Mind Reality of Eclipse

Whistling Winds of The Cliffside ~ Chapter 48

Byleth fell onto the ground and felt pain in his legs. But he was alive thankfully, the winds were far stronger than before. So much snow was everywhere. More importantly, Dawn was due for a blizzard in the midwest area. Where Hero Town was, it was going to be a lot to handle.

Byleth groaned, "So much snow... there's just so much... too much for my liking." He cleaned the snow off him and looked around the surrounding area. Nearly impossible to see what was ahead. Byleth used the book to his advantage and it helped him see the path forward more.

His footsteps could be heard in the snow. Just almost a meter of snow, that was a lot. He had a hard time even walking through the snow. There was just so much in the way. He felt himself getting tired, and sick. He couldn't bother asking for help, nobody would trust him. Nor could he trust himself.

Byleth felt himself getting sick, and exhausted. He could barely keep his eyes open, was this... the end? Was he really going to die here in the snow of the Icarus Mountains? When his goal was so close yet far away? Byleth looked down at himself and took a deep breath.

"I... I can't die here... not when I have... to..." Then he collapsed onto the snow, face first. There were the howling sounds of the winds. The cold frost of the snow he felt around him. He passed out from the cold, preparing to die from it.

Suddenly the air around him felt... warmer? Was he somewhere? Was he dead? He could hear footsteps around the house. It was a lot warmer, the sounds of the snow could be heard. But it was definitely not the mansion. Byleth slowly opened his eyes but he was forced to close them immediately.

Byleth groaned, "Where... Where am I?"

"Just be quiet," Byleth was unsure who that was. He laid there quietly. "Go ahead and open your eyes now..." Byleth opened his eyes and saw a man sitting there beside him.

Byleth asked, "What the..." The man had white hair and a pink uniform mixed with black accents. Byleth didn't know where he was but the place was comfortable to say the least.

"You're going to stay here and wait out the winter storm," The person sighed. They got up and walked away, Byleth sat up and stared at them. They were familiar yet he couldn't put his finger on it. "Do you want anything?"

Byleth muttered, "If you don't mind, I would like to know your name..."

"My name? Is that really all you want?" Byleth slowly nodded. The person rolled their eyes and turned away from Byleth. "My name is Rafal." Byleth sat there staring at him and then he realized who this was. Someone Alear was familiar with, a fell dragon from another Elyos...

Byleth asked, "Your name is Rafal, huh?"

"Yes?.. I don't know why you're conflicted," Rafal replied. Byleth nodded at himself and looked at his clothing. He was still drying up from being in the snow. Still he felt like Rafal could be a use of some sort, he had to figure out the reasoning why he would need him.

Byleth sighed, "I don't know if you know me but I'm used to be one of the heroes of Team Hero."

"You were one of the heroes? What remotely happened for you to disband from them?" Rafal questioned. The two sat together. Byleth saw this as the perfect opportunity to gain Rafal's trust and to make him work on his side.

Byleth explained, "I left the team on my own. I decided that it was best for me to finish out my goals of gaining world dominance. But... the more I realize, the more I see that I can't do it alone. I would like to have a partner in what I'm doing... I don't suppose you're inclined to that?"

"Inclined to that? I'm not fully on board but I am interested in what you're planning to do. Perhaps, if you explain more to me I might join you in whatever you're doing," Rafal replied. Byleth looked at him and smiled.

Byleth described, "I'm trying to gain ancient artifacts from many years ago. I have two out of the three I'm after. The Scroll of the Creator, the Book of the Scriptor, and the Crown of Zerus. The heroes have been constantly stopping me in my pathway to gaining this knowledge and power. I need to find a way to stop them in their tracks and gain the power I need to rule the world.

Will you be willing to help me get to my goal? Or will you rather just be here alone?" Rafal sat there staring at Byleth. He didn't know what else to say, but he felt like he could accomplish something with Byleth.

Rafal responded, "I'll go ahead and help you. You seem like you know exactly what you're doing. Plus I heard you're the smartest person on the team! I'll be more than happy to help."

"That's fantastic to hear, glad to have someone like you on my side. Just one thing, DON'T. Disappoint me..." Byleth said with a smile. Rafal nodded as they watched the winter storm outside. Praying it would die down anytime soon.