I hope you like the main story, because you're getting quite a lot of it in this one.

Requiem pt. 1

As fortune would have it, we emerged victorious from our first battle with minimal losses. In no small part of our dear Warrior of Light's presence on the field.

But...Alisaie...

Gods, when would this end?

One after another, my friends were being called somewhere, and I didn't know what to do!

Only she remained. But for how long, nobody could tell.

Least of all her.

She was going to be next.

It was a simple process of elimination, since the others were all gone now; whisked away to some unknown location.

At this point, it was only a matter of time until she would be pulled there as well. Called by that voice.

"The Light...will expunge...all life. Only you...can stop this Calamity. Open...the gates..."

S'eni reached her hand across the table she was resting on, fingers extending as the image of Alisaie entered her vision, trying to desperately reach her while struck by the pain of the calling, only to slip past her grasp as she too fell unconscious.

At this point it was only a matter of when.

Perhaps tomorrow? Perhaps in a week?

Or perhaps right now. She would simply close her eyes, and when she opened them again, she would find herself wherever it was the voice had called them to.

But instead of the unknown voice grabbing and carrying her away, a sudden spike of pain from her hand made her eyes shot open once again, as a rather thick tome had been dropped onto it.

With a yelp of pain, S'eni pulled her hand back and she found herself looking into the face of none other than Master Matoya, glaring daggers at her.

"Seven hells!" narrowing her eyes, she began shaking her hand. "Were you this abusive with Shtola too!? No wait, don't answer that!"

"Unlike you, she didn't lounge around all day doing nothing!" Matoya shot back.

S'eni glared back at the old woman, before averting her eyes, muttering, "Not like I can do much right now..."

She wasn't able to help her friends, and there had been no word from the frontlines after their initial victory, which could either be good or bad. And if that wasn't bad enough, the guild seemingly had no work for her either right now.

Maybe I should take up gardening? She wondered. I heard the Botanist guild is always looking for people.

But she dismissed that thought. The last time she had been in Gridania was when she told Y'mhitra about what had happened with Y'shtola. While her lover's sister didn't blame her, and in fact had immediately made contact with the other Sons of Saint Coinnach to see if they might be able to find something that would be of help, S'eni couldn't look her in the eye right now. Not after the promise she had made to her.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Matoya tossing the tome onto her lap.

"Hmpf, if you have time to complain, then you might as well apply yourself."

S'eni shot her another glare, then turned her attention to the tome. Flipping it open, she skimmed over the first few pages before returning her eyes back to the Archon, a look of surprise in them. "A book on arcane manipulation?" she asked.

Matoya nodded.

"I'm sorry, but it's not exactly my expertise." With a shake of her head, she closed it again and placed it back on the table. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."

"With the first page," the old woman simply said and began walking a few steps to take another book from one of the nearby stacks, looking it over for a moment before placing it back and moving on to the next. "You think Shtola just woke up one day and cast her first spell?"

"No, but she has years of studies and practice," S'eni argued. "Meanwhile, I haven't even so much as held a staff in my hand."

"Are you done?" She clamped her mouth shut. "Good. You might not believe it, but you have the potential. Shtola has seen it, and for once I'm inclined to agree with her. You're unique even amongst those that possess the Echo, I don't know why that is, but I can sense it, and there's no doubt in my mind that if you dedicate yourself enough, then what is written in that book will come as easy to you as swinging around those fists of yours."

Glancing away from Matoya, she let her gaze come to rest upon the black leather cover of the tome. "I don't know…"

"If you don't want to believe in yourself, then believe in those that know what they're talking about."

She sighed through her nose, closing her eyes as she thought back to the times where Y'shtola had encouraged her to broaden her horizons, only for her to wave off the notion every time. Had that just been her lover's way to try and get her to make use of that potential she, and apparently Matoya, were seeing inside her?

Ah, what the hells. Opening her eyes again, she grabbed the tome and opened it once more. If nothing else, it might make her feel a little less useless right now. A smile formed on the old woman's face, but it was soon replaced by her usual sour expression.

"Good. Now get out!" Matoya told her. "It's already bothersome enough that the Baldesion girl constantly walks in and out of my cave without you loitering around."

