The light gathers

Courier. So, this was what Admiral Merlwyb wanted of him. Simple enough, and it let him use airships.

He made no fuss about it. V'kebbe kept saying it was a huge honor to be allowed to use them, especially with the risk posed by Garlemald and its fleet, but as Lyrian discovered when he set foot in the vessel, the sensation of flying was not unknown to him.

"Funny." He told Eynzahr. "I don't remember flying per se, but my body does. The wind on my face, brushing and messing with my hair, that's something I experienced before. If only I could remember where…"

Eynzahr patiently nodded. Another missing piece in the puzzle that was the Duskwight's memory. Together they flew, the former captain accompanying the young bard to the Golden City of Ul'Dah. They arrived in the evening and lost no time heading to the palace. Raubahn Aldynn was waiting for them, the sultana at his side.

"Grand Marshall Slafyrsyn, it is always a pleasure to meet Admiral Merlwyb's second in command."

"And it is a pleasure to meet the mighty Flame General." Eynzahr answered politely.

Raubahn's eyes fell on the Duskwight.

"May I ask who this man is?"

Eynzahr smiled.

"Lyrian Sombléclipse, a bard and rogue-in-training the Admiral tasked with the delivery of letters – to you and Elder Kan-E-Senna, regarding the memorial service for the fifth anniversary of the Battle of Carteneau."

Lyrian bowed and gave the general his letter. Raubahn opened it, his eyes not leaving the Duskwight. Sultana Nanamo looked at Lyrian.

"May we ask why you are accompanying him?"

"In case the Twelveswood refuse him entrance. Lyrian was exiled from Gridania for reasons that are his to disclose."

The sultana nodded.

"We understand. And yet, the Admiral chose him as her envoy. This means she value his skills."

Eynzahr held a laugh.

"Aye, skilled he is, and in more ways than one."

Sultana Nanamo gave the Duskwight a once over. Indeed, her instinct as a ruler told her there was more to the Elezen than met the eye.

Raubahn looked at Lyrian.

"Tell me, what do you know about the Battle of Carteneau?"

"What everyone knows." Lyrian shrugged. "It was the last major confrontation between the Eorzean Alliance and the Garlean Empire. In an attempt to stop Project Meteor, the Alliance launched itself against Nael van Darnus's VIIth legion, only for Dalamud to not just fall from the sky but split apart, revealing an angry and powerful elder primal: Bahamut. Bahamut laid waste over Eorzea in an event we call the Calamity, which marked the shift from the Sixth Astral Era to the Seventh Umbral Era. The events happened five years ago, a time during which Eorzeans and Garleans maintained a state of Cold War as both sides licked their wounds."

"This is more than I expected from a bard." Raubahn crossed hiss arms. "This is indeed most of it."

"Don't mistake bards and minstrels, General." Lyrian grinned. "We may wander and sing songs, but unlike our counterparts, we fight as well. Master Jehantel and I traveled a lot during my teenage years. This is why I'm well-informed about the matters of the land."

Nevertheless, him going silent and looking away right afterwards told Nanamo there was more to it. Something was bothering the Duskwight, and Raubahn noticed it.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Nothing." Lyrian shook his head. "It's just that my earliest memory dates from a few days after the Calamity."

"You are amnesiac!?" The sultana gasped.

"Everyone in Limsa Lominsa knows. My memories have been coming back, but not enough to tell me who I am and where I come from. I try to live a peaceful life while waiting for their return. Go ask why, though, Nymeia seems to have a thing against be because, ever since I joined the rogues, I run from trouble to trouble. Barely a moment to catch my breath…"

"You'll have all the time to catch your breath once that delivery job is over." Eynzahr reassured. "I'll pass the word around to leave you alone for a few days. This should be enough for you to get proper rest."

Lyrian nodded gratefully. Raubahn turned to Eynzahr.

"Speaking of which, a pet of mine has been giving me trouble, recently. A Black Wolf. I may need help to keep it in a leash…"

The Roegadyn quietly nodded.

"I will inform the Admiral. Kan-E-Senna as well if Lyrian isn't granted entrance in the Shroud."

Lyrian looked at the pair.

