Professor Byleth's Disappearance

This is a short story that takes place shortly after the events of Byleth's reveal for Smash. We see how characters react and what happens to them in the end. I hope you enjoy.

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:black_small_square: Part 1- Dimitri's :black_small_square:

It's not been long since it happened. We hunted down Kronya in the Sealed Forest, but then Solon appeared and hit Professor Byleth with an unknown spell, causing them to completely vanish. However shortly after, he emerged from the sky as two bright lines cut across it. Solon looked shocked. I prepared to lunge at him with my lance while he was distracted, but Edelgard stopped me, and told us to wait for the Professor. Solon then muttered something.

"So, ing Smash consumes even the darkness itself!"

Smash? What on earth is that!? Edelgard and Claude called up to the professor, but he soared off into the distance with the Sword of the Creator. I saved my thirst for battle for another time. Claude persuaded me that maybe we could find out more if we returned to the Monastery and reported to Lady Rhea, so that's what we did.

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:black_small_square: Part 2- Edelgard's :black_small_square:

We returned to the Monastery and quickly headed to the second floor to find Rhea. Despite what I think of her, I have to find the Professor, and she could help us with that. We barged through the Monastery through the Marketplace.

"Whoa, hey, careful!" The gatekeeper said as we ran straight past him. Once we reached the second floor I was.. exhausted to say the least. Dimitri and Claude approached Rhea first as I caught my breath. I didn't hear what they said fully but Rhea looked distraught. Does she maybe... have feelings after all? I heard one thing she said.

"If Byleth is gone then..." The rest was inaudible.

"We don't have time to spare, we have to find Teach!" Claude exclaimed. Seteth then sighed and said to us:

"Smash is... a fighting tournament. One must recieve a very special invitation to enter, many strong fighters from many other worlds fight each other. *That* is where Professor Byleth is..." He said, with lament in his tone.

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:black_small_square: Part 3- Claude's :black_small_square:

"Whoa whoa whoa, how do YOU know this!?" I asked Seteth after he told us what this 'Smash' was. I was so confused, but thankfully Dimitri and Edelgard didn't seem to follow either. Teach could be gone, we have to find him before anything happens. Strong warriors from other worlds? Even Teach and the Sword of the Creator could get into some serious trouble there. He won't know what he's up against!

"Those are words from the Goddess herself. She seems to know a great deal about this tournament somehow. Perhaps she is tied to how Byleth recieved an invitation."

"Then..." Rhea muttered to herself. Now wasn't the time to pry for answers, not yet at least. I sighed.

"We must return to the Sealed Forest. Solon is still alive." Dimitri growled, barely hiding his anger. Me and Edelgard nodded, and Rhea came with us. Time for some payback.

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:black_small_square: Part 4- Third Person :black_small_square:

Dimitri, Edelgard, Claude and Rhea approached the Sealed Forest. Solon was still there, watching carefully as if he sensed something from that symbol. Dimitri attacked Solon, but got pushed back with a blast of magic. Then, Byleth reappeared, flying into the vortex of light. His overcoat was damaged and he seemed to be running low on energy. Solon still observed. Then, someone else flew out. They looked like Byleth but there were clear differences. Different clothes, height different gender too! Not to mention the three Hero Relic weapons surrounding the girl.

"Areadbhar, but how!?"

"What the... Aymr?!"

"Hey, that's Failnaught!"

Rhea seemed to watch in despair as the young woman soared away into the evening sky with the weapons. Solon's mouth dropped in awe as the two lines surrounded by a circle to create an iconic symbol. Rhea, Dimitri, Claude and Edelgard had no choice but to retreat back to the Monastery yet again.

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:black_small_square: Part 5- Light :black_small_square:

The Monastery was still in shock at the turn of events. Rhea hadn't left her Chambers, the House leaders were solemn, and most of the students were still wrapping their heads around what happened. Then it appeared.

"Seteth, it's urgent, quick!" The Gatekeeper swarmed into his Quarters frantically for help.

"What's the matter, has Byleth come back!?"

"No, it's not good news sir! A giant monster has appeared above Garreg Mach!"

They ran to the Marketplace to see it. There was an overall sense of dread and panic filled the air. Students ran inside, called for the Knights, whatever it took.

"Run, now." Seteth said.

"I'll never abandon my post. I'll defend Garreg Mach no matter what!" the Gatekeeper insisted, standing his ground.

The house leaders ran out, as did some students.

"Goddess, what is that thing!?" Dimitri exclaimed as it seemed to charge up. It fired a wave of light, evaporating everyone in the Monastery. Some completely vanished, never to be seen again. But for others...

"Puppets..."

There are worse fates than death.

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