Recovering.

Akame could barely see anything. She could only hear her sister's voice, before she felt herself being picked up from the cold floor. She then felt herself being carried outside. More voices was heard, then she blacked out for a while. It wasn't until she woke up again that she noticed she was being tended to by the healers. She couldn't hear much but she soon blacked out again. A while later she woke up once more, this time her head was a little more clear. But her body was aching, and trying to move only made it worse.

"What... happened?" Akame whispered.

"Finally awake I see" Came an familiar voice.

Akame slowly looked to her side "Father?".

"Easy there kid. You've been out cold all night. You gave us quite a scare" Jeralt said. Akame tried to sit up but ended up having a coughing fit "Hey, easy there. You are still recovering. Here have some water".

Jeralt handed over a cup of water and Akame drank some before taking a moment to catch her breath "What happened? All I remember is fighting the Death Knight, then I grabbed a sword which sent a lot of pain through my body. Then there was that strange knight calling himself the Flam Emperor".

"You wielded the Murasame. Something that surprised us all" Jeralt explained.

"Murasame? Oh yes that deadly sword Seteth warned me about... I somehow managed to use it to stop the Death Knight from killing me" Akame remembered.

"And that's why we are all surprised. For years, people have been trying to use that sword. But due to some kind of a curse, it killed everyone who as much as picked it up. As such, it was deemed as impossible to wield by anyone. And yet somehow you were able to not only pick it up but also use it" Jeralt explained.

"What does that mean?" Akame asked.

Jeralt sighed "It means you are going to receive a whole lot more attention now. And thanks to the Death Knight and Flame Emperor, our enemies have you in their sights now. Meaning you are in danger now".

"I can handle it" Akame declared.

"I know you can, I trained you. But it's not just our enemies. I don't know how Rhea is going to act on all this, but I hope she isn't planing something to big. But you being the first person in over ten years to successfully wield Murasame isn't something either side is going to overlook" Jeralt said.

"But when I used it I felt a lot of pain and could barely stay awake long enough for the Death Knight and Flame Emperor to leave" Akame explained.

"We are aware... and you may want to check your body a bit" Jeralt said before looking away to give Akame some privecy.

Akame was confused but checked under her clothing and her eyes became wide "Wh-what are these markings?".

"The healers weren't to sure themselves when they told me you had markings on your body. But they believe it's a side effect from using Murasame's powers. But you need to let Rhea check on you when you get the chance. She might be able to tell you what they are" Jeralt said before he sighed "But I am afraid I have bad news for you".

"What is it father?" Akame asked.

Jeralt was silent for a moment "I was told that until you fully recover from your ordeal, and until they find out what those markings are... you will not be allowed to fight. Which means you might miss the Battle of the Eagle and Lion".

"What!?" Akame demanded as she sat up quickly, only to regret it as pain shot through her body again.

Jeralt made her lay down again "See what I mean? You are in no condition to fight. Until your condition is fully examined and you regain your strength. You will not be allowed in any combat situations, not even non-lethal ones".

"No... they can't do this! I trained so hard to be ready the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. I-I was looking forward to it" Akame said in a pleading tone.

"It wasn't my decision. But I'm afraid I got no say in the matter. I'm sorry, I know how much fun you've had recently. But no one expected this whole situation to happen" Jeralt said. Akame did not say anything, but her massive disappointment was clear as day "I wish there was something I could do. But the orders were very clear... Byleth should be back soon, she was called away to speak to Rhea. First time she left your side. Try to get some rest kid".

Jeralt stood up and left. Once he was gone Akame gritted her teeth and angrily slammed her fist in to her bed, ignoring the pain she felt from doing so. All those weeks of training and preparing, all of it wasted. And she was really looking forward to testing herself against her fellow students again.


In the Audience Chamber, Rhea was stands before Byleth and Hanneman "Well done, Professor. I see that I was right to ask your class for assistance. I have been told that Manuela and Flayn are recovering nicely, as is Monica. Still waiting on words on Akame, but I believe she should wake up soon".

"Who is Monica?" Byleth asked. She wanted to get back to Akame soon, but she couldn't rush this meeting to much.

"Monica, the girl you rescued along with Flayn, is also a student at the Officers Academy. However..." Rhea began.

"She is a student from last year's class. She went missing just before she would have graduated. It never occurred to us that something might have happened to her at the monastery. We assumed she had run away. I never dreamed that we would find her. Not like this" Hanneman finished for the Arch Bishop.

"Monica has asked to rejoin the Black Eagle House once she has fully recovered. Our enemies are still out there, so we must remain cautious and continue our investigation. However, we must also help the students to move on from this incident" Rhea said.

"After all, the Battle of the Eagle and Lion will be held in Gronder Field next month" Hanneman said.