"A Black Wolf? Isn't that the nickname of Gaius van Baelsar, the vice-governor of Ala Mhigo?"

Once more, Raubahn was surprised by how much the Duskwight knew.

"Yes. We believe the Garleans may get more active soon, and that he may be at their head."

"Uh." Lyrian sighed. "I guess quiet times really are over. Alright. We'll pass the word."

In his head, he prayed Nymeia to keep him alive until his memories were back.

'I will really not be happy if I die before I can remember who I am. That would suck.'

He and Eynzahr took the airship to Gridania.

"You aren't attuning to the Aetherite in Ul'Dah?"

"Already done when I went to study Thaumaturgy with the Cocobros." Seeing the Roegadyn's puzzled face, he explained. "Cocobuki and his brothers, Cocobygo, Cocobani, Cocobezi and Cocoboha. The five of them are masters of the Thaumaturge guilds, but Cocobuki is the oldest and most powerful, and thus the de-facto leader. Master Jehantel took me to them the first time I manifested my magic. As it is, learning with them was helpful, but my magic is still fundamentally different from Thaumaturgy. The way I manipulate the elements isn't the same, so I left eventually. We're still on good term."

Eynzahr nodded.

"What about Conjury?"

"Anytime I tried to use my magic, the Elementals threatened me with Woodsin, so it was much harder. Mirielle, one of the Healers at the Stillglade Fane, still took pity of me and took me to Eastern Thanalan, not far from the southern edge of the Twelveswood. This is where I… half learned, half-remembered how to manipulate Water, Earth and Wind. I had no talent for healing magic, though. Somehow, whenever I try to heal someone, I have trouble controlling the aether flow and it becomes harmful. I preferred to drop it and focus on elemental manipulation. This is what my magic does: spread in the land, seize control of the elements it can find and bring it on my foe's head." Lyrian smiled. "And the funny thing is that, the wider the area, the easier it is to control. On the other hand, overdoing it can make me pass out, so it's a delicate balance to find, and not remotely subtle. That's why I prefer to use my bow most of times. Less damage, but less exhaustion and more accuracy and speed."

"It is more practical." Eynzahr summed up.

"Yep."

They watched as the Twelveswood came in sight. As per Eynzahr's command, the airship slowed down. Lyrian braced himself, expecting to feel the Elementals' hostility wash over him… Instead, nothing happened. They flew at slow pace for a malm before the airship sped up again and docked in Gridania.

The moment Lyrian set food on the docks, he heard the Elementals. There was no hostility or disapproval in their voice. Instead, there was acknowledgement.

"Welcome back, Champion of Hydaelyn."

The Duskwight froze. Did he hear right? Just in case, he put on a hooded coat and a mask so no one in the city would recognize him. The Elementals may have welcomed him, but no one said the Gridanians would do the same. He had still hit a Padjal across the face.

Eynzahr looked at him.

"Looks like the Woods still want you in, after all."

"I don't understand." Lyrian said as they headed to the Lotus Stand. "It was the Elementals themselves who decided I was to be exiled. And now, just because Hydaelyn chose me as her champion, I am suddenly welcome back? I never understood how these guys thought."

"I did." A soft voice said.

Lyrian raised his head. They had arrived in the Lotus Stand and Kan-E-Senna, along with three of her personal guards, was looking at him.

"You can remove your hood and your mask, Lyrian Sombréclipse. The Elementals warned me of your coming."

Lyrian complied and bowed politely.

"Elder Seedseer. If I may be bold to ask, can you tell me why the Elementals are suddenly so friendly after choosing to banish me?"

He tried to keep his voice neutral, but Kan-E-Senna still sensed bitterness. She understood.

"The Elementals couldn't order you dead. You were already under Hydaelyn's protection, and She made quite clear to them that you had to stay alive. As to why, according to them, your parents were Champions of the Mothercrystal, and they had served Her well-enough that Her protection extended to you. And now, you are one as well. Her Champion."

The Duskwight's eyes widened. Suddenly, the words of the goddess came back to his ears.

Others of thy family bore mine blessing, and carried mine light as darkness rose forth.

"She said: others of my family. She never talked about someone as close as my parents, of all things!"

