Once again has the sun risen, foreboding yet another day of haunting emptiness.

No amount of work, no amount of tasks Fourchenault Leveilleur undertook in an attempt to think of something else, he could not escape his dread. For every time he would come back to their home after gaining even the smallest semblance of normalcy, see Ameliance stranded and broken, stripped of her usual energy…And then he would see their rooms, the sight of which was enough to take all his will from Fourchenault. For his children that he vowed to protect have perished, and he was not there for them.

The horrid day when they first heard of the news was going on in the man's head like an exhausting loop. Thinking of it for a few minutes was incredibly draining, and it continued to persist throughout almost every single day. At first, it was the news of Alphinaud and Alisaie being stuck in a coma, yet it was undeniable that they were still alive. It was then when Fourchenault doubted his course, going to Mor Dhona and doing everything he could to help his children. Yet he was bound by duty and had to look away once again, as the Sharlayan creed told him. He and Ameliance never stopped fearing, but they firmly held on to hope.

But then, as the chaos erupted across the world, as the mighty garlean weapons were unleashed Ala Mhigo, as towers began to emerge around the continent, bleeding the land dry of aether, has their worst nightmare come to pass. Husband and wife, father and mother, they were together in the manor when the tidings were brought. They were of a mysterious ascian, Fandaniel, who was claiming to bring about the end of days, the same one Hydaelyn warned the Forum about. And he claimed that they were murdered in another world.

Fourchenault always believed their path to be wrong, never shying away from telling them as much. He would warn of the dangers and perils such determination brings and how they are consigning themselves to living and perhaps dying as martyrs who have forsaken their creed. He never wanted there to be any truth to those words, never wanted this nightmare to come to pass.

Their next days were like an ephemeral dream where both Ameliance and Fourchenault prayed that Fandaniel was lying, yet deep inside, both of them knew that this was true. Fourchenault did not want to accept his heart's sense; he would continue to work and partake in the Forum's affairs, doubling down on his anti-interventionist stance. Yet the man began to despise his duty and felt more shame with every passing day. Every letter or word of "condolence" he would utterly deny, trying not to think of their children.

Until one day, there was room for doubt. The time-traveler, G'raha Tia, has entered the realm, bringing Zodiark his first act, and he has a story to tell. His was the account of the one who fought beside Alphinaud and Alisaie and saw them die. This was the final word, stripping them of any hope, giving the grieving parents nothing but the name of the murdered. The ascian and garlean Emperor, Solus zos Galvus, Emet-Selch.

It was no longer a dream; it was a heart-wrenching and agonizing reality. They rarely talked with Ameliance in the past few days, nothing but an exchange of greetings. Perhaps they should've, but both would not be able to speak without a crumbling pain in their voice, only reigniting their sorrow. He remembered holding her in a tight embrace as she was crying and praying for their children. He tried to remain strong, but his hands would always shake, and his tears found their way into the darkness. And yet even now, he spent more time burying himself in his duty rather than with her. He failed as a husband; he failed as a father. And as a man of the Forum, he failed too.

Fourchenault thought this could not get any worse until the murderer himself came to Sharlayan. That smug, confident and apathetic face…Fourchenault shuddered to think of him, of how the ascian took his children and would not stop there. All members of the Forum were bound by a spell that prevented them from telling the truth of their duty even if they wanted to, such a simple way to allow them to forsake responsibility. Or so he thought. Words could not describe the cold Fourchenault felt when he realized that as the ascian was possessing his colleague's body, he found a loophole to exploit. Rolandeau was still there, both body and soul, and there was nothing to prevent him from telling the truth. In this single act, Fourchenault betrayed his oath and his state, the most grievous offense one could have done since their discovery in Dravavnia. And he would do so again for Ameliance. He did not expect the ascian to keep his word, but he did, and Fourchenault was left to ponder on his mistake. Of course, he was quick to warn his colleagues of what transpired, hiding no detail of his failure, but by that time, Emet-Selch had already breached the Aitiascope. They could only guess what happened after, but it was all for the worse.

