Far horizons and close
The five Champions left the Lotus Stand.
"So, Vesper Bay, to find the Scions of the Seventh Dawn." Shira summed up. "If they can tell us more about who we are and what we can do, I'm up for it."
"Kan-E-Senna and E-Sumi-Yan already told us a lot." Emeraude remarked. "We are the Champions of Hydaelyn, blessed with her powers to protect the land of Eorzea."
Kiyohime turned to her.
"What Brother means is that this is too little still. We know we have powers and what they are, but not how to use them. We know we must defend the Realm but not where to start, what to do to be efficient in our duty. The Scions may be able to answer that."
Lyrian thought for a moment.
"The Adventurer's Guild may have an inkling as well. Adventurers are people who perform tasks of various kinds in return for power, glory and riches. Many of them fought during Carteneau. Until we meet the Scions, this sounds like a good alternative. Problem is, you need to register as an adventurer before receiving missions."
"Kiyo and I have registered already." Shira shrugged. "We thought it would be a good place to improve our skills."
"I have as well." Emeraude added. "Those jobs are easy money for someone like me."
Lyrian and Khei'to looked at one another and collectively shook their head.
"We haven't."
"Then you better do it now."
To say the Elezen and the Miqo'te looked reluctant was an understatement.
"I can earn money just fine with my songs and odd jobs. That's what I was doing in Limsa Lominsa. Adventure isn't really my thing."
Khei'to also shook his head vigorously.
I am a White Mage, not a sell-sword!
"Besides, people are always looking for a healer. There's money to be earned healing people."
Khei'to strongly nodded. Emeraude, Shira and Kiyohime looked at one another.
"Guess we better find the Scions, then. But not today. Night is falling."
They headed to the Carline Canopy and dined together. No long after they started, they were joined by a trio of Miqo'te girls and a scaly Lalafell. Kiyohime greeted him warmly.
"Ao-chan…"
"My love!"
Lyrian looked at the Lalafell. Aside from the pristine scales on his cheeks and arms, the conjurer looked like any Dunesfolk, with wide sea blue eyes and sunshine blond hair that spiked in every direction. He was wearing robes as white as his scales and wielded a staff like a shepherd's cross, complete with a bell. The way Kiyohime hugged him, it was obvious she loved him deeply, and Aomaru seemed to return the feelings if the joy on his face was anything to go by.
"I got worried sick when I heard you and your friends had been ambushed in Tam-Tara. For a moment, I even considered coming to your rescue. Zombies aren't living beings, so my oath doesn't apply…"
"I am fine, my love. We all are, thanks to a timely rescue from our new friend."
She turned to Lyrian who gave a polite greeting. Aomaru bowed.
"I owe you a debt for saving my beloved. Kiyohime means the world to me. I dare not imagine what I would have done if she had fell."
"Then don't." Lyrian smiled. "For some reason, seeing you two reminds me of people I knew. They loved each other deeply and I remember wishing I loved my partner the same way they did once I got one."
He put a hand on his forehead. The dull ache of memories returning was making his head throb.
"…It was my parents. I don't recall their face or their name, but they loved each other and always open in their affection." A grin crossed his face. "For years, I believed their names were Honey and Sweetheart. I don't think I heard them call each other another way when they were home. And, whenever I watched them, I wished I would love the person I fell for the same way they did. I admired them."
"Was your childhood happy?" Shira asked, a smile on his face.
"Definitely. I had siblings. I think… I think I was the oldest. I can't remember them clearly yet, but I know I had at least a younger brother and a younger sister. I remember teaching my brother water manipulation and helping settle down an argument between him and my younger sister."
Emeraude smiled sadly.
"Lucky you. I wish I could say the same…"
"Your parents were so evil they turned into Voidsents by simply being too close from your Soulstone." Shira winced. "Enough said."
Emeraude was about to say something when something small, white and fluffy jumped in her arms with a squeal. The Dark Knight caught it and put it on her lap.
"Yes, Snowy. I'm fine. I'm fine. Stop making a fuss!"
It took Lyrian a moment to recognize the furball.
"A snow mouse!?"
