A Road Less Travelled
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
The first time Celica left Faye behind, she didn't understand what was going on at all.
Perhaps it was because she was too young. Uncle Mycen was the one who had made the decision, and she knew that grown-ups liked to make decisions she didn't always understand. Celica was downcast, and why there was the hint of dried tear stains on her cheeks, but there was a deeper sadness lurking in her, and the source of that was unknown to Faye.
Or maybe it was because she didn't know enough. The world outside Ram – where Celica had come from – was a vast confusing place. Celica had her secrets, things from her past she didn't want to talk about. And though Celica would say nothing to confirm or deny it, Faye knew that whatever was troubling her had to have come from the outside. The knights that had attacked them was proof enough of that.
But whatever the reason, she knew only one thing: That Celica was going away, and that she was unlikely to ever come back.
When it was time to say farewell, they gathered at the village gates. Her friends shuffled their feet, fidgeted and glanced at each other and at the ground. None of them were used to the idea of saying goodbye for good.
"I'll miss all of you," Celica said to them. She looked resigned. Tired. "Take care of yourselves, okay?"
That moment felt like it deserved something more, some grand statement about how they would always be friends and how one day they'd see each other again, but Faye was still reeling from her encounter with the knights, and her mind was blank. She didn't know what to do, or what to say.
Celica solved that issue by embracing her, throwing her arms around her neck. And Faye found herself automatically returning the gesture, even as her mind remained blank and her mouth stayed dry.
"Goodbye."
Celica's final word to her was spoken in hurried whisper – Uncle Mycen was urging speed and they had no time for anything else. Faye stood there, watching silently as Celica was settled onto the horse and carried away.
Long after they had vanished from view, Faye continued to stare at the empty gates, a hard knot in her belly and an aching emptiness in her chest.
And though it was a silly, foolish thought Faye still couldn't help but wonder-
Is there anything I could have done?
If I hadn't been so scared of the knights...
If I'd been able to stand up for myself...
If things had been different...
Would Celica have been able to stay after all?
No answer was given in the silence of Celica's departure, and after that there was nothing for Faye to do but to turn and walk away.
(X)
The entrance to Duma's Tower is unguarded. That's just as well; Faye really doesn't want to get into another battle right then.
A grim silence settles on the party as they step into the cavernous hallway of the place. More than the pain of loss, there's the unspoken understanding that they are well and truly in the heart of the Duma Faithful's realm, and in the seat of their power.
Their footsteps seem to echo in the vastness of the chamber, and as Faye looks around the place, she cannot help the feeling that the entire place is designed to intimidate and cow those who approach it. It stands as a monument to power, and scornful pride.
It feels unreal. Here they are, at the farthest end of the continent. This is where Mila is supposed to be held. The final struggle, assuming there even is one, will be held here.
And yet now, at this crucial moment, Faye finds that she can't concentrate. Everything seems to be swimming in and out of focus. Her limbs burn with an unnatural fatigue, and her thoughts continue to churn and roil as they venture deeper into the bastion.
Celica. Celica. She had led them all here. For what? If asked a day ago Faye would have said that they were here to bring back Mila. Even if by some chance she had grown mad, they could worry about all that after she was safely returned to Zofia. But now... what was Celica planning? What did she intend with that man; the one who had killed Sonya?
Sonya. As her thoughts drift back to the deceased, Faye feels her throat tighten again, and she swallows, trying to force the pain down. Her breath comes out in harsh gasps, and she feel the same sensation of helpless panic as when she'd been looking down at Sonya's broken body.
Ahead of them, she can hear Saber giving commands and directing them to move further in. A quick glance to the side tells her that Celica is in no fit state to be taking charge right now. And Faye can't help the warring impulses of worry and vindictive anger that flare in her.
Scattered shouts of warning from up ahead tell her that they've made contact with members of the Faithful, but their numbers are few and they are easily dispatched. Faye isn't even needed to heal anyone, and neither is Genny.
