Chapter Text
The Black Eagle Strike Force arrived in Albinea at long last. Their goal was settled: to rescue Ferdinand and Layla.
"It seems a battle has already taken place. How unfortunate." Edelgard said, exiting the Almyran boats with the rest of the Black Eagle Strike Force. They immediately notice the area was surrounded by many beasts and dark purple portals filled the sky along with darkness. Beasts fell from the portals, killing a section of Albinean knights.
"Look! Those two up there! Is that...Layla and Ferdinand?!" Caspar pointed.
"Fight your way through!" The Black Eagle Strike Force marched forward, the former professor leading.
"Agh! Help!" Layla called as she was surrounded by red beasts.
"Layla!" Byleth swung his sword towards the beasts and made eye contact with his fiance.
"My beloved! What are you doing here?!" Layla yelled and Byleth rushed to her.
"We're here to help you! Where's your brother?"
"In the palace up ahead!" Layla swung her silver sword at the beasts coming to her and her fiance.
"Let us move to the palace immediately!" Edelgard yelled and the group marched forward, but Hubert stayed behind and looked around, searching for Ferdinand among the mob of beasts.
"Ah. Adrestian Empire, welcome." Winchester smirked as he saw the Black Eagle Strike Force approaching.
"Where is Ferdinand?"
"That doesn't matter now, since the beast is finally resurrected at last and all of you will die! With this sword Ryemid that my mother gladly granted me with, I shall dispose of it, so that way the Beast of Chaos cannot be defeated!" Winchester laughed and the dark purple aura glowed even brighter.
"Winchester, stop!" Ferdinand came running in from the side and held his husband in place.
"Beat it, Aegir. This power that is within me...begs to rain carnage upon all!" Winchester shoved Ferdinand, causing him to stumble and fall backwards.
"Lord Winchester! You are going down the wrong path, I know you're in there." Derrok managed to place a hand to Winchester's cheek.
"Gah...Derrok...Ferdinand...kill me." Winchester's eyes returned to their original color.
"No! I can't!" Ferdinand ran back up to him.
"Do it now!" Winchester yelled.
"We'll handle it!" Ferdinand said before Winchester screamed and the purple aura swirled upwards to the portal above the palace. Derrok casted a spell. Blue magic swirled around him and he lifted his casting hand. Winchester was surrounded by the blue magic and was panting.
"The beast is too strong now! The magic has no effect!" Derrok looked above him at the portal. It glowed a dark aura and soon a gigantic beast came down from it. The beast was black and purple, with a pink gem in the middle of its head. The Black Eagle Strike Force watched as the beast wrecked the palace, killing all that are within it.
"Layla!" Winchester called for his sister. Layla turned her head in the direction she heard it from and ran to him.
"Winchester!" Layla was held back by the ground that was breaking off by the portal. Winchester threw his sword to her and screamed by the pain after the beast twisted his mind.
"Derrok!" He used his remaining strength to push Derrok away from the beast's claw that struck him instead of Derrok.
"Milord!" Derrok widened his eye at Winchester after clearing the dirt from it
"Winchester! No!" Ferdinand went on his knees as the stone and dirt crumbled underneath Winchester.
"Derrok, Yuli, live on for me and and protect my sister. Layla...slay the beast with that sword and save all of Albinea for me. My sister...my beloved...I love you." Winchester smiled weakly, before Derrok and Yuli went wide eyed.
"Winchester!" Ferdinand, Layla, Derrok, and Yuli called for him and Winchester's eyes closed. Winchester laid there, now dead, before being taken by the portal
"Brother..." Layla's eyes brimmed with tears and she held the sword, the only thing she had left of Winchester, close to her.
"Look at the size of that damn thing." Derrok said in disbelief.
"Everyone! Ready yourselves!" Byleth pointed his blade towards the monster and everyone gathered beside one another, ready to strike at the beast that has taken Winchester's life.
"Winchester...I shall do as you say and save all of Albinea from this monster!" The sword glowed a bright gold in Layla's hand when she gripped it harder.
"Your power is nothing compared to the bonds that connected all of us together. Even the bonds we had with Winchester before and after you took him by your monstrous hands will outmatch you. We will defeat you and put an end to your madness for good. All of us!" Layla pointed Ryemid towards the beast.
"Let's go!" Caspar screamed with excitement.
"For a new tomorrow!" Byleth said and the party gathered around the beast, striking. The beast roared and called for reinforcements. More beasts came flying through the portals up in the sky.
"How is the beast so strong?! It's not affected when I hit him!" Caspar punched the beast within his gauntlets, but the beast showed no effect.
