"It is a relief to know Hydaelyn's wish for Etheirys and Her people was granted. She is not here to revel in your victory, but so long as there is life on Etheirys, Her spirit shall live on. In the soothing summer rains, and gentle spring breezes, She will be with you always."

-The Watcher of Mare Lamentorum

Chapter 1: A Strange New Arrival

Thinking back to that day… she remembered how it had been Her words that she heard when she first arrived in these lands.

Hear… Feel… Think.

The voice of Hydaelyn.

And it had also been Her voice that first guided her steps until they led her to defeating the Black Wolf and the Ultima Weapon. It had been Hydaelyn who stepped in at the last moment to protect her from Ultima… saving her life at great cost to Herself apparently.

She could still remember when she had been forced to flee the collapsing castrum and she appeared before the vast and beautiful Mothercrystal in the rift betwixt worlds… she could remember Her soothing words, her light which enveloped her as if in a warm embrace…? She could also remember seeing how the crystal seemed to move away from her…? Or perhaps she was moving away from it? She wasn't sure… all she did know was that was the last time she had spoken with her directly.

It wasn't until just before the battle with King Thordan at Azys Lla did she even hear from Her again and even then it was just for a brief moment when she regained the effects of Her Blessing after breaking down the walls that Midgardsormr built to test her.

After that… there was nothing but silence and it drove Claire mad as she could not figure out what she had done wrong to bring about this apparent abandonment. All throughout her journey across Doma and Ala Mhigo and even onto her adventures in the First—where she came face to face with both Emet-Selch and Elidibus—the very heart of Zodiark… still she heard nothing.

According to the Ascians, Hydaelyn had grown so weak that she was no longer able to make her voice heard. Instead, She was forced to take from them a dear friend to speak for her…? But even after releasing Minfilia and having been granted a boon of aether in the crystals from the Warriors of the First… Hydaelyn still remained as silent as ever. And if what Y'shtola and Krile said was true, then Hydaelyn has not spoken to anyone else in some considerable time.

Ironically, it was after that conversation at the Rising Stones did Claire all but give up ever hearing from Hydaelyn again anytime soon.

But… perhaps Hydaelyn heard that resolve for she did appear.

She had been with the other Scions as they tried to figure out what purpose that Fandaniel and Zenos had for the mysterious towers. But as they were leaving the lake… she heard it briefly:

"Hear me… Hear me…"

It had been in a new form… one whom she had never seen before, but she would recognize Her anywhere. She knew Her voice, knew at just a glance that it had been Her when she saw upon the shores of Silvertear. Claire had stopped dead and turned back to the lake to see the shadowy image of a woman. It was difficult to make out any full features with the light that clung to her, but her voice clearly gave away who she truly was… with the message that the fate of this star was in her hands.

No pressure, huh Hydaelyn?

Claire had tried to reach out to her, but the image faded soon after and left her alone with naught but countless questions and an ever increasing burden that weighed down upon her shoulders as if she was trying to hold up the very world itself.

After what felt like moons, the Scions finally had another possible lead that would take them straight to Sharlayan. Despite all that had been happening, Claire could not deny that she was excited at the thought of finally going to this legendary city of learning and her heart ached for new sights after all that has happened.

But, of course, even something as simple as a boat ride across the ocean wasn't going to be simple. Claire had thought for sure that she had been dreaming when she heard Her voice whispering to her below deck—stirring her from sleep—before she went up top per G'raha's suggestion.

It was there she saw the ghostly image of the woman in white wandering about the deck and so she couldn't help but follow her. The woman, whom she knew had to be Hydaelyn, didn't look at her at first but Claire knew that she could tell that she was following. It wasn't until they were at the very back of the ship where they could have some privacy before She spoke.

"My voice yet reaches you. I am glad," the woman's voice, which echoed about the air as if from a long-ago dream. "Hear, feel, think…"

And Hydaelyn, at last, turned to look at her. The form she was in was of a very pretty woman, with long silver-white hair and a glow of deep blue eyes that sparkled with aether; while her face held a very loving expression as she gazed at Claire. Claire saw how a few faint lines crunched up in a fond smile as Hydaelyn looked at her, as if she was something precious… as if an old friend greeting her after a long journey.

"And thus do we meet face-to-face at last. My Warrior of Light, guided by the Crystal," she spoke softly.

Claire just looked at her, knowing at one point she would have been stunned to see all this. But now, after all that she had seen and done… she could only feel a deep hurt inside her very soul. Why? Why was she appearing now and not one of the millions of other times that she needed her guidance? She could only ask, still lost and confused by all this.

Hydaelyn just looked on at her with a sad smile on her face. She knew… Claire could just sense that Hydaelyn knew of the pain that she was in but could still offer no comfort for her.

