Answers of Divine Light

by RoseDragonWitch

Despite having retiring from her duties as Azem, Venat finds herself still as busy as ever. She was visiting Elpis for a special project… when a visitor appeared… one bearing both her own protective magicks, a sundered soul… and even knowledge of a possible future. The future of a doomed world…? This is the story of the woman who would be destined to become the Divine Light.

7. My Little Spark

Chapter 7: My Little Spark

She brought Zodiark crashing down as her intentions came to pass.

The battle between them had gone on for what seemed to be all of eternity. They fought, and they fought, and they fought… until at last she was able to deal the final blow which was to end to everything as they knew it.

She sundered this world and created the Source and the reflections the moment she brought Zodiark crashing to the ground. She didn't think about the aftermath… only focusing upon the battle while trying to reassure her conscience with the knowledge that mankind and all of creation, in all their imperfection, their determined life spans and receptiveness to dynamis… will be the key needed to defeat Meteion once and for all and give them the hope to beat despair.

But that did nothing to comfort the pain she felt as she gazed upon her sundered home for the first time.

Breathing hard, in her new goddess-like form, she appeared upon this world on the very edge of the star's boundaries… or what was left of it. She remained there, frozen for who knows how long as she watched how the shaking stopped… how the shards finished their complete split and were slowly settling into their new reality… calming as if nothing had happened before.

It had all happened so fast that by the time she had time to truly gaze upon what her hand had wrought, everything was over.

The world was broken… the people just fractured pieces of what they once were as they cried out in shock and confusion… their minds and memories scrambled as their once completed souls were left washed out and cut from their original selves.

And Hydaelyn wept at the sight of it all.

She knew not how long she cried over her actions and over the state of the world as it was now; only that it felt that she had cried an ocean of tears before she knew that it was far too late to turn back now. She had to continue forward.

With Zodiark now having been sealed away within the moon she had just created, she set to work on everything else she would need. She began first with the watchtower and the jailor—whom was the spitting image of her dear friend. At the sight of him, she wept even more as he came into being. He held many memories of that his original self once had of the two of them together and working hard on various projects and concepts… and so he knew exactly who she was and what had happened. The Watcher only had kind words to give her as he consoled her when she needed it most and vowed to watch over Zodiark's prison for her no matter how long it took.

She could only smile at him as she drew strength and comfort from his words. She then wiped her eyes as she worked on the next part of the plan and that was to give this moon the caretakers and pilots that it would one day need. She had always found it easy to create something cute and smart… and the forms that Claire once described to her of the Lopperits was all too easy for her to vision.

After a few bells, she had her own little army of these long-eared and fluffy creations. Once their beings fully formed, they were all blinking about curiously as they tried to get their bearings. It was here that she bid them continue to work with the Watcher and help him by preparing the moon for future inhabitants should the worse come to pass.

Hydaelyn explained to the newly born creations of their duty and how the Final Days would return to destroy the star she loved so dearly when the day comes that Zodiark is destroyed. So out of love for this star and the people who lived upon it, she created them in the hopes that they would be ready to care for the people of Etheirys should that day ever come.

The loyal creatures all hopped—literally—about in excitement, promising that they would have everything ready for the people of Etheirys when the time came.

She only smiled at them, and named one of them—one who had much fire and spirit blazing inside her—as their leader.

"Hydaelyn, will you be remaining here on the moon with us?" she squeaked curiously, though Hydaelyn shook her head regretfully.

She knew that this was not the place for her to be. She was aware that by her nature alone, she would only drain the aether around her if allowed to remain in the physical world for overlong. So she must quit to the deepest depths of the aetherial sea until the day came that mankind was ready to answer Hermes question. But she promised them that she would remain in communications with them for as long as was possible.

Before she departed the moon for the aetherial sea once and for all, she turned to her beloved familiar Argos. He whimpered as she gently stroked his head once more and gave him his final orders.

"She will come back to you one day," she promised him softly. "You remember Claire, right? I know you do."

He waged his tail a little at the mention of his friend's name and she smiled sadly. "It will be a bit of a wait," she informed him. "I'm sorry. But please, you must be the guard here until she comes. When she arrives, she will need your help. So help her and any of her friends whom accompany her. No more stubbornness now."

He whimpered once more as she hugged him tightly, knowing that she was going to miss him so terribly as she would be forced to wait a very long, lonely existence. She used her magicks one last time on him to adjust his size, knowing that his full size would be too large for mankind now, and left him to explore the moon at his leisure.

Despite all this, she could not help but wonder if she had done the right thing? Not that there was anything that could be done about it now… these new lives were full of promise and she vowed she would protect and guide them for as long as it took. Life began again and though it was small and fleeting… she could see that it was still beautiful.

Emet-Selch, Lahabrea, and Elidibus had survived unsundered, of course, perhaps some of the only few people powerful enough to be able to resist her effects. Or mayhaps they even found a way to escape this reality for a time… either way, they were in full possession of their memories and were already were discussing what to do. The Ascians soon began to devise their goal to try and recreate the world as it was, which she pitied them for. She knew that what they wished for could not happen… even if they were to rejoin the Source and its reflections, the world would never return to the way it once was.

She left the moon and sank into the aetherial sea to began her long vigil over this new mankind. She recalled Meteion's words: "I wish to hear your words... Share your feelings... Know your thoughts."

It was from this that she began to call out like a mantra: "Hear… Feel… Think."

Hydaelyn kept her constant vigil upon these shattered worlds, watching over them as well as she could, though it was hard with Fourteen different worlds and so much happening at all times. She had only left the aetherial sea once since she took up residence there… and that was when a new soul arrived to this star from the outside.

