Chapter 8: To Walk in the Light

Hydaelyn shut her eyes as she remembered the woman she used to be. Back when she was simply just Venat. She smiled faintly when she could recall the memories of her myriad journeys across Etheirys… the people she met along the way through the places she visited…? Of the joys and beauties that this world had to offer… how with every question she found the answers too would just lead to countless others. An experience she would not have traded for anything.

She could also clearly recall the day that she first met the rather shy and impressionable child who would one day take her place upon the Convocation.

It had been the previous Emet-Selch—the one before Hades—who introduced them, telling her that this child had shown a lot of potential and perhaps she could help those talents truly blossom under her care. Hydaelyn had took to her role as mentor eagerly as the shy girl soon came into her own and became vibrant and eager to help. The number of times that they would sit and talk… whiling away the many hours just to laugh about something insignificant…?

Hydaelyn missed those moments most.

But she was now a different person than she was in those joyous memories. And it was this new person that greeted the group as they cross the threshold into her true domain. The first guests she had since Minfilia.

She smiled wearily, despite that old, familiar feeling of excitement of having guests welling up inside her.

"Brave travelers, I welcome you," she said and they instantly looked up to stare at her.

She slowly descended as she looked over each and every one of them, their worn and hardened faces, before she paused when she met the eyes of her champion.

When last they spoke face-to-face on the ship, her champion did not recognize the form she used—her original form. Of course she wouldn't be able to know since she had yet to visit Elpis… but Hydaelyn was unaware of how much time had passed since the destruction of Zodiark at this point, having been dreaming since she felt the final bonds of her seal break. The shock was enough to cause her to savage what little strength she had left by closing herself off to the world for a time.

She waited here, at the bottom of the heart of the world… waiting for her champion to appear so that she could pass on her judgement of mankind once and for all. Waited for her champion to decide her fate… and ultimately to bring her the release that she craved for more than any other.

It has been… long enough.

So when her champion appeared before her… looking exactly as she did so long ago…? Hydaelyn had resigned herself to this end without realizing that this time her champion did recognize her. Not as Hydaelyn, but as Venat. But that miscalculation was cleared up at once when Claire smiled.

"We meet again, Venat," she said.

Hydaelyn's eyes widen at that and a sharp intact of breath escaped her lips to hear those words. Those eyes…? Filled with understanding… so it's true. At long last…?

"I see… Thou didst journey unto Elpis. And now, the rivers of time converge," she said as Claire smiled a little wider and nodded once as joy spread throughout Hydaelyn's entire being.

What a relief and she could not stop the fond smile that came to her own lips at this wonderful revelation.

She then looked around at them all and spoke, "I know why you have come, yet I would hear you speak your reasons, all the same."

The girl in red, Alisaie, was the first to speak up and asked her, getting straight to the heart of the matter, "You created the moon to deliver mankind from the Final Days. But is that really how it has to end? We do not wish to abandon this world. We want to protect the Source, and all of its shards!"

This Hydaelyn was well aware of, and full glad that they believed that all the shards, not just the Source, was worth protecting. But she would have thought that the answer was obvious by now. Rather than speak it like that though, she answered simply, "To flee is but one of two paths."

There was always a choice. She always dreaded the idea that mankind may not yet be ready to face against the song of oblivion and so she decided that there should be two different paths should the worst come to pass.

This she also explained by stating, "The other leadeth to Meteion, far beyond the stars, where she doth chant creation's requiem. Her domain is formed of dynamis. Pure. Absolute. Where emotion and memory govern all, aether will avail you naught. Meteion hath gathered the pain and despair of countless stars, and to go unprepared is to go unto your doom."

"We'll beat her. We'll win, I swear it!" Alisaie declared with a punch of her fists. But then the fire seemed to flicker and threatened to go out as she added in a quieter, more uncertain, voice, "…is what I might've said, once. After everything I've seen, all the times I've succumbed to my own anger and fear… I can no longer pretend that courage and faith will be enough. But are we truly so powerless? That our only choice is to flee?"

No. Of course not. She had seen it many times before… the indomitable spirit that is mankind and it was because of this that had continued to grant her hope throughout the long years of solitude.

"Far from it, my child," she answered back, taking them by surprise as she shut her eyes. "Long ago, the inhabitants of myriad stars—many more prosperous than Etheirys—sought to free their worlds from life's woes."

She lowered her head at the memories of how her own people were well upon that path of self-destruction.

"Sorrow and anger, conflict and hostility, despair… and even death itself. But as Meteion reported, every attempted ended in failure," she explained the bitter truth. "Darkness abideth within every living being, and can never be cast out. Neither reason nor faith can challenge this immutable truth. To live is to suffer." She then gave a tired smile as she opened her eyes once more and finished, "And in suffering find strength, and purpose. And hope. As you have done so many times before."

