They couldn't have gone too far; Ryne must be closing in.
The girl left Crystarium as soon as Arctus gave her some directions. She wasn't afraid of potential encounters with sin-eaters. After having fought so many, the girl would not expect any worse, no matter how savage they have gone according to the guard. She hoped that fighting these monsters would give her some sense of normalcy, even for a few days while working to protect the innocent people of Crystarium.
Ryne ran across Lakeland outskirts, occasionally thinking back to the moment she found herself here, lost and dumbfounded. This place would never seem the same for her, especially not the cleared sky.
She still mused about the call she heard back in the city. The oracle knew that this was what Hydaelyn mentioned back in her dreams. If so, she already knew the source. The first sin eater, long withered and forgotten beyond the flood…And the last toy in Emet-Selch arsenal in their world. After some time spent with the ascian in their party, Ryne got to know him better, as did they all. He would not hesitate to do so if he saw merit in emerging at Crystarium's gates and annihilating the city outright. His silence meant that he was concerned with something else, which could only be the tampering with this creature from Ryne's visions. It might still not be too late, but what could Ryne do at this point?
Her thoughts were ended abruptly as a sound of raging clash pierced the girl's ears. As she looked ahead, Ryne noticed three sin-eaters, all reminiscent of a giant scorpion attacking a group of adventurers with vile. Each of these beasts fought enemies on their own. The nearest eater Ryne saw was trying to attack Granson by finding a weak spot in his defensive stand without any success. Another one battled the duo of Cerigg and Taynor. While the former distracted it with his arrows, the elezen boy would unleash his black spells upon the eater. The last was battling Giott, whose strength far exceeded her size, and Lue-Reeq was constantly plunging one arrow after another into their skin.
Ryne was eager to join, Granson was the one who fought alone against his opponent, and he would need some help. The girl would use her best skills…She slowed down her running as to approach the beast stealthily from behind. Ryne grabbed her daggers, preparing for a strike. As she walked towards battling man and beast, it would only take seconds to pick a perfect moment. As Granson valiantly blocked the strikes of this eater, he still missed one. The sharp claw scratched the knight's arm, causing him to drop his defense for a split second. The monster was prepared to strike again, but Granson noticed Ryne behind them before that. He looked at the oracle and gave her a smile.
In the next instant, Ryne plunged her daggers into the eater's back as the monster roared and blended uncontrollably. Before it could turn and attack her, Granson joined in and ended its existence with his claymore. Soon after, other adventurers dealt with their opponents, putting the monsters down. They quickly gathered around Ryne and Granson.
"Well, who do we have here!" - Giott exclaimed and looked at Granson. "See, I told you she'd come with us."
"Hi, everyone." - Ryne said with an emerging smile. "I hope I didn't miss much…."
"No, you're just on time." - Granson said with approval. "Thanks for your help; these animals can be a pain…."
"It's a relieving thought that these must be the last of them." - Cerigg added; Granson nodded in agreement.
"I was looking for you since morning, just want to help however I can. I hope you would mind?" - Ryne asked out of courtesy, but she knew they had no problem with her.
"Of course!" - Lue-Reeq said. "I've been telling them that we should take you with us, and they barely listened."
"I didn't want to force her into another rude awakening, but our job cannot wait." - Granson responded and looked back at Ryne. "Now you've found us, and we will be more than glad to have you."
"Thank you!" - Ryne already felt part of a team. Many in Crystarium would see her as a little girl who was not ready to participate in proper battles. But like scions, these adventurers understood that skills do not simply come from age and therefore would reject no help. "Have they truly gotten savage?" - Ryne followed up on what Arctus said, only to have Granson nod. Taynor spoke next.
"Before you found us, we encountered a powerful sin eater. It had a sword and a shield and impressive light's power. We tried to fight it…."
"But it also happened to have wings." - Giott added.
"When it sensed that odds were not its favor, the sin-eater fled back into the sky…" - Granson said and pointed upwards. Ryne saw a flying creature in the distance, constantly circling around as if looking for prey. And it wasn't even the only one.
"They've gone mad today. I imagine with any light source left, they are left with hunger which makes them so crazed." - Cerigg noted. "The one seen before can wreck some serious damage, so we decided to focus on that one for now."
