p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I am the beginning of the end and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?"/spanstrong id="docs-internal-guid-ad8009bf-7fff-df74-52e8-e31266897e00" style="font-weight: normal;"/strong/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Crafting the paintballs to work with arrows had been an intriguing challenge for the right-hand men of Garlond Ironworks. They mumbled over workbenches, one's back bent ninety degrees forward, the other standing upon a precariously tall stool. Filexi and G'raha stood by the entrance of the tent, waiting. Filexi had fallen back into her cold silence, thoughts causing her to pick at her fingers with her nails. G'raha watched, red and blue eyes switching from the Lalafell, to the Roegadyn, to the Warrior of Light. Gods, The Crystal Chronicle articles were spot on. She was so stoic, so focused. He wondered what was going through her mind as they waited. Probably strategies about slaying a primal or possible danger within the tower./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"If G'raha had been able to read minds, he'd have been surprised at how mundane the Warrior of Light's thoughts were. And how socially inept./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"What should I say? /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi thought nervously. She kept her aquamarine eyes trained on the engineers, hoping she didn't look as anxious as she felt. /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Why isn't he talking?/span span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Everyone else makes conversation around me. Is he waiting for me to start a topic? Seven hells that's considerate but terrifying. I wish the other Scions were here. What would Thancred do? He's always so charismatic. Or Yda? She is always so bubbly and approachable. /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Thoughts began to spiral as the two Miqo'te continued to stand in complete silence. One in awe of a respected adventurer, the other clammed up by fear of normal conversation./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The silence was broken as the paintball solution arrived with a loud "Aha!" Followed by Wedge all but assaulted G'raha for more arrows. After more wordless sounds of triumph, it was agreed it would be much better, and fair, to wait until daylight to have the duel. It had already been late when Biggs and Wedge had begun working./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""This way, you'll have the whole afternoon to spend scraping paint from your armor," Filexi teased G'raha as they left the engineers' tent. She felt proud of herself for finally speaking first. Sarcastic mocking and shooting things, yes that was a conversation she could handle "Don't be too embarrassed by the way, it's a rite of passage to get mauled by a Lalafell when they're experimenting. Wedge is an unreasonably fast little bugger."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I have already made a joke concerning paint this evening, so yours does not count. Apologies," G'raha said as he adjusted his black shoulder straps and red vest. Wedge had jostled the armor uncomfortably out of place while snatching his quiver. "And that's the answer to your riddle. A joke."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Bravo. Although I would have questioned your graduation from Baldesion if you did not get that one. Considering the answer was part of the sentence." They had moved back toward her tent, where the empty tarp remained half folded. As she bent down to finish the fold, Filexi said, "Night and day, by the way."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"G'raha tilted his head to the side, one red ear up, the other down. "Your opinion of me?" He asked, offhandedly. Although he delivered the line flippantly he truly wished to make a better impression on her. This was a gamble, but she only seemed to open up when they were making fun of each other./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No," Filexi snorted in response. "The answer to the riddle you gave me during your obnoxious scavenger hunt."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"At least he had the grace to wince. "If I told you I did all that because I wanted to see your magnificent skills in action, would that suffice?" The look on her face told him no. So G'raha said "Very well. But before I retreat from your wrath, let it be known I was, and am, very impressed. All the stories they tell were not exaggerating. Although," his pitch began to rise and his mismatched eyes sparkled with silent laughter. "I must admit taking three days to answer a riddle…" he moved his open hand back and forth in a so-so motion./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It took a moment for Filexi to realize she was being made fun of. Was he calling her stupid? Filexi felt herself beginning to flush and she itched to point her rifle at him, again. "I knew the answer! I just... didn't tell you until- I didn't know how… I- Argh!" she stuttered in response, frustrated embarrassment taking over. "G-Give me another! I shall answer it faster than Aetheryte travel!