"After your sojourn in the First, I believe you have your answer… you have gained an understanding of what I truly am," she reminded her gently. "What Hydaelyn has always been. A primal."

That brought back all those fears and insecurities that plagued Claire's mind since the moment that Emet-Selch confirmed for them what Hydaelyn truly was. Was she truly just a servant? A thrall of Hers without ever realizing it?

Hydaelyn just gazed at her, her eyes piercing right through her as if she could read her mind, before she explained, "Zodiark was created to forestall the apocalypse which threated the ancient world. And I was brought forth to bind Him. Yet seven times now, those who would orchestrate a return to that bygone era have rejoined a shard to the god I had sundered."

And for that, Claire knew that she was grateful for all that she had done. But…?

"The greater His strength grows, the swifter does mine own diminish," Hydaelyn added grimly. "The power to draw your mind into the rift betwixt is no longer mine to wield."

Claire stared at her, startled at that. So that was why she was no longer able to speak to Her anymore? Did it truly use up so much strength for Her to be able to reach out as She once did? What will become of Her if she continues to grow weaker?

Claire wanted to ask, but as she opened her mouth, Hydaelyn spoke up again, cutting her off:

"Yet though it taxes me sorely, I dare not leave these words unsaid," she told her with a slight sense of urgency and Claire wondered how long she was even able to speak here. "Even bereft of my guidance, you and your companions have accepted the burden of this star's troubled past. A conjunction has begun to form; an intertwining of your time and mine. Wheels shudder and turn. Conflict looms—monumental—which will decide the fate of this world and all life upon it."

Well, that she knew… Fandaniel and Zenos were plotting something with those creepy towers popping up all over and wished to reenact the Final Days. If they didn't find a way to put a stop to them then all life could be wiped out… they just didn't know how yet.

"When you truly understand what is at stake, and your journey has prepared you to surmount the insurmountable… then shall I honor the promise made in another time," Hydaelyn told her. "Another age."

A promise? What promise was she speaking of? And… how could she not understand what was at stake? Their entire star could end up facing complete destruction? Of course she knew what was at stake… so why did she feel that there were still pieces that she was missing? That Hydaelyn knew something that she didn't?

"I want to believe you, I do," Claire said softly. "But… I don't understand. I know what is at stake… how can I not? Please, can you not give me more than that?"

Claire had hoped against hope that she would finally be given something other than vague clues… but again were riddles and secrets. Hydaelyn did not speak at first, but Claire could tell from the look on Her face that she was hiding something from her. But what? Just what was it that she could not see yet that Hydaelyn didn't wish to tell her? Surely if this information could help them then she would explain it…?

But before she could press, one of the sailors called out that Sharlayan was within sight and Claire was distracted for a moment as the tiny thrill of going somewhere new rose up inside her. She didn't notice the small, loving smile on Hydaelyn's face when she saw her interest.

"I will not keep you further," Hydaelyn told her. "Your traveler's heart must yearn to behold this unfamiliar land."

"But…?" Claire began, turning back to her as she just smiled back.

"We shall meet again… and soon," was all that Hydaelyn promised before leaving her standing there alone… both hurt and now somewhat frustrated with her vagueness. Wondering how soon she would speak with her…?

But she did speak with her again… much sooner than she thought.

Claire had gone looking for Krile while exploring Labyrinthos together, eventually finding her with the cluster of Heartblooms that they saw before—though she now knew them as Elpis flowers. Claire had been worried for Krile when she saw how distracted she had been, but now seemed much more like herself despite the fascination that the flowers seemed to have on her.

"Krile?" she called as she approached. Krile didn't answer at first, as if she didn't hear her; instead she picked one of the flowers and Claire watched as she held up her hand and cast a spell over the bloom.

Krile then turned back to her with a sunny smile and held it out to her, simply saying that it was a gift and that the spell she cast was merely to keep it from wilting. Apparently She said that she would need it for the journey ahead.

Claire was taken aback by hearing that… knowing exactly to whom Krile was speaking of. Did Hydaelyn speak with Krile as she had before on the ship? She wanted to ask, but was afraid to hear that she only would receive some maddeningly unhelpful, cryptic words.

"Will you speak with Her now?" Krile asked her instead, "I cannot hope to match Minfilia's clarity, of course, but…"

Claire wanted to ask what she meant, a little slow on the uptake—but Krile took her silence as a 'yes' and closed her eyes. When next she opened her eyes, they were a bright blue… much like how Minfilia's and Ryne's eyes had been.

"…Thank you," said a voice that didn't belong to her friend. Claire's jaw dropped to discover that Hydaelyn was speaking through her and she almost ended up dropping the flower in surprise.

