My ears twitched hearing a knock at the door as I sat at the desk having just finished a letter to my childhood friend, Flynn Fox. I preferred the chair over the aching bed. Watching the embers flicker on the candle brought a sense of serenity, of warmth.
Something I knew I wouldn't find anywhere else. Not now. Possibly not ever again.
"Come in!" I called out, directing my attention to the wooden door as it slowly creaked open, revealing Alphinaud's brimming blue eyes delighted to see me, at least his left eye since his right was covered by thick white hair. He was easily my favorite person other than Flynn.
"Z'valiah, you're awake! I must inform the others. Haurchefant much desires to speak with you, but about what, I'm uncertain. Mayhaps you could speak in private." His eyes meet mine, that beaming smile melting my heart in the most platonic way possible.
Nothing was easy for any of us, but at least we basked in each other's companionship.
"Any word on Flynn's arrival? Shame he won't be here long. As a commander in the Twin Adder, he's only making a brief stop before seeking out recruits." A sigh left my lips, wishing it wouldn't be so…short.
"I was unaware of his arrival. I presume you're envious of his job, especially with what we've gotten ourselves involved with." He assumed, folding his arms.
A laugh escaped me. How right he was. Getting to lead soldiers instead of living out a death sentence? Even if Flynn was a top officer, I knew he was the same little kid he used to be.
My only saving grace being that I happened to be a white mage, often saving my allies from the brink of death. Flynn? He was a bard, using mesmerizing melodies to raise his soldier's morale. It clearly worked wonders on landing him promotions.
I stood up, cracking my neck side to side and bent down to touch my toes, the discomfort from the rock hard bed mocking me. I saw boots in the corner of my eyes and rose to see the buoyant Elezen towering before me. Compared to me, he was a skyscraper.
"Lady Z'valiah! A fine morning to you. I heard Lord Alphinaud conversing with you and took it upon myself to come in here. How are you?" His exuberant features were contagious, as I could feel myself mirroring him.
"As great as a sitting duck can be! Any word on my friend's arrival?" Shuffling through one of the drawers of my desk, I snatched up my jewelry and equipped it since they were magically infused. As I tied my choker, he proceeded to talk.
"Yes, Lord Flynn will be here within the hour. I wish to discuss other matters, however. I say it's high time you formally introduce yourself to Ser Aymeric."
Lord Flynn? I couldn't help but utter a laugh, and then choked on it once he mentioned Aymeric.
The only time I recalled seeing the Lord Commander was when Ishgard offered their aid…or something. The meeting was agonizingly dull and I lost interest 50 times throughout it. Both he and Alphinaud were rather… political.
I've never been about that life. He had a nice looking face, but once he opened that overly formal mouth of his, I ate my thoughts.
"When shall I lead you to the quarters?" He questioned.
I glanced over at Alphinaud, a hand on his hip shooting me with a shrug.
"...quarters?" So far I stayed in my new headquarters, talked to the innkeeper, and had an interesting run in with a white-haired mage the night prior. Literally gave me her life story.
"I'll be accompanying you to one of the many locations our commander conducts business. Do let me know when you're ready." Haurchefant seemed to be incapable of erasing his smile, and I couldn't help but hug him.
To me, hugs were something I had a reputation of collecting.
Comfort was something that felt out of reach. Something intangible. Other than Alphinaud and the occasion I spoke to Tataru, I felt alone. I yearned to feel like I belonged. Mattered.
Instead, I felt like a tool. I didn't ask to be the warrior of light, it imposed itself on me. A title I couldn't hide from, forced into the shackles to conduct whatever business was asked of me.
I'd rather be in the saucer, drinking and doing the Leap of Faith, nearly dying each time I failed a jump. Oh, how I missed it.
Warm arms wrapped around my shoulders, turning into a pat on the head and a scratch behind my ears. It felt wonderful…until it didn't.
"I'm not a house cat. What are you trying to do?" I glowered, pushing myself away from Haurchefant while brushing my ears with my palms. I heard him chuckle, leaving me unamused.
"If you are attempting to get a purr out of her, I am afraid to tell you that you're doing it wrong, Lord Haurchefant." Alphinaud joined in, using his bony index fingers to gently scratch in the center behind both of my ears.