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"G'raha rubbed his chin, surprised at her flustered demeanor. Nevertheless, he had a fondness for riddles and would not deny her request. "Very well. I am the beginning of the end and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"There was an inhale, the kind one hears before someone speaks. Then nothing. Silence stretched as Filexi stood, head tilting back and forth in thought. Her mouth would open, then close, apparently scraping the answer before she even tried. As time passed, her face began to get redder and redder, but she refused to give in. G'raha found himself caught between wanting to laugh at her confused expression and sharing the answer to end her misery./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Mayhaps you would like a-"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Do not even think of giving me a hint," Filexi interrupted, gritting her teeth in anger. Equally furious at herself and the Miqo'te in front of her. Logically, she knew she had asked for this, but emotions often overrode her logic. There was a sharp inhale before she said "You shall have your answer tomorrow. With your defeat." With that, the Warrior of Light turned and retreated into her tent. The exit was not as dramatic as she'd hoped; a slamming door would have been much better than a lazily flapping canvas./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Outside, G'raha stood confused. What had just happened? Gods help him, he'd thought things had been going well. Or at least, better than their first meeting. Why had she suddenly become so flustered over a riddle? He'd watched that blush creep up her neck, then to her striped cheeks before she'd retreated inside. A strange flutter passed through his stomach./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Foolish Tia,/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" G'raha scolded internally as he steered himself to his own tent. /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"There are far greater things for her, for you, to worry about. Why waste time on one such as yourself and your annoying riddles? Foolish. This is an important exploration, for Baldesion and for Eorzea. Focus on the tower./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"As his black boots clacked away across the crystal ground, a pair of wide pupiled eyes peeked out from behind the tent flap. Despite the embarrassment still burning on her cheeks, a smile tugged at her lips. That had been… weirdly nice? But why? Thoughts spun like a whirlpool as Filexi began her evening routine. Riddles, the tower, a playful smile that watched her, jokes, duels./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"While moving about, she noticed a letter addressed with her initials sitting atop the flattened bedroll. She gave it a thoughtful glance before tossing it onto the foldable desk in the corner. Whatever it was about, it could wait till tomorrow. She needed to get some rest. After all, there was a duel to win./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"As Filexi closed her eyes, it was that playful smile that sealed her thoughts before she drifted to sleep./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"-The next day-/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"They met in a flat, open space to the east of Saint Coinarch's Find. Cid and Rammbroes had told them not to travel too far. Apparently they planned on breaking the seals guarding the tower entrance later today. At the mention of the duel, the former had grinned, wishing he had the time to come and observe. The latter promised to send flowers to G'raha's funeral./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Three marks," Filexi called across the level expanse to her opponent, who nodded once in response. They'd separated several yalms, readying their weapons. G'raha removed his bow from his back and was slowly knocking a 'paint-arrow.' Wedge had claimed the name was a work in progress. Filexi had already loaded six paintball rounds into her trusted Ishgardian rifle. The musketoon still needed repairs before it was combat ready. They wore their respective armors, one in leathers of black and red, matching his hair. The other wore her grey and white duster of Ishgard style, the armor's monochrome pallet bringing out the blue highlights in her plait./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi looked toward a boulder that jutted up from the ground nearby. Biggs had lifted Wedge up so the Lalafell could climb to the top. His goggled eyes had a clear view of the area. Filexi grinned at the engineers as she placed her own red-lensed goggles over her eyes and said "Call them as you see them, judges."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The two gave a thumbs up before Wedge raised his hands into the air. "The first duelist to land three marks upon their opponent will be declared winner!" Wedge shouted clearly as if there were an audience seated upon the stones circling the area. "Your duel begins when the countdown reaches zero!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""10…9…" Bigg's deep voice took over./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Pray, any luck finding an answer to my riddle after having the night to ponder?" G'raha taunted, knees bending into a ready position./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""6...5…"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi smirked, a flick of her black tail the only tell of annoyance. "Indeed, I have," she called back. "Though, as I recall, you shall receive your answer upon defeat."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""3...2…"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Right, of course. Best get to defeating you then."