#maybe we get a couple of Church of Seiros people | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lochnessies · 2 years

Note

"imperialism genocidal and racist rhetoric". It's not that deep. The devs just wanted a cool evil empire who hated dragons. being an edelgard fan or thinking she's right (which is stupid) doesn't mean a persons racist or whatever for having a different interpretation of Edelgard who's got both the shortest route and doesn't have her ideas fully fleshed out in any of them. She talks about tearing down the crest system. She and other characters talk about it, yet we never get told WHAT this crest system entails only that it exista.

In other routes Edelgard sucks. Yet in crimson flower she doesn't suck *as* much despite not having any actual developement outside of Byleth...standing nearby while she does shit? Like, she's barely a character in her own route. She *says* that because of Byleth she didn't become like the worst versions of herself.

Presumably, this means that crimson flower Edelgard is better morally than other route edelgards (which is technically true since unlike the others she's not dead and thus can *have* morals unlike a corpse.)

Do we see HOW Byleth made it so Edelgard supposedly didn't be as villainous as other routes' Edelgards? No. We talk to her a couple of times about her past and random shit, but thats it. We never have a moment where she's about to do something morally fucked and Byleth goes "hey we don't NEED to do this thing".

Hell, the closest thing to even having an option moral wise is choosing to do the Paralogue where you save TWSITD's researchers. But even then you can let them all get murdered and it changes nothing.

Sure, Edelgard does the morally bad thing of conquest. But depending on your views she's either justified or not justified in it. That's the whole reason we even have 'Edelstans' and 'edelcritics'.

They never fleshed Edelgard out, so any number of interpretations can be SORT OF correct. Sure, we get TOLD shit by others about things edelgard does. But we never actually get into her head. Why DOES she conquer fodlann knowing that she's doing exactly what TWSITD wants?

Why DOES she hate the Children of the Goddess? Is it purely because of her hatred of the crest system and the church of seiros? Is she genuinely racist about nonhumans and wants to kill them all? We get a few moments of her calling them monsters and inhuman, but for all we know she's purely against the ones who are part of the church and would be fine if there were other dragons. We can never be entirely sure, as she isn't able to interact with a dragon who ISN'T part of the church of Seiros.

The one chance she DOES have to interact with one who's mostly neutral doesn't happen because Linhardt decides to vaguely go "It has to do with the church and it'd be bothersome if she found out about it" which can mean any number of things.

It *can't* be because he knows she'll try to murder Indech, because he had no idea Indech was even there. He just knew a rad magic bow was there and didn't even want to go on the trip. You'd think if he knew a dragon was there he'd be excited to go. Besides, he goes "Fill edelgard in when the time is right", so clearly he either doesn't think she'll hunt down Indech, or he just doesn't give a shit.

Sorry if this became an incoherentrant. Basically TLDR: anything Edelgard related is always super vague or poorly fleshed out and thus people are able to have several different interpretations of her. The bad thing comes in that this was likely NOT intentional, and more so just a symptom of them rushing the game out and deciding on making an Edelgard route late into the game making process. So instead of her being a complex morally gray character as was maybe intended? She's just a villainous character who's motives are poorly explained outside of "I've been traumatized and need therapy" and who's plans and goals have holes in them such as her assassation plan that would end in her death (that she also never follows up on? Like, she never tries again. There's never any other attempts of genuine assassination.)

So. Yeah. Edelgard is smelly.

well i’ve never said that being a fan of edelgard makes someone racist, imperialist, or genocidal. literally not once. and edelgard does have her ideals listed in her route.

She talks about tearing down the crest system. She and other characters talk about it, yet we never get told WHAT this crest system entails only that it exista.

she does say what she believes the crest system to be to lysithea. the foundation of the nobility system. she believes nobility wouldn’t exist without crests which isn’t true.

what about edelgard doesn’t suck as much on crimson flower? she does the exact same shit on her own route that she does on the others. the actions of white clouds don’t change. she still uses twsitd. she still invades sovereign nations. she still lies to her people. she still lies to her allies. she still casts the nabateans as the reason society is the way it is. she still destroys the church. she still causes the faithful to flee. just bc she blushes around byleth doesn’t absolve her of anything and suddenly makes her a better person.

it’s not true. once again, nothing about her morals change. not a thing. being dead or alive is irrelevant since it’s her shitty actions that led to her death on non cf routes and also keep her alive on cf.

bc byleth doesn’t do shit. we don’t see it bc byleth is the equivalent of a bobble head on crimson flower. they don’t care about edelgard’s dubious actions. byleth doesn’t make edelgard a better person on cf bc byleth isn’t a great person either when they choose the invading force.

so deliberately choosing to side with an invader and destroy a church/orphanage/school isn’t a moral decision?

Sure, Edelgard does the morally bad thing of conquest. But depending on your views she's either justified or not justified in it. That's the whole reason we even have 'Edelstans' and 'edelcritics'.

i don’t care what others views are. conquest of independent and sovereign nations because you view them as inferior “mere offshoots” is despicable. there’s no way you can morally justify that without using worrying rhetoric.

They never fleshed Edelgard out, so any number of interpretations can be SORT OF correct. Sure, we get TOLD shit by others about things edelgard does. But we never actually get into her head.

god forbid i sound like an edelstan here but i disagree. i believe that edelgard is pretty fleshed out. we also never get into dimitri’s head. claude’s. rhea’s. any of the characters really. this isn’t a first person narrative. that’s why we have the characters talk about their motives… which edelgard does… a lot.

Why DOES she conquer fodlann knowing that she's doing exactly what TWSITD wants?

twsitd don’t care about uniting fodlan. it’s never brought up as a motivation for them. they care about ridding the world of the nabateans. the empire is a means to an end for that.

Why DOES she hate the Children of the Goddess? Is it purely because of her hatred of the crest system and the church of seiros? Is she genuinely racist about nonhumans and wants to kill them all?

she hates the children of the goddess because they, in her own words, are a plague on humanity that have been controlling the hearts of the people of fodlan by making them dependent on a goddess that doesn’t exist. thus making a world where the “goddess’ blessings” are the standard for nobility. to her, they’re not humans and lack humanity. the hide among humans in secret, manipulate them, and therefore they deserve no place among the people of fodlan.

We get a few moments of her calling them monsters and inhuman, but for all we know she's purely against the ones who are part of the church and would be fine if there were other dragons. We can never be entirely sure, as she isn't able to interact with a dragon who ISN'T part of the church of Seiros. The one chance she DOES have to interact with one who's mostly neutral doesn't happen because Linhardt decides to vaguely go "It has to do with the church and it'd be bothersome if she found out about it" which can mean any number of things.

“mostly neutral” he’s been in a lake for 1k years. he has nothing to do with the church of seiros at this point. linhardt isn’t vague about anything. he says exactly why they shouldn’t tell edelgard and hubert. it has to do with the church, an institution she hates due to the reasons i mentioned above. do you think he’s just leaving her out for shits and giggles?

if edelgard were alright with nabateans why can’t she spare seteth and flayn? why is rhea held captive on non cf routes to be handed over to the people who helped genocide her race? why is flayn kidnapped and the flame emperor involved? why does the game physically stop the player from taking her and hubert to indech? why does she rejoice at the fact that the nabateans have been defeated? why does she explicitly state that she wishes to “obliterate” them also byleth never tells edelgard anything in canon. they never have an option to tell her about indech.

this isn’t about interpretations. this is about people seeing the color purple and saying it’s orange.

The bad thing comes in that this was likely NOT intentional, and more so just a symptom of them rushing the game out and deciding on making an Edelgard route late into the game making process. So instead of her being a complex morally gray character as was maybe intended?

she wasn’t intended to be a morally gray character. the devs have said that they made her the red emperor archetype and the empire are villains in the story.

She's just a villainous character who's motives are poorly explained outside of "I've been traumatized and need therapy"

she is villainous but her goals and motives are explained in the game.

conquest? well ionius leaves “fodlan” to her not adrestia. the empire still sees faerghus as traitors. the kingdom and alliance are “mere offshoots” that pale in comparison to the empire. the kingdom and church are “illegitimate” bc the church stole them in her view.

nabateans? just read the thing i wrote above eariler

crests? “blessing” from a false goddess used by the church to enslave humanity and hurt her family.

and who's plans and goals have holes in them such as her assassation plan that would end in her death (that she also never follows up on? Like, she never tries again. There's never any other attempts of genuine assassination.)

her assassination attempt does have merit to it. edelgard is strong. incredibly so. in byleth and ferdinand’s supports we learn that she is able to take down two demonic beasts by herself. she has the power of two crests. she’s arrogant and thinks that she can overcome anything. what’s a few bandits compared to her? all she has to do is outfight claude and dimitri (who have the disadvantage of being taken by surprise) and then cry crocodile tears when the knights show up and learn that she was the only survivor of an attack to “kill as many noble brats as possible”. she also doesn’t stop trying to kill dimitri and claude… they’re constantly put in danger in white clouds and dimitri is also framed for murder right after the time skip.

#asks

14 notes · View notes

lapinbunwrites · 3 years

Photo

Title: Floral Engagement

Rating: G

Warnings: None

Fandom: Fire Emblem Three Houses

Characters: Sylvain, Byleth, Dimitri, Felix, Ingrid, Annette, Dedue, Ashe, Mercedes

Ships: Sylvain/Byleth

Additional Tags: Post-Canon

Word Count: 2,342

Ao3 Link

When Sylvain woke up, he woke up to Byleth sleeping next to him. He let out a sigh before smiling and giving them a little kiss on their cheek. Usually they were the one to wake up first and they were usually gone before he even woke up. If anyone found out that the Archbishop was sleeping in, it wasn’t going to look good for them. Sylvain laughed to himself, this was going to be his little secret. He couldn’t tell anyone, let alone Seteth, how peaceful Byleth looked while sleeping. It would be cruel. He moved their hair out of their face, giving them one last kiss before he left their room.

He walked through the castle halls, making his way to one of the kitchens. He searched around for a picnic basket, filling it with food that was prepared the night before, once he found it. A smile appeared across Sylvain’s face when his beloved Byleth walked into the kitchen. They reached out their hand and he took a hold of it, feeling their callouses against his own. With his other hand, he traced theirs, remembering all the battles they have fought, gripping their weapon and clinging for their life. Now, they were lucky enough they didn’t have to spend sleepless nights treading barren lands to see an orange flow of an axe that seeps crimson red.

Sylvain felt Byleth’s hand trail up to his chest and felt their lips pressed against his. After giving him a sweet smile, they gave him a peck on his cheek before wrapping their arms together. With his free hand, he shoved a small box into his pocket before grabbing the picnic basket. The two walked through the castle, making their way to the stables. Sylvain secured the basket onto his horse before he got on. He laughed as he watched Byleth trying, and failing, to get on their horse. He got off his to help them get on their own horse.

They rode to a far away land that was untouched by war. The grass was vibrant green and the flowers were colors of red, blue, yellow, and purple that stretched the large open field. The sun shined brightly as he watched Byleth fall off their horse. He got off his and rushed to help them up. They wiped the dirt off of their body and twirled around. They smiled at him, rushing off further into the field. Sylvained sighed as another smile appeared on his face. It grew bigger as he watched Byleth twirl around.

“Ah, this is the perfect place,” he said aloud.

They turned around, puzzled. “What?”

“Heheh,” he chuckled, “nothing.”

Byleth inhaled, trying to suppress a groan. They turned back around and continued to walk into the field.

“Ah, that was close,” he sweated as he thought to himself.

Sylvain grabbed his and Byleth’s horse’s reins, following them into the middle of the field. He took the picnic basket off his horse, placing the blanket on the ground, and setting the basket on top of it. Sylvain took out his handkerchief, placing it on Byleth’s face and wiping the drool as they unpacked the basket.

“Heh, you’re really hungry, aren’t you,” he said, placing the silk cloth next to him.

“I didn’t eat this morning and it took a bit of time to get here, so you tell me,” they huffed.

Sylvain chuckled. “It’s a good thing I packed lots of food then.”

“All my favorites too!”

Sylvain smiled as they ate their food in silence. He felt Byleth place their head on his shoulder and hold tightly onto his arms. As he hummed a song, he could hear them sing along. Byleth’s tune slowly faded into a light snore. He moved their head to his lap. As they slept, Sylvain watched as the grass and flowers swayed back and forth into the breeze.

He slowly, and trying not to wake up Byleth, reached into his pocket to reach for the box. He stared at the emerald stone and the silver band. He let out a loud sigh as Byleth yawned, waking up. Sylvain fumbled the box around as they stood up and stretched.

“What do you have there,” Byleth asked, tilting their head.

“Uuhh,” he let out, “nothing!” He fumbled the box back into his pocket and stood up. He reached out his hand for theirs.

Byleth placed their hands in his and smiled. “Oh really? It’s never nothing with you,” they teased.

“Ehehe,” he chuckled, stretching his cheek with his free hand. “Let’s not worry about it right now.”

They glared at Sylvain.

Distracting Byleth, he led them into the open field, and Byleth felt the tops of the flowers with the tips of their fingers. When they stopped, Sylvain placed his hand on their hips, swaying their bodies along with the grass and flowers.

“My beloved love,” Sylvain sang in a low, gruff voice. “I will love you forever!~”

As he sang, Byleth began to giggle. “You’ve been taking lessons from Annette haven’t you?”

His smile became softer as he heard them hum along to his tune. Sylvain paused his song, twirling Byleth out of his arms and watched them dance further and further into the field. He was so happy that they were unaware. Sylvain took out the little box out of his pocket, slowly getting down on one knee. He felt his heart beating out of his chest as he waited for them to turn around.

His eyes grew big as he saw them place their hands on their face and heard their soft gasp. “Byleth Eisner, will you marry me,” words spilling out of his mouth as his breath shortened.

Byleth took a breath before reaching their hand out. “Yes,” they said as another breath left their lips.

Sylvain’s smile grew big as he put the ring on their finger before he picked them up and twirled them around and gave them a big kiss. “I love you so much!”

“I love you too!” Byleth shimmed down his body, feeling the ground beneath them. “I love you,” they repeated, pressing their lips against his.

While they laughed, he clutched onto their hand and began to dance with them again. He felt their hands hold the back of his shoulders tightly, hearing their groans.

“What’s wrong,” Sylvain laughed.

“I just remember, we are going to tell our friends of our engagement,” Byleth groaned.

Following suit, he did the same. “How are we going to tell them?”

They repeatedly bonked their head on his chest, unable to come up with a way to tell their friends. “I have nothing.”

He held them tightly in his arms, his laugh singing into their ears. “The leader of the Blue Lions House, the leader of an entire army that led to the downfall of the empire, the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros can’t think of a good plan to tell our friends that we got engaged.” He let them go, to see their eyes before giving them a kiss on their forehead.

“Oh, like you have anything,” they snarked, moving out of his arms.

Sylvain opened his mouth, then closed it. When he thought of an idea, he instantly lost it.

“Now who was speechless,” Byleth began to laugh. Only a couple of seconds later, they snapped their fingers. “I have an idea.”

“What would that be,” he sighed.

“We get everyone together and come out with it,” Byleth smiled.

Sylvain groaned, placing his hand on his face, running it downwards. “This is what I was afraid of. Where is the pazaz, the drama, the flare.”

“I didn’t think you were one for that.”

“I just want it to be more special than putting it bluntly.”

“Uh, maybe we can celebrate with ourselves first and figure something out along the way?”

Sylvain shook his head, unable to think of a better plan. The two cleaned up their stuff, Sylvain helping Byleth up onto their horse before getting on his. After they rode back home, they headed into a little town in the west part of Gautier territory. As the two walked around, the people were dancing, training, painting, shopping. They continued to walk around, stopping at some food stands filled with fruit, fish, a few spices, and a few other things.

“Sylvain,” Byleth said, tugging on his coat.

“What, my love,” Sylvain asked, stopping in his tracks and turning to look at them. “What is it?”

“What if we send notes for everyone to come to Gautier territory for dinner and we can make the announcement,” they suggested, giving him a smile.

“That’s getting somewhere,” he sighed. But seeing the smile on their face, he went with the idea. “Okay, if that’s what you want, then we will do it.”

The smile on their face grew bigger. “We will have to pick a meal that everyone likes.”

“Yeah,” Sylvain agreed, rubbing his neck. “Mercedes and Annette love anything sweet, but Felix doesn’t. Dedue, Ashe, and Felix love spicy food, but the other two don’t,” he paused, letting out a sigh, “and His Majesty will about anything.”

Byleth placed their index finger on their chin, tapping it. “Fish.”

“Fish,” his eyebrows furrowed. “We aren’t doing fish because-”

“We can have Two-Fish Saute. Most of our closest friends like this dish and the ones who just tag along can just deal with it. We only want a few people to know right now,” they reassured him.

“True, true,” he paused. He let the silence settle in for a few seconds to think. “Fine, you win. But we should get stuff for dessert too.”

Byleth smiled as they tugged on his arm, dragging him to some of the vendors grabbing a few pounds of Caledonian Gar and Albinean Herring, some different types of fruit, and a few other ingredients. After they got all the food, they walked around the town, making their way back to the castle. Sylvain kissed Byleth before he watched them walk towards their room before heading off to the kitchen. He made sure to put the food in a particular place and told the chefs not to mess with them just yet.

Instead of going to bed like his beloved, he went to his studies, lighting up a couple of lanterns before sitting down at his desk. After he wrote his letters, he watched the ink dry before rolling them up, tying them up, and leaving a seal. Before he went to sleep, he found a messenger and sent the letters off.

The next night, Byleth and Sylvain were preparing the food, and their friends gathered into the dinning room that was connected to the kitchen. They smiled as their friends talked and talked, wondering why they were here.

“We are here,” Felix groaned, sitting next to Annette. “There better be something actually important than this dinner.”

“Sharp tongued as ever, buddy,” Sylvain sighed, placing a plate in front of him.

“It better be, this fish doesn’t cover it,” his gaze became sharper than his tongue.

“Easy now,” Annette diffused. “It’s nice to be able to be with your friends. Plus, you need this. You’ve been overworking yourself with the restoration of our territory.”