Genny. A pang strikes her heart as she realizes that she's been so wrapped up in her own thoughts and anger that she had forgotten about her friend. She turns, and sees Genny leaning heavily on her staff as she totters forward, looking on the verge of collapse. Mae and Boey are at her side, looking unsure if they should physically support her or not.
Swallowing again, Faye crosses the distance between them. "Genny?" Her voice is soft, as if she's subconsciously afraid that speaking too loud will cause her friend to shatter.
There's no response.
"Genny," she repeats, just a little louder this time. "Genny, are you o-"
"I- I didn't-" Genny speaks up, her voice trembling with strain. She doesn't look Faye in the eye. "I couldn't do anything. I couldn't save her. All my training, and practice and – and-" The shaking in her shoulders becomes more violent and her breath now comes in rapid gasps.
And Faye doesn't know what to say. How to respond. Her hands are shaking as they find their way to her shoulders, grasping on to her, offering – support? Comfort? She doesn't know?
Out of the corner of her eye she sees Mae, hesitantly opening her mouth as if trying to say something, but it's not her voice that rings through the halls.
"Pull yourself together," Deen is glaring at her with his one good eye as he stands, arms folded. "If the enemy attacks in force you'll be helpless the way you are now."
"That's enough, Deen," Saber snaps from the other side of their group. He turns and walks closer, giving a concerned glance in Genny's direction as he does so. "She's just had a huge shock. Give her the time she needs."
"We're in enemy territory. That means you're either an asset or a liability." Deen shakes his head once. "We don't have time to indulge your selfishness, girl."
Fury surges in Faye, white-hot, and she whirls on him, fists clenched and teeth bared. "What?" Her voice is shrill and it echoes off the cavernous walls. "Selfish? How dare you! I don't know if you even know what the word means, but Sonya was our friend-!" A hand on her shoulder silences her and she glances backwards to see - "Genny?"
She shakes her head once, a numbed expression on her face. But then she raises her eyes, meeting Deen's without flinching.
"Then who is she crying for?" Deen's gaze is even as he looks at the cleric. "Sonya? The dead have no use for your tears. If you care for those around you, then use your strength to protect those you still can. And save the mourning for when the battles are done."
Genny is silent, but after a long moment she draws in a deep breath and nods. Her grip on her staff tightens, and though her eyes are still watery, she stands straighter now, and her face is calm.
"You're right." Her voice is soft but clear. "I'll have time to grieve for Sonya later."
Deen doesn't say anything else, but Faye thinks she sees him moving his head – something like a nod – before he turns, keeping an eye on what lies ahead. The rest of the party continues walking, although Faye notes that Mae and Boey are still sticking close to Genny.
"Well damn," she hears Saber mutter and give a smile – a look of pride? – as he looks at Genny walking ahead. "Sure as hell wasn't much of a pep talk. But it looks like it worked."
"She's still hurting," Faye mumbles. We all are. And though Genny is making an effort to focus now, Faye knows the pain runs deep and raw and it won't go away so easily.
"I know she is." He turns and gives her a sideways look. "I know you are too."
And Faye doesn't respond. What is there to say?
A moment of silence as the two continue walking. Finally, Saber sighs.
"I got the feeling this would happen. Just... never thought it would be this late."
"...This?"
"Well," he shrugs, as if uncomfortable at the thought, "somebody dying, I mean. Not exactly something unheard of in battle and all. Hell, with the princess and her friends being a bunch of greenhorns, I would've guessed it would've happen a lot sooner, too."
"Greenhorns?" The word doesn't fit Celica nor her friends – not from when she'd first seen them again after so many years back in Ram. They already bore the marks of people who had seen combat firsthand, and who had taken lives before.
But then she supposes Saber would have met them before this.
"Yeah, when the lass was just setting out," Saber speaks his confirmation before Faye has a chance to ask. "Priory girl – probably never seen the outside of the place in years. A ripe mark for anyone to scam. Figured bodyguarding someone like her would be easy money, especially with the dagger she was willing to put up as payment."