She sensed his arrival several centuries after the Sundering… At first, she feared that Meteion had returned when she felt a presence moving towards them… but she quickly realized that this being was much older than Meteion. He came onto her, weak and barely clinging to life, wishing to settle upon this star.

She reached out to him, guiding him to the shattered remnants of Etheirys as he came to land by a vast lake, thus collapsing in complete exhaustion the second that he touched down. She then appeared before him as he was so weary that he could barely lift his head. His journey must have been long and difficult indeed to have been reduced to such a weakened state.

Still, he had enough awareness about him to sense her presence and seemed to force himself to awaken. His eyes shone red as he gazed at her, his voice mixed with ancient wisdom and weariness as he asked, "What are thou, goddess?"

"My true name has long since been forgotten. Now, I am known as simply Hydaelyn," she told him, curiosity rising within her as she looked over him—trying to understand who he was and why he had come. "I am the new heart of this world. But the bigger question would be who are you and why are you here?"

The being, a dragon he called himself, slowly raised his weary head as he wrapped his tail protectively around a cluster of large eggs that were still in the tight grip of his claws. Her eyes trailed over them for a moment before understanding.

"Your children?" she asked him.

"I seek a bastion of hope," he told her. "A place to raise my brood. To hear my children's chorus fill the air once more. My kin may have condemned me for choosing to leave our dying world behind, but I must do what is necessary to protect my brood and ensure them a future."

"I mean no disrespect nor to harm you or your brood in any way," she said, feeling a kinship with another being that she had not had in so long now. "Please, let me hear your story."

And so they spoke of his plight. How he hailed from a distant star, the Dragonstar he called it—at least that was the closest that their language of Etheirys could understand it. But he spoke of how their peace had come to an end when others, invaders of metal, attacked their home for its many resources. Midgardsormr, the closest that she could make out his name in her own tongue, was the strongest upon his star's inhabitants and did battle with their superweapon, Omega. Though he had succeeded in defeating Omega, he could not destroy it completely for it could endlessly repair itself. Realizing that Omega's regenerative abilities would eventually give it the upper hand, he grabbed his last seven eggs and fled his dying homeworld with Omega in pursuit—all the while his fellow dragons decried him a coward for escaping.

"Then why come here? Surely there were closer stars?" she questioned, staring at the many scars that covered his body and the fatigued state he was in.

"Every star thus did I pass before now is naught but empty and dark," he explained. "Naught else remains… tis only here have I found hope for life."

She closed her eyes in pain at the confirmation of the devastation that was wrought by Meteion's hands. After hearing such a tale, how could she turn him away? And so, she welcomed him with open arms, truly happy to learn that not all trace of the other stars had gone out. They spoke in great length as she told him most of her story and that she was now waiting for her chosen to come onto her.

Upon learning of the existence of Meteion and what she means to do, Midgardsormr finally understood what it was that had caused the decay upon his home world. Though he suspected that his home star was long since doomed after the beings of metal had dealt with it; he concluded that Meteion had simply helped speed things along.

So before she returned to the aetherial realm, they struck an agreement. In return for offering him and his brood asylum upon this star, he vowed that he would watch over it and do his part in protecting this last beacon of light.

"Though, if thou believeth that thou chosen will appear, I will take measure of their worth," he declared and she nodded in agreement.

Thanks to Midgardsormr, much of the burden had been lifted from her as he settled and raised his children until they were old enough to take to the skies themselves.

So she continued to wait until that day came.

It was some time after Midgardsormr offered to lend her his aid did the First Rejoining happen.

Before that, in trying to force a rejoining upon the 13th shard was what left it a dark and empty void… After mistakenly tipping the Elemental balance of the Thirteenth and overwhelmed the Shard with Astral-aspected Aether, the Shard was completely destroyed by Darkness, rendering it completely devoid of life, and twisting the denizens into horrid aether-starved creatures who would later come to be known as the Voidsent—unable to return to the lifestream to be reborn for there was no longer any lifestream left upon that shard.

After that, the Ascians seemed to learn their lesson and so began to work more patiently, more from the shadows, manipulating the people of the Source and its remaining shards to their favor. Eventually, they succeeded in triggering the First Rejoining.

The pain she felt from a fragment of her seal breaking was agony beyond all words. The howling winds that swept across the world in a violent tempest felt as if knives were tearing her very soul to pieces. But her pain was second to those innocent lives that were caught up in the windstorm and were taken all too soon from this world… all the while the last of the dying cries of the Fifth Shard screamed in her ears as she could not halt the influx of souls pouring into the Source's lifestream and joined with their counterparts.

She wept once more at the sight of it all, and for a long time, she did not stop.

And with every Rejoining, did her seal grow weaker and fragile, forcing her to devote her entire being to keeping Zodiark bound.

To combat the threat of her former colleagues, she reached out and recruited champions to her side and bid them to fight for what they believed right. To those who have proven themselves, she would gift onto them Crystals of Light to protect their homes… though even her gifts grew weaker with every Rejoining.

Defeat after defeat she suffered as more Rejoinings happened, and the Ascians growing ever bolder in their success, the time between each Calamity growing ever shorter.

Still she fought on, drawing on comfort from her memories as she continued to push back… she watched on with her vigil—battling as well as she could despite diminishing strength.

And then… at long last… she came into this world. A child… quickly parted with her mother after birth. An orphan whom no one thought significant.

But Hydaelyn could see the truth.