Damn it all, he was right. He was always right. A purr from deep inside my throat came out of nowhere, a vibration bubbling through my larynx. My best friend laughed, close mouthed with his right index finger in the center of his lips.
"Shut up. I-I'll get ready. Also, never do that again. Ever. This is your first and only warning." I threatened, gripping my throat with both hands until the purring subsided. How humiliating.
"I can make no such promises. I'll leave you to your devices." Alphinaud chuckled, walking out the door with Haurchefant, both muttering about me like I wasn't there. I wanted to take off his gloves and beat him with them, but had more important things to do.
I threw on a white cloak with blue stitched lines that swirled above the chest, pinning it together like a coat to combat the frigid cold. Black leggings, a white skirt, and white boots that also sported blue stitched patterns.
I walked out the wooden door, only eyeing the red carpet that laid before my exit. The sides of the floor were black and white checkered tiles while the rest was marbled. It was beautiful.
"Given your attire, is it safe to assume you're ready?" Haurchefant's voice politely asked, and I simply nodded. He opened the two beautifully crafted steel doors, motioning for me to take the lead.
Funny that he thought I knew where I was going.
"Maybe you should take the lead. Is Alphinaud coming?" I poked my head around the Elezen's waist since I couldn't see past his shoulder, partially dismayed Alphinaud wasn't there.
"I'm afraid not. I do find it better this be a private meeting as you are the chosen hero and it's in the best interest of Ishgard that you form a more meaningful relationship since you will be working closely with Ser Aymeric." He joyfully replied, gradually moving faster.
I swished air from my right cheek to my left, uncertain how I'd screw myself over this time. Sucking in a sharp breath and correcting my posture, I trailed behind him.
Hearing the flapping of wings, I looked to the sky, heart overjoyed to see Flynn flying in on his high ranking grand company chocobo with white and black robes to match. He strummed his lute as he played, sending a chord of joy through those that heard it.
Chocobo squawking as it landed, Flynn jumped off, dirty blond hair in his eyes that he pushed to the side, leaving only his left icy blue eye visible. His sandy Miqo'te ears tilted as he looked at me.
"My, my, Z'val. How you haven't grown." He mused with a playful smile before throwing me into a powerful hug. I stumbled a few feet forward, using him for balance. "Still got the same black hair and green doe eyes, I see. As if you never aged."
"I'm 28, you ass! This is as tall as I'm ever going to get!" I spat, prompting his irksome, boisterous laughter. He released me and threw both hands on his hips, walking around me in a circle before drawing his icy eyes back to mine.
"Aw, but I love that the most about you." He leaned in close to me. How I wanted to punch him. "You're the perfect height for…certain activities. I'm sure some men would find that absolutely irresistible." The laugh turned into a close-mouthed chuckle behind his haughty smirk as he blocked my attempted punch.
"Joking aside, it is lovely to see you in good health and it's nostalgic seeing you haven't grown either in height or in attitude."
"Yeah, well I'm considering a refund on this friendship of ours." I crossed my arms, eyeing knights that ran along the ledges of the city, ignoring Flynn's wandering gaze.
"You could get a refund, but then who would think of when you sleep at night?" This time, I landed my punch on his right shoulder. I never thought of him that way and really was starting to question our friendship.
"I dunno. Maybe someone worthy of my…my…" I trailed off, shiny metal pauldrons on one of the guards catching my attention. Shiny.
"Where ya headed? The inn? Castle? Brothel? I can go shoot the shit with little Alphy if you're busy. Haven't seen that kid in three months now?" He threw one arm around my back as he spoke, each step having pep to it as he led me in a circle, breaking my focus.
"If you don't mind, Ser Flynn, was it? I am to take her somewhere secret." Haurchefant intervened, putting his hand to Flynn's chest to stop the dizzying circle.
Thank the twelve.
"Oh? Take her somewhere…secret?" Flynn raised an eyebrow, and I knew damn well what he was about to imply given his mischievous smirk.
"Piss off. Go have your way with Alphy. I'll fill you in when I return." I growled.