Eynzahr looked at Kan-E-Senna in disbelief.

"His parents were Champions of Hydaelyn? I would have never guessed… Are you sure about it, Lady Kan-E-Senna?"

"This is what the Elementals have told me, yes. They also said that Foulques's death and his exile were actually a part of Her plans. They didn't know what it was, however. Only that Foulques had to die and Lyrian had to leave the Woods."

Lyrian crossed his arms. He didn't try to hide his anger.

"If Hydaelyn wanted to make me her champion, why couldn't she have done so earlier, when I was still living in the Woods? What stopped her?"

Kan-E-Senna shrugged.

"I know not. The Mothercrystal moves in mysterious ways."

"Even more mysterious than the Elementals, I see…" The Duskwight signed. "Alright, let's drop it for now. This isn't what I'm here for."

He went to the Elder and gave her the letter. Kan-E-Senna read it and nodded.

"I see. The Admiral had a good idea. This memorial service will do great in rekindling the spirits of our people." The woman breathed. "Five years already… And yet, I remember it as if it was yesterday. Such horror reminds me why we Gridanians long for peace, and why the Empire must be stopped."

Lyrian strongly nodded.

"Twice they try to invade us, twice they end up triggering a disaster they can't control. And we're the ones to pick up the pieces every time. If they keep going, they will ruin Eorzea so badly all they'll rule over is a wasteland…"

"What frightens me is that this may actually come true." Eynzahr shuddered.

"This is indeed an accurate statement given the past events." Kan-E-Senna crossed her arms.

Lyrian's lips thinned.

"General Aldynn also told us he had trouble with one of his pets, a Black Wolf. He will need your help tightening his leash."

The Elder quietly nodded.

"Gaius is on the move. Even better that the Admiral sent those letters now. The memorial service will help prepare our people against the incoming storm. I pray it will not be as bad as last time, but this is all I can do. I am loath to relive the events of Carteneau."

"Anyone sane of mind would agree." Eynzahr nodded.

"Indeed. If only the Warriors of Light were with us…"

"But they're not." Lyrian shook his head. "The mysterious adventurers who saved us from Nael and fought during Carteneau have vanished from the world and from our minds, leaving behind naught but silhouettes cloaked in light. We'll have to use our own strength if we want to win, this time."

To his surprise, Kan-E-Senna smiled.

"Maybe, and maybe not only. You are not the only one the Mothercrystal chose as Her Champion. I know of at least two who carry a Crystal of Light as you do."

She looked at his hand expectantly. It took Lyrian a moment to understand she wanted to see his. Opening his hand, he focused. The dark blue gem appeared, floating above his palm.

"I see. The Water Crystal. The people I know bear the Wind and Ice Crystal."

"Water, Wind and Ice…" Lyrian muttered. "I remember. In my vision, there was a hexagram with slots at the ends. I'm getting there are six Crystals to find, each fitting an element."

Kan-E-Senna took a parchment she put on the table. Lyrian was surprised to find the hexagram he had seen, drawn to the slightest detail.

"It was made by Khei'to, the bearer of the Wind Crystal."

"That's the same one I saw."

"I guessed as much. The bearer of the Ice Crystal, Emeraude, described a similar figure. I guess this is how you find crystals to improve the Blessing."

"The Blessing?"

"The Blessing of the Light, also known as the Echo. The Gift of Hydaelyn, bestowed to Her Champions." She looked at Lyrian. "You are not the Warriors of the Light, but you were blessed by the Mothercrystal Herself, and this as times grow restless. I may be over-thinking, but I do not believe it to be a coincidence."

Lyrian frowned and looked away.

"All I want is a peaceful life. Why do I have to be dragged in that kind of mess?"

"You were chosen by Hydaelyn. Until you have fulfilled your duty, do expect to find yourself cast into hazardous situations."

"And I was chosen because my parents were. Dang."

He sighed, quietly resigning himself to the fact the next days would be eventful. Kan-E-Senna closed her eyes and brought a hand to her ear.

"The Elementals tell me Emeraude and Khei'to are in trouble at Tam-Tara Deepcroft. They wish you came to their help in order to meet your kindred."

