Should we lose our way
Tire of all this pain
We won't be afraid
To...
Book 5 – Forge Ahead
To New Horizons
And so another adventure begins...
Its outcome still undecided, the future of the world remains...uncertain. One by one you and your companions step onto the ship that would carry you to your destination: a solitary island nation named Sharlayan.
As you wave those that remain behind goodbye, you find your eyes drawn to the distant horizon, and an eager smile forms on your lips. Savour this moment, and all those that will follow.
Because at the end of the road you are traveling...lies the long-awaited truth...
...Hm, shall we then?
- Emet-Selch
Soft breathing passed slightly parted lips as S'eni rested against the solid wooden hull that was the only thing separating her from the waves lapping against it. Head hanging low and eyes closed, her ears twitched occasionally from the chatter filling the cabin, but the gentle sway of the ship kept her mind dancing on the fine line between dream and consciousness.
"Hear..."
Her ears twitched once again as they picked up a voice that sounded much closer, deafening all others.
"Feel..."
A little sigh escaped her as slowly, little by little, the fog around her mind began to lift as the voice guided her into the waking world.
"Think..."
S'eni opened her eyes, blinking a few times to focus her vision while she looked at her surroundings. Did someone just—?
"Oh, already awake as well?" someone asked and she looked to the left to see G'raha sitting next to her on the floor. "Good morning."
"Morning..." she murmured and rubbed a hand across her face, then moved it to massage her neck. Gods be good, she could do with a little more sleep. "What time is it?"
"It's still dawning. But the others are already up and awake." An amused smile formed on his lips. "Little wonder with all this commotion. I'm surprised anyone can sleep through this at all."
He glanced over to the twins next to him, still very much asleep and only kept in place by the other's weight, before turning his attention towards the rest of the cabin where it looked like, indeed, everyone else was wide awake and talking. Lowering her hand back to the ground, she tapped a finger on the worn wood and looked about for a moment. She frowned.
"Hey, did you hear somebody speak to me?" she asked him.
"Speak to you?" his eyes shifted a little as he tried to remember, but ultimately he shook his head. "No, I can't recall hearing anything."
"Huh...must've dreamt it then."
"Might I suggest getting some fresh air perhaps? That should help you wake up," G'raha said. "And Sharlayan's main island should soon be within sight as well."
"Yeah, perhaps you're right," S'eni replied and stretched her arms above her head, before rising to her feet and walking over to the cabin doors. As she did so, she let her gaze wander about, watching the other passengers who spared her nothing more than a few curious glances, and a feeling of deja vu crept into her mind. It almost felt a little like she was back on that ship that had first carried her to Limsa Lominsa so long ago.
Only this time there was no violent storm or a vision of raining fire that greeted her when she stepped out onto the deck, but instead the calm, clear sky of an early dawn. She closed her eyes briefly as she began to walk up the stairs, enjoying the feeling of the cool breeze on her skin and the fresh air in her lungs. When she opened them once again, a gasp of surprise escaped her at the tall figure appearing in her sight.
White robes flowing in the wind, they walked up the stairs leading to the stern, and like a moth drawn to the flame, S'eni followed. When she had made it there, the figure was already standing at the railing and looking out into the distance; waiting.
"I am glad...my voice reaches you once more," the figure said, and she immediately realized it was the very same woman who had spoken to her at Mor Dhona. No, who had spoken to her for the first time five years ago. "Hear...Feel...Think."
Hydaelyn.
Long white hair, standing out even against the color of her robes, shifted a little as she turned around, revealing to S'eni a beautiful face with glowing blue eyes. In front of her chest, held by two straps, hung a mask of familiar design. "At long last, we meet face to face, my Warrior of Light," Hydaelyn said, her voice warm.
"Why only now, Hydaelyn?" was all she managed to ask after a moment of silent staring.
An expression she would have never thought possible, a strained smile, formed on Hydaelyn's lips. "Did you not find the answer to that question during your journey to the First?" after asking that question, her expression turned serious. "Everything you have seen and heard...everything that has been revealed to you, has told you what I truly am. What Hydaelyn has always been...a primal."