"Do not worry. She has lent me her body for only a moment," Hydaelyn reassured her gently, her voice still slightly echoing about them but it sounded more… solid now. Perhaps because she was speaking through another rather than appearing as a spirit.

Hydaelyn then hung her head low as she whispered sadly, "Just as I could not save the First from the Flood of Light, it has become arduous for me to interact with the physical world without assistance. Though I might converse with you for a time, the incorporeal form I assumed on the ship would be incapable of casting even the simplest enchantment."

"But then…?" Claire began, not really sure what she was going to ask, but it seemed that Hydaelyn already knew what she was going to say.

"It is in the depths of the aetherial sea—the place to which all life returns—where my influence is greatest," she explained. Her hand was suddenly placed over her heart while she went on to explain, "After Minfilia's sacrifice on the First, it was to the sea, here in the Source, where I ferried her soul. I wished that gentle spirit to find rest in the world she loved so well."

Claire felt a pang of sadness at the mention of her old friend… but she supposed that she was glad to hear that Minfilia's soul has found peace.

But… what now? Where were they to go from here?

"Her… and another who may yet have a part to play," She added, and Claire looked back to her in confusion as Hydaelyn just smiled at her. "Though that will depend on you. Take the flower. Walk free. For you are free—to go where you wish. To believe what you will."

Free? So… she wasn't just some thrall? Was that what She was here to tell her? Claire wasn't compelled to assist Hydaelyn because of her connection? But then… why was she chosen anyway? Why did Hydaelyn choose her at all? She could understand being chosen after having done all of these feats such as defeating the Ultima Weapon, ending the Dragonsong War, or even for the roles that she played in the liberation of other nations…? But no, that wasn't what happened. Instead, Hydaelyn specifically chosen her before all that even took place. If anything, being chosen was what pushed her onto this path to begin with… yet, it wasn't like Hydaelyn could have known about all this, could she…? So why? Why out of all the other people on this star did she decide upon Claire… slowly grooming to be Her champion. Why?

She wanted to ask, but all she could do was stare sadly at the flower in her hands before Hydaelyn explained softly, "That bloom will be your guide. Test and proof of your conviction."

"Conviction?" she repeated as Hydaelyn just smiled.

"In darkness seek joy," she reminded her, "Surrender not to sadness, and see beyond despair. Walk free, and bear the light for others to follow. Together, raise it aloft and let it shine. Till the end, blinding and radiant."

"Wait…?!" she began, feeling the urge to cry out as confusion choked her like a strangling vine. But Hydaelyn left them as quickly as she had come… Krile gasped and fell forward, returning to herself.

Though her words after offered some comfort, she still wanted to scream out of anger.

Still, Claire knew better than to look a gift horse—or a gift flower—in the face and carefully tucked the blossom away in her bag, hoping that this wouldn't result to some dead end either.

But then, weeks later, on that day in the Tower of Babil where the full fruition of Fandaniel's plan was revealed did She speak once more. Claire and the other Scions arrived to stop both Fandaniel and Zenos, only to discover that they arrived too late. They tried to stand against him but it seems that they were just a step behind… and then Krile appeared, shocking them all. Claire was lost to what was happening until she saw those crystal-blue eyes looking back… and she knew right away whom it was who was actually speaking.

"The shackles which bind my adversity will not be so easily broken!" Hydaelyn yelled, catching Fandaniel's attention.

Fandaniel growled as he spun about to glare at Krile/Hydaelyn before snarling, "Hydaelyn… Feeble relic of a forgotten age…"

But he would not be stopped now. He went back to his precious machine before causing the powerful pillar of aether to erupt and shoot straight up into the sky. Claire didn't understand at all what was going on until she saw the aether strike the moon, which was full and directly above their heads. When the aether hit it, she saw a familiar seal appear with six glowing points… and she stared as the points flickered and shattered apart against the ongoing onslaught of aether as if made of glass.

All save one…?

When the roar of the stream of aether had died down, there was single glowing point left upon the seal… which caused Fandaniel to all but scream with anger and disappointment. But that didn't seem to be enough to stop him before he went back to the machine and told Zenos that they would now have to go to the moon and break what remained of the barrier themselves. Claire ran ahead to try and stop them before the tower began to shake—and learning what Zenos had ordered Anima to do.

The two escaped… but not without suffering another setback from Hydaelyn.

Claire discovered this when she watched Krile/Hydaelyn stretched up her hand to the moon and the aether around her flashed for a moment… and then she collapsed.

Fear gripped her heart. Not just for Krile, but for Hydaelyn Herself as she ran to their side and asked, "What do I do? How can I help you?"

Despite all the anger and frustration she felt towards Hydaelyn at that moment, she couldn't bear letting her hard work go to waste and watch her die. Could she even die though? She didn't know… all Claire knew was that she wished to help Her somehow but knew not how.