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""1...0!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"A shot rang out as an arrow twanged from its bow. Filexi let the kickback of the rifle push into her sidestep. The arrow whizzed past her face, sending her ponytail fluttering./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""First hit, Filexi!" Wedge's voice rang out across the field./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The curse that left G'raha's lips would have made a sailor proud. A bright splotch of yellow paint spread across his kneecap. Thal's balls, he knew she would be good, but... She didn't give him more time to curse or think as two more shots rang out. The red Miqo'te fell into a roll, coming up on one knee to loose his newly knocked arrow./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"That one came too close. She could have sworn it grazed her forearm, but no paint landed on the grey sleeve. He'd begun to run, trying to reach a blind spot as she dodged another arrow. He needed to get close. Range was both their specialties, but maybe he could do /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"something /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"at close range./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It was not a bad idea, but not a good enough one either. Filexi pivoted, letting the weight of the rifle guide her through a flip. Two more shots, followed by the sound of feet landing on crystal./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Second hit, Filexi!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Green paint now covered G'raha's left shoulder. Not where she'd been aiming exactly, but these paintballs couldn't be guided like her aether ammo. Any of the creatures living deep in the Seven Hells would have blushed wildly at G'raha's string of profanity. She noted he'd come a bit closer in his attempt to get behind her, perhaps only four yalms away now./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Seems like you shall receive your answer sooner than planned," Filexi mocked, a canine pointed through her cheeky smirk. She lazily raised up her rifle so the barrel pointed toward the sky./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"With a furrowed brow, G'raha gave her another smile. It was different from yesterday, not the playful one that had swarmed her thoughts before bed. This one was determined, tricky. "Tell me, is that five shots I count from your firearm?" He asked./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi's eyes narrowed. "Why, yes," she responded, as she sidestepped another arrow. Splotches of blues, reds, purples, and greens covered the ground around them./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""One shot left then?" G'raha asked, although it didn't sound much like a question. More of a statement of fact. He did not wait for an answer, sending an arrow straight for her face. She would dodge it, no doubt. He was depending on it./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It did surprised her. Most of his shots had been aimed towards less lethal body parts. When Filexi moved to dodge the arrow, he was there. G'raha had dropped his bow and now used his free hand to grab her firearm. Filexi prepared herself for a tug of war, but he did not try to tear it from her grasp. Instead, she felt arms around her as he pulled her back into his chesthis hands over top of her own. Still using the momentum, and her shock, from his approach, G'raha forced the rifle down, pointing the barrel at Filexi's foot. Red hair brushed her face, sending all thoughts to a skidding halt. There was a click, then a shot as he pulled the trigger of her own weapon./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""First hit, G'raha!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The sting of the paintball's impact through her boot brought her back to focus. Filexi dropped the rifle like it was on fire. Pushing his arms out, she broke out of G'raha's controlling embrace. Followed by a sidestepped, she moved behind him, grabbing an arrow from his quiver./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"G'raha spun to face her, hands ready for combat. He came face to face with the Warrior of Light holding an arrow to his neck like a dagger./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Ere I forget," Filexi said, voice low as she tried to speak calmly through the adrenaline. They were only ilms apart now, each able to feel the heat of the other's breath. "It is the letter e."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"There was a squelching sound, like someone was squeezing a lowland grape, as Filexi used her nails to pop the paintball on the tip of the arrow. Its blue splattered across G'raha's neck, sending a jagged line up his left cheek. Time seemed to stand still. G'raha's red and blue eyes looked at her in defeated awe. She was amazing, better than he'd expected. Filexi held his gaze with her own, heart thumping in her chest. He'd surprised her, coming close to use her own weapon against her. There was a shiver in her heart thinking about that strange embrace. What other tricks did he have up his sleeve?/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Wedge's piercing call caused them both to jump./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Third and winning hit, Filexi!