trouble with her. "I'm fine…where are we?"

Offering a smile to her he exhaled, "We are back in Abyss." Looking over his shoulder he stared at the other set of bunk beds. "Myself, Claude and Edelgard...will be staying here with you for the night, is that fine?"

"For the night?" Throwing her legs off the bed she pulled her shoulders back. "It's not safe for us to return to the surface right now I suppose."

His nod confirms her assumptions, "Yes, we can't risk the others being put in harm's way." Watching her stand up he straightened, a hand behind her as she stretched to crack her back. Without her cape and pauldrons on, Byleth's appearance suddenly became far more relaxed.

"While you were asleep, we spoke with Aelfric." Dimitri following behind her, he furrowed his brow as she walked out into the hallway. "Are you sure you should be...going anywhere? I can get you what you nee-"

Spinning on her heel the mercenary sauntered for a moment, blinking as she straightened up again. She cursed Sothis in the back of her head, hoping it would steer the gremlin from her sleep. Whatever energy had been sucked out of her to stall time had taken more of her than she recalled from the first time. "Please, you need some rest." His tone was soft, his arms hovering at her sides as he watched her with what appeared to be a glint of fear in his eyes.

"I'm fine Dimitri I'm just getting my strength-"

"Byleth! You're not fine!" The scowl on his face surprised even her, her brow going up in response. "You're not invincible…" Frown softening from the harsh line he had just exposed, he sighed, "I'm sorry, but I can't stand seeing you try to act as though you're fine. You need rest." As she wobbled again he caught her at the doorway, exhaustion taking over her again. "I won't leave you here alone, I promise." Wrapping her arm up over his shoulder the prince sighed, bringing her back into the room he leaned her weight on his, watching her begin to fall asleep again as he crouched at the bed, laying her down and stretching her out. Pulling the blankets back up he walked back over to the bunk across from her, sitting down to watch her as he removed his gauntlets.

It was going to be a long night…


Dimitri did not hear the light shuffling in the darkness, Byleth waking up with energy that felt far more renewed than recent sleeps. Out of the bed, the mercenary nearly crawled to the doorway, opening it just enough to slip out. Standing back up, her back felt stiff as a board from the sleep. But otherwise, she was feeling far better than she had in the recent weeks.

"You gotta be a lot more quiet to slip past me." Freezing, the mercenary turned around, eyes wide as Claude shut the door behind him. "The other two are sound asleep. But I had a feeling you'd slip out at some point."

Turning to continue to walk, Byleth couldn't help but smirk at Claude's hushed 'wait!'s as he caught up to her. Joining her side, the boy rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, pinning them as he walked with her. "After you passed out, we spoke to Aelfric...turns out the church isn't exactly fans of Abyss."

"No surprise there…"

"I can taste animosity in the air looming from you." Claude looked around, acting on his words. "It's quite sour...nearly as sour as the day you refused to teach us. We know very well you're not a fan of the church..."

Byleth's eyes narrowed at him for a moment before she sighed. "Continue. What else did you discuss?"

"The wolves protect Abyss, as you know. They're also not fans of the church. You all would get along quite well." Claude's smirk has the mercenary nearly rolling her eyes, "Oh come on, Byleth. Between your storming off from Rhea and your look of misery when you walk through the monastery, you make your feelings very clear."

"Ah…" Her brow rose, the student beside her straightening as he walked beside her. "So is that why the workers of the academy and the monastery look at me as if I'm the spawn of hellfire."

With a shrug he follows her down the hall and to the quieted center of Abyss. Most had been long asleep, the stragglers and night owls flocking toward the tavern, where all the noise had been reverberating from. Looking over her shoulder to the Golden Deer leader, Byleth tilted her head, curious of his following. "Are you...going for a drink?"

Hands over his head, the boy cracks his back, without his jacket on he had rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, the buttons at the top undone as his shirt had already crinkled from an earlier nap. "Will you tattle on me if I do?"

The two shared a glance before her lips curled into a small smirk, the young man's eyes widening as his hands dropped. "I'll carry you back when you've had your fill. I'm not paying for your tab." He frowns, following her in as the illumination of candlelight let a warm, dim atmosphere in the space. The waft of hot taven food and potent spirits nearly knocked Claude through a loop, distracted for a moment as he lost track of Byleth. In that moment he realized how easy it was to lose the mercenary in a crowded space. She was far smaller than most, yet her frame was what made her stand out. As the men and women turned to watch her, some glancing up from their tankards, they seemed to share similar thoughts. A figure akin to an hourglass, her clothes underneath the armor and capes she donned hugged tight to muscle-carved arms, thick legs wrapped in tights underneath shorts that were far too short. Turning around she took a large swig of the tankard in hand, his eyes moving to the softness of her abdomen.

Byleth, approaching him, took another swig, "The drink is horrid…" Her groan was far from subtle, rubbing her free hand over her face she turned to survey the space. "Hopefully the food is a lot better."

"Oh come on now!" A familiar voice cut through the bustle of the tavern as a shadow approached, looming over her. Looking up, Byleth met the gaze of the brawler they had fought earlier, "You gotta know, Miss Mercenary, tavern food only tastes better the more you drink!"

She scoffed, taking another sip she cracks an eye open. "I've ran through my fair share of taverns...Ba…"

With a pout, the brute leaned down over her, finishing his own tankard. "Balthus, pretty lady. The name is Balthus!" Flexing an arm underneath his jacket he smirked, "Come on, how could you forget my name with a physique like this?" Her eyes moved down his abdomen, realizing the man truly did refuse to wear a shirt in his free time. "See something you like?"

"What?" Byleth's eyes moved back up, brow furrowing as her nose crinkled. "I don't understand…"

In that moment, the realization hit Claude as he pulled his lips in, cheeks puffing with air as he tried to conceal his laughter. He had joked that Byleth did not know how to express much in regards to emotion, but that moment had cemented what he had wondered about as he watched Dimitri and Byleth earlier. Few men and women would stand so close to one another, whispering to each other and sharing glances if they were not close friends, at the very least. He thought of himself with Hilda, Edelgard with her bat of a vassal…

Paying for his tankard he turned around to watch them from a distance. Her cheeks a shade of pink, her face was written in confusion as Balthus continued his attempts at flirting with her.

