Dark days loomed ahead for the first, Ryne was well aware of that, but she was ready to prepare for the coming storm. After getting Inga to know her other companions, the girl was pleased that they got along. Giott and Inga were quick to enter a discussion about their favorite types of ale; Granson was eager to test out her skills with a blade, while Reeq would love to hear of her own path and adventures, as he always was. They were quick to welcome her into their party and afford Inga a place by their side.
They needed to stay together to be ready for what was to come. There were numerous incidents with rising beasts over the next few days. The one that emerged in Fort Jobb was especially rabid and took a lot of effort to put down. Each adventurer was eager to fight for their home, but their success was wholly dependent on Ryne's divine interventions. When she was needed, the girl would muster as much power as possible to afford herself a strike at heart and deal grievous wounds to those monsters.
However, it became more difficult for her with the passing of time. She wasn't used to frequenting interventions, getting rather used to getting her energy power refilled as a few days were afforded for her. This, however, was not the case now, and it was made even worse by her link with Emet. Ryne felt her essence being drained as she was the link that still connected the ascian to the world of the present, no matter how much she despised the fact. She couldn't know how this would end, but she was getting tired, and it wasn't made better by her memories…Inga still didn't know, Ryne didn't want her to know, but she knew that eventually, she would have to confess the truth and make sure it did not become a problem. It was always so easy to think of in her head, but the thought of actually doing it was that of horror.
How ironic that the only distraction Ryne could find was in that battling the forces of despair. The latest call came from night's blessed in Slitherbough; a woman turned into a beast and began ravaging the town, mercilessly clawing through the countless people that were unlucky enough to get in the way, infecting some of those with its disease. Ryne felt the disturbance, but it wasn't until the coming of a messenger who emerged at the Crystarium's aetheryte to bring the unfortunate news. Of course, the response would be immediate.
Ryne opened a rift for her closest allies, sending them to Rak'Tika Greatwood. It was costly for her power, but Ryne still had a lot remaining in her reservoirs. After that, she would make her way there, hoping that it wasn't too late and that the innocents could be saved in time.
When Ryne witnessed the sight of the Greatwood, the calamity had already reached it, leaving Ryne to stare in horror as she prayed that the Night's Blessed was strong enough to resist. They were forewarned of the potential chaos that would arise sooner or later, but no one could be wholly prepared for the Final Days even with such foresight.
The skies became crimson, covering the sun that shed its light above the place, and she could already hear the echoing screams of the defenseless people, the rallying cries of their valiant protectors, and the beasts roaring and piercing her ears. The refuge was under assault by the creatures, it was clear to Ryne that they were already ravaging the settlement from the inside, but the defenders were just as brave in their defiance.
The biggest beast was circling above the refuge, and amidst the giant trees, it was reminiscent of a bat, much larger than the monsters she witnessed at Crystarium. It was searching for easy prey, occasionally descending to the ground to pick out those that its instincts deemed to fit, carrying the victims up into the skies before devouring them whole.
Ryne would not allow this to continue.
"Look, look, it's Eden!" A voice full of surprise and hope echoed from below the ground as Ryne could see a lone man pointing at the white vessel circling above. Who could ever expect that people of the First would look upon a mighty sin-eater not as a threat but as their own deliverance?
Ryne picked a spot to make her advance, noticing a young couple that was surrounded by the rat-like monsters running around and hounding them. One of them attacked the young woman, plunging its teeth into her vulnerable skin. The man immediately paused and stopped running. He charged to help his beloved even though he had no weapon but an old knife in his hand.
A ray of light befell onto the land, taking place between him and the woman, as a pale silhouette began to form around, immediately distracting the monsters around them.
"By the night…" The man recoiled as he saw Ryne's empowered avatar open her eyes, holding an aetheric bow and her eyes gleaming with light. Two arrows were shot, finding their place in the bodies of the rascals that attempted to attack the innocent. They reeled in agony, falling to their stomachs as the monsters let out their final breaths. The couple was safe, at least for now.
"Is everyone alright?" Ryne's slightly distorted voice echoed in their ears.
"T…We know who you are! Thank you!"
"You can thank me later. Now, please find somewhere to hide until we get rid of the beasts!"
