Scarlet Blaze: The End of The Great War

Chapter 3: A United Offensive

"Lady Dorothea, fall back I beg you!" She pleaded, "I will hold him off myself!"

Monica steeled herself, trying to hide her fear as she stared down at the most powerful man in all of Fodlan. Dorothea tried to stand beside her, but Monica was adamant about her survival, and after a few tense moments Dorothea retreated from the battle. Then Dimitri looked at her, and Monica could almost see... is that approval on his face? The King then said, "It is respectable to protect your allies even in the face of certain death. However, too many of mine have died for me to let any Imperial leave this battlefield alive!" As if granted a divine burst of speed, he sprinted with force at Monica, who conjured up a great ball of fire, and sent it plummeting onto Dimitri. Yet, he kept his advance, as if completely unbothered by the flames licking at his cape. For the first time since her kidnapping, Monica felt true fear. She wanted to say she would fight to her last breath, wanted to say she would kill this king, wanted to...What she wanted did not matter anymore. What she did was, to her great shame, turn and run the other direction. As fast as she could, she ran, as if being chased by the devil himself.

Eventually, she cornered herself by running onto a platform overlooking the city. The fall from here would be fatal. As her eyes darted she heard the voice she was running from all this time say. "I take back what I said, You lost my respect. You, like all other imperials, are a coward. It's time to die." With this, Dimitri readied Areadbhar and all Monica could do was stammer, "I just got my life back, I don't want to lose it again! Not before I- I just wanted to stand beside my lady."

Dedue walked slowly behind his lord, harboring a feeling that something was not right. He scanned his surroundings, only realizing his trouble when he looked up.

In an instant, the silence was broken, and a great wyvern descended on him, biting into his shoulder, which did little damage alone. However, the forward momentum caused them both to tumble forward, until they plummeted off the observation platform, out of sight. Dimitri immediately disregarded Monica, instead rushing to where his closest ally fell, screaming his name and hoping for some reassurance. As he searched hopelessly, Monica noticed a third man was now standing before her. The man, with a smirk said, "You're Edelgard's second retainer, right? That was a great plan! Luring them to this high up place so I can take care of one of em instantly. If the Empire ever treats you wrong, we'd love to have you in the Alliance." She thought to herself, "The Alliance? So that would make him-"

"CLAUDE!" The king's voice boomed.

Dimitri had given up searching and now, with tears running down his face, had firmly returned his gaze towards Monica and her new ally. Claude quickly muttered to Monica, "I'll hold him here, you escape when I have his attention."

She nodded her head, "Thank you."

He then turned his attention back to the heartbroken king, stating, "Dimitri, It's been a while. I don't feel good about this you know, but I don't think I could've fought both you and Dedue at once. I had to even things up a little."

"Even things- How dare you!? I knew you had become Edelgard's pet dog, but to stoop so low!? It's unforgivable!"

"Hey now, I don't know what you're into, nor do I judge, but I'm Edelgard's partner, not her pet."

The Alliance Leader drew back his bow, aiming it at Dimitri's head.

"Together, we're gonna bring in a new future: one that leaves the old ways in the dust. Meaning Rhea, the Central Church, and any 'Holy' Kingdoms are no longer needed!"

As the battle of titans was soon to commence, the fight for control of the city had taken a turn in favor of the Kingdom. Felix, having survived his encounter with Edelgard, returned to the front lines to rally Kingdom forces and prepare to retake the city walls from Ferdinand's grasp. Knowing they were on their last legs, the remaining Kingdom forces knew what their goal was at this point: kill as many Imperials as they could. They fought like rabid beasts, fueled by anger and fear, it was as if the enemy's arrows and swords bounced off their armor entirely. To which the knights would answer with their sharpened steel or fearsome lightning. With little trouble, they reclaimed the recently seized western flank and were advancing on the east, where Ferdinand, Caspar, and Linhardt retreated to so that they may regroup.