Author's note: Hello everyone. I recently picked up writing again not having done so for years and this is the first one I feel brave enough to post. It is but a simple story. Not too long but it didn't need to be. Hope you enjoy.
-.-.-.-
It is a horrible realization, knowing you will fall.
The tower around him groans and shakes underneath his feet and without thinking Y'sato instinctively grabs onto Alisaie and Alphinaud's arms who are currently standing right at his sides. He immediately starts scanning his fellows for G'raha, and he sees him just in time as a glow fills his palms, staff at the ready. He wants, no, he needs to reach him too, but he is too far away and-
The platform under his feet gives a violent shake, starting to give in under its own weight and Y'sato nearly topples over from the sheer force of it. This wasn't part of the plan. Nothing of them falling to their deaths was ever a part of the plan. Panicked Y'sato looks around wildly, tail lashing behind him, looking for something, anything that can get them out. He can't let it end like this. Not after everything they have been through. If only-
"I hope I am not too late!" G'raha's voice rings out, clarion in his ears
The platform gives one final shudder and Y'sato's stomach twists with sudden vertigo as the ground disappears beneath his feet. It is a sickening feeling, an awful feeling, and for a fleeting moment he believes he is finally dead.
Blinding white fills his vision, everything turning weightless...
And all he knows is darkness.
-.-.-.-
His eyes blink open to a clear blue sky. He feel...Dazed. Slowly his senses returns one by one. The lazy lapping of ocean waves steadily hitting the shore registers in his ears, a distant screech of a seagull being heard from somewhere above. The distinct salt smell of sea water tickles his nose, and then he feels it, the warm soft sand beneath his leather clad body, strangely comforting against his back. The sun's rays are warm on his face, the tips of his ears digging slightly into the sand. It almost feels like he has just woken up from a nap on the beach and yet he is confused. Nothing of what he is sensing and feeling makes any sense to him.
Wh-what happened? Shouldn't I be...
His head spins and he still blinks his eyes dazedly, feeling his stomach churn. He had been falling hadn't he? Then why is he still alive?
It isn't until the spinning abates and his stomach churns less he dares himself to sit up, wanting to take stock of his surroundings. A small groan escapes him as he finally manages to push himself up, bringing a hand to his head. He still feels dizzy, a bit dazed, but he wills himself to open his eyes to have a look around.
The sight that meets him has him almost keel over in shock.
Arkasodara litter the sands around him by the hundreds. Everywhere he turns to look he sees their bodies stretch across the sand. They aren't moving or stirring and yet everyone Y'sato sees looks whole, if not entirely hale. His mouth still open in stunned silence he registers the Scions around him starting to get their bearings too, slowly sitting up and rising to their feet to gape at their surroundings much like he has. Still feeling a bit dizzy Y'sato starts to count their number off in his head, unsteadily getting back to his feet.
He takes note of Alisaie and Alphinaud both at either side of him, clearly being confused taking in their surroundings, Alisaie still sitting on the sand. He notes Urianger and Y'shtola slowly getting to their feet, dusting themselves off, of Thancred still sitting, still dazed, of Estinien stone faced as ever as he helps Krile gingerly up to her feet and-
And then he sees him, his dearest companion and friend, clad in dark and red clothes with the distinct red hair, laying face down in the sand, unmoving.
The world around him falls away from the sight, his heart quickening in his chest, beating faster and faster. The pulsating rush of it is all he can hear in his ears.
No...
It hits him. How he had seen a glow fill his friend's palms, how he had clearly been readying to cast a spell, his voice ringing out in his ears...G'raha he...Y'sato feels his stomach sink, squeezing into tight knots as reality finally hits him. Just what...Had his friend done?
No!
"Raha!" Y'sato doesn't think. He doesn't even register staggering over to him, him having screamed his name as he falls to his knees next to him in the sand. He doesn't hesitate. His hands shaking he gathers G'raha into his arms, his body a dead weight in his grip, still not moving or even responding, being all limp. The feel of it turns Y'sato's blood to ice.
"Raha!" He shouts again, his voice desperate, pleading, but his friend still doesn't respond, his eyes closed, Y'sato's desperate call not even earning a twitch from one of his ears.
Y'sato can't breathe.
Raha please...Don't...Don't do this to me...
Warm hands land on his shoulders, him not even aware he has made a choked sound. His eyes are on G'raha only, searching his face for anything. Any signs of life, any signs of stirring. More hands reach out for his friend, the soft glow of healing magic being just out of his sight, but it brings him no comfort. Still shaking Y'sato cradles G'raha as gently as his trembling will allow. He still can't breathe, can't tear his eyes from his still unresponsive friend's face, his lips quivering.
You told me...You promised you wouldn't do it again...And yet you-
Another choked sound escapes him before he can stop it and he feels a warm hand on his shoulder gently shake him, their hold firm. It pulls him out of his panicked, shocked state just enough for him to slightly lift his head.
Only to meet a pale stare. Y'shtola's he finally registers. Her expression softens when his gaze meets hers.
"Y'sato, he's still with us and he will be alright. He's just exhausted. You needn't worry yourself so."