Byleth could not see the forest through the trees.

She had no clue of romance, or even of flirting.

His lips curling into a smirk between downing sips he pulled away, nearly gagging at the taste. The schemer was nearly shaking at the thought of telling Hilda of his new findings, she would be ecstatic at such juicy news.

"She's quite interesting." Caught off guard, Claude jumped at the voice of the young man beside him. "You let your guard down far too quickly when you're in the middle of your thoughts, friend." Yuri's words make the man groan aloud, shaking his head as he takes another sip. "Be careful in Abyss. Pickpockets and ruffians around every corner…" Holding up Claude's bag of coins he jingles them. "For such a bright mind, you get shaken up a bit too easily."

Brushing his braid behind his ear he swallows bitterly, the words and ale like a sour tonic laced with rancid herbs. Snatching the coins back from him he grips tightly to the small burlap sack. Shoving it deep in his pocket he grumbles before chugging the rest of his drink. Yuri speaks up again, waving a hand near his face he smirks. "It seems as though she has no clue of when a man is flirting with her...how curious."

"Isn't it?" Claude nearly bit his tongue, falling for Yuri's pull for information once more. With a heavy sigh his shoulders relaxed. "She's a unique one. None of us...really get her."

Yuri watched her cheeks grow brighter, Balthus wrapping an arm around her he pulled her closer, yelling something about her buying him drinks before she shoved him away with a smirk. "How interesting…" Hands on his hips, the leader of the wolves strolled closer to the two. "Balthus, I've told you time and time again, approaching a woman to have her pay for your drinks is always going to end in a disaster."

The large grappler let out a hearty laugh, the sight of his chest heaving attracting Byleth's attention once more. "Come on Yuri, you know it never hurts to try!" A grin smoothed across his face before he wrapped his arm around her shoulder again, their height difference making Byleth blink as she tilted her head to look up at him. "See? Ain't she just wonderful?"

"I am wonderful…" With a sigh she rested a hand on her hip. "You just reminded me of my cohort in my mercenary group."

"Jeralt's band of mercenaries, yes? The Blade Breaker?" Yuri crosses his arms, "Word has traveled all across Fodlan of you two. The Ashen Demon…" His lips curled into a smirk, Byleth seeing the faint tint of makeup on them, "You work with some of the most elite sale-swords on the continent."

"Father keeps a strong group. It's myself and my cohort Torien that operate the majority of it now..."

"Torien...The Frost Snake of Faerghus?"

Byleth's eyes flew open at the title. "That's a name I haven't heard in some time…" Tilting her head, the woman's curiosity was further piqued, "What have you heard?"

Balthus glanced down at Yuri before finishing his tankard, his hair falling back he scratched at his scalp. "Any mercenary with half a wit knows that name. The young man wandered through Faerghus for years, bouncing from place to place until his name faded a few years ago. To think he joined such a powerful group of people…"

"Yes, he's my right hand." Claude watched as her lips curved into a smile, one warmer than he had ever seen before. "He has helped my father greatly, myself included."

Yuri's curiosity piqued, the young man hoped for an attempt at digging deeper into some questions he had. "When did he join you?"

"I don't remember." Reading her face, he could not find traces of deception in her features. He wondered if perhaps she didn't have enough yet to drink, if he could get her to speak more, it would serve him well. "He...showed up one day…" Suddenly, the memory flooded her thoughts, so vivid and crisp that she could almost feel herself placed back into the moment.


Byleth, not even thirteen, had been fully introduced to the world of sale-swords. Jeralt had ventured with Byleth all across Fodlan's physical borders. From the harsh winters of Faerghus to the mild springs of the Adrestrian Empire, even the temperamental summers of the Alliance's territories. Byleth had seen far more of Fodlan than most would in their lifetime - though her father did not describe much of the places they went. Everything was come and go, they never stayed in one place and always kept moving. At that time, his band of mercenaries had gained some level of notoriety. Quick work, clean work, for a pretty penny. Jeralt was not one to sink to dark levels to provide for his child, yet he was not a saint.

What mattered was the payment at the end, and moving on to the next job.

Once again, Jeralt had brought Byleth to the northern territories of Fodlan. Long past Galatea, they had set their sights for Fhirdiad. Their client was in the capital, and Jeralt wanted to make it there before the storm clouds to the northwest rolled in. Moving into the holy kingdom's territory at that time of year was not the most ideal choice, but it seemed like quick work and the payment was more than hefty for all the mercenaries that accompanied him on the journey at that time. He had sent others to the west, toward the countries' borders for other work. Dispersing them for multiple jobs had taken years of trial and error for the Blade Breaker. Dealing with those who stole the payment, others who sold intel out for higher prices...a mercenary's work was never done.

Out of nowhere, the storm that had seemed off in the distance came barreling in quicker than he had expected. Winter had come to Faerghus, and it's monstrous claws gripped the landscape up in a vicious hold. Visibility had come to a crawl, and even in the territory of the royal family, resources for shelter between villages were scarce. Making their way north, the band quickly realized they needed to settle at the next nearest place they could find. Jeralt counted his half-assed blessings when they stumbled, numb from the cold and blistered from the wind, on to a larger village with an inn. A sprightly teen Byleth, bundled up in furs, sat silently at the windows of the front of the inn, watching the squall lines of the storm wipe across the dirt roads. Snow blanketed the land, touching everything in wisps and strokes of white. Long gone were the dark colors of soil, long dead and asleep for the season.

