Epilogue: Awakening

"We have looked everywhere," Y'shtola said with a finality that no one could disagree with as she dropped a large file on the table in front of her, filled to the brim with notes. "It will take literally decades for me to look over every square ilm of the ruins. And even then, I doubt I will be able to find anything of use for this situation."

After the twins had awoken the next day they left Claire's side to greet Thancred and the others at the front gates before heading off to search for Y'shtola. They found her in a small room just off to the side of the Cabinet and she welcomed them all in so that they could discuss their next course of action. It honestly felt like they were about to prepare a speech or something to a class back at the Studium, yet none of them were remotely prepared for it at all and barely knew the subject matter.

They had spent the last bell or so talking about what they knew, what they found, and any kind of suggested options they could try.

Not that any of them had any solutions. In the end, they all came back with the same answer.

"We searched through countless books as well," Ryne added miserably, "Both in Eulmore, the Bookman Shelves, and even in the Cabinet of Curiosity. But nothing."

"Why are we surprised?" Alisaie demanded hotly, throwing another stack of papers away from her so fiercely that papers were sent flying about them. All the while exercising all of her willpower not to overturn the table in frustration. Instead, she took several deep breaths to try and calm down as she reminded them, "If there was a way to save someone who had been turned they would have found it years ago."

"The Fae Folk have offered no other advice?" Alphinaud asked Urianger who shut his eyes in shame, all the answer they need. Seeing that defeated look on her brother and Urianger's faces was enough for all the fight to drain out of Alisaie and she just sat there with her head down, suddenly docile.

Was there truly no other way?

"What of you, Thancred? Any kind of information you found across Lakeland?" Y'shtola asked as Thancred shuffled through papers with a grimness that reminded them before of when they first found Minfilia lost to them.

"Nothing that we don't know about already," he informed them. "Most of what I found were what life was like before the Flood and even in the early days of the Flood. That's about it."

How could they be expecting anything else?

What could they reasonably do now? They were reaching what felt like this world's final hours and they were not ready for whatever outcome was waiting for them. If they didn't find a way out soon, then…?

A knock at the door caused them all to jump and they heard the voice of one of the librarians calling out to them, asking to speak with them.

"I'll get it," Y'shtola sighed as she headed to the door.

"There must be something!" Alphinaud said, still refusing to just accept defeat here, "Something, somewhere, that we haven't thought of yet? Or… I don't know, a way we can keep the Light contained a little longer?"

"We must have looked all over this continent but found nothing," Thancred sighed tiredly. "And I doubt that Ryne can keep that Light sealed up inside her for too much longer."

"No, we have to find an answer!" Ryne said.

"If we had all the time in the world, perhaps," Thancred agreed with her surprisingly gently. "But we don't have that. You, yourself, said that the Light is straining at the bindings you put on it. It will only be a matter of time before it breaks free. We need to figure out what to do before it happens. And yes, I mean when… not if."

"Could we just send her back to the Source and have the others there help with finding an answer?" Alphinaud suggested desperately. "I mean, we have so much more resources and allies there, right? Or, what if she takes it directly between the void and unleash the Light there so that it doesn't hurt anyone?"

"We keep treading over the same questions here and the answers having changed. You know as well as we do that they'll be able to understand what's going on without a full explanation," Thancred pointed out.

"Not only that, should she try to attempt any teleportation magicks at the moment, it may only speed up the process," Urianger pointed out gravely. "Right now, our best hope is somehow rescuing the Exarch and prayth he has an answer."

"Assuming he still has the strength to do so," Thancred cut in, "He's been away from the tower for so long now can you really say that he'll have the necessary energy to do anything about it?"

"Oh, I see," Y'shtola's voice said in light surprise and that broke through their arguing as they looked up. They saw Y'shtola speaking with the librarian in whispers. "Thank you for telling me. No, no there's no need to worry. We will handle it, we'll be out in a moment."

She shut the door before coming back to them.

"What is it?" Alphinaud asked, without really caring about the answer. "They need the room or something…?"

"It seems that Claire has finally awoken," she said and that got their attention and they were all either standing up or sitting up straighter in their chairs as Y'shtola explained, "Some of the people have seen her around the city not even a bell ago."

"Typical, she wakes up the moment that we leave her alone," Thancred muttered with an incredulous smile.

"She really shouldn't be moving so suddenly," Ryne said in worry. "Do we really have to tell her about what's going on immediately?"

