Chapter 34: An End to the Song
Alphinaud and his companions settled upon the backs of Hraesvelgr and his kin, diving through the clouds in the direction of Ishgard. Soon they were passing overhead the massive tower where the great wyrm's children resided and then over the lush, green forest of the Forelands. They would soon spot the white of the Western Highlands and he prepared himself for that… no sooner had he began to do so, the air was already growing colder.
It was very uncomfortable as he hung on tightly, his biggest fear was that he would slip and roll off, for it was very difficult trying to keep his grip on her broad back. Vidofnir was the one who was controlling where they were going and he did his best to keep up with her even though all he could do was cling tightly to her scales as her wings beat the air around him violently.
He looked down passed her beating wings to get a look at the disappearing trees, soon spotting the first flakes of snow. The sun had slipped down over the horizon and night had fully rolled in. He then glanced over to his companions to see how they were doing, and he wasn't surprised at what he saw. Ser Aymeric had settled upon Vedrfolnir's back like he had done this a hundred times before, the two already flying together like a knight upon a mount as they headed off into battle.
While Claire, up ahead of them, looked so small upon Hraesvelgr's mighty back, but she also rode with the greatest of ease, hardly having to move her body to keep up with the force of his wings. It looked as if she had been born for this, like she had always been this way… and he couldn't help but wonder if there was more truth in that than he though. As well as wondering how he might have looked as he rode on Vidofnir's back.
"Thou art worried, young one?" Vidofnir asked him and he almost ended up losing his grip on her scales at her sudden question.
He gulped down and confessed quietly, "A little…"
He wasn't so sure that she could hear him over the high winds as it got ever colder. "But it's worry for Estinien that I feel… worry for my friends."
"I understand," she told him, clearly having heard his words. "I could sense that the dragoon carried around inside him a darkness similar to Nidhogg, himself. Tis for this reason that I warned him to beware of the Eye's rancor."
So his own lust for revenge had been his undoing… he remembered how he once said that he and Nidhogg were very similar and he was finally starting to see what he meant.
"Estinien lost his whole family to Nidhogg's flames," Alphinaud explained to her softly. "And so, for most of his life, he was obsessed with the thought of revenge… much like Nidhogg."
"It brings me nothing but sorrow at how history has been played out," she sighed. "I was still young during the time of peace over a thousand years ago. Only a few hundred years old… and I still remember the horror of discovering how that peace was shattered."
"I felt the same when I first learned of it," Alphinaud said. "But please do not blame the people of today. Our lives are much too short, and so all we have are what are taught to us. The people of Ishgard did not know the truth."
"And yet they did not seem to question their history," she responded.
Alphinaud looked away, unsure of what to say to that. Nidhogg has become the incarnation of the hatred between the two sides as well as the punishment of the crimes that had been committed… this was just a fact of life that the people had just been forced to accept because that was all they ever knew.
"They were born into a world of violence, pain and loss," he told her, carefully choosing his words. He wasn't going to defend them or belittle them… he was just trying to find a simple explanation. "They were taught from the moment that they were born, they are forced to either run or fight. That was really all they could do. There was never anything more than that so no one ever thought to ask. But now they know that this way was never the right way and they are tired of fighting. If we don't force this war to end now, then we only more vengeful souls will be created."
There was silence between them as he let those words sink in.
He glanced up, seeing the back of Claire's head, her long hair having been tied back in a short ponytail, and she was still staring forward. He knew that should the worst happen and Hraesvelgr was unsuccessful in stopping the shade of his brood-brother, then she would be forced to step up…
What would happen if she was unable to save Estinien and was left with no other choice but to kill him? Or worse… the battle cost both of their lives?
As if she knew what he was thinking, Vidofnir went on speaking.
"My sire will not let just anyone ride upon his back," she answered back. "He has chosen to place his faith in her. Just as Ysayle had done before."
Alphinaud closed his eyes as he gulped down and forced himself to nod. She was like a star in the night sky that they followed with the hopes of making it to the dawn and all they could do now was follow wherever she was pointing.
He opened his eyes, which were stinging from the cold winds, but he kept them wide open as they spotted the familiar gray castle-like structure in the distance. His hands were growing numb but he forced his fingers to grip her scales a little harder. He could already see fighting going on even from this distance, and he steadied himself. This was going to end one way or the other, and he wasn't going to just stand back and hide if he could help it.
They dove down lower over the Steps of Faith in the midst of the battle. On the bridge, a small army of Temple Knights were seen fighting for their lives against the seemingly endless hoard of dragons.
The knights had been forced back until they were very near the gates to the city proper, and still being forced to take a step backwards with every moment as the onslaught rained down upon them. The dragons swooped in from the sky, breathing fire and leaving long trails of flames on the stone bridge—ash rained down from the sky like snow and the air was filled with the smell of smoke. Looking down, he spotted two familiar faces right away… the one leading the charge was Lucia, her silver armor standing out among the carnage as she was faced with about three wyverns at once and cut them down. Lord Artoirel was also there, one of only a few knights who wasn't backing off as he ducked underneath one of the larger dragons and stabbed it in the underbelly.
They were holding… but just barely.
The simple fact was that they were hopelessly outnumbered. Whenever one dragon fell, another rose to take its place… and often brought reinforcements with it. They stampeded across the bridge and knocked the knights aside or even right over the ledges and to their deaths. Others were just caught in the dragon's mouth by flames or by fangs…
Hraesvelgr roared, getting all of their attention, and flew overhead. The three of them turned gracefully before they came in for a sharp landing, right between the dragons and the Ishgardians. Hraesvelgr dropped down first, followed by him and Vidofnir, and finally Vedrfolnir and Ser Aymeric—who jumped down from his back.
Alphinaud followed suit and landed on the cold stone, glaring ahead at the horde of dragons who were startled at this and most had backed off at the sight of them there. He heard wings beating and knew that Vidofnir and Vedrfolnir taking off and leaving them, where their father would handle this.
"Lord Commander!" Lucia called in relief when she saw him.
At last, Claire jumped down from Hraesvelgr's back, standing at the great wyrm's side before she stood tall. At the sight of her there, Lord Artoirel shouted from behind them, "You are late, Warrior of Light!"
Alphinaud wasn't sure if he should laugh at that or not as Claire just glanced back at him and smiled before she turned to face the oncoming horde. She walked forward, her head held high as what remained of the Temple Knights made their way back to them. Either able to run, or helping those who couldn't walk on their own as she passed them.
He had to admit, it was like something in the old stories of the heroes of eld… to see her standing there with head held high and the two opposing sides scattered as their strongest warriors faced off. As the knights headed towards safety, the dragons soon took to the sky as she approached them… but that was when he appeared.
