Epilogue: The Welcome of Night

Claire's eyes finally adjusted to the warm glow of the dying lantern that was placed by the window as sleep continued to try and sink its claws into her. It was very late and she knew that her time could be better spent getting some rest, but she didn't want to drift back off… not just yet.

She had returned to the First sooner than she first thought, but with everything else relatively quiet in the Source, she had no reason to really delay her return. The moment that she stepped back here to the Crystarium, she had learned that it had been a couple weeks since she left and things were really changing for the better part and she was relieved to hear that it hasn't been moons or years since she had been gone this time around.

As of right now, she spent the last few days helping with the research in the Cabinet, though she found very little information that she could use that made sense. She did her best to help the others continue to search for a way back to the Source, but after going through so many books that she felt that her mind was being squeezed, she decided to call it a night and returned to her rooms. Alphinaud and Alisaie return to the city fairly often and so it wasn't uncommon to see them with her as she revealed more news of the Source. And so, over the upcoming days she would travel back and forth between the two worlds, delivering messages and even care packages from Tataru to help keep their spirits up.

They were very relieved to hear that the fighting was still at a stalemate for the time being and that no one had heard any information of the Black Rose. Yet this was just another calm before the storm… they all knew that this stalemate wasn't going to last forever… in fact, the last report that Claire had heard confirmed that the fighting was getting more intense. The only question now was which side was going to break first.

They had to find a way to get the Scions back as soon as possible, while events were still in their favor.

The twins would pour over book after book that they pulled from the countless shelves of the Cabinet, which she was grateful for since she knew that they had much more understanding of the tomes then she did, but it wasn't like they had any other advice to go from since what they were attempting was simply unheard of.

And so, at the moment at the least, no real progress or plans had been made. Still, it wasn't like they didn't have places to search for answers; G'raha—or the Exarch—promised that they would all have a meeting soon to discuss this and so he recommended that they all do their own research and they would bring it up later on.

Claire yawned out as she stretched, pressing her back up against the wall as she continued to sit upon the windowsill of her room in the pendants, dressed in nothing but her camise and pantalettes as she stared out at the darkened lake that was a perfect reflection of the night sky above it… making it look like she was staring off into the endless vast of space.

She rubbed her tired eyes before she realized that she was being watched; and she looked up to see a dark shape appearing at the very railing of her small balcony and beady eyes were staring back at her.

"You again?" she asked as the Shoebill gazed at her unblinkingly. Strange bird… she remembered seeing it here and there whenever she crossed Kholusia but it seems to have followed her even here.

She turned her attention back to the night sky, completely ignoring the Shoebill even as it stared back at her… almost judgingly. But Claire found her mind continuing to drift about in a comfortable jumble so she didn't pay any attention to the glowering bird. She leaned her head back against the stone wall and shut her eyes as she felt herself drifting in and out of thought as she remembered a little earlier that evening.

*Earlier*

There was a steady stack of books upon the table as Alphinaud flipped through them eagerly. Even though he admitted that he found it unlikely he could gain any insight with these tomes, but he found them so fascinating for they brought such new concepts that he never would have thought of before. He had asked if he could study in here for a while since he was having a hard time focusing back in the cabinet because, according to him, there were so many people flocking to it so that they could pen their own take on the events that have happened in recent days and the noise was distracting.

She told him she didn't mind and let him in to read while she went through her glamour dresser to discard many of the items or gear that she no longer needed—a mindless distraction that she needed at the moment.

While she sorted through they spent a delightful afternoon just talking and she was more than happy to actually do her fair share of speaking rather than let him speak enough for the both of them as he usually did. She found herself laughing and tossing aside some of her older gear as she made room for the new ones as she told him about the Firmament and all the changes that were coming to Ishgard and that there were even welcoming dragons to roam the streets—a sight that no one ever would have thought possible not too long ago.

Alphinaud's eyes widened in awe at the thought and decided he simply must see it when he got back and he expected a full tour of the place.

"Though if construction is still in the process, then mayhaps it would be better to wait until the whole of Firmament is rebuilt?" he stated as he pondered it over.

"That won't be a problem," Claire said eagerly. "It looks so amazing even now and I can't wait to see how it will all look once it's finally all rebuilt! Oh, Alphinaud, it looks amazing! So many houses are already up and they have a small market already in the wings! They have working fountains growing flowers as well! I was worried about how they could pull that off when the weather only seems to be growing colder…?"

She paused there as she suddenly remembered how Ishgard took in the defector Cato nan Mammula and that he was overseeing an installation of a ceruleum heating system. She had met the man while she had been learning the art of the gunblade… having been inspired by how easily Thancred used his and she wanted to learn it as well should she ever need it. She smiled happily at the thought of Radovan and hoped he and Sophie were settling in well in Mor Dhona.

"I cannot wait to see it," Alphinaud stated longingly as Claire hummed to herself and tossed aside a pair of old greaves that were so battered now that she wondered why she ever held on to the pair while in such a state in the first place.

"I promise to give you the full tour when it's rebuilt!" she promised, her back still to him before going on about how they were working on a part now known as the Nest and that it would serve as a place for crafting and a bigger market. They were only about halfway through building it though so it would take some time to reach that point—but she was eager to see how it would all look once it joins the rest of the Firmament as completely rebuilt.

Alphinaud watched her for a time as she continued to hum and talk and his eyes grew unmistakably warm when he saw how happy she was. He so rarely saw her so content.

"I have to admit, I think I like this side to you," he said as she grinned back sunnily.

"It is a big adjustment, but… I think that I like it too," she told him. She wasn't sure how to take this new upbeat side of her… but hoped that it would last for a time. While she doubted that it would be around for much longer if the fighting didn't ease up at the borders, she decided to enjoy this as long as possible, these quiet moments… or as Ardbert called them: the calm before the story.

At the thought of Ardbert, she felt a trace of melancholy pass over her like a breeze of cold air and she looked up to the window, as if expecting him to suddenly appear there with some teasing remark. She smiled sadly, missing her 'ghostly companion'.

Alphinaud seemed to pick up on her sudden silence and asked if she was alright, which she quickly reassured him she was and asked if he wanted some tea. She needed a break anyway, and when he agreed that a rest would be welcomed, she dropped an armload of gear on the bed and headed over to the stove to light the kettle. As she boiled the water, and Alphinaud returned to his book, something caught her eye on the nearby shelf and she looked down in surprise to see a rather innocent-looking envelope sitting there.

