Mind Reality of Eclipse

Slumber Healing ~ Chapter 51

A few days have passed since the attacks. Chrom was still in a healing office still being treated. He wasn't woken up yet but thankfully he was still alive. Marianne was doing her best healing, she and Veyle would take turns on who was healing Chrom.

Alear sighed, "I never thought Byleth would remotely think about going as far as to hurting his best friend... something about him truly has changed. It's breaking my heart the more I have to realize this..."

"Alear, Byleth is no longer the same person you thought he was all that time ago, he's now a new person... I'm sorry to say but it seems at the moment, we lost the real Byleth," Sonic sighed. Alear looked down at her hands and nearly started crying.

Alear then broke, she started crying; explaining, "This is so uncalled for! They were close friends and Byleth TOLD me he wouldn't be part of the team if it weren't for Chrom! Even if he was still there he would learn to restrain himself from harming Chrom!"

"That could ONLY mean that either he was lying to all of us about this or he is being corrupted by something..." Sonic replied.

Alear said firmly, "He has to be under some corruption. There's absolutely no way in hell he would do this consciously. There's no doubt about it." Marianne walked into the room and looked at the two. Alear looked over at Marianne with tears in her eyes. "How is he?"

Marianne explained, "He's doing a lot better but he has lost a ton of energy. I don't think he will do well if he is out for a while. Meanwhile I heard some news that Claude was coming over to check on Chrom and to tell us information..."

"What could Claude want to tell us?"

"It probably isn't good if he's coming to us..." Sonic muttered. Then the doorbell rang. Sonic went over to open the door and it was none other than Claude.

Claude sighed, "Before I tell you all what I'm here for. I need to check on Chrom."

"Follow me," Marianne sighed. The two walked into the healing office where Claude saw how bandaged up Chrom was around his head. Claude slowly walked over and looked at him, seeing him like that broke his heart entirely.

Claude whispered, "Chrom... you poor soul..."

"Claude? Is... Is that you?" Chrom questioned. Claude nodded slowly as he held his hand. "I can sense your hand Claude... it feels soothing..." Claude looked at him and smiled slowly.

Claude said, "Chrom. I came here to warn you and the heroes about Byleth's plans... I'm afraid he is wanting more than just the scroll, book, and the crown. But... I'll tell you soon. You just look so damaged..."

"It hurts... everything about me just... hurts," Chrom groaned. Marianne walked over and healed him a little more. Chrom looked up and saw Claude's face. He smiled immediately, just happy to see a familiar face and someone he loved so dearly. "You're so beautiful Claude... I just look like a trainwreck compared to you..."

Claude sighed, "Nonsense Chrom. You're beautiful either way... I'm just so happy to see you're alive and not dead..." Chrom stared at him and smiled. Marianne stood there on the side watching them carefully. She took a deep breath and looked out the window. There were citizens outside playing in the snow yet, they felt empty inside.

"Go... go tell the heroes what you need to tell them. I can wait here..." Chrom muttered. Claude nodded as he walked out of the room. Marianne walked over and continued healing Chrom. Claude walked over as the heroes were gathered together.

Alear sighed, "We're all ready to listen to what you want to say to us. Go ahead..."

"Okay, there's something that Marth told me before the events happened here. It was a few days ago, longer than the period of time right now," Claude sighed. The heroes looked at one another and slowly nodded. "He's after the scroll and artifacts of Dawn."

Alear asked, "HE'S AFTER WHAT?!"

"He's after the different scrolls regarding the demigods... more specifically about the demigod named Zethus..." Claude said. The heroes looked at one another with fear filling their bodies. They didn't know how to respond to this new information.

Sonic asked, "Do you know which places he's trying to target right now?!"

"Right now, he's planning to target Ylisse, Fodlan, Liyue, Almyra, Lythos, and Firene..." Claude explained.

Alear gasped, "Oh my god... he has easy access to Fodlan!"

"I'm afraid he probably got their scroll about the demigods... I heard that his targeting order is Fodlan, Liyue, Firene, Ylisse, Almyra and Lythos," Claude explained in better detail.

Albedo grunted, "This is horrible. If we don't act fast enough, Byleth will get his hands on those scrolls and will be unstoppable."

"That's why I'm heading back to Almyra to protect our scrolls. Those who live in the other regions need to get back there as soon as possible. As for Chrom... we need to heal him up quicker before Byleth gets his hands on the Ylisse scrolls," Claude described.

Alear sighed, "Right. I'll go ahead and head back home and warn Firene about what is going on."

"I'll be coming too! I need to make sure I can protect your people as well Alear!" Veyle said with a smile.

Zhongli sighed, "I'll head to Liyue now... this doesn't seem to be good at all."

"I'll tag along for safety," Eula sighed. Zhongli nodded as Claude looked down at himself.

Alcryst pleaded, "You all need to be careful please! Byleth is far stronger than what we could ever imagine! Just be careful!"

"We will, don't worry," Alear replied.

Sonic ordered, "You guys get out of here now! Marianne! HEAL CHROM QUICKER!"

"I'll do my best..." Marianne sighed. The heroes looked at one another and back at Claude as he looked down at himself in worry.

Claude whispered, "This fills me up with fear more than I can possibly imagine. The people of both Ylisse and Almyra are in great danger due to this... I must act as soon as possible..."

"Be careful please!" Kirby yelled. Claude nodded as he walked out of the room. Marianne was able to use enough energy to heal Chrom fully and explained the details to him.

Chrom sighed, "I'll be going back home to Ylisse. I can't let Byleth get his hands on those books. I also promise to get lots of rest in the process."

Alcryst muttered, "You should bring someone along with you. Link went along with Claude to help protect Almyra."

"I'll be more than happy to help you if you want," Albedo said. Chrom nodded as the two walked outside. Now there were only a few heroes left, but they were determined to stop Byleth and protect Dawn from his insanity.