The walls of her cell…How welcoming did they look after all Fordola has been through?

Challenge after challenge, cataclysm after cataclysm, it seemed like hell itself unveiled before her eyes, the hell from which this cramp, the forsaken room, was a respite, if only for a short time. The place where Fordola was left to herself while she pondered on her mistakes, on her sins of the past. All she could think of was the trigger she pulled when battling Alliance forces in Ala Mhigo, the knife she pierced the backs of her comrades with, the day that would haunt her forever. Even when staring into the grey stone wall or smelling the stains of dirty water, Fordola could see their faces in reflection. Ansfrid, Emelin…Those she doomed for nothing.

She never told or showed to anybody, but Fordola felt relieved when she was taken up by Arenvald to assist during battles with newly arisen primals. He was an idealist to the end, always seeing something good in everyone and everything, including her. Idealism she would often mock him for, yet deep inside, she appreciated his belief more than anything. No matter if forgiveness is deserved or not, one's soul will always cling to and yearn for it. She knew she could never undo the damage she had done, never bring back her friends; all she could do was to ease life for those that remained by fighting. Fighting mindlessly, again and again, doing what she was told to do every time. At least she had Arenvald by her side, even if she couldn't truly call him a friend.

And then the only person who genuinely believed in her and saw her as something more than a tool died. Died swiftly and unexpectedly, fighting against the dreadful weapon that brought ruin upon the city of Ala Mhigo, once again scarring their nation and people, continuing the spiral of loss and tragedy. She remembered standing there, looking at his lifeless corpse, as the realization pierced her heart. She dared to lower her guard, to become attached to someone, to hope for the better, and soon this hope was taken. Was this the punishment fate decreed upon Fordola for her crimes? For the lives she took? She didn't want to ask this question. That's why she simply continued to fight, trying to bring justice to Valens for orchestrating a gruesome assault in which her friend perished forever. She saw it through; eventually, she saw Gaius reunite with his children, saw the old wolf signally breathe and relief, and experience the joy of being there with them.

She didn't show them her tears, tears that streamed down her face that day as Fordola knew that she would never get an opportunity like this again, would never be able to sit under the moonlight, share laughs and stories with those she could call family. All there was for her was fighting and duty imposed by the Alliance, her new overlords. She was encouraged to go to Garlemald and take part in the assault, likely because many considered her an expendable criminal, yet she took this opportunity to not be a prisoner of her own mind once again. She marched into the heat of battle with Estinien and others and looked into the eyes of the Garlean Legatus, who spoke with pride of his people's actions, ignoring all of their atrocities; she felt like she could finally stand up to the system that broke her.

It became too much in the Tower of Babil. Fordola believed herself unbreakable, yet seeing the twisted creature Fandaniel created out of the body of the fallen emperor, seeing Zenos, the man she once served, completely lose his mind and eagerly push their own world towards destruction and annihilation, seeing Elidibus, someone who might have been an ascian but still was a living being much like any of them be tormented and twisted beyond recognition, made a monstrosity to sate Fandaniel's twisted imagination. She had to admit that without Solus's aid, they would not have survived that battle. Her wounds forced her to stay in the medical bay for the few coming days, but after that, Fordola was told of what occurred on the moon. Zodiark was destroyed, and the Final Days were unleashed upon their star, consuming everyone who succumbed to the worst of their emotions and despair. It was not until the hearing of the massacre in Ul'Dah that Fordola truly understood how dire this situation was. She was ready to help, but upon her return to Ala Mhigo, the viceroys Raubahn left behind eagerly forced Fordola back to her cell. A place in which she expected herself to die when the Final Days would inevitably reach Ala Mhigo…Or worse, she could succumb to her own burning disdain for herself and her mistakes and make a blasphemy herself. She would kill countless innocent people before being put down like a rabid dog…Fordola could feel this ache appear from time to time, yet every time she tried to hold herself together.