I caught him cackling behind closed hands. Rolling my eyes, I whacked his right arm, and it was strong. "Damn it! When did you do so much training?! You were a walking skeleton last time!"
"Neither here nor there, my love. Are you impressed? Me too!" His sarcasm was growing tiring, and I did my best to look anything but impressed.
"I've had enough of you. Can't believe I was excited to see you." I felt myself exhale, lightly shivering from the nipping cold.
"No need to wound me with words. See you soon, Shorty. We've got a lot of catching up to do. Where am I headed?" He walked backwards as he spoke with hands in pockets as his ears flicked up every time a sound happened.
He looked so…official. I was disgusted to think he almost looked admirable.
"House Fortemps. I'm sure a guard would lead you. Now get out of my sight, you weirdo." I shifted my eyes, seeing 4 guards to my right in the distance and 5 to the left.
"Got it! I'll see you soon, darling!" He shot a wink before turning around and began to talk to a guard, his demeanor turning to one more serious.
"Your friend, he is quite something." I chuckled hearing Haurchefant's perplexed tone. He was something. Something I rarely understood.
"He is skilled with music. That guy can work people like a fiddle, evoking any emotion he pleases from them. Maybe those in charge of promotions got tired of crying." I brushed snow off my robe that fell from somewhere above. Given his sexual nature, he could have engaged in illicit activities to get the promotions.
Silence permeated the air, leaving the only hearable sound being the wind. It howled as it lifted light pieces of snow, taking it from a corner to the center of the road. Almost too peaceful.
"I certainly wouldn't blame them, though manipulation is not an honest way to be promoted." Haurchefant said in a serious tone minutes later. My eyes flicked towards his thornmail, hearing a quiet jingle with every step.
"And here we are, at last. Good day, Firmalbert." He bowed his head at the guard standing watch outside two steel doors, the architecture of the building beautiful with Ishgardian banners decorating the front. Two largely lit braziers stood to both sides of the doors, creating a comfortable amount of heat. The infrastructure was made using large pieces of stone.
"Lord Haurchefant." The armored guard bowed wearing a shield nearly as tall as me bearing the Ishgardian crest. A sword dangled to his right hip and based on how shiny and reflective it was, it couldn't be made of cheap material. At least, I thought that to be the case.
Firmalbert opened both doors long enough to allow us passage. They opened up into a massive room, the center holding a desk occupying one fourth of it. On the desk laid a candle, a map, some books, and a couple flimsy seeming chairs. Behind the desk was something that looked like a massive chair, but I was deceived, as it was a random piece of wall… or something. A brazier rested against it, likely providing heat to the Lord Commander and his knights. A massive map pinned to a bulletin board sat beside it.
I shifted my gaze to three individuals behind the desk. The Lord Commander was sitting with a white-haired knighted woman to his left and an armored Elezen to his right. The two to his side became a blur as my attention refused to move from the commander. His pale blue eyes met my gaze, heart beating as I tried focusing elsewhere. His black hair, nice wavy sideburns, hair swept above his eyes and naturally the shiny blue gem dangling from his left ear caught my attention.
Oh, how shiny things were the quickest way to my heart. Tinfoil was the best gift because it was shiny and made a lovely crumpling noise, until that shit cut you.
Ser Aymeric was heavily armored. His blue and gold cloak looked incredibly cozy, but the silver metallic dragon that encompassed his neck was far more intriguing. His booming voice brought me back to Eorzea.
"This is the warrior of light, I presume. Lucia, you did tell me she was to make an appearance today, but did not tell me when. Of course, I could have easily forgotten, with all the work that needs finishing. There is only so much I care to delegate when I am capable of doing it myself." His eyes shifted to one named Lucia.
It was noble, doing so much work rather than having others do it for him.
Lucia sharply bowed, her voice like a soldier who only lives to take commands. "Sorry, Lord Aymeric. I wasn't sure when she was coming, only that she was showing up today."
"My apologies, my lord. The fault is on me. I didn't tell Lady Lucia a time as I was not certain when our warrior of light would be open to such formalities. I pray this is not a bad time." Haurchefant interjected, slapping his chest with a fist.
I couldn't help but feel guilty even though I wasn't told any plans. I clasped my hands before my stomach, shifting my gaze to whoever spoke.