They didn't argue and rushed back into the shadows, allowing Ryne to get a view of the clash unveiling. The Night's Blessed held their ground against the beasts that ravaged their home; there was a dozen of them, with new ones about to form every minute. It was her task to pick a new target and launch herself into the heat of battle. There were many more rat monsters attacking the people of Slitherbough.
Thankfully, it didn't last.
"Here they are!" Inga's loud voice echoed from the other side as she and Giott rushed to fight one of the larger terrors that were clawing at a lone soldier. Taynor was behind them, unleashing a spell of flame to distract the interlopers. This opened the monster up for Inga to pierce it with a blade, allowing Giott to unleash a final strike by bashing the monster's head with her hammer.
"You're just in time, Ryne!" Giott shouted. "Many more monsters raised their ugly head before we arrived, but it seems to get a bit better now…All we need is to deal with that flying abomination."
"Look out!" Inga shouted as another beast appeared, targeting Ryne and attempting to pierce her pale skin with its claws. And endeavor that ultimately proved a failure, however, as an arrow flew from the side, swift to pierce its eye and allowing Ryne to finish the job by maiming it with a blade of light.
"Now that was close!" Lue-Reeq's worried voice echoed, like music to Ryne's ears, reminding the girl that she had stalwart allies to resist the threat. Finally, most of them were gathered at the heart of the village, everyone equally engaged in the battle with the bat still circling around the sky.
"Where is Granson?" Ryne wondered, realizing that one of the adventurers was still missing.
"He's gone to the cavern…" Reeq pointed to his right, a passage that led deeper into Slitherbough. "He said there are some children left there, and those freaks are searching for them!"
That was enough for Ryne to realize that Granson needed help immediately. Empowered by light, the girl made her way to the cavern, beginning her search for Granson. She could already hear clashing swords and monstrous roars. Knowing Granson, Ryne could say that he would not fear going into such dangerous conditions, even on his own. If anything, being the only one who could help the innocents would make him fight with even more ferocity.
Ryne soon found herself amidst the ebon cave, with her being the only source of light. There were monsters lurking in the shadows, their eyes staring into her soul every passing moment. Granson was there as well, cutting one of those monsters in half with his blade.
"Stay away!" The warrior shouted moments before the body of the monster before he turned into a black cloud. "I will hold the line. You need to run!" He shouted into the dark, where Ryne could notice three children, one boy and two girls cowering in fear.
"Do you know…Where is my mother?" One of the girls pleaded, to which Granson could only shake his head.
"I don't know, I…"
"I'll help them out!" Ryne teleported towards them, much to Granson's and the children's relief.
"Is it…Is it her?" The boy wondered.
"The Guardian!" Another girl let out.
Those cries of joy were enough to lure another beast from behind, a one-eyed monster that made its move in an attempt to slaughter the children. Ryne wouldn't allow this to happen. She stood between them and created a pale aura to block the beast's advance and pierced its eye with a blade.
"I will protect you!" Ryne reassured them.
"You're just in time." Granson smiled. "Most others hid in the opposite cave, and while it's dangerous to have them go outside with that thing still in there, I'm afraid if they stay alone for too long, they might…You know." He said with a quiet voice, receiving a nod from Ryne.
"I won't let them get hurt. Come with me, children; I know where your families are."
With hopeful yet tear-ridden eyes, the children followed her. There didn't seem to be any more monsters around, at least for now. Maybe now they would be able to focus on the bat, the main interloper, and the primary threat.
Soon, they were outside with another cavern in sight, Ryne was about to lead those children right towards the entrance, but something else caught her eye. The monstrous bat descended and began to battle her friends.
"Finally got brave enough to face us, eh?!" Giott shouted with excitement as she withstood the strikes of the maddened bead, reaching out for it with her hammer. Unfortunately for her, the beast was quick to learn, and when Giott became overconfident, it released its claws, plunging them into the dwarf's skin.
"Aargh!" The warrior shouted, but she couldn't resist anymore. In the next instant, the bat dragged the adventurer into the skies.
"NO!" Inga shouted, Lue-Reeq stood beside her and attempted to hurl more arrows into the monster's skin, but it was too high already. The children got distracted, too, watching as the beast was eying the ground beneath it, trying to find a safe spot to consume her prey.