If they doubted her words, they but had to look within, as well as each other, and they would know that she spoke the truth. Her eyes looked to the young man in blue, Alphinaud, and explained to him, "Thou dost pursue an impossible dream, yet knowing this, you pursue it nevertheless. And thou hast learned to depend on others, as they do thee."

He dreamt of a world of understanding and of peace. This, he knows, will never fully be realized—at least not in his lifetime. But he had seen what mankind is capable of, just as she had. He realized that he doesn't have to work alone like some master over a board where he could move the pieces as he wished. He could see that every piece was a person that had their own feelings and hopes and dreams… and he wished to protect them all.

She looked back to Alisaie and added, "Thy yearning for the power to save the powerless hath ever driven thee to greater heights. Thou has grown strong."

The girl had long struggled with the thought that she would never be the person she wanted to become. She feared that she would never be strong enough to protect what she held dear. But seeing the sacrifices that her grandfather, and especially of her Warrior of Light, were what showed her that nothing was impossible and that it was worth it all in the end. Seeing such courage blossomed in her a longing to become as strong as they were to help protect what she treasured.

She turned to the man in white, Thancred, and told him through his surprise, "Though those closest to thee no longer walketh by thy side, their love remaineth thy guiding light."

He had cherished Minfilia as family and so when she was taken, he felt that he had failed her. When he took up the cause to protect young Ryne from the First, he had found new goal as her guardian. But now he was struggling with finding a new purpose if those he cherished most no longer needed him. But they always believed in him, and wished only for his happiness now. He need only realize that he had nothing left to prove and that he had done enough.

She turned to the thoughtful man behind him, Urianger, and reassured him, "For duty's sake, thou hast been bound by truths unutterable, time and time again. Yet thy heart hath never wavered, as thy companions will attest."

She knew how much such secrets tormented him. How he had hated every second he had been forced to keep such truths hidden from his dear friends. But it was never done out of malicious intent… on the contrary, he had suffered for the sake of protecting them and held out hope that one day he could speak free without such shackles biding him. And now he has come to the point that he can fully trust in his comrades without fear of being rejected.

She turned to the mage, Y'shtola, and promised her, "In thy pursuit of mysteries great, all thou believest is brought into question. Undaunted, thy thirst for knowledge remaineth unquenched."

Such a longing to know more of the world and its mysteries reminded her a little of herself in her youth. The day that she chose to leave on her first journey was both the most exciting day of her life… as well as the most terrifying. But never once did she ever turn away from the truth, no matter how difficult it was to hear. So it was with this young woman, who longed to study and learn all that she could in this life. And though her faith had been shaken down to the core, she took it all in stride and continued on.

She looked to the brooding dragoon, Estinien, and informed him, "The fires of hatred that once burned in thy heart burneth no more. From their ashes doth spring the light of love, warm and pure."

He had suffered more than most. Having lost his family and all he loved to the hellfire of war; such hatred from a young age was what set him upon a dangerous path of the same thing that drove his enemy. But after learning to see with eyes unclouded, he realized that the world wasn't as black and white as he once believed. Now he strives for the peace between man and dragon—a more worthy champion of such a hope if ever there ever was one.

To the man who had waited centuries for his chance to see his dreams realized, G'raha, she spoke, "As witness to black calamity, thou despaired at man's helplessness. Resolved, thou didst unite a distant world on the brink of collapse."

He, too, had suffered greatly having seen the world pushed to the very brink of ruin. But in that, he also could see the very spirit that slowly, but surely, pulled them back from the brink. It was that faith that inspired him to fight and stand strong for many decades—all for the faint hope that this complicated plan of their would work. He put his faith into her champion much for the same reasons that she did. They had asked why she could only think of an escape plan instead of finding another way to save this star. The truth was that her escape plan was just the failsafe back up should all else fail.

Her champion had always been her primary plan to save this star.

Speaking of which…?

She finally looked to Claire and told her, "And thou… my champion. When all did seem lost, thou never abandoned hope. For every trial and every foe that did bar thy way, thou hast proven equal to the challenge, drawing courage form the many bonds forged on thy journey."

She had watched over her since she was born… cheered for her victories and mourned with her over every loss and defeat. Despite how her faith had been put into question time and time again, it was always her love for this world and its people—which rivaled Her own—that gave her champion the strength to continue onwards.

This is a truth that they all know.

"You have all known despair, and thou the end approacheth, you walk on, heads held high," she sighed lovingly. "Therein lieth your power. The strength to silence the song of oblivion."

Her words seemed to take a moment to sink in before Alphinaud asked, "Then there is a means to confront her?"

