Chapter 34: The Call
"So, Magnai wasn't your type?"
"One word of this to anyone and you will be next," Y'shtola warned them both as they continued their walk across the Steppe, leaving the sounds of the fighting behind them as they passed under the shade of the Dawn Throne.
"That seemed so cruel to crush his hopes like that," Claire pointed out and Y'shtola gave her a dark look as she smiled back innocently.
"One word," Y'shtola warned as the other two continued their chuckling. "Besides, you think he was the first to try something like that? Hardly. But that is not the important thing here. What is important is that we got what we set out for. Now we can finish our work."
Claire smiled in relief, her muscles aching slightly from her battle. Not that she would admit to it to anyone, but she really needed it. A fight where she was allowed to unleash all that she had and against someone in a friendly—she supposed that was the right word—battle where she didn't have half the world riding on her victory. She knew that it had still been a serious and important fight she had to win, but oh, how wonderful it felt to be allowed to fight and not be judged for it. Not looked at as a savior, a liberator of nations, or most importantly as a Warrior of Light.
That was what she loved the most about the Steppe. Here, all are warriors and you earn that right among other warriors. Here, her strength is not looked at as highly as everywhere else. To her, the Azim Steppe is freedom and adventure where her burden isn't as heavy is it is in the rest of the world.
Still, now that the fun was over, she had to get back to work and worry over the state of the rest of the world.
Not that she had to like it though.
They returned to Mol Lloh, where Cirina was waiting anxiously for them. When they reassured her that they were safe and what befell them with the Dotharl, she was struck by awe.
"…You had not only to contend with Sadu, but Magnai too!?" Cirina cried in amazement, "Such a fierce battle that must have been. Yet here you stand, triumphant. Having passed such a test, they could not well deny you their allegiance." She hesitated for a moment before adding with a warm smile, "The Mol will make no such demands. Weak though we are, we will gladly stand with you. The Steppe is our home, and we will defend it with all our being."
"You have my heartfelt thanks!" Hien cried out, looking ready to run in and give her a hug of thanks, "Of all the tribes of the Steppe, there is none I would rather have at my side!"
She felt the same way. While the Mol are not as strong as the Dotharl or the Oronir, she could think of no other tribe she had met so far that had the same level of compassion and loyalty that the Mol had.
"Gods willing, many more will rally to our cause," Cirina added, "I shall send you word when we have answers from all the tribes."
"I cannot thank you enough, Cirina," Hien said, still beaming at her, "None of this would have been possible without you."
Cirina blushed at that, looking like she wanted to say something, but she looked away a little embarrassed. Perhaps Y'shtola noticed this as well, for she suddenly cleared her throat and spoke up.
"We have the requisite consent," she said, ready to get back to business, and Claire was under the impression that she was eager to leave the Steppe behind quickly all of a sudden, "Tis time to put Nhaam's power to use. If the aether flows as planned, all that remains is to have the Ironworks' engineers do their work at the ruins. Come, let us return to the House of the Crooked Coin."
They nodded in agreement as Hien grasped Cirina's hands for a moment and thanked her once again as her face was now glowing so pink that it matched the her hair and robes. Hien, however, seemed oblivious to this as he left with them and Claire was feeling slight amusement from watching this, but didn't say a word as she left with Y'shtola.
They quickly retraced their steps and went running up the side of the mountain, knowing that their mission was almost over by this point. After ducking their heads underneath the wild Yols, they made it back to the cave as the crystals seemed to shine at their coming. Claire stood back with Hien as they watched Y'shtola step forward. She had no idea what it was that Y'shtola was about to do, but they kept a respectful distance from her as the stood at the very edge of the platform.
"I shall begin at once," Y'shtola warned, "You may wish to step back."
They remained quiet after Y'shtola shushed them and held up her arms. Claire watched as light suddenly began to pour out of her. The crystals around them reacted to this sudden surge of aether and were now resonating with the Sharlayan as power was filling up this space. Surging as the very lifeforce of the earth began to pulsate both within them and without. Claire wasn't entirely sure what was happening but she could almost swear she heard the very earth whispering to her, telling her that it would be alright… thanking them for restoring the flow of aether here.
She felt light-headed and giddy as it washed over her like a soft breeze, yet was warm as a blazing fireplace in Ishgard. She breathed in deeply, enjoying the very feeling of life that rang out from every corner of this cavern.
Yet as soon as it came, it was gone.
She opened her eyes to see that Y'shtola held her own until the power began to flow in and then out. And then finally faded.
Y'shtola staggered forward slightly, gasping for air as they both ran to her, ready to catch her should she fall.
"Did it work?" Hien asked worriedly as Y'shtola slowly turned back to look at him.