"Run to the cave!" Ryne commanded, realizing that now she had something else to deal with. "Quick, I need to protect the others!" Thankfully, it didn't take long for the children to obey and allow Ryne to continue her battle. "Inga, Reeq!" She shouted, garnering their attention. "I will free Giott, be ready!"
"For what?" Inga asked, but it was already too late. The avatar of light sprung into the crimson skies, focusing on the bat before her. The creature was clawing into resisting Giott, trying to squeeze the life out of the dwarf's lungs and consume her, but it took longer than with other, more passive victims. This gave Ryne the time to launch an arrow of light into the bat's maw, piercing its skin and causing poisoned blood to slow down the monster's body. It roared in agony and allowed Ryne a split second to launch another one, this time wounding the monster's limbs that held Giott. This immediately caused the bat to release its victim, an outcome Ryne expected and was well prepared for, hoping that Inga and Reeq would have a quick enough reaction.
Ryne cast a protective spell around Giott, the one that slowed down her descent as well as soothed her bleeding wounds. It wasn't enough to stop her completely, but Ryne could already see Inga rushing towards the place of her fall, catching the dwarf as she neared the ground. They fell to the ground together moments after, Inga must have underestimated how heavy her new companion would be with her armor, but it was enough to slow down the fall even further, allowing Giott a safe landing.
"Damn, it…" The dwarf said with a pained voice.
"You've done well…" Inga helped her get up. "She's safe, Ryne! Now bring that thing down!"
"I can be of help!" A proud elf boy rushed to their side. Taynor was already preparing another spell to unleash at their enemy. He concentrated, channeling arcane power into his staff, transforming it into a storm of fire. She wasn't here to witness most of his training, but it was clear that over those weeks, Taynor perfected his skills to become a rather talented black mage, easily bending the power of the elements at his whim.
The resulting onslaught created an array of flames that danced on the monster's skin, inflicting horrific pain upon it and not allowing it to strike. Ryne focused and manifested a blade of light in her hand, absorbing the light from Eden and flying toward the winged monstrosity. It attempted to fight back, of course, but it was too weak to stand against Ryne. With a powerful strike, she sliced off the bat's wing, forcing the creature to collapse. It descended to the ground, with poisonous blood spreading all over the grassland.
The people must have seen it from their cavern, some of them, at least. If she is lucky, she could be a symbol of hope for them, like Ardbert and Edwin once were. This would fill their hearts with a semblance of hope and slow down the metamorphosis, allowing more time for their world to persist while the Exarch would fight for their salvation on the Source.
Ryne descended to the ground, ready to unleash the final strike upon the beast, but moments before getting the opportunity, something unexpected happened. She felt the pain in her soul, an aching that forced Ryne to slow down and lose her control. She put her hand to her chest and clenched her teeth, feeling the cracks form in her avatar. Was it her overexerting herself because of Eden's might? Or was it, perhaps, the link she maintained with Emet's soul on the other side that caused her to falter? There was a moment when Ryne was getting ready to withhold another strike.
Thankfully, this moment did not last long. Inga's piercing blade stroked the wounded beast's neck, quickly laying it low.
…
Thankfully, they were quick enough to arrive this time; the Slitherbough was saved from the horrific threat. From what Ryne knew, this was the first time in a long while the town got assaulted. During their last years of the flood, they managed to stay relatively safe from the sin-eaters that roamed the wild woods. Now, this changed, with their refuge coming under assault from an even greater foe, and their salvation came only thanks to Ryne and her friends' timely intervention.
But just because the battle was over didn't mean it was time to leave, there were plenty of wounded that needed treatment, and adventurers would stay behind to provide them with just that, the care they all deserved. Ryne was eager to share her healing magic with the Night's Blessed, going from one wounded to another and granting them her succor. Most looked at her with pure awe and admiration, much like the stories she heard. They saw her as a new goddess, the one who controlled the light, but instead of corrosion and destruction, she would be the protector they had prayed for over many years. A duty Ryne despised yet would not speak ill of, not when there were so many souls she still fought for.