It was indeed a mouse, though about the size of the rodents that plagued the Noscean plains, with thick white fur and a long fluffy tail. Emeraude caressed her pet.
"His name is Snowflake. I found him in the snow one day and nursed him back to health. He has been with me ever since."
"It's cute." Shira smiled. "Can we pet it?"
"Depends. He has the habit of biting the fingers of people he doesn't know, but he didn't bite Khei'to so I guess he won't bite yours either."
Kiyohime gave the mouse a weird look.
"It bites?"
"Yes. Coertan snow mice are predators. They will not hesitate to attacks creatures bigger than themselves in search for food."
"Hard to believe. It looks too cute."
"So are you." Lyrian shrugged. "And yet you're a warmaster."
Shira scoffed while Aomaru made a shocked face. The Ao Ra grinned.
"Smooth."
Emeraude chuckled.
"He has a point. Beauty doesn't equate harmlessness. Snowy can and will fight if given the chance. The only reason I did not take him in Tam-Tara is because he was tired. Otherwise, I can guarantee I have seen him take on dragons and win. He goes for the throat." A smile crossed her face. "When heretics kidnapped Artoirel to insult Count Edmont, we came to his rescue together. Following that, Artoirel described him as 'The most bloodthirsty rodent he had ever seen.' In Snowy's defense, he did go for the heretics'… manlier parts."
Lyrian cringed.
"Bye the gonads. Ouch!"
He held a careful hand to the mouse that sniffed it and nibbled it slightly before accepting the caress. The rodent was soft. It was obvious Emeraude was taking care of it. He didn't flinch when Khei'to petted it and let Shira and Kiyohime caress him. The three Miqo'te girls joined the group and went to Khei'to. Lyrian could tell right away the four were related.
The twins Runah and Lunah were the youngest of the siblings and looked exactly alike except for a single trait, which Lunah shared with her brother: all three had heterochromatic eyes, but Khei'to and Lunah had a blue left eye and green right eye while Runah had a green left eye and blue right eye. Ehli, the oldest of the four, had both eyes green. She also shared her brother's pink hair color while the twins had pristine manes tied in identical braids. Ehli, on the other hand, kept her hairs in a more practical bob cut. Finally, all three were wearing their field's classical gear, Ehli wearing the uniform of the Twin Adder while Runah had scale armor and, for Lunah, the classical protected tunic of archers.
The twins started cooing at the mouse, much to its pleasure. Ehli watched them, a smile on her face. She turned to Khei'to.
"So, did your mission go well?"
Khei'to strongly nodded and encompassed the group before putting a hand on his heart. Ehli nodded.
"You made friends. It's great."
"And not just any friends." Emeraude added.
She began telling about Tam-Tara. The Miqo'te sisters listened with interest, Aomaru with them as he sat next to his wife, his head in the crook of her neck. Emeraude had just finished her tale when Miounne came to the group.
"Lyrian? I have a message for you, from Baderon in Limsa Lominsa."
Lyrian turned to the innkeeper.
"Baderon? What could he want?"
He took the brief and opened it. There was a letter, not from the Drowning Wench's owner but from Jacke.
"Uh, back to business, I see." He turned to the group. "I'll have to go to Limsa Lominsa soon, most likely tomorrow. The leader of the Rogues' guild needs my help with an affair in Aleport. Something about the cavern of Sastasha. All the rogues available are called and he wants to know if I'm free."
Shira and Kiyohime looked at one another.
"It would be nice to see Yui and Kiyoko again. We'll come along, if Jacke doesn't mind working along more than just rogues."
Emeraude was thoughtful.
"I have never been to Limsa Lominsa. People in Ishgard depict it as a lawless town of cutthroats and cutpurses, where everyone carries an axe and is out to kill his neighbor..."
She was cut by Lyrian's deep laugh.
"That was before Admiral Merlwyb took over. Now, believe it or not, piracy is outlawed unless specifically approved by the Admiral – and only against Garleans. These state-approved pirates are called corsairs, but they have lost none of their edge. And even though people are rowdy and enjoy a good fight, they enjoy a good drink and a good song just as often, and the city is anything but lawless. Between the Yellowjackets, the Mealvaan Custom and its arcanists and, of course, the Rogues' Guild to enforce the Code, any would-be lawbreaker is in trouble with a capital T." He shrugged before the dark knight's skeptic look. "I live there, remember? I work at the Drowning Wench as a singer and as a handyman the rest of times. And, naturally, at the Rogues' Guild whenever a mission pops up."