It was in that all-white canvas that she saw something move down what she thought was the road they had walked on. Her eyesight had been better than most in the group, and despite her lack of fresh combat, she had become a lookout fairly quickly. In the distance was a heavily cloaked figure, not much taller than her, wrapped in furs, stumbled about. She could barely make out anything else of the image contrasting the storm, visibility still low. It was clear that the figure did not weigh much, being knocked back and forth against the winds.

It wasn't until Mecuth, still a bit fresh to the mercenary group, had heard the door open and a blast of cold air hit both his and Jeralt's backs that they saw the glimpse of her fur cloak battering, the innkeeper screaming to close the door behind her. Jeralt's screams quickly fell into the void as she braced herself, winter's tempest blast even more frigid after a brief respite inside. He could barely make out his daughter's silhouette as he raced toward her, Mercuth being the only other one to follow him.

"Get back inside!" Jeralt's scream was barely audible, "Get the others sorted!"

"I'm not leaving you two out here!" Mercuth's deep voice strained against the howling gusts, his chest burned as if he had been running for miles. "The rest of the bastards can wait!"

It was at that moment that Jeralt had assured himself of at least one man to stand by his side.

"Byleth!" Jeralt's screams raged on, following what he hoped wasn't his vision deceiving him. Gritting his teeth, he couldn't even take a sigh of relief as they approached, Byleth's black cloak, heavy with furs, contrasted greatly to all of their surroundings. She had hunkered down over the figure, shielding them to get a better look. "Byleth!" As they got closer, it was clear she still couldn't fully hear him. "Kid!"

To Byleth, her father's voice felt farther in the distance than he was, his hand moving to grab her shoulder nearly costing him as she pulled the dagger at her side. "It's us!" Mercuth's voice halted her, the man racing to kneel beside her. "Who is this?"

She looked up at her father, still speaking as little as possible as her face was bright red, most likely blistered by the storm more than before without the wraps on her face.

"Dammit! Mercuth! Carry...that!" He pointed to the wrapped figure before scooping up his daughter. "Let's go!"

Their race back to the inn felt as if it took an eternity, Jeralt hiding Byleth's face in the fur on his shoulder. When they had finally returned, the rooms were booked without discussion and the bundled figure was brought into the room with Byleth. The two laid out on the beds Jeralt winced at the sight of his daughter's skin. Blistered and red, torn up quickly by the winter storm. Looking to Mercuth, the man was already grabbing one of the healers before he stood up to look at what was unearthed from the thick layers of furs and coats across from her.

A young boy, looking around sixteen, was shivering to the bone as he laid there. Dark thick hair, bags under his eyes, he looked tormented even in his sleep. The sword in his holster looked close to breaking, his gear shoddy and worn. He had some muscle on him, and quite tall compared to many of the boys he had seen. But he was clearly malnourished, his muscle standing out against pale skin on a taut body.

"This boy...he's been by himself for a while." Jeralt whispered, his voice still worn from the brief venture into the squall. Looking over his shoulder at the healer of the band he narrows his eyes. "Any permanent damage?"

The man sighed, his holy magic quickly working on her skin to lessen the damage already done. "We're lucky, any longer and she'd have serious issues. But she'll be fine. We just need to keep her warm tonight, Jeralt." A tilt of his head gave him a better view of the boy. "He looks worse off, I'll take a look at him shortly."

Byleth woke up shortly after, her face and limbs still tingling and swollen as she looked to see Mercut watching over her, giving her a small smile as they made eye contact. "Hello…" Byleth's blank expression no longer unnerved him as he brushed strands of her hair from her face before pulling the blankets back up over her. "You gave us a scare."

As he stood up he glanced over to see the other figure moving, Byleth's attention turning to him as she sat up. "Goodness kid, you rebound fast." Running a gloved hand through his beard turned to the door. "I'm gonna go get you some food and let your father know you're alright. Stay there."

Of course, as anyone in the mercenary band knew, there was one...consistent truth of Byleth Eisner. If someone told her what to do, and it was not her father, she did not listen.

Standing up, her legs wobbled, akin to a newly born deer as she gripped at the nightstand between the beds. Hobbling over she rested a hand on the headboard above the figure. Her eyes fixed on his face, his hair messy and bangs covering much of his face, down to just at his shoulders.

Watching him, she was unaware of the wide eyed look she wore, features unflinching as she hovered over him. She could see the lines of his cheeks, the lack of color in his face, brows twisted in pain.

It was in that moment, of all moments, his eyes cracked open. Grey eyes barely open, he could only make out a figure overhead, similar to the one that sat over him as he hit the ground. The wind's howl was muffled, the window rattling by his bed. The shape became clearer to him by the second, dark green hair, green eyes, pale skin, blotched red by blisters.

His eyes opened a bit more, instinct registering with the proximity of her closeness to him. Running on adrenaline, he tackled her, hand around her throat as he reached for the dagger at his side. "Where am I?" His scream was hoarse, the two tumbling as they knocked into the ground. They did not even register Jeralt and Mercuth sprinting up, slamming open the door at the sound of a broken scream behind it. Byleth had bitten down on to the young man's forearm, her teeth tearing into his flesh as his other arm wrapping her in a headlock. She wouldn't let go, her arms coiled loosely around his waist, all of her strength she could muster had focused on her jaw. Blood coursed down his arm, her mouth soaked red as she tore through the flesh.

"Dammit! Byleth!" Jeralt hollered, yanking the two apart with help from Mercuth, they collapsed into separate heaps on the floor. The boy's eyes widened as he looked at his forearm, blood running down near-ivory skin as he shook violently. His head turned slowly to watch her, his bangs covering much of his eyes as he watched her, terrified of the sight of her. Blank, wide eyes, the ones that hovered over him just moments before, stared back at him. Her mouth, chin and neck were painted red.

It was as if a monster feasted on its prey, thinking nothing of it's carnage.


Byleth stared down at the empty tankard, "He was patched up after...and he stayed with us."

"He stayed after you tore his arm apart like a drumstick?" Balthus's laughter echoed through the tavern, the group sitting at a cleared table. "You got some type of charm, don't ya?"

