The Sword
As part of the Monastery's rules, students had to help attend the Monastery. They are randomly divided into partners, either from their own class or from another, and they must work together.
There is something noble about it, but it is also another way for the Church to maintain to control. By inciting friendships between nations, they make it hard for conflict to arrive.
Edelgard, even as house leader, was not exempt from this, despite Hubert's dislike of this. She was a student here, and wanted to be treated as such. Which is why she found herself tending the stables.
Who she was supposed to work with however, was a no show. If the student had been sick or had a valid reason for not to show up, she would have been informed and a replacement would have been found. The Professors were ordered to punish students that did not show up in purpose, as they learned when Linhardt didn't go help Raphael on the weed fields.
She didn't mind being alone though. Silence can be comforting so how.
Then Edelgard heard running, like someone was rushing towards her.
"Oh I am sooo late ! I should have listened to Mercie and go to bed when she told me. Oh you've done it this time Annette !"
Annette Fantine Dominic, the niece of Baron Dominic, and most likely his heir after his son disappeared, arrived, being Edelgard's partner for the day.
"I am so so so sorry Lady Edelgard. I overslept, and then when to have breakfast I remembered I was assigned today, so I ate so fast and I almost choked, so Caspar had to help me spit my food and then someone placed some stupid barrels and..."
Edelgard could not help but laugh at that. "Its fine Annette. I barely got here, you are not that late."
"Oof. Sorry again."
"Its fine, lets just get to work."
"Right right."
Both woman settled in and began cleaning the stables.
"Crazy how much security is during this month right ?" Annette started making this conversation.
"It is. I guess they don't want anything to happen with the rite. Specially after what your class found out."
When the Blue Lions returned from dealing with Lonato, they came with a note that detailed a plan to assassinate Rhea.
Edelgard knew about the note, she knew that it was when her.....allies....were gonna try to raid the tomb of Saint Serios. Though she had no idea the note would be with Lonato.
As it stands, all houses were ordered to patrol the Monastery in case anything happened.
"I heard the Black Eagles were assigned to patrol the musuleum itself."
"Yes, we are to hide in there and see if any enemies come for what's standing. The Blue Lions are guarding Lady Rhea herself."
"I mean it makes sense. We are the Holly Kingdom of Faerghus, so you know, we do have a tighter relationship with her. Though I am not particularly religious, just pray from time to time."
"Really ? I am surprised to see a noble of the Kingdom like that."
"Well I am full of surprises."
"I think everyone is."
They continued to work for a while.
"You know. I am a bit jealous of you Eagles. You guys tend to have a lot of fun."
"We were lucky that Professor Byleth decided to teach our class. She is....she is something."
"Yeah, I heard how she tries to mix things with fun activities, and how the Golden Deer, particularly Lysithea, sometimes join you."
"No one is saying the Blue Lions aren't welcome."
"Oh, that's nice. Bur I feel that is only something Mercie and I would appreciate. Things have been tense after.....what happened with Lord Lonato."
It was no secret that the mission against Lonato had been total chaos for the Lions. The class had been divided if Lonato had his reasons or not. She even heard rumors that Felix and Dedue came to blows.
She was not gonna ask anything though. It was not her place.
"Well just come the two of you then. Lysithea hangs out with my class most of the time, despite being from another. You can do the same."
"Oh, that is so nice of you, thank you !"
Goodness, what the people say about this girl is true. She is truly a benevolent soul.
They finished working after a while. Edelgard had to leave, Profesor Byleth wanted a reunion to detail the plans of the museums protection.
"Well it was nice to talk to you Annette. And do remember, do not let what's happening on your class affect you."
"I will. thanks. Oh, Lady Edelgard ?"
"Yes ?"
"I have been wondering....have you perhaps seen a knight with same hair color as mine, and....a gloomy demeanor ?"
"I am afraid not. My class has only worked with Shamir's troop."
"Oh, well if you see someone like that, please tell me ! I.....I really need to talk to him."
Edelgard had no idea what she meant, or who this man is, but she saw no issue with it.
"Of course."