Azem had been caught up when she had Sundered the world and had been reborn many times. Each time a different form, a different name, both male and female of all races… but she could never mistake it. She remembered the first time she had seen that colored soul shine bright despite its thin state… and she could not help but feel hope rise in her heart at the sight of it. She watched over the feeble light as they continued to wander and search the world… eventually taken from this world and returning to the Lifestream—where she welcomed it with open arms.

She would watch over them, watching them grow and become like little beacons of light for the people around them as the many millennia had gone by. As the eras passed, she would watch this soul continue to be born, live, and die over and over again. And seeing their unbreakable spirits would encourage and comfort her… giving her a reason to continue to fight.

This child was the latest in a long line of incarnations of her beloved Azem.

In a small cottage upon a field where fresh wildflowers were just beginning to bloom and the sun was slowly creeping over the horizon, a woman with long hair, the brightest shade of pink that fell in gentle curls down her back and framed her rather delicate-looking face, held in her arms her newborn daughter.

The woman only smiled warmly down at the baby and gently stroked the newborns check with a loving finger. The baby's tears soon dried up the moment she was placed in her mother's arms and she was starting to doze off when she felt the warm sunbeams hit her tiny face... the soft breeze lightly brushing the tiny tuff of pink hair, identical to the woman who held her. But the blurry eyes that opened were a vivid green while the eyes of the mother were of the warmest brown; which were currently filling up with tears as she looked down at her baby with a relieved smile.

"She's safe," the mother sighed in relief as she held the child close to her heart. "You had me worried there for a while, young lady."

The birth had been a long and difficult one, having taken almost all night. When the child had finally been brought into the world, at first they feared the worse when no cries escaped the infant's lips. But the second she felt the morning sun warm her skin from the open window did she begin to stir. After a time, the child began to cry and was then wrapped in a tight bundle before she was finally passed off to her exhausted mother.

But though mother was happy and satisfied with the outcome, the two healers that were tending her were looking at her with expressions of deepest concern. Despite their obvious worry, the mother didn't pay any attention to them as she cooed over her new daughter, not even noticing the blood that was splattered upon the sheets.

"She'll need a name," she said softly as she gently rocked the child despite the fact her arms were beginning to tremble from the slight weight and her pallor was growing paler by the second.

"What did you have in mind?" one of the healers asked, gently dabbing at her brow with a cool cloth.

"I gave it a lot of thought," she whispered, "She'll have her father's name. I used to call him a trouble-making fairy." She smiled at the happy memories of her daughter's father before adding, "He would be here one moment but then gone the next... like a fairy causing trouble. But he would whisk me off on a grand adventure of his. I started calling him a fairy so often that he adopted the term into his own name. Faye..."

Hydaelyn knew of the man she was speaking of… the man had died shortly before the birth… having returned to the aetherial sea with regret he would not live long enough to see his child. The village where the two of them had lived together had been caught up in a fire, leaving much of the village badly damaged and several lives lost… including this woman's husband. It seems that the fire having been started with a bolt of lightning struck down at the worst possible place from the last storm and quickly spread before anyone realized what was happening.

The man had been able to get his beloved out in time and rushed back to the many burning buildings to help rescue as many others as he could… yet sadly was caught up in the fires and was never seen again.

The shock and trauma of everything that happened caused his beloved to go into labor early and that was how they found themselves here.

"So that is the child's name?" the healer asked worriedly, still looking over the mother with a critical eye.

The mother nodded.

"Her surname anyway... her first name will be something equally special to me," she explained with a smile as she stopped rocking the child and began to breathe a little harder. "It had to be something good... something special... and I thought of it the moment I heard her cry."

She placed her face close to her daughters as sad tears fell silently despite the joyous smile.

"It's an unusual name, but from where I come from... it's a word that means... bright… or I guess… light? Because I just know that is what she will be. My little light in the darkness. Isn't that right… Claire?"

She looked back into the child's face one last time, where her mother could see her beloved husband's green eyes looking back and she was suddenly struggling to breathe.

"Claire Faye... I'm so happy to finally meet you..." she whispered and that was when the healer finally stepped in when the mother's arms gave out and threatened to drop the baby. The healer pulled the child away quickly as the second healer flew to the mother's side and began to cry out for her to stay with them. But the mother's eyes closed, tears still glistening upon long lashes as the baby began to cry loudly... as if sensing her mother take her last few breaths.

The healer holding the baby immediately retreated to the back room to tend to the newborn while her fellow did all they could for the mother… but there was nothing that could be done for her at this point. The woman's soul had already returned to the aetherial sea at this point where Hydaelyn greeted that gentle soul.

It was only a few bells after the newly orphaned child was brought into this world and suddenly she was left alone. Once it became clear to the healers that there was nothing more they could do for the mother, they immediately began working on what they should do. They would arrange a funeral for her while also discuss where the child should go.

She was set into a small wooden cradle with a blanket covering her while the healers prepared the service. The room had grown stuffy and slightly humid from the rains the night before and the baby was already uncomfortable. She softly began to whimper and cry, wanting someone here with her.

At the sound of the cries, someone entered the room; yet they did not enter through the door like most would; instead She simply appeared in a gentle light.

A striking woman with eyes sparkling with the most startling blue that none have seen for thousands for years and her hair was as white as the soft clouds that drifted across the bright blue sky was standing there in the middle of the room as if she appeared out of mist.

It had been so long since she last walked upon this beautiful star that she had almost forgotten her original form. Her steps left no sound as she slowly approached the cradle, wanting to look upon the child with her own two eyes. The baby girl shifted in her bed as tears were softly falling down her cheeks.