Nidhogg slowly fell through the clouds, having just joined the battle himself when he saw his brood-brother appear. He glided downwards before he landed on the bridge with such force that it felt like it would shake apart.
He lowered his head where Alphinaud could see the dark red eyes seething with hatred and madness both as he glared down at Claire before looking upwards to where Hraesvelgr stood, who calmly looked back at him.
Hraesvelgr and Nidhogg…
The two of them looked so opposite yet similar at the same time…
For a few long moments, nothing happened as the two sized each other up. Finally, Nidhogg spoke up, speaking in the tongue of dragons, yet it rang perfectly clear in his mind, and he sounded furious.
"Wherefore standest thou with these vermin, Brother?" Nidhogg demanded in outrage. With a mixture of surprise and scorn.
"Abandon this war, shade," Hraesvelgr said to him as the rest of them stood with him, the dragons having retaken their battle up with the weary knights behind them right at the front of the gates. Alphinaud looked back to see that Lord Artoirel was the one who was leading them as they stood against them. He was in half a mind to go and help them, but Hraesvelgr continued.
"The suffering thou sowest serveth no end," Hraesvelgr tried to reach through to whatever was left of his brood-brother. "The traitors' progeny have learned of their forefathers' betrayal, and seek now to make amends with our kind."
Alphinaud could see that fighting was the last thing that Hraesvelgr wanted to do, and was making one last attempt to reach Nidhogg. This was their one last chance to end this war without any more violence…
"Never shall our grief be assuaged nor our loss forgotten, but reconciliation may yet halt the spread of this plague of enmity," he went on softly. "Forsake thy vengeance and be at peace."
But his words might have been dust in the wind for all the good that they did.
Nidhogg roared in fury, his eyes flashing with venom at the thought of being at peace.
"What soft-headed ramblings are these?" he demanded in outrage. "Thy dalliance with that vile maid hath robbed thee of thy wits! Mayhap her cloying perfume hath made thee forget the stench of our brood-sister's lifeblood!"
And for the first time, even when they visited him at Zenith, never did Hraesvelgr sound as furious as he did here. His own golden eyes flashed as they opened up wide and he let out a livid roar, rearing his head back on his swan-like neck.
"Thou darest speak thus of my beloved!?" Hraesvelgr demanded as his wings opened wide, preparing himself for the battle.
At the sight of this, Nidhogg actually laughed as he also reared his head back.
"Ah!" Nidhogg laughed. "So the flames of rage may yet be kindled! I feared thy heart's fire had long since gone out. But waste not thy fury on words, Brother ─ thou shalt have need of it for the battle!"
Alphinaud felt fear inside him as he looked to the two of them. He then looked to Claire, hoping to catch her eye… knowing that it always worked to soothe his fears in the past. But she was looking up to Hraesvelgr, who was glaring at Nidhogg and she seemed to understand that this was a fight that she couldn't help with right now. She did all she could do and moved back and out of the way.
He felt some of his fears fade when he saw her out of harm's way for the moment as he looked back to the two great wyrms… all of them waiting for the battle to begin with baited breath. Nidhogg roared out a battle cry, seemingly shaking all of Ishgard to the very foundation as the stones beneath their feet trembled.
And Hraesvelgr roared out as well, his own roar sounding like thunder in the distance…
It was impossible who sounded angrier…
Nidhogg had been the one who made the first move. He opened his mouth and unleashed a ball of fire and darkness mixed together and it was sent flying at Hraesvelgr. Hraesvelgr in retaliation roared out and it was like some kind of barrier had been raised in front of him, shattering the fireball before it reached him. He then reared back and when he breathed out his own attack, it was as if made of light and wind… something almost… holy?
But Nidhogg merely jumped up, taking flight and missed the attack completely. He then hovered right over Hraesvelgr's head before his eyes began to glow with that deep hatred once again. Alphinaud knew that the power of a great wyrm was due to the wellspring of aether that laid within their eyes… but this was the first time that he was able to truly see what kind of power that they were capable of.
A deep line of dark aether appeared across the bridge before the power rose up, cutting the very stone apart like a giant knight came and cut it in half. He could feel the heat from the attack singe the tips of his bangs; even Hraesvelgr roared with surprise at this, backing off a few feet to make sure that he would avoid the attack. But that was when Alphinaud realized that the attack hadn't been for him, but for one of the towers that stood watch over the Steps of Faith. The structure was suddenly aglow with the dark energy before he could feel the rumble of an earthquake and the entire turret was lifted up into the air, just being raised higher and higher above them… the intention all too clear.
With a stab of horror, he suddenly realized that Claire was standing in a place where the tower would fall. He opened his mouth to scream at her to come back to them, but with the trembling and roaring going on all around them, he doubted that she could even hear him.
With a roar, Nidhogg let his power drop.
The tower fell over and suddenly, as if someone had cut a tree down, it came crashing down onto the bridge and on Hraesvelgr. Lucia let out a startled shock as she fell back as he covered his head with his arms.
The crash was so great that he was sure that they could have heard it all the way to Limsa.
How he was able to stay on his feet was a marvel to him. He had been knocked about, struggling just to remain upwards. It was almost impossible for him to make anything else out through the thick smoke… and that was when he saw the white blur break free from the rubble, having survived it easily and was in the air as it gave chance after Nidhogg. When the dust cleared, breathing hard, Alphinaud stared around, the first thing he noticed that Lucia was on the ground, with Ser Aymeric in front of her with his arm thrown out, having protected her from any of the flying rubble that came towards her.
She was looking up in great surprise as Ser Aymeric smiled back at her, at least until he looked up and realized that there was another battle going on behind them. The knights were still struggling to stand against the dragons, who had them cornered. The two shared a look and nodded in silent agreement before they were on their feet and ran to help their fellow knights.
Alphinaud, however, was staring around wildly, noticing that there was someone else missing.
"Claire?!" he called out, coughing through the dust as he tried to find her. "Claire?!" he shouted out a little louder until he was screaming out her name as the battle continued above him. Hraesvelgr and Nidhogg were lashing out violently in the air above them, claws slashing and ripping at the other until another fireball forced the two apart.
Gritting his teeth, Alphinaud ran at the fallen turret and began to climb up the rubble, knowing that if she wasn't here, she had to be on the other side. He refused to believe that she had been crushed underneath this and was determined to be there to help out in any way he could. He remembered when Estinien had forbade him from going with them to face Nidhogg before, but he couldn't bear the thought of doing that agian. Even if he didn't stand a chance, he was going to be there to help no matter how small.
