When it Rains, it Pours
A fleeting moment, a small respite for those fighting to save this world.
One by one, the Lightwardens fell, but with every that was struck down grew the ire of the one that wished to protect them.
To him, you've committed a grave sin. And sinners needed to be punished...
Drifting across the border between slumber and awaking, the fog clouding her consciousness began to fade and she cracked open her eyes, raising a still sluggish arm to shield them from the sunlight that shined in from the open window and was reflecting off the polished marble floor.
What time is it? She wondered groggily, glancing around for the chronometer hanging somewhere on the wall but giving up after a few seconds and closing her eyes again. Her ears twitched as a noise from outside echoed through the window, but she paid it no mind, choosing to instead turn away from it and snuggle up to the wonderfully warm body lying next to her.
Smiling softly as the other Miqo'te pressed herself against her, S'eni slid an arm around Y'shtola and caressed the smooth skin of her lower back just above the base of her tail. She listened to the little sounds she produced, letting them guide her back into a state of dozing.
Just as the first faint images of a dream began to pull her past the border once more, the light brush of nails against the back of her neck returned her mind to the here and now. "Good morning," a husky whisper greeted her.
"Mornin'..." S'eni yawned and finally opened her eyes to meet those of her lover. "Slept well?"
Y'shtola hummed, her lips curling into a little smile. "Best sleep in three years."
"I guess relaxing turned out to be not that difficult after all."
"Thanks to present company."
She giggled, leaning in to brush their noses together playfully. "So, since we're awake, anything you want to do on this fine morning?"
"Well, I suppose we should meet with the others to discuss our next steps," Y'shtola replied, drawing out a sigh from S'eni.
"Yeah," she said. "I suppose you're right."
But instead of getting up, she began to stroke Y'shtola's lower back again. "Think they can wait a few minutes longer?"
"Perhaps, but the question is—" smile growing, her lover lowered herself onto her back, pulling S'eni along until she was hovering above her. "—what shall we do in those minutes?"
"Heh, I have a rough idea," she replied and dipped down to plant a kiss on those pretty lips—
"Mmh?"
—only to have them come into contact with two fingers instead. Blinking in confusion, she pulled back and saw Y'shtola's face had grown serious and her ears standing at attention.
"Do you hear that too?"
S'eni perked her ears up and tried to figure out what Y'shtola meant when she heard it, the noise she had heard but her barely waking mind had dismissed.
A commotion. Something was happening. Swearing under her breath, she all but jumped out of bed and started picking up her things. Y'shtola too rose from her position and began to get dressed in a hurried manner.
As soon as they were finished, they rushed out of the room. "Do you think it's Eulmore?" S'eni asked as they descended the stairs.
"Possibly, but we won't know for sure until we ask someone."
Said someone arrived swiftly in the form of the manager of the Pendants, who was coming towards them from downstairs.
"Ah, you're awake I see," the Elezen man said, trying his best to keep his usual calm, but it was hard to miss the edge in his voice. "Though I could hardly imagine anyone sleeping through this commotion."
"What's happening?" Y'shtola asked.
"A host of Sin Eaters is advancing upon the Crystarium," he informed them. "Emergency measures are being taken as we speak. You may rest assured that we are safe so long as we remain underneath the Crystal Tower's aegis, so you may return to your quarters."
"No way." S'eni shook her head. "We'll help."
"Yes, I thought as much. And I can't say your assistance won't be anything but welcome." The manager offered them a grateful expression. "I must inform the other residents of the situation. Good luck."
As he passed by them, taking two steps at a time, she turned her gaze towards Y'shtola. "Let's go."
Leaving the Pendants, the two of them went straight to the Exedra. On their way there, they passed a multitude of people, talking amongst themselves and wondering what was happening while members of the guards did their best to calm them.
"The guard has everything under control, I assure you. Just remain within the city limits and everything will be alright."
"Pah, am I supposed to be afraid of some Sin Eaters!?" Giott, the Dwarf she saw regularly around the Wandering Stairs practically shouted, soon followed by other bounty hunters weighing in, clearly intending to take the fight to the enemy instead of waiting inside.
Arriving at the Exedra, S'eni spotted another squad of guards making for the city gates and was about to suggest Y'shtola join them when a voice called out to them, "S'eni!"
Alisaie.
They turned around to see their young friend running towards them and coming to a stop a few steps away from them.
"I just returned from Amh Araeng and now I find the Crystarium being beset by a horde of Sin Eaters. What's going on!?" Alisaie's eyes then landed on the other Miqo'te. "Y'shtola?"
"It's good to see you again," Y'shtola replied. "But I'm afraid pleasantries will have to wait."
"I agree," Alphinaud then said, appearing practically out of nowhere.