There were times when she considered trying to end it altogether if that was even possible. It seemed like the only way to die on her own terms and without harming any more people, but that would be a coward's way out. What if she was to meet her friends on the other side? What would she tell them? That she betrayed them and slaughtered them only to be humiliated and give up, to die in chains? She couldn't force herself to do it, but neither she knew not what to do. Sometimes, her thoughts became unbearable. They simply became too much to avoid, their constant voices echoing in her head, mixing with one another, asking her simple questions…Why did she betray them? Why did she leave them to die? The blood on her hands will never be washed away, and this was the inevitable conclusion all her musings led to, as bitter as it was. As she walked around her cell with clenched fists and teeth, unable to let go of them, unable to make peace.

However, it changed one day. The day when the door of her cell was open, a tall silhouette of a tired man emerged above her. As always, keeping his iron armor on, the one-handed warrior had changed since they last met. The black bull was always regretful of the destruction shown in the city of Ala Mhigo by the Ruby Weapon, but even then, he dared to maintain some optimism. Now, however, his eyes were empty and soulless. He stared at Fordola like a mindless phantom, not eager to speak at all. Yet, for some reason, he still came to her.

"Fordola." - He spoke with a heavy voice, so stern that even she was caught off-guard.

"Why are you here?" - The woman turned around and gazed at the intruder. She knew that he needed her strength for something, that much was obvious, but she would hear his answer nonetheless.

"I need your aid in defending Ala Mhigo." - Raubahn was quick to respond. "A blasphemy has shown itself."

Immediately after those words, Fordola could feel the pain in her head. It always came at the most unfitting moments, the echo, a price for the strength that she now got. Fordola grunted and looked to the floor, closing her eyes and breathing heavily.

She saw flashes of a distant city, the city that was plagued by the inferno and the horrendous beasts that formed in its streets, transforming the people themselves, taking everything that made them human away from them, and rotting their bodies and souls. Fordola saw moments of the slaughter when the monsters tore the horrified citizens apart; she heard the screams that became the city's only music during the monstrous night. Few fought, most chose to run, and many perished. This was what Fordola always imagined at the mention of the Seven Hells, the pits that open up beneath the earth that come to swallow entire nations whole, leaving nothing but ashes in their wake.

And amidst it all, a charred home in which the new creatures arose. The home in which the noble leader of the Ul'Dah hid while the chaos ensued outside. Fordola saw this too. She could swear she smelled the blood that flew from Nanamo's ripped neck as the small, one-eyed monster sunk its teeth into her flesh. Raubahn was too late to stop it; he was forced to powerlessly stand over the corpse of his Sultana, of his dearest friend with whom he spent many years. She heard his scream, heard him sheathe his blade as the general swore to clean his city of filth that plagued it. A call that would drive him ever since.

"Are you listening?" - Raubahn asked while watching Fordola finally look up as the visions let her go. "Was it the echo?"

"It…It was." - The woman sighed. She couldn't deny the obvious, Raubahn must have seen exactly how it works after working with Edwin for so long, but she didn't want to disclose the subject. Fordola knew that the Sultana died, but to see her like this, to see Raubahn standing over her corpse and having to realize that he could've saved her…It must have been agonizing.

"What did you see?"

"Doesn't matter." - Fordola shook her head. "You mentioned blasphemy, eh? I assume you want me to help you put an end to it."

"Aye." - Raubahn nodded. "Some of our people noticed the monster scavenging the destroyed districts not so long ago. They immediately warned the guards, but it was gone by then. And I'm not going to battle it unprepared, nor will I leave it to its own devices." - Raubahn said coldly. "The time has come to serve your nation once again, Fordola, so come with me, and we'll find it together." - He didn't even pretend like she had a choice, a welcome respite, admittedly. Nor was this a choice Fordola would refuse; it was yet another opportunity to help her people and do something other than rot in a cell.

"You know…"

"What?"

"I was expecting you to stay in Ul'Dah for longer, that is all."

"I don't think I could've stood spending any more time with Lolorito…After I heard the news of the blasphemies arising, it was plain that my people needed me here." - Raubahn looked down and clenched his fist as if unwilling to answer the question. "Let's not waste any more time." - He spoke hastily. "We have a beast to hunt, after all."

