Eorzea was a world of magic, a world where monsters roamed and healing someone from near death was as easy as guiding a flow of aether through a foci. But there were times when magic itself wasn't enough. They were dealing with one such time now.
For years, the warrior of light had traveled worlds and lived against the odds over and over again. She had beaten dragons single handedly, had faced Primals and barely batted an eyelash. Had prevented another calamity.
Yet here she was, hair thin and lanky strewn out across a pillow, skin sallow and sunken into her cheeks. Her skin was paper thin to the point you could see the veins beneath, could see the bones of her collar and fingers. Her lips were parted every so slightly, an awful awful rasping emitting as she struggled to continue to draw breath. One of her hands rested delicately on her stomach over the blankets, no longer baring the strength to grasp a blade, let alone fight a godly being. Her other hand was held ever so gently betwixt long fingers, his thumbs gliding across her skin to try to warm and comfort her in her final hours. Her eyelashes fluttered as she felt herself start to slip, mustering all her energy to turn her head and open her eyes, gazing into the misty orbs of her beloved one last time.
"Please..." He whispered, soft as a feather, but the weight of it settled into her brittle bones stronger than the fate of the world.
"Don't leave me. You're all I have." She had never seen Emet-Selch cry, never seen him plead. But here he was.
"I've lost so much, and never has it hurt more than seeing you suffer and knowing there is naught I can do about it."
He leaned forwards, pressing a kiss to her knuckles as she mustered the strength to squeeze his hand.
"Live, Emet. Find love again...find friends again...you don't have to be alone. I..." She stopped as a sputtering cough tore from her throat and lungs, blood spewing onto the crisp white of the sheets. She knew she didn't have much time left.
"My dear, I-"
"No. My time...is over. You still live...please, continue..." She struggled to pull at the muscles of her face to smile at him. With a great deal of effort, she moved her hand from his own gentle grip to cup his cheek.
"My life may be over...but my heart...will always live with you." She ignored the tears seeping from his eyes as he held her hand to his face, smiling at him with all the love she had.
She didn't hear his pleas for her to return.