Lyrian considered his options.

"I am of a half-mind to tell them to shove it and depart right to Limsa Lominsa, just to snub them. On the other hand, if I leave, I'll have their deaths on my conscience, and I guess Hydaelyn won't be happy with me abandoning fellow Champions…. Guess I'll go. Don't worry, I know the way." He turned to Eynzahr. "Can you go back without me? I don't know when I'll return to Limsa."

"Of course." The Roegadyn smiled. "Good luck."

"Thank you."

Lyrian left the Lotus Stand and headed due south. Tam-Tara Deepcroft was an ancient burial place dating back to Gelmorra. As he learned on the way, the place had been invaded by members of the Lamb of Dalamud who used it for their dark rituals. The Seedseer Council had sent one of their men here, a Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te and one of the very, very few non-Padjals to have become a White Mage. Accompanying him and to ensure his security was a woman, apparently of mixed Hyur-Elezen blood. No one knew where she came from, though many suspected Ishgard. The woman was a Dark Knight and wielder of dark powers, yet nonetheless chosen as a champion by Hydaelyn.

Lyrian reached the deepcroft and dived in, bow at the ready. He passed a few chambers and found several dead zombies, and at least one human body clad in red robes. He had passed Greenwood Altar and was heading further ahead when noise in a side room caught his attention.

. . . . .

Emeraude planted her sword in the ground and closed her eyes. She could feel the dark magic throbbing in her, fueled by her pain and fierce desire to protect. A forcefield of red and black arose, surrounding her and her group. They were four: she, Khei'to and the couple of adventurers they had met at the deepcroft's entrance, Shira and Kiyohime. Shira was an archmage in-training who knew thaumaturgy, conjury and arcanima while Kiyohime was training to be a warmaster and knew at least five different weapons, among which were the fists, the spear, the bow and her strange eastern sword she called katana.

Things had started well. Shira and Kiyohime really knew their trade, Shira calling upon his devastating thaumaturgy to freeze, zap or incinerate the undead and insects they met on the way while Kiyohime freely switched between weapons to better adapt the situation. This went along well with Emeraude, whose skills were of more defensive purpose, and Khei'to's curative white magic.

Then, as they were cleaning a side room, they had been caught by surprise by a huge horde of zombies, probably called by the cultists to get rid of the meddlers after they interrupted one of their rituals. Shira and Kiyohime had lost no time unleashing their skills upon the horde, the mage's Fira taking two or three zombies at once while Kiyohime's exotic swordsmanship sliced them to ribbons. But even the mightiest fell to sheer number.

She turned to her companions.

"I can hold the shield for nearly an hour. Will it be enough to restore your mana?"

Khei'to nodded and winced. All that healing had drained him dry and forced Shira to take over as the healer. However, it was clear he was less skilled than the Miqo'te and had trouble healing both Emeraude and Kiyohime. The Dark Knight had decided to raise her barrier to give them time to recover. She held fast, confident in the strength of her spell. The barrier could take attacks from Voidsents, it could hold against the small dozen zombies remaining.

To her surprise, two zombies fell from arrows in the head. A dark blur jumped above the group, throwing two knives that lodged themselves in the undead's chests before landing in front of the group. It was a man, obviously an Elezen, carrying a pristine harp-like bow and clad in garish white, blue and red garments. The Elezen drew two steel daggers and lunged. One zombie fell with its throat open while the other dagger tore through the rusted mail and eviscerated another before flying and embedding itself in an undead forehead. The Elezen, whose ashen skin told Emeraude he was a Duskwight, dodged the lunge of a spear-wielding zombie and kicked its leg. It jerked back and found itself with a dagger in the head. Then the Duskwight took his bow and fired an arrow up. A deluge of blood red arrows fell from nowhere and felled the remaining undead. The Duskwight retrieved his daggers and turned to the group.

"Are you alright?"

Emeraude took the time to check if all the zombies were dead before dropping the barrier.

"We are. Most of us are just winded."

Lyrian looked at the group. Kan-E-Senna had mentioned a White Mage and a Dark Knight, but not an arcanist and a pugilist.

