"Impressive as always Azlyn. 'Tis ever a pleasure to witness the spectacle of your martial prowess." Azlyn straightened up as Hoary Boulder and Coultenet yielded after a morning of fighting. She could see Koharu and Yozan running over to their teacher, checking in with him and excitedly telling him about what they witnessed.
"I didn't expect you to be in the crowd Alphinaud." Azlyn wiped the sweat from her face. The crowds were dissipating, excitedly chatting about the mock battle they witnessed. She could hear from all the way in the field the murmurs of the Bloody Princess of the Sea being triumphant, or how she was a Guardian of Eorzea, or how being a Bringer of Light carried the weight well.
Alphinaud smirked. "Judging by all the smiles and laughter from these many faces, they, too, appreciate the hard-won strength that keeps the perils of the realm at bay."
"Guardian of Eorzea…" Azlyn frowned, crossing her arms. "I suppose that title is better than Bloody Princess."
"It's most definitely a fitting title—all them you have acquired in your travels is just part of your identity to the realms." Alphinaud gave a long pause, as they looked over to her group now interacting with the Doman children, Hoary Boulder, and Coultenet. Roll had healed them up while Ozwin helped Hoary Boulder to his feet.
They all were chatting happily before the children started to interrogate Roll, Ozwin, Kida, and Koroko Koko.
"Do you recall when first we met?" The question came abruptly, and Azlyn hummed.
"Are we talking about our first meeting on the ship, or at the remembrance ceremonies?"
"'Twas at the memorial service that we officially talked, aye. I do recall now you had been on our same vessel to Limsa. Funny how the fates work, don't they?" Alphinaud chuckled, raising a hand to his chin. "I don't know if you sensed it from us, but at the time, I was yet attempting to understand this land of Eorzea. I sought to grasp the reason why Grandfather willingly sacrificed himself to protect it."
Azlyn remained silent, listening to the lad.
"I shall speak plainly: my initial impressions were less than favorable. Dire problems abounded, and yet the effort I saw expended towards their solution was haphazard and half-hearted. I thought Eorzeans a foolish and childish people. Considering the shambles their homes was in, I would not have been surprised if some had chosen to swear allegiance to Gaius and the order he proposed to enforce. The legatus's single-minded military invasion precluded any such switching of loyalties, of course." The Sharlayan boy closed her eyes, thinking back, and after a moment of recollection, he turned to look upward to her. His eyes shown a determination that she'd seen a few times before. "Were it not for a desire to continue Grandfather's legacy, I would have abandoned the realm to its fate long ago. The threats were too many, the nations too self-involved and unstable."
"Do you regret what you've done?" Azlyn questioned at last, wondering why he was telling her all this now. "You spoke of your sisters resolve so much before—yet… it sounds like you…"
Alphinaud gave her an unexpected response when he warmly smiled to her instead. "No. After all, 'Twas you who convinced me the salvation of Eorzea was plausible."
"Me?!" Azlyn stepped back more alarmed. "I… I didn't really do much… really…I'm only—"
"I'm only just a traveler." Alphinaud spoke in a tone mimicking her quiet voice. She blinked as he laughed moments after. "Azlyn, you give yourself far too little credit for all the good you've done. All the hope you bring. It was you who taught me, for instance, through countless acts of bravery—that what my grandsire sought to preserve was not the land, nor its history, nor any single nation—it was the people. These wonderful, oft infuriating, stubborn people that suffer blow after terrible blow only to drag themselves back to their feet to face another day. I believe my Grandfather's admiration for this inextinguishable courage grew into a fervent wish—a wish to aid Eorzea and its inhabitants in charting a course for the future."
Azlyn looked to the people remaining behind. They were in groups all around excitedly talking amongst themselves. She smiled warmly. "And they'll continue to do so. As long as the hopes within burns brightly in their hearts. What is it that you wish for Alphinaud?" She looked to her earnestly. "What do you want to do?"
He gave pause, before nodding happily. "As I've told you once before: I wish to aid Eorzea and it's inhabitants. My grandfather's goals… all of his ideals—those wishes have now become my own. I will endeavor to take up the mantle of Guardian of Eorzea—and champion these people who toil towards a better world."
She smiled. "That's a wonderful wish. If there's aught I can do, I shall help to the best of my ability."