“It’s nice being able to see you when we aren’t working, Felix,” Dimitri agreed. “It’s like old times, just being able to in the presence of close friends and relaxing.”

“‘Old times’ my ass,” Felix mocked.

“Felix please,” Annette intervened. “You were the one who was really happy to see Dimitri the most when we received the letter.”

“You weren’t excited to see me,” Sylvain pity cried.

“Hmph,” Felix grumbled, shoving some food into his mouth.

“Hehehe,” Byleth chimed in with a laugh.

“He’s always been like this, babe,” Sylvain teased. “Whenever he wasn’t right about something, he would shove food in his mouth.”

“I thought Ingrid would do that,” they smiled, placing a plate in front of her.

“Where do you think he got it from,” Ingrid said, shoveling the fish into her mouth.

Sylvain and Byleth sat down next to each other, eating and talking with their friends. They smiled as Ashe and Dedue talked about their marriage, smiled when Mercedes reassured Dimitri for bumbling over his words trying to be romantic, laughed when Annette constantly teased Felix, and laughed when Ingrid stuffed her face with dessert that Mercedes made.

“Why did you ask us here, Sylvain,” Dimitri asked, putting his plate into the sink.

“Oh, I almost forgot about that,” Sylvain laughed that faded into a sigh.

Byleth frowned, glaring at him.

“I’m sorry!” He took one deep breath in and let it out. He felt his heart beating fast, words weren’t coming out of his mouth. “By-By...We are...By...Marr…” He sighed when he got everyone's confused look. He shook his head and pointed in Byleth’s direction.

They held up their hands, as well as Sylvain’s, showing off their rings. “We are getting married!”

Their friends screeched and wailed, congratulating them on the next step of their lives. While getting multiple hugs, Sylvain realized two of their friends were missing, Dimitri and Felix. He grew increasingly alarmed when they heard bangs coming from outside. He, along with everyone else, went to go see what was happening, a giant fire. They rushed over to it, seeing that Dimitri and Felix were frantically trying to put it out.

“What are you guys doing,” Byleth asked, putting out the last of the fire.

“We wanted to set off fireworks to celebrate,” Dimitri said, apologetically.

“By setting an old war camp on fire,” they said, mockingly and irritatedly. “And what were you doing, Felix?”

His eyebrow twitched as he sighed. “Helping.”

“Not very well,” they sighed.

“Now, now,” Sylvain chimed in. “Why didn’t you bring me along!”

“This was for you, fool,” Felix said, salvaging the last of the fireworks.

“Hehehe,” he laughed.

With what they had left, everyone set off the fireworks and watched them explode. Byleth gave Sylvain a kiss on his lips as they watched the multicolored sky.

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

Huzzah! I finally get to post my piece that I wrote for @sylvethzine I am hosting! I wrote a post canon fic of NB!Sylveth of Sylvain proposes to Byleth! sfakl;jdlakfjdskfasdf I love it when a character tries to make plans and plans it well and then it all becomes chaos.

Leftovers are currently open!

#my writing #fire emblem three houses #fire emblem #sylveth #byleth eisner #sylvain jose gautier #byleth eisner x sylvain jose gautier #sylvain jose guatier x byleth #byleth x sylvain #sylvain x byleth

16 notes · View notes

kitkatopinions · 3 years

Note

Why didn't Salem simply take over a kingdom during her and rule as a dark god ages ago? This would keep humanity fearful and divided. But I guess under this logic Ozpin wouldn't be able to keep her a secret in his background shadow war. It's not like Ruby revealing her existence to the world made things worse than they already were.

Compare Salem to Nemesis from Fire Emblem, the Kishin in Soul Eater, Kronos in Percy Jackson, or Voldemort in Harry Potter. All of them started out confined in some way, needing to be released or resurrected by other forces - sometimes their own cults or followers and sometimes by random people looking to release them for the power they assume they’ll get from it. Some of them have the ability to influence things even in their highly contained state like the Kishin still affecting people who get near their prison with madness or Voldemort using Quirrel and eventually making it to a state close enough to life that he has a physical form in some way.

But there was a reason they didn’t still have power. Nemesis was locked away and needed resurrecting, so you don’t ask why Rhea was allowed to establish the kingdoms she wanted and the Church of Seiros while he dissolved into the history books and his cult was forced to operate only in the shadows. The Kishin was locked up securely, so Lord Death has a world wide DWMA established while the Kishin had nothing and his history with Lord Death was unknown. Kronos had to be resurrected in a very specific way and could only communicate through dreams (if I remember correctly, it’s been awhile,) so it’s no surprise that the gods have more control of the world and Camp Half-Blood hadn’t been constantly attacked. Voldemort was barely existing through the means of his Horcruxes, so it’s no surprise that everyone thought they were in a time of peace and Voldemort’s supporters were either in Azkaban or pretending they’d never had anything to do with him. But with Salem, you don’t get that.

More than that, Salem is immortal, immortal and desiring death. That’s not to say there’s no merit behind her having learned that being careful and working more in the shadows is going to help her get her goal of gathering the Relics. But it doesn’t make sense that she’s the stuff of the most ancient myths that very few people actually even know about.

Assuming she’s squared up against Oz a number of times opens up a lot of questions. Like why don’t more people know about her? Why hasn’t Oz already run out of his special Grimm killing power in his cane? Why isn’t Salem’s group bigger? Why aren’t their legends and whispers about Salem still being passed around even if it’s not explicitly Salem? Why is it that no one has found and documented the existence of her castle or the Grimm pools? What does her hunt for the Silver Eyed Warriors look like and why aren’t more people aware of that? How come she doesn’t have some position of power or at least some influence over actual governing bodies instead of just one headmaster of a Huntsman school? What happened to her desire to replace humans with magical beings? Is that something that she just gave up when she killed her own children? Did she play a part in the wars in Remnant?

Assuming she’s never squared up against Oz opens up a lot of questions as well. What has she been doing all this time? Why is this her plan? In thousands of years, she couldn’t come up with a better plan? How has she managed to recruit anyone? Again, how has she managed to keep her castle and the Grimm pools secret? Why has she never tried to take over before? Why does she want to destroy all the Kingdoms? How much does she know about the gods and the relics? Why throw out her secrecy just for Atlas if she’s learned it’s better to work in the shadows? Why not focus more on destroying Amity if she wants to remain in the shadows? Has the ancient and very smart magical immortal lady who’s spent the last several thousand years plotting and building up to this decided to just... say ‘fuck it’ and do whatever? Is that why she’s been letting Cinder get away with everything? Is that why she doesn’t care that Watts is dead? Is that why she landed her whale on the farmlands instead of in the city? Is she just fucking around because she doesn’t actually care in the end?

We don’t know. We know very little about the reasons behind anything to do with Salem. We don’t know why she’s gone into hiding. We don’t know why she’s let Ozpin amass this power. We don’t know why she’s dropped her ‘in the shadows’ actions to suddenly make a big debut where she wages open war. This isn’t easy to fix while keeping with the start of the show where she’s a threat in the shadows that only Oz and his inner circle know about... if you keep Salem as is.

I think @why-i-hate-rwby-now suggested this awhile ago, but if Salem had started out being locked up somehow in some extra prison Oz had built using some of his remaining magic, that he’d kept secret for the last couple thousand years, that could work. She could be more involved in legends, but considered a myth by most, with a remaining cult being the thing that Ozpin and his (very small btw) group of defenders have been fighting. The group looking to free her could succeed in volume 3, maybe, prompting the more extreme tone and measures that the show takes. That would at least make more sense as to why she hadn’t made a move before, but now seems to be acting so recklessly.

#rwde #anti rwby #rwby bashing #rwby hate #rwby criticism #anti salem

27 notes · View notes

sarenhale · 3 years

Photo

My LITTEL Silver Snow review! Some thoughts and comments about this route.

I finished Silver Snow a couple of days ago, and I have both good things and bad things to say about it (like with every route, honestly).

Overall, I felt like this was an okay route, with the best part of it being the possibility to finally get the whole picture of Byleth’s existence and birth. FINALLY you get the final answers about Jeralt, Byleth’s mom Sitri, Byleth, and Rhea’s plan. It felt good to know the truth, and finally have all the final pieces of the puzzle.

I also liked getting more snippets of the Church ‘behind the scenes’, like discovering some more details about the organization, the Seiros cult and history, and especially discovering that Rhea binds all the members of the church with her blood... basically having the possibility to control them, giving what happens in the last fight. YIKESSS. Bad but interesting.

It’s also cool that Rhea losing control at the end makes some of Byleth’s lines, such as ‘Promise me you’ll end me if I ever lose control of my humanity’, make sense! That CAN happen to people with the goddess blood inside of them, it seems.

Rhea is basically confirmed as a villain character, in my opinion, with the whole experiments with the crest stone on Sitri and Byleth (and... a dozen of other more experiments) and her controlling of the whole church with her blood.

That said, I kinda like it! I like that Rhea is basically... given more history and explanation behind her reasoning, and that they went ‘there’ with her being basically a villain at this point. It kinda felt like the story went brutally honest in showing her in her true light, losing a bit of her ‘holy character’ protection we were shown before.

It’s really ironic how she’s confirmed as a villain in the CHURCH ROUTE, and I feel like this say a lot about her intentions as a character. It also feels fucked up that she calls Byleth ‘mother’ when she wakes up. Keep that shit to yourself Ma’am. (And this makes me really wonder what the fuck is up with her romance... you’re supposed to romance a lady that experimented on you and your mom, and only sees you as the contentitor of her mother? Really? Great... )

Aside from getting some insight on Rhea and Byleth’s past + Church shenanigans, I don’t really see anything else special about this route.

I went into this thinking that maybe it would be less cruent than Crimson Flower, but in the end, Seteth makes even shittier decisions than Edelgard does, so at this point, I’m riding with CF at 100%.

I’m referring especially to the nonchalant way Seteth basically decides to sacrifice both the Kingdom and Dimitri, and the Alliance as well. I get more into my outrage for that choice here if you’re interested in hearing the whole thing.

But basically, Seteth’s stupidity, or, more probably, interest in using Dimitri as a shield and bait for Edelgard to get him to weaken the Empire for him and do his dirty job for him (despite probably knowing the Kingdom and Alliance couldn’t win the whole fight on their own, since they BEGGED for the Church’s help) is really proof to me that he’s exactly the same as Rhea. So, willing to use others for their own gain, and let the Church have its ass covered by others, to avoid damage and danger. It really feels like they all need to protect the Church at all costs, but for what reason really?

The Church has clearly shown to care about people, peace and things only if it benefits them, and things are done on their very peculiar terms. It doesn’t make sense to me why Seteth is willing to protect the Church with all his might, even sacrificing nonchalantly others, when the Church doesn’t do that much anyway. (And actually is shown to do more bad than good in some parts...)

It really feels like Rhea and Seteth are really going on their own path that makes sense only to them. (But are still constantly trying to convince everyone that it’s the best path to take for everyone, mind you!)

From this point on, I was basically despising Seteth with all my being so it felt difficult to look at him in a different way the whole route. He’s supposed to be the ‘better alternative’ to Rhea but he’s pretty much the same as her, same debatable morals from the church, egoism, and some of the good old ‘holier than thou’ attitude I so much missed.

Maybe I’m being a bit harsh with him, but since his choice before the battle of Gronder, as you can see, my opinion on him basically changed radically for the worse.

Another thing is also that, despite my critiques on Edelgard’s methods and all... it really feels bad to go against her and Hubert with the Black Eagle kids.

At first, again, I was convinced that this route would be less bloody and maybe make the lives of the Black Eagles kids better, but it the end, especially seeing how the elimination of the Empire, Edelgard and Hubert really takes a toll on them, I’m not convinced Silver Snow is the better choice for them anymore.

Probably the only one I can see having more freedom in this route is Petra, because of Brigid being able to get rid forever of the shadow of the Empire and not having to keep the ‘careful good relationship’ with them anymore.

But even Ferdinand, Caspar and Bernadetta, characters I thought would fare better in Silver Snow, actually feel way happier and ‘developed’ in Crimson Flower. Not to mention that the way they comment on how bad it feels to kill Edelgard and Hubert literally broke my heart. After all, this really reminds me that these characters used to be kids, and close friends with eachother.

As much as I critique Edelgard’s methods, it’s clear that having the whole House together until the end it’s the best decision for everyone, and really feels right.

I probably appreciate Crimson Flower more, now that I see how the alternative, Silver Snow, is.

Especially because imagining a Fòdlan ruled by the Church.... is really a big no for me. The game has showed us countless times how secretive and shady the Church is, and given us MANY motives to not trust its intentions, so I don’t see why I should see the Church ruling Fòdlan as a good result.

I never liked the Church from the start tbh, so I was aware that me doing this route was basically only for completion and curiosity’s sake. (So my opinion might be a little bit biased) I’m glad I got to discover the whole puzzle behind Byleth’s birth and more about the Church/Rhea, but that’s basically it.

I don’t see Silver Snow as a good alternative to CF, on the contrary, it makes me appreciate the ‘extreme’ of Crimson Flower more. That route sure has its faults, but at least the message and intentions behind are way better and more honest than the Church’s will ever be.

#a little silver snow review with my thoughts!#fe3h

9 notes · View notes

flamingo-writes · 4 years

Text

It's Always Been You - Sylvain x Reader

Summary: After being away for five years in war with your father, the war is over and your father takes you to the Church if Seiros, where you meet the friendly faces you grew up with. Specially your best friend, Sylvain.

A/N: finally, I'm posting something about Fire Emblem Three Houses 🤣🤣 Im sorry I've been inactive, I've been purposefully been inactive, my holidays are over and I wanted to fully enjoy them. But now I am back!! Also, I’m gonna be writing the date in which I post things because I lowkey dont like not remembering when I posted something.

Posted: 01.14.2020

Words: 2.4K

Warnings: none

Pacing through the wide halls of the monastery, your eyes could hardly focus on something before something else caught your attention. And walking through what felt like endless halls only made you feel more and more nervous. Following your father, a few steps ahead of you as he limped his way forward at a faster pace than yours.

“It’s weird to be somewhere with this amount of silence…” You said as your father chuckled looking back at you.

“I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought about it” He said cheerfully, although you could see his smile didn’t reach his eyes.”I’m sorry for taking you to war for all those years”

“You already apologised enough times, father. It’s okay, I don’t mind” You lied, remembering all the nightmares that flashed before your eyes when you tried to sleep. The smell of blood still felt fresh on your nose and the screams and whimpers of soldiers dying around you.

“I know, kid. But it’ll always weigh my soul” He answered waiting for you to catch up with him and wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “Good thing is, your friends are here! So I was told by Count Galatea!”

“Ingrid is here?” Your father noticed that spark of hope in your voice.

“Dimitri, Felix and Sylvain are too”

Your heart began beating faster and stronger, as suddenly you became even more aware of your surroundings, hoping that you might see them.

However, that was not the case. You finally entered the cathedral and met the archbishop, Rhea. Feeling slightly intimidated by her status as the supreme leader of the Church of Seiros, your whole demeanour became stiff and awkward.

After welcoming your father back from the local wars happening in your hometown, your father talked to her, giving her a brief summary of how your last five years at war had been. And midway through the story, a couple of men walked inside the room Rhea and your father were talking in. Rhea greeted them as you continued to stare at everyone, not fully understanding what was going on.

Not until Rhea introduced you to Byleth, one of the teachers. Byleth was by no means a person with a lot of words. And given your shy state, neither were you. You followed them, by your father’s and Rhea’s suggestion. All the silence you had been missing while being out in the battlefield suddenly became worse than war. Silence, so much silence, you felt like your thoughts could easily echo and expose you. Not until a very familiar voice broke said silence after you walked inside one of the classrooms.

“[Name]?!” That cheerful voice brought back so many of your childhood memories, and before you could even scan the classroom, Ingrid was running towards you, hugging you tighter than ever. “I can’t believe it! It’s you!” She laughed happily. “I was afraid I’d never see you again!”

You hugged her back at once as tears gathered in your eyes, thinking how neither her voice nor her scent had changed much. As you opened your eyes, you saw a much taller Dimitri walking towards you.

“Dimitri!” You cried as you broke the hug from Ingrid and hugged the blonde. He hugged you back as once. “I can’t believe how much you’ve grown!” You sobbed, burying your face in his shoulder. “I was taller than you when I left the castle” You giggled.

“I can’t believe you’re still a crybaby” A low voice said as you looked at your side and saw a much grown Felix approaching you as well.

“And you’re still an idiot, Felix” You joked as you let go of Dimitri. “I missed you guys so fucking much” tears kept falling from your eyes. “Where’s Syl?” You asked looking around.

“Probably chasing some girls outside. Don’t worry, he’ll be back soon” Ingrid assured.

As Byleth introduced you to the rest of the class, you remained close to your friends as they did most of the talking. Recalling memories from your childhood, and through their stories, your new classmates got to know you better. Sitting in a circle on the ground in the middle of the class, you were enjoying the conversation, exchanging stories from both your childhood and the time your friends had been in the academy.

You were sitting facing the door, every now and then looking outside into the garden, noticing many other students walking and chatting. Eventually, you noticed someone walking towards the room. Instinctively, your eyes scanned said figure. And then our heart stopped.

Looking straight into his eyes, the both of you paralyzed for a brief second.

“No way!” Sylvain said shocked. The widest smile taking over his face.

Without thinking it twice, you stood up and ran towards him. All of the Blue Lions looking at you sprint, faster than they could imagine, as you ran towards the red head. Jumping into his arms, you cried his name as he swiftly caught you. Holding you tight, so tight, you could feel every bit of his chest pressed against yours. Laughing, melancholic tears falling down your eyes once more. Sylvains spun on his toes, happy to see his best friend once more.

“For the Goddess’s love, [Name]” He said putting you back on the floor, still without breaking the hug. “Do not leave me again” He said kissing the top of your head.

“[Name] and Sylvain…” Ashe asked, slightly confused. The way you had greeted your other friends was nothing compared to how you had greeted Sylvain.