The Dark Knight, as her short pointy ears testified, was indeed Hyur-Elezen. She had grayish blue eyes and a youthful freckled face, as well as mid-back curly red hair. She was wearing not the black and red armor he expected from her kind, but a dark blue and silver scale mail that revealed a rather frail build. The sword in her back was also shorter than the other broadswords he had seen, being barely the size of its owner's and thinner of blade.

Behind her, the White Mage was dusting his robes. He was indeed a Keeper of the Moon, with neck-long cherry pink hair and, surprisingly enough, heterochromatic eyes. The left one was dark blue while the right one was emerald green. By the face alone, he seemed even younger than the Dark Knight and was wearing the classical white robes with red triangles that were specific to White Mages. His scepter was long and bloomed into a lily while his tail swung freely behind him, long and bushy.

Lyrian's eyes stopped on the arcanist. The moment he saw the scales and horns, he remembered Kiyoko. Was the man an Au Ra as well? He had long black hairs with white strands, tied in a braid in his back. His horns were triangular and pointing straight downward while the scales on his face formed a kind of short beard. A line of scales crossed the bridge of his nose. His glasses fell right on it. His slanting eyes were a purple shade very close to his own and he was wearing a soft green longcoat over white clothes, cut behind to let his long, thin tail fall. Finally, there were two different staves in his back and a grimoire on his hips.

The last member of the group was a Lalafell, apparently a Dunesfolk given her light pink pupil-less eyes. She was wearing the light armor classical to novice adventurers specializing in the Disciplines of War and her hairs were black, held in a ponytail in the back while two long strands framed her face, which looked quite maidenly. A proper lady, one would say, who happened to be carrying an eastern sword, a pair of cesti, a spear and a short bow.

'A Warmaiden.' Lyrian thought.

Emeraude smiled.

"Thank you for our help. Khei'to had run out of mana and we were waiting for him to recover. Your coming was on point."

"Glad I could help." Lyrian smiled back. "I heard you had run into trouble in the deepcroft and I was asked to see how you were doing."

The woman glanced at the group.

"I guess introductions are in order. I am Emeraude de Fortemps, Dark Knight. I came here along with Khei'to to see what kind of trouble the cultists were brewing." She turned to the Miqo'te. "Khei'to Elakha is my friend and, on this mission, my partner. He is a White Mage, and as nice as he looks. Don't expect him to say much, though: he is mute."

Lyrian gave her a weird look. The Miqo'te whistled and showed a scar on his throat. The Duskwight understood. The wound had probably cut his vocal cords. The Au Ra bowed in greeting.

"I am Shira Kaburagi, archmage in-training, and this is my sister, Kiyohime. She trains to be a warmaster."

Lyrian looked at the pair in disbelief.

"You two are…"

"Kiyohime is adopted." Shira explained. "Her parents' ship was caught in a storm and she was the sole survivor. She was but a newborn at the time. My family found her and raised her as our own. I was three."

"We heard the Lamb of Dalamud had invaded the place and sought to clear it." Kiyohime explained, her voice soft. "These people worship the fallen moon, Bahamut's prison. They represent a threat and we believed we would do Gridania a favor by getting rid of it. We didn't expect they would send someone to deal with the problem."

"Since we had the same goal, we decided to team up." Emeraude continued. "We were doing fine until those zombies ambushed us. So, who are you?"

"Lyrian Sombréclipse, Bard and rogue in-training. The Elementals informed Kan-E-Senna that you were in trouble and, since I was there to deliver mail and I happened to be a good fighter, she sent me. Good to see you're fine."

Khei'to grinned from ear to ear and bowed as a thanks. Lyrian nodded.

"You're welcome."

Kiyohime walked to him.

"Would you like to accompany us? The cultists still plague this place, and our mission is far from over. Another fighter would be of great help."

She turned to Emeraude who nodded. By virtue of being the one protecting them, the woman seemed to be in command.

"Well, I was sent here to make sure you were safe." Lyrian shrugged. "Best to tag along until you're done cleaning the deepcroft."

"Then welcome in our small team."

The group dived further into the deepcroft. They didn't work like a well-oiled machine, but each had their role and they knew it. The creatures didn't last long. Finally, they fell on a barrier. Shira frowned.