"I'm sure she must have figured out the truth on her own the moment she saw the sky," Alisaie muttered darkly. It wasn't like this was a secret they could keep hidden unless they kept a blindfold on her.

"Well, then… what do we do?" Thancred said, directing their attention on him. Though they had been praying for her to wake up, the idea of going to speak with her and confess that they failed… that was not something that any of them wished for.

"I think… we will ask her what she wishes to do," Y'shtola said at last.

"But…?" Ryne began.

"We have nothing better to offer," Y'shtola reasoned, "And Thancred is right. We will go and find her… together. And when we do, we will tell her everything we know. We will answer any question she has and be completely upfront with our options, non-existent as they are. We will then beg for forgiveness for not being able to do more. That is the least we can do."

She looked to Urianger, who suddenly had the look of a man about to be led out to his execution.

"Including everything that both you and the Exarch had kept secret from her the moment that she arrived in this world," she added firmly, as though she were a mother about to make her misbehaving child return a toy he took from the markets without paying.

He didn't answer, but he gave his head a jerk nod, reassuring them that he will not go back on his promise.

"How… how do you think she will take the news?" Ryne asked nervously.

"Either way, she deserves to know the full truth," Alisaie agreed as she stood up tiredly. "And then, we will let her decide where to go from here. I swear, if she says that she wants to go out the least painful way possible… I will allow it. But, if she chooses to fight and go to the Tempest, then I am going to. I'm not letting her risk this all on her own."

Everyone looked at each other, the Scions all knew her well enough to know that once she knows the truth, she will not wish to stay still for long. Should she choose to go to the Tempest and confront Emet-Selch and rescue the Exarch, then she will have their full support.

The only one who still looked frightened was Ryne, who could not shake the feeling that this was a bad idea. They only made it this far because she was resting and not pushing her condition any worse than it was. But if she were to leave now then it would surely shorten their time… surely it was better to wait it out for a little longer?

"Well then," Thancred said as he stood up and slid his Gunblade onto his back, "Let's get going and find her."

They left the Cabinet and headed back outside when they suddenly realized they had no idea where to even begin looking.

"Where do we even start…?" Alphinaud said, looking around anxiously, never realizing just how big this city was.

"There's no need to guess, I can see her," Y'shtola said grimly, pointing off in the direction of the tower. "I see her at the base of the tower… but…?"

She frowned slightly as if confused by what she was seeing and Ryne asked, "What is it?"

"No… rather she's moving away from the tower, and quickly by the looks of things. And if I had to guess… from the angle…? It looks like she's heading towards the Amaro Launch."

"The Launch?" Alphinaud repeated in surprise. "Why would she be heading there?"

"You don't think she'll try to leave on her own?" Ryne asked worriedly, thinking of Emet-Selch's final words before he left. "You know, to confront Emet-Selch in the Tempest? That is where he said he would be waiting?"

"True," Thancred responded worriedly, "And she might. Well, it wouldn't be good if she left without knowing everything. Come on. I know a shortcut where we can meet her there."

Thancred seemed to know the entire city's streets by memory and they followed him without question. It only took a few minutes, but soon enough they had emerged near the upper levels and already they could see the launch appearing before them.

Sure enough… there she was.

After watching over her while she slept for so long, it was strange to see her up on her feet again. But her armor was back in place and she had her greatsword slung onto her back as she spoke with the Zu at the desk.

When they got closer they heard the Zu asked, in startled surprise, "...To the depths of the Tempest!? Our amaro can swim, yes, but to reach the ocean floor..."

"Then just to Kholusia," she offered, her voice sounding tired. "I'll find another way down there and…?"

But before she could finish explaining what she was trying to do… she suddenly staggered and for a moment they all feared that she would collapse. But judging from the way she gripped her chest, it seemed plain to know what was happening.

Seeing it suddenly made them all weary and no one wanting to say a word, fear rising up inside them all at the thought that this was it…?

But thankfully the pain seemed to pass and she stood straight again even as the handler was asking if she was feeling well. The Scions all looked at each other and they all nodded in agreement as they stepped forward, with Urianger out in front as he prepared himself for the difficult discussion that was waiting.

"Ah, we have found thee…"

She looked up and turned around as they approached them. She didn't seem surprised to see them, but neither did she seem happy about it. Despite all the sleep she had, she still looked completely worn out, but there was something in her face that told him otherwise, though he didn't realize it at first as he went over the possible discussion in his mind several times.

