Rhea hit the ground face first, surrounded only by death and chaos. She should have prevented this, but now it was much too late. Ever since the incident at the Holy Tomb things had gone downhill non-stop, leading to a chase that had lasted for weeks, without signs of help arriving, and eventually ending here. The attack of the Flame Emperor and the bandits, them being cut-off and on the run, chased by the empress and her followers until eventually Rhea and Byleth had been isolated and surrounded in a badly battered bridge. Both women were far from defenceless, the former mercenary being a skilled swordswoman and the archbishop being a powerful magic user and quite the brawler, but the standoff had been going for hours now, and it didn’t seem to have an end in sight as more enemies arrived. The sword slashed and stabbed while magical projectiles of all sorts flew at them, the archbishop punching to death anyone that got within her range, and taking the life from them with ease. It was an image that Byleth had not envisioned, but Rhea threw punches around in a way that gave away that she had plenty of experience doing so. However, the weariness and fatigue had started to set in, and slowly, each enemy resisted their weakening attacks with notable ease.

In such an occasion one of them had managed to sneak and almost stab the archbishop after dodging Byleth’s attack, the woman being too slow to react on time, and having been saved by an arrow shot by an unknown sniper. This allowed them to resist for a little while longer, but eventually they were overwhelmed. A lance landed a solid hit on Byleth’s chest, while Rhea received a barrage of arrows on her abdomen, both women falling to the ground. The enemies cheered, charging at them to finish the job and Rhea tried to reach for the swordswoman, who was currently twitching uncontrollably and trying not to bleed out, without any success.

However, before the enemies could finish them off completely, the bridge let a creaking sound and gave away, both women and attackers falling to the dark waters below. The river’s flow was already dark, but in the middle of the night it would be impossible to see anything. Desperate, Rhea reached her hand out, finding Byleth’s long hair by sheer chance. They had bonded quite a bit during their attempt at outrunning their enemies, and she had come to care for the woman, even if there were also other factors at play. She held to it, and pulled the other woman close to her. Perhaps, in a twisted way, she would accomplish the goal she had in mind this whole time. This was her last thought as her consciousness faded to black, not letting go of the unconscious swordswoman.

&&

Rhea slowly opened her eyes, her consciousness returning to her after having the most vivid nightmare. Her memories were jumbled, and she slowly sat up, as her body ached and hurt. She would have sat up completely, but a growing pain coming from her abdomen impeded her to do so, as she lied down once again, resting a hand on her abdomen trying to ease the pain. It was only the when she finally noticed three things. First, the room was entirely alien to her, most definitely not being on hers. Second, her abdomen was covered in bandages, which led her to a terrifying realization; and third, she was sharing the bed with someone else, who turned out to be Byleth herself. For a single moment, Rhea’s heart skipped a beat, but then relaxed as she noticed the woman’s chest rising and lowering as she breathed.
Looking around, she found they were in quite the spartan room, barely having any furniture besides the bed. Their sheets however were as silky and delicate as those found back in her room in the monastery. Sighing tiredly, Rhea covered her eyes with one hand, running it over her face while she tried to come to terms with their situation. They were alive, but seemed to have lost everything. They had been tended to, but the room certainly bore resemblance to the infirmary of a prison or the dungeons of a castle. Due to all of this, the archbishop wasn’t able to tell where they stood now, whether they were guests or prisoners.

- Are you awake?

The voice drew Rhea’s attention immediately, but the origin of it was something, or rather someone she did not expect at all. Leaning against the wall of the room, watching over both of them, was a woman. This wouldn’t have been all that extraordinary, considering she employed females like Shamir or Catherine, but extraordinary was the only words she could think of to describe this woman. She was completely nude, acting with complete naturality, leaning against the wall while keeping her arms crossed on her chest, every part of her visible to the confused and somewhat flustered archbishop. Her body, lean and athletic, had a sensuality of its own, and her long hair that was tied on a long ponytail only added to it. But her most interesting aspect had to be the fact that she looked like metal, a dark green metal that seemed to had a sheen of her own. As she approached the bed, leaving her previous post, Rhea affirmed to herself that she was indeed made of metal, as her feet let out a metallic sound when she walked. Currently she stood next to the bed where Rhea lay, and her blank eyes looked down at her examining her from her to toe, taking special attention on her abdomen.

- Well, you came back, that’s some progress. We should change those bandages soon though; we wouldn’t want those wounds to infect. Would we?

