Marked History
“ Hello, Young One.”
It was dark and cold, but there was a distant voice that echoed throughout the unfamiliar room Sitri had found herself in.
The young girl had wondered off from her parents supervision, no longer interested in the games she was playing with the other children in Garreg Mach. But an unfamiliar voice had led her into the room she was currently placed in.
The room had dark wooden walls except for a stone structure where the windows were. A small amount of sunlight seeped through the windows, lighting the room up a small amount. To the left of the entrance was a desk in a similar colour to the walls. It was scattered with unfinished work and many pens alongside it; with a chair tucked neatly in front of it. On the wall was a pin board which was in the same state as what the desk was. Papers hung loosely from the pins keeping it attached to the wall. It was covered in scruffy handwriting, but the mindless child could hardly understand what any of it meant. There was a pile of books neatly organized against the window, although some books had been left on the patterned rug. On the right side of the room was a single plain bed which looked untouched.
In the rooms darkest corner, Sitri could make out a woman like figure facing towards her. She could not help feeling intimidated by the figure and took a couple steps back.
The figure simply hummed in amusement. “I’m not going to hurt you, Young One.” The unidentified shadow walked further towards her, towards the light. The figure was a woman with long pale green hair. She wore a long white silk dress which stopped at the top of her ankle. Her expression remained gentle. “ I promise.” The woman had knelt to the young girl height.
“Mother and Father said never to talk to strangers.” The brown hair girl shook her head with a slight pout.
The mysterious woman laughed softly, the smile never leaving her face. “ I am acquainted with your parents, no need to worry, Little One.”
The little girl only looked to her feet, unsure of what to say.
“ I am here to look after you, protect you even from the evil within this world. You, My Dear, are very special. It is my job to make sure you can heal the word from such monstrosity.” She carefully lifted Sitri’s chin up to meet her eye with her finger. “But you have to promise me something in return. You cannot tell another about me or what you see of me. It will have to be our secret.” The woman removed her finger from Sitri’s chin and held her pinkie up. “Promise me.”
Sitri looked from the pinkie outstretched in front of her to the woman in front of her and repeated this cycle a few times. She frowned and looked back to her feet, visibly hesitant to trust the lady.
“ I understand it may be hard to give me your trust so young,” The lady smiled yet again, “ but hopefully one day you will, My child.” She took hold of the Sitri’s hand before placing it by her heart. A flash of a green light brightened up the room for a split second before it slowly disappeared.
The door hastily creaked open, revealing a worried Byleth. “Sitri!?” A wash of relief flooding over her making her shoulders visibly relax. This sudden action caused Sitri to turn, startled. “ There you are My Girl, where did you wonder off to this time.” She kneeled, taking the child’s height.
“ I…” She glanced back to see the woman had disappeared as if she was never there. “…I got lost, Mother.” She turned her head back to her Mother, confused.
Letting out a breathless laugh, Byleth rose to her feet and took the girl by the hand. “ Let’s go back, I am sure your Father will let you off this time. But you have to stop wondering off like that, My Girl.” She walked a couple of steps but noticed a slight pull of her hand as Sitri wasn’t following in suite. “ Hm?”
“It’s nothing.” Sitri smiled, the gaps where lost teeth showed through her smile. “ Nothing at all.” The young girl skipped to keep up with her Mother fast footsteps. This was all too confusing for the small girl but she came to think of The Lady in Green as some type of fairy from the fairy tales her Mother would read to her.
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As the years went by, Sitri would often be gifted with appearances of the so-called Lady in Green. Either that be a voice in her head or a physical appearance, she always had a way to show she was with her. There was always a reminder of her around Garrag Mach too. Many paintings of the Lady in Green were placed around in a remembrance with the words ‘ Lady Rhea, Archbishop of The Church of Serios’ underneath. It was strange to her since she was the only one capable of seeing the lady but oddly enough, she never questioned it. When she did visit, she would ask questions about Sitri like how her day was or if she felt well, and in return the Lady would always receive the same answer of that she is fine. But the Lady in Green never failed to mention the changes in Sitri’s physical appearance.
She was naturally born with green eyes but as time grew her left eye turned a cyan color: her right eye turned more of a light green than its original dark colour. It was surely strange, but the Lady in Green insisted it was a power deep within Sitri herself. She’d further explain the power of the Goddess that her Mother, Byleth, withholds: adding additional detail that Sitri was in a similar position. And she would go on further to imply that she was sent to Sitri to assist her in curing Fodlan of any evil if it were overruled.
Surely this was too much pressure to place on a sixteen-year-old, right?
