Fanfiction Archive

Beneath the forbidding masks that Jeritza and Edelgard wear, they share a bond that others don’t understand.

The Death Knight is the Flame Emperor’s weapon, pointed at the enemy and unleashed. It helps Jeritza sleep at night– when he is able to sleep at night at all– to know the demon that lives inside of him spills blood at least in service of a noble goal. He knows Edelgard feels the same about her own demon.

One day, the demons will be quiet, perhaps. Edelgard and Jeritza will sit in the garden and wallow together in peace rather than blood.

The Death Knight and the Flame Emperor find themselves back to back, covered in blood and surrounded by foes. They are cut off from the rest of their army. For a mere two soldiers, the fight looks worse than hopeless.

No words pass between them. There is no flesh exposed to touch. They click the fingers of their gauntlets together briefly. It is enough to pass the sentiment between them. 

They will live or die shoulder to shoulder. Either way will be a beautiful, fearsome dance. 

Perhaps they will die in a pool of each other’s blood.

Today, they live.

“You’re a terror with that axe, but your swordsmanship needs work,” Jeritza stands close behind Edelgard. He whispers, so no one else on the training field can hear. “After all, wasn’t it you who gave me the scythe  and told me that versatility was a virtue? Here, let me.”

He puts his arms around her like an embrace, his calloused hands over her small ones, showing her how to hold the weapon. He feels her lean against him for support, just for a moment. Before she remembers herself. She stands more firmly. He still feels the intimacy of her warmth.