Chapter Text
“Byleth!” Jeralt’s voice echoed from the living room. “Byleth get up! We’re gonna be late.”
Byleth let her head sink into the pillows more. She snuggled into her blankets. Wasn’t time to get up yet.
She was on the cusp of dreamless lands when she heard her father sigh. “Rise and shine!” The pounding on her door was enough to make her wince.
Slowly, she sat up rubbing her eyes. Squinting, she got out of bed, stretched, and yawned.
Opening the door, her father looked at her with an affectionate, yet disappointed look. “Hey sleepy head. Glad to see you finally up.”
“Mhph.” Byleth mumbled, still feeling quite groggy.
Jeralt ruffled her hair. “Get ready, I’ll grab you some Poptarts and a water bottle then we can head out. Job’s an hour away so you can eat in the car.”
She nodded, shuffling to the open bathroom.
After quickly brushing her teeth, washing her face, then throwing on her cleanest work clothes, she headed into the kitchen.
Her father was there, the shiny tinfoil in his hand. “Strawberry.” He said.
She took it from him, grabbing the water bottle too. Cracking the cap open, she took a long drink, sighing in content. Cold water always felt refreshing.
“I’ll be in the car. Might wanna bring your jacket this time around, getting colder and the city doesn’t have as much cover.”
“Alright.” She said as he passed her by. “Wait, the city?”
“Contracted to bounce a nightclub.” Jeralt answered, pausing at the door.
Byleth nodded, taking another swig of water. “Defense weapons?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Just intimidation, making sure the right people come in, shouldn’t have to throw anyone out. We’ll stay in a motel after and order some pizza.”
She nodded, liking the sound of that. “Right.”
He headed out, leaving her to refill her water with the tap. She took a final sip before heading to get her bulkier jacket.
It took a few more minutes before she’s out the door and in her father’s pickup truck. Her jacket felt weighty, harder to move compared to the hotter summer days of a t-shirt and shorts. With the sun overhead, it didn't feel like it was going to be cold, but Jeralt would know best; he’s been to the city more than she has.
The radio’s blasting old country songs that she never particularly cared about. It’s probably about heartbreak, or unrequited love. She ignored listening to the lyrics much, opting to watch out the window instead.
Fall was approaching. The leaves were turning the flaming orange and reds that she finds herself enjoying. The hills become lush with such vibrant colors, making the valley breathtaking in a simple yet magical way. Sometimes the air would chill, and the mists would make the world white, shrouded in a dense fog.
When she was younger, Byleth could remember seeing shapes and shadows lurking in the distance, human-like ones that made her peer a little closer. She had always stayed in Jeralt’s bed on nights like that. She wasn’t scared, just… uncomfortable alone.
Her father never minded. He snored, though, making it hard to get sleep those nights.
Byleth chewed on her Poptart slowly. Watching the trees begin to become less dense as more and more buildings loomed in the distance. Cars were everywhere, and soon so were billboards and lights.
The city was always active. She had only been here twice before, but it felt as though no one slept with all the horns and smells and sirens. There were different products being shown this time, such as perfume or shaving devices. All bright, flashy, and electric.
It made Byleth turn away. The city was okay. She’d just rather be where the peace and quiet, and this was certainly not.
An hour was a long time, but Byleth found herself lost in thought just long enough to be slightly surprised as her father announced out, “We’re here. Can you hold this for a moment?” He fished out a black card from his pocket.
She took it, glancing over the design. The name on the card was Snake Bites: Bar and Club, outlined in golden print. There was a double headed snake around the border, its head and tail almost touching.
They pulled into a parking garage. As Jeralt rolled down the window for the man in the ticket booth, Byleth handed him the card back, and he began to explain their job. Luckily at the sight of the card, the guy just waved them through.
The truck wheezed, lurching once, before finally driving in slowly.
“Weird name for a club.” Byleth said.