After going through her fourth tankard, the mercenary pursed her lips, Claude taking note of her expressive traits when drinking. She spoke up, "There was really nowhere for him to go. He gained stable income with my father. He began eating regularly and gaining strength. He was sent out on his own work many times, and he gained the title of Frost Snake." Her lips moved into a small smile, "But whenever work called for our ranks to split, he came with us."

"I heard of his work through the grapevine." Yuri twirled his glass of wine, glancing up at her he winked. "I didn't know such powerful creatures ran together." His eyes widened at the sight of her cheeks turning pink. "I'm curious as to why he has...remained with you." He would save her blushing for another conversation - preferably a sober one.

He was less than pleased by an answer similar to his thoughts.

A story for another drink, another time.

After some time had passed, and Byleth had found herself watching a tipsy Claude waltzing his way back to the room they shared. Trailing behind him, the mercenary was caught off guard by another walking beside their small group.

"Aelfric!" Yuri's eyes widened, "You're up...fairly late." He sighed, "No surprise, after the earlier events. What brings you out with the rest of us?"

The man looked to Byleth's face, watching her with a look she had never seen before, perplexing her. "I had heard that our new friend was awake and out, I wanted to come and speak with her."

Looking at Claude, Byleth watched him spin around, his demeanor even more relaxed than his normal attitude among his classmates. "Aelfric! Hello!" His enthusiasm lifted her brow, "Byleth!" Walking back toward her he cleared his throat, "Aelfric...like I said, they're not fans of the church down here. He said the church thinks of the people of Abyss as a…" He waved his hand toward the man.

"A nuisance." His tone was calm, almost humoring the student's stupor. "Byleth, I would like to speak to you, in private, if I may?" He turned to Yuri, Balthus trailing behind, the grappler's face a hint of pink. "Yuri, if you could, could you and Balthus help Claude back into bed?" He chuckles, "The boy certainly wanted to immerse himself among our kinfolk."

Yuri turned back to wave over his friend. "Come now, my muscle." Shooting Byleth a wink he stopped beside her. "Thanks for the drinks tonight, Byleth." Taking a closer look at him she could see the makeup highlighting his eyes, the faint blush on his cheeks. "We'll do it again once business is taken care of, take you on a real date. My treat." Giving her a playful bow he walked ahead, watching Claude as he ventured toward his room.

"He is in safe hands, in case you were concerned." Aelfric's chuckle came as Byleth shrugged. "How are you feeling? After you passed out, we immediately returned to make sure you could rest."

Crossing her arms, the mercenary tilted her head. "I am fine. I appreciate the accommodations, for myself and the others." Walking beside him, Byleth could pick up on the tension - an odd, unsettling feeling that she hadn't shaken off since he had appeared. "I am glad you are safe."

The man's smile grew, his eyes widening for a moment, "Thank you! If not for the children and you all, who knows what would have happened." The silence that fell over them was only followed by the click of Byleth's heels. Before long, Aelfric spoke again. "As you heard, there is tell of those in the church...who intend to purge Abyss." He sighed, tilting his head up he turned his eyes to the carved ceilings of the earth. "My flock is rebellious, to say the least. They do not follow the church. They are fervent in protecting their own." His attention returns to her, his eyes reading her face as he goes on, "I know we have just met, but I must inquire a favor of you, Byleth."

Their walking moved to an immediate halt, the mercenary resting a hand on her hip as she extended the other. "Asking a favor of a mercenary is no way to gain favor, Aelfric." A glint of something...unknown in his eyes caught her attention.

He nodded, "That is a fair response." Face to face, Aelfric did not break from Byleth's gaze, unlike others who were unnerved by her eyes. "I heard word of you...declining the position of Professor at the Officer's Academy. The Ashen Wolves are a house in name alone...and there is no teacher to guide them-"

"Absolutely not." She began walking again, turning down the hall toward the room the house leaders were asleep in. Yuri turned his head, watching Byleth walk down the hall toward both he and Balthus. Claude, returned to the room, had found himself lying on the floor, stretched out on the rug between the bunks.

Aelfric, stunned, followed only moments later, approaching the group of students as Byleth reached for the door. "I...I implore you Byleth, you would not be teaching them in reality. If you could find it in your heart to guide them-"

"No."

Yuri quickly shut the door for her, keeping the noise to a minimum as he shook his head. "Wait a minute Aelfric, where's this nonsense coming from?" His eyes went wide, a surprised expression that seems unlike him. "The others haven't been consulted." Balthus, wearing a similar expression, crossed his arms.

"I gotta agree with Yuri here…" He hiccuped, face still warm from the alcohol. "You haven't talked to us...she's not even a Professor-"

Byleth, suddenly tired and craving the silence of the room before her, interjected. "Exactly."

"I am a mere guardian, you two. You know this. I can protect you...but someone like Byleth…" Aelfric cleared his throat, "Please, consider it, Byleth. You have garnered a great deal of acclaim on the surfa-" He is taken about by her snicker, Yuri and Balthus both surprised as well.

Byleth shook her head slowly, "I see how the people of the church look at me."

The guardian of Abyss frowned, "It...pains me to think that anyone would think poorly of you. I happen to be acquainted with your father, and I know he would not raise his child poorly."

"You know my father?" The shock in Byleth's face was palpable, quickly falling from the cool demeanor they had seen until that moment. Even inebriated, the woman was composed when around those she did not know. Yuri took note of the weakness of hers, her father clearly a different level of interest to the Ashen Demon. Between her story of meeting the Frost Snake, and her expression just then, it was clear that her soft spot was within her own ranks. It made his lips curl into a small smirk as he watched her. It was clear to him that she was not as malice-filled as the word spoke of. Somewhere in her, beneath the bloodshed and battle-worn lifestyle - she was as human as he was.

"When did you meet my father?" Her tone was slightly curious, but far more weary in its delivery.