"Hello, Claire," she whispered softly, unable to keep the happy feeling blossoming inside her despite these tragic circumstances. "It has been such a long time."

Hydaelyn knelt down on the floor, her robes spread around her as she looked at the child. She could still remember those days spent in Elpis so clearly… remembered the young woman who came onto her… to give her a battle that brought to her pure joy. How determined she was as she fought alongside her with Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus through Ktisis Hyperboreia to reach Hermes and Meteion in time.

"Yes… you left here when you were nineteen, you told me that before," she whispered softly to the babe, her voice echoing slightly. "I wish there was something I could do for your mother. But know that she loves you. She and your father both."

The baby's eyes opened, squinting from the bright light, and at once her cries quieted.

"Oh, you can hear me?" she asked with a smile before she began to hum a tune to the child and the baby's tears soon stopped as she began to doze.

"That's right. Hush now, my little spark," she whispered before she looked to the window. With a wave of her hand, she caused it to open, bringing in some much needed fresh air into the room. "You will have a long journey ahead of you. I have seen of who you will become."

The babe was continuing to drift off for some much needed sleep as Hydaelyn smiled and continued her soft hum for a short time. She couldn't reach out and touch the child here, but she was content for the first time in thousands of years as she sat beside her, whispering soft words of reassurance that she was safe.

"Yes, rest is what you need now, for a whole new world is waiting for you when you awake," she cooed as the baby yawned, "Just keep smiling and walking forward. Know that I will be here with you."

Eventually, she became aware of the door of the cottage opening and some muffled voice speaking to each other in the separate room. It seems that the healers were coming back to collect the child and she sighed unhappily.

"Though the world may seem dark at times, know that the light you shine is more radiant than any other," she whispered softly as she gently pulled away; the baby's eyes falling closed at long last.

"And I shall watch over you, always," she added with a sad smile. "Until we meet again, my little spark."

She leaned forward and placed a loving kiss upon her forehead and faded from sight just as the door opened.

"Ah, good, she seems to still be sleeping," one of the healers whispered quietly as she came over to check on her.

"Yes," the other sighed. "Best to let her sleep then, she'll have it rough growing up without her parents. What will we do with her until then?"

"We will hand her over to the care of the village," the first healer stated. "Both mother and father dead and as far as we know, there are no other family members left to care for her. It's for the best that we give her to their home village and let them decide what to do."

The second healer nodded, readying a trip for the road when she paused by the window in confusion. "Wait… did you leave that window open?"

The child was soon handed over to the villagers from where her father hailed from. But it being such a small and poor village, no one was able to take in an infant full time. Instead, she was passed around from household to household as she grew up, never remaining in one place for too long. As the baby grew to become a young child, she began working for her own food and lodgings, wanting to be of service to the villagers somehow. The adults always had a kind word to say to her, marveling at what a helpful and quiet girl she was.

She was a naturally quiet person, so much so in fact that many would assume that she was mute. But though the girl could speak, it seemed as if she never had reason to be able to do so without being prompted. It was clear that if she was surrounded by too many people she would become overwhelmed and often keep her mouth shut in a shy way. Though that silence often caused many to become rather unnerved and often difficult to interact with. Especially when it came to other children, who found her stoic nature rather unsettling.

As such, despite the best intensions of the village elders, the child didn't have too many friends she could confine in, nor a place she could really lay her head down to rest. She was always moving from one place to another, seemingly only happy when she had something to do to distract her from her predicament.

When she was older, some of the craftsmen in the village would allow her to watch them work or even have her accompany them when they went out gathering with some of the other adults. As such, she saw and learned much about crafting, hunting, and tracking during those early years. Though she only knew the basics, she was very well-rounded in a little bit of all manner of tasks that needed to be done around the village.

She was a clever girl, and several villagers wondered if they could possibly send her off to Sharlayan to study there, but as poor as the village was, they knew they could never afford it even if they all chipped in to help. Not only had that, with Sharlayan's policy of nonintervention, the odds of being taken in by a family of scholars seemed slim to none. The child didn't mind though, she didn't want to study out of a book, she wanted to be able to see everything through her own eyes and was determined to grow strong enough to do so.

The island they lived upon was small so, save for the herbs and sometimes rare minerals that could be found here, precious few outsiders ever bothered to visit. Still, this island was peaceful and did serve as a kind of outpost where ships could stop for repairs or resupply if they need to. At this, the child grew fascinated by these travelers—not caring if they were merchants, researchers, or sellswords—she wanted to speak with them and learn of their stories outside this tiny island.

Most were patient and happily took with answering a child's questions of the outside world very well—oftentimes enjoyed speaking with her. One such pair had stopped by the tavern for a rest before they continued on their journey, and soon realized that they had a pair of eyes watching them from the doorway. At that, they happily waved her inside and got her a glass of juice as she sat with them. That was when she first learned of the term of 'adventurers' and how this pair spent their years wandering the world, helping others as they passed through, and made a humble living. Though now the years were heavy on their brows, they told her about some of the many sights they had seen, explaining how they hailed from a place called Eorzea.

Claire sat there with wide eyes as they told her about some of the cities there, such as the thick forests of Gridania with trees so tall that they looked like they covered the sky… how Limsa Lominsa was a city built by pirates and looked as if it built upon the waves themsleves… or how the desert city of Ul'dah shown like gold in the evening when the sun hit it just right.

Claire's eyes widened at the thought and the entire time that the two adventurers stayed for that afternoon, she hardly left their side as she begged to know more. It was probably the most that any of the villagers ever heard her speak as she asked countless questions.