Among the blessed, there was someone familiar to the girl, a bulky rondo with pale fur and black robes, one of Y'shtola's closest friends that Ryne remembered from her last visit…
"I can't believe it…" She could hear him utter quiet words beneath his breath before rushing towards her with gleaming eyes. "I heard the tales, but I couldn't ever think of…Is that you, Minfilia?" The man spoke with curiosity, forcing Ryne to recoil slightly and sight at the mention of her old name. The one she didn't want to be associated with any more, yet the role of the light's oracle didn't let her go. "Oh, forgive me, I didn't mean offense…I should've remembered that you have a different name now. Ryne, right?"
"Hello, Runar." Ryne tried to keep her avatar's appearance as human as possible, leaving just the smallest pale cracks as she walked toward him. "I'm sorry that those are the circumstances under which we have to meet…"
"Oh, don't apologize!" He cheered Ryne up. "It's no one's fault, and especially not yours!"
"Well, that depends on how you put it…"
"We all know you're doing your best to defend everyone across Norvrandt from this plague…When I first heard the news, I was lost! To think that we have another horde of creatures like sin-eaters assaulting us, but now the transformation into one takes only a few moments and can happen anywhere? Many would consider this the end of us, but with you at our back…I have hope, and I think others do, too."
"Thank you, Runar." Ryne smiled. "I am not sure for how long we will fight…But I can say that I am not stopping until either the Final Days are no more…Or I am."
"Don't say that. You're the most powerful of us."
"And the beasts might get more powerful than me…" Ryne said quietly. "I saw the horrors this calamity led to in the past. It only gets worse with time."
"I see…" Runar looked down. "Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I'd rather continue hoping."
"Just try to keep this hope for as long as possible…This may be our saving grace in the end."
"Will do…" Runar said confidently, though something was still on his mind. "Ryne, if I may…"
"Yes?" Ryne wondered, seeing Runar look away and clench his fist for a moment. His voice grew quieter.
"You were there when Master Matoya…When she…"
"When she died."
"Yes." Runar let out a breath of relief as if it was hard for him to even say those words. "I heard of a battle that occurred in the depths of Tempest, but no one can recount it better than you…Just tell me, did she die with honor? Like a true hero?"
"Yes." Ryne didn't hesitate to answer. "She sacrificed herself to save Edwin and Thancred, to bide them more time, did so without hesitation and fear…" Ryne spoke, seeing a small tear fall from Runar's eye. "I just wish it meant something in the end."
"Well, you and Exarch survived…So it did. I think she'd be happy to know that it wasn't for naught."
"She would. I'm just…Never mind."
"Sorry if I'm opening up old wounds; it's just really important to me."
"I understand." Ryne gave Runar a reassuring smile. "Well, I'll better be off then. There are still those in need that could use my help."
"Of course, I won't hold you back, Ryne. Thank you!" Runar spoke before rushing back to the cave, leaving the girl alone to ponder on her own words. Did the Scions' sacrifice mean anything? All it achieved at the moment was saving her and G'raha, and they were the ones who, in their desire to unwrite the future, unleashed a fate even worse upon their beloved worlds. Maybe this was the ultimate test for both of them, to see if their living to see the light of day was truly worth it…
"The rift, you say? And you still remember it vividly?" Ryne heard Inga's voice echo from nearby. As the girl turned around, she noticed her and Taynor amidst a seemingly exciting talk about their pasts.
"Yes, I do, especially Nyelbert. He's always been the most talented, and I am glad to have had such a friend…"
"It must have been long ago, even when my old incarnation…Well, that doesn't matter." Inga spoke before stuttering. "How was it? The world, I mean."
"It was different…Lusher, more alive, so to speak. More distinct nations and people that coexisted…Sometimes. Other times they would strive for power and cause endless conflict; it was never too stable. A lot of work for the Warriors of Light to do and for the Ascians to take advantage of. So much has changed since then…" Taynor paused before allowing himself a smile. "But I think I like it more this way. Everyone works together for the common goal, and the conflicts are over. It will be a long time before someone would want to start a war with what our people went through…What we're still going through."
"An age of peace does sound like a sweet promise…Assuming we live that long." Inga took a breath.