Hraesvelgr flew overhead before he ducked down to the side of the bridge where the tower once stood before spinning about. Alphinaud looked and he saw that Nidhogg had appeared on the other side and the two were facing off once again. Hraesvelgr's eyes began to glow brightly in a golden light as his whole body was awash with a white aura, his mouth opening wide…
And Nidhogg responded by his entire aura covering his body in a dark red light, the aether just spilling out and making Alphinaud's head spin. The two wyrms charged and while he didn't see them, he felt the two ram into the other, shaking the bridge and causing him to lose his grip, forcing him to hang on for dear life as he knew that more parts of the bridge had been destroyed when he felt it cracking apart where they collided underneath.
He couldn't help but wonder just how much this already broken bridge could take when the two wyrms were back in the air above them. He got back to his feet as he stepped backwards and stared up to the sky. The two had collided once more in midair… and a blinding light erupted as aether poured out, Hraesvelgr's against Nidhogg's…
He could only stare as the power he felt made him feel like the might of gods was now doing battle with each other. The two sides were clashing against the other, bolts of lightning kept exploding as their aether covered the whole sky. The distant roars of the two dragons echoed like thunder as the center point of the two was so bright that it was impossible to see.
There was silence all around him and he knew that everyone else for miles around had their eyes looking to the heavens. Dragon and man alike were all watching, transfixed, as they waited to see who would emerge the victor.
At long last, from the light, the form of one of the wyrms fell.
The black scales of Nidhogg.
For one moment, Alphinaud thought that they had won, that Hraesvelgr had emerged triumphant… and that hope was only increased when he saw Hraesvelgr follow after Nidhogg, diving straight down at him and opening his mouth to deliver the final blow.
But either he had found his second wind, or he had been faking it from the start, Nidhogg's head suddenly rose to meet his brood-brother and his aether suddenly burst about him, his black scales turning even darker as well as tinted with red, like his entire body was engulfed in flames.
He had heard of this… enrage…
When an incredibly powerful foe was pushed to their breaking point, or simply fought on for too long, then their most dangerous power is awoken. They can unleash a powerful blast that could wipe the strongest of foes in a matter of seconds, or grow even stronger.
Nidhogg was putting all of his rage and power into this form and he flew right back up, his massive mouth chomping down on one of Hraesvelgr's wings. The two were suddenly twisting together in the air, falling almost gently… before he felt the crash where they landed on the bridge.
Alphinaud just stared as he had watched Hraesvelgr tumbled onto the bridge… and the gust that blew out about them… followed by beautiful white feathers… stained with blood.
Breathing hard, Alphinaud pulled himself up and ran back to the fallen tower and began to scramble up the side, able to use the spiral staircase to help get him up to the top quickly enough… not even caring if his hands felt like they were being torn apart. He just continued upwards until he had reached the curved top and was able to see over…
He wished he didn't.
Nidhogg was standing at the other end of the bridge, standing on top of his brood-brother, with a portion of his white wing having been ripped clean off and hanging from his mouth. With a great heave, Nidhogg threw the mouthful of the wing up and it was flung off the bridge and tumbled out of sight.
Hraesvelgr let out a slight cry of pain. If it was bad, he wasn't letting it on.
Nidhogg looked down at his brood-brother and mocked, "Thou art weak, Hraesvelgr ─ a slithering wyrm who fawneth on the vermin who should rightly be his prey. For a thousand years have I fought without cease ─ and thou didst think to prevail against me!"
He was right… there wasn't anything that could be done.
Why? Why did any of this have to happen? Just what was the point? Alphinaud's hands curled up into fists and he squeezed his eyes shut before he tilted his head heavenward and offered a prayer to the gods.
"Oh, Gods!" he pleaded, feeling tears forming in his eyes as the hopelessness of the situation began to sink in. "I don't know if you're willing to hear me, but if you can, then please… protect my friends and keep them safe. Please, give us a miracle!"
Maybe… they heard him at that moment…
"Glory not in thy victory, shade," Hraesvelgr said suddenly. "The battle...is not yet won. My power ─ and my hope ─ have I entrusted to another..."
Alphinaud's eyes snapped open and looked down, not sure what he was talking about. Too far away he couldn't see what was going on, but Nidhogg clearly could.
"Thine eye!" he cried out in shock. "What hast thou done!?"
But Alphinaud saw now… one of the bright golden eyes of Hraesvelgr was on the bridge… having been let out of his head on purpose… with Claire standing right below him. She walked forward as the power from the eye soon began to seep into her very body. Hraesvelgr had entrusted with her a gift: one half of his power.
"Fool! Thou wouldst trust a mortal with thy strength!?" Nidhogg demanded before he looked more at Claire and his red eyes narrowed. "I know thee..." he snarled when he saw her there. "'Twas thou who didst intrude upon my lair and best the half of me. But now I am whole, and naught in creation shall deny me my vengeance!"
Alphinaud was panting hard as he could only watch, mesmerized by what was happening. With Hraesvelgr's might now commingled with her own, she had become Ishgard's best and last hope of staying the rampaging Nidhogg.
"Do it," he whispered softly. "Slay the great wyrm's shade, and bring an end to a thousand years of fire and blood… I know you can… you were the only one who ever could…"
The great steps which marked a journey's beginning shall now mark its end as the Warrior of Light entered into a final confrontation with the great wyrm Nidhogg. Steel will clash against fang and furious flames. But when the dust settles, only the victor will decide the fate of man, dragon, and the broken bonds that once united them.
He watched as the two warriors faced off on a small portion of the Steps of Faith, leaving the two of them isolated on an island-like square, just wide enough for them to move.
Nidhogg left Hraesvelgr's beaten form and flew overhead until Alphinaud could see his back, actually able to see each scale as he landed in front of the fallen tower. Alphinaud just stared ahead, breathing hard and his heart racing as Nidhogg roared.
Both sides stood perfectly still, waiting to see who would be bold enough to make the first move. At last, Claire held her weapon high as she sent the first attack his way.
"Wriggling maggots!" Nidhogg declared, "I shall grind you to paste in my jaws!"
She was forced to keep dodging his fangs as he snapped at her, trying to swallow her hold. Alphinaud only watched in terror, his hands shaking as he pulled himself up enough so that he was kneeling on top of the fallen tower. His fingers were gripping the stone so hard that he was losing feeling in them, but he didn't even notice as he watched.
One advantage that Claire had was that she was small, and whenever Nidhogg breathed fire, she was able to duck down underneath his underbelly to avoid it. Nidhogg then caused large pools of dark energy around him, which he knew at once that once they went off, they were going to be enough to take out a full-grown man.
Thankfully, she knew better than to be caught by that as she jumped far away from them and they erupted, where he could feel the impact from here. Just then, Nidhogg spread his wings wide, forcing her to duck down underneath his tail as fire rained down from his black wings, engulfing most of the square platform they were on, save for directly beneath him.