"A classical Dark Barrier. The only way to get past is to kill the one generating it or use an item to dispel it."

Emeraude took a small crystal, a black gem with a stylized claymore or a torch drawn on it. Lyrian recognized it as a Soulstone. The woman waved it in the air. Eventually, the gem shone brightly toward a corridor.

"This way."

Lyrian gave her a puzzled look. Emeraude explained.

"The Dark Knight Soulstone can sense darkness in and out of people. I use it to detect darkness and the power of the void. There are threads of darkness connecting the barrier to someone – or something – at the end of this corridor."

The Bard nodded. This was an interesting use of a Soulstone. He himself had one, a green gem with a harp. The Bard Soulstone, given to him by Jehantel. At the end of the corridor, they found a rosary and more zombies that they swiftly dispatched. Somehow, the undead really didn't like fire and Shira abused the weakness with glee.

The last zombie felled, the forcefield protecting the rosary faded. Emeraude turned to Shira.

"A person or an artifact. Looks like you were right."

She took the rosary and returned to the barrier that disappeared the moment the artifact touched it. She had to raise her shield the next second to parry the onslaught of Blizzard from the imps. Lyrian notched three arrows and fired them consecutively. Shira's Fire caught the last one. Kiyohime turned to the cultist in red but, to her surprise, Khei'to stopped her. The Miqo'te looked furious, his ears flat on his head and his teeth bared. He was hissing a storm, the only way for him to voice his anger. The cultist had a similar reaction because he raised his wand.

"Khei'to Elakha! Of all the people, you are the one they sent. Of course, I should've guessed."

He threw a Thunder spell Khei'to ducked to avoid. The Miqo'te charged Stone.

"I see you recognized me." The cultist smirked. "Still mad I turned your mother into a coat? It was hard, I admit. Not much fur to – URG!"

Khei'to hadn't let him finish. His Stone spell had found its way to the cultist's stomach and knocked him into the abyss. He dusted his hands and turned to see a Voidsent appear. The demon had just recovered from being summoned that he took a Wind spell in the face. Emeraude walked next to her partner.

"Thank you. I will take over if you don't mind."

Khei'to nodded and passed a finger on his throat. Emeraude smirked.

"This comes without saying."

Her claymore met the Voidsent's scythe with a clank. The moment the creature pushed her back, she rewarded it with a dark sphere in the stomach. Shira followed with several Ruins that threw it off-balance and were chained by a series of energy arrows from Lyrian. Kiyohime finished the demon with a clean slice of her katana. The Voidsent dead, Shira and Kiyohime touched the glowing orbs to cancel their power. A stone path rose, connecting the altars to the central platform as the glowing purple sphere landed on it. It burst, revealing a huge soulflayer. Khei'to took one solid look at it before politely bowing to his partner and showing the way. Emeraude nodded.

"Indeed, this is a task for me."

"How so?" Shira asked.

"Because killing Voidsent has been my specialty ever since my wedding."

The smile on her face was dangerous. She walked unflinchingly as the demon spoke.

"Who summons me from the void to reside within this crude vessel?"

"The people we killed." Kiyohime quietly answered. "And you are next on the list, fiend."

The soulflayer threw a water sphere at them. It bounced harmlessly on Emeraude's shield. The Dark Knight took her sword and ran at the Voidsent, her claymore cloaked in purplish flames. The sword met the Voidsent's wand before an arrow lodged itself in its eye. The soulflayer reared and charged an attack.

"Step back!" Shira called.

Emeraude and Kiyohime jumped away as lightning filled the air. When Kiyohime charged with her katana, she found the blade bouncing on an invisible shield. Lyrian noticed a purple beam going from the Voidsent to an imp. It took him two arrows to bring it down. The moment it was, the soulflayer became vulnerable again.

"I see." Shira nodded. "Those imps make it invulnerable. I'll know where to cast my spells the next time they appear…"

"Guys, reinforcement!" Emeraude called.

The two men looked to see mitelings and skeletons appear on the platform.

"On it." Lyrian called. "My arrows are more efficient against smaller targets than this guy."

