Chapter 17: Crystalline Lining
"So… how do you know that Grandfather can help you?" Alisaie asked as Ysayle, now fully dressed again, was running her fingers through her long hair to detangle it.
"I didn't know," the older vampire confessed softly. Estinien left with Claire to speak in private up top while the three of them were discussing where they came from. With only the tiny candle to light the room, and they were all sitting on the pews as they calmly talked. It was a bit of a shock for their two caregivers to recognize each other, but after explaining everything—and giving the other two time to find their clothes—they decided that they needed to get to know each other.
It was quite a surprise for them to learn that they had come in search of Louisoix, in hopes of finding a cure… and just as much for them to learn that not only were they here for the same thing, but that he was actually the twins grandfather; whom they had not seen for over five years now at this point.
"You must miss him," Ysayle said softly and the two lower their heads.
"We do… more than we can ever say," Alphinaud confessed. "But… I can't help but fear how he will react when he sees us as… as…?"
"I often worry how my family would have reacted if they learned the truth of me," Ysayle told him bracingly, having already explained about her past and how she came to be here with Estinien. "But they are no longer here… I was left all alone… but… the difference is that your grandsire is still here and he knows of the Black Rose… so the fact that you both have changed shouldn't surprise him. He probably expects it."
"That doesn't make it any easier," Alisaie pointed out, knowing how just their eyes alone are enough to frighten most people.
"I have a feeling that he will be overjoyed when he sees you both again," Ysayle smiled back at them and Alisaie could only nod, yet the worry still feeling as if it were going to crush them. She longed to see grandfather again… but the only thing that stopped her was the fear of what his face would look like after he got a good look at them for the first time after these five years…?
Sure, she learned to control herself so much better than before, but would that be enough to make him proud? Or would he still reject them? The thought was so terrifying that a part of her never wanted to leave the darkness of this church and never see the light of day again. She had learned to feel safe with the darkness and the idea of facing the light of hope again was almost too much to face.
"You came all this way from Coerthas as well?" Alphinaud asked, obviously trying to change the subject to less gloomy thoughts and Ysayle nodded.
"It had been a couple years since I turned and I have to admit that I don't know how much more of this I can take… me and the dragoon both," she sighed.
"Dragoon…? Oh, you mean Estinien," Alphinaud said in understanding.
"Who else would I be talking about?" Ysayle sighed. "He's been a thorn in my side since day one."
"Well, you can't complain about him too much," Alisaie pointed out obviously, "How… how did you know how you felt about him?"
Ysayle froze at that before Alisaie pointed out, "Well… obviously you like him." Ysayle looked away, clearly embarrassed.
"I don't know how I feel for him," she confessed sadly. "Even after last night. Was it out of loneliness? Or is this connection just effecting us somehow? I don't know anymore. I just know that I needed him last night… just as much as he felt that he needed to feel connected to someone."
"What does that mean?" Alphinaud asked and she sighed, brushing her hair out of her face.
"If you both are looking for answers to how love is supposed to feel, I fear that I will not be able to answer them," Ysayle admitted sadly. "I don't know if what I felt for him was truly love, or if was desperation. Sometimes I think that the two are one and the same."
The two looked at each other, now wondering if what they felt was some kind of trick that their vampire brains were trying to tell them? They both knew though, what the other was clearly thinking of when it came to Claire. The night before, at the inn, when they first spotted her in the nightshirt, her wet hair already soaking through the back, while her front was already wet from the clothes she was drying out, caused the thin fabric to cling to her body.
There left very little else to the imagination as it hugged her tightly.
Both of them knew how the other felt at this point and it was very nerve wracking to think that they were still at a complete lost. The two of them had these strong desires that were something primal and undefinable, a passion so heated and close to madness that it seemed dangerous, fierce and untamed when it came to Claire. She was more than just their friend to them… their protector… caregiver… teacher…?
Just to name a few of the many things she meant to them.
But with speaking with Ysayle, it brought them to wonder just how much that was real… and how much was some kind of trick that their curse was bringing them?