S'eni rolled her eyes but still rose to her feet. "I'm beginning to see why you and Louisoix argued so often."

"Hmpf. I almost miss those days. He never backed down even when insults were flung and always stayed true to his ideals. Something his grandchildren inherited and proof that intelligence truly does skip a generation, I suppose."

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"Nevermind." Matoya waved her away.

Being now well and truly dismissed, and most likely risking some curses flung into her direction, she simply shrugged and left the Archon to her own devices.

By the time S'eni stepped into the Rising Stones, she had already finished the first couple of pages. Much to her own surprise, she had little trouble understanding the contents and the more she read, the more engrossed she became, barely registering the greetings and responding to them on her way there.

So it was of little surprise when she didn't notice the figure walking towards her and instead bumped head first into them.

"I'm sorry!" she said immediately, stepping back. "I wasn't looking where—Eh? Maxima?"

"Mistress S'eni," the Garlean replied with faint amusement, a hand moving to adjust the glasses resting on his nose. "I was hoping to run into you, but not quite so literally."

She blinked in surprise. "What brings you here?"

"I was told that Master Alphinaud had been brought here and wished to see if his condition had improved, but alas he's still unconscious." he nodded towards the book in her hand. "A fascinating read, I take it?"

"Y-yeah." Feeling a little embarrassed all of a sudden, S'eni placed the bookmark onto the current page and shut the book. "You said you were hoping to see me?"

"Yes. I have heard about the part you played in driving back the Empire's forces...Thank you." he bowed his head. "That you were able to stop them, if only for a short while, gives me hope. I know that must sound strange coming from a Garlean, since we started the war in the first place."

"Not at all," she said, a small smile forming on her lips. After all, it had been him and his comrades from the Populares that had warned the Alliance about the impending attack from the Empire. "You've proven that you truly wish for peace. I'm sure Alphinaud would see it that way too."

At the sound of her friend's name, Maxima turned in the direction of the infirmary that they had placed everyone. "The Populares could not have wished for a more committed ally. It pains me to see him like this, but I take solace in the knowledge that he is well cared for."

"I'll let you know if his condition improves," S'eni offered.

"That would be very appreciated." He looked at her once more. "But I'm afraid as much as I would like to stay longer, I should be on my way. On that note, I actually traveled here with another acquaintance of yours. He's waiting at North Silvertear and I'm certain he would be glad to see you. Should you have the time to spare that is."

"Sure!" She actually already had a pretty good idea who it might be.

A suspicion that proved very much correct when she spotted a certain airship from a distance and none other than Cid Garlond stepping off it as they approached.

"S'eni, it's good to see you," he greeted her. "Been a while hasn't it?"

"Yeah," she replied with a little grin. "How's the search for Nero going?"

The engineer simply grumbled, crossing his arms in front of his chest. The last time they had both seen the former Tribunus had been at Rhalgr's Reach, shortly before he had run off, leaving only the huge bill for all the material costs behind for all the upgrades he had done.

And from the looks of things, he was still at large.

"Nevermind that blasted snake," Cid then said with a shake of his head. "I heard you've been through the mill. You should've called me. Though I suppose tracking down lost souls isn't exactly something I specialise in."

"I'll try to remember it the next time I need help."

He grinned. "Good!"

"So..." S'eni looked between the two Garleans. "Maxima your newest employee?"

The man in question chuckled. "I'm afraid I lack the required abilities to be a member of the esteemed Garlond Ironworks, but it's an honor nonetheless to be traveling in his company. You see, we Populares consider Master Garlond a revolutionary, a man willing to defy the Empire's wishes of subjugation."

"Please—" Cid waved his hand. "—'revolutionary' is a term best reserved for my inventions. I'm just an imperial defector helping another defector, that's all."

"Be that as it may, I'm still humbled to find myself in such distinguished company."

"Speaking of distinguished company. Is it really true, S'eni?" Cid asked. "Is Gaius still alive?"

"Hm. And hunting Ascians these days."