"Someone must be guarding the portals that is granting him this power. Find them and defeat them to stop reinforcements!" Layla ordered and Derrok retreated to the city, searching for the beasts that guard the portals.
Hubert saw Ferdinand ride off alone on horseback to rid of monsters that were coming towards them. He decided to provide him cover just like the battle of the three houses at the beginning of the year where the professor first commanded the class. He hated nostalgia, but he couldn't forget the sweet memories he and Ferdinand had together.
Edelgard went right to the beast as did Caspar, Petra, Byleth, Yuli, and Layla.
Bernadetta went southwest to provide Ashe cover and Linhardt stuck near Byleth and the people fighting the beast in case if any major injuries.
The beast roared once again, nearly sending Caspar flying.
"Ferdinand! Hubert called for the ginger noble.
"Hubert! Why are you here?!"
"We came to defeat this dastard. I'll provide cover."
"Ok!" Ferdinand swung his lance at the small monsters and Hubert stood at his side blasting and casting many spells at the creatures.
The battle continued for what felt like hours. The beast was reaching its end at last. It tried to reach the city but the party caused it to go nowhere and little to no Albenian soldiers remained as many were crushed by the beast. All the portals were now closed and all was left was the crumbles of the palace and the Black Eagle Strike Force plus Yuli and Derrok.
"The beast is weak now! Do whatever it takes to retrieve the jewel from its head and once you do, give it to me!" Layla swung her sword, cutting into the beast's leg.
Everyone took note of Layla's command and continued striking the beast within all their might. The Beast of Chaos roared once again, stumbling as Byleth and Layla stood in front of the monster, panting. Byleth made eye contact with her and nodded.
"King Pauro...guide my hand!" Layla started to run towards the beast. "I'm going to finish this once and for all!" She jumped. Ryemid glowed a bright gold once again.
"For Albinea and beyond!" Layla swung her sword through the beast's head before cutting off the jewel from its head. The beast bled a dark purple before she jumped back down, blood covering her sword.
The beast roared before falling to the ground, causing it to shake. It shook slightly but wasn't dead yet.
"Why isn't it dead yet?" Dorothea said, covered in the beast's blood.
"The jewel." Byleth looked at the pink jewel in Layla's hands before she sighed.
"Your chaos and destruction ends here, Beast of Chaos." Layla said before slamming the jewel to the ground, causing it to shatter. The beast roared once again but was soon glowing a pink before disappearing into a purple mist. Darkness was soon gone and a bright blue sky replaced it.
"Is it finally over?" Layla's eyes lit up as she witnessed the darkness disappear.
"YEEEAH! We wooooon!" Caspar jumped up and down and everyone celebrated their victory.
"Finally! We won!" Dorothea clapped.
"Victory is ours once again." Edelgard nodded.
"Hmph. As expected." Hubert crossed his arms.
"We have gotten the victory!" Petra smiled.
"I feel so powerful now!" Bernadetta giggled.
"We did it, thanks to all of you. We did it because we combined our strength and worked as one. Our bonds got us through this and I couldn't be any happier. The Beast of Chaos is gone for good, because the jewel is broken and there's no fixing it, so Albinea and Fodlan do not have to worry about such a tragedy happening again!" Layla nodded.
"We did it..." Byleth smiled and looked at Layla. Layla looked back at him and nodded.
"Layla, is that you?" An elder woman's voice spoke and Layla quickly turned around to see her mother and father.
"Mother! Father!" Layla smiled and hugged the both of them.
"My dear Layla. Look at how much you have grown." Mylva smiled.
"Mother...if it wasn't for my professor, then I wouldn't be the woman I am today."
"Thank you, Professor for taking care of my special girl." Mylva smiled.
"It was an honor to teach her. She became the strongest woman I know and love."
"Love?" Mylva widened her eyes.
"Yes, Mother. My professor and I are getting married!" Layla hugged her fiance.
"I am so proud of you, Layla. Which reminds me...since your brother..."
"Queen Mylva. I found Winchester on my way back from the city." Ferdinand walked up to Mylva with a dead Winchester in his arms.
"Winchester!" Mylva covered her mouth with her hand.
"Winchester, my boy...you came so far." Remuro said as Ferdinand laid Winchester down in front of Layla and Mylva.
"Your Majesties. If I may..." Derrok kneeled.
"Derrok?" Mylva backed up.
