Kotori's eyes grew more tired as the seconds passed. Through her pain, she managed to form a small smile, as one by one, images of her friends and lovers flashed through her head.

They're safe now. Everyone is safe now. No more Ascians. No more Primals. Peace throughout the realm. No need for the 'Warrior of Light'. They all can continue with their lives, happily.

Kotori's eyelids grew even more heavier as her thoughts drifted Lyse and Y'shtola.

Take care of each other...

It took some time before Kotori opened her eyes, but when she did, she could not feel any pain or the many wounds from her battle with Zenos. She was instead met with a sight that astonished and astounded her. The sky looked like Lyhe Mheg after all of the nightmares had been vanquished. Flowers and trees just as tall as the trees in Rak'tika surrounded her.

It felt peaceful. Welcoming. Serene. A place to rest after her long journey.

Though the sky, flowers nor the trees was not what shocked her, instead it was the familiar people in front of her.

A blonde Lalafell Thaumaturge from the Circle of Knowing and member of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. He who gave his life to seal away Shinryu.

Papalymo...

An Elezen from House Fortemps wearing Ishgard Knight Commander armour. He who gave his life to protect Kotori at the Vault.

Haurchefant...

Another Elezen, though this one was different. She possessed the echo and was the host to Shiva. She who gave her life so Kotori and the others to reach Azys Lla.

Ysayle...

A Roegadyn Archon and an expert in Aetheric research. Also, a member from the Circle of Knowing. She who gave her life to protect Minfilia.

Moenbryda...

The last friendly face was one Kotori had said goodbye to back in the first with Ryne. Someone who left an empty seat as the leader of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn.

Minfilia...

As her eyes began to focus, she noticed that her fallen friends, standing in front of her, were not the only soul's she thought had long since passed.

Slowly approaching her were two Au Ra's. One was a Raen like herself, while the other was a Xaela. They felt familiar to Kotori, but the younger Au Ra couldn't place their faces.

That was until the older Raen spoke to her.

"Little one, what are you doing here?"

A gasp escaped from the younger Au Ra as tears filled her eyes. Recognition filled in the gaps in her memory for her mother and father.

"Mama!"

She reached out to her mother, but as she did Kotori phased through her. Feeling cautious, she moved her hand to brush against her Mama's, but again it phased through her.

"I have to go back, don't I." Kotori sighed as she glanced to her friends and parents who she dearly misses.

Her Papa responded first, "It's not your time yet, little one."

"You have to fight a tiny bit more. Not to worry my dear friend. We will be by your side every step of your journey." Haurchefant smiled as he started to fade away from Kotori's vision.

As soon as Haurchefant completely disappeared, Kotori felt warmth rush throughout her body. Feeling his presence soothe her.

"You have come so far Kotori. Been through so much. Freed Ala Mhigo and Doma from Garlean rule. Saved the first. And now you've brought peace to the land of Hydaelyn. I'm glad that Lyse is by your side. Please take care of each other."

With that Papalymo disappeared as a warm feeling rushed into Kotori. A similar warm feeling like Haurchefant's.

"I never would have thought that Man and Dragon could walk together in peace. But we have you to thank for that. Not only did you defeat the Heavens' Ward, but also Nidhogg. For that, you have my gratitude. Also, please ensure you keep Estinien out of trouble. It happens to follow him wherever he wanders."

A smile settled over Ysayle as she too disappeared.

"We might have only known each other for a brief period, but I know that the Scions have done a lot with you by their side. Especially, Urianger. I thank you for always staying by his side through everything. Thank you for comforting him when he faced my parents. That couldn't have been easy for him. No matter what comes next, please take care of him."

With that Moenbryda disappeared.

"You have come so far since stepping through the doors at the Walking Sands for the first time. Who'd have thought what kind of journey life would take us on. Even though I had to depart my journey for another, I do not regret the time we had all spent together. Through the good times and the bad, we stuck together."

With that said, Minfilia started to fade away. "Please look out for Thancred. I know he puts on a strong front, but I know he has his moments of weakness. So please try and shoulder his loud."