“Oh, they’ve always been like that. Those two used to be always together. Whenever Slvain wasn’t chasing some girl, he was hanging out with [Name]. They were each other’s second shadow, before [Name] and her father left”

“The first few months after her departure were very rough on Sylvain…” Dimitri whispered.

“Yeah, I’d never seen him so depressed. Not even when his brother left” Ingrid added “Sylvain did try to run away and bring her back. His father was pissed at him for risking his life like that”

“After [Name] left, he became a much worse womanizer than he already was…” Felix added, looking at Sylvain, holding your head in his hands and shaking you lightly, complaining about all those years you left him.

“You think he’ll slow down a little bit now that she’s with him again?” Annette asked, not really minding about Sylvain's flirty self, but because she felt uncomfortable when he was being flirty at her.

“There’s a possibility” Dimitri whispered.

“Yeah, he’ll probably go skirt chasing as a hobby when [Name] is busy and doesn’t pay much attention to him” Ingrid said

“I’ve always said those two would end up together in the future” Felix said in a low voice.

“No way!” Ingrid laughed. “I mean, I know those two are inseparable, but there is no way in heaven or hell those two would end up together. I mean, they love each other but they also can’t quite stand each other”

“Silence” Dimitri said. “They’re coming”

“I’m sorry, that’s what you get for leaving me, darling” Sylvain said.

“You think I don’t know you?” You scoffed. “Your lame ass will be coming back to me every time a girl rejects you”

“I’ve changed” He bragged lifting his chin with pride.

“Oh, have you?” You scoffed loudly.

“I’ve mastered the art of charming women. I don’t get rejected as much as I used to”

“I’m still sure you’ll be spending most of your day nagging me”

“Of course I will!” Sylvain laughed. “My best friend is back! We have to make up for all that time lost, angel” Approaching the circle, you returned to your spot. Sylvain walked next to you and gestured Dimitri to move a little bit to a side so he could sit next to you. “So, what are we guys talking about?”

“The ball and the dancing contest” Dedue said, taking back the conversation you had before Sylvain walked in the classroom.

The ball was over all fun. Maybe not the most fun night, but surely more fun than any night you had for the last 5 years. Andnafter a very much needed break, Sylvain asked you if you wanted to wander around the monastery at night.

The idea of wandering at night added something charming and spooky to the big old building. Silence ruling over the rest of it while the ball was contained in the ball room.

As much as you wanted to actually wander around, you decided to quietly follow Sylvain who walked with long steps, knowing where he was heading to.

He took you to one of the towers in the monastery. A tall tower you knew very well for what people had been whispering in the halls.

“Can I tell you something, [Name]?” Sylvain asked.

“Sure”

“After you left…You are my best friend, the best of them, okay? You know it” He began awkwardly “And after you left, I felt so lonely. I’d never felt like that before”

“I know. I did too” You said looking at him tenderly as he looked up at the sky. You noticed the rise and fall of his chest, different to how it normally is. He’s nervous, you thought. You grabbed his hand and squeezed it, just like you’d always do whenever you knew he was feeling uneasy.

“It was...so different to me. Living in a world without you. It somehow felt like starting over. I guess, after you left, I started dating women like a mad man. I guess, I was looking for someone to fill that hole you left in my chest. But it didn’t matter how many girls I went out with and how many I met, no one even got close to it”

“Syl…” You whispered. “I’m here now. We’re back together at being partners in crime, hey?”

“Partners…” Sylvain whispered looking at your hand on his.

“Syl” You purred. “I know why you brought me here…” At once he looked into your eyes. Slightly terrified. “I’m not dumb, Syl. I’ve heard the stories about this. People come to this spot and make a wish together. They say the Goddess will listen and help said wish come true. It’s romantic, it’s clearly a tradition meant for lovers…”

“[Name], I-I…” Sylvain stuttered nervously.

“I’d wish to never feel lonely again,” You said. “The day I left, it was the worst day of my life. I cried every night for several weeks. I wanted to be back home, with my friends. Especially you, Syl. I’d dream of you every single day. At least for a year. You were always on my mind, and I liked to look up at the stars and think you’d be looking at the same stars as I did”

“You’ll never be lonely again” Sylvain whispered, holding your hand and pulling it towards him, kissing your knuckles.

“[Name]” The way his voice whispered your name in such a tender way, melted your heart. You looked into his honey eyes, thinking if they had always been so gorgeous. “I’m a bit afraid of saying this, but I have to, otherwise I’ll go crazy if I keep bottling it in” Knowing what he was going to say, you blinked, your eyes inviting him to get closer. “[Name]” Cupping your face into his free hand. “I think I’m in love with you”

“Coming from such a casanova, that’s a little bit hard to believe, Sylvain” You said witty.

“After you left, I realized it’s always been you. You’re the reason why I can’t settle down with a girl. Because neither of them are you” He said leaning closer and bumping his forehead against yours.

“Prove it” You whispered closing your eyes.

“I’ve known you for as long as I can remember" He began, he leaned back, sighing in disappointment, since you thought he was going to kiss you "Life without you is no life at all, that much I know. You wished to never feel lonely, right? I will not let you feel that way again. Never. My wish is to never stray from you again. It happened once, and I’m sure I don’t want it to happen again”

“Make sure to not wish for something you’ll regret, Syl” You whispered.

“How could I regret feeling alive and full? I’d give up the world for you” His eyes met yours in the sweetest of stares.

“How come you never came for me while I was away” looking away, you tried smiling sarcastically.

“I tried" He answered at once "You can ask Ingrid. I tried at least three times. Those three I ended up locked up in my room for days"

The look you gave Sylvain, incredulous, made him lose his calm posture and instead turn defensive.

"Back then I was weak and I was scared. But now, there’s nothing in this world that could stop me. I’ve grown, and I’ve changed. And if you asked me to, I’d keep changing, and never look at another woman, ever”

“I wouldn’t do that to you, take it to that extreme…" You giggled, slightly amused "You’re a grown up, Syl. You’re free to do whatever you like" looking away from him, you stared at your feet, thinking of your next words "I’d like to ask you to be gentle with me. Don’t break my heart, please”

You looked up to your friend. He sighed deeply, a gentle smile on his lips as he leaned closer, bumping his forehead against yours again.

“I won’t. Your heart’s safe with me. I promise, [Name]” His velvet voice purred your ears as you closed your eyes, hoping that he'd finally lean in into the kiss you'd been craving.

“I love you, Syl” You whispered as he leaned closer.

“I love you too” Sylvain muttered, his breath hitting your lips, and your heart racing in anticipation.

He closed the distance, a bit afraid and insecure. A million thoughts came to his mind before sealing the kiss. He was going to kiss his best friend, and he had just confessed to his best friend. And yet, the moment his lips.met yours, his mind went blank. His heart and your breathing was everything he could hear. Your scent tangling with his was everything he could smell. Despite the cool wind howling, your warmth was everything he could feel. Melting into your lips, you kissed him back.

#sylvain x reader #fire emblem sylvain #sylvain gautier #sylvain jose gautier #fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #fire emblem imagines #feth #fe3h #fire emblem x reader #I should be heading to school by this hour #but I am here posting #nkjdnckc #next one coming is one about dimitri #can u tell I took the blue lions route

147 notes · View notes

gascon-en-exil · 4 years

Note

It feels like with Bathlus saying Dimitri must get all the ladies and Dorothea saying that a love story will be told between Dimitri and FByleth, IS is really pushing for that heterosexual angle for Dimitri

I’m pretty sure Dorothea has dialogue regarding an opera being made of the story on all routes, with the specifics changing depending on the route and Byleth’s gender. In most if not all cases she remarks on the changes that will be made to the story or the principal characters to make them more suited to the stage, so if this is the writers pushing heterosexuality it’s presented in a knowingly artificial way.

Balthus is the living embodiment of the “fellas is it gay” meme. This makes twice on AM that he makes a big deal out of wrestling with Dimitri, and he becomes Yuri’s “bash bro” and they live together and don’t marry anyone else in their paired ending. None of the Lions need to resort to anything like that, because apparently in Faerghus it’s totally normal to have some naked sweaty fun with your male friends even if you have a wife and children. Maybe it’s a little unusual that Dimitri and Dedue go the extra step and live together, even more if they adopt children, but we know from their burials that the people of Fòdlan accept them as a couple. The only kind of no homo the Kingdom knows is historical revisionist no homo*. But Balthus is from the incredibly heterosexual Alliance, so he’s got to make sure whatever he’s doing isn’t too gay first.

*For instance - a few hundred years after the events of the game, a tour guide escorts a group through one of the Faerghus royal residences and directing their attention to a large portrait: Dimitri seated, Dedue standing next to him with him hand on Dimitri’s shoulder, and a group of children, one sitting on Dimitri’s lap and one holding Dedue’s hand with the rest gathered around them. The guide explains that this is a portrait of the royal family commissioned in Imperial year 12XX, of His Majesty Dimitri I, known as the Savior King, and the princes and princesses. It was widely known even at the time that none of the royal children were Dimitri’s, but were instead his by adoption, so great was the king’s sympathy and love for orphans of war. At his side stands an attendant, based on his appearance and dress perhaps a combat instructor for the older princes. Someone in the group asks if Dimitri had a queen. No, comes the response, for he was so pious an adherent to the church of Seiros that he remained celibate all his life and dedicated himself wholly to spreading the love and charity of the goddess to all.

#Fire Emblem #FE16 #Fire Emblem Three Houses #Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd #Dimidue #Balthus von Albrecht

71 notes · View notes

loyalflutist · 4 years

Text

Ten Steps Ahead (F!Byleth x Edelgard)

Rating: Mature Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence Category: F/F Words: 4,282 Summary: Edelgard had lost Byleth after the Adrestian Empire had rebelled against the Church of Seiros. However, Volkhard's visit gave her what she wanted... but it appears that Edelgard has to be ten steps ahead of Those Who Slither in the Dark to save the very person she loved.

A/N: Has it really been that long since I’ve last written an Edeleth piece? Probably not, but it strangely felt like one. Hope you enjoy this. Might continue this after my finals once I get the chance.

-----

Times moves forward, and time waits for no one. Edelgard von Hresvelg had always believed in that. No matter how much she yearned to change the past, it would do nothing but reopen old wounds. The least she could do is focus on the present and future. She had no choice but to move forward.

Until it came to her professor. Her beloved professor was caught up in a conflict that was never hers, to begin with. If there was one thing Edelgard wished to do, she wished for them to meet under different circumstances. Yet without her teacher, Edelgard would not be standing where she was now.

“I will always stay by your side,” Byleth whispered nectar into Edelgard’s ears one night, the two huddled underneath the sheets without a single piece of clothing article. The older female placed a tender kiss on the noble’s neck from behind as she uttered, “I promise you from the bottom of my heart.”

How horrifically wrong she was. Edelgard wanted to go back and slap her across the face. By her side, Byleth and Edelgard raised the flag to rebel against the Church of Seiros and enraged the Knights of Seiros. The fight against the Immaculate One devastated the monastery. Yet despite their victory, a price must be paid in full, and it was a payment she had no choice in.

Edelgard could never forget the expression that Byleth made before the crumbling structures fell upon her. Byleth was gone in a snap of a finger. As Rhea escaped from the premise with her surviving soldiers and guardians, the aftermath left the Adrestian Empire in complete disarray. A raw scream like never heard before echoed into the red horizon. Not even losing her siblings and undergoing the experimentations from Those Who Slither in the Dark threatened to tear her apart like this.

The emperor, despite her injuries, ran in a flurry at the mountainous heap. She sunk to her bruised knees, her fingers clawing and shifting the boulders around. No matter how big or small they were, Edelgard shoved them aside, the worn muscles beginning to tear and burn. Her progress was beginning to slow. Fresh blood smeared the dusty concrete and sand, her nails torn apart in the process. Edelgard lowered her head. The tears flowed down her cheeks, her wails unhidden, begging to a godless being for a miracle.

“BYLETH!!!”

She weakly pounded on the huge pile of debris. Dorothea and Hubert approached from behind and tried to stand her up. Their house leader violently shook them off and curled into a fetal position.

Edelgard had to try again. She cannot give up. She had to dig Byleth out. She can’t leave Byleth alone. Byleth means so much to her. Byleth promised her that they would always be together. Why did she go back on her words? Why did she do that? Why? Why did her girlfriend do that? Didn’t they promise they would also be engaged in the future? Were those false promises? Why? WHY? WHY? WHY? JUST WHY?!

“Lady Edelgard…”

Hubert grimaced when he saw his emperor crawl towards the heap. Edelgard’s efforts to dig their professor out was a futile attempt. But he could not bring himself to stop her. As a loyal servant, it was his job to do what was best for Edelgard. He glanced away and scowled when he could not budge from his spot. Hubert felt so useless.

As he stood there, Dorothea approached the young woman, her arms wrapped around the frail noble. There was a bit of resistance from Edelgard, but the strong grip from the songstress tempted Edelgard into submission.

“Edie, let’s go back.”

“…”

“We can’t do anything right now. Let’s return and try to find her again once you’re healed up.”

“…okay.”

Hubert took it upon himself to carry the poor emperor into his arms. When he glanced, he noticed just how vulnerable Edelgard was. She was covered in grime and blood, but underneath it all, she was nothing more than a young lady. Although Edelgard’s duty as an emperor was of utmost importance, sometimes Hubert wondered if she would’ve been happier if she were nothing more than that of an ordinary commoner. Even if it meant not meeting him, maybe he wouldn’t have to see her so distraught like this. Maybe she would have fallen in love with Byleth normally. The two wouldn’t have to go through this conflict… right?

He cursed to himself and rushed back to the group. Just like Edelgard, he understood the importance of the present and future, yet hoped for a miracle to rewrite history.

Especially right now.

It has been five years since the first phase of their rebellion against the Church of Seiros. Edelgard and Hubert made a temporary alliance with Those Who Slither in the Dark to achieve victory in the current deadlocked war. As for the rest of the Black Eagles, they slowly regrouped under her flag, their hopes for achieving a better future motivated by her speech and, most importantly, the slim miracle to see their professor again. After all, after the entire class and some trustworthy battalions removed the debris a couple of days later, Byleth’s body was nowhere to be found. Even Edelgard felt her heart aflutter from the news.

Search parties led by students from the Black Eagles Strike Squad spread throughout all parts of Fodlan. They’ve trekked through varying landscapes and came under crossfire on many occasions. However, the results delivered to Edelgard’s doorstep were always disappointing. There were noted rumors about the “Ashen Demon” running amok on the battlefield… but that can’t be it. If it were true, then Byleth would’ve returned. So far, that hadn’t happened.

Until one letter arrived. She and Hubert quickly canceled all events for the day in order to meet with the sender.

“I’ve found your beloved professor, niece.”

Volkhard, after entering the main entranceway of the monastery (acting as their main headquarter), motioned to the approaching figure. Edelgard and Hubert held their breath in anticipation.

“…”

It was her. It was truly her. Byleth Eisner was here. She stood in full glory as of the progenitor god, as their professor, and as her girlfriend. Edelgard had to rub her eyes to distill any illusion. It was too premature to be excited this soon… right? When she removed her hands, Byleth still stayed, unmoving. A genuine, rare grin sprouted from Edelgard’s face as she rushed forward.

“Oh, Professor—!”

She couldn’t believe it! Her professor— She’s here! She’s finally here! Edelgard could barely reel back the desire to kiss with her girlfriend this very instant!

When she hugged the older woman, she immediately observed her physical state. Byleth was thinner, her chin was more pointed, her body was sturdier, and there were notable fresh bruises painted on her exposed skin. When they parted, Edelgard stared into Byleth’s eyes. Those sunken eyes, though neon, had dulled.

“Professor…?”

“…”

Something was wrong. Something terribly wrong. Edelgard bit the bottom of her lip and gently shook Byleth’s shoulders.

“Professor, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“…”

Hubert noticed his highness’s confusion and glared at Volkhard. “May I ask why our professor refuses to speak to Lady Edelgard?”

“Hounds don’t need to talk.”

“Wha—” the young man was taken aback. “It may be rude of me to ask, but did you just call her a hound?”

The uncle sighed. He did not answer Hubert’s question, instead, directing his attention towards the two females. Volkhard snapped his fingers.

“Byleth, come here.”

“…”

To Edelgard’s horror, she watched her girlfriend obediently followed his instruction, returning to his side. Seeing her reaction caused her uncle to faintly smirk.

“I apologize, but your dear professor now works under me.”

“That’s… That’s not right!” Edelgard swung her arm outward. “She is our professor and has always been. As the emperor of the Adrestian Empire, I command that you return her back to us.”

“I’m afraid the emperor does not have full authority over who possesses what. Unless…” he narrowed his eyes. “You are that of a dictator. I’m sure your citizens would not be pleased.”

“Tch.”

He wasn’t wrong. Yet at the same time, Byleth was not a hound… and she was in no one’s possession. The fact that he treated her like an animal… This made Edelgard’s blood boil over. She then shot a glance at Byleth. Just why wasn’t Byleth saying anything? What was going on?

“…Please, let me stay with her.”

Well— Scratch that off, she could speak. Relief washed over Edelgard. She had to get a grip of herself before letting her knees instinctively buckle. Though it appears as if that evoked irritation from Edelgard’s uncle. Volkhard deeply breathed before mumbling, “Do as you wish, but I shall permit it starting tomorrow.” He glanced at Edelgard. “Is that sufficient, my niece?”

“Yes.”

Though Edelgard has every authority in this empire to take back her girlfriend, something felt off about the exchange, her guts screaming to keep her lips sealed and go along with the act. Besides, it would also do additional damage to her slowly diminishing reputation. The more drawn out the war, the more her citizens disliked her. She can’t lose the morale of the people in the empire any more than she has.

Eventually, Edelgard and Hubert were forced to watch Volkhard and Byleth take their leave from the once-holy ground.

Byleth paused. She glanced over her shoulder and spotted her girlfriend’s sadness. Then, a rare smile broke from the ex-mercenary’s stoic features.

“I never break my promise, El. Wait for me.”

It’s unfortunate that those words never made it to the emperor’s eardrums.