Thankfully, the two travelers were good-natured and seemed pleased at how excited she was and took their time to answer her questions until they had to part ways. Claire accompanied them down to the docks and looked longingly at the ship, as if she wanted nothing more than to jump on board herself, but still said her goodbyes to the two adventurers.

"Here kid," one of them said gruffly, holding out to her a small pouch with a few gil inside it. "When you're ready to see the world yourself, this will be enough to buy your ticket off this island."

Claire's eyes widened in amazement. Though it was a tiny amount in all honesty, she felt bad about taking it and tried to give it back. They laughed and waved her off.

"Having such a good listener was worth every gil," one of them laughed. "You earned it."

"We made a pretty good living off being adventurers, so this is nothing for us," his friend added. "But we're getting on in years and so retiring now seems like a good option. We plan on settling down somewhere quiet in about a year or so and spend our last few years in peace. Let us just think of this as an investment for the future. After all, it's young folk like you who have to keep the flame burning bright, right? So when you're ready, don't be afraid to set out, alright?"

"Just be careful, it's a big world," the other laughed as he gave her a pat on the head.

Claire's eyes lit up and nodded once in understanding as they gave friendly waves and they boarded their ship.

Claire only laughed and cried out her thanks about a dozen times or so as she waved them off, now dreaming of the day she also steps onto the boat for her own journey. She would never see those two adventurers again, but she held onto that tiny sack of coins from that day on. Vowing that she would use them for nothing other than her ticket when she was ready to leave.

She decided then she would have to grow strong enough to protect herself and to do that, she would need a weapon. She wasn't sure what kind of weapon she would need for the future, so she would try her hand at all of them. She would head out to the same flower fields where she was born and practice with little wooden weapons among the flowers. When she was reaching thirteen summers old, she wanted to try real weapons and staffs so she would secretly watch some of the adults who knew how to hunt and fight practice with each other, and when they weren't looking, she would take the weapons from their supplies and practice by herself in the fields.

Hydaelyn watched over her the entire time, watching how the child grew into an adventurous young woman, dreaming of the adventure and such a sight filled her heart with joy as she watched the child practice and prepare—teaching herself how to read just so she could read more books on the world at large.

She would also work all manner of odd jobs as she saved up money for her upcoming travels, always happy to lend a hand to the merchants who happen to pass by. In exchange for being their little errand girl, she would be paid a few coins or other supplies that would help her continue to grow and learn.

And so, just after her eighteenth nameday, she used some of her hard-earn coin to buy her first set of travelling gear. Simple but practical and she was so happy to try them out. Hydaelyn could only watch on fondly at how excited she was when she began to plan out her journey. The villagers had long since known that she wanted to leave and seemed to understand just how important it was to her. So they didn't try to stop her as she planned out the route—in fact, some of the elders would give her advice on where to go and how best to avoid certain kinds of trouble.

Claire remained almost an entire year longer, simply because she wanted to ensure that the villagers would be alright on their own. When they realized this, they insisted that she had waited long enough and if she wanted to leave, nothing was stopping her from setting out.

Finally, just after her nineteenth nameday, she had made up her mind.

It was on this day she stood on the docks of the island that had been her home her entire life, saying goodbye to the elders. She was ready to leave with nothing but the clothes on her back, a small sack of the most basic of supplies, a pouch of the few coins she had saved, and a weathered weapon she was given by another passing merchant who had no need for it anymore.

The villagers, knowing that she would have to travel light, only gave her one gift before she departed. They had made for her a journal for her to record all of her adventures inside it. Claire wasn't much for showing emotion, but it clearly touched her to think that they cared that much about her to have all pitched in to give such a simple gift.

With a deep breath, Claire took out the worn out pouch of coins she had been given nearly a decade prior and bought her ticket. When she took that first step onto the boat, her smile was so bright that she could see it from the aetherial sea.

Her destination… Eorzea.

Now that she had set out… everything was slowly being set into motion.

At last, Hydaelyn felt that now was the time to reach out… she awoke the Echo from within her, and even was able to show a brief vision of Lahabrea—a warning that he was planning chaos within Eorzea.

She did not speak properly to her future champion until after she and another brought down a goobbue together and she found a crystals of light—thus began the weaving of Hydaelyn's Traveler's Ward… or as the people referred to it as… Blessing of Light.

Hydaelyn continued to watch and guided her champion as best as she could, wishing that she could reach out and speak to her more often than she was permitted. She had to keep reminding herself she must be careful, had to guide her as far as was necessary while still allowing her to make her own decision. But she was still there with her every step of the way as she travelled the lands and helped the people selflessly. Watching how the girl's eyes light up with every new place she visited brought Hydaelyn more joy than she ever thought possible. Claire grew quickly, finding herself mastering many different types of weapons in no time at all. Though Hydaelyn supposed it was not a surprise, for her many previous incarnations were just as talented with their chosen weapons as well. She quickly grew from every victory and the failures that followed them. She felt her joy and pain as if they were her own… until she escaped the exploding castrum.

When Hydaelyn saw her in danger from the spell Ultima, she reacted without thinking and protected her young charge with her ever fading strength. She had been able to create a shield to keep her and her comrades safe… though it came at a great cost for she was no longer able to speak to her after that moment.

She was forced to watch from a distance as her champion continued to grow stronger and stronger. She watched how she stood against the primals… defeating them all one by one and then again and again as they were resummoned more powerfully than ever before. Hydaelyn also watched her return triumphant each time… all the while that shadows were plotting against her and her friends.