Over the next few days, the Forum did not contact Fourchenault or ask for his presence, unlike any time before when his input would always be valued. It stripped him of his work and forced him to spend his time in solitude, thinking about his mistake, about his children. He would take strolls across the city and try and read some books that their family kept in the manor, but nothing would make these thoughts go away.

And now, he simply gave up. Fourchenault put the book about the Sharlayan principles aside, almost tossing it away carelessly, and took a deep breath. He could not run any longer.

The elezen slowly walked across the stone stairs to the ground floor of their manor, seeking his wife. They were all that each other had, and they needed to stay together in a time of grave need. She was in the living room as oftentimes before, silently staring at a wall. She had a few books of her own laying before her, but all of them remained unread as they clearly shared the lack of any passion or desire after processing this.

Fourchenault stood behind the sofa, quietly watching his wife. He loved her dearly and only wished that her pain would be lessened, someway, somehow. Even if this meant taking a fraction of it on himself, Fourchenault would gladly succumb to it to ease her sorrow. Being powerless made him rage at his own failures.

The husband walked toward his wife, trying to see her eyes. Her brown, sweet, and so tired eyes, losing the resolve she always held on to. When she realized that Fourchenault was nearby, Ameliance turned towards him, revealing her expression. Her eyes swelled with tears, yet there were no other signs of pain on her face. It was devoid of emotions, worn out and broken. Fourchenault looked at her with empathy and compassion, sitting beside Ameliance and gently putting his hand on her knee. She must have felt his warmth and responded in kind; Fourchenault felt her gentle touch on his shoulder. There was so much left unsaid between them, yet they had no energy left to say it. Both wanted the same thing, to see their son and daughter return home, to run into their protective embrace and tell of their journeys. Every single detail which they would gladly heed to. So many opportunities that they now lost forever.

Their moment of silence was interrupted by a loud knock on their door. Fourchenault immediately stood up, wondering if this was a message from the Forum. Ameliance followed him, although she had less energy and could barely force herself to stand.

"You can stay; I'll talk with them." - He reassured her, but Ameliance shook her head and decided to follow in silence. Fourchenault wouldn't deny her.

He opened the manor door and witnessed a white-robed messenger with a few guardsmen behind him. An air of worry swirled around them.

"Greetings, Master Fourchenault."

"And to you. May I ask what is the reason for your visit?"

"I carry a message from the Forum; you are expected to attend the meeting immediately."

"A meeting? I was not aware that any were to occur today."

"I know." - The messenger's voice sounded stern and serious, almost haunting. "It was my task to inform you that your privileges as a member of the Forum are now annulled, as is your position on the council."

"W…What?" - Perhaps this was to be expected, yet Fourchenault was too consumed by grief to realize the implications. "Do you expect me to accept this without any explanation?"

"I am but the messenger, and you'll hear the rest during the meeting. It is a council where your verdict will be decided."

"So it came to this…" - Fourchenault sighed. "After so many years of my duty…"

"This is not your duty anymore, and your future is still to be decided. Follow me, and the necessary procedures will be made."

"And if I refuse?"

"I have permission from the Forum to use force."

There was no way around this. Fourchenault looked down with defeated eyes before accepting the inevitability.

"I want to go with him." - Ameliance said confidently.

"Apologies, my lady, but you are neither a member of the Forum nor the one being tried; I have to deny your request."

"No need, I'll deal with it." - Fourchenault reassured her before turning to the messenger. "I know what I've done, and I stand by it. If I have to answer before the Forum, then so be it, but I want guarantees that they will allow me to plead my case and for my voice to be heard."

"Aye, you have my word."

"Then…I will go with you."