"It did," she reassured him in an air of exhaustion. Whatever it was that she did, it was enough to wear her out, "Aether may flow freely to the Burn once more."
"Nice job," Claire said and Y'shtola gave her a tired smile as Claire wondered what would become of the Burn. Now that Aether was flowing back there, it would only be a matter of time before life returned to it. She couldn't wait to see what would become of it in a few years' time.
"I do not pretend to understand what you did, Y'shtola, but you did it," Hien said in respectful wonder, "Thanks to you—and Claire, of course—we have taken a momentous step towards securing our defenses. Now, as much as I believe a rest is in order, we should probably make haste back to the enclave."
"Agreed," Y'shtola nodded, still looking tired, but greatly satisfied, "The others may already have returned from their missions, and I would know how things stand."
"As would I," Hien said, "Without further ado, then."
Y'shtola stumbled a little as she took a few unsteady steps, needing a little support until they exited the cave. They had to wait a few minutes for her to regain enough strength to be able to handle a teleport straight back to the enclave. But she was holding her head a little higher, her entire bearing holding onto a new sense of accomplishment. Claire didn't say anything, but she suspected that she may be holding onto feelings of failure after having been forced to remain in bed for all that time after the attack on her at the Reach. She was determined to make up for her lack of presence lately, but Claire was growing concerned how far she was willing to push herself to accomplish that.
She remained quiet on that though as they returned to the manor, to where Alisaie and the others had already returned from their own missions.
Alisaie beamed at the sight of them, though it didn't seem to reach her eyes exactly as she stepped forward and looked over them.
"Judging by your triumphant expressions, I take it all went well on the Azim Steppe," Alisaie stated.
"Indeed," Y'shtola informed her proudly, "We have secured a suitable source of energy for the barrier."
"Good," Alisaie replied before reassuring them, "Tataru and I have commissioned Garlond Ironworks to ensure that the field generators function as they should. A team of engineers stand ready to set out for the Burn at a moment's notice. You need only say the word."
It would seem that everything was shaping up well for Doma's protection. Between Doma and Eorzea, it seemed more likely to her that the Empire would be more likely to come here first. After all, they would have to contend with primals and the Eorzean Alliance and they weren't likely to want to march off to war… not yet anyway. Yet… a part of her held onto this feeling of great unease. It was as if she could feel something growing from the very borders of the Empire and whatever it was… would be coming soon enough.
She only hoped that she was thinking too much about it.
"I thank you for engaging their services on our behalf," Hien said graciously to her, "The minutiae of the arrangement, you may leave to me."
He then turned to Yugiri and the others as he asked, "Which just leaves the small matter of our alliance. So, Yugiri and Hakuro… how fared you with our neighbors?"
"My lord," Yugiri said, "All of the factions we approached are in agreement that the Empire poses a threat, and many responded positively to talk of an alliance. From Hingashi and Sui-no-Sato, however, we received outright rejections. The former will not break its treaty with the Empire and the latter will not involve itself in conflict."
Claire wasn't sure if she was right here, yet she could have sworn that there was some sense of… shame and relief. She could understand why Yugiri would feel that way. She would probably wish that her people would be more willing to fight… yet was relieved at the idea of her family would remain safer this way.
She gave her a kind look, which Yugiri noticed and returned gratefully—as if she knew just what Claire was thinking of.
"Just as we expected, then," Hien said calmly. Aside from some minor disappointment dusting his voice, he didn't seem angry or even that surprised by this news. "Well, there is naught to be done about it. We must focus on the rest. To each of the nations that were amenable to an alliance, I will personally send a missive. And once I have attended to that, I believe we will have done everything we can to fortify Doma's defenses—for the time being at least. All of which means I may leave for the meeting in Ala Mhigo with a lighter heart."
Right, in light of returning to the Steppe and everything happening there, Claire had almost forgotten about that.
Hien's eyes twinkled a little at the idea of going to visit Ala Mhigo before he went on seriously, "Yugiri, Hakuro—if you would be so kind as to hold the fort in my absence."
It seemed that they had done all that they could do for the time being and Hien knew this as he turned around.
"My friends, we could not have achieved so much in so little time without your help," he told them thankfully, "For that, I give you my heartfelt thanks. Till the meeting, then."
So now began their farewells. Alisaie had informed them that she contacted Thancred with news of what was happening here and that he would be meeting them in Ala Mhigo as well. With some hugs and promises to see each other soon, they bid their Doman friends farewell as they left—Hien promising to be right behind them.
They returned to Ala Mhigo in a flash, with the sun having already died the sky a bright orange and gold, bathing the entire city of stone so that it looked like it was ablaze. When Hien appeared besides them, he was struck by the sheer beauty that the city held over him.
