Chapter Text
The last thing Byleth could recall was a dagger ripping through his core. He couldn’t hear Dimitri’s anguished cry or feel himself falling to the ground. The dagger being pushed deeper into his very being as he collapsed on it.
He didn’t see what Dimitri had done to Edelgard after she struck him down.
Everything was black after that. He didn’t feel anything, and for a moment Byleth couldn’t even remember anything. Then the memories hit him all at once. A nauseating rush that made him stumble back and blink a few times. He lifted his gaze and looked around. He was standing at the foot of Sothis’s throne, but she was not there.
Of course, she isn’t. She’s gone. I’m alone.
He let out a shaky breath and straightened himself out. He really longed for Sothis’s advice. Even just to have her chastise him would be a true blessing, but alas. He was stuck here. Dead? Or somewhere in between? He had only his wits to keep him company.
Slowly he straightened his composure and made his way up the throne. He lowered himself onto the seat and was hit with fatigue. He had never felt this tired before
This must be the end.
He slumped over in the stone seat. Letting sleep consume him whole.
When he wakes again, it is his father’s face he sees. He blinks the sleep from his eyes and shoots up. Gawking at the man that stood before him. Memories swam before his eyes. Monica thrusting the blade into his father’s backside. The pained expression. The raspy, pained voice bidding him farewell.
Jeralt Eisner stares at his son for a moment before speaking. “Everything okay, kid?”
“You’re…here…” Byleth’s voice comes out soft, almost a whisper. He lifts himself up from the bed he had been resting in. He approached his father and raised a hand slowly to his arm, testing to see if this was just an illusion. To his surprise Jeralt didn’t budge. He was really standing before him. This fact nearly caused tears to rise in Byleth’s eyes, but he blinked them away quickly. He cleared his throat and put on a blank expression before looking up at the blonde man. Something had happened while he had slept. The flow of time had changed and now…he stood before his father again.
“You alright, kid? You’re acting weird?” Jeralt’s rough voice questioned him. All he received from Byleth was a nod and vague response. He shrugged it off and spoke once more.
“Alright, as long as you’re focused on the task ahead, I won’t question any further. Just stay focused, alright? I don’t need you daydreaming during battle. After all, we are packing up to leave Remire village.”
Remire. Byleth closed his eyes as more memories overtook him. The village burning to the ground. The sounds of innocent villagers screaming for help as the possessed one’s ripped through their delicate flesh with various swords or axes. He felt bile stir in his stomach and swallowed hard.
Jeralt’s frown deepened, and he opened his mouth to question his son once more when a fellow mercenary rushed in.
“Sir there’s something outside that requires your attention!” He called out to Jeralt, out of breath from the frantic run into the building. Byleth headed for the door upon hearing those words. He couldn’t keep himself from going any slower than a brisk walk.
They were out there. His students.
He didn’t know what to say as he approached them. They all looked so young. Claude was bare faced. His hair was tussled messily, and he didn’t hold himself with a high esteem as he did when Byleth saw him last. Edelgard… Regardless of everything that had happened. Everyone that had died. Byleth could not bring himself to hate her and that made him hate himself. The woman that raised a war. That caused tragedy upon tragedy. Calamity upon calamity! It didn’t matter to him. He wanted to know why she did it. What made her raise a way against all of Fódlan.
His eyes then drifted to Dimitri. He looked so young and was he…shorter than Byleth now? No… but he was only a few inches taller. Three at most. He remembered his Dimitri. The one blue eye filled with a deep pain and darkness. Those long blonde locks in which he hid most of his face behind. His broad shoulders, which were often weighted down by the ghosts of his past. Regardless of anything he cared deeply for Dimitri. He had always extended a hand to Dimitri, inviting him to take it. To join everyone in the light.
Their life together; the one that Byleth had promised to Dimitri was cut short by the very dagger Edelgard had in her possession now. He winced at that thought. The weapon that sent him to his demise was right in front of him. As was the person who killed him.
Dimitri was the first to speak, jarring Byleth from his thoughts. “Excuse me…We are terribly sorry for disturbing you…You see we were attacked by some bandits.
