Back to the Present
Wherever I look, nothing but pain. A newborn world of nothing but suffering. Lives come and go in a fleeting moment, yet they still ceaselessly march towards the unknown. Every moment, from birth to death, is part of the search for answers.
"Oh why were we given life, if we are meant to suffer?" weak cries, rise oh so powerfully. Despite your fragmented, imperfect nature—or perhaps because of it—you continue on your never-ending quest.
Search for it...a never ceasing power, more so knowing of the end.
Search for it...one confused step after another.
Search for it...for the joy during even the darkest hour...
...the last light amidst despair!
- The one awaiting your answer
"Now your time and mine are about to intertwine," she heard Venat's voice echo deep within her mind as she slowly regained consciousness. "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."
Eyes blinking open, S'eni found herself looking at the ceiling of the Ocular, taking a moment to let the fog around her mind clear before sitting up. She was back. Gods, it almost felt like it had all been just a dream, but the robes she was currently wearing were more than enough proof that everything had truly happened.
"So that's what you meant on the ship," she breathed out. Traveling to the past, meeting her and the others. It was all meant to happen...
No time for that. Need to tell the others, she reminded herself. She could think about this later.
She briefly looked around the room until her eyes landed on the portal. Rising to her feet, she took off her robes and tucked them under her arm, then began walking towards it. And with a deep breath, she stepped through...
...
...
...and emerged inside the chasm next to the Labyrinth of the Ancients. Her sudden arrival made a few of the gathered members of the Sons of Saint Coinach look up, but they swiftly went back to whatever it was they were doing when they saw it was only her. They certainly had gotten awfully used to this. Offering the group a small wave of her hand, she walked past them with a mumbled "As you were" and began heading up to the surface.
But she supposed it was a good sign to see them just calmly go about their business. It meant that the Final Days hadn't yet reached here, and indeed, as she reached the surface, S'eni was met by the familiar sky of Mor Dhona. It actually looked like quite a pleasant day. Of course, if she wanted to keep it that way, she couldn't just stand here and enjoy the view, so she proceeded to teleport to Old Sharlayan.
Arriving there, she was greeted by the same calm image as when they had left for Thavnair. Seemed like the Forum had things well in hand here. But she could sense it nevertheless, the nervousness underneath the facade, knowing that the end was at hand.
She headed over to Baldesion's Annex, releasing a yawn partway there. Looked like her earlier 'nap' had done little in the ways of quelling her fatigue. Perhaps a few hours in a proper bed would do the trick.
Upon stepping inside, she was immediately greeted by Ojika. "Ah, S'eni. You are back. And not a moment too soon. Krile has received news she wishes to share with you. Quite urgent ones."
So much for getting some rest... she thought with an inward sigh and placed the bundled up robes and mask on the desk in front of him. "I'll go talk to her then. Could you please bring these to my room?"
"Of course," he said and picked up the bundle while she walked to the door leading to the main hall. As she entered, she found Krile and Tataru standing in the center of the room, and from their expressions, she could already tell that whatever news were awaiting her, they must be grave. At the sound of the door opening and closing, the two of them turned to face her.
"S'eni?!" Krile exclaimed and came rushing over, meeting her halfway. "I heard you were off to the First in an effort investigate the Final Days."
"Sure was. And looks like I missed something while I was away," S'eni said, earning herself a little sigh from the other woman.
"As so often seems to be the case..."
"You've a knack for turning up just exactly when needed," Tataru commented while joining them.
"Indeed." Krile nodded. "But before that, have you learned anything regarding the Final Days?"
"I did. Quite a lot, in fact. But it would be best to wait until the others are here. What happened here?"
Krile sighed. "Unfortunately, events have taken a turn for the worse. The others are running themselves ragged trying to contain the spread of the Blasphemies, but it's a losing battle."
"While trying to figure out the how and why of it, Alisaie and Alphinaud all over..." Tataru explained. "Of all the regions they visited, Locus Amoenus is one of the worst affected."
"Corvos, correct?" S'eni asked, frowning. "Raha told me he was born there."
"That's right. Him, Estinien and Thancred took a detachment of allied soldiers to offer aid. But the province is vast, and they only managed to visit a handful of coastal villages. An accomplishment, but ultimately just a drop in a bucket."
"I see..." she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "What of Shtola? Did Matoya and her manage to contact Hydaelyn?"
"I'm afraid all their efforts have ended in failure so far," Krile replied. "Meanwhile, Tataru and I have been keeping an eye on the Forum. From what we gather, they've been constructing a vessel to ferry people to the moon. An ambitious project that has likely been years, if not decades, in the making. However, since we've seen no sight of it so far, I suspect it's still incomplete. Which brings me to the matter at hand. Following his discussion with Master Fourchenault, Vrtra pledged his support for the plan and urged those who wished to evacuate to accept the Forum's invitation. So far, so good. But that's where things get a little strange..."
