Chapter Text
“Honestly, how long do you intend to sleep?”
Upon hearing the loud voice shouting in her head, Byleth groaned. Her eyes weren’t open and her head was throbbing. She tried her best to move, but Byleth quickly stopped. Her injured body was in a little too much pain for her to be moving right now. Instead, Byleth tried focusing on the last thing she remembered and the voice in her head.
“I know you’re in pain, but there’s a war going on! You can’t possibly help your students if you keep sleeping in this river.”
The mention of the war helped jog Byleth’s memory. Edelgard and her forces had just invaded Garreg Mach. Byleth had helped lead the monastery’s defenses, but she had been sent over the edge of a cliff after being attacked by one of Edelgard’s mages.
If I fell over the edge, how exactly did I survive?
“Ha! You can thank me for that! Without my powers, you surely would have met your demise.”
Sothis?
“It took you that long to realize who you were speaking to? I know it’s been a while, but that’s simply rude of you.”
How are we talking right now?
“Right, as I was saying before, the powers I have bestowed you through our fusion have managed to keep you alive after your fall. You have been asleep for five days now.”
Five days?
Byleth could finally understand why Sothis’ frustration with her for sleeping so long. So much could happen in five days, especially now that the war just started. Her students needed her, and here she was asleep in some river!
“Do not get mad at me! You’re the one who risked your life to help Rhea!”
Byleth didn’t say anything. Sothis was right about that. Her predicament was the results of her own actions, and she would have to make up for it when she finally woke up. Byleth tried to move again.
“Careful now. You’ve only been asleep for a few days, so your body hasn’t had the time to fully heal itself of its injuries.”
Byleth let out a frustrated grunt. There was no way she was going to willing stay asleep just to heal herself.
“That’s what I thought. Well, you are in luck. There’s a village not far from where you are now, and it seems that some of the villagers are about to stumble upon you.”
As if on cue, Byleth could faintly hear the distant sound of people talking. A man and a woman bickering, to be precise.
What will happen when they find me?
“You will wake up, and knowing you, you’ll be off to find your friends and do what you can to support them through this war.”
Byleth couldn’t argue with that. As soon as she was able to, Byleth knew she would have to head to the Kingdom. Her Blue Lions needed her, and she would do anything to help them. They were all she had left, and she intended to protect them until her dying days.
I’m guessing that when I wake up, we’ll go back to being unable to speak to each other?
“Unfortunately, yes. This will likely be the last time we will be able to communicate. I do wish I could guide you through this, but this is something you will have to do without me. I have been able to protect you from dying, and now it is up to you to use this gift to help those you care for.”
The voices were growing louder, which meant Byleth’s body would be discovered any minute now.
Sothis, thank you for everything. I will do my best, I promise.
“I know you will, now good luck! You will certainly need it in these times to come.”
As the two villagers grew closer, Byleth was finally able to open her eyes. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust to the bright sky. She could tell that the sun was setting from the orange and pink sky above her. Though it pained her to move, Byleth tried sitting up.
“Oh my, Rolf, there’s somebody lying in the river!” Byleth turned her head slowly in the direction of the woman’s voice. It came from a short, elderly woman nearby. The woman nudged the tall man standing beside her and pointed towards Byleth.
The old man, who Byleth assumed to be Rolf, hurried over to Byleth as fast as he could, with the woman not far behind.
“Well I’ll be, are you alright miss?” Rolf asked her, grabbing Byleth by the arm and helping her into a sitting position. Byleth opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Her throat was dry, causing the mercenary to cough.
“Wilma, get the poor lady something to drink!” Rolf said, turning to the woman. Wilma reached into the burlap bag she was carrying on her shoulder and rummaged through it. The old woman pulled out a small flask before opening it and thrusting it into Byleth’s right hand.
Byleth took the flask and took a large sip of water. “Thank you for that.” She told them, her voice still a little hoarse.
“Now what exactly are you doing lying in this river? It’s not an ideal place to take a nap, miss.” Rolf said, holding his hand out for Byleth to take.
Yeah, no kidding. Byleth thought as she took the old man’s hand and slowly got to her feet. Her body was sore and aching all over, but Byleth knew she was lucky that that was all she felt. Without Sothis’ power, Byleth would have been dead.
“I fell in and was knocked out.” Byleth told them. It wasn’t technically a lie, but it was a complete oversimplification of her situation. Telling them the whole truth wasn’t going to help her though. They’d probably think she was crazy if she did.
“Oh dear, you look dead on your feet.” Wilma said, looking over Byleth’s body. “Our home isn’t too far from here, I must insist that you come back with us. I know a bit of healing magic that could help you.”
Byleth nodded. She followed the elderly couple to their home through the woods. The old lady was right; the house wasn’t far at all. They had only walked for a few minutes before they arrived.
Byleth followed them inside their house. It wasn’t too large and looked a bit worn down, but Byleth didn’t judge. After all, she never had a home before living at Garreg Mach, so she wasn’t capable of saying anything bad about the little shack.
Wilma motioned for her to sit down on their small, patchy couch. Byleth nodded and took a seat before being joined by the old lady.
“Rolf, go grab this poor girl something to eat while I start to heal her injuries.” Wilma ordered her husband. Rolf grunted before going to look for something in the cabinets. Byleth would have protested and insisted they didn’t need to feed her, but her stomach was very empty and she did feel a little weak from hunger. She didn’t have much time to say anything as Wilma had already begun healing her.
The mercenary’s body began to relax as it healed. It was still a bit sore after the old healer had finished, but Byleth wouldn’t complain. She would fight through all of that pain to make it back to her friends.