"How… who do you feel when it comes to Estinien?" Alisaie asked slowly and Ysayle sighed.
"I told you… I don't know," she answered back sadly. "I love him… and hate him in equal measure. But I can't leave because I am dependent on him… which I can't stand that… but… after getting to know him…? I feel… that there is someone out there who does understand and care for me. But… I don't think that this is a healthy relationship. We can understand and respect each other… but I don't know if that is reason enough to stay. In truth, I feel that should I be lucky enough to be cured… I will leave Coerthas and never return. Where I'll go after that, I do not know. But I don't think that I can remain in the snow after all that has transpired. If I could be free… that would be enough. And I feel that Estinen would feel the same."
Again, the twins looked at each other, not really sure what would happen to them or what they would do should they find the cure they so desperately longed for. It wasn't like they could just go home and pretend nothing happened…?
Alphinaud had thought about returning to the Studium and being allowed to study and learn there… but would he even be allowed to after all this? He wasn't sure if he could just stand by and be expected to be that perfect son of his House like father had drilled into their heads from a young age. He wasn't sure if he could stand being locked up inside a library anymore after all that had happened? And he could only imagine how his sister would fare after this.
Even should they be rejected though, it wasn't as if they didn't have anyone there with them? But then again, it would not be fair to Claire to keep her shackled to the night just for their sakes. He gripped the front of his clothes as he felt guilt seeping into his very bones one more. Would there ever be a way to set her free from such chains?
Would he have the strength to let her go when that time came?
He closed his eyes, hoping that he would… but in all honesty, the thought of letting her go… something seemed to rise up inside him—as if he had swallowed a serpent—and all but hissed at him: 'MINE'!
He shook his head, repulsed by such feelings. What was the matter with him?
Suddenly, the doors burst open and all three of them were on their feet as Claire came in with a wounded Miqo'te all but hanging off her and Estinien bringing up the rear. His back was to them as he kept his lance held up high, as if ready to strike. Once Claire and their guest made it inside, Estinien immediately began to try and block the exit, as well as almost all the sunlight.
Ysayle rushed forward to help them and demanded answers.
"Happened so quickly that it's hard to think," Estinien answered, only slightly out of breath and a faint cut across his cheek.
The twins ran up to Claire, relieved to see that she looked unharmed, though the same could not be the same for their friend. Their jaws dropped when they realized that it was none other than G'raha Tia who had come limping in with them and he was looking beat up.
"G'raha?" Alphinaud repeated as Claire helped the wounded Miqo'te sit down on one of the pews before she rushed back to help block out the doors.
"Oh, hello again," G'raha Tia smiled when they approached; too late for the twins to realize that their hoods were showing their faces. "It's alright, I already knew…" he added as they tried to hide themselves.
"Wait… what?" Alphinaud gasped and G'raha let out a slight chuckle.
"It's hard not to notice," he answered with a chuckle before he began coughing and winced as if his lungs hurt to breathe.
"Don't talk," Claire ordered as they managed to get the old boards up to block out the light and Estinien ordered Ysayle to put the light out.
"What's going on?" Alisaie demanded as Ysayle blew out the candle, leaving them in pitch darkness.
"It all happened rather quickly, but I think that your friend can explain," said Estinien's voice and Alisaie blinked, her eyes quickly adjusting once more to the dark so that she could see everything clearly.
"Ah… right… I fear that it is mostly my fault," G'raha Tia said as he hissed in pain and Alphinaud was peeling back part of his shirt to look at his wounds—which looked like he had just been punched in the chest by a rampaging bull. "I had awoken to find you all gone and I went in search of you. These lands can be fairly dangerous without knowing your way around here. When… well… I encountered someone I really wish I hadn't."
"We saw the whole thing," Estinien cut in. "Claire and I were talking up front when we heard what sounded like fighting. When we went to investigate we found Garleans trying to capture him."
"Garlemald? All the way out here?!" Alisaie said in a higher voice than usual before Claire shushed her. She came over to calm her down and as soon as Alisaie felt her take hold of her hand she felt some of her own fear and dread melt away. "What are they doing here for?" she asked in a much calmer tone than before.