"Rarely has anyone ever seen the Legatus without his mask. To think I walked halfway across the Burn alongside the Black Wolf..." Maxima frowned. "...Commander Aldynn also told me about the meeting with the Empire, though I must confess I still can't believe it. From the very founding of our nation, my brothers and sisters laid down their lives for an Ascian lie."

"For all the Empire's many crimes, even I didn't suspect. If I had, I would've left much sooner," Cid said. "But that's in the past. In the here and now, we've got our work cut out for us in thwarting their plans. Seiryu's Wall was a good start, but we can't rest easy yet. We'll show them what it means to achieve 'Freedom through Technology'!"

Placing a hand on her hip, she gave her friend a grin. "Already got a new venture in planning?"

"Of course. In fact, I might—" he cut himself off when a voice called out to them and he turned his head into the direction it was coming from. "Well someone's in a hurry."

S'eni turned around and spotted a young Alliance soldier running towards them.

"Begging your pardon! I bear a message for the Warrior of Light!" he practically shouted when he stopped nearby, breathing heavily and raising his hand in a salute. "Commander Aldynn requests your presence at Alliance Headquarters in Ala Mhigo. He wishes to discuss matters of strategy at your earliest convenience."

"Ah yes, the inevitable messenger. I knew it wouldn't be long until duty called you away," Cid said, the corners of his lips rising. "Time being surely of the essence, want me to give you a ride?"

"Now how could I refuse that?" she asked right back, mirroring his expression.

"Well, you could always teleport, but would lack company."

After sharing a laugh with her friend, they boarded the Excelsior and only a few moments later, were on their way towards Ala Mhigo.

Alliance Headquarters was abuzz with activity, soldiers, and officers moving to and fro between their given posts. But for all the activity, she could tell that spirits were quite high. No doubt due to their last victory.

S'eni could only hope that fortune would remain to be on their side.

She found Raubahn at the center of the camp, standing in front of the large strategy table and looking at the map spread out across from him.

"Commander," she said, making him glance over his shoulder.

"You're here. Good. I want to discuss our next course of action but let me update you on the Garleans' movements first." He beckoned her closer, waiting until she stood next to him before placing his finger on top of the large red line splitting the map and drawing across it. "We've had multiple skirmishes along the border but neither side has managed to land a decisive blow yet. We assumed that the Garleans would overwhelm us in a straight fight, but we are gaining ground, slowly but surely. The most likely explanation for that is that they have yet to commit all their forces. Still, we're winning, and according to our latest intelligence, Varis has retreated back to Garlemald."

The leader abandoning his troops, or is there something more at play? She wondered. Not that it mattered, she supposed. "So what's the plan?"

"An offensive on the entire front with the aim of pushing it forward and giving us some more room to breathe." He tapped the map. "With any luck we might—"

"Commander!" They both looked up to see a rather distressed-looking soldier entering camp. "The imperials, they've broken through our defenses to the east!"

"What!?" Raubahn exclaimed.

"Our scouts say their forces are led by Lord Zenos!" the soldier reported. "Lord Hien and Commander Hext have taken their troops to provide support, but we don't know how long they can hold out."

"So they've been biding their time until his arrival. Very well, send word to our allies and request reinforcements to the front line!" he ordered and turned towards her. "S'eni—"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of that Ascian," she said, face drawn in grim determination.

"Thanks. You alone are worth over a hundred soldiers."

Giving the older man a nod, S'eni made to head east when—

"Argh!"

–a sudden spike of pain set her brain ablaze once more, forcing her to her knees as that damnable voice pierced her mind like a jagged knife, twisting and turning with every syllable.

"Why won't they open!? Please...I beg you, open!"

"N…ot...no...w." she pressed out through gritted teeth, fingers digging into her skull in an attempt to stave off her blurring vision, and her breath was coming as heaving gasps through her nose. "Not…NOW!"

In an instant, reality snapped into focus, and the pain ebbed away once more, leaving behind a dull ache that clouded her mind for a couple more seconds until it too faded away. Gods, it was getting worse. If this continued… No, she told herself. No time for this. I need to get to Hien and Lyse!

"Are you alright?" Raubahn asked, worry resonating in his deep voice as she pushed herself back onto her feet. "Was it the voice?"