"Perhaps we can lure it down?" - Ryne suggested, immediately to be followed by Lue-Reeq.
"It's a bit…Complicated." - The archer pointed at a couple of devices attached to his belt. "I got these from those wizards around cabinet of curiosity…Arcane traps. If a sin eater steps into it, they're trapped and vulnerable for a damn good beating." - Reeq clenched his fists.
"But if it's flying…" - Ryne knew where this was going.
"Pretty much. We were unprepared the first time it attacked, and now it won't even dare to come down here!"
Ryne thought to herself…There must have been a solution. Before she could come up with anything, the sound in her head echoed once again. The very same distant and unreachable, yet so close it could be coming from within. The luring echo calls for Ryne to follow it into the Empty and see its horrors and secrets for herself. That's what Hydaelyn said, that's what…
"Ryne, are you alright?" - Taynor asked with concern, helping Ryne snap out of this thought.
"Yes, don't worry…" - A new thought entered her head. "Reeq, if these are arcane traps, can they be infused with another type of magic?"
"Eh…Well, it's…". - Reeq stuttered, unsure how to answer, but Taynor soon joined in.
"I think it might be possible, of course, if there is an outside source. What were you thinking?" - The boy said
"I can add some light into it." - Ryne proposed. "And if they truly have no other source of power…."
"They would try to claim anything within reach." - Granson finished. "Good thinking."
"Luring it down here and cutting its wings? Sounds like a plan." - Giott approved.
"I don't know much about magic and all, but it if works, then no questions asked!" - Reeq took one of the arcane traps out and handed it to Ryne.
It was reminiscent of a crystal; Ryne felt the infusion of arcane magic. Perhaps she could add some light in there without disrupting the flow. The oracle closed her eyes and placed her hand on the device as others watched.
She called for the power of Hydaelyn's light to assist her. Even after Minfilia dissipated, Ryne inherited some of her talents. Soon the crystal in front of her brimmed with newfound light. Taynor observed attentively.
"You're good! How do you do it?" - He asked with an impressed tone; Ryne just shrugged.
"I suppose I have to compensate for my lack of strength somehow…" - She said and handed the device to him.
"I can use it to attract the monster and then spring the trap." - Taynor said and looked at others.
"And after this trap is set, we will do everything we can to prevent it from flying again." - Granson said. "Sounds simple enough…Ready?"
"Always!" - Reeq was the first to respond, followed by nods from other adventurers. It was time for another fight.
Ryne waited beside Granson and Giott, who readied their weapons. Behind stood Cerigg and Reeq, ready to act as support with their archery skills. Taynor was at the front, holding the trap, adding power to it with his magic. Ryne was impressed; he was so young and yet brave as to be bait in a situation like this; she had a lot to learn from him.
It did not take long for the beast to change its course. The sin-eater flew towards Taynor. Ryne could see it in detail. A creature with a form distantly reminiscent of a huyr woman with large wings behind her back and empty eyes. It was rare to see a sin-eater retain their characteristics as a mortal; Ryne still remembered her surprise when she saw Vauthry's new form.
"Get ready…" - Granson drew his claymore as the beast descended. The horrific angel landed in front of Taynor and was about to strike him with a sword.
But the elezen boy has been quicker. He activated the arcane trap, and a magical cage was immediately formed around their enemy. The beast tried to fly, but the magical barrier would push it down every time. The effect was temporary; the time should be just enough to kill the monster.
"Let's kill the bastard!" - Giott screamed and charged at the monster; Granson and Ryne followed. Before it breaks the barrier, its ways to retreat will be cut off.
Ryne and Giott were the first to attack; the oracle's daggers caused this monster to bleed while Giott stroke it with her hammer. This sin-eater did not roar or scream, it remained gravely silent, but its actions were enough to show its desperate battle for survival.
Ryne was surprised by how well she evaded its hits. After receiving many wounds in her battle with Hades, the girl thought she overestimated her skills. In a few seconds, Granson leaped as high as he could and pierced one of the monster's wings with claymore, causing it to rip and fly away like a piece of flesh.
