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You were an incredibly skilled fighter. Everyone could tell at a glance, but proving yourself on the battlefield made that all the more evident. No, rather, words alone couldn’t describe the way you wielded a sword. You navigated the bandit-filled terrain like royalty in your own castle.
I, meanwhile, prided myself on not being the center of attention. Tactical running, you could say, was my personal choice of combat. A stray arrow here and there to pick off the enemy while leaving them in the dust was a perfectly acceptable way of helping the others.
Things would’ve gone just fine if we had continued down this route. But no, fate was to be twisted that day. I watched from the bushes, holding my bow low to keep from alerting anyone of my presence. A bandit lashed out at Edelgard, catching her off guard. And then you came in – cold eyes and calculated blade – to save her from a grisly blow. Watching the scene unfold, it didn’t sit right. It’s not that I wanted to see Edelgard get hurt – I didn’t want anyone to get hurt! – but something in my mind told me that someone was supposed to fall in that moment. Later, of course, I’d think about how you’d always been willing to take a hit for Lady Edelgard. Even in times in turmoil where I really wished you’d been at my side instead.
Byleth, daughter of esteemed warrior and captain Jeralt, was how you were introduced. So it made sense that you’d be such a quick-witted fighter. I would’ve happily invited you to an archery lesson had you shown any interest. I’m no professor, but I have my perks!
“Hey! You are coming with us to the monastery, right? Of course you are. I’d love to bend your ear as we travel.” A casual, winning smile was always a good start. I patiently explained why we were fighting in the field while the other two stood stiff as statues. Dimitri and Edelgard criticized me for my strategies, but I wasn’t about to take it to heart. I wasn’t the one in need of saving. And if I only played my cards right, then I’ll never be in such a vulnerable position to start with.
Edelgard and Dimitri acted quickly. Damn them and their lack of pleasantries. It’s always straight to the point, isn’t it? Nevertheless, I threw my opinion into the mix. After all, earning your heart would be a significant victory for the Golden Deer. Where my fellow students were concerned, I was prepared to never falter.
“So, capable stranger, let’s get right to it. Where does your allegiance lie?” Thinking back, the question felt lame on my tongue. I could swear you showed uncertainty, eying each one of us in turn as though weighing each option with a feather. I was wrong, as it were. Your decision had been made the moment you risked your life for Edelgard. Which was none of my business – a minor loss, but nothing to lament over. I could no more direct your hand than I could direct your sword, regardless of where it ended up pointed.
And yet I would find myself asking, time and again, if you ever grew to regret your devotions, Byleth. Would you have accepted an easier life if it was prostrating itself before your feet? Or had such a grueling life of combat prepared you for only the bloodiest outcomes.
It was fine, at first. The new professor got along with everyone. I’m not one for drawn-out lectures, but even I became intrigued by Byleth’s teachings. Compared to the days when Manuela would come stumbling into the room with a hangover to teach the Golden Deer, an occasional change of pace sounded nice.
Did people find your icy exterior more endearing than even my best attempts at captivation? They had to have, otherwise you wouldn’t have bolstered the Black Eagles’ ranks with such fervid recruitment endeavors. You started with the Blue Lions, earning the camaraderie of a select few of Dimitri’s members. It wasn’t my business, so I watched it without batting an eye. If your charm was truly so insatiable, then who was I to protest? I can still remember that disgruntled look on Dimitri’s stuffy face when Sylvain explained why he wanted to switch classes. It was kinda funny, actually. Props to the guy for setting his priorities like that.
And then you started coming for my class, and I was less okay with that. Leonie had never been very good with fare-wells. She just wanted to be closer to anything resembling Jeralt’s teachings. There might’ve actually been some undertones of jealousy there, but that was a beehive I had no interest in disturbing. So I bid her good luck in the transfer to the Black Eagles. Soon thereafter, Ignatz also made his decision and followed Leonie to study at your side. Who knows – maybe your lectures left more time for him to do art on the side.
Whatever the reasons, I supported them. I still heard from them, too, even if I didn’t see them as much. Truly, they turned into incredible fighters under you and Edelgard’s jurisdiction. It’s not like they were leaving forever – at least, that’s what I’d told myself at the time. If it made them happier, then why intervene? Surely I could win them back again someday. With the way you held yourself, I wondered if there’d come a day where you’d recruit so many members of the Golden Deer that the class would be all but extinguished. Had I known there was a different way you were going to destroy us, I would’ve done more to stop it.