When he looked up, he noticed how her eyes were wondering over each of them before finally landing on his own and he felt the urge to look away in shame.

"Word reached us of thy recovery, and thus did we gather with all haste," he confessed as he forced himself to meet her gaze. He looked into her slightly bloodshot eyes, opening his mouth to explain… but then he realized that he didn't need to say anything. She knew… everything. He wasn't completely sure how… but she looked on with no trace of confusion in her face… in fact, there was anger and disappointment as she observed him.

There was no need to tell her because she was aware of everything that happened. He said as much, taking the others by surprise, but she just stood her ground; only wondering what he was going to do or say next.

He heard Master Alphinaud speak behind him but the words were suddenly a dull buzzing in his ears as he slowly moved forward. He wanted to just break down and plead for forgiveness, but he also knew that wouldn't help anything else. Still, he longed to show her just how sorry he truly was and when he approached, he saw her glaring up at him, still silently, and he dropped to his knees with his head bowed low.

"I offer no excuses," he admitted, not caring how he looked any longer. "When I agreed to aid the Exarch with his plans, 'twas in full acceptance of the condemnation I would face when my duplicity was laid bare..."

He knew she was disappointed and angry with him. As well as the fact that he may never be able to win back her trust again after all this. But he didn't care. If he could find a way to spare her this gruesome fate, then he would take all of her anger.

Yet even among the negative feelings, it wasn't rage or despair that he could pick up from her. She knew what was happening to her and what she was close to becoming but she wasn't going to let that stop her. That much was clear.

If this was to be her final journey, she was set on continuing forward.

"Yet it is not rancor but resolve that I sense in thee. Thou art fully intent upon walking thy path to its end, art thou not?" he asked. He looked back up when she didn't answer, but he didn't need one to notice the clear blaze of determination that shone back.

And seeing that brought him more hope that he ever thought possible for him. He wanted to be there until the end… to see this through with her. To make up for all the lies and support her decision even should it end badly for him. Never in his life did he yearn for anything more and even should she tell him otherwise, he would still follow and help in any way he could.

Even should she hate him for now, he could live with that if they could just help her.

"If thou canst forgive my deception ─ or, failing that, set aside thy displeasure for a time ─ I do beg leave to follow thee. What strength and wisdom I possess are thine to command," he asked desperately. She gazed back at him, looking him dead in the eye and seeing just how much this meant to him.

He saw some of the anger in her face soften from his plea and he knew that she could sense his emotions just as well… and she knew that he meant every word.

"I am a danger to those around me," she finally spoke, revealing that despite everything he had said and done, she didn't want him to be in harm's way. That, or she was just making the excuse as to spare his feelings.

"I understand the precarious nature of thy condition," he reassured her with no hint of doubt in his voice, "Nonetheless, it is my wish to remain at thy side for as long as I am able."

She still seemed to hesitate, but as she seemed to be pondering the best way to go about this, Ryne spoke up behind them.

"I'm sorry but...I don't think this is a good idea."

He stood back up as she stepped forward, trying to reason why they shouldn't be doing this.

In truth, she was scared of what this could mean. She could see the Light aglow within the older woman's chest, sparkling like a diamond and growing larger with every moment. She knew that most of the others wouldn't be able to see it, but the Light was trickling through even with the bindings that she put up around her—just barely holding her cracking soul together.

She knew that she could have done a better job, but it was all that she was able to do on such short notice. She looked to the little pulsing knot of light that was still together but was fraying at the edges. This wasn't good… she had days, if not bells, left before even her bindings broke free. She briefly wondered if she could somehow just make them anew; but she was already harming Claire's soul in the process.

It hurt her just to look at it.

She honestly didn't know what they could do, but she tried to reason with them, reminding them that what she did won't last forever and she didn't know when the Light could break free again.

But Claire then spoke up softly, "Ryne."

Everyone froze at her tone which, despite how calm it was, was as frigid as frost. She looked up at her as Claire just gazed back with almost no emotion. It was actually kinda scary to see how resolved she was and how little she seemed to care about it.

Still, her tone was still holding that familiar trace of gentle warmth as she explained, "I know that you are worried for me, and I appreciate it, but please understand. I don't know how much time I have left here, but I need to make the most of it before it's too late."

"But by pushing yourself you are only going to be making it worse and causing the change even faster," Ryne pointed out, fearing that she just didn't understand how serious this was, but Claire interrupted her again.

