The voyage had been long, but now Estinien could finally take a break, he anticipated.
The dragoon hoped to spend some time away from battles ever since Nidhogg's final defeat, but he couldn't do so for long. The hunt for Nidhogg's eyes and later search for Faunehm would ensure that. And as soon as Estinien thought that all of his troubles were over, the scions all went into a coma. He was sent on a mission in Garlemald.
Even now, he scarcely belied that this respite would be long, but he would enjoy it while it lasted. And out of the people that remained in Coerthas, there was one that he wanted to visit the most. Estinien remembered journeying into Observatorium and the settlement around it. Estinien remembered the cold air and falling grins of snow from his youth and felt an immense aura of remembrance. It was much simpler back in the day, but he bore pain that tarnished most of his living moments, not anymore.
As the dragoon got closer, countless footfalls engraved themselves in the snow behind him. It would not be long before they are consumed by the pale snow once again, as the cycle always has gone. Estinien wasn't sure whether he would find the one he searched for here, but soon his doubts were obsolete.
And the old wolf, holding a rusty lance and toying with it like an extension of his arms. Impressive, especially for all his prior wounds. Estinien once again remembered the master he respected as the hyur stroke his practice targets with extreme precision. Perhaps he wanted to remember the old times when he could still fight like a real dragoon. He missed those times. Estinien did too.
When Alberic noticed him, Estinien was worried if his immediate reaction would be fear or distrust. After all, Estinien wasn't a stranger to reckless acts that endangered the lives of others, and that wasn't even accounting for the time he tried to kill Alberic but failed to defeat Edwin. Yet there were no signs of disdain in the old dragoon's eyes. Just the sweetest of reliefs. He put his lance down and smiled at his pupil.
It wasn't long before the two were in a warm tavern nearby, sharing a bottle of exquisite Ishgardian wine.
"…And that was how Gaius and I got to the palace, and I'm sure you heard the news of what we found. His own son over the bloodied corpse of his father, back from the dead and utterly delusional, it would seem." - Estinien recounted all of his adventures and took another sip. Alberic listened with utmost interest.
"I was almost worried when I heard about the mission, but then I remembered it's you we're talking about." - Alberic was proud as he looked at Estinien. "You have sad surpassed me as a dragoon now, and I'm honored to have trained you." - These words were sweet for Estinien's ears, but he doubted whether he deserved them.
"No need for exaggeration. As much good as I did for Ishgard and others, I was not that far off from destroying our home." - Estinien noted, having painful memories of the horde surrounding Ishgard sting in his mind.
"That wasn't you, not really." - Alberic was quick to reassure him.
"Perhaps, but it was due to my rage that I was made susceptible to his influence. Many lives would have been saved were not for it." - The dragoon said with regret. "When I was Nidhogg, there was nothing pure rage…No control, no senses or other emotions at all, just the hatred of hundreds of years. Perhaps I got a glimpse of how dragons feel pain…That made me understand Nidhogg a little more than I would've wanted."
"No need to dwell on the past, is there? After all, you're free, and the great wyrm is vanquished." - Alberic seemed forgiving, and Estinien was grateful.
"Even that one time when I tried to kill you?"
"We all didn't exactly act rationally back then."
"Sorry for that."
"Apologies accepted. Please accept mine, then…I shouldn't have lied to you." - Alberic spoke with a hidden sense of shame, but they should have put all of this past them by now.
"I forgive you." - Estinien smiled at his teacher. "Besides, thinking of all the skills you helped me master and how useful my time with you was, could I be really staying mad for long? Better tell me what you've been up to while I was gone."
"Oh, my life is far less exciting than yours. I put most of my energy into training young dragoons for Ishgard. The war might be over, but you never know when your city will call upon its defenders again."
"Might be sooner than any of us expects…."
Their talk was interrupted by a small, winged creature flying right into the tavern, immediately garnering the dragoons' attention. It was Orn Khai, the young Dragon Estinien encountered in the east along with Edwin. Estinien imagined how would it look if a dragon was to fly into a Coerthan town as much as one year ago. The reaction would be wildly different…Well, the gears of change have never been as quick.
"Azure Dragoon! I hath been wondering where you would be since your return, and my guess was precise." - The dragon's playful voice echoed in Estinien's head.
"I assume you two need no introductions." - Alberic said, welcoming the dragon to their company.
