The Black Eagles and Golden Deer have arrived at the Forbidden forest after a long match 

Edelgard looked back at her classmates who are exhausted alongside the Golden Deer as they stop to take their breath "This is going to unfavourable battle," Edelgard frowned under her lips 

Claude just pats her on the back "I understand but we didn't have much of a choice as time is not on our side," Claude examine the forest "We should be more worried about the forest than anything else." 

Dimitri sighed as he examines the trees "To make even worse...we have a time limit on our heads." He frowned as Jeralt gave the signal alongside Seteth as they charge into the forest "Alright, let go, everyone!" Dimitri shouted as they entered the forest 

Everyone is on high alert as they stare at every possible angle for an ambush for a sneaky Archer/Sniper/Sharpshooter 

"These woods are giving me the creeps," said Hilda as she has her back with Lysithea 

"For once...I agree with you," Lysithea replied who has a spell prepared within her hands 

-----------------

Cornelia sighed as she waits for the sacrifices to arrive but that when an Imperial Assassin from General Metodey battalion arrived and kneel right in front of her "My Lady, we spotted another group heading our way," 

Cornelia stared at the Assassin with a confused look "Hmm? Didn't those 'Knights' get beaten a couple of mins ago?" 

"We did  but...they came back with students from Garreg Mach alongside a couple of knights," the Assassin replied 

"Students...oh I see..." she smirks "Alright then. Get into your position and prevent them from getting near the ritual site. Use the forest to your advantage and ambush them at every turn," said Cornelia 

The Assassin smiled and bowed "Yes, my Lady." before going into the forest 

"Well, well, well...it looks like, I am being tested once more," Cornelia muttered as she stared at the Flayn who is tied up onto the wooden pole as the mages continue to pill up the firewood 

------------------

Within the Forbidden Forest, Constance is being dragged by a small group of Dark Priest "Hurry up! We are late thanks to you!" shouted the Priest 

Constance just frowned in response "Oh sorry...maybe you shouldn't drag me in the first place!" Constance reply but got beaten by a club "Ow!" 

"Shut up! You should be thankful for the fact that we need you alive, now hurry up!" Constance frowned as the Dark Priest continues to drag her 

-------------------

Jeralt frowned at the sight of the forest alongside Seteth and his mercenary band "Don't get yourself lost! Make sure that you can see each other at all times!" Jeralt ordered the students and his mercenaries 

Seteth was flying overhead but his overwatch is mostly useless due to the night skies and the forest "I would normally rush ahead but...Snipers/Sharpshooters can easily release me out of the sky, I just have to stay behind Jeralt for now," he muttered 

Petra asked Edelgard if she could scout ahead but Edelgard shook her head "It not because I don't trust your abilities...it just that...I don't what you to die a pointless death," Edelgard replied 

Petra sighed but bowed "Yes..." she looked around "...Your majesty," 

Edelgard turned back to Claude "Claude, I am going to say this again...I suggest that you wield a sword just in case. As the forest heavily flavours the enemy," said Edelgard as she hands Claude the Mithril Sword but he rejected it 

"I already gave you my answer...and it remains that way," Claude reveals a dagger and started to spin it around 

She just rolled her eyes "Just here!" Edelgard shove the sword at Claude "You might need it later on," 

Claude sighed "Fine...I take it," Claude draws out and examines the Mithril Sword "Not going to lie Edelgard...this is a good sword...such high quality...thank...you" Edelgard walked away from him and when beside Dimitri "Ok...nevermind," Claude rolled his eyes and sheath the sword before making his way towards Raphael and Ignatz "Hey you two, enjoying yourself?" Claude asked 

Raphael shook his head "This place gives me the creeps as the trees feel so...how do I say it again Ignatz?" Raphael asked 

"Lifeless Raphael, the trees feel so lifeless and devoid of any colour," said Ignatz as he examines the tree lines 

"I agree...just keep your eyes peeled and don't blink...otherwise you might end up in a different world," Claude replied as he prepares his bow 

Ignatz and Raphael nods as they look out for each other 

"Edelgard, please...stay behind me," said Dimitri while he continues to examine the tree line 

Edelgard frowned "Why should I?" Edelgard asked as she examines the treeline as well 

"It because you don't process a shield to protect yourself from hidden archers," Dimitri replied with a concerned look on his face 

She just sighed in frustration "You're, right Dimitri...but I am still wearing gambeson armour...so unless it a heavy crossbow. I should be fine," 

"Just because you are wearing gambeson doesn't make you immune to arrows or bolts. They can still hurt or worse...kill you," Dimitri examines Edelgard red gambeson armour 

Edelgard rolled her eyes "Alright, I stay behind you. My knight," Edelgard smirked at Dimitri 

