Four Reflections: Scarlet Carnation

Rose-Colored Glasses

There was an orange glow that danced over the horizon and Byleth could hear the screams even before they reached the hill that overlooked Remire village.

"Let's pick up the pace," Jeralt broke out into a gallop.

Byleth followed close behind with Shamir at his side. He could hear his students' footsteps quicken. His chest felt tight, as if someone were standing on it. Solon was no doubt waiting for them, but the thought that he might also be accompanied by Monica and maybe even the Death Knight made him uneasy.

Byleth might be able to take on any one of them, but if they planned to make a stand here and now, he was unsure his students would be ready.

Jeralt came to a sudden stop at the top of the hill. His eyes peered downward though he did not say a word. It was only a moment before Byleth saw what he did as he came to stop beside his father.

Remire village was not a large town, but no less than half of the residential shacks and buildings had been set ablaze. Their flames danced wildly and emphasized the shadows of the villagers that ran frantically past the fires.

From this distance, it was hard to tell who had been afflicted and who was in fear for their lives.

"It's..." Annette had reached them at the top of the hill, "it's horrible!"

"We must get down there!" Ferdinand began moving forward, but Byleth put his arm across his chest to stop him.

"We have to assess our battlefield first," Byleth simply replied.

"B-but... the villagers!" Ferdinand protested.

"I know it's hard," Byleth did not feel like explaining himself, but he knew his students would easily rush head-first into the battle without a plan. "But we must first identify the characters of the infected and strongholds."

"Is that...'' Jeralt narrowed his vision as he stared at something in the distance. "Is that Tomas?"

"Tomas?" Flayn breathed heavily. "Hopefully he has not been injured!"

Byleth followed his gaze to see the old librarian standing on an opposite hill, and beside him, the Death Knight. He could barely see them through the rising smoke.

"He certainly doesn't seem to be in any danger," Jeralt clenched his jaw. His voice was barely audible over the myriad of overlapping screams. Some were shrieks, some called out the names of a loved one, others pleaded for their lives.

It was true. Tomas stood on the hill and peered down at the carnage. However, Byleth already knew Solon was only there to revel in his destruction.

He returned his eyes to the town below and watched the villagers carefully.

"My teacher," Edelgard squeezed her way to stand beside him. "How much longer must we wait?"

"There," Jeralt ignored the students. He lifted his finger and pointed at what appeared to be three strange villagers. "Look at their arms, they're not moving to and fro."

Byleth followed his finger and saw what he meant. As they ran, they spun their arms wildly, not as a normal person would.

"Alright," Byleth nodded his head. "Stay in your groups, protect each other and target the villagers that are moving erratically."

"Target the residents?" Ingrid lifted her brow as she scrunched her face.

"They're killing each other," Byleth answered. "Our first priority is to protect those that aren't affected. Lysithea, stay close to Shamir."

"Understood," Shamir nodded.

"But professor-"

"She'll protect you," he interrupted her.