…

Fordola wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried now that she was able to see the sun rising above the city of Ala Mhigo yet again. Even after joining the Alliance, as involuntary as it was, this place never felt like a true home for Fordola, even if there was no city that she felt closer to. She wasn't welcomed here, understandably so after her crimes. For this did she vow to atone, first hunting primals and now blasphemies. She tried not to think too much about when her struggles will finally end and her society will finally greet her with acceptance, or if that was ever going to happen.

For now, the woman followed Raubahn across the streets, making their way towards the ruined quarter. When Fordola left for Garlemald, she still remembered this half of the city being left abandoned and tarnished, with only a few choices to return there before substantial work was done with it. Perhaps something has changed now. Of course, going through the city entailed people gazing at Fordola with disdain, occasionally recoiling in fear.

"Oy, look…That's the bloody butcher."

"They aren't letting her free, are they? We have enough on our hands!"

"The general better be careful with her…"

She learned to ignore those stares. At least now, they were afraid of her as they should be. No one dared to throw a single rock at her, for they knew that testing her patience was, at the very least, highly risky.

"There are…News." - Raubahn finally spoke, as quietly as he did before. "From Sharlayan."

"And what's that all about?"

"Forum announced that the cause of the Final Days has been discovered, at least the Exarch claims to know. Some kind of creature born in ancient times, sending its song here from further reaches of the sea of stars and making us into those…Monstrosities." - This hardly sounded promising; Fordola couldn't see a way to reach this creature if it truly was on the outer edges of the universe. "They have also promised that an evacuation will begin soon enough."

"To where?"

"Apparently, they have an Allagan ship to carry as many people as possible to the moon, which in itself is a vessel that can travel across the sea…" - Raubahn wasn't too confident in his descriptions. The whole concept of escape clearly evaded him, which Fordola understood.

"If that 'song' can travel across the sea of stars, how is that going to help us?"

"Don't ask me; that's all I know of their plans, not that it matters much before they even began." - Raubahn scoffed. "All I know is that there are beasts in Ala Mhigo, and I'm not letting them roam free. Each of them is a threat, and it is our job to kill them before they harm anyone!" - His tone reeked of disdain and eagerness to fight, something Fordola hadn't seen from him too often.

"And you need me for this, do you…"

"Aye. Consider this another chance to prove yourself before our people."

"Are you so intent on giving me chances, or is that just your last resort?"

"Heh…" - Raubahn sighed, slowing down for a moment. "I am using everyone I can. M'naago is already too busy hunting blasphemies in the Fringes, and Lyse is off to help Gaius in Ilsabard. You are one of the most talented warriors we have, whether some like to admit it or not."

"I see…"

As they got closer to the ruined district, Fordola thought of what Raubahn had told her. When the evacuation to the moon begins, would she take this opportunity and escape the star? Will she even be allowed? Fordola could see the Forum denying her an entry because of her past crimes, leaving her to rot on this dying star while they transcend the heavens. She wondered what treatment she would get in the new socket that would inevitably form on the moon. Will she still be known as an outcast, carrying her sins with her, or will the evacuation put her on equal terms with others? After all, there will be no one left unscathed, no one who hasn't lost something dear to them. Perhaps she will have to make this choice soon enough.

As Fordola had to look around the ruined district, the memories of fighting the Ruby Weapon haunted her. Seeing such destruction brought upon her homeland, seeing Garlemald in ruins, knowing what happened in Ul'Dah and Limsa Lominsa…The whole world was becoming hell on earth, far too quick for anyone to handle. There was some work done, and of course, a few houses nearest to the center began to show shape and color once again, even if there was still much to do before this part of the city became livable. Fordola wondered if the people who lost their homes were still given refuge by the others or if they had to find a home in the nearby villages. There were few that remained to work on the district's restoration; it was jarring how little distance there was between the lively districts of Ala Mhigo and scorched ruins.

"Here, we're getting close." - Raubahn announced as they neared the wall, still breached by the blast. "As far as I know, the monster was spotted around here…" - Raubahn began, but soon he noticed two people standing beside the wall. One of them was a young man, while the other was someone familiar to both Fordola and Raubahn. An au ra woman with one horn and a red suit asked questions of the man beside her.

