A Second Chance (Claude x M!Byleth)

Prologue

        Darkness hung over him, only he can hear the ripples of the water bouncing off his ridges of his earlobe. He was tired, weak after receiving a fatal wound lodged into his chest. Heavy breaths escaped his mouth, leaving heavy trails of the crimson poison running and dispersing into the clear waters. He knew he didn't have much time left as he can feel the lulling voice pulling him further into the darkness. He wanted another chance, please. He pleaded mentally. He had so much to do, there were so many questions that he yet had an answer for him. He continued to plead and beg, as if the goddesses would actually listen. Then again, he never bothered wishing or praying to them. The only time he was able to wish back then was with his teacher.

As much as he didn't want to remember him, it was so strange. He was the first person who has yet to show him a genuine smile. He can feel his muscles reacting to the sudden movements of a natural smile.

"T-Teac..ch.... " He groaned as he lifted his limp arm to his eyes. He can feel the warmth of his tears trickling down his cheeks, "I-I n-never.. Got... to ...you...."

Silence.The drops of water stopped, and yet, the light was still strong. The young ruler remained still as the waters. It was only a moment of silence, where the young ruler was fast asleep.

He was definitely dreaming. He was standing in an empty void, only to hear his own heartbeat. He closed his eyes, hoping that his vision would change. A young girl, maybe about her early teens looked at him with her green eyes.

"Ah, it looks like tragedy has befallen you, Duke of Riegan." She said, slowly walking towards me.

"Who are you?" He asked, ready to grab his bow, only to find it missing.

"Do not fret. I am not your enemy. I am simply here to carry out your pleas."

He did not know what to say. This is his first time he probably will meet such a divine being, but he never believed in them.

"My name is Sothis." She said, just a few steps away from him. 'Sothis?!' he thought, it was the name that his teacher had told him about.

"Why did you come?" he asked, "You're the Progenitor god, isn't meddling with the dead not your thing?"

She pouted, "I don't understand humans. Can't you all just appreciate that I am offering my assistance to you?" she took a deep breath and sighed, " I sense regret from not only you, but the one you call your teacher."

Claude seem to react to those words, "Where's teach? What do you mean that you sense regret from the both of us?"

"Shhhh, that will be answered with time. However, I do have an offer for you."

Claude wasn't sure whether to accept it or not, but this goddess was inside his teach's head before, she must be good goddess.

The goddess took his silence as an agreement, " I will offer you to relive your life right when the professor had chosen to represent your class. There you have till when you lost your chance to tell the professor your "feelings"." She said, "Your professor will have no memories about you. You will be the only one."

"Oh." Claude simply said. Was this for real? Well, he is speaking with the goddess after all.

"Hurry, time is wasting. It won't be long until I lose connection with you and you hand yourself to the lord of the dead."

"Alright." He said, not even a split second to think about the consequences.

Sothis smiled," That is good, in the meantime, I'll reside in your body. We must not raise suspicion with the past me or else all is ruin. You have one chance Claude. Make it worth it."