Edelgard, Dimitri, the Black Eagles and the Golden Deer prepare to return back to Garreg Mach until they notice something in the distance. A storm of hooves racing towards them with one of them carrying the Imperial Eagle and...a carriage?

"The Imperial Guard? Wait..." She examines the head rider "Ra...Randolph? What is he doing here?"

Dimitri walked beside Edelgard as Randolph rode right in front of them. Dismount and kneeled

"Randolph...what are you doing here?" Edelgard asked

Randolph tightens his fist around his chest before looking up at his Majesty "Your Majesty...your father is...bedridden and requests that you return to Enbarr at once,"

Her eyes went wide as she turned towards Dimitri "We must return to Enbarr at once!"

"I agree, let..." Dimitri got cut off by Dedue

"Your Highness, what about your friends?" Dedue asked

He bit his lip as Dimitri looked back at Edelgard

"...It's fine," Edelgard grabbed Dimitri's hand "Return back to your friends. I shall handle the Golden Deer,"

Dimitri gave a concerned look at Edelgard as he shook his head "No...yo..." He took a deep breath and whispered into her ear "Our family is more important..." He turned towards Jeralt "Jeralt, I need to ask you a favour,"

Jeralt nods "Let me guess...it about your Blue Lions isn't it?" Jeralt asked

Dimitri sighed as he nods "Yes...they should be near House Gaspard whom...we fought against Lord Lonato. Tell them to wait for the others then...escort them to Enbarr at once." said Dimitri

He frowned at the request "Alright, I do it but...I will need something in return," Jeralt extends his hand towards Dimitri "Proof...give a single thing...a royal seal or something like that otherwise we might have some problems,"

Dimitri broke off from Edelgard and checked his pockets but got nothing however Mercedes pats him on his back "Mercedes...you need something?"

She shook her head "Dimitri...let me do it." Mercedes turned towards Jeralt "Is this good enough?" Mercedes reveals the Rafail Gem within her hands,

Jeralt examines Mercedes's relic "...yep, that good enough. Although..." he looked at Death Knight before looking back at his mercenary group "...nevermind," Jeralt turned to face Dimitri "Just go to Enbarr. I handle the rest,"

"What? Are you sure about this Mercedes what if..." The Death Knight stepped right in front of Mercedes which caused Dimitri to just sigh "Nevermind just...stay safe,"

Mercedes smiled and bowed towards Dimitri "I will, just..." she points at Edelgard "I am...deeply worried about her...I sense some darkness within her," said Mercedes

Dimitri frowned at Mercedes's comment "She still hasn't gotten over Claude death...or maybe I am missing something..." Dimitri placed his hand onto his chin

"Dimitri! We need to hurry!" shouted Edelgard as she entered the Carriage

He turned towards Edelgard "I will be there in a moment!" Dimitri turned and look back at Dedue "Dedue...I need you to protect Mercedes and..." he gave a dirty look at the Death Knight "Keep an eye on the Death Knight,"

Dedue frowned but he bowed "As you command your Majesty,"

Hubert went inside the carriage "Your Majesty, what shall we do with the Golden Deer?" Hubert asked

Edelgard leaned back on her seat "...return them back to Enbarr with the Black Eagles. They should follow our orders without any problems,"

He bowed before leaving the carriage "Alright," Hubert walked up to Petra "Tell the Golden Deer to fall in with the Black Eagles."

Petra sighed "...alright, I shall tell them," before heading towards the Golden Deer

Randolph noticed something is wrong with the Golden Deer "Wait...where Claude Von Riegen?" Randolph asked as he examines the students

Edelgard grabbed Randolph shoulder "I am afraid that he didn't make it,"

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

Before Randolph arrived

Hilda noticed something old with Bathlus who was busy chatting with Hapi, Constance and Yuri. She slowly walked up to him before tapping him on the shoulder "Umm, excuse me,"

"Hmm?" Balthus turned around to face Hilda "Oh hey, there pretty lady...are you interested in my muscles?" Balthus asked

Hilda frowned at Bathlus before examining his face "Oh how kind of you...but I am not interested in your 'muscles'. What I am interested in is your name,"

He started to scratch the back of his head "Huh? My name? Well for starters, I am the King of Grappling," That when Bathlus's rear head got hit by Constance fan "Ow! What was that for?" Balthus asked

"This lady asked for your name...not for your title!" Constance frowned at Balthus

Balthus rolled his eyes before turning back towards Hilda"Ok, I am sorry...Balthus, that my name...happy now?"