"Love is stronger than any weapon or monster. As I have learned from my late-wife Rila, who has passed by the monster I have not completely slain. May the next to wield my weapon rid of the beast for good and may this be remembered by those who wield her pain." Derrok said an ancient quote that King Pauro said before a green mist surrounded Winchester. The mist soon faded away. Mylva gasped when she heard a grunt from the man below her.
"Winchester?! Are you truly alive?!" Remuro widened his eyes and Winchester opened his.
"Father...Mother..." Winchester spoke and Remuro lifted his son. "Ferdinand? What...am I in heaven?"
"You're alive, Milord. We slew the Beast of Chaos and brought peace to Albinea." Derrok nodded.
"What? How come the beast isn't telling me to rain carnage? Did you all truly slay him?"
"We did, Winchester. All of us did." Ferdinand motioned to the Black Eagle Strike Force behind him.
"Ferdinand...There's something I must tell you and Derrok."
"What is it, Milord?" Derrok asked, his ice cold blue eye showing warmth for the first time.
"Give your ring to Derrok, Ferdinand."
"What?" Derrok looked at Ferdinand, who smiled and gladly took off his ring and gave it to Derrok. Derrok took the ring and held it in his hand.
"Derrok...I feel so cruel for marrying Ferdinand now." Winchester kneeled and Derrok couldn't do anything but watch with a blank mind.
"The reason why I took you as my retainer was to get closer to you. I wanted you to fall in love with me as I already did. I only married Ferdinand because I wanted to secure a peace between Fodlan and Albinea, so in order for me to feel happy, I pretended that I married you instead of Ferdinand," Winchester looked down before glancing at a smiling Ferdinand. "I'm terribly sorry if I sound cruel to you, Ferdinand, but I was in love with Derrok all this time."
"You deserve all the happiness in the world, Winchester. I'm glad that you found your one true love." Ferdinand nodded, understanding.
"And besides, I was happy that you were in love with someone else that wasn't me when I read your letters addressed to Hubert."
"You read them?!" Ferdinand went wide eyed.
"Why wouldn't I? I wanted to see of you truly loved me, which I am glad you didn't."
"That's why I was afraid of you at first. Because I thought you liked me and I would've never gotten to spend another moment with Hubert, so that's why I kind of tried to avoid him and forget him, when in truth, I kept thinking about him day and night and I couldn't deny his tea invitations."
"Well. I am glad that you love someone else. You truly deserve to marry a true man who cares for you. I am not that man." Winchester nodded and looked back at Derrok, who still couldn't believe his liege is doing this.
"Is this all true Ferdinand?" Hubert was behind Ferdinand, hearing all of this.
"Gah! Hubert! Still sneaking up on me! But yes...it is true that I...fell in love with you..."
"Hmph...wait...could you repeat that?" Hubert's cheeks went to a shade of pink.
"I'm in love with you, Hubert. I truly am..." Ferdinand looked down.
"To think that you would feel the same..."
"The same?"
"Yes. I fell in love with you soon after you met Winchester. I didn't think that you would care about my well-being either, but you never denied a single one of my invitations and that gave me hope that you and I could be a thing. And that's is why I have been spending as much time as I can with you."
"Hubert..."
"Ah. I suppose I should propose correctly." Hubert kneeled and one of his spies gave him a small black box. "Ferdinand von Aegir. Would you do the honor of becoming my beloved for the rest of eternity?" Hubert smiled followed by Ferdinand.
"Yes. Yes!" Ferdinand laughed and hugged Hubert as soon as he stood. The two then shared a kiss full of love. Everyone clapped for the two, Dorothea the loudest. The two pulled away and looked over at Derrok and Winchester. They both had smiles on their faces. This was the first time that both Winchester and Ferdinand saw smiles on Derrok's face.
"Derrok, darling. You're smiling."
"I apologize if I look idiotic but...I feel...happy." Derrok shook his head.
"You look rather cute when you smile."
"Ugh. I guess I should expect some flirting coming out of that royal mouth of yours." Derrok groaned.
"You should, considering you are now mine and mine forever. I expect you call me by my name now that we are lovers and not lord and retainer."
"Yes...Winchester." Derrok smiled and placed the ring on his finger.
"Well then. Now that Ferdinand and I are now marrying for happiness and not politics, shall we start the ceremony?" Winchester held Derrok's hand in his, the two hands fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle.
"Ceremony?" Layla asked.
"It's about time Albinea has a new queen, my sister."
"What? I'm not ready to be queen!" Layla shook her head.
"Nonsense. Look at the monster you have slain alongside your beloved and you represented our country in Fodlan! Do you think I deserve the title as king after what you've done? I nearly died for crying out loud!"
"Fine. I'm ready."