"Strange how?"
"Apparently, the Forum caught wind of the teleporter inside the Tower of Babil, and decided to use it to deliver the people to the moon," the Lalafel said.
"To that end, Alphinaud, Alisaie, Estinien, and G'raha traveled to Garlemald to secure safe passage for the Hannish refugees," Tataru added and her face darkened. "Trouble is, the capital was already dangerous as it was, and now..."
"...The Final Days have come to Garlemald," Krile finished, face mirroring that of their friend. "Shortly after the others arrived, they were sent to meet with Master Fourchenault. Then, panic broke out, and our communications were severed."
"Shit..." S'eni exhaled deeply and rubbed a hand over her face. "How long ago was this?"
"Not too long ago. S'eni, the others need you. You must help them!" Krile pleaded.
"And I will!" she promised, already beginning to float off the ground as the teleport spell homed in on her destination, Camp Broken Glass.
"Please, be careful," she heard Tataru call out to her just before she was gone.
Immediately on arrival, S'eni found herself regretting her decision to simply rush off when the cold air of Garlemald brushed against her skin, and even the swiftly cast spell she used to dry her clothes did very little to quell the chill. Still, it was better than nothing, especially with more important matters at hand. Like the burning sky.
Asking a nearby soldier, bewildered at her sudden appearance, she followed his instruction and quickly located Lucia. The woman's eyes were fixed on the sky, but lowered themselves when she called out to her. "S'eni...and not a moment too soon."
"Krile and Tataru told me what happened. Where are the others?" she asked.
"As soon as the heavens began to burn, I dispatched them to the Magna Glacies to ensure that none of the Hannish refugees come to harm," the other woman replied, eyebrows drawn tightly. "Additional support is already en route, but I would still have you join them immediately. I trust you are ready?"
"I am." Turning into the direction of the snow covered road that would lead her to her destination, her eyes briefly went up to the sky and narrowed. Her hands balled into tight fists, and she started to run.
She hurried down the path her and the others had traveled not too long ago in their quest to help the citizens of Garlemald; to bring hope into this cold, unforgiving land. Now that little glimmer they had managed to deliver was being swallowed up by the burning blaze above. As if fate itself wished to twist the knife further after having plunged it in. No, she wouldn't let that happen!
Ignoring the cold sting inside her lungs and the burning ache of limbs begging for proper rest, she pushed further, running as fast as she was able to. It was about a third of the way to the airship port, though, when a sudden sound made her come to a screeching halt. Combat!? No...screams...but from—
S'eni cast her gaze into the distance, looking about frantically.
—there! A small group of refugees, being chased by beasts.
Rushing towards them, she saw an Au Ra woman amongst them fall to the ground, taking the two children in front of her with her. An Arkasodara man up ahead noticed and ran back to help them up, but one of the faster, wolf-like creatures were already homing in on them, ready to plunge its fangs into soft flesh. Gritting her teeth, S'eni practically flew over the snow, disappearing from sight and reappearing in front of the group just as the beast lunged forward.
"NO!" she slammed her shoulder into it, sending it flying backwards. For a brief second, her body became engulfed in light, her himation changing into a white and black coat, adorned with a few gold plates. Glaring at the approaching creatures, she raised her right hand into the air...and pulled the trigger three times.
Shrapnel made of aether began to rain down from above, forming a large circle around her and the refugees, before exploding outwards into a protective dome. She watched the beasts attack the barrier for a few seconds, then placed the Gunblade in her hand on her back and walked over to the group. "That will keep them occupied for a moment. Are you hurt?"
"My...my ankle!" the woman pressed through her teeth.
"Let me see," she said and knelt down in front of her. After taking a quick look, she cast a healing spell on her. "This will take care of the pain, but you need to rest it for a bit. You there."
The Arkasodara jumped a little.
"Can you carry her?"
"Uh, y-yes." He nodded.
"Good. Once that barrier comes down, I want you to hurry in that direction." S'eni pointed in the direction of Camp Broken Glass. "The Ilsabard corp has a camp there. They'll keep you safe."
"Understood." Kneeling down, the Arkasodara picked the Au Ra up in his large arms. S'eni then turned towards the two children, both close to tears, and gently placed a hand on their shoulders.
"It's scary, isn't it?" S'eni asked gently. They both nodded. "And that's why you two have the most important task of all."
The little ones looked at her with large eyes, the fear inside them giving way to faint curiosity.
"Smile. It's in times like these where we must stay strong and take heart," she said and let the corners of her lips rise upwards. The children looked at one another at first before mirroring her expression with a tentative one of their own. "Good. A smile better suits a hero, after all. Now go, and don't look back."
