Awaking to Reality
So Vauthry was the Lightwarden all along. I can't say I saw that coming despite his powers. Now, he has retreated to Mt. Gulg and there is no way for you to reach him.
I wonder how the people of Eulmore will react once they learn of that fact, having lived there secluded from all the worries and awful truths. A pleasant little dream.
And now...it was time to wake up.
The first time she had seen Eulmore from far away, she had been surprised and perhaps a little awed. A city so grand, if a little garish in design, on a world teetering on the edge of destruction. But that feeling didn't last long, because the closer she had gotten to it, the more the ugly reality had chipped away at it. One such ugly reality were the Derelicts, the shantytown forming a circle around the city's base, offering a home to all those that had either fallen into disfavour or who were turned away at the gates of the city they had wished to enter but were still found lacking in the end.
During her initial visit to Eulmore, S'eni had taken an extensive look around the area, and while life here was anything but comfortable, the people had made it their home and even managed to start families here. Now whatever fragile existence they had made in the shadow of this city had been disturbed.
"O Lord Vauthry...You are...my daily Meol."
"Let's put you to sleep," she said to the old apothecary and began to administer the dream powder Thancred had given her, swiftly moving to catch him when his legs began to give out.
"Mmmmmm...Meol," he moaned before falling into a deep sleep.
"That's another one taken care of." She gently placed his body on top of the carpet belonging to the old man, then looked over at Y'shtola.
"I do believe this has been all on this side," the other Miqo'te said while looking around.
"Then let's head around." Rising to her feet, she walked over to her lover, and together they began to head eastern part of the Derelicts.
"Even after we have fought and subdued most of them, there's still so many left," Y'shtola said.
"It's like Alphinaud said, they've been living off Meol far longer. I'm frankly surprised there are some here not enthralled enough to not attack us."
"Still, Ryne will have much to do down here."
"Worried she might overexert herself?" S'eni asked with a smile.
"No, I'm more afraid of how much time this might take." Silvery white eyes came to rest on her.
Her smile dropped. So that's why she was staying with her instead of looking after the wounded. "I'm fine, don't worry."
"Are you sure?"
"I am," S'eni assured her. "Haven't had another attack since yesterday evening."
She was honestly surprised herself.
Y'shtola looked at her for a few seconds longer, then nodded. "Alright. But—"
"I'll take a break when I feel like it might get too much. I promise." her expression grew warm. "But thank you for being worried. That's sweet."
"Well, one of us has to be worried after all," her lover sighed. Sensing how worried she was, S'eni reached out to take Y'shtola's hand and give it a gentle squeeze, earning herself a little smile. "Come, let's focus on the enthralled for now. The faster we can heal them, the faster we can focus on getting to Vauthry."
For a mercy though, they only found a single one standing in the middle of a road, staring up into the sky like he was moonstruck, muttering under his breath. S'eni approached him, her hand going to the sack of dream powder when he suddenly whirled around, his eyes wide.
"Lord Vauthry! Our Meol!" the man shouted and launched himself at her, but a quickly cast spell by Y'shtola sent him flying to the ground where he remained, calling out for his master while drool ran down his face.
"Thanks," she breathed out and walked over to him, kneeling down to put him to sleep. As she rose back to her feet, S'eni noticed a few pairs of eyes on her, peeking out from one of the windows nearby but swiftly going back into hiding when she looked over.
Children.
She sighed inwardly, glad that they hadn't eaten enough Meol yet to fall prey to Vauthry's influence as well.
"Well, that takes care of the Derelicts. Let's head up and see if there's any more there."
And indeed there were, while working they came across a few more poor souls under the sway of Vauthry's powers, among them a certain young maiden she had met while previously investigating and the master of the young songstress that had lost her voice. She didn't even want to imagine how he was going to feel when he learned the truth about what had happened to the woman he had been so fond of.
After they had taken care of them, S'eni and Y'shtola walked around the Canopy until they stopped in front of a certain establishment.
The Beehive, one of Eulmore's centers of amusement.
Y'shtola cocked an eyebrow at the images of some of the dancers being put on display outside the establishment, but still followed as S'eni walked inside.
Apart from the rich décor and a few scantily clad dancers huddling together with other members of the staff, there was currently little left of the dark and sultry atmosphere, as the music had fallen silent a while ago. In its place though, there was the telltale muttering and moaning from some of the patrons frequenting it.
"Hmm, even here there's some."
"Oh?" Y'shtola placed a hand on her hip. "So you know this establishment I take?"
