Under Happier Circumstances
A/N- Maxia Forestce is a on the shorter sideSeeker of the Sun Miqo'te with pink eyes, and maroon hair. She calls herself the pink princess as her PLD is a pink Nezha Lady's attire. Takes place near the ending of Main Story Stormblood.
0o0o0o0
There was much to do. With the pending battle for Ala Mhigo Maxia had been running around doing last minute preparations before the fight. She needed to be ready both mentally and physically. If this didn't work, they could all end up dead. Talking with Lyse her ear caught wind of incoming Eorzean Alliance forces and when her head turned, she expected to see General Aldynn or Admiral Merlwyb but her eyes widened as she saw Ser Aymeric, Lord Commander of the Temple Knights approaching with his knights. She had borne witness to Ishgard rejoining the Alliance but with so much going on it had slipped her mind. Suddenly her stomach dropped as a thought crossed her mind over his appearance. Both barely made eye contact with the other as he led them into formation to be briefed of the situation.
After a war meeting Maxia stood under a tent talking with Alphinaud making sure they had every detail accounted for before the battle.
"Master Alphinaud, Mistress Maxia. I am ever pleased to see you both are well." It took all of the Warrior of Light's resolve not to break out in a giant smile as Ser Aymeric's voice came up from behind.
"Ah, Ser Aymeric. I am glad to see you and your knights could join us." Alphinaud had jumped right into a conversation with the Lord Commander as Maxia just stood beside her dear friend saying nothing. Her mind slipped back to her as she heard the Lord Commander address her and ask if she had a moment. He would like to hear an update on the events while Alphinaud went to find the others and see what else had to be done.
"Are you well? When we passed each other earlier you looked as if you had seen a ghost." Aymeric asked as he led her to a more private section for them to talk.
Maxia nodded before speaking. "In all the commotion of the upcoming battle I had forgotten Ishgard had recently rejoined the Alliance. When I saw you appear it came to me. I…" She dropped her head to stop her thoughts from leaving her mouth.
"You what?" His calloused hand lifted her chin to meet his eyes. "I know all too well the hardships of war. If there is something troubling you, I feel I would be the best to understand."
"Seeing you arrive, it reminded me that you were now in danger of being hit by an attack should something fail. I have been so preoccupied making sure Alphinaud is protected, and it brought me such relief to know you were out of harms way. That is all."
"He is dear to you. I know. I am not fighting directly on the front lines the way you or he are. I shall be fine. You watch over him, I will watch over you." He put his arms around the Warrior of Light's waist and pulled her close. "How I have missed you."
"I have missed you too. I am glad to see you." She let her body sink into the one she truly loved. She knew she wouldn't see him all too often once she left Ishgard but she had been away much longer than anticipated with her sudden trip to liberate Doma.
"I had heard his sister, Alisaie was it? Had been injured recently. Is she doing well?" Aymeric asked as he took a deep breath in, of the one he cared for most.
"Yes. And she is. We thought it best to keep her out of harm's way for the time being. I was so worried I was going to lose her. She has quickly become a best friend to me. And poor Alphinaud, he was worried sick." Maxia told him of what had occurred and how just days before they feared Alphinaud had been in the tower when it was attacked by Garlean forces and fell. She had told her love before how the three of them were a family. Back then he swore to help her with that task any way he could. It was a promise he still intended to uphold.
"I am sorry I wasn't here sooner for you or for them. If I don't have the chance to see her after this, please give her my regards." Aymeric kissed the top of her head as he held her a bit tighter in her arms.
She knew they had things to do, a battle to prepare for but she wanted to stay right where she was, in Aymeric's arms. They weren't allowed to go public with their relationship and with her duties she hardly had time to see him. Still, she loved him and would do what she had to, to make this all work.
"Perhaps once this battle is over you return to Ishgard with me for a short while. You can rest up before you are off again saving all of us."
"If that is your bribe to get me to stay alive consider it accepted." She reached up and gently kissed his lips happy for this quick moment of reprieve. "Please, make sure you stay alive. I don't care how you have to do it. So long as you are waiting for me on the other side of this." If she lost him...no, that was not a thought to be had.
"I will follow you anywhere. You have my word." He smiled down at her before stealing a quick kiss from her lips.
Knowing they had preparations to make they parted ways for now. After the final briefing Maxia ran to tell the Commanders to get ready they were about to start. Seeing Aymeric above with Lucia she nodded to her before quickly seeing him. He said a few words back about how he was grateful to change the ledger on what Ishgard failed to do in the past. As she went to go, he stopped her just for a moment. Slipping something into her hand she noticed it was a ring bearing the Borel family crest. "May it keep you safe." He whispered as he sent her on her way. Maxia ran off to talk to the other two leaders and let them know to get ready, slipping the ring on as she did. She was surprised it fit her finger as well as it did.