…

Countless times has Fourchenault stood in the Forum hall among his peers, ready to discuss the course of their proud nation. Many times he cast his vote in favor of maintaining their duty to Hydaelyn and punishing all who stray from this path, but never did he imagine that he would have to stand before them as someone who strayed himself. Ah, the irony of fate…

As he remained at the hall's heart, Fourchenault watched others gather. His colleagues, peers, and friends served alongside him on the Forum. Now they peered at him with disappointment and even disbelief as, for them, the sin Fourchenault committed was incomprehensible. Most remained calm, though the elezen could clearly see some of them frown in disgust. Few looked with sympathy, the young Rolandeau among them, he was there and felt the horrors the ascian could commit on himself, but his word alone would not be enough to convince them.

"Order, order!" - The leader of the proceedings spoke when everyone gathered; he would likely be his judge as well. Fourchenault did not expect a long trial, they would quickly come to a conclusion, but he wouldn't give up nonetheless. "Hereby, I announce the beginning of the proceeding. Everyone has gathered. Fourchenault Leveilleur…I am glad that you came."

"I have been in this hall far too many times…We can skip the introductions." - The man said confidently.

"Very well." - The jury nodded. "I assume you have an idea of the charges put against you, but I shall reiterate nonetheless. When an ascian possessed Master Rolandeau's body, the spell of silence accepted him as one of our own; is that correct?"

"It is."

"The ascian demanded you to reveal our purpose and means of contacting Hydaelyn in exchange for him keeping your wife's life, correct?"

"Indeed…"

"And to save her, you have told him of the Forum's duty to relocate people of the world to the moon as well as the location and purpose of Aitiascope."

"I have." - As he admitted to his crime, Fourchenault heard echoes of displeased voices forcing him to look down in shame.

"You know the severity of said charges. Like everyone present, you swore an oath and agreed to keep the secret, even from those closest to you. You broke it." - The jury said with disappointment. "Due to your blunder, the said ascian used Aitiascope to travel into the depths of the aetheric sea, resulting in a major disturbance and a wave of darkness spreading through the realm…We were not able to contact Hydaelyn after this; her strength is clearly waning. You put our entire duty at risk, not to mention that there is someone outside the Forum who knows our purpose, a servant of darkness, no less. I hope that you understand that those acts are grievous enough to strip you of your freedom." - As he expected, the Forum would go far. They treasured their knowledge, and Fourchenault knew how much they would do to protect it. It was not uncommon for those who managed to find out something Forum wished to keep secret to simply disappear, never to be heard of again. At times, it was Fourchenault's responsibility to deal with them.

"I wish to have a word." - Rolandeau raised his hand and, after seeing the jury nod, continued. "I would speak in defense of Master Fourchenault. As you all know, it was not uncommon for us to disagree, but I would still vouch for him. He is a good, honest man who does not deserve punishment for protecting his loved one. I was there, and I saw the ascian with my own eyes; my own body became his host for a few moments…What's done is done, and rather than stripping Fourchenault of his position, he should be given a chance to atone for this, as I'm sure he is eager to do. What good is it for the Forum to lose such a valuable member?"

The next one to take a turn was a woman who stood in opposition to Rolandeau. She looked at him and shook his head.

"You are far too quick to rush to his defense." - She disagreed. "Think of how eager he was to believe a word of the ascian. Their kind is known for their deceit and manipulations! It is a miracle that he kept his word at all, or otherwise, we might not have a Fourchenault to speak with at all."

"You would have done the same." - Fourchenault said quietly, but still enough for them to hear.

"Pardon?" - The jury said. "I do not believe that I granted you permission to speak."

"Then I ask for one now." - Fourchenault claimed firmly. "I understand that many of you would have a hard time seeing it from my perspective…But if you had heard the tale of your children being slaughtered and were put in a place where your only chance to save your loved one was to give out this secret…You would do the same as I did, and I have no doubt of that."

"You would dare question our loyalty?" - A woman looked at him with scorn. "Just because you showed your true colors does not mean that we will do the same!"

The arguments were about to bolster, yet they were interrupted by another familiar voice.

