READ HERE FIRST!

MAJOR SPOILERS FROM THE ENDWALKER MSQ!

Do not read if you are still playing through Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker or have plans to. I will be using my own character, Claire Faye, in the story to stand in as the Warrior of Light, but I made it so that anyone can think of their own characters since they will be unnamed.

Again major Game Spoilers for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, Heavenward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker.

I do not own any copyright, am doing this purely for entertainment…

Please enjoy.

Chapter 1: Among the Twinkling Stars

If she had been told that she would find her steps carrying her this far when she first set off from a small village with nothing but a tiny pouch of gil, a weathered weapon, and the clothes on her back… she would have just laughed and assumed they were just too deep into some strong spirits to give it any thought.

But here she was… lying on her back upon the very edge of the universe. Where this 'edge' was or even 'what' it was… she didn't know. Only that it was just her and one other who were here within malms around.

Speaking of which…?

She heard a slight wheeze from next to her and knew that he wasn't going to be getting up again. With that one thought of comfort, she was able to allow her exhausted body to rest at long last. If only she had even a mote of aether left to heal her wounds…?

She could feel it, slashed right across her chest, the terrible wound from Zenos's scythe.

The same spot that he marked her once before that day at the Reach when he still used a katana. She managed to survive with his weapon breaking apart but his one mistake was leaving her alive.

Now, however, it seems that he dealt the blow that was needed to get through to her for she could feel the hot and wet blood seeping through her clothes and she knew that it must be pooling beneath her at this point. She tried to raise her arm but it just sent a bolt of excruciating agony just to try. Even if she could fight the pain this time, she had no aether left to spare to try and heal her injury. Besides, judging from the odd crunching noise she could hear in her hands when she tried to move, she knew that she had broken more than a few bones from when she punched Zenos before. Her body was too broken to do anything else.

They had both been pushed to their breaking points and eventually, their attacks shifted from trying to outwit the other, to pure offense. They didn't even bother trying to block anything once their weapons began to crack and break apart. She knew her sword and shield must be laying somewhere around her but no longer cared. When their weapons weren't doing the damage they wanted they just threw them aside, leaving these two masters of the battlefield reduced to simply punching the other and seeing which could endure the most amount of pain.

Having already been exhausted from her battle with Meteion, the flame of her life being burned out several times but she still mustered the strength to get back up until the final attack at the end where she put her all into it… sending Zenos flying back.

But the wound that he managed to get in before he abandoned his weapon had hit it's mark and she knew that she was dying the moment that she felt the sharp blade cut through the armor that Tataru worked so hard to make for her—she didn't even feel the wound at first it was that sharp.

She could no longer move.

She could feel her life slowly slipping away from her as she lost more and more blood.

When she realized that he could no longer hurt anyone, she fell backwards, which had used up the remainder of her strength. Now she was stuck looking up at the sky above her. It was beautiful… no doubt about it. Back on Etheirys, one of her favorite hobbies was to star up at the stretch of stars on a clear night… yet never had she seen as many stars as she did now; though none of them stars she recognized. Still, if she tried hard enough, she could almost imagine she was simply looking up upon the roof of her home or some other building in one of the many lands she had been too and pretend she was home.

At least, until she heard a loud sigh.

It was bad enough that they were going to be sharing a grave here, did he have to remind her of it?

"If I'm going to die here," she croaked out, her voice cracking a bit, "Then fine. Just spare me the sound of your voice."

She did not want that to be the last thing she heard.

But it seemed that he was feeling talkative before death for he went on.

"Never have I understood those around me," he croaked out in little more than a hoarse wheeze. She knew that he was lying only a few yalms away from her but suddenly it felt like they were both right beside each other and then worlds apart at the same time. "Besieged by their banality, the world was a mire of tedium and trivialities."

She could not muster the strength to even turn her head to look at him. She was completely stuck looking at nothing but directly above her. But she listened. She heard his words. And she found herself… trying to understand him.