"No escape now, huh?" - Giott continued her battle. Along with Granson and Ryne. The beast continued to resist and eventually broke the arcane trap.
Before it could hurt any fighters, a storm of arrows fell upon it. Reeq and Cerigg were always on their watch. The beast fell on its knees, desperately trying to keep up. It looked over its potential prey, unsure who to attack first. The answer reached it very quickly, however. Taynor joined the battle, unleashing a fire spell on this sin-eater.
The monster turned towards him so swiftly that the boy couldn't react. It charged towards him, ready to pierce at any second.
Ryne quickly noticed; she was close and immediately rushed towards Taynor, pushing him away from danger. The beast missed its prey and had more arrows fall onto it in the next instant.
"T…Thank you!" - The boy said, a little shook.
"Don't worry, just be careful…" - Ryne looked back at the monster to see Granson piercing its heart with his claymore. While still remaining completely silent, the beast fell, spilling its blood on the grass. It was over, and only a lifeless corpse remained. Adventurers gathered together, examining their fallen enemy.
"Whew…That was close. Some many arrows on one creature…Well, at least none of them missed!" - Lue-Reeq smiled.
"You sure about that?" - Cerigg pointed at one of the arrows stuck in the ground, far away from the beast.
"Hey, that one's yours! Or is it…"
Giott couldn't help but giggle, watching their quarrel. Meanwhile, Granson checked on Ryne and Taynor.
"You two alright? That thing almost got you."
"Yeah…Ryne helped me avoid some heavy scars." - Taynor said.
"It's nothing…" - Ryne smiled, but she heard a howl from above before she could finish. Adventurers quickly looked upwards into the sky, having their weapons ready.
There were at least a dozen of flying sin eaters, deformed beasts…All were flying from afar. Ryne expected them to land as they reached for the light, but this was not the case.
They headed for Crystarium.
...
G'raha will forever remember the day when he first saw the night's sky in Norvrandt. That was the day when people of this world finally attained hope for the future…And along with them, his own spirit has finally been swayed. For a long century, he witnessed generations changing, fathers dying afraid that their sons shall never see the light. The children led a life without a glimmer of comforting darkness, never seeing the night. One day, he was the last living soul on Norvrandt to ever see the darkened sky.
And yet his joy was no fainter than those of others when Edwin protected Lakeland and liberated it from light's tyranny. The child-like wonder on their faces, the spring of brightest hope he ever saw, were enough of a reward for G'raha. Since then, he guided Edwin on his journey to free the first once and for all…
And now he saw the night's sky again. Since Edwin's defeat, G'raha gazed at the natural darkness above him for the first time. It felt surreal to stand on the precipice of the flood that plagued this world only to see the night towering above. How horrific was it that a completely different type of darkness now reigned here?
Emet-Selch remained an enigma for Exarch. In one moment, he was ready to reveal his true intentions and plans for G'raha, but in the next, he distanced himself from the Exarch. It's been hours since they last exchanged words; the ascian was focused on the creature before them. He sensed something within…Something that would not allow his mind a respite.
Meanwhile, the sin-eaters would not stop coming. The beasts entered the desolate vale one after another, vultures circled around the primal creature, craving even smaller fragments of its power. They would not plunge their claws into G'raha; however, the magical shackles still emanated darkness, causing the beasts to keep their distance. G'raha could smell fresh blood on their hands and teeth. The monsters spared no one in their path. They were hardly spared, too. Even after ending the threat of sin-eaters, it was still tragic to realize they were once living people. All with their hopes, dreams, had their lives taken a different turn, they might have lived to see the night as well…So many lost, so many they couldn't save…
And so many they still could. G'raha needed to think. The thought of escape still hinged in his mind, especially now that Emet-Selch was busy. The Exarch realized how hopeless his situation was, for he would have absolutely no clue where he should go among this lifeless desert. His only clue would have been his own connection to Crystal Tower, which has continued to grow weaker. Perhaps he will never even get back.