He offered a smile to her, as if extending an olive branch from prey to predator. "I met Jeralt back when he was a knight." Continuing, the man's smile grew a bit more, "I was born and raised in Garreg Mach, so I often had the opportunity to spend time with him."

A brief pause hung in the air.

"Your mother, as well…"

His smile was far larger, his eyes distant in remembrance.

She grew uneasy.

"She was a cherished friend of mine."

The alcohol must have turned her stomach.

"I was even present for their wedding."

She felt sick as she reached for the door handle.

"With parents like yours, I have no doubt that you possess the kindness and patience to-"

She glanced over her shoulder at him, "Aelfric, I am a mercenary. Nothing of me could ever be a good leader for these students. I am a wandering salesword. I have no place to call home. No where I belong. I go where the reward is. Where my father is." Despite the rebuttal of her words, her tone was not dripping of malice as one would expect. "I will be departing at the end of the month on work for my father, I could never be a teacher….that everyone thinks I am."

"If it means anything to you…" Yuri spoke softly, watching her expression carefully, "It's not like we're strangers anymore, anyways. We don't...need a teacher." Turning to Aelfric he tilted his head, "Let's let her get some sleep, I'm sure all of this has been...overwhelming to say the least."

"Yes, I agree. But Byleth..." Before walking away, the cleric offered her a small smile. "If ever you would like to hear more about you parents, I would be delighted to share my memories with you."

Byleth, hand gripping at the handle, took a deep breath. She waited for Aelfric to retreat, Yuri following after giving her a smile. Balthus, speechless by all that had gone on, rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Listen, pal, they're good people. These people, Abyss, they're good people." His smile surprised her, "We're all people with no homes...permanent or not. But we made our home here." He shrugged, flashing a grin against his warmed features, "If there's nowhere for you to go...I think you'd fit in real well here." Patting her shoulder again he walked off, waving a hand over his shoulder. "Goodnight beautiful, thanks for the story! Let's do it again, on your dime of course!"

Once the hallway was clear she opened the door, sliding in she could make out the outline of her bed as she shut the door behind her. Creeping over, she realized Claude was still on the ground, lying on his side as he snored quietly. His noise faded into the mess of her own mind, the reality of the conversation hitting her as she sunk into her own bed. Lying back she stared at the frame of the bed above her, Edelgard just overhead.

Someone besides her father knew of her mother. He would tell her more if she asked. The thought of such a revelation left her trembling, her breathing heavy as she tried to settle into sleep.

She did not see across from her, the prince had been wide awake for some time, listening to the bulk of the conversation from where he laid. He was grateful she could not see the face he was making - mixed between that of jealousy and of hurt. To hear her speak so casually of no place to belong; despite knowing that the life of a mercenary wanders, ebbing and flowing like the waves against the shore. But above all else, that she would be leaving again for a period of time he did not know of.

Once again, a pit settled in his stomach that had become more common in the time he spent with her. It festered at his own selfish questioning of why she didn't choose a house...why she wouldn't even take a room in the dormitories with other faculty and students...why she offered to teach the children with him as they had been doing...spending time with him if she was going to be leaving again.

That pit sprouted its first leaves that night, yet it's roots had already settled into the path he walked, straight toward her - and her damned smile.


By the time morning had come, there was no indication of it. Only by waking up at a consistent time every morning had Edelgard realized she slept through the night. Silently thanking Hubert for keeping her to a schedule, her eyes pried open to the ceiling overhead. The sound of grumbling had stirred her, and turning over had given her quite a sight to behold. Claude, laying face down on the matted rug, was groaning as he came to.

"How awful…" Clutching at his head he let out a soft groan.

Beside him, Dimitri, his hair even more a mess than usual, had sat up. Rolling his sleeves to his elbows the prince glanced over at him, a smirk tugging at a corner of his mouth. "Did you have a rough time sleeping, Claude?"

The Golden Deer's leader turned his face, just enough to lock eyes with his classmate. "You're so loud."

"I believe someone ventured to Abyss's tavern." Edelgard sat up, pulling her jacket from beneath her as an extra pillow she smoothed the creases. Her hair falling around her she tossed it over her shoulder. "Of all the people to go for drinks in our circumstance, I did not expect it to be you."

"Blame Byleth." Claude groaned, flopping onto his back he turned his head to stare at her. The mercenary shifted from facing the wall to her back, yawning loudly as she stretched. "How can you three be so loud all at once?"

"What a weak body." The mercenary snickered, turning to face him she flipped to her stomach before pushing up on an elbow. "That was nothing last night."

Dimitri's eyes narrowed for a moment at the young man before moving up to watch Byleth throw her legs off the bed. Slapping the top bunk she yawned again. "Let's go. I'm sure there's some grandiose new problem to figure out." Standing up she fixed her boots, the prince following suit as Edelgard climbed down from the bunk. Looking down at Claude, the mercenary poked his arm with her foot. "Stop being useless."

Finally, the one plagued by the night before sat up slowly, finding Byleth's hand reaching out for him. Staring at it for a moment he met a curious look on her face. She had never been so open in contact before. His eyes studied her for a moment longer before grabbing her hand. Being pulled up, his legs took a moment to stay behind as he stumbled, the wave of yellow flying overhead from his cape as he tried to stand straight.

"What did you two even do last night?" Edelgard sighed, buttoning her jacket. "It's not necessarily any of our business but-"

"It's definitely not, princess." Rubbing at his head, the schemer somehow still managed a wink out of him. "Unless you're dying to join us." Adjusting her cape, the Black Eagle leader found herself flustered for a moment. Claude added to his statement, noticing Dimitri's watchful eye. "She told me a story."

Both Edelgard and Dimitri paused, confused by such a simple statement. "A story? Of what?" It seemed as though Edelgard's curiosity had risen far more than the mercenary and schemer had anticipated. "My apologies, that was inappropriate of me."

Claude glanced at Byleth for a moment, the mercenary in turn watching the princess. "She told me of how she met the Frost Snake of Faerghus."