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Crafting the paintballs to work with arrows had been an intriguing challenge for the right-hand men of Garlond Ironworks. They mumbled over workbenches, one's back bent ninety degrees forward, the other standing upon a precariously tall stool. Filexi and G'raha stood by the entrance of the tent, waiting. Filexi had fallen back into her cold silence, thoughts causing her to pick at her fingers with her nails. G'raha watched, red and blue eyes switching from the Lalafell, to the Roegadyn, to the Warrior of Light. Gods, The Crystal Chronicle articles were spot on. She was so stoic, so focused. He wondered what was going through her mind as they waited. Probably strategies about slaying a primal or possible danger within the tower./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"If G'raha had been able to read minds, he'd have been surprised at how mundane the Warrior of Light's thoughts were. And how socially inept./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"What should I say? /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi thought nervously. She kept her aquamarine eyes trained on the engineers, hoping she didn't look as anxious as she felt. /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Why isn't he talking?/span span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Everyone else makes conversation around me. Is he waiting for me to start a topic? Seven hells that's considerate but terrifying. I wish the other Scions were here. What would Thancred do? He's always so charismatic. Or Yda? She is always so bubbly and approachable. /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Thoughts began to spiral as the two Miqo'te continued to stand in complete silence. One in awe of a respected adventurer, the other clammed up by fear of normal conversation./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The silence was broken as the paintball solution arrived with a loud "Aha!" Followed by Wedge all but assaulted G'raha for more arrows. After more wordless sounds of triumph, it was agreed it would be much better, and fair, to wait until daylight to have the duel. It had already been late when Biggs and Wedge had begun working./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""This way, you'll have the whole afternoon to spend scraping paint from your armor," Filexi teased G'raha as they left the engineers' tent. She felt proud of herself for finally speaking first. Sarcastic mocking and shooting things, yes that was a conversation she could handle "Don't be too embarrassed by the way, it's a rite of passage to get mauled by a Lalafell when they're experimenting. Wedge is an unreasonably fast little bugger."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""I have already made a joke concerning paint this evening, so yours does not count. Apologies," G'raha said as he adjusted his black shoulder straps and red vest. Wedge had jostled the armor uncomfortably out of place while snatching his quiver. "And that's the answer to your riddle. A joke."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Bravo. Although I would have questioned your graduation from Baldesion if you did not get that one. Considering the answer was part of the sentence." They had moved back toward her tent, where the empty tarp remained half folded. As she bent down to finish the fold, Filexi said, "Night and day, by the way."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"G'raha tilted his head to the side, one red ear up, the other down. "Your opinion of me?" He asked, offhandedly. Although he delivered the line flippantly he truly wished to make a better impression on her. This was a gamble, but she only seemed to open up when they were making fun of each other./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""No," Filexi snorted in response. "The answer to the riddle you gave me during your obnoxious scavenger hunt."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"At least he had the grace to wince. "If I told you I did all that because I wanted to see your magnificent skills in action, would that suffice?" The look on her face told him no. So G'raha said "Very well. But before I retreat from your wrath, let it be known I was, and am, very impressed. All the stories they tell were not exaggerating. Although," his pitch began to rise and his mismatched eyes sparkled with silent laughter. "I must admit taking three days to answer a riddle…" he moved his open hand back and forth in a so-so motion./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It took a moment for Filexi to realize she was being made fun of. Was he calling her stupid? Filexi felt herself beginning to flush and she itched to point her rifle at him, again. "I knew the answer! I just... didn't tell you until- I didn't know how… I- Argh!" she stuttered in response, frustrated embarrassment taking over. "G-Give me another! I shall answer it faster than Aetheryte travel!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"G'raha rubbed his chin, surprised at her flustered demeanor. Nevertheless, he had a fondness for riddles and would not deny her request. "Very well. I am the beginning of the end and the end of time and space. I am essential to creation, and I surround every place. What am I?"