"You've seen it too, right?"

"Aye, it just happened so quickly…I was in one of the houses, dealing with the rubble, and then I saw that damn thing. Had to warn the others immediately."

"Greetings." - Raubahn's stern voice distracted the two from their talk, making them look at him and Fordola with interest. Seeing Milisandia once again…Fordola didn't know what to make of it. She tried to be fair, yet she couldn't deny that the bitterness of her being the one to kill Arenvald was not yet gone, even though Fordola sympathized with Milisandia's reasons, knowing that she would do the same in her shoes. She might have doomed her family back in the Peaks, but she would give anything for a chance to save them now, the lengths she would go…It's better if Raubahn never gets to know.

"Oh, hello." - Milisandia said shyly, but she quickly recomposed herself soon after. "I didn't expect to meet you here, Raubahn, much less…"

"Let's get down to business." - Fordola said. "We're here for the beast."

"Ah, of course." - Milisandia said before looking at her companion. "I'll tell them about it. You should report to Insfred."

"Yes…Sure." - He nodded shortly before leaving the trio alone. After a moment of silence, Milisandia finally looked at Fordola with a smile on her face.

"I'm glad to see you are free, for now, at least. I wanted to say that they should allow you more freedom after what you've done in our war against Valens, but of course, they wouldn't allow me much of a voice…" - The au ra sighed. "I can't blame them, of course, but still…"

"I can handle it myself, do not worry about me." - Fordola retorted. "How are the efforts going?"

"It's a lot of work and will take months before Ala Mhigo is fully rebuilt…But at this point, many are simply abandoning their work because of the news. Many are preparing to leave already…" - She spoke with sadness and pain, her eyes looking away from Fordola and Raubahn. "It's so…No, never mind. You want to know about the new blasphemy, right? I'll help you in any way I can." - She was eager to atone for her own sins. That much was clear for Fordola, but she still wondered how the ordeal weighed on her. It was clear that Milisandia has always been a kind-hearted person who would no doubt be haunted by what happened in the city that day, by what she did. An outcast, just like Fordola or Gaius. Perhaps Fordola isn't the only one who has to prove herself.

"Tell us about the beast." - Raubahn spoke. "Was it just you and that man that witnessed it?"

"I believe so; we were both working near the wall, gathering what remained from those houses…And then I heard steps. Some quick, loud steps, like a large animal walking straight into the city. We've all been warned about the beasts and how they can appear absolutely everywhere at this point, so I tried to be cautious while still getting a look."

"What did you see?" - Fordola inquired.

"Oh, it was…Something. I heard about them in Ul'Dah, but to see one for myself, that's just…Gods, I don't know what to say even. It was large and colored purple, I think…It was hard to see in the dark."

"The creeps…" - Raubahn clenched his teeth. "They can take many forms, as we've seen in Ul'Dah; what was this one like? Did it resemble any animal?"

"No, not really. It was like a man, but with a much larger and stronger body, and its face…White and twisted, a monster in its purest form." - Milisandia's lips quivered as she described it. "I was afraid that it would find me and tried to hide, but…It never did. It just walked around for a while, as if searching for something among the rubble, and then just left, disappearing into the night. It never came back since."

"It didn't find any prey, then…" - Raubahn concluded. "And it was too cautious about attacking the city alone."

"That's strange behavior for a beast, isn't it?" - Fordola wondered.

"There are clever ones, occasionally." - Raubahn immediately retorted with fleeting anger in his voice. His every word with how much pure spite was in them, how much rage boiled in his heart…Fordola knew this feeling well. He was eager to fight, eager to get his hands dirty, eager to avenge those he had lost. "It must be somewhere in Gyr Abania, maybe looking for other blasphemies to return to the city with…I'm not allowing that to happen."

"Perhaps it's worth splitting up?" - Fordola suggested. "We are not going to find it quickly by scouring all of Gyr Abania at our pace."

