Surr leaned against the tall railing, with unseeing eyes looking out on the New Amarout spreading below her. She was on top of the tallest building in the city; its rooftop turned into a sightseeing point. Since she woke up a week ago, it was her favorite landmark when she needed to think about something.
And boy, but she had plenty to think about. But the thing that brought her there this day had her frown deeply with consideration as she slowly tapped her long nails against the railing.
It was time to deal with the last Warrior of Light, Senu Daisho. She was putting it off long enough… or rather, she initially agreed with Raha's and Elidibus's suggestion of leaving the Warrior be – since she was to be the last the Source will see. However, Emet-Selch disagreed with the notion, pointing out that the Source didn't need the Warriors anymore. Apparently, peace ruled between the people and the tribes of Eorzea now, making Primal summonings unlikely. And even if… there were some kind of medallions available now that copied the shielding effect of Traveler's Ward. But she also knew that Emmy was still upset about what Senu did, and he was prone to hold a grudge, so she held off from deciding one way or the other.
That is, until this morning, when she finally had time to sift through Raha's memories and got a complete vision of the time after he woke up. She was almost… angry that he didn't tell her about what the Warrior intended to put as a price on her vessel – but she also knew her mate better than she knew herself. Being married for over a hundred years would do that to a person. She almost chuckled at the thought. Her Raha knew she'll see that eventually and get upset. So, of course, in typical for him, a selfless bid to spare her feelings, he kept that part wrapped up. Maybe hoping that since they told her everything else that happened, she won't look too closely at his memories. Especially since they had been so busy since she woke up.
Learning that Emmy and Themis elected to crown her the queen of the new city of immortals nearly had her throw a tantrum. To Raha's and Ardbert's obvious amusement. Only after Elidibus, in his usual calm manner, explained that it made the most sense for all involved she did calm down and had to agree with their reasoning.
Their original plan was to have Raha take the position of the ruler – since he had a natural talent for diplomacy, and they did want to get along with the city-states of Eorzea. She convinced him of that, citing her impulsive temper as the reason why she just couldn't be trusted to deal with the leadership. And she would stick with that if they had been allowed to execute their plans the way they wanted.
But in the New Amarout, the situation was different.
The city's citizens were consistent at the moment mainly of the former Ascians – all that was left of them, according to Themis. Which wasn't a very high number – with her, Raha, and Ardbert, the immortals in the city now counting barely over thirty. Elidibus was that group's apparent leader – even though Emet-Selch was the most powerful, he couldn't be bothered to deal with his fragmented brethren.
Then, there were the mortal citizens – who arrived over the last few days. Alisaie was the first since she stayed in the city after arriving with Raha's vessel. Soon to be followed by her twin. And even though worry for her brought Alphinaud to their doorstep – when he fully realized the idea behind their plans, he decided to stay and see how it would work. At least for a time.
Y'shtola arrived next, lured in by the prospect of the knowledge that the new city and its citizens offered. She wanted to find a way to travel between the Reflections, as she explained, and who's better to probe for that type of thing than the Ascians? Or the archives of the Crystal Tower itself? As they were as interested in the idea – the thought of being able to see their adopted daughter again too tempting to resist – they gave her the full use of the facilities. Surr even convinced Emmy to entertain Seeker's questions about the rift.
Then, after she managed to contact him using her old linkpearl, Thancred arrived, dragging along Urianger. And her parents. She cringed internally. And boy, but she received the scolding of her life. For what she did, and especially for not contacting them right after waking up back in the Source. Her explanation that she had been too busy since then did not go over well with her father. Raha was amused at the exchange… until he got his own talking-to, and not being used to dealing with parents in general as he was… her mate positively wilted. Her parents decided to stay to 'keep their eyes on them' so that they won't pull another 'stunt' like that… and Surr was glad. She missed them terribly, and even if they were miffed at her at the moment, she was beyond grateful to have them around again.
She still struggled with the idea that on the Source, only four years had passed since she joined he husband's slumber. Here… she was still remembered.
And that was the main reason why the Ascians elected her to be their city's leader. As the Crystal Tower served as the energy source for all its facilities and Raha had complete control over the Allagan structure, it made sense. Also, as the heads of the city-states still remembered everything she did for them as the Eorzean Champion years ago, they were willing to let go of their resentment over Ascian's take-over of Mor Dhona. In a few weeks, they planned to invite the leaders inside the dome and present them with all the possibilities the new city offered if allowed into the Alliance. Then, if agreed, they planned to open the dome to mortal visitors – in a restricted manner at least.
Surr's status as the previous Warrior and her understanding of both mortal and Ascian's mentalities gave them hope that one day they'll be able to coexist peacefully. Unfortunately, there was a lot of bad blood to go around between both sides, understandably. Still, since the Ascians were bereft of purpose with Zodiark's passing… she had hope.
And she sometimes wondered if maybe that was what Hy… Venat intended all along by choosing her in the first place. The Scions described to her what they knew of Senu's visit to the past – Elpis – as they called it, and that made her think that maybe... if the Warrior slipped with her resentment toward Venat's brethren…? Or perhaps the elder Primal somehow hoped to fix the rift between them and mortals and chose her because she knew that Emmy wouldn't be able to hurt her…? She regretted she wouldn't ever get a chance to ask Hydealyn for her motives.