"Yes, but I'm fine," she assured him, wiping the sudden sweat from her brow.

"Rhaglr grant us strength...Give them hell, S'eni."

Without looking back, she began to run.

Wind whipped across her face as she hurried through the trenches, passing by hastily constructed wooden towers to replace those that had been felled in the previous battle and the still-smoking debris of a downed airship that had broken apart mid-air.

Shouts echoed through the area, followed by horns in the distance to rally the forces, and the ever-familiar sounds of battle soon pervaded the air once more as she began to close in on her destination, guided by thick plumes of smoke rising into the air which turned the already dark sky into an ominous pitch-black glowed slightly from the fires raging below it.

Before long, the battle grew fiercer. The Garlean legionaries she came across were quickly dispatched, their bodies left behind without so much as a second glance from her as she ran deeper into the storm raging around her; right into its very eye.

She knew that the she might be too late, had expected it in fact, but she still couldn't stop the gasp escaping her at the sight of Lyse and Yugiri, lying defeated on the ground amongst their troops, and Hien on his knees, his katana the only thing holding him relatively upright.

And a few steps away from him, the towering form of Zenos.

Pushing her worries for Yugiri and Lyse aside for a moment, she barrelled forward. "Hien!"

The young king turned his head towards her, a weak smile forming on his lips at the sight of her.

"Come to...steal the glory...for yourself?" he asked as she stepped in front of him. "Be...careful..."

With that, the last of his strength left him and he fell unconscious, leaving only her and the one pretending to be Zenos standing. Elidibus.

"Ah, the Bringer of Light. It has been too long, has it not?" he asked in Zenos' voice.

S'eni silently glared at him before turning away to check on Hien.

"No words to mark this reunion? Hmm, so be it...Equilibrium must be restored, and only your death will renew the balance."

He was still breathing. Good. And his wounds looked mostly superficial. A quick glance over to her other friends showed no serious wounds on either of them as well.

"We will suffer your interference no longer. You think you know of the dark, but I will show you the true nature of our power. This vessel—"

"Will you just shut up!?" S'eni shouted, rising back to her feet and locking eyes with him through the large crack in his helmet as she walked forward. "You Ascians just talk and talk and talk. Lahabrea was the same. I think we both know how that turned out for him."

Now it was his turn to glare at her.

"So how about we cut to the chase—" her arms moved through the air, as fluid as pure spring water, making it almost look like she was dancing until she snapped downward into a rigid stance, her foot stomping onto the ground and making it crack under the sheer force of it. "—and do what we both came here for."

Wordlessly, he raised the sword in his hand and pointed it towards her.

A moment of complete silence followed, the sounds of the raging battle ceasing to exist as they stared at one another. Taking a deep breath, she held it in her lungs, counting the seconds within her mind, before releasing it again.

Then, within the blink of an eye, they exploded forward, bridging the gap between them and meeting in a storm of blade and fists.

Elidibus swiped at her in a series of blindingly fast slashes that cut the air as she swiftly dodged them, the sharp whistle of the blade always just one step behind her. Crossing her arms, she raised them to block the next strike from above, the metal bits of her arm guards stopping the blade short even as he began to put more strength into it. They struggled for a few seconds, neither of them backing down until, finally, S'eni found the opening she wanted.

Pushing up, she threw him off balance for long enough to vanish from sight, appearing right behind him and kicking him in the back. A surprised grunt escaped him and he whirled around to face her, but she had once again moved away, attacking him from the side this time, before doing it again and again in a ferocious volley of blows that left him staggering.

She had just appeared in front of him again, raising her fist to release an explosion of chakra in an uppercut but found herself snatched and tossed into the air, his blade gleaming with deadly intent as he slashed upward to cleave her in two. Just before it could connect, S'eni twisted around and brought her hands together, shooting a beam of aether onto the ground that pushed her further up and forced Elidibus to shield himself from the blast.

As soon as she landed, she dashed towards Elidibus and somersaulted backwards, the steel-covered tip of her boot hitting him straight in the helmet, making him stumble back and opened him up for the next barrage of attacks that she rained down upon him. After the third strike, he raised his arm and backhanded her hard enough to draw blood from her mouth and nose, putting enough distance between them to twirl the katana in his hand around and stab its tip into the dirt.

