Epilogue

Semih Lafihna slowly opened the door to the Vestal Chamber, being careful to tread lightly and not make a sound. The Star Sibyl stood at the other side of the room, gazing at the stars of her Planetarium with an expression of wonder and concern.

Semih had seen this look on the Star Sibyl's face before... weeks before the incursion of the emptiness.

She walked forward and stood about ten feet from the Star Sibyl. Not wanting to disturb the Star Sibyl's reading of the stars, she stood silently and waited for some acknowledgment of her presence. She shifted silently as minutes passed and none came.

"Your Holiness..."

The Star Sibyl continued to silently gaze at the stars. Semih continued, "Leah has finally checked in. The Chamberlain, Athaliah, and Ishmael are all now missing."

Semih fell silent a few moments and awaited a response. When none came, she continued, "Ishmael and the Chamberlain have met. There was a confrontation. The Chamberlain was nearly killed but has recovered. Athaliah disappeared after the fight. Once the Chamberlain was released from the infirmary he went looking for her. Nothing has been heard from any of them since."

The Star Sibyl continued to gaze at the stars, betraying no sign that she was even aware of Semih's presence. Not wanting to leave without acknowledgment of her report, Semih stood and followed the Star Sibyl's gaze and studied the stars, though she could not read them. She began to muster the courage to speak again when the Star Sibyl finally spoke.

"Can you see it?"

Semih turned to the Star Sibyl, then once again followed her gaze to the stars. "See what, Holiness?" she asked.

The Star Sibyl's head turned slightly as if trying to look at the stars from a different angle, "The stars… they are meeting again." She then turned to Semih, who turned towards her to meet her gaze. "The moon hides her face in sorrow for what is to come, while Gordius alone burns in the heavens. While the Ephramadian Ursurper comes to us from the Near East, seeking his long lost daughter. And Matthias stands at the edge of a widening chasm, holding the hand of a little girl who is on the verge of falling in and pulling him with her."

Semih remained silent as the Star Sibyl turned back to the stars and continued, "He will once again rise, and he will once again fight. And he will once again not know why."

Semih hesitated for a moment and said, "Shantotto is speaking of launching an expedition to Aradijah. Great interest in that continent has arisen ever since they opened the ferry route in Mhaura."

The Star Sibyl's eyes cleared, and to Semih's mind it seemed she had returned to Vana'diel. She pondered this for a moment then nodded. "Shantotto is to receive all the support she needs. And tell Leah to move forward to Bastok as planned."

"Understood," Semih said and began to walk towards the door.

"And Semih…"

She turned back towards the Star Sibyl, "Yes?"

The Star Sibyl gave her Planetarium one last look and said, "When they return, have them brought straight to my chambers this time."

The mithra's eyes narrowed in confusion, "Leah and Shantotto?"

The Star Sibyl shook her head, "Matthias and Karana."

Semih was taken aback, "Are you expecting them?"

The Star Sibyl nodded gravely. The mithra stared at her in confusion, "But... we just sent them to Bastok... you are expecting them this soon? "

The Star Sibyl slowly nodded her head and said, "It was written in the stars. They will return soon. And this time, I will be ready for them."

****

On the airship to Bastok, an entranced Karana looked over the railing of the airship, watching the beautiful landscape of the Konschtat Highlands pass by below them. She had just awoken from a deep, exhausted slumber, which Matt had stayed awake and guarded all night, and was now exhilarated about her first journey sailing through the sky.

She had listened attentively as Matt explained to her the genesis of airships and their role in the Crystal War, and had watched in wonder as Matt gave her a quick tour and shared with her his admittedly limited understanding on the inner workings of the vessel. And now she stood, leaning far over the rails to watch the passing landscape, secured to the airship by a spell of binding cast upon her by Matt.

The excitement of the airship ride and the comfort of Matt watching over her again seemed to have done wonders for her mood, and he was happy to see her jovial again. But for him, his trepidation had only grown. He had stared at the stars all night and considered that Semih Lafihna was a veteran of the Crystal War and had seen horrors he could never even begin to fathom. What could it be about this little girl that could incite in the mithra such drastic and emergent action?

As they drew close to Port Bastok, Matt could only watch her with a growing sense of apprehension, and wonder what calamity he might be bringing upon his beloved hometown.