And back to the main plot it is.

The Search for a Cure

I have to confess that it was a strange feeling to be back, not only in a Revenant's Toll that looked only a little different from when I had originally gone to sleep, but also merged with my younger self. It took quite some time getting used to this feeling, not unlike my friends' own recovery I suppose. But with days turning into weeks, their bodies grew in strength, and soon it was time to return to our duties once again.

There was, after all, a certain matter to be taken care of.

Silence hung in the air as S'eni stepped into Dawn's Respite. Unlike the previous times though, it was of a comfortable nature and she returned the smile Alphinaud sent her as she took her place next to Y'shtola, sending her a little wink while casually leaning against the nearby table. The young Elezen looked around for a moment to make sure everyone was comfortable before speaking up.

"Well, my friends, now that we have all settled back into our bodies, it's time we resumed our duties in earnest. Let's speak of our plans."

"I'll start then," Thancred said, uncrossing his arms. "Ever since the Emperor's death, it's been one unsettling rumor after another. So I think I'll pay Garlemald a visit to ascertain the truth."

Urianger nodded. "A prudent endeavor. 'Tis of the essence that we establish the full extent of the threat. Not least if it should prove that Zenos doth indeed orchestrate events from the shadows. In light of which possibility, I shall accompany thee on thy mission," he said and, when Thancred looked less than thrilled having someone else join him on his reconnaissance, added, "Be assured that thou shalt find me more a help than a hindrance. Thou requirest another to imbue thine ammunition, dost thou not?"

Unable to refute that, Thancred could only relent with a shrug. Next to her, Y'shtola giggled into her fist.

"Assuming that's settled, there's something I've been meaning to look into as well," Alisaie then said. But before she could elaborate further, the door swung open and a familiar voice called out to them.

"Welcome back, everyone!"

Turning her head in the direction of the voice, S'eni spotted none other than—

"Lyse!" Alphinaud called back, his expression brightening. Lyse in turn smiled and raised her hand in a friendly wave before coming to a stop near them. A look of slight concern entered her eyes.

"You're...fine now, right?" Lyse asked, letting her gaze wander over their group. "No more headaches or keeling over?"

"That's right!" Alisaie replied, patting her chest with a tiny grin. "We're fighting fit, and raring to go!"

An almost unnoticeable sigh of relief passed Lyse's lips and her eyes came to rest upon S'eni, her smile growing. "Thank you, Eni. For bringing them all back safe and sound."

"Yeah, well, you could say—" she chuckled and glanced over at Y'shtola. "I had a vested personal interest."

"The famous Lyse Hext..." G'raha then said with a small note of awe in his voice. "Former Scion and hero of the Ala Mhigan Resistance."

Lyse tilted her head questioningly. "I don't believe we've met.

"Really? It's so easy to assume that all Archons are acquainted," Krile said. "But then I suppose your fields of expertise are rather different."

"G'raha Tia at your service," he introduced himself with a respectful bow. "I have read much about your exploits, Commander. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."

A flash of recognition appeared in Lyse's eyes. "Likewise," she said and sent a quick look over to S'eni. "I've been told all about you as well."

"Don't be so sure. Words can scarcely do justice in how vital his role was in our victory. One would be hard-pressed to find a more reliable comrade," Alphinaud said, causing G'raha to grow quite flustered.

"Ah, right, I did glance at the report..." Lyse said. "But I'd be lying if I said I understood half of it."

"Then please, allow me to explain..."

As Alphinaud gave her a rundown of the events, S'eni watched Lyse's reaction go from confusion to shock and from there to contemplation.

"Well...that's a lot to take in," Lyse said after a brief silence once he was done. "Um... Just to be clear, this means we're not heading for another calamity, does it?"

"Shorn of their unsundered masters' leadership, what Ascians remain shall struggle to see their plans to fruition," Urianger replied. " though I would ever advise caution, I believe we may rest easy for a time."

Lyse released another breath of relief. "I'll take that as a yes. Even so, I don't know what to make of Hydaelyn and Zodiark being primals..."

A frown formed on S'eni's face and she lowered her eyes to the ground as Y'shtola spoke. It was still so hard to accept that Hydaelyn was a primal. The very thing she had fought in the past. Was that why she hadn't talked to her ever since Minfilia had left? Could she even trust her anymore?

She was drawn out of her thoughts when Alphinaud spoke up again, voicing the very question they all were wondering. "Tell us, Lyse, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"What do you mean? Isn't seeing my long-lost friends reason enough?" a round of rising eyebrows met her question. "...All right, there was one other matter. I have a message from the Alliance. And before you ask, yes, it's about the Empire."