Jeralt laughed. “Weird, but expensive. They’re paying top dollar to have all hands on deck. They're expecting a lot of people today.”
“Is it popular?” Byleth asked.
“Yeah, got an email from the head honcho. They’re lookin’ at seven hundred people cycling throughout tonight.” Her father hummed. “Are you good at the front? I can let you watch over the crowd there or you can be in the back.”
“Yes, I'm good at the front." She nodded. Watching monitors were rather boring.
“Great,” He said. “That’ll take one worry off of my plate.” He smiled, parking. “Alright, I gotta make a phone call to make sure the others know where to go. You go ahead, should be upstairs.”
“Alright.” Byleth unbuckled her seat. She was about to open the door when Jeralt stopped her, handed her the black card.
“Just in case.” He said. “If they ask you who you are, tell them and show them this. I’ll be up soon..”
Byleth pocketed it. Effortlessly, she slid out of the vehicle, then proceeded to slam the truck door closed. It wouldn’t stick if she didn't.
The exit sign led her to the closest staircase. She shouldered the door open, and inside was a very clean looking stairwell. Instead of the usual concrete blocks, everything was painted in black and gold.
She climbed her way to the first floor, with the sign above the door frame the same as the logo on the car. A ‘S’ and ‘B’ with the same snake border.
Weird. Byleth thought as she opened the door.
Inside was bright, illuminated by the overhead lights. The party lights were all turned off, and a few waiters passed her by. Once again, black and gold color grade.
She strode in, looking around for someone she either recognized or could be a manager of some sort.
The layout was for the most part large and empty. The exception was the largest lizard creature stationed in the center, its giant body on top of a waterfall.
She stopped before it. It’s jaw gaped upwards, about two feet above her head. It’s eyes looking upwards as well, as if looking past the ceiling to the sky.
“Magnificent, isn’t it?” She heard and she turned. A woman was walking towards her in sunglasses. Her hair was wrapped in a bandana. Dangling from her ears were large, golden snake earrings that matched the brooch on her blouse's collar as well. She had a walkie talkie attached to her hip and an earpiece, indicating she had some type of importance.
“Very.” Byleth agreed as the lady stood closer.
“Imported from Turkey.” The woman said. “The aura was too strong to resist. But we all know that Greece has better statues. Take what you can get through, am I right?” She laughed lightly.
Byleth nodded politely.
“I am assuming you are Jeralt’s daughter? Byleth, isn’t it?” She asked.
Again, Byleth nodded.
“My name is Astra, the manager here at Snake Bites nice to meet you.” She held out a gloved hand.
“You as well.” The other woman shook.
“My, what a beautiful young thing, I wish I could just look at you forever! The promises I keep.” She scoffed. “Is your father here? I’d like to talk to him before setting up.”
“He’ll be up shortly.” The dark haired woman answered, putting her hand back into her pocket.
“Wonderful, please feel free to take a look around. The entrance is to our right, and the main dance floor is through those far doors. Please note this place gets pretty wild when we open, it feels like a whole different room!” She clapped her hands. “Let Jeralt know I’ll be at the bar if you see him. I will be helping with some… event organization that way.” She gestured down to the other room.
“Yes, of course.” Byleth said.
“I will see you later then, Byleth. Don’t get too drowned in the bodies out here.” She laughed again as though it was an inside joke, disappearing behind a wall.
Byleth frowned, loosening her grip on the business card in her pocket. Something felt weird about that lady, but these days everyone she met had a weird feeling about them. Her head was feeling more fuzzy lately, like she couldn’t connect the details.
She’s been having a lot of weird feeling lately. Her dreams have been so vividly about a girl mouthing something at her she can’t hear. It had been the same dream every night. Byleth always woke up unsatisfied, like she's missing something.
The woman sighed, repocketing the card. Astra was their employer. She had to be tolerated. Jeralt had mentioned, big money as well. Maybe they could finally buy a new truck.