"We had to part early back in Kugane, have we not?" - Estinien said, looking at Orn Khai. "Have you been up to much?"
"The eastern jewel has amazed me ever since I first saw it. I will never say no to some time there! I didn't arrive here much earlier than you, but alas, the homeland calls." - The dragon said with excitement as he thought back to Kugane. Estinien understood his wonder; that city certainly had a unique charm.
"How fares Faunehm? I hope she settled well back in Dravania." - Estinien wondered.
"Oh, that she did! In fact, it was only recently I visited her in Zenith. Speaking of which, I was wondering…" - Orn Khai seemed to stutter slightly as he looked over Estinien and Alberic. Soon the elezen noticed a few plucked flowers which Orn Khai held, looking like they were taken from Dravania.
"Anything important? Don't keep us waiting." - Estinien's prompted.
"For Faunehm and me, yes…Though I won't blame you if you do not approve." - Orn Khai began. "These flowers are in memory of Nidhogg. Faunehm and I decided that he deserved a farewell…And I would be grateful if a mortal could join me in this procedure."
"For all the pain that he caused to both man and dragon, do you really think it a necessity?" - Estinien felt no rage or disgust at the proposition. He learned to be better than that. However, he still doubted the necessity.
"We know very well, but he was a great wyrm once, though most of us may not remember those times. His soul is now free, yet I wonder whether he was able to find peace…Perhaps he still listens on the other side. Perhaps he still can't let go and forget…If he would hear a mortal mourn his passing, mayhap this will help him find his peace." - Orn Khai proposed.
"I see the point…" - Estinied said sternly. The memories of the monstrous dragon rushed back to his mind, how his village was ravaged, and his family slaughtered…These were the action of a monster, not a reasonable being. As was his desire for vengeance and attempts to murder his teacher.
"My job is here, Orn Khai." - Alberic shook his head. "Junior dragoons are coming here soon, the would require the best of training. But perhaps…" - He turned his gaze to doubtful Estinien. Orn Khai brimmed with hope.
"Come on, Estinien! You were mortal enemies, both plagued by similar hatred. Perhaps a gesture of good will help you make peace as well." - The dragon almost forgot about the pain Nidhogg caused the Azure Dragoon; Estinien crossed his hands at it.
"I'm not exactly used to mourning those who slaughter people close to me." - He said with unintended harshness, causing Orn Khai to realize his mistake. The dragon's voice once again rang in his mind.
"Oh… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let that slip my mind. If only the Warrior of Light was here…No matter, you're right. Nidhogg was of our kind, and it is for us to mourn him, not mortals." - He spoke with some shame that Estinien did not wish to see. The elezen made some progress in talking to people, yet he still could be unintentionally crude in his tone. "Well, I'm glad you're both safe anyway, and I'll see you quite soon!" - His voice changed once again as Orn Khai accepted that he could mourn Nidhogg with Faunehm.
"Wait." - Estinien said, noticing a slight smile emerging on Alberic's face. "I said I am not used to it, but I didn't say I won't accompany a friend to a ceremony that is important to him." - Estinien stood up proudly, seeing the young dragon beam once again. "I might find something in it for myself, or I might not, but I won't say no to another journey with you. I only hope there won't be any intrusive lalafells this time."
"Thank you, Estinien, this means a lot!" - Orn Khai flew up and pirouetted around out of sheer joy, which Estinien and Alberic were glad to share. "I'll make sure to make it worth your while."
"So, where are exactly are we placing these flowers? I don't think the steps of faith fit." - Estinien asked.
"Oh, that wasn't the idea. He might have fallen, first time in Dravania and the second time in Ishgard, but his eyes persisted for longer." - After these words, Estinien was taken back to his hunt in Gyr Abania, and the relief he felt that these dreadful eyes were finally no more.
"Until I destroyed his eyes in Ala Mhigo, yes."
"That can be his final resting place. Royal Menagerie, was it? I was hoping to place the mist lilies there." - Orn Khai explained; Estinien guessed that much after mentioning Nidhogg's eyes. Well, it seemed simple enough to travel to Ala Mhigo and lend the tribute to his deadliest foe…
Yes, the times truly were changing.
…
The summons from Ala Mhigo came swiftly and unexpectedly, calling the ironworks to action.