Rising back up, S'eni reached behind her, took hold of her Gunblade again, and turned around. A couple more beasts had joined the previous ones, no doubt having been drawn here by the ruckus, their claws, fangs, fists and tendrils joining that of their brethren to tear down the barrier. Little by little, she saw cracks appear in the webbed pattern.
She walked forward, holding her Bozjan Manatrigger up to her face while channeling aether into the cartridges she had just unloaded. When she was done, she aimed it towards the creatures and narrowed her eyes. "I'm afraid I'll have to steal your thunder today, Thancred. But I'm sure you'll forgive me this once."
S'eni cocked the hammer—and the barrier burst.
"RUN!" she shouted and dashed forward, swinging her Gunblade in an upward arc to send a wave of aether towards the wolf-like creature from earlier when it tried to make a beeline for its previous prey, knocking it off its feet and leaving it open to dispatch it with one swift slash. Immediately, she brought her attention back to the others, ducking out of the way of a large fist and bringing her weapon down upon it with a pull of the trigger, severing it. With the exhaust flame still shooting out of the chamber, she whirled around and swung her blade towards an almost ape-like-looking creature just in time for the second ignition to go off, killing it mid-motion before finishing off the previous one with a stab through the chest.
"Who's next?!" Another set of wolf-like beasts charged at her. Just before they could reach her, she jumped into the air and slashed the ground twice, leaving an x-shaped mark that burst into red-hot flames which incinerated them on the spot. Upon landing, she turned to the rest of the beasts, meeting them in a deadly dance of claws and other monstrous extremities, the exploding sound of her cartridges drowning out their cries as they fell one after another after another, until all that remained was she and the dissipating bodies of her foes.
Panting heavily, she turned around and looked out into the distance. When she spotted the forms of the refugees in the distance, growing smaller and smaller by the second, she released a deep breath and let herself smile. They were going to be alright.
Her ears twitched suddenly, and she glanced over her shoulder. That sound...
That was unmistakably Magitek. So that's who the additional support was. With a warm chuckle, she turned around and began following it, the Gunblade in her hand vanishing as she returned to her regular clothes.
With the sounds of battle growing nearer, so too did the signs of it in the form of those poor refugees that didn't manage to get away, their bodies lying still in the snow. But there was no time to mourn now, or else there would be far more of them.
And then, after a few more minutes of running, she spotted them. G'raha and Alisaie, the latter of which looking a tiny bit worse for the wear as they stood next to a large, felled creature. As she made her way over to the two, S'eni saw Alisaie's eyes go wide upon spotting her. "S'eni! You're here!"
"Looks like you could use a hand," she said in return, the corners of her lips curling up.
Alisaie lowered her eyes to the ground at that, muttering something inaudible under her breath, before replying, "I would've been fine on my own..."
S'eni just placed her hand on the young woman's shoulder and gave it an affectionate squeeze.
"Welcome back, my friend," G'raha greeted her, holding his glowing sword and shield. "I trust you are more than ready?"
She nodded, and just in time for the felled creature to regain consciousness. The three of them whirled towards it, ready for battle. "I've had it with those beasts!" Alisaie growled.
"Let's go then!" S'eni jumped forward.
Time to finish this.
"There," she said and lowered her hand, watching the last glow of her healing spell disappear. "That should do it. Give it a try."
The young man seated in front of her moved his arm a bit, then nodded. "All better. Thank you," he said with a grateful tone.
"Just don't strain it too much. Take it easy for a few days once you're in Sharlayan." With a smile, she sent him on his way, watching as he made his way to one of the docked airships. She cast her gaze around the area to see if there was anyone else in need of immediate treatment. Upon finding none, she headed over to where Alphinaud and the others stood. On her way there, she looked over to the Garlean troops standing guard at the edge of the outpost, Jullus among them. It was good to see him being back to himself again. If not for him and his comrades, things might have turned out much worse today.
Suddenly, she heard two voices call out and she stopped briefly to look towards them. It was the two children from earlier, standing on the ramp leading up to one of the airships, waving their hands. She returned it with a grin, before continuing onward. When she arrived, she found Alphinaud in conversation with his father.
"...the people of Radz-at-Han had to endure enough suffering today," she heard Fourchenault say. "Garlemald may not be far, but I fear we would invite only more if we marched there now."
"I quite agree. It will be reassuring to know that you are with them, though. Please, take care of them as best you can," the young Elezen said.
"Alphinaud..."
But whatever else the twins' father wished to say was interrupted by Jullus calling out, "Look, someone's coming!"
Turning around, S'eni spotted a figure running towards them. One of the refugees. And in pursuit of them, one of the beasts no less. Looks like we missed one.