It took her a moment to remember where that came from.

She picked it up and flipped it over in her hands for a moment and realized that it was the same letter that Alphinaud seemed so panic-stricken when he thought she read it… she had yet to have a moment to open it. She glanced back at Alphinaud, who hadn't noticed yet, and stuck it into her pocket before she finished making the tea. The two of them sat down at the table as he happily told her more of the changes that had come to Norvrandt while she had been away. Such as how Master Chai had reached out to the miners of Amh Aerang and they were discussing about having more talos built so that they could help in the mines. And with all of Malikah's Well being cleared out of beasts and sin eaters, they were eager to delve down there and see what forgotten riches they could find.

"Or that was just what Alisaie was telling me," he explained to her as he added a couple lumps of sugar to his tea. "And the Crystarium is also beginning to reach out to several smaller settlements to help them rebuild like Holminster Switch. There's even talk about trying to negotiate with the pixies of Il Mheg… luckily Feo Ul has forbidden the majority of fae folk to venturing out and turning people into Leafmen."

They talked until all the tea had been drunk and the sky was awash with gold and a crimson border before Alphinaud yawned, saying that he had trespassed upon her hospitability long enough and that he would head off to bed.

As he got up, she suddenly felt the letter in her pocket and she asked, "Wait."

He looked at her with polite puzzlement on his face, his books tucked under his arm, as she pulled out the letter and showed it to him. He looked at it in confusion for a moment before he recognized it and suddenly went very pale.

"Ah… yes… that…" he said awkwardly. "I… ah… nearly forgotten."

"Well?" she asked him lightly.

He set the books back down as he began to fiddle with some of the silver ornaments upon his clothing, suddenly finding the floor very interesting. She set the letter down on the table between them as he continued looking very uncomfortable. She realized that she was springing this on him all of a sudden, but she remembered just how he reacted before and that he wanted to discuss this with her.

Alphinaud finally glanced at the paper once more and picked it up to see that it remained unopen but for the slight tear in the side. He seemed to be pondering what to do.

"I know you said that I needed to read it, but if you rather…?" she offered, looking pointedly over at the stove and he shook his head. She had given him a way out and if he wanted to get rid of whatever was written there, silently letting him know that she wasn't going to question him if he rather not say a word. But instead, he took a deep breath and pushed the envelope back to her.

"This is for you," he said stiffly, "But… after you read it, before you say anything, allow me to explain myself. That's all I ask."

She didn't like where this was going but she nodded and took the envelope back. As she tore open the paper, she could see how Alphinaud's hands were clenched tightly at his sides out of the corner of her eyes. When the paper was free she flipped it open and began to read out:

My dearest friend,

I know not if this message will ever reach you, but if the gods are kind… then they will see to it that my words will find their way somehow. It is just that I wish my heart to be made known to you should we ever be unable to meet again. I realize how alarming what I just wrote may seem to you, but please know that I am safe... for the time being. I realize what I'm saying probably won't make much sense to you... in all honesty, I fear I barely understand half of it myself. But to put it simply, wherever I am right now, it is very, very far away from you.

I pray you don't think poorly of my decision to leave that day. When I chose to leave with Maxima to Garlemald, I knew that I would be leaving your side for the foreseeable future. But… it would seem that it was even longer than even I ever thought. I hope that you can believe me when I confess that it was not an easy decision to make. Perhaps it was in the heat of the moment when I volunteered to go. However, the fact remains is that we know so precious little of the lands that are under the control of Garlemald and even less of the Imperial City itself that I felt compelled to step forward to learn as much as I could.

But looking back, I cannot help but feel that it was a decision made in haste and I'm sorry for all the worry that I know that I put my sister, our friends, but most of all you through because of my hasty act. But it was through my impulsive decision that I learned much of what awaited us across the borders. Including the dangers that eventually led me to my current... predicament.

Just thinking about my situation now... it almost feels as if I am in the middle of a complicated dream of madness. In fact, I confess that it even crossed my mind that I may be having one grand fever dream or that I'm simply losing my mind. More than once believing that I would soon awaken and be either back in the Rising Stones or in the wilds of Ilsabard. But I doubt I could ever come up with something like this.

While it may seem hard to believe, I ask that you trust my words, for I have never been more serious than I am right now. I have somehow travelled to the First. The same world that Minfilia and the Warriors of Darkness returned to what felt so long ago now. How I came to be here is a question I still struggle to understand, however I want you to know that I did not choose to come of my own free will. But the important thing here is that this world is tittering upon the very brink of oblivion and I cannot stand by and do nothing as the people here cling to what little hope, or lack thereof, they have left. I hope you can forgive my selfishness... or at least come to understand my decision. But not only is it the right thing to do, another important fact is that I fear that I am trapped here for the time being...

I cannot say when, or even if, I'll be able to return to the Source—to you—but know that I think of you always and pray that you are safe and well. Which leads me to the reason why I have written this letter despite not knowing how it will ever be able to reach you. But the fact is that I am uncertain to how I feel at the moment and therefore am unable to know what the right way to take.

I have thought long and hard how to put my feelings into words. But as you once told me, I tend to overthink everything.

So I will speak frank...

While I know not when I will see you again but know that I, for my part, will do all I can to help you from afar. While I may never grow as strong as you are, I will do my best to follow your example and make the most of my unexpected situation. But this, you must know, a grave future awaits the Source… a new weapon that will bring about an even more devastating calamity than Dalamud and Bahamut is creeping across the land towards Eorzea. Garlemald is planning to harness a poisonous weapon that will be able to kill everyone and everything in its path… including you.

So please… warn the Alliance leaders of this coming threat and do whatever you can to prepare for it. But most of all, you must find a way to survive for I fear not even you will also be lost to it should it ever be uneashed.

A new… friend, I suppose I should call him, is doing everything he can to aid us in this fight and even to find a way to open a path so that you may join us… yet he had confessed that his strength is waning and being able to summon you safely here had proven to be more… problematic than he first thought.

I know that you, too, must be searching for a way to find us; but I fear that there is a chance that you may not get to us in time. Should that be the case, should the Eight Umbral Calamity arrive in the form of this poison, then you should know that there is a very strong likelihood that I am already gone.