After giving her a thankful smile, Rhea managed to sit up with the woman’s help, shedding the blanket that covered her in the process and revealing her breasts for the metallic woman to see. Trying to keep her dignity, Rhea grabbed the blanket and covered herself, although her very bright blush pointed out otherwise. The metallic woman smiled in response, giving her a knowing smile before looking to the other woman in the bed as she stirred.

- I’ll go get what we need, and perhaps bring some help along. I don’t intend to be rude, but she should wake up to change her bandages too. Could you do that?

-  Yes, of course.

As the metallic woman made her way to the door, leaving both women behind, Rhea turned to Byleth, who was still asleep with her usual expression on her face. An almost unwavering stone face that barely showed any emotion. And yet she had been willing to lie her life down for her. However, she turned to the leaving metallic woman before waking her up.

- If it’s not a problem, could you tell me your name?

- It’s Lyn.

- Thank you, Lyn.

- Don’t worry. I’ll be right back, and despite I would leave her be, please wake her up. Alright?

Lyn left the room, closing the door behind her and leaving Rhea with the still slumbering Byleth. The archbishop extended her hand to touch the other woman’s face but stopped midway. She really had to talk with her about… well, both of them. Ever since the visit at the Tomb, the woman’s silky hair had brightened and now looked incredibly similar to her own, despite not being so long and having a rougher appearance. And her eyes did so too, having taken the same light green as her hair had. The signs were there, and this, tied to her expressionless face and attitude, could only lead her to a conclusion, one she was anxious about, despite not showing. She extended her hand again and this time she did reach for the other woman, gently caressing her face like a loving mother would. The reaction was immediate, as Byleth’s eyes opened slowly and focused on her, taking her hand and cracking the tiniest smile. Such gesture warmed Rhea’s heart, but she kept the expression on, the smile disappearing few seconds after as she tried to sit up.

- Let me help you, we’ll be attended in no time.

Rhea spoke softly as she tried to help her up, but she found she was too weak to try to do so in a single move. Slowly and steadily, between the two of them they managed to get Byleth to sit up. However, this had come at the cost of the blanket falling of once again, revealing both of their bodies. Despite having a similar build, a lean body with some curves that had a certain sensuality to it, complimented by more than decent breasts, their reactions couldn’t have been any more apart. Byleth merely looked at Rhea with her usual blank expression, while the archbishop went through several shades of red while she blushed and tried to cover them both without making any sudden move that could accentuate the pain of any of them. After a few embarrassing minutes, they merely sat in silence, Byleth staring at the room and anything it had inside and Rhea trying to calm her blush keeping her eyes glued to the ground.
However, the door opening caught the attention of both, Lyn returning with two other companions, a lilac woman and a maroon one, both of them as metallic as she was. They were quite the image to look at, and while the lilac one seemed to blush somewhat, sticking close to Lyn, the maroon beauty gave them a confident and sultry smile, flaunting her sensual body with deviant-like antics.

- Alright, we are going to change your bandages and we’ll need your collaboration. If you feel your pain gets worse tell us and Loki will take care of you.

- Oh yes- said the maroon woman in an overly sensual tone- I will take very good care of you…

Despite her antics, the following procedure showed that she was quite the skilled healer and magician as she did have to put her skills to use. Their wounds were still closing, but they had leaped massive distances in their healing thanks to Loki…

- Oh my, good to see you are developing nicely. We wouldn’t want those scars on such a lovely body…

…Even if her antics would try to mask this skill making her look like she was less capable than she really was. The changing of bandages took some time, but it went on without a hitch, the used ones being disposed of later and allowing them to keep their recovery, which would take some time.

- We would love to tell you to lie down again, but there’s some things we should talk about. So, if you could accompany us please…

With nothing else to do, Rhea and Byleth took Loki’s help to stand up, the group slowly making their way to their destination. Rhea had tried to cover herself to get out of the room, but the maroon woman had pointed out otherwise, walking off with her as naked as she was. While Byleth merely looked forward or around some times, Rhea couldn’t stop looking at her surroundings. They were in a fort that had definitely seen better days, although that didn’t stop its inhabitants from repairing it and making it liveable and even feel like home. The surroundings were perfect for living, consisting of grasslands with some hills and a clear stream that came to a sparkling sea. However, she did take notice that there was barely any life around. Some birds and other small animals and plants, but forests weren’t exactly abundant and larger animals were none around. She wasn’t exactly thinking about deer, boars or some large predator, but there weren’t any horses or cattle around either.
In their way they did come across another metallic woman, one that seemed to be made of glistening gold. She was as unique and attractive as the rest of the women they had met, but when they entered what seemed a throne room of sorts, Rhea was blown away by the sight of a sensual and voluptuous purple metal woman. Byleth also was amazed, if her slightly open mouth was anything to go by, and the smaller platinum and gold woman sitting next to the purple vixen was just the cherry on top, this one being just as eye-catching.