This place was so different from Doma, yet there was still that sense of welcoming… like the city was welcoming them home.
"What a glorious city," Hien said as he stared around with wide eyes, "I think I have some new ideas for the Enclave."
"Lyse will like that," Alisaie said before spotting a familiar figure at the foot of the stairs to the palace.
Thancred looked up when he heard them and waved them over, greeting them like he hadn't seen them in weeks.
"Y'shtola told me all," he said when he reached her and gave her a clap on the shoulder, "And I duly told Urianger and Krile. Krile, in particular, was concerned about Alphinaud, but I assured her that everything that can be done is being done."
At the mention of Alphinaud's name, Claire felt her heart ache painfully, as if she were punched in the chest. But she just nodded as he gave her a comforting smile. "She agreed to continue with her own tasks for the time being on the condition that I contact her the moment there is any development," he added to her, and she remembered how she was still on Eureka, trying to discover a way to find a way to enter the barrier to her old Headquarters.
Claire nodded in understanding as he finished, "So, that leaves four of us to attend the council. Arenvald is here to assist with security, incidentally, though the poor lad seems altogether too distracted for the task. Another one missing Alphinaud, I expect." He seemed to think that he was talking too much and cleared his throat before stating, "Ah, but it's almost time. As soon as you are ready, represent yourself to the guard at the palace entrance. I shan't be far behind."
She nodded before she was the first one to enter with Alisaie besides her. Y'shtola came next with Hien right after her into a large meeting hall that was about the size of the Fragrance Chamber in Ul'dah. Claire stared around at the stone griffins that decorated the walls, and her eyes paused a moment on the proud flag of Ala Mhigo at the head of the table, which sat for 11 people.
She, Hien, and the other Scions took their chairs as the doors opened and Thancred led in the Admiral and Kan-E-Senna, who beamed peacefully at the sight of them while the Admiral gave a salute. They were soon joined by Lyse who was leading Ser Aymeric in—who beamed when he saw her and excitedly began to tell her about all the chances that Ishgard is going through before Raubahn entered with Nanamo at his side.
With everyone here, they all took their seats, with Lyse and Raubahn taking one end of the table, with Nanamo on Raubahn's right and Thancred on Lyse's left. Ser Aymeric promised to talk to her later as he took the seat directly opposite of her, quickly joined by the Admiral and Kan-E-Senna.
"Mistress Lyse," Nanamo said formally, but smiling widely when she looked to Raubahn, "Commander Aldynn. It gives me great pleasure to formally welcome the city-state of Ala Mhigo to the Eorzean Alliance."
"The pleasure is ours, Your Grace," Raubahn said, an oddly choked up sound in his throat as he spoke, "I know I speak for all Ala Mhigans when I say that we are glad of this chance to stand with our comrades of the Alliance."
"And we for our part are glad indeed to be able to welcome friends both old and new…" Kan-E-Senna added as she looked over them all before glancing at Hien, who bowed his head respectfully to her and the others.
"Lord Hien of Doma, at your service," Hien said politely. "Pray accept my heartfelt thanks for your generous invitation."
"Nay, 'tis we who must thank you for journeying so far," Aymeric insisted from next to him. "And 'twould be remiss of me not to acknowledge the part the Scions of the Seventh Dawn have played in bringing all of us together."
It was a little embarrassing when the leaders all looked to the Scions—their gazes pausing over her the longest before Ser Aymeric finished, "In times of great unrest, you and yours have been our constant companions, without whom we would not be here."
"With apologies to Lord Hien and Mistress Alisaie, it occurs to me that we have not gathered in this way since that fateful day in Ul'dah," Nanamo suddenly pointed out to Raubahn.
Suddenly, bad memories arose as that awful night in Ul'dah played itself over in her mind. She was suddenly glad that there was no food or drink in this situation. One less thing to worry about.
"The day I lost my arm and my freedom…" Raubahn nodded in agreement, "As I lay in my cell, never did I dream that I would one day be given the chance to represent my homeland at this council."
He then looked up to Claire as he added, gratitude ringing in his voice, "I would not even be alive had you not plucked me from the jaws of death—you, Yugiri, and Alphinaud. Would that the lad could be with us…"
The memories of those days played inside her head and she smiled rather feebly for a second before remembering that Alphinaud still wasn't here. She looked down, trying not to appear too upset.
"I too owe my presence here to Alphinaud," Alisaie said suddenly, "In so many ways… Until such time as he returns, I mean to carry on his good work as best I can."
Claire looked back up just as Raubahn gave them both a kind look—as if he knew just how hard this was for them both.