Please, do not mourn for me, instead you must focus upon yourself and ensuring you do whatever it takes to survive and protect all others survive. Hopefully, this letter will reach you in time to warn you before that battle arrives, and I will continue my daily prayers that you will continue on no matter what happens.

So… if you must… forget about me.

Forget about me and what we shared if that is the price that must be paid. Should you choose another to fall in love with and share your life with them, then I will continue to wish for your happiness no matter what befalls me. So forgive me for saying this, I make no promises that we will meet again. Should I already be gone by the time you, miraculously, find this message, please know that with whatever time I have left, I will never forget you.

My dearest friend... my hero... my beloved… wherever you may go my thoughts go with you. My heart belongs to you and despite my best efforts, I will never be able to express just what you mean to me. Only that you are so precious to me and I hope that one day soon I will find myself at your side once more.

Forever yours,

Alphinaud

It took a long time for her to fully register what she read and she stared up at him as he heaved a sigh when she set the letter down.

"You really believed that you were going to die?" she said. Though she asked it in the form of a question, it was really more to confirm the look on his face, which was now looking truly miserably.

"I'm sorry I ever wrote that. Please understand that I was not in a good state of mind when I wrote it," he told her honestly. "But… yes. I knew that there was a very likely possibility that I would die against the sin eaters and this world would be sucked into the eight Rejoining before we would be able to return. The Exarch was struggling ever harder to summon you… and with everything that we learned about this possible future, though at the time we were convinced it was more a prophecy than anything, didn't make things easier."

He sighed as he looked out the window at the golden colors that were quickly setting into the dark of twilight.

"It made me feel helpless… useless…" he went on. "And… then I would think of you and how you must feel not knowing the truth. I didn't want you worrying about me… yet I could not bring myself to lie and say that I would return. If nothing else, I rather that you move on and find a new happiness even if that was not with me."

"That isn't your choice," she said as he looked back in surprise to see her glaring at him before snapping, "You think I could just so easily move on?! That I could forget you? Writing a letter saying that there was a good chance that you were going to die would be comforting?!"

To her surprise, he smirked sadly at that and answered, "I admit that it wasn't my brightest decision… by the gods, you sound just like Alisaie when she found the letter. She demanded to know why I would break your heart like that. But please understand that while it was hard for me to write that… I felt that I had to have that and set you free should something happen to me."

"Set me free?" she repeated softly as she looked down.

"I could only imagine how it would have been like to be you and no knowing what was going on. At the time, I was truly beginning to think that we would never find our way back and all I could think of was that you would be waiting. And... I didn't want you to wait for someone whom you may never see again. I didn't want you to spend your days caring for me with the vain hope that I would ever awaken," he sighed again as he began to twist his hair about in his fingers that it was a wonder that he didn't pull his hair out by accident as she stared at him sadly.

"I must have gone through an entire book of paper as I tried to write how I felt... and that letter was the final draft. But as soon as I read it, I realized how it sounded like I was giving up," he told her.

"But you kept it?" she reminded him gently and he looked down.

"I know I should have torn it up or something," he admitted, "Especially after finding out that you were about to read it. But I could not bring myself to do it. In case... in case, I ever had to tell you to forget me."

She slowly got up and walked around the other side of the table to join him. She gently placed her fingertips under his chin and tilted his head up a little so he would look her in the eyes.

"How could I forget you?" she asked quietly. She then cupped his face, his skin feeling so soft beneath her rough fingertips as she committed it to memory once more.

He could feel her grin as she nuzzled gently into the crook of his neck and he felt her hair tickling his jaw and nose. There was something comforting about her weight pressing against his chest as he began to play with her hair. It was growing out again and fell past her shoulders and he could breathe in her sweet scent as he closed his eyes.

"I love you," he whispered to her. Her head moved very slightly so that he felt her lips press so lightly against the pulse in his neck that it was as if a butterfly had touched down. But the sensation caused his entire body to tingle with happiness.

"As do I," she whispered back quietly and he felt her head rest against his shoulder as her breaths turned slow and deep. He turned his head slightly so that he could admire her and found himself completely captivated. She looked so content that he could not help but reach out and gently tucked the lock of hair that fell over her face behind her ear so that he could continue to gaze at her. His thumb gently brushed over her cheek and her skin felt so warm in that instance...?

He always felt love for her, but it was in these moments were it was just the two of them did he fully feel them and appreciate how lucky he felt to have won her heart. The love he felt was so deep that he knew that there was nothing in this world he would not do for her.

He could not help but worry for her. Despite knowing that she was sorely needed, he wanted to take her back to the crystal tower and send her back to the Source... only to remember the dangers faced there and he sighed. For a brief moment he wanted nothing more than to lock her up inside the tower or even in this room until he knew it was safe. But he also knew that she would not take that kindly.

Before when he wrote that letter, he could almost accept the fact that so long as she was happy, that was all he wanted. But to lose her in front of him? That image was worse than any nightmare.

"You said that Alisaie read it? I remember hearing from… someone that you both had a fight. Was that what the fight was about?" she asked and he nodded. "I was visiting Alisaie in Amh Aerang when she found the letter I tucked into my notebook. I had forgotten I placed it there and well...? She never could keep her nose out of my business."

Claire smirked at that and asked, "She didn't take it well?"

"I fear that was an understatement," he confessed. "She's not the type to try and interfere with one's life, but she feels it's her right to support her friends. Especially as pertains to their happiness." His eyes glittered fiercely as he looked back to her and raised a hand, gently stroking his thumb over her knuckles as he confessed, "She said that you have endured enough suffering."

Claire actually let out a shaky laugh and when he blinked in confusion, she looked into his deep blue eyes sadly and said, "What a pair we make, don't we?"

It seemed to hit them both all at once and before they could stop themselves, they were both cracking up and laughing with each other. Two young souls… trapped in a position of duty and constant battling but trying to savor what little sanity they could during these quiet moments. Claire was happy again… for the first time in a long while. And with that public kiss during the celebrations, she felt like another piece of the heavy weight she was carrying around was lifted off her shoulders for she no longer felt the need to hide things.

She felt light and free… despite all that remained left undone, she truly felt happy again in a way she couldn't remember in such a long time. The words that he had written, his heart laid bare for her to read, they hurt though when she realized that he truly sounded lost and scared of all that he knew.