"Pray do not apologize, Lord Haurchefant. I am more than happy to make time for the warrior Ishgard has heard many praises of. Z'valiyah, was it?"
I nodded, shifting my hands behind my back instead.
"Mistress Z'valiyah, you have defeated many foes believed to be invincible. Truly, I am sorry for the misfortune that has befallen both you and your allies. I pray the Fortemp's have been the epitome of hospitality to you and your remaining Scions." His hands waved in the air as he spoke and his look of concern put me at ease..
He was…stunning.
Ominously kind.
Disgustingly formal.
The earring. Pretty sure my eyes dilated looking at it. How embarrassing.
"Mistress Z'valiyah?" He questioned again, snapping me out of focus and zoning in on his question. I shifted my eyes to the floor, though talking to the floor was a bit ill-mannered.
"T-they've been n-nothing but hospitable, L-lord C-commander." Oh gods, I was stuttering. Not even Kan-E-Senna could fix me.
I could feel Lucia's stone-faced stare, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to rise. She was unreadable and likely judging my one functioning brain cell. Cool sweat pooled on my neck.
"Perhaps I was being a bit brash. I shall try a different approach. Pray tell me something about yourself, Lady Z'valiyah." His tone was gentle as I stood at attention, mustering courage as I met his gaze. Shivers raced down my spine, anxiety taunting me.
"M-my full name is Z'valiyah Iskani. I played Triple Triad for years and was quite good at it. I-I'm a white mage and think I'm hardly passable as one. My parents died in a shipwreck when I was three when we headed for Limsa Lominsa. As a result, my friends are the only family I have. I-I…I would give my life to protect them."
Relieved I was somewhat intelligible, I bowed before the desk, keeping my focus on Aymeric's empathetic expression, pale blue eyes wishing I had divulged more.
"You have my utmost apologies regarding the matter of your parents. Your spirit is quite admirable. However, if you are indeed a white mage, your death would inevitably bring misfortune upon your friends. The way you describe your own prowess, they may already be doomed."
Did he just make a joke? Or was he serious?
He placed his right elbow on his desk, putting his head against his index finger while the others fell beside his lips.
He wasn't wrong. His lashes were three times the size of mine as he briefly lowered them before shooting his eyes back up at me.
"W-what about you? W-what do you do?"
Did I seriously just ask that?! I know what he does. Everyone knows what he does. I tugged at my ears, a soft cry of embarrassment fleeing my lips.
Aymeric uttered a light chuckle, folding his arms as he calmly replied. "Other than tending to paperwork, commanding my many guards, ensuring the law is properly enforced, and attending rather important assemblies across all of Eorzea, I am rather inclined to read a good book now and again."
His smile of amusement frustrated me. Even Haurchefant was fighting back a chuckle as he sucked in his lower lip.
I felt my tail thrash side to side, uncertain if it was from excitement, frustration, or no reason.
"I've taken up enough of your time. It was…an event formally meeting you, Ser Aymeric, Lord Commander of the Ishgardian knights." I awkwardly said, ears twitching while quickly bowing, wishing I had died in one of my many battles instead.
The armored dragoon was looking in my direction, or at least it felt like it because of the way his helm shifted. He hardly smirked before his lips straightened out.
"Ha! An event?" The commander stood up, appearing too entertained. A few inches from me he too bowed, but far more formal. He planted an arm across his body as he shifted one foot behind the other, his head adjacent with the center of his ribs. "The pleasure is all mine, Mistress Z'valiyah." He also shook my hand, and I'm certain I let out a squeak.
Snap the hell out of it, you dumb idiot. He's too….political? Formal? Married to work?
My heart was jittery as I shook my head, succumbing to the chaos within me. This was my fate: agony. All Ishgardians will think I'm no more intelligent than a pebble before long.
Words failed to rally to me as I walked away, leaving Haurchefant to formally express his goodbyes before chasing after me.
"Lady Z'valiyah!" His laughter pierced my ears, similar to Flynn's when I did something unbelievably stupid. "The way you addressed him was quite unusual, as was calling it an event. Hardly does our commander utter a laugh, so certain am I that you surpassed all expectations."