"Come, friends—let us leave the past in the past, and turn our eyes to the future," Nanamo said, "My lord Hien, pray tell us how things stand in the East."
And so Hien started things off by informing them with as much detail as he could of the exchange, of Asahi's deception and what became of Yotsuyu. As well as Alphinaud's decision to return to Garlemald in an attempt for peace. Thancred then told them of everything he learned of what was happening beyond their borders and of the lands ruled by the Empire. The rest of the Scions then explained more of what they found in the Burn of their attempts to create an Alliance in Doma, as well as how they were ready to set up the barrier around the Burn at a moment's notice.
Once they finished, she could see everyone's troubled expressions.
"Having heard the rumors of dissent in Garlemald, I dared to dream of a peaceable solution…" Kan-E-Senna said in worry.
"Hm," grunted Merlwyb, sounding doubtful about such a thing ever happening, "The Empire will not so easily change its ways."
No, not so long as those pulling their strings in the Empire remain. The Elder Seedseer looked around with those silver eyes of her as she said, "If the Garleans have a mind to take back Doma and Ala Mhigo, we'll be hard-pressed to stop them. Even with the might of six nations. But while we lack the strength to fight the tide, a course may yet present itself if we read the winds aright."
As much as she hated to admit to it, she knew that she was right. The Garleans merely retreated back into their borders, still posing a great threat. While they were successful in wining Doma's freedom, they all knew that it was because of the lax of security on the Garleans front. And as strong as their nations were together, it took all they had to be able to just push the Garleans out of Ala Mhigo.
What were they to do?
Ser Aymeric leaned back in his seat with his hands folded before saying, "The winds suggest but one course to me—one which leads from the sea unto the river and thence to the source of all our woes."
"The Ascians," Nanamo hissed and a collected hiss seem to go up and down the table at the name.
"Indeed," Ser Aymeric said with an undertone of hatred, "All here have felt their blighted touch. It was the Bringers of Chaos who nurtured the archbishop's tyrannical ambitions… they who bestowed upon him the secrets of summoning, as they have so many others, before and since. And while they remain, we shall know no peace."
Especially since they still didn't have a clear idea to what it is they're after. She frowned as she tried to reason just what they hoped to gain from their actions. She couldn't help but think back to what the Warriors of Darkness said that day… about the balance of light and dark. And then a memory from a distant life came back to her when she first confronted the white-robed Ascian… Elidibus.
"Your Mother favors you still, that much is plain. But surely you must feel it? Her influence wanes, and Her strength shall soon be spent. These lands, these people, this world—all shall soon change. As it was, so shall it be again. As it should always have been."
What did he mean? The Ascians seemed focused on weakening Hydaelyn for some end. But…?
"Our objective is clear," Raubahn said suddenly, interrupting her thoughts, "The question is how to achieve it. That our enemy parades about in Zenos's skin poses problems in itself, but ere we get to them, how are we to infiltrate the Empire and get close enough to strike?"
Claire looked around, though no one looked ready to give a solution to this problem. She couldn't help but wonder if Alphinaud would be able to find a way if he were here. She could suddenly picture those blue eyes and snow-white hair… she shook her head hard.
No. That was not helping. She had to focus on the problem now. She would be of no use to anyone if she allowed herself to get too caught up in the past when she knew that there was nothing she could do to change it.
"While I see the wisdom in targeting the Ascians, an assassination attempt on Garlean soil would do little to aid our cause… even were it to succeed," Thancred suddenly spoke up, getting their attention. "It's time we used our enemy's preferred tactic: subterfuge."
"You have an idea?" Y'shtola questioned curiously.
"Speak your mind, Master Thancred," Merlwyb said imperiously, "None here known the enemy better than the Scions, and you mayhap best of all. Whatever it is you propose, we will give it fair hearing. On that you have my word."
"Very well, Admiral," Thancred said as he leaned forward to rest his arms on the table and look seriously around at them all. "My proposal is thus. We dispatch the shinobi to imperial territory. There, they sow the rumor that the crown prince perished in the battle for Ala Mhigo, and that the man parading around is in fact a corpse inhabited by a servant of darkness."
Well, to come right out and tell the truth was not an answer that she was expecting. Would that work thought? She turned her gaze to the other leaders as they looked at each other, and talked about the idea amongst themselves.
"Well… it does have the ring of truth about it," Raubahn admitted cautiously, "And were the Garleans to learn that their future ruler is a puppet, the Empire would be shaken to the core."
"But—at the risk of sounding stupid—would they actually believe such an unlikely story?" Lyse questioned, "I didn't."
"Ordinarily not," Thancred admitted to her, "But prior to his miraculous recovery, rumors of Zenos's death had already begun to circulate around the Empire. Ultimately, however, what the masses believe is not our chief concern. Our true objective is to create an opening for rival factions within Garlemald to exploit."