The two of them slowly let their laughter die away as the sounds of crickets could be heard singing even up this high and that seemed to be the only other sound in existence between the two of them.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly as she closed her eyes, not sure if she could face his expression right now. She knew that he was looking at her and possibly wondering why she was apologizing. "I feel… that I had been neglecting you lately. That I had been so wrapped up in my own head and what was going on around me to really pay attention to what was between us."

"How could you hope to do so with so much hanging over our heads?" he asked and he didn't sound angry or upset with her. "Nay, our minds were occupied elsewhere. Now all that is left to do is find a way back to the Source. And once we're back there, I promise that things will change between us."

She opened her eyes and he was smiling very kindly at her as he reached over and took her hand… where he realized that she was now wearing the ring he had given her… a constant reminder that he would be there for her… that a piece of him was forever at her side.

"I'm sorry for not being as supportive of you as I may have been," he said. And when she next looked into his eyes, she suddenly thought of that wondrous moment they were reunited in that little rundown bar upon Kholusia and his… energetic greeting. She could tell that he was thinking of it as well for he was now blushing slightly and she squeezed his hand back tightly.

"Don't be… I have issues that I'm working through," she told him with a smile. "Issues that… may not be as severe as they were before all this. But I'm doing better. I feel lighter now… as if I lost a lot of weight since coming to the First. There's still a heaviness to my heart that I know I can never get rid of, but I know that I don't have to carry it alone anymore. I think that was the thing that I most struggled with."

"You were never alone… though, I guess I can see why it would appear that way," he confessed sadly and lowered his head in shame before he leaned in and rested his head against her shoulder as they talked a little more.

Just about anything that rally popped into their heads… in many ways it felt like they had taken a step forward and then a step back. But through it all, it finally felt that they had reached a point that they can both say that they were comfortable being and were cautiously looking forward to seeing what came from it.

"Were… were you really that bad?" she asked him, almost afraid of the answer.

He didn't speak up for a moment and she suddenly had a feeling what it felt like to try and get answers out of her sometimes before he lowered his head sadly.

"I… wasn't in the most optimistic state of mind," he confessed. "Not so bad that I had wanted it all… to go away…?" he was being very careful with how he worded things, "Nowhere near that bad. But… still bad enough that there were days that I didn't even want to move… didn't want to emerge from where I was able to find shelter and just become lost in thoughts. That didn't help things. After a while, I got used to the idea of a new world and I kept reminding myself that laying there wasn't going to help anyone. It wasn't easy, but I was able to pull myself back into a working state… thankfully my bouts of solemnness didn't last for more than a couple weeks… about as long as you had been lost in yours?"

"I wasn't that bad… was I?" she asked him, suddenly worried.

"Well, we were all too worried to really pay much attention, but to see you act so… out of character… wasn't a nice thing to see," he admitted.

She lowered her head and apologized once more but he shook his head.

"No, I don't want you to apologize," he countered. "You more than earned your dark mood for that time and continuing to hold in all that light inside you was slowly destroying you. I'm only sorry that I didn't notice… didn't realize…?"

She shook her head again, just glad that they can leave those darker parts of their lives behind them.

"So… where will that leave us?" she asked him as she rested her head against his.

"I would like to introduce you to my father," he said, not skipping a beat, and she sat upright in great surprise by such a random sounding thought. He looked to her and, upon seeing her startled expression, chuckled and wrapped an arm back around her shoulders and pulled her back in. "Is that so strange? I have several family members back in Sharlayan and I wish for you to meet them. It has been such a long time since I was back there that it would be good to visit and see how father and everyone else is faring. I know that Alisaie had discussed it before as well. Should we have the chance to visit Sharlayan, I would very much like for you to come with us so that I can introduce you to father."

She didn't know what to think to that, having never really thought about the idea of what Alphinaud's father would be like. But she was suddenly very curious and she asked more about him. She had met Louisoix before, or at least met the real him after being freed from Bahamut's control, and she could see so much resemblance in both twins. She wondered what their father would be like in comparison?

"Well, in truth… I believe me and Alisaie take after our mother more than our father," he confessed. "At least in appearance. But we both inherited father's stubbornness, as well as my love for diplomacy. But I think that meeting you would be good for him."

"Good for him?" she repeated in confusion and he grinned.

"Well, he's a bit… traditional," he confessed. "And I can't think of anyone who knows how to break the idea of tradition more than you."

"Should I be flattered or insulted?" she asked shrewdly and he seemed to ponder that. "Don't tease me, good sir."

And he laughed again as he squeezed her hand back tightly, his thumb brushing across the ring once more.

"Besides," he added, "Should I ever fulfil the promise this ring holds… it may be a good idea for you to get to know him."

She gave him a long look as she thought it all over. She knew precious little of what his other family members would be like… but from the sounds of things they would be stuffy, traditional lords with high standing in society and may not think kindly of an 'outsider' coming to their land.

How could she ever refuse?

"I would like that," she told him honestly and he grinned back, both spending a short time discussing what Sharlayan would be like and just what he would love to show her. He talked and talked for a great deal about what he would love to change about Sharlayan as well if he ever got the chance, having taken inspiration from both Eorzea and Norvrandt… such as opening the borders to their lands so that the rest of the world can enjoy all the knowledge that they hoard.

"I never understood why they do that," Claire said, remembering that Sharlayan was well known for seeing out knowledge and keeping it locked away… something that Master Matoya and Louisoix both agreed upon if she remembered things correctly.

Alphinaud actually rolled his eyes at that and said, "Because they believe themselves to be the guardians of knowledge. And in some ways I understand… knowledge can be dangerous in the wrong hands and thus needs to be handled with care. But there is a difference between keeping dangerous knowledge locked up and sharing the rest of what one knows with the world. I would love to change their minds one day."

"I'll help," she promised him and he seemed to actually swoon slightly at her tone.

"I know you would. But… let me try first, alright? I will not send you in as a weapon or a tool… not now, not ever again. I need to learn to stand on my own two feet," he told her. "Alisaie will be there to help and should we need the support, it comforts us both to know that you are there to catch us should we mess up. Yet, the offer is welcomed indeed, my friend."

Friend… he always called her that… but now it was different. He said it so endearingly that she knew that he was saying something else. My beloved… my sweetheart… my love… all just wrapped up in one phrase.