"Brother! Do you have any idea what is going on?"
"I may, but for the moment we'll need to postpone this discussion. The Crystal Exarch is preparing to deploy a barrier as we speak," he told them. "Ensuring that he is able to do so is our first priority."
"What do we have to do?" S'eni asked.
"A number of instruments are placed around the Crystarium that serve as anchors for the barrier. I'm on my way to activate them."
"Very well, I'll take the ones to the south," Alisaie said. She didn't even wait for a reply before her footsteps were fading into the distance.
"Then I'll take the northern ones. S'eni, can you take care of the western ones?"
"Of course. I think I know which ones you mean, above the Aetheryte plaza, right?"
"Yes, thank you." with that he began to run off as well.
"Then I'll go on ahead and help the city guard," Y'shtola said, gripping her staff tightly.
"Alright, see you soon." Giving her a nod, she made to run, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder. Glancing back, she saw Y'shtola smiling.
"Don't take too long."
"I won't," she promised before hurrying towards her objective.
What a way to start the morning, she thought sourly.
And it had only just begun…
An ear-piercing shriek went through the air as the Sin Eater collapsed in front of her, its arachnoid form twitching a few times before bursting into little shards of light aether. A series of other shrieks, a roar, and even a womanly wail followed it in quick succession and she glanced over her shoulder to see the rest of the Sin Eaters falling to the guard's weapons.
Looking around to see if there were any more of them and finding none in the vicinity, she lowered her arms and closed her eyes, taking a long, deep breath before opening them once more to look up at the sky. The sudden rain that had struck Lakeland during the battle was turning into a soft pitter-patter and the clouds were slowly breaking apart once more, ushering in its slow end.
Looks like these were the last of them, S'eni thought and turned towards the guards.
"I want the swiftest of you to fan out to look for stragglers! If you find them, call for reinforcements." She looked at the broken bodies lying in the grass nearby. "We've lost enough today."
"You heard the lady!" the highest-ranking guardsman, an older Elf, called out to his men. "You three, search the perimeter. The rest, with me!"
She watched him sheathe his sword and walk over to the dead, waving over his fellows to help pick them up.
Time to head back.
Making their way back to the Ostall Imperative, she saw another unit gathering up their fallen with a cart. A solemn duty she had done before too. Victory or defeat, someone would always be lost. It was a bitter feeling.
And it never became easier.
Out of the corner of her eyes, a familiar glow appeared and, turning towards it, she found Ardbert standing on top of a hill, watching as two soldiers were being carried off and looking lost. Their eyes met for a moment and he shook his head, vanishing again.
S'eni sighed and continued onward.
By the time they arrived at the former fortress, named after a famous knight that once fought an army of Sin Eaters here, the clouds had fully dispersed, leaving the area draped in warm sunlight as if to bid them welcome. But the sight and sounds of the wounded were anything but welcome.
"S'eni," Alisaie greeted her, trying and failing to keep the fatigue out of her voice. "How are things?"
"Bar perhaps a few stragglers, they should all have been taken care of," she replied.
"Good. Then we should be safe for the time being."
"And how is it looking here?"
"The wounded have all been gathered and are undergoing treatment. Once they're ready to be moved, they'll be sent to the Crystarium. As for the dead—" she stopped as the cart arrived. "—those who didn't get turned should be all gathered soon."
The Elezen shook her head.
"The others are helping to treat the wounded, but even so we don't have enough hands. I know you're probably exhausted but—"
"Don't worry, of course I'll help." Though she would be lying if she claimed that she didn't want to sit down for a bit. But that could wait.
"Thanks. Here, take these," Alisaie said, handing her some potions and other medical supplies. Her shoulders slumped. "Gods, I'm about to keel over myself. Captain Lyna should be around here as well, maybe go ask her if there is anything else that needs to be taken care of once you've seen to the wounded. We'll talk later."
S'eni watched her friend sprint over to one of the many wounded before proceeding to do the same, but it only took a single glance to figure out that any help was coming way too late for this one. He gazed at her with unfocused, teary eyes, his breath coming out as weak wheezes. His hand twitched and he tried to raise it, but only managed to get it slightly off the ground.
She took it, holding up so that he could see, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"I...I..."
"Shh, I'm here," she assured him, making sure he knew that he wouldn't go alone into the dark.
His lips parted, but no words came. Only a single, last exhale. Then...nothing.
With a weary sigh through her nose, she placed his hand at his side and reached out to close those dulling, empty eyes, taking a moment to offer a silent prayer for his soul before rising to her feet again.
There was more that needed to be done.