But then she was suddenly forced to roll out from under him as his tail did the same thing, sending fire down to where she was, and she was back in the open again. It went back and forth for a time after that, with both of them going at it and neither one gaining or losing ground as they stood against the other.
This was when Alphinaud realized that this was the first time he had seen her fight against such a powerful foe and he felt fear for her safety grow even more, as well as his awe at how well she stood on her own.
Just then, a circle of aether appeared from beneath Nidhogg's body as he took to the air. Staring around, he searched for him in the air, and saw the dragon appear at one side of the area where she was. He tried to shout a warning, but she had just noticed it and knew that he was about to charge, yet she had other problems in that more of those eye-like circles opened up beneath her. She ran out of the circles before dark lightning came raining down upon them, but while avoiding that, she accidently got too close when Nidhogg charged.
The blast was enough that it sent her to the ground, causing her to roll, but she was back on her feet in a flash, glaring up as Nidhogg came crashing back down, ready to go again. Soon it was like a deadly dance, with both using their attacks while the other had to try their best to avoid it. Nidhogg rained fire down at her as she danced about his feet, slicing and hitting every point that she could reach.
At one point, Alphinaud could see anger growing in the wyrm's face as he took to the air again.
"Come my children!" he roared out as three more dragons appeared out of nowhere. "Claim the vengeance that is rightfully yours!"
Alphinaud made to jump down and help, knowing that three against one was not fair, but Claire barely batted an eye as she went straight for the largest of the three, a towering beast that stood on two legs and was built like a cyclops. Forcing to step behind him to avoid his larger attacks, he was very slow on his feet, causing her to be more than agile enough to duck and weave about his bulking form. He wished he could say for the other two, who weren't as big slow as the first.
There was one that was more lizard-looking than the others. It stood on four legs with long fine-like spines on its back as it weaved it's large head down at her, crawling forward and whipping its tail about. And then the last was long with a snake-like body and spines going down it's back from its head to tail. It had no problems slithering about until it was behind it and lunged for her.
How she was able to avoid getting herself killed while facing them… he didn't know, all that he did know was that the whole time she fought, Nidhogg had landed outside the platform, and he could see that he was planning something deadly.
Thankfully, she was able to bring the three dragons down before turning back to face Nidhogg. He sent another fireball, forcing her back before his body began to fly up and spin about until he disappeared in another fireball, but this one much larger than the last and glowing like the setting sun. Alphinaud stared ahead, transfixed… until…
He gasped in horror… for when Nidhogg appeared again from the fire, the body that he had was Estinien's.
"Look upon the fool who dared embrace my power!" Nidhogg roared.
Alphinaud felt his hands grip the stones even harder, ignoring how they were cramping up as he was forced to watch two friends forced to fight against each other. But it wasn't just Estinien's body that Nidhogg was using for it was like a blended version of the two… Nidhogg's wings had appeared out of Estinien's back and he was being held aloft as the two glared at the other. He zoomed about the platform, the largest attack of all about to come as a ring of magic circles pulsating with aether appeared around them, keeping Claire at the center as she performed a barrier spell to protect her.
"Witnessed the darkened wings that beat about his shriveled soul!" Nidhogg went on. "Champions of man! Hearken to my fury! Thy final verse is sung!"
Estinien's body was awash with a slithering form of aether in the form of dragon's scales—as if he was covered with the ghost-like image of live serpents.
He then raised his lance high and a pillar of more aether created a single pathway, like diving through hoops. He struck at her and everything with pillars of dark energy bursting out like erupting volcanos. Alphinaud bent lower over the stones as he dug himself in to keep himself from being flung off. The wind from the blast was so strong that it was like trying to fight against the strong ocean waves in a storm, and he was barely able to keep his head above the waves.
When it died down, he heard him speak again.
"Thou has survived my song," Nidhogg growled and Alphinaud risked opening his eyes and looking ahead to see what was going on. He was panting hard as his heart beat in his chest so painfully that it was like someone had punched him.
Nidhogg, still in his half dragon, half Estinien form, lowered himself to the center of the platform on which they stood and glared at Claire, who was still on her feet as she readied herself. "Curse thee and thine eye, Hraesvlger!"
This second half of the battle was even rougher than the first. Nidhogg caused a road of aether to appear in front of him, forcing her to dodge it all the while avoiding the lance he struck at her. She was forced to keep moving, unable to stay in one place for longer than a few seconds, before he flew up once more, creating a ring of aether around her that she had no hope of dodging this time.
Alphinaud thought that maybe his mouth was moving and he thought he could hear himself shouting out to her, but he had no comprehension of what was said as he watched her force to take the impact of the blast as Nidhogg suddenly created several roads of aether that covered most of the platform, and giving her almost no room to stand.
It was even worse when he suddenly created clones of himself and Alphinaud cried out in despair, knowing that she couldn't hope to fight off such numbers on her own. Several pools of explosive energy appeared beneath each one as they floated there, each one giving her a dark look. She avoided getting too close to them before she struck at one random one. Either the clones weren't as strong as the original, or that they were just illusions from the start, yet as soon as she struck the right one, they all flew up into the air again and came together before crashing down onto the platform again, creating a shockwave that almost blew her off the platform itself.
This went on over and over until he flew to the very center of the platform and a mixture of fire and lightning mixed together to rain down upon Claire. That was when his body shifted back into his dragon form… but it was unlike before… here he was back to the way he looked when he was able to strike down his brood-brother from the air and defeat him.
"Brood-brother! Thou has doomed me!" Nidhogg cried out, "But if I must meet mine end, then all shall burn upon my pyre!"
So he had been pushed to his breaking point thus far… he was putting all his might on the mind to take her down for she just made this personal.
More of those dark circles appeared under her feet as Nidhogg prepared to charge at her from outside the area again.
"LOOK OUT!" he finally heard himself scream as she rolled, having lucked out in that Nidhogg was charging the center of the platform and she was able to roll to the edge of the platform in time as the lightning struck and he charged ahead, leaving a trail of fire in his wake.
Nidhogg then slammed back down onto the platform as his entire body glowed like a hot ember and began to breathe fire out once more, his fangs that were as long as swords continued to snap and rip her in half as she dodged. He then stood upon his back legs as he readied himself for another attack, this time a giant pillar of fire and aether rained down on her, and not just once… but several times over and over. Claire couldn't run from it, so she was forced to take it over and over as she stood her ground. He could hear her screams, mixed with anger and pain.
Fireballs then appeared around Nidhogg's body; hovering there as she was forced to dodge another round of dark pools of energy on the ground… and getting hit with a fireball as they flew off in random directions, scorching her in the process. Alphinaud was crying out her name in fear as he watched how she was forced to run from the fire bursting from Nidhogg's wings and tail again and then the cycle started over again.