[-----]

Once Volkhard and Byleth distanced themselves far enough from Garreg Mach Monastery, they descended into a secret tunnel built by Those Who Slither in the Dark. Though their main hideout was in Shambhala, the organization expanded all across Fodlan to appear whenever and wherever desired. This was one of them.

Down the stairs they go in a rhythmic pattern, Byleth walking behind the man. With each step, the tunnel made of the earth’s soil transitioned to a metal pathway and a pulsating, neon blue line across the walls. Byleth began noticing a physical change of appearance in Volkhard. The uncle that should’ve been one of the many guiding figures in Edelgard’s life… It appears that he was long dead.

Once the ground flattened to a stable level, the duo was greeted with prisoner cells. Out of four, two of them were occupied. They were children with surgical stitches and scars running along their skin. Both the boy and girl trembled in the corner of their enclosed space at the sight of Byleth and Thales.

“…”

Byleth expected to be placed back into one of them. Ironically, it was the once place that she calls a safe haven for five long, arduous years, a place where she could curl up and sleep in her own misery. No… That wasn’t it. It was a place where she didn’t have to see the horrific experimentations and surgeries done unto those children. Their screams shattered bits and pieces of whatever sanity Byleth had. Witnessing it with her own eyes begged for merciful gouging.

“You…”

She stepped in once the metallic door was unlocked. Yet when she entered, so did the taller male.

“!”

Volkhard— No, Thales, immediately punched Byleth squarely in the face. When she stumbled backward, another punch was delivered into her abdomen. The wind was knocked out of her and caused the professor to go down on one knee. Byleth started to cough as Thales stared from above.

“What a fool you are to tell me what to do. Did you really miss her so badly?”

“…”

“You’re nothing but a dog, Fell Star. If I remember correctly, dogs don’t bite back at their masters.”

“Ggk…”

Byleth hated this treatment. When she was violently stirred awake from her short-term coma, she found herself in this underground facility. Close to the monastery, close to her students, close to her allies, yet so far away when Thales and members of Those Who Slither in the Dark conditioned the ex-mercenary into a powerful warrior for their needs. Five years of being grounded to the dirt into a lowly status of a hound. She wasn’t a human anymore nor a progenitor god through their eyes.

The number of deaths she tallied skyrocketed compared to her time as a mercenary. Ashen Demon was boldly adorned over her head with every swing of the Sword of Creator. She killed everyone in her sight. Criminals, soldiers, innocents… Their lives were extinguished in a single action, and their ghosts haunting Byleth until the day she joins their rank.

Though this was all in the name of surviving for one more day. Plus, Byleth would’ve gladly chosen death over it if it weren’t for her longtime commitment with Edelgard. She had to stay alive and see her girlfriend, bear with their cruelty, and condone their atrocious sins. Today was an example of her hard work paying off.

As she caught her breath, Thales’s voice boomed. “I want to remind you that we still need you for our grand plan.” His white eyes pierced through the female like icicles. “You have what we need in you and we need you to control Edelgard.”

Byleth raised her head. Compared to the look she had previously, they were ignited with a small flare. She spat, “Edelgard will never bow down to you. Using me won’t achieve your goal.”

He smirked. Then, leaning down, he mumbled, “But you can make her bow down to us.”

“!!!”

Thales got up and slammed his foot onto her hand. Hard. Byleth instantly cried out as pain rapidly spread from her fingerbones to the rest of her arm. She had to bite on her lip until it drew blood when the man twisted his metallic boot to the right. It felt as though the bones were creaking and snapping.

Eyes narrowed, Thales demanded, “You will report to us about her activities every night outside of the monastery. I will have a soldier deliver the message to us. Failure to do so…” He intensified his pressure onto her hand, causing Byleth to cry out again. “Will result in something far worse than death. Do you understand?”

“Y-Yes…”

“I can’t hear you.”

“Agh!”

He was relentless. If this was going to keep it up, Byleth’s dominant hand was going to be broken. And if they’re broken, she would be forced under the knife again for healing… without anesthetics. Byleth frantically shouted,

“YES!”

When he released his hold, Byleth immediately withdrew her hand to her chest, fear glistening in her neon hues. The sight of watching the woman known as the Ashen Demon succumb was a reward in of itself to Thales.

Out of all the military members he recruited by force, none was as strong-willed as Byleth. She would always bite back. She was no fool either. Weak points that he had never noticed came to light when the warrior exposed it. Too bad Byleth is only a single woman. One versus a dozen without her weapon would always end poorly. Time and time again, Byleth landed back into her prison cell, Thales forcefully conditioning her to follow their code. It took months to weaken her until she became that of an obedient hound.

He turned his back towards her, but not without leaving his parting message.

“You should thank Edelgard for bringing you to me. If she hadn’t abandoned you, perhaps you wouldn’t be here.”

“…”

After the loud metallic slam of the barred door, his footsteps started to fade. Byleth realized she had held her breath once silence returned. The teacher scooted to the side of her confinement and leaned against the chilly wall. Neon blue dimly lit just enough for her to examine the afflictions.

‘ He didn’t fracture my bones. ‘

Byleth’s hand didn’t possess a stabbing pain when she flexed and moved her fingers. She weakly tightened it into a fist and stared up at the futuristic ceiling.

‘ El… ‘

She never blamed Edelgard for the fate that she had received. Perhaps it was… what was it that Mercedes or Marianne once said… Karma? Yeah, was this karma for the killings she had done as a mercenary that led her to this position? Byleth brought her knees in and rested her head on them.

Regardless, she at least met Edelgard in person, and properly this time. It was a gutsy move and Byleth feared the wrath that would incur from Thales. However, perhaps it was a blessing that he had granted her this peace. But there was a catch. Thales was not stupid. He had always thought two steps ahead of everyone. This could be the same. Byleth scrunched her brows. Despite the throbbing aches, she felt a drowsy spell be cast upon her mind and closed her eyes.

‘ I… I’m going to be by El’s side again… ‘

[-----]

Edelgard propped herself up on the mattress. In her white nightgown, the young noble stifled an audible yawn, her scarred arms outstretched up in the air. Birds chirped in the background as natural sunlight washed over parts of the flooring. If Edelgard were, to be honest, she’s not exactly a morning person, but… she had to do what she had to do as an emperor. She must always be punctual and there for her people.

Not much time was spent getting ready despite her flamboyant attire and hairdo. White switched with red, the ex-house leader left the noble’s dormitory floor.

Or so she was supposed to. Opening her bedroom door greeted her with a familiar presence… and a presence she yearned so much for.

“Byleth!”

The older woman cracked a smile. Then, she fell forward and into the welcoming embrace of her girlfriend. Edelgard nearly vocalized her surprise from the amount of weight Byleth dropped on her— or rather, the lack of it.

“Are you okay?!”

“I’m… just tired.”

“Tired?”

Byleth nodded. “I didn’t sleep much last night.”

It was unfortunate that Thales and some scientists decided to experiment on one of the kids roughly an hour after she nodded off. The event that transpired right afterward startled her awake to their piercing shrieks. Though Byleth was never subjected to their experimentations (it was unnecessary), she couldn’t imagine the agony they had to go through. After all, all four cells, including her, were originally occupied. One of them had died from the implantations of multiple Crests. It might’ve been a blessing to that teenager as they didn’t have to suffer anymore. The other two were the unlucky bunch for five years.

‘ I want to go back and save them, but… ‘

“Do you want to sleep in my room for the morning?”

Byleth couldn’t answer anyway as Edelgard immediately plopped her onto the mattress. The comfortable mattress that she had taken for granted from becoming a professor… If she wasn’t careful, the ex-mercenary would be easily lulled to sleep. She silently shook her head. This caused Edelgard to pout.

“Why are you objecting— Wait… I don’t remember you having a bruise near your nose.”

“…”

Well… Thales did punch her… twice. The pain had subsided when she had woken up and there was no mirror to check her features. No wonder why some of her alumni that spotted her gasped from sight. When she stayed quiet once more, Edelgard sat on the edge of the bed. She reached over to caress Byleth’s swollen cheek.

This warmth again. How long has it been since she’s last had her girlfriend touch her? Byleth caved in and nuzzled against her rough palm. Then, despite years of inability, she began to cry. This startled Edelgard, but only for a little bit. The emperor quickly laid down and pulled Byleth into a hug despite the height difference.

“Byleth...” Hearing her name being called caused the teacher to curl into a fetal position and bury her face into the noble’s chest. Edelgard’s heart clenched at the sorrowful sight. She tightly held onto the older woman and allowed her to weep. “I can’t say I understand why you’re crying, but I’m here for you. Whenever you’re ready to tell me… please… let me know.”

Byleth cried even harder into her girlfriend. “I’m… I’m scared!”

“Scared?”

“Of Those Who Slither in the Dark!”

“?!”

Those Who Slither in the Dark. Why did she bring up those names? Was it because of Volkhard? But it appears that it wasn’t the case when Byleth clutched her girlfriend’s clothes. “For years… They… They… I tried— I really, really tried to hang on. I tried. I’ve— I’m so scared of them!” She couldn’t form a coherent timeline of what she wanted to say, the blubbering sporadic and all over the place. But Edelgard is patient. The seething fury made her even more patient as she hoped to hear the full story from her lover.

It took about an hour, but it felt so much longer than that. Horror tales that Edelgard vividly recalled when she was a child came crashing back to her. This time, she was hearing it from someone who was a bystander and had nothing to do with Those Who Slither in the Dark. The fact that they were still conducting those inhumane experimentations… and conditioning of the soldiers… This is unforgivable. Edelgard mentally beat herself up too for not coming to Byleth’s rescue either. If she had persuaded Hubert and Dorothea to let her dig her professor out from under the rubble, then none of this would have occurred.

When Byleth timidly showed off her body to Edelgard, Edelgard nearly lost her breath. Scars similarly to hers were riddled on multiple parts of her body. Those that weren’t had scabbed over and blemished the skin with discolorations. Stitches did heal the wounds, but at what cost? The noble soon cast a basic healing spell on Byleth’s dominant hand too after mentioning the injury she sustained from yesterday.

“I’ll never forgive them,” Edelgard’s jawlines became prominent. “I swear to you, I will find a way with Hubert and Ferdinand to defeat them.”

“…I won’t be under them ever again?”

“No.”

“But… Thales is always two steps ahead of everyone.”

“Don’t you worry, my teacher,” she kissed her softly on the lips. Then, smoothing her hair, Edelgard whispered, “I’m five— no, ten steps ahead of them. I won’t let them harm you ever again… and I won’t ever let them call you their hounds. You’ll always be my girlfriend first and foremost.”

[-----]

Nightfall came. Just like the clear morning, the late evening was clear, the stars twinkling alongside the moon. At the request of Thales, Byleth did as what he told and wandered right outside of the monastery. She didn’t have to skim the area for long to find them— or more like they came up to her.

“You’re with no one?” the disguised soldier barked. When she nodded, the soldier continued. “Very well. Tell us about Edelgard’s plans against the Leicester Alliance.”

“…”

And so, she spilled the beans. There wasn’t much to spill though as Byleth had merely spoken two sentences maximum... And they were all false information. This seems to have irritated the messenger, but it was more so from the lack of information than the truth of her statement. They shoved the ex-mercenary, causing her to stumble backward.

“I doubt he will be pleased. Don’t expect his next visit to go well, dog.”

“…calling me a dog is the same as calling yourself a dog.”

“Try not to provoke me. I’m the messenger and I don’t need to do dirty work like you hounds.”

“…”

The person huffed and quickly fled the scene. That now left Byleth all on her own in the dense woods. Though it was not long until Hubert appeared from the shadows. He stood by her side, facing the opposite direction.

“We’re safe. I’ve checked our surroundings with Ashe and Lysithea.”

“…”

“I would expect them to be mindful of their surroundings,” he chuckled and cupped his chin. “But perhaps I’ve overestimated them.”

Byleth continued to look straight ahead while responding to his remark. “I guess when they’re invisible, they stop looking over their shoulders.” She felt his firm hand placed on her shoulder. Hubert gently squeezed them and released his hold. At that same moment, both Ashe and Lysithea came up from behind. This was their cue to make their return.

Meanwhile, Edelgard sat in the lecture hall, writing and drawing on a scroll. Plenty of crosses and scribbles littered the page. Sharing the same study space was Sylvain, Ignatz, and Ferdinand. They were procuring up plans that would allow them to tackle not only the opposing nations but to handle the corrupted organization. As for Ingrid, Caspar, and Raphael, they were in charge of guarding the only entranceway into the premise.

“I can’t believe they exist…” Sylvain hummed. “They’re going to be tough to take down, but I have no doubt that we can do it.”

“We shouldn’t have any doubts,” Ferdinand motioned. “We have the majority of our classmates with us. It’s just too bad Hilda and Dedue won’t join us…”

“Bigger number doesn’t always mean success,” Ignatz shook his head. “However, if anything, I won’t allow us to fail any mission regarding them. It’s… It’s just not right to have them running free and do what they want, even if we are teamed up with them.”

“…”

As her classmates chattered among themselves, Edelgard was fully focused on their plans. Yet there was a break, her hand motionless. She blinked. The vermillion noble’s knuckles whitened on the feathered pen.

‘ Once the war is over, I will tear them apart for harming my Byleth. Limb… to limb. ‘

#loyalflutist #fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #edeleth #f!byleth x edelgard #edelgard #edelgard von hrevelg #byleth #f!byleth #byleth eisner #fan fiction #fanfiction #fanfic #fan fic #one shot #oneshot #os

31 notes · View notes

three-houses-text-files · 5 years

Text

byleth/felix

c-s support + paired endings + night of the ball

Felix: I thought I heard someone. Are you here to train?

>Yes.

>No, just watching.

F: Care to train with me? F: Waving this sword around alone is boring. F: And I'm tired of crossing swords with worthless opponents. F: But you seem like a worthy adversary.

>Sure, why not?

>You think I'm a worthy adversary?

F: I don't know for certain, but you seem skilled.

F: I've always been interested in your technique. F: You learned from the former captain of the Knights of Seiros, and traveled Fódlan fighting as a mercenary. F: On top of that, you wield a Hero's Relic, the legendary Sword of the Creator. F: Good sparring partners like you don't grow on trees. F: But know that I will beat you, and I will surpass your strength.

>Why are you so focused on becoming stronger?

F: Why? Hm. I never really thought about that. F: I learned to thrust a sword before I learned to write my name. F: Of course, my upbringing wasn't unique. That's how it is for all children in my country. F: You're no use if you can't swing a sword, however mighty your Crest may be. F: It was the perfect environment for me. I could live free of stodgy values and virtues. F: Grow strong so you may live, and live to grow stronger. That's what I was taught.

>Do you have any other ambitions?

F: Why should I? Nothing's as important as the pursuit of strength.

>You remind me of myself.

F: Now I'm intrigued by your fighting style, and by who you really are...

F: But that's enough idle chatter. Take out your sword. F: My mind is emptied of all but the thrill of the challenge!

——————————————————————————————

F: You’re certainly not going easy on me. F: You fight like a mercenary, not a knight. You hunger for victory, pure and simple. F: You may not be aware of it yourself, but I see it.

>Should I take that as a compliment?

F: Indeed.

>Should I take that as a criticism?

F: No.

F: Knights ought to have some hunger. I've always thought so. F: They depend too much on their swords. Only when they're wrested away do knights consider their hands and feet as weapons. F: That's not how it was for warriors of old. They weren't limited by their tools. F: Victory is what matters, not the method of achieving it. That's the attitude to adopt. F: I detect that in your style. It is plain to see.

>That doesn't seem like praise...

F: You may take it however you like. F: I believe the difference between us lies within that hunger. F: But where does it come from? F: From the start, I was aiming to win, yet I couldn't defeat you. F: Then I remembered something you said before...

>About your aspirations?

>About your upbringing?

F: Indeed. F: I was raised to value strength above all else. Whereas you had a reason, an ambition, pushing you toward that hunger. F: So, tell me. What was the reason? Why were you driven to become so strong?

>To survive.

F: That's a mercenary's answer, to be sure.

>To protect the people of Fódlan.

F: Hah! Spoken like a knight. That's not what I would have expected.

>To stop this war.

F: So that is the source of your hunger.

F: I suppose I must find my own.

>I'll help you.

>We can find it together.

F: Ah, if we're to get along, I think not. I'll be content if you continue to train with me. F: Perhaps it will come to me as I swing my sword.

——————————————————————————————

F: Finally, I notched a win against you.

>You crushed me.

F: Oh, please. I scraped by.

>I almost had you.

F: True. It was a narrow victory.

F: When we spar, I feel like I'm revisiting my past.

>Why?

F: It's like training with my brother. F: He always won—always—and died before I could win a single bout. F: From the first time I held a sword, all I wanted was to surpass him. F: And that's what drove me to become so strong. F: Perhaps it's absurd to say such a thing, but... F: I've spent all these years training for a duel with a corpse.

>It's not absurd.

F: Perhaps not.

>You found an answer to my question.

F: Yes. I suppose I did.

F: I can never again spar with my brother. Not unless he climbs out of his grave. F: Still, I continue my endless pursuit of strength. F: Maybe because I have a new opponent to measure myself against.

>Who?

F: You. Obviously. F: I beat you this time, but when we next cross swords, who knows what might happen? F: It was a close match, not a crushing victory. I know that I can do better. F: I will surpass you in strength, and then I'll become stronger still.

>And then?

F: And then, when this war is over, I won't have as many chances to swing my sword.

>I can hardly imagine that.

>Don't count me out yet.

F: Ha. Just what I was hoping you'd say. F: Anyway, thank you...for helping me find an answer to the question you asked, all those years ago.

——————————————————————————————

F: Finally, you came. F: Wars begin and end, but this place never changes. F: And you don't change either.

>That's not true.

F: Hmph... If there's been any change, it's just that you're so busy, your sword has grown dull.

>Neither do you.

F: That's true, except that the boar has thrust the bombastic title of "duke" upon me. (blue lions route)

F: That's true. (other)

F: We fought to bring peace to Fódlan, but peace is so boring. F: No more chances to swing my sword at enemies. No more life-threatening battles. F: I know that these are positive developments, but I'm still a warrior at heart. F: Here I am, watching sadly as my blade grows dull.