The way the Church saw it, you were doing a fantastic job in raising the next generation of soldiers. It was admirable, if I’m being honest. I liked seeing you busying yourself around the monastery, attending sparring practices, offering your voice to the choir, and sharing countless meals with your unit of starry-eyed students. It gave me a goal to aspire towards as a leader. That… probably sounds strange now. I wanted to see the tricks you kept up your sleeve. Did you share your knowledge with some higher power, or were you truly so capable a professor right out of the gates? It made me think that I had a lot to learn. Now I’m glad I didn’t learn it from you.
And yet.
And yet.
There was still something so fundamentally captivating about you. I wanted to see it for myself. Maybe that made me greedy, wanting to stand alongside you without the whole “commitment” part. I kept my distance, watching from a comfortable place in much the same way as when I first saw you fight on the battlefield. I stood my position as class leader of the Golden Deer, but just like everyone else was inevitably captivated by your presence.
So then why had you stood, alone and so silent, on the night of the ball? While students paired up and waltzed across the stupendously decorated ballroom, you held back. I thought maybe you were shy or just not one for dancing. It was hard to tell from your stony expression. I couldn’t let you stay like that, though. It was supposed to be a night for everyone.
I approached you with a charming wink and outstretched hand. I could feel the jealousy of other students raking the back of my night like claws, but I didn’t care. In the moment, I only wanted to extend an invitation to you. Was everyone else too scared to see that glimmer of life in your eyes? Or did they not want to dance with a professor? I had to laugh at that idea. Hell, it was obvious you were close to us in age, and this was probably your first dance! It was my honor, really.
You placed your pale hand in mine, and I felt a spark. Not an emotional spark, but like a spark. Conducted energy. Magic. Power. Something so deeply ingrained that I couldn’t properly fathom it. But I hadn’t extended my hand to you for superficial reasons. Only a dance. As friends do.
I was familiar with the dancefloor. You were not.
I took it slow for your sake. You moved fast.
After only a few songs from the orchestra, your dancing was on par with mine. We flowed with grace and radiated confidence. I couldn’t tell if you were having fun or winning a competition. Either way, I could tell you were enjoying yourself, so what did it matter? When the music picked up the pace, I found myself following you!
“Hey, hey! I thought I was the lead here,” I joked.
I witnessed something incredibly rare. I think that was the only time I ever saw it. But you cracked a faint smile – the smallest tilt of lips. And that made me laugh in delight. Maybe this was a competition after all, and I was the one coming out of it victorious.
Edelgard and Dimitri swapped partners on and off, earning admiration from students and peers. And me? Well, I spent the whole night with you alone, much to the chagrin of everyone watching. I grew tired before you showed any sign of stopping, but we kept at it for hours without restraint.
You came to a stop. Not out of tire or lack of interest, but to excuse yourself. I didn’t see you again for the rest of the night.
I only hoped that you enjoyed the ball as I had.
Time passed as it always had, and it brought me only dread. There were many things I couldn’t predict. For starters, you became good friends with the Golden Deer’s professor. Manuela started arriving to her own lectures on time. I thought you were starting to rub off on her, because the quality of our lessons improved from there. She seemed happier, and I was happy for her. That lady could use some more friends.
I thought – naïvely, now that I think back on it – that everything was going in a promising direction.
I wasn’t there when hell came for us.
And I certainly didn’t know Edelgard was capable of such betrayal.
But she was. And so were you. You followed her undyingly, a fully devout follower to a vengeful Queen. Edelgard… she had so many demons. And you were willing to be one of them. I hope it was worth it.
Rhea was so mad. I could hear her roars for miles. It was paralyzing, but had I known the reason for her fury then perhaps I could’ve convinced myself to move. Had you truly planned to become a turncoat, or were you being deceived by Edelgard? I couldn’t rest until I was certain.
I wanted to be there, if only to see for my own eyes the decisions you made that day. I was briefed about the events later, sure, but it made you sound like the scum of the earth. Dimitri was quick to buy into Rhea’s account and harbor loathing. I did everything in my power to remain neutral. Year after year, I held my ground. I would never touch Edelgard’s territory, but I also didn’t want to extend my own neck for the Church. That’s what Dimitri was doing instead. I took responsibility for my land and my people and, just like when we attended the Academy together, I remained open-minded.