"Something to look forward to then when we get back," she promised instead, hoping that they find that way home soon. He let out a strange hum noise that she never heard before and she gently stroked his cheek with a single finger and she smiled when she saw the slight pleasure in his face from such a simple motion.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked.

"No, I'm feeling happy," he answered back as she smiled back.

"I'm glad," she whispered as he moved around to wrap his arms around her neck.

"I apologize for worrying you with the letter," he told her.

"If there is one thing that you wish for me to forgive about that letter, it is for believing that I could ever forget you," she scolded him, some of her peaceful mood fading and he flinched slightly at the sharpness that lined her voice.

"Please," she added in a more calm tone, "I've had enough of the gloom and doom… enough being angry and feeling sick with worry. Please, just give me this moment if nothing else… let me believe that we can still have the future you promised me when you gave me this ring. Let me believe that we will find a way back to the Source and you are going to take me on those lunch dates that Tataru told me that you better be promising me with."

"She really said that?" he couldn't help but ask as she raised her eyebrows at him and he sighed once more before nodding in defeat with a faint tremor in his smile.

"This last year without seeing you has been hard," he confessed and he moved his hand between hers, feeling her pulse beneath his fingers as proof that she was still alive and here with him. "I don't know why but it's just like every time we meet, I just fall in love with you all over again."

She knew how that felt. She felt the same about him. And she looked forward to showing him how much she cared.

"You know… Ryne was going on and on about these coffee biscuits at the Wandering Stairs," she said slowly.

"Um… yes…?" he asked and she rolled her eyes at the oblivious stare he was giving her.

"I mean, it would be a shame if we didn't take this time to enjoy some when we're taking breaks from studying?" she finished explaining slowly so that he could understand what she was getting at.

"Oh! Oh, I see!" he said and he sounded so genuinely excited for understanding that she could not help but chuckle. Such a sweet, clueless boy. She supposed that was a big part of why she loved him so much.

She suddenly realized how dark the room had become and knew asked… rather shyly, if he didn't mind staying for the night?

He didn't need a lot of convincing to stay.

*Midnight*

Claire's eyes opened again and she left behind the memory to find herself gazing back out the window. There was a wind from the lake this night and she felt a chill go through her just as she noticed the sky in the distance wasn't as dark as it had been before and the stars looked a little dimmer. It must be slowly approaching dawn at this point.

That was when her bedmate stirred from behind her and she looked back to find Alphinaud turning in his sleep, his hair let out of his usual braid and flowed across the pillow like strands of moonlight. He groaned out slightly, possibly feeling the cold from the window and was seeking warmth.

She only smiled as she stood back up, her feet bare as she walked back to the bed and climbed in, folding the blankets over them as she did so. The moment he felt her back beside him, he immediately moved over and snuggled up close, his arms tightly around her leaving no room between them as he went back to sleep, resting his head against her chest once more as she wrapped her arms around him as well.

She played with his hair for a moment, letting the soft strands flow between her fingers as she thought more about everything that happened to her and the others. For now, a cautious optimism was over this world… she knew that it would take a long time, centuries perhaps, before this world would truly be on its way to recovering from the Flood. There will be scars that never will go away, of course, but at least now they had a chance.

She also remembered that the ascians, or what was left of them, and Zodiark were still a threat to the shards so they will have to cross that bridge when they get there… as well as finding a way to deal with the matter of Hydealyn. Even now, after everything, she still had mixed feelings about Hydealyn and would have to figure out what she was going to do with this new knowledge about her true nature. Thankfully, it didn't have to be tonight.

Despite everything, there was still a nagging feeling in her gut was telling her that there was still something here that she didn't know. She no longer doubted what Emet-Selch told her—yet she wondered if Emet-Selch wasn't able to tell her exactly the full story… perhaps he chose to omit the parts that he didn't like, or mayhaps he even forgot. But she could not help but feel that there was a few loose ends that still needed to be tied up. Perhaps it was easier to push it out of her mind, but she realized that she needed to hear both their sides if she wanted to gain a full understanding.

But her mind was still the same as it was before. She will not fight for the light or the dark… her focus would be the people of these worlds who needed protection. She would do it and see them through this long night.

At least she didn't have to walk this path alone.

Alphinaud choose at that moment to let out a slight snore and she looked down fondly at him as he had now moved so that he was all but sprawled on top of her and checked his head underneath her chin as he nuzzled her neck. His weight was surprisingly comfortable and reassuring as she held him—while he sought out her warmth.

He then nestled in her arms once more as she pulled the blankets back up to keep out the cold. She supposed she could have closed the window but she liked them this close while she could just make out the twinkle of the fading stars in the distance.

She felt herself humming song to him softly, which he seemed to like as he cuddled even closer if that was possible as he continued snoring.

She had no idea how long this journey of hers was going to last, nor what was waiting for her beyond the next horizon, but she was looking forward to walking it till the end so that she could see that sunrise.

And with that thought, she closed her own eyes and returned back to her own dreams—which were surprisingly gentle this time around.

She may have found a measure of peace… yet it seemed that there was someone here who still held some unease. Alphinaud was stirring slightly as he was gripped in the depths of a memory of his own.

*Memory*

"So all in all… things could be going better in Kholusia," Alphinaud sighed as Alisaie watched him pace back and forth upon the golden sands. She was flipping through his notebook, gazing at some of the notes that he had made about Kholusia and her frown became ever more noticeable the more that she heard and found out.

"And you have yet to make it into the city proper?' she asked as he ran a hand through his hair wearily.

"I have tried," he told her, continuing to pace, "Believe me, I have tried. But a man would find it easier to go through the eye of a needle than to get beyond Eulmore's gates. It took even Thancred moons to be able to sneak in if I recall what the Exarch said correctly."

"Fair enough," Alisaie said gloomily. "I, myself, have been doing what I could to help the people here at the inn… I am pleased to say that my skills have improved from guard duty, but…?"

"But we are no closer to finding a way to save this world than we were when we first arrived," he muttered as he stared up at the light-filled sky—now longing for some blue sky and warm sun than this blinding glare. He didn't know how anyone could go their entire lives just staring up at it and not lose their minds.

"Are you still in contact with the Exarch?" Alisaie asked him.