With the door open all they had to do now was enter. Zenos was waiting for her past those doors, and she was terrified to say the least. The moment she first met him she was terrified of his presence and the fact that she lived both times was a miracle. A miracle she had yet to tell Aymeric about. Getting ready to run in with Alphinaud she saw blue and gold hit the corner of her eye. He had stayed near during the cannon firing and while she had worried when the Magiteks attacked she felt comforted by his presence. She wanted to hold his hand if only for a moment to share each other's strength. Instead, she focused on the task at hand.
"May the Fury keep you both safe!" Was the last thing she heard as they ran straight in.
Watching Zenos become absorbed in the Primal's body Maxia wanted to cry. She knew what she had to do but she also knew the fight wasn't going to be easy. Exhausted from fighting Zenos just moments before she tore off towards this new primal. Clenching her fist around the hilt of her blade she felt the ring she had been gifted give her the strength to keep going. She had people waiting for her, he was waiting for her.
Exhausted, Maxia fell to her knees after Zenos death. It wasn't how she expected it to end but it was over. Alphinaud was alive and well in front of her and she could breathe easier now. With footsteps approaching she was summoning the strength to stand when a hand reached out for hers. Looking up to the Elezen man she loved she happily reached out and took it.
"I am relieved you are safe my friend. When we saw the Primal, I feared the worst, but I also knew you were stronger than most."
"Your crest gave me the strength I needed to push through. You won this battle as much as I did. May Nidhogg's eyes finally cease." Going to hand him back his ring he stopped her before she could get far.
"This is the first of many battles where I will only be able to watch from the sidelines. Let it remind you that I am always beside you." He stood beside her as the group of them confirmed to the fighters below that they won, it was over. Ala Mhigo and Doma were officially free. As she stood beside him, on the roof of the stronghold celebrating their hard-earned victory Maxia let her hand slip into the fingers of the Lord Commander. Feeling his grip tighten ever so slightly she smiled a bit wider. They would never have done something so bold in public but after what she just went through, she deserved this.
Sneaking away in the cover of night Maxia tried to avoid the ongoing celebrations. The Ala Mhigan Quarter was abuzz with life, but she stayed to the shadows as best she could before coming to the area, she knew the commanders were in. They were staying the night to assess the damages their forces took and give a chance for the healers to do what they could. Double checking that no one had followed her or was around minus the two stationed guards outside his door Maxia gently knocked. Not waiting more than a moment the door opened, and she was ushered inside.
"You should be celebrating with the others!" Aymeric's arms went around Maxia as he pulled her further inside.
"I did. I promise. I just know you aren't here for much longer. I wish you could stay a bit, but I know you have other things to attend to."
"I will never turn you away." He led her to the table he had in the room and poured wine to celebrate the hard-won battle.
While they sat together talking Maxia moved to gently sit on his lap. She wanted to keep him close. As hard as the battle was, she knew this was only the start and her fears that something terrible was coming spread throughout her being. Cuddling close, his arms securely resting around her helped quell some of those fears. A part of her hated how much she loved the man she cuddled with. Love was making her a weaker warrior, all she thought about was protecting him. But she was not ready or willing to give this up. Not yet.
She asked to spend the night by his side. She knew the problems it would cause if others found out, but she wasn't ready to leave. There was no desire for intense intimacy other than to feel him beside her as she rested. He easily obliged and once they had turned in for the night kept her close to his body as they slept.
The battle was over, but the war was just beginning it felt like. After the Asahi incident things felt to be spiraling out of control. Maxia was so worried about Alisae who was understandably worried about her brother. It was sad that she was looking forward to this Alliance meeting as she would get to Aymeric again and perhaps he could give some advice on a better way to help her friend.
The fact that she sat across from Aymeric did not go unnoticed. They shared a small, pleasant smile to the other as they sat down, before the meeting started. The small gesture was enough to center herself. Now was the time to focus and plan properly. As they all deliberated Maxia felt the intense pain hit her head. First thought it was the Echo but as the pain got worse and a voice unfamiliar to her rang out through her mind, she fought to remain together. It felt as if she was being pulled elsewhere. An outside voice rang through her, and she clung to it. As focus was regained Maxia looked around to see her friends were in similar states, what just happened? What was that? All eyes were on them before she heard something, or someone hit the floor. On her feet she saw it was Thancred and the others were rushing to his side. What was going on? Had he just been too exhausted to fight the pain?