For she could still remember how loving Hydaelyn's voice had been… how when she bathed in her light the first time it was as if she was being held and protected… and… though she was embarrassed to admit it… she felt loved. Almost like how you would hold those closest to you to your heart and held them when they were hurting… that was how she felt whenever she was able to speak with Hydaelyn. Whatever else She was, Claire couldn't stand the thought of her suffering like this.

Perhaps Hydaelyn knew this for she opened her eyes and gazed at her sadly. Her tiny, borrowed hand reached out and took hold of Claire's own for that moment and held on tightly. Claire squeezed back as she watched how she breathed hard with exhaustion.

"I have asked too much of this child," Hydaelyn confessed to her miserably. "Tend to her."

Claire nodded but had to ask, "What is happening?"

Krile/Hydaelyn slowly looked up above them to where they could still see the moon shining down at them before she answered, "The last brand at Mare Lamentorum is yet unbroken. Zodiark remains bound."

She stretched out, as if hoping to reach it while muttering, "I have shifted the flow of aether and sent the enemy far from their destination."

"Mare Lamentorum?" Claire repeated, feeling the confused gazes of her friends upon her as she focused entirely upon Krile/Hydaelyn, still holding her hand tightly with her own—somehow sensing that She was longing for some contact.

"Now, I shall divert it once more. An ally awaits, and I will deliver you unto him. Seek his aid. Restore the seal. Zodiark must not be set free."

After that… was just a mess.

One thing after another…?

Zodiark defeated… and with his death came the return of the Final Days. They had just returned from Thavnair after having survived the first wave of this calamity with no other clue where to go from here. Claire could only remember the endless death and pain… the innocents turned into hideous monsters as fear and despair spread across the land at an unbelievably fast pace.

The despair around her caused the bloom to wither away to ash in her hands…?

They had no other place to turn. Save for a vague hope from the Watcher, who had previously been charged with keeping the seal around Zodiark bound. He had mentioned the Heartbloom's true name—Elpis. A name that apparently meant something important to the ancients.

It was from that one clue that G'raha mentioned that there was someone else they could ask; Elidibus, whose soul was still trapped inside the Crystal Tower. With all other possible avenues closed to them, they decided that they would take the risk and see what they could learn from the former Heart of Zodiark.

Her friends waved her off though she could tell that none of them had high hopes this time for some answers. In truth, neither did she. But she was pleasantly surprised to learn that a tiny figment of Elidibus was still inside the tower when she arrived and he was willing to share with what he knew.

Where he told her the truth—that Elpis was not just the name of a flower but a place. A research facility that Fandaniel—whose true name was Hermes—once watched over.

It was here that he told her that there was a way for her to learn more and that was to use the power of the Crystal Tower to travel back in time to just before the world was Sundered… and speak with Hermes himself.

The idea seemed too incredible to believe… but she remembered that this tower was capable of many things and time travel was one of them.

And so… deciding that she had nothing else to lose, she agreed to Elidibus's plan. He used what was left of his aether for her to make the journey before he was finally freed from his own imprisonment and return to the aetherial sea in the process.

At least, she hoped so.

She couldn't let their sacrifices be in vain. And so she stepped through the mirror and allowed herself to be carried eons into the past.

So here she was, having gone so far as to travel onto the past in a desperate bid for answers to try and save the world she loved so dearly. She knew that there was something she was meant to do here, but she had no idea what it was. The Elpis bloom that Hydaelyn gave to her had to be leading her here, to this place… but why? What was it that she was supposed to accomplish while here?

Most of the people around here viewed her with great fascination and believed her to be nothing more than a familiar with how weak her aether was compared to them. Deciding to play along, and encouraged by Hythlodaeus—she told them that she was Azem's familiar… something that they all bought completely.

She smirked at that, hoping that she wasn't causing any unnecessary trouble for this world's Azem.

She wondered what it would be like to meet with them face-to-face? Claire couldn't help but wonder just what type of person this Azem truly was. After all, if it was true and she was just a sundered fragment of Azem's own soul…?

She shook her head, knowing that she had more important things to worry about and that was to find the answers to the Final Days.

If she knew what she was supposed to be looking for that is?

She had been keeping a close eye on Hermes when she met him, but found herself completely at a loss with him. Of all the people that could be the unsundered version of the Fandaniel that she knew and loathed… Hermes was the very last one she could ever suspect.

This man was kind and compassionate towards all the lives here on Elpis… both creation and other. She saw how he doted upon Meteion as if she were his daughter rather than some kind of experiment like she had seen many of the other researchers do. Claire, herself, was also looked upon like some kind of pet to be studied by those same people… but he treated her as if she were a guest deserving of all hospitality.