The next two were little better, with one outright refusing her help by claiming that he was going to turn soon, while the other only suffered from superficial wounds but was an emotional wreck, crying about a fellow soldier he had to strike down after transforming. Still, she tried to help them as best as she could.
After helping a few more of the wounded, thankfully in better condition, she managed to find Lyna, sitting on the ground near a set of stairs and nursing her own wounds. The captain looked lost in thought, not even noticing her until she spoke up.
"Oh!" Lyna looked up in surprise. "I-I didn't see you there. Is there something you need?"
S'eni shook her head. "I'm fine. But what about you?"
"Injuries are part of battle and while there's still breath in my lungs, I will see my duties done," the other woman replied and rose to her feet. "Don't pretend you're not of the same mind. You fought well today and saved many lives. Thank you. Unfortunately, this war is far from over. We must replenish our ranks and see to our defenses before they attack again. If you will excuse me."
Offering her the Crystarium guard's salute, Lyna began to walk past her, leaving S'eni to watch her with a frown. But the Vii didn't get far, as only a few steps away, she began to clutch the wound on her leg and doubled over.
"Lyna!" rushing over to her, she dropped down to take a look at her wounds, her hand already reaching for one of the potions Alisaie had given her, but Lyna's words stopped her.
"I'm...fine. Completely...and utterly...fine!" She punched the ground for emphasis. "More than fine. Hale and hearty and still alive to mourn those who are not! Who I failed to protect when they needed me most!"
Her voice began to crack. "We've come so far, so godsdamned far! I could have sworn the end was in sight. And now...now they will never see it..."
All of a sudden, her ears picked up the sound of spinning rotors, and she looked up to see three airships approach their position. A voice began to echo down.
"Impudent worms of the Crystarium."
Vauthry... S'eni's face began to darken.
"The tragedy that has befallen you is one of your own making. Divine retribution for your defiance. The heavens have bequeathed a benevolent savior—Me!" his booming voice said. "I offer you freedom from pain and suffering─a paradise where man and Sin Eater might live in peace and harmony. Why, already our winged brothers and sisters regard me and my people as kin, similar to them in beauty and purity."
She snorted. The irony of him talking of beauty.
"But you, you not only reject my offered hand, but raise your own against my Sin Eaters. It's only right that they would respond in kind. Let this be a lesson to all those who walk the path of sin: the wicked shall not inherit this world!"
Rising back to her feet, she took a few steps forward, gritting her teeth and balling her hands into fists as she glared after the passing airships. That fat, disgusting monster!
No, that won't do any good now... She reminded herself, taking a few calming breaths and tearing herself away from the side to return her attention to Lyna, who had slowly sat up.
"How flattering that he came all the way here just to give his little speech," the captain spat, then released a sigh. "I...apologize for my outburst."
"It's alright. I understand all too well where you're coming from," S'eni said and held out her hand. Lyna looked at it for a brief moment before taking it and letting herself get helped back onto her feet.
"Thank you. And you may rest assured that I've no intention of allowing any of my wounds to affect the performance of my duties. Especially now." Lyne gave her hand a firm shake, lips curling into a determined smile. "If I may, though, could I ask that you seek out Thancred and Minfilia when you return to the Crystarium? They put themselves in danger on my behalf, and I would feel better knowing that they are well looked after. Thancred in particular, sustained quite an injury. I wouldn't be surprised if he were still in Spagyrics."
"Of course, but don't overdo it. Nobody will think less of you for taking a moment to rest."
"I—Thank you. I will."
With a smile of her own, she left the other woman to see if she could help any of her friends, but Urianger and Alphinaued seemed to have things well in hand on their end, so she went and looked for Y'shtola instead and quickly came across her tending to one of the wounded as well.
"Take a deep breath for me," Y'shtola told the guard, the faint warm glow of a cure spell extending from her hand towards him. "That's it…"
S'eni waited until she was done with him before approaching. "Everything under control?"
"As far as we can have everything under control here," Y'shtola replied, standing up and looking at her. " I assume Vauthrys words were heard in the Crystarium as well. Let's just hope they don't incite the unrest he so clearly hopes for."
"Yeah." she nodded. "I'm planning to head back with the next carriage, are you coming too?"
Her lover shook her head. "I will stay here for a while longer to see if I can help."
"Alright…" With a sigh, she cast her gaze around the area, looking at the wounded and the dead. A hand came to rest on her shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze.
"How are you feeling?"
"Honestly? I want to get back to bed and forget this happened. But I know that's a luxury we don't have." she did a little shrug. "But thanks for asking."
"Someone has to look out for you, since you absolutely fail to do so."
"Hmpf. Big words after you had to get pulled out of the Lifestream again," S'eni said and offered her a little smile. A voice calling out signalled that the next carriage was about to arrive. "Well, I better go and help Alisaie get everyone on board."