Knowing Alisae wanted to go to the Rising Stones on the double Maxia ran after her only to stop a few feet in. Her literal knight in shining armor was close, watching her. Telling her friend to go on ahead she would quickly catch up she ran to Aymeric who had worry spread across his face.
"Are you alright?" He asked. "The pain you were in... I am sorry. I should have done more."
"No. Don't apologize. There was nothing you could have done. I am sorry I made you worry. I do not know what happened, nor who caused it. The voice though...he kept saying something that I... the pain was so intense I had trouble hearing him. And. I need to thank you. Had your voice not rang out to me I fear I may have ended up as Thancred did."
"Do we know anything more about his condition?"
"He is alive and breathing but...the Elder Seedseer can't sense his soul." At those words Aymeric's arms went around Maxia and held her tight. He needed to say nothing for her to understand. A moment later he released her, and they parted ways so she could get to the bottom of this. She knew he would worry about this happening again and she hoped he was always near when it did.
Swallowing her fear Maxia remained strong for her dear friend Alisae who looked ready to break. She would never leave her dear friend's side even if she asked her too. As they waited for Krile to examine their newly fallen friends Maxia pulled Alisae close and hugged her. She had wanted to for a while now, but she never stood still. She pulled away for a second before hugging her back and thanking her. So long as she had him in her corner, she could help those that needed her.
The parley with the Empire was the last thing Maxia wanted to do. But she was expected to attend, and she wanted to be there for Alisae who hated the idea of talking politics as it was. While she was grateful Lord Hien sat between her and Ser Aymeric, she wished he didn't. The more the emperor talked of 'the perfect race' and how the Empire was built by an Ascian she wanted to kill him here and now and also run. Now was not the time for it but she wished to hold her loves hand for strength. With both talks ending in disaster Maxia watched as everyone prepared for the upcoming battle. No more war, no more loss, no more pain. She couldn't take it anymore. And with it being decided that Alisae was going to be running in alongside her all she could think of that her brother had just done the same thing. She would keep those she cared for safe. She had to.
Aymeric and Lucia were running off to take care of what they needed. He was focused, she needed to be to. Touching the ring she still wore from him she inhaled and centered her emotions. Hopefully this was the final battle. Then she could focus on saving her friends.
"Thank you Maxia." Alisae's voice coming through made Maxia's eyes open to see her in front of her. "For being by my side. I wouldn't be able to do any of this without you."
"Of course. You are my dear friend. I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else." With that they were off.
Maxia turned the corner as her and her team ran through the dark towards their target. Alisae keeping in step calmed some of her fears as they rushed forward. Recognizing a voice, she would be able to pick out anywhere Maxia ran faster seeing Aymeric and the Elder Seedseer fighting against soldiers and machines. Moving in beside him she helped bring the metal beast down. She hadn't fought beside him since they ran into the Vault to say the hostages. This time he wasn't injured but she was still just as worried. As they pushed forward, and her team broke off to go a separate root she yelled out to them all they couldn't die but it was directed towards him. He didn't answer but she saw their eyes connect briefly.
Fighting the pain and the voice Maxia reached for her dear friend who was struggling to hold on. Seeing her hand reaching out for her Maxia would have done anything to reach it. As Alisae hit the floor in the same state as the others her heart broke. Why? Why did this keep happening? Her friend trusted her, she fought so hard against it, and it wasn't enough. Lord Hien promised to get her to the encampment and Raubaun was going to send her to the Rising Stones, but Maxia still felt guilty that she couldn't do more. Alphinaud and Alisae were family, and she couldn't protect them.
Zenos was on the front line, her friends were on the front lines she had to hurry. She would not lose anyone else. In the back of her mind, she was scared that the pain and voice would come at the worst time, but she couldn't worry about that now. She had to press forward, Lord Hien and the others were waiting for her. Pushing her legs forward she told her body to go faster. Seeing Lord Hien and the others on the ground she ran in front of him to keep him safe. Doma needed him to stay alive. She needed him to stay alive, no more friends would she lose.
She would fight him as many times as she had to until Zenos stayed down. She had to beat the Ascian out of Zenos and then end the Ascian just as she did for Thancred. And she would. She had too. Pain ripped through her mind, not now. Zenos was in front of her. He would take advantage of her weakness. As he came closer, she tried to fight against the pain and voice until everything went dark. Aymeric, please keep living.