That was true. Even just a rumor could be damaging enough. People can only take so many lies before they try and seek out the truth. Too much has happened in the past year for the royal family to cover it up completely.
"Just as a war of succession erupted in the wake of Emperor Solus's death!" Hien added as he thought back.
"A war which raged until but recently, plunging the imperial house into disarray as nephew and uncle grappled for the throne," Thancred reminded them matter-of-factly, "It is no coincidence that one of Varis's first acts as Emperor was to name Zenos heir apparent—family feuds being so tiresome when armies are involved. Not all welcomed his choice of successor, however. There is no shortage of individuals who aspire to the throne—who would jump at any chance to seize power. The news that Zenos is not only dead, but a puppet to diabolical forces, would be too enticing to ignore."
So, if even just the idea that the Imperial family had something to hide, would be enough to sow more seeds of doubt in the Empire. From what she knew of the state of the Empire, there were parts like the Popularis who were opposing the Empire's idea of conquering lands and were trying to put a stop to their conquest by asking for peace instead. Perhaps this would give people like Maxima a chance?
"The Empire would not be quick to recover from a second war of succession," Hien agreed, seeing where Thancred was going with this.
"I am no stranger to infiltrating imperial territory," Thancred added, "With a team of operatives gathered from among the Alliance's finest, the plan should have a reasonable chance of success."
"Doma already has shinobi in place throughout the provinces," Hien added, his eyes beginning to shine again, "We stand ready to act, and act we must. What say you all?"
The other nation leaders all looked at each other as they gave weight to this proposal.
"I am for Master Thancred's proposal," Merlwyb said, the first one to speak as was her nature. With a devilish grin and punching her fists together, she said, "We shine a light up the Ascian and test the Empire's unity. 'Twas his plot that scuttled Doma's negotiations, was it not? Why then, if we can eliminate him, there may yet be a chance for peace. Let us wage this war of subterfuge; that we may one day lay down our arms. Gods know, we never will while the Ascians remain."
It didn't seem that the others needed much convincing. They were all beginning to smile and nod as well, all of them liking this idea the more they thought about it. Claire was also beginning to smile at the thought of them having a plan in motion. In fact, a part of her was wondering if she would be allowed to be part of this subterfuge plot when…?
It happened at once and without warning… a terrible pain in her head. She gasped in pain as it felt like someone had shoved a spike through the top of her skull. She had grown used to the pains that the Echo brought to her whenever she had a vision… yet this pain was different. This was not the same kind of hurt that she had come to expect with the Echo.
Everything spun around her as a voice spoke inside her head.
"That way… sorrow…"
She felt one hand grip her chair to steady her as the other held her head and everything went dark. Fighting the urge to be sick—when she next opened her eyes, she was gone from the hall. Instead, she was standing in the middle of a pitch-black, empty space. There was nothing here, just pure darkness… as if she just stepped in through a blackboard while the pain in her head was reduced to a dull ache. She stared about her, not feeling anything but the fading pain.
Just then, that same voice spoke again.
"History… must be changed…"
Who is this? She thought she recognized that voice, but she could not recall from where. She stared around her, expecting to see someone, but saw nothing.
"I don't understand…" she called, hoping that someone could explain what was happening to her.
"Ahead looms a Calamity…" the voice warned her, a little louder, a little more urgently, "Ahead looms Light, expunging all form and life. Twin dooms only you can forestall. Only you."
"What's the matter!?" Raubahn's voice called through the darkness and she turned to look.
There was a flash of light and then she could see the hall again. Yet it was so foggy, like she was looking through a dirty window… through the haze, she could see that Raubahn had just risen from his seat and was staring at the Scions. Meanwhile, Y'shtola, Thancred, and Alisaie were all clutching their heads in pain.
"There's…" Alisaie croaked as Lyse also rose, looking ready to dash to them, "There's a voice…"
Claire blinked and then she was back in the darkness. She was breathing hard as she turned her head and she could see room again where the Admiral and Elder Seedseer had also jumped to their feet, looking fearful.
"Spies in our midst!?" Merlwyb demanded, staring around wildly.
"Nay," Kan-E-Senna said, sounding calm yet anxious at the same time. "I sense no such presence."
Claire could feel the pain growing again and shut her eyes so that she was back in the darkness. She felt her muscles begin to contract and tense… readying for a battle.
"What is happening?" she called to the darkness. She received an answer, alright, yet not one that she understood.
"Let expanse contract," the voice said again, the voice fading now yet sounding more urgent than ever, "Eon become instant… Throw wide the gates that we may pass!"