"Now, now, that's quite enough." - Montichaigne, an old friend of his father's, spoke up with a calm voice, getting permission from the jury. "I believe that instead of pondering on Master Fourchenault's decision, what we could do is go a step back and examine our spell itself. We all know that the ascian found a loophole with his own magic, yet we are brushing it off rather quickly. Was it not the reason for the creation of this spell to prevent such situations? We are all people with our flaws at the end of the day, and no one could be truly safe from giving away the truth. Is it not on us that the spell could be exploited by ascian magic? I am not quite sure I would have been able to remain as stalwart and confident if the lives of my loved ones were on the line." - Montichaigne looked at Fourchenault with empathy; he understood. He must have understood. "Thus, I believe that instead of punishment, we should all work together on maintaining the order and fixing this mess."

"Very well, we will take it into consideration…" - The jury said. "Alas, there are many pressing matters for us to discuss today, and I would deal with your verdict without lingering. You have served Forum for years with dedication and integrity, and for that, we will not dare to forfeit your right to live. However, I also cannot allow you to roam free without Forum's guidance after what you did. I propose two verdicts; one would see you imprisoned until a further decision has been made, and the other would restore your position in the Forum and have you work for atonement."

"I know very well how it is decided." - Fourchenault sighed. "Let's get this over with."

At the jury's command, those who were in favor of imprisonment raised their hands. Around two-thirds of the Forum did, and thus did Fourchenault have to face the inevitability of his punishment. He knew when to give up, unlike others in his family, and he would accept this verdict with dignity, as he forced many others to accept his. Those that did not agree, including Rolandeau and Montichaigne, were left just as powerless to change the outcome; everyone had to respect the plight of the majority. "Then the verdict is imprisonment, and the matter is settled." - The jury said starkly before a few sworn elite guards approached Fourchenault. "Take him to his cell."

"Will you go willingly?" - The guard asked. They still respected Fourchenault for his service and were very reluctant to use force on him, even though they must have had a clearance.

"Aye…I shall."

The verdict was cast, and Fourchenault was torn from the heavens.

…

Torn from the heavens into a pit of shame and reflection. Despite how many friends he had among the Forum, they held duty above all else; Fourchenault's betrayal was unforgivable in their eyes. No matter if they had to do this with a heavy heart, they would still chain him and put him into a dungeon beneath the Forum building. It was not a big one, most citizens in Sharlayan were law-abiding, but there always needed to be a reserve for some special cases. In a twisted way, Fourchenault truly was exceptional.

Perhaps he deserved this after all his failures. To be cast aside by his brethren and forced to live out his verdict in the cells, rarely seeing the light. Conditions were good enough for what was essentially a prison, but it was not the confinement in itself that horrified Fourchenault. There were a few instances where his former friends visited him, speaking of their disbelief at how he could possibly do such a thing. Fourchenault had little patience for them and turned most away. They were not the ones having to choose between their oaths and the life of a loved one. Even so. Those moments gave him a distraction.

Most of the time, he was alone. Alone with the horrifying images of Emet-Selch, his arrogance, and pride as he chained Fourchenault and forced him to make a desperate choice. He thought of his children and their smiles as they set out into what they believed to be a journey of their lifetimes. In the end, this is exactly how it turned out, all while he stood aside and waited for children to die in their perilous adventures. Just like their grandfather died before them, and once again, Fourchenault stood aside and let them do whatever they wished for.

Spending almost a week in confinement led to some unorthodox conclusions on his part. Fourchenault's non-intervention when Lousoux and his children left to pursue their own fates was in line with the Sharlayan creed, but when it came to those in his own family, he felt little belief that this path was the right one. If they lived to see, the Sharlayan plan comes to fruition, to flee the star to the moon…They would be ashamed.