"Perhaps…" - Raubahn was about to say something, but they got interrupted by an intrusive sound of his linkpearl. The general immediately put his hand to one of his ears, listening with care while Fordola and Milisandia were waiting patiently. "Aye? Yes, I am…I see. Very well, then, I'll be there." When he put away the linkpearl, a sight of faint relief emerged on Raubahn's face.

"Who was that?" - Milisandia asked.

"Raganfrid. He said that some of his men spotted it near the peaks a few hours ago." - Raubahn explained. "No time to waste, Fordola."

"Very well…"

"Can I come, too?" - Milisandia volunteered.

"Why?"

"There isn't much help I can provide here now that all construction is about to cease…I can be there. I can fight, not as well as father, of course, but I can still help." - She was eager, and there was little point denying help.

"Very well." - Raubahn nodded with some reluctance. "Let us be off, then. I'm not intent on letting it escape."

…

Their path to Ala Gannha did not take too long, but it gave Fordola some time to brace herself before beating Raganfrid. She remembered full well the last time they saw each other. How Lyse came to her soul and offered a simple choice. To fight for her people, expecting nothing or return, or forever be known not only as a butcher but a coward as well.

"You are not forgiven…"

Those were the words he spoke to her after she, along with Arenvald and Edwin, vanquished the Ananta primal Lakshmi. She remembered his stern eyes, the gaze that wanted to hate her desperately yet couldn't force himself to. She didn't care for his speeches or words. All she wanted was to be left alone in her cell to ponder and muse.

Now, it was time to see him again.

Fordola, Raubahn, and Milisandia approached the remote village in silence. Fordola remembered her visiting this place when she was still a leader of Crania Lupi, still serving under Zenos's tyrannical rule. She and her allies had all other Ala Mhigans at their mercy, free to torment them to enforce obedience no matter the cost. And they did. They did so, not thinking of the consequences except a distant possibility of becoming one with the Empire, finally getting the acceptance all of them craved. Yet all they would get was a painful death and, for Fordola, a life of agony and remorse. A life of coward who even now refused to…She couldn't think about it, not now.

When the trio reached the village, they saw a place that was far more full than the time Fordola visited it last time. There were more people to be found, but few of them could be called happy or lively. They spoke quietly, their voices barely reaching Fordola's ears. Even the echoes of the hot desert wind have been stronger. Fordola wondered if that's how people everywhere in the world felt now that the Final Days descended upon the world, quite possibly the most horrific cataclysm their world had ever known. The one that even their predecessors never stopped, never found a way to truly end it. What hope can they have but fight?

"Seven hells, look!" - One of the guards spoke up as he pointed towards their approaching visitors. "That's the flame, general!"

"And he brought quite a company…" - The second guard responded with distaste. "The butcher and the bloody pilot, as if the people need to see them…" - Fordola had no patience nor desire to deal with them, but Milisandia would try to be more diplomatic.

"Don't worry, we mean you no harm." - The au ra stepped forward. "We wanted to talk with Raganfrid about the blasphemy and…"

"He has better things to do than waste his time on the likes of you."

"Enough." - Raubahn stood between them. "They are with me, and as long as they aid with the blasphemy hunting, it is going to stay that way. Raganfrid knows of my arrival; let him know we're here."

"Fine…" - The guard sighed and put two fingers to his ear, activating the linkpearl. "The iron bull has arrived, says he wants to talk, says you expected him…Ah, yes, very well. He's not alone, mind you…" - The guard spoke before deactivating the linkpearl. A few minutes later, a familiar silhouette of a dark-skinned old man with white hair and a beard emerged, one of their elders. He seemed far from pleased the moment he noticed the guests Raubahn brought with him, an expected reaction, though Fordola still felt the faint ache in her heart.

"Here you are." - Raubahn greeted the elder. "I've come here to slay the beast, though I assume you know that already."

"You didn't mention you'd be bringing guests." - The elder shook his head.

"They're here to help, that is all."

"I…Made my peace with Fordola, but this one destroyed half of our city. Far too many people have died…You can't just bring her here without warning."

"I want to help." - Milisandia responded. "What I did to your city and people is unforgivable, and I am not asking for it…I know exactly how it is. But I do want to help in any way I can, be it fighting or tracking. I would…I would be grateful if you allow me such an opportunity."