S'eni exhaled through her nose. So it really was the truth.
"Zodiark was once created to forestall the apocalypse. And I...I was brought forth to bind Him. Yet seven times now those who wished for a long bygone era have managed to rejoin a shard to Him," Hydaelyn said, closing her eyes. "And the more His strength grows, the swifter mine diminishes. I am no longer able to summon your mind to the rift between the worlds. Yet though it is difficult to manifest here in front of you, the words I am about to tell you are of the utmost importance."
A part of her wanted to turn around and leave. Could she even trust Hydaelyn anymore?
In the end, though, she remained where she was. Because Minfilia never stopped believing in her, even after she must have long since realized the Mothercrystal's nature. "What is it?"
"Even bereft of my guidance, you and your companions have faced this star's past. And now your time and mine are about to intertwine. That is why it now begins: the monumental conflict that will decide the fate of this star and all life upon it," Hydaelyn told her. "When you truly understand the meaning behind my words, and your journey has prepared you to face even the cruelest of trials...I shall honor the promise I made so long ago."
S'eni was about to ask what she meant by that, when a voice interrupted her, making her glance over her shoulder instead. "Land ho! Cast yer peepers to the fore! We've arrived at Sharlayan!"
When she turned around, Hydaelyn was smiling at her once more. "Go on...it has ever been the promise of the unknown, the look upon the distant horizon, that fascinates us. We shall meet again soon."
And with that, Hydaelyn vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a thin trail of aether that soon dissipated into nothing. She stared at the spot the woman had occupied only moments ago. After a few seconds ticked by, she closed her eyes and sighed before turning around.
The promise she made so long ago... S'eni thought as she walked down the stairs, but shook her head soon after. She supposed there was no point in trying to figure out what Hydaelyn meant by that. One thing was for sure, though, showing up in person hadn't made her any less cryptic.
She stopped her silent musings when she noticed G'raha, Alisaie, and Alphinaud walk onto the deck.
"Ah, what a wonderful morning!" she heard the girl say after stretching herself. "Just the right thing for tense limbs..."
"Good morning," Alphinaud greeted S'eni as he saw her approaching them. "Were you able to take a look at our home yet?"
"No, I've only been out here for a few minutes myself," she replied, deciding to keep what happened to herself for now. There were more immediate things they needed to focus on.
"Well, let's head over to the foredeck then. The view should be best from there."
When the four of them arrived there, they were already awaited by others. Thancred was the first to notice them and his lips curled into a smile. "Ah, about time you sleepyheads," he greeted them, walking a few steps and turning port side. "There it is. Good old Sharlayan."
Coming to a stop, Alphinaud cast his gaze across the sea towards the island in the distance, where little by little the city of Sharlayan grew in size. His face brightened. "Indeed..."
S'eni, for her part, stepped up to Y'shtola, a little grin dancing across her face. "Morning. Decided to get a few moments of peace and quiet before I woke up?"
Her lover chuckled. "You looked so peaceful, I couldn't bring myself to wake you."
"Hmm, I'll take that for now." She winked.
"We're home at last," Alisaie then said, earning everyone's attention. "Well, we might not be welcome at house Leveilleur anymore, but we'll manage on our own."
"It's not like you're alone in this," Estinien said, turning his head to look at the twins.
"Indeed. 'tis as Ser Estinien sayeth," Urianger agreed. "Forget not the comrades who boarded this ship at your side, I prithee."
Alphinaud looked at them, releasing a deep breath as he offered a grateful smile. "You are right, of course. Thank you, your support means a lot."
Crossing her arms in front of her, Y'shtola turned her gaze towards their destination. "Not much longer and we reach Old Sharlayan, the heart of the nation," she said. "There we'll hopefully find the answers to our questions. For us and all those that have placed their hopes in us."
"Yeah." S'eni nodded, before stepping up to the bulwark and placing her hands on top of it. And as she watched the sun slowly rise above the mountains looming over the city, she felt that spark of excitement inside of her turn into a flame. Sharlayan...she had finally made it...
What would you think if you could see me now, Louisoix?