"Oh yeah, I was here on my first visit to Eulmore," S'eni replied. Her eyes widened when she realized how that sounded. "I was exploring the city to gather information!"
"Of course, and I'm very sure none of these, shall we say, element exposed dancers has caught your fancy at all."
She shot Y'shtola an incredulous look, but the blush forming on her face betrayed very much how right the other Miqo'te was. Just when she was about to come up with an excuse, she noticed the look of amusement in her eyes.
S'eni cleared her throat. "We should put these to sleep."
"We should," Y'shtola agreed, giggling into her fist.
Once these enthralled people had been pacified as well, the two of them left the Beehive again to go look for Ryne. They found her in the Grande Dame Palor, treating a man.
"S'eni, Y'shtola, there you are," Ryne greeted them after finishing. "Have you found more?"
S'eni nodded. "Down in the Derelicts, the Understory and also the Beehive."
"So many of them..." the girl rubbed a hand across her face. "But Minfilia has entrusted me with this power. I won't rest until I've helped everyone."
Y'shtola and her shared a look.
"We can bring the enthralled to you."
"Oh, that would certainly make it easier for me to work. Thank you. I'll do my best to keep pace," Ryne said with a smile.
Thankfully, the Crown Lift had been restored to full working order, so it was only a matter of getting those below inside and riding it all the way back up to the Canopy. It still took quite a bit of time to get them all to Ryne and have her treat them.
By the time she was healing the last of the enthralled, Alphinaud, Alisaie, and Urianger had seen to any wounded and joined them at the Grand Dame's Palor together with Thancred.
"That's the last of them," Alisaie sighed.
"We've done all we can for the wounded," Alphinaud said. "As for the rest..."
They all turned towards the crowd that was gathering nearby, among them the familiar faces of the Chais. And it was also Lady Chai who addressed them first. "U-Um...aren't you Alphinaud? The painter boy?" she asked, worry on her round face. "What in the world is going on?"
"Let me handle this," Alphinaud said and took a few steps forward to address the people. "People of Eulmore. What I'm about to tell you will come as a shock. Indeed, you may be loath to believe it. But if you trust the evidence of your senses it is my hope that you will listen and accept the truth, unpalatable though it may be. Vauthry is a Sin Eater. Everything he offered, everything he promised, was a lie…"
S'eni listened and watched as he told them the full truth of what Vauthry had done. Surprise turned into shock, which turned into horror the more he told them, some of the listeners even sinking to the ground or crying.
"They're not taking it well," Alisaie whispered. "And who could blame them?"
After he was done, one of the citizens, a Mystel woman, asked, "Are you saying we were Vauthry's puppets all this time?"
"When you attacked, you were not yourselves. That is true," Alphinaud confirmed. "But your conduct before that was your own. His unnatural charisma doesn't absolve you of all responsibility. You came to this city of your own free will and gave yourselves over to its pleasures. And in the course of this, if you mistreated those less fortunate than you...that was of your own free will as well. It's not for me to judge you, but for your victims. For history. And for your conscience."
He paused for a moment, looking at each and every one of their crestfallen faces.
"You have dreamed a twisted dream, but now you are awake. You may yet share his world of ours. Join with us and each other so that we might begin anew. We've lost so many already, don't let us lose any more." Alphinaud closed his eyes and sighed, before walking back over.
"I have said my piece. Thank you for giving me this chance," he said, presenting S'eni and the others with a small smile. "There is nothing to be done here anymore. Let's go after Vauthry."
Someone from the crowd suddenly chimed in. "Is there anything we can do to help?" a Hume man asked. "You risked your lives to bring us to our senses, and I for one hope to repay that debt. Begin anew, as you said."
After the initial surprise was gone, Y'shtola smiled. "Vauthry had fled to Mt. Gulg, and we wish to pursue him. Do any of you know the way?"
"The only way to Mt. Gulg is over the Bright Cliff," another citizen replied. "Do you have an airship?"
"It would certainly be the easiest approach, but were we to come under attack whilst airborne, we would have little hope of defending ourselves," Y'shtola said. "If at all possible, we would prefer to travel by land. Is there a way?"
Murmurs went through the crowd until an elderly woman raised her voice. "The Ladder is the only way up and down the cliff. But it hasn't moved in a long time. In the old days, it was operated by the miners who lived at the top. But after the Flood it saw less and less use, and when Lord Vauthry took control, it was abandoned altogether."
"So we somehow need to get the Ladder working again, correct?" Alisaie asked.