"Is she sincere?" - Raganfrid looked at Raubahn with reservation.

"Yes. I have seen enough of Milisandia to know that she is; you have my word."

"If that's so…" - The elder sighed, almost as of succumbing to the inevitability of his fate. "Come inside, we can coordinate the efforts, but I'd rather not have people of Ala Gannha see you. In times like these, it is…Our main concern is to maintain their wellbeing."

"Of course, I understand." - Raubahn nodded. "Shall we be off, then?"

As the two guards stepped aside, Raganfrid led the trio toward his house. Fordola walked closest to him, although she could barely force herself to look into his eyes. Eventually, the elder looked at her with intrigue.

"I heard you played a part during the war with the VIIth Legion, infiltrating their headquarters in Werlyt…"

"Aye, I've been there."

"You have our people's gratitude. And mine." - Raganfrid tried to sound warm, yet Fordola couldn't quite believe his sincerity.

"You're welcome." - She responded coldly as they approached a small house at the edge of the village. Raganfrid wasn't the one to care for lavish living, all of his resources were spent on the people he cared for, and that's why his people respected their elders.

Before anyone could see them, the four gathered inside the warm house; Fordola could hear the old planks creak beneath her legs as the smell of a freshly-prepared tea warmed her nose, allowing her a rare moment of relaxation.

"Sit down, sit down." - Raganfrid pointed at the chairs while taking a seat of his own. "We're all in this together now, I suppose…"

"Thank you." - Milisandia said quietly as she sat near the elder, reminding Fordola that she should show some respect as well.

"Thanks." - She said coldly as she took her seat.

"So, about the blasphemy." - Raubahn looked at Raganfrid, eager to hear his response. "From what I know, this one is powerful, more powerful than most that M'naago had to deal with."

"Aye, the description fits. The monster with a warped face and purple skin, a few strikes from it would be enough to break a house." - Raganfrid said with worry. "We found it in the peaks this morning; my scouts detected it, but they didn't try to risk attacking it or exposing themselves."

"Not even an attempt?" - Raubahn sounded disappointed.

"They don't want to throw their lives away, and I understand that. I'm sure you wouldn't want your soldiers doing that."

"I would myself, just point me in the direction."

"It is still somewhere in the peaks, and I can spare some of my soldiers. From what my scouts said, it looks powerful, and no doubt it is, but it hardly seemed aggressive…"

"It didn't attack anyone in the city either." - Milisandia noted. "Raubahn thinks this one might be clever and is looking for other monsters to join it."

"Well, if that's so, it still didn't find any. The beast was in solitude, walking aimlessly around the mountains."

"Then it might be an easy target." - Raubahn spoke with resolve. "We should strike it while it is stranded and prevent it from amassing a following."

"Careful with that." - Fordola interrupted. "It might No be aggressive yet, but if we were to strike, it would surely bare its claws. If we're to find, we…" - Before Fordola could finish, she felt her mind ache. Her hands immediately clutched her head as she felt yet another surge of echo piercing her.

"What's wrong?" - Raganfrid wondered, but Fordola couldn't respond. The walls of the house around her became bleak and murky as the darkness covered her eyes.

This was when Fordola saw this dreadful place once again, the iron tower which she witnessed from above, the graveyard of her people, her friends and foes alike. The day when she gave the fateful order in an attempt to deal the final blow at the Eorzean Alliance. Specula Imperatoris, the place where no soul finds rest, the place that will always be haunted by the ghosts of those who died here, screaming and shouting in agony as they cursed all known gods who left them to this fate. There were no gods to answer their call, only the executioner, the butcher.

They were the bloodbath; they were her sin.

But now, there was another soul making its way toward the abandoned castrum. A young, blue-haired man slowly walked towards it, sometimes slowing down but not stopping for a second. Fordola was detached from her body now, but why did he seem so familiar? She could barely understand the feelings that rushed through her heart as she saw this familiar silhouette. Anxiety, fear, and dread. It was as if she was paralyzed by powers beyond her control, forced to watch the horror unfold. She had to continue until the young soul finally stopped and fell to his knees.