Eventually, Hermes left them, having wished to remain alone for the time being—both to deal with the 'deaths' of some creations and to think of his proposal of taking on the role of Fandaniel. As such, she had to face the fact that she would have to wait a little longer before she could speak with him properly.

She had wanted to speak to him last night when they were discussing the Elpis flowers and of Hermes's own sorrow. But she couldn't bring herself to do so while he was in such a state. It was nice though… to be able to gaze up at the stars together… though it was oddly empty to her eyes without that familiar moon looking back down at them.

She stuck close to Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus—Hythloadaeus a little more since he wasn't nearly as prickly—but she had yet to discover anything that could answer her questions. Instead, she found herself following after the two of them as they continued their inspection of Elpis while waiting for Hermes's answer of joining the Convocation. She could not deny that it was nice to spend time with these two as well… before knowing what would happen to them…?

Hythlodaeus… who would willingly offer himself up as one of many to Zodiark. And Emet-Selch… forced to spend a thousand thousand lives laboring to restore a world that was lost. After seeing this world and its beauty first-hand… she could now understand why he was so desperate to see it once more.

She could only force a smile as Hythlodaeus eagerly acted the part of a tour guide and continued to lead her and Emet-Selch around… eventually coming to the far northern isle and they took the teleporter to another beautiful island.

Upon arriving, Claire gazed around at the flowering trees, thinking that the terrain here looked to be a bit more uneven than it had been before with little hills and tiny cliffs as well with thick trees. Perhaps this place was to see how well that the creations would work upon more natural environments?

"I present to you Kallimelios Zephyros," Hythlodaeus said happily to them moments after they arrived. "Here you will find a number of testing facilities as well as the observation hub of Poieten Oikos."

Claire was eager to see more and nodded as he smiled at her excitement.

"Right, then," he began. "Let's begin by—…Hm?"

Something seemed to have caught his eye and she looked around him to see that it had been the fluffy form of a spriggan sprinting towards them with a large gem in its furry paws.

"Well, well, an oreias," Hythlodaeus said fondly when he saw it. "How delightful."

It took her a moment to realize that he was referring to the spriggan and she fought the urge to shake her head. Though she reasoned that perhaps the oreias was its true proper name since it was here first.

But soon the spriggan—or the oreias—sprinted off when something else came lumbering upon the path. Claire's eyes widened in shock as the giant, blue, and muscular shark appeared along the path. She had seen their kind before, but the ones that walked on land were rare and she had to admit how strange that it looked to be here surrounded by trees of all things instead of by the ocean.

"And what, pray tell, is that…?" Emet-Selch grunted with barely concealed surprise.

"Ah, that's a new species of shark. We approved the concept a few days ago," Hythlodaeus answered smoothly. And soon he was explaining about the trouble they had been having lately with the many concepts of sharks. All the while though the shark eventually noticed them and suddenly began to charge. Hythlodaeus didn't noticed at first as she instantly drew her blade and Emet-Selch moved as if he were prepared to cast a spell. By the time that Hythlodaeus realized that something was wrong and turned around, the shark was almost upon them.

But it seemed that someone else was watching out for them and there was no need for her to draw her blade.

It all happened so fast that she wasn't sure what took place until the shark suddenly keeled over in pain and a thick dust cloud erupted around them. Coughing slightly, Claire squinted her eyes through the dust to see the little stars flying about the shark's massive head when the one whom attacked it stood up. Claire was able to make out the form of a woman, dressed in white, when the dust fully cleared. She was tall, taller than her anyway, and was also carrying a blue and white crystal sword in her hands—which disappeared into aether the moment that the woman on her feet.

"That was too close…" the woman said before she slowly turned around and asked, "Are you unharmed?"

At the sight of the woman's face, it took everything Claire had not to gasp in shock and she almost ended up dropping her own weapon in disbelief. It was her…? The same woman that she saw both at the shore of Silvertear and on the ship to Sharlayan.

Her long silvery, white hair fell about her kind-looking face while her deep blue eyes that shone with aether seemed to twinkle like stars while looking fondly upon them all when she recognized Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch.

"Venat!" Hythlodaeus said happily, clearly knowing who she was as well. "That we should meet you here!"

It was as if she was viewing a picture of someone from long ago… before they became the person that you knew today… that was really the only way she could think of describing it. Claire could only stare on—completely stunned for words.

It really was her… the same woman who would one day become Hydaelyn's heart.

Venat.

Emet-Selch, who seemed baffled by Claire shocked silence, got her attention by answering her unspoken question, "As I mentioned earlier, the better part of the Convocation holds that when we retire is when we return to the star. Well, she is not among said majority. Even after stepping down, she carries on with her work."

Venat was just looking after the shark as it came too and was sending it on its way when Emet-Selch finished, "Venat is her name, and she is the previous Azem."

