Silver Snow

Chapter 11: Regret

Seteth was a rather sentimental man.

He knew that sentimentality was far from the first thing people would attribute to him, and yet, that made it no less true. Perhaps even to his detriment, he would often find himself lost in memories of a long forgotten age.

He would recall a time when the many peoples of Fódlan lived in peace and harmony - a time when his brethren walked both happily and openly alongside mankind. While his countenance betrayed nothing, the truth of the matter was that Seteth longed for the return of such days.

On certain occasions, however, his treacherous mind would wander even further. Sometimes, when he felt particularly daring, Seteth would allow himself to recall the beautiful face of his wife.

That was in fact the reason why he currently stalked the empty halls of Garreg Mach. It was one of the few places where he, much like Rhea, could feel some semblance of a connection to their fallen kin.

Seteth regretted his venture almost instantly; his body racked with pain and sadness at the sight of the devastated monastery. Only traces of its former glory remained, and most of it lay hidden beneath rubble and crumbled walls.

The bridge that led to the cathedral still stood tall, he noticed - a small comfort in an otherwise dreary day. The skies themselves wept, and he wondered if perhaps his dear mother also shared his sorrow.

As he approached the cathedral, Seteth heard the unmistakable sound of clashing steel. He hastened his steps, fearing the possibility that bandits or thieves had laid claim to his sacred home.

"Who goes there?!" he demanded, rushing inside the cathedral.

A lone figure stood by the now ravaged altar to the Goddess. It was a figure he was intimately familiar with, and one which he never expected to see again.

"Is that… It's you!"

Professor Eisner turned around, and as their gazes met, Seteth could have sworn it was his mother's eyes which graced him.

The moment quickly passed, however, and he went on to notice something else. The professor had never been a particularly expressive person, but even he had been known to show signs of emotion from time to time.

Even as he attempted a half-hearted smile and a small wave of recognition, Seteth saw nothing but misery and heartbreak written on his face.

"It's been a long time… hasn't it?"

That was most certainly an understatement. Five whole years had passed since the terrible battle that robbed him of both the professor and Rhea.

Were it not for Flayn, he may as well have been the last of his kind.

"Yes, it has been!" exclaimed Seteth; the words escaping his lips almost uncontrollably. "After you disappeared five years ago, do you have any idea how dire the church's situation became?"

Professor Eisner winced something fierce, causing him to regret his wording.

"I was… sleeping."

While there seemed to be more to that statement, Seteth chose to take it at face value. He was not sure if he could take much more of the emotions currently racing through his body, and neither would the professor benefit from scornful or derisive remarks.

"In that case, I suppose there is not much else to say." whispered Seteth, before bowing his head and staring into the cracked marble flooring.

"However, you should know that Rhea also disappeared five years ago. The knights have been fully devoted to searching for her, but… they have yet to find a single trace."

"Edelgard."

The name was spoken sharply; very much different from the professor's usual, tranquil monotone.

"It is a possibility." he began. "However, the Empire has yet to make any such-"

"Edelgard." the professor repeated, interrupting him. "She wielded the sword of Saint Seiros… Rhea's sword."

Before a shocked Seteth had time to inquire as to what he meant by that, Professor Eisner's somber expression gave way to something darker, and far more terrible.

He knew then that he was not dealing with the man he had grown to call his friend, but with a demon.

"The next time we meet… I will kill her."

Seteth did not doubt it, and almost came to pity the thieves they would later discover holding out in the ruins of the nearby town.

The professor was not in a forgivable mood.