- Oh, nice to see you two up and running!

- Yes, it really is good to see our two guests on their way to recovery… -said the purple metal woman in a less cheerful tone- Lyn, Florina, mind leaving us for a while. We need to discuss some issues.

- Yes, of course. -Lyn had immediately picked on her serious tone, a dead giveaway when talking with the usually doting and loving Camilla. And if that was not enough her bond with her immediately made those words far more suggesting, so both Lyn and Florina left the room leaving Rhea and Byleth with Camilla, Kiran and Loki.

- I’ll get straight to the point. Loki has briefed us on what the situation is, but we would like to hear your side. And she deserves to know the truth too.

At the mention of that, Rhea paled visibly. She knew she would have to come clean eventually, but she had hoped to do so in her own terms and when she chose to do so. Instead she would have to do so going head first, and the mere thought of the possible outcomes terrified the archbishop. Both Byleth and herself had grown much closer during the last weeks, depending exclusively on each other to survive, and Rhea felt she could be more sincere with the former mercenary than anyone else. The thought of distancing their relation again was enough to dry her throat, leaving her unable to respond.

- Don’t worry -said Loki as she put a hand on Rhea’s shoulders- we have all the time in the world. Just tell things as they are, honesty is quite the good policy if you ask me.

This seemed to calm somewhat the green haired woman, but in her mind, Loki couldn’t help but chuckle. Not so long ago she couldn’t have said that with a straight face. This place and these people were doing so much more to change her attitude and ways than Thorr’s never-ending sermons.
It took some time for Rhea to order her thoughts, but eventually she came out clean. She held nothing back, and gave them a lengthy and detailed explanation that involved herself, her position, the continent of Fodlan and, more importantly, Byleth and the role she had to fulfil when they had first met. However, this had changed in the last weeks, and she was at quite the crossroads due to her conflicting thoughts and desires, even more so that Byleth knew. When she finished, she fell to her knees, not knowing where to look or what to do, as she tried to hold back the tears that welled in her eyes. The silence that set in only made her feel more miserable, but in a way, she felt free, having removed a heavy burden from her shoulders.
What followed was another lengthy and detailed explanation, but this time from Camilla and Kiran, explaining the situation and their nature with the occasional intervention from Loki, who only took part if it was necessary, otherwise standing as silent and still as if she was paralyzed. They also explained that their recovery would still take some time due to not only the severity of their wounds, but also because they had almost drowned in the river before arriving at this place. To wrap it up, they made them the offer they had previously done to Anna, Lyndis and Florina.

- Take your time to think about it. -said Camilla in a much gentler voice. The purple metal woman stood up and walked to the defeated Rhea, kneeling before her and rising her head with a hand while looking at Byleth. - And don’t worry about your past deeds too much alright? You are not the only one with a questionable past.

With that Camilla, Kiran and Loki helped her up, helping her back to the room while Byleth followed. Once there, Rhea quietly lay down in the bed and covered herself with the blankets, remaining like this through the day while Byleth got to know the fort, its surroundings and its inhabitants, only returning at the room when dusk arrived.

&&

A couple of days had passed since Rhea had come out clean, and both the archbishop and the former mercenary thought thoroughly about their future, although they had healed completely by now, and despite not telling anyone they had made their decision. Or at least Byleth had. However, to say that the archbishop had been elusive was to fall so very short of her ability to avoid her, and it was starting to annoy Byleth. She searched up and down all over the fort, asking in few words to any of the metallic women if they had seen her. The answers had been mostly negative, with the exception of Loki, who had caught a sight of her leaving the fort for a nearby hill. After a brief and curtsy thanks, Byleth made her way to Rhea, not wanting to leave any loose ends with their shared history and current situation, even more so if her choice was to follow through. She swiftly made her way to where Loki had pointed out, and true to her word, Rhea was up in the hilltop. It wasn’t until she was a few steps from her that Byleth realized that both of them were nude, amazing her how quickly they had accustomed to the antics of the locals.

- You finally found me.

Byleth kept quiet as she sat down next to her, she wasn’t exactly the best with words, so she preferred if Rhea did the talking, and this would give her a chance to vent out. The former mercenary kept quiet, merely accompanying the former archbishop and enjoying the warmth the sunset gave them.

