[And for the moment, it seems to be. Breakfast passes peacefully until it's about time to clear out, at which point the professor can be spotted amongst the diners quietly redirecting the Black Eagles to prepare for battle. He approaches Felix last, hoping that Dimitri will leave before he gets to him — not that he dislikes Dimitri, but somehow, the thought of him coming along makes him uneasy... at the same time, there's no denying his strength would be a boon, and he knows that Sylvain is skilled as well. Considering the prowess of everyone else in that group, he imagines Ingrid must be talented too, but he could tell from the start there would be no swaying her from her prince's side and hasn't put much effort into getting to know her. Cold, perhaps, but he always is.]
Felix, [he says quietly once he gets close, though he doesn't bother bending down to whisper. That would only make his friends more likely to follow.]
[Wrapped up in Dimitri's presence and surrounded the friends he so cherishes, it's easy to forget about what's yet to come and indulge in the moment and renewed purpose he's found in this alternate reality--
But when Byleth marches over and calls for him, the dream ends, and its place settles a wakefulness that paints Felix's features grim, his heart dropping to the floor at the realizing what this brewing fight is about to lead up to.
Jeralt. Jeralt, the Professor's father, will be dying today. Yet Felix finds his throat dry, unable to utter a word as he stares at the Professor before he purses his lips and nods before rising from his seat.
"What's the matter, Professor?" Ingrid asks, brows furrowing in concern as her gaze drifts from Felix to Byleth.]
There has been an incident at one of the more broken-down chapels on the outskirts of the monastery. Some students are in danger, so I don't have much time to discuss it.
["Hmm. If you truly did not want him to come along, you should have found another way to say that. Always eager, that one. It does seem as if the darkness that lurks in him has subsided somewhat, but I feel uneasy as well. There's something I almost remember..."
The words are said in a childish sounding voice, but the speaker has a regal presence nonetheless. Divine, even. If Felix is looking over Byleth's shoulder he might even be able to see a faint outline of the girl for a moment, but it fades when Dimitri stands and Byleth turns his attention to him.]
[Considering what happened the last time Felix went off on a mission with Byleth, Dimitri is none too eager to let him go alone, especially not with the "danger" being so vague. He quickly rises to his feet.]
Please allow us to assist you, professor. We will be able to mobilize swiftly.
["We should be," Ingrid says, standing up as well. "Please let us know how we can help."
On the other hand, Felix is staring dumb-foundedly in Byleth's direction. Specifically, over his shoulder, where a foreign, green-haired child is boredly speaking her mind. She looks a little familiar, reminding him a little of Flayn if he were to be honest, but no, that's not quite it either.
He blinks, thinking it a figment of his imagination as no one else seems to be paying attention to this phenomenon. And it does seem to be that way. Felix opens his mouth as if to ask, but then shuts it, preferring to press a hand to his forehead before he shakes his head. Is now the time to ask pointless questions? No, it could wait.
For now, they had a battle to fight.
"Felix, are you okay?" Ingrid asks, glancing back at him now, worried.]
I'm fine, [Felix says, trying to keep his irritation off his tone. This is one fight he can't afford to sit out on, and hell if Ingrid tries to get between him and this.] I'll get rusty if I sit out on any more battles.
[Ingrid looks like she wants to protest, but fortunately she refrains from it, instead nodding as she turns to Byleth again, expectant.]
[Ah, of course. They're worried about him, it's not going to matter much what Byleth says. Even if he refuses (and refusing a reasonable request from a prince is unwise), they're likely to follow. Better to be taking them into account from the start.]
All right. Meet us in the Black Eagle's classroom in fifteen minutes along with anyone else that can be armed and ready to go in that timeframe. Don't dawdle — we can't afford to wait.
[Well, isn't this unpleasant? The last time he went on a mission with the professor was to kill Miklan, and now some of their classmates are apparently in danger. This whole year has been way more exciting than he bargained for.]
Thanks. He's giving us a pretty short window, isn't he? C'mon, Ingrid.