From afar, the city had already looked amazing, but now that she was walking down the pier, made out of finely crafted marble, it was downright breathtaking. Her eyes landed on the statue of Thaliak the Scholar, towering above the bay with his sacred Ewer resting on his shoulder. Like in the legends, where he had poured the essence of knowledge into Nymeia's heavily river, water was flowing out of it into the wide sea where it was carried off by his daughter's waves, as if to share his endless wisdom with the rest of the world.
It was ironic in a way, that he served as patron over a people that would rather hoard knowledge and turn their back on friend and foe alike, than to use it directly to better the world. Just getting off the ship had already been a challenge in and of itself! Something that Thancred was quick to agree with.
"I already thought they'd never let us off the ship," he said as they stopped on a circular platform connecting the piers. "What are they going to let us run the gauntlet for next? Entry protocol?"
"Indeed they are," Y'shtola replied, clearly not any keener about the notion than he was. "I hope we can swiftly put these annoying formalities behind us."
Estinien gave S'eni a quick glance before speaking up. "Sharlayan's borders are closed, right?" he asked. "What are we going to do if I and a certain other outsider here are barred from entry?"
"That is correct." She nodded. "They are open only to a select few neutral nations. However even Sharlayan can't isolate itself entirely from the outside world. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to gather knowledge. This being the case, we shouldn't face too many hurdles. So long as we have the correct documents with our names and reason for our stay."
"If it's nothing else..." Estinien said about as enthusiastically as he looked, with his arms crossed in front of his chest and all.
"One other thing," Y'shtola then said and cast her gaze across their group. "They will surely ask us which organization we belong to. It would be prudent not to mention the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. Otherwise they might turn us away in an instant. In light of this, Krile has announced us as supporters of the Students of Baldesion, here to assist the rebuilding effort. We can't give them any reason to believe otherwise."
"Got it," S'eni said, punching her palm. The others nodded in agreement. Y'shtola then turned around to look at G'raha.
"G'raha, you are a member of the Students, so I suggest you serve as leader of our little group."
"Very well," G'raha said with a smile. "If I recall correctly, we have to register with Worldy Affairs right here at the harbour. So let's get it over with."
Proceeding down the rest of the pier, they stepped into a huge, gazebo-like structure that housed a few crates, two large shelves, and a solid desk in front of them. What drew S'eni's attention though, was the stern-looking Lalafel woman sitting behind the desk, who focused on them with downright hawkish eyes as they approached. She looked like the exact type of person who only found joy in her work. How very welcoming...
"Greetings," G'raha said, drawing the woman's attention towards him. "We have just arrived and wish to settle the entry formalities."
S'eni watched the Worldy Affairs official's eyes dart towards the tattoo on G'raha neck before offering a smile. "Of course, of course. I see you carry the mark of an Archon as well."
"Indeed. My name is G'raha Tia, member of the Students of Baldesion. I was previously part of an expedition to Eorzea and have now returned to help in the rebuilding of our organization." He turned towards the rest of them. "Together with my companions here."
As swiftly as the smile had appeared, it was also gone again, and the woman was once again full business. She gave him a nod. "Very good. Your arrival has been expected and the necessary application made in advance," she said and turned her head in their direction once more. "I see there are more Archons in your company. We shall finish their formalities first. Please step forward and state your name."
One by one, Y'shtola, Thancred, and Urianger did as they were told. After learning their names, the woman leaned over the open book in front of her. But instead of reading it, as S'eni expected, she just held her hand out and shortly after, its pages began to glow in a warm light. Noticing the look of surprise on her face, Alisaie leaned towards her.
"It's an enchanted list," the girl explained in a low voice. "It's aetherically linked with the citizen registry and compares the names written down in it."
"Huh..." That was actually quite ingenious. Though she supposed for a place like Sharlayan, it was a trivial thing.
"Excellent," the official said after she was done. "The identity of every Archon has been confirmed and your entry registered accordingly. Welcome home. Now..." Her eyes came to rest on the twins. "...who do we have here?"
Sharing a brief look, the two of them stepped forward.
"Alphinaud Leveilleur..."
"...and Alisaie Leveilleur."