Khei'to pointed at himself and gave a thumb up. Shira and Kiyohime nodded.
"We're coming."
Emeraude sighed.
"Majority wins. Limsa Lominsa it is."
"We should take the airship." Lyrian suggested. "I know I'm attuned to the aetherytes of all three major cities…"
"Likewise." Shira nodded.
Khei'to winced and shook his head.
"Me neither." Emeraude looked down. "Ishgard and Gridania are the only cities I can reach via the aetheryte network."
"Then we'll take the airship."
Shira, Kiyohime and Emeraude had their room at the inn while Khei'to and his sisters had a house in Gridania. Lyrian took a room at the Canopy and slept there. They met at the docks the next day, Khei'to bringing with him passes for Emeraude, himself and the Doman siblings. As they flew to the pirate city, Lyrian took his linkpearl.
"Jacke? It's me. How are you doing?"
At the other end, Jacke smiled brightly.
"Lyrian! Good to hear 'bout ye, lad. I'm doin' fine. An' ye?"
"Doing great. Apparently, the Elementals aren't mad at me anymore. I can cross the Twelveswood at will. Also, I made friends, two of which Yui and Kiyoko will be happy to see."
"What? Really?"
"Yep. Shira and Kiyohime Kaburagi. An archmage and warmaster in-training who fled Doma alongside Yui and Kiyoko. They offered to come along to see their friends again."
Jacke hummed.
"An archmage an' warmaster… 'Twas goin' to be rogues only, but more help's welcome. I'll take 'em along."
Lyrian nodded.
"There are two others: Emeraude de Fortemps and Khei'to Elakha. Emeraude is a Dark Knight specialized in defense and Khei'to is a White Mage. Are you fine with it?"
This time, Jacke took a moment to think.
"A tank'n a healer, huh? So much fer stealth, then. But with someone to keep us alive an' another to take hits fer us, gotta admit we're safer this way. Okay, lad. They can join."
Lyrian smiled.
"Thanks Boss. Where do we meet?"
"Aleport."
"Got it. We'll take the ferry, then. See you soon."
"See ya soon, lad."
Lyrian hummed and turned to the group.
"Jacke knows we're coming and is fine with you helping. He's waiting at Aleport."
"I remember there is a ferry at the pier." Shira frowned. "Will it take us there?"
"Yes."
"Good." The Au Ra looked at the sky. "We should reach Limsa Lominsa by midday. Time to grab a snack…"
"The Bismarck makes delicious finger sandwiches if you don't want to stop. Though I doubt there's any emergency…" He took his linkpearl. "Jacke? Say, do we have time for a quick snack before the mission?"
"Yup. Be waitin' fer ye at two the afternoon."
"Got it. So, we got time for lunch at the Bismarck."
Kiyohime jumped in happiness.
"The food there is great." Shira smiled. "Different from what we eat in Doma, but delicious nonetheless. I thought Kiyo-chan would join the guild after our first time, but she decided against it. This didn't stop her from picking recipes on the road."
Emeraude turned to the Lalafell.
"You cook?"
"Of course! I am a proper Doman lady. Housekeeping is part of our duties."
Emeraude turned away, obviously embarrassed.
"Are you… of noble birth?"
"No. Our parents are traveling merchants." Shira shook his head. "Our home was in Namai, but we often traveled from village to village and even to Reunion, in the Azim Steppes, to sell our products. But Little Sister wanted to become a proper lady so Mother taught her."
"I see." Emeraude mused. "Different cultures."
Before Shira's puzzled face, she explained.
"As you already know, I belong to Ishgard's nobility. My parents were minor lords, but lords nonetheless. It shames me to say it, but I never learned cooking. We had servant for this and housekeeping."
Kiyohime crossed her arms.
