Five years since the monastery fell. Thatās what they were told, anyway. The former teacherās body ached from disuse as they stood up, yet still took a step. And another. One foot in front of the other, they began to walk just like that. Eyes looking ahead toward the former monastery on the horizon. There was a promise to fulfill, after all. And they would sooner die that take back their word.
Step...
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Step...
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Step...
Shoes clacking with each step as the ground changed from dirt to stone, signaling their arrival at the church. It felt so empty and barren, it was perhaps too much to take in the deafening silence when only yesterday it was filled with voices and laughter. They didnāt like it, their face shifting to a slight frown to signify this fact. Not that anyone could point out the subtle change in expression. And so they continued.
They soon came to a set of stairs, hand gently touching the railing as they paused a moment. Only a moment, soon continuing on and climbing up. It was here were the promise was made, to see the ones they once called their students after five years had passed. And they blinked, ears finally picking up a bit of noise. Focusing on the sound, the sound of voices could be discerned. And their eyes lit up.
They ran the rest of the way up, turning the corner and stopping dead in their tracks. It was dark, and light was shining through which made it hard to see, but for a moment they saw their kids again. Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude, all in their school uniforms.
āProfessor!!ā
āTeach!!ā
A trio of voices rang out, and their eyes blurred a moment as they adjusted to the light. The image faded, replaced now by much older versions of their students. They all looked so much different, the one they called professor/teach was taken aback. But they didnāt have much time to process it all, as they were suddenly attacked by a three-pronged attack hug from the trio of former students.
āI knew it, I told you two Teach was still alive.ā
āI had similar thoughts too, Claude, but I couldnāt let myself be bound by them.ā
āI always feared the worst, but...ā
āTeachā could do nothing, aside from do their best to return this hug as best they could. Soothing their former students as they cried in relief, Bylethās own tears may have gotten mixed in the flood as well.