Nero did not expect to return to Gyr Abania soon after hunting Omega in the interdimensional rift, but fate clearly had other plans. Fate or whoever called upon them…Nero Scaeva could not help but feel a flowing air of nostalgia as he walked through the city's streets.
"I wondered how long would it take for people here to fall back into savagery after XIVth left…I have to say, it could have been worse." - The tall garlean engineer noted smugly, indirectly speaking to a man with white hair and beard beside him. The senior inventor avoided eye contact and showed no signs of annoyance. He knew that if he did, Nero would become even more persistent. Cid spoke only as they passed a tall and strong highlander soldier clad in Ala Mhigan, heavy yellow armor going past them.
"If you have any complaints about the city, I'm not the man to talk to. How about taking it up with him?" - Cid looked at Nero with a confident smile. He knew how to put Nero into an awkward situation, but the former Tribunus was a master of graciously getting out of them.
"I don't know about your plans, Garlond, but mine certainly doesn't include dying, not without a flair for the dramatic." - Nero responded with cockiness and pride, but this would hardly irritate Cid. The two remained rivals, as they always were, but Nero decided to discard the "unending bitterness" and "intent to kill" elements of their rivalry. This idea turned out to be a massive success, and Nero got way more enjoyment out of it than he expected.
But this didn't mean that they avoided working together when the time was right, and now was one of those instances.
"Raubahn said he'll wait in the conference room, so let's not keep him waiting." - Cid decided to switch the topic back to their situation.
"I am offended by how little information he would reveal before our meeting. Does he consider us his personal force who would just come at his first call…Yes, we might be doing exactly this right now, but this was your idea." - Nero crossed his hands.
"He sounded urgent enough, and after that memory business in Gangos, I feel like focusing on something less abstract." - Cid said confidently, only to immediately spark Nero's interest.
"Oh, yes, you never told me about how that went…How much space do I take in your mind? Must be a lot…" - Before Nero could spur into inquisitive questions, they approached the conference building. It wouldn't be anything ordinary, but who he saw before the entrance outright shocked Nero.
"Omega jam me…" - He whispered, only to have Cid smile while looking at the same man.
"So the rumors were true, then…"
Gaius van Baelsar in the flesh, standing freely and Ala Mhigan soil and wearing the outfit of a ravaging mercenary rather than that of a Legatus. How quickly could their world change…He did not notice them, not yet. Gaius spoke with a red-haired Ala Mhigan woman.
"And how much worse did it get?" - Gaius asked with interest; the woman responded with obvious bitterness.
"Zenos became the new viceroy, and he had no qualms about slaughtering anyone he found annoying, like bloody pigs. And all we could do is mindlessly obey him so we could live another day!" - She looked down to the floor and tensed up, clearly thinking of some very painful moments from her life. Afterward, the woman looked at Gaius again. "You know what's funny? When that scumbag came, it wasn't that unusual to hear people missing your rule despite all you've done. I guess everything can be put in perspective, eh?"
"In that case, I suppose I have something to thank Zenos for." - Gaius said, though it was obvious by the echoing pain in his voice that he did not wish to make light of the situation. Nero never visited Ala Mhigo under Zenos's control, though he heard tales…A rather dull place indeed.
"Fordola, I need your help." - Another voice, this time belonging to a dark-skinned warrior, made the woman turn around and slowly walk towards him. "Won't take long. Just need to check something…"
"Aye, aye, I'm coming; you can stop the explanation." - She responded brashly and left. Gaius was about to go into the conference room before he finally noticed the engineers. He looked at them with shock, which swiftly turned into joy. Nero could swear he saw a relieved smile up on Legatus's face.
"The months haven't been kind to you, Gaius…But somehow, I don't think you'd avoid hardships." - Cid waved to the Legatus and approached him. Nero followed, still trying to think of what to say. He was rarely left speechless; Gaius was someone Nero spent all his energy for, so that he would notice him and give his talents the proper admiration they deserve. When Gaius was thought dead, the great motivator for infighting between him and Cid perished, but now they were reunited…And each of them a defector now.
"I hardly complain; those challenges made me stronger, as well as revealed much." - Gaius said with no shame or regret. "I cannot say that this knowledge has been sweet…But I would not trade it for lies and illusions once more." - A broken eagle stood tall and proud, more than even Nero could expect. He was always an outcast who hardly cared for loyalties, but for Gaius, the Empire was everything. How much pain and sorrow was he hiding?"
