Verence stepped out from under the cover of foliage into the small clearing, drawing a deep breath. Sunlight played in faint streamers through the overgrowth, sending dancing flames deep into the crystal spring at the clearing's heart. The Elvaan stepped forward, footsteps making no sound in the soft loam of the forest floor. Verence had always been fond of Zi'Tah, and the scene before him made him in no hurry to change his mind. Now if only he could remember why he was here...
A dream, he decided. It must be a dream. He carried no lance, Lumiere was nowhere to be found, and the even more ethereal than usual ambiance of Zi'Tah's woods bore his theory out.
"Verence," called a mellifluous voice that he recognized instantly. Diamondelle! If this is a dream, it's by far the most pleasant I've had in some time, he thought. As if in answer, Diamondelle herself stepped out of thin air to stand at the spring's edge. She smiled radiantly, not noticing as the sun's rays passed through her unperturbed to continue their merriment in the pool's depths.
"Ah, there you are." Verence returned her smile.
"Aye, that I am," she replied. Looking Verence over head to foot, she continued, "I see your fight went well."
Verence's mind wandered back to the events of the past several days. A team of six, veterans of their trade and witness to countless adventures, had gone to the floating isle of the Zilart in a desperate bid for the future of Vana'Diel. Verence had the honor of traveling among them, and fighting beside them against the death grip of an age long passed by. She was right. Things had gone well... Six had departed, six had returned. Not even the crucible of the Celestial Nexus had softened their resolve.
"Yes," he said. "It has... Finally, the threat of Tu'Lia has ended."
"Good. I'm glad to hear it."
They fell silent a moment, content to simply gaze at each other. Presently, Verence added "I visited Deraveux..."
"How's my boy?" grinned Diamondelle.
"He is not well, but he is a strong lad. He endures, and he has high hopes of recovery."
"Well... He should be fine, now." The healer paused, gnawing her lip nervously. "Verence, I don't have much time—"
"I understand," Verence interjected smoothly. "I will make haste to Uggalepih." Hers was a curse that had not given up easily, but if there was ever a race specializing in curses, it was the Tonberries. Perhaps, in the temple's libraries...
"No, no," explained Diamondelle. "While you were away, I saw a vision. One of the Dawnmaidens came to me. She explained to me the origins of my recent illness... And the events exacerbating it. It is a blood curse, linked to my bloodline and the energies of the Crystal Line."
"Yes, those of the Order said much the same! Then there is hope for recovery!" Verence's eyes glowed at the prospect of a cure.
Diamondelle stared at the man in front of her for some time before responding quietly. "For Deraveux, yes. He'll live on." She drew a deep breath and sighed. "But in order for him to live, I had to make a choice. The Dawnmaidens explained to me my purpose. Why I was given that amulet. Why I was possessed so long ago, everything.
"My bloodline has always protected the way to Paradise. The amulet, as you may remember..." She paused, thinking of a better way to put it. "The man I fought, Merra. He put a curse on his blade before our battle. Every fluctuation in the energy of the Crystal Line will make it worse. Soon after you left for Tu'Lia, the Dawnmaiden came to me. The curse was removed from my bloodline... But I cannot remain here for that to work. For Deraveux to be safe."
"By 'remain here' you mean..." Verence trailed off, stunned.
She nodded, pressing on in spite of his dismayed stare. "I'm to return with the Dawnmaidens." She shook her head, stilling the rising protest and continued, "I'll be taking my place as a former guardian of Vana'Diel. Deraveux will be safe, and even more importantly, Vana'Diel will be safe."
The Dragoon paled, breathing "Then all that searching... All that time... Nothing could have been done? There was no way to reverse things? Nothing?"
Diamondelle sighed heavily and stepped forward, slipping her arms around the distraught Elvaan. "This is the only way. Please, Verence... Just know that I love you."
"This world... Vana'Diel..." Verence swallowed hard against the rising lump in his throat. "I know. I know, Diamondelle. This world is far more important than any two of its inhabitants. To keep that safe is worth sacrificing all." He returned the embrace, feeling the first hot tickle of forming tears in the corners of his eyes. "But still... Still, if only it were not so."
The slender Hume looked up at him, smiling weakly. "This is for the best, no matter how hard it may be. Please, keep watch over my boy. Make sure he grows up big and strong. Like you," she added, warmth creeping into her smile.
"You've my word." He paused. "This, then, is to be our last meeting?"
"Time only will tell, Verence. If we've any luck at all, then no."
Verence gazed down at her, his own tears finding their mirror in her upturned face. "I love you. Though time has rendered those words well worn, the sentiment remains undimmed. Know this. Believe it. That... That is all I ask."
"I do, Verence. You've nothing to fear there." She stepped backwards, drawing a steadying breath. Then she grinned. "Keep up my tradition of slaying sea creatures, will you?"
An unexpected chuckle escaped Verence's lips, despite himself. "Of course. The depths shall ring from shore to shore in memory of your name, beloved."
Heeding the summons of a voice unheard, Diamondelle glanced anxiously about the clearing. "It's time, Verence. No one must know. I don't want them fussing over my death... Or disappearance, or whatever you want to call it."
"They will, in time. When it is discovered. I am not the only one who cared for you. But... I will do my best to carry out your wishes."
Verence stared, etching every detail of the scene into memory. "You know... Thinking back, I regret nothing. What little time we had to share... Every minute, worthwhile. Had I the choice, I would gladly do it again. No matter the outcome."
"Me too, Verence. Me too."
Verence drew himself up soberly and intoned, "Go, then. And know that all is well in the wake of your departure."
Diamondelle turned and faded into the morning light. Her last whispered words twined into the forest breeze as she disappeared.
"I will always love you..."
Verence slowly fell to his knees, numbed to his core. He murmured four simple words, even as he awoke.
"And I you, beloved."