"Yes," she confirmed, knowing that the answers they sought could all be found here. Assuming that they were ready and for this she added: "If you should prove yourselves worthy."

They all seemed confused by her declaration, save for Claire, who seemed to know exactly what was coming. Their eyes locked together and she nodded back, though there was a grim acceptance reflecting her own. There was no other choice. If she was to play the role as mankind's protector then it was her duty to be ready to dispatch any primal—no matter what shape and form they took—and by now she knew that Claire had grown to be a truth authority on such exterminations, after all.

"Hark…" she called and she summoned her blade to her side for the first time since the Sundering. "Nigh impossible is it to send mortals to the edge of the universe. Should you fail, there will be no second chance."

She knew what she was risking and so she had to be certain. She couldn't jeopardy everything by letting them travel out to the edge of the universe, only for them to be found wanting… for then there would be no other way for the rest of mankind to be able to flee this star should they fail.

"As the will of the star, I ask of you this…" she asked in as much command as she could muster. "Do you possess the fortitude to stand firm when all around you doth crumble? Do you possess the faith to vanquish despair itself? Should you lack the strength to best a supreme deity, I cannot allow you to make the journey."

Her eyes darkened as she explained, in no uncertain terms, "You must leave this star and never return." She held up her blade and let it sing in her hands as she warned, "Prepare yourselves!"

Some of them seem taken aback by the idea of a battle here and now, but others—such as Estinien, took it all in stride. In fact, he was the first to approach, his lance already in his hands as he reiterated, "Prove ourselves worthy, eh?" He then grinned as he confessed, "Sounds straightforward enough."

At that, Thancred, who had gotten over his own surprise, suddenly grinned as well, all onboard for another challenge.

"Aye, no room for confusion there…" he agreed with a show of his gunblade. "In any case, we've come too far to back down now."

"I am of the same mind," Urianger chimed in, his starglobe brought forth, ready to heal or do damage at a command; "What power I have, I shall bring to bear."

Y'shtola seemed torn between amusement and coyness before chastising the boys with a smile, "The three of you seem to be forgetting who we're up against… it's not every day we battle a divine being of untold power." Her own smile widened at that and added, "Well, not quite every day."

Oh yes, they were quite experienced with such problems, weren't they?

Y'shtola readjusted her sleeve before—with a flick of her hair—held her staff up. She warned everyone around her, "Do try not to get underfoot. Needless to say, there'll be no margin for error."

G'raha nodded to her as he gazed forward, adding, "Let us hold nothing back! For the people of this world and those beyond the rift!"

Meanwhile, the twins had remained silent for a time as they seemed to be grasping what was being asked of them. Without a word, both drew their weapons, their decision obviously having been made up even before the question had been asked.

The only one whose weapon wasn't drawn was her Warrior of Light, whose gaze seemed to pierce her own. Claire did not speak as sadness passed over her face, and Hydaelyn knew that she realized what she was asking. This was nothing like the battle they shared back in Elpis… where it had been a fight for fun and a chance to let loose… here, it was to determine the path that all of mankind would walk from here on out.

"Alas, the question I posed to thee in Elpis hath remained unanswered these long years," Hydealyn sighed in regret. "I would hear thy response, Warrior of Light, shouldst though emerge victorious!"

'This battle will determine everything,' she thought to herself. Now the time had come to see if she had grown strong enough to fulfill their promise. Hydaelyn gripped her blade a little harder as she floated before them and challenged, "I, the last of my kind, shall test thee. Come, prove thy worth!"

She looked back to Claire, who closed her eyes for the briefest of moments, before she finally drew her own sword. She had been the first of the Scions to strike at her as Hydaelyn asked, more to herself than to any of them, "Have you the strength of will to alter man's fate?"

"Let this be our answer!" Claire's quiet voice was unusually loud as she turned her away from her friends as they began to exchange blows; their blades parried with each other, blocking them blow for blow.

She had certainly come such a long way.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Hydaelyn's mind went back to the little girl her champion had once been. She thought of that bright curiosity that drove her to wandering about her small island home… how she loved to climb up the tallest trees on so that she could enjoy the wind on a hot summer day… how she would collect shells and brightly colored pebbles along the shore… or how she would lay on her back in the flower fields as she stared up at the stars with eyes so big that one could see how the stars reflected in them as if they were glass…?

She then thought of the long-suffering warrior as she faced trial after trial ever since first arriving in Eorzea… of the many different quests and favors she had done between her battles… how she would find little things that she could savor and take her mind off everything that was happening around her. Such as enjoying a warm meal at the Bismarck to playing with the Ishgardian children in the snows…?