Byleth found herself opening the door to the outside. Cars honked as she glanced around, under an overhang canopy that reached until the street. Across from her looked like a food place. The smell of spice meats made her mouth waft and her stomach growl. She frowned, wishing she had more Poptarts to snack on. Maybe even a warm one this time.
She blinked, looking to her left. A record store. Nothing really of interest besides the large neon light flashing open occasionally. Her father would like that, but there was no time to explore.
The sun was beginning to set, and as she turned to her right she saw people loitering in a designated line. They were standing on a red carpet that stopped just before the door. Most were in fancy attire and long dresses, contrasting her own rumbled shirt. They were ignoring each other as well, and her, in fact. Odd, but probably for the best.
She squinted, the sun hitting her eyes, and when she looked at them again she couldn’t help but notice they were translucent. She blinked again, and they were solid.
Byleth shook her head and turned, heading back inside. Maybe she was more tired than she thought. She would be out here later, awake, but for now she needed to help with preparation.
———
By the time the clock struck eight, the line was wrapping around the block. Byleth stood next to two hired bouncers, watching as the people funneled through the glass doors. Music was pouring from inside, and it was becoming a little overwhelming with the onslaught of voices, cars, and excessive noise.
Byleth managed to keep herself there by playing the game she always did. Detail check. Every person had small ways of expressing themselves, so she attempted to figure out what kinds of personalities they had through their clothing and mannerisms. This event was… perplexing. The majority had on clean simple black, either a suit and slacks or a black dress.
She’s been to many similar clubs with the same dress attire, but at least one person would throw in some gold or silver. Or something.
For the money. Byleth thought as she watched the next couple go in. Again with the same crisp black attire.
“Sorry sir, this ID is expired.”
“Oh, my apologies, it seems as if I gave you the wrong one.”
She turned her head to look at the line. She blinked.
Two very cleanly cut people were in front of her. Instead of what she had been normally seeing with dull colors of brown, grey, and black, they were bursting with color.
The man who was fumbling through his pockets wore a crisp blue suit. Not navy or any darker color, but blue, like the color of his eyes. His blonde hair was spiked, falling this way and that. He frowned. “Where did I put it…?”
“Hey, if he can’t find it would you be able to, you know,” A shorter man slid up, brown hair and green eyes. He was wearing a yellow striped suit vest and a black bow tie. “Maybe just pretend it didn’t happen?”
“No.” The bouncer said gruffly.
“Really?” He leaned closer, producing a rolled up wad of bills from thin air. Waggling his eyebrows he also flaunted the money, shaking it. “You sure?”
Byleth frowned, stepping forwards. Better safe than sorry. “Keep the line moving. I’ll deal with them.” She said putting a hand on the hired help’s shoulder.
“Ya sure?” He asked. She nodded. “Okay. Next!”
“Please step out of line.” Byleth gestured, away from the others.
“Now, would you take a little extra?” The yellow one asked, waving the money towards her.
Byleth just stared at him.
The guy raised an eyebrow. “Not much of a talker, eh? What is your name?”
She ignored him and turned to the tallest of the two. “Do you have your ID?” She asked.
“Rejected! Ouch, what a burn.” The yellow guy winced, grabbing his chest.
“I can not find it.” The blond guy said, dejected.
“Wait, Dimitri, I found it in my purse.” A light but pointed voice said from behind the tall man in blue. He stepped aside revealing a short woman in a vibrant red dress and long black gloves with his supposed ID card in hand. She had stark white hair that was done up in a nice bun. “Also Claude, shut up, please. You’re making me have another migraine.”
What a motley crew, Byleth thought idly. She’s seen weirder, but in this case they were some of the weirdest people yet. Definitely not from here.
“How did it get there?” Dimitri frowned.
“Oversight.” She said sharply. The indentation between her eyebrows indicated she was annoyed. She turned towards Byleth, clearly ready to talk more, but as blue eyes met an unnatural pale purple, the shorter woman's eyes went wide. Her jaw dropped, and her hand froze half out in hesitation.