Knowing full well what was about to come, she brought up her arms and entered a firm stance just in time for the large shock wave to sweep across the battlefield, whirling up clouds of dust and tiny pebbles that scratched her skin. She grit her teeth, feeling herself being pushed back a few steps, but stood her ground until it passed by her.

Lowering her arms once more, she brushed some dust from her shoulder then wiped the blood from her face. "Was that all?" she asked.

She didn't wait for a response and instead went on the offensive again, continuing their deadly dance. Twirling, crouching, and jumping, S'eni dodged these familiar, yet at the same time strange attacks. It was almost frightening how Elidibus impersonated Zenos even down to his fighting style.

No wonder even the most devoted of servants couldn't see past the deception.

But for as good as he mimicked him, he was lacking that one thing that had made the crown prince such a deadly foe; that pure, unadulterated bestial wildness lurking just underneath the surface, like a rabid Behemoth waiting to be released from its confines. To hunt, to kill, like there was nothing else left in the world.

Elidibus on the other hand was methodical. He fought with purpose. And that—

There! Her leg shot up.

—made him predictable.

Her foot connected with his hand, sending his katana flying. Reaching up, she snatched it out of the air just in time to block the side-way slash Elidibus did while unsheathing one of the other swords at his hip. The metallic groan of sharp steel passed between them as the blades connected, straining slightly as put all the force they had behind them.

"Why...do you persist?" he asked. "Do you not see the futility in this? This vessel's power is transcendent. Without limit!"

"You don't get it, do you?" She pushed him away. A cloud of sparks surrounded them as swords clashed violently with one another in rapid succession.

"You're strong, I'll give you that…" S'eni ducked out of the way, and pushed forward but he blocked her attack, locking their weapons together once more. "…but no matter how much you posture and pretend…"

"You will...never be..." Twisting the blade, she hooked it underneath his and pushed up with all her might. "...Zenos!

Their swords whirled through the air in opposite directions, the metal singing as they descended and embedded themselves into the ground.

His hand immediately went to draw his last katana, but S'eni jumped backwards before he could strike at her. She locked eyes with him once again. "Time to end this."

Pulling her fist back, the air began to ripple as one by one the chakras within her body began to open. Light and shadow, yin and yang, in perfect harmony. Flashes of lightning danced around her, joining together with the swirling orbs of glowing wind into a storm of sheer power that converged on the aether gathering in her fist.

Seeing what she was doing, Elidibus advanced towards her, the ground trembling under the heavy armor that he wore, but it was already too late.

S'eni rushed forward with a cry, zipping past him with incredible speed and stopping a good distance away with her fist extended. A few seconds of silence followed before a large explosion of aether engulfed everything behind her and she could hear the Ascian cry out in pain before that sound too was swallowed up in the blast.

She breathed out, then utter silence. Slowly, she turned around to find him lying on the ground, completely still. It was over...

...or she thought, as all of a sudden, a swirl of red and purple light began to surround Elidibus and he returned back to his feet.

"Your Mother chose her champion well," he said while turning to face her. "Yet for all your strength, you will still fail."

She rushed towards him. "Why won't you stay do—"

Her words broke off, replaced by a cry as pain began to flood her mind once again, and she stumbled to the ground.

"Please...I beg you!"

"N-no..." she replied to the voice, grabbing her head while trying and failing to get back to her feet. "Let...go...!"

"Hm? Someone calls to you...intriguing. But it's too late." Striding towards her at an almost leisurely pace, Elidibus held out his hand to let the fallen katana float back into it.

Somehow, she managed to get on her knee, raising her head to watch her approaching foe through the dark fog that was eating away at her consciousness with teeth of red hot agony.

His sword descended.

Aww shucks. Anyway, did I mention that I really like Monk's new gap closer from Endwalker? :)

Ah, as a little side not: those of you that are inclined towards FF VII might wanna check my profile on Sunday, as I'll be uploading a little season appropiate one-shot.

Otherwise, we'll see each other here on Monday. Have a great and spooky weekend!