"No idea," Estinien said with a shrug. "But, any who would stand against Garlemald cannot be all bad. So we jumped in just as the fighting was starting to look one sided." He then turned in the direction of the Miqo'te and added, "Though I suppose that them calling you Exarch wouldn't be much of a clue to why they were attacking you, would they?"
"Exarch?" Ysayle repeated in surprise. "As in… 'king'?"
"Oh, please don't call me that," G'raha sighed. "It was all I could do to get the people of the Crystarium to call me anything other than that that I adopted that nickname."
"Wait… wait, wait, wait… you mean you rule over the Crystarium?!" Alphinaud gasped, his eyes wide and G'raha laughed bitterly.
"I suppose if you want to name an official leader of the Crystarium, aye, I suppose I am," he confessed and his toothy smile shining slightly in the dark. "I leave from time to time for various reasons. Though this time I was asked by an old acquaintance for a particular text that they learned of years prior. Unable to say no, I set off on a journey of sorts to find answers… when I learned of them, I was pursued by some less than savory foes. Long story short, I was nearly killed multiple times on my way back to the city… and the rest you know."
"What answers?" Alisaie asked at once. "And for who?"
"Why, your grandsire of course," he answered as Alphinaud and Alisaie immediately froze up at the mention of their grandfather.
They both opened their mouths for answers when they heard a large grinding, crunching noise right above their heads.
"Garlemald," Estinien whispered as they all looked up nervously when they saw dust fall from the ceiling—signaling that something large and heavy was stomping around up above. "Stay quiet… least they find us. But be prepared to make a break for it should they do."
Everyone remained still and silent as they listened. They could hear loud orders being barked and what sounded like someone being blamed for letting the 'bloodsucker-loving savages' getting away from them.
It was all they could do not to roll their eyes at that as they continued to wait it out. Though some of them, like Claire and Estinien, had their weapons pulled and were ready to start a fight if they came bursting through the doors.
It seemed to take all day, when they all knew that it couldn't have been more than a few minutes. They seemed to be searching the ruins, but didn't seem to notice the stairs that led down below since there were so little ruins up top that could reasonably be used to hide in.
Thankfully, they weren't too bothered in sticking around, because after another 10 or so minutes, they heard the ground shake as the large magitek, or whatever else it was, went stomping off and they all let out a sigh of relief. Ysayle felt brave enough to light the lantern again and they were all blinking in the light as they tried to make sense of what they just learned.
"Alright…" Alisaie said, finally letting go of Claire's hand, albeit reluctantly, and spun around to them all to demand more of what was going on.
"We told you," Estinien spoke up irritably, "We spotted some Garlean rejects attacking him. Five soldiers and two reapers against one didn't seem like fair odds so we stepped in to help even them."
"And for that, I am truly grateful," G'raha panted.
"And right after that they starting demanding that we give back the Crystarium's Exarch," Claire added and he winced at that.
"What? Why didn't you tell us who you were?" Alisaie demanded.
"Well, I was going to last night… but… I fell asleep," he confessed in embarrassment.
Alisaie cursed under her breath at that as he lowered his head once more.
"I know, not my finest moment," he confessed, "But you must understand, I had been through much and more during the last week or so and I desperately needed to rest. But I was planning to reveal it all to you once we had a moment. I was sent out of the Crystarium at behest to your grandsire, Louisoix, who had arrived earlier than we thought and…?"
"Grandfather is here?" Alphinaud gasped, interrupting the story, having thought that they had another day or so to have to wait to see him.
"Yes, and it was because of him that I left in search of answers," G'raha insisted. "I owed his, and by extension your, family a debt and I felt that it was my way of thanking him for his kindness. Of course, just as my luck would have it… by the time that I was able to find what I was searching for… I was attacked by a robed figure on the ship back to Norvrandt and I had to make the split second decision to dive overboard and escape."
"Wait a robed figure?" Claire spoke up with wide eyes as Alisaie stared at him… the memory of a figure jumping from their ship in the middle of the storm came back to her mind.