Faye can't help herself, and she lets out a snort at the idea that trekking all the way from southern Zofia to the northernmost point of Rigel and getting involved in countless battles along the way was anything approaching 'easy'.
Saber smiles as well, a quick flash of emotion before it vanishes. "First time she decided to go pick a fight with pirates, I thought she had a death wish. She and her friends from the place. 'Course I wasn't too worried about myself, but those kids... hell, maybe the Mother really was watching over them, given how often they made it out without a scratch."
Another pause. From ahead comes Palla's voice – they've found the stairs that lead higher up the tower. And the group quickens their pace.
"To be honest, I figured it couldn't last. Sooner or later one of them was going to mess up out there, and then we'd be down a man." Saber shakes his head. "Had a speech all planned out too. How this wasn't fun and games or some swashbuckling adventure on the high seas. Being reckless and looking for fights you don't need comes with a price."
"But you didn't need to use it." Faye's voice is a soft murmur.
"No... after a while I figured the princess knew what she was doing." Saber sighs. "And I think giving her that speech now would just be a little too condescending. No one wants to lose someone... but at this point it's not like everyone doesn't know the stakes."
The irony in Saber's words cause Faye to flinch, though thankfully Saber doesn't appear to notice. She manages a nod as she looks ahead to where Celica is walking, her back to them, her sword drawn.
Choking down the sudden surge of emotion, Faye takes a deep breath and quickens her pace.
(X)
As they proceed through the tower, they quickly run into guardians – more priests and soldiers of the Faithful, as well as Terrors that stand in silent vigil. And further on, spectral soldiers that bear an eerie resemblance to the ones that Genny had called up in the desert so long ago, wading into the melee with a deathly silence.
"Rest now," she hears Conrad say after they succeed in putting down another wave of the ghostly warriors, "you who swore eternal service to Duma. Your long watch is at an end." He makes a strange gesture that she supposes is significant to the Duma Faith before moving on.
The battles are over quickly, but they still tax the party, and Faye is grateful for the chance to rest when they chance upon a room with a fountain in it. After giving Flora a drink, she stumbles over to a nearby crate and settles herself heavily upon it.
Fights are straightforward. In there, there is only survival, and victory. Defeating the foe, driving them off, and being allowed to proceed. Whenever calm descends and Faye is left to the silence of her thoughts, her thoughts rise to torment her again.
The pinnacle. Celica had promised that everything would be made clear there.
She closes her eyes, presses her hands to her forehead. She wants this to all be over. For the dawn to break, for there to be a happy ending...
For her to be able to go home.
A vision swims in her mind. The village, the boys waiting just outside the gates, with open arms and welcoming smiles.
She bites down the bitter laugh. Well, no matter what happens in the tower, that particular flight of fancy wouldn't be coming true any time soon.
Suddenly she feels the weight of a thick cloth settling on her shoulders. She blinks, straightens up – and nearly knocks off the blanket placed on her as she looks up at-
"L- Leon?" she sputters.
"Hey." Leon smiles at her – the light, easy expression she'd seen before. "You looked like you could use some company."
"I-" One hand automatically reaches up to clutch at the blanket. Her mind has suddenly gone blank. All the apologies that she'd first wanted to give him have disappeared, fallen right out of her head. "I'm, I..."
He remains silent, and his expression is understanding as he lets her work her way through her own thoughts before she speaks.
"Why..." she finally asks, her voice quavering. "Why are you..."
"Why?" A raised eyebrow. "Can't I come offer my support to a friend in need?"
A friend? Faye swallows hard and she finds she can't quite meet his gaze. "But I... back in that room, I... I said those awful things to you."
Leon settles himself down beside her on the crate and nods.
"True," He sighs, but the smile remains on his face. "But right now, I think you need to be comforted quite a bit more than I need to protect my silly wounded pride."
She swallows again, and lowers her gaze to the stone floor. She can feel Leon shifting his weight beside her for a moment before he speaks again.