"I'm aware of that," she informed her, "But I don't want to be leaving this world with anymore regrets. My time here is almost up and when it is I don't want to be saying 'I should have done this…' or something like that. Do you understand?"

Well, sure, but she just couldn't just stand here and let her go? How could she expect that? She then tried to tell her that they still had time to try and find an answer but Claire was still shaking her head, telling her that she didn't have the time to wait around to find out.

Ryne searched her mind around desperately to think of a way to talk her out of it, yet Claire had already gone on to say, "Make no mistake, I am well aware of what is happening to me. I am fully aware that if I leave, there is a good chance that I may not make it back. Or if I do, I won't be myself anymore. That is a hard thing to accept, but better that then to stay here and wait for the Light to take me without even trying. If this is to be my last journey, I mean to make the most of it. I have some choice words for both G'raha and Emet-Selch and I want them to hear them before it's too late."

"But…?" Ryne tried again but Claire was shaking her head once more and when she spoke again, that little trace of warmth was gone.

"This is not for debate, Ryne," she stated with finality. "My mind is made up. I'm leaving unless you wish to stop me yourself."

Ryne's mouth fell open at that and she stared on with fear, realizing that she was being deadly serious here. The others were watching on silently as she shook, knowing that she wouldn't stand a chance if she were to try and stop her. Who could? But after all she had done for them, how could she just expect her to run off and possibly never return? At least here, she was safe… for the time being. She couldn't stand the thought of her risking her life again.

"I-I know that… but I… I can't just let you go," Ryne croaked out, "Please, you must stay here, at least for a little while longer! We will find a way to cure this, I promise you!"

"How can you make promises!? We don't even know where to start!" Alisaie shouted out, unable to stay silent any longer and they all turned to her, who had been keeping her head down this entire time.

"Alisaie, please," Alphinaud said, treating her like she was a volcano who was about to go off at any moment, "You know Ryne was only trying to help."

"Of course I know! I know only too well!" Alisaie yelled out, her hands now curled up into fists as she trembled with deep breaths. She had known from the start how this was going to go. The fact that Claire already somehow figured out the truth didn't help matters… if anything it made her feel even worse that she didn't have anyone there to support or help her through it and she just had to stand up and accept the fact that she had been used as a tool… again.

Yet even then their own feelings didn't matter at all.

All that mattered now was that she knew and she wasn't going to let this stop her. And Ryne trying to give her those same false hopes that she had been thinking about only made everything worse. Despite Ryne's good intensions, Alisaie wasn't about to stand here and let her get away with that.

"But making promises you have no way of keeping is not a kindness ─ it's a lie, plain and simple! We've all searched high and low for an answer! And every one of us came back empty-handed!" she cried out, her voice cracking as the walls built around her broke around her.

She hated herself for not being able to do better, for not keeping the promises she already broken to their friend who still hadn't given up. Despite everything, she was still going on ahead to see this through till the end. She was preparing herself for this final battle and she couldn't have made that any clearer. She wanted to go and confront Emet-Selch and get the answers she deserves. And if that was what Claire wanted, she wasn't going to say no… not after all this.

Her voice continued to quiver the more she spoke.

"I am not about to stand in her way now ─ not after failing her in her hour of need! No, the least we can do is..." she gasped and she couldn't stop the tear that slipped past and fell down her cheek. But this was nothing… it didn't hurt at all compared to what their friend was going through. She could only imagine how scared and how much pain that she was in? Compared to that… Alisaie wasn't going to put her feelings before hers.

Her brother was looking sadly at her before he looked away, feeling as if everything he ever thought was crumbling and falling around him. He didn't know what to do, but he knew that his sister was right. He cared about his friend too much to let his own selfish desires take over even if every part of him was screaming to keep her locked up where it was safe.

This was her choice and so with her mind made up, that was all that he needed to know.

He looked at her, his eyes finding her own and without any other kind of solution that he could possibly make up, he promised, "We will go with you, as well. There is naught to be gained by standing still."

It was all that he could do. His presence was all he could offer and hope that he didn't slow them down as they moved towards an uncertain battle.

Meanwhile, the other Scions watched on in full understanding.

Y'shtola's heart broke for the twins, whom she knew loved Claire with all their hearts and the idea of anything happening to her just caused their world to come crashing down around them. Though, truth be told, she wasn't surprised by her friend's answer. She knew that if she was in the same position, she would not just lay down and accept the end.

She felt the faintest tingle of a smile fighting at the corners of her mouth as she realized she felt some sympathies to both the Exarch and Emet-Selch when she got a hold of them.