"I am not afraid of death or whatever will follow…I think of Nyelbert and Cerigg, of their valiant sacrifices. I wish they were here with us, but…All we can do is to make sure they weren't fighting for nothing." Taynor concluded before seeing Inga nod.
"Taynor, come here. We need your aid!" Lue-Reeq's voice echoed from a cavern, making the boy run towards his friends. After this, Inga was quick to turn around and notice Ryne.
"How are you doing?" Ryne asked with concern, slowly approaching her friend. She didn't want to seem too pushy, but the girl felt worried in her heart yet again.
"Well…" Inga took a gaze above at the crimson skies. "Could be better." She shook her head before stretching and taking a seat on the grassland beneath her. "Well, at least I can say we all earned a good break after this kind of battle.
"I wouldn't mind…" Ryne smile smiled shyly before walking up to her and sitting on the ground beside Inga.
"I always wanted to visit this place ever since hearing the stories of it, but I always heard that it was too dangerous because of sin-eaters. Well, now that threat is no more and still…" Inga chuckled with an undertone of tiredness and disappointment. "Our people are really that lucky, I guess."
"You should return one day…Once it's all over. Rak'Tika is very beautiful when there's no threat looming over it, especially at night…" Ryne closed her eyes, remembering how the skies of light were cleansed the moment Edwin slew the lightwarden of the region, how the woods that once seemed to haunt her immediately became the majestic and mysterious land she had heard of in tales.
"You were here before, I assume."
"When traveling with Edwin and Thancred, yes." Ryne nodded. "The realm was still shredded in light back then, and we didn't come here just to admire the sights…When we first met the Night's Blessed, we barely avoided an all-out battle!" She exclaimed, thinking back to their unfortunate encounter that could've gone horribly wrong were it not for Y'shtola's intervention. "But it wasn't the extent of it, either…We checked out some underwater Ronka ruins, found a Viis village on the other side of the forest, and ventured into Qitana Ravel." Who could've guessed that one day Ryne would remember this life-threatening quest with warmth and nostalgia, only for the fact that her dearest friends were still by her side back then? Everything seemed simpler back then, and even Emet's interferences made Ryne look at him with intrigue and occasional sympathy, not with spite for what he had done.
"Well, your past seems infinitely more interesting than mine…" Inga sighed.
"Did you spend all of your life in Eulmore?"
"For as long as I can remember. My parents earned a place among Eulmorans when I was still a child, and I have always been a part of their society since." Inga explained. "They were content with their lives under Vauthry, as content as they are now with our new leader, Chai-Nuzz. I, on the other hand, always wanted to travel a bit more…" Inga chuckled. "I just remembered that time I ran away to Stilltide, ha-ha! I loved seeing the shores and the fisher's work, but oh, my poor mother…" She laughed with warmth, making Ryne feel at ease, as both were overtaken by a brief yet pleasant moment of relief. "She had the whole of Gatetown on their feet when it came to looking for me, and even when she found me, I was playing in the water. I got a few hours of scolding afterward, but it was worth it!"
"Running away was a bit of a hobby of mine, as well." Ryne let out a sad giggle, thinking back to the misadventures her behavior and yearning for independence got her into.
"You were raised under their watch, weren't you?" Inga spoke with sympathy. "I always knew there were…Worse corners of Eulmore that the nobles didn't see, but it's only now we all saw the true scale of it."
"Ran'jit looked after me until I ran off with Thancred." Ryne sighed. "He made sure to never get too attached to me, probably expecting that he would have to give me away to the flood sooner or later…"
"He was a well-respected man in those days. To think that we didn't even see any problem with him holding you and the previous Minfilia hostage because of that bloody meol…"
"I don't hate him, even now." Ryne shook her head. "He was as kind to me as he could be in those situations, even when he tried to bring me back by force…He didn't want to lose me like he lost his previous wards. Having to go through this would drive anyone mad, and if he made another choice and stood against Vauthry…I think I would've forgiven him." She didn't know if this was true or not, but her hatred was draining, be it towards the Ascians, her captors from Eulmore, or anyone else. Even Vauthry was as much of a pawn as anyone else in those circumstances, and even ascians were in another game…
"But he didn't and paid for that." Inga shrugged. "God, that was an eventful day, wasn't it, when you stormed Eulmore. The brainwashing, Vauthry's escape, and then everyone came together to work on the ladder…And Talos."