*Venat*

It had already been several centuries since Venat had passed on her title of Azem to her young protégée; but not a day went by that she wasn't still hard at work. Though much of her burdens had been relieved in recent days with the new Azem setting off on her adventures and helping to take care of the many problems of the people. There were times that Venat could find herself able to take a rare, but very much welcomed respite, from her daily tasks.

Despite having travelled to every corner of this beloved star… every day she felt that there were still something new to see, something new that had to be discovered and learned…? Such tasks urged her ever forward in her travels—and only deepening her love for this star and its people. More than once, she had been asked if she was ever planning to return to the star, and though Venat had given it much thought—especially during these last few decades… she did not believe that it was the right time yet.

She still felt that the world had need… that the people needed her.

So until that feeling was gone, she would remain… no matter how many years it took.

While that thought passed through her mind, she felt something hot and wet across her cheek and she laughed when she heard a familiar whimper next to her.

Argos was panting hard in her ear as Venat opened her shining blue eyes at his insistence. She just smiled up at him as he nudged her cheek with his wet nose, causing her to laugh again as she ran her hand through his golden fur to scratch him behind the ears. She sat up, her long hair entangled with flower petals, and yawned from awakening from her dream.

"Were you waiting for me to wake up?" she asked her old friend, who happily wagged his tail and cantered about her as she watched him. "Alright, alright, I get it," she laughed again as he nudged her hand with more insistence. "Come here and I'll brush your fur out."

He stopped in front of her excitedly as she pulled out a small comb and began to brush through the locks that sparkled like sunrays.

If she didn't know better, she would swear that he was becoming spoiled.

Speaking of the sun, she realized that she must have fallen asleep when she felt the light hit her face, for she found herself feeling very warm after her little nap. Such a pity she had to get back to work after this, she could've done with relaxing for a little longer. She was just wondering if she should continue with her research from here, or mayhaps she should return to her temporary abode for a spot of tea… when she felt it.

It happened so suddenly that she paused in her brushing of Argos's fur, her hand suspended in midair for a time as she tried to figure out what this sensation was.

It was… different. She had no other words for it. Just that it was a strange kind of presence that she could not remember ever sensing before. It was so unique that she immediately looked up and tried to pinpoint the location.

Venat wasn't nearly as skilled in being able to see the color of souls like several of her friends were… but she was gifted enough to be able to see that this was both familiar and distinctive at the same time. Her faithful, luminous companion looked up with a happy tilt, clearly wondering why his mistress had paused in her pampering of him.

"This… presence…" she whispered as she looked around, very much confused.

Someone had appeared on Elpis—of that, she was certain.

At first, this present felt very thin and weak… almost like a familiar… but at the same time, not a familiar. It wasn't whole like a person was… but it wasn't completely thin of aether either… this presence had a soul… albeit nowhere near as dense a soul than what was aught to be? But despite how faint it was, it still shone brightly to her… as if it were a tiny spark of light—like a star shining in the distance. What was going on?

She tried to identify the direction, but it seemed to be coming from the very entrance of Elpis. Was someone bringing in a brand new creation? At any rate, it seemed this presence was now accompanying others, and she put it out of her mind—though it still left her curious.

Instead of looking for something that may or may not be a new kind of creation she decided to return to her work here. If this presence caused any trouble, she was sure that she would handle it.

As such, the next two days passed by without any incident—though her curiosity continued to peek when she felt this strange creation coming ever closer to this part of Elpis.

It wasn't until the morning of the third day did she finally discover the cause of it all.

She had happened to be in the area around Poleten Oikos, hunting down a little oreias who stole her concept-engraved crystal from her, when she saw a group of people arriving by teleporter. She didn't pay them any mind at first—only seeing that they were visitors for they weren't wearing masks—until she spotted the newly approved shark concept lumbering up the hill. Honestly, whoever came up with the idea of a shark that size and could walk around on land clearly didn't know what they were doing.

She watched on as, sure enough, the shark spotted the visitors and went charging after them. She didn't even think twice—if at all—about it as she leapt in, and came smacking down upon the poor creation. Not wanting to hurt the creature too badly, she hit it on the upside of its head with the blunt edge of her blade… and it fell over like a massive boulder.

Perhaps she had over done it? She looked on, feeling a little sorry for the creature before she let her blade vanish. Well, at least everyone else was alright.

"That was too close…" she said, turning around with a smile, "Are you unharmed?" That was when she got a good look at who it was and her smile brightened.

"Well now," she said cheerfully, "If it isn't a pair of familiar faces."

Three people were standing there, two she knew well. The youthful face of Hythlodaeus beamed at her as the ever scowling expression of Emet-Selch folded his arms and turned away with a sulk when he realized who it was.