"Never thought we'd ever met as allies again, Gaius, and seven hells witness, I'm glad we got the chance." - Cid and Gaius shook hands. "Never pictured you as an ascian hunter, but it looks you got perfectly assimilated into the role."
"Aye, though it has not been a smooth transition. I gather your time has been just as eventful. Opening the Crystal Tower, encountering Alexander, and uncovering the secrets of Omega…" - Gaius recounted those tales with interest, although he was unlikely to know much about them except general knowledge.
"Well, I didn't do any fighting; that was left to Edwin. I don't think I need to explain why." - Cid chuckled.
"Hah, you'd make a great historian, Garlond!" - Nero immediately interjected with some jealousy. "My lo…Gaius, he is omitting key contributions from my side. After all, I don't remember him jumping inside the World of Darkness and returning after going through a tremendously painful near-death experience!"
"Perhaps it has something to do with me being contempt of what I had instead of searching for new insane powers to control." - Cid shrugged.
"How very insolent…"
"Have no worries; I know you two have done a lot of work." - Gaius spoke, turning to Nero. "Hearing that you survived the Ultima explosion was relieving for me. For some time, I believed to have lost all of my loyal followers during this operation…But you survived and, more importantly, found your way." - He said with some genuine pride, causing Nero to be at a loss of words once again. Was this a sliver of what he wanted his entire life…His dreams and ambitions only to get approval from a single Legatus?
"Eh…" - He wasn't sure how to respond. Nero's psyche simply would not allow him to say a simple "thank you." Garlond noticed this and decided to move to something much more relevant.
"So, Gaius, I assume you and Raubahn have called us together. What's the situation?"
"Come in; we'll explain."
…
Soon Nero and Cid were in the conference hall with Gaius, his companions, and Raubahn, who explained what was going on. Nero listened to the tales of the newly created Ultima Weapon, and while he could see Cid get visibly distraught, the same could not be said about him. Nero's fantasies ran wild with imagination. If the Empire was able to renew the project, how powerful would the new weapon or even weapons be? What were the implications of pilots merging with the machine, as Gaius recounted? Was this just a failed experiment or a part of something greater? Could they be fixing the few faults antique ultimate weapon had?
"The new Ultima Weapon…I knew the Empire would go far, but this…". - Cid shook his head.
"Now you see why we decided to drop any bickering for now. We are at the risk of facing a danger rivaling Omega and Shinryu, and Edwin is still AWOL, if we could call it that…Same for other scions." - Raubahn noted grimly.
"As if that's a problem." - Nero said, unimpressed. "Just call your girl back from the east to fight for her home. Was it Lise…No matter, I'm used to Yda." - Nero proposed carelessly. He saw her when she was one of the scions and even had a chance to see her fight. Far from Edwin or Gaius, but still impressive.
"We will, in case it goes too sour, but it's not like she isn't busy there with Bozjan Resistance and all."
"Busy digging into Garlond's mind… I'd call the importance of such operations into question." - Nero smirked only to be stopped by Raubahn.
"Enough, we are here to discuss our problems." - He said and turned towards Gaius. "I have been preparing the Ala Mhigan defense in case something goes horribly wrong, and I had to mention to some that we're working with you, Gaius. The reactions have been…Mixed." - The general said.
"As long as they know what is at stake and have their priorities set, I do not care." - Legatus responded; he took a drawing lying on the table and showed it to Cid and Nero. "Since our return, Severa was able to sneak to the Garlean facility near Werlyt and found this."
Nero has never been so excited and fearful at the same time. A new Ultima weapon, fully metal and covered in crimson colors. Its face was horrifying with sharp teeth and glowing red eyes, and powerful jet technologies loomed behind the machine's back.
"The weapons are up to most modern standards, and the flying technology will nullify any mobility problems…Whoever were the engineers, they haven't done the worst job," - Nero said with approval.
"This ain't a time to admire what can destroy us." - Cid shook his head before looking at Gaius. "I assume you require the ironworks' expertise."
"Yes, your aid will be of use." - Gaius nodded and put the drawing back on the table. "I know that if anyone is able to devise countermeasures to those weapons, it will be you two."