“They’re after our lives…not to mention our gold...” Claude chimed in. The scene played out just as Byleth remembered. His father rushed over to get a fill in about what was going on. Byleth turned his head and bluntly stated,
“Bandits have entered Remire chasing these three students.”
“Students…how did you?” Jeralt started but was silenced by the sound of Byleth drawing his sword and focusing ahead. The three students were unnerved by Byleth’s focus as he slipped past them.
“You have weapons, don’t you?” Byleth asked, looking back at them, “I suggest you ready them.”
“He has some spunk; I’ll give him that.” Claude mumbled under his breath before sparing a glanced to Dimitri and Edelgard. Edelgard focused on Byleth’s back, she didn’t break her gaze as she commented on Claude’s statement.
“He didn’t even question…He just took charge. How strange.”
“I have to agree with you, Edelgard…I’m not sure how I feel about this stranger but…He is fighting for us and that I am grateful for.” Dimitri readied his lance as he took position behind Byleth.
Byleth closed his eyes. These three were quite different from what he was used to. He struggled to recall how they fought in the past, considering it felt like a lifetime ago, but he did remember some things.
Claude in this time served best as support. He was safer behind Byleth. Edelgard wasn’t as much of a powerhouse as she had been. He’d have to be careful where he positioned her in the fight…And Dimitri? Byleth didn’t want to put him in harms way but he was a strong fighter. He needed him in this fight if they were to get out of here with minimal injuries.
He gripped the hilt of his sword tighter. He knew he was stronger now than he had been when this first happened. He felt it with every fiber of his being, echoing deep in his chest. He waited for his father to get ready before taking off. Instructing the three students where to go and who to attack. Any time a bandit went to attack he’d step in front of them, taking the hit or striking first. He couldn’t see them get hurt. Not again.
Soon he stood down Kostas. He knew how this played out the first time and he refused to let the bandit escape with his life. He didn’t know how Sothis would react, but she was not here to yell at him or to save him when he messed up. He charged at the bandit leader, slipping past Kostas’s axe as the bandit brought it down. He spun his sword and raised it before slamming it down into Kostas’s throat. The bandit choked and stumbled back, falling to the ground as Byleth yanked the sword free. He turned and closed his eyes. He didn’t know how this would affect the future but for now…He knew he could prevent Edelgard from being attacked…He could push off his students having to spill blood for the first time.
He withdrew a handkerchief from his coat, cleaning his blade as he approached the trio. They stared at him with wide eyes, not expecting to have stumbled upon a skilled and deadly mercenary such as he. Jeralt rode over,
“Kid when did you-” He started but was cut off by the clanking of heavy armor. Byleth had to forcefully keep himself from groaning as he recalled his meeting with Alois. The brunette instructed his fellow knights to chase after any remaining bandits before recognizing Jeralt.
“While I’ll be! Captain Jeralt! It’s me, Alois!” He started, excitedly. Jeralt, being not as polite as Byleth, didn’t suppress his groan.
“Alois. I didn’t expect to see you here. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll have to be going.” Byleth grit his teeth as he kept his face blank, trying not to crack a smile at his father’s words. It was strange, so long-ago emotion evaded him. To express any emotion was a surprise to everyone, and now he felt everything easier. Something really had changed in him.
Sothis.
He felt a pang in his chest and a longing to hear the little goddess again. She would be lecturing him by now. Or at least she had when this occurred. It was so quiet in his mind without her.
“Ah I see…It was nice- Wait, no! Captain Jeralt! I insist you return to the monastery with me!”
“Garreg Mach Monastery…” Jeralt tilted his head up and closed his eyes as he felt nostalgia flood over him. Byleth broke out of his thoughts to pay attention to his father. He then diverted his attention to the three students once again. They had been relatively quiet as they listened to Alois address Jeralt.
“So, your mercenary leader is Jeralt the Blade Breaker. Former captain of the Knights of Seiros, am I correct?” Edelgard started, analyzing Byleth as she spoke. Byleth turned and faced her, straightening his back and keeping his voice at a steady tone.
