Lunafreya stood amongst the dead, who gathered and prepared to do as they must to keep the worlds out of the hands of the God of Light. Unanimous though it wasn't, they had a majority of their council decide that they would put in the effort to work with the rising generation of gods. The generation that accepted their summon and began to coalesce in this faux physical realm.
In the spirit of respect, the council deliberated upon and chose a set of nine of their own. All things in their proper order.
Luna was humbled to stand amongst some of the wisest their ranks had to offer despite the tiring nature of this ongoing debate. Perhaps after this discussion she might finally find some rest.
The chosen around her stood patient, offering naught but grace. Minwu, the white mage who sacrificed himself in a fight against Hell itself. The young and headstrong prince Rasler, who died fighting for his kingdom and family. Aerith of the lifestream, a noble ancient ascended to the throne of an Eternity. The Guardian, Auron, who was no stranger to fighting though dead for that which he loved. The Priestess Aria, ever committed to her goddess and the wellbeing of all. The King Galuf, twice a warrior of light. Sage Tellah, a wizened man devoted to study. And then Nora Estheim, the Savior of Cie.
Luna thought that Noctis should take his much-deserved place on the council, yet he much preferred to spend his days by the streams, lakes, ponds, and oceans of the afterlife, fishing in the free time that he made in lieu of his duties.
The consciousness of the Cie gathered and woke. But before they could start negotiations, the child minds of Orience would arrive. And arrive they did a moment later when the fabric of reality they painted themselves upon ripped and extended to allow for the final nine to join them.
Nine of the twelve of Zero arrived to stand beside the Cie.
Dajh ran to his father. Serah moved towards Snow, who froze and asked, "Nora?"
Lightning flinched and Nora gave them a sad smile.
Sice scoffed and asked, "Now, who wants to explain what the hell is going on?"
"I'm confused, kupo," Mog said. "We were just down on the world… right, kupo, kupo?"
Lightning narrowed her eyes. "They took our minds and brought them here. Doesn't look like we'll be getting out until they get what they want."
In this world, this land of the dead, Zero could not hide their glow of red and it pulsed stronger at Lightning's words. Ace flared with the light before saying, "We want answers."
King stepped forward. "Keep calm. We've always known this would happen."
"Then I'm sure you realize you should have come here earlier and avoided this drama," Tellah said.
"Did we?" Sazh asked. "I don't remember anyone sharing that little detail."
"We can be venomous all day long," Galuf said, "but it's not gonna help our worlds. My granddaughter and my living friends are at the mercy, beck, and call of that cosmic bastard and I'd rather we forego our differences to see change in our enemies hold."
Luna thought of Prompto's neglected pain and said, "I agree."
"We know everyone's hurting," Deuce said. "But talking about it isn't going to change anything."
Trey said, "Predicating our choices and allocations on the whim of one in emotional turmoil will not assist the fight. Such would bring about fallacies and perilous errors in our verdicts and sentences."
"Yet it cannot be forgotten," Minwu said. "Without emotion, we bear no drive. Without that, we cannot save our people."
Aria bowed her head and said, "Alliances are built on respect. The universe will accept the power of the Eternities along with the power of the new Gods but will be riven without cooperation. Bhunivelze can only fail if the dead and the living work together."
"You are spirits of the dead," Yeul said. This realm drew from her domain and it showed in the child's flickering form. "You must know where Noel's soul resides."
"He can wait," Tellah said. "First, we discuss how we move forward."
Aerith cast Tellah a glance and said, "Working together will be more efficient when it comes to saving our worlds. We will guide you to Noel's soul when we are done here."
"Cold," Fang said. "Sound like it's this side of hostage negotiation."
"What would change for us if we agree to your plan?" Vanille asked.
Luna swallowed her surprise and said, "World power is the burden of the Eternities. We see now that the power of the gods must not be absolute, lest we overcome Bhunivelze only to find ourselves with the same problem under a different name. Simply, you must allow us to oversee our own worlds."
Jack tilted his head. "Wait, you don't want to just, I don't know, lock us out of the worlds?"
"That wouldn't be fair," Dajh muttered.
"We won't always take 'no' for an answer," Eight said.
Nine growled. "Yo, we ain't ever takin' 'no' for an answer. We ain't that dumb, and we ain't got that kind of luxury!"
"You really think we could become like Bhunivelze?" Serah asked.
Sice said, "Given some of these hardheads, it'd be hard to believe some of us have half a brain."
Nora stepped forward amongst the derailed conversation and took Snow by the hand. "You've grown," she said.
Snow startled. "I what?"
Nora gestured to his head, then found Vanille and took her in a tight hug. "Oh, dear, you've been through so much. Thank you for your work on Pulse."