"Countermeasures, you say?" - Nero had a different idea in mind. "What we should do is seize control and use them against the Empire. That is, if your Alliance is still planning to win, I haven't kept up with the war." - It would be a crying shame to let weapons like this simply go to waste.
"And is the price worth it? We've seen what these weapons can do in Meridianum." - Cid wasn't quite as keen.
"Drop your skepticism, Garlond, and think of the possibilities! If we…"
He was interrupted by a striking and repetitive ring of Raubahn's linkpearl. The general was quick to respond, garnering the attention of everyone in the room.
"Raging Bull on the line, can you hear me?" - Judging by Raubahn's focused expression, he got a response. "What news from the front? Calm down and start from the beginning…What? How in the…Drop the panic, soldier, and describe it!" - Raubahn seemed to get agitated, though this was clearly not out of anger. Nero saw the worry in his eyes as his gaze slid towards the image of the Ruby weapon at their table. Suddenly, the general snapped out of it after hearing something and spoke loudly once again. "What's going on there? Can you hear me? Answer me, soldier, are you there?!" - This proved fruitless, and the general had to drop the call. Gaius seemed to have horrifying suspicions.
"What is going on there?" - The Shadowhunter asked, only to have Raubahn mechanically shake his head.
"That was one of our boys from Ghimlyt…They were soon to be recalled after the fighting ceased, but they saw something approaching at very high speed…He didn't give me much, but what he did seems to coincide with that weapon you've found." - He looked at the drawing once again. "It is there…It is in Gyr Abania."
…
Another squad was annihilated…Perhaps Milisandia might even get used to it.
She was not piloting the weapon for long, yet it felt like an eternity. Ever since the au ra braced herself and accepted her duty as a pilot, she began making her way towards the military base Valens mentioned. Piloting this uncanny…Creation felt unnerving. She quickly began to feel like this weapon was an extension of her, and with each patrol in her way destroyed, Milisandia couldn't help but feel cursed by her own power. She could have turned back and used it against Valens, but she knew that this would result in the deaths of her siblings and many others…No, for now, she would have to stick to approval. This wasn't for her; this was for Alfonse and others.
She thought back to her discussion with her brother, how they had to say goodbye, desperately having to bury the thoughts that they may not see each other again. Even their stoic big brother could not help but feel fear for the ones closest to him.
"I will do as he says, for now, that's the only way…I know that this won't win us approval, but perhaps he might leave us alone for a few more days."
"I understand. Thank you for giving us this time…I promise we will not waste it."
"I beg of you, be careful. None of us are happy with it. I just…I worry about others. Rex can do something rash and Allie…If she finds out…"
"I will take care of them, I promise."
"Thank you…"
"We aren't the ones in danger; our thoughts will be with you."
"At least my path is clear for now. Destroy all I find by those coordinates, and if there some major complications…"
"No, you shouldn't."
"You know our orders."
"It doesn't matter, this is our absolute last resort, and I don't believe it will come to that."
"I hope…"
Alfonse was right. This was not the time to die. Not when she has a family left behind, not when her father is still somewhere out there, accused of crimes he did not commit. The siblings were ready to die for each other, but they had reasons to live as well. She could win without oversoul; Milisandia knew it. All the devastation she leaves behind will be worth it in the end.
"Come on, it's just a military base. It shouldn't be…" - She spoke nervously to herself. This was not reassuring, considering that she would still have to annihilate defenseless enemies.
Soon her radar piqued, and a few red dots appeared in the distance. After crossing the whole desert, she was finally getting close.
"Here we go!"
…
And so Estinien set out to Ala Mhigo with Orn Khai for one last ritual of remembrance.
He might have pretended to be certain about this, but the dragoon was far from it. As they walked across the city's busy streets, Estinien hardly even paid attention to what was happening around them. All he could think about was the wyrm's roar.
He remembered it all when Ferndale was buried beneath the shade of the Ebon wyrm that has descended upon it. The crimson fire raging from his mouth, his sharp claws would tear anyone who stood in his way apart. What was the reason? What have the innocent people of the town done to him? This was the question many asked; some begged for his mercy, others fought back…All of them perished. His parents dies there, as did his brother, too young to understand why it would happen, why someone would allow such horrors to occur...
And all Estinien was left with were their corpses.