"Faye, listen. I'm not going to say that those words weren't hurtful. I'm not going to pretend I wasn't angry. But that doesn't mean that I'm going to ignore you when you're so obviously in pain."
The words are gentle and warm – a soothing promise of reconciliation and friendship. And Faye finds herself clutching to them like a lifeline. Anything to help make sense of this world she finds herself in now.
"You'd really forgive me? After... everything?"
Leon doesn't reply for a long moment. And then, "I know, Faye. I know the kind of burning anger that leads you to lash out. How the whole world feels dark and empty, and you're in so much pain that it ends up spilling out to others around you." He closes his eyes, and lets out a sad chuckle. "I know, because I did the same thing you did."
Faye blinks. "What?"
"It was just after Gareth..." Leon breaks off, shakes his head once. "That was the name of my... the man I used to love. I told you I was devastated. And I told you that Valbar was the one who helped me recover."
Faye nods. She remembers that night on the fortress walls.
"What I didn't tell you is that... well. The first time Valbar tried to cheer me up, I became furious instead. I yelled at him and told him I didn't need his pity. That he could take his fancy speeches and shove it." He laughs once, a hollow sound, and one hand reaches up to massage his temple. "He was just trying to make me feel better, and I poured scorn on him for it."
"Leon..."
"It's all right. He didn't give up on me. He gave me some time to cool off, and then he tried again." His gaze shifts over to where Valbar is standing guard. "And... well, here we are now. The point is, I know. I've been there. And so, I'll be there for you, as long as you need me to."
Faye feels something welling up in her chest, and for a moment she feels like she's going to burst. Instead she hangs her head. Even if Leon is being nice to her now, even if he says it okay... she needs to say it, too.
"I'm sorry." Her words are a husky whisper.
"It's all right." A pause, and when he speaks again, his voice is warm. "Do you want a hug?"
She doesn't trust herself to speak, and instead she nods.
A moment later, Leon's arms wrap around her, holding her close to him. Faye closes her eyes, and for a moment, she doesn't think. She doesn't worry. She just lets herself feel the sensation of being held, or being supported by someone who is there for her.
"We'll get through this, Faye." Leon's voice holds a confidence she so desperately wants to feel. "You hear me? We'll get through all this together. So hang in there. Just for a little while longer."
(X)
"Why?" Her mounting frustration and anger and anxiety boiled over, bursting out in this single demand as she stared at Uncle Mycen. "Why did Celica have to leave?"
Uncle Mycen didn't reply immediately as he looked down at her. His house – the house Celica had stayed in while she was living in Ram – felt emptier, even though it was still occupied by two of the three people who had lived there.
Things had changed since Celica had left. Hanging out with the boys felt awkward now; none of them had adjusted to Celica's sudden disappearance that well, and Faye knew she hadn't either. In Ram, sleepy quiet Ram where things almost never changed, such a sudden loss was even more jarring to them than it would have normally been.
And Celica's disappearance had hit Alm hardest of all. For the past week he'd done almost nothing but mope. Either that or wander the fields outside the village, staring off into the distance for something only he could see. Faye had always accompanied him, feeling silly and out of place as she stood watching, unable to make Alm feel better.
And she was mad too, at the loss of the only female friend she had made in her village. And she still didn't understand why. Even after his return, Uncle Mycen had refused to speak of the matter any further – at least in public.
And so she had followed him to his home. She knew Alm wouldn't be there – not during this time of the day. If there was any time where she could confront him about the matter, it would be now.
She folded her arms, trying to show that she wasn't about to back down from this issue.
"Didn't I tell you already?" He looked to the side, brow furrowed as he crossed his own arms in unconscious mimicry of her gesture. "It was for her own safety. Ram was no longer a safe place for her to stay, and so she had to find somewhere else."
"That doesn't tell me anything!" Faye snapped. "You're just avoiding the question, Uncle!"
If it were her father or mother, Faye would never have taken that tone – but Uncle Mycen seemed to welcome it, if and only if it was something she felt was truly important.
Another long moment of silence. And then Uncle Mycen nodded.
