Golden Hope | Fire Emblem Three Houses Fan-Fiction

The Holy Tomb

Part 1: Silver Clouds

Guardian Moon

Where the Goddess Dwells

Eliza felt uneasy descending into the Holy Tomb. Having it lie underneath the monastery was shocking in itself. The fact that Rhea was calm the entire exchange only furthered her suspicion about the archbishop. What other secrets was the church hiding?

"Are you surprised, Professor? This is the Holy Tomb." Rhea said.

"That mechanism for descending underground back there... What powers it?" Claude asked, "When I tried to come by myself, it wouldn't even budge."

"This is where the goddess who created this world was laid to rest, along with her children," Rhea informed the class, "It is said that our creator, the goddess Sothis, sat upon this very throne. Professor, do you recognize this throne?"

"I do," Byleth confirmed.

"So long... I have waited for this day," Rhea closed her eyes, "Sit upon the throne. I have no doubt you will be gifted a revelation from the goddess."

Byleth walked to the throne and took a seat. Eliza expected something grand to happen.

"Well?" Rhea asked and then sighed, "It was supposed to be but a step away. What could possibly be missing?"

Claude tensed beside Eliza and Eliza turned her head in the direction. Footsteps, The young Marvine thought, But who would interrupt this ceremony?

"Sorry to disturb you when you're distressed, Archbishop, but it seems some uninvited guests have arrived," Claude said.

"Don't move, any of you," Metodey threatened, "If you move, your lives will be forfeit. Thank you ever so much for guiding us this far. The Imperial army will now take possession of everything in the Holy Tomb."

"The imperial army?" Ignatz gasped, "What are they doing here?"

"So, they knew we were heading to the Holy Tomb and followed us here," Lysithea said, disgusted.

"Hey," Hilda looked past him, "Who is that standing next to the angry guy? Could that be-"

"The Flame Emperor," Claude said, "I see. So you've been allied with the Empire from the beginning."

"What are you doing here? What do they hope to gain?" Leonie tried to rationalize.

"There's only one goal for grave robbers like these, right, Flame Emperor? You're here to steal the treasure that rests within the Holy Tomb," Claude accused.

"For a fool, you catch on quickly," The Flame Emperor replied, "Those Crest Stones will be ours. That infernal power, which is masquerading as a medicine but truly a poison, will plague this world no longer."

That was a bold statement, Eliza thought to herself.

"Insolence!" Rhea seethed, "You will atone for the sin of tramping on this holy resting place. Professor, destroy these villainous traitors who dare dishonor our creator!"

Eliza stiffened at the harshness of Rhea's voice. It was a complete 180 from when she first encountered the archbishop on her first day at Garreg Mach.

The Golden Deer got into position and Rhea addressed the class, "I will not allow such violence from the Empire! Strike down the rebels and protect the Holy Tomb!"

"The Crest Stones are in the caskets!" Metodey ordered his soldiers, "Open every last one of them!"

"The Holy Tomb must not be desecrated! Protect as many of the Crest Stones as you can!" Rhea's voice boomed in the tomb.