And so he stood here, ascending to the Royal Menagerie when the war was over, and the vengeance quenched in the hearts of those once consumed by it. And Estinien finally had a future besides seeking vengeance and carnage. Yet here he was, peering into the past once again, imagining the eyes of Nidhogg looking into his soul at the other side. Yes, the image was the clearest…Estinien already felt the chilling unease.
When the two rose to the Menagerie, they saw no one there but a lone slim figure in a pale white costume with a few shades of dark red around the neck. They wore a cape covering their face, standing in the distance and watching something as the hot desert winds blew…Probably enjoying the view, but it almost seemed like they were in waiting. When the mysterious figure noticed Estinien and Orn Khai, they left their post and slowly strolled toward the palace. Some kind of Rhalgr priest, the dragoon thought. When they were left alone, Estinien was able to let go of the tension.
"Nidhogg, we come to honor your memory!" - Orn Khai exclaimed before looking at Estinien with a mournful expression. "I am not blind to the sins Nidhogg committed, but I want to mourn the loss of who he once was, what he may have become had been graced with a kinder fate…"
Estinien put the flowers on the stone floor, closing his eyes and trying to think of Nidhogg. Not the beast that ravaged his homeland, but a fleeting image of him as he once was. Of how he pierced the skies with his brother and sister, creating a new path of hope and prosperity for his kind. Of the joys and sorrows, he shared with them, of the betrayals he endured. Whether Estinien liked it or not, they shared the same feelings and grievances…If only he was not betrayed. Perhaps in another world, they could be allies, friends, even. Once again, the dragoon was left to wonder how one single turn of events could change history for generations to come.
"Do you…Have something to say, Estinien? "- Orn Khai wondered.
"That I do." - The Azure Dragoon nodded. He knew that Nidhogg actually hearing any of this was unlikely, but he would say it nonetheless. "We have come here to think of the past before looking unto the future…And here I must say…" - Estinien spoke with harshness and echoes of his older anger. "I will never forget what you've done to my family. To the generations of my people, all the suffering you caused is not something you can go back from. The deaths of my family will forever torment my mind…There can be no forgiveness between us." - Estinien sighed, letting go of his fury, and kneeled, closing his eyes once again. "But perhaps there can be a reconciliation. I am not clean either, the latter of your sins bear my touch on them, and this has served as a grievous lesson. As I listened to the tale of your madness, as I fought you in the Aery, I was not oblivious to the similarities we shared…But I have not truly felt it before becoming your vessel. For the weeks that I was your thrall, I shared your burden. Your anger and hatred brimming in your soul over centuries. It's withering, agonizing, and monstrous." - No sun or warm wind could help him; the chills Estinien felt even thinking of this pain have overtaken him. "And now, after I am free, I can also say that I understand. I understand why." - Estinien's voice quivered as he felt the winds becoming wilder. At moments they even felt like a storm that pushed Estinien behind. "And I can also thank you, for it was your rage and vengefulness that provided me with a mirror into my own spirit and avoid following the same path. If you hear this, then you must also know that man and dragon live in peace now. Soon there will be naught remaining of your legacy…Naught but me. Rest In peace, Nidhogg."
Estinien was surprised just by how relieved he felt. There was no hatred or anger towards Nidhogg…Just plain realization that the great wyrm was gone forever and will not torment them anymore. Orn Khai remained silent throughout, touched by Estinien's words. As the elezen walked up to the mournful dragon, he smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Estinien…Thank you." - His grateful voice was a pleasure to hear.
"It's been long past time for me to close this page of my life…Thank you for the opportunity, Orn Khai." - He said with gratitude. Estinien felt another blow of the wind, so wild that it almost threw him off guard. Orn Khai's wings were working tirelessly to even keep him in the air. "The wind is getting out of hand; even Ishgardian weather pales…How about we go back inside?" - As Estinien proposed this, Orn Khai swiftly turned his gaze away from the dragoon and to the horizon. The eyes of dragons were harder to read than those of mortals, but Estinien could clearly see…Shock and horror.
"What's wrong?" - The dragoon said before turning around in the direction Orn Khai was watching, the direction from which the wind came. "By the fury…"
It was no simple wind. A gigantic and monstrous war machine covered in crimson was approaching at an unimaginable speed. It was heavily armed…And it would take mere seconds for it to reach the city's wall.