And he didn't need anyone else to feel ashamed. Fourchenault saw that him following the creed that he had believed since his youth had brought him nothing but pain and suffering, and he thought it was late to change anything. He would not bring his children back and would not apologize to them for not being there when they needed him the most. With each passing day, Fourchenault lost more of his energy, and his will to do anything shriveled. There was no point in trying; nothing left to fight for. Perhaps confinement was what he needed, to peacefully become just a shell of a man that he once was instead of allowing others to see it and get hurt.

But this was not how it would end.

When Fourchenault finally began to make peace with his pathetic fate, he was visited. His guests came shortly before nightfall, and as Fourchenault heard their steps, he sighed in disappointment, fully expecting this to be yet another "disillusioned" colleague.

"Fourchenault?" - A sweet voice echoed as a familiar silhouette rose on the opposite side of his bars, filling the disgraced councilor with relief, despite the surprise he felt. His wife gave a hopeful smile, the first one Fourchenault saw since the news.

"Ameliance, but…You are not allowed in here!" - He spoke quietly and with a tone of worry, but he quickly realized that she would not be able to come in without an allowance. Then he heard another voice.

"No need to panic, my friend." - Montichaigne spoke warmly as he emerged from behind the wall; the old man was just as upbeat. "We are here to free you." - He carried the keys and, much to Fourchenault's shock, opened the gates of his cell.

Ameliance rushed inside and immediately embraced her husband in a loving hug. Fourchenault had many questions, but those could wait. The man smiled and returned the embrace, sighing in relief.

"Praise the Twelve, you came…" - He spoke with pride.

"I wouldn't have had it any other way." - The woman responded with usual confidence.

In the last few days, Fourchenault was forced to ponder much on what he lost due to the choice he made when facing Emet-Selch, but the man had precious few moments to think about who he kept. His beloved wife, loyal and brave companion, the one who was always there for him. Even Montichaigne felt the warmth of this reunion.

"Tis always a sight to behold when two lovers reunite after separation…"

"But how?" - Fourchenault still wasn't sure. "I can see that you are not trespassing here. Does that mean that the Forum changed its decision?"

"It does." - Ameliance said. "I heard enough of your tales to know that the Forum would not treat you with the understanding you deserve, and I was right. Ever since I knew of the verdict, I would try to appeal." - Fourchenault's wife said, making Montichaigne chuckle and speak.

"You would not believe how eager she was to get you out. After a few days, some of my colleagues got tired of rejecting her letters and passed on the matter to me!"

"You did it all…For me?" - Fourchenault said, much to Ameliance's surprise.

"Of course! You are my husband, and I always had a knack for saving you from the most unfortunate of situations." - Ameliance smiled warmly in return, holding Fourchenault's hand as he got up.

"So…You mean to say I'm free?" - Fourchenault still brimmed with disbelief.

"Somewhat." - Montichaigne answered.

"Somewhat?"

"Eventually, I heeded lady Ameliance's requests and pleaded for a review on your matter in our most recent gathering, and we have reached a compromise. You are to be released, still stripped of your position, however…" - The old man sighed. "It is public knowledge that the Forum has decreed a harsh punishment to your transgressions, and many want it to remain this way. Thus, no one is to know that you are being released."

"And how do you expect me to show up in the streets if they are to believe I am imprisoned?"

"There is no way around that, frankly…And so we have decided to exile you from Sharlayan.

"What?" - This decision made sense, but he didn't want to accept it. "But this is my city, my homeland…To forsake it is to forsake everything I worked for so long!" - He exclaimed.

"Alas, all of us have to make difficult decisions sometimes…."

"Did the Forum not say that they cannot allow me to walk free without their guidance? How did you manage to even convince them?"

"Simply, actually. They feared that without them, you might give away the secrets, but you are still bound by the spell, and for the ascian to employ his trick again, he would need at least two members of the Forum. By that metric, it's we who are in danger while you would be cast adrift alone." - It made sense, whether Fourchenault liked it or not. Ameliance was swift to reassure him.

