Horizons Calling
Sitting cross-legged before the Stone of Nymeia, Yugo closed his eyes and laid the cards before him.
"Nymeia the Spinner, goddess of Fate and my patron, show me the way."
He flipped the first card. The inverted Arrow. Umbral Wind. Oschon the Wanderer. A journey.
The second card was the Bole standing straight. Astral Earth. Nophica the Matron. Growth.
The third card was the inverted Ewer. Umbral Water. Nymeia the Spinner. Destiny.
The fourth card was the Spear standing straight. Astral Ice. Halone the Fury. Conflict.
The fifth card was the inverted Tower. Umbral Levin. Rhalgr the Destroyer. Destruction.
The final card… was the inverted Balance. Umbral Fire. Nald'thal the Trader. Death.
Yugo frowned deeply. In a flash of light, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon appeared and whined. The teen – though adult by Eorzean standards – caressed him.
"I know you're eager to go home, Clear Wing. But I must prepare first. If the cards are anything to go by, the journey promises to be eventful. Sheesh! Conflict, destruction and death! It's going to be one of those adventures again, right?"
Clear Wing whined piteously as it nodded. Yugo reassured him.
"I know you're not at fault. You sensed something unusual back home, and that's why you want to return."
The dragon's wings shone. Yugo gathered his cards.
"I need to tell Rin and Crow, maybe even Jonah. He'll want to know. And besides, he's always been eager to learn about our customs. I mean, he even learned to Duel like we do! Gotta admit, his Lightsworn are tough. So, if I say trouble's brewing back home…"
Clear Wing growled deeply. Yugo paused.
"…It isn't just back home, right?"
The dragon had four wings. They shone in alternate succession. The teen frowned.
"It's the other three dimensions as well. Earth and Etheirys have this in common that they're made of Shards. So, the trouble comes from one or several of Earth's Shards."
Clear Wing nodded. Yugo caressed it.
"Got it. I need to prepare even better, then. Twelve, this is going to be some ride!"
He touched his necklace, a sapphire pendant engraved with the spinning wheel of Nymeia. He had personally attuned the jewel to the deity's Stone after crafting it, so the Spinner could always hear his prayers. Now, more than ever, he felt the need to ask for her blessing. A grin crossed his face. To say meeting her in the Omphalos and fighting her in the Heaven of Earth had been an honor was an understatement. He had almost squealed when she and the other Twelve had addressed them. They had ended having a long talk about luck, destiny and the meaning of Fate.
"All men are fated to die." Nymeia frowned. "This is all that awaits at journey's end. What matters is what happens between the moment one is born and the moment one dies."
"I know." Yugo nodded. "What we do between the moment we are born and the moment we die is for us alone to decide. We chart our own course and, in the process, give a meaning to our life."
The goddess smiled.
"Indeed. Men speak of Fate but, in the end, they are the masters of their actions. Fate is naught but their direct consequences. No grand design. No script. Only the choices you make. But… what if, knowing the consequences, you could make a different choice? Would you take the chance?"
Yugo closed his eyes.
"If the risk was worth the reward. If the consequences were so dire that any other outcome would be better. The First Shard taught us as much."
"Indeed. You are a good student."
"Thank you, Lady Nymeia."
With a thought, he teleported to Tailfeather and followed the Pilgrims' Road. The path led him through the Chocobo Forest to the Whilom River and the Thousand Woes waterfalls, where Avalonia's main water reservoir was located. As usual, a fisherman was waiting by the ford. They shared a wave. Soon, the Chocobo Forest ended and the teen found himself in Avalonia. The Road led him through the Matron's Storehouses, where food and materials were kept in brick houses until they were needed, and past Loth ast Vath where the friendly Nonmind lived. Finally, the rich fields of the Loth appeared.
Yugo paused. They had needed to negotiate with the Gnaths' Hivemind before using the land, and the treaty strictly stipulated "Peace with the dragons and a share of the harvest". In return, the fleeting Commoners were allowed to use the fertile lands of the Loth for culture, watered by the flows of the Whilom River. They had been astounded by the results. The rich ground had produced heavy, golden ears of wheat and tomatoes round, red and juicy as could be. For people who could barely afford bread in their native Dimension, it had been a wonder. Now, the crops grown in the Loth kept everyone's stomachs full, to the point they often sent fresh supplies back to the Commons through dead drops. Add to this a regular hunt for nankas – the Gnath found the eggs a delicacy. The humans found it revolting – gallimimi and meliae and Avalonia had a steady supply of food and wood.