"Cool! I surpassed expectations by being a complete moron! If you don't mind, Haurche, I'm going to go over to that ledge and leap off, questioning my life choices as my body shrivels into nothingness." I dashed to the stone ledge, peering over it to see fluffy white clouds and nothing else. Was Ishgard hovering above an abyss? It was almost mortifying.
Haurchefant pulled me back by my outer collar with one hand, shoving my back so I was in front of him far from the stone ledges.
"You are to do no such thing, my friend. Let us say goodbye to your friend before he departs on exciting new missions." Excitement overtook his tone, his stare way more fixated on me causing a slight uneasiness.
I fell in step with him so I wasn't too far ahead given I already forgot where to go. Ishgard was massive and I'd likely wind up someplace else like Dragonhead with my idiocy. No, Gridania.
"When we were getting involved in all sorts of shenanigans, as in us Scions, Flynn worked overtime to climb the ranks in case we needed more allies. Glad he did, given the severity."
"Bold move, but a smart one. The Twin Adder would not remove you from their roster over this. They would need definitive proof of your involvement in heresy. You are a part of them, are you not?" His voice was nearly a whisper as he folded his arms behind his back, keeping watch of nearby guards.
At least his focus was elsewhere.
"I am! Second storm lieutenant for the sake of getting a house. If things play out well and I don't further devolve, I'll ask whoever is in charge of housing if I can reside here. I have a lot of Gil and nothing to spend it on."
My sight drifted to two soldiers who were getting aggressive with a female citizen. For a second, I felt the need to jump in, but eyeing her hands, she seemed to hold some kind of bomb powder. Given her crying with a smile that rang ear to ear, I took a jump back and moved to Haurchefant's left side instead.
"That tends to happen when one joins ranks with the Scions. Peace is attainable, but far out of reach when you're involving yourself with the world's problems. Z'valiyah, you should try smiling more." Once I looked up at him, his smile was genuine, and I did as he suggested, but felt it came out of nowhere.
It was hard. Smiling when there was nothing to smile about. Wondering when your next breath would be your last. Questioning if I'd be the next in line to get executed. If I'd get caught. If I could ever leave Ishgard. An icy pit formed in my stomach thinking about it.
Approaching the house, Flynn was leaving with his hands full of various baked goods. Haurchefant bowed to bid him goodbye, leaving us to catch up.
"You're leaving? Will you be able to fly holding all those?" I rummaged through a pocket that was stitched to the inside of my robe, pulling out a small bag. "Use this. Also…dare I ask if you're wearing anything under that robe…?" My eyes flicked to his lower half, fearful for the answer.
"She forgets her staff, but at least she carries around a bag to use as a pouch or… other things. Also, darling, if you must know, I'm wearing all that I came into this world with." Flynn fought back laughter, his lips forming into a doting grin. "Next time you see me, I'll be the top ranking officer. And you? You'll be freed from whatever the hell this nonsense is you've gotten yourself into." As he spoke, he barely got all his pastries to fit before adjusting the strap of his lute.
"I look forward to it, assuming they let someone like you hit the top ranks. Your gift with flirtation and emotions can only get you so far, Flynn. Where's your bow? Does Bait have it?"
"How embarrassing to be called that. No, that chocobo has nothing. At least he's magnificent to gaze upon. I'm going to pick up a new bow on my way, forged by quite the temptress. I'll send you a letter since I got the address from that Ed-something guy. How was the commander?" He raised a questioning brow. "Alphy filled me in."
He blew a whistle, summoning his towering chocobo whose head barely reached above mine. Hooray. Shorter than a chocobo. He busted moves while waiting, and I prayed I was anywhere else.
"It was something. Or as I told him, it was an event. Why couldn't I be normal and say it was a pleasure meeting him? Nope. It was an event meeting you. Gods, I've lost my mind. He is attractive, by the way. For an Elezen that is. More than that random gambler who mesmerized me many moons ago." I tried being serious, but quickly my shoulders raised as fury took hold of me.
That laugh that caused my blood to boil. "I forgot about that guy! I didn't get that one. He looked like a low key serial killer. The commander is eye candy, so I've heard."