[Frowning still, Felix starts to follow after the professor, though his expression softens slightly when his gaze meets Dimitri's.]
I'll catch you later, then.
[Without waiting for a response, he follows after Byleth, leaving the three of them to their relevant arrangements.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ingrid nods, taking swift strides towards the exit nearest the stables. For how many questions are weighing on her mind, especially with Felix's strange behavior as of late, now is not the time to ask, especially when their fellow students are at risk.]
[It's close, but they manage to make it before the professor gives his briefing. There are demonic beasts at an old chapel as well as some students. The primary goal is to rescue the students, but the beasts will need to be dealt with afterward. Sylvain is none too pleased to hear what they'll be facing, but Ingrid and Dimitri have never actually seen one and are just a little unsure about the whole thing.
Or Dimitri thought he had never seen one. Once they actually get there he knows he has, and he stands stiff and rigid as Byleth briefly surveys the field to decide how to deploy them, clenching his fists so tightly that the metal and leather of his gauntlets start to creak ominously.
[This isn't the first time Felix had to deal with demonic beasts since he got transported back in time, moreso prior, but it takes seeing the expression Dimitri wears then to be reminded that this isn't the case for Dimitri.
Felix stills at the expression Dimitri wears, a chill running down his spine at the sight of it. He may have accepted the beast as part of Dimitri way before this, but it's still a look that doesn't suit Dimitri in this context. Especially when it brings to mind what happens after...
With most everyone's attention on the crisis before them, Felix lets his left hand rest over Dimitri's clenched fist, giving it a light squeeze.]
I'm here.
[And whatever Dimitri's being reminded of, isn't. Or so he hopes.]
[Dimitri seems... off. Byleth isn't so sure he wants him fighting those beasts any more than he has to. If he's behaving rashly, he doesn't want to put him at risk. At least he's calmly awaiting orders, though he does seem to focusing his attention on where the students in danger are...]
Dimitri. Would you and the other Blue Lions be amenable to rescuing the students once we create an opening?
["Of course, professor," Dimitri says, only sounding slightly strained. Byleth nods, waving Jeralt over once he sees him. They spend a few moments discussing strategy — soon enough, everyone is given their orders and the battle begins.]
[Felix's stomach drops at those words, their implications more terrifying than a confirmation of something Felix has long known. He grits his teeth as Byleth proceeds to direct his former classmates and Dimitri slips away from him without a further word. As expected, he is to join Byleth in the frontlines as they work their way to the source of the commotion, while designated students are to take care of saving the affected students.
Besides those disturbing glimpses he catches of Dimitri, everything goes down pretty much as Felix expected it to. From them subduing the threat to saving all the students, even until Monica--nay, Kronya--decides to stab Jeralt from behind--
It's too late when Felix lunges and the knife sinks into Jeralt's back, but for some reason this all seems to be in his head as the next thing he knows, Kronya is still making her way behind Jeralt as Byleth slashes the Sword of the Creator towards them. As it extends, however, Felix catches the sight of someone--Thales--materializing to deflect the blow. But Felix is quicker on the uptake now and drives his sword towards him, faster than Byleth's sword could make. Thales seems to notice that and directs his shield to absorb Felix's blow instead, and Byleth's attack slips past them and reaches long enough to slap the dagger out of Kronya's hands.
"Ow," Kronya says as she grasps her wrist, glaring at Byleth. "Stop getting in the way of my plans, you dogs!"
Felix prepares to strike Thales again, wondering if he could perhaps end things here and there, but just like the month before, another splitting headache overtakes him, physically winding him as he sinks to his knees, grasping his head. Unlike before, however, he feels like he might be sick as he struggles to focus on the moment instead of the darkness creeping around the corners of his vision and the sting that comes with it.
But at least, Jeralt seems to be alive. And quick to get his bearings as he tries to shove Kronya down. But Thales is quicker, and instead of taking the opportunity to get rid of Felix, he instead grabs Kronya in time.
"Huh, what are you doing here?" Monica asks.
"You must survive," Thales says, "Merely because there is still a role that I require you to fulfill."