The closer he got to Anyx Trine, the better he could see the vineyards on Sohm Al's slopes. Here again, the guy who had the idea to plant the vine stocks had been a genius. The grapes alone had turned delicious, and Yugo had no shame admitting he always kept some dried ones to snack on in his free time. The next logical step had been winemaking. Thanks to a Lominsan expert called Shamani Lomani, the Avalonians had begun their own vintages. It would take them time before the casks aged properly, but the results already showed promise.
The closer he got to the city, the more people he saw. Gatherers toiling the fields, some he had known since back in the Commons, others who had joined later. Patrols armed with spears, staves and rifles. Humans from Synchro and Etheirys, Gnaths and dragons alike living together in peace. The sight warmed his heart.
"Yugo! You're finally back?"
"Hey, Crow!"
The teen saluted the red-haired Dark Knight. Crow was clad in his usual black plate armor, his helmet distinctly bird-shaped while his broadsword reminded of a massive feather.
"I'm back, yeah. Clear Wing thinks trouble's brewing back home – in all four Dimensions. I need to warn Rin and prepare for the journey. The omens aren't good."
Crow frowned and rubbed his criminal marks.
"The Tunnel Guards spotted nothing out of the ordinary, but if your buddy thinks something's up, it's probably true. Come to think of it, Arsenal has been pretty nervous, recently."
He took a card and activated it. Blackwing – Arsenal the Dragon appeared, its four wings' black feathers like sharpened blades while ebon armor covered its body, revealing only its yellow beak and raven mane. The dragon turned to the tunnel connecting their worlds and growled. The pair tensed.
"Definitely something. Let's check."
As they passed by Anyx Trine's outer walls, they caught Rin leaving the workshop, her work apron gone and her gun and aether converter firmly strapped to their place.
"Rin! Hey, Rin!"
The green-haired girl turned to them and waved.
"Crow! Yugo! You're heading to the tunnel?"
"Clear Wing sensed trouble and Arsenal agrees." Crow frowned. "You're coming too?"
Rin nodded, checking her gun as she did. The three finally reached the cavern leading to the Interdimensional Tunnel connecting the Source to the Synchro Dimension. The guards were at their usual post, all of them alert as they waited for a visitor to show. Crow spotted a dragon, two Vaths, three Elezens and four Hyurs, three of them clearly Commoners. He approved. All of them were geared in well-maintained armor and their weapons seemed in perfect condition. Whatever came through the Tunnel would have the welcome they deserved.
Their first clue was heavy pants, the kind one made after running several malms nonstop. One of the Commoners turned to an Elezen.
"Call a healer, just in case."
"I'm here." Yugo answered as he drew his star globe.
The Hyur nodded.
"Brightstar! Perfect, I couldn't wish for anyone else."
They finally arrived. The guards tensed, weapons in reach. They let them go when they saw a couple, both blue-haired men. The first and tallest had a black longcoat and darker mane. The younger was much smaller, with a red jacket, lighter strands and a pair of glasses.
"Hang in there, Big Bro. I see light."
"The light at the end of the tunnel, uh? Good job, Sy. We're almost there…"
The smaller one was carrying the taller one. As their face came into view, it was clear the boy – because it would be a surprise if the paler-haired was older than twelve – was reaching his limits while the adult was clearly injured. Yugo acted the moment they were within reach, his magic mending their wounds and removing the soreness from their limbs. They still fell on their knees when they reached the guards, sweat beading on their faces.
"Thank you… We feel… much better…"
"Yeah… Looks like… that Weber's information… was correct."
Crow frowned. His old friend, Shinji Weber, was the Avalonians' primary contact in the Synchro Dimension. He waited until the two brothers had caught their breath before asking.
"What's your names?"
"Zane Truesdale." The elder answered. "And this is my little brother, Syrus. We're native from the Fusion Dimension."
The group nodded. Zane explained.
"Academia, the primary organization in our homeland, has been training people to invade the other Dimensions. I haven't heard much about Synchro or Standard except a few recons, but the invasion of the Xyz Dimension has been going for several months already."
Everyone growled. For having suffered alien invasions in the past, the Thirteenth Shard being the most recent, everybody knew what it entailed. Nobody liked it. Zane turned to his brother.
"The training is hellish. Academia's forces are particularly deadly, and I am no exception. Problem is: Syrus isn't up to their standards. They tried to card him – to seal his soul within a card. I disagreed and fled with him to the Synchro Dimension. There, I heard from Shinji Weber about a place beyond our world. I thought we could be safe there, maybe even warn someone. But Academia sent people after us and I got injured in the scuffle. Crossing the tunnel with that wound was a literal pain."