And yet Hades kept him alive for a reason. He has plans. Plans were likely going to lead to the extermination of his people and remaining friends. Perishing is undoubtedly one way to escape the ascian grasp, and even that was not guaranteed. He only had to think back to how Emet saved Y'shtola's life. Still, it was worth a try. He only needed a right moment…
This moment approached when one of those sin-eaters was flying beside him. A beastly creature, reminiscent of a distorted and mutated flying hound, inspected him as potential prey. They all did to an extent, yet this one kept it for much longer. This gave G'raha the crucial moment to once again form a blade of light in his hand.
The form it took was a rather pathetic one, unable to remain solid for more than a few seconds, but this was all he needed. The beast's instincts worked in Exarch's favor as the sin eater rushed towards the blade, seeing a simple way to gain more energy. After its strike, the beast's claws weakened the shackles of darkness, absorbing some of it into its own essence.
The beast howled in brutalizing agony while G'raha destroyed the spell once again. The Exarch jumped on his feet, feeling the adrenaline rush in his body. He had split moments to escape and a heart full of determination. G'raha ran as fast as he could away from sin-eaters.
The Exarch could feel the white sand wavering beneath his feet, occasionally feeling like he would fall down. G'raha had little energy left in him, especially this far from the tower, but he still had to try. As he approached the path, two lesser sin-eaters came from opposite sides. There was no darkness to protect him now, only his own skills.
As the nearest sin eater charged towards G'raha, the Exarch created a weak shield to protect himself. The monster's tail would meet light's resistance on its way. The beast screamed in pain as it attempted to break his defense. G'raha felt the sting, too; his skin was burning a few more seconds, and it would crack, forcing him to bleed with his crystal essence…
But the shield broke first, leaving him defenseless. The monster pierced G'raha's side, wounding the Exarch and forcing him to shout in pain. Before this beast could strike once again, G'raha managed to transform what remained of this shattered shield into the blade of light and plunge it into the monster's heart. The beast fell lifeless while G'raha's sword dissipated, leaving the Exarch powerless. His connection with the tower allowed him to do wonders with magic, but the further he was, the more draining have they become.
A few sin eaters were still chasing from behind, all while the Exarch had no power left to resist them. G'raha did not give up. He ran upwards, following the narrow path away from this basin into the larger empty. He could barely feel his legs anymore; the imprisonment took a blow on Exarch.
"N…No…"
Just a little more, he couldn't falter while on the brink of finally leaving this hellish place…The roars ceased, and it would seem that sin-eaters were left behind. G'raha sighed in relief as he approached his freedom…Only to lose his balance as he tripped upon the formation of light. The Exarch fell to his knees, feeling the sudden pain of his mistake. He was careful not to make any sound; this would alert the nearby beasts…
When his vision became blurred, a tall figure rose in front of him. In his deluded mind, for a split second, G'raha could have sworn that this was Edwin's echo lending him his final help…But this was, of course, impossible.
"Will you ever learn?" - Emet's disappointed sigh, followed by his voice, pierced G'raha's ears. He might have retaliated, but there was no point, not when Hades was there.
"I have learned already…Learned to not give up." - G'raha said confidently with his tired voice, feeling dark shackles re-emerge around him.
"With behavior patterns so predictable, you would make a fine companion for the phantoms that roam my city." - Emet smirked, looking down at G'raha.
"How did you see me? What was it that gave me away?" - The Exarch wanted to know this, at least,
"I have a hard time deciding on what is more foolish…Your expectation for me to simply reveal all my tactics or implication that I stopped watching you even for a moment." - Emet shook his head.
"But why did you not stop me the moment I broke free?" - G'raha inquired. "Was it entertaining for you? To witness my struggle?" - G'raha said with anger.
"Again, you give yourself too much credit; there is no entertainment in this farce. Suppose…I wanted to see your resolve, and I must say, you've left me impressed." - Emet said with a smile.
"Should I take it as a compliment?"
"Certainly…While you were pitying yourself in solitude, I conducted an examination on the matter of our creature. The sin-eaters are here, but they cannot merge with the prime. We will have to provide a catalyst by venturing inside." - Hades stated, looking back at the sin eater.
"And what purpose does it serve to tell me this?"
"Simple…" - Emet looked back at the Exarch. "I see that leaving you in these shackles is a waste of your talent."
"You blame me for not learning but still somehow expect me to aid you?"
"Yes, of course, I possess the luxury of choice. You do not."