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"There was an inhale, the kind one hears before someone speaks. Then nothing. Silence stretched as Filexi stood, head tilting back and forth in thought. Her mouth would open, then close, apparently scraping the answer before she even tried. As time passed, her face began to get redder and redder, but she refused to give in. G'raha found himself caught between wanting to laugh at her confused expression and sharing the answer to end her misery./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Mayhaps you would like a-"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Do not even think of giving me a hint," Filexi interrupted, gritting her teeth in anger. Equally furious at herself and the Miqo'te in front of her. Logically, she knew she had asked for this, but emotions often overrode her logic. There was a sharp inhale before she said "You shall have your answer tomorrow. With your defeat." With that, the Warrior of Light turned and retreated into her tent. The exit was not as dramatic as she'd hoped; a slamming door would have been much better than a lazily flapping canvas./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Outside, G'raha stood confused. What had just happened? Gods help him, he'd thought things had been going well. Or at least, better than their first meeting. Why had she suddenly become so flustered over a riddle? He'd watched that blush creep up her neck, then to her striped cheeks before she'd retreated inside. A strange flutter passed through his stomach./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Foolish Tia,/spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" G'raha scolded internally as he steered himself to his own tent. /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"There are far greater things for her, for you, to worry about. Why waste time on one such as yourself and your annoying riddles? Foolish. This is an important exploration, for Baldesion and for Eorzea. Focus on the tower./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"As his black boots clacked away across the crystal ground, a pair of wide pupiled eyes peeked out from behind the tent flap. Despite the embarrassment still burning on her cheeks, a smile tugged at her lips. That had been… weirdly nice? But why? Thoughts spun like a whirlpool as Filexi began her evening routine. Riddles, the tower, a playful smile that watched her, jokes, duels./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"While moving about, she noticed a letter addressed with her initials sitting atop the flattened bedroll. She gave it a thoughtful glance before tossing it onto the foldable desk in the corner. Whatever it was about, it could wait till tomorrow. She needed to get some rest. After all, there was a duel to win./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"As Filexi closed her eyes, it was that playful smile that sealed her thoughts before she drifted to sleep./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"-The next day-/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; text-align: center; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"They met in a flat, open space to the east of Saint Coinarch's Find. Cid and Rammbroes had told them not to travel too far. Apparently they planned on breaking the seals guarding the tower entrance later today. At the mention of the duel, the former had grinned, wishing he had the time to come and observe. The latter promised to send flowers to G'raha's funeral./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Three marks," Filexi called across the level expanse to her opponent, who nodded once in response. They'd separated several yalms, readying their weapons. G'raha removed his bow from his back and was slowly knocking a 'paint-arrow.' Wedge had claimed the name was a work in progress. Filexi had already loaded six paintball rounds into her trusted Ishgardian rifle. The musketoon still needed repairs before it was combat ready. They wore their respective armors, one in leathers of black and red, matching his hair. The other wore her grey and white duster of Ishgard style, the armor's monochrome pallet bringing out the blue highlights in her plait./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi looked toward a boulder that jutted up from the ground nearby. Biggs had lifted Wedge up so the Lalafell could climb to the top. His goggled eyes had a clear view of the area. Filexi grinned at the engineers as she placed her own red-lensed goggles over her eyes and said "Call them as you see them, judges."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The two gave a thumbs up before Wedge raised his hands into the air. "The first duelist to land three marks upon their opponent will be declared winner!" Wedge shouted clearly as if there were an audience seated upon the stones circling the area. "Your duel begins when the countdown reaches zero!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""10…9…" Bigg's deep voice took over./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Pray, any luck finding an answer to my riddle after having the night to ponder?" G'raha taunted, knees bending into a ready position./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""6...5…"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi smirked, a flick of her black tail the only tell of annoyance. "Indeed, I have," she called back. "Though, as I recall, you shall receive your answer upon defeat."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""3...2…"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Right, of course. Best get to defeating you then."