He patted me on the shoulder. "Your taste in men has evolved, thankfully. Though you continue to reject my advances. Enough pleasantries. Don't have too much fun while I'm gone/" Flynn ruffled the hair between my ears, and then leapt into the sky until he was sitting on his pet. "Let's go, Bait, darling!"
"Yeah, fun. See you soon or possibly never based on this month's events. Stay safe!" I shouted after him as the chocobo was already above the house.
"Your word of the day - event! You're the one in need of safety! Why, with your height, no one could ever find you!" He cackled looking down over his shoulder at me, gripping the reins before turning into no more than a speck in the sky.
The only thing I regrettably looked forward to was gone in the blink of an eye, and I knew things could only get worse from here.
Not even hours later, I completed some tasks for anyone who wanted shit to get done. I then had to be Tataru's champion, fighting alongside Alphinaud against two of Thordan's Heaven's Wards. We won, naturally, supposedly bringing the charges of my friends committing heresy to a stand still. I was forced into a place of healing without taking a breath while Alphinaud did all the heavy lifting. Together, we were victorious. Wishing to kill those dimwits, I was stopped by my friends and they were lucky their lives were spared. Hopefully someday soon their tyranny and mind manipulation will come to an end.
How it pissed me off. We were welcomed to Ishgard assuming an ally and freedoms only to be forced to make ourselves scarce otherwise we'd face false claims. Someone didn't want us here. Someone powerful.
My wrists were weak, pain sizzling through my muscles. My hair had to be a mess. I hated the religious order and their bullshit customs. A part of me even loathed Aymeric since I assume he was in some way affiliated with them. It wasn't enough that I defeated the archbishop's lackeys, but now was being forced to meet the archbishop.
Swallowing my emotions, I had no choice but to follow orders. My heroic status is fleeting.
I followed one of the many soldiers into a throne room. Large pillars went up to the ceiling which had to be many hundreds of feet high. It was the castle, after all. I think. Naturally everything was made of stone but what I found unsettling was there was no furniture other than the throne that the archbishop sat in. Maybe a few banners.
An Elezen with a white beard that nearly swept the floor occupied the throne, a staff as tall as he was in his right hand. Guards lined up before him, each one facing each other.
I had to fight every part of me to jolt up the stairs and scream at the twisted old man in front of me. Instead, I stayed on the ground, taking a glance to my left to see Aymeric and then looking up as my stomach churned. He wore a crown the size of his head, the gold shining off it and nearly hitting me in the eyes. The first time something shiny made me want to spew bile.
The knight who led me did a snap bow and fell in line with his coworkers.
"Your eminence. It is my honor to present to you the warrior of light." Aymeric stated calmly and I could feel all eyes looking in my direction.
The archbishop's voice was loud and everything he spoke with precision. "I have heard tales of your many grand endeavors. The lord commander has also been most effusive with his praise. I am Thordan the 7th. Archbishop of the Ishgardian orthodox church and I made you come here so that I may offer my personal apologies. You will forgive me for not calling upon you as courtesy would dictate, but as you can see my more spritely days are long behind me, but I digress."
Every word that came out of his mouth caused me to cringe. He lacked sincerity, almost like he was providing lip service. Not only that, did I hear him say I will forgive him? As if I don't have a choice? HA!
I went to talk, but he took it upon himself to continue on, loving to hear his wrinkly self talk. "Your companions were wrongly accused of heresy and subjected to gross indignities. This I'm sorry to say was the result of negligence on the part of our nation's protectors. Negligence born of an excess of zeal. Is that not so, Zephirin?"
Oh gods, make him stop talking. I hate it. Everything he said was so… so boring. I didn't even realize his Heaven's Wards were there, and my fists were quick to close tightly enough my nails dug into my palms.
They eyed me looking like they were satisfied with my misfortune, and I shot them with a look of murderous intent. The blonde haired Elezen decked out in white, blue and gold holy robes bowed his head as he spoke, lying through his teeth.
"Yes, your eminence. Regrettably it would appear that we of the Heaven's Ward were in receipt of erroneous information."
Bullshit. He went on about how someone else pressed charges before knowing the truth and had the audacity to apologize to me, while I only gritted my teeth and looked back up at the archbishop. He made light of the situation, calling it a misunderstanding.