"He cast a sizeable levitation spell." Krile chimes in before Y'sato can respond, finally noticing she was the owner of one of the hands reaching out for G'raha earlier, healing him. There is a note of awe in her voice. "What incredible magic. Large enough to catch all of us. He saved us all..." She pauses, the awe still in her voice as she looks back to G'raha still cradled safely in Y'sato's arms. "An incredible feat, but it has taken its toll." She places a hand on G'raha's shoulder, her expression fond.
Their reassuring words, their expressions, they help. Y'sato...He can finally breathe.
With a shuddering breath he allows the tears to fall, knowing he is in the safe presence of friends. A huge weight has just been lifted off his chest and it is all he can do in the face of it, his ears drooping. The warm hands still on his shoulders squeezes him reassuringly, and he can feel a hand run up and down his back in soothing motions. Who's he doesn't know and right now it doesn't matter. He gathers G'raha a little closer into his arms, a few of his tears falling onto his dark scarf and shirt, but try as he might he can't stop the tears from flowing. He knows G'raha would hate to see him worry so over him, but he can't help it. Not when it comes to him. Not when it comes to those he holds dearest to his heart. He has already lost so much. His heart...He can't bear the thought of loosing anyone ever again.
"Thank you..." Y'sato says when he finally manages to find his voice, his voice but a whisper, but he is heard. He can tell from the way whoever running a hand soothingly up and down his back gives him a slight reassuring pat, and how the hands on his shoulders gives him another comforting squeeze.
"We got your back, Sato. Always." He hears Alisaie say from his right, finally realizing she is holding on to one of his shoulders alongside Y'sthola.
"You feeling better?" Next he hears Alphinaud talking from somewhere next to Alisaie but Y'sato doesn't look up to meet any of their worried gazes.
"Yeah." He says, voice still but a whisper as he brings a hand up to wipe away his tears. G'raha, he is still a heavy weight in his arms, showing no signs of waking up any time soon, but Y'sato is unwilling to let go. He has been torn from his side too many times already outside of his control by decisions wrought without him being able to do anything, without his counsel. He clings to him a little harder.
Worry still clawing at his heart, he looks down to him again and now without his mind being flooded over with sheer panic and sinking cold dread he can tell he is still breathing. It is slight, but he can see it. The way G'raha's chest gently rises and falls for each breath, and the sight, it comforts him, the tension finally starting to drain away from his shoulders. His most beloved friend, he will be alright.
A small laugh escapes him, nervous sounding, but genuine. "I know he only meant so save us, and he did the right thing, but I would like to get a little warning sometimes."
And Krile laughs at that, a tired and worn thing, but genuine and pure at its core. A smile tugging at the corners of his mouth Y'sato relishes the sound, basks in the happiness that now surrounds him. He has been through too much, lost too much to ever take it for granted. His eyes still on G'raha's face he gingerly reaches out to rest his hand against his cheek. He knows as he currently is G'raha won't hear him or feel his touch, but still Y'sato wants to reassure him somehow, and he thinks in the back of his mind he does it in a bid to reassure himself as well. His smile grows, a deep fondness in his gaze as his eyes soften.
"We got you, Raha. I got you, so rest well. Thanks for saving us." Warm smile still on his lips, he tenderly caresses G'raha's cheek with his thumb, not caring all of his friends can see the clear affection he carries for him, the love. His skin is warm under his touch, alive, and it brings him heart.
Voices ring out behind them and Y'sato recognizes it as the voice of Vrtra's simulacrum, but the name escapes him for the moment, overwrought as he still in ways is. A set of unfamiliar footsteps follows him, but Y'sato still doesn't turn, unwilling to let go of his friend. He hears people shift around him, Alphinaud getting to his feet, clearly intending to apprise Vrtra of everything that has happened. For now Y'sato will leave the talking to him, to his trusted friends. He doubts he could explain much even if prompted. He still feels a bit shaky, but by just sitting there, cradling G'raha in his arms, knowing he will recover given time, it is enough.
His thumb giving G'raha's cheek a final loving caress he lowers his hand, allowing himself to just breathe, to just be in this very moment. He makes a mental note to remember to thank his friend properly later once he is recovered and awake.
Y'sato closes his eyes, listens to the steady lapping of ocean waves around him, holds on to the feel of Alisaie's steadying hand still on his shoulder, she yet to leave his side. He clings to the warmth from his friend still cradled so protectively in his arms. Yes everything will be fine. They are all still alive, breathing. Fandaniel has failed in his mission to kill any of them, but he knows, he knows this isn't the last they will see of the Ascian and his schemes.
As long as we stand together nothing will stop us, or tear us apart. Not even you...
Taking a steadying breath he opens his eyes, his gaze now pointed straight ahead, looking to something in the horizon, but his eyes are different, the bright green filled with steely resolve.
I would like to see you try.
-.-.-.-.-.-
Author's note: I swear that cut scene following the dungeon scared me tons when I first played Endwalker. My poor WoL worrying over G'raha all over again, and yet also being immensely grateful he saved them all.
Again hope you enjoyed. Hope to post more surrounding my WoL in the future.
I also post my fics on Ao3 under the same name. My profile: /users/CrystalRune/profile