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""1...0!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"A shot rang out as an arrow twanged from its bow. Filexi let the kickback of the rifle push into her sidestep. The arrow whizzed past her face, sending her ponytail fluttering./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""First hit, Filexi!" Wedge's voice rang out across the field./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The curse that left G'raha's lips would have made a sailor proud. A bright splotch of yellow paint spread across his kneecap. Thal's balls, he knew she would be good, but... She didn't give him more time to curse or think as two more shots rang out. The red Miqo'te fell into a roll, coming up on one knee to loose his newly knocked arrow./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"That one came too close. She could have sworn it grazed her forearm, but no paint landed on the grey sleeve. He'd begun to run, trying to reach a blind spot as she dodged another arrow. He needed to get close. Range was both their specialties, but maybe he could do /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"something /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"at close range./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It was not a bad idea, but not a good enough one either. Filexi pivoted, letting the weight of the rifle guide her through a flip. Two more shots, followed by the sound of feet landing on crystal./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Second hit, Filexi!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Green paint now covered G'raha's left shoulder. Not where she'd been aiming exactly, but these paintballs couldn't be guided like her aether ammo. Any of the creatures living deep in the Seven Hells would have blushed wildly at G'raha's string of profanity. She noted he'd come a bit closer in his attempt to get behind her, perhaps only four yalms away now./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Seems like you shall receive your answer sooner than planned," Filexi mocked, a canine pointed through her cheeky smirk. She lazily raised up her rifle so the barrel pointed toward the sky./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"With a furrowed brow, G'raha gave her another smile. It was different from yesterday, not the playful one that had swarmed her thoughts before bed. This one was determined, tricky. "Tell me, is that five shots I count from your firearm?" He asked./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Filexi's eyes narrowed. "Why, yes," she responded, as she sidestepped another arrow. Splotches of blues, reds, purples, and greens covered the ground around them./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""One shot left then?" G'raha asked, although it didn't sound much like a question. More of a statement of fact. He did not wait for an answer, sending an arrow straight for her face. She would dodge it, no doubt. He was depending on it./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It did surprised her. Most of his shots had been aimed towards less lethal body parts. When Filexi moved to dodge the arrow, he was there. G'raha had dropped his bow and now used his free hand to grab her firearm. Filexi prepared herself for a tug of war, but he did not try to tear it from her grasp. Instead, she felt arms around her as he pulled her back into his chesthis hands over top of her own. Still using the momentum, and her shock, from his approach, G'raha forced the rifle down, pointing the barrel at Filexi's foot. Red hair brushed her face, sending all thoughts to a skidding halt. There was a click, then a shot as he pulled the trigger of her own weapon./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""First hit, G'raha!"/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The sting of the paintball's impact through her boot brought her back to focus. Filexi dropped the rifle like it was on fire. Pushing his arms out, she broke out of G'raha's controlling embrace. Followed by a sidestepped, she moved behind him, grabbing an arrow from his quiver./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"G'raha spun to face her, hands ready for combat. He came face to face with the Warrior of Light holding an arrow to his neck like a dagger./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Ere I forget," Filexi said, voice low as she tried to speak calmly through the adrenaline. They were only ilms apart now, each able to feel the heat of the other's breath. "It is the letter e."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"There was a squelching sound, like someone was squeezing a lowland grape, as Filexi used her nails to pop the paintball on the tip of the arrow. Its blue splattered across G'raha's neck, sending a jagged line up his left cheek. Time seemed to stand still. G'raha's red and blue eyes looked at her in defeated awe. She was amazing, better than he'd expected. Filexi held his gaze with her own, heart thumping in her chest. He'd surprised her, coming close to use her own weapon against her. There was a shiver in her heart thinking about that strange embrace. What other tricks did he have up his sleeve?/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Wedge's piercing call caused them both to jump./span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #333333; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Third and winning hit, Filexi!"/span/p