And just like before, they disappear out of thin air, leaving Felix to empty the contents of his stomach as he clutches at his chest, finding breathing a difficult notion at the moment.]
[Seeing Felix fall to Thales temporarily snaps the threads holding Dimitri together. He completely loses it, racing across the field and falling to his knees beside him, crying his name out. Byleth doesn't stop him, momentarily stunned into silence. Felix reacted to Sothis turning back the wheel of time.
He changed it.
The whole scene plays through his mind again, but instead of Felix saving his father, Byleth somehow knows what would have happened had Felix not intervened. He feels an odd stinging sensation at his eyes, one that he doesn't realize is tears starting to form until Jeralt tries to reassure him that he's all right.
"This little one is faring poorly," Sothis says as he heaves again, floating over to Felix, settling directly in front of him since Dimitri is occupied holding his hair back. Felix seems to be aware of her presence, which is startling to say the least.
"...I see. I will put him in a healing sleep for now. Place your hand on his forehead for me. Yes, just like that..."
With the touch of Byleth's hand, Felix will find the world around him going black.
When he awakens later that night, it's Byleth at his bedside instead of Dimitri. It took a firm hand, but eventually, he managed to get the young prince to go to his own room and at least attempt to sleep. Byleth and Sothis both turn to look at him when he stirs, Sothis now crystal clear instead of a hazy vision.]
You're awake, [he says, actually sounding a touch relieved. And he IS relieved, but he never has been good at expressing his feelings.]
[It feels like his heart is being torn to pieces, more literally than it sounds. Only dimly aware of Dimitri shouting his name and holding his hair back, Felix retches once more, bile spilling out of his throat as his stomach surrenders. The green flitting past his vision prompts him to look up, but before he could make sense of that haze, Byleth places his hand over his forehead, and soon, sends him sinking into a warmth like no other. Almost like a mother's embrace, if he were to put a term to it...
When Felix wakes up later that night, his heart, though weak, no longer feels like it's about to give out on him. Taking a deep breath, he's relieved to find out that it doesn't hurt as it did before, though his comfort is short-lived once he sees who is accompanying him that moment.]
Who are you? [Felix asks, tone guarded as he narrows his brows at the green-haired girl beside Byleth, never-mind that odd, almost relieved greeting coming from the latter.]
[Byleth pauses for a moment, looking to Sothis and then Felix. So it wasn't just a fluke.]
You see Sothis?
["Foolish child. You will make him believe I am something I am not," Sothis says with a sigh. If the name of the goddess is Sothis, after all... Byleth just looks mildly confused for a moment before it clicks, after which he nods, looking to Felix again.]
This is Sothis. She has been with me since the start, but no one else has been able to see her.
[Felix's brows shoot up in momentary doubt before he settles back into his usual frown. Well... it's not a far-fetched resemblance, but on the murals and statues he's seen, she's always been a fully grown adult with a motherly air about her.
Not a child. A bratty one at that. Though he supposes the overbearing, motherly air is rather similar, given the way she bosses Byleth around.]
This isn't a prank, is it?
[Unlikely given how serious Byleth tends to be most of the time, but sometimes it's hard to tell with him.]
[Well, that's one way to ignore Felix's initial inquiry. But he doesn't dwell on it, instead choosing to frown at Byleth for going straight into business.]
Yes, [Felix says, surprised that his throat feels at ease, as if it weren't about to constrict at what he's about to discuss given how pretenses are no longer needed.] there's no need to thank me. I would've done what anyone else could in that position.
[It's a little too much, seeing the closest to sappy he's ever seen Byleth, so he averts his gaze from the pair, thoughtful.]
Dorothea fell. I tried to do it when you were injured, as well, but it didn't work. At the time I thought I had just exhausted it, but now...
["Now we know there is clearly more at play," Sothis finishes. Resting her cheek on her hand, she peers at Felix curiously.
"But why have you not noticed before? You paid it no mind at the mock battle when we corrected an accident."