"It was you!" she gasped and they all looked at her, who realized she spoke out loud. "I-I mean that I saw you then that night. We three were on board a ship as it was setting off to Norvrandt when a robed figure attacked the ship by setting the sail and mast on fire. I remember seeing someone jump overboard. That was you, wasn't it?"
"Truly? You were there?" G'raha asked with wide eyes before laughing out, "My, the gods certainly know how to mess with us mortals, don't they?"
"You jumped overboard in the middle of a storm?" Ysayle questioned incredulously. "You were lucky you weren't killed."
"I nearly was," he panted hard as Alphinaud was able to help bandaging up his wounds… not as bad as they could have been. "I was lucky to have some driftwood to hang onto and that I am a strong swimmer. Thankfully, the currents were kind enough to carry me through the storm and to shore where I was able to seek treatment in Eulmore. Once I recovered enough I was able to set out again and met up with a Zu who was planning on returning to the mainland."
He looked to the three of them and added, "And the rest you say is history."
"What in the world could grandfather have sent you out for though?" Alphinaud asked in amazement.
"For a specific tome," he answered as he pulled out a book from under his travelling clothes and revealed to them a very sad looking journal. "Sadly, despite the water repelling spells I placed on it before jumping ship, I fear that it was damaged during the swim. But I hope that there will be enough for your grandfather's research to be of use to him. This journal belonged to a famed researcher, who had also done research on various creatures… and despite it being around for years before the creation of Black Rose, your grandsire seems convince that there is something in these pages that could help."
The twins both stared at it as he handed it over to them to look over. He then looked up to Claire and added, "I had planned to tell you all this sooner but by the time that I awoke, and saw that you were gone, I went out to try and find you so that I could take you directly to the Crystarium, as I suspect that was what you were worried about."
"In a word, yes," she confessed. "Can you do that for us?"
"Absolutely," he said eagerly, as if the idea that he could be of help to her was his dearest ambition. If Alphinaud and Alisaie had been paying attention to anything but the book, they would have noticed the way that he was looking at her… as if she were larger than life… and his eyes seemed to sparkle as he looked into her own.
But, as if concerned that he had been rude, he cleared his throat and turned back to Estinien and Ysayle before asking, "And I suspect that the reason you both are here is to seek an audience with the famed Louisoix?"
They both nodded and confessed that they were hoping that he could help them with their own problems and free Ysayle from her own curse. They had arrived earlier but were just planning on stalking out the town until they could figure out where to go.
Thankfully for them, G'raha had no problems in wanting to help them as well and promised that he could take care of it all for them. All they needed was a word from him and they would be welcomed inside the city itself. The Crystarium was a place where no one judged you on where you were from and so they probably wouldn't even question why their faces would be hidden with their hoods.
It almost seemed too good to be true, but true to his word, he called up the guards at the gate with his linkpearl and told them that he would be arriving later this evening and that he would be bringing guests with him and to not worry about investigating them.
After they finished treated his injuries, they all spent the day discussing more of each other's pasts and their experiences to get them to this point. It turned out that G'raha was actually able to study in Sharlayan at one point and that was how he was introduced to Louisoix… and also the reason why he was going to be staying here for a time.
"Master Louisoix has been coming and going for the last few years," he confessed. "Garlemald doesn't have much control over this region and so it's the perfect place for him to conduct his experiments and research without being punished by Garlemald. When he learned that the two of you were alive and well, he immediately sent word to me and asked if it would be possible if I could house you all here for a time where you would be safe. So when I found you on the beach, I couldn't believe my luck! Master Louisoix will be most relieved when he sees you."
"How is grandfather?" Alisaie asked at once.
"He has missed you both terribly, of course," he reassured them, "But otherwise, despite his years, I suspect he has many more with how healthy he is."
Alisaie's eyes sparkled at that, feeling a slight warmth in her chest—at least she thought it was… but the news of their grandfather meant more to her than she could ever say.
"And I am certain that he will be more than willing to see what he could do for you both," G'raha reassured Estinien and Ysayle, who nodded back.