"I don't believe we've met," Lightning said. "I'm—"
"Lightning." Nora reached for her, but Lightning flinched back. "You were so much happier before. Is this about Hope?"
Snow shook and said, "I'm sorry."
"No," Nora said. "If anyone should apologize, it's me. Taking care of Hope is supposed to be my job. Yet I can barely see him, even from here."
Vanille whispered, "You're Hope's mom, aren't you?"
Sazh muttered something under his breath and Snow looked at Nora with desperation and said, "He's worse off now than he was then."
"I know," Nora said. "All the more reason to trust you l'Cie."
Lightning turned away while Vanille assured Nora they had a plan. Luna watched them commiserate over their fallen family while her council shifted in unease and she wondered what she might say if she met any of Noctis' party or the scattered staff from her home in Tenebrae.
"We've explained our terms," Auron said. "Will you accept them?"
Serah stepped forward. "On the condition that you give us Noel's spirit."
"We can let you see him," Galuf said, "but after that, he's the one you'll have to convince."
Cinque giggled. "There's something you guys haven't told us, huh?"
"Has he moved on?" King asked.
Minwu took that one. "There is an intrinsic comfort in life beyond death. After what he has gone through, he… does not seem to want to leave that comfort behind."
"I don't know," Jack said. "If he wants that, we shouldn't force him away from it."
Mog huffed. "Noel wants to be with his family too, kupo! He can decide for himself which one he wants more, kupo!"
"One way or another," Fang said, "let's make the damn decision and get back to the real work."
Trey said, "There is another concern to address. I speak of world borders and laws. Will you let us proceed as we find it necessary?"
"When it comes to it," Rasler said, "there will be very few times we would not allow you on world."
"And yet," Trey said, "I remain concerned that you won't acknowledge what we perceive as necessary. Continuing—"
Ace cut him off. "How do we know that you'll listen to us?"
"You'll have to take it on faith," Auron said.
Dajh said, "That sounds bad."
Sice looked to King. "We're trading problems for problems."
"Then let's just say yes and be done," Fang said.
Lightning folded her arms. "Great, let's—"
A chill creeped over them. A chill over the dead and the young gods.
Minwu stiffened. "Mateus."
"This cuts our meeting short." Luna lifted a hand. "The way is open to Noel. Go now while we deal with problems of our own."
King nodded and the eighteen warped out in a flash of red, though not without a promise from Nora to see them again. Nora also left the sphere.
"I hate to work with such a crowd as well," said Mateus before stepping into existence. "I'm sure you are all aware of the breach?"
Aria spoke for the first time since their gathering. "Kefka is your problem, isn't he?"
"It would seem so, yet what is dead is dead in heaven or hell. I will replace him in his proper place, yet I come to provide proper vindication. Were you so willing to handle the dead girl that was your problem, this breach would never have happened."
Auron said, "Alyssa was also your problem."
"And Bhunivelze was the one who sent her packing," Galuf said.
Mateus scoffed. "His methods worked and he succeeded in giving heaven a bad name."
"Anything he casts here, he casts there as well," Rasler said. "Unless we find it within ourselves to take this to the Void Beyond, why do we bother finding blame?"
"Indeed," Mateus said. "I believe we're wasting our unbreath. Looks to me like those children aren't the only ones who should collaborate to maintain this order."
"Only until our realms are secured," Minwu said.
Luna said, "We will continue such a discussion if a time comes that require it."
Mateus gave her a long, piercing look. She held her ground. "Perhaps," he said, "it is about time we consider the rift beyond our borders."
"I prefer we not do so," Aria said. "Not until we absolutely have to."
Galuf said, "I don't doubt that time will come and I should like to consider myself prepared for when it does. Loath as I am to admit it, Mateus has a point."
"Not for now, he doesn't," Minwu said.
"Then we'll just address it another time." Mateus swiveled his staff. "Perhaps you'll tell me when we're allowed in your realm? Or when you're open to reason?"
"Perhaps you'll drop your arrogance," Aerith said. "It's hard to speak to condescension."
Mateus quirked a smile at that and Luna remembered Ardyn's smug satisfaction. "Whatever you all decide," she said, "I'm afraid I must be going. My husband should like an update, I think."
No one protested before she faded out.
Irvine looked over his rifle and the set of clothes the Reds gave him. They didn't allow him back into his old room to pick up his stuff for security reasons and that left a small pit in his stomach, but at least they got him his favorite leather. He didn't even know if he'd be back here again and they expected him to go without his usual possessions.
Not that life as an operative didn't train most of that need for familiarity out of him. But it certainly didn't get all of it because the Gardens weren't soulless monsters bent on twisting children into empty vessels.