And with those words, it was gone.
As quickly as the pain had come, it was over. She blinked once more and she awoke to see that she was back in the hall as if nothing happened. She stared around in confusion, the pain had disappeared completely as the nation leaders were staring at them fearfully. The other Scions were blinking in bewilderment and a hint of fear as they stared around them—looking as confused as she felt.
"Is it over?" Y'shtola asked quietly, actually looking frightened.
Thud!
Thancred, who had been standing completely frozen a few seconds ago, and fallen from his chair and laid upon the floor in a heap.
"Master Thancred!" Ser Aymeric called in surprise as Kan-E-Senna ran around the table. She was the first to reach him and knelt down to examine him.
"Twelve forfend…" Claire heard her whisper before she spun around and commanded in a loud voice that almost didn't suit her, "Bear him to a private chamber. Have every healer make ready." And when no one moved, she added, "Swiftly!"
Lyse was the one who acted. She jumped around the table, tripping slightly on one of the chairs before she sprinted to the door, calling for aid.
"What happened?" Ser Aymeric asked urgently, looking at them with alarm.
"I… I don't know," Alisaie gasped as she looked up with wide eyes. "It just… it happened so quickly?"
Claire took several calming breaths as she explained what happened… of the voice that was calling out to her. By she finished explaining the words, Lyse had returned with a few guards, ready to carry Thancred out of the Hall and to a prepared bed. Kan-E-Senna chose to go with them, soon joined by her guard, ready to aid in any way she could.
"I could also hear a voice," Alisaie whispered, "Yet, I couldn't really make out the words they were saying. It was like trying to hear from a great distance. Though I was more focused on the pain."
"Aye," Y'shtola added as she kept a hand held up to her own head, looking wearier than ever. "It just… came out of nowhere?"
Claire could see that the nation leaders were now looking both scared and concerned for them. She quickly reassured them that they should be alright and that they should go check on Thancred's condition. Once she suggested that, Y'shtola agreed, promising that the pain had passed. They should focus more upon their plans to pass those rumors in the Empire's lands and that they would be focusing on figuring out what was happening here.
The three of them quickly left the hall and went down to town, being led by a guard, to where a room had been set up for Thancred. They waited outside the building for at least an hour before they were joined by Lyse and the Elder Seedseer.
A few minutes later, the Resistance Healer came out.
"Master Thancred remains in slumber," he informed them calmly, "Though his vital signs appear stable, he is unresponsive."
"What could have done this?" Lyse asked fretfully, "And why just him and not the others?"
"I'm afraid we could not identify the cause, my lady," the healer answered regretfully, "Our examinations revealed no wounds, nor the presence of any poisonous substances…"
"Gods, that only makes it worse," Lyse said, shaking her head before ordering, "You're to let us know the moment there's any change, all right?"
He nodded in understanding before returning inside, leaving the rest of them to look at each other in confusion.
"Thank you for coming," Alisaie added to the Elder Seedseer for her help, "Knowing Thancred, he would apologize for being otherwise engaged at so crucial a juncture."
"In gifting us a course of action, Thancred sowed the seed of all that is to follow," Kan-E-Senna reminded her gently, giving her a reassuring smile, "We have but to nurture it as best we can. To him I would say rest easy, that he make to enjoy the fruits of our labors."
Now that it appeared that Thancred was out of immediate danger, her smile faded and asked seriously, "Now, the matter of the mysterious voice must not be forgotten. Will you tell me exactly what happened?"
"Alisaie and I heard a voice in the moments before Thancred collapsed," Y'shtola explained at once, though she looked no closer to finding an answer to what happened than she did the first time she explained it, "It was accompanied by a severe headache—as if something were clutching at our minds." She looked to Claire and asked, "Did you experience the same thing?"
Claire nodded and explained how she heard the voice talking to her… between some sort of plain of darkness… flicking in and out of the meeting room and to this place.
"…So, in between the voice and the pain, you felt as if you were somewhere else entirely?" Alisaie questioned anxiously.
When Claire nodded, she could see how the Elder Seedseer's eyes darkened slightly in concern.
"Your testimony confirms my suspicion," she told them, "That which you experienced was, I believe, your soul being plucked from your flesh. Called."
Called… this was something that happened to Claire before, of course. She remembered the times where the mothercrystal called to her and she awoke—drifting in the aetherial sea. Though the last time that happened was so long ago… and was definitely not Hydaelyn who spoke to her this time. She could not recall whose voice it was that she heard. Whereas Hydaelyn's voice was both warm and gentle… soft and loving… this one was…?
"Called?" Y'shtola repeated in confusion and the Elder Seedseer closed her eyes.