"Fair enough, girl." His voice was gruff, but not harsh as he settled himself heavily onto a chair. "You don't deserve me playing word games about this."
She smiled and balled her fists in an unconscious symbol of victory. Yes! "So that means-"
"So I'll come out and say it outright: I can't tell you."
The words were unexpected enough that she didn't respond immediately and stood there blinking for a long moment. That moment passed, and she shook her head.
"But..."
"Faye." Uncle Mycen took a deep breath. "People have secrets. Secrets they don't always want to tell others. And Celica has a secret too. It's why she left Ram – to keep it, and herself, safe."
She frowned. Despite his promise, it seemed like Uncle was just speaking in riddles again. "But you know what that secret is?"
"I do." A nod from him. "And I know what you're going to ask next, so let me tell you this: The secret is Celica's. Not mine. It's not my place to reveal it."
And that statement hurt, probably more than he'd intended it to. Because it meant that Celica hadn't found her deserving of being included in... whatever it was that she wanted to keep a secret.
"But why?" She wasn't looking at Uncle Mycen any longer. Her gaze was now on the floor, as she dug through the memory of the two of them together. "Doesn't Celica... trust me? I thought... I thought we were friends."
"And I'm sure she thought the same." Uncle's voice became softer. "If you're worried that her keeping secrets meant she didn't think much of you, then perish the thought, Faye."
He stood and walked closer to her before crouching and laying a hand on her shoulder. She could feel the roughness of his skin through the thin cloth, and she had to resist the urge to fidget.
"Keeping that secret was to keep you safe. You, and Alm, and the rest of your friends. Because some secrets are dangerous, and the less people are exposed to that danger, the better."
Faye couldn't claim to understand that, but suddenly she remembered sneering knights in armour, and the way their leader had looked at Celica like a predator hunting prey, and she felt a shudder go up her spine.
"So," Uncle continued. "Trust in Celica, Faye. And the friendship you two had. Secrets or not, it's still real."
That was a comforting thought, she supposed. But that worry aside, what really concerned her was-
"Uncle?"
"What is it, girl?"
"... Do you think I'll ever see Celica again?"
A smile split Uncle's face, and he nodded once.
"I believe so, Faye. In fact, I'm quite sure you will."
(X)
The guards barring their path become more numerous the higher up they go, and the fights are starting to take their toll on the party.
After one particular tough battle against what had appeared like a swarm of Necrodragons, Faye finds herself leaning on her staff, her breathing ragged. She's not wounded – at least, not seriously, but the effort required to keep everyone on their feet is taxing her far more than she'd like to admit.
"Faye?" Catria's voice comes from behind her, and Faye looks over her shoulder to see the rider walking up. Flight was difficult even in a space as large and vast as Duma's Tower, and so she had been riding her pegasus like a horse, only taking flight in short bursts when the situation called for it.
Thoughts of that reminded her of Flora, who still walks at her side. There was no place for her to be left in safety, this deep in enemy territory, and she remains beside Faye, clearly distressed by the battles taking place all around her. Briefly Faye wondered if she should have left the pegasus in the care of Layna back in the Hamlet. But that wouldn't work – she knows that Flora wouldn't have allowed anyone but Faye to groom or properly take care of her.
She reaches up a comforting hand to stroke her pegasus' neck. It's okay, girl. It'll be over... soon.
Yes. Soon.
"Catria." she nods back.
"How are you holding up?" Catria looks over her, and silently Faye wonders if she really does look as awful as she feels. She glances down at her clothes, notes the rips and tears, the dark patches of caked grime and mud. The stains of dried blood and the fresh cuts and scratches that cross her arms.
"I'm fine." She nods and tries to keep her her expression resolute. "I mean, the fights are hard, but I doubt I have it harder than anyone here."
"That's good, but..." Catria trails off, licks her lips, and suddenly Faye realizes that she's nervous about something. "That wasn't what I was talking about."
Faye doesn't respond immediately. Instead she takes a deep breath, and waits for Catria to continue.