These battle was so well-evenly matched that it could have gone on forever… but he knew that both of them must be getting tired by this point and was now just praying that Claire's strength would hold out just long enough.
Finally…
With a scream-like roar, Nidhogg's body was covered in flames and he just seemed to burst, the great wind almost knocking back once more. But he held on as he watched the aether all coming together, like being pulled into one great ball… and Estinien emerged from it once again. His armor still crimson red and cracked, with the foul eyes still merged with the mail… and the red vein-like aether standing out on his face. He had been brought to his knees and was now gasping for air as he held his lance together.
Nidhogg was still in control, but he had been greatly weakened by the battle and he knew that now was the time. Nidhogg had lost most of his strength and was now trying to force himself to recover by taking on this form. Claire staggered forward as she panted for air, but still held her battered weapon aloft, ready to go again despite the fact that she was bleeding and looked as though she had walked through all the seven levels of hell.
With a gulp, Alphinaud rolled, dropping down from the tower at long last and sliding down, using the rubble underneath him to land safely on the other side before he ran forward to join her. Despite the gap between the two parts of the bridge, he took a running jump and landed roughly, almost stumbling before he steadied himself and ran to her side.
"Estinien!" Alphinaud cried as he drew next to her, both of them staring at this Nidhogg/Estinien fusion. The eyes still stuck to his mail, and were glaring about at Claire with malice… and it seemed that she had just jumped to the very top of his hate list.
Alphinaud gritted his teeth as he glared ahead, his hands curling into such tight fists that his already bruised fingers were digging into his palms and he felt a dull pain. Would there really be no other way? Was this all that they could do? To save him by killing him?
Nidhogg/Estinien was gasping for air, hardly alive from the battle as he spoke, but he seemed to be speaking more to himself.
"Is this...to be...mine end?" he asked but then he raised his head and he staggered to his feet, his lance still in his hands. "Nay... I will not allow it... I am of the first brood... I am vengeance incarnate... I am Nidhogg!" He just screamed out those last three words as he turned his gaze to Claire. Hatred, and maybe even fear, shone in his face as he looked at her. "Thou shalt die by my hand!"
He seemed to forget all about Ishgard for the moment, deciding that her death was his first priority. Alphinaud readied himself, not sure how much more that his dear friend could take and ready to start fighting with her if he had to. But as he was about to come running at them, holding up his lance about to strike… he stopped.
It was as a hand had grabbed hold of his lance and stopped him dead in his tracks and was holding him back. This happened so abruptly that Nidhogg/Estinien stopped and spun his head around to stare at the lance, taking both him and Claire completely by surprise. That was when Alphinaud realized that Nidhogg/Estinien's hand was now shaking like how his had been earlier. In fact, it was shaking so hard that it was causing his entire arm to tremble and the lance slipped through his fingers before falling with a loud clatter on the cold stone beneath them.
Alphinaud couldn't understand what was going on. Was he so struck by fear that he was losing control? But when he saw Nidhogg stare up at the hand, raising his other hand up to try an grab hold and steady it, the hand was now shaking and wriggling about so much that it was as if it had a life of his own and then Alphinaud understood… Nidhogg wasn't in control of that hand anymore…
Suddenly, another voice came from that mouth, but it was one he knew right away.
"This is not your hand, wyrm!"
Estinien had appeared again and the fingers were twitching violently before the hand went straight for his throat. He grabbed hold and began to squeeze… actually denting the armor around his neck as he staggered.
Alphinaud tried to scream out Estinien's name, horrified at what he was seeing…
The hand squeezed even tighter and Alphinaud could hear parts of the armor being crushed from here as he fell to his knees, spitting up a mouthful of blood as a horrible shriek that sounded more beast than man broke free from his lips.
"Thou… wilt… obey!" Nidhogg snarled.
They just watched, unsure of what to do or what was going on. Only that Estinien really was still in there somewhere and he was fighting back, in a war with his own body, a war that Alphinaud knew that unless something was done, he would certainly lose.
But when his head was raised and was looking up at them, he could see that it was Estinien, not Nidhogg, who was looking out. He was breathing hard, looking from him to Claire… and as soon as he saw her, Estinien spoke up, every word sounding like he was struggling to hold back a breaking dam on his own and a river was threatening to wash him away.
"I would ask one last favor of you, Warrior of Light..." he pleaded. "Finish me ─ now, while I have the beast subdued!"
Claire put her own weapon away before she looked over at him, and two of them shared a look. He knew that she was willing to try… willing to try one last time to free Estinien. They nodded, knowing that now was their best chance to do so. If they were to save him, it had to be now… it may not work, for who knows what could happen…? But they had to try.
They ran forward to him, who was still shaking all over, struggling to hold on.
Claire went for the eye that was on his arm… while Alphinaud grabbed hold of the one up on his shoulder and they began to pull. The eyes weren't even budging when the red aether-filled veins stood out on Estinien's face once again and a burst of aether began to rupture from his body. Pain began to sear through Alphinaud's hands and wracked his body with mind-numbing agony. He felt like his entire body was burning in an inferno, screaming at him to let go. He couldn't help but burst out screaming himself. Next to him he could hear Claire's cries of pain and knew that she was sharing his pain as well.
The feeling was worse in his hands, like he was trying to hold onto metal out of a forge in his bare hands as he continued to try and pull at the eye. And if he was in this much pain, he didn't even want to know how much Estinien was feeling.
"You waste your time," Estinien's voice spoke up, gaining control for another moment. "Kill me! It is the only way! Ending Nidhogg... will be my final duty..."
"No!" Alphinaud shouted, refusing to give in. "You can't die like this! I won't let you!"
The pain grew to be too much and he thought for sure that he was going to be torn apart… still, he forced his fingers dug deeper into the eye as he continued to try and pull, but it would not let go of the mail. Alphinaud was beginning to fall into despair, truly believing that this was going to kill them both. He had dragged Claire into this and wanted to call to her to let go so that he wouldn't drag her down with him. He would pay the price, but the world needed her alive… she did not deserve this… not after all that she had went through… his actions could have killed all three of them.
This was it…
He didn't think that he could hold on for much longer and was half-blinded by pain as the pulsations grew and the fire burned even hotter, causing him to scream out louder than ever. But just then, through his pain-filled mind, he could feel a slight warmth on his hands, almost like the pain was becoming numb where it touched.
The burning was there, but he couldn't feel it nearly as badly as before. This feeling was similar to when his grandfather would hold him and his sister late at night and tell them stories, would chase away any nightmare he would have by holding him tightly and telling him that it was going to be ok. A feeling of safety that almost made him tear up for not being able to remember when he last the feeling. There was a bright light all around him, and he slowly looked over to where this warmth was coming from.