"I hear from him from time to time, and I do return to the city when I can to see how his progress is coming along," he confessed.

"And…?"

"I fear not much has changed," he stated dully, "The Exarch is still struggling to summon our friend here to the Source… and he hath explained that it was no small matter of power in summoning us here even if it was by accident. But the problem is that Claire's soul is firmly rooted where it is and he fears if he tries to force it then it may end up harming her. He believes that a more gentle approach may be better suited."

"Gentle…?" Alisaie asked darkly and he picked up on her distrust.

"Alisaie, I'm not any happier about the solution here than you are, but there is little that we can do for the time being," he stated. "Claire may be the only one who can help us with the matter of the Lightwardens. The only other one who may prove to be immune to their influence would be this Oracle of Light… whom, is still travelling with Thancred."

"Yes, I know brother," she said in annoyance as she continued to flip through the pages. "But what I want to know is what you meant by gentle?"

"Just that he may try to send to her an item that will serve as a kind of beacon that he can use to amplify the spell and bring her through across the rift. But that's hard to say for sure how it will turn out. For now, he suggests that we continue to learn all we can about this world."

"Like we've been doing anything else," she sighed as she continued to read. "I know that you are right about this. But things seem to be growing worse by the day. This world is clinging to the very edge of a knife and they are holding on by the skin of their teeth. Yes, this continent is surviving but thriving it is not. The people here live only to suffer."

"Don't I know it," Alphinaud agreed as he gazed out at the ruins of what must have been a beautiful city. He could almost imagine Ul'dah here in its place and he felt his heart ache at the thought. They had been here for several moons now and just scrambling for information. The key was the sin eaters and the Lightwardens… granted he hadn't actually seen a Lightwarden, but sin eaters were aplenty here and so he didn't need much imagination to think of how much bigger the most powerful eaters could be.

He thought of so much history and lore that this world once held… all but dead and buried at this point.

It would be no small struggle to recover from this devastation… if it was even possible. Still, he had to believe that it could be saved… if they wished to spare the Source… and Claire… an untimely death then they would have to push forward to find a way.

Alisaie remained silent behind him but he wasn't too focused on that as he continued to wonder more and more about Eulmore and even came up with a few new ideas to try and get into the city. He remembered hearing from some fishermen about some fish who walked like men upon the land and that brought to mind the Sahagin… it seemed reasonable to think that there were the First version of the Sahagin just like with the other beast tribes that he had seen already like with the Mord and the Zu.

It was a plan that had been drifting into his mind of late and he was quite eater go return to the island to see if he could make it work. Of course, it would mean trying to find a way to communicate with the Sahagin and that could take a while…?

He heard Alisaie shifting in the sand but still he was lost in thought as he also began wondering if he could somehow ask the Exarch if he had any other contacts upon Kholusia that he could try and reach out to for answers.

Yet as he pondered more and more he felt Alisaie grab his shoulder and forced him around to face her before he felt a sharp sting in his check.

"OW!" he yelled out, staggering back slightly and glaring at his sister angrily as he demanded, "What was that for!?"

But his words died almost at once when he saw the look on her face as she was all but fuming.

"Alisaie, what…?" he began before she interrupted him.

"You really believe that we're going to die here?!" she demanded, her voice as cold as ice.

He blinked, completely baffled by her tone, and tried to reason that they still had time before…?

But she was having none of it.

"No!" she said loudly, her voice growing louder and louder with every second. "Don't you dare, DON'T YOU DARE TRY TO DENY IT!"

Now he was really confused, but Alisaie was now demanding to know why he never told her what was wrong and he as asking her what she was going on about. It seemed that she was fighting to hold back with whatever restraint she still had left. She then grabbed him by the front of his poncho and began to shake him hard as she demanded, "You think I'm going to stand here and let you think that there's no point?! That we're here for no other reason than to die?!"

"What's gotten into you?!" he demanded again before she held up a piece of paper, all but crumbled in her shaking fingers. He looked at it before remembering that he had tucked that into his journal's pages to save his place and he closed his eyes, ready to take his sister's anger… and sure enough…?

"YOU THINK THAT THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO?!"

"I never meant it like that…?"

"NOT ONLY THAT BUT YOU'RE TELLING HER TO FORGET ABOUT YOU?!"

"I was just afraid that she would…?"

"IF I EVER FIND OUT THAT YOU MEANT A WORD OF THAT THEN I WILL BE SURE TO GIVE YOU SOEMTHING TO BE SCARED OF! BELIEVE ME, A SIN EATER WOULD BE WELCOMED COMPARED TO THAT!"

It seemed to go on and on for so long as he tried to interrupt, but Alisaie was ranting and raving so much at this point that he honestly feared that she was going to pass out from lack of breath. Finally, she stopped long enough to heave deep breaths, her chest heaving with effort before he took the chance to ask, "You done?"

She glared at him, still panting as he pushed her hands off her and snatched the letter back to stick it back into his journal. He was making a mental note to be more careful with his possessions from now on when he could feel her burning holes into the back of his head.

"I just wrote it should something happen!" he finally snapped at her after tucking his journal away safely.

"What? By telling her that we're all dead and that she should move on?" Alisaie said coldly. "Are you trying to break her heart?! I can only imagine how she'll react if she should read that and not have a clue what's going on!"

"Well, it's not like I can explain everything in one letter!" he retorted, his own voice rising. "What would you say?"

"Maybe get your butt moving in getting into Eulmore before thinking that it's pointless," she retorted.

"I didn't say that!"

"You weren't hiding it!"

"I was under a lot of stress, as I am sure that you are!"

"But you didn't think to tell me how you felt! Why didn't you come sooner?"

"What would that change?!"

"Because I'm your godsdamn sister! And you think that I don't love my only brother enough to be upset about this!?"

"No… it's not like that at all!"

"Not that it matters since this isn't the first time you manipulated the feelings of others! How many times does this make it…?"

"YOU THINK THAT I DON'T REMEMBER HOW I ACTED?!" he finally yelled back, his own temper rising at that point that she would dare imply that he didn't feel regret for his actions. "I'M NOT PROUD OF WHO I WAS AND HAVE STRUGGLED TO CHANGE TO BE A BETTER PERSON!"

"A BETTER PERSON WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO HIDE THIS FROM THOSE WHO LOVE HIM!"