The prince's eyes widened, "That title sounds oddly familiar..." Resting his chin in his hand he looked to the mercenary. "I had heard some talk of a powerful warrior-"

"It's Torien." With another yawn, Byleth waved toward the door. "I will join you all later, I must speak with Aelfric at once."

Dimitri was flabbergasted, to put it lightly. Watching her fellow house leader, Edelgard covered her mouth to conceal a chuckle as Dimitri processed the realization in his head. "Do you not know of your land's most powerful warriors?"

"No one knew much of his identity...a young sword for hire who had gone rogue from a smaller territory." He shook his head, "For his reputation, many did not know much of his identity. There are many rumors about the one with that title."

He was caught off guard by Byleth's chuckle, adjusting her cape as she straightened up. Sword at her hip, the mercenary glanced up at him. "He is a fool, but a powerful one." She did not notice the smile forming on her lips, one that was warm and familiar, of fond thoughts. To see her smile so warmly at the thought of a person made Dimitri's chest tighten. It wasn't as bright of warm as the smile she had shown him, lying in the infirmary, when she called his smile mesmerizing. A piece of him hoped - prayed - that he would never see her smile that way for another.

His ears burned at the thought as they walked, following the bustle and noise of the morning in Abyss. It seemed to be earlier, many people still groggy and grumbling to each other.

Edelgard had reached out, her fingers tapping against Byleth's arm as she turned to face her. "Can I spare a moment of your time?" Byleth's eyes widened as she tilted her head, watching the woman as they faced one another. Her nod was soft, getting a smirk from Edelgard in response. Turning her head to the other two she sighed, "We will only be a moment." Their standing around irritated her, her brow furrowing. "When a lady asks for a moment alone, the proper thing to do is to give her what she asks."

Claude's smirk returned, despite his headache, "Of course...come on Dimitri." His protests were quickly silenced as Claude leaned into him, whispering. "We can watch from a distance."

Dragged around the corner they watched as Edelgard cleared her throat, "Those two are far more alike than they would openly admit...and far from subtle." Her eyes darted over to where they stood, her violet gaze piercing through the stone at them. "I...hadn't had the chance to thank you, for the birthday tea and gift." Her stern gaze softened as it returned to Byleth. "The teddy bear is quite adorable, all dressed in armor. It sits on top of my desk, he keeps me focused on my own work."

"My father is far better with gifts than me, I asked for his help if I may be honest." Byleth smirked, running a hand through her hair she sighed, "Dorothea was also a wonderful source of advice to find a gift and tea you'd enjoy." With a shake of her head she continued, "If not for them I would have been stumped. He picked out the flowers, he's always had an eye for them."

Edelgard's eyes widened, lips parting in shock as she recalled the pretty flowers that had been waiting at the table. The gazebo where many sat was quiet that evening, the sun just beginning to set as Byleth surprised her. A large bundle of carnations - shades of red and gold, with white roses spaced generously. "Your father has quite an eye. I must admit...I did not expect to hear that." She couldn't help but laugh, "I was floored to see you go to such lengths, but with that knowledge, I'm even more flattered than before."

Byleth did not notice the pink on her cheeks at the girl's words, her smile genuine as she pulled from her inner jacket pocket a small box. "We are children of the same moon, and I had debated a moment to give this to you." Handing it to her, Byleth couldn't help but notice the slight tremble in her hand. "If I may be as honest as you, Hubert assisted me with the selection. He was concerned my initial choice was...far more inappropriate than what we selected."

Confused, Byleth opened the box, her expression quickly turning to one of shock. A pendant sat in the box, the emblem of the Black Eagles house ordained with gold detail. Her fingers moved over the intricate details, marveling at the design. "Edelgard this is…." Looking back up, the mercenary gave a small smile, her eyes softening. "Thank you, I've never received a gift from anyone before, besides my father of course."

Stunned, the house leader tilted her head. "What? Your birthday...it is a day to celebrate you, with those that care about you." Her gloved hands reached out, resting over the mercenary's hands with a feathered touch. "I am grateful for your companionship." Clearing her throat, Edelgard continued, "I must admit, I was rather confused by you when I met you. You saved my life, throwing caution to the wind to save me. Yet, you refused a position as a teacher at this academy. Getting to know you, I understand that...a little more now." She nodded, affirming her words as their eyes met. "This pendant...is a symbol of our friendship. If the roads you wander bring you to the Empire...should you step into Enbarr...and need anything of me. Show this." She caught the widening of Byleth's eyes for a moment. "I will not hesitate to help you, no matter what it is." Byleth was left shocked, Edelgard's hands moving to close the box for her. "I don't expect you to wear it or anything of that sort. But consider it a token of my appreciation."

Clearing her throat, Byleth nodded, "Thank you, Edelgard." The girl's hands, hidden by the gloves, felt almost ghostly in their touch. They did not grasp at her, nor did they share heat. Why those thoughts came to her confused her, yet they did not overwhelm the feeling of gratitude in her chest. "I am humbled by such kindness."

"Come, let us join the others. I will hold on to it until we end this." Byleth nodded, watching as Edelgard slid it back into the inner pocket of her jacket. Buttoning it up again she smirked, "There is much to do, and we can focus on sentiments when this is...handled." Glancing over to where the other two were hidden, she sighed, "Thank you, Byleth." Her words were soft, "You...have made this time far more enjoyable for me than before."

Byleth, confused by her words, shrugged. "I suppose you're welcome. All I've brought is trouble if I recall correctly."

"Yes, that's what Hubert insists upon." Edelgard chuckles, the two walking toward the house leaders as they reconvened, "But I am grateful for that trouble. It would be...very boring without you. Quiet."

Their conversation fell to the growing noise of the morning, a small smile still on Edelgard's lips as they reunited. The smell of coffee made Byleth perk up as she would follow the scent. The tavern, packed with drunkards the night before, was the source of the scent. The house leaders trailed behind, branching off one by one: Edelgard joining Constance as she walked with Hapi, Claude being dragged away by Balthus, leaving Dimitri to follow her from a distance.

