Awakening Dawn
They had tried their best to prepare for the up coming war, but the odds were against them. Only 60,000 soldiers had been gathered for the Aliances and Faerghus, while The Adrestrian Empire had over 150,000. Empress Edelgard had took advantage of the graduel loss of Soldiers on Claude, Byleth and Dedue's behalf, gathering Soldiers in secret for over 5 years. This wasn't much as a shock when Byleth and Claude heard about the news, but did everything they could to attempt to fight The Adrestrian Empire back. Therefore, the idea of yet another Golden Deer reunion had commenced. The unexpected reunion had spread joy and laughter throughout Garrag Mach without loosing proposition of the situation at hand. Claude and Byleth were delighted to be reunited yet again with the group. The reunion wasn't the only good news to come, many of the former students at Garrag Mach came to lend their assistance in the war to come, rising their soldiers at hand. Within them former students were old members of the Ashen Wolves, Yuri Leclerc, Balthus von Albrecht, Constance von Nuvelle, and Hapi. This came as quite the shock, but they had agreed on helping out due to favors they had to repay to their Professor.
Currently, The Golden Deers were holding a feast in the Dinning Hall, expressing their opinions about the situation.
"This is ridiculous! I mean, I knew Edelgard was evil- but I never expected her to cast war again. Did she not learn anything from the last time we spared her?" Hilda leaned forward, her chin resting on her palm as her eyes darted between each member of the group. Hilda had aged finely, she practically wore the same outfit and her face remained somewhat young- a few wrinkles here and there. She wore her hair in a side braid, twirling the loose hair that had escaped with her fingers.
" We shouldn't have spared her in the first place. No offense to our Professor of course, but that woman is just- ugh!" Lysithea seethed, shaking her head. Just like Hilda, Lysithea had failed to grow up as much. But, unfortunately, in her older age she was starting to look somewhat sick. Her face was paler than what it once was and her eyes failed to hold the sparkle it held when she was younger. Her hair was fully down, half of it covering a part of her face.
Lorenz placed his hand on Lysitheas in an attempt to calm her. When the Golden Deers had separated ways, Lorenz and Lysithea stayed by another's side. Lorenz was deeply concerned for Lysithea's health as he ( somehow ) found out about her short life expectancy. He swore that he'd make her life worth while and travelled the world with her since being Count Gloucester had earned him more to his name than before. Lysithea had then insisted she help in the war, much to Lorenz's dismay. But knowing how stubborn the girl was, Lorenz gave in despite her horrible state.
" I'm in as long as we get another massive buffet like this one after the war, you can count on me!" Rapheal leaned back in his chair for once stuffed with all the food he had consumed with a wholesome grin on his face. Rapheal still wore the same undersized t-shirt and jeans, the only difference in his appearance was more wrinkles and longer hair.
" I can assure you, you will." Claude rubbed his temples, holding back a laugh of his own. As much as he didn't show it, he was glad to have his old team back. They didn't know how much joy it brought to him.
" I will fight, to honour Jeralt." Leonie sent Byleth an easy smile, tapping her fingers on the table. Leonie was dressed in a casual war outfit, her hair was much longer and instead of being in a ponytail it was pushed to one side.
" I will too, no matter what. I will." Ignatz's voice had somehow gotten slightly higher in tone as the years went on. He, as well as most of the Golden Deer group, remained the same but just naturally aged. He dressed in a outfit roughly similar outfit to his old one but it had some adapted changes with size difference and a darker shade of green.
"Yeah-Yeah-," Hilda waved her hand a Ignatz. She had grown a certain hatred, or rather jealously, towards Ignatz. No-one understood why.", How about you Marianne?" Hilda smiled innocently towards the cyan-haired girl, twirled her hair more.
"I-uhm.. Yeah." Marianne nodded, a small smile on her face. Marianne's self-esteem had increased slightly, but she still found it difficult to communicate. Marianne's appearance had changed more than the others. She wore her hair in a half-up-half-down style. She wore a long aquamarine dress, which had dashes of white travelling up it.
"Are you sure whatever you have planned will work?" Leonie spoke up, looking towards Byleth and Claude.
"Mhm." Claude hummed, tapping his finger on the table. " We didn't have much of a choice though."
"Gosh Claude, way to sound over the moon." Hilda remarked sarcastically.
Claude rolled his eyes playfully. " Oh Hilda, how much I have missed your presence." Claude stood up, stretching his arms out. "As much as I, personally, would love to continue this conversation, we kinda have a big day tomorrow and I would hate for us to loose due to lack of rest."
Multiple groans and yawns soon followed, indicating they agreed.
"Well then! Goodnight everyone." Hilda hummed some tune.
"Uhm-i- Where are we exactly s-sleeping?" Marianne muttered, her gaze fixed on the table in front of her.
"Oh Marianne I'll-" Ignatz was about to suggest when Hilda pushed him out the way.
"Come on Mari! I'll show you to where you'll be. " Hilda placed her hand on Marianne's forearm. Then pulled her up from her seat. Marianne froze, her cheeks turning crimson red. To make the embarrassment even worse, Hilda then linked arms with Marianne, guiding her out the room not before sending a innocent smile to Ignatz.
Ignatz was left stood in shock, trying to process what the hell just happened.
"Uh-Goodnight!" Everyone seemed to quickly escape the room after that, wanting to get a good nights rest of sleep.
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Meanwhile at the Empire, Edelgard stood on one of the balcony connected to her room, looking out at the midnight sky.