It seemed Sitri had no choice but to help lead the Lady in Green to her success, which brings us back to the present moment.
Sitri was seated at the edge of her bed, biting her nails in deep thought. Not too far in front of her stood the infamous Lady in Green, pasting nervously. Sitri had just informed her about the war that Edelgard had declared, making the woman go into a panic. “ This can’t be happening…” She rambled, taking harsh steps across the room. “ You aren’t ready for this battle! What in the goddesses name were you thinking when you volunteered!? We are doomed, Dear.” The goddess rubbed her temples as she slowed her pasting. “ You-We- Neither of us are ready to fight. It isn’t time…” She exclaimed, harshly.
“ Listen Rhea, I don’t know myself. But I cannot let my family lead themselves to their deathbeds. I have to do what I can to help, even if I am not ready for it. I still have some fight in me.”
Rhea sighed, her hard expression growing soft. “ I understand you want to help your family but placing yourself in such danger would be catastrophic. I can assure you have all my trust, Dear, but I cannot help think this could only end in disaster for us.” She walked towards the window, stopping once in front of it. Rhea admired the scenery and continued, “ Edelgard is unfortunately always 10 steps ahead of us all. If we think we have a structured plan, she would have already considered many possibilities to go with it. It would be utterly ridiculous to go into battle without a thought in mind that the Empress would simply give up her position and surrender.” Rhea placed her hand on the mirror, sighing softly.
Sitri had risen to her feet, sending the Goddess a small smile. “ I wouldn’t worry, Lady Rhea. My parents have most likely grown more intelligent since the last time you were in contact with them. I am sure of it.” She had stood herself next to the older woman, looking out the window. “ And even if something were to go wrong, which I can assure you it mightn’t, my Mother and Father will be quick to think of a solution. Don’t forget my Father is a man with many schemes up his sleeves.”
And with that the Lady in Green disappeared, leaving Sitri stood alone. Even when the Lady had disappeared, she could still feel her presence very close by. The view from her window was beautiful, it made up for the basic get up in her bedroom. You could see the trace of the walls that guarded Garreg Mach and beyond that would be fields of trees, it was almost therapeutic.
Sitri drew her eyes away from the window and drew a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Today was the day of the war, and she had to get her head in the game or else others will pay for her downfall. She didn’t want to disappoint her parents, not now.
As she took a few steps towards the door to make an exit, she glanced to the reflected glass that rested above her dressing table. She wore a white button up t-shirt that was tucked neatly into a above knee black skirt. A long ashen cape which covered her outfit, stopping at her ankles. A Hand-sewn Alliance badge sat on the cape below her shoulder blade.
A gentle knock from her door pulled her eyes away from observing her outfit. “Come in.” Sitri leaned against her dressing draws, tapping her finger on the hard wood.
The door slowly creaked open, revealing the person behind it. “ Your Highness, I am here to escort you to the gates.” The mauve haired man bowed with his arm across his lower abdomen.
She broke into a grin. “ I keep telling you, Lorenz, there is no need to be so formal around me.”
“My apologies, Your High- Sitri.” He smiled sheepishly, stepping more into the room. “ Are you ready?”
Sitri pursed her lips, hastily checking she had the potions she required. “ Yep! Father did mention our weapons are at the gates did he not?” She straightened her posture, making her way towards the door.
“He did indeed. “ Lorenz held the door open for her. “ I am positive your parents will help assist you with any other needs… Well then, shall we?”
Sitri glanced back to her room, anxiety creeping up in her chest. After a moment, she turned back to Lorenz and nodded her head weakly. Lorenz offered her his arm in which she took with a smile. A brief silence lingered as they walked through Garreg Mach.
“ Do you believe we are able to win this battle?” She broke the silence, more asking to feel reassurance. “ Not to say I have faith we’d lose! I just..” Her voice trailed, her mind spinning with doubts.
“ Well that a unpredictable question, Your- Sitri.” Lorenz drew out a breath, his gaze focused on the path before them. “ I loathe to waste a thought on such a query. My advice would acquire faith in what you seek. If it is triumph you want, believe it is what you will achieve. Another alternative would be to fight every battle as if it is your last. In that case, you will withstand each clash with a hunger to remain victorious. As for me, no matter if I preform at my worst, we are in definite to victory.”
Sitri stared at him with a small smile. “The advice was needed, I cannot thank you enough.” Her eyebrow began to twitch upward. “ Although it is a shame you are, once again, starting to sound like my Father.”
“ I beg your pardon!?” His eyes widened, a look of disgust filling his face. “Your Father!? I beg to differ! I am nothing of the sort.” He scoffed.