Hilda placed her right hand onto her chin"Balthus...Balthus...Balthus! Baltie is that you?" Hilda asked

"Huh? Hold on a min..." he examines Hilda's hair and face "Bright pink hair...Holst little sister? Hilda is that...you?"

"Wow...it...been a while and you have grown..." she examines his chest and hair "Taller,"

Balthus smiled as he pats her on the head "Same with...you Hilda, you have grown a lot since the last time we have seen each other," he grabbed Hilda hand "Alongside your beauty,"

She blushed bright red before slapping Balthus in the face

Yuri chuckled at the sight while Constance just shook her head

"OW! I was trying to nice," Balthus whined

Hilda frowned "Well maybe you shouldn't touch me with those dirty hands," she points at his hand

He examined his hand which only had a single drop of blood on it "What...it not that bad...right?"

"Well...Yuri, what are we going to do now?" Hapi asked

Yuri smiled at Hapi "What do you think?" He points at Edelgard and Dimitri

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

Edelgard and Dimitri entered the carriage before Randolph closed the door shut and when back to his mount without speaking a single word

Dimitri closed the blinds before taking a deep breath "Edelgard...I can understand your struggles but...do we really have to leave everyone else behind?"

Edelgard waved Dimitri off "Yes, yes, but don't worry, they will arrive at Enbarr within a couple of days...also didn't you tell Dedue to stay behind with...Mercedes?" Edelgard asked back

He leaned back onto his heat "That because I am worried about Mercedes. We already lost her once...I am not losing her again," Dimitri replied

"I can understand that feeling," The carriage started to move "But now..." she slowly touched the carriage window "...father, please hold on," Edelgard muttered

Dimitri gave a sorrow look at Edelgard "Hey Clau..." he looked to his right when Dimitri realized that...Claude isn't with them "Oh...right,"

Edelgard sighed and ignored Dimitri 'mistake' "Claude would normally joke around during our travels but..." She looked at the seat beside Dimitri "Nevermind, it... it's all in the past now,"

He took a deep breath before grabbing her hand "Edelgard, I know that your heart is filled with grief but please...don't let it consume you,"

She stared at his palm "...Dimitri, I...I am afraid that a tough sell," Edelgard replied "It feels like I am losing parts of my soul within me...like it being consumed by the same darkness that we once feared,"

Dimitri stared at Edelgard and can't help but feel that...it seems like...he has been through this before but where?

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

Seven long years of war raged throughout Fodlan which started with the Adrestain Empire invading Garreg Mach causing the Kingdom to declare war on the Empire

The Alliance stayed neutral even though many did support the Empire...mainly the southern part of the Alliance

The war when favourable for the Empire as they managed to seize half of the Kingdom territory while Dimitri was held in captive for Treason against his own family

Even though he has broken out with the help of Dedue. His sanity is no longer with him as he continues to reckless fight the Imperial soldiers even if they beg for mercy

But that was years ago...many things happen under the Azura Moon. Dimitri changed throughout the years not because of age...but because of experience

Dimitri watched his friends dying for him...in the name of their Prince. They fought with the best of their abilities

Dedue was the first casualty within the Blue Lions and it wasn't long before things started stacked up

The Knights of Serios came back to Garreg Mach but...their losses for the years were...hard for them. Catherine was among them. Shamir said that Catherine lost her mind once she heard that Lady Rhea was captured within Enbarr and went off on her own...with no success.

When the Imperial army discovered that the Knight of Serios came back to their army. General Randolph launched an assault

The battle ended in a victory as the Imperial army was forced to retreat due to the arrival of the Kingdom reinforcements...however, another Lion has fallen in battle. Ashe Ubert was slain by an Imperial Falcon Knight when his arrow failed to land the killing blow. General Randolph was captured by Dimitri himself and...was tortured until he bled out

Rodrigue arrived with reinforcement but their numbers are thin as they still have to attend the main front. After burying Ashe Ubert within the cemetery. They decided that...they should ally themselves with the Alliance which is on a verge of civil war between those who supported the Empire and those who stayed loyal to the Alliance

The current Alliance leader is Claude Von Riegen who is attempting to prevent a civil war but sadly...even with his best efforts. A rebellion broke out within the Southern Region and there is no turning back

