Farrah and the rest had no idea what to expect dropping from the cliff, but their trust for Cid Garlond outweighed their fear. So without a second thought, they all threw themselves over the edge and landed on the deck of the Enterprise.
The beautiful ship flew around the Garlean compound in an effort to escape. But then a giant, green beam shot at them, Cid only just dodging it.
"What in the seven hells?!" Pilot Garlond shouted.
Farrah and the others gathered to the side of the ship out looking where the attack came from. once sighted, everyone gasped. there at the base was Gaius van Baelsar, the Garlean ruler, and a giant beast like contraption.
"That's the machine that devoured the primals!" Farrah thought.
"Oh no... It's here!" Alphinaud gasped in horror.
"Twelve preserve us... They finished it. Ultima Weapon..."
"So it has a name" Alphinaud stated.
Minfilia began explaining. "It is a relic of ancient Allag, excavated from its resting place deep beneath Ala Mhigo. The Allagans used it to crush primal and foe alike... and now the Garleans mean to do the same."
"Damn you, Gaius!" Cid shouted above the roar of the engine.
"Look! There, beside the Black Wolf!" The petite, white haired Scion yelled. "An Ascian!"
They all looked down to see a masculine figure with black robes, a red mask shielding his face, and gold adorning his broad shoulders.
"An overlord no less, his garb attests to that" Alphinaud continued.
"Lahabrea! It could only be him!" Minfilia raged.
"Could this really be the masked figure we've been hunting all this time?" Farrah reflected.
The masked man bent down and removed his blood red face covering and looked up at the ship with an evil grin. His dark, sinister, hazel eyes peaking out through his easily recognizable white hair.
All at once the world started spinning. The air was knocked out of Farrah, sending her choking on her own breath, unable to say a word. Gripping the wall of the ship, she began to collapse.
"Thancred! He was Lahabrea...? No... No, this cannot be!"
Another beam shot at them. "We have to go now! Hang on!" Their pilot yelled turning the ship away.
"Thancred! Noooooo!" Their leader yelled.
Hearing Minfilia vocalize what Farrah thought she saw, hoping it was some terrible nightmare, gave her wind back to her. Only to be forced back out by the tortured, heart shattering scream that escaped the adventurer's lips.
"NOOOOO!" She coughed on her salty tears. "THANCRED! NO!" The archer stumbled to the nearest empty bucket and puked, clutching her belly hidden by her thick armor. feeling like the world was crushing her, she ripped off the heavy, protective, outerwear, exposing her obviously pregnant stomach.
Everyone turned to look at where the scream had come from, to find their sister Scion gasping and drowning in thick tears.
"Farrah!" Minfilia gasped in concern, taking in the sight of her condition.
Yda and Y'shtola ran to their friend grabbing her elbows and helping her to the ground. Yda held her upright in her lap while Y'shtola rubbed her protruding baby bump trying to calm her down and make sure they were okay.
"Farrah, are you...!?" Tataru began.
The Miqo'te healer turned to her little Lalafell sister, "she's pregnant."
Cid looked back, worried for his friend. Having known her secret from Father Iliud, he wanted to comfort her but had to keep piloting them to safety.
Yda gasped in realization, she looked into her friend's pain filled eyes. "Thancred is the father... isn't he?"
Everyone stared in utter shock at their expecting friend, waiting on her waning words.
Farrah nodded, sobbing.
"Oh, Farrah..." Minfilia whispered to herself, feeling such hurt for her dear friend and what she must be going through. Then she and Tataru joined the three girls on the ground, comforting their fellow Scion making sure both her and baby were going to be okay.
A few moments went by before Alphinaud cut through the fluctuating silence, pacing about the ship. "All that time, the enemy was beside me, and I never even suspected. And to think that it was I who suggested that Thancred investigate the Ascians! How could I have been so blind!?"
Everyone was watching and listening, feeling shame and guilt for the same reasons.