>That's selfish.

F: You're right. Damn, I can be a fool sometimes...

>I feel the same.

F: You do? That's a relief. We're cut from the same cloth, you and I.

F: And on that note, I'll tell you why I asked you to come here. F: Take this.

>Felix...

F: Without a worthy opponent like you at my side, not only will my sword grow dull...it'll rust. F: So I had to think of a way to make sure you'd always be with me. This is what I came up with. F: And...

>And?

F: You're pretty slow on the uptake. Don't you know what this ring means?

>No, I don't.

F: If you keep messing around, I'll... I'll...

>I want to hear you say it.

F: Fine! Listen carefully. I'm not going to say this more than once. I want you to be my wife. Please say yes. Let's get married and stay together until we die. F: I love you. F: ... F: That's all.

>Wait!

F: What? You have something to complain about?

>I love you too, and I accept.

F: Oh... OK, then. F: In that case, I'd better start planning for the future. F: My future...with you.

——————————————————————————————

paired endings

Byleth married Felix almost immediately after ascending the throne of the United Kingdom of Fódlan. When it came to matters of governance, Felix often took on duties that would have required his wife to dirty her hands and thus came to be called The Royal Sword. After they accomplished all they had set out to do, the couple left the rule of Fódlan to the next generation, disappearing into obscurity with blades in hand. Thereafter, history only provides unconfirmed reports of a pair of traveling mercenaries who possessed unmatched strength and skill. (golden deer + church route)

Byleth married Felix, who had become Duke Fraldarius, shortly after she was named to succeed Rhea as archbishop. Felix focused his efforts on restoring his territory and the Kingdom and became the archbishop's closest confidant, both privately and officially. They often spent a lot of time apart, but whenever they reunited, they had a tradition of crossing blades before crossing words. Attendants remarked that the smiles they wore on their faces during these bouts were never seen elsewhere. (blue lions route)

Byleth and Felix were engaged to be married soon after the Battle of Fhirdiad. The war against those who slither in the dark was long and arduous, but they found solace always in one another. When the fighting was finally done, they held a modest wedding ceremony and entered a new life together as husband and wife. Where they went afterward is not known, but it is widely believed that they traveled the world as mercenaries, side by side, blades in hand. (black eagles route)

——————————————————————————————

night of the ball

F: Oh, look who it is.

>What are you doing here?

F: I just wanted some quiet. It's so loud, I needed a little respite.

>Are you waiting for someone?

F: No. I just wanted a bit of quiet.

F: Besides, what are you doing here?

>I thought I might find you here.

F: Huh? You must be joking.

>I'm here for the same reason as you.

F: Ah. Well, I guess it figures.

F: Hm. F: Have you heard the legend of the Goddess Tower? That if you make a pledge, it will be fulfilled? F: Childish, I know. But if it were true... F: Let's make a pledge to the goddess. F: I pledge that someday, I will surpass you. F: I'll surpass your technique, your skill with the sword, and your cunning as a warrior. Then I will make you taste defeat!

>That seems extreme.

>That's your pledge to the goddess?

>What a disappointment.

F: If you're looking for a passionate affair, you've got the wrong man. Go find someone else. F: I've spent my life avoiding love and romance. They're distractions. F: Blades, blood, and battle. That's what I'm made of and nothing else.

>If someone saw us, however, this may look like an amorous meeting.

F: You'll have to settle for being mistaken as my lover.

>That's mean.

F: What nonsense. F: It's time I went back to training. F: I'll always be more comfortable holding a sword than a woman's hand. F: Try not to catch a cold up here. I'd hate for such a good sparring partner to be out of commission. F: Good-bye.

#fire emblem three houses spoilers #fe16 spoilers #fe3h spoilers #byleth x felix #felix x byleth

126 notes · View notes

ayma-nidiot · 4 years

Text

The Ride - Sylvix fic Chapter 26

Also on AO3.

Chapter 26 – Surprises, Surprises

“So… Remind me how I ended up being the bridesmaid of honour?” Ingrid pouted the entire time Annette, Mercedes, and Dorothea tended to her appearance.

“You and me both.” Cyril happened to walk by. “How I ended up as the ring bearer, I will never know. I’ve hardly even spoken to the lucky couple today.”

“That’s because Rhea and our new archbishop trust you,” Annette replied with a smile.

“And you, my lovely Ingrid, are you really surprised?” Dorothea continued to braid Ingrid’s short hair. “Not only were you the first one to find out about their relationship, but you’re also the best friend of them both.”

“Whatever. I just think you three are using this wedding as an excuse to douse all the women with makeup.”

“The flower girl thinks she did a good job!” Flayn, with floral barrettes and even rosier cheeks, gave Ingrid a thumbs up as she walked by. “Say, are we going to get started soon? I heard there will be a lot of fish dishes at the reception. Which of course is half the fun.”

“There’s just one problem… We’ve got a couple of late guests.” Mercedes thought as she heard two men shouting outside. “Ah, here they come now!”

The late guests in question sped right past the women and straight to Sylvain’s quarters. “Hey! Where’s the man of the hour, huh?”

“You mean one of the men of the hour,” Sylvain corrected. He was embarrassed not just at his father’s late arrival, but also at his behaviour. It didn’t suit someone of his age. “No, let me guess why you’re late… It’s because of the pretty women around the monastery, isn’t it?”

“No… It’s um… because it’s been a while since I attended the Academy, and I had to ask for directions.”

“In other words, it’s because of the pretty women around the monastery.” Even though the margrave still acted like a womanizer all these years, Sylvain couldn’t ever really be mad at him. Sylvain bowed at the waist to Felix’s uncle. “Duke Fraldarius, it’s an honour to meet you. I am Sylvain Jose Gautier, the son of Margrave Gautier.”

“Yes, I’ve heard about you from my older brother before he died. Thank you for taking care of my younger nephew all this time.”

“Speaking of which, where is the blushing bride… er, groom?” Margrave Gautier asked.

“You’ll see him soon enough…” Sylvain got up as the bell of the Goddess Tower rang. Before he stepped onto the stairs, he looked up the tower and the golden sunrise backdrop. “And he will look wonderful.”

An hour later, Dorothea had just finished styling Felix’s hair into a low bun, letting a few strands hang at the sides. Annette and Mercedes stood back to look at the traditional Fraldarius clothes they worked hard to put on him. “Aww, you look so handsome! Sylvain is soooo lucky!” they squealed in unison.

“Okay, I’m handsome.” Felix started walking hastily to the Goddess Tower. “I’m handsome and very late for my own wedding. Ah!”

“Felix, watch out!” Ingrid tried to warn as Felix tripped on his cape. “Oh!”

A 10-year-old boy saved Felix from an embarrassing face plant. “Hey mister, are you okay?”

“Yes, thank you.” Felix knelt at the boy’s level. He could tell from his clothes and appearance that he was a common boy from Fraldarius. “You saved me, young man.”

The boy just now noticed Felix’s regal attire. “Hey, are you by chance Felix Hugo Fraldarius?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, man, this is the best day ever!” The boy happily jumped up and down. “Mom and Dad used to tell me all kinds of stories about you and what an awesome soldier you were!”

“They did?”

“You bet!” The boy did a few air punches. “They told me one time that you killed a boar with your bare hands.”

“Oh, that was probably just some gossip from your friends.” Felix chuckled, and was surprised when the boy didn’t laugh back.

“I… didn’t really have many friends growing up. When my mom and dad died, all my classmates thought it was because they had enough of me.” The boy began to cry. “I never really had any kind of cool parental figures after my parents’ deaths, either. I… had to live on my own. You were really the only role model I’ve had.”

“Well, I’m about to change that for you!” Felix declared proudly. “There’s going to be a really cool wedding at the Goddess Tower, and I’d love for you to come. There will be lots of yummy food and fun games. And there certainly won’t be any of those mean bullies that you’ve met.”

“Really?” The boy not only stopped crying, he lit up.

“Of course!” Mercedes took the boy by the hand while giving Felix a sidelong stare. “Now come, you don’t want to be late like a certain someone.”

The sun had arisen completely now while the birds fled from their previous hiding places. A spacious crowd gathered under the balcony of the Goddess Tower as Flayn tossed flowers from there. Mercedes couldn’t contain her excitement at the wedding about to commence. “Aww, I should have put some concealer on him at least…”

“Maybe you’ll find a chance to if you visit Fraldarius,” replied Ingrid, lifting Felix’s long cape off the ground while he walked.

As he stepped out from the shade, Felix shielded his face from the sun and the oncoming doves with his arm. Even as he walked to the balcony, he could hardly look at his soon-to-be husband in the eye.

Sylvain brushed aside Felix’s bangs and spoke softly, “Hey. Don’t be shy now of all times; let me see your beautiful face.”

Byleth, the newly appointed archbishop of the Church, grinned at this adorable display as she gestured for silence from the excited crowd below. “O holy Sothis! We stand before you today to ask for your blessings upon Sylvain Jose Gautier and Felix Hugo Fraldarius as they become joined in marriage. May you shower them with many years together, filled with love, light, and fortune. May their homelands become more prosperous with each passing day as the people will grow to respect them.”

Byleth’s conclusion of her speech prompted Sylvain to begin stating his vows. “I have lived a life full of unsavoury tendencies. I thought that I could never find true love because of my Crest. I thought that it was my only redeemable quality. But the day I met you, I started to believe that maybe, just maybe, I really do have worth. I’ve grown to love myself – and you – in all these years we’ve known one another. I’ll protect you with everything I have; this I swear.”

How am I supposed to top that? Felix had rehearsed his vows several times but at that moment, his mind drew a blank. “I… don’t have a way with words like you. People never forgot to remind me of it, and for the longest time, I didn’t care what they thought of me. What need for pretty words have I, a swordsman so dedicated to his training? It took all the practice in the world just to prepare me for this moment… But for me, it was worth it, to let all of Fódlan know how much I love you. It was worth it to be able to tell you that I will cherish and protect you for as long as I live.”

After a short pause, Byleth continued, “Do you, Sylvain Jose Gautier, take Felix Hugo Fraldarius as your husband?”

“I do!” Sylvain answered with a wink as he put his family ring on Felix’s finger.

“And do you, Felix Hugo Fraldarius, take Sylvain Jose Gautier as your husband?”

“I do.” Felix did the same, and there was no shyness in his voice now.

“Then by the power invested in I, Byleth Eisner, archbishop of the Church of Seiros… I now pronounce the two of you spouses for life.” Byleth gave Sylvain a wink and whispered, “Go on, hotshot, give him a big kiss.”

Don’t need to tell me that, Professor, Sylvain thought as he clasped the back of Felix’s head and kissed him for a long time.

“Aww!” The ten-year-old boy from earlier cheered, along with other monastery residents from the ground. “So this big wedding was for Felix, huh?”

Felix finally broke the kiss gently and now faced the crowd. “Oh, and I thought I’d like to take this opportunity to make an important announcement, particularly to my fellow citizens of Fraldarius. I accept the title of the Duke of Fraldarius… and so does my husband.”

“Whoa…” A few citizens were surprised, but most appeared to accept it.

“But wait…” A young man from Gautier spoke up. “Then who’s going to inherit House Gautier?”

Sylvain expected and feared for this topic to come up, but he didn’t want to lie to his people. “I pass that title to my brother Miklan.” Sylvain turned to his best man. “That is, if he is willing.”

“What?” The mention of Miklan’s name sparked whispers throughout. “He’s alive?”

“Yes.” Miklan turned around. “Though at times I don’t think I deserved to be… I am glad to be now, if only to atone for what I have done. If at any time the people think I don’t deserve this title, I will willingly step before a jury, and you may do what you will. But all I ask is this chance to gain your trust.”

“Miklan…” Margrave Gautier hadn’t seen his son in such a long while, not even after the Battle of Enbarr. To make sure that his elder son was not an apparition, he ran as fast as he could up the Goddess Tower’s stairs to get a good look at him.

Miklan didn’t expect this to occur, and didn’t really want it, either. He shifted uncomfortably before saying, “H-Hello, Father. It’s been a while.”

“You’re… alive.” The margrave’s voice sounded void of emotion. “How?”

“It’s a long story.” Miklan secretly brandished his Crest. “So, um… about the title-”

“I can’t say I’m 100% comfortable with it yet, but if Sylvain approves, then I will approve too.”

“I’m… um… glad, I guess.” Miklan could look at his father now, and noticed the margrave shedding a few tears.

“Oh, haha… Don’t mind me. I’m just… hoping… that we can at least try to get along as a family. I’m glad to have the chance.”

“Aaaand here come the waterworks!” Sylvain took the both of them in for a group hug, spurring many members of the crowd to also cry. Just as he was getting caught in the family bonding, he noticed a young black-haired boy standing just inside the shadow behind the balcony. “Oh? Who might you be, young man?”

“Ah, he’s a citizen of Fraldarius,” Felix cut in. “He actually saved me from damaging my ‘pretty face’ earlier.”

“So what brings you here?” Sylvain knelt down.

“I just… wanted to say to Felix that… Congratulations.” The ten-year-old boy grinned. “You’re right about having fun. I’ve already met a lot of really nice kids just now. I’m thankful.”

Felix pondered a while before asking the boy, “Young man, what is your name?”

“I’m Remy, sir.”

“How would you like to live with Sylvain and I?” Felix gave a quick glance to his husband for approval, which Sylvain readily gave. “We will give you the life that was stolen from you too soon.”

“I can have a family again?” Remy started crying tears of joy. “I… I… I would love to!”

“Oh, quit your crying!” Sylvain chuckled as he carried the boy, letting the crowd see him. “Everyone, I present to you Remy, the third in line to Fraldarius’ throne!”

“Aww, right!” Remy did a little victory pose, getting a huge confidence boost from the approving crowd. “Look out, world, I’m going to be a great soldier just like Papa!”

After the crowd had died down, and the wedding festivities had already started, Sylvain and Felix descended the stairs. Sylvain wasn’t surprised that Dorothea had caught the bouquet Felix had thrown, and now she bragged that one day she would be with her “beloved Ingrid.”

“Sylvain?” Felix took note of how silent Sylvain had become after they got back to the ground level. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” Sylvain watched as Remy played with his new friends from the monastery. He was especially friendly to an 8-year-old Gautier girl and her 1-year-old sister who just started learning how to walk. The two older kids flew a sewn-up doll around, much to the 1-year-old’s amusement. “I’m just… I don’t know, I didn’t take you for the type to want kids someday.”

“Surprises, surprises.” Felix smiled as he gripped his husband’s hand. “That kid has been through a lot… I figured that I’d give him a fresh start. A new life.”

“Maybe this is wishful thinking, but… I hope we will live our lives in sheer happiness, for years without end.”

#fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #sylvix #sylvain x felix #fanfiction

3 notes · View notes

langwrites · 5 years

Text

Lang Plays Fire Emblem: Three Houses

I’m playing them in this order: Blue Lions, Black Eagles, Church of Seiros, and then Golden Deer. (I organized them by how likely it is to have a true final boss who is actually as relevant to the lore as the opening cutscene. And also because I thoroughly spoiled myself about that.)

So, after sinking what the game tells me was eighty hours into a single playthrough, here’s my thoughts on the first thing I tackled.

Spoilers below the cut.

Very Early Game (Blue Lions):

It’s the Fire Emblem Dad! (I played Path of Radiance. I’ve seen this dude before.)

Hi Claude. Sorry, I’m gonna steal every single one of your peers I can catch. Same to you, Edelgard.

Dimitri is so awkward it’s almost palpable.

Aww, Ashe and Annette are adorable. Mercedes has that dead anime mom hairstyle that sets my teeth on edge, but she’s super nice. It’ll take me longer to warm up to the boys, I think.

Felix is the token “I MUST BECOME STRONGER” myrmidon character. Gotta have at least one per game, apparently.

Sylvain = Sain. Token womanizer cavalier. His support list is pretty odd, though.

Dedue = the guy who done punch things. And he *has* to punch things, because he’s slow as hell and his speed growth isn’t great.

What the fuck is that strength growth, Dimitri. What the fuck is that Charm growth.

I was so close to making him my team’s designated Dancer unit, you guys.

Beleth is gonna be their teacher and somehow I don’t imagine this going super well.

Pre-Timeskip School Life:

Once again, I regret not being able to support with characters who’ve firmly attached themselves to the other two houses. (Which is only like three people in my “gotta catch ‘em all” playthrough, but whatever.)

But I can support all the recruitables, which is...something that took me a long while to do.

The first person I stole for the Blue Lions was Caspar. The first person who straight-up joined was Flayn. Yay, auxiliary punchers and auxiliary-auxiliary healers!

Ashe, your adoptive father really didn’t need to die. You were right. It was all bad all the way down.

Flayn gets kidnapped and I fuck around for a month raising everyone else’s supports and realizing Seteth’s too distraught to train my Lance level. Dangit.

I missed the opportunity to support with Leonie entirely because her personality put me off for the first few in-game months, and it turns out you can only start her support chain while Jeralt is alive.

Dammit. Now I’ve gotta train with lances.

What’s-his-fuck over at the village sure did do a thing, didn’t he. And if he hadn’t dropped his disguise just then he could have gotten away with it.

Their scheme would’ve failed faster if anybody around this fucking monastery could apply logic to shapeshifter shenanigans.

Seriously, no one should have trusted Monica.

You vanish over the course of a year, and come back with your personality totally inverted.

Tomas/Solon had just demonstrated what it looks like when these dickbags drop cover, and then everyone subsequently failed to make the correct deduction. If they hadn’t, Jeralt would’ve lived.

Dad-stabbing: A theme of Fire Emblem games. Seriously. Check out the huge list of dead dads (which goes all the way back to the first game in the series.)

Also dead moms, but for some reason moms are less prominent in the series as a whole.

For the purposes of this analysis, we are also including every single boss who had kids. Which isn’t most of them, but god damn there are still a lot of dead dads.

Dorotheaaaaaa be my frieeeeeeend

Yoinked Linhardt after finally showering him in enough gifts to get his sleepy ass to sign transfer papers.