"Very well. Shall we talk more later?"
"Do you even have to ask?" S'eni asked right back as she carefully helped the man Y'shtola had healed to his feet and began to walk him over to where the others were already waiting for transportation.
Watching her for a few seconds, the other Miqo'te went to help the next of many more wounded. It was going to be a long day, still.
Spagyrics, which was an alchemical term as far as she was aware, was the name given to the Crystarium's infirmary lead by the kind and motherly, or rather grandmotherly given her advanced age, Chessamile who always tried her best to welcome and send off any patient with a smile. Even now, with all the people coming in, that smile was present as S'eni stepped inside, though she noticed that it was beginning to crack slightly.
"Sweetie, are you alright?" the old Elf greeted her.
"Yeah, don't worry. But we have some more wounded that need treatment coming in," she replied.
"I see. You can rest assured that we'll make sure they won't want for care." Chessamile waved over two of her fellow apothecaries and gave them some instructions before sending them on their way again. "You look like you could use a rest though. Do you want me to whip up a tonic?"
S'eni smiled and held up her palms to tell the other woman it was fine. Those tonics smelled really bad. "I'll just lie down a little later. For now, I wanted to see Thancred. I heard he's been wounded."
"Of course. You'll be glad to know that he's well on his way to recovery. He's waiting just inside," Chessamile said and gestured towards the hall where the patients were treated.
"Thanks." Giving her a nod, she headed in. Finding Thancred was easy enough, his white coat standing out amidst the otherwise earthen colors of the infirmary, and he raised his hand in greeting upon spotting her.
"Coming to check up on me?" he asked.
"Did you think I wouldn't after hearing that you got slapped around by a Sin Eater?"
"No, I suppose not," Thancred chuckled. "The Eater unfortunately landed a pretty solid blow, but the healers here have done wonders so I'm quite alright."
His expression grew serious then. "But I'm more worried about Minfilia. She's not taking it well. Could...you perhaps go talk with her? My attempts to reach out to her seems to have the opposite effect."
"And have you actually wondered why that could be?" S'eni asked and crossed her arms. They stared at one another for a long moment, neither saying a word, before her friend averted his gaze. "Thancred…"
"She's gone off to the Hortorium to fetch some herbs for Chessamile. Just...talk to her, will you?"
"Fine." she sighed, shaking her head. "But you know this can't keep going."
He didn't reply.
Leaving Spagyrics, she made her way to the Trivium and from there to the Hortorium, which was the name given to the area of the Crystarium where they grew plants, herbs and crops for their daily needs, as well as trying to find new crossings for each of them. So basically the resident botanist guild.
A calming scent always hung in the air, reminding her a bit of how Gridania smelled after a pleasant warm rain. And in the middle of it, standing near a very exotic-looking tree and staring into a pool of water below, was Minfilia, lost in thought.
Reaching out, S'eni gently poked her shoulder.
"Eep!" Minfilia all but jumped and whirled around, a hand going to her chest. "Oh, S'eni. It's you. What are you doing here?"
"A certain someone sent me to check up on you."
"Thancred...It's my fault, you know. I jumped at the chance to help Lyna, but I was careless. And now…" the girl bit her lip, lowering her eyes to the floor. "It's all my fault."
"Hey, we all make mistakes," she said, placing an arm around Minfilia's shoulder. "The important thing is to learn from them and to not let them drag you down."
"And what if it's worse next time? All I do is make mistakes and put others in danger..."
"That's not true."
"No, it is." Glowing, sapphire eyes locked with hers. "I know that I need to be better, that I'm only allowed to be part of this because I'm Minfilia, and I need to be me...more like her."
S'eni wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that the only thing she needed to be was herself, but before she could utter those words, Minfilia stepped away from her and said, "But for now I can at least see these herbs safely to Chessamile. I only need two more, but I need to ask about this one. Would you mind collecting the other?"
Sighing inwardly, she simply nodded and watched as the girl began to visibly cheer up.
"Thank you! You're looking for something with soft leaves and very fragrant, in 'an unmistakably medicinal way,' I was told. We need two sprigs of it. Once you've got them, you can bring them directly to Chessamile. Whoever gets there first can explain that the other will be back shortly!"
Giving her a wave, Minfilia began to jog away, leaving S'eni standing there, the frown on her face growing deeper with every step the young woman took.
For a split second, she caught sight of that pink ribbon woven into golden hair and she felt a twinge of melancholy deep within her chest, grasping her heart firmly as the vision of a kind smile appeared in her mind's eye.
You have given this world a symbol of hope, she thought, looking up towards the dark ceiling, illuminated only by a few lamps. But what about her, Minfilia?