She had quickly scrambled to get a mug, her shoulders relaxing as she took her first sip.

Walking up to her, he was cut off by a denizen of Abyss, whispering something to her quickly before he left her side. When she turned around, she met him approaching her. "Byleth, do you have a moment?"

Tilting her mug back, it shocked the prince that she had down her first mug so quickly. "I will be seeing Aelfric immediately. There is something I need to discuss with him." Filling it up once more she began walking toward the library. "Can it wait until after?"

He nodded, "Yes, of course." He wanted to ask of their meeting, if she needed any help with anything. Something in him felt desperate, almost pleading as he followed her. If he bit his tongue any harder, it would bleed for her.

When she disappeared into the doors of the library, he found himself against the opposite wall, staring at the closed door. Looking at the weapon rack beside him, the prince took a steel lance, marveling at it for a moment as he picked out points of wear on it. A sword then caught his attention, his eye moving to the one sheathed at his side he set the lance against the wall to pull it out. It was worn from training, his teaching of the orphans at the monastery with Byleth showing in the dings and faint signs of breakage. In its reflection he watched his own face, distorted by the metal and candlelight.

Distorted. Yes - that was the word.


Inside the library, the musk of history mixed well with the fresh coffee in her hand. Walking around the winding banister, Byleth marveled at the plethora of books and documents. There was no part of the library untouched, filled with text on every table and shelf. She quickly found Aelfric, his fingers paging through a large book on the table. His glance shot up at the sound of heels against the stone floor, his features lighting up as she approached.

"Byleth! Thank you for coming on such short notice! Tell me, how was your sleep?"

She tilted her head, lowering the mug she nodded, "It was well. Thank you again, for showing such hospitality."

With a shake of his head he stood up straight, turning to face her he shut the book gently. "Please, do not worry about such things. You have helped us significantly, and continue to do so. It is the least we can do." Gesturing toward the chair in front of him he pulled it out, "Please, sit." As he walked to the other side of the table he let out a sigh, "I must apologize for my words last night."

Relief washed over him as she sat down, "I...was inappropriate, and forward, to say the least. I thought nothing of your choices, and to throw my knowledge of your parents in so carelessly, it is an insult to them, and to you." He pulled the book more toward him, pushing it to the side before folding his hands on the table. "I assume you want to hear more about them, correct?" Her quick nod brought a smile to his face, "Of course you do, I will gladly tell you all that I know. The question is, where do I begin?" Pondering, he glanced back up at her, "If you have anything in particular in mind, that may be a great place to start."

Byleth lowered her mug to the table, hands still wrapped around it. "Can you tell me...about my mother?"

His response was immediate. "Kind. And wise, oh so wise." He leaned back, smiling as his thumbs rubbed over each other. "I would often see her in the library, her nose always buried in a book."

"And my father?"

His thumbs stopped moving, yet his smile remained. "Believe it or not, Jeralt was much the same as he is now. His knights would have done just about anything for him. Much as his mercenaries do now." With a nod he continued, "When he had time to spare, he would instruct children of the monastery in combat and tactics, much like you do know."

Her head tilted at his words, suddenly recalling that she would soon be helping Dimitri with the children again. Aelfric took note of the pink on her cheeks, his smile slowly growing. "Just like those youngsters, your mother and I made a hero of him in our minds." He looked down at the table, seemingly lost in a memory. "When I learned that Jeralt and Sitri were to be married, I was quite surprised."

"Sitri…"

He perked up, "Did...Jeralt not tell you her name?"

She shook her head, "I am learning that my father has not told me much of anything that was not in the moment, or of my own safety."

For the first time, she saw Aelfric frown, "That is...surprising." He sighed, "I suppose with the traveling and work you have done, it would make sense that there was little time to dwell on the past."

Suddenly - it occurred to her - did Rhea know? She recalled in meeting her that her father had lied, saying she died of illness. If Aelfric knew, and Jeralt was among those in the church as a knight, Rhea had to know.

Yet she said nothing.

"Back then, your father was something of a mentor to me. As for Sitri...she found it difficult to express her emotions."

Byleth's eyes widened, the realization of such a similarity tightening her chest as she leaned in more. With a wave of his hand, Aelfric continued, enjoying the excitement on the woman's face, her features coming alive. "It was...only when gazing at Jeralt that I ever saw her smile...a smile that rivaled the sun. He was the first person, the only person, to grace the world with such a smile. His tales of the outside world must have seemed like a lifeline for one as frail and guarded as she."

"Frail?" Byleth's brow furrowed, recalling her discussion with her father over Sitri's grave. He spoke nothing of illness, but that her time with her mother was short.

His tone was soft, almost consoling as he nodded. "Indeed. She lacked the strength to travel beyond the monastery. The only souls she spoke with were a select few within the monastery walls."

Byleth felt the tightening in her chest grow stronger. A sense of familiarity. How growing up she spoke so little, always by her father's side. As she got older, she only spoke to a few of the mercenaries.

Someone that made her truly smile-

"I can picture it now, the stories he told her…" Aelfric's voice cut her thought short, "His striking words and boisterous laugh. Listening to him must have given her a great sense of hope."

Byleth smiled, oh how she had come to cherish her father's laugh in the limited time she saw him.

She barely registered the shake of his head, a sad smile pulling at his lips. "As for me, I could have never become like Jeralt, as much as I wished for it."

"You wanted to be like him?" Her voice was quiet, reserved.

For a moment, he swore it was Sitri's. "Ah, I suppose I did." He chuckled, "He would tell stories from a century ago as though he lived them himself. No matter how fervently studies the stories of old, that is no easy task."

Her father had a way of telling stories, ones that others called historical, so vividly and clearly. She knew what Aelfric meant, and it stirred a stronger desire in her to see her father. How badly she wanted to simply sit at a tavern bar with him, listening to him tell stories that were never the same. Something new, something unique and always out of nowhere that surprised her.