"We shall be most grateful for whatever aid he can lend us," Ysayle said kindly as Estinien huffed.
With the sun still out, they had to wait for hours until dusk fell and twilight began to approach before they felt safe enough to emerge. Darkening shadows crossed over the land and there was a gentle mist that was beginning to seep up, perfect weather for a vampire it would seem.
They were all getting ready to go, but it seemed that Estinien had different plans and suggested that the rest of them go on without him and Ysayle. It turned out that Ysayle was starving and now would be a good time to do some hunting along Lakeland for some wild fiends.
"We will let you both approach him first and made ready the introductions tomorrow," Estinien offered. "We will remain out here a little longer to ensure that we are ready. But do not keep us waiting for too long, you hear?"
They agreed and promised to come for them this time tomorrow and to meet them at the gates just before sunrise to make it easier to find them after they explain the situation to Louisoix. After that, with the twins making sure to cover their heads with their cloaks, G'raha Tia told them to follow him and he would take them straight to the city—his city.
It was so exciting as they travelled over the last few malms of distance between them to the ever growing tower until one had to strain their neck to look up. Claire was tired but she smiled up at the sparkling tower, her heart swelling with pride at having gotten here safely with her two young charges.
G'raha Tia—or maybe rather the Exarch—grinned at her and gestured for them to follow after him to the city proper.
The twins clung in close behind Claire, their hoods pulled down so low over their faces that it was a wonder that they could see where they were going at all. Or maybe not…? Alphinaud tripped and she had to reach out to pull him back before he fell face-first onto the ground. She did her best not to laugh as she moved in after the Exarch.
Most people seemed to be heading back home at this point so they were lucky in that they were able to avoid most, especially with the light drizzle that began to fall upon their heads as they crossed the bridge towards the front entrance.
The moment she got her first look at the full city before her, she knew she would never forget it. It was beautiful and her eyes grew wide as she stared around her. There were many different facets of crystal-like buildings that stretched off for malms in all directions, with many different spires and towers that crisscrossed the city. She could see the tower right in front of her, glowing so beautifully as if it were made of diamond and cast a kind of veil over the entire city that made everything seem so much more beautiful. She could see the front entrance that led from the bridge that she stepped off of as and the spinning crystal that sparkled from just beyond the doorway and she was filled with an urge to run in and explore every part of the city.
"And here we are," the Exarch answered proudly, "Welcome, my friend, to the Crystarium."
"It's beautiful," she said and she could see how a blush of pleasure passed over his face.
"Where are we going to be staying?" Alisaie asked, obviously still uncomfortable being in such a large city.
"Oh, don't you worry about that," the Exarch told them cheerfully. "You are more than free to stay in the tower for as long as you need to. Only I am allowed inside the tower without permission, so I do believe that you should all be safe there."
"Really? Only you?" Alphinaud asked, risking raising his head a little so that his red eyes were seen and the Exarch only chuckled.
"The tower is a great maze inside," he confessed. "And there are rooms that must remain locked. The people all know this. So should you just remain in those rooms, then you need not fear being discovered. But come, I feel that it will be better if I just show you."
And so he waved his hand to get them to follow him. They did so, wandering through the town square, past the markets, and soon found themselves at the foot of the tower… and after craning her neck up to look at the tower she realized just how large it was. She couldn't even see the top from here!
"Impressive, is it not?" the Exarch asked with a grin when he noticed her awed expression. "Without a doubt the tallest structure in Norvrandt. They say that it was built to try and reach the very heavens."
"I can imagine so," she answered as they began to climb up the stairs that lead them to a large, elaborated door with only a single guard standing in front of it.
"My lord!" the guard called and the Exarch took a few hurried steps towards him to greet him.
"Should we really be here?" Alisaie asked nervously.
"Are you thirsty?" Claire asked her worriedly and was relieved when the girl shook her head.
"No," she admitted. "Actually I haven't had the urge to feed like I usually do since you left. I'm a little thirsty but nowhere near as bad as it used to be."