"Yes. The students will remember it for the rest of their lives. Please guide them so they may show us their best at the coming battle. But I fear Akame might not be able to participate" Rhea said.

"Why not?" Byleth asked.

"We are yet to discover the full extent of her condition. The fact she is even alive after holding Murasame is a divine miracle. But we can't take any more risks. She will remain outside of combat until it's deemed safe for her to return" Rhea explained.

"I... understand" Byleth said. Knowing full well Akame was going to hate this. She just hoped her sister would pull through.


Later, Byleth was on her way back to see Akame, until she bumped into Jeralt on the way "Hey there kid. I know you are going to see Akame. But be mindful, she did not react well to the news of the chance that she might miss the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. She might need some time alone".

Byleth sighed "I figured as much".

"Yeah. But you'll be going to Gronder Field next month. You've never been there before, have you? There is unease in the western side of the Empire, but everything east of the capital, Enbarr, is stable. Well, there was a noble rebellion a short while ago, but it didn't amount to much" Jeralt said.

"Will you come to the Battle of the Eagle and Lion?" Byleth asked.

Jeralt shook his head "Sorry, but I've got my own mission, and it's far from Gronder Field. What I'm more concerned about is finding out who among us is pulling the strings. Ever since the Rite of Rebirth, strange groups have been seen around Garreg Mach, and elsewhere too. There was also an incident where some knights investigating these suspicious strangers...turned up dead. Not that it's likely, but if something like that ever happens to me... Search my office. Every corner. Behind every shelf. I'm going to leave something for you".

"Don't say things like that" Byleth said with a small smile.

"Don't get me wrong. I have no intention of dying. I know it would be too much to ask you to cheer up, but can you at least drop the serious..." He paused and then laughed a little "Well, I'll be. Was that a smile just now?".


Later that day, Byleth went to visit Akame who was still resting. She carefully entered the room Akame was in and saw her sister was not sleeping, just staring at the sealing.

"Sis" Byleth spoke softly.

Akame looked at her "Hi... take it you know...".

Byleth sighed "I do. I'm sorry Akame, I know how much you were looking forward to this month's event".

"It's so unfair! All that training I did just to be forced to sit on the side lines" Akame said in frustration.

Byleth walked up to her and took Akame's hand in to her own "I understand you are disappointed. But there was no way we could've foreseen what was going to happen. But I heard you saved Manuela and helped stop the Death Knight from leaving with Flayn. Seteth wanted you to know he is very grateful for what you did. I have never seen him smile so much before. I think you earned his trust with this".

Akame smiled a little at that "Well, guess that is something".

"Don't give up hope, Akame. There is still a chance you could recover in time. But if not, I am sure your friends will do their best" Byleth said.

"Don't assume you are going to beat them, sis. They are much stronger than you might believe. Remember, we bested you and your class once already. And we did not stop getting stronger after that" Akame said with a small smirk.

Byleth chuckled "Neither have I and my class. We won't lose this time".

"Then don't hold back. If you do you will go down" Akame declared.

Byleth smiled and kissed Akame on her forehead "We shall see. Now get some rest".

Akame nods and closed her eyes. Byleth stayed with her for a bit before leaving. Happy she could lighten Akame's mood a bit.


Wyvern Moon: From on high, flocks of wyverns roar in chorus and soar the pristine skies, heading south for the winter. Fódlan's children lend their hands to winter preparations by gathering firewood and catching fish from the rivers' cool waters. Yet all the while their gazes are turned skyward, drawn to the magnificent sight above.


After Akame had the chance to rest. She was brought to Rhea who brought her in to a privet room.

"Alright child, it's just you and me here now. It's time to check on those markings. Please don't be offended by this, but I need you to take your clothes of" Rhea said gently.

"If that is necessary" Akame said as she removed her clothes until she was naked. Rhea smiled, relived Akame was comfortable enough around her to do this. She assumed Akame wasn't to embarrassed about letting other women see her body.

"Alright, hold still so I can have a look at those black markings" Rhea said as she carefully began examining the marks on Akame's body, and gently tracing her finger over some of them "Hmm... they have faded a little from the reports I got from the healers" She closed her eyes as she kept her hands on the markings on Akame's back, since anywhere else might make this uncomfortable for the young woman "I sense... I sense that your body is slowly adapting to it... if what I think is true, this could mean that your body is adapting so that you will be able to wield Murasame without any issues".

"Does that mean I-" Akame began but Rhea interrupted her, not wanting her to get her hopes up.

"I'm afraid you haven't recovered enough for the Battle of the Eagle and Lion" Rhea said and noticed Akame's face fell. Rhea pulled her in to a gentle hug "I'm sorry. I know how much you were looking forward to it, but your well being is to important to risk you entering battle so soon after such a dangerous experience. And we can't afford to takes risks until we know everything about your new conditions".