"Every Doman lady, from the wife of the king to the humblest worker, knows housekeeping and how to defend themselves with any tool they first get their hand on. I admit to having a fondness for weapon-wielding, but the way I see it, this is merely an expansion of knowing self-defense."
"Little Sister is slightly exaggerating." Shira reassured. "It is true that many women in Doma aspire to become proper ladies, but not all of them walk this path, and not all of them are successful, especially with the Garleans breathing down on our neck. Kiyo-chan successfully became one thanks to Mother's strict training and our journeying making so the Garleans couldn't keep track of us easily. There were things, martial training being the foremost, that she was able to practice that others couldn't."
This time, Emeraude looked downright embarrassed.
"Doma's definition of a lady and Ishgard's are more different than I thought. Highborn ladies such as myself are not expected to know housekeeping – we have servants and maids for that. But we do know sewing and are versed in the arts of singing and painting. Education naturally is part of the course. Most highborn ladies are well-read, and some even go to Saint Endalim Scholasticate. I actually graduated as one of the Trinity, the three top-ranking students, two mere weeks before my wedding."
"What about fighting?"
"Rare. Very much so. Every boy of noble birth has to learn at least some notion of swordsmanship, maybe even become a knight, but women are not expected to be martially inclined. Most who do learn conjury to support their husband. Those who pick a weapon are the minority. My own parents refused that I learn weapon or magic-wielding, deeming it too un-ladylike." Emeraude laughed dry. "This despite my mother being a thaumaturge. I learned the arts of the Dark Knight behind their back. Had they known I was disobeying them, they would have killed me. I was just a tool in their hands to further their ambitions. They struck gold when Count Edmont agreed to marry me to Artoirel, and our wedding was their moment of triumph… Ironically enough, this was also the day of their demise."
Lyrian frowned.
"You make it sound like your parents were the biggest social climbers in Ishgard…"
"I wouldn't have spelled it another way. They had but one ambition, and it was to get as high as they could on Ishgard's social ladder. For this, they were willing to pull all stops. Nothing was below them, not even numbing me to the point I spent many years with a heart of ice, numb to the world, unable to feel a single spark of emotion. I was naught but a tool in their hand, and I will always loathe them for this. It is only thanks to me accidentally stumbling on the Dark Knight Soulstone that I was able to feel again. A Dark Knight's magic is fueled by our emotions. The moment I found it, I started feeling again. This is why I said before that training in the Dark Arts was therapeutic."
Khei'to caressed Emeraude's shoulder softly in a comforting gesture. The Dark Knight smiled back.
"I was going to say your parents were assholes, but we know what happened to your wedding." Shira crossed his arms. "No need to say more."
"Yes. In the end, their demise was ironic to say the least."
Finally, the airship reached the city of Limsa Lominsa. Emeraude and Khei'to, who had never seen it before, clung onto the railing to catch a better look. The Miqo'te whistled. Emeraude herself nodded in appreciation. The white walls and towers of the harbor city reminded her of the spires of the Vault, but the city felt more bustling and alive, warmer. She could feel the salty air and hear the tide washing on the walls, a steady thrum that seemed to harmonize with her heart.
She had never seen the ocean before, and the sight almost overwhelmed her. All this blue, going endlessly until she couldn't tell sea and sky felt frightening in a way, as if she would get lost. But the gentle waves lapping at the cliffs felt comforting somehow. She found it strange. And Limsa Lominsa, despite the similar color themes, felt decidedly different from Ishgard.
They docked at the airship and followed Lyrian, who took them through the Drowning Wench and waved at Baderon before heading to the Coral Tower. He turned left before they reached it and headed to a tower from which delicious scents came from. The Bismarck, one if not the best restaurant in Eorzea. The group sat and was offered the menu.
"Let's see, let's see…"
Shira went straight for the pea soup while Kiyohime ordered a cheese risotto. Lyrian decided he was hungry for fish and called for a tuna miq'abob. Emeraude and Khei'to took longer to choose. The Dark Knight eventually went for her favorite food: pies, and picked the shepherd's pie. Khei'to was last and chose the raptor stew. Lyrian asked for Noscean orange juice to go along.
"The aetheryte is just down this path." The Duskwight offered the Dark Knight and White Mage. "Go harmonize to it while they prepare our food."