"I know that... well, losing Sonya was something of a shock."
"Of course it was," Faye looks up at Catria, her brow furrowed. "Sonya was my – our-"
The grief is still raw, and it comes in ebbs and flows. Now, as she thinks on it again, Faye finds herself rubbing at her eyes.
"I know. I mean..." Catria took a deep breath. "It's the first time you've lost a friend to... to war, isn't it?"
Yes, she supposes that's true. And Faye knows that Catria is a veteran of the wars that had spanned her own homeland and her continent.
"Yeah, that's true." She takes a deep breath. "I guess you'd be pretty used to this by now, huh?"
And as soon as the words leave her mouth Faye knows she's put her foot in it again, but Catria doesn't take offense, merely letting out a sad chuckle instead.
"Used to it? No. I don't think it's something I'll ever get used to. But I..." Another pause.
And Faye's own frown deepens. It wasn't like Catria to be so hesitant in her speech. She was reserved, yes – at least moreso than her sisters. But when she had something to say, she usually said it.
"Is something...?"
"No, it's just..." Catria finally sighs, and one hand reaches up to push through her hair. "After that fight back in the swamp, I... well, I couldn't help but notice that you and Celica were arguing. And that argument didn't appear to end well."
That's an understatement and they both know it. Her grip on Flora's reins tightens as she looks away.
"Losing one's comrades is always a harsh blow," Catria gaze is downcast, but her voice is kind. "But don't lose yourself to grief and anger, Faye. And you shouldn't take the anger out on others, either."
Catria's word pierce deeper than she knows, and Faye finds she has to lower her gaze. "I'm not taking it out on anyone," she mumbles.
"So you don't blame Celica for leading us here?"
The statement, hitting so close to the mark and yet missing entirely, elicits another snort from Faye.
I want her to tell me what's going on.
I want to know what she's hiding.
I want to know... why she doesn't trust me enough to just tell me the truth.
"Do you think all of Celica's decisions are the right ones, then?" She asks, daring Catria to respond. Celica's decision to lead them through the swamp. Celica's decision to try to negotiate with that man...
"Of course not. Our leaders are human. They're not perfect. The make mistakes." Her expression is now weary as she shakes her head. "But the mistakes that Celica do make, Faye... they weigh her down. Don't think for a second she doesn't feel Sonya's death just as harshly as you or Genny does."
That thought settles down hard in her stomach, Faye's knowledge of Celica's kindness, her compassion, her sense of duty, warring with the knowledge that she insists on keeping her secrets, even in the face of death.
Would being unable to explain why the man who killed Sonya was there make Celica feel even worse?
And for a moment, vindictive bitterness and compassion for her friend both crash together in Faye, and she closes her eyes, feeling a rush of dizziness.
"Faye?"
"I'm – I'm fine," she mumbles, one hand reaching up to rub at her temples. "I just... even if what you say is true, Catria... how am I supposed to know that when Celica just... keeps it all bottled up? I can't – she won't open up to me at all! How am I supposed to..." She trails off and shakes her head, frustrated. Supposed to what? Even she isn't entirely sure.
Support? Berate? Comfort? Dissuade?
And at this Catria does look to where Celica is standing, still looking ahead, down the corridor, towards the next flight of stairs.
"I know what you mean," her smile is rueful, and her gaze is distant, as if she is pulling up memories of old. "Bottling it all up... I guess she doesn't want anyone else to worry. But of course that will just make her friends worry all the more. And we can only hope the pressure itself doesn't become too great."
"I guess..." Faye's chuckle is weary too as she takes another deep breath and squares her shoulders. "Well... if there's anything that's bothering you, you can let me know about it, okay?"
A short laugh and a nod from Catria. "Of course. And same to you."
The conversation ends there as their march continues. They're nearing the top now. Faye can feel it.
Their destination lies just ahead.
(X)
The second time Celica tries to leave Faye behind, she still doesn't understand everything that's going on. She only knows that this time, she can't let it happen.