"I... understand... Lady Rhea" Akame said.

Rhea smiled "Good. I think we are done for today. You can get dressed now, and come back tomorrow so we can continue your examination".

"Alright" Akame said as she got dressed. Took a little while given her body was still aching a bit "Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it".

"Of course, child. I am willing to help you as much as possible. I care about you, Akame. We all do. So don't be shy if you need someone to talk to" Rhea said.

Akame couldn't help but to smile "Thank you Lady Rhea. I will remember that".

Rhea smiled back as she watched Akame leave. She touched the cursed blade Murasame, but her personality hasn't changed at all. Could this be another sign? First Byleth manages to wield the Sword of the Creator with no trouble at all. Then Akame manages to pick up Murasame and survive. Not to mention her body was adapting to it's power. There is no way this was a coincidence. This made Rhea believe even more in the path she had laid out for the new comers. She believes her deepest desires will finally be fulfilled.


Meanwhile, Byleth was talking to Claude and Hilda.

"It's finally time! The Battle of the Eagle and Lion at Gronder Field is this month. Don't tell me you forgot, Teach?" Claude asked.

"I know little about it" Byleth answered.

"You're kidding! Didn't Rhea or Seteth fill you in? Guess I have to do everything myself around here" Claude said as he began to explain "The Battle of the Eagle and Lion is one of the academy's annual traditions. It's a huge mock battle between the three rival houses".

"But you know all about rivalry battles, Professor. There was one right after you got here, remember? I hear the Battle of the Eagle and Lion will be held in Gronder Field, far away from Garreg Mach" Hilda added.

"The house that defeats most opponents wins. It's a three-way battle that relies heavily on strategy. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?" Claude asked.

"Hey Claude, what about Professor Manuela? Do you think she'll be able to join us despite her injuries?" Hilda asked.

"I'm afraid she's sitting this one out, as is Professor Hanneman" Claude began before mimicking Hanneman "As my persistent rival will not be present, it only goes to follow that I must also sit out this year's battle. Now leave me be, Claude!".

Byleth almost laughed "In that case, I must sit out too".

"Oh, don't worry about us. You know you wanna see the kids in action" Manuela said as she walked up them.

"If it isn't our own Professor Manuela! All things considered, you're looking well" Claude noted.

"Thanks to all of you, but mostly Akame for taking such good care of me, despite her limited resources. But I'd only be a burden out there. My students don't need to see me collapsed. Well, not on the battlefield, anyway" Manuela said.

"Does that mean you really won't be joining us for the battle?" Hilda asked.

"Sadly I will not. But I am not that worried. I spent the past few months pushing my students to their limits. You can see me in the infirmary after they destroy you" Manuela said in confidence.

"This doesn't seem fair..." Byleth said.

Manuela smirked "Oh my, look at you. If you're as confident as all that, my students will walk all over you. You will need to fight them with everything you have if you're going to have any hope of even lasting a few minutes against them".

"I don't think that's a good idea. If we face your students with everything we have. You won't have any students anymore" Everyone looked to see Esdeath walking in.

"Professor Esdeath? Wait, you will be joining the battle?!" Claude asked in both surprise and worry.

Esdeath nodded "Since the chances of Akame recovering in time for the battle is slim, it would leave the rest of my students at a rather unfair disadvantage. I have much confidence in their strength, but even the strongest warriors could be taken down by superior numbers. So I will be joining the battle. A besides" She looked at Byleth with a smirk "This is the perfect chance for us to have our long awaited rematch. I'm looking forward to seeing just how much stronger you've become since the mock battle".

Byleth smiled at her "I can promise you I won't be defeated as easily as I was back then. This time, I am ready for you".

"Such confidence. Very well, how about we raise the stakes a bit? Whoever wins in our duel, will get to ask the loser for a favor. No matter what that favor might be" Esdeath said with a challenging smirk.

Everyone looked at Byleth to see if she was bold enough to accept such a challenge. After a few moments, Byleth nodded "I accept your challenge".

"I was hoping you would. You better spend this whole month preparing for the battle. You will need it. When we clash blades again. I will not hold back" Esdeath declared as she walked away.

"Wow, Teach. You are much braver than I ever thought you were. Or maybe you are just insane" Claude said.

Hilda giggled "Well this certainly got a lot more interesting. I wonder what Esdeath will make our dear professor do if she wins. And what will you make Esdeath do if you win, Professor?".

Byleth had no answer for that, since she didn't really think about that. She just hoped she hadn't made a huge mistake. There is no telling what Esdeath would make her do if Byleth losses again.

The stakes were indeed high.

.

Tell me what you think.