Right the Wrong.

It was done. Finally. Rhea was killed. Her draconic body lies on the ground head split open.

We did free humanity from her but... at what price?

Casper lost his leg in a magical explosion.

Bernie died protecting Petra.

Ferdinand…. He fought brilliantly. To his last breath, he did hold the line.

Petra herself survived pretty much unscathed.

Dorothea… She... She was out of position. Even with me turning back time I was too far away to help her. She survived but is devastated with her being scarred for life.

Linhardt, he was unlucky, a warrior snuck up behind him while he was tending to the wounded.

Hubert and Edelgard came out mostly uninjured. Thanks to the Emperors Honor guard.

Me? I lost my Crest but I didn't leave this war without more scars then I could count.

After Edelgard and I killed Rhea or better known as the immaculate one it just happened.

First, I was confused but still satisfied. We had won! That was what counted. After all that bloodshed of nearly 6 years. We had done it.

It was over that was what I thought. We would unite Fódlan under one banner and bring peace and prosperity to its people.

When we arrived in Enbarr. It all changed in just a single night.

I… still can't believe it. El. She was assassinated.

I tried to save her but everything I tried it didn't help.

I arrived way too late to do anything.

Hubert was outraged he swore vengeance against those who slither in the dark.

Then everything fell. The Alliance, the Kingdom, and the Empire fell into utter chaos.

A civil war of unimaginable scale broke out with hundreds of Lords carving out their little fiefdoms and scrambling to get as much power as possible.

I fought of course. I tried. I tried to gather the lords back together with Hubert but with no Heir to the Empire and no crest of flames to show proof of my lineage that linked me to the King of Liberation.

I couldn't fulfill her wish. Her wish for a freed humanity for a prospering humanity.

No.

What we had left was a Continent in a Civil war. With no resemblance of order or justice. Villages were raided every day; City's pillaged every month. Lords killed every year.

50 Years.

50 goddamn years I fought. I had nothing to show to El. Nothing to show for my students. Nothing to show for the innocent lives I took!

The only thing that was a light in my life was Claude. He returned to Fódlan after 10 years on El's would-be birthday.

Trying to unite the Alliance lords back together but lord Goneril didn't forgive him. Hilda died to my hand but Claude was the blamed.

They were stopped at Fódlan's throat and with that mostly nothing changed.

Until Hubert and I invited the King of Alymra to our home in Enbarr with that. We fought multiple battles and won with the support of Claude's "schemes" and troops.

I made his dream, my dream. I had finally purpose again.

He became a good friend over the years. My best friend to be honest.

The happy times didn't last forever.

When we finally reconquered half of Fódlan something happened. In the middle of a battle, purple rings appeared from the sky.

Sundering our troops. We knew it was those who slither in the dark.

While we lost most of our army groups, we were able to finish them off.

Then Claude died not by an assassin. Not in battle. Not in a heroic manner.

A stray bolt from a Soldier who was adjusting a ballista and didn't bother to aim the ballista away from the camp.

I… was there. It nearly got me instead of him.

He died in my arms. He told me to complete his dream of a Fódlan a World that is free from prejudice.

I promised him to fulfill it.

I lied.

I lied while he laid dead in my arms.

I couldn't do it anymore. We nearly would have united Fódlan.

Claude thankfully had an heir but he wasn't as nearly as smart as his father we were too occupied to care for any children.

Fódlan will splinter again that much is guaranteed.

Sothis… I why did you go? Why did you leave me? Was I not worthy? I freed humanity! We tried to unite Fódlan for peace! Bring Justice! ... Why?

That same evening, I wrote a letter to Hubert. As well as Claude's heir. He saw me as an uncle that much I owed him.

One last note. An excuse to leave. To leave forever.

I visited Claude on the same day. Begging for forgiveness for that I lied.

That I Lied to him on his last minutes of this accursed earth.

I wanted to at least die next to a friend. In this tent. Next to my friend my best friend Claude.

Who gave me hope. A purpose. A reason for living. Meaning in my life. Forgiveness.

My friend. I am sorry. If only I could turn back time.

I would have chosen you.

Claude, my friend. I hope where ever you are, the earth or next to the goddess.

I want to say sorry. Sorry that I lied. Sorry that I am not strong enough to carry through.

I unsheathed the Sword of the Creator.

This blade. This is where it began. Didn't it? I inspect the vertebras of the sword the cracks and vices of this bloody sword. I feel the blade's power hidden underneath.

It never glowed again after I killed Rhea.

I sigh.

I turn the blade towards my heart. I have a salty taste in my mouth.

