(Heavy spoilers for the Blue Lions route.)
*
The Emperor was alone on their throne.
Enbarr was the beating heart of the Empire, yet the Blue Lions were poised to thrust their lance of reprisal straight through it. No matter what Edelgard had tried, the Kingdom forces had triumphed again and again, and now the prince, the professor and their companions were on their way to the swiftly-abandoned palace to depose her, the grand fortress now as cold and empty as the woman brooding in its seat of power.
Edelgard arose to her feet and slowly walked down the carpeted steps of her altar. With what few remaining subjects she once had long gone and abandoning her to her fate, the throne room was eerily still. As she reached the base of the steps, she advanced further forwards to the device seated in the middle of the space. It was her only remaining ‘attendant’ - a gift from a departed friend.
“Your Highness,” Hubert said, straightening his uniform as he readied himself to depart and face the incoming Kingdom forces. “Our mutual friends and I have devised one more weapon. Unfortunately, it still needs a few hours to finish charging and I cannot delay from the front lines any longer. I ask that you confine it to your throne room as a last resort. And lest you worry, your Crest will shield you from its effects.” A smirk, sly yet genuine, cracked on Hubert’s face. “Not that you’ll need it, of course. I’ll dispose of this Kingdom nuisance myself.”
What remaining of Edelgard gave a sigh. Hubert was still protecting her, even now when all seemed lost.
A vibration rocked the foundations of the palace itself. It was faint and distant, but a herald of what was to come. The Blue Lions. The professor. Dimitri.
Removing her blood-red gloves, the Emperor planted her hand atop the waist-high pillar in the centre of her throne room. The arcane device was coated in a cold black material, with lines ominously pulsating along its surface - pulses which heightened and brightened to Edelgard’s touch. Slowly but surely, a high-pitched sound began to build within its confines, as its magical payload primed itself.
*
Dimitri’s one good eye scanned around the regal surroundings of the imperial palace as the Blue Lions advanced through its halls, passing by its several studies, kitchens and galleries. This was the final front of this horrible war, the last defense of Edelgard and her crumbling empire. But if that was the case, then...
“Where are the guards?” Ashe stated aloud, voicing the concerns of his comrades. The group had an iron grasp on their weapons, ready to lunge out and strike down whatever the Empire had left to throw at them, and yet ever since they broke inside the palace, they hadn’t seen another living soul.
“This could be an ambush,” Dedue reasoned, staying close to his majesty. Felix, following close behind, kept a firm hand on the hilt of his sword. He was eager to cross blades with the Emperor, so he had no intention of being delayed by any inferior Empire lapdogs.
The remaining Blue Lions huddled together, protecting each other’s flanks. “Maybe they’re all watching us through eyeholes in these paintings?” Sylvain joked, nodding his head towards one of the numerous portraits on the walls. Ingrid retorted with a gentle yet swift nudge to the ribs.
Dimitri remained at the head of the pack, the unwavering spear of Areadbhar pointed straight ahead. “It would not be beneath Edelgard to try just about anything by this point. Everyone, stay on your guard.”
Byleth, ever loyal and at their side, nodded in agreement. Edelgard had always been reluctant to surrender, even as a student. The only certainty they had now was that Edelgard would rather die than lose today. Alas, no amount of readiness could have prepared the Blue Lions as they neared the stairs leading to the highest floor.
“Um, professor?” Ingrid said, pushing a lock of blonde hair away from her ear. “I don’t suppose... you hear that?”
Byleth turned their head. “What is it?”
“It sounds like... a ringing noise? Perhaps a whistle, or...?” Ingrid trailed off, the faint sound in her ears too difficult to place.
“Wait, I think I hear it too,” Annette added, concentrating as hard as she could. Mercedes nodded as she heard the same distant yet tangible sound. Soon enough, all of the Blue Lions could feel the trickle of a high-pitched squeal tapping away at their eardrums.
Ashe readied their bow with shaking hands. “What is this? Some sort of spell?”
Byleth drew their sword, the shining relic of bone glowing in their hand. “I don’t know, but brace yourselves.”
Dimitri’s hands began to falter. No matter their resolve and their endurance, the noise was beginning to ring and echo in their skull, as it was for everyone else. The prince shook their head, trying to evade whatever witchcraft was pursuing them, but it wouldn’t leave. Their remaining eye struggled to remain open amidst the nausea and numbing sensation.
Mercedes fell to the ground, already fainting from the unseen attack. “Mercie!” Annette was at her friend’s side in an instant, trying to determine the cause of whatever had struck her, before she too felt her stamina leave her and she slipped into unconsciousness. Felix’s eyes darted around for an enemy to strike down, yet he found none before he fell as well. Even Dedue’s legendary tenacity and stalwart armor didn’t save them as the pulse reached them and forced them down too. Within seconds, the legendary fighting force of the Kingdom had been knocked out, all but its savior king still conscious.
Dimitri fell to one knee, desperately trying to stay awake and vigilant, despite the pounding in his temples. They felt their heart sink as they saw Byleth on the floor as helpless as the rest. “P-Professor! E-El... What have you...?” Dimitri didn’t finish his sentence before he joined Byleth on the cold stone floor.
*
The Emperor removed her hand from the pedestal, barely fazed by the magical pulse thanks to her Crest. She examined her pale-skinned hand for a moment, before steeling herself and returning her red glove to its rightful place.
Edelgard had no regrets for what was about to occur. She was merely disposing of some insects.   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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