At that, S'eni pushed herself away from the table and walked towards her friend, stopping right in front of her. "Tell us."

The other woman nodded. "So, after Emperor Varis's assassination, it seems his cousin Nerva made a bid for the throne. The trouble is, he wasn't the only one with designs on it, and it didn't take long for a civil war to break out," she explained. "And it's not just in the provinces. Early reports say huge swathes of the imperial capital have been reduced to rubble."

So that meant the Empire had functionally broken down, which meant she had been right in her assumption that the Legati of the VIIth and IVth Legions were acting wholly independent in their operations. Those two must really enjoy the thought of ruling themselves then. But that also meant they wouldn't be distracted from what happened back home.

"The Alliance will soon convene in Ala Mhigo to decide on a course of action, and we were hoping you'd come along."

"As it happens, Urianger and I were just planning a little trip to Garlemald," Thancred said. "And we would be grateful for any advice the Alliance can provide on how to make the most of our visit."

Alphinaud nodded. "To Ala Mhigo, then."

"Why don't you go on without me. There's something I need to look into," Alisaie said.

"Ah, forgive me, you were just telling us." He turned towards his sister. "What is it, if I may ask?"

"Of course. You think it may be possible to adapt the treatment you used to help those corrupted by the Sin Eaters..."

"I'm sorry?" Lyse blinked. "A cure for tempering? But that would change everything! Alisaie, consider yourself uninvited. Go and find us this cure!"

"I'll do my best," Alisaie chuckled and looked towards S'eni. "I was hoping you might join me. Don't worry if not, though. I won't hold it against you if you'd rather attend a stuffy meeting."

"Oh no, how will I ever survive not attending a stuffy meeting?" S'eni asked with a little grin.

"Rest assured there will be many, many more," Y'shtola said, that infuriatingly teasing smile forming on her lips. She gave the back of her shoulder a little pat. "Go on, lend Alisaie a hand."

"I'll come too!" G'raha blurted out suddenly, causing everyone to look at him. "...If you don't mind, that is."

With a look of surprise, S'eni could do nothing but stare. Alisaie too wasn't reacting much differently. Only Y'shtola seemed rather nonplussed, her smile growing.

"Mind? I'm sure they would be glad of your company," she said, her voice laced in amusement. "Please, enjoy your time together with your hero."

His reaction was instantaneous, taking a surprised step back. "My...? N-No, that's not─ I mean, I— I-I simply thought my knowledge might be of some use!"

A round of laughter followed, causing G'raha to grow as red as his hair. With a chuckle of her own, S'eni just shook her head before glancing towards Y'shtola, who just gave her a small shrug in return. Yes, she supposed he did run into that one.

Now he really was one of them.

After the laughter subsided, Alphinaud looked around their group. "We shall be on our way, then. Godsspeed."

Giving his sister a final nod, he turned around and began to leave together with the others.

"See you soon," S'eni said as Y'shtola moved to join them.

Her lover smiled. "Enjoy your adventure. Do try not to get into trouble."

"Hm. Only if you try not to get a flat butt from all your sitting."

Y'shtola just chuckled and followed the others, leaving only the three of them and Tataru in the room. A sigh from G'raha made her look at him.

"When Y'shtola is around, one can't afford even the slightest slip..." he muttered.

"Tell me about it. I'm sharing a bed with her." She shrugged. "Anyway, a cure for the tempering."

Alisaie nodded. "Remember Ga Bu?"

"Of course." The little Kobold child that Alisaie had befriended and who had fallen victim to the tempering. Usually he would have been dealt with like all the other victims, but they had managed to convince the people of the Maelstrom to take him into custody instead, where he remained to this day.

"When I set out to save Halric, I think Ga Bu was always at the back of my mind. And having proved that the Light-corrupted are not lost, I'm convinced that the same must be true of the tempered," the young woman said. "Similar to those corrupted by the Sin Eaters, the aether of Ga Bu's soul has been rendered stagnant. And though the root cause is different, perhaps the solution is the same."

G'raha rubbed his chin in thought. "It's by no means an unreasonable hypothesis, Alisaie. And it warrants a full investigation."

"If there's even a chance we can save Ga Bu, we have to try."

"Alright," S'eni said, putting a hand behind her hip. "So do you want to head over to Limsa and just try it like with Halric?"