Crow breathed.
"Well, you're safe with us and your warning didn't fall in deaf ears. Clear Wing and Arsenal also sensed something was off, so we decided to check."
"Then, you know." Zane frowned. "The Obelisk Force should be close behind. The blood trail I left isn't difficult to follow, so I hope those weapons of yours aren't for show."
Rin cocked her gun.
"They're not."
An Elezen accompanied the pair away. Everyone else grabbed their weapons and tensed. They didn't have to wait long. Five minutes later, four men in a blue uniform, their heads covered by red-lensed silver masks and Duel Disks on their arms, emerged from the darkness. They paused at the sight.
"Oh? Tt seems the traitors had time to call for a welcoming committee."
"They didn't." The dragon growled. "We are always on watch."
The boards that appeared had the shape of swords. Fitting, for invaders. Everyone tensed.
"It changes nothing. Hand us the traitors or perish."
"Rot in the Void." Was Yugo's answer.
The Obelisks snarled.
"As you wish. Ancient Gear Hound, go!"
The mechanical hound appeared. A fireball from one of the Vaths blew it apart. The four men stared. Rin used the distraction to shoot one in the chest.
"Sorry to disappoint, but Etheirys plays a different game. Fire at will."
The three remaining Obelisks suddenly found themselves facing a firing squad. None escaped. Crow took their Duel Disks and decks.
"Dispose of the bodies while I bring that to Captain Anaelle. If the Fusion Dimension is preparing an invasion, we need to know our future enemy's methods – their equipment, their abilities, their strategies. Warn everyone about the invasion. Tell them we may have to go to war. And we are certainly not going to play their game. No way in Hells."
"Our fist in their face and their face on the floor." A Commoner spat. "Carding people! How monstrous!"
On this everyone agreed. Yugo went home and started packing. Clothes, hygiene products, money, his deck and Duel Disk, all went in the bag he used for moon-long journeys. He knew Rin was doing the same. Where one went, the other followed. They were always together. He wondered if Crow would come as well or stay on Etheirys. He had followed them from the day they had met Jonathan in the Chocobo Forest, all the way to Ultima Thule where they had faced Meteion. His protective magics had saved them more than once.
He was looking at his Duel Runner, wondering whether or not to take it along when a presence made him turn.
"Jonah! What do I owe?"
"Hello to you too, Yugo."
Jonathan Solwright, known across Etheirys as the Warrior of Light and many, many other epithets, was a Hyur in his mid-thirties, with shaven brown hair and a five o'clock shadow. His blue eyes could be as warm as the summer skies or colder than Garlean steel depending his mood, and his average built belied a strength that was simply inhuman. Many found it hard to believe that a man you wouldn't pick in a crowd was in fact the savior of the star and its single greatest champion. And yet, it happened on a semi-regular basis that Jonah was mistaken for some random adventurer. At least, people paid him properly or thoroughly apologized afterwards.
"I heard from Crow your star might be in trouble. What's up?"
"Fusion Dimension is planning an invasion." Yugo frowned and checked the engine. "If they aren't already doing it. According to Zane Truesdale, they've been rampaging across the Xyz Dimension for several months already. Clear Wing sensed it. Arsenal sensed it. We're preparing to defend ourselves if they try to invade Etheirys, all the while warning people across the Commons. The Tops can take care of themselves, but we won't let our people back home be caught off-guard and defenseless."
"Good." Jonah approved. "I get it you're headed to Xyz Dimension, then."
"Yes, with Rin." He put a finger to his ear. "Crow called. He'll stay in Synchro to shuttle back and forth between Etheirys. It'll be just the two of us. Unless you wanna come?"
"No, I have my own business." The former Azem smiled. "But here, this will be useful."
He took Yugo's pendant and focused. For a brief moment, his hands glowed gold.
"I imbued your Amulet with the Traveler's Call. If you ever need our assistance, you've seen me do it often enough to do it yourself."
Yugo's eyes shone.
"Thank you! It's really gonna help."
He was ready soon after. Rin smiled as she finished her own verifications on the Duel Runner.
"We're ready to go. Jonah, tell the rest of the Scions what's happening, just in case. If Fusion decides to poke its nose around Etheirys…"
"Technically, they already did that." Jonah pointed. "And I already informed Thancred and Urianger. The others will know soon if they don't already do."
Yugo and Rin nodded and got on the Runner. After waving everyone goodbye, they shared a tender kiss.
"Until the stars go dark."
"Until the stars go dark."
And they were off.