“Sorry to break it to you, Lorenz.” She shrugged though her eyes were sparkling with amusement.
The older man began to shake his head furiously, obviously offended by her response. “ I am nothing alike that imbecile. Other than ruling a country, that man has no talent.”
“ So you admit he has a talent..?”
Lorenz huffed, overwhelmed with backlash he was receiving from the younger girl. “ I did not!- “ Sitri cut him off before he could protest.
“ Mhhhm, I believe you. “ She replied sarcastically. “ But do not worry,” She brought her pinched fingers to her mouth. Then proceeded to drag them across her lips, before locking them with an imaginary key, “ your secret is safe with me!” Sitri ‘threw’ away the key, smiling in triumph.
Lorenz stared at her blankly, clearly not getting the joke. In response, she rolled her eyes playfully. “ Do you old people not understand the meaning of jokes now-a-days?”
He looked at her with bewilderment. “ What on earth do you mean by ‘old’? I am anything but ‘old’. I am in significant health for my age must you know.”
“ I could tell.”
“ As you should have, for I am Lorenz Hellman Gloucester!” He stated proudly. An achievable grin on his face.
It was her turn to be bewildered. “And?”
“ And? AND!? Is that all you have to say for yourself!?” If it was even possible, the man’s eyes would have fallen out of his head by how widened they were.
“What were you expecting me to say?” She smiled. “ Oh! So you are the Lorenz that has captured a reputation of the best man alive. Oh, PLEASE will you sign my Book of Crests!?” She mocked, placing her freehand on her heart and stopped dead in her tracks as if she were about to faint with excitement. “ Seriously?” Her act dropped as she cocked her head in question.
Lorenz kept on walking, completely ignoring the girl. “ EXCUSE ME!? Aren’t you supposed to escort me to the gates?” Sitri stood helplessly in the center of outside the dormitories.
He once again ignored her pleads. “HELLO!?”
Lorenz stopped walking and turned to look at Sitri who was now a couple meters from him. “ It is not my culpability. I was resuming my steps as while you stopped. Personally, I failed to notice your presence had disappeared.”
“ How rude!” Sitri broke out into a jog, catching up with him. “ I would have mentioned I was teasing you but as I said, old people don’t understand jokes.”
A small smile tugged at his lips unknowingly as he began to walk with Sitri now caught up beside him. She gasped overdramatically, pointing at his face. “ My oh my! And here I thought Lady Lysithea was the only one able to make you smile!”
“As far as I am concerned, I do express instinctive emotions a human would portray.”
After his statement, they fell into a silence as they walked past the fishing lake. It was quiet and peaceful as you could hear the birds chirp far in the distance. Lucky for them, the sun had begun to rise as it was in its early hours of the morning. Meaning the heat of the summer air was cool and invigorating. Beside her, Lorenz took a deep breath inhaling the refreshing air as if it was a beverage. In curiosity, Sitri turned to look at him with a frown.
“ How come everyone still calls my Mother ‘Professor’ if she isn’t your professor anymore? I know it’s random, but it’s been on my mind for a while since the reunion.”
“ You’re correct, that question is specifically out of the ordinary.” He stated. “ We had called her ‘professor’ for an enduring period of time that it expanded into a sobriquet instead of a label. Does that answer your question?”
Sitri hummed in agreement, briefly kneeling to pet one of the regular stray cats. She smiled as the cat rolled on its back in satisfaction from the affection. “It is pleasant talking to someone other than my parents, it has been a while since you last had supper at Garreg Mach.” The cat purred, standing up to rub its head against Sitri’s hand.
“My apologies, the responsibility of being Count Gloucester conclude having little to no free time unfortunately.”
“No need to apologize, I understand. Mother and Father are the same, and I guess you could include my Brother as well. And with the lessons that are acquired at the Officers Academy, you could say my free time is limited also. “ She stood, patting down her cloak to rid of any dirt. “Oh well. Since we are on the topic of me asking questions… What’s your favourite tea..?”
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After enduring what felt like hours of Lorenz describe every like to dislike about each flavour of tea, they eventually arrived at the marketplace. For miles beyond the open gates were students and soldiers bidding farewell to their loved ones. It was a surprise to even think there was little to half of the soldiers they had recruited before them.
“ It will be impossible to find Mother or Father in there.” Sitri looked out at the sea of people in disbelief.
“ That is why they are located in the Entrance Hall.” Lorenz gestured the building behind them with a wave of his hand.