Midgardsormr soon awoken when Claire came to investigate Silvertears and he decided to judge and see if her 'chosen' was worthy of such attention. He stripped her of her Blessing, and it was as if they were severed. That was more painful than she ever thought possible.

Yet, Hydaelyn still trusted this beloved child. She knew that she would continue… and that she was not the sort to give up; knowing that the blessing could be rewoven once she breaks down those walls that restrict her. Midgardsormr was right about one thing… she must learn to break her boundaries if she hopes to play the part that was meant for her.

When they were forced to flee the night of the bloody banquet, hobbled with nowhere to go, only Claire and the gentle soul of the one named Minfilia were able to escape from the palace together. That was when Hydaelyn was able to make herself heard by Minfilia thanks to the powerful spell that one of their fellow Scions was employing at that moment.

Minfilia heard her and immediately flew to her side, allowing herself to get caught up in Y'shtola's Flow spell and let it carry her to the aetherial sea where they met. Minfilia came to her… supported her… lent her the strength that she so desperately needed to continue to hold Zodiark's wards in place. When this soul came to her, thus asking why… Hydaelyn revealed the truth to Minfilia, even showing her the memories… causing them both to weep with both joy and pain at the tale. Minfilia watched at her side as their shared champion continued to keep safe the light of hope for them all throughout the Dragonsong War and put an end to the vengeance that was deeply rooted in the hearts of the Ishgardian people.

And during all that, her champion slowly but surely proved herself again when she broke down those walls that kept her Blessing bound. Thus, right before she confronted Thordan, Hydaelyn felt the walls shatter around her and their connection was back. She gripped the connection tightly and was able to speak—pride ringing throughout her voice.

She had not realized just how much she missed speaking with her, how precious this child had become to her. Despite everything, Hydaelyn came to realized that she would be alright without her blessing… whereas, in contrast, Hydaelyn's hopes were all tied to her.

After that, the brave warriors that hailed from the First targeted them—having been desperate enough to resort to dealing with their former enemies in an attempt to protect the First from falling. Hydaelyn mourned for them, having been too weak, herself, to be able to stop the flood of light. But she had heard their prayers and knew of their sacrifices… she had always been listening.

Thanks to the abundance of light from their crystals, she managed to regain some of her former strength, though it be a fraction of what she once had. She was able to release Minfilia from her and allowed her to leave the aetherial sea so as to travel to the First with the Warriors of Darkness.

She wept for the one named Ardbert, knowing that his tale would not end yet but condemned him to great suffering. But it could not be helped… Minfilia knew this as well, aware that a day will come with their champion would need his strength. A promise made, countless lives ago… stories of an adventurer that gave her hope… she could not let her die no matter what even if it meant condemning another for a time.

As her champion continued on east for ever greater challenges, her eyes slowly losing that joyful light as they grew more world-weary and battle-hardened that she could remember seeing. But still, they held onto that kindness as they face against foe after seemingly impossible foe. When she was eventually called to the First, Claire faced her greatest challenge yet as Emet-Selch introduced himself to her.

Of course, he recognized her soul as easily as she did… knowing exactly who she was before. The two had been close before… and it was no surprise that he was so drawn to her. But he was willing to let go, at last. What it was that caused him to forsake his duty after all this…? She did not know… only that she wept for him as well. When the battle was fought and over with, she ferried both his and Minfilia's souls from the First and back to the Lifestream of the Source where they would be able to rest.

She watched as her champion also faced off against Elidibus, and sealing them within the Crystal Tower before returning back to the Source. And she knew that he would remain within the tower until she would need his aid once again to travel back across time.

And then he came forth to make his threat: Fandaniel.

Hydaelyn knew that the time was nearly at hand.

The time was slowly drawing ever closer and she had to make her voice heard once again even if it cost her greatly. That day when the Scions were at Silvertear, she tried to reach out by taking on her true, original form. She knew Claire could see her but had no way of knowing if she heard her. Her strength quickly faded and she returned to the aetherial sea in frustration.

She then resorted to using a tiny bit of the aether that was stored within the Mothercrystal to try once more. She knew that the aether would been needed later on—having been aware of the ship that the people of Sharlayan labored with in secret. She couldn't risk relying upon the Mothercrystal's aether too much… but just this once, she felt she could borrow just a trace to pass on her message.

She took on her form upon the deck of the same ship as they departed for Sharlayan… and as she stepped across the deck of the ship—silent and unseen by everyone else… she felt Claire's eyes upon her. She walked along the deck, lamenting that she could not feel the breeze or the spray of the water. But she felt her directly behind her, knowing that she was following her. She climbed up the steps as she heard her slowly approach her from behind.

"My voice yet reaches you," she said. "I am glad. Hear, feel, think…" She slowly turned to look her in the eyes. "And thus do we meet face-to-face at last. My Warrior of Light, guided by the Crystal."

Her old friend looked at her, not recognizing her as the woman she used to be, only what she knew her to be now. There was pain in her eyes as she gazed at her and her heart broke at the sight.

"Why now, Hydaelyn?" she asked her, still confused.

She was hurting and lost… and she did not blame her for this. Instead she could only offer a sad smile and explained, "After your sojourn in the First, I believe you have your answer… you have gained an understanding of what I truly am. What Hydaelyn has always been. A primal."

Claire looked on stoically; but Hydaelyn had watched over her since the day she was born and knew how to read that stoic face and the emotions that were buried behind. She could see even with that famous enduring face how heavy a burden she was carrying and the cracks were appearing from the ever growing pressure that weighed down upon her young shoulders.