"I'm happy to hear that," Claire said before looking back to the Exarch, still feeling that she had the sense that she had met him from somewhere before. "But as to your question, I do think that it is wise… at least for now, to accept his hospitality. I'll be sure to keep an eye on him, however. Let us just try not to get too comfortable here until we learn more."
The other two nodded as they drew level with the Exarch and the guard.
"Ah, I see," the Exarch answered the guard, with the rest of them having missed what he had been saying. "Thank you for showing him in. I'll take over from here."
The guard nodded as the three of them approached after him.
"Is something wrong?" Claire asked him worriedly, who shook his head and smiled.
"Nothing of the sort!" he said cheerfully, "Quite the opposite. Please, follow me and you will see!"
He was grinning from ear to ear as a cat would when they found a bowl full of cream. Claire was on the defensive at this point, but she followed with the other two behind her. She reminded herself that they had no reason to distrust G'raha after making it this far, but what had happened that he was now so happy?
She didn't say anything as he led them inside and she stared around at the beautiful crystal walls that sparkled like diamonds cut into countless facets. Claire had never seen anything like this and was blown away by the sheer beauty of it.
But the Exarch seemed to be jumping about in excitement and all but pushed them towards the stairs, telling them that they would discuss things once they made it to the Ocular. Claire was about to ask what that meant, but he just shook his head with that same mischievous grin.
Claire decided to just follow him up several long flights of stairs until they came to be standing outside of a pair of doors as the Exarch opened them up and bowed them in. Claire was really starting to get a little frustrated by his lack of answers, but the moment she stepped inside, she understood.
She stopped dead in her tracks when she realized that they were no longer alone.
An elderly man with hair as white as Alphinaud and Alisaie's was standing in the middle of the room. It seemed that he had been anxiously pacing back and forth, at least judging from the way that he seemed unable to stand still. The moment that he heard the door open though, he turned to look at them and Claire caught look of his face.
"Master Louisoix," she answered as he stared back at her, as if unable to believe his eyes.
At the mention of their grandsire's name, the twins both looked out from behind her. It was a tense moment as everyone seemed to just stare at each other, unable to believe it. At last, it was Alphinaud who took the first step as he came out fully from behind his protector and slowly lowered his hood so that he could show his grandfather his face.
Louisoix's eyes widened when he caught hold of his pale skin and red eyes as they gazed at each other. Alphinaud was shaking where he stood as Alisaie came out as well. She seemed much more reluctant to remove her hood, but after seeing her brother be so bold, she pulled it up enough so that her grandfather could see her face as well.
Claire watched on, not sure what was going to happen.
But after a moment where everything seemed to set in, Louisoix's shock melted away to a loving smile. There were tears in his eyes as he looked at both of them.
"Alphinaud… Alisaie… my darling grandchildren…" he said in that deep and achingly familiar voice.
That was all the two of them needed. They flew at him and were in his arms faster than the eye could see, but Louisoix just pulled them into his arms and held them both tightly as he buried his face into their hair… just as he had done the day that he last saw them.
If tears could fall from their eyes she knew that the twins would both be weeping in joy as well.
At last, at long last, after five years of wandering the two of them were reunited with family. Claire let out a sigh that she wasn't aware that she was holding as she just smiled at the touching scene. She slowly crept back to the door, wanting to give them privacy.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Claire looked back in surprise when she realized the voice came from Alisaie, who noticed her slipping off. Claire made to answer that she didn't want to intrude, but Louisoix was already on his feet as he walked straight to her. She wasn't sure what to say to him… having only thought of how happy the two would be when they were reunited with him and she didn't stop to think of what she could possibly say… but it seemed that he knew exactly what he wanted to tell her.
He just pulled her into the biggest hug that she ever had and held her tightly.
"Thank you… thank you… so much…" he wept.
(Awww, so sweet. At long last, they found their grandfather! A lot more is going to be coming their way and boy do they have a story to tell him about. But it seems that there is more to G'raha Tia than they first thought. Just what is this favor that he owes to them? You'll be finding out soon!)