"I would have gone with you, but someone needs to take care of the manor, not to mention the suspicions that will arise. Forum strictly advised against it…But it isn't forever." - Ameliance said confidently. "I know not what your duty is, but Montichaigne claims that the rest of the Forum is nearing final preparations. Soon there will be no secrets to hide, and then…Then I will make sure that you are welcomed here." - Her resolve filled Fourchenault with pride, and once again, he was forced to accept his fate with dignity and little choice. This time, however, it was far more hopeful.

"I see…I will not deny the chance for freedom, but I am not sure where to go."

"Mor Dhona, perhaps?" - Ameliance suggested. "That is where G'raha Tia and his associates reside now."

"The time traveler?"

"Indeed, the one who…You know." - Ameliance's lips quivered as she looked away. "It was not so long ago that he declared his resolve to put an end to the Final Days no matter what, and your aid would be most welcome…"

"To put an end…" - This was something even their planet's precursor civilization could not accomplish, according to Hydaelyn's words. Fourchenault could not speak of his duty, yet it was clear that Ameliance guessed that it had to do with the apocalypse.

"Of course, this is your choice in the end, but that's what I would do were I in your position." - Ameliance spoke with a glimmer of hope and shame. "The truth is, I know that's what they would want. If…If they were still here, they would've stood with G'raha, would've thrown themselves in to find the answer to this horror." - A few tears fell from the woman's eyes as the words passed her lips, and Fourchenault knew her to the right.

Alphinaud and Alisaie were never the ones to blindly follow someone's path. They would rather forge their own, like their grandfather. Perhaps now was his time to do what they did and leave Sharlayan in search of a better future. The Forum believed that the Final Days could not be stopped, only avoided on the moon, but Fourchenault was not bound by their dogmas and limitations anymore. And to work alongside the peers of his children was a fate far better than fading into obscurity in Eorzea or, even worse, falling prey to one of the beasts.

"Then so it shall be…" - Fourchenault sighed. "For our children." - He spoke with newfound resolve in his voice; he knew that hearing about his children's last moments would not be a pleasure. He hugged Ameliance once again as their tears fell to the stone floor in silence. They did not want to separate, did not want to let go, but both knew that this was the end of their lives as they knew it. Their family has suffered and been disgraced at the hands of a monster, but they would not let it be for nothing, never.

"I love you, Ameliance."

"And I love you…May Thailak guide your path."

…

It was not long after their goodbyes that Montichaigne guided Fourchenault to the ship at the docks. It was bound for Limsa Lominsa, a place that was mourning the loss of its leader, the grand Admiral Merlwyb. From what Fourchenault knew, they also celebrated the coming of a new one by the name of Rhotsatz Mistweaver. Fourchenault did not care for Lominsian politics, but this was his gateway to the rest of Eorzea, including Mor Dhona.

He wore a black hood and clothes of a sailor, leaving the robe of a Forum member behind once and for all. No one could be allowed to recognize him, not until he was gone. Thankfully, no one asked many questions. Perhaps Montichaigne warned the sailors that they would be getting another traveler with them. Fourchenault didn't want to speak to any of them and decided to remain at the deck's edge, watching the ship abandon its spot and leave into the open sea.

Ameliance and Montichaigne were there, in the shadows, watching closely that he managed to leave. He could not see it, but Fourchenault sensed their presence. Ameliance's last gift was the Nouliths of a sage that Fourchenault laid aside years ago, but they would certainly come in handy should he get into conflict. That was as much as she could do for him.

"I will return, my love…That I swear." - Fourchenault said before looking away from the island, which grew smaller and more distant with every second.

The man looked to the skies; there were almost no clouds, naught but the darkness. And rising above it all, there was a single yet powerful source of light rising above it. The moon created by Hydaelyn was the reminder of the duty Sharlayan Forum had to share, what they believed to be the last chance for mankind. Yet even now, a lingering doubt persisted in Fourchenault's mind, a doubt that would not have plagued others in his family…

Was there still another way?