"Zodiark was created to forestall the apocalypse which threated the ancient world," she reminded her. "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."

She had failed so many times despite her best attempts. She was aware that Claire had told her that there had been seven Rejoinings… but she wasn't sure which worlds would fall, when they would fall, or even how… and so all she could do was her best to protect each world as best as she could.

Which clearly wasn't enough.

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

She looked back to the young woman and declared, "Yet though it taxes me sorely, I dare not leave these words unsaid. 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."

She remembered the stories, she knew what Fandaniel was planning… she knew that the time was almost here. And it was crucial that she understood this. She still did not fully understand everything, but knew that her journey to the past will soon take place, though she knew not exactly when.

"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," she told her. "Another age."

Claire looked away for a brief moment.

"I want to believe you, I do," she 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?"

She sounded so lost and confused that all Hydaelyn wanted to do was take her back into her arms like she had so long ago. She hated how she could only offer slight comfort, though she wished that there was more she could do.

That was when one of the sailors called out that they were approaching Sharlayan, drawing Claire's attention as the spark of adventure appeared in her eyes again, causing Venat to smile.

Her strength was almost spent anyway.

"I will not keep you further," she 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," she promised.

She then faded at that, returning to her vigil from within the aetherial sea.

She watched as her dejected champion return to her friends, but excitement still shone through at the thought of arriving in Sharlayan.

She knew that a small cluster of Elpis blooms were here in this underground habitat, not unlike the old research facilities in the old world… and so she reached out once more. This time, to the child that was accompanying them, Krile. It wasn't easy, but they were able to make contact and Hydaelyn gratefully told her what she wished for, with the dear girl giving her control of her body for a moment so she could speak with her champion once more.

After watching Krile casting a spell to keep the Elpis bloom from wilting, she gave it to her champion.

"Will you speak with Her now? I cannot hope to match Minfilia's clarity, of course, but…" she offered and Hydaelyn took over.

"…Thank you," she said to the child as her Champion stared at her, almost dropping the flower. "Do not worry. She has lent me her body for only a moment."

Hydaelyn looked down, nearly overcome with emotion to feel a breeze and the ground beneath her feet once more.

"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," she explained in a soft voice. "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."

In other words she has become no more than a parasite.

"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 over her heart. "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. Her… and another who may yet have a part to play," she added, thinking of Emet-Selch. "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."

She wanted Claire to realize that she is not some thrall. She had her own mind and it was alright for her to choose where to go from here. She was free to go and do as her heart commanded her to do… just as all of her previous incarnations were so talented in doing as well.

Claire looked sadly at the flower before she added, "That bloom will be your guide. Test and proof of your conviction."

If her conviction was as strong as it was so long ago, then she will find her way to Elpis… to her.

"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.

With that, she risked hurting Krile even further by remaining and so let go.

All she could do now was wait and see.

She had kept watch over Fandaniel as well as her champion, but for the most part was unable to do much to stop his plans. She hoped that the others would reach him in time.

He was preparing to use all the aether he had collected from the surrounding land to try and break her seal and she knew she had to act now. She reached out, desperate for someone to hear her and this time it had been young Krile once again who heard her. After realizing how grave the situation had become, Krile gave her use of her body once more as she came before Fandaniel.

"The shackles which bind my adversity will not be so easily broken!" she yelled, catching Fandaniel's attention as she forced the body to walk, having grown unfamiliar with a physical form after so many centuries.

"Hydaelyn…" he hissed, "Feeble relic of a forgotten age…"

To think that this soul would be responsible for both Final Days?

He was not wrong. But still he would not stop as he activated the machine. The blast of aether was so powerful that five of the six pillars that created the seal were destroyed. But the final one held out long enough for the aether to run out. But still, that was not going to stop Fandaniel who suggested that they travel to the moon and break the remaining barrier themselves.

Her champion ran forward to stop them, but the entire tower began to shake where Anima had given its final order from Zenos.

In the end, Hydaelyn knew what this meant. The others had to remain behind to stop the tempered from hurting anyone, leaving their champion to go on alone… to face Zodiark alone.

No, it would not end like this… there was still time. She used what was left of her reserved power and altered the course of their path so that they landed on the other side of her moon. That wouldn't be enough to stop them for long, but hopefully it would give them enough time to meet with the Watcher and see what could be done to renew the seal.

Deep down though, she knew that this was where the second Final Days would begin.

She had collapsed at that point, exhausted and barely able to move. She had to leave this body before she hurt Krile or caused any permanent harm. But just before she let go, she felt someone kneeling next to her—holding her hand.

At that, she opened her borrowed eyes and found herself looking up into the anxious face of her champion. She squeezed her hand back in relief as she quietly confessed to her, "I have asked too much of this child. Tend to her."

Claire nodded but still asked, "What is happening?"

Hydaelyn slowly looked directly above them where her moon was still shining down at them as she asked, "The last brand at Mare Lamentorum is yet unbroken. Zodiark remains bound."

She stretched out a hand that was not her own and gazed helplessly at the moon, but still forcing the aether current that the two were following to take them to the other side of the moon. Sadly, it was the most she could do now as she muttered, "I have shifted the flow of aether and sent the enemy far from their destination."

"Mare Lamentorum?" Claire repeated, still holding her hand tightly with her own—which brought her comfort to feel the touch of another living being. Despite any kind of negative feelings she may have about her, she still cared enough to try and comfort her in these twilight moments. To say she was touched was an understatement.

She gazed back into the concerned face of her champion, telling her, "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."