"I…Failed them." - This voice, this pained yet still warm voice that rang out in despair. Fordola knew him well, for it was one of her friends. Charlet, Ansfrid's younger brother, he was there when Fordola and her friends set themselves on the path they were now. Unlike others, Charlet never wished to follow them during the times of war, for he was too kind-hearted and gentle to ever harm anyone. All he wished for was for all of them to come home safe, an opportunity that Fordola stole away from them by killing Ansfrid and Emelin. She never faced Charlet afterward, not after she did. This thought remained in the back of her mind when Fordola was granted a degree of freedom during their war against Valens, but she wasn't determined enough to act on this thought. She could never tell him the truth, never wanted to…And now she witnessed him amidst despair, alone and stranded in the desert, a man who lost his brother and never had anyone to console him. "The fought, while I, I…I did nothing! Ansfrid, I should've been there, I should've…You didn't have to die!" - He came to see his brother's grave, the place where he fell, but he would not be returning from it. Not after the dark aura emerged around Charlet, forcing him to clutch his head as his entire body shook.

He was no more.

"Fordola? Are you alright? Is it the echo again?" - Milisandia's worried voice echoed in her ears when the echo began to fade. Raubahn and Raganfrid continued to look at her with intrigue, awaiting any kind of reaction. When she could finally breathe and see again, Fordola looked at the general.

"What did you see?" - He asked of her.

"It's…The blasphemy, it's…It's him." - Fordola's lips quivered, even though she understood that her companions would not have a clue of who she was talking to, yet she couldn't get rid of this image in her head. An image of a boy smiling while he said goodbye to his closest friends, asking them to return safe and alive, all of them.

"Who?" - Raubahn inquired further with little patience in his voice; he didn't care for games.

"Charlet…" - Fordola whispered his name, still unable to let go of this dream.

"Charlet?" - Raganfrid said, surprised, immediately pulling Fordola away from her trance and making her look into his confused eyes.

"You know him?"

"Aye, I do…He came to Ala Gannha a few days ago and said he wants to help with everything he can. Supplies, caring for the wounded, guarding against the blasphemies, just eager to do everything, really…Who was I to deny? That is until he left, promising to return after he had done something very important to him…And never did."

That was what he always wanted. To be of aid to those close to him, to those that fought on the battlefield while he remained behind. A desire he never got the chance to indulge with his closest friends, so he was doing everything in his power to make up for it when the whole world was besieged by blasphemies. All until he decided to see the place where his brother fell for himself, and he could not handle this anymore.

"Gods…" - Fordola whispered as her heart sank. She wasn't here for Charlet, wasn't there when she should've been. A time where she has to be brave not by fighting on the front lines but by admitting the truth. She was afraid of how she would react, but at least he would know the truth almost a month before the barrier was broken and the danger of becoming a beast became real. If he hated her, then she could've found Hrudolf and could've arranged a meeting between them. He was there, just like Ansfrid and Emelin but survived; he could provide the necessary comfort for Charlet. But she stood aside and did nothing while he suffered in silence. Suffered until he wasn't silent anymore. The things she would do to bring her family back…And what did she do for those who remained alive? Nothing. Nothing at all.

"Fordola…" - Raganfrid spoke with fear in his voice, desperately holding himself from recoiling, making it clear enough for the woman what was happening. His fearful eyes gave it all away.

Without thoughts or reservations, she rushed towards the exit. Busting the door open, ignoring Milisandia and Raubahn's calls, it was all done on a painful reflex. If hers is the same fate as Charlet, at least they would not have to suffer for it. She could feel this dark aura, the emotions that she held in herself throughout the ordeals Fordola went through. Every step she took towards her redemption, every turn, every trip…Every time a painful reminder of her cowardice, of her atrocities, of the sheer scale of her failure emerged. There was no way back from this. She couldn't run for long, couldn't disappear into the depths of the Peaks, tripping on one of the rocks stuck in the ground, something she never did…But Fordola couldn't concentrate at all, not when all she could see before her eyes were his smile…Charlet's smile.

A friend she failed.