Maybe she had colored contacts? Again, not the weirdest thing. She had been a security guard at an anime convention a few months ago. The costumes had been intense and incredible, but the lengths people went to go above and beyond was another level.
“Everything alright, Edelgard?” Dimitri asked, breaking the spell that seemed to have frozen the woman in red.
She squeaked, whipping her head to the blond who tilted his head.
Byleth raised an eyebrow.
“Nothing- Sorry, here.” Edelgard said, looking a bit put off.
Byleth took the ID card. Too weighty. A fake. She looked at it anyway. Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd. Date of birth: December 20th, 2000. Hometown: Long Island. Some of the plastic covering was already peeling, meaning it had been used before. Worked before. Not this time.
“Do you have another one?” She asked.
“What do you mean?” The one named Claude asked. “The date's right, isn’t it.”
“Not real though,” Byleth said, pocketing it. “Next time check the weight.”
Claude squinted at her then laughed. “Man you’re good. That had to be off by a few micrograms.”
“I believe this is a misunderstanding.” Dimitri fidgeted with his hands together. He looked extremely apologetic, more than she’s seen anyone with a fake ID before. Usually they just laugh it off and leave or get extremely angry and try to fight. “Is there any way we can get in without it?”
“No.” Byleth said again. If it was any others, she would have made them leave, but there was something she found charming about these three.
“I knew this was going to happen.” Edelgard pinched the bridge of her nose. “Didn’t I say that this would happen?”
“Yeah yeah, your Highness, how do you suppose we get in now?” Claude scoffed. “Really, I think it would've worked if-”
“If doesn't matter now, it didn’t work.” Edelgard said, sighing heavily through her nose. “Okay, you know what? We don’t have time for this.” She looked at Byleth. “You don’t have to believe us, but here’s the truth. We believe there’s a bombing planted inside. We’re not sure when or what time it will detonate, but we’re here to stop it.”
Byleth regarded her for a moment. Something in her gaze made her feel as though she wasn’t lying. “How sure are you?” She asked.
“I would stake my life on it.” Edelgard answered.
“I would as well.” Dimitri chimed in.
“I don’t know about staking my life on this-“
“Claude!” The other two shouted and the man winced.
“Okay! Yeah, I stake my life on it, jeeze.”
Byleth looked at the three of them again. Now she could see, they looked a little rough around the edges. Their clothes were rumpled, looking as though they had been in a rush to put their outfits on. They all had bags under their eyes, just barely covered by makeup. They couldn’t have been older than twenty.
Eighteen year old trying to find bombs? Well, she learned how to disarm one at their age, so… maybe? She’ll play along, this time.
“Alright.”
Dimitri perked up. “Really?”
“Come with me. Stay close, and don’t make any trouble.” Byleth said, waving them in. She turned to the other bouncers. “I’ll be back out soon.”
“Got it.” He said as he checked another ID.
As she kept the door open, Byleth heard one of them mutter, “I can’t believe that worked.”
Tight crowds were always considered a blessing and a curse. A blessing, because Byleth could normally walk unseen and unrecognized through the dense amount of people. It hid her well, and the feeling of disappearing was more comfortable than the alternative. A curse, because it was always harder to find her father. Sometimes she’d find him closer to the bar, chatting to the bartender while other times she realized it was just useless to try to bother.
Luckily, he was stationed in the security booth they set up earlier. She knocked their code on the door, hearing a faint “Come in!” before opening it.
“Byleth, is everything okay?” He asked as she kept the door open.
The three teens funneled in and he raised an eyebrow at them.
“They said there’s a bomb.” She explained. She closed the door behind them, standing so they couldn’t leave without getting past her.
“A bomb?” He said standing up.
“Whoa big guy.” Claude said, stepping back slightly. “Man, what do you eat to get muscles like that? Can you refer me to your-” Edelgard elbowed him. “P-Personal trainer?”