Dimitri however, ignored her as his horse stared into the treeline. He frowned at the sight as he shoves Edelgard and raised his shield in front to block an arrow that came from the treelines "What were you saying?" Dimitri asked as he charges forward against the enemy archer who is wearing a black/grey cloak

"Shit!" The enemy archer tries to load another arrow but Dimitri ended his life with a thrust through the chest 

Edelgard sighed but then realized something is wrong...where are the Black Eagles and Golden Deer? Weren't they behind her?  Also fog? "Claude?" She looked behind her but...no one is there as she just shakes her head "Shoot...the fog got us separated and it getting thicker." Edelgard frowned as she raises her axe 

Claude examines the fog "This is not neutral at all...someone is creating this fog. Raphael, Ignatz...keep an eye on who foe and who a friend. This fog is only going to get thicker and thicker until we take out that mage," shouted Claude 

Raphael nods alongside Ignatz as an arrow flew past him 

He quickly turned towards the direction of the released arrow and released his arrow into the exact spot as he heard a voice "Gah!" which made him smile "Got him...Raphael, Ignatz are you alright?" 

"Yea...thanks Claude," Ignatz replied as he prepares his bow and arrow while Raphael gave a thumbs up towards Claude 

Claude examines his surrounding "Shit...everyone got separated. This is bad..." he turns towards Raphael "Raphael, Ignatz...can you two handle it by yourself?" Claude asked 

Raphael nods "Yea...we got this Claude," Raphael replied 

Ignatz rolled his eyes "We can...just cover my back Raphael," 

He made a single wave at them "Thanks, just be safe!" Claude started to dash through the foggy forest 'Edelgard, Dimitri, Hilda, Lysithea, Petra...everyone...please be safe,' 

Edelgard sighed at the sight of the fog and treeline as Petra tapped her shoulder "I can't see Claude anywhere and I am worried...may I have permission to scout?" Petra asked 

She examines the fog for a moment then back at Petra "...alright, just don't get yourself killed like last time," 

Petra bowed before disappearing into the fog 

-------------

Metodey laid within the woods alongside a group of assassins from his battalion "Well, well, well...it looks like the central church is scarping the barrel. Well, this shouldn't be that difficult," said Metodey 

"Sir, if the central church has rallied the students to fight against us...would that mean we will have to face her highness?" The Assassin asked 

"...you mean Princess Edelgard? Am I correct?" Metodey frowned at the comment 

"Yes, even though the Empire has punished us to the Penal battalion...some of us still have some loyalty left to his Majesty," The Assassin raised his dagger which has an eagle symbol on the small guard 

Metodey sighed "You forgot Lady Cornelia promise didn't you?" 

"No, sir...it just...can we not face her highness within battle?" 

He shook his head and sighed once more "Whatever fits your boat. But remember her words...once we complete this mission. We shall be released free for a better life," 

"Of course sir, now let us handle these brats," the Assassin when into the treelines 

Metodey smiled "Good...now who to kill?" Metodey muttered as he enters the treelines 

------------------

Claude raced through the woods while keeping an eye out for anyone or any traps within the fog "Hmm...should I yell? If I do that...it would reveal my position but...no, can't risk it," Claude muttered as he raised his bow when he spotted a shadow from the fog 

The shadowed turned towards Claude "There you are," the shadow reveals itself to be an Imperial Assassin as he makes a lunging attack against Claude

He reacted quickly by rolling to the side before releasing his arrow against the Assassin which landed on his shoulder but he didn't scream for pain as instead he just continues his attack by doing another lunge 

Claude tried to dodge but the Assassin managed to slash Claude lower torso. Cutting his gambeson and his flesh like its nothing 

He tightens his lips in pain as he draws out his dagger and made a wide slash but the Assassin response was doing a backflip as Claude examines his wound "Carp...it looks like my luck has finally run out," he frowned as Claude holds his Apollyon with his left hand and the dagger with his right hand 

"Your name..." The Assassin points his dagger at Claude "Claude Von Riegen. One of the House leaders. It looks like, I get the first kill," said the Assassin as he lunges forward and makes a make slash 

Claude blocks the attack by using Apollyon as a shield before trying to counter with the dagger but missed due to the lack of range as the assassin just rolled back and when into the treelines 

He frowned under his wounds as Claude bit his lip and examine the treeline 

The Assassin attempted to sneak attack by lunging off a tree but Claude quickly turned around and released an arrow right into his head as he ducks under his body. Letting it roll onto the ground 

Claude sighed in relief as leans against a tree and examine his wound which is bleeding pretty badly "No, no, no..." Claude muttered as blood continues to pour out of his wound

He sheaths his dagger and places his right hand onto the wound "Please stop...no more," Claude breathing became heavier as his heart beats faster than ever 

A voice was heard through the fog "No more what?" 