Am I crying? I don't really know anymore. I just want it to end. This grief, this oppressing sensation in my heart.

I push it in.

"You. Fool. You utter moron." A familiar voice scolds me.

"Fool. I tend to agree. Moron... is fitting." I laugh or try to at least.

"50 years. 50 Years since you murdered her!" I hear her shout. I turn to her and see her sitting on that oh so familiar throne.

"I know what I did. I wouldn't do it again! It was a mistake to work with those who slither in the dark. If you hadn't abandoned me, I would have led Fódlan to peace!"

The first thing she does is scold me not even a how are you? This goddess! Who took the power of turning back time! Now blames me.

"And now you took your own life! So, you can escape the responsibly of fulling the wishes of your friends. That you even had the gall to blame me for your failure!"

There. This is something I cannot deny.

"I ...I am not a good person. I killed my own students. I killed innocents. I helped kill Rhea. I didn't know better. We, El and I were fed wrong information this doesn't excuse me from any blame."

"I am sorry." I add.

"Sorry? You are sorry!? That should be the first thing you should have said!" Sothis nearly jumps up from her throne.

"Byleth! Would you truly do it differently!?" She points her finger at me.

"Of course. I would have helped Claude archive his goal. A free Fódlan united with no prejudice or hate for outsiders and free Edelgard from her Ignorance!"

"So, you say."

"I do but what if or not doesn't matter. I am here. I await your punishment. Give me your worst." I just want to get over with it.

"So, you think you are dead, aren't you?"

"Am I not?" I am now truly confused.

"Not yet."

"Why."

"Because we can right what is ...was wronged."

"How. I couldn't turn back the time that far! You neither!"

"You are right. I couldn't. When I awoke."

"Sothis! Don't. Don't give me hope."

"I.. I don't deserve it!"

"You were deceived you fool. You didn't look through the veil that was deception! You trusted Edelgards every word thinking she couldn't be wrong! That is what you thought!"

"I... No-" I try to walk towards her on the throne but get thrown back by a shockwave the moment I step on stairs.

"Don't you DARE lie! I was there all the time. Consider this! You played with the thought of researching her claims, does she speak the truth? But nooo let's trust the woman just because I love her!"

"...I... didn't…did...I?"

"Don't tell me you were blind to your own feelings."

"I...was in love?" The realization just hit me like a catapult, all the gazes, all the laughs and jokes. The personal moments I shared with El. I... truly was in love?

"You are truly the biggest fool of them all aren't you? Blinded by love! It would have been romantic if it wasn't but so real."

"Sothis. Can... can you help me?"

"To repeat your mistakes? To see your mistress? To be a naive fool again?"

"To right the wrongs. I lived long enough. We tried to salvage everything El and I did. I could barely fight anymore at the end. I was getting weaker by the day. Sothis, please. Let me right my wrongs."

"You know we are one? Always."

"Again? I thought you just left me to never return."

"I was disappointed in you. I am the beginning. I am the progenitor god. I am the sword of the creator."

"Wait. This means. Rhea..."

"Is my daughter you mercilessly murdered."

"So, it was true. I... I am sorry."

"Sorry won't cut it."

"I know!But I still regret it!"

"But we can try again."

"Truly? I won't disappoint you. I will protect everyone and make sure Edelgard isn't blinded anymore."

"I will only give you the chance with one condition."

"Anything."

"If Edelgard. Is not persuaded. You will kill her. Only you. Do you understand?"

"If that happens and Edelgard could not be turned by my words I will kill her but I will try to change her mind. She will decline at first but she was lied to since birth. Let me have more than one try. I promise I will not support her cause this time. I need to pull her away from the information she was raised up with slowly but surely."

"...No."

"Sothis." I plead.

"Either you promise me or stay here." She stares me down with such a fury that I thought I am going to disappear right there and then.

"Sothis. I knew nothing of this world. I could have never imagined she was lied to or manipulated she was a headstrong woman with noble ideas-"

"For which she started a bloody war!"

"She thought humanity was enslaved! I did so too!"

"Pah! Look at you clinging to her! She was an arrogant naive little miss who thought playing the emperor and killing my Rhea would be easy. She needed the help of a time controlling victim like you."

"No words?"

"No, I can't retort when you are right for the most part."

"Byleth. Promise me." She nearly begs for it.

"I can't. I will save all my students and friends. I owe it to them."

"Do you love them so much?"

"I do will all my beating heart."

"..." She looks down at me. Probably to judge if I am lying to her.

"When I turn back time. I will be out for a while."