"It moves by means of a Talos, if that's any help," the man from before said. "But good luck repairing that…"
"...Talos? Did someone say Talos!?" Lady Chai's ears perked up, and she looked towards her husband. "You know all about them, don't you, dearest? If anyone can get this lift moving, it's you!"
"Um...well...perhaps. B-B-But see here—"
"Oh, yes! If you want the golem restored, you may leave it to my husband!" Dulia-Chai called over to them, and S'eni had to stop herself from chuckling as the woman practically walked all over the man. "He is the heir to Daedalus Stoneworks, foremost makers of Taloi!"
Chai-Nuzz stepped back and waved his hands as all eyes landed on him. "Wait wait! I-I-It's been years since I had anything to do with it. I-I can't just pick up a hammer and get to work!"
"You...you can't?" Dulia-Chai asked, voice on the border of sadness. The effect kicked in instantly.
"N-No, th-th-that's not what I— It's just, I—" he sighed and let his head hang, then turned towards them. "…Alright, I will take a look at the Talos, but beyond that, I make no promises."
S'eni leaned closer to Y'shtola's ear. "Wha-psh!"
"Hush you," her lover whispered back with a playful expression.
"Those with strong backs, come with me," Chai-Nuzz called out to the attendees. "I'll need help dragging the damned thing out of the storehouse…"
As they watched the man leave with a group of eager volunteers, Alisaie approached her brother, giving him a smile. "Well done," she told him, then rushed after the group to help as well.
The young man turned towards them, receiving encouraging nods. His eyes landed on S'eni and he mirrored his sister's expression. "Come, we have work to do!"
That they did.
As the elderly lady had told them, the Ladder clearly had seen better days. Grand, and almost a little majestically, it reached all the way up the cliff, but it was also covered from bottom to top in rust, the lack of maintenance coupled with the sea air having done its work over the years.
But...looking at the people gathered here, citizens of Eulmore and workers from the nearby Venmont Yards that joined the effort, working together with her friends, filled S'eni with confidence that it would be up and running in no time.
At least she hoped so, because for her part she was put on resting duty, despite feeling fine, thank you very much!
"Frown any more, and it will leave marks on your face," Y'shtola said while walking towards her.
"I know, I know. I need all my strength. And I did promise to take a rest." she turned to look at her lover, raising her brows when she offered her a cup. "What's that?"
"Broth. One of the workers is making some for everyone. Take it, it will do you good."
Sighing, she took the offered cup and took a sip. It was a bit thin, but she supposed they had to ration their ingredients outside of Eulmore. Her eyes landed on Chai-Nuzz, working on the two Taloi that they had brought here. "So much for 'I can't just pick up a hammer and get to work', eh?"
Y'shtola chuckled. "With the intensity he works, it's almost as if his reluctance was a lie."
"Maybe." Another sip.
The other Miqo'te sat down next to her on the crate. She held up her hand. "May I?"
"Go ahead."
Closing her eyes, Y'shtola began to cast a spell, the warm glow of aether engulfing her hand. She remained like this for a minute, before lowering her hand once more.
"So, how does it look?" S'eni asked.
"Unchanged. Which may be a blessing, all things considered," Y'shtola replied, frowning.
The corners of her lips curled into a teasing smile. "Now what was that about frowning?"
Her lover just huffed and shook her head. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Isn't that why you love me?"
"Hmm. No, I don't think so." Y'shtola rose back to her feet. "Anyway, enjoy your meal."
"I will. Don't overwork yourself," she called after the other Miqo'te as she walked over to Urianger, apparently wishing to discuss something with him. S'eni for her part continued to watch the proceedings, idly drinking from the broth until the cup was empty and her stomach was pleasantly warm.
She had just put the cup away, when a voice spoke up, "Would you look at that? The citizens of Eulmore engaging in what can only be described as 'manual labor.' Who would have thought it possible?"
Looking into the direction it was coming from, S'eni spotted someone she hadn't seen in a while. Emet-Selch.
He began walking towards her. "Do you know the most reliable way to deal with those who stubbornly refuse to see reason?"
"I'm sure you're about to tell me either way."
"You conquer them. Crush them under your heel. That was the trusted method of Allag, and one still favored by Garlemald. But conquest is the easy part. The true challenge begins once the dust has settled, quenching the glowing embers of animosity and maintaining a semblance of peace," the Ascian told her. "This requires the conqueror to treat the conquered with dignity, and the conquered to let bygones be bygones. A difficult feat to achieve. But you have managed just that...to my considerable surprise."