"Venat!" Hythlodaeus said happily. "That we should meet you here!"

She gave him a cheerful wink as her eyes trailed over the third person… a girl, who was staring at her with her eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Venat pretended not to notice this at first, while she looked over the shark, hoping that she didn't cause any permanent harm by accident. If word got out that she was killing creatures that were still undergoing study here…? Well, she'd never be allowed back.

Thankfully, it was only stunned and it went lumbering off a few seconds later in whimpering defeat. While it did that, she heard Emet-Selch speaking—to the girl by the sounds of things—and said, "As I mentioned earlier, the better part of the Convocation holds that when we retire is when we return to the star. Well, she is not among said majority. Even after stepping down, she carries on with her work."

Aww, how flattering he was. That was perhaps the nicest thing she ever heard him say about her.

"Venat is her name, and she is the previous Azem," he finished as she turned back to them with another smile and strove forward to greet them properly.

"It has been a while, Hythlodaeus. You look well," she said, who gave her a slight bow of the head before turning to Emet-Selch and adding with a tease, "Less so, Emet-Selch. I daresay the lines upon your brow have both deepened and doubled in number. A shame for one so young. You must make an effort to frown less often."

He grunted before a rather mocking sneer appeared.

"Easier said than done thanks to your unruly successor," he pointed out and she felt the urge to laugh.

"How is she, if I may ask?" she asked curiously, wondering if her freedom-loving prodigy was doing well.

"Incorrigible as ever," Hythlodaeus chuckled. "Rushed headlong into a volcano on the brink of eruption just the other day. I should be glad to share the tale in its entirety later, if you are so inclined."

"You know I am!" she laughed, now eager to hear that story; but felt that it could wait until later. Venat then looked to the third guest that was accompanying them and asked politely, "Now then, you are…?"

At first glance, it appeared to be a normal-looking woman… about a head shorter than her with pale features, long pink hair that fell about her face and the most startling green eyes that were the same shade as the grass that grew beneath their feet. But as Venat gazed upon her aether, she was a bit startled to see how thin it was. That was when she realized that the strange presence she had sensed days before…? That spark of new light that had been so distracting and tempting her to follow… came from the soul of this girl?

Speaking of souls…? The color… there was no denying how closely it resembled her successor for the seat of Azem. Again, while she wasn't as skilled with soul-sight as someone like Hythlodaeus or even Emet-Selch… she could see this much. She and the current Azem had been close after all, having taken her under her wing for decades before she felt ready to pass on her title… and Venat could recognize it anywhere. A soul that was the color of the clearest shade of blue that one could ever imagine—like the deep blue sky on a sunny day—with no other color intertwined with it making it an incredibly rare sight to see.

As well as…?

Venat stared at her, moving forward so that she could get a better look upon her aether while the girl looked on back unblinkingly. There was no doubt about it… she could see her own magicks upon this girl. It was a very complicated Traveler's Ward—one of Venat's own making and she was willing to bet that no other could have applied it.

To each individual… their magicks are like a signature… each is unique to that person. And there was no doubt in her mind that this was her work for she had been the one to invent this particular type of Traveler's Ward. This spell was created to offer a form of protection of one's aether from outside influence and she knew better than any to know that this was not a simple spell to use in a pinch. This spell would have taken time… and one would have to use crystals akin to the six elements of near-impossible purity to get the casting just right. The casting itself would have been lengthy and exhausting to say the least… such a spell would not be put upon just anyone.

In Venat's case, there had only been one person she had ever used this spell on before now.

So… how could this girl possibly carry it? Venat was good with remembering faces but could not ever recall having seen this girl before today. Besides, she was sure that she could recall meeting such a unique individual like this one. So if she was to bear her protective spells but never crossed paths before…? There was only one theory that could appear in her mind.

She slowly approached as the girl's green eyes gazed right back into her own. Another bit of proof that this wasn't a normal familiar… most would not be so bold enough to look into one of their own so resolutely.

"I say… have you perchance come from the future?" she asked sweetly.

The girl's eyes widen at that as the jaws of the men dropped.

"H-How…?" the girl began in a soft but stunned voice but Venat just smiled back in a kind way.

"I do not believe we have ever met, yet I sense my magick upon you," she explained simply. "Therefore if I wove the enchantment, I could only have done so at a later point in time."

The girl just stared at her, seemingly unable to speak.

"What manner of magick is this, if I may ask?" Hythlodaeus asked uncertainly, looking from her to the girl and then back again. Venat then gave a rough explanation of her Traveler's Ward spell, unable to take her eyes off the girl for long as she looked a little deeper at the seal that was upon her. The more she looked, the more she was positive that this was her own handiwork. That was when the girl spoke up, answering that it sounded like this 'Blessing of Light', whatever that meant.