With one last smile Minfilia faded away, now only her parents remained.

"You've grown so much, little one. We just wish we could've been there to see it." Her father placed his scaled hand on top of Kotori's head, a wave of warmth flooded around the top of her head.

Her mother on the other hand cupped her daughter's cheek. "But now you have a family of your own to return to. One's I bet are greatly missing you." Another wave of warmth around the area of her cheek her mother touched.

Kotori nodded her head as a tear fell down her face. "Hmm. The Scions of the Seventh Dawn. They've been there for me since I started out as an adventurer in Gridania."

Teasing smiles then spread across both her parents faces. "And now you've found someone that is dear to your heart." Chiki teased her first causing Kotori to blush from embarrassment.

"Or two." Her father teased only causing her embarrassment to escalate.

Though she pushed through her embarrassment and her blushing cheeks and nodded her head.

"Lyse and Y'shtola. They mean the world to me. I love them both." A soft smile appeared on Kotori's face as she recalled their last night together.

The first night in Garlemald. The three huddled around a campfire in their shared tent, trying to stay warm. Then again, a few days later after Zenos had taken over Kotori's body. Despite her reservations over the two getting close to her, in case Zenos left any tricks behind, they both wanted to reassure the Au Ra that everything was fine.

And now they were both safe.

"With a smile like that I can see they both mean a great deal to you." Chiki spoke softly a smile spread across her face.

"Have you discussed a proposal with them." Hearing her father ask this immediately made Kotori's cheeks blush.

She shook her head as her blush slight lessened, though she lowered her head as her thoughts trailed to her two lovers. "I don't know how to approach asking them. To be truthful, I'm a little scared. Lyse is one of the leaders for Ala Mhigo, and Shtola is one of the most knowledgeable scholars in all of Hyydaelyn. I don't want them to feel tied down and trapped. I just want them to be happy."

Smiles settled over Chiki and Kaishan as they glanced at each other, before turning her attention back to their daughter.

"I'm sure that whatever you three decide, will be the right answer." Chiki said with a smile.

"Just don't throw away your chance of happiness, little one." Kaishan rubbed his daughter's back, feeling warmth flood her back.

"You never know what they themselves feel." Chiki answered as she and Kaishan started to fade away.

Kotori reached out to her parents, but a wave of tiredness rushed over her. She struggled against the incoming slumber with all her might, but it proved to be too difficult for the Au Ra as she fell to the bed of flowers surrounding her.

The last thing she heard were her parents' words. "Enjoy the rest of your life, little one. Take care of your family and loved ones, and they take of you."

With that said Kotori's eyes closed as she drifted back to sleep.

"Can you hear... Say..."

"Must tend to..."

"Open you … … please!"

"Someone… hand…"

"Please..."

Kotori could hear the distant voices from her dear friends... Her dear family, calling out to her.

They all seem so far away...

So far away...

"You can't leave us… Not like this..."

"Come on! Open your eyes and get up!"

Kotori couldn't open her eyes, but she could hear Alisaie's voice pulling her towards a light.

"We're a family, so you better not leave us behind."

Kotori felt her body move closer towards the light after hearing Alphinaud's voice.

They feel like they're getting closer.

"I've waited so many years to go on adventures with you. You promised me we would, so you better keep it."

Kotori heard G'raha's pleading voice, begging her to come back.

"You better not think about leaving Lyse and I. We'll never forgive you if you do."

Kotori felt her body reach out towards the light. Hearing her love's voice became her guiding beacon.

The next thing she felt was healing magic flooding throughout her entire body. The pain from the battle with Endsinger and then Zenos slowly ebbed away, but it was still intense.

Ever so slowly Kotori opened her eyes, making out the tears-stained faces belonging to Alphinaud, Alisaie, G'raha and Y'shtola, all doing their best to heal her wounds.

Urianger tried his best to keep composed but even he was struggling to keep his emotions in check as he also channelled his aether to heal the Au Ra's many wounds.

Estinien and Thancred watched on feeling powerless to help out, only able to pray for their friend's good health.