Or why she chose someone like Senu to take her place. Just because it was her who she met in Elpis? Or maybe there was more to that…?
Surr scratched her chin and sighed, then turned around and leaned her back against the railing, looking up at the shimmering dome overhead. It was formed from the mix of all the crystals that used to litter the whole area of Mor Dhona, as Themis explained. And reinforced with a massive amount of aether from the Crystal Tower. She admired the construction for a moment before dropping her gaze and turning her expression into an almost forgotten mask.
"Emmy," she shouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "A moment if you please?"
He appeared in front of her in a familiar flash of blacked aether, tossed one look at her face, and his golden eyes narrowed with speculation.
"You called, my queen?" he drawled through his teeth but with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Usually, she would roll her eyes and pout… but right now, she just threw him a stern look.
"I need to get to Old Sharlayan," she said. "In opposition to Raha, I never had an occasion to go there, so if you could help me…?"
Understanding flickered in his eyes, and he frowned, observing her.
"Are you sure, Surr?" he said slowly. "Did you think it through? She is still the…."
"Emmy, in both Eorzea and any city I'll ever rule, there is only one punishment for trying to force someone into intercourse against their will," she said slowly, letting her lips tilt into the predatory smirk. However, she knew it didn't reach her eyes. "And she, the Warrior of Light, should have known that better than anyone else."
Emet-Selch frowned with confusion and opened his mouth….
"She tried to blackmail Raha into fucking her as a price for my vessel," she said bluntly. "I guess he also didn't mention that part to you?"
"No, he didn't," his eyes narrowed and turned into golden ice. He frowned again and scratched his chin in a gesture they shared. "But if that's how it is… If you wish so, I can just snap her out of existence. I would lie if I said it wouldn't be a pleasure."
"Sorry, Emmy," she smirked, resting her hands on her hips. "But that's… personal. And I have my own way of dealing with this sort of thing. Plus, considering how long I was gone… I get to remind everyone what awaits anyone who tries to pull shit like that. No one and I do mean literally no one, is free of the consequences. Not even the last Warrior of Light. So…?" she looked at him expectantly, raising her eyebrows.
"As you wish…" he said with a polite nod and put his fingers together. Then smirked at her. "…my queen. "
Now she did roll her eyes, then closed them and tightened her jaw. The bitch won't know what hit her.
Surr wasn't as strong as Raha, and she wasn't immortal… yet, but she was pissed.
It was late into the night before G'raha finished the first plans for the visit of leaders of the Eorzean city-states. As he walked into their bedroom, he was pretty sheepish, ready to ask for his mate's forgiveness for his distraction… and almost hoping she would be already asleep and none the wiser.
As she refused to connect with the Tower yet, she still needed sleep and everything else mortality required. But, knowing the reason behind it – he couldn't find it in himself to mind.
Still, he was slightly surprised to find her sitting cross-legged on top of their bed, naked and brushing her damp hair. She was looking with unseeing eyes in front of her, clearly lost in thoughts.
"Still awake, love?" he asked, nearing the bed and discarding his clothes on the way. He didn't need sleep, but he enjoyed holding her while she rested.
She shook up as if he woke her up from a daydream and smiled at him sweetly, moving to put her hairbrush on the nightstand next to the bed. He narrowed his eyes at seeing that particular smile, wondering idly what he did to deserve it, then sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Out with it, Surr," he said softly. However, his ears involuntarily lowered against his head, and his tail thumped nervously against the mattress. "What did I do?"
She chuckled, then put her hands on his shoulders from behind and pulled, forcing him to lay down on the bed. Then she climbed on top of him shamelessly, sitting aside his waist as she braced her hands around his head and leaned in until their lips almost met.
"You didn't tell me what she wanted for my vessel, Raha," she said softly, moving one hand to trail her nails along the lines of the tattoo on his throat.
He stilled, watching her carefully.
"What did you do?" he finally whispered, sinking both hands in her hair and holding them back from her face. "Surr, we agreed…."
"No, darling," she drawled through her teeth, narrowing her eyes. "You and Elidibus agreed to keep her alive. I was on the fence… till this morning, at least."
"Surr… what did you do?" he repeated, harsher than necessary. He would lie if he said he didn't expect his mate would… overreact. That was why he was… stalling with telling her about that part.
He should have known better.
"Nothing much," she fluttered her lashes at him innocently, with another too-sweet smile. That soon took on a sharp edge. "Just the same thing I did to the last bitch stupid enough to try to force herself on you, my Raha. Though… at least this one put up a decent fight."
"Surr…" he hesitated, swallowing thickly as he carefully smoothed his hands down her body to rest them on top of her thighs. "Are you okay?" he finally whispered, closing his eyes and tilting his head back into the mattress when she trailed her lips along his jaw and down his throat.
"I'm fine," she assured against his skin. "I have over a hundred years of experience over her, remember? She managed to get a few good hits in… but nothing a healing spell couldn't help. And don't worry, out of consideration for everything she did for the Source over the years, I left her alive… if a bit worse for the wear. I am reasonable, after all."