Rolf returned, holding a small package. Inside, there was an apple and a few slices of bread. “It’s not much, but it should help you get your strength back.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but why are you helping me?” Byleth asked, taking the package from Rolf. “You don’t know me.”
Wilma pointed to Byleth’s chest. “Your brooch.”
Byleth looked down at her chest, brows furrowed in confusion. The Blue Lions brooch had survived the fall, though it had grown dirty like the rest of Byleth’s clothes.
“I’ve seen that symbol before. It’s for the Blue Lions at the Officer’s Academy. I’ve seen it many times before, whenever we visit Garreg Mach monastery.” Wilma told her.
“The Church of Seiros has done a lot for our village. The Knights protect us and the monks help keep us fed. The least we could do for them is helping you now.” Rolf said.
Byleth nodded as her gaze fell down to the brooch again. A tiny smile grew on Byleth’s face as she remembered the day she got it.
It had been her birthday a few moons ago, though Byleth hadn’t told anyone. She never really celebrated her birthday before coming to Garreg Mach, where everyone seemed to do something special for their own birthday. The mercenary probably should have expected someone would try to do something for hers.
Class had just ended, and almost the whole class had all but run out of the room. Byleth had found this a bit odd, since they usually lingered for a few minutes or invited her somewhere after class. The only one still remaining in the classroom with her was Dimitri. He had his hands behind his back and an anxious look on his face.
“Professor,” he greeted her in his usual excited tone as he walked over to her. “I know you’ve mentioned in the past that you do not do much on your birthday, but the Blue Lions and I still wanted to do something to show our appreciation for you.”
He held out a small wrapped box with a little note attached to it. “It’s not much, but I do hope you like it.” Dimitri said, a faint pink blush appearing on his face.
Byleth slowly took the present from her house leader. Her hand touched the note.
“Oh, you do not have to read the card now.” Dimitri said all of a sudden. Byleth smiled a little, amused by the anxiety he was struggling to hide. In order to spare him from further embarrassment, Byleth opted to open the box.
Inside was the Blue Lions brooch that would become one of Byleth’s most treasured possessions. She took the brooch out with care, her smile growing wider as she examined it. “If you would like, I would be happy to assist you in pinning it onto your coat,” Dimitri offered. “Th-that is, if you would like to wear it. I did not mean to presume anything. If you do not like it, you do need to put it on, of course.”
Byleth reached out and touched his arm, which stopped his nervous rambling immediately. “I like it, Dimitri. I really do.” She told him, still smiling. “And I will accept your help in pinning it.”
Dimitri took the brooch from her with unexpected care. Byleth hid how impressed she was with him; she knew he struggled handling delicate things, and teasing him now would fluster him and possibly cause him to break the brooch on accident. With an intent look of focus on his face, Dimitri carefully pinned the small brooch on Byleth’s coat. Byleth stifled a shudder as his cold, metal gauntlets brushed against her body as he pinned it.
When he was finished, Byleth looked down at it and smiled. “Thank you, Dimitri.” She said.
Dimitri nodded. “You look beautiful with it.” He said before his face grew red. “I-I mean, it looks beautiful on you.”
Byleth laughed softly as the prince regained his composure. “Anyway, the Blue Lions wanted to host a tea party with you, since you always take us to tea for ours.” Dimitri told her.
Ah, so that’s why they all ran out. “I’ll have to thank them for the brooch as well.” She said.
Dimitri held her arm out for her, which she accepted it. “Now then Professor, we should not keep them waiting.” He smiled at her, and Byleth returned one.
The memory that the brooch brought back made Byleth’s desire to reunite with her Lions stronger. She knew exactly what she needed to do. As soon as she could, Byleth would head towards Fhirdiad. It would be best to reunite with Dimitri as soon as possible. With him, Byleth would be able to help the Kingdom, and she would be lying if she said she didn’t want to see him again. Of course, she missed all of the other Blue Lions greatly, but Dimitri was the one she had always been closest to. He was her first and dearest friend, and he would need all of the help he could get right now.
I won’t make it to Fhirdiad without supplies. I could probably grab some stuff from the monastery. There might not be much left after the invasion, but I’ll have to make do for now.
“I must thank you for everything you have done for me.” Byleth told them as she stood up, still holding the food package in her hands. “I just need one last favor. If you could point me in the direction of Garreg Mach, I’ll be on my way.”
“Certainly,” Rolf nodded. “Though you’ll have trouble going there. I hear there’s still some Imperial troops there.”
That wasn’t surprising to Byleth. It definitely made things more difficult for her, but she would have to work around it. Nothing, not even the entirety of Edelgard’s army, could stop her from reaching Fhirdiad.
“I understand, but I have no choice but to go there. I can handle myself.” The mercenary assured them, one hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Both of the villagers seemed to believe her, as they led her back outside.
“It’s not too far from here, but it’ll be dark soon. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to rest before you depart?” Wilma said. Byleth shook her head. “Believe me, I’ve slept long enough.”
“Very well. There’s a path towards the monastery nearby. Follow that and you’ll be there in no time.” Rolf told her.
“Thank you both for everything. I’ll have to find a way to repay you for this someday.” Byleth said.
“Good luck, miss. I’m certain you’ll need it where you’re going.” Wilma said, smiling. Byleth nodded. She knew the path she was headed down wasn’t going to be easy, but it was one she wouldn’t have to go down alone.
With the Sword of the Creator at her hip and her care package of food in her hands, Byleth said her goodbyes to the old couple and began her journey back to Garreg Mach.