"Will this never end?" Estinien sighed and they rushed over to defend the poor fellow. But before they could reach him, the creature was suddenly struck down, revealing another person just behind it. It was—
"Zenos..." Alphinaud exclaimed. As they all came to a stop, the former crown prince offered them his usual bored expression, not even glancing at the man he just rescued as G'raha ushered him in the direction of the airships. "What is the meaning of this?"
"I saw a beast I have never laid eyes upon before, so I struck it down," Zenos replied. "It proved to be no challenge at all, though. What disappointing practice."
"Practice?! Can you only think about your stupid rematch?!" Alisaie practically shouted.
"Why would I think about anything else?" he asked, then turned his attention towards S'eni. She narrowed her eyes.
"I've neither the time nor the desire to fight you right now," she told him.
"I know. I can see it in your eyes, the burning fire...that is not aimed at me, no matter how much I would stoke hate and despair." He folded up his scythe and placed it on his back. "So all I shall do for now is sharpen my claws."
"What are you saying...?" Jullus's voice came suddenly from behind them, drawing Zenos's attention towards him as he stopped next to her. "Garlemald has fallen...our homeland. The one you ruled over! So many dead..."
The young officer's hands became fists and he began to shake as he continued, "Not just us soldiers, whose duty is to fight. Innocent civilians...Family, friends...they all slaughtered one another, and nobody knew why. And those few who managed to resist the madness were left to freeze to death! The Eorzeans told me it was all because of you. If that's true then...why?! For what purpose...?!"
Zenos just looked at Jullus with his usual bored expression and said, "Yes. It is true. And it was all for nothing."
"You bastard...!" Jullus stepped forth, but was stopped by Alphinaud.
"Stop. Zenos deserves all your anger, but you have to calm yourself, please," the young Elezen said. "If you let it consume you it will turn you into a beast as well."
Jullus looked at him for a second, a pained expression on his face, before stepping back again.
"Would you like a reason?" Zenos asked all of a sudden, making Jullus look at him in surprise.
"What...?"
"I asked if you would like a reason. It sounded like you did. To justify all the things that you saw. If so, then you are nothing more than dumb cattle. Reasons...the question of right or wrong...nothing more than convenient excuses; smoke and mirrors. Has the war taught you nothing? How many times has senseless conflict blurred the line between good and evil? Just look at yourselves—" he let his cold gaze wander over each and every one of them. "—In the name of justice, you all too willingly sullied your blades in the blood of others. Yet how many times has this 'justice' been nothing more than a means to an end for self-righteous schemers? And you ask me for a reason?"
He shook his head.
"Preposterous. Why look to others and wish to know their motives? You could travel to the ends of the universe searching for an answer and would still find only one thing...selfishness. To find a reason...a purpose...that responsibility lies with you and you alone."
Zenos... S'eni felt her jaw drop slightly at those words. It was the first time she saw him this...open about anything other than battling with her. Is that truly what you think...?
Zenos focused his eyes on Jullus once again. "And should yours now be the drawn blade, then I shall sharpen my claws with you as well."
In an instant, Jullus's hand went to the Gunblade at his hip, but stopped himself just short of grabbing it.
"...Your existence is poison to Garlemald. And I want nothing more than to expunge it by beating you to death." The leather of his glove groaned as his hand formed into a fist instead, and he moved it away from his weapon. "But Alphinaud is right. It would only make for another tragedy, and I have no intention of losing anyone else to your madness. Leave! And don't you dare ever return!"
Zenos silently looked at Jullus, his face betraying not a single emotion. Without a word, he turned and began to walk away.
"Zenos!" Alisaie called out, making him stop. "You may have found purpose in your way of life, and some of what you say might even be true. Yet if you only pursue your own desires, and pay no heed to the plight of others, then no one will give you the time of day. You will never get what you desire—not even that battle you pine for so much. And if you're incapable of thinking about anyone but yourself...then go away. Enjoy your eternity of loneliness. You've earned it."
Seconds ticked by in which no one said a word. Zenos's gaze was firmly set on Alisaie, who glared back defiantly. Then, with an almost inaudible exhale, the former crown prince turned his head back forward, and left.
Quietly watching as he walked away, S'eni found herself frowning. For the longest time, Zenos's reasoning had eluded her. Or rather, she never had the desire to see what lay beyond the surface. He was her enemy, a vicious beast wearing the guise of a man with only a singular desire: to battle against her.
But now, as she saw him vanish into the Magna Glacies, his words still echoing through her mind, S'eni felt that she understood him a little more than before.
She wasn't sure if it was a good thing.
[Force Your Way intensifies]
So, who of you caught the Gunbreaker hints before?