“I didn’t know that about my father-” Byleth started and Edelgard spoke over him.
“And he is your father? Well I assume the explanation behind your lack of knowledge about him is quite the interesting one.” Byleth did not miss how she analyzed him. Nor how Claude had stared at him like an ancient and forbidden tome. Like he was brimming with secrets. Well he was but some of them even he didn’t know.
Dimitri cleared his throat and started. “Your name…?” He asked politely. Byleth’s eyes softened for just a moment, filling with an almost deep fondness and familiarity. Dimitri was caught off guard by it but assumed it was a trick of his eyes because when he refocused on Byleth his gaze had resumed being stoic.
“Byleth Eisner,” he introduced himself, dipping into a low bow before standing back up.
“Byleth Eisner…” Dimitri restated, letting the name dance on his tongue before he started his request, “the way you held yourself on the battlefield was absolutely amazing”
“Which is exactly why I must ask you to join the services of the Adrestian Empire. You see…I am no ordinary student I am-” Dimitri cut Edelgard off. Just as Byleth remembered it. Even if things were slightly different, he was glad that this conversation was a constant.
“Halt Edelgard, let me finish my own proposal.” Dimitri focused on Byleth. Those deep blue eyes still held a darkness to them but were overshadowed by the light he still had. Byleth’s heart ached just from staring into those beautiful blue eyes. He hoped he could change things. That he could mend Dimitri’s broken soul before it is consumed by darkness.
“The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus is in need of exceptional individuals such as yourself.”
“Just met the man and you’re already asking for favors?” A playful chuckle escaped Claude’s mouth, “I was personally going to build up a long-lasting relationship with Byleth on our way back to the monastery before asking any favors.”
Watching them playfully bicker amongst themselves was a pleasant reprieve. Byleth felt the tension in his shoulders melt for just a moment.
“Your names.” Byleth spoke up, interrupting the students’ bickering. “How about we start there…at names before I swear fealty to one of you.” His tone held a hint of joking but it was very slight.
“Ah. As I was saying, I am Edelgard von Hresvelg. I will spare you titles for now.” Edelgard said very matter-of-factly. She gave a small and polite smile as she introduced herself. Dimitri bowed and introduced himself next,”
“Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd.” Finally, Claude gave a small and lazy salute,
“Claude von Riegan. Thank you again for saving us.”
Everything played out the same as it has in the past. Jeralt walked grumpily alongside Alois. Humoring the knight while Byleth hung back with Edelgard, Claude, and Dimitri. They lectured him about Garreg Mach and their homelands. He nodded as he listened and offered no following comments. He slowed once he saw Garreg Mach. It was amazing in its grand stature. It was even better without the gaping holes and deceptress it had been reduced to after Edelgard’s invasion. He looked her way and studied her. While Claude and Dimitri had been lecturing Byleth, they spoke with enthusiasm, however, Edelgard’s statements seemed lackluster. Especially when referring to Garreg Mach. He dismissed it last time, but it seemed more obvious to him now.
“Rhea’s here…” Jeralt cursed under his breath upon entering the monastery. Byleth had been so distracted by the students and life that were behind the walls that he nearly missed what his father had said. He raised his head and met Rhea’s gaze. He’d be meeting with her soon…and he’d have to choose a house again. He slowed his pace, thinking about his next actions. Perhaps he should choose the Black Eagles? It would be easier to get to know Edelgard and find out her motives…but he couldn’t bring his heart to make the same conclusion. He settled on choosing the Blue Lions once more. Things would be different this time. He possessed more knowledge on the students and how to instruct them. He could just curl up in embarrassment at the thought of how new and unprepared he had been when he first began instructing the Blue Lions. He had been a sorry excuse of a professor. So sorry that he really did sympathize with Seteth’s concerns. Speaking of which. He had to go through all of Seteth’s ridicule and suspicions all over again.
“Jeralt, it is so good to see you again, and I see the blessings of fatherhood have been bestowed upon you.” Rhea greeted them. Her voice was warm and soothing. Her eyes flickered from Jeralt to Byleth and her expression softened.