"Are you?" he hummed with a doubtful chuckle, then stilled again when she growled and grabbed his chin, bringing his eyes back to hers. The fierce fire in her dark-purple eyes made him swallow hard again, as instant arousal had all his muscles tense in anticipation.
"Not when it comes to you, darling," she drawled through her teeth, then leaned in and placed a soft, delicate kiss on his mouth. "You're mine, Raha," she whispered against his lips. "Then, now, and forevermore."
"I am," he said, bringing his hand up against her cheek. "And you're mine, my beautiful soulmate. Then, now and forevermore," he repeated passionately, pulling her into a kiss. She returned it, at the same time lifting and pulling him up with her. Once upright, she giggled against his mouth, then they both moaned when she moved and slowly took him, undulating against him as she dug her nails in his back.
They kept kissing, swallowing each other's moans and whimpers as she rocked against him. Even as they coiled their arms and tails around each other tightly, possessively. Their souls tangled as much as their bodies, drowning in the sensations until their peak spilled over their senses simultaneously in soft, soothing waves, leaving them breathless and shaking. Even then, they clung to each other desperately, purring with satisfaction and bliss.
Finally, Surr sagged against him, resting her chin on his shoulder as she dragged her fingers along his spine, sending pleasant shivers through his body. He sighed, burying his face against her throat as he tightly coiled his arms around her back.
"That's a good preparation for the next moon," she giggled after a moment, nuzzling against his shoulder.
"Like we need any," he whispered, nipping on her skin, though he felt his face blaze with a blush. He almost rolled his eyes at himself. Then he hesitated, tightening his arms around her. "Are you… still sure you want to go ahead with this, love?"
"Raha…" she sighed patiently, and though he couldn't see that, he could imagine she rolled her eyes at him. Not that he blamed her. "We talked about this, darling. As happy as I was to have Lyna, and as much as I adore her… I have wanted to have your kit for decades. Now that it's possible… I'm not letting that chance slip by."
He closed his eyes and kissed her neck. As much as they wanted it… on the First, with their bodies locked in partial stasis, the pregnancy was simply impossible. Female Miqo'te were fertile only during the heat, and her connection with the Tower blocked that specific bodily function, locking her body in the state it was when she connected to it. Now that she had her unbound body back, she wanted to fulfill their long-time dream before reconnecting to it.
Their deal with Emet-Selch was null and void with Zodiark's destruction… but she refused to abandon her former-Ascian mentor back to his millennia-long loneliness, even though none of them said that out loud. He could only imagine the man's scoff at the notion – one day, if the Ascian will piss him off enough, maybe he'll even point it out.
Not to mention… Crystal Tower always had to have a keeper. And if everything goes smoothly and accordingly to their hopes… maybe it'll have a whole family of those.
Their own, new and immortal, Allagan dynasty.
Wasn't that a heady dream?
And none of this would happen if his beautiful, crazy mate didn't insist on keeping her promise.
"Thank you," he whispered into her skin as his closed eyes burned.
"Huh?" she hummed with confusion, but probably sensing his emotions, she tightened her arms around him and started purring soothingly. "Raha, what for?"
"For not letting anything and… anyone separate us," he murmured.
She sighed softly, then moved her hand to untangle his braid and comb her fingers through his hair.
"Warned you, darling," she whispered with a hint of amusement. "I do always keep my word."
G'raha chuckled, and leaned away to cradle her beautiful face in his palms, then rested his forehead against hers.
"And I'll love you for all of the eternity for that," he assured fervently, opening his eyes despite tears pricking at their corners.
Surr wrapped her hands around his jaw… then smirked with mischief lighting up her dark eyes.
"Good. Not like you get to back out now," she snickered, wiggling her eyebrows meaningfully.
"Oh, the terror," he sighed patiently, rolling his eyes. Then he grinned when she snorted a laugh.
"Just you wait," she sing-a-songed. "I already promised Emmy we will make him a guardian of our kit."
He paled considerably as his eyes shot wide open.
"Is that…" he hesitated, swallowing thickly. "…smart?"
"Maybe not," she grinned smugly. "But it'll be fun! Can you imagine?"
He couldn't. But it didn't stop the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach at the idea. Still, he just sighed with resignation and placed a delicate kiss on the tip of her nose.
"Whatever you desire, my queen," he said obediently, then snorted a laugh at her expression and indignant huff.
Ardbert was right, after all. It'll be a while before this one gets old. The former ghost already terrorized his mate by calling her by her title at every single opportunity. They were really too similar in some aspects. Even the Ascians and the Scions seemed to catch on to the joke.
Figures, really. If anything could unite mortals and immortals… it would be her cuteness. Though he wouldn't dare to say that out loud… for obvious reasons.
G'raha chuckled, then enveloped her in a tight hug, resting his cheek against her throat. He could only smile when she hugged him back as tight. He closed his eyes again and purred with bliss.
The past, the future, and everything in between… Whatever comes, they will face it together, as they always did. Then. Now. And forevermore.
Their adventures were just beginning.