So much fighting and loss since then… so much pain and victory… and now she was facing her hardest battle to date. She was rising to the challenge though—for the hits that went through or when she was struck by her own attacks of light, she barely flinched at the onslaught.

Perhaps her sword wasn't enough for this.

"A change of arms… may the test continue!" Hydaelyn challenged as she brought forth her chakram instead. "Whe'er near or far!"

Her first move was to try striking at her with a pillar of light—but Thancred saw this and he raced in to help share the blow with her. They withstood the assault and they then dealt a double attack against her in retaliation. She felt the sharp sting of their blades but it was nothing that she wasn't able to heal though she knew that she had to be careful not to overuse such a tactic. So long as she had aether to spare, she could fix up her injuries to a certain extent.

"And now this!" she cried as she brought forth her staff this time. "Light unyielding!"

Her attacks were similar to the same ones that she used against Claire back in Elpis, only much more powerful—and dare she say flashier? Oh, how wonderful it felt to be able to test her strength once more. She could no longer recall when last she was able to unleash all that she had and push herself to her limits.

She smirked at the thought as Claire bore the brute of her attacks, leaving her friends to pick up on damaging her from all sides while the healers worked to treat everyone's injuries. They were able to keep up for the most part… good… very good. Now then, how about this?

She conjured up her sword once more as their battle continued about in that pattern. It went on and on like this for some time, and Hydaelyn was slowly starting to suspect that something was up here. She had seen what Claire was capable of so she shouldn't be struggling this much…?

With a slight frown, she pushed ever harder, knowing that she had to test her to her limits here. Meteion would not show her any mercy so she couldn't afford to go easy either. Still, why did it feel as though there was something wrong amidst the fight?

It seemed that she would have to resort to more drastic measures until she could figure it out.

"Crystals of Light, to me!" and everything about her was bathed in a pure light while her seal appeared beneath their feet. The remains of the seal that once held Zodiark bound appeared as well in the form of giant crystals, each of an aligning element—ready to unleash what was left of their aether. She coated herself in a shield that could block even the strongest of blows, and she began to draw in their aether to deliver her strongest spell.

She could feel them scrambling around her as they threw themselves against the crystals, trying to break them in time and disperse their trapped energies before she could bring such power to bear against them. As she began her spell, she watched as G'raha was able to break apart one crystal just around the same time that Thancred finished with a second.

"Hear… the song of creation's end…" she called out while Estinien finished shattering apart another.

"Feel… the sorrow at hope's demise…"

The twins joined together to destroy the fourth…

"Think… And find your way in the Darkness."

Claire destroyed one on her own as Y'shtola and Urianger finished with the final together as she finished her spell. The aether flowed about them as she broke free of her shield and gathered up the last bit of energy before it slipped away.

"Follow your light," she called as the pillars of light broke free and bathed them in their elemental light, "Or fly, my children, and never look back!"

She slammed her crystalline sword into the seal beneath their feet before she teleported high above them. Aether burned into pure light—blinding in its radiance—and she came crashing down like how she had done to Zodiark so long ago.

…

…

…

But still they stood.

She was surprised but pleasantly so when she saw how they were all still up—though injured and dazed—they were ready to keep going as they caught their breath.

"Then you are resolved…" she said as she turned back to face them. Good, they passed the first phase. Now comes the rest of the battle. "…but this test is far from over. By Crystal's Light…"

And so their clash continued as her own powers continue to rise and wane… she smiled, having not enjoyed herself like this in so long… she pulled out many new tricks that she had devised during her long years of waiting… replying upon the powers of the elements that came with them as their own elemental aether flowed about them. She caused the very ground beneath them to shake and tremble with the force of them as she continued to unleased all that she had left, pushing them ever closer to the edge.

So what was wrong?

They were at a standstill at this point and still neither she nor Claire were able to get past this one point. It didn't add up to her for surely after all Claire had seen and done… she shouldn't be having this much trouble fighting her?

She looked at Claire's eyes, seeing the uncertainty reflected back from them… and that was when Hydaelyn realized what it was that she sensed was off.

Claire was holding back?

She wasn't sure if Claire realized it or not, but her champion was honestly holding a part of herself back in order to refrain from dealing the final blow that was needed to finish her.

At that realization, her own heart ached in pain.

'My dear, sweet child… I know that this is not what you wanted. That you would never wish for such a cruel thing that I must ask of you, but this is how it must be. You must be the one to finish me,' she thought sadly.

She was just a feeble relic of how the world used to be. This, both of them knew full well. If mankind was truly ready to move ahead, then she was no longer needed and thus must be finished off. It was fitting… she would have no other than this soul to be the one to release her from her duty once and for all.