She really looks happy to see me. No…She is happy to see her experiment is still alive. Byleth stared at her before looking to his father.
“Yes. I would have loved to introduce you to the mother of my child but unfortunately we lost her not long after my son was born.” It was easy to tell he was lying now. Jeralt’s left eye always gave a soft twitch when he lied, but in the past, Byleth didn’t suspect his father to be lying to Rhea. He didn’t suspect anything different from what he had been told, but now he knew better.
Byleth stepped forward and bowed, introducing himself to Rhea. She lightly dipped her head in return, much to Seteth’s dismay. He of course did not know why Rhea had taken a quick liking to this stranger, enough so to almost treat him as her equal.
“Now…I know what you’re going to ask…” Jeralt began and Rhea took over, feigning a hurt expression,
“I’m hurt by your apprehension, Jeralt. I assumed Alois would have already asked you.” Jeralt turned himself so he wasn’t facing Rhea as he thought.
“The Knights of Seiros…I guess it was only so long before I found my way back, huh? I won’t refuse but…I don’t wish to see my kid left stranded.” His voice was gruff and strong like raw iron ore. Rhea kindly smiled and nodded in agreement.
“I wouldn’t like to see that either…Alois spoke greatly of your child before you arrived to speak with me…”
“Would you have me as a knight?” Byleth inquired and received a head shake in reply. Instead Rhea stated,
“I would like to offer you a position as a professor here at the academy.” Seteth nearly choked in alarm.
“Lady Rhea?! You wish to appoint this stranger- A child no less to lead a house here at the academy?!”
“Calm yourself, Seteth. This stranger is Jeralt’s flesh and blood…Plus they protected our students where the previous professor had failed to do so. I am sure they will be adequate enough. What say you, Byleth?” She asked. Looking from a dismayed Seteth to the dark teal haired professor.
Byleth lowered his gaze, pretending to think hard on the question, even though he already had the answer. He raised his head again, leveling with Rhea’s own intense gaze. “I accept your position, Lady Rhea.” He stated firmly, surprising Jeralt. Rhea smiled and nodded.
“Then it is settled. I just ask you take some time to meet the students before choosing a house to lead…I’ll have your fellow colleagues fill you in on any knowledge you lack on the monastery.” She bowed politely to the two men, excusing both herself and Seteth so they could discuss matters in their offices.
“Really…I don’t know what she’s thinking…Making you a professor like that…Kid…Please keep your guard up around her…” Jeralt warned Byleth.
“Only if you agree to keep yours up…” Byleth retorted. Hanneman appeared before them, Manuela standing by his side.
“And you must be the new professor. My, how strong and handsome you are…” Manuela purred out as she looked Jeralt up and down.
“Ah, nope. You have the wrong person.” Jeralt stated, his tone a slight panic. He excused himself, offering one last quick warning to Byleth before heading off.
“So, YOU’RE the new professor. How young you are…”
“Age and intelligence aren’t necessarily correlated. As you may know, Manuela.” Hanneman jabbed.
“I would advice you to be polite in front of our new colleague, Hanneman.” She warned and displayed a bright smile once again, “I’m Manuela. I’m a professor, a physician, a songstress, and available.” She emphasized the last point, receiving an exasperated sigh from Hanneman.
“And I’m Hanneman. Renown crest scholar. If you have time, I’d like to meet with you on the matter and see if you have your own crest.” Byleth nodded, knowing full well about the crest of flames coursing through his blood. It would be fun seeing Hanneman get excited about it again. He should also let Lindhart explore his crest as well. Maybe he’d learn more on it.
His colleagues offered knowledge on the houses and matters pertaining to the job. He nodded and headed off, leaving the two as they bickered. He needed to see his students again. All of them. He longed to see their young, naïve faces. Unhardened by the horrors of war.
He knew by doing this he’d fully commit himself to teaching the Blue Lions. Regardless, he needed to stop Edelgard at all costs. History would not repeat itself.