"I have been waiting for this for a long time." Mylva smiled and took off her crown.
Byleth stood beside her and held her hand.
"My daughter. My special girl. You have slain the Beast of Chaos for good alongside your Fodlan friends. If it weren't for your desire to become stronger, then Albinea would've been in ruins. I happily announce you, Layla von Tryllp, Queen of Albinea." Mylva placed the crown on top of Layla's head.
"Thank you, Mother... This is what I strived for my whole life."
"We are so proud of how far you have come, my daughter."
"We'll all be by your side until the very end, Layla. Even Winchester."
"Yes. I promise I won't die very quickly, especially since the curse is broken and I can finally live a happy life with the love of my life by my side." Winchester smiled and looked at Derrok.
"How should we celebrate this victory, Queen Layla? I'm sure it is special to all of Albinea." Edelgard smiled.
"Well...I planned on hosting a party, but the palace is down. Let us reconstruct the palace and the city before we celebrate." Layla nodded.
"Very well. I shall help with the building process." Winchester smiled.
"I suppose as queen it is my duty to help with everything." Layla nodded.
"I will help as well. This land is truly magnificent and it would be an honor to witness it be rebuilt." Ferdinand nodded.
"We all will. Unless...Edelgard?" Byleth looked at the empress.
"I need to return to Fodlan for political reasons, but once I am finished I will return to help rebuild your kingdom." Edelgard nodded.
"Well then. Mother? Father? Will you come to Fodlan with me once the palace is complete?" Layla asked her parents.
"But Layla, we aren't accepted in Fodlan, aren't we?" Mylva frowned.
"We can change that. As queen, my top priority is to build a bridge connecting Albinea to Fodlan so therefore Fodlan and Albinea can consider each other allies and friends instead of enemies and we can provide each other help when we need it." Layla said.
"Yes. And besides Layla mentioned to me that you've wanted to see our land and how it differs from yours. Do you still want that?" Edelgard asked.
"Fodlan...that place brings back many memories of where I grew up." Mylva sighed.
"Please, Mother and Father. It would make me so happy if we could all go to Fodlan together as a family."
"I'd say why not? Let's get this rebuilt and then we can be off to see the land beyond!" Remuro chuckled.
"Trust me, I have seen it myself and it is truly a magnificent place." Winchester smiled.
"Well then. A family trip would be nice." Mylva nodded.
"We can go once we make sure the survivors have enough shelter and supplies and the palace is rebuilt." Layla nodded. "I'll check the city, while I'm on it." Layla nodded and walked away to go to the city.
"Professor..." Mylva called for Byleth. He turned to her. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter despite her lineage."
"It is an honor, Queen Mylva. I am glad I recruited her into my class five years ago." Byleth bowed.
"Please call me Mylva, by the way. I am no longer queen, but rather Mylva."
"Noted." Byleth nodded and walked away to the rest of the class.
Caspar walked along the wrecked palace and ground, searching for Ashe.
"Ashe! Ashe!" Caspar called for Ashe and heard a weak voice in the distance. He ran towards the voice and found Ashe lying on the ground, struggling to get up.
"Ashe! Are you OK?" Caspar looked at the injured body below him.
"I may have injured my legs but I'm fine." Ashe said quietly.
"No. You're not fine! I'll take you to the others."
"Caspar, I can still walk."
"I'm not risking the one I love getting hurt! Come on, let's go."
"The one you love?"
"Oh uh...I guess I did blurt that out. Look, I love you Ashe. Let's get back to the others." Caspar lifted Ashe and Ashe smiled and kissed his cheek when his head was at Caspar's level. Caspar widened his eyes and smiled before he carried Ashe in his arms to the others. Linhardt already knew by Caspar's expression that he wanted him to heal Ashe once Caspar got there. He did so, slightly since he was still exhausted from the huge battle and wanted to take a nap, and Caspar picked Ashe up again.
A few minutes later, everyone gathered in front of the crumbled palace once again.
"There's some survivors in the city." Layla said.
"Milord! You happened to be alive all of this excruciating time?!" Yuli ran to see his liege, alive and well.
"Yes, Yuli. It is all thanks to Derrok."
"I have done no such thing." Derrok said.
"You remembered King Pauro's quote."
"It was nothing but a legendary saying, but here you are." Derrok chuckled.
"Derrok remembered the legendary and heroic King Pauro's divine quote to the ancient gods above?!" Yuli widened his eyes.
"Er...Yes. He did remember." Winchester said.
"Derrok? Better than me, the dark swordsman who wields and beholds great power?! Absurd!"