"I can handle it."

"You sure? You nearly died when they came to the village."

"I have now more battle experience than my old man. I fought in two civil wars winning one and nearly winning the other. I got this. I learned to deal without the ability to turn back time a long time ago.50 years ago in fact. You saw me, didn't you?"

"I did. So, let us begin. A final warning. Byleth. This is your only chance."

The sound of the fabric of time shattering reaches my ears, bright green energy flies around me through me.

The slight tint of purple fills my vision. I feel weightless and immediately get pulled towards something and in one quick moment I see my entire life played back.

The recent victory against those who slither in the dark.

The endless battles against the lords of Fódlan.

Claude meeting us in Enbarr to discuss our strategy meeting.

Hubert swearing revenge, every single memory of my life plays though my mind in a random fashion until everything becomes black.

xxx

I awoke to the sight of a ceiling I didn't see for a long time.

Well, I am back in Ram village. The Inn to be exact.

I shuffle out my bed. I see that it still dark outside. Sothis mentioned the village. She didn't turn back time even further behind.

Father should be up already as I remember. So long. For so long I didn't see him. I grab my stuff and go downstairs.

There in the flesh Jeralt. My father. I shuffle down as fast as possible this feeling pushing me forwards, I nearly stumble on my way to him.

"Oh you-" I crash into him with a bear hug. I hug him tight as possible fearing that if I loosen my grip he will disappear in the next moment.
After a moment of silence that feels like eternity. He strokes my head.

"It fine. All is fine kid."

I push myself away from him. Drying my tears. With my long clothed sleeves.

He looks quite shocked at me. "You are crying?! What happened? Were you having that dream again?"

I messed up. I shouldn't have lost my composure like that.

"It was a dream a horrible dream."

"I see. If you want to talk about-"

"No, I am fine. I just need to be sure-"

"that I am alive huh?" Jeralt laughs.

"Yeah." I laugh as well.

"How about a drink? You look like you ran from Enbarr to Duscur." He pours me a cup of water.

"So, If I remember correctly our next job is in the Kingdom, right?" I ask while taking a sib.

"Correct. We need to move out today as well. I already told the others-"

Suddenly one of our mercenaries burst into the Inn. One of the Scouts I notice.

"Jeralt! Sir! Sorry to barge in but your presence is needed." He informs us.

"Well let's see what this is about." He replies. With a casual tone.

As we both walk out of the inn I spot three young individuals.

"Please forgive our intrusion. We wouldn't bother you if the situation were not so dire." The Dimitri, the Blue Lions leader bows as a sign of respect and apology.

Jeralt asks with quite the raised eyebrow.

"What do a bunch of kids like you want at this hour?"

I feel the biggest déjà vu in my life because I already have experienced this encounter.

Dimitri explains their situation obviously pressed for time.

"Bandits? Here?" Father asks surprised.

"Did they follow you here?" I cut in. We need to be ready for the bandits now that Father is prepared.

"It's true, we were separated from our group." El adds.

"Not to mention outnumbered. They are after our lives and gold." Claude now jumps into the conversation. A slight smile form on my face seeing my students again.

"I am quite impressed that you managed to stay calm with all this... wait that uniform."

"No time for questions father. Look our scouts are running here. The bandits are already here-" I say pointing to the scouts retreating.

"And that looks like there a lot of them. I will ready the defense father you go rally the others. You three look like you can fight. If the weapons you carry are not for show. Then help me out."

I got a nod from all three of them.

I run towards the village gate. I already see some mercenaries getting ready but some are without direction.

"Mercenaries to me! Archers and mages form in your respective groups. Brawling Groups get ready to intercept!" We may be less than a hundred men but every single one of there is quite trained and disciplined.

Last time I nearly died because we were rushing them to buy time but this time, I can buy time in a more secure way.

"Diamond Alpha formation! Archer group 1 in the middle, armor in front. We need to buy Jeralt time to come around with the cavalry,"

"You three. Di- Spear guy go towards the front and help the armored guys out. Axe girl. You stay a bit behind if someone comes through cut them down. Protect the archers. Yellow boy Help the archers out."

They shoot towards their respective positions.

Let the bandits come.

This time I won't need time traveling powers to win this. I unsheathe my sword. This feels different.

I look down. My old sword. Ah, long time to see.

I laugh. The bandits stroll down like a bunch of barbarians. Which they most likely are.

What they lack in skill they for sure will make up in numbers. Seriously how can a lord let a group get so big.