"But in these fleeting moments, there is… a spark. Blinding, brilliant…"

Was that it? Was that all that he had going for him?

She did not answer him.

"Gone… too soon…" he sighed and she could have sworn that she heard a twinge of regret in his raspy voice.

Again, she said nothing as she let those words wash over her.

But she knew. At last, she understood even if she could not agree with it. Why else did she stay when she could have left him? Just followed Meteion back to her friends and return home? It was because she did understand… finally.

For who Zenos was… was her if she never had limits to break.

She started off as an average adventurer, a greenhorn just off the boat, with a dream to see this world and make a living. She was drawn to the world and all that it had to offer and had dreamt of seeing everything for as long as she could remember… so when she had been a child and first learned of brave souls who were free to go and explore all they wanted to; to meet new people and experience such incredible things—these adventurers—how could she ever dream of becoming anything else?

She decided that day that she would leave and do what she wanted to as well. She would help out those she could and live a life full of adventure and fun. So she began to train and practice with little, wooden toy weapons—her mind ever full of questions and imaginations of what she would find when she did leave.

And she saw more than she ever thought possible.

Every challenge put in front of her made her push herself, want to become stronger and stronger. But Zenos, he had already been handed all he ever wanted in more the moment he was born into royalty. His limits were already so high that he could never push past them no matter how much he wanted to and that made him this apathetic monster she met back at the Reach. Until the day that she was able to challenge him, he had nothing. So, in that sense, she could see why he latched onto her the way he did.

He had tried to recapture that feeling he had when they fought on top of the Royal Menagerie; where she had defeated him at his strongest. But despite everything, he could not understand why she didn't have that urge to fight him again. He couldn't understand why she prioritized things he would see as 'dull'. She didn't expect him to understand since he never was in her position. He never had to care about anything.

But it seemed that Alisaie's words did speak to him after all. He realized he would never be able to draw her to want to fight him by his many threats. So, it seemed that instead of antagonizing her, he decided that her obligations needed to be cleared before he would get what he wanted. So he came to her aid to help her finish her obligations then challenged her, as a rival, not a villain. He wanted to face her as the friend he always saw her as. And despite her hatred for the man, she could not refuse that one wish.

For as much as she hated to deny it… his words at least spoke partially true.

And they both knew this.

He coughed and she knew that he must be bleeding heavily on the inside at this point. She knew all about pain… at least from what she felt with her own injuries including what she suspected a punctured lung and shattered ribs. She didn't need to be a healer to be able to feel that the internal damage that she was suffering from was grave.

"What of you, my mirror?" he asked and out of the corner of her eye, she could see his arm slowly rise, reaching towards her. She could see how, despite him fading from his monstrous form, the limb remained twisted with his dealings with the void. It was glowing a vicious blood-red that was more voidsent than man. But still, he reached for her, as if desperate for an answer.

"Born into this world," he wheezes, "bestowed name, bid to seek out strife and adventure…"

And his strength seemed to have faded for his arm fell with a dull 'thud' against this ground.

She still didn't speak as she turned her attention back to the skies, though her vision was fading around the edges as she struggled to keep her eyes open. She was becoming light-headed and even the pain was leaving her body as she continued to fade.

But her mind was suddenly recalling sights and sounds from her past. She thought of the tall trees of the Twelveswood and the sounds of the birds chirping from overhead as the leaves blocked out the heat of the sun and offered relief in their shade. She could almost feel the soft breeze off the ocean as she walked pasted the windmills that were scattered about La Noscea before heading down to the hot beaches and walking along the shores of the white waves. She even smiled a little at the memory of the blazing Thanalan sun before she returned to the Waking Sands, and later the Rising Stones, where her friends were waiting for her for either a report or a new assignment for her.

She wanted to see those places again so badly that her heart ached.

Her vision was continuing to diminish as Zenos murmured, barely audible now, "Was this life a gift… or a burden?"