Sitri mouth formed the shape of an ‘o’ as she turned to face the building. “ Well isn’t that convenient.” She begun to walk into the Entrance Hall with Lorenz trailing behind her.
Once inside she discovered her parents and brother grouped with other members of the Golden Deer house around them. It looks like they are all in a deep discussion. Sitri thought to herself. It does appear they are if you ask me. Another voice called out in Sitri’s mind, which she assumed to be Lady Rhea.
She hummed in agreement looking to the next group huddled beside them. That would be Blue Lions, the house of Faerghus but without their former leader…
Sitri observed each person closely, taking a mental image of who they are. The first person she set eyes on was a familiar face to her, but she still wanted to be clear. He had unpigmented white hair which was shaved on the sides. It was slicked back with a small clip to prevent hair getting in his face. His face was covered with scars that trailed in every direction. By the look on his face, Sitri assumed he was a very serious person. He wore thick metal armor that had engraved with a blue and white on the steel pads below on his lower shoulder. In his left arm was a silver axe that had it’s blade touching the floor so his hand was supporting it. I expect you know who Dedue is but I will remind you just in case. That there is Dedue Molinaro. He took on the role as King of Faerghus from Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd after his death but is known as Duke Molinaro.
She moved her eyes from Dedue and observed the man beside him who had dark blue hair. It was situated in a bun with parts of his hair in front of his face. He had amber eyes and a melancholy expression on his face which lead Sitri to believe he wasn’t the type to take a joke much like Lorenz. He wore a long navy coat which fitted to his lower calve, the inside of the coat was a white color. It had belts stretching across it, as if to make sure he was secure. He wove brown gloves and boots which fitted up to his thigh. A cape with a similar description to his coat was fitted under his hood. Gosh, Sitri thought, Does he have an allergy to the cold? That would be Felix Hugo Fraldarius, he is.. well… I wouldn’t get in his way, Dear.
Nodding her head understandingly, she looked to another member. This time, the guy she saw seemed a lot more friendly than the others. He had ashen hair which lay almost covering his left eye, the remaining part was tucked away behind his ear. His eyes were an emerald colour, and under them were dots of freckles along his nose. He wore an outfit in similarity to Felix’s but instead it was more of a jumpsuit than a coat. At his lower back was a leather slot and in placed in them were a stack of arrows which lead her to believe he was an archer. That is Ashe Ubert, he is a knight of Faerghus.
When she looked to the last male in the group, her eyes widened a bit at the familiar face. Isn’t that the guy that Mother rejected...? Sylvain was it? Sitri remembered the day a man with scarlet hair broke into Garrag Mach and begged her Mother for his hand in marriage (in which she kindly declined). She held back a laugh, recalling hiding behind the wall as the man kneeled to her Mother’s feet in a beg. And the look on her Father’s face as he kicked him out the room… literally. I remember him, but please do continue. As you already know, that is Sylvain Jose Gauteir. He is the inheritor of the Lance of Ruin and… an obvious flirt.
The girl beside him had shoulder length dirty blonde hair which was covered with a type of hat. The hat had an opaque extended vail which reached to her elbow. Her expression was soft and understanding. She wore a beige dress that was black and gold. The top of the dress had white frills from her neck to waist; under the frills was an opening of black which had a golden pattern at the bottom. At her waist was a small corset that held two pieces of fabric that were black and gold. Her name is Mercedes von Martritz, a former student of the Blue Lions. She is, what I would personally describe, motherly.
Sitri smiled slightly, moving to the next. A girl with pale orange hair which was flicked at the ends, her fringe was parted to two sides of her face. A smile was painted on her face as she clung onto Mercedes, chatting endlessly. She wore orange creased cape and a blue and white dress. Her shoes were heeled, and outlined with an apricot color. That is Annette Fantine Dominic, she is the inheritor of the magical axe Crusher.
The last girl of the group had light blonde hair which was tied with green ribbons. Her expression remained concentrated, taking in every words that was being discussed within the group. She wore steel Armor that was coloured with a pine tint in separated spots. A basil cape was attached from her neck and trailed down to her ankle. Her name is Ingrid Brandl Galatea, she is the inheritor of that lance Luin. She is a knight of Faerghus.
Sitri nodded, glancing to each member once more before looking to the next group. The people of the Church of Serios were familiar to Sitri as her mother is their leader. Since Lady Rhea died, Byleth took it into her own hands to make sure the Church were leading in a stable direction. She had given the responsibility of the Church to Shamir and Catherine as she was focusing on leading Foldan into a safer place. If Byleth was in charge of both, she feared she would loose control on leading them at the same time.