The "accident" being Claude managing to say just the wrong thing as Dimitri was attempting to knock him out. Provoking a man like Dimitri midswing is unwise.]
[Felix clutches the edge of his blanket, not at all liking the sound of that. Not noticing anything before he transferred classes aside, the fact that Byleth actually tried to turn back time for him and it didn't work sounds like some sort of ill omen.]
I went back in time.
[Well, he'll get back to that later. For now, they might as well tackle this question first.]
[Sothis floats a little closer, appearing to settle on the bed beside him. But she has no real physical form, and even the sheets give no evidence of her presence. Even so, there's a strange sort of warmth that emanates from her, familiar even though it has no reason to be.
"...yes. You stand against the flow of time... how did such a thing come to be?"]
[That unusual warmth next to him is what gets Felix to lay his eyes on Sothis once more--a perplexing sight given how weightless and fleeting she seems. Fitting perhaps, given everything surreal that they're discussing right now.]
I don't know. I was taking a nap after a job, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in my room back here in Garreg Mach.
[At the perplexed glances in his direction, Felix sighs, pressing a hand to his forehead and shaking his head.]
It would have been around seven years from now. You [he glances towards Byleth,] were instrumental in ending the war against the Empire and uncovering a certain truth related to it. Peace came, and I had to find another reason to wield my sword.
[Everything Felix has said is concerning, but it's not until he says those three little words that Byleth is worried.
Against the Empire.
How curious. Though there's no reason for it, he feels nauseated. It's a physical symptom that produces a visibly disturbed expression, though he doesn't seem to be aware of it.]
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amewsbox2020-01-09 12:53 pm
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Felix, [he says quietly once he gets close, though he doesn't bother bending down to whisper. That would only make his friends more likely to follow.]
We're moving out.
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But when Byleth marches over and calls for him, the dream ends, and its place settles a wakefulness that paints Felix's features grim, his heart dropping to the floor at the realizing what this brewing fight is about to lead up to.
Jeralt. Jeralt, the Professor's father, will be dying today. Yet Felix finds his throat dry, unable to utter a word as he stares at the Professor before he purses his lips and nods before rising from his seat.
"What's the matter, Professor?" Ingrid asks, brows furrowing in concern as her gaze drifts from Felix to Byleth.]
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["Hmm. If you truly did not want him to come along, you should have found another way to say that. Always eager, that one. It does seem as if the darkness that lurks in him has subsided somewhat, but I feel uneasy as well. There's something I almost remember..."
The words are said in a childish sounding voice, but the speaker has a regal presence nonetheless. Divine, even. If Felix is looking over Byleth's shoulder he might even be able to see a faint outline of the girl for a moment, but it fades when Dimitri stands and Byleth turns his attention to him.]
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Please allow us to assist you, professor. We will be able to mobilize swiftly.
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On the other hand, Felix is staring dumb-foundedly in Byleth's direction. Specifically, over his shoulder, where a foreign, green-haired child is boredly speaking her mind. She looks a little familiar, reminding him a little of Flayn if he were to be honest, but no, that's not quite it either.
He blinks, thinking it a figment of his imagination as no one else seems to be paying attention to this phenomenon. And it does seem to be that way. Felix opens his mouth as if to ask, but then shuts it, preferring to press a hand to his forehead before he shakes his head. Is now the time to ask pointless questions? No, it could wait.
For now, they had a battle to fight.
"Felix, are you okay?" Ingrid asks, glancing back at him now, worried.]
I'm fine, [Felix says, trying to keep his irritation off his tone. This is one fight he can't afford to sit out on, and hell if Ingrid tries to get between him and this.] I'll get rusty if I sit out on any more battles.
[Ingrid looks like she wants to protest, but fortunately she refrains from it, instead nodding as she turns to Byleth again, expectant.]
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All right. Meet us in the Black Eagle's classroom in fifteen minutes along with anyone else that can be armed and ready to go in that timeframe. Don't dawdle — we can't afford to wait.
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[Dimitri briefly bows. The professor just nods in response, looking to Felix curiously. He looks rather unsettled...