Edelgard entered the Black Eagle class, to find Byleth talking to Lysithea.
"Lysithea ? What are you doing outside of your class ?"
"Actually Edelgard, this is my class now."
"Lysithea submitted her class transfer papers yesterday." Byleth said. "I just got them aproved, so now she is a member of the Black Eagles."
"Oh, in that case, welcome to the class Lysithea."
"Thank you."
"Edelgard, please help her catch up on where we are in class right now."
"Of course Professor, come Lysithea. We can catch you up while the others arrive."
"Speaking off, I must go and escort Bernadetta here." Byleth said, standing up to leave. "Please make sure everyone who arrives is seated when I return."
"Yes Professor."
Byleth left the two, leaving the white haired woman to work.
"Escort Bernadetta ? What is that for ?"
"Bernadetta is....extremly anxious, as you probably noticed. Professor Byleth or Petra usually escort her here so she can feel safe."
"Oh, well on what subject are we. I must note I made some independent studying, as Professor Manuela....tends to loose track of the class sometimes."
"Here, tatcits page 47....may I ask what lead you to change classes ?"
"I felt like Professor Byleth was a better choice for what I need to accomplish."
"Hm....is that all. Because even before then, you usually stuck with us before this change."
She felt like one of her oldest siblings when they tried to get the truth from her. She doesn't know why, but she feels the urge to do the same with Lysithea. Because....this girl has been threw enough.
"I.....fine. You got me. I don't....fit in well with the rest of the Golden Deer. They are a bit.....overly social for me. Too intense. Claude is fine, like when he truly focuses he is a good leader, but he does tend to mock me a lot. Hilda is nice as well, but she tends to stick with Claude a lot. Lorenz, can't stand him, Raphael and Ignatz are on their own circle, and Leonie and I are just too different. Marianne is the only one I sort of got along with, but she barely talks."
"I thought you didn't mind being asocial ? "
"Doesn't mean I want to be alone."
"Well...you are more than welcomed here. If you need anything just ask...and I promise to make sure no one mocks you for your age."
"Thank you."
Byleth came back with Bernadetta soon after. Soon the rest of the Black Eagles arrived to the classroom.
"Good morning class. First of all, Lysithea has transferred to our class, so now she is a member of the Black Eagles."
"Hah, about time thes happened." Dorothea said. "Lys has been hanging out with us for a while now, its about time she made it permanent."
"Second, we must discuss our plans for what is coming. You were all informed that we are guarding the tomb of Saint Serios. We need to be ready. Did you all find the information I asked."
"Most people suspect the Western Church to be behind all of this." Hubert said. "Some locations like the Goddess Tower or Professor Hanneman's office are being locked for safety, but as it stands, this is the most likely scenario. "
"Hm.....change of plans. Today we are gonna learn about effective surprise attacks and how to be quiet on the field. Hubert, Petra, you both ecxell at this, so I expect yo both to take a leading role today."
"I will be doing the best Professor."
"Oh this will be fun." Hubert chucked darkly. "I must insist that you pair me with Ferdinand professor. I might be able to get him to finally shut up."
"What ! But I am not loud..."
"Ferdie. You scream, I am Ferdinand von Aegir, in all of our battles."
"Oh."
Edelgard winced, she did not know if it was a good idea to have Hubert teach Ferdinand.
She was proven correct later, when she and Byleth had to drag Ferdinand to the infirmary. And later she had to have a talk with Hubert about control.
"AH !" Bernadetta screamed. "There is more of them coming !"
"Keep your voice down !" Lysithea whispered harshly, shooting another spell at one of their attackers.
The Black Eagles were at the Holly Musuleum, were as they predicted, it was being attacked. In this case, the attackers were the Western Church.
Edelgard had known about this. Yet with all eyes on them, she had no choice but to stop it.
"That knight." Byleth mumbled.
Edelgard's gaze went to a familiar figure, the Death Knight. Other wise known as the alter ego of Jeritza von Hrym, the weapons instructor.
She had no idea why he had been sent here.