Jeralt gave a gruff laugh. “I’m not sure about that. Now what is this about a bomb? Who are you?”
“We believe it’s hidden here.” Edelgard said. “Let me introduce myself, my name is Edelgard Hresvelg, this is Dimitri Blaiddyd, and he’s Claude Riegan. We’re here on behalf of Fodlan’s Intelligent Squad. We… wanted to dispatch it as quietly as possible, without causing a scene.”
“Aren’t you three a little young to be in the Intelligent Squad?” He asked, scratching his beard. He looked a bit bewildered.
“Naw, we’ve been training for this all our lives. Right guys?” Claude said. “Remember when Edelgard found that bomb and then screamed because it was actually a mouse?”
Edelgard pinched the bridge of her nose again.
Dimitri nodded, though looking wearily between the two.
“Or the time when Edelgard refused to go into the ocean because she has a fear of-”
“That is enough, Claude.” Edelgard said through gritted teeth.
“Hey, I was just sharing our credentials!” He smirked. “Learned to disarm a man with a loaded gun, and how to make a molotov cocktail.” He looked back at Byleth and winked. “Was pretty sick.”
“Sure.” Jeralt said, clearly unconvinced, making two out of the three teenagers slouch in defeat. “Byleth, can you please call these three a cab? I will have the men search while you’re doing so. Here-” He handed her his flip phone. “Zippy’s should be open. It was nice meeting you all.”
“Byleth, huh?” Claude said as she opened the door. “Is that Roman? Greek? Latin? Never heard of someone named that.”
“Nice meeting you as well!” Dimitri said with a wobbly smile.
Edelgard nodded. Her expression was unreadable. “Yes, thank you.”
“Wait,” Jeralt said as Byleth was about to leave. He handed her his switchblade he always walked around with.
“No weapons?” She asked.
“Just in case.” He said. “Never know when you might need one.”
Byleth stared at him, but she couldn’t quite tell what he was thinking.
He smiled, causing her to relax. She grabbed it with a nod.
“Thank you.” She said, feeling the heavy metal sit comfortably in her hands. She heard a loud crash outside.
“Uh oh.”
“Did you just… break something?”
“Come on you big oaf, I’ll cover it up.”
Byleth found the three a few ways away. She was surprised they didn’t leave, but supposed maybe it was just good luck. “Let’s go.” She shouted over the music, and led them back to the entrance. As she got out, she sighed in relief as the chilly air hit her. The club air had been so warm. Way too warm. She held the door open once again, and the three misfits funneled out.
“Please give me a moment to call a cab.” She said to them, looking through the contacts. Zippy’s was the last one, as expected. Hitting a call, she waited as the rings came in. In the meanwhile she watched the teen out of the corner of her eye, making sure they didn’t disappear from her sight.
“This was a disaster.” Edelgard said.
“No kidding.” Claude said, “Did you see how huge that guy was? I bet he could bench press Dimitri with a single arm.”
“He was quite big.” The blond said. “But now we have to find how we’re going to find the monster without having access to the club.”
“It has to be in there somewhere.” Edelgard murmured.
“I dunno, if it was I think we would’ve seen it through all the spirits.” Claude said. “Maybe that lady Chiron was talking to was wrong. She had this weird vibe, if you know what I mean. ”
“Lady Rhea?” Dimitri frowned. “I do not see any reason to not consider her trustworthy.”
“Well, I don’t.” Claude said. “Who has that green hair?”
“For once I agree with Claude on this one.” Edelgard said. “As much as it pains me to say, I believe it was suspicious that she just appeared out of the blue and was appointed this year's Camp Director. Not only that, but her decree to mix all of the cabins is unheard of…”
“This is Zippy’s cab service, how may I help you?” Byleth blinked, tuning back into the phone.
“Hello, this is Byleth Eisner, I have some kids I’d like you to pick up from Snake Bites.” She shifted the phone. “On 108 South Street.”