Irvine changed out of his civilian clothes from Martine and put on the old coat and layers. He would leave this place as himself if nothing else.
The door burst open and Selphie entered. "They said you're leaving?"
"Yes?" Irvine straightened and slung his rifle over his shoulder. "Is that a surprise?"
"No! The fact that you're going alone is!"
"Selphie—"
"I've been to other worlds, already! Why didn't you ask me to come with you?! Space is dangerous and it's hard to get back once you've gone and there's all sorts of monsters out there that'll chew your face off without a second thought!"
"I didn't want anyone else involved."
"Oh, you're gonna get angsty now?" Selphie scowled and marched up to him. "The Irvine I know wouldn't be this stupid!"
"I just assumed no one else cared about traveling!"
"Don't assume that of me! I'm coming with you and that's final!"
"Squall won't like that."
"Squall can suck my—!"
"Selphie." Irvine put a hand on her shoulder and she stilled. "I'll be glad for your company."
"Good. Then we're settled."
"Hey." Cater peeked in. "Your ride's ready."
"Ride?" Selphie asked. "How do you mean? Do you guys have spaceships, or do you skate across the universe or what?"
"Neither," Cater said. "We soar. You know, fly."
Irvine squared his shoulders. "Let's head it out, then."
"Wait," Selphie said, "what about me? Do I need anything?"
"Irvine should have plenty of rations," Cater said.
"If needed, we can call on you guys, right?" Irvine asked.
"In a way. I wouldn't treat it like instant communication, but there's a system. Utilize the Red Churches they've got scattered across the worlds, or speak with one of the Cie, and that should connect you back to Valhalla. Don't rely on us for bailing you out of avoidable tight places, though. Much as I hate to admit it, we're stretched pretty thin."
Irvine said, "Wouldn't dream of it."
"But we've got an emergency backup plan," Selphie said. "Oh, that's exciting. Can we avoid Gaia II while we're out?"
Cater gave her an odd look. "That's up to you. Why?"
"Oh, goodie. That place really freaked me out before."
Irvine couldn't help a sense of trepidation at the thought of leaving. Even if it weren't for the actual traveling through space, he didn't like leaving Zell to Quistis and Squall. But Squall wouldn't let him say goodbye to anyone else, so he had to hope that man would keep the place under control without Irvine.
And that Zell would forgive him for disappearing at a moment's notice.
Fujin laid in bed and practiced the finger motions taught her by the doctor in moving a pen between them. The attempt was sloppy and if Seifer saw it, he'd deem it pathetic.
The door burst open to show Seifer. "I'm leaving," he said. "And you are, too."
"Now?"
"Get your things."
"Confused."
"I'll explain later. And that's pathetic work."
She threw the pen aside and stood. "Revenge?"
"Better."
"Heal?"
"… Maybe. I said get your things, why are you standing there?"
"I'm only in slightly better shape than Raijin. Why burden yourself with me in this state?"
"I'm not. You're going to go kill spirits and I'm going to go teach them a lesson."
"Spirits?"
"I'll explain later. Meet me outside."
Fujin dressed before leaving the room to find Rinoa waiting for her. The sight of the girl brought bile to Fujin's throat, but she swallowed it and told herself she would get through this for Seifer and Raijin's sakes.
"Good to see you well," Rinoa said. "Or… not as bad as Raijin."
"Quiet."
"Sorry, I'll keep to the point. I've found a knack for the weird stuff happening around here and I'm offering my services."
"Do not want."
"Seifer already agreed, so I'm helping you guys whether you want it or not."
"Where?"
"Oh, he's gone ahead to get his stuff. Do you have any allergies I should know about? Sensitivities? This is gonna make everything worse if you do, so it helps to—"
Fujin grabbed Rinoa's wrist to keep her from walking off. "Stop."
"I just did, thanks to you. What's up?"
"Why are you helping us?"
Rinoa paused and looked at Fujin's damaged hand. "Mostly because I feel bad. But I get something out of this, too, you know. And because I get something out of this, you can rest assured I'll do my best to keep you two out of trouble."
"And what do you get out of this?"
"Practice."
"With?"
"Power." Rinoa slipped free of her and walked down the hall. "Come on, we don't have that much time."
"Not without Seifer."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll help you talk to him about that."
Fujin followed, though her feet protested and her arms felt all sorts of strange. She barely moved for the past few days and it hurt to do so now. Rinoa rambled on about until they found Seifer and she went on about some stupid stuff she wanted to do with the Gardens until Seifer reminded her of their urgency and she got back to the topic at hand.
"Now, how do you feel about space travel?" Rinoa asked.