Alphinaud tsk'ed suddenly as if remembering the problems they still faced. "Our cause however is not a simple one. The troubles that plague us are of a scale that cannot be solved by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn alone. What we need…" Alphinaud stopped to think. "Right, what we need to do is tackle the root of the primal threat—and effectively counter the schemes of the Ascians—in that we should establish a new, expanded organization that operates beyond the limitations of borders and nations."
"Another organization?" Azlyn curiously pondered. "I believe you mentioned something like this before…? Have you finally started the process?
He nodded. "If you would aid me in building such an organization, I would be most grateful."
"Of course. If it's for the betterment of Eorzea and the realm—if it'll help the people and bring them hope. All I ever wanted to do was to help people." Azlyn offered with a small smile. She raised a hand over her chest thinking of a time long since gone.
A time where homes were safe, where children could live in peace and not have to worry about scavenging for food or shelter. A place that had no wars or civil unrest.
"What's this about helping the people?"
The pair stopped in their discussion to turn and see the Fated group approach. When they all reached them, Kida celebrated her victory while Ozwin obnoxiously rubbed his hand on top of her hair. She knocked away his hand playfully while Alphinaud started to speak of his future goals and plans.
He wanted to start a new organization that would work in tandem with the Scions to help deal and maintain a constant vigil for summoned primals and Ascian movements. What he also spoke of a realm wide Grand Company for a united Eorzea—which received a mixed review from Ozwin.
The man kept his silence as he listened however, and Azlyn remained hopeful that it could work out depending on the individuals within the organization. After a quick debrief and explanation, Alphinaud requested help in searching for people to join said organization.
To which everyone was enlisted to help. Ozwin shrugged, before offering a few friends of his that were within the recently disbanded Company of Heroes. "I'll start there, and see whom else I can invite to this group of yours kid. Here's hoping for a united Eorzea."
"It sounds like you have some reservations Ozwin?" Alphinaud questioned him.
He sighed, shaking his head. "Remember I am the pessimist of the group. I tend to think of all the bad things that could occur. But if everyone is wanting to help start this, we better make sure we're of one mind."
Azlyn agreed with him in that regard. "Then Roll, do you know of some individuals that might help?"
Her cousin hummed to herself. After a pregnant pause she nodded at last. "I can think of a few people I've worked with in Gridania. Kida has plenty of connections as well." The Xaela jumped up in excitement, saluting with her one hand.
"Leave it to us boss! We gotchu!"
Koroko Koko smiled, "Then I shall find a few of my friends in Ul'dah. They may be interested in such a group. Good morrow to you all."
With four of Azlyn's friends off to find some potential finds that left Azlyn and Alphinaud to propose the full plan with Minfillia, and hope she would give her approval of the Scions to back up a budding organization.
That and if the Scions backed the organization, it would assuage many of the fears regarding misuse of such a large organization. After all, the scions worked tireless to protect Eorzea and its people.
The major plus of having the Scions backing this new organization, however, would be their vast availability to resources as well as not taxing all of their peoples at once. Or Azlyn's for that matter.
Minfillia had been fairly easy to speak with their proposal, she smiled warmly to the lad and wished him the best of luck with his new idea. Now the major trouble would be getting official approval from the three Alliance Leaders.
And with her friends already finding potential candidates, they were already in the right place to begin.
They started in Limsa Lominsa first, teleporting straight to the Main Aetheryte Plaza and walking to the Bulwark Hall. When they arrived at the lift, the two of them were immediately welcomed up to the bridge, and the Admiral appeared pleased to see them.
Their talks went well, and after a while she gave her official permission as one of the three Alliance Leaders.
With one down, they moved to the airship docks to travel straight to Gridania. Again, their travels were fair with good weather, and no troubles. By the time they reached the Twelveswood, it had been the tail end of the morning. The trees blocked some of the bright sunlight and helped provide some shade.
Alphinaud led the way over to the Old Gridanian side, right by the conjurer's guild and toward the Lotus Stand. The silent conjurer stood by, and upon their arrival, had been guided in to see the Elder Seedseer.
Again, it came as no surprise when the Elder Seedseer gave her blessing—even as she warned Azlyn of the words last spoken by Ramuh of the darkness that resides in men. Azlyn appreciated the words, smiled, and bid her good afternoon as they finished up in Gridania.
Their last course of action would be within Ul'dah, to speak with General Raubahn and her highness the Sultana. They took one more flight over to the City State, traveling for the next two hours speaking of trivial things. It wasn't long before they found themselves walking the ruby-colored carpet toward the Royal Promenade.