Upon stepping out onto the pinnacle of the tower, the first thing Faye sees is the sky. Of course the sky is always hard to miss, but up here it almost seems a living thing, black stormy clouds roiling over, with angry rumbles of distant thunder a constant backdrop.
The second thing she sees is the man standing there, smiling at them. Jedah. Sonya's killer. Almost instinctively, she brings her staff up, holding it in a ready position.
The man's gaze sweeps over their group, his eyes appearing to look past all of them until they settle on Celica.
"So you made it after all, your highness. Most impressive." His smile grows wider as he takes a step forward. "To have surpassed all of the tower's guardians, and so quickly too! Keh heh heh... Well then. Allow me to welcome you to Duma's Tower!"
"Where is Mila?" Celica steps forward, a cold glare on her face. "I will see her now, as promised. Bring her out."
"Patience, patience." The man shakes his head once, and his smile takes a mocking bent. "I am afraid I lack the means to carry so heavy a burden up here just for you."
And Faye frowns at his choice of word. The way he said it, it was as if Mila was incapable of-
"But if you merely wish to see her, then I can oblige. Behold your precious Earth Mother!"
Jedah spreads his arms, and the air before him seems to ripple, morphing into a sort of window that Faye and the others can peer through. And in that window, she sees-
She blinks. The image is... strange. Nothing like what she had expected. A statue? Of a...
Suddenly realization hits and she feels a lurch in her stomach, and her knees spasm under her.
Mila.
Divine Dragon Mila.
That statue...
"Wha – what have you done?!" Celica's horrified cry sounds distant, as Faye herself perceives that the Earth Mother has – the Earth Mother is-
"She's been turned to stone!"
"What? That's... Mila?"
"That sword in her brow! That's... isn't that Falchion?"
All at once a flurry of outraged voices, and Faye finds herself clutching at her chest.
Mila. The Earth Mother. Goddess, and Protector of Zofia.
Stone.
Dead?
They had crossed the continent, invaded Rigel, fought battle after battle against the Empire and the Duma Faithful... for this?
"See for your own eyes, what Mila has chosen!" Over the swell of voices, she hears Jedah's, a triumphant ring in his words. "Oh yes, your highness! This was Mila's own doing! When Rudolf pierced her with Falchion, she chose to turn herself to stone, sealing the blade away as well! Even I know not her motives in doing so. But the facts cannot be denied! Mila did this of her own will! Mila has left her precious children, to their own fate!"
A soft thump, and Faye turns to see that Celica has fallen to her knees. Her eyes are wide with shock as she stares, unseeing, at the altar that holds Mila's petrified form.
"This... this can't be." Celica shakes her head once. "Mila... have you abandoned us after all? Is this... is this truly your will? I don't understand..."
"Kya ha ha! If you must understand, then understand this! There is but one solution to the dilemma you face! You know it to be true!" Jedah's smile widens and he stretches out his hand. "Come, Anthiese! Daughter of fate! As we agreed, offer your soul, so that Duma's own might be purified!"
And suddenly everything, everything, falls into place, and everything about the entire situation makes all too much sense.
"Celica." Faye's voice is barely above a whisper, outrage choking it down to almost nothing.
This is what you couldn't tell me. This is what you've been keeping secret.
Not about Mila. Not about Duma. About... yourself. About what you planned to do.
"Offer your soul?" Mae's eyes widen. "Celica! No way! That's insane!"
"Anthiese!" Conrad's voice now. "No! You promised me not to throw your life away!"
"I have... no choice." Celica speech is slow, almost trance-like. Her gaze is still transfixed by the image on the altar. And as Faye looks closely, she can see that Celica is shivering. With fear? "If Mila... with Mila gone... then, only Duma is left. His soul must be saved... for the sake of Valentia's people. Even if... even if it costs me my own."
The words sound like a death knell.
"Celica! Stop!" Mae's voice, wild and desperate. "You can't do this! Please!"
"The princess does not need your distractions!" Jedah's face now forms a dark mask, and he gestures once. "Begone now, to wherever you will!"