Once she was clear she had observed everyone, she turned to look at Lorenz but he had disappeared. “Huh.” She frowned but turned to the Golden Deer group to see he was there. “Just leave without a warning.” She mumbled under her breath, making her way up the stairs to the group.
“There is nothing to be afraid of, Marianne.” She overheard Ignatz say as she ascended up the stairs. “ I can promise you, I will not let anything happen to you.”
“T-Thank you Ignatz, that means a lot to me.” Marianne smiled sheepishly, messing with the rim of her dress.
Sitri moved to stand next to her mother and caught a look of everyone within the circle. Her Mother and Father were too caught in a conversation of their own to be taken into the main discussion. Khalid looked distracted, as if he were forced to be there. Raphael was happily chewing on a granola bar he, most likely, stole from the dinning room. Leonie was attempting to listen into her parent’s conversation while trying to look discreet. Lorenz and Lysithea were happily talking about a new tea leaf Lorenz had created. While the ‘love-trio’ were in a heated discussion. Hilda practically had fume coming out of her ears; her eyes glaring into Ignatz’s soul. Marianne was looking at the ground. And as for Ignatz, he was suppressing from turning scarlet.
“Am I interrupting something?” Sitri whispered to Hilda who was stood beside her.
“Oh Sitri! Where did you come from?” Hilda laughed, surprised from Sitri’s sudden appearance but there was something off in her face. “You scared me!”
“Hello Sitri! How are you?” Ignatz smiled, his attention now going to the young girl.
“I’m as best as what I can be, I suppose. How about you? Well the three of you.” Sitri gestured with her hand to Hilda, Marianne and Ignatz.
“I-I’m good, thank you for asking.” Marianne sent her a small smile, bowing her head.
“I am FANTASTIC. Uhm- sorry. “Hilda cleared her throat, forcing a smile. “I’d be better if these lovebirds would stop flirting, it’s seriously getting on my nerves.” Sitri’s eyes widened slightly, shocked at her sudden outburst. Wouldn’t take a genius to tell you are jealous, Hilda.
Marianne’s face turned a shade of scarlet, while Ignatz just stared at her blankly. Huh, weird.
“ Oh, well that isn’t good.” Sitri laughed nervously, unsure of what to say. She sensed the conversation was turning awkward, so she changed the subject.
“Sooo… Marianne! I was wondering if you could help me out on the battlefield today, only if that’s okay with you.” She smiled softly, “I’m lacking at my magic recently and since Lysithea isn’t in the best of shape, you are my only option.”
Marianne was startled by the request but took a deep breath and attempted to calm her thoughts. “O-Of course! I would love too.” She smiled back.
This is going to be interesting.
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Claude cleared his throat, gaining the attention of everyone in their inner circle. Glancing over the group, he saw Sitri had joined them. He smiled and raised his hand to ruffle her hair. The young girl huffed, mumbling something along the lines ‘ My hair…’ but smiled back non the less. She then proceeded to fix her hair, since it now had spikes of loose hair sticking out in each direction.
He turned his attention back to the group. “ As you all know, today may be the day we all place our lives on the line for the triumph of Fodlan. I can promise you all that we will not let Fodlan fall like this. I will do everything in my power to make sure Edelgard doesn’t come out of this victorious, even if it kills me.” Claude sighed, calming his uprising fear. “ We will fight this battle as if it is our last.”
“As will I, I stand with Claude. You all have been incredible students to teach and watching you all grow into such amazing people really has made me feel accomplished. So if I loose my life on that battlefield today, I will go down with a smile knowing I have fought to protect my students and my family.” Byleth placed her hand on Claude’s bicep, tracing random shapes on the silk soothingly. She glanced to her children with a motherly smile on her face.
Sitri glanced to her brother unsure of his emotions during this. His eyes were glued to the floor but from what she could see, his face remained… empty? She looked to his hands to see them curled into fists, shaking with the dense pressure he was using to keep them closed. All of her attention was focused on her brother, the voices began to fade around her as many questions filled her mind.
There is something wrong with the boy that I cannot understand.
Lady Rhea sighed. I am unsure but something is calling out to me. There is a burning rage from inside him. Surely that cannot be from a simple head injury.
She tuned back into reality, her head spinning from the interaction.
“For Fodlan!” The circle cheered, a line of laugher following after.
Sitri had no idea why people were cheering, laughing, smiling. All she could feel in the moment was concern and sadness towards her twin. She can’t be the only one to notice his behavior. Her parents must have noticed something, right? She’s not going insane. Somethings wrong.
Something is very, very wrong.