" Mother? You wanted to see me?" Ayadin walked out from behind the shadows. His hands were locked behind his back and the moonlight dimly lit up his face.
" Oh yes! My boy! " Edelgard turned towards Ayadin with a small smile. " Tomorrow is a big day for us, as you know. So that is why I am to ask of you for a favour." Edelgard stepped forward to be face to face with Ayadin. She reached down to the leather belt around her waist and slowly pulled out a sword that neatly slivered down her thigh. " I was told that there is a girl within Garrag Mach that maintains a power alike her Mother. Her name is Sitri, I am sure you will recognise the girl. " She carefully placed the sword in his grasp, gently closing his fingers around the blade with her hand. " When you meet with her at battle, I want you to use this weapon. We had found it in the Holy Tomb when some of the spies had snuck into there. It is suppose to rest any magical interferences with ones body, in our case the magic that connects the Goddess to the human. It is used to make them fall unconscious but if we are wrong and this girl is not in any decent to the Goddesses, she will die."
Ayadin sighed, twirling the sword in his hands. He carefully observed it. The handle of the sword was a crimson colour, it was comfortable to hold but it felt as if there was a slight throbbing up his arm as he held it firmly. More up the handle, it was engraved with green vines that almost stretched to reach the top of the handle. The blade itself was outstretched and had sharp edges; it had a basic look, almost making it look ' normal '. " Mother-" His expression softened as he looked back up to his Mother. " Are you sure?"
" Of course I am, My Boy." She placed her hands on his shoulders and massage them softly. " I have been training you for this day since you were little. The power you have within you is enough to make you stronger than anyone on this land. We will get our vengeance." Edelgard planted a kiss on his cheek but paused before she moved past his shoulder. " You must rest well." With that, she walked back into the Empire.
Ayadin froze slightly startled with the heavy task he had just been given. He knew he has the power to lead his family to victory, but he couldn't help the sudden dread that settled in his stomach.
He once more observed the sword before hesitantly placing it securely between the bottom of his shirt and his belt.
His gaze fell upon the night sky once again, taking in the beauty of the sparkling stars before him.
" I wish it didn't have to be like this." His voice seemed trail off as his own thoughts devoured him.
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" Khalid! Knock Knock! " Sitri sung out, her hand slamming against the hard wooden door. The young girl found herself counting the number of stars the midnight dawn with-held out of boredom and thought she'd check up on her brother as she hadn't seen him in a while.
Sitri could hear loud footsteps reaching the door and held her breath. Her parents had repeatedly told her that Khaild wasn't well and he was not to be bothered but curiosity got the better of her.
" Yes, Sitri." Khaild stared at her blankly from his partly opened door.
" I just thought I'd check up on you since the war is tomorrow. I was wondering if you were to be joining us in the battle!" Sitri smiled sweetly, trying to brighten her Brother obvious bad mood. She had thought he'd wave her off and shut the door but the mention of a battle had suddenly perked his interest.
"War? Battle?" Khalid's expression turned from blank to sceptical. " No one told me about a war." His voice still remained monotoned.
"Yeah! Apparently Empress Edelgard is holding a war against Mother and Father. It is due to commence tomorrow but everyone is suspicious about why she is suddenly called for war but who knows." Sitri rambled, more happy she had exchanged more words today with her Brother than what she had done in the past 6 months.
" Interesting. Tell Mother and Father I'd like to attend the war with them, I might as well help in any way I could. " Khalid quickly shut the door after the words escaped his mouth, leaving a confused and dazed Sitri behind it.
"Oh okay..." Sitri trailed off her words as she slowly turned and made her way to her Claude and Byleth's room. It was quite the walk since it was half way across Garrag Mach, she had been told it was where the all mightily Archbishop used to rest but they had taken it since it was fitting.
" Knockidy! Knockkkk." Sitri knocked briefly before entering their room. " It's your favourite daughter." Sitri grinned, shutting the door softly behind her.
The pair squinted their eyes and sat up, still half asleep.
"Sitri, you do know the moon has half risen meaning it is only a few hours till dawn? " Claude yawned rubbing his eyes, but kept a weary glance on the young teen.
Byleth hummed in agreement, slightly agitated her sleep has been disturbed.
" I thought you would just like to know that Khalid will be join us in the war, alll thanks to me!" Sitri smiled proudly, pointing a finger to her chest.
The two parents exchanged a confused glance before turning their heads back to Sitri. " Oh Sitri I-" Byleth trailed off, finding her fingers more interesting.
" You know what, I think it will do him good. Maybe it will help what's wrong with him." Claude spoke up, but aimed the answer more to Byleth.
Byleth let her eyes linger on Claude hesitantly before returning her gaze back to Sitri. " Sitri, Dear, please go back to bed. We can discuss this more at-," Byleth yawned once again and finished her sentence, "-dawn."
" But-!" Sitri had stopped what she was about to protest after seeing the mixed expression of desperation and annoyance in her parents eyes. " Okay. Night!" Sitri grinned, blowing kisses to her parents before exiting the room.
While travelling across Garrag Mach, Sitri never realised he didn't really appreciate the atmosphere the night sky created when she stared back at it. A sense of calm and peace filled her body, making her shoulders relax. One thing that was on Sitri's mind was the never ending wonder of what if Khaild was like how he was before the accident. Part of her blamed herself for what happened to him even if she had nothing to prove it was her fault.
A wash of sadness filled her once again and she locked eyes with the midnight moon.
A slight groan surpassed her lips as she whispered the words. " I wish it didn't have to be like this. "
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Unknowingly to the two teens, they were sharing the same words under the same sky.