Byleth isn't kidding about not wasting time, though. He just walks away after that, as terse as ever.]
Other than Dedue, I am not sure if any of the others can be ready on such short notice.
[Mercedes, Annette, and Ashe have all already filed off to choir practice. Dimitri sighs.]
I will send Dedue to grab your weapons so you can ready your mount, Ingrid. As for Sylvain, I will get yours myself.
[They're right next door, after all.]
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Thanks. He's giving us a pretty short window, isn't he? C'mon, Ingrid.
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I'll catch you later, then.
[Without waiting for a response, he follows after Byleth, leaving the three of them to their relevant arrangements.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ingrid nods, taking swift strides towards the exit nearest the stables. For how many questions are weighing on her mind, especially with Felix's strange behavior as of late, now is not the time to ask, especially when their fellow students are at risk.]
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Or Dimitri thought he had never seen one. Once they actually get there he knows he has, and he stands stiff and rigid as Byleth briefly surveys the field to decide how to deploy them, clenching his fists so tightly that the metal and leather of his gauntlets start to creak ominously.
The look on his face is terrifying to behold.]
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Felix stills at the expression Dimitri wears, a chill running down his spine at the sight of it. He may have accepted the beast as part of Dimitri way before this, but it's still a look that doesn't suit Dimitri in this context. Especially when it brings to mind what happens after...
With most everyone's attention on the crisis before them, Felix lets his left hand rest over Dimitri's clenched fist, giving it a light squeeze.]
I'm here.
[And whatever Dimitri's being reminded of, isn't. Or so he hopes.]
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That stench — like a moving corpse. The weight of the air... the monsters that killed father and Glenn are responsible for this.
[Dimitri shudders, turning his hand to tightly grip Felix's in turn.]
Ah, how I have waited for this day...
[But the scream of one of the students combined with Felix anchoring him keeps him in the present, if only just.
Not again. He won't let them sow chaos and destroy people's lives. Gently pulling away from Felix, Dimitri approaches the professor, awaiting orders.]
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Dimitri. Would you and the other Blue Lions be amenable to rescuing the students once we create an opening?
["Of course, professor," Dimitri says, only sounding slightly strained. Byleth nods, waving Jeralt over once he sees him. They spend a few moments discussing strategy — soon enough, everyone is given their orders and the battle begins.]
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Besides those disturbing glimpses he catches of Dimitri, everything goes down pretty much as Felix expected it to. From them subduing the threat to saving all the students, even until Monica--nay, Kronya--decides to stab Jeralt from behind--
It's too late when Felix lunges and the knife sinks into Jeralt's back, but for some reason this all seems to be in his head as the next thing he knows, Kronya is still making her way behind Jeralt as Byleth slashes the Sword of the Creator towards them. As it extends, however, Felix catches the sight of someone--Thales--materializing to deflect the blow. But Felix is quicker on the uptake now and drives his sword towards him, faster than Byleth's sword could make. Thales seems to notice that and directs his shield to absorb Felix's blow instead, and Byleth's attack slips past them and reaches long enough to slap the dagger out of Kronya's hands.
"Ow," Kronya says as she grasps her wrist, glaring at Byleth. "Stop getting in the way of my plans, you dogs!"
Felix prepares to strike Thales again, wondering if he could perhaps end things here and there, but just like the month before, another splitting headache overtakes him, physically winding him as he sinks to his knees, grasping his head. Unlike before, however, he feels like he might be sick as he struggles to focus on the moment instead of the darkness creeping around the corners of his vision and the sting that comes with it.
But at least, Jeralt seems to be alive. And quick to get his bearings as he tries to shove Kronya down. But Thales is quicker, and instead of taking the opportunity to get rid of Felix, he instead grabs Kronya in time.
"Huh, what are you doing here?" Monica asks.
"You must survive," Thales says, "Merely because there is still a role that I require you to fulfill."
And just like before, they disappear out of thin air, leaving Felix to empty the contents of his stomach as he clutches at his chest, finding breathing a difficult notion at the moment.]