Swiped Marianne, Bernadetta, Petra, Ignatz, Alois (kinda), Shamir (sorta), Manuela (iffy), Hanneman (yoink), Catherine (see previous), Hilda (how), Lorenz (woop woop), and Leonie (sigh).

The Death Knight remains, for the moment, unpillaged for his Dark Seal drops. This time it was an accident: I killed everyone else in the room except for him and a priest/mage, but then that last dude squared up with Felix and died.

All the points I poured into their associated skills and their supports, however, left one big gap:

DAMMIT FERDINAND, I’M TRYING TO SAVE YOUR LIFE. WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH ABOUT HEAVY ARMOR. RAPHAEL JOINED UP DESPITE THAT.

(I got a B-rank support with him and he popped into my office to say he was transferring, nbd. Ferdinand’s B-rank is locked until after the timeskip.)

tl;dr: The only recruitable character I missed was Ferdinand.

Seteth and Gilbert don’t do shit until post-timeskip and Rhea isn’t playable, so w/e.

As soon as I say that, Seteth and Flayn have a paralogue. It’s a beach level. I hate beach levels and desert levels. Seteth gets to be MVP because he’s the only jerk who can fly.

They have a little speech after the paralogue level that reveals that they’re actually father and daughter, not siblings. And the whole story of this little subplot basically confirms that they’re dragons.

Neither of them transform over the course of the game, and that’s okay.

Ruh-roh, Raggy. Let’s see who’s really under the Flame Emperor’s mask--

“AND I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT TOO, IF NOT FOR--oh wait teleportation exists. BYE!”

Dimitri proceeds to thoroughly lose any chill he ever pretended to have, and I’m 99% sure the villain in question isn’t actually old enough to have caused the Tragedy of Duscur. Unless the biographies in the notes were lying.

Now, the backup dancers over there sure as shit are, but logical reasoning has its time and place.

Whatever. Time for stabbing.

WE ALREADY KNOW THESE PEOPLE ARE CAPABLE OF MAKING THEMSELVES LOOK LIKE ANYONE, MASKS TOTALLY UNNECESSARY. THE VICTIM ONLY HAS TO DISAPPEAR FOR A WHILE.

WHY AREN’T WE CHECKING THAT AS A BASIC PRECAUTION.

THERE HAVE BEEN THREE OF THESE CREEPS ALREADY.

Their name is too long and I should call them Morlocks.

But seriously, check for infiltrators.

What passes for strategy around here: Take Paladin Dimitri, plunk his overleveled ass down on a corner where all the enemies’ targeting reticles converge, and wait five minutes for all the counterkill animations to play out.

If I wanna try the same with Sylvain, he needs to be backed up by at least Annette and probably Felix. Maybe even Mercedes if she’s not already busy slinging Physics around.

Dimitri’s fine with just sitting around with a forged Steel Lance and poking holes in everything.

Beleth can do the same, but is much more reliant on dodging and not just facetanking axes.

The little “no damage!” sound effect is still very satisfying. Yes, game, my Defense/Resistance has escaped the bounds of your damage curve.

Dorothea became my Dancer unit, because despite Dimitri having twenty-eight Charm to her nineteen, he begged me not to and also is better sitting on a corner and killing everything.

Huh, the monastery is sure being invad--you know, Edelgard, if it wasn’t already really obvious that your faction is basically the “villain route” in Samurai Warriors parlance, using giant mop-headed demonic beasts as shock troops would probably give it away to observers. If they weren’t already running away in abject terror.

The principle from How to Train Your Dragon still applies: A downed dragon is a dead dragon. If Rhea didn’t want to basically get mobbed, she should’ve stayed in the air and acted as flying artillery for the Knights of Seiros with her mouth laser. She could’ve sat on top of a wall and fired with relative impunity.

Sure, some demonic beasts can fly, but there weren’t any in that cutscene and the flying ones have, mechanically, one less health meter than the landbound ones.

Also, they’re pushovers.

And there’s the washed-out creep brigade! They look like the Grimleal, but with more feathers and less of a tan.

...And there goes Beleth, off to have a five-year nap.

Welp.

Post Timeskip:

Oh good, it’s been five years. Beleth, I hate to break it to you, but you’re probably at least slightly dragon at this point. Check your ears if you have a chance.

Tiki canonically napped for like 99% of her three thousand years in Awakening, ironically enough, so it’s not like dragon-people are exactly early risers.

Poor rando gets asked “what year is it” like that question is ever used outside of fiction. Beleth doesn’t read time travel books, I take it.

“oh you probably shouldn’t go to the monastery, it’s like super haunted and shit”

“sorry what was that i couldn’t hear you over the sound of me climbing up to the monastery”

Eyyyy, it’s a lance-wielding pirate.

...Hi, Dimitri. Where’d your macaroni hair go.

You know, it’s not surprising that Dimitri would think Beleth was a hallucination. He spent a lot of time yelling at his inner demons even pre-timeskip, after taking a couple of severe psychological shocks.

But he absolutely should have walked into her and been surprised when he knocked them both on their asses.

He’s been spending the last five years stabbing people, hasn’t he.

Yep.

He looks like he fell out of Game of Thrones.

Blue Lions! Rah rah something team chant. Rah rah Rasputin, lover of the Russian queen~

None of you people trained any of your skills. In five years. Dimitri you were a paladin. Did you eat your horse.

You are all getting sent to boot camp.

Hi, Gilbert. Why are you playable now all of a sudden. Why is your speed a fucking two.

THIS IS WHY MIKLAN HANDED YOU YOUR ASS.

Once again, the “plunk Dimitri’s overleveled ass down on a corner and watch people die” plan is still a valid strategy. I still don’t know where he gets all this strength (and charm). Like, goddamn.

Annette got cornered for like five turns because I was too cowardly to put her in range of a Brawler.

Then she killed him with a critical Fire.

So, I guess Felix’s remarks about Dimitri’s issues make some sense now, but he should still stop making them. I know he’s a tsundere par excellence, but still.

STop TalKing AboUT KilLing PeoPle

Warning: Sympathetic Boss Approaching.

Look, most “sympathetic” bosses in Fire Emblem kinda fall flat. The better ones are placed in the way of the player characters while they’re in the middle of a low point in the emotional arc and get utterly wrecked in a flurry of misdirected fury. Sometimes the characters even feel bad about it afterward. The worst ones are the ones who are just utterly devoted to someone who’s earned everyone’s ire by being a utter fucking asshole.

Good: Mustafa from Awakening and Shiharam from Path of Radiance. Good people forced into bad situations. Or just cornered. Henry talked up the former long after he got a Chrom to the face, and the latter was probably the best-written of the “aw, I wish I didn’t have to kill him” bosses I’ve run across.

Bad: Levail from Radiant Dawn. There is no getting around the fact that General Zelgius was a bad dude. Levail holding him up as a paragon of knightliness and swearing to serve him out of sheer admiration did not make him even marginally better.

We sure did kill Caspar’s uncle, didn’t we. I’m sure that won’t come back to bite us square in the ass. Not after he had that “this guy is a person who cares about stuff” cutscene to remind us of his pixel humanity.

I’m sure it’s fine.

Bwoop, bwoop, everyone say hello to Ferdinand and Lorenz! And say goodbye to Ferdinand, because he didn’t allow himself to be recruited pre-timeskip, isn’t recruitable post-timeskip, and then I had Felix kill him with Thoron.

Lorenz can rejoin us, though. He doesn’t count as an enemy commander once he’s been smacked down to 0 hp.

HI, DEDUE. WHY ARE YOU ONLY LEVEL TWENTY. GET IN THE BACKLINES AND DON’T TALK TO ME UNTIL YOU CAN ACTUALLY DAMAGE ANYTHING.

(Seriously, tho, I was waiting for Dedue to come back for two reasons. One: I did that paralogue of his way back in Part One and he did not get to die after all that. Two: Part of Dimitri’s epic slide into “spear-wielding mountain man who runs around killing people with his bare hands” had to do with Dedue “dying” during the timeskip. That jackass cracked a smile for the first time in ingame years thanks to the world’s punchiest bodyguard coming back alive.)

(Fortress Knight is still the worst class.)

I totally didn’t pay any attention to what, if anything, actually separated Master classes from Advanced classes other than my inability to get my hands on Master Seals. So Ashe is a Bow Knight now, while Felix made it to Mortal Savant (wtf is that name and why is the class model basically a samurai) and I spent a very long time level-grinding Sylvain’s Reason skill to make him a Dark Knight. I aimed for Gremory with all my spellcaster girls, but I admit to not really paying attention to specifics.

(I ended up with five Gremories: Annette, Flayn, Mercedes, Lysithea, and Dorothea. Bernadetta became a Bow Knight and Marianne promoted eventually to a Holy Knight. Dorothea also ended up taking Mortal Savant, which she didn’t ever use.)

(Seteth became a Wyvern Lord and Dedue eventually made it to Warrior.)

(Byleth qualified for Mortal Savant and used it precisely no times.)

(It became pretty clear that I just threw Master Seals at people whenever the possibility of promoting them came up.)

(Certification is a weird system.)

I stopped paying a ton of attention to supports around the time I realized that Ferdinand wasn’t going to be recruited no matter what I did in the final month before Shit Went Down.

Then I started paying attention again like two chapters from endgame, because I remembered some A-ranked supports meant that the characters could get paired endings.

I also stopped ignoring Cyril and started using him as an adjutant, though his stats never quite caught up to Seteth (also known as the only instructor unit I ever consistently used).

Cornelia is absolutely a Morlock plant. That is a face she just made, even in flashback.

I wish we could've seen Dimitri’s now-dead uncle, if only because I’m curious. Also, what did Edelgard’s mom/Dimitri’s stepmom look like?

Why is there always a fire level. I saw it earlier thanks to doing Ingrid and Dorothea’s paralogue, but it’s a Fire Emblem stock level type and I hate it.

Okay, yeah, this area totally got nuked. Magitech nukes, but still. It’s still on fire centuries later? Why??

Felix’s dad is a Holy Knight. Why do I have to keep his ass alive on a field when half the enemies are barely Advanced classes, never mind Master classes.

Oh right, because I want the exp for myself.

Rodrigue is possibly the single person here who can make Dimitri’s murder-bender change direction even slightly. He also gets along with his actual son so much worse than that. He’s like Annette’s dad, but with actual verbal confrontations.

There’s Caspar’s not-exactly-forgotten aunt, here to “secretly” avenge her dead brother. Dude, could you say something about that?

Three levels later: I thought we were done with the dad-stabbing.

Felix has officially lost Too Many People in pursuit of keeping Dimitri alive. As has everyone else, frankly.

In other routes, Dimitri absolutely runs his campaign off a cliff.

Here, he turns his life around. More or less. Gotta make the choice to get better.

Time to take back the Kingdom’s capital, like we’ve not been doing for four chapters now. Finally.

Cornelia is absolutely a Morlock plant. This is like the fourth character who supposedly did a complete characterization 180 after a period of being actually useful to other people. Goodbye, civil engineer we never knew.

I think the only infiltrator who did things properly was Solon, but he still dropped his disguise for no good reason early in the game. That operatic level of drama is not a trait that helps him survive a month later. Just goes to show that the Morlocks don’t have more than one type of good judgment at a time, I guess.

I know I’m supposed to avoid the giant doom robots, but...

No, it turns out I can just have Dimitri and Beleth stand in the middle of the killzone and destroy them for fun and profit.

Ding dong the witch is dead.

Welp, time to go save the Alliance, which is getting schooled by the Empire.

HI CLAUDE.

I MISSED YOU AND YOUR FAITH IN HUMANITY. And specifically in Dimitri, for some reason? I think he kinda stabbed your soldiers a lot the last time you two met, but feel free to keep being the Best Character.

Your bodyguards are top-notch, man. One of them got hit with anything over the course of the entire battle.

Your general Judith, however, necessitates Flayn using ALL of her Rescue spells just to keep her alive.

I still had to send Ashe to keep a Falcon Knight off you, but no big.

And also had to send Hilda and Petra to kill the Asshole Reinforcements to nick their stuff.

Dimitri sat there and dodge-tanked all of Arundel’s attempts to kill him until the team killed everybody else. Then Dimitri poked him and he died. Dimitri OHKOs everything except monsters now, and that’s only because they have multiple health meters.

And then Claude fucks off to become king somewhere else. Okay then. It was a nice speech, though.

Killing the Death Knight for fun and profit and now Mercedes is crying. Shit.

Doesn’t this place get vaporized in every other route?

Did killing so many Morlocks by accident lock us out of seeing an intercontinental ballistic missile?

(And it is by accident, because this route is like the only one where the Morlocks are incidentals instead of the main problem, partly due to Dimitri’s tunnel vision and partly just because they don’t drop their disguises upon death.)

Well, I guess it’s time to confront Edelgard.

It’s completely valid of her to look at the guy who was threatening to rip her head off with his bare hands and hang it from the gates of the Empire’s capital a little while ago, and then go “Yeah, diplomacy’s shot.” That Dimitri stopped being quite so all-consumingly homicidal a bit ago is not actually reason to try throwing herself on anyone’s mercy. I feel kinda bad for her, since she’s been pushed into this corner and her ace-in-the-hole allies are basically decapitated, and I stole all her potential friends back during the school phase of the game.

Also, sunk cost fallacy.

Still walloped the entire roster of the second-to-last level, down to killing Hubert with Lysithea. Hilda and Cyril killed all the bird demons.

On the final level, which starts immediately after the previous one, three characters got totally destroyed by the sheer number of mages floating around: Dimitri (whose Avoid finally failed him four times in a row), Hilda (same), and Dedue (thirded). Seteth miraculously survived taking 68 points of damage from a single attack, and then later went on to take Edelgard’s last health bar off with a crit.

Weirdly, Beleth’s Avoid was just fine. Finally let her use the Sublime Sword of the Creator and she killed most of the Gremories that took out Dimitri and Hilda.

And everybody we could save per plot constraints got to live! (Except Ferdinand.)

I’m willing to save him on subsequent routes because killing him made Dorothea sad.

Next time: Lang plays the route that screws over most of these people in service of killing the God-Pope.

#Lang plays Fire Emblem: Three Houses #fire emblem three houses #spoilers #Lang Plays #fire emblem

15 notes · View notes

three-houses-text-files · 5 years

Text

byleth/dorothea

c-s support + paired ending + night of the ball

D: Well, I had fun today. Of course, you'll want to see me again, yes? NPC: O-of course! I'd love to, Dorothea! D: Well, until we meet again! D: Oh! Hello, Professor. Were you...watching that?

>That's a different guy than I saw you with yesterday.

D: Yes... Is there a problem with that?

>...

D: You look like you have something to say, Professor.

D: Look, I know what I'm doing. My acclaim as a diva won't last forever, after all. I must look to the future. D: As a man, you may not feel so rushed about these things, but I know my beauty will eventually fade. (m!byleth) D: You might think about doing the same thing. Your beauty—and you're gorgeous—won't last forever. (f!byleth)

>We all feel anxiety about aging.

D: You? Really? I never would have guessed.

>Getting older doesn't bother me at all.

D: I wish I could be that easygoing.

D: Anyway, I'm not just playing games with these boys. This is for my future. You have no right to object. D: I very much want to find a good partner here at the academy. Someone who will take care of me for the rest of my life.

>Do what you will.

D: I'm glad you understand. Not everyone appreciates the necessity of taking the initiative while you're still in your prime.

D: Or are you just saying that?

>Is that really what you want?

D: Finding someone to take care of me? Of course it is!

D: Who could ask for anything more?

D: Anyway, I value your opinion, Professor, but I won't have you interfering with my life plans. D: Unless you'd like to take care of me into my old age? That'd be something, eh? How about it, Professor?

>OK.

D: I wasn't— You aren't being serious, are you? I was just teasing.

D: Or did you really just consider spending your whole life with me?

D: If you did that...that actually makes me... It makes me happy. I had no idea you might look at me that way.

>I don't think so.

D: The thought hadn't crossed my mind before, but come to think of it...that might sound pretty nice. D: You've gotten awfully quiet... You might even be blushing a bit. Have I embarrassed you? D: If so, I'm very, very sorry. I should be going anyway. I'll see you later... Professor.

——————————————————————————————

D: ...

>What's wrong?

>Troubles with love?

D: Professor?! I— Oh...don't worry. It's nothing. D: ... D: Actually, could we talk for a bit? Somewhere a little more...private? D: ... D: I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I find you a little difficult to be around. D: I know, I know. I'm your student and you're just trying to watch out for me. D: But the way you look at me sometimes...it's like you're seeing right through me.

>I'm sorry.

D: No, don't apologize. I know you don't mean anything bad by it. I'm just self-conscious, I guess.

>Seeing through you?

D: Don't worry. I know you don't mean anything bad by it. I'm just too self-conscious, I guess.

D: The thing is, I don't have anything to call my own. No land, no birthright, no fortune. Little knowledge or battle skill. D: I think that's why I always clung to my popularity as a diva. Even after leaving the stage behind, I sort of kept up the act. D: When I look at you, it's like your eyes are accusing me... Telling me that you see right through it. D: That's what I mean when I say it's difficult being around you. D: Hey, uh, this might be nuts, but maybe you could show me some kind of weakness of yours?

>Excuse me?

D: You know my biggest fear. If I know one of yours, maybe I'll feel less, I don't know...vulnerable.

>I have no weaknesses.

D: Oh, come on, Professor. Everyone has some kind of weakness.

D: You know mine. If I know one of yours, maybe I'll feel less, I don't know...vulnerable.

>Well, if it would really help...

D: Excellent. Well then, don't mind me. D: You know, Professor, I never hear any gossip about you. Of a romantic nature, I mean. D: Would I be right in assuming you're not very... experienced with romance? Maybe we should find out somehow... D: I bet I know your weakness. It's not mental, is it? It's physical! You're ticklish! Here, I'll prove it. D: That's right. The next time you gaze into my soul, I know just how I'll retaliate! D: Um... Professor? What's with you? Why aren't you reacting to anything I'm doing? D: Oh, come on! Is your heart even beating? You're making me lose my confidence... D: Come on! I thought that was funny. I swear, it's like your heart isn't even beating.