Nobody saw you for years after that. I thought for sure your decision to side with Edelgard had been your untimely demise. But things were not to be that easy for any of us.
When you reappeared, it was the signal of a new ending. Reunited with your Edelgard, you razed any opposition to the ground. I was warned for weeks of the incredible power you demonstrated on the battlefield. I considered seeking you out to talk in private. My roguish skills could certainly take me far enough into Edelgard’s midst if I went alone to earn a private meeting. But I remained as I was, waiting for things to blow over.
Instead, you brought the battle to me.
You invaded my land. Killed my people. And showed up at my doorstep in Derdriu. I had time to prepare beforehand, but not much. I held a private meeting with Lysithea and Hilda, urgently explaining that if they get the chance to surrender that they absolutely should.
When you ravaged our forces, Lysithea put up a good fight, but inevitably bent her knee to you. I spent the next minute grateful that you’d decided to spare her.
I spent the next minute, however, stunned and wracked with grief.
Hilda, you fool. Your loyalty knows no bounds. You shouldn’t have given your life for my cause.
Before I had time to process how quickly your master tactics desecrated my army, you were already charging at me, ancient weapon raised for a one-on-one fight.
At this very moment, searing metal is biting into my flesh. I gasp and stagger, reaching for my bow and calling for assistance. But nobody is left to save me.
It hurts.
Byleth, that legendary weapon of yours hurts so damn much.
You must’ve seen the look on my face. I thought I’d grown used to being stabbed by you. But, like, metaphorically. Aiming your weapon at me, even after not seeing you for five years, was a betrayal I hadn’t prepared myself for. Even when it should’ve been obvious that it’d end like this.
I’ve always had so much trouble reading your expressions. Probably because you oft hid them behind a steely façade. It made me wonder if you truly felt anything at all. But no, I knew better than that. Having myself placed emotions behind an exterior, I understand the tactical advantage of masking intent behind a smile or, in your case, a blank, thousand-yard stare.
And yet, when I lock eyes with you this final time, I can see the hurt residing inside. Despite your efforts and your training, there lays an unspeakable sadness behind them. Have I always been so blind to such depth? Or was this feeling still new to you. It was rumored that you shed tears at Jeralt’s passing. Will you do the same now, but for me? Or will you hide it behind long-tempered resolve for the sake of saving face in front of the army you’d amassed.
I wish I had known for sure if you’d cared. About me, the Golden Deer, and the world we could’ve made had you chosen a different route all those years ago. Could things have been different? Perhaps I could’ve held your hand a little longer in the ballroom. I could’ve danced all night, just like that, and won you over. Then maybe you wouldn’t be standing over me now, wielding the Sword of the Creator soaked in my blood.
You slash your weapon again at me. I close my eyes. Instead of pain, I hear the clang of ancient metal smash into the earth beside me. I can feel the nauseating aura radiating off of it. That sword caused you nothing but trouble, huh? I know you didn’t just whiff an attack on someone standing injured right in front of you.
You missed on purpose, didn’t you?
Despite everything you’ve done, I still want to go back to how it used to be.
“Byleth…” I rasp, retreating from your blade. I’m so focused on stemming the blood seeping from my abdomen that I don’t even have the chance to reach my hand out to you. To offer an invitation.
But you don’t see me. You never did. You step back like a damn coward, unable to deal the final blow. Right in range of my bow. I could kill you with my last breath.
And yet I don’t.
I take it slow for your sake. You move fast.
You always were a merciless leader.
With a wave of your hand, you end your part in my ending and invite the next adversary to take your place.
A shadow blocks out the sky. Hooves clop across blood-splattered stone steps like thunder, making the earth beneath me tremble. A horse carved from the darkest night rears its armored head over me. And sitting atop it is an eerily familiar figure decked out in black steel. He looks down at me, and I can feel the violent contempt driving his movements. He raises a grim, wickedly curved scythe.
“Byleth, wait!” I can’t raise my voice loud enough to pierce your ears, now mute to my cries.
As the Death Knight’s abhorrent weapon comes down upon my weakened body, I still find myself looking at you. As life drains from my body, I try once again to reach you.
Byleth, you never reached back.