"I myself examined Thancred," she confessed regretfully, "Reach out as I may, I could not sense in him the spark of life that is his soul."
They stared at her in shock and horror as they understood what that meant. Thancred wasn't just sleeping or unconscious… he wasn't even in that body anymore.
"That Thancred alone was stricken so is likely due to his heightened sensitivity to the effects of aether—a consequence of his prior possession by the Ascian Lahabrea," Kan-E-Senna went on, "The owner of the voice, whoever it may be, reached out to you—called your souls—and in so doing caused you and yours such pain."
"But… if that's true, where exactly are we being called to?" Alisaie asked, looking around at them for an answer that no one could give her.
"I know not," Kan-E-Senna said apologetically, "Yet one thing is plain: whoever waits for you on the other side possessed a power unlike any I have ever known."
There was nothing that any of them could say to that. Claire felt cold inside, as if she had spent a night out in Coerthas, and could not get herself warm. She was only vaguely aware of Y'shtola asking if it would be alright for them to leave Thancred in Lyse's care for the time being.
"As if you had to ask," Lyse nodded, giving her a shaky smile and a tiny tremble in her voice, "I may not be a Scion anymore, but I'm no less a friend. Don't worry, I'll see to it that Thancred's well looked after. Just focus on solving this mystery, all right?"
"Thank you, Lyse," Y'shtola answered back before looking to her and Alisaie, adding "As the Elder Seedseer says, 'tis no ordinary individual we are dealing with. Nor can we discount the possibility of Ascian involvement."
"Whoever or whatever is behind this, the sooner we find out the better," Alisaie decided before thanking the Elder Seedseer once more. Kan-E-Senna merely expressed a regret she could not do more to help them, but promised that if they ever needed help, they were to seek her out. She then decided to return to the meeting hall and finish discussing plans with the other nation leaders before she returned to Gridania.
"Know that we will be praying for Thancred," she told them, reaching forward and gripped Claire's hands comfortingly. When Claire looked into her eyes, they turned warm and she said, "And wherever you go, know our thoughts go with you. Should you need anything… please… don't be afraid to come to us."
Claire forced a smile and nodded as the Elder Seedseer gave her one last kind look before leaving with her guard.
The rest of them looked to each other, trying to figure out what they should do now. That was when she noticed that Alisaie was messing with her linkpearl. When Alisais saw her looking, she answered, "I just tried to call Urianger on his linkpearl. He didn't respond, but I dare to hope that he possesses some knowledge we do not."
But before she could go on, she paused and listened.
"…Ah, Urianger!" she said, "Something happened during the meeting. Thancred's collapsed. A disembodied voice suddenly started—" she paused and gasped, "What? But that's… we should talk about this in person. …All right. We'll meet you there."
She turned to the rest of them and cried, "That was Urianger. He heard the voice too!"
That certainly got their attention and they looked at each other at this revelation.
"Good luck," Lyse said quickly, "I should get back to the meeting with the Elder Seedseer, but if there's anything I can do—anything at all—you must let me know, all right? Promise me."
They promised to let her know as she hugged each one of them quickly before she left them, leaving the rest of them to quickly teleport back to the Rising Stones and find Urianger. They ran inside the building, with Alisaie leading the way, finding their gloomy friend already there and waiting for them.
He smiled when they approached and Alisaie went dashing straight over to him, looking ready to hug him this time.
"Urianger!" Alisaie said in relief, "Gods, it's good to see you!"
He nodded as he answered back in a solemn, yet kind voice, "Would that our meeting were under happier circumstances. I judged the voice sufficient cause for concern even before you sent word of its effect on our comrade…"
She and Y'shtola stood on either side of Alisaie as the miqo'te asked in a business-like way, "You heard it too, then?"
"Aye," he confirmed grimly, "And all but certainly at the selfsame instant. Alas, pained as I was, I could make little sense of what few words did reach mine ears."
Y'shtola folded her arms and said, "Who do you think is responsible? Could this be the Ascians' doing?"
He shook his head in a helpless way that she recognized that he didn't have an answer. "That I cannot say," he confessed, "Not when so little is known. Ere I indulge in speculation, I would examine Thancred with mine own eyes."
"To Ala Mhigo, then—without further delay!" Alisaie agreed immediately, looking ready to run all the way back there if she had to.
"One other thing," Y'shtola interrupted suddenly, "During my visit to the Far East, I observed a strange phenomenon."
"Though referest, I presume, to the localized reduction in aetheric density?" he asked rather smartly, taking her by surprise.
"Well, that spares me the trouble of an explanation," Y'shtola told him, sounding a little put out by that, "Yes. I noted precisely that at two apparently unconnected locations. I take it the phenomenon is not limited to the Far East?"