So, while Shira and Kiyohime focused on the fiend, the bard shot down the bugs and used well-aimed arrows to behead the skeletons. They fell into piles of bones on the ground. Kiyohime smiled.

"This is one way to do it."

"The only way when you got a bow." Lyrian frowned. "Go for the head. In fact, going for the head works with pretty much everything."

Imps appeared. As soon summoned, as soon gone courtesy of him. The rest of the team was free to focus on the soulflayer, which fell under the assaults of Emeraude and the Doman siblings.

"And done." Shira smiled. "I guess this takes care of things."

Khei'to nodded. Emeraude dusted her hands and turned to him.

"The deepcroft is clean. We have done our duty. Time to return to Gridania and report to E-Sumi-Yan."

"We will report to Mother Miounne at the Carline Canopy." Kiyohime cleaned her blade. "She is the one who suggested we visit the deepcroft."

Shira turned to Lyrian.

"What about you?"

Lyrian hesitated before extending a hand. The dark blue crystal appeared. The moment it did, all four members of the group felt a pull in their chest. Before their eyes, crystals appeared. Emeraude's was pale blue, Khei'to's was green, Kiyohime has an orange one and Shira's crystal was red.

"This is why I was sent." Lyrian explained. "I thought I was the only one to have a Crystal of Light. Elder Kan-E-Senna corrected me and told me of two persons she knew who were chosen as well." He looked at Khei'to and Emeraude. "The Elementals warned her you were in trouble and instructed her to send me so I could meet you. I guess Kan-E-Senna will want to meet you as well, if she hasn't already."

"We met her before." Emeraude answered before turning to Shira and Kiyohime. "But you haven't. You should come with us once we are in Gridania. The Elder will be interested."

Khei'to looked at the siblings, pointed at the crystals, then at them and tilted his head. Shira and Kiyohime looked at one another, puzzled. It took Emeraude a moment to understand.

"I think he is asking if you know what these are."

"…Not really." Shira answered. "We found it at different times. Kiyohime found hers first, when our carriage was attacked by Amalj'aa on the way to Gridania and she stayed with the Brass Blades to hold them off. I found mine after slaying a group of anole that was threatening some lancers. After that, we saw a hexagram and talked with a giant crystal, but we both believed it was just a lucid dream, or a minor hallucination born of exhaustion."

Lyrian looked at the pair.

"You aren't native of Eorzea, are you? It's alright you didn't understand, then. Long story short, it was not a dream. All you saw was very real, and you actually had the privilege of meeting face to face with the highest deity we Eorzeans worship: Hydaelyn, the Mothercrystal." He turned to Emeraude. "But we should leave this place before discussing any further. Those damp tunnels aren't the best place to talk about something so important."

Everyone agreed.


For information, Lyrian's parents (whose names I won't reveal for now) belong to the previous generation of Warriors of Light, the group of six who fought Nael at Carteneau. Yeah, the Sombréclipse are a family of badasses. And this is just scratching the surface. Their power to manipulate the land comes from someone...

That aside, we got five of the six new Warriors of Light:

- Lyrian Sombréclipse: Duskwight Elezen, 19, Bard/Rogue-Ninja, origin unknown. Amnesiac. Possesses some strange and very powerful land-bending magic. Has the Water Crystal.

- Emeraude de Fortemps, born de Ferbriant: Midlander Hyur/Wildwood Elezen hybrid, 21, Dark Knight, Ishgardian. Married to Artoirel de Fortemps. The wedding went... somewhat south. Has the Ice Crystal.

- Khei'to Elakha: Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te, 18, White Mage, Gridanian. Lost his his father, his voice and several siblings during the Calamity. May be keen on Emeraude. Has the Wind Crystal.

- Shira Kaburagi: Raen Au Ra, 24, Archmage, Doman. Widowed. Lost his wife to the Garleans and will kill them on sight as revenge. Has the Fire Crystal.

- Kiyohime Kaburagi: Dunesfolk Lalafell, 21, Warmaster (Warmaiden), Uldan-born but Doman-raised. Your archetypal Doman housewife. Her husband is of mixed Dunesfolk/Raen origins. Has the Earth Crystal.