"Small wonder the enemy knew our every move -and where to find us! Confound it all!" Alphinaud slammed his fist against the thick wooden post in anger. After taking a few deep breaths and a kind, gentle look at Farrah, he continued. "No... No, this is no time for self-doubt. The Alliance Leaders staked their hopes on the Scions, but now they believe us all dead or missing. When they learn of the Empire's new weapon, we cannot be certain what they will do. We must go and offer them what assurances we can that defeat is not inevitable! The situation may have taken an ill turn... But the battle is far from over. And so long as we stand together, there shall ever be hope of victory. The people of Eorzea falter for want of such hope. Let us provide it. Let us bear to them the tidings that the Scions of the Seventh Dawn are returned!" Every Scion on board, new and old, cheered and or clapped in agreement.
Alphinaud walked over to Farrah and knelt down beside her. She had her hands on her belly finding a sense of calm comfort, in the midst of hell, feeling her baby kicking. The young Elezen man looked at her rounding abdomen.
"May I?" he asked gently.
Farrah nodded still unable to find her voice or the strength to speak.
The young man carefully put his hand on his companions baby bump, feeling the tiny unborn child react with a soft kick. "Amazing" he whispered to himself giving the baby a gentle pat back. "I'm shocked Thancred actually decided to settle down and have a family." He chuckled and withdrew his hand, looking up at Farrah. "Are you alright?"
The soon to be mother just lowered her head trying to hide the tears threatening to spill over anew.
"I understand... Matters are coming to a head. I hope I can count on you."
She looked up, a fierce fire in her eyes, and nodded with great determination.
"I am ready. Let us pay a visit to the counsel of the Alliance leadership." Minfilia said strongly.
Cid steered the ship, headed for Ul'dah. Once they docked at the large city, the company made their way up to the grand council room. Right when the leaders were about to consider surrendering to the Empire, the brave Scions marched in, able to convince them all to fight back.
The Lalafell Queen, Nanamo Ul Namo, approached the lasting Scions with much joy. "Be at ease, my friends. You have banished our doubts. Pray leave the military matters to us, and retire to the Waking Sands. We will send word anon."
Walking back into the Waking Sands as a whole, made the last time feel like a fever dream. By looking around, you would never think almost and entire company of people were slaughtered here. Farrah wasn't sure if this was a good thing, or bad. Inside the Solar, everyone gathered and Minfilia began to address them.
"I cannot well express my relief. To think that the Alliance came so close to surrender..."
"But the fire in their hearts has been rekindled, and they will fight to the last." Cid joined in.
"This warmth inside... Did you feel it too, Grandfather?" Alphinaud questioned aloud to himself. Looking to Minfilia he continued, "I would know something -was that your power at work earlier?"
"Nothing of the sort. The leaders of Eorzea had lost their way -I merely helped them to find it again." She smiled. Just then the Scion leader got a call on her linkpearl. "Oh hello! ...Yes our party returned just a moment ago. How close are you?" Seconds later the call ended and there was a knock at the Solar entrance. As she walked to the door, she paused seeing Garlond's worried face and assured him. "It's alright, Cid"
Alphinaud looked to the others, "We must needs plan our next move. Pray continue liaising with your respective nations. Cid, would you be our man in Ul'dah?" He asked the goggle clad gentleman.
"I'll be whatever and wherever you need me to be."
Minfilia, having just finished her buisness at the door, slowly walked up to Farrah. "Thancred's fate weighs heavily on my mind. I cannot bear to think of him in thrall to an Ascian."
"In 'thrall'?" Farrah thought, giving her friend a sad and slightly confused look.
"Mayhap you knew this already, but the Ascians are immortal beings without physical form. Since time immemorial, they have fanned the flames of chaos from the shadows. That they might work unseen, the Ascians entrap and possess mortal men by means of malign artifacts known as crystals of darkness. One such crystal may yet be the key to saving Thancred."
Farrah gasped, the first verbal noise she's made since Lahabrea's unveiling. Fresh tears crept from her still red eyes. "We can save him?!"