The Lalafel repeated the same spell, taking much less time than the others. "Ah, yes. Leveilleur...your application has also been approved. But, having said that...I have heard talk on the street that House Leveilleur's lord has recently disowned his children. That is, of course, no reason to prohibit your entry. A word of caution though, if I may: stay out of trouble. Times are difficult enough already."
Taking a deep breath, Alphinaud locked eyes with the woman and gave her a nod. "Rest assured, we shall take your warning to heart."
After the two of them walked over to the others, it was finally S'eni's and Estinien's turn. "That leaves my two companions here. Their applications have been submitted in advance as well."
The official shifted her gaze towards S'eni and looked her up and down, obviously not very impressed. She did her best not to glare back. "Hm, very well. Name and profession?"
"S'eni Gata, adventurer by trade," she replied.
"Very good, your name—"
"I also happen to be a bit of an artisan, was a member of NORA, have been part of the Eureka expedition, assisted in the uncovering of Ancient Ivalice..." As she was going down the list of her many accomplishments, she watched with a certain satisfaction as a dumbfounded look began to form on the official's face. Meanwhile, Estinien was slowly turning his head to stare at her as if she had just grown a second head and G'raha did his best not to laugh. "...Oh! And I don't want to brag, but I'm also Master Matoya's latest apprentice."
"Master Mato—" the woman shook her head and cleared her throat. "I-In any case, your name is also listed and I will just assume that everything you said is correct. Your entry application is granted. And you, sir? Name and profession?"
Like a spring coil, Estinien's head snapped back towards the Lalafel and it took him a few seconds to reply. "Estinien Varlineau. Formerly of the Order of the Knights Dragoon in Ishgard."
"Varlineau?" S'eni half scoffed, half chuckled. "Really?"
"Did you really think Wyrmblood was my actual name?" he asked right back with a raised brow.
"Given that it's you? Yes."
"Hmpf."
The official on the other hand seemed less amused. "A former soldier. And what would be your...current profession, if I may ask?"
What followed was one of the most awkward silences that S'eni ever witnessed, broken only by the sound of Estinien's armor as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other, and she could've sworn she saw his eyes darting to the side. As the seconds ticked by with no answer coming, help finally arrived in the form of fast-approaching footsteps and a familiar voice calling out, "P-Please wait!"
It was Krile!
Turning her head, she saw her friend catching a few breaths before straightening herself and continuing.
"Excuse me...This man is a mercenary hired by the Students of Baldesion," Krile quickly explained. "He serves as protector during our foray into the wilderness. Surely you understand."
"Mistress Baldesion," the official then said, her displeasure more than evident in her voice. "If you and your organization insist on sponsoring his entry, then so be it. But I frankly find your choice of your associates concerning. If only one of them steps out of line, there may be severe consequences for the Students of Baldesion."
"While I appreciate your concern and diligence, I can assure you that every single one of my companions has my full confidence, and a spotless reputation on top of it," her friend said with a polite bow that just made the other Lalafel shake her head and shrug. Seemingly wordlessly dismissed, they all walked over to Krile.
"It is good to see you again!" Alphinaud said.
"Likewise! I hope the long voyage wasn't too arduous." Krile smiled brightly. "But let's find a place where we can talk more privately. We've much to discuss."
Together, they left the Worldly Affairs office and walked for a few steps, when all of a sudden, Krile stopped in her tracks. "Ah, I nearly forgot," she said and turned around towards S'eni and Estinien, her smile growing. "Welcome to Sharlayan."
She mirrored her friend's expression. "Glad to be here."
Estinien on the other hand just walked past Krile, waving his hand and asking, "If I'm your escort, does that mean I get paid?"
"Hah, I'll pay you when you learn to look after yourself first!" Krile replied and fell into step next to the Dragoon.
Chuckling, S'eni watched them walk ahead, then turned her head back towards Thaliak's statue, standing tall and proud. She furrowed her brows. Let's see what your city has to offer, shall we?
You know, I really love how the beginning on the ship is a big reference to the Limsa Lominsa intro from 1.0, especially since I chose to use it for S'eni during the 'Legacy reveal' as I like to call it. So thanks for that SE, lol. Put a neat little bow on that idea.