She then let go and fell back into the aetherial sea—releasing Krile in the process. She was exhausted… so weary of this… longing only to fade away once and for all. She soon felt the final strands of her seal break and knew that Zodiark had been set free… but so much of herself had broken when the seal had that she could no longer hold on. She fell after that, into a deep slumber… for the first time in millennium… and had been able to dream.

If only they were happy memories she thought of… instead of thinking back to that day.

"Even now, I remember standing there. Locked in a moment where the sky is aflame," she said to herself, seeing the memory where she stood upon the edge of a dying world. "Where stars fall as tears, and screams darken the seas. Where resignation rots the trees."

She felt her head lower at the memory of standing there at the edge of the city and could only walk through it. Watching the monsters stalk the street and devour those poor souls as all they once knew and loved was consumed by death and the chorus of despair.

"Where terror twists magicks into abominations. The song of they who tried and failed to create a better world. The song of the end. That which hides at the edge of the universe is no longer hope's creation. It is hopelessness incarnate."

She remembered how she passed by Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus that day as well. Where Hythlodaeus decided to offer up himself as one of the many willing sacrifices—despite the many pleas from Emet-Selch. Emet-Selch had been there, desperately trying to talk him out of it one last time, but their friend just smiled and left with a single wave of the hand. And as she passed by him, she found she could not offer any words of comfort to Hades stood there, shaking and hands clenched. He had already lost one dear friend when Azem chose to leave the Convocation… but to see another willingly walk away from him to their death…? Was too much for him to bear.

"That day, mankind saw half of its number sacrificed to bring forth Zodiark. And covering the star in a shroud of aether, we forestalled the Final Days. Yet the cries echoed still… we wept for innocence lost. Wailed for death inevitable. A reality too terrible to bear… and for too many, who sought comfort in gilded memories of joyful days and tranquil nights…?"

But what had she to offer in exchange?

"Everything is excruciating pain," she whispered on, knowing she couldn't hide from the truth. "I breathe fire and torment. I birth a world of suffering to mire and plague."

She thought of the many troubles, the pains of the people and the suffering that she felt alongside them as she wept. But she still kept going no matter how much it felt that she was bleeding out.

"In one fleeting moment, lives come and go. Ever moving towards the unknown," she sighed. "And in that fleeting moment, they cry to the answer to the question: Why, given life, are they meant to suffer. To die…"

A fair question as she drifted along in this world of light and aether… wanting to simply disappear and be free of pain for just a moment. But that would be hypocritical of her, now wouldn't it? She had walked by mankind for thousands of years… suffered with them, bled with them… cried enough tears to cover this star several times over by now.

But she could see the beauty of these wonderful, often infuriatingly stubborn people. Could see the good as well as the bad… could feel how they loved and celebrated those little moments of happiness. How they were able to find meaning in life no matter how hard they had to work to create it. Like how a gardener would take a dead and empty field—only to bring it back to life and filled with so much color and beauty. She felt that she was within a garden of her own as she watched the peaceful moments in between.

"As fragmented, imperfect beings, yours is a never-ending quest," she answered. "A quest to find your purpose, knowing your end is assured. To find the strength to continue, where all strength has left you. To find joy, even as darkness descends… and amidst deepest despair, light everlasting."

She opened her eyes, returning to consciousness though she had no idea how long she had been in slumber. For the first time in so many years she felt rested and lighter… as if the heavy chains she had been dragging around with her finally broke and she was able to take a step without being weighed down.

'Twas from Zodiark breaking from his seal and now forever vanished from this world. There was nothing left to shackle her spirit.

Well, aside from one last thing.

She breathed in deeply, savoring this brief respite—the slight freedom of her task nearly complete. There was still just one last thing she needed to hold on for before she felt task done. She would wait for the answer she had been seeking since that day.

Yet, no sooner did she contemplate this thought did she feel her presence once again.

Hydaelyn's eyes snapped open in surprise. She recognized it at once, feeling it as clearly as she did that day in Elpis so very long ago now.

She was coming.

"This presence…" she whispered.

And sure enough… she appeared with her friends.

(OMG, I finished playing through the MSQ for 6.1 and I loved it! It was so much fun to be able to go on a simple treasure hunt after all that heavy angst we were stuck with in Endwalker. But they had to start pulling at the heartstrings again when they brought Vrtra into this whole thing. I love that dragon and was so happy that we'll be spending more time with him for a while. And glad to finally learn the truth of his sister since she was the last one we have yet to hear from. God, I hope that we can travel around with Vrtra as we fight to find and rescue Azdaja. That would be amazing! Anyway, yeah, I put in Claire's back story. She isn't originally from Eorzea so that was why she arrived by boat to these shores. She's from a small island out in the Indigo Deep, nothing special. Though no, she's not from the Southsea Isles… just one of many tiny islands a fair distance away from Eorzea. I always got her personality as someone who was used to spending time alone while growing up, never having a real place to call home since she was moved around so often and had no family. She worked from a young age to help make herself useful since she didn't want to be a burden to the people who loved after her and maybe find a family who would take her in. Well, it took a while but she did end up finding that family, didn't she? And it's also how she has a good grasp over some things like tracking, hunting, crafting… just the basics so she was able to grasp the crafting/gathering/and battle jobs so easily. At least, that's how I always pictured it. Anyway, this will be the final chapter for the month of April, the next chapter will be the battle between the Scions and Hydaelyn and all those warm and sad feelings we saw during the MSQ. That will be going up during the first week of May so please look forward to it. Just think of this as my early Easter present to you all! Happy Hatching-Tide to you all! :)