Minfilia held out a large purple crystal "This is a crystal of darkness?" Alphinaud asked, surprised.
"A mere relic, created using data obtained from anomalous crystals found across Eorzea. It comes to us courtesy of the students of Baldesion, our distant allies." She paused to take a deep breath. "Even for an Archon, Thancred's talents are exceptional. We all had complete confidence in him. It was for this reason none among us foresaw the danger in sending him to investigate the Ascians alone."
Papalymo spoke up. "Thancred's been striving to fill the void left by Louisoix. Yet it was plain that he was overtaxing himself."
"Yeah... He would volunteer for everything and work till he was dizzy." Yda piped in
Thoughtfully, Alphinaud added, "And the toll taken by his exertions made him vulnerable to Ascian influence..."
Their wise leader nodded. "The crystal that binds Thancred must be somewhere on his person. If we could but destroy it, his Ascian possessor would be compelled to relinquish control over him." Making eye contact with Farrah, giving her a hopeful smile, she spoke. "You have proven the stoutest of allies, standing with us through thick and thin. Yet the most perilous struggle is still to come. For the sake of the realm -and for Thancred- I ask that you lend us your strength once more."
Farrah looked down at her baby bump, feeling her and Thancred's child moving within. Knowing she's going to have to put her and her baby's life at risk for the greater good. Taking a deep breath, she nodded reassuringly.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart. As I am sure you're aware, the realm was saved from certain doom five years ago by the heroes known as the Warriors of Light. What you may not be aware of is that your many feats in service to the Scions have prompted folk to make certain... comparisons. I must confess, you do remind me of them." Their leader stood tall and concluded with this. "Yet remember this: however glorious the past, it is the hero's lot to be judged on the deeds of the present. A new darkness threatens the realm, and the people cry out for a savior. I believe that you are she -a Warrior of Light, here in the present. Guided by the Crystals will. Come, my friends! Let us fight to safeguard the future of our beloved Eorzea!"
All speeches and briefings aside, everyone grew exhausted. Therefor they all retired to their rooms. Farrah, on the other hand, went to the room she deeply longed to go back to. With a shaking hand, she carefully reached for the doorknob to Thancred's room, afraid to find the mess she last left. And even more afraid to find all of his things gone. Heart pounding, she looked inside.
Farrah gasped and tears once again came to her eyes. Everything looked like how it should have been, like this was still Thancred's room. His clothes, hung and folded perfectly in the wardrobe. The furniture all in the same spots she remembered them to be. And most of all... it smelt just like him. The beautiful Hyuran woman pulled a shirt from his belongings holding it to her chest, inhaling his comforting scent. She had to remember to thank whoever was responsible for the clean up.
"I thought I might find you here." Just then Minfilia came into the room carrying some clothing in her arms. Looking around she said, "Once I found out about you and Thancred, I called a few friends to make sure to have the room put back to normal. I believed it might help you feel more comfortable, more at home. That, and I know we'll bring him back home, Farrah."
Farrah ran to her friend, throwing her arms around Minfilia for a big hug. "Thank you" she said with a hoarse voice.
The Scion leader returned the hug, rubbing small circles on her back. After a few moments they pulled away. "Oh, here." She handed Farrah the clothes. "I brought a few of your things from your room so you can rest comfortably."
"Thank you, Minfilia." Farrah replied with such love for her sister Scion.
The leader nodded with a smile and walked from the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Farrah removed her armor, hanging it over the back of the chair at the desk and changed into her white, knee length nightgown. The archer walked over to the tall mirror to see how all of this has taken its toll on her. besides the red nose and dark under eye circles, she noticed how the high empire waist of the gown really emphasized how much her stomach has grown over the last month and a half. Grabbing Thancred's shirt she went to the bed and finally got some rest.
The beautiful, young woman awoke in the pitch black room only a couple hours after having fallen asleep. Sweat coating her whole body. Something felt wrong. She turned over to light the candle on her bedside table. Throwing back the covers to stop the sweating she noticed a small pool of red between her legs.