>Sorry.

D: That's all right. I didn't really think a little tease like that would be enough to get to you, anyway.

D: Though it does still make me lose just a little confidence in my own charms...

D: Though I was giving it my all. You're pretty tough to resist that.

>Actually, my heart isn't beating.

D: Ha, don't be so silly... Huh? It really isn't beating?!

D: Is what I'd say if I were more gullible. You're just fooling around, Professor. I'm not sure how you did it, but that was a good one.

——————————————————————————————

D: This may seem a bit sudden, but...I want to thank you, Professor. D: That is, for letting me live my life the way I want. D: I've noticed you've been giving me fewer of those soul-revealing gazes lately. D: I appreciate you making an effort to not trouble yourself over who I spend my time with.

>So, you found me out...

D: Well, of course. Did you think I wouldn't notice? It's kind of sweet, in its own way.

>I don't know what you mean.

D: If you say so... But I notice you doing it all the same. It's kind of sweet, in its own way.

D: Professor, may I tell you a story about when I was younger? D: I was an orphan, living in the back alleys of Enbarr, until one day I was overheard singing... D: That was when my new life began. I was suddenly a songstress in the Mittelfrank Opera Company. D: Performers, nobility... I met so many people. But none of them ever really knew me. D: I was just some young, pretty girl who could sing, a spectacle to be admired. D: Even though everyone praised my looks and my voice, and they showered me with gifts... D: I knew, one day, I'd be old. My looks would fade, my voice would change, I wouldn't sound the same. D: And I started to wonder, when I did get old, what would I have left? D: I'd be old, alone...and back on the streets of the capital, right where I'd started.

>I don't believe that's true.

D: You can never be certain about what the future will bring.

>I won't let you be alone.

D: That's sweet of you, even if you are just flirting.

D: I never had much to begin with in life, and I worry that one day, I'll be that way again... D: That's why I keep searching for someone who will love me. D: Someone unaware of the songstress, who can love a girl that used to be scared and alone on the streets of the capital... D: I wonder if such a strange person can even exist.

——————————————————————————————

D: Oh, is this where you've been? Everyone's looking for you. D: With the war over, I'd like to think they'd at least give you a few days' rest. D: Don't worry, I won't tell them you're here. D: It's a rare occasion for me to have you all to myself.

>Not looking for a guy to share the victory with?

>Did you ever find your "strange person"?

D: No, I've given up on that. I realized there was no point. D: Besides, maybe the person I've been looking for is closer than I realized.* D: Besides, maybe the person I've been looking for is closer than I realized.* D: See...there is one person I must confess I'm just a little bit interested in.

>In that case...

D: What? Is that— That's a ring.

>It would be very embarrassing if I had the wrong idea, so I have to ask...

D: Are you proposing? Here? Now? T-to me? D: I don't know what to say. D: Are you sure? You want to spend your life with…me?* D: Are you sure? You want to spend your life with…me?* D: Even though I'm not a songstress anymore? And I don't come from a noble family or have any wealth or land to my name? D: You won the war. You could pick anyone in the world. Why would you... D: OK. I mean, yes. Yes! I love you madly, and I'd be happy to marry you! D: But if we're going to be married, I had better think up a cute nickname for you. Don't you think? D: Oh, I wonder what I should call you now... Darling? My beloved? So many options! D: I starred in so many operas where I captured the heart of my beloved... D: But I never dreamed that it would feel this wonderful when it actually happened. D: A life singing for you in a peaceful world... D: I imagine that life will be more wonderful than I ever could have hoped. D: I love you. D: I could never sing anything as pure as those three little words.

*i’m guessing the duplicates in this case are for different model codes, since dorothea can romance both m!byleth and f!byleth; maybe the action she does is different between genders?

——————————————————————————————

paired endings

After ascending to the throne as the first leader of the United Kingdom of Fódlan, Byleth announced hies/her marriage to Dorothea. The former songstress resolved to stay out of the public eye, keeping to herself and her family, but as Byleth worked tirelessly to restore Fódlan, she did offer advice from time to time. It is said that her experience growing up as a commoner provided a useful perspective. Many years later, her diary was uncovered, revealing the full extent of the happy life the couple shared. The love poems that they wrote to one another were published as a collection.

After taking on the role of archbishop of the Church of Seiros, Byleth announced his/her marriage to Dorothea. The former songstress resolved to stay out of the public eye, keeping to herself and her family, but as the archbishop worked tirelessly to restore Fódlan and the church, she did privately offer advice from time to time. It is said that her experience growing up as a commoner provided a useful perspective. Many years later, her diary was uncovered, revealing the full extent of the happy life the couple shared. The love poems that they wrote to one another were published as a collection.

Almost immediately after the modest wedding ceremony between Byleth and Dorothea was over, the battle against those who slither in the dark began in earnest. Dorothea chose not to take the field of battle with a weapon but rather to tend the household in her spouse's absence and provide emotional support to his/her effort to bring lasting peace to Fódlan. Many years after the war had ended, Dorothea's diary was uncovered, revealing the full extent of the happy life the couple shared. The love poems that they wrote to one another were published as a collection.

——————————————————————————————

night of the ball

D: Ah, Professor! You showed up!

>Why are you here?

D: Um, I'm the one who called you here, remember?

>Why do you look so happy?

D: Well, because you're here, of course!

D: You came here because you read the letter I sent you, right?

>Not that I recall...

>What letter?

D: Are you saying this is...a coincidence? D: How disappointing to think you didn't come here specifically to see me. D: Still, if we're meeting by complete chance... that has a certain appeal too. It's as if destiny brought us together! D: And tonight is the night of the ball... Lucky me.

>What are you plotting?

D: Plotting? That's a bit rude, don't you think?

>I thought you weren't comfortable around me...

D: Oh, that's just when you're looking through me in front of others. When it's just us...I kind of like it.

D: Originally, I wanted to see what you'd do when you read my letter. D: I just wanted to see if you'd come here like I asked. I had a feeling that you would. D: Though, I suppose you didn't even read the letter to begin with... D: I should just be thankful I wasn't left here waiting. All alone. Forever. D: Do you know it's been almost nine whole moons since you arrived at Garreg Mach? D: You must have found a special someone by now, haven't you, Professor?

>I have.

D: Ooh? Who could it be? You've made me so curious.

D: Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to pry if you don't want to share. Your private life is private, after all.

>I have not.

D: Uh-huh, right. I bet you're just hiding it. There's someone you're sweet on...

D: Don't you worry, I won't pry if you don't want to share. These things are private, after all.

>Is that what you wanted to talk about?

D: Are you changing the subject? Don't do that. Ohh, I bet that means you do have someone, don't you?

D: Don't you worry, I won't pry if you don't want to share. These things are private, after all.

D: Well, I oughta get going... D: I wouldn't want to be in the way if your special someone shows up. D: Either way, I do hope you'll share a dance with me later.

#fire emblem three houses spoilers #fe16 spoilers #fe3h spoilers #byleth x dorothea #dorothea x byleth #romantic

35 notes · View notes

ayma-nidiot · 4 years

Text

The Ride - Sylvix fic Chapter 24

Also on AO3.

Trigger warning for alcohol/hangovers.

Chapter 24 – There Are No Friends In War

“Ah… I have awakened to the sight of Felix first thing in the morning.” Sylvain’s bliss was short-lived, however, as without warning he had a strong urge to run to the loo. “Urk… Felix, I gotta go do something!”

“Sigh…” Felix sat down as he sharpened the Sword of Zoltan. “Great. Nothing like getting ready for the march to Enbarr, sharpening my strongest sword, only to hear 19 people puking out their guts in the nearest bathroom.”

Sylvain had come back surprisingly quickly. “Did you say… march to Enbarr? Is that today?”

“Sylvain…”

“And I had to get drunk the night before! What will His Highness say-”

“SYLVAIN!” Felix dragged his fiancé back to the bed, but not too roughly.

“What?”

“Relax! We don’t start marching for another two weeks.” Felix spoke as he eased Sylvain onto his back. “You’re going to spend today recovering from your hangover.”

“I guess I don’t mind being sick if you’re the one taking care of me. You’re playing the part of housewife very well already.”

“Gee. Thanks.” Felix was terse as he wrung a wet towel over a bucket.

“And I can’t wait until we’re married so you can do this for me every day.”

Felix lightly whacked the redhead’s forehead with the towel. “You’re not going to get drunk like this ever again, and that’s final!”

“Okay, okay…” Sylvain sounded annoyed, but deep down he appreciated Felix’s level of concern. Wanting to change the direction of the conversation to something lighter, he said, “So, um… Who won the drinking contest? Do you know?”

“From what I hear, it was Annette. I only found out because Gilbert look very concerned in the dining hall this morning at breakfast. Miraculously, she didn’t even suffer a hint of a hangover this morning.”

“Such a cute girl can hold her alcohol well… Looks are deceiving, aren’t they?”

“Oh, and speaking of breakfast, you feeling well enough to eat?”

“Yeah. My stomachache is gone; I’m just a bit sweaty and I have a headache, is all.”

“Then here. Some sautéed pheasant and eggs.”

“It tastes… perfect.” Sylvain liked this dish so much that he took the rest of the plate from Felix and fed himself.

“Good.” Felix looked down to hide his blush. “Because I cooked it myself; Dedue taught me.”

“Well, I’m glad that Dedue is ‘associating with us’ more. I don’t want to hate him and I don’t want him to hate me either.” Sylvain put his empty dishes on the shelf nearby.

“Okay, that’s enough talk from you, hon.” Felix took these dishes and turned for the door. “Have a nice nap.”

“Hehe… He called me ‘hon!’” Sylvain giggled into the corner of his bed.

“Shut up! I’m going to go train.”

So spoke Felix as he exited Sylvain’s room that day. And the day after that. He found that long after Sylvain had fully recovered from his hangover, he enjoyed staying in the redhead’s room for the night. He noticed, too, the frequency of the soldiers’ visits to the cathedral as the decisive battles drew near. But he wasn’t too keen on praying to the goddess – in fact, he was hardly keen on anything except training and Sylvain.

Felix had started a walk to the training grounds, but as he passed the Goddess Tower, he heard a loud sneeze come from the top. Instinctively pointed his sword towards there, he threatened, “Demonic Beast, wait right there, so I can-”

“Whoa, there, cowboy!” the very much human voice sounded. “Gee, is that what my sneeze sounds like?”

“Sylvain? What are you doing up there?”

“Just waiting for you to pass by. Care to join me?”

Silent on his walk up the spiral stairs, Felix sheathed his sword. “So. Is something eating at you?”

“I’m just…”

“What? You still hungover?”

“Felix, I’m not that weak. Come on.” Sylvain walked back out to the balcony and stared at couples going to their bedrooms.

“Is it because we start our final march tomorrow?”

Sylvain gripped the balcony and looked towards the starry sky. “Just when Dedue stopped hating me… Just when I started to patch things up with my brother… Oh, goddess, I don’t want to die. Not after I’ve felt such strong camaraderie in this army.”

“Dummy.” Felix flicked Sylvain on the head.

“Excuse me?”

Felix wrapped his arms around Sylvain’s neck, and for once he had a tender look in his eyes. “You’re going to live, man. If only to get a taste of Mercedes’ wedding cake. If only to see the flowers Dedue has grown himself.”

“Felix…” Sylvain felt a tear roll down his left cheek, letting Felix wipe it.

“If only to become my duke.”

“I… beg your pardon?”

“I’ve just thought of something… If your brother is going to take House Gautier, then I figured… Well, maybe we can inherit Fraldarius.”

“I would love that, but-”

“If Dimitri has anything to say about it, I’ll tell him something a wise man once said: ‘suck it.’”

“And there are many poor, Crestless orphans out there… Even if it’s just one, I want to give them a loving home, free of war. You remember that little girl whose doll Dimitri mended all those years ago?”

“I remember you telling me about it, yeah.”

“I’ve heard that she and her infant sister lost their parents to Hubert not too long ago. They were just common citizens of Gautier, too.”

“You’re dumb as a brick on the surface, but you’re a kind man. Quite unlike myself. So yes, I will help take care of those kids, if they are willing.”

“I know I’m being suuuuper needy – and a little random - right now, but… Before the Battle at Gronder, when you were still fighting for the Alliance, I had a dream that we confessed to each other at the Goddess Tower. …Can we have our wedding here?”

“I actually had the same dream.” Felix happened to have the toy lance on his belt, and took it out. “With this, too. So yes again, Sylvain… Yes to everything.”

It was just Sylvain’s luck he woke up late for the morning of the march. It was just Felix’s luck that thanks to his fiancé, they spent the night there at Goddess Tower. It was just Dimitri’s luck that Hubert decided to bring the fight to the streets of Enbarr in a surprise attack, even after one final attempt at parley with the emperor.

Sylvain, of course, didn’t let this apparent string of bad luck get him down. Not after what happened at Goddess Tower the week before. Trying to ease a bit of the tension, he asked Dimitri, “I heard that you tried to parley with the emperor. What did she say?”

As they approached the border of Enbarr, Dimitri responded, “She told me that she wants to get rid of the Church of Seiros and the Crest system in the name of the weak. She didn’t consider how her actions benefit only the strong, and how she is blind to the suffering of her people because of her ambitions. It was just then that I realized how different our ideals are. We’ll never see eye-to-eye, so we must settle our conflict in the ancient way – a battle to the death. I gave her back her dagger, too… I know that she’ll fight for what she believes in, and so should we.”

“Dimitri…”

“But if I have to fight my own stepsister to end the suffering of Fódlan’s people, then so be it.”

But you’re blind to your own suffering too.

Sylvain was no more eager to hear about Dimitri’s horrible family problems than he was to hear Hubert declare, “Hahaha… Well, if it isn’t the Saviour Prince, your hands stained red with blood. Why don’t we give him a royal welcome? Artillery, fire at will when the enemy is in range!”

“True, my hands are stained red with blood… But you and your emperor have the blood of innocent people – even many of your own citizens – on yours.” Dimitri, knowing full well that the emperor was within his grasp, gave the order to charge full speed.

Ingrid drove her pegasus forward, and though Dorothea managed to catch up so far, she suddenly halted, prompting Ingrid to ask, “Dorothea, what’s wrong? This isn’t the time to be spacing out!”

“It’s… Petra…” Sure enough, Dorothea saw her old friend when Petra cut down the five soldiers blocking her path.

“Dorothea…” Petra showed only this brief moment of weakness before saying, “Ferdinand is dead. Bernadetta is dead too. And you… They are dead because of your killing.”

“Petra, this is war, and Edie has gone mad!”

Petra ignored Dorothea’s reaction and simply walked forward. “This is for Adrestia… and for Brigid!”

“Aah!” Dorothea fell flat on her butt, but her hand was more than strong enough to draw the sigil for Agnea’s Arrow. “If it’s our destiny to kill each other, then…”

“I will be killing you!” Petra continued to charge, but a mountain of soldiers – Empire and Kingdom soldiers alike – impeded her.

“One of us has to die!” Dorothea declared as an enormous arrow of light ran from the sky, ripping through Petra’s body.

Unable to stand – and knowing her time was at an end – Petra lay prone on the ground. “Edelgard… I will not be keeping my promise… Give me forgiveness, please…”

Dorothea gritted her teeth, and after one last look at Petra, she ran ahead and summoned a barrage of Sagittae spells at her oncoming foes. She chanced upon Sylvain, who had defeated a circle of enemies but not without suffering a gash on his dominant arm. “Oh, Sylvain! Wait just a bit… I’ll patch that up for you.”

“Thank you!” Sylvain circled his arm around while the Opera Company Volunteers refreshed them again.

“Just think of it as my apology for being unable to help you at the Battle of Derdriu. Now, come!” Dorothea and Sylvain ran up the stairs together. “We’re almost at the gates of the palace!”

“And don’t forget that our main enemy on the way is-”

“I’ll cut a bloody path!”

Luna Λ found its way to Dorothea and Sylvain before they could find who cast it. Dorothea, of course, knew that voice well. “Hubert! Get out of the way!”

“A fat chance.” Hubert held another Luna Λ at the ready. “You and your brute of a prince are no match for Her Majesty!”

“Hubie, please… I don’t want to kill you too… Not after all the friends I’ve had to kill in the name of this war.”

“Friends? Ha! There are no ‘friends’ in war! It’s either serve your liege’s every wish or die!” Hubert flung the dark spell, intended for Dorothea, but hitting Sylvain instead.

“G-Gah…” As Sylvain’s legs took the hit, he fell on his hands and knees. “What’s the point… in living… if all you do is act as someone else’s puppet? You, who’s never shown kindness to others, wouldn’t understand… You, who would just kill innocent people because your ruthless emperor said so! It’s because of you that… that girl’s parents… are…”

“Hmm? I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“You sick fuck! Die!” Sylvain attempted to swing at Hubert’s legs from the floor, but the head of House Vestra stomped on his wrists, digging his heeled shoes into them. “Oooooww!”

“I live only for Her Majesty! It’s you who doesn’t understand how I feel! Not that you need to.”

“Dorothea…” Sylvain whispered as waggled his index finger, attempting to formulate a Seraphim spell. “While I’m distracting him, you’ve got a clear shot. I know you’ve got the strength in you for another Agnea’s Arrow.”

Felix was almost on the other end of the street and could only see a flick of Sylvain’s red hair. Still, he ran as fast as he could while readying a Thoron in his right hand. “Sylvain! You bastard Hubert, you’re done for!”

Dorothea formed another magic circle, nearly ready to unleash it.

“Dorothea! Come on, strike him down!”

“H-Hubie…” Dorothea began to cry as her magic circle flickered. “I… I can’t…”

“Hahaha… I suppose all you’re ever good for is singing, Dorothea! You’ll be singing your swan song now!”

Just then, a woman’s voice sounded from behind, shouting, “Burning Quake!”

Hubert didn’t even have to turn around to see the woman who attacked him – or the Lúin lance that pierced his chest. “G-Gah…”

“Hubie, forgive me!” Clenching her eyes shut, Dorothea sent the Agnea’s Arrow in Hubert’s direction, searing Hubert even more intensely than it did Petra.

