Chapter Text
The autumn leaves crackled beneath her feet, the crisp night air giving way to her warm breath, as she marched along the forest trail. Hubert - as always, was right behind her - his presence far more silent towards her ears than the ghostly remains of the dead constantly squabbling over their regrets. The trees creaked and moaned and swayed underneath the strong winds from the north. A deeper chill began to settle into the air, as black shadows waited from the treetops, searching for their wispy prey. It doesn’t concern me. While she was deathly pale, Edelgard knew there was a heart beating in her chest, albeit no matter how charred and rotten it was.
No, the shadows were after something beyond dead. Regrets left behind, fugitives who ran from the supernatural order, refusing to end their existence on the mortal plane. Hubert gave no indication to the screams and wails of the recaptured souls - the concern easing onto his features, were a result from her visible discomfort.
“Lady Edelgard, perhaps we should find a place to sleep.” Yes, because there are places to sleep in a haunted forest, Hubert .
“Hubert, did you know this forest is haunted?”
“Surely you jest.”
The petals scattered into the air, forming shards which sliced through the maiden’s hands as she let go of life’s treasures into the shadows. Just peachy. The scream which erupted, told her it was time to run. And run, she did - bolting through the trees, her spirit proffering further decay amongst the forest. Was there safety for a being such as her? The damage she had caused would be substantial enough to distract but not throw them off her track. A little light in the distance beckoned her, offered its guidance.
Closer to town ? Where more people co-existed, the easier to find sustenance and hide. Her friend, rather acquaintance may be able to put up with her for some days.
While she was no longer living, she could not feel true warmth, energy pulsating from a small fire was familiar - memories of an old man whispering old fables, the sound of laughter, the smell of game turning on a spit and a name Byleth forgotten before realised. As the looming trees cleared, two contrasting figures sat around the glimmering light. Both pale, and intimidating in the moonlight, the fire dancing weird shadows across the faces - for people who physically extremely different, both held the same pain in the past, in lines of their faces. A useless glimmer of hope within Byleth blinked, asking for someone to see her, help her.
“Hubert, do you believe in ghosts?” The girl murmured, her eyes turned downward. Now this peaked Byleth’s interest. Travellers were common to debate the existence of ghosts, nonetheless it was amusing to behold how they perceived the undead. The man shifted, pulling a twig from beneath him.
“No, milady - I’m far more inclined to believe the House of Aegir will assist us in our search.”
The conversation then derailed into murmurings about some sorry scum of a noble family. No matter , the spirit thought - the concept of warmth was comforting, bathing her feet into the fire. She twirled her feet around, amused by the blue tint her form gave the fire.
Peeling back her cloak, she lifted her shirt over her head, exposing her upper body into the nude. While ghosts were not affected by temperatures on the mortal plane, energy was universal, and placebo effects left by mortal memories led to grumbling ghosts when the rain fell. She stretched, grunting in satisfaction when she felt her joints crack and pop. It was strange, the idea of bubbles and tendons moving when all she was energy floating around without a physical shell.
Byleth, despite her deadpan deposition, thought too much - a double edged blade. The girl in red, started whether an effect of the firelight Byleth was unsure, and her previously pale face took on a hinge of pink. The man in ever black, sat there unperturbed as one should be by Byleth’s ghostly nude form.
Odd, she thought to herself. Byleth was not one for mischief by any means, but she was willing to entertain the idea of the girl having sight. If she didn’t, there was no harm done. She would do what she needed to do as planned with the subpar medium she met in the next town over. She proceeded to shrug off her pants. A strangled gasp arose from the girl’s throat.
“Lady Edelgard, is something of the matter?” Ah, so Edelgard is her name.
“It...is a-alright, Hubert - I’m afraid I’m feeling rather tired, excuse me. Wake me up for my turn on watch duty.”
“Of course.”
Edelgard proceeded to prepare her bedroll, and lay down - lifting the blanket over her head. She was definitely affected by Byleth’s lack of sensitivities, which meant she could see. However Byleth’s hopes were not so easily raised, she desired something more concrete. Her attempts at communicating with those with weaker sight, have not been not very fruitful. While seeing was very promising, the human ability to perceive the other world was varied in strength and talent. It could change by the environment, weather and ghost. Edelgard slowly lay down, lifting the blanket over her head and on cue - Byleth lay down beneath her, poking her head through the sheet.
“Boo!” Byleth whispered. Edelgard’s features quickly fell under practiced control, but a quick second, there was definitely a hint of surprise and recognition. Moreso, the girl had a very cute pink blush going on. Edelgard shut her eyes. This girl definitely been hounded by ghosts, and while seemingly being highly experienced in hiding it, Byleth caught her eye. Byleth stood up, having confirmed enough for her curiosity.
While this was no indication of how strong Edelgard was, Byleth decided it would be definitely worthwhile to follow the duo. She would let the girl sleep, besides she would need to get the girl alone to confront her.
This time, Byleth thought, this time she had hopefully found someone to help her.