"H-Hey..." Kotori spoke weakly earning her gasps and sobs.

"Tori!"

Immediately, Kotori felt the twins rush to both sides of her chest, both crying intently. Kotori shakily moved her hands and cupped the back of their heads.

"H-Hey... I-I'm fine." Kotori shakily spoke but the twins squeezed tightly to her neck, crying deeply into her.

With the little strength she had, Kotori hugged tightly to their heads. Pulling them tightly into her chest.

"You idiot. We thought we lost." Alisaie sobbed out as she hugged tightly to the Au Ra's chest.

As the twins cried into her chest, Kotori's eyes trailed over the rest of her family. First to Thancred and Estinien.

"I-I-Is... everyone a-alright." Kotori weakly spoke up as she heard quiet sobs from G'raha.

"After everything you've done, you're the last person to be asking that." G'raha wailed as could no longer keep his tears at bay. He fell to his knees rubbing at his eyes to wipe away his tears. "How can you keep your promise if you're not here?"

Next Kotori could make out the Azure Dragoon walking over towards her with a small smirk on his face. He stopped next to Alphinaud and G'raha "Another fine show you've put on, my friend."

"Tis gladdening that you are alive. We tended to thy wounds as best we could, but how is the pain." Urianger asked as Kotori tried to move, but pain spiked throughout her body, so she remains still. Alisaie and Alphinaud lightly pushed her to lay back down, not to aggravate any more of her wounds.

Thancred let out a small sigh of relief as he received a nod from Urianger as the Astrologian healing magic started to vanish from his hand. "Put yourself in our place. If you hadn't returned, how do you think we would feel? And if that sounds harsh... it's because we care."

A small smile pulled on Kotori's face as a smirk appeared on Thancred's face. "Besides, you're the only one from the Scions that is a master Culinarian. We'd be a sorry lot begging for a decent meal if you weren't around. And Lyse wouldn't let us hear the end of it."

Though while Thancred tried to raise the mood on the Ragnarok earning a small chuckle from G'raha and Kotori herself, despite the pain rushing through her chest, Y'shtola didn't see the funny side as she glared at the Au Ra.

"You selfless idiot. That's what you are. What were you thinking, fighting alone?" Y'shtola crouched down besides Alisaie as the Elezen moved from her chest, wiping away her tears.

Alisaie was about to give them some space, but Kotori's forked tail wrapped itself around Alisaie's arm, so she instead sat next Kotori's legs, freeing up her space for Y'shtola.

The Miqo'te glared at the barely conscious Au Ra as she held one of the Warrior of Light's scaled hand. "Never do that again! My poor heart wouldn't bear it. Nor Lyse's."

"I-I'm sorry... Shtola."

Kotori could barely keep open her eyes as exhaustion was starting to overtake her. Y'shtola saw this as she kissed the palm of her love's hand. Her eyes then drifted to Livingway.

"I'll be taking Kotori to one of the sleep quarters, will you alert us when we reach Sharlayan." Y'shtola spoke to Livingway, who nodded her head.

"Of course. If you would follow me. The accommodations are nothing compared to our own facilities on Mare Lamentorum, but they should nevertheless suffice." Livingway raised her hand Hugh in the air. "Please follow me. Sleepingway will guide the Ragnarok back home to Hydaelyn."

Kotori tried again to sit up, gritting her teeth as pain shot up throughout her body.

"S-Shtola... I... Can..."

Y'shtola glared at the Au Ra silencing anything she tried to say. The Miqo'te placed her hands underneath Kotori's legs and around her back. Not wanting to rise Y'shtola's ire anymore than she already had, Kotori didn't resist as the Miqo'te carefully lifted up the Au Ra in her arms.

With her now in Y'shtola's arms, Kotori's eyes started to feel heavy. She nuzzled closer into Y'shtola's neck as the Miqo'te followed Livingway.

"Rest, my love. You've more than earned it." Y'shtola spoke softly as she pressed a kiss to Kotori's forehead.

Kotori's eyes drooped again until her eyes closed, and she drifted away to sleep.