Breaking Masquerade of Heroes

Chapter 17 ~ How Much Before It Breaks

 "I don't know how to really begin with this apology besides the whole... I'm sorry for the wedding," Byleth began. Chrom stared at him as Claude kept his arms crossed.

Claude asked, "Is that really you have to say-"

"Let him speak Claude..." Chrom replied. Claude took a deep breath and kept himself together. Byleth stared down at himself, wanting to escape the scene already. But he couldn't, he needed to apologize to properly make things right.

Byleth explained, "Based on everything that I remember... I was incredibly jealous about you being with Chrom. Still, I don't know the reason why I ended up attacking you. It was all irrational and I wish I was smarter than this. I don't know why... WHY I didn't control myself. That was-"

"Look Byleth, you are a smart guy but this apology isn't working," Claude explained. Byleth stared at him with a face of horror. Disbelief filled his body as Claude looked down at himself.

Byleth asked, "What do you mean...?"

"It's too soon before I forgive you. I don't know when I will..." Claude muttered. He remembered the events so clearly, frightened he was going to die on his own wedding day. Chrom looked at him as Claude put his hand to his chest.

Byleth continued, "Wait what?! What do you mean by it's too soon!? What if I happen to forget that-"

"How are you going to forget that you nearly killed someone?" Chrom asked.

Byleth mutered, "But I..."

"Sure apologizing sooner helps... but we're both mentally drained from that event. I was scared beyond hell that Claude was going to die, I was afraid to lose my spouse AGAIN!" Chrom yelled. Claude looked at him as Chrom cleared the tears in his eyes. He took a deep breath as he cleared his throat. Byleth had his hands on his side, the room seemed to have gotten a whole lot darker. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you..."

Byleth asked, "What could that be...?"

"It's... unrelated to the subject matter but it's still... related to you," Chrom explained. Byleth stared at him as his mouth began to quiver. Unsure what Chrom was going to drop upon him. Chrom took a deep breath and looked Byleth straight in the eyes. "You've changed so much..."

"What...?"

"You've changed since the first time we met. Back when there was so much chaos going on after the Dr. Eggman takeover... You were considerate and kind hearted. That's how we became friends. But ever since you've been on an insane mental degrade that I can't... I can't stand to be with you anymore," Chrom explained. Byleth stood there staring at him as a tear rolled down his face.

Claude sighed, "I agree... I don't recall you teaching our class but when I saw you, you were quite caring despite being quiet. Something about you changed... like a lot." Byleth kept staring at them both unsure of how to respond.

Chrom grunted, "It really hurts to tell you face on about all of this but I can't lie to myself anymore longer than I need to. I did it out of fear but now I am telling the truth for protection. You hurt my husband, you've hurt me for the last time."

"No... please-"

"I'm ending the relationship," Chrom whispered. Byleth's jaw dropped as both Chrom and Claude left without saying a word. Byleth put his hands to his mouth and slid down to the ground.

"No fucking way he just did that..." Byleth mumbled. He stared at the ground completely in disbelief. He got up and dashed to the door. He saw Chrom and Claude walking downstairs. When he went to check he saw all the heroes enjoying the party. He was just heartbroken further than everyone else. But he had enough. Byleth's hand turned into a fist as he went back into his room. Chrom and Claude had sad expressions upon them.

The heroes checked on them to make sure everything was okay. However, Sonic was still curious about what had happened between Byleth and them. He went upstairs and ran over to Byleth's room. He knocked on the door, there was no response. Sonic tried peeking through the door with the creak but it was so dark in there, there was nothing to be seen.

"BYLETH!" Sonic called out. But there was no response. Sonic tried knocking once again but no matter what he did, nobody answered the door. Suddenly, there was an aching fear of the worst. Maybe there was a chance he did it. He rushed downstairs and shut the lights on and off.

"W-What's going on!?" Tails asked.

Sonic explained, "Everyone! I hate to do something about our celebration but I'm really REALLY worried about what had happened to Byleth." The heroes all looked at one another as Chrom's eyes widened in shock. Had a friendship ending could have... done such a thing? Sonic rushed upstairs with Marianne and Micaiah following after him. Nobody said another word. But soon Shez ran upstairs as well.

Link muttered, "Wait what is..."

"I'm so worried that I did it..." Chrom whispered as he put his hand on his mouth. The heroes looked over as Chrom was beyond terrified himself. He didn't want to be Byleth's friend anymore but...

"It-It'll be fine! Everything will be okay in the end if we just think positively everyone!" Tails said as an attempt to cheer everyone up. But the mood had everyone in fearful and sorrowful spirits.

Luigi groaned, "I hate the-a suspenseful moments in the team. It always leaves us on our feet..."

"E-Everyone! Let's relax ourselves and-" There was a sudden yell from upstairs. Furina stopped herself as everyone's faces turned pale. There was no telling what was going to happen. The heroes shared looks at one another before Shez ran downstairs. His face... was just horrifed, much more than those just standing around.

Neuvillette asked, "Shez, what happened?"

"Byleth..."

"What do you mean?! We already know that this situation-"

"He's being transported to the hospital by Marianne and Micaiah," Shez blurted out. Each of the heroes let out gasps as Sonic walked down the stairs instead of running. He stopped himself as he looked at each of the heroes.

Hu Tao asked, "Wait are you telling me-"

"DID BYLETH DO AN ATTEMPT?!" Tsumugi blurted out.

Sonic grunted, "Unfortunately that is the case... but we're... going to be fine! Byleth was rushed to the hospital the moment we saw what happened. W-We should be fine!" Sonic was trying to be positive but... he was terrified for Byleth's life.