'Let me hear your answer, my little spark,' she thought, willing for her to at least understand what was in her heart. 'Show me that my long years of waiting weren't in vain. Show me the resolve that shone clearly so long ago.'

She couldn't risk her champion being distracted by her indecision and though she was using up her aether at a fast rate, she continued to push her even harder. She called upon the elements to influence her own powers, creating waves of light to wash across their battleground. She could see the frustration in Claire's eyes grow ever clearer with every attack.

When their swords next clashed against each other, they both looked long and hard at the other and she could see her own light reflected back in those green irises of hers before she watched Claire blink in a startled way. At last, it seems Claire realized that she was not giving it her all in that moment—her heart wasn't truly in this battle and until it was then it wasn't going to end like how either of them want it too.

In that moment, she could only smile at her champion once more.

"Do not succumb to fear," Hydaelyn told her, her voice gentle this time and Claire knew that this had gone on long enough.

She closed her eyes as she skidded backwards, and Hydealyn used her own light to push the others away… only enough to knock the wind out of their chests and to put a little distance between them… the time to give both goddess and champion to fight one-on-one… as it had been that day in Elpis.

She watched as Claire took a deep breath, her hand redoubling its grip around her sword as she charged in once more.

This was it… the answer she had waited for would be proven here. She came back, meeting her in mid-clash as the force of their attack created a shockwave, one that was almost deafening. Wind blew about them as their swords pushed hard with their strength equal at that moment even with the light empowering Hydaelyn's own magicks.

And with a fire blazing fiercely in her champion's eyes, she felt her own sword break as her sword found its mark and slashed across her chest.

It happened before Hydaelyn realized that the blow had struck; but her eyes widened in shock and in pain as what remained of the sword dissolved in her hands and she fell backwards—all of her remaining aether dispensing so she could no longer to heal the wound. She still remained afloat above the ground, but she drifted away from Claire, who staggered—having used every last ounce of strength she had to deal that attack.

Her friends rushed to her side, but Claire was still focused upon her as Hydaelyn could feel the pain once more, sharp and clear and all too final.

She reached out, feeling the aether flowing away as she dropped to the ground, her legs buckling underneath her as her wings became limp and dipped about her like a bird no longer able to fly.

But despite all that… despite all the pain she was in that moment…?

…she felt only joy.

"At last… man has the strength to…"

She couldn't finish speaking, her voice having been cut off as she tried to breathe. Her body was already starting to fade as the final motes of aether that she held onto were being undone. Her entire being was slowly beginning to glow… the sign of a soul ready to depart once and for all.

"No! This can't be happening!" Alisaie gasped, as if she finally stopped and realized what they had done.

No… this… was the best outcome.

She let out a very faint chuckle as she slowly sat up and raised her head to look over them all, still smiling.

"Though my power is in constant flux, I have always kept a reserve for this very moment," she explained. "It was a true test of your prowess. You have done well."

Everyone paused as they breathed in hard—some members of their group looking as if they couldn't believe what they had just done.

With a painful gulp down, it was Y'shtola who broke the silence first.

"There is one thing I must ask," Y'shtola spoke up seriously, "By sundering the world into fourteen shards, the aether of all living beings too was divided. This reduction would in theory allow us to more easily interact with dynamis. Having seen mankind brought to the very precipice of extinction, you wished for us to develop a means to overcome despair. You believed we had the potential, and sundered all creation to see it fulfilled. To deliver us to that swirling maelstrom of dynamis in which our foe hides, and grant us the power to defeat her once and for all. Is this not true?"

Ahh, such a clever girl having figured it all out.

That summed it all up better than she could. But she did so anyway by answering, "It is as thou sayest. 'Twas the trail to which I subjected mankind, and it hath led to untold bloodshed and suffering. There was no kindness nor justice in the tragedy I wrought."

She knew that what she had done was unforgivable. But every other path forward was just as bad if not worse.

"When confronted with the almighty Zodiark, my only recourse was to rend Him and the world asunder, that His power be diminished for a time," she sighed. "And so it come to pass. Now you, my chosen, have surpassed my expectations. Surpassed me. I entrust the fate of the universe… unto you."

Heavy will be the burden to guide these souls to a brighter tomorrow, but she knew she could do it… as she hath proven every other time.

With another deep breath, it was becoming difficult to breath, Hydaelyn then weaved another spell… this time creating another crystal—similar to the crystals she had besotted upon her previous Warriors, and they stared at it as she explained, "This crystal contains the memory of Meteion's passage through the stars. Deliver it unto the Loporrits. They will guide you to her."

Claire stared at it for a brief moment before silently taking the crystal and tucked it safely away while the others watched her.