"No." Alisaie shook her head. "As much as I'd like to do just that, there's no room for recklessness. Not when a child's life is at stake. As I'm sure Beq Lugg would remind us, we still know little about the soul. Any number of things could go wrong if we don't exercise caution. And so, before attempting anything, we should learn all we possibly can about tempering."

So hitting the books it was. She could do that. But...

"Do you know a place where we can do that?"

A sigh escaped Alisaie and she frowned. "That's where the problem lies. The research into the condition has long since ground to a halt and the combined works of all the scholars involved in it doesn't exactly amount to a wealth of knowledge..."

"Not of the modern scholars, perhaps. But what of their ancient counterparts?" G'raha asked. " I know the Allagans took a more-than-passing interest in the subject."

The corners of S'eni's lips rose as she realized what he meant. "Ah, Azys Lla..."

"...where they experimented on primals and their worshipers. Good thinking," Alisaie said, and for just a brief second, G'raha looked quite proud at the fact that he was being of help. "I've never actually been there myself, but I did read the reports. Which means we'll need an airship."

Tataru then began to snicker, drawing their attention to her. The Lalafel looked at them with a smirk on her face. "An airship, you say?"

Sometimes Tataru scared her.

Five years ago, when she had first met her, she had been a cheerful and dependable receptionist to the Path of the Twelve. That hadn't changed even after meeting her again years later. But as time passed, it had become rather apparent that she had picked up quite some talents outside of her gifted abilities as a seamstress. Namely those of a great negotiator.

Business endeavors, information gathering, and knowing just what to say to convince someone it would be in their best interest to help. It really shouldn't even surprise now, that while they were all away, that she would be able to construct an airship in secret.

...Yes, Tataru might just scare her more than some of the enemies she had faced down. Which was precisely the reason she refrained from asking any further, accepted it all as it was, and just enjoyed the feeling of the wind in her hair while the Bonanza was soaring through the sky towards their destination.

Eyes closed, she let the corners of her lips curl into a little smile until she felt a presence next to her. Turning her head, she saw G'raha looking out towards the clouds with an eager look in his eyes and a smile to match.

"Well someone's excited," she said.

"Can you blame me?" His gaze turned towards her. "We're heading for one of the key research facilities of ancient Allag!"

"No, I suppose not." S'eni let her arms come to rest on the railing. "After all, you were trying to find it in the past."

"That I did. You don't even know how excited I was to read that you had discovered it. Tell me, how did it feel?" G'raha asked.

"If I'm being honest: I didn't feel much," she replied. "My mind was preoccupied with other things."

"Yes...I have read Count Fortemps' memoirs. His son died shortly before. I'm sorry..."

"Don't be," she said. Silence set in between them and she looked out into the distance, keeping her eyes out for the first signs of their arrival. Behind them, she could hear Alisaie having a little chat with their pilot.

"I..." G'raha broke the silence. "I think I would have liked to know him."

"You two would have gotten along."

"You think so?"

S'eni smiled. "I know so." Then she spotted it, the clouds into that strange green color. She gave his arm a light slap and began to walk towards the bow. "Come, we'll be there soon."

After they arrived, with no small amount of excited words from G'raha of course, they stepped out onto the Helix and began their search. It didn't take long for them to find a terminal providing them with information on a report written by a researcher named Owen, which had unfortunately been deleted. In hopes that the man had kept a personal copy around, they then headed eastward to the Herbisphere, where the research personnel used to reside.

To the surprise of no one though, entry was prohibited, forcing them to find another way in. Thankfully, G'raha already had an idea to overload the control with the help of a shard infused with lightning aether. And to make the search a little bit more exciting, Alisaie suggested making a contest out of it; whoever returned with a shard first would win.

Not being one to back down from a challenge, S'eni agreed and soon enough had even found what she was looking for in a small group of lightning sprites just idly floating away inside a cave. After making short work out of them, she leaned down to break off a sizable shard out of one of them and proceeded to turn back, when a voice echoing through the cave made her stop.

"Bravo! That was quite a show, adventurer! Why, the spectacle proved so enthralling that all thoughts of the prize slipped my mind." The voice called out. "I appear to have forfeited our little race! Congratulations, the lightning shard is yours."

Unable to hide her grin, S'eni crossed her arms. "What, no dramatic entrance? You've changed, Raha."

"Ugh, you remember that?" G'raha asked and stepped out from behind a large root.

"Hah! As if I would forget your obvious showing-off!" she replied.

"In my defense, I was caught up in the moment," he said while walking towards her. "It isn't every day you meet an honest-to-gods hero, after all."