"It felt good, didn't it? To see them all come together."
"Yes…" Inga pondered. "Everyone looked up to Vauthry as the symbol of hope and light, and when he left us…Guess everyone had only themselves to look for hope and inspiration. That and their neighbors."
"I always tended to look to others for that; maybe it's not too different to what people of Eulmore did with Vauthry…Ran'jit, Thancred, Minfilia, Edwin, the Exarch. But one way or another, they just leave, and most told me that I need to find the strength to forge my own path, no matter how hard it is."
"I think you did. You are our 'light' of hope now…" Inga chuckled. "Just need some angelic wings beneath your back, and it'll be perfect. Surely you can make them with your power."
"And look too much like Vauthry?" Ryne giggled with amusement. "No, I think I'm fine with the way I am. It has sources of inspiration, but…I like that it's unique in some ways."
"Well, your choice, I suppose…" Inga paused. "I was wondering if we should try the stew they make here. Reeq says it's delicious."
"Hah, if only I could eat…"
"I know you don't need it, but can't you at least feel some joy from its taste?"
"No." Ryne shook her head with disappointment. "I tried, and all I can't feel any taste…My real body was burned to ashes by Eden's light; this is just an avatar that purely consists of aether…And so the food just dissolves in it without any effect."
"It really must be damming…" Inga sighed. "Well, I guess we can hang out here for a little while if that's the case. I think every single wounded already got the help they need."
"It's good to hear; I hope they all survive…"
"They're a strong bunch. They probably will." Inga said with confidence before looking at the sky once again. "It's almost entrancing…Almost."
Maybe it was, in a way. Maybe there was something about it that was a respite from the pale light that towered over their lives for so, so long. Maybe that's why Inga considered it to be so…
And then Ryne grabbed her hand. She wasn't sure if this was just a reflex, but she wanted to reach out and touch her. It was soothing to feel her soft skin, something to latch onto as the world around them crumbled. Ryne's senses were numbed due to becoming one with the sin-eater, but this was enough to make her think of the past again.
She was there…He was there. Sitting on the grassland and looking onto the night sky where the distant stars shone brightly, spreading their pale light across the Ebon sea. They loved to watch those stars together, loved to see them form and guide their path. It was alluring to count them and thing think of what was going on. Artemis and Gaia held their hands, allowing them to find solace in each other after a long day of work, allowing the cold winds to dance on their skin. Their bond grew stronger with every day, something that kept them together during the moments of joy and sorrow.
And then the fires reigned again.
"Ow!"
The skies began to burn, becoming crimson. Fire and brimstone befell upon the land, immediately turning their gazes to the scorched land that was made of ash. Suddenly, the mighty mages were made defenseless in the face of beasts of chaos that made their way toward their victims, ready to tear them apart. The two still held onto each other, even when their hearts were filled with fear. There was no escaping the dread that would consume both of them. All Artemis could do is to hold his lover's hand and fight by her side. All they could do…
"Let me go!"
The dream dissipated momentarily, leaving Ryne with Inga as the latter pulled her hand away, shouting in pain as Ryne's hand clutched to hers. After realizing that she was holding Inga forcibly, Ryne immediately let go, after which her friend recoiled and retreated, looking unto her hand. It was scarred with a light burn of light's aether still lingering.
"What are you doing?" Inga clutched her hand and looked at Ryne.
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to do it. I don't know how…" Ryne's voice became frantic; she stood up, not knowing what to do. It seemed that everything was breaking down. The ephemeral dream that lingered was collapsing before her, all due to a foolish mistake, a loss of control.
"Let's just…" Inga sighed.
"Please, I didn't want to!"
"I know, I know…"
"I can help you heal."
"No, I think I'll take the tunics from the cave," Inga reassured her before leaving for the refuge. "Until next time."
All Ryne could do was watch with shame, having her gaze fall down to the grass. She wanted to cry once again…It wasn't fair. She didn't want to accept this. She couldn't, and yet…
She was still unable to leave the cycle of pain, spreading it to everyone around her.