"Alright."
The pair left. Kiyohime closed his eyes and hummed the air.
"Somehow, it reminds me of the Ruby Sea."
Shira shook his head.
"The air is different. It feels… thicker, wetter and yet lighter. I guess elementals of water and wind must abound in the plains."
"You would be right." Lyrian confirmed. "Water and wind-aligned aether currents flow strongly through Vylbrand. The more skilled pirates use them to navigate, but the skill is rare. I'm surprised the Maelstrom isn't doing more to take advantage of it."
"The aether is much thicker in Eorzea than in Othard. It is one thing I noticed when I first came." He opened a hand and a swirl of fire appeared. "My spells are much more potent. It took me some time to adjust."
"Uh."
Lyrian closed his eyes, searching in his mind whatever lore could relate to Shira's remark.
"If my memory serves me right, there are tales about the flow of aether and a place called Silvertear Lake, in Mor Dhona. They said that, in the first age of the world, the dragon king Midgardsorm came to Hydaelyn from a faraway realm. He descended in Eorzea and, upon arriving to Silvertear Lake, he made a pact with the Mothercrystal. In return for guarding the place, Hydaelyn would bless his children and welcome her as her own. Now, for some reason, many people consider the lake to be the source of most of Eorzea's aether, a wellspring of sorts. I also heard from foreigners that life – and aether – flow more strongly across Eorzea than in other continents. Now, I am afraid I have no idea why."
"I didn't expect the Eorzeans would be aware of it." Shira raised a brow, surprised. "I thought it would be natural to them to be powerful spellcasters, and they could be surprised by the clumsiness of foreign mages having to adapt."
Lyrian laughed.
"Between Sharlayan, the Allagan Empire and the mage cities of Mhach, Amdapor and Nym, Eorzea had plenty of time to develop their theories about the aetherflow, trust me."
Emeraude and Khei'to finally returned and sat. It didn't take long for food to arrive. Lyrian smiled as he saw Emeraude feed pieces of meat to her pet. Khei'to noticed it as well because he gave it some raptor meat.
"Does it eat fish?" The Duskwight asked.
Emeraude shrugged.
"No idea. You can try."
Lyrian nodded and gave Snowflake a piece of tuna. The rodent sniffed it before turning away.
"Uh, no fish meat. Good. It means more for me."
On this, he took a huge bite. Shira eyed the kebab.
"Want some?"
"Why not?"
"Alright… but can I have a spoonful of your soup in return?"
"Fair enough."
Soon, the group found themselves sharing dishes. It was an experience, and a pleasant one. As it turned, Emeraude was just like her pet: not overly fond of fish.
"You won't like Othardian cooking, then." Kiyohime smiled. "Especially Kugane's. Raw fish is common, especially with rice and sweet-sour sauce. They call it sushi."
"Alright, I'll know what to avoid. Personally, I prefer pies and dishes with a crust. They are warm and filling."
"I always found them heavy on the stomach." Lyrian mused. "My own favorites are sweet dishes, those who have fruits, syrup or honey. Doesn't say I won't eat anything else, though."
"As long as it's edible…" Shira shrugged. "Down it goes."
Kiyohime smiled.
"Maybe is it because of Ao-chan's favorite diet, I enjoy dishes heavy on vegetables and cereals. My love is vegetarian and refuses to eat meat, but eggs and milk are fair."
"Really?"
"Ao-chan isn't fond of hurting the livings."
Khei'to licked his lips.
We Keepers are hunters. Steak and meat are our bread and butter.
"Anything you don't like?" Lyrian asked.
Khei'to shrugged. Their plate cleaned, the group went to pay but Lyrian stopped them.
"As far as I'm concerned, a dinner's not over without something sweet in the stomach. I'll have a chocolate pearl to go."
His desert in a hand and their stomach full, the group finally left to the docks.
When people don't even come from the same continent, culture clashes are bound to happen. And, of course, the Dark Knight would have a pet Killer Mouse on hand. So, as you can see, the team is really diverse and, Shira and Kiyohime aside, they have close to nothing in common. But they are the new Warriors of Light and still get along fine.
See you soon !