Ah, so she knew that it was there. That would have been very difficult to explain if she was not aware of it.

"I see you are not ignorant to its presence," she told her kindly. "And while there are many protective spells, the one you bear is unmistakably mine."

All of this, strangely, made sense to her… but it seemed that the men were having a hard time grasping this.

"Hold on—from the future?" Emet-Selch repeated, as if certain that he had misheard, "That's absurd."

Well, what other explanation was there? Venat was certain that unless she just was becoming forgetful in her age, the two of them never met before now. So how else could her own magicks be there?

She wanted to ask, but just as the question started to form on her lips, she saw how the girl's head was now hanging low and her eyes were very sad.

"What is it?" Venat asked instead in a gentle way. "Are you unable to speak of the matter?"

The girl only continued to look down and Venat felt concern when she saw the look of sorrow pass over her face. She was silent for a brief while as she seemed to struggle to find the right words to try and explain her reasons for coming here.

"I was… told that the reality to which I must return exists as a result of… events," she finally confessed slowly—not bothering to try and deny the fact that she came from a place out of this time. "I cannot reshape the past to undo the tragedies of the present. And so… if I speak of it… I don't know what kind… of effects would change…?"

Her voice trailed off after that.

Well… that wasn't ominous in the least.

"So, your actions here will not change your history… but they may yet affect the course of ours," Venat summed up slowly. This was so strange… but wonderfully thrilling! How could she not feel her old adventurous spirit begin to set aflame at such a thought! A unique traveler on some kind of a quest that was so urgent that she was forced to travel back in time…?

"How very exciting," she said and she felt the men's eyes upon her. "I'm quite fond of delving into the unknown—and there's naught more unknown than the future."

Emet-Selch sighed as Hythlodaeus chuckled from next to her and so Venat explained, "Until a moment finally arrives, we cannot know for certain what will come to pass—regardless of our supposed foreknowledge."

She then looked back to the girl and reassured her soothingly, "So you needn't worry for us. More importantly, that you should go to such great lengths as to travel unto the past bespeaks the gravity of your quest. Will you not reveal it to us? Mayhap we can be of aid to your cause."

The girl still looked torn, twisting her hands together—reminding Venat of a child who had been caught doing something they shouldn't be and were expecting to be scolded.

Though mayhaps she was right to be concerned for Emet-Selch sighed again and his tone grew very serious. Well, more serious than usual at any rate.

"If this is true, then you've been keeping quite the secret to yourself," he said, now giving the girl his undivided attention. He turned fully to face her and spoke in a professional tone, "As a representative of the Convocation, I will hear it all. Your identity, purpose—everything."

Venat looked back to the girl, whose face was so very miserable at that moment that it broke her heart. Despite her youthful appearance… this girl's eyes… they looked so old and scarred that she knew right away that something… traumatic had happened to her.

But rather than leaving Emet-Selch to try and force the information out of their guest and risk someone overhearing them, she decided to step in.

"Why don't we move to a place more conducive to calm conversation," Venat suggested reasonably. "I've been working here for some days now at an old friend's behest." She then turned to the building behind her and added, "If it is agreeable, we may make use of my accommodation at Poleten Oikos."

When no one objected, she chose to step closer to the girl, who still looked so dejected that Venat couldn't help but want to try and reassure her that everything was going to be alright.

"We were meant to meet, I am certain of it," she stated and the girl looked up so that blue eyes met green. And she meant those words for why else would she choose such a spell to mark her with? She could see the Ward upon her, can see the level of love and care that went into shaping it. She wouldn't have done this for just anyone and she was sure that if she had to send someone onto herself into the past, she could pick of no other way of getting her attention.

"Else I wouldn't have marked you so clearly and sent you unto myself in the past," Venat explained as a grin appeared. "It's precisely the sort of mischief I would get up to—and quite inspired, if I do say so myself."

At her words, a slight smile was coaxed out of the girl at last and Venat found herself beaming along with her.

(Elpis, as a whole, was such an amazing revelation. I had no idea how Elpis would end, but it showed us that by meeting the Warrior of Light, they were so inspired that she became a Goddess to give us a world full of brave people to lead against Meteion. It's very hard to make a legendary character FEEL this legendary. Hollywood should take notes here because this is how you are to write a strong, female character. Venat is one of those amazing few that you will remember long after the game ends. Tying her to the player through Azem gave her this immediate bond with us, and it feels like losing her took away the one person who could ever understand the WoL save for Ardbert. This story will have both the Warrior of Light as well as Venat—mostly Venat's—POV that will lead up to the end of her tale as well as some special scenes that aren't part of the MSQ but because I want to see them. The beginning was really to sum up mostly Claire's feelings about Hydaelyn but we will be having Venat's POV on those scenes later on! Look forward to it!)