Dimitri originally oppose the idea of allying himself with the Alliance but due to the massive losses from their past battles...it's difficult to refuse the offer

Everything changed after the Battle of Gronder. Where the Blue Lions managed to push the Imperial army away but at a heavy cost. The Kingdom alone lost over 100,000 soldiers...Ingrid, Sylvain, Gibert and Rodrigue were among the casualty and Byleth is gravely wounded

Emperor Edelgard was heavily wounded by Dimitri Relic Areadbhar although she managed to escape thanks to Casper sacrifice

Even with the massive losses. Dimitri still wants to continue his advance to Enbarr

Byleth is leaning against her sword as she looks over Gronder Field "Dimitri...everyone is...dead." said Byleth

Dimitri tightens his grip onto his spear "I know...why...why...I gave them a chance to let go of me...I am just a mindless beast! Yet...they continue to follow me....why....why!" he shouted as he examines the field of corpses on Gronder Field

Her eyes when wide as she shoved Dimitri out of the way

He had a confused look on his face before turning himself around"What the? Professor..." he stared at an image of a young girl stabbing his Professor between the gaps of her armour "Professor!"

The young girl frowned as she attempted to pull out her sword only to fail thanks to Byleth gripping the blade "Dam it...let go!"

Dimitri's body started to boil as he thrust his spear at the young girl who leaped back to avoid his spear "Y...you...I kill you!"

"Oh...like how you killed my brother!" shouted the young girl while Byleth fell onto the ground

He noticed something wrong with the little girl as her eyes are devoid of innocents...instead it just...pure hatred at...him? "Wh...what are you talking about?" Dimitri asked

"Don't act dumb...yo...you monster! My brother is dead thanks to you!" she grabbed her necklace on her neck "Well...answer me your monster! Do you love to torture your victims like my brother...answer me!"

For the first time, Dimitri remained speechless at the young girl's words...it is as if...she is just like Dimitri in the past.

Fleche drew out her dagger and prepared herself

Dimitri snapped out of it "...your brother fought within the Imperial army...tell me...what is your name?" Dimitri asked

"...Fleche Von Berglies and I am here to claim vengeance for my family!" shouted Fleche as she thrust her dagger forward

He dodged with little effort before grabbing her hand and taking a look at her eyes "People die in war every day...your brother happens to be one of them...so what makes your brother so special?" Dimitri asked

She laughed in anger "My brother...was tortured to death!" Fleche points at Dimitri "I can still hear his screams echo throughout my head...as you just laughed!" She then points at Casper corpse "And now...you have just murdered another member of my family," Flech continues to struggle

"Wait...Von Berglies...I see, so you were General Randolph sister...forgive me but..." he grabbed Fleche neck with both of his hands "...you are too dangerous to be alive,"

"I...I can say the same...for you," she muttered as Dimitri snapped her neck before dropping her lifeless corpse onto the ground

Dimitri felt...weird after killing Fleche. He doesn't know why but...he feels...sorry for the young girl as he makes his way towards his Professor

He picked up his Professor body "Professor...Professor!"

Byleth looked up at Dimitri "...Dimitri? Are you alright?" Byleth asked

He nods "Yes...I am, I just realized something, Professor,"

She smiled at Dimitri while holding onto her wound "What is it...Dimitri?"

"A...are you going to join the voices of the dead? Are you going to haunt me?" Dimitri asked as his hands started to shake alongside eyes started to fill with tears

Byleth shook her head "No Dimitri...come here Dimitri," Byleth hugged Dimitri as she started to pat him on the back

"Why...why would sacrifice your life to protect...a beast...why Professor?"

She chuckled "Its because...you are a Lion Dimitri...we all followed you to the Depth of Faerghus because..." Byleth slowly moved his head as their eyes meet "You shine like...the Azura Moon..." Her body soon fell cold onto the ground

"Professor...Professor!" Dimitri cried as he continues to shake Byleth body

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

"Dimitri...Dimitri!" shouted a voice within his head

Dimitri opened his eyes "Huh...what?" Dimitri asked as he examined his surroundings in which...he is still inside the carriage

"You were having a 'bad' dream weren't you?" Edelgard asked as she crossed her leg and lean back

"...yea...forgive me Edelgard. It just...feels strange, I don't know why but...it feels like. We have been through this beforehand," said Dimitri