He stared… for through this foggy haze of light that was covering all three of them, he could see that someone was kneeling right beside him, their hand covering his own and the warmth he felt was from their hand… her hand.
A face he had not seen since that day at Azys Lla, where she had spent the last of her strength fighting alongside them and giving her life to save theirs and ensure they survived to face another day.
Ysayle…
She was looking down at his hands as he continued to try and pull, but had stopped for a moment as he stared at her, wondering if the pain was just getting so bad that he was now dying and was able to see his friend again. But she looked up at him and gave him a slight smile…
As if she was trying to say… 'He's hopeless, isn't he?'
He couldn't believe it as he stared back at her and then looked to Claire, wondering if she could see this too. But when he did turn her way, he saw that she wasn't alone either. A second figure was kneeling at her side, dressed in thick leather clothes and chainmail as a mess of snow-white hair fell over his face of gentle features and a kind smile that meant a warm hearth and dear friend.
Haurchefant…
He was at Claire's side, his hand over her own as she continued pulling on the second eye and she was looking right up at him as he smiled a smile so achingly familiar that Alphinaud could not help but smile along. He wasn't the only one for she was smiling back at Haurchefant… like she could understand what he was saying. She then looked his way and her eyes shifted over to where Ysayle was and the smiles grew ever wider for that moment as all of them were united in this common goal… giving them strength and helping them to keep going. He didn't know if this was a dream or not, but he clung to it with all the strength he had, refusing to let it go as he gripped the eye even harder and pulled so hard that he it wouldn't surprise him if he might pull his arms out of their sockets before wrenching the orbs from the mail.
Estinien's head arched back in a silent scream of agony, but slowly, oh so slowly, with the new comfort and support of his friends all around him, he pulled harder than he ever had in his life and the eyes began to move. The lightning of aether began to burst all around him, but he ignored it as with a great heave, both he and Claire managed to free the eyes with one last great pull and they burst out of the mail, casting everything around them a blinding light. He had fallen backwards onto his back as he stared up, the eye in his hand still burning and the light blinding…
But through his closed eyelids he saw a shadowly appear above him and his eyes squinted open to see what it was. Alphinaud was cocooned in this warm light, something bright and pure, this feeling of safety around him like nothing could hurt him…
That was when he saw it… the glittering form of Nidhogg slowly rising into the sky above him, the dark rancor fading away until he was bathed in this light, all the hatred bleeding out of him as he softly beat his wings into the air, guided by the wind, while his scales glowing brightly as if made from sparkling crystal. That was when he heard Nidhogg's voice one last time… fading away with no trace of hate or anger there…
"Undone by mortal will. Whither now...?"
And then he was gone… the light glowing brighter as Alphinaud shut his eyes again to the brilliance of it all… waiting for it to fade.
But not before seeing the forms of two old friends staring up at the sky where Nidhogg had vanished into crystal dust and slowly look down at them. Through the numb pain he felt he could see them looking at them before they turned and disappeared into the light…
Alphinaud was panting hard, trying to remain still as his body tried to recover from all that happened. After all that, the shock his body went through was causing him to tremble as he struggled even to breathe.
His hands were numb, even through the gloves he had felt all the heat and they stung painfully. The eye, which had been so hot that he had wanted to drop it, was now cooled in his hands, no longer glaring at him with hatred…
Claire still remained on her feet, sweat pouring down her face and singed hair as she looked about her, as if trying to find someone as she held the other of Nidhogg's eyes in her hand.
He slowly sat up, also staring about in confusion, not sure what just happened.
"The eyes!" screamed out Ser Aymeric's voice and they looked behind them to see that he had jumped down from having climbed over the fallen tower and stood on the other side of the deep gouge that had been made on the bridge. "Cast them into the abyss!"
That was when it all came back to him like someone poured a bucket of water over his head.
Claire nodded and she sprinted for the side of the bridge, which he copied once he got to his shaky feet. He ran as fast as he could at Claire's side and when they were close enough, they heaved the Eyes as far from them as they possibly could. They soared over the railing and then below, falling into the deep ravine below… where, if God's willing, they will never been seen ever again.
The two of them stood together as they looked out over the edge of the Steps of Faith… knowing that it was finally over. Nidhogg was gone and Ishgard survived this final battle.
But that still left one matter…
He turned back to Estinien's still form and began to run back, worry gripping his heart. They had succeeded in tearing the eyes away from him, but did Estinien survive so violent a separation?
Ser Aymeric and Lucia had joined them, having made it over the broken bridge and they had been the first to reach Estinien. The two knelt down at the dragoon's side as Aymeric carefully turned him over so that he could see and gently raised his head to examine him.
Alphinaud waited with Claire with baited breath…
"He lives," Ser Aymeric gasped out and Alphinaud was so relieved, so overjoyed that he suddenly felt light-headed, almost falling over. "Ah, Estinien, my ill-fated friend..." Aymeric sighed before looking up to Lucia and directed hurriedly, "Lucia! Summon the healers! I want them ready to receive him!"
She stood tall and saluted as she said, "At once, Lord Commander!"
Ser Aymeric lowered Estinien's head before he reached underneath him, ready to lift him up. Alphinaud made to help, but sensing what he was about to ask, Ser Aymeric spoke up without looking at him, "Allow me to do this much, at least..."
Alphinaud stopped and silently agreed. With a great heave, he lifted Estinien up into his arms, who laid as limp as a doll.
With a great beating of wings, Hraesvelgr reappeared, having recovered enough to take to the air and landed beside them. Though both his left eye and a portion of his left wing were still missing, he was more than able to keep himself airborne, which was another thing to be grateful for was.
"The Horde have sensed the fall of their Master, and scattered to the winds," he informed them calmly.
Still with Estinien in his arms, Ser Aymeric turned back to him with a beaming smile.
"You have my gratitude, Hraesvelgr," he told him gratefully. "Your deeds this day have saved a great many lives."
This time, Alphinaud was sure that he saw Hraesvelgr smile back at those words.
"Then our alliance hath served its purpose," he said before he looked over to Claire and added, "Thou didst wield the power I granted thee well. 'Twas thine own skill and not mine eye which earned thee victory."
She nodded back.
"I couldn't have succeeded without you," she informed him.
Alphinaud smiled. While she did fight and defeat Nidhogg, it was the protection that Hraesvelgr gave her that helped to bring her a victory. In fact, Hraesvelgr seemed to chuckle in his throat at her words before he was up in the air once again.
"I wish thy companion a swift recovery," he told them as he looked down at them. "Fare you well, children of man."
