Byleth's Sorrow

Revelations

Byleth strode through the cathedral casually, or as casually as one can while cradling fire in their arms. He drew a couple of looks, but Byleth knew the guard's schedules like the back of his hand. He knew no one would stop him. As he came to a stop in front of a corridor, he waited for a guard to pass by and relieve the standing guard for the day. As the guard passed, he quickly hit him in the back of his head, knocking him unconscious. After putting on the guard's armor, he walked purposefully back into the corridor.

The guard saw him and tilted his head, confused. In response, Byleth showed the guard an empty sword sheath and pointed behind him. The guard looked back at the corner Byleth had pointed at, and was promptly rendered unconscious as well. He pulled out the keys he had stolen on his way here, unlocked the door...

And stepped into the Holy Mausoleum.

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The students and Abyssians gasped as they saw Aelfric and Sitri meld into a horrifying monster. It roared as the they charged towards it, brandishing their weapons that seemed totally inadequate against such a beast. 

They fought well, but the power of the Chalice was too great, and the Umbral Beast simply would not die. The students regrouped with the Abyssians near the doors  of the cathedral. Each one was battered, bruised, and could barely stand. Dimitri and Hilda were already unconscious.

Constance panted. "It's... too strong... for even I... to defeat..."

Yuri grimly gripped his sword. "We can't... let this thing escape. It'd... be too dangerous for... even the Knights of Serios... to defeat without numerous deaths."

A raspy voice sounded from behind them. "Sorry I'm late."

The Ashen Demon strode into the cathedral, with a glowing red sword wreathed in fire. He grinned a little bit at them. "I had an errand to run."

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Byleth's lips cracked as he smiled. It had a long time since he had last made that expression. He was slightly surprised to see everyone in as good shape as they were. It had taken longer than expected to break the seals on the casket.

Byleth, after learning the truth of the Relic he wielded, had avoided using it as much as he could. It wasn't as difficult as he thought it would be. The Sword of the Creator was only necessary against foes like the Umbral Beast or other creatures with god-like strength. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that his fire could stay with the Sword; he didn't think he would be able to hold it and fight simultaneously.

He looked at the battered fighters holding against the Umbral Beast. "You've done well." He praised. "Leave the rest to me."

He raised the Sword and charged towards the Beast. He cut through two illusion-Aelfrics on the way; the Sword cut through them like a hot knife through butter. The closer he drew towards the Beast, the more it sensed the danger it was in.

This small creature could hurt them. He could kill them.

The Umbral Beast attempted to withdraw, but Byleth, fueled with magic and the adrenaline of wielding the Sword of the Creator, reached it in seconds. He infused an enormous amount of magic into the Sword, and it glowed like a miniature sun. He brought the Sword down on the Beast's shoulder, nearly lopping off its entire front right leg. 

The Umbral Beast cried in agony as the fire burned through it. It staggered, only to find it could not support itself without use of its leg. It collapsed onto the ground, still roaring and desperately drawing power from the illusion-Aelfrics, but the wound refused to close. 

Byleth did not give it time to recover, however, as he charged forward, swinging the Sword at any illusion-Aelfrics that dared to come within his reach. He attacked again, the magic-infused Sword cutting deeply into the Beast's thick skin. The Beast rose, only to fall once more as its leg continued to fail it. After another attempt, and another wound from Byleth, It rose to it's full height, and attacked Byleth with all it had.

Geysers of blood shot from its mouth. The cathedral shook with the sheer amount of magical energy as two creatures possessing the power of gods clashed in an epic magical power-fight.

The audience, who were planning on charging in to help, could do nothing but stare, slack-jawed, as the Ashen Demon stood his ground against the greatest foe they had ever seen; and win as he called upon every power he had at his disposal; The Crest of Flames, the Sword of the Creator, and the strange power he carried within him.

The Umbral Beast collapsed as its power ran out, shrinking until it became a small chalice once more. Byleth staggered as the overuse of his powers caught up to him, nearly dropping the Sword.

He gathered his fire back into his arms, and slammed the Sword of the Creator into the ground point-first with a resounding thud. Glancing at the students, he turned and stalked back into Abyss.

The students and Abyssians, still frozen in shock, shook themselves free of their reverie as Captain Jeralt and the Kinghts of Serios charged into the cathedral, weapons drawn. They stopped as Jeralt assessed the situation:

Blood everywhere.

Wounded students staring at an open door.

A chalice laying on the floor.

A Hero's Relic embedded in the ground.

And a massive amount of magical energy in the room, causing a few of his more magic-sensitive soldiers to pass out from the overload of their senses.

...

Everything was fine.