“Glory… Glory to… Her Majesty…”

Felix didn’t arrive at the scene until after Hubert had already died. “So, you’ve killed the emperor’s lapdog? Ha!” He stuck the Sword of Zoltan into Hubert’s throat. “Good riddance!”

“Felix! That was unnecessary!” Sylvain scolded.

“What? I’m just making sure he’s dead. Plus, he’s the one who killed that girl’s parents, isn’t he? Weren’t you the one who called him a ‘sick fuck?’”

“But you don’t have to glorify killing someone so much! Please, my love… You’re better than this.”

Felix wouldn’t have dropped the matter for anyone else, and simply said while leaving for the palace, “Yeah, whatever. Come on, we have a clear path to the emperor!”

While mostly everyone else followed the others into Edelgard’s palace, Dorothea knelt at Hubert’s corpse to weep. “Hubie… It… didn’t have to be this way. Edie was so kind to me at the Officer’s Academy… and even you were, too.”

Dimitri chanced upon her as she mourned. “Dorothea, we need to get moving, while some of the army holds back the remaining forces. Come, up you get.”

“Yes, Your Highness…” With one final tearful goodbye, Dorothea spoke, “Farewell, Hubie.”

#fire emblem #fire emblem three houses #sylvix #sylvain x felix #fanfiction

1 note · View note

three-houses-text-files · 5 years

Text

byleth/shamir

c-s support + paired endings

Shamir: Hey, Professor. S: The students seem to like you.

>Not that much.

S: It doesn't make sense. You don't come across as particularly friendly.

>It would seem that way.

S: Hah! And you're not modest about it. I like that.

S: Still, I can't deny that you've got skills. It's a little strange, to be completely honest. S: I had my doubts, but they were right to make you a professor.

>I was surprised too.

S: I'd be suspicious of their true intentions, if I were you...

S: But what's it matter? Seems like it turned out just fine for you.

>I knew I could do it.

S: Oh? You're an odd one.

S: But what's it matter? Seems like it turned out fine for you.

>I'm still not sure...

S: Regardless, seems like it turned out fine for you.

S: I'll admit, it's unbelievable that you used to be a mercenary. S: I was a merc before coming here, but I can't imagine pulling off your fancy tactician act. S: I freeze up near royals and nobles.

>You were a mercenary?

S: I was. My family had nothing when I was growing up.

S: There were too many mouths to feed, so I left. Joined up with some mercs for the pay. S: The work suited me, but I never liked having to bow and scrape to our noble employers.

>You're not a fan of nobles?

S: You deal with a lot of nobles when you're a merc.

S: I didn't mind putting my life on the line, but I never liked having to bow and scrape to our noble employers.

S: That's what I like about being a Knight. I get to punch all the nobles I want. S: Hah! I'm joking. But the knights do make a good business partner.

>Business partner?

S: I don't believe in the Church of Seiros. It makes me a bit of an anomaly among the knights. S: Rhea took me in, so I became a knight to repay my debt to her. S: I may be a knight, but it still feels like I'm doing the same things I did as a merc. S: Who knows though? Maybe you and I will end up working together. (pre-skip?) S: Who knows though? Maybe you and I will end up working together again, like at Derdriu. (post-skip) S: Us knights are a pretty tough crew... S: I'm guessing you'd run circles around us though. S: I'm interested to see where your path leads you.

——————————————————————————————

S: Thanks for your help out there. Battles tend to go smoother with you around.

>The same to you.

S: Heh. I think you did most of the heavy lifting.

>Smoother?

S: I can count on you doing most of the heavy lifting.

S: It may be unwise to think this way on the battlefield... S: But I feel I can trust your commands without question.

>Why's that?

S: Not sure.

S: I might have an idea, but... Never mind.

>I still make mistakes.

S: Don't we all?

S: But, judging by the results of our recent battles, you're clearly good at this.

S: I've also noticed that you've been putting me in more precarious situations lately. S: Almost like you know I won't question your orders.

>My apologies for that.

S: No need. I'm glad you trust me to get the job done, but still...

>I know I can rely on you.

S: Hah! I'm glad you trust me to get the job done, but still...

S: I knew you were doing it on purpose. S: You're in a very important position, now that you're leader of the Imperial army. (black eagles route) S: You're in a very important position, now that you're leading the charge against the Empire. (other) S: Funny to think you used to just teach at the Officers Academy. S: Your old students still call you "Professor." S: That's no title for the commander of an army.

>There's no harm in it.

S: Relax. I was just having fun.

>I actually like it.

S: You'll always be their professor, huh?

S: You sure are an interesting one. S: My people lost the war and I was left to wander Fódlan alone, but I guess meeting you was my prize. S: You look confused. Did you not know any of this? S: I was living in my homeland of Dagda, up until the Imperial army destroyed it 10 years ago. S: But, being a mercenary, I have no real allegiance. That's why I'm working here now. S: Don't worry though. I don't plan to turn on you.

——————————————————————————————

S: It's been 10 years... Can I move on yet? S: Never mind. I know what you'd say.

>Were you talking to someone?

S: In a sense. Someone who's long since passed.

>What are you doing here?

S: I was just thinking about someone I used to know.

S: Another mercenary I fought alongside. S: They were killed ten years ago when Dagda was in conflict with the Empire. S: It's all I can focus on lately...

>Why do you think that is?

S: To be honest, I blame you. S: Heh. I'm just teasing. I know it's not your fault. You just remind me of him. S: You give off a similar air... It's uncanny. S: You even have the same inflection, which makes no sense because we only ever spoke Dagdan. S: I don't know what it is, but you feel the same to me. S: I guess you just remind me of the past.

>I'm sorry.

S: Please. It's not your fault.

>I can't really help it...

S: That's fair. It's not your fault.

S: It's my fault for getting caught up in memories. S: Still, you always remember your first love, right? S: That's enough of that. There are more relevant topics to discuss.

>I suppose.

S: There's no point in dwelling on the past. Let's talk about the future.

>What will you do after the war?

S: Good question. The world is completely open to me. S: Your next move seems apparent... S: But...who knows where I'll end up. S: I left Dagda, crossed through Brigid, and came all the way to Fódlan on my own. S: I think I'll be just fine navigating this world, wherever I decide to go. S: Though, I may have done enough traveling for one lifetime. I like the idea of having a permanent home. S: And after all my time here, I've grown quite fond of Fódlan.

——————————————————————————————

S: Sorry for making you wait. Negotiations went long.

>That took forever.

S: Hah. Not curious about the contract?

S: They wanted me to stay on as a mercenary, but I said no.

>Negotiations?

S: Nothing to worry about. They tried convincing me to stay on as a mercenary, but I said no.

S: I've been considering a different kind of commitment instead. S: Less of a contract, more of a promise.

>I'd like that.

S: Good. I thought you might want to follow Fódlan tradition and exchange rings. S: Right. That's that. Shall we be off?

>That was quick.

>Is there anything else?

S: What's wrong? Were you expecting more? S: We've been fighting together for so long. No need for words. S: I've said enough... Right?

>This is a special occasion!

S: I can see this is important to you... S: Fine then. I vow to stay with you through all of life's many hardships. S: I will stay by your side, and you'll stay by mine. S: I left Dagda, crossed through Brigid, and came to Fódlan on my own. S: I chose the life of a mercenary, alone and free to live wherever and however I pleased... S: Now I'm choosing to remain here, to live the rest of my life...with you. S: Is that enough? Now I'm just embarrassed.

>That was...wonderful.

>I'm embarrassed too...

S: Look at us! We have no idea what to do with ourselves. S: But you're right. This is a special day. S: Now then. Are you ready to go?

>Let's stay a little longer.

S: Fine. We can stay. S: I've already made a fool of myself. No point in trying to avoid it now. S: So, what else is there to talk about? S: Oh, right. Remember when I mentioned how much you have in common with my old partner? S: I don't think that's actually true. S: I didn't want to admit that I was attracted to you, so I convinced myself that I was just pining for the past. S: I was worried that revealing those feelings would ruin our friendship... S: Anyway. It's your turn to talk. S: Tell me about your past.

>There isn't much to tell...

S: Hmph. You're lucky I love you, otherwise I wouldn't let you get away with an answer like that.

——————————————————————————————

paired endings

Byleth announced his marriage to Shamir shortly after becoming leader of the United Kingdom of Fódlan. While the king focused on the rebuilding effort, Shamir became his bodyguard and confidant. She even acted as captain of the royal guard, and became known as a watchful and trustworthy queen. As a couple, their daily lives were busy indeed, and both were famously taciturn, but it is said that they cherished their quiet time together—especially once they began to have children. (golden deer + church route)

Byleth announced his marriage to Shamir shortly after being named archbishop of the Church of Seiros. While the archbishop focused on the rebuilding effort, Shamir became his bodyguard and confidant. She even acted as a deputy captain of the Knights of Seiros, and in that capacity, became quite popular. As a couple, their daily lives were busy indeed, and both were famously taciturn, but it is said that they cherished their quiet time together—especially once they began to have children. (blue lions route)

Shortly after Byleth and Shamir had finished their modest and stately wedding ceremony, the struggle against those who slither in the dark began in earnest. The pair fought in many battles together, and Shamir lent her talent and experience as a sniper for the Knights of Seiros to the cause of lasting peace for Fódlan. As a couple, their daily lives were busy indeed, and both were famously taciturn, but it is said that they cherished their quiet time together—especially once they began to have children. (black eagles route)

#fire emblem three houses spoilers #fe16 spoilers #fe3h spoilers #byleth x shamir #shamir x byleth

31 notes · View notes

three-houses-text-files · 5 years

Text

byleth/manuela

c-s support + paired endings

Manuela: I… Who... Oh, settle down and stop with the knocking. I'll be there in two shakes.

>You were sleeping.

>I'd like a word.

M: Oh dear... Professor? Is that you? M: I... Just a moment. M: What should I do? I can't open the door in this state... M: Manuela, you simply must quit...oversleeping. M: Hold on. Where are my clothes? I can't even find my— Where in blazes is my underwear?! M: Oh, I— What is my dressing robe belt caught on? M: I can't tie this properly! It's not even covering— Oh, Manuela... This will have to do...

>Are you OK?

M: I-I'm fine. Just... Just hold on a moment.

>I can hear you.

M: Ugh...

M: I would hope, Professor, that you have the decorum to pretend you've heard nothing.

M: Anyway, I'll be just another moment. Patience, please.

M: Ahh, hello. Sorry to have kept you waiting. M: So... What do you want?

>That took a while.

>What were you doing?

M: Excuse me? You had a reason for coming here, I assume. M: I've put a lot of time and effort into making it possible to talk with you, you know...

>Sorry.

M: No, you've done nothing wrong. Let's just say I'm not having a good day. M: Actually, I didn't have a good night... M: Never mind! What did you want, anyway?

>About last night...

>I have a message from a knight...

M: You heard from him? The fella from last night?! Huh. What did he have to say?

>He said, "We will never go out together again."

M: Yeah... Figures. Kind of saw it coming, actually. M: That's why I came back to my room and went to bed. To get over it. M: Thank you...for checking in on me. Was that all you wanted? M: Well then, good night.

>Sleep well.

——————————————————————————————

M: Professor! A pleasure to see you.

>Why are you here?

M: I was here for confessional... Confessing my foolishness.

>Are you praying?

M: I've never been very good at praying. I was here to confess my foolishness.

M: While I'm at it, may I confess something to you too?

>No need to ask. Go ahead.

M: I realize what a burden I've been. On you, I mean. M: After every break-up, I neglect my work. And I know how that affects you. M: I'm completely worthless as a woman. Can you imagine how that feels? M: I'm going to be single for the rest of my life. I just know it. M: You think so too, don't you?

>Yes.

M: I'd rather you disagree, even if you don't mean it. Lie to a woman when she's down and out, yeah?

M: That's terrible to say. But if that's how you see it, maybe there is no hope for me. (female byleth)

M: Really? So, if I couldn't find anybody else, you'd marry me? (male byleth)

>No.

M: Oh, don't worry. I can tell by the look on your face you didn't mean it. (female byleth)

M: Really? So, maybe there's still hope for me… (male byleth)

M: Who am I kidding? I've known for years how hopeless I am. M: What's wrong with me? M: It's not my looks. I'm still gorgeous. Or am I? Be honest. Do I look old? No... Not possible. M: I'm the songstress who swept the Empire off its feet... Men professed their love for me hourly! It can't be my looks.

>You look just fine.

M: You're right! Although, "just fine" is a bit... Well, it's better to be attractive than "just fine."

>You're attractive.

M: I knew I was right! I'd be in real trouble if I weren't this beautiful.

M: Oh no. If the problem isn't my looks—and they are not the problem—then it must be...what? My personality?

>I...

M: I know you're trying to find a way to say it gently. But you think there's a problem, don't you?

>Your personality is fine.

M: A girl can tell a lie when she hears one. You think there's a problem, don't you?

M: I suppose I can be a bit...unkempt. M: I do have a short temper, and I may be a little lazy... Sometimes. M: But I've always heard fellas, you know, like a woman with a few flaws. M: Seems to me, there are plenty of flawed girls who have landed themselves a good man. M: So maybe...my trouble is I'm not imperfect enough. Do you think I could use a few more flaws?

>No.

M: Are you saying I'm perfect as I am? Come now. You'll make me blush… (male byleth?)* M: Why? Do you think I'm flawed enough already? (female byleth?)*

*the order of the previous choices are f -> m, but it doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the conversation so i’m guessing it’s m -> f for this

——————————————————————————————

M: ...So I said, "Two can play at that game!" M: I told him, "A smalltime, little weasel like you oughta be begging me for attention!" M: Oh, it gets me so mad. So worked up! M: Why aren't there any men around here who understand what a catch I am? M: Come to think of it... You've always been nice to me. (male byleth) M: Come to think of it... You've always been nice to me. Ha! If only you were a man. (female byleth) M: I mean, you listen to all my problems... M: I feel like I can really trust you. I don't have that kind of thing with a lot of people.

>You're a close friend.

M: Right, I got it. I knew you'd say we were just friends.

>I'm sorry I can't help...

M: Just... Let's stop there, OK? You don't need to say anything else.

M: I'd like to maybe talk about this once the war is over. Once we're all safe. M: I know, I know... It's a real tragedy. M: I suppose this is what the goddess has ordained. So, I'll accept it... M: All right, enough of this moping around! What we need is a change of mood! M: We've still got a lot to do together. M: When I think about that, what are one or two men? M: ...

>What's wrong?

>Calm down.

M: I can't stay calm when I'm like this!

M: What's wrong is—it's not just one or two men. It's more like one hundred men! Maybe even two hundred! More! M: I'm... I'm completely... M: Ugh! I can't get out of this mood! M: Actually, I've got an idea. Exercise will help! M: I'm going to the training ground. Come on and give me a hand! M: Gonna work my anger out on one hundred training dummies. Maybe two hundred if we got 'em.

——————————————————————————————

M: Oh... Are you sure you should be here? M: There must be tons of young girls falling over themselves just to get near a hero like you. M: Or are you not interested in such attention?

>Not really.

M: What?! M: Not looking for romance, then? M: So, that's why you never gave in, no matter how many times I tried... M: Listen. I get it. No need to explain anything. It's better this way. It means I wasn't the problem.

>You're wrong.

M: Wait. Am I the problem? M: I suppose if I had some charm, maybe you would have fallen for me. M: Oh... Why does this always happen to me?

>I want to get married.

M: I'm not surprised. You can probably have your pick...

>I'm in love.

M: I don't doubt it. So, who's the lucky gal? You probably have your pick...

>I adore you, Manuela. Will you marry me?

M: W-what... M: ...

M: Have you gotten me confused with someone else?

>Of course not.

M: Look, you don't need to take pity on me, OK? M: Or... That's not it, is it? I can see it in your eyes. M: Nobody's looked at me that way in a long, long time. M: I sound like a school girl, but this is the moment I've always dreamed of. M: So, of course I'm going to mess it up by not knowing how to answer.

>Will you have your answer soon?

M: Just...give me a minute to compose myself. M: OK... Come on, Manuela... M: Oooh... That's better. So, my answer... M: Yes! Yes, I would love to marry you! M: I'm a complete mess, and I'll be a massive pain to you from now on... M: But in exchange for the trouble, I promise to give you all of my love. M: So don't let me down, you hear? M: You know... Until this moment, I didn't realize how much my heart longed to call you my own. M: I want to love you, and to be loved by you. I want... to share my life with you. M: And you really like that idea? Oh! Oh goodness! Oh, I just giggled. Maybe I'm not as old as I tell myself... M: Or maybe you just make me feel good about myself, my darling.

——————————————————————————————

paired endings

Byleth announced his marriage to Manuela shortly after becoming leader of the United Kingdom of Fódlan. Manuela lent her considerable talent and experience to the rebuilding effort, using personal connections she'd gained during her time as a songstress and teacher to assemble a team of talented people to govern. She became essential to the king's rule, and her skills as a physician kept him in good health for many years. The happiness of the couple and their children was plain to see on the faces that were immortalized in family portraits. (golden deer + church route)

Byleth announced his marriage to Manuela shortly after being named archbishop of the Church of Seiros. Manuela lent her considerable experience and talent to the rebuilding effort, using personal connections she'd gained during her time as a songstress and teacher to assemble a team of talented people to restore the church. She became essential to the archbishop, and her skills as a physician kept him in good health for many years. The happiness of the couple and their children was plain to see on the faces that were immortalized in family portraits. (blue lions route)

Very soon after Byleth and Manuela had finished their grand and elaborate wedding ceremony, the struggle against those who slither in the dark began in earnest. The pair fought in many battles together, but Manuela had to leave the front lines when she discovered that she was with child. Though they spent many days apart, the family reunited once true peace had come to Fódlan. The happiness of their family was plain to see on the faces that were immortalized in their family portraits. (black eagles route)

#fire emblem three houses spoilers #fe16 spoilers #fe3h spoilers #byleth x manuela #manuela x byleth

27 notes · View notes