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He changed it.
The whole scene plays through his mind again, but instead of Felix saving his father, Byleth somehow knows what would have happened had Felix not intervened. He feels an odd stinging sensation at his eyes, one that he doesn't realize is tears starting to form until Jeralt tries to reassure him that he's all right.
"This little one is faring poorly," Sothis says as he heaves again, floating over to Felix, settling directly in front of him since Dimitri is occupied holding his hair back. Felix seems to be aware of her presence, which is startling to say the least.
"...I see. I will put him in a healing sleep for now. Place your hand on his forehead for me. Yes, just like that..."
With the touch of Byleth's hand, Felix will find the world around him going black.
When he awakens later that night, it's Byleth at his bedside instead of Dimitri. It took a firm hand, but eventually, he managed to get the young prince to go to his own room and at least attempt to sleep. Byleth and Sothis both turn to look at him when he stirs, Sothis now crystal clear instead of a hazy vision.]
You're awake, [he says, actually sounding a touch relieved. And he IS relieved, but he never has been good at expressing his feelings.]
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When Felix wakes up later that night, his heart, though weak, no longer feels like it's about to give out on him. Taking a deep breath, he's relieved to find out that it doesn't hurt as it did before, though his comfort is short-lived once he sees who is accompanying him that moment.]
Who are you? [Felix asks, tone guarded as he narrows his brows at the green-haired girl beside Byleth, never-mind that odd, almost relieved greeting coming from the latter.]
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You see Sothis?
["Foolish child. You will make him believe I am something I am not," Sothis says with a sigh. If the name of the goddess is Sothis, after all... Byleth just looks mildly confused for a moment before it clicks, after which he nods, looking to Felix again.]
This is Sothis. She has been with me since the start, but no one else has been able to see her.
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[Felix's brows shoot up in momentary doubt before he settles back into his usual frown. Well... it's not a far-fetched resemblance, but on the murals and statues he's seen, she's always been a fully grown adult with a motherly air about her.
Not a child. A bratty one at that. Though he supposes the overbearing, motherly air is rather similar, given the way she bosses Byleth around.]
This isn't a prank, is it?
[Unlikely given how serious Byleth tends to be most of the time, but sometimes it's hard to tell with him.]
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Byleth's brow creases ever so slightly.]
...you did notice. You changed your actions. And you saved my father as a result — thank you.
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Yes, [Felix says, surprised that his throat feels at ease, as if it weren't about to constrict at what he's about to discuss given how pretenses are no longer needed.] there's no need to thank me. I would've done what anyone else could in that position.
[It's a little too much, seeing the closest to sappy he's ever seen Byleth, so he averts his gaze from the pair, thoughtful.]
Did you turn back time too? Back in Remire?
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Dorothea fell. I tried to do it when you were injured, as well, but it didn't work. At the time I thought I had just exhausted it, but now...
["Now we know there is clearly more at play," Sothis finishes. Resting her cheek on her hand, she peers at Felix curiously.
"But why have you not noticed before? You paid it no mind at the mock battle when we corrected an accident."
The "accident" being Claude managing to say just the wrong thing as Dimitri was attempting to knock him out. Provoking a man like Dimitri midswing is unwise.]
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I went back in time.
[Well, he'll get back to that later. For now, they might as well tackle this question first.]
Could it have something to do with that?
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"...yes. You stand against the flow of time... how did such a thing come to be?"]
Do you remember? Did we send you back?
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I don't know. I was taking a nap after a job, and the next thing I knew, I woke up in my room back here in Garreg Mach.
[At the perplexed glances in his direction, Felix sighs, pressing a hand to his forehead and shaking his head.]
It would have been around seven years from now. You [he glances towards Byleth,] were instrumental in ending the war against the Empire and uncovering a certain truth related to it. Peace came, and I had to find another reason to wield my sword.
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Against the Empire.
How curious. Though there's no reason for it, he feels nauseated. It's a physical symptom that produces a visibly disturbed expression, though he doesn't seem to be aware of it.]
Tell me more.
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