Claude raised his hand and quickly examine his surroundings "Who is it!" shouted Claude 

"...Well, well, well...it looks like I found myself a wounded deer," a figure soon came out of the fog with an Assassin dagger with a wicked smile on his face 

"Carp...it looks like, it just got worse," Claude muttered as pick up Apollyon and quickly releases an arrow towards him but he just rolled under it 

"Little deer, little deer...struggle all you what...but in the end, I add your hide for my collection," the Assassin flip the dagger and lunges at him 

Claude threw Apollyon at him and drew out his dagger 

The Assassin smacked Apollyon to the side as he makes a low sweep but Claude stepped back avoiding the sweep but then he made a quick slash as Claude blocks it with his dagger...however, the Assassin is giving Claude a tough time as he not giving him a chance to counter back 

Claude is forced to block or dodge and can rarely counter as the Assassin managed to land another slash at his lower torso "Gah..." Claude lean back on the tree as the Assassin wickedly smiled at the sight of his wounded prey 

"Well...any last words?" the Assassin asked as he moves closer towards him 

"No...it because I have no plans of dying in this forest," Claude replied as he tosses his dagger at him 

The Assassin "Huh...your mouth is just empty words, now let end this...shall we?" The Assassin asked as he quickly lunges at Claude stabbing him right into his chest but that when Claude sighed as draws out the Mithril sword and slashes upwards at the Assassin 

"GAH!" he screamed as he covered his face. The Assassin examine the blood within her hand "You...you ruined my face!" He looked up as he realized that Claude is missing and in its place was a pool of blood "Where are you deer...where are you!" he shouted 

Claude used the chance to run away into the fog as his vision started to blur "Dam it...not now, I can't...die yet," he muttered as blood continues to pour out of his wound 

He soon stopped and leans against a dead tree as he uses his hands to press against his wound "Carp...too much blood, I am losing too much..." Claude noticed a figure within the fog "Well...at least your sword came into use Edelgard," he chuckled 

The figure turned towards Claude as she emerged out of the fog "Claude...is that you?" Petra asked with a concerned look on her face 

Claude smiled at Petra "Yea...it me...did Edelgard send you?" Claude asked as Petra realize the blood within his hand 

"Claude...your bleeding," Petra kneeled and examine the wound alongside the Assassin dagger "...Claude, are you?" 

He nods "My luck has finally run out Petra," Claude smiled at Petra as he pulls the dagger out of his chest and gave to Petra alongside the Mithril Sword "Petra...tell Edelgard and Dimitri that, they have to continue without me and that the Golden Deer from now on...follow Edelgard and Dimitri orders as if they were my own," Claude lean back against the tree "That is all," 

Petra looked away for a moment before turning back to the weapons "...Claude, forgive me...for not arriving any sooner," Petra stood up and bowed 

Claude sighed "Don't give me that look...you shouldn't blame yourself. It was my mistake for going alone within this fog. I knew the risk and well...I paid the price." Claude closed his eyes "Go on Petra...send my words to the couple," 

Petra tighten her lips as she puts the dagger and sword to her side and left Claude on his own 

He opened his eyes as Claude sighed in relief "Your eyes expose the truth Petra...that tough face of yours doesn't hide the water within your eyes..." Claude another figure within the fog "Well...I guess, this is it...my final chapter," he closed his eyes and took a breath "It a shame...I was hoping to explore the world...and find...the truth," Claude smiled at his comment as he accepted...his fate 

Petra ran through the fog as she encountered a group of Assassins and...a General with a fresh scar on his right face

The Assassin and the General turned towards Petra "What the? Another student?" The General asked 

"Sir...this is a student from the Black Eagles," said the Assassin as they refuse to draw out their dagger 

"Imperial? So you must be the missing battalion," said Petra as she draws out Gram and points it at the General 

Metodey frowned "Yes, but we have our orders not kill you...we were just told to kill the other houses," said Metodey 

Petra frowned at Metodey "Who ordered you to kill?" 

He sighed "What do you think? Her Highness herself ordered it...now, where is that bleeding deer?" 

She tightens the grip on her sword "So...it was you that caused Claude bleeding," 

Metodey smiled "Oh? That means you found the deer. In that case, can you guide us to his body?" 

"...No, General Metodey. You have been charged with treason for attempt murder against Claude Von Riegen." said Petra in a cold-hearted voice 

The Assassins looked confused as they stared at Metodey 

"Watch your tongue...outsider. I am a General within the Imperial Army. You might be the Princess of Brigid girl...but here...you are just an outsider, so stop with that nonsense and guide us to that bleeding deer!" shouted Metodey 

Petra smiled "I already spoke my words." she looked at the other Assassins "I would recommend not to side with this traitor. Otherwise, you will face my wrath," said Petra as she prepares herself 

All of them stepped right in front of Metodey and prepared their daggers/swords 

She just shook her head "You made a terrible choice, now...prepare to face my blade!"