Sitting up straight, Aelfirc leaned into his words, watching her with great interest. "You traveled with Jeralt before coming here. You must have seen a great deal of things, yes?"

With a sip of her coffee she nodded, "Yes, my father and I have seen many things. We have traveled across the reaches of Fodlan, to every territory and back again."

"Forgive me for overstepping, but I am quite curious." His brow furrowed for a moment, asking a question that was still at the forefront of her mind, "Do you not regret forgoing your own travels to take up residence here? I know the decision was...less than favorable to you."

She paused - it did not go unnoticed by the man.

"I…" her fingers tapped against the mug, she thought of the frustration when she arrived, fighting off the students for the freedom to run from the monastery. Yet her father remained, and she took control of a large portion of the mercenary band as a result. She still traveled, working for both the church and clients along the way. But, it was not by her father's side. As the pain of being without her father began to bubble in her stomach, something settled it.

Edelgard's words from just moments before, the two sitting at tea together, the look of surprise and the crimson on her cheeks as she held the stuffed bear in the air, eyes wide in wonder.

Claude dropping books on the table in the library, pointing out what seemed to be a million things as he compared notes of what he deemed as inconsistencies and fallacies. The smirk he wore when Byleth kept up with what points he was making, and the wink he would give when he did not.

Dimitri...not just a single memory...her face heating at the thoughts that ran down her spine. It was a collection of thoughts. The way he spoke to her, his concern of her well-being, the way he laughed when Alois told a horrible joke - or better yet - when Byleth told a joke that seemed fit just for his sense of humor. Sitting together in a silent classroom in the middle of a downpour, watching the fireplace crackle as they spoke. Training the children, doing their best to reign in the enthusiasm of children with training weapons as they ransacked the training grounds. His smile…

"I've never seen you look so happy before, Byleth. It's downright...mesmerizing."

"I don't know if I regret it or not…" Byleth shook her head, "I still long for the life I once knew." Looking up she gave a small smile, "But I don't dislike my current situation. It's grown on me quite fondly, actually."

Aelfric beamed at her words, "Well then! That's quite an honest answer!" He chuckled, "I am afraid all I have to offer is unsolicited advice, but I hope it is not a nuisance to you." Clearing his throat he nodded, "It is my hope that you will lead a full life - experiencing the world, fostering strong relationships with people...do so for dear Sitri, whose wish to experience such things shall regretfully never be granted." His words were warm, his eyes somewhat distant in fond memories.

"Is that why you asked me to watch over them?" Byleth's question roused his attention once more. Her stomach growling after her words brought him to standing before she followed suit.

"I cannot deny that. Again, I hope you will forgive me again for how I approached such a task." Walking with her toward the door he sighed, "It is my own stubborn notion, one that Her Grace will not think kindly of." With each step, it was as if he was delivering a last pitch to convince her, "Beyond my personal motive...I believe you alone can guide my flock to greater heights."

She chuckled, taking another long sip of her coffee as they stopped at the door. "I find it humorous, you call them your flock, as if they were gentle sheep. But they are wolves, Aelfric. They are a fearsome pack."

He smirked, nodded at her words. "I suppose you make a fine point. Someone such as you, raised by Jeralt, is only fit to lead such a band. Perhaps they would teach you something as well." His hand on the door he cracked it open for her, "Please, give it more thought. I have taken enough of your time this early morning. You should go eat, talk with my flock and the others. Immerse yourself among the people of Abyss." As she stepped out he smiled at her, "Know that I am here for you, always."

Before Byleth could turn around the door shut behind her, registering his words before she turned to face the sight of the prince sitting on the ground, lost in thought. He had truly waited there, all that time, for her.

"Dimitri!" The enthusiasm in her voice startled him, jolting him like lightning as he jumped up. "Sitri...her name was Sitri!"

He tilted his head, confused for a moment.

"My mother's name!" She nodded, finishing her coffee she nearly bounced on her toes. He had never seen her so enthusiastic. "It was Sitri...and he told me stories of my mother and father…" She walked ahead, the prince following close behind as her smile grew. "My father taught the children of the monastery in combat!" She looked over her shoulder, "He has always been a storyteller like no other!"

He smiled watching her, bright, blue eyes relishing what felt like a fleeting moment that would soon be lost as they moved to the end of the hall, ready to turn the corner. She stopped just short, his arm knocking into hers as he looked down to watch her. "Byleth?"

She stared into the empty mug, her cheeks pinking as she focused on the sliver of coffee remaining. "My mother was like me...unable to express herself." His eyes widened at her words, his heart pounding in his ears as he watched her. "Then she met my father…" Taking a deep breath she turned her head up to him, and time itself felt as if it had stopped. "He was the first man to make her smile, and they fell in love."

Her smile shattered him in that moment. The same smile he had seen that night. His eyes widened, a chill racing down his neck, the tips of his fingers tingling as he registered the sight of her. What was a pit in his stomach earlier blossomed, heat blooming up to his face and down to his toes as he stared at her.

"Yes…" He nodded, smiling at her in return. "It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."

The heat on her own face grew, the mercenary watching him with wide eyes. She wanted things she had never wanted before, things she didn't understand fully. To feel him wrap his arms around her, holding her close as she had seen Sylvain do with other women. Holding his hand as she had done before, but to do it regularly - not a mistake or the source of Sothis's cackling.

It was in that moment that those thoughts spoke for her in a single moment. Her smile glowed even more than before. A look that he had never seen from a woman toward him. The narrowing of her eyes was not in malice, but in joy, her lips curling into a smile so warm that he swore he could feel it in his own cheeks.

Fate cemented the roots of his pit, and of her curiosity, winding them together as they walked in silence, both smiling as Byleth clutched her mug to her chest. His cape fluttering beside her with each step.

It was unspoken, uncertain, but delivered in full bloom. Even in the dark corridors of Abyss. A light flickering in the shadow, igniting to burn brighter than ever before.

It was love.