He left them, taking to the skies once again, where the sun was beginning to rise and Alphinaud was startled at how much time had passed. They were left on the mostly destroyed bridge where they would have to pick up the pieces and decide what to do with them. Ser Aymeric stayed just long enough to watch Hraesvelgr leave before he started to walk back to the city, still carrying Estinien in his arms.
Alphinaud turned back to Claire and told her, "The battle is won. We can do no more for Estinien now than bear him home and wish him well, even as Hraesvelgr did. The rest we must trust to the hands of the healers and the grace of the gods."
She smiled back in understanding, and he remembered how exhausted she must be feeling.
"I wouldn't worry too much," she reassured him before he could ask. "I don't think that Estinien is the type of man to die that easily."
And together, the two of them followed after Ser Aymeric, still carrying Estinien in his arms, as the knights began moving ladders and planks to bridge the broken pieces together. Alphinaud worried at the thought of getting Estinien over the rubble, but Ser Aymeric was able to carry him upon his back until they were safely on the other side and continued the rest of the way back to the city.
*Later in the city*
Most of Ishgard had survived the battle, with most of the damage having been done to the Steps of Faith and the front gates… however many knights and men and women of the watch had fallen in defense of the city and those who survived were taken to the Congregation for healing, while those who fell were to receive the proper rites to enter Halone's halls. It was a bittersweet victory when they saw the bodies being carried inside… but Alphinaud tried to comfort himself in thinking that these brave souls may be the last ones to fight and die from this war.
Ser Aymeric led the way with Estinien, guiding other wounded Temple Knights with him to receive treatment. Alphinaud stayed with Claire as they helped to find all the fallen knights that they could and bore them back to the city for them to receive proper burials.
When they next had a moment alone just inside the gates, he was looking to the gate as he remembered all that had happened… including the image of who was there helping them save Estinien. He looked to Claire, wondering if she had seen it to or if it had all been in his pain-filled mind.
"Through the haze of pain, I swear I sensed─But no," he said when he saw her open her mouth. No matter what he saw, there was nothing that could be done. If he did see their friends there in that light, then it meant that they were alright and were at peace. They would watch over them from afar…
As if from another lifetime, he remembered a conversation they had with Lucia…
"I have long been of the opinion that those who dwell in the past risk losing sight of their future."
Alphinaud smiled, knowing that she was right. There was nothing that could be done to change the past. What was done, is done. They could still change the future, however, and that was what was more important right now.
Claire tilted her head at him and he explained, "The past is done, and we must look to the future. At long last, Nidhogg is gone, his foul spirit cast out once and for all. I only pray that Estinien survives the ordeal..."
"He'll be fine," she said.
He looked to her, wondering how she could know.
"I've fought him before," she reminded him. "Both with and against him… he's strong enough to make it through this."
He thought that over and he felt some comfort sinking in at her words. They had been able to wrestle the hateful things even as arcs of crackling aether enveloped them in agony… and even received aid from a most unexpected source…
And in that moment he could have sworn that he saw Nidhogg's disembodied spirit leave before the light died. They had done all they could for Estinien, it was all up to him to survive. While overjoyed at her victory and putting an end to the war, he couldn't help but feel that freeing a friend from an otherwise sealed fate, to be an even greater accomplishment if that was possible.
"Your battle with Nidhogg's shade will beget many an epic ballad, Claire, and rightly so," he told her, knowing that he would never forget that battle for as long as he lived. "It was, without a doubt, one of your more epochal victories ─ though I must admit that I took greater joy in seeing you emerge from the experience unscathed."
She smiled wearily at him, and though she was exhausted and had minor injuries, he was glad to see that she didn't receive any serious wounds.
"...And not only for your own sake," he confessed softly. "Had you not been there to aid me, those infernal eyes would still be fused to Estinien's mail... Yet even with Nidhogg gone, I cannot help but wonder how much of our friend remains... Let us pay a visit to Lucia, and beg news of his condition."
"I believe he was already taken to the Congregation for treatment," she informed him.
He nodded, "Let us speak with Lucia. She will know how Estinien fares."
They both wearily made their way through the city, word already spreading of Nidhogg's defeat and the end to the war once and for all, Friends and family of those who participated in the battle were searching about for their loved ones, trying to discover if they still lived and were taken somewhere for healing or met their end upon the Steps of Faith.
They just focused on making it through the crowds as they met the familiar sight of the Congregation of the Knights most Heavenly and entered. The first thing they saw was Lucia, already giving orders to any spare knights who were still standing. She heard them approach, and when she looked up, she gave them a smile, a very tired one, but a happy one nonetheless.
"Claire, Master Alphinaud... my honored friends..." she sighed thankfully when they approached. "As if winning Hraesvelgr to our cause were not enough, you took it upon yourselves to rid us of his brood-brother... I know not how to thank you."
Alphinaud lowered his head. Why did they always feel the need to thank him as well? He didn't do anything but cheer from the sidelines and pray while others did all the work.
"My own contribution was hardly noteworthy," he reminded her, giving credit where credit was due, reminding her who the true heroes were. "The true saviors of the day were Claire and Estinien. One triumphed over Nidhogg's shade through strength of arms and the other through strength of will."
And he meant it. They were the ones who suffered and fought the most. If there should be anyone here that she should be thanking, it would be the two of them. He knew he didn't deserve it.
"...And speaking of Estinien, what news of his recovery?" he asked worriedly, and he didn't take it as a good sign when he saw her sigh.
"The Azure Dragoon was conveyed to the infirmary, where he now resides under the care of our hospitalier captain," she informed them. "I am told he has yet to regain consciousness. But as you know, Estinien's mind and body were held hostage for many days. We must be patient, and allow the process of healing to begin."
He had known this to be true, but a part of him had been hoping that he would have woken up already. He knew that they needed to give Estinien time to rest and recover from such an ordeal, that he needed it and who knew what happened inside him… but it was hard to keep telling himself that while his future remained unsure.
But Lucia smiled again and told them both, "In the meantime, you would do well to rest and recover from your own ordeals."
He was hardly injured. Claire, he understood, even she was probably worn out and needed rest. But he was still awake and had no plans to rest until he heard more news.
"But surely─" he tried to reason, but Lucia was speaking again.
"Ser Aymeric is never long from Estinien's bedside, and will send word the moment there are any developments," she informed him gently. "Now, if I have satisfied your concerns, I believe Lord Edmont and his sons are most eager to celebrate your return."
Truthfully, it did not satisfy his concerns, nor did he wish to return to the manor just yet. But he remembered that the others may be worrying about them as well and he thought that they would at least lay any worry about them to the side and try to be patient. At the very least, he was sure that Tataru and the other Scions were keeping in contact with them, and were probably worried sick about them by now. They should let them know that they were alive and safe if nothing else.