"Though they may be capable of crossing great distances, there is a vast difference between travelling to the moon and the furthermost reaches of the great expanse," Alphinaud pointed out anxiously. "And unlike Meteion, we cannot simply soar on waves of dynamis to our destination."

This was true. But luckily she still had a couple more gifts to bestow upon them before they make their journey to Meteion's nest.

"Indeed," she agreed sagely, "To make such a journey would require an astronomical amount of aether. But a solution lieth close at hand."

She waited to see if he would realize this as he thought it all over and then his eyes widened.

"Of course!" he gasped as she smiled.

"Yes, my child," she chuckled for the answer was right in front of them… or rather, right behind her.

"Ever since I became the will of the star, the aether drawn here hath slowly crystalized," she informed them as the mountain of crystal sparkled behind her. It was behind this crystal she usually hide whenever her chosen were drawn to this place. "They who have answered my call know it well. While I have remained hidden, it hath become the embodiment of the planet's will in my place. A faceless, omnipotent force of nature. The Mothercyrstal… our final hope."

At last, they had everything they needed to get them to that point. The good scholars of Sharlayan have already constructed the ark which will deliver them to Meteion, as well as the directions and the energy source necessary to guide the way.

Now, the time had finally come to pass on what little strength she had left before she would be able to fully entrust onto them the future of this star.

"Alas, I can do no more," she sighed. "The fulfillment of this task doth fall to you, my chosen. Now, heed these words. Darkness and Light. Despair and hope. As goeth one, so goeth the other. Become Light. Become hope."

No one spoke as they stared sadly at her as regret was showing on each of their faces. None of them had wished to fight, but they understood her words at the last. And that was more than enough for her.

She felt true content before looking directly at her chosen once more.

"I have a gift for thee," she told her softly. "Come closer."

Claire slowly stepped forward, her expression as unreadable as always and her mouth twitched at the familiar sight of it before she paused directly in front of her.

"Long have I searched for a means to safeguard the future of this star," she told her, though she knew all this already. "Though I knew failure after failure, by recalling thy tales—and my promise to thee—I found the strength to carry on. Though the world is ever changing, thy thirst for adventure hath never waned. Thine unshakable resolve never ceaseth to amaze. To inspire. As a mark of my gratitude, I bestow this final gift. Thou dost possess the crystal of Azem, yes?"

At that, Claire pulled the small crystal from the tired-look pouch at her belt and held it up so that Hydaelyn could clearly make out the warm glint of the gem.

"As Hydaelyn, I preside over the forces of stasis, tranquility, peace. The laws which impart stability to existence itself. I will weave this selfsame power into the crystal, granting thee mastery over matter, to give form to the formless. Use it wisely, for it will not last indefinitely."

She knew the risks that would be involved with confronting Meteion… what may happen the edge of existence itself. So she wished to give her as much as she could to give them any advantage. But more so, she did not wish for her child to suffer more than what was necessary to see this journey through.

"As thou hast seen on thy journey through the aetherial sea, souls are drawn to thee," she reminded her, thinking of the other souls that were watching over her even if no longer by her side. "Mayhap this trait will prove to be a boon rather than a hindrance…"

She then held up her hand as the final traces of her powers—her very soul—entered the crystal. Though she knew that this would be only temporary, she would be able to journey with her for a brief while longer. A final bit of protection that she could offer, limited though it was.

As her essence entered the crystal however, something unexpected happen.

Between them the tune of a song was shared. She could hear it clearly echoing within her heart and judging from the slight surprise on Claire's face, it seemed that she could hear it too. Hydaelyn only beamed at her reassuringly, letting her know that it was alright. It was the same tune that she, herself, hummed so long ago when her little spark needed comfort the most after Meteion first escaped Elpis. She had just made the tune up at that time, hoping that the rhythm would be enough to soothe the pain she was in and drift off to sleep… the strange thing was that since that day, she found herself humming that very same tune to herself despite that it was just a melody with no words to it.

Slowly though, over the years, she had found words to go along with it until it formed a lullaby. A song that she felt summed up a portion of the love she felt for all her children of this star. But now this was a completed song that had waited for countless years to be heard by the first one she sang it for… the one it was first intended for:

Welcome and well met, my brave little spark

How long you've wandered, burned bright as a star

Oh, I have longed, waiting patiently

All this time past every fate

Now sing with me once more

Share of your life

Far greater than memory

Its loss and love words cannot hold

Boundless, the tale overflows and carries your light out to sea

Remember the rain, near and far beloved

Each drop a blessing, from heavens above

And how must time float on those waters

Became one, streams, rivers and lakes

Reaching for the horizon and far beyond

They carry onward, however changed with each brief reflection

By setting sun, by storm's wake

Till welcomed home to gentle sea

Sinking deeper and deeper in calm embrace

Loving tide sweeping in, bear you down

Should you meet us, arise and surface thus

With your own beating heart wish them well

Deep, dark, far away

I heard of your voice

With your every choice

Now our hands joined round the meaning you sought

I'll catch your tears

Quench your fears with joy

To your devotion

Where in time all shall as hope be reborn all

Hush love, close your eyes

Let them sleep all blind, in such a still night

It calls to unto dreams, be and all

Though you will weep, the winds rise again, for this journey's end

Is but one step forward to tomorrow

She knew Claire could hear it… and she watched as tears welled up in the young woman's eyes when she recognized the tune and understood their meaning. Hydaelyn felt her sadness at parting once more… and she hurt as well. After so long, their time together was all too short.

'I know you're tired my brave little spark, but I must ask you to carry on just a little further and finish what I cannot,' she thought softly.

"But…?" Claire whispered but Hydaelyn only smiled back reassuringly. She had come so far, but there was still so much more that was left to be done. But she knew that she could do it… she was the only one who ever could.

"It is thy hopes and prayers that enable Azem's invocations and give them life, so keep them close," Hydaelyn whispered softly to her. "But pray, remember this… when the way forward is hidden from the mind's eye, look not to the invocation, but within yourself. These were the words of the crystal's original bearer."

Claire looked at her in amazement as Hydaelyn finished casting her spell and felt herself relax. So long has it been that she was astonished at how wondrous it felt that she was able to rest her body. As soon as she did though, she could feel the rest of herself slowly slipping away.

"With that… my work is finished," she sighed in relief as her vision began to blur and fade. Still, her chosen's face remained clear as she clenched Azem's crystal tightly in her hand with her eyes shut, as if trying to find the right words to say.

"Fulfill our promise. Right the wrongs committed when the world was yet whole. Silence the song of oblivion… teacher her a brighter melody. Show her… our journey is far from over," she pleaded with her, still holding onto hope that Meteion could be made to learn and see the value of life as well.

Another brief moment of silence, the other Scions looking at Claire, wondering what she would say. That was when Claire looked up with a beaming smile as she told her, "We will find our way, Venat."

Venat… her real name… to hear it again after so long, here at the end of it all, brought tears to her eyes.

She knew she would disappear now and would no longer be able to see the final battle or help her in any other way. She wasn't not sure what would happen to them and feared for Claire and this world. But when she told her that they would find their way, she dispelled any remaining fears in her heart. She convinced her that mankind was now strong enough to fight for their future and this star. In a way that her own people were too weak to be able to do. She was glad, and cried in relief and joy, leaving this world with her love and faith stronger than ever before.

'Azem… I'm so sorry,' she thought softly. 'Both to you and Claire… you have suffered so much for what I had done. But…?'

Another memory came back to her at that moment of standing on top of Elpis: "What is it like in the future? Is the world still a beautiful place?"

"As beautiful as ever."

"I swear, I could hear the glimmer in your eyes and the adoration in your voice."

Never once since the sundering did Venat ever try to seek atonement for the pain that she had caused. It had weighed upon her heart every single day throughout the eons. She had been forced to sunder the people she had always sworn to protect… while to her very student she had been forced to clip her wings so that she could never fly again… never be whole as she had once been.

She always believed that she could not ever have the right to even apologize for the harm she did.

And yet… she still found herself wishing for it… and now here they were, thousands of years later as their new selves… right when she had been forced to strike her down… she found it in her heart to forgive her.

Claire wasn't Azem… there was no longer any trace of the woman she once knew there… But she still loved this world… despite all its scars and the pain that it brought with it… the love that Azem once held for Etheirys still lived on within Claire.

Venat beamed at her as the tears continued to fall from her eyes as she felt her body start to freeze up and something inside seemed to crack and break as everything began to fade about her.

"Of this, I have no doubt," she said with her voice ringing with the joy. "For yours is a light brilliant beyond measure."

After Azem had left the Convocation, she supposed that she had retaken the title of Azem until the Sundering. As was the way of things since her pupil never named a successor.

Venat had been so proud to have passed along the title of 'Azem' to her that day… and she was just as proud to pass on that title once again. The Traveler… the Shephard of the Stars… the Seat of Suffering…

This child had shown her that hope did survive throughout these long years for her light had become that beacon. Whether it be in the form of the sun or the stars… her light always shines brightest when everything else around her is dark.

She finally looked away from her face and looked fondly at those brave others whose tales were so inextricability tied with her champion's, as she finished speaking, "Long after I have gone, though not even my soul remaineth… my love will be with you forever, my dearest children."

She smiled one last time as she allowed herself to be carried away at long last.