0o0o
Aymeric was at the encampment getting ready to move out towards the front line when he felt a pain jolt through his heart. Something happened. He knew he was needed elsewhere. He needed to be proven wrong. She needed to be alive. Before coming to the battlefield, he saw his dear friend Estinien drop in with the one he loved in his arms. Running to her side he feared the worst until he could tell she was still breathing but she didn't awake at his touch. Not her too. He should have been there. Taking her in his arms he swiftly brought her to his chirurgeons. His friend said very little, but he said enough, and he was grateful. Deep down he knew they would not wake her, but they would heal the injuries she had sustained.
Ordering for her to be taken to Ishgard he followed her back leaving Lucia to watch the front lines. The enemy was moving back giving them space to breath and him a chance to be at her side. Staying in her room while they traveled, he kept her hand in his. All he wished was to see her eyes reopen. So many had already succumbed to the voice and laid in a state of slumber he didn't want her to befall the same fate. He should have done more to protect her, done more to find the cause of all this.
For the first time since the defeat of his father Aymeric walked into the church, got onto his knees and prayed. He prayed deeply for the one he loved to awake, for her not to be lost forever. He prayed for a sign, something to give him hope. She had done so much for so many she deserved her happiness. She deserved to see peace.
0o0o0
Maxia's eyes fluttered open as light hit their lids. Where was she? This didn't look like a tent on the battlefield, and this didn't look like the Rising Stones. Turning her head to get a better sense of things she saw the young Elezen staring at her in shock before they ran out. A young Elezen? Where was she? Sitting up she got a better look of her surroundings. How did she get to Ishgard? Seeing something out of the corner of her eye she smiled as she saw her knight in shining armor come running from down the hall. As they shared smiles her heart soared.
"You're awake. Thank heavens." Those words alone made Maxia's smile wider and her heart happy. He was alright, they were both safe.
Getting the recap of events, she knew she needed to get back, but she was glad to back in her favorite city and with the one she loved. Before he could go back to the front lines she reached out and held him close.
"I am so glad you have returned to us. To me." He whispered as his arms pulled her closer. "Once this battle has ended let's meet under happier circumstances."
She went to go back into his arms before she felt his lips on hers. Kissing him back she never wanted to move away. How she wished she could forget everything and stay here beside him. Live out the rest of her days not as a solider or the Warrior of Light but as a normal citizen. She knew she couldn't though, she had friends waiting for her and she had people she loved that needed her to save them. Once her friends were safe they could all celebrate their victory together.
When he pulled away, he kept his hands on hers. She noticed he was smiling yet he was staring at their hands. The ring he had given her still rested nicely on her finger, never removed since she put it on back before the liberation of Ala Mhigo.
"I am glad it has protected you so well. Yet, you deserve something better. Something that better expresses how much you mean to me, something that promises you that I am always here for you. I had thought a better time perhaps but now seems fitting." He let go of her hands for only a moment to take a little object out of his pocket. "Maxia Forestce, our first meeting may not have been under the most ideal of circumstances. But our meeting is one I will always cherish. You have done so much for this country, for the nations, yet the one thing you have done for me is given me something to protect. Something to fight for. Something to love with every fiber of my being. Once this war is over. Once the others are brought back to us, I'd be honored if your next adventure would be as my wife. I have asked for so much from you I know, but would you be willing to accept this last request from me?"
Maxia's mouth was hanging open as she saw the beautiful diamond ring, he was holding out for her. It wasn't large enough to be a problem in battle or be a distraction, yet she could see its sparkle. She needed no ring though to say yes to such a request. Getting her head to nod yes, they did a quick switching of rings before she kissed him happily. It fit perfectly and now his family crest ring rested above the new engagement ring she adorned. The tears that fell from her eyes were of joy. She loved this man, more than she ever thought possible. They had been hidden for their own sake, but she didn't want to hide anymore. She wanted the same happiness that those she fought for dreamed of.
Leaving Maxia to rest she got up soon after his departure. She needed to get back to her friends at the Rising Stones. There was much to discuss now and while she wasn't sure she was ready to jump into the fray of battle so soon she could find this beacon and find a way to save the others.
"Here I was thinking you were confined to bed." At Lord Edmonts words Maxia smiled as she saw him downstairs the temple knight headquarters. She was glad to see him as she had always felt a closeness to him. She was the daughter he never had, and he was the father she never knew. As they talked, as she learned of what was coming next for the Knights of Ishgard she silently prayed that his son wouldn't be injured on the front line. At his last words before they split ways, she got the impression he knew of the new engagement. Aymeric and Edmont were close, and she was close to him as well, that would be no real surprise. "let's meet under happier circumstances." She couldn't agree more. One day soon they would all gather and celebrate happy tidings for a change.