"I WASN'T HIDING ANYTHING! I NEEDED TO FIGURE IT OUT ON MY OWN! IT'S NOT LIKE I WANTED TO DIE! I WAS JUST STRUGGLING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK!"

"THEN WHY NOT COME TO ME OR—OR ONE OF THE OTHERS?! WE COULD HAVE FOUND A WAY, NOT THAT YOU WOULD PAY ATTENTION TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE BUBBLE THAT IS YOUR OWN WORLD!"

"AND WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT I'M NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S AROUND ME?!"

"BECAUSE YOU AREN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO'S SCARED HERE!" she yelled out, throwing her arms up into the air. "How can I not be? I'm stuck in a different world with this freaky prophecy of Urianger hanging over our heads! We don't have a clue what's going on in the Source and it's driving me mad not knowing! I know time there is slower but what if the war gets worse?! What if we're already on the path of no return?! That the Garleans are planning on using the Black Rose on our friends at any moment?! What if they already have?! What if it's already too late?! I can never forgive myself if that was the case! I need to…? I need to get back there!"

She took a deep breath before telling him mournfully of how she last saw Claire upon the battlefield before she passed out. Apparently, before all that, she had made Claire promise her not to leave her all alone and instead, she was the one to do so.

"I have to get back there," she said determinedly, "I have to get back and apologize to her!"

"And you think that I haven't been fighting for that as well?" he demanded bitterly.

"I don't know! But you aren't the only one who loves her!" she yelled out. There was silence from both of them as they stared at the other and Alisaie lowered her hands in defeat. She shook her head and turned away from him, her arms wrapped around herself as if trying to protect her from the weight of what laid between them now.

"Don't be surprise. That's what happens," she mumbled darkly. "I don't know… what to call it. But… being close to the Warrior of Light is as much a curse as it is a blessing in a lot of ways. Whenever I saw her and you together… seeing you both look so happy… it made me happy."

"So what changed?" he asked and she rubbed her temple in irritation as she now began to pace back and forth.

"I don't know, I just don't know!" she cried out. "I didn't think about it much at first… nor can I really be sure what I feel is what I think it might be. I know that she is dear to me and that I want her to be happy… so why does it hurt so much? I've always thought of her as a big sister! So why is my heart suddenly hurting in my chest every time I think of it?"

She flopped back onto the soft sands and wrapped her arms around her knees. "Y'shtola warned me from letting myself grow too attached but I never thought that I… that my feelings for the Warrior of Light would be…?" She sighed and buried her face into her knees. "I never thought…? I mean, I always believed I was too young, too busy to think about something other than love. And I don't even want to use that word when I don't know how it's supposed to be like?!"

"But then…?" he asked in confusion as he also sat down next to her, his hand upon her shoulder as he waited.

"We were torn away from her…?" she whispered. "The last time I saw her…? I still remember the look on her face as I was pulled away from her and that scared me more than anything. I never want to see that… that scared look, ever again. I can't forgive the Exarch for that."

Ah, that explained a few things. He had thought that his sister hostility towards the Exarch to be pushing extreme, but then again, if he had been there and was snatched away as she had, mayhaps he would be the same way. Still, he wanted to believe that the Exarch was on their side and was just as eager as they were to slay the sin eaters.

But more so than anything, he understood her confusion. How long had he tormented himself with his feelings before it was all but spilt out for him? He honestly couldn't remember when his own heart turned from simply enjoying her company to longing for her to be by his side. Too many days have already passed with her in his thoughts… which have not helped him with some of his more… grimmer moods.

He could understand why she was so upset with him. He knew that he had used Claire in the past. There was no point pretending that it didn't happen. He used her and now Alisaie was angry, not just because of that… but because she was worried for the faint thought that he was going to die.

"Was it really that bad?" she asked quietly as he looked away.

"Maybe… maybe not as bad as you seem to think," he confessed softly in shame and his arms came up to hug himself as if he were cold despite the heat of the desert sands. "But more so out of helplessness that frustrated me all the more and made everything feel that much worse. To think that we were all destined to die out there…? And it still might happen!"

He still could not bring himself to look at his sister as he confessed more to what he was feeling inside though it felt like pulling teeth at that point since it was painful to part with his words. He didn't want that dark a future… no one other than an Ascian would.

But they were all but on their own for right now… yes, they had the Exarch who had many different connections and allies across this realm, but otherwise they were all building the Scions all over again from the ground up.

Where was one to even start thinking about the salvation of the world in a mess like this? His mind ached just at the thought of it.

"It's harder alone… back in the Source, everyone was always near enough that it wasn't hard to reach out if I needed help," he went on. "But now… it's really just us, isn't it?"

Alisaie looked away sadly and down at the ground before muttering, "So we just have to work even harder. I know that's a new concept for you, but you're gonna have to start pulling your weight."

His head snapped back up and he was getting ready to tell her off for that before he saw her fighting, and failing, to hide a smile and he shook his head.

"Why do you all so love tormenting me at my expense?" he could not help but ask and she let out a laugh.

"You make it so easy! How can we resist?" she asked before sighing once more and gazing up at the sky. "What a mess we're in. Makes me wonder what would have happened if we never left Sharlayan."

"You wish to go back?" he asked in surprise.

"Not on your life," she countered lightly and he felt a surge of relief, for if she said that she did miss home, having always been so critical of the people there, he would have been deeply concerned for her well-being.

"But still… it makes one wonder," Alisaie shrugged. "If nothing else, I don't have to go through all those ridiculous parties and business meetings that Father would always drag us to go to. Just thinking about all that… and it almost make the idea that we're trapped in another world and fighting to save it before we all are killed off by poison makes me feel better."

"I knew you always found those tedious but I didn't realize how much you hated them," Alphinaud snorted.

"Just because you and Father enjoyed them doesn't mean that the rest of the world is able to resist the urge to start snoring every time you bring out contracts and discuss business," she retorted sourly. "Honestly, if you ever have children I pray to the gods that they take after their mother."

She then gave him a friendly poke in the side and he turned bright red at the thought of what she was implying. "I'm thinking… two… no wait, I see no fewer than three."

"Three what?" he demanded as she laughed and before he could stop himself, he was also laughing with her.

"Well, that'll be an interesting conversation to have with her when you get the chance," she shrugged playfully, "I mean… Elezen father and a Hyur mother… it happens?"