"...Very well, First Commander," he said before he looked to his friend. "Come, Claire─'twould seem that we are awaited at Fortemps Manor."
"Pray call upon Lord Edmont," Lucia said. "I gather Fortemps Manor holds its breath for your return."
*Fortemps Manor*
So they did as she suggested and left the Congregation, and headed back through the crowded streets. At the sight of her, passersby cheered at Claire, giving out cries of thankfulness and joy, knowing that she was the one who had fought with Nidhogg. Though as far as he was aware, Alphinaud and Hraesvlger were the only ones who were witnessed to the battle itself… but he reasoned, who else could they have expected to do so?
Claire was polite and merely smiled back at them as they walked on, heading up to the Pillars and to the familiar streets of where the High Houses were. Outside, there were a couple knights returning to their posts and greeted them respectfully as they actually bowed them inside the manor. And when they stepped through the house, servants came running up to greet them.
"Once more you risk your life in service to Ishgard," the manservant gasped when he saw them. "We are forever in your debt."
"We prayed for your safe return, Mistress Faye," the steward added, bowing low with a wide smile. "If I may be so bold... Welcome home."
Claire laughed lightly and merely thanked them in return, just saying that she was glad to have done something before they directed her to the sitting room, where the others were waiting for them. When they stepped through the door, the first thing they saw was the Count there with Lords Artoirel and Emmanellain, as well as young Honoroit. It was a relief to see that both of Count Edmont's sons made it through the battle alive, especially since he knew that Artoirel was on the Steps of Faith during the battle. Aside from some scratches, and burns, he seemed to have escaped the battle relatively unharmed.
Emmanellain was covered in soot and dust, and even Honoroit was dressed in armor with a short bow on his back as he discussed excitedly what happened out there. The Count's back was to them and when they entered, he turned around, giving them a beaming smile.
"The heroes of the hour return!" Count Edmont declared warmly at the sight of them there.
"We but did our duty, my lord," Alphinaud told him wearily. Perhaps he was starting to realize why Claire disliked so much being hailed as a hero. "It was the memories of fallen friends and not our heroism which saw us through at the last."
Silently he wondered if he should tell them about seeing Haurchefant there, but maybe Count Edmont seemed to understand for he nodded back.
Lord Artoirel was smiling at them before it faded as he informed them, "I gave every onze of my strength, but mine efforts would have counted for naught had the Warrior of Light not arrived to challenge the great wyrm," Lord Artoirel sighed while his voice trailed away, as if remembering something from a dream before adding somewhat melancholy… "As a sworn knight of Ishgard, I had hoped to do more for my city..."
"Well, we cannot all be heroes, dear brother," Lord Emmanellain said optimistically. "Let us put away our pride for a moment, and revel in the valiant deeds of our comrade! For your sterling service to Ishgard, we salute you!" They applauded and clapped as Claire blushed once again and Alphinaud was startled by how humble that Emmanellain was acting.
"And while we're on the subject of valiant deeds, I believe I myself have earned some small measure of recognition: under my watchful command, the ballistas of the outer ward struck down a veritable swarm of Dravanian invaders," Lord Emmanellain went on.
Ah… there he was. Maybe it was a little too much to be expected for Emmanellain to change completely overnight. But maybe it was also a good thing.
"My lord's command was certainly watchful," Honoroit answered with a shrewd grin as he went on, "He bravely watched as the siege crews took aim, and continued to watch as countless wyverns met their end. Indeed, the ward's defenders proved so well-drilled that my lord had little occasion to stop watching."
Emmanellain was startled at his words as Honoroit laughed and Artoirel shrugged, as if he couldn't believe that they were related. Alphinaud smiled tiredly, though he couldn't help but feel a little jealous at the thought of brothers… and his thoughts turned back to Estinien. Mayhaps his worry and exhaustion was showing in his face for the Count was looking down at him in concern.
"There will be time enough to determine who is most deserving of recognition later," Count Edmont told his sons. "Our friends are doubtless weary from their exertions. I had chambers prepared in expectation of your return. You are welcome to retire at your leisure."
The offer sounded so wonderful, but he could not bring himself to even think of resting until he was sure that Estinien was alright.
"I am most grateful for your hospitality, my lord, but I believe I shall pay a visit to the Temple Knights' infirmary," he said. "Pray excuse me."
He politely left the manor, hoping that Claire would at least take him up on his offer and get some well-deserved rest.
Alphinaud returned to the Temple Knights' infirmary, asking to be allowed in, which they did.
Ser Aymeric was at the bedside as he approached. It was the first time he had ever seen Estinien without his helmet on, and saw the long snow-white hair and proud features as he had been changed into a simple tunic.
"I had a feeling that it was you," Ser Aymeric told him kindly when he saw him.
"How is he doing?" he asked worriedly.
"He is alive and he seems to be in deep slumber," he answered back before glancing up to the window, where Alphinaud had just realized that his helment was sitting on the sill, and his lance was leaning up against the wall.
"Most of his armor had been destroyed," he explained. "Some people feared that mayhaps some trace of Nidhogg's spirit remained in the armor when they saw it. I do not believe that Estinien would mind."
Alphinaud nodded, not caring at all about the armor so long as the man who wore it was alive.
Ser Aymeric smiled at him. "You have grown greatly since we first met," he informed him. "The plight of comrades pains you more than your own. I see that some of our Warrior of Light has rubbed off on you."
Alphinaud gave him a weak smile.
"In all due respect Ser Aymeric, I was hardly injured," he informed him. "She is always thinking of others that she rarely thinks about her own well-being. I am just thinking of a friend in need."
Ser Aymeric clapped a comforting hand on his shoulder as he stood up. "I can't think of too many other people I would entrust to watch over him," he said, "I must needs help restore order to the city and ensure that things start to recover. But should anything change with him, I'll be just outside."
Alphinaud nodded gratefully as he took the seat right by Estinien's side and waited as he heard Ser Aymeric's footsteps across the floor. But then…
"Estinien is blessed indeed to have such devoted comrades. He's not the type of man to pass in bed."
Alphinaud nodded as he looked back down at his friend, noticing that his hand was now hurting him and he pulled off his gloves to see the problem. There was blood on his hands from where he had gripped the stone and clenched his fingers… as well as the damage that had been done from the eye. He remembered how Estinien had once laughed at him when he first learned to make a campfire, telling him that he had soft hands… hands that proved that he was naïve about the world.
Alphinaud smiled, thinking that he would treat them later. But he now had scars to prove that he was not the same person he had been before.
There were worse reasons to bleed over.