"NO! Oh gods, no!"
Eorzea's adventurer held her belly squeezing her eyes shut in pain and concentration. For a few minutes she laid there, brain rapidly going through scenarios of what to do until it clicked. She carefully climbed out of bed, ignoring the painful cramps, making her way to the desk. Farrah quickly grabbed a piece of parchment and a pen, scribbling away. She left it there on the desk and, quietly but swiftly, left the Waking Sands. The Young adventurer made haste to the sister Garlean fortress of the one they had only just escaped. Only this time she wanted to be caught.
Sneaking past the guards on the perimeter of the grounds, she made her way to the main gate. Neither armed nor armored, she took a deep breath and prayed to the Crystal for guidance before stepping out of the shadows.
"It is I, Farrah Vilentris, Scion of the Seventh Dawn! A possessor of the echo! Take me to Thancred! To Lahabrea!"
In an instant guards were on her, seizing her as prisoner. There was a guard on either side of her pushing her forward by her elbows. Farrah was swallowing down the stabbing pain she felt in her lower abdomen all the while. The daring adventurer was brought to one of the heavy artillery loading decks, just as the sky was beginning to gray with a new day. There the two guards held her when Lahabrea came forward from the shadows.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA! You're an absolute fool! Wandering into a wolves den with not so much as a weapon to defend yourself! What a pathetic excuse for the so called 'Hero adventurer of Eorzea'".
"Thancred, please..! I know you're in there somewhere!" She began gasping and groaning in pain. "Than, please help me... I'm pregnant!" She stared intently into the face of her lover, who's eyes belonged to a twisted stranger, praying her plan would work. By the Twelve. For a split second, she swears she saw the real Thancred peek through. She silently sighed in relief. "My Thancred is in there. He's still there. This might just work!"
"HAHAHA! 'Tis but a lie, and a pathetic one at that! This was your plan?!" He motioned to the guards before turning and beginning to walk away. "Take her away."
Just then there was an obvious, loud dripping sound followed by Farrah's screams of pain. Even Lahabrea turned to inspect the source. Farrah had blood dripping from between her legs, staining the front of her gown. The guards instinctively pulled their prisoner up from her crouching position, exposing her hidden baby bump.
Thancred gasped in horror, staring at the woman in front of him. Fighting for control against the Ascian possessing him.
between grunts of pain, Farrah pleaded. "Than... the baby is dying. Your Baby... Please... help us!"
Still in the internal battle, the black robed man managed to say, "Take her to the infirmary."
The guards looked at one another unsure of what is going on with the Ascian Overlord.
"NOW!" He screamed at them.
The guards carried the injured Scion as quickly as possible to the infirmary while the bewildered Ascian walked away, a hand to his head in confusion.
a couple hours later, Lahabrea shoved aside the doors to the infirmary. There he saw the old, graying Doctor standing around a table with the unconscious Scion laid upon it.
Startled, the old man looked up. "Oh, uh... My Lord, what-" He stammered In fear of the Overlord.
"Status on the prisoner" he stated firmly.
"Ah, well..." The doctor scrambled to grab his notes and spectacles. "It appears this young lady is just under five months in gestation." He flipped through his notes. "As for the complications, there was a stress induced hemorrhage along the lining of her womb."
"What of them now? Will they survive?"
The doctor looked up, confused by the man's curiosity. "I was able to stop the source of the bleeding. After some elaborate healing practices, only a few in Eorzea have been able to master, both mother and child should be alright..."
The hooded figure hid his sigh of relief.
"...That is if she continues to stay on bed rest and stress levels monitored. It is possible there could be a relapse in the near future if not careful."
Lahabrea clenched his fists, responding with, "When she can be moved, send her to cell 49." He turned, making to leave but stopped, addressing the old man and the two guards who carried her in. "Tell no one of her condition or you will suffer a fate worse than death." He slammed the door on his way out.