She sighed as Edelgard pulled the blinds to the side staring at the horizon of the flat plains "I had that same feeling as well...it is if...we all have been through a lot." Edelgard shook her head "Nevermind, just take your time,"

Dimitri frowned as the new dawn is about to rise "Indeed, although..." he sighed and muttered under his breath "I can still sense the darkness within you," As he started to close his eyes once more

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

Ladislava waited patiently outside of her majesty bedroom as a Bishop came out of the room

She squeezed her fist "His Majesty is he well?" Ladislava asked the Bishop

The Bishop wipe off the sweat on his forehead with a piece of cloth before shaking his head "...Forgive me Commander but...his Majesty has drawn his last breath," said the Bishop

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

Felix closed his eyes, raised his sword and took a deep breath before unleashing his slashes

He can feel the rush of air flowing throughout his body alongside his new blade

The new blade cut through the wood with little effort before moving onto the next target slicing the piece of fabric in half

"Felix...can we talk?" a voice asked

Felix sighed in a deep breath before opening his eyes and turning towards the direction of the voice "Annette...what is it?"

Annette sighed back "Ingrid and Sylvain have just arrived a couple mins ago, they wish to see you," said Annette

He sheathed his sword "Finally...what took them so long?" Felix muttered under his breath

She frowned at Felix "Felix! Don't be rude...they were visiting their families and well...I think you know the rest,"

"Fine...tah!" he slaps himself on the face "I am still getting used to this,"

Annette chuckled under her breath "At least you are trying,"

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

Deep underground

"Marianne...that an interesting name," the young teenager asked as she placed one of her hands onto her chin

She smiled at the young teenager "Why thank you, that very kind of you." Marianne examines her face and hair "You know, I can sense a person's light and darkness within them. Right now, I can sense a large volume of light...however, there is a layer of darkness hiding within your heart. Is it about...your mother?" Marianne asked

The teenager tighten her lip but...nods "Yea...she...isn't doing well," she looked away as she took a deep breath

Marianne gave a sorry look at the teenager "I am sorry if I touched something hard within your heart but...it the truth is it not?"

She nods "No...you hit the truth indeed. Mother hasn't been doing well in the past couple of months...I wanted to return home but...I can't. Not when I am the leader of the ______ ______,"

"Indeed, you are nearly in your final years within the academy...preparing to ascend the throne. Is that correct?" Marianne asked

She sighed as she slowly leaned back onto her seat "Yea...it is the reason why I am here within the academy and not back home. As they what to make sure that I am worthy as their successor,"

Marianne nods in agreement "I can understand their reasons...they don't what someone cruel or unjust taking up the throne and tearing everything that they work so hard to keep,"

"I know...I don't what their efforts to become devoid...so that why I am working hard to become worthy as their daughter," The Teenager replied while placing her right hand onto her chest

She smiled at the sight of the teenager "That reminds me...may I ask for your name?" Marianne asked back

The teenager smiled back "Yea...sure, my friends often call me El but my real name is..."

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

Thales chuckled at the viewer "Sorry...but I am afraid that I have to cut them off but don't worry...she gave you the first hint about her name. Which is El," Tales smirked as he makes a snap with his fingers "Anyways it time to reveal the number of cards drawn from the deck,"

He examines the list "Alright...here are the results. I got eight comments in total...that means sixteen cards were drawn from the deck." Thales lowered his list "Hmm...oh...did I forgot to tell you that comments from other places count as well?" He smirked at the viewer

"Anyways...today is a lucky day for you...as there is going to be one lucky viewer that will get a sneak peek with one of the cards. How will I decide?" He reveals an eight-sided dice "Simple, we roll for it..." Thales tossed the dice into the air as it landed onto the ground "Seven...tah...it the co-op producer for this novel named Blossom_Worm from Archive of our own. Oh well...now Blossom_Worm listens. The cards you selected were 40 from the character deck and 41 from the fate deck. I will give a chance to peek at one of them...but only one. So choose wisely," said Thales as he leans back onto his chair

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

Jeralt sighed as pulled out a small ring before putting it away into his pocket "A few more days before retirement," he muttered

After a couple of mins, Mercedes mount up onto the Death Knight horse while Jeralt stayed on foot

"....alright, let get going now," said Jeralt as they make their way into the Kingdom alongside his band of Mercenaries