How many times had she asked herself that? How many times did she wish she could just remove herself from the title of 'Warrior of Light'? 'Warrior of Darkness'? Champion of Eorzea…? She had fair lost count.

But then, she saw more imagines playing themselves over in her mind, following after one another in solemn procession. The first was of a broken shield and a headstone that overlooked a cliff with the city of Ishgard in front of her. Along with them the memories of a friend who believed that she would succeed as he brought her a steaming mug of hot chocolate when she was feeling at her lowest. She then thought of the colorful city of Kugane where distant friends who fought to free a home, once thought lost to them. She could still smell the scents of teas and taste the sweet treats of dango on her tongue. She even spared a thought for Ala Mhigo and the spot where she fell down the very same beast that was dying besides her. She suddenly thought of Lyse and wondered how she would react when she learned that she was never going to come home?

"Did you find… fulfillment?" Zenos then asked her.

At that word she thought of the Crystarium, another world away, and of a beautiful night sky that she had been able to gift to the brave men and woman who called the First home. She thought of Ryne and wondered how she was doing now…?

And then the floodgates opened so that tears began to stream down her face. They were silent but still they fell as she thought of her other friends. Those brave companions who had stayed by her side since the beginning.

She thought of how much that Alphinaud had grown since they first met. From that arrogant, naïve little lordling who believed that he could solve all the world's problems on his own. He grew up so much since then… turning into a person who was willing to fight for a complete stranger because he felt that it was the right thing to do. His kind face entered her mind as she thought of how he would smile at her or how his eyes would light up at an unopened tome he had yet to read. How his hands would soothe her wounds as he fully embraced his new weapons and this new chapter of his life.

Immediately afterwards she thought of Alisaie, whose passion was akin to a burning bonfire. How she tried so hard to prove to herself that she was strong and that she could protect everyone and everything that was dear to her. How she would often pout when she felt that no one was taking her seriously, or if they fussed over her. She was glad that the two of them had each other to keep themselves grounded. She only wished she could stay long enough to see what kind of people they grew up to be.

She even smirked a bit as the next person appeared in her mind's eye. Thancred… or she supposed Dadcred. He may insist that he knew nothing about parenthood, but his time with Ryne certainly healed him in a way that she didn't think she would ever see again. Gone was the sullen, short-tempered man who could not get past his failures… and though he would never forget Minfilia, he was now a strong protector to those whom he could still hold onto. And now the easy smiles and laughter seemed to flow from him these days.

And the brunt of that teasing seemed to be aimed at Urianger for some reason. She smiled a little wider as she thought of how the grim, studious Urianger truly changed into someone she almost didn't recognize. Gone are the days when he would insist on remaining alone at the Waking Sands with his hood up and googles down as if doing his best to make himself as unapproachable as possible. But now here he was, surrounded by so many and completely at ease with speaking. While he still had some work to do with expressing his feelings, she knew that it would become easier with time. She hoped that one day he would be able to fully forgive himself for his past duplicity.

As for Y'shtola, whose spirit was as fierce as her words that seemed to drip with wisdom. If there was anyone who would be worthy to take up Matoya's name, it would be her. If nothing else, she was as stubborn as her mentor and that stubbornness would lead to her refusing to accept her limitations no matter how great. She always wished that there was something that she could do to help with the Miqo'te's eyes so that she wouldn't have to burn through her own aether to be able to 'see' as she does. She remembered how she spoke fondly of finding a way to traverse between the other shards one day and she believed that she would find a way. If any could do it, it would be her.

G'raha's easy smiles and awe-filled eyes came next and her smile faded slightly as she felt guilt crushing in. She had made such an important promise to him and it was tearing her apart inside knowing that she would have to break it. But she took comfort when she reminded herself that he was free of his crystalline prison. He would be free to go wherever he wished and free of his burdens. She would miss the way that his face lit up whenever he learned something new about her or her adventures. Absorbing it all if he were a fish who needed water to survive or how a bird with wings to soar. No longer does he need to hide who he is and keep his face covered. She knew the others would make sure he remembered that.