After speaking with Bartholomew, he was able to call General Raubahn from his post, and after several moments of waiting found themselves greeting the Raging Bull himself. He welcomed them within the halls beyond the doors, and they waited for Nanamo Ul Namo to come.
It was then that they listened to their request, and were reluctant in their approval. However Alphinaud laid claims that the Scions and Azlyn both would be helping keep the charge of this new organization. Azlyn could sense the apprehension from the sultana, but after a few moments she finally relented to an approval. She however presented a list of investigations she carried out regarding the monies raised for the start of this organization—and handed it straight to the Au Ra.
"I pray you look over these accounts, and consider what we've spoke of previous."
"We shall, your grace. Thank you for your time!" Azlyn bowed gratefully, thankful that the sultana gave her blessing alongside Raubahn's word that all sound whole and well.
With the tough beginnings settled, together the pair made their way back to Mor Dhona—taking a scenic route alongside the chocobo caravans. It was then that they started to discuss the coffers of which had been procured to help in this starting organization.
"Are you not concerned about most of the coffers volunteered to your cause was by the Syndicate's own hand?" Azlyn looked through the papers, a frown growing by the minute.
"I was a little concerned, however, I am certain this organization will be fine. I have also scoured through each contribution and made sure that every coin and all of their contributors have been carefully scrutinized and recorded. This organization will not be built on corruption."
It appeared Alphinaud gave this quite a bit of forethought, so Azlyn nodded and passed the papers back to him.
"I understand. I won't press the issue any further."
"My thanks." Alphinaud smiled right back to her, stowing the papers into his jacket's inside pocket. "Naturally I would prefer not to rely upon outside sources at all, but not even my families substantial coffers could not sustain a venture of this magnitude."
"Ahhh, right—your dad's a forum member if I remember right. He and your grandfather have been such prolific members of Old Sharlayan's organization."
The lad snapped his fingers in a proud fashion. "Indeed so!"
Azlyn sighed, "Your father was on the board when I presented my dissertation on language interpretations. He argued back against my thesis for twenty minutes." She dropped her head to the memory. "It's not a memory I look back fondly on."
He too joined her sigh, "He's hard to please but he has his reasons."
"Yeah… I'm just thankful I don't have to do that again. Sometimes the Forum can be so stubborn." This was more grumbling on her part, thinking back to the Studium and her time studying under the Archons. Many of them were harsh lecturer's but all had good intentions in mind.
"Well all in all, I think we're on our way to the birth of a new organization. Of course rumors and doubt will still occur no matter what we do—at least until the company has the chance to prove its worth." Alphinaud decided to change the topic, seeing how Azlyn had drew back into her chair as she thought back to her home. "It won't be an easy process, but we will earn people's trust one success at a time."
The rest of their ride back to the Rising Stones had been like the rest of the day's time, peaceful and without much trouble. By the time they debarked from the caravan in Revenant's Toll, it was close to mid afternoon. It was there that they found a new throng of adventurers and familiar faces alike.
Azlyn recognized Riol right away, as he spoke with a young Ala Mhigan teen whom she remembered as Wilred. There was a caster from Gridania she recognized, her name was Alianne, as well as a few others whom she'd met along her travels. She thought she spied Laurentius—the male Hyur whom she, Roll, and Kida set straight when they were searching for the Elder Sylph.
While the group had been small, it was a fairly good start given they had just received official permissions. Alphinaud joined her side, placing a hand to his hip. "Looks like I must needs quickly prepare an inaugural speech for the birth of this new Grand Company. Not much rest for the wicked, I fear."
"Good luck with that—I'm not one for speeches."
"Yet you speak dozens of languages with ease."
Azlyn chuckled. "If you want translations to be done, I will be happy to oblige!"
Shortly they were joined by their friends—Roll, Kida, Ozwin, Koroko Koko, even N'thuzu Tia and Richiro Wichiro joined them from whatever adventure they partook in the morning. The only one missing had been Mjnt—obviously attending to matters in Coerthas.
"Until we find out what next we should do, I propose we take a momentary break—everyone alright with that?" Azlyn offered to her friends, who all nodded.
"I wouldn't mind a quick fishing trip."
"THAT'S RIGHT!" Ozwin lit up in an exuberantly abnormal way. He pointed directly to the Au Ra with white ombré hair and shouted to her. "YOU OWE US A FISHING TRIP!"
"Alright, alright—let's go fishing then!" Azlyn laughed, and Roll started to plot out potential spots where they could camp and fish in peace. At least for a few days.