She blinked.
He rolled his eyes. "It's a compliment. Take it."
Walking over to her, he surprised her by sitting down on the crate, before looking over to where Urianger and Y'shtola were beginning to infuse the Taloi with aether.
"Ahh, the vibrant energy that fills the air when like-minded souls gather. To think back on that brings a tear to my eyes. Some things truly don't change."
"A tear, really?"
"What? You think ancient beings like us are incapable of crying?" he looked downright offended. "Well, rest assured that if your heart can be broken, then so can mine!"
Then his expression grew serious and a faraway look entered his eyes.
"Back when the world was whole, we had family, friends, loves...We knew peace and contentment, and with our adamant souls, we could live for ages. There was no conflict born of want or disparity. Or differences paled into insignificance next to all we had in common. And then there was Amaurot...Never was a city more magnificent. From the humblest streets to the highest spires, she fairly gleamed…" he glanced back at her. "Not that you would remember any of this…"
She furrowed her brows. "Remember? Why should I be able to remember it?"
"Nevermind. The point is: the world of old was a far better place than what we have now. I believe you would like it, with the things you have witnessed in the past."
They fell silent for a moment, simply watching as the people work.
"Remember, you are of the Source. Unlike the halfmen here, you only stand to gain. Should you survive the remaining calamities, you will become our equal. A complete existence, in a complete world."
A complete existence, huh? She wondered. Was it really true though? Or was it just another elaborate Ascian lie?
It didn't matter in the end, she supposed. Because she wasn't going to doom these people.
"But such talk is a pleasure for later. Back to work, hero," Emet-Selch said lightly and got off the crate, beginning to walk away. He stopped all of a sudden, turning to look at her once more. "Ah, there was one thing I meant to ask."
"Alright, ask away."
"How well do you know the Exarch?" he asked. "Has he ever deigned to show you what he hides beneath his cowl?"
"Not once," she replied, shaking her head.
The Ascian frowned. "Even to you? How very interesting…I shall enjoy working out what it means. Until next time."
Offering her that dismissive wave of his, he walked away, leaving to watch him with a look of contemplation on her face. Why was the Exarch hiding his face?
But her musings were interrupted by Dulia-Chai's cheering. "Ohhh, I knew you could do it! Daedalus himself would be proud of you, dearest!"
S'eni turned around to see the Taloi spring back to life among the people's cheers.
"They're alive," Ardbert said as he appeared next to her.
"Well, hello to you too," she said in return, earning herself a chuckle from him.
"Do you still remember how we first met in this world?"
"Of course. Hard to forget something like that."
"I was all but spent. Up until now, I never really thought about why that was until now. I think it all just got too much." Ardbert looked at his hand. "The guilt of causing the Flood...Knowing everyone hated me...But the worst thing was the solitude."
His eyes found hers. "Time wears you down, but it's the solitude that eats away at you. It was this close to finishing me off. But as bad as it got, and as empty as I felt...I can't even imagine what must be like for Emet-Selch." He then smiled. "So all I can say is this: don't make a choice that will cost you your friends. Nothing is worth that—especially not eternity."
S'eni stared at him, not knowing what to say. He had been through so much. Things she only managed to catch glimpses of. So instead, she mirrored his expression.
Swift footsteps made her look away from him to see the twins coming towards her.
"Good news, S'eni. The Ladder is operating once more!" Alphinaud said.
"The three of us have been invited to do the honors. Are you up for it?" Alisaie chuckled. "Of course, if you're worried the whole thing might come crashing down, we can always find someone else."
"Oh gods." Despite being a terrible joke, she still laughed. "Sure, let's test it out."
"That's the spirit! Come on!"
They walked over towards the giant lift, passing by their friends and the cheering people. Her eyes found Y'shtola's for but a moment, and her lover gave her a nod.
We rode the Ladder too, my friends and I. A long time ago.
The three of them stepped onto the platform, looking around before turning to face the crowd.
We watched the horizon grow and the town shrink below us...
S'eni found Ardbert standing amidst them, watching. A grin began to split her face and she waved him over, earning herself some confused looks from the people standing around him while he gave her a dumbfounded stare that turned into an exasperated smirk, and he began to jog up to them.
...Awed and terrified in equal measure, we ascended without a word.
He stopped next to her, and shortly after the Ladder began to rise.
Remember our journey...and our end. Retread the path. Seek and you may yet find…
Really gotta love the Chais.