"Sure sure, because trying to justify it absolutely doesn't dig yourself deeper."

He chuckled. "Well, the contest still continues, so you should hurry back before Alisaie beats you to it. Ah...but one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Thank you, S'eni." He smiled. "For bringing me here."

She mirrored his expression. "Had to make up for finding it before you didn't I? And I told you to call me Eni."

"Hm, you did. But I don't feel it would be appropriate for me to do so. Not yet anyway."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, furrowing her brows. Her friend simply kept smiling and began to head out of the cave, leaving her standing there. Placing a hand on her hip, she watched him for a moment before following him with a roll of her eyes. He could be such a pain sometimes!

They returned to the Herbisphere control to find Alisaie already waiting for them, but much to the young woman's chagrin, entirely empty-handed. "I searched high and low, but couldn't so much find a trace of stagnant aether." Crossing her arms, she looked at S'eni and sighed. "What is it that makes you so much better at finding things? What do you have that I don't?"

"That is a question I have asked myself on numerous occasions as well," G'raha said. "I suspect we could both learn a great deal from her, and not only about the secrets of adventuring. But come, we should attend to our mission. May I?"

"Yeah, just don't shock yourself while you're at it." S'eni handed him the shard.

Alisaie and her watched him walk over to the control mechanism, where he muttered something to himself as he stepped close to it...then took a couple of steps back again. He then raised the shard and tossed it at the floating cube. A bright flash went through the air, forcing them to close their eyes for a brief second, but when they opened them again it looked like the plan had been a success.

"Excellent," he said while walking back towards them and she had to bite her tongue at the way the fur on his hair stood on end. "We now have access to the Habisphere. The only remaining problem might be the security system within, which is why I'll be venturing in alone. My royal blood should allow me to get in and out unmolested."

"Assuming this place works like the Crystal Tower." Alisaie frowned. "But if it doesn't, you'll be on your own. I want you to promise us that you'll get out at the first sign of trouble."

"I promise. Wish me luck!" With that he left for the Herbisphere on his manacutter. They watched him for a bit, before the Elezen turned towards her, shoulders rising in a small shrug.

"Well, nothing for it but to wait..."

Walking over to the nearby platform, they climbed up and sat down at the edge, looking out into the distance in silence, with nothing but the hum of the ancient machinery breaking it. She hoped that whatever G'raha found would be of use to them, not just for Alisaie or Ga Bu's sake, but for everyone that suffered from the tempering. So many people had to die because a cure had always been seen as unattainable. But now...It felt within reach.

"You know," Alisaie said, drawing S'eni out of her thoughts. "This whole thing with Owen's report reminds me of something. It sounds just like a thesis from the Studium."

"Oh? First-hand experience?"

"We all had to write one as our final examination. But at least we were able to pick the topic. Mine had the fine title 'Study of the combat applications of aether'. The most practical topic I could think of."

"Of course," she chuckled.

"Alphinaud's was the exact opposite: 'The role and duty of Sharlayan to the world'. Half an epic in length." The young Elzen turned her head to look at S'eni. "And highly controversial, to say the least."

"Ruffled some feathers, I take?"

"More than some. As you know, Sharlayan has always taken on the role of an observer and never gets involved in the matters of other countries or states. Alphinaud's thesis was an open critique. He argued that Sharlayan, with its vast knowledge, had a duty to help others in crisis. Our father, being a leading member of the Forum, was...not happy," Alisaie told her.

A frown formed on her face. Alisaie had once told her that their father and grandfather had never seen eye to eye on a lot of things. Sounded like he was a pretty difficult man.

"Alphinaud's views may have changed over the years, not to mention his methods, but his stance on it still remains the same to this day. He follows his path no matter how many try to dissuade him." A warm smile formed on Alisaie's lips, filled with affection. "And I admire him for that."

Another moment of silence passed between them, but it didn't last for long, as this time S'eni was the one to break it. "I'd like to see it one day."

The young woman tilted her head. "See what?"

"Sharlayan. You've all told me so much about it in the past, it's hard not to want to see it with my own two eyes," she replied, looking out into the distance. "It's a part of who you all are..."

"Then let's do it," Alisaie said. "Once we've taken care of things here, we'll all go to Sharlayan together. In fact, I think I already know one place you'll enjoy."

"Yeah." She smiled. "I'd like that."

All of a sudden, her ears perked up and she turned her head to see G'raha returning on his manacutter.

"Well—" she rose back to her feet. "—time to see what he found."

Hopefully something substantial.