“Snake Bites…” The voice on the other line pauses. She could hear clicking sounds of a keyboard. “I can’t find Snake Bites, do you mean SuperBites on 453 West Avenue?”
“No I-“ Byleth started to say before an explosion knocked her forwards.
She whipped around, gaping as smoke began to pour from the windows. “What-“ She began as people began rushing out of the building. Gaining her bearings she remembered- “Dad.” She whispered before there was another explosion, causing her to drop the phone. Ruble and ash flew from the windows, making the sky turn a bright red.
People were beginning to pour from every which way, pushing her back, and she struggled against the wave. Heat rolled against her face, and she winced shielding herself. She could barely see through all the fire inside.
“Dad?” She yelled out, but there was no response over the sounds of groaning metal and dust.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and she almost surplexed whoever did until she realized it was Dimitri.
“Let us help you.” He said, somehow stable against the flow of people. She backed up when she realized he was holding a spear of some sort. It glinted against the neon lights, gold. Startling gold. Where did that come from? “Stay here, we will find your father.”
“Geeze, I guess Rhea was right! Who would’ve thought?” Claude said with a laugh. Slung on his shoulder was a golden bow made of the same material. An arrow was twirling between his fingers. “Are you guys ready to party?”
“As I’ll ever be.” Edelgard said, readying a golden ax. It had a huge broadhead that had to be the heaviest out of all three weapons. “Please try to not die either of you, I’d rather not have to burn a shroud.”
“Do not worry, Edelgard.” Dimitri said, readying his spear. “I will do my best to keep everyone safe.”
“Let’s go!” Claude shouted, and the three of them rushed in. Instead of them getting pushed back, the swarm of people flowed around them, almost as if they were ignoring them.
Byleth saw them disappear into the club. She gritted her teeth and plowed through.
Her father was there.
She needed to get to him, goddess be damned.
Finally, she managed to break through the crest of people finally, stumbling into a destroyed dance floor. The smoke made her eyes water, and she covered her mouth with her arm as she tried to find her way back to the security office.
She went up to the nearest shadow and reached out, “Hey you have to get out of- Agh!” She jumped as the person crumbled, becoming ash. She gaped down at the pile, but she didn’t have time to think as she heard shouting in a room over.
“Watch out!”
“Aw you really do care, how about taking this!” There was a loud screech. “Oo, feisty. I think she'd really like a haircut!”
“Got it!”
Byleth rushed towards the voices, finding an unbelievable scene in front of her.
The three teens were running around a creature. It was Astra. Her bandana was torn off, revealing a head full of at least a hundred snakes. Her lower half was no longer human, but instead scaly with a giant tail. She was whipping around in a frenzy, attempting to strike one of the three with shiny claws that seemed to glow red in the fire light.
Snakes writhed and hissed. Their eyes looked every which way. “Where did thessse children come in?” She shrieked as she swiped towards Edelgard, who just barely dodged her by rolling. “Ruining my fun! I had ssssuch a deal.”
Byleth swallowed hard, trying to see if her father was there before finally spotting him knocked out cold on the floor behind her. “Dad!” She said, rushing towards him.
Blood was pooling around his head. She swore, trying to find his pulse. Finally, she found it. Weak, but he was still there. She ripped off the bottom of her shirt, ignoring the chaos around her.
“Please be okay.” She whispered, gingerly turning his head the other way only to find where the bleeding was stemming from. Once she found it, she winced, almost revolted as a large gaping wound had opened across his head all the way down his chin.
Apply pressure. No time to clean it. Head wounds always look worse than they are. She remembered him saying. Byleth felt the sweat dripping from her brow at the heat. “You’re going to be alright.” She murmured, more for herself than anything else.
After securing the wound as much as she could, she tried to lift him. No dice, too heavy for just one person. The only other option was to watch over him.