"Yuli. I recommend you watch the words you say to my love."
"L-Love? Isn't the noblest of nobles, Ferdinand, your loyal husband?"
"We called it quits and the papers should be coming soon." Winchester said.
"B-But..." Yuli sighed. "Alright...I'm sorry Milord and Derrok."
"Great. Now then. Shall we begin rebuilding the palace?"
"Yes! Thank you for reminding me. We're going to need more supplies." Layla placed a hand to her chin.
"Leave it to us." Byleth smiled.
"Thank you, my beloved. I couldn't have done this without you." Layla kissed her betrothed, who immediately kissed back.
"I'm off to gather the supplies. I'm glad we saved your kingdom, Layla. I know that you will be an excellent queen and guide this country to freedom. I will make sure Albinea is welcomed in Fodlan. After all, I assume the professor will not be happy if I didn't." Edelgard smiled.
"Thank you, Edelgard. I want to give you a hug, but that would be rude of me."
"I do not mind, Layla. You deserve it after what you've done for not only our teacher, but for all of us." Edelgard opened her arms and Layla hugged her.
"You're amazing Edelgard. Thank you for accepting me," Layla smiled, tears forming her eyes. "But really I should thank you all. You all have done many great things for me, and I cannot thank you enough." Layla pulled away from Edelgard and smiled.
"It was thanks to the professor for bringing you here. You're fun to hang out with, Layla!" Caspar smiled.
"Oh Layla...you are just as special to us as the professor. We congratulate the both of you on your engagement." Dorothea smiled.
"You comforted me...I cannot thank you enough! You're my best friend!" Bernadetta jumped and smiled.
"You have fought so very hard to grab your ambition. I am very pleased to have been fighting at your side all this time." Petra nodded.
"I do wish there were more people like you, Layla. Those who don't bother me, when I want to sleep to be exact." Linhardt yawned.
"You truly are an astonishing noble and leader. I have no doubts that you will guide the people of this country to true peace." Ferdinand smiled and Hubert put a hand to his chin.
"Yes. You are an invaluable ally...and friend."
"Thank you, everyone."
"Anyways. I will now be off. Goodbye for now everyone." Edelgard nodded.
"Do we still have the Almyran boats?" Byleth asked.
"Do not worry, bestowed professor." Yuli smiled. "As I have made a divine quest to make sure that you and your fellow allies get a glorious and safe trip back home."
"Thank you, Yuli. You know," Layla placed a hand to her chin. "If it is not too much of a bother, I could use a skilled retainer such as yourself." She smiled and he gasped, dramatically.
"The beautiful Queen Layla has at last witnessed my true and unique skills of a retainer that only I shall bestow!" Yuli smiled. "Of course I will accept your gracious request, Milady!" He kneeled and Layla laughed.
"Even to this day, your enthusiasm brightens my day." Layla giggled. Yuli stood proudly, glad of the retainer he has become.
"Yuli can finally stop nagging at me about how great he is. I'm going to miss it." Derrok chuckled.
Everyone laughed and chatted while Edelgard returned to Fodlan. A few days past and she sent supplies to Albinea to start the building process. They managed to find scraps of cloth and made tents to sleep in while they were still building. A huge battle that will be sure remembered for generations to come and such a battle will become legend one day. The Black Eagle Strike Force and the Albinean royals will never forget this excruciating but triumphant day.
"Sir Vestra, do you have a moment?" Winchester approached Hubert, who was watching Ferdinand paint the outside of a house. Hubert turned to the Albinean and coughed in his fist.
"Is something the matter?"
"I...I wanted to apologize for the drama and chaos I've thrown you and your friends into, especially Ferdinand." Winchester bowed and Hubert shook his head.
"It is nothing. I had doubts when we first met, since you were almost as stubborn as Ferdinand. I was then jealous that you can easily persuade and pull Ferdinand's strings. I'm just glad we managed to get rid of the monster that resided with you for quite some time."
"Thank you, truly. I will forever be in your debt." Winchester then kneeled and Hubert shook his head.
"Is this necessary?" He frowned and Winchester stood up immediately.
"I apologize. I just want you to know that I'm truly sorry. And thank you...for saving my life." Winchester walked away to help Derrok with entertaining the young children while their parents helped with the building.
"It was nothing." Hubert crossed his arms and looked above him to see Ferdinand singing a song while painting. He smiled and continued to watch the ginger paint and listen to his song. Despite the banging of hammers to nails, Hubert could only hear Ferdinand's angelic voice.
'At long last, he will run to me, not him.'