And then there was Estinien… who would have thought that a random meeting while learning the power of the lance would have them cross paths thus? She knew that he was a lone wolf and, like her, he grew uncomfortable around crowds. She knew that he preferred to stand back, leaning up against the wall, and watch the others with a watchful eye. The grim protector… always making sure that everyone around him were safe and sound without ever needing to be asked. He had changed so much from that hot-headed man who thought only of revenge. She prayed he never returned to that state.

Their faces were all sheared onto her heart and as she felt blood dripping from a wound on her face, her tears mixed in as well.

'Please forgive me for being selfish just this once,' she thought.

All of her memories played themselves in her mind's eye from the day she set foot off that boat in Limsa, to this very moment. As well as other faces that were near and dear to her…? Tataru, Edmont and his sons, Aymeric, Kan-E, Raubhan and Pipin, Nanamo, Merlwyb, Hien, Yugiri…? And the list went on and on as every single person she met seemed to come rushing back to her.

What a long journey it was and what an extraordinary story that hers was. Though it had been long and painful, she thought of all the people she had met along the way, all the sights she had seen, and the battles she had been in… while there had not been one moment that she hadn't been struggling to take a step forward she knew she wouldn't have changed anything about it.

"I… want to ask that… to you as well," she finally answered, her voice breaking up with effort.

Vrtra's voice suddenly echoed in her mind: "Take heart and protect them well…"

She did. They were alive and safe. That was enough for her. With that thought to comfort her, she could disappear from here in peace.

Her own question to his seemed to surprise him.

"I…" Zenos whispered before his breath hitched… and then exhaled once more. There was no other sounds from him and she knew that she was now alone. She would never know what he was going to say, but she felt that was alright. She wasn't sure she wanted to know. She only felt pity for him now… for there would be no one to mourn for him.

It was over.

For them both.

All she had left to keep her company were her own memories and the stars overhead. But it wouldn't be much longer; she felt it. Breathing was becoming painful and her vision had almost completely blackened at this point. She was afraid… but at the same time, so very, very tired. If this was where she would rest, then she would embrace it.

She just wished she could have kept her promises.

She thought of her friends once more and the many memories they shared together. She wondered what they would think when she never returned? Would they try to find her out here? She hoped not. She had no idea how they could when she had no idea even where she was. She only hoped that they could forgive her and move on to make Etheirys the peaceful world it deserved to be.

She could only see a sliver of the sky… this would be the last thing that she would see. Though she supposed that there were less beautiful things to be looking at. Though, one of the stars starting twinkling very strangely. Was it moving? A shooting star? It looked odd but she was already so far gone that her train of thought no longer carried.

Thoughts of the last time she visited the Rising Stones suddenly appeared in her mind's eye and she thought of them all so clearly she could only believe she was there.

'I wish… I could go home,' she thought sadly. 'See them… just one more time.'

That was when she heard something fall right next to her with a clatter. She didn't know what it was nor could she look, she was too weak to keep her eyes open any longer. All she could recall was a faint beeping sound as she felt herself falling back into the dark… and then everything around her was gone.

(Endwalker just broke me. What an incredible story it was and so I put this little story in to what was going through my mind when I watched the ending. I remember reading a prediction about the WOL dying in this because we were more likely to die than the twins because of their popularity. I didn't think that they would do that! In that moment you realize the sheer tragedy of it all. There was no evil mastermind in the end. Venat and Emet fought for the same damn thing, but on opposite sides. Even Meteion wasn't pure evil, she was twisted by despair and fell into a deep darkness that I don't think she ever could have been able to pull herself out of from visiting so many dead and silent stars. All of this just broke my heart and when I watched the credits I just thought to myself that the WOL, Venat, Meteion, the Ancients in general…. Have suffered too much. Well, I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter and will be looking forward to the next one which will be of the Scions and what went through their minds when they found their friend in the state she was in.)