"He looks like a very dangerous enemy...but it seems he has no interest in fighting. We should avoid him."
"Agreed." Byleth said. "No need for an unneeded battle."
Byleth turned to the rest of the class. "Provide me cover, I will stop that mage from opening the tomb."
Byleth rushed off, leaving Edelgard in charge. "You heard the Professor. Don't allow the Western Church to come closer."
The Western Church showed no mercy, even if they were students. Edelgard was aware of their dislike of the Central Church, but she really didn't comprehend how big it was.
"GAH !" Caspar yelled as a spell strikes him on the shoulder, he holds his arm like its broken.
"I told you not to charge like that Caspar !" Linhardt yelled as he healed him.
"I was not gonna let them get close !"
"Worry not Caspar. I will make sure they pay for that !" Ferdinand yelled, grabbing his lance and throwing it at the central church mages.
"It seems some of the mages have been hiding on the corners." Hubert pointed out. Easy dealing with some of their attackers. "They will get to the Professor if we are not careful."
"You are right. Bernadetta, Petra, go and use your arrows to cover the Professor's back !"
Both purple haired women nodded at her, and hurried to cover Byleth.
Edelgard got ready for battle, when she noticed something.
"LYSITHEA !" Edelgard rushed and pushed the occupied mage from an incoming blast.
The miasma sent her flying and hitting a pillar hard. She hear a crack somewhere on her body.
"EDELGARD !" Lysithea yelled, rushing towards the house leader as she lost consciousness.
When Edelgard woke up, she felt groggy.
"Ugh, what the..."
"Hello Edelgard, it seems you have awaken."
Edelgard turned to the left, and found the blue....and beautiful eyes of Byleth Eisner looking at her.
"My Teacher...what happened ?"
"You were wounded, knocked out, by protecting Lysithea from an attack. The spell did not do much damage but hitting that wall did. You've been out for a day."
"I've been asleep...for a day !"
Byleth nodded.
"What...what happened, how are the others ?"
"Caspar broke his arm. Everyone else is uninjured. Though all of them have been very worried about you. Specially Lysithea, she's feeling very guilty about this."
"She has...nothing to feel guilty about." She grunted threw the pain, trying to sit up but failing.
Byleth gently made her lay down again.
"I told her that. Oh, and if you are wondering where Hubert is, I told him he had to get some sleep and eat. He refused to leave your room for a long time."
"Thank you for making him do that." She said with a small chuckle. As much as she loves Hubert, she wishes he would not abandon his needs for her. "And what happened with the Western Church ?"
"The battle ended shortly after you going unconscious. Catherine came and captured all of the Western Church enemies." At that, Byleth's face turned a bit sour. "Shamir later told me all of them are to be executed by Rhea."
"You don't seem...pleased at that, My Teacher."
"I hate that you and Caspar were hurt, but....to kill them all. Papa always said killing was meant to be when there is no other option. For bandits that care not for life and dead. I did not get the same feeling from the Western Church."
"There might be more to that. Tensions between the Central Church and Western Church have been growing lately. They are unhappy with how things are ruled here, or by Lady Rhea's long time as its head. Something like this was bound to happen. For me, the execution is so that other members of the western church never try this again."
"Hm...that masked knight fled after the battle was over."
"Probably for the best, it could have been a lot worst if he got involved."
"Indeed.....are you hungry, you want anything from the dining hall ?"
"I....I could use something sweet." Edelgard is hungry after all.
"Sure, I will bring it to you. Rest. Manuela said you are to spend at least tonight on the infirmary."
"Ugh." She groaned, hating the fact she had to be here.
Byleth stood up, going to the dining hall, when Edelgard noticed something.
"Professor.....what is that sword ?"
"Oh this." She raised the sword. Edelgard noticed that it glowed when she held it. "This was what the Western Church wanted. I don't know why, but it seems to react to me. Rhea said I can keep it."
Edelgard paled at what she saw.
That was the Sword of the Creator. The weapon wielded by Nemesis, the King of Liberation. This meant that Byleth could be a descendant of the Fell King....
It meant she has the Crest of Flames, just like her......