The higher power shooed off his knights, keeping me a prisoner. Even Aymeric left, leaving me to fend for myself against this man that everyone blindly followed.
I swallowed whatever saliva I had. The entire situation formed a bitter taste in my mouth.
"Privacy is a luxury rarely afforded to one in my position. Now tell me young lady, what do you know of the Ascians?"
I kept quiet, but it seemed I wore an expression giving away that I knew more than he thought.
"Much and more I shouldn't wonder, being the bringer of light. You should know that I myself have met with them and entertained them as guests here…" He trailed off, further explaining that they offered him great power so they'd have a better shot against the dragons. He didn't want to aid them or be their puppet, supposedly. He also mentioned providing them lip service to learn of their duties and told me I was what the Ascians feared the most.
Yes, fear me. A girl with a horrible sense of direction, drinking problem, and who says the stupidest things at the least opportune times. It was almost laughable.
He then told me that working together would bring Eorzea peace and I was to think about it. As he smiled, his wrinkled face and bushy eyebrows aside, there was still something I didn't- something I couldn't trust.
I bowed, and then marched out of the castle, shuddering from whatever that was. Was he telling me about providing lip service to the Ascians and in doing so, providing lip service to me?
I pressed my palm into my forehead, desperately laughing up at the sky. "What a piece of work!"
"Who is, Mistress Z'valiyah?"
I slowly turned my head to the right, wide-eyed, chest pain forming as I spotted Ser Aymeric leaning against a stone wall looking right at me. Shit.
"M-my….my….my…" Shoot! I couldn't think of anything to say. Nothing clever. Nothing at all! "Welp, keep at your duties! Haha, ha! See you around, you leader, you!" My closed fists turned into finger guns which I pointed up at him. Regret instantly consumed me.
Shit! Nothing at all would have been better than that! I ran as fast I could, not looking back until I made my way into House Fortemps. Quickly I slammed the door behind me, panting short, rapid breaths while keeping my back and arms against the door as if someone I didn't want to see could knock it down in a matter of seconds. Shit.
Alphinaud was in the room talking with Tataru, quickly shifting his gaze towards me, looking concerned as he possibly could. Ignoring my current mental state, he was more curious about what they wanted with me in the Vault. I guess that was the name of the castle. Another research failure on my end. Not like I had time or useful people escorting me. Time was the real luxury.
I decided it was best to tell him literally everything. I probably mouthed it out word for word, ruminating on my distrust for their people. It wasn't long until Tataru brought up that she heard General Raubahn was to be executed, and I knew that meant we were going to go on a rescue mission.
I cried inside my head, knowing breaks would never come. The only breaks I could have, I screwed up big time, often turning into something extreme.
"We cannot permit this execution to take place!" Alphinaud demanded, throwing one fist into an open palm. A fire lit in his eyes and I knew he was determined.
And there it was. A likely excruciatingly painful mission to rescue a powerful ally.
I wanted him alive. I did. I really did. I just wish I could have 5 minutes with myself and not be dragged through the coals having to talk to this person or that one, being taken for a rescue mission, or having to search destinations for information.
But I was the chosen one in the group. Not only that, I always acted and did what was right. It's something I know will never change, nor do I want it to. I only want a minute of peace.
"Fine, but first can we-" I started, but was quickly cut off by Alphinaud's curt, "No."
"But-"
"No. Go and get whatever you need, Z'valiyah. We must be going. Executions wait for no one."
"I mean, they wait for the executioner…" I interjected, shrugging my shoulders.
Alphinaud looked at me, displeased, opening his mouth and quickly closing it as he turned away pointing a finger to the ceiling, his braided hair nearly whacking me in the face. For once he had nothing to say.
Tataru quietly giggled, lifting her small right hand to pat my hip. "He does have a point though."
"I'm aware. We will save the general and then I can only pray to the twelve we get a break." I murmured, giving my friend a smile that she matched. I checked my back to ensure my moogle-tipped staff was attached and it was. "Alright, let's go."
And there I was, tired and without rest. As the Warrior of Light, time doesn't wait. It ticks away and my only option is to abide and hope for victory, or disobey, leading the world into darkness.