- I… I honestly didn’t expect you to come looking for me, after what I said.

Byleth kept quiet.

- You do realize that most of your cruel fate has somehow been by my hand, do you not? I… I did so many horrible things to you and those around you, all in my own pursuit of a selfish goal that only got further and further… -Rhea took a moment to compose herself, or rather to maintain some sort of composure- And yet, here you are, next to me… I assume you have reached your decision?

- I have. – Spoke Byleth, surprising the archbishop. – Rhea, I would love to stay here by your side.

After letting out a sound that was a weird cross between a muffled sob and a surprised squeak, Rhea buried her face in her hands and hair, trying to keep herself hidden, only for Byleth to sit right next to her and envelop her with an arm in a show of support.

- I have been so cruel to you… and all the things I have done… And yet, you are still here. -sobbed Rhea- Is it really… do I deserve happiness? Is it wrong for me to have escaped death on that bridge?

- You have been through much of your own Rhea. - Byleth’s voice was calm and cold, and yet, somehow hearing her speak freely made the archbishop infinitely happy- You were pursuing happiness of your own, even if it was another understanding of it. If you allow me, I would like to help you with that.

- You really are a fool. A wonderful fool -said Rhea half sobbing and half chuckling- After all these weeks, I cannot help but to keep you deep in my heart. You are very dear to me, know that. After the tragedy and the solitude, I wanted to see mother again, but perhaps she really is still looking after me.

- You could say that.

- Byleth, my dearest companion, you know what the outcome is for us both if we stay here. And still you want to stay here, with me? -At Byleth’s nodding, Rhea gave her a wide and teary smile. – I love you, so very dearly. And I want nothing more than to spend eternity with you.

- I love you too.

It was a simple and somewhat cold line, but it was enough for them both. Their relation, one long in the making through the most unconventional means, had certainly sped up during the weeks they had spent on the run, and it was about to bloom in a place where they could stay together without any of the worries or problems that had haunted them in the past. Rhea pressed her body against Byleth’s and Byleth reciprocated each gesture, tilting her head against Rhea’s when she did so, both of them enjoying the image the sunset painted and each other before heading back to notify their decision to Camilla and Kiran, along with everyone else.

When they did go back, the metallic women were overjoyed to hear the news, but Camilla decided to give Rhea and Byleth some privacy, only herself and Kiran being in the same room as them and due to necessity. Not that the rest wouldn’t get to have some fun, as Loki would take very good care of them, showing all of her affections and abilities extensively. While Lyn, Florina and Anna were left at the mercy of an unleashed Loki, who quickly took control and kept them going at it for hours through the night, Camilla and Kiran led the two soon-to-be sisters to a room, where the four of them engaged in pleasure. For the two of them, it was the chance to get to know each other in even more depth, in a sense, and they made good on the chance. The expressed themselves fully, giving their best to their lover and working in all the right places, both women gradually transforming and joining the group of metallic beauties. Camilla and Kiran mainly kept to each other, as they left Rhea and Byleth tend to each other, making their bond official. However, as they finished their metallic transformation, Rhea did notice that Byleth, had become much more expressive and vocal, although that thought only lasted for a little while before being engulfed in pleasure. Much like Loki’s, their own affair kept them long and thoroughly occupied, until they eventually passed out in each other’s arms.

&&

Waking from her slumber, Rhea slowly oriented herself and slowly recalled what had transpired the night before. The bed was shared between the four of them, Camilla and Kiran tangled with each other while Byleth and herself were still in each other’s arms, the two of them metallic women now. They were remarkably similar, having similar, well-doted bodies and would fit right in among the rest. The main difference between the two women was, beside their hair, their colour. Rhea was a light green all over, the same she had previously on had in her hair and eyes, while Byleth was a lighter and brighter shade of green, their relation out for anyone to see. Rhea unconsciously ran a hand through her metallic hair and touched her pointy ears, the motion leaving behind a faint noise that seemingly was enough to bring Byleth out her slumber. Watching her wake up, Rhea smiled at her, the former swordswoman smiling back with a wide and bright smile, one previously not seen by the former archbishop.

- Good morning dear.

- Good morning love.

Rhea couldn’t help but chuckle. Ironically, after transforming into what could be considered cold metal, Byleth had become much more expressive and vocal, and she liked much more this side of her lover. Giving each other a peck, they lay together, merely enjoying their presence before their new queens woke and the day started proper. She knew what she had given up, but both Byleth and herself had gotten so much more in exchange, and she was fine with that. In a weird way, her deepest desire had come true in the end.