*Claire*

Claire had no words to say as she watched the beautiful form of Hydaelyn dissolve into pure light and the motes sparkled like diamonds before fading away. Leaving not a trace of the goddess in its place.

It was over… at least this part was, anyway. With both Zodiark, and now Hydaelyn, gone… all that was left was to take this battle directly to Meteion and fulfill the wish of the Ancients to preserve this star.

And yet…?

Her legs became numb as she began to shake as the full weight of all that she experienced began to press in on her. The full revelations of the nature of Hydaelyn herself and why she came into existence…?

Her mind immediately drifted back to that clear, beautiful sky of Elpis and how it felt like an eternal summer of childhood…? How the two of them stood amongst the clouds at the top of Ktisis Hyperboreia and talked.

Even here, in the depths of the aetherial sea, she hadn't been able to form the words that she wanted to say in time.

But she had been there… watching over her every step of her journey since she left home, didn't she? She was sure of it. Hydaelyn must have known her better than anyone after so long…? Hydaelyn must have known all along how She would die and by her 'champion' the moment she was born.

Without warning Claire found that her throat had tightened up and she could feel hot tears reform from when she heard the lullaby. Her vision became watery as she stared at the Mothercrystal… remembering the warmth of the light that held her when she first saw it…?

To know that they had all been so deeply loved by someone so much that she was willing to sacrifice everything for their sake…? It was… was almost more than what she could take. The idea her friend had to live in such loneliness for countless millennia… in this place of solitude as she was forced to watch her children suffer. To know that it was her decision to sunder this world that brought that suffering and could only stand by mankind until they no longer needed her guidance…?

The injustice that this was to be Venat's reward after so long…?

Claire had a turmoil of emotions twisting inside her as violently as a storm at sea as everything just hit her all at once like an avalanche of snow in the highlands of Coerthas.

Even on the First when she had questioned if she had ever been anything but an unknowing thrall of a primal; still, Hydaelyn's faith in her never wavered. Hydaelyn always believed that she would make it here and had held out hope for this day when she would arrive.

She rubbed her eyes with the fist that was still clenched tightly around Azem's crystal, trying to control the tears that continued to fall. She knew that was not something that Venat would want to see. She was free from all of this… her duty was complete and soon their promise will be fulfilled so it only made sense that she could finally… rest.

She could hear her friends speaking behind her but her ears were filled with a kind of numb buzzing and couldn't make out what they were saying. Just that they sounded concerned for her.

Claire just closed her eyes as she tried to control the choking sobs that were breaking free. Behind her, some of them such as Alisaie and Alphinaud both look at each other, startled, not sure of what to say or how to comfort their friend.

But one of them slowly stepped forward and she felt comforting a hand on her shoulder. She turned her head slightly to see the empathetic look in Estinien's face. He didn't say a word, but she understood at once what he was trying to say. That it was okay to feel this way.

Claire turned away as her shoulders continued to shake and before she knew it, she broke down completely and fell to her knees as she let out the anger, fear, guilt, regret, and grief… everything she tried so hard to keep under control until now was let out in that moment of weakness.

Some of the other Scions were at her side at once, offering words of comfort and support such as G'raha, who knelt down next to her, rubbing her back in a soothing way as Thancred gently urged her to take all the time necessary, though she knew that he secretly wished to leave this place as quickly as possible should something else happen.

But she appreciated the support anyways as the tears continued to flow.

It took a little while but she eventually was able to regain control of herself. She finally found herself giving them a tiny smile even as tears still sparkled around her red-rimmed eyes.

"A-Are you alright?" Alphinaud asked anxiously while his sister was looking about ready to do whatever she asked of her if it helped her feel better. The idea made her laugh slightly as she could only nod and get back to her feet.

Though if she thought of it, she would have realized that she did lie right then. She didn't feel alright…?

…she felt loved.

(It broke my heart to see that scene in game. I didn't think that I would get such an emotional response from a video game character but after that trial fight, I turned off the game and broke down crying. And when I first heard the song Flow, I immediately thought of a mother singing a lullaby for her child. It was such a fitting song to have played in her final moments and it felt like she was singing it for her champion and I had to put it in. In fact, it was this image that popped into my head when I decided to write this story. Sigh… well, I guess that is it for now. I know that I said that that this chapter wasn't coming out until May, but this chapter went a lot quicker than I thought so I hope that you all enjoyed it. Now, you are all probably wondering what the next, and final, chapter will have since this was the end of Hydaelyn. Well, the next chapter is going to be an epilogue of sorts… it's completely made up by me, but hell, I loved the idea so much that it is canon in my head and no one can change my mind about it. Completely made up by me and I felt a fitting ending. It will definitely be out next month so thank you for joining me this far and hold out for just a little longer.)