"Enough," he said as he gave her a push and she was laughing harder than ever. He then asked, "Did you… mean what you said…? You know, about how you felt…?"

She didn't need to ask him what he was talking about and suddenly her smile had faded to a sadder one.

"I don't know," she confessed. "I can't just… pick and name what I feel when I don't even know what I should be feeling. But… I do believe that it's just because she is so dear to me that I want her to be happy and it hurts me to think that she is stuck home and not knowing what is really going on? I know that she loves you… and you care about her… and somehow… you're trying to make it all work. That must be hard with everything happening. Especially now."

He looked down before she finished, "But… if I know her as well as I think I do, then she won't stop searching for a way to find us. And she's sure to find her way here… sooner or later."

He gave that a long thought before nodding in agreement.

"Aye," he said faintly. "She always comes through eventually. I'll be sure to stop by the Crystarium on the way back to Kholusia to see how progress is going. But… you're right. I guess we just have to be patient and hope the gods are feeling kind."

"Now, when we do see her again," she said, suddenly all business-like, "I expect that you keep this conversation a secret."

"Secret?"

She glared at him and snapped, "Don't you tell her! She's got enough to worry about instead of me. But let me get one thing straight… you ever hurt her and I'll make sure you regret it. Brother or not, sisters have to stick together."

"She's not your sister!"

"She will be one day if I have anything to say about it," she retorted rather smugly, "And I will be holding you to that."

*End of Dream/Memory*

For a little while after Claire dropped off, Alphinaud slowly began to stir and his eyes slowly began to blink open as he tried to remember what happened. He yawned before raising his head a little and found himself gazing at her peaceful expression.

It felt good to finally be able to get that load of his chest and to really tell her what had been going on inside his head during those few dark moons he'd been trapped here. Truly, the worst part was sitting here, stuck at a standstill, waiting and hoping that the Exarch would be able to summon her here before it was all too late.

This wouldn't be over until they were able to go home and so a new chapter was to start in a new story that took them along the path back to the Source. He had grown fond of this world and he would be sorry to leave it behind… but he could not see himself remaining here forever.

He looked at her before his eyes spotted the ring that he had given her and he moved his head slightly to press his lips against her hand and the cool metal of the ring before he settled back down and drifted off… this time dreaming of returning to the Rising Stones and the sounds of Tataru's snipping remarks as she scolded them for being late.

He smirked before sleep claimed him, knowing that he was in for quite a telling off when he did return.

Outside the window the Shoebill watched on even as the stars blinkered out one by one and a new sun was beginning to rise across Norvrandt. The night had passed and the people here rejoiced at the sight of another beautiful day… while the two lovebirds were continue sleeping in… even if it were just for one day.

TO BE CONTINUED…?

IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS SERIES!

(Yes, so this is the absolute last chapter and I just want to say this before I go. Yes, I did start off this series as a romance and I do love writing slow burns, but this story wasn't supposed to be a strictly romantic novel. Both were in love, this was clear from the start, but that relationship was more of a side point from my view. It was supposed to be focused upon the WOL and their inner thoughts to what it meant being a hero and just the kind of stress that comes with it. Besides there were still wide gaps between the parts where she and Alphinaud weren't together and it's hard to focus on your relationship when an entire world, or what's left of it, is suffering under the light and you're slowly turning into a monster.

After looking back through these stories I realized that I have spoiled you all so much and for that I am sorry. I had tried to get these chapters as detailed as possible and put them out so that I don't have to keep you waiting… but nearing the end, I realize how little I enjoyed writing them and I suppose it shows. Well, these last few chapters it got to the point for me to really sit and think and I eventually got to a point where I thought 'f**k it' I'm doing what I want. It wasn't really about romance like I said, but I think it was more along the lines of how mental illnesses can take over your life and until you get the help and support for it then you can't really focus really living.

Claire, in my eyes, is suffering from severe depression and survivor's guilt. This story was about her mind, as well as her soul, slowly coming unhinged. But now that she finally accepted herself, the truth with Hydealyn and with the support of the others she was able to find a way to pull through and be brought back when she was pushed to the literal brink of death. She is able to start to move on to a much better place. Now, is she healed? Will she never have to worry about such dark thoughts again?

No.

She's still got some issues that she needs to work out, but she is on the road to recovery and she's finally ready to start living her life for the first time in a long time. So I meant what I posted before and claimed that I wasn't going to be doing anymore long stories like this one even if 6.0 comes out. I am proud of how this story turned out and that I stuck with it to the end and to me that is all that matters and I will not change anything about how I wrote it. I will continue to post more stories of Claire and her adventures, though it maybe would have been better to have finished A Realm Reborn before going onto Shadowbringers now that I think of it.

But for right now I am taking a vacation from writing. I will be enjoying what good weather we have left and maybe plan out a trip to the beach before the fall weather officially moves in and start to prepare for Halloween. Oh, All Saint's Wake would be a fun story to write about if I have the energy to do so. Anyway, I will get back around to doing the rest of my fanfics but I will be finishing up a couple of them before I even think of trying to do any more stories.

To those few of you who have loved and supported my stories from the very beginning, thank you all so much… there were some days that your kind words were all that kept me going. Maybe eventually I will be able to post a story that finishes up 5.1-5.3 just to 'end' it I suppose, but that won't be out for a while. Claire is alive and well, she feels that she has many of her questions answered and is ready to move forward because she realizes that she doesn't have to be the one taking care of everyone and that it's ok to lean upon others once in a while. Romance is fun, but this was what I really wanted to focus on since, let's face it, Shadowbringers is about the WOL. And besides, I know some what me to write some smut but that isn't something I'm really comfortable with doing given their ages. Sure, Claire is 20 in my story and normally that wouldn't be a problem but even if we take the extra year in the First and we can calculate that a 'year' had passed since coming to Eorzea, Alphinaud would still be around 16-18 and I'm not bothering with that.

Any future stories are going to be much shorter, but like I said, I'm really proud of myself for taking on such a huge task and I'm proud of how it ended. Now then, thank you all once more and I hope to see you all back here for any future tales involving Claire… not for at least a month or so at the very least. So, until next time everyone, take care, stay healthy, and have a Happy Halloween should I not be back in time for that most mystical time of the year.)