Byleth turned to watch the others racing around. It was like they were playing cat and mouse, and by the looks of it they were the mouse. No substantial damage was happening to the monster, in fact it looked as though she was enjoying it. Her snake eyes darted around, pupils vertically long and sclera's a sickly yellow.
The teen’s were also all looking worse for wear, their outfits torn and charred by the fire. Blood was dripping from Dimitri’s brow, and Edelgard was holding her side. Claude had positioned himself further away, but even he looked as though the smoke was getting to him.
I have to do something. Byleth thought, adrenaline pumping into her like electricity. She needed a weapon, wait she had-
The snake creature threw Dimitri across the room. He hit the wall with a loud snap, and he fell like a bag of rocks. He slumped over, looking similar to how her father did.
“Dimitri!” Edelgard screamed. This caused all the snakes and their host to zero in onto her position.
Byleth was up and rushing towards the other woman before she realized what was happening. Maybe it was stupid, to try to help with only herself with a flimsy switch blade, but it’s better than nothing.
She pushed Edelgard away just as the snakes collided with her body, fangs and claws digging into her side as she screamed. Pain. So much pain. Has she ever felt this before? Her body felt like it was burning.
She could just barely feel the switchblade in her pocket burn, hot against her leg like it was on fire. Like it was ready.
Byleth stuffed her hand and pulled the knife from her pocket, pressing the switch to release the blade. With a swipe, she threw her weight the opposite direction, attempting to slice the snakes off of her.
Instead, she found herself slicing the head of the woman, making the snakes release as the screaming disappeared. She watched as the body crumbled into ash.
She looked down. In her hands was a giant, glowing golden sword. The top part of it had been segmented as though it had further reach, but it was slowly returning back to being one piece.
Epivlitikós Dimiourgós. She heard someone whisper in her ear. Magnificent Creator.
Byleth staggered forwards as a shot of agony reminded her she was still in immense pain. Her vision went blurry. The world seemed to dip in and out of focus, and her limbs felt numb on her left side. Was she about to die? Her legs collapsed underneath her.
“This place is about to collapse!” She heard someone shout.
“I’ll carry him and see if I can get her up, go get Dimitri.”
“Sounds good, let's go before this place explodes!”
“Hey,” The voice was closer now. Violet swarmed her vision. She heard some sharp snapping, but it felt miles away. “Hey, stay with me, you have to walk. I can’t carry both of you if you don’t. You hear me?” Byleth felt as if her brain was on fire, but she nodded. Dad. She needed him safe. “You’re reacting to the snake venom, but we’re going to get you help. You just have to go straight to the doors, alright?” She nodded again. “Okay, Follow me.”
Byleth struggled to her feet. Using the sword as a cane, she managed to stabilize herself. Venom. She would laugh if she wasn’t in so much pain. Every foot step felt like she was fighting her own body. At this point she could barely feel the smoke in her lungs. The fire had turned into a blur of red and orange. It reminded her of the trees she saw on the way there. They had been beautiful, maybe if she just-
“Focus.” The voice bounced in her head like it was right next to her. It was so clear, it jolted her awake like a cold bucket of water. The path before her was clearer, the edges not as fuzzy. “Keep going.”
The words invigorated her somehow. Instead of stumbling down, she lifted herself more, going forwards step by step.
As time went on, she began to feel the exhaustion set into her bones. It was getting harder to think. The only thing keeping her up was her sword. The metal was cool to the touch. “Farther, you’re almost there.” She heard once more, and with her last bit of strength, hobbled past the flames into the dark street.
She could just barely make out the things in front of her, everything only shapes and colors.
Blue and yellow and red and… and…
Green.
She collapsed to her knees before falling onto the ground. Her sword fell with a clatter. Was she outside? Everything was cold. She could hear shouting and people and things, but it all was just noise. Her vision was turning black.
She was so tired. She closed her eyes.
Maybe she could just…
Sleep, my child. You are safe now.
And the darkness took her.