Suddenly the floor below them begins glowing, and Faye feels a sense of lightheadedness. As if she's floating in the air.
A Warp spell...?
Her gaze whips back and forth, until suddenly it lands on Celica.
Celica, still on her knees.
Celica, pale and shivering.
Celica.
Alone.
She doesn't understand everything that's going on. Mila, now petrified. Duma, going mad.
But one thing she does know.
Celica is leaving her behind, again.
Once more, to an uncertain future.
And she can't-
She can't let that happen.
Not again.
Her staff, grasped with all the strength she can muster, strikes the ground once.
Clang.
A single note, long and sonorous, of metal striking hard against polished rock.
And Celica begins to glow silver-white. She whips around, a look of alarm on her face, as she looks directly at Faye.
Jedah's eyes widen. "What-"
The world around her dissolves into blinding white.
But.
But, an instant before that happens-
She sees Celica's body starting to fade, too.
And then, crimson agony, crushing pain like she is being impaled by a thousand needles, sears her body, and she opens her mouth to cry out, just before everything fades into darkness and silence.
(X)
"You sure you know how to do this?" Celica glanced over her shoulder at Faye, a worried look on her face.
"Of course I am." Faye stuck her tongue out in concentration as she continued to work on braiding Celica's hair. "I've been doing this for myself since I was six, you know! Now hold still!"
"Huh!" Celica hums a note, sounding impressed. "I didn't know how to take care of my own hair when I was six!"
There was a pause. Around the two girls were the sounds of cicadas and crickets. The waxing moon shone down on the two of them through the window, combining with the candles Uncle Mycen had provided to illuminate the room.
Then Celica sighed. "Well, I still don't know much about working with hair, to be honest. Mostly it's just... there."
"Well, you should learn how!" She paused to retrieve one of her ribbons, tying it swiftly around the first braid. "Your hair's really pretty, you know? It'd be a waste if you didn't learn how to take care of it."
"Well..." Celica shrugged. "I don't know. Grandpapa's great at a lot of things, but I don't think he knows much about this sort of thing."
Faye shrugged. "I could teach you!"
"Really?" Celica blinked and almost looked behind her, only stopping when Faye scolded her again not to move. "I mean... you'd be willing to?"
"Sure! It might take a while, but... well, it's not like you're going anywhere."
There was silence in response.
"Celica?" Faye leaned over. "Did I say something wr-?"
"Hm? Oh, no, of course not! It's just... well, I don't know if I may have to leave someday."
Faye frowned at that. She didn't like to think about Celica leaving, not after she'd finally come out of her shell and started to make friends with her and the other kids.
"Well, I hope you stay a good long while, then!" She said, and nodded for emphasis. "After all, I still have to teach you all I know about making hair look nice!"
Celica giggled and nodded. "Of course!"
"And!" Faye continued. "Even if you do go away, we'll still always be friends, Celica! For ever and ever!"
She had expected that statement to be met with a quick response of affirmation, but instead Celica stilled.
Faye blinked. "Celica?"
"Forever's a really long time, you know?" And Celica was like that again. There was some hint of sadness or melancholy hanging about her that Faye never really knew how to dispel. Well, not normally.
'Celica just needs a friend. Someone who'll be by her side.' That was what Uncle Mycen had told her. So she hoped this reassurance was enough.
"Don't worry!" Faye said, injecting every bit of confidence she could into those words. "I don't give up on the ones I care about! Never ever!"
A pause, and then to her delight, Faye could see a smile coming across Celica's face. "Do you promise?"
"I promise! Friends, for ever and ever!"
A quick nod. "For ever and ever," she repeated, her voice soft.
As the night wore on, the two of them remained. Two friends, talking and laughing with each other.
Chapter End
Author's Notes: So yeah. Been keeping quite a few Chekhov Guns ready to fire over the endgame.
The Rescue spell, for one.
Otherwise, I think I can let this chapter speak for itself, mostly.
Thanks very much for reading this! Comments and reviews would be very much appreciated!