"Indeed not," Urianger confirmed, "Of late, our agents charged with surveilling the beast tribes have spoken of little else. In every corner of the realm, they tell of places in which the aether hath grown thin. Naturally, my suspicions first turned to primal activity, but the areas thus affected betray no evidence of summoning. I must confess to being quite perplexed."
Claire was having a sudden sense of foreboding. She wasn't entirely sure why this would be seen as something important—compared to everything that happened today, at least.
"If the same phenomenon is being observed in multiple locations on opposite sides of the world, we may safely discount regional factors," Y'shotla agreed, "Needless to say, this warrants further investigation.
"Indeed," Urianger said professionally, "I shall make it my task to—" but before he could even finish his sentence, his words suddenly died in his throat.
Claire looked on worriedly as he gave a slight gasp of surprise and fell silent. When he next spoke, it was in a voice that she almost didn't recognize. For she had never heard him sound as frightened as he did right now.
"The voice…" he whispered fearfully, and she felt a cold chill go down her spine as he added, "It calleth to me once more…"
They all took a step back as they watched how his hands went up to grip his head and he was shaking violently. He staggered around before falling to his knees just as Y'shola let out a cry, her hand up to her head as well.
"I… I hear it too!" she croaked frightfully.
Claire stared at her, wondering briefly what she could do to help when that terrible pain from before struck at her once more. Staggering, almost falling over, it was as if someone took a spiked club to her skull as that voice echoed inside her mind.
"Only you…" the voice said to her, "Only you…"
"Who… who are you…?" Claire whispered out, her pain growing with every moment, much worse than it had been back in the Meeting Hall. "Get out… of my… head!"
She could hear Alisaie cried out through gritted teeth, fighting off the pain as best as she could. Claire tried to focus on what was happening around her, yet she could hardly see anything as she struggled to remain on her feet.
Through the haze of fog and pain, she could see Alisaie had fallen to her knees as well, croaking out their friend's names as if begging for help. But the pain in Claire's own head pushed that all out as the voice grew louder, more insistent.
"Throw wide… the gates…"
What gates? What was it talking about? She didn't understand!
In that brief moment, she was certain that she was going to pass out. Yet, just as it had before, as quickly as it had come, the pain faded and all returned to normal. She blinked, startled that it was over so suddenly and quickly looked down to examine herself. Her hands looked fine… so did her arms and the rest of her… everything was fine…
Until…?
"No! NO! This can't be happening!"
Claire's head jerked up at the scream. It had come from Alisaie, who was staring at Y'shtola and Urianger… who were lying as still and cold on the floor as dolls.
"Alisaie…" she began, but she didn't think that the younger girl could even hear her anymore.
"Y'shtola! Urianger!" Alisaie cried out, "Open your eyes!"
She then flew to their side and began to shake Urianger as she cried out, "Open your eyes, I beg you…"
Yet no matter how hard she shook them, how loudly she cried, she may not have said anything at all for all the good it did. They remained as still and lifeless as Thancred had.
"Say something… anything…" she pleaded with them, sobs starting to erupt, "Not again… Please! Not again!"
Riol was the first to hear the cries and he came running over to see what was going on. Alisaie was crying at this point, and Claire had to fight the wave of tears that threatened to break out as well. She was able to hold them back as Riol was on his knees, examining the two unconscious Scions. Though, if the same thing happened to them as it did with Thancred, she feared that they weren't simply unconscious.
But right now, she was focused on Alisaie, who had broken down completely, not knowing what to do. Claire wasn't sure what was going on, nor how to fix this… but she knew what the younger girl needed the most. She softly approached Alisaie and knelt down behind her before placing a comforting hand upon her shoulder.
At her touch, Alisaie spun around to stare at her, tears glistening in her eyes, before she flung herself into her arms. Alisaie buried her face in Claire's front and held on tightly as she cried, letting out all of her bitterness, her fear and helplessness—desperate for someone to hold on to. Claire merely hugged her back fiercely, her arms acting as if a shield from the rest of the world as Alisaie clung on with all she had left.
Claire ran her hands through Alisaie's hair comfortingly before she looked up to see the others watching on with fear and confusion.
"We'll explain later," she said firmly, jerking her head to Y'sthola and Urianger. "Take them both to a spare room and see that they are treated. I'll look after Alisaie." When they hesitated she barked in a surprisingly loud voice, "NOW!"
They jumped at the sudden order, but they agreed, promising that they would get the best healer around to look at them.
Claire helped Alisaie to her feet and half carried her over to the Solar… where they would be given some peace. They sat down in the chairs in front of the fireplace while Alisaie let out all of her feelings, seemingly unable to bring herself to leave Claire's arms.