No Matter How Dark the Night
Chapter 11: Look How You've Grown
Isthia's funeral was held quickly, as per Kirin's request. Lusena had wondered at the lack of emotion with which he had greeted the news of his wife's death, as well as the supposed death of his daughter. He stood at the head of the altar covered in flowers for his wife, his face an expressionless mask as Maester Mika intoned the words to commemorate an almost-summoner. Lusena shuddered at the lack of feeling in Kirin's eyes. No wonder Isthia had fallen in love with that dark-eyed guardian that Lusena knew was her baby's father. Perhaps someday, Lusena thought, he can meet his little girl, because I know Elara Ravenhart will have her mother's gift for the summoning arts.
At that moment, Auron sat hunched over a campfire in the middle of Macalania Woods, pulling his coat around him to ward off the chill ever present. His heart burned like the fire in front of him, warm from the memories of his angel, Isthia. He loved her so much it hurt, and he knew it would kill him to live without her. In that moment he made a decision. He was going back to Bevelle. He was going back to find her…to find his life. Whatever it took, he would find her and he would MAKE it work. He was a fool for ever leaving her, but it was a mistake he didn't have to live with.
But unfortunately, Auron didn't make it back to Bevelle until almost 7 years later. The mercenary band he was loosely allied with ran into problem after problem, from getting lost to being ambushed to being demanded for their services at an almost breakneck pace. Auron had to delay his plans over and over again, going crazy with not knowing Isthia's welfare or what she was doing. They had never spent more than a week apart when they were young, but now…..seven whole YEARS had passed. That was it, he thought. I'm leaving this lifestyle and I'm going back. I can't stand this anymore. And with that the soon-to-be legendary guardian began his journey back to Bevelle, to home…..to Isthia.
In the huge temple of St. Bevelle, a small girl sat bent over a large volume cradled in her lap, one foot tucked up under her, her lips pursed. She was unusual; one of the youngest apprentice summoners Bevelle had ever undertaken to train. The book she held in her lap was a history of Yevon, which lit twin color spots of excitement in her pale cheeks. The entity which had taken her in had inspired such devotion in her small frame, especially at the knowledge that her mother had been somewhat of a legend herself. At the noise of a door slamming, the girl's head shot up, revealing large, lucid amber eyes set in a perfect face, framed by midnight black hair. At the face of her dearest friend, Lusena, the girl bounced from her chair with a shriek. "SENA!"
Lusena smiled sadly watching the little beauty run towards her. She looks just like her mother, but for those eyes, the woman thought. Those must belong to her father. As it is, she's going to be hypnotizing when she's older. She reached to embrace the girl, who was none other than Elara Ravenhart, the daughter of Isthia and Auron.
It took Auron 3 days to reach Bevelle. It hadn't changed much in 7 years, other than being a bit bigger and imposing. His eyes barely saw the new harbor, or the new priests' quarters. His eyes were fixed on the temple, knowing he'd find Isthia there. His strides were resolute, his vision focused on the massive structure, so much so that he nearly ran into Kinoc, his old friend of years ago.
"Oh, excuse me," Auron mumbled, still not seeing who he had run into.
"AURON!" Kinoc yelled. Auron's head jerked around. "KINOC!"
The two friends laughed joyously and embraced. "Yevon be praised, LOOK at you Auron! I would NOT want to meet you in the dark of night!"
Auron grinned, adding a softer edge to his don't-mess-with-me-or-else persona. His hair was longer, held back by a leather thong. His clothing fit a little tighter now, emphasizing the taut muscles the clothes concealed. His eyes were sharp, alert, with a predatory gleam in them. The dangerous aura almost oozed out of him, causing several passersby to think twice before trying to push past him.
Kinoc, on the other hand, had obviously grown accustomed to a soft, protected life in Spira's capital. His loose robes showed a considerable girth, and his wide, honest face belied belief in a rigorous exercise routine. They were complete opposites- hard and soft, lean and well-endowed, desirable and…well…not so desirable. Throwing his arm around Auron's shoulders, Kinoc began the business of catching up.
"You've got some nerve showing up here, old friend. There's still a price on your head, even with Molkan dead. You're either brave, stupid, or both. What brings you here?"
Auron just smiled slightly. "Like I have to tell you. Where is she?"
Kinoc's face fell. "Of course….you wouldn't know. Follow me, old friend."
A few moments later Auron stood in a darkened chamber of the temple, his head bowed in front of a marker bearing the inscription "Isthia Ravenhart Lighthand." "When?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Not long after you left. She died in childbirth, her and the baby."
It was too much. Auron slid to the floor, burying his face in her hands. "O….Yevon….WHY! WHY!"
Kinoc stood with tears in his eyes. He knew of the love that was shared between his friend and the beautiful apprentice. To see the knowledge that they were now parted for good cut him to the heart.
"I'm sorry Auron. I know how you loved her."
Auron's shoulders shook with sobs. "I'm gonna kill him. I'm JUST gonna kill him for killing her! WHERE IS HE!" he asked leaping up, his katana drawn, making Kinoc gulp.
"He- he left after Isthia died. He went to oversee the temple of Djose, and he was killed by Sin last year in one of the Crusaders' operations."
Auron gnashed his teeth. "He met a more merciful fate at Sin's hands than mine. I'd have taken every bit of her pain and mine out on his worthless hide. He'd have been pleading for death by the time I was finished, that…that BASTARD!"
Kinoc held his hands up placatingly. "There's more. He denied the child. He said that according to the first time he 'knew' Isthia, that the child was either premature, or that she was already pregnant. He- he believes the child was yours."
The katana wavered, and Auron gasped. HIS child! "But…but Isthia would have told me… I never would have left if I'd known, Kinoc! I didn't KNOW!"
Kinoc nodded. "It was just a theory. And the child is dead, Yevon rest her soul, so there is really nothing you can do."
"…..She?" Auron asked. "It was a girl?" Kinoc nodded. "With raven hair like her mother, and beautiful golden eyes, or so I heard from the midwife who delivered her. She said she never cried, just looked at her solemnly and then slipped away."
Auron bowed his head. "She always wanted a child….and she never got to see her. Oh, Kinoc…." Auron's resolve crumbled, and he cried- deep, heartbreaking sobs that betrayed all the pent-up emotions of the last 7 years. He sat in the darkness as Kinoc patted his shoulder and let his friend cry.