Well no time to think anymore here they come!

xxx

This way easier that I thought. Nearly everything went perfect. We didn't lose a single man to the onslaught of bandits.

The bandit leader ohh by the goddess he was pathetic, one powerful strike and he was sent flying. One thing I didn't realize before is I got my youth back, I am now more agile and dexterous then before.

Quite obvious when I think about, I was like what? 70 years old before? Still my body feels more like the time when I fused with Sothis and not before. I got to check that later.

While some broke through the ranks. The brawlers and Edelgard took care of them.

Dimitri was a dangerous foe for them too, swinging wide arcs to distract and intimidate the enemy with Claude finishing them with well places shots off.

I took care of some stragglers or at least something resembling a leader trying to rally after that they started to rout. Shortly after that Alois arrived on the field.

I already started changing things. For one I didn't need to save Edelgard "heroically" like all these years ago or suicidal if you ask a certain goddess.

Two, the battle was a hell of a lot smoother than the last time.

Oh, Alois is already talking with my father. Pops is groaning in discomfort. Ha! I didn't notice that the last time. Well I did but his reaction wasn't so pronounced.

"And how about you, kid? Are you the captain's child?" Alois takes me out of my thoughts.

"Correct." I reply. After that Jeralt and Alois speak to each other some more about the good old days.

It is already decided that we will go to Garreg Mach.

If Jeralt refused I would have to insist.

Traveling back in time is a freckle thing one may think you can predict the outcome after experiencing it for the first time but the problem is that time is ever changing and as volatile as a volcano.

I should have finished off the bandit leader but I didn't want to change to much I hope I didn't ruin everything by winning in a different way. We will not use if-

"Your commanding ability is impressive." Of course, I get interrupted while thinking. Ah it's Edelgard.

"I thank you for your compliment." I answer her.

"You are clearly an experienced Mercenary," She adds with a slight undertone. What she could have meant with that I don't know.

"and your father is Jeralt the Blade Breaker and former captain of the knights of Seiros" nodding to his direction.

"Did I miss anything?" At that moment I need to remind myself that she is not the El I knew. She- She died in Enbarr. Her dead face flashing in front of me makes it hard to keep calm. Cold sweat is already running down my back.

"N-No." I am barely keeping it together. Blast!

"Hey. You are coming with us to the monastery, right?" The suave Claude ask while I am shaking of my feeling of panic. Love you my frien- a dead face again.

"Indeed I am." Huh. He's nearly as I remember him. He barely changed at all with his age. Still the friendly go lucky Noble as I know to love. Just keep it together.

"Great. I'd love to bend your ear while traveling." He grins.

"So, you are students If I can take a cautious guess?" Cautious guess? I know it for a fact! Hah!

"Yeah. You are right. We were on a training exercise before bandits attack us. I definitely got the worst of it."

"That would be because you ran off." Edelgard quickly criticizes him.

"Too true! I was the first to make a strategic retreat." Claude defends himself.

After a go and forth between the three nobles. Dimitri addresses me.

"In any case, forgive our digression. I must speak with you, if you can spare a moment." Dimitri as his polite self asks.

"The way you took control of the battlefield was captivating. Not giving the enemy an inch to exploit already predicting the movements before the enemy even did them! And the way you fought! It showed me I still have a lot to learn." He practically sparkles after finishing his sentence. Edelgard used that opportunity to cut in.

"Your skill is precisely why I must ask you to consider lending your skill to the Empire! I must tell you I am no mere student. I am also the Adrestian Empire's-" Dimitri interrupt's

"Halt Edelgard Please allow-" This time I cut Dimitri off.

"Stop. Both of you while I am honored. I just met both of you, Heir to the Kingdom or Empire or not." I nod to El.

"I can't just take such a decision without mental preparation. I hope you respect my wish to over think this with more time." I bow slightly to show respect got to remember they are heirs to the two nations first and foremost.

"I apologize I didn't mean to pressure as such." Dimitri bows back with his face showing genuine guilt.

"I too would like to apologize it was unreasonable to push a decision so fast on you." Edelgard does the same but her face stay the same old mask that she is always wearing.
A snicker escapes from Claude.

"You two are sure fast. Trying to recruit someone you have just met. Tactless, really."

"I personally was planning to develop a deep and lasting friendship on our journey back to the monastery before begging for favors." He smiles.

"I *laugh* agree. Let's be on our way look there. There, the Knights are already waiting for us."

Oh man Claude full of his charisma as always.

AN: So, Hey ho! This just prologue to an idea I had. I hope you liked this? If so tell me. If not tell me as well.

EDIT: Should have fixed the format.