Y'shtola had already come up with just about any kind of counter argument to give Claire should she try to refuse their aid as she informed her, "Indeed, we have exhausted every other avenue. Lead and we shall follow. If there is any hope to be found, then we will surely find it at your side."

Up until now, she had always let someone else take the lead and followed them through to the end… but now… perhaps this had actually been going on longer than they realize, but this time they were giving her the chance to lead all of them. They would just follow behind and if she stumbled from here on out, they would catch her and hold her up even if she couldn't find the strength to stand.

And if there was any cure out there possible… she instincts were telling her that their best chances were by going with her… till the end.

Claire clearly wasn't happy about this as she looked to them all. But Thancred just nodded in firm agreement with the others. He promised that he would start to pay off his debts to them all and this seemed as good a place as any to start.

Honestly, if she had said that she had given up then he would have really been worried that there was no hope. But seeing her up and ready to continue on as if nothing had happened, it made him truly believe that they could do it.

He looked back down at Ryne, whom he suspected wasn't ready to give up yet, but he wasn't given her the chance to try as he asked firmly, "Are we all in agreement, then?"

He had said it in such a way that he was leaving no room to argue about it. Either she agreed and came with them or she wouldn't and be left behind. There was no two ways about it. Perhaps Ryne realized that this wasn't a decision she could ever win against, she nodded too.

They were trusting her to lead them on from this moment and they had faith that she could do it.

Claire knew this and she wasn't sure how she should feel or react to this. She didn't believe for a moment that she was a leader… not like Alphinaud or the Exarch were anyway. She was the one who normally accepted orders, not giving them out.

But they were giving her this chance to choose what she wanted. And right now her heart was screaming at her to go after Emet-Selch and the Exarch to put an end to this… one way or another.

Her heart felt warm at that and with her throat to tight to speak, she could only nod… and out of the corner of her eye she spotted another friend—invisible to all but her—standing off to the side. Their eyes met and Ardbert smiled back warmly and nodded back.

She couldn't say just how this whole mess was going to go from this point on… but she knew one thing for sure. She had limitless support. Not just from her friends here, but the entire Crystarium who suddenly showed up and declared their willingness to support her.

And after a little prompting from Y'shtola, she gave out her orders, which they cheered at and she couldn't fight the smile as hope still shone brightly.

Either way, whether she lived, died… or became a sin eater… she was determined to see this journey come to an end. Right at the heart of the Tempest where her fate would be decided.

(Well that was fun. I always love a little sweet fluff. That part in Shadowbringers was perhaps one of my all-time favorite moments and I had this idea in my mind for a long time. I hope that you all did enjoy it. And I'm glad that I was able to practice writing much shorter chapters. It made it much easier. I am going to continue writing, of course, but I think I'm just about done with such long chapters with so much details. I also think that jumping around from so many characters also made it so much harder. Anyway, I'm glad that I did this because I am getting the much needed practice in shorter stories and I was glad I was able to get the chapters out so much sooner. So any future stories that I will be doing will probably have the same kind of style. I will still be putting in the effort with the details but I will probably be focusing more on one character. Perhaps more of an angle on Eyes Ever Heavensward. Shadowbringers was still one of my all-time favorite games and I really can't wait to see what Endwalker has coming. And for the couple of you who have asked if I plan on finishing up Shadowbringers and ARR, I do plan to get back to it eventually, but again the stories will be much shorter and really sticking to the important parts. I feel much better and I think the problem was that I just took writing too seriously. I am also working on other works right now as well, but these are more personal, original stories. My biggest dream is to write novels of my own someday and I got into writing fanfiction as a way to improve my writing. I guess that I just got carried away and put so much pressure on myself that I kinda lost what was fun about it and I think that really showed up recently. Well, I am going to be working on that and relax a little more. I do think that I will try to focus on finishing up a couple other stories before I think of writing anymore for the moment. I do plan on getting back to work on my vampire story, which only has about 7-8 more chapters before that one is done. And then just focus on finishing up the ARR story before attempting any others. I was thinking half-heartedly on maybe G'raha's journey in the future and some of the things that he went through before arriving in the First but that is just an idea for a possible story later on in the future. For now, I will taking better care of myself and really focus more on what I have already worked on. Thank you to everyone who has given me support over the years and thank you for humoring me for this story as well. I hope that I will be able to gift to you all many more fun stories in the future that you will enjoy. Until next time.)