Burden of Light

With the full power of the Oracle, it was a simple matter to find and slay the Warden of Amh Araeng, returning the night to the place where a hundred years ago, the Flood had been halted.

But as you climbed out of that forsaken mine, something inside of you began to rear.

Things were about to change.

Once upon a time, Malikah's Well had been a source of water for the surrounding area. Built originally to serve as a memorial to the deceased lover of the last queen, it had been turned into a mine in more recent years. But even that had stopped when the Daedalus Stoneworks had pulled out of the region, leaving the mining shafts to fall into disrepair.

The perfect place for the Lightwarden to hide—

A hand grabbed onto a platform, swiftly joined by its twin, and with a groan, S'eni began to pull herself up.

—and an absolute bitch to get out of.

"You know what? I think I would've preferred if it remained a well," she said after making it over the edge, sitting down for just a second to take a breather.

"And why would that be?" Y'shtola asked as her hand grabbed onto where S'eni's had been just a moment ago.

"Because that way, we could've just swam back." She offered her hand.

"Need I remind you—" the other Miqo'te grasped it. "—that not all of us are able to breathe underwater?"

"Not my fault you didn't want to visit the Kojin the last time we had the chance," S'eni replied while helping her up. A small smirk forming on her lips, she leaned down to whisper into her ear. "Besides, I wouldn't have let you go without breath."

Y'shtola simply huffed in response, or as well as she could given the circumstances, sitting down as well.

"I, for one, am glad that we didn't have to swim." Alphinaud called out from further left, as he too was pulling himself up, letting himself come to lie on his back. "Though I believe I shall have had enough of climbing for a while after this."

"Then I suggest you hurry up, dear brother!" Alisaie shouted from above, drawing a chuckle from S'eni. At least she seemed spirited.

But as she looked up at the beautiful night's sky awaiting them above, she could see why that was. Now the people at the Inn at Journey's Head had a hope of getting better.

After their group had finally made it back to the surface, which became easier once they had reached the part of the shaft that had working stairs, they spotted a small fleet of airships making its way eastward.

"No doubt retreating in the wake of the Warden's demise," Alphinaud said as he followed them with his eyes.

Yshtola hummed in agreement. "Back to Kholusia. Where the last remaining Lightwarden is hiding."

"Home of our dear Vauthry," Thancred commented, barely able to keep the scoff out of his voice. "Who will undoubtedly do everything in his power to stop us."

"As he should." Alphinaud nodded. "Defeat there will mean the end of his reign as well as his heavenly host."

"In any case, shouldn't this be the moment when Emet-Selch usually chooses to descend upon us?" Y'shtola asked while looking around, but the Ascian was nowhere to be seen. "Whatever will we do without his feigned praise and backhanded compliments?"

"Actually enjoying the scenery in peace?" S'eni grinned.

"Hmm, that sounds lovely."

They shared a little laugh before she turned her to look at Alisaie, who watched the stars with a smile on her face. "Do you want to see how everyone at the Inn is doing?"

"No," Alisaie replied with a shake of her head. "We have more urgent things to do, so for now I'll hope that the return of the night has granted the resident some measure of comfort. And when all of this is over, I'll visit Tesleen's grave and tell her everything. Come, let's return to the Crystarium."

Everyone nodded, and they began to leave. As they walked, S'eni was soon approached by Ryne, who was looking at her with clear worry on her face.

"Are you feeling alright, S'eni?" the girl asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Because after you defeated the Lightwarden, I could swear I saw its aether—Nevermind. I'm still getting used to my power. It's probably nothing." Ryne let out a relieved sigh. "I'm just glad I was right about where the Warden was hiding."

"Only one more left," S'eni said. "Any idea where it could be hiding?"

"Sadly, no. And I can't feel it from here at all."

Walking just a little behind the two, Y'shtola watched them as they chatted, a frown slowly marring her features. "She sees it too, then…"

As soon as they had arrived, Y'shtola had approached Ryne and her, asking to come speak with her for a moment while the others were heading to the Ocular ahead of them.

"So what is it you wanted to talk about?" S'eni asked her as they stood in the Exedra.

"There is something I wish to confirm," Y'shtola replied and turned towards Ryne. "Tell me, have you noticed anything peculiar about Eni's appearance as of late? Anything at all? Speak freely, she won't mind."

Ryne looked over at her and received a reassuring nod in return. "Alright...ever since Minfilia bestowed her power to me, I've been able to see Light inside her...though I didn't think anything of it at first due to all the stories I was told of her," Ryne explained to them. "But after we defeated the Warden, I realized something was wrong. You've absorbed its aether, S'eni. And the Light within you has grown monstrous."

She exhaled through her nose. She would be lying if she claimed that she hadn't been afraid of that.

"Then it's as I suspected," Y'shtola sighed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm—ugh!" a sudden pain shot through her and her vision blurred.

"Eni!" the other Miqo'te immediately stepped forward to place her hands on S'eni's shoulders and kept her steady until it passed. "If nothing is done, this will only get worse. Ryne, the power of the Oracle granted you a measure of control over the Light, correct? Is there anything you can do for her?"

The girl shook her head.

"Extinguishing it is out of the question. Even at her strongest, Minfilia could only hold it back," Ryne said and began to ponder for a moment. "I might be able to suppress it...but I don't know how long that will last."

"Then we have no choice but to rely on Urianger and his secrets."

"You don't sound too happy," S'eni pointed out while stepping back from her lover.

"Would you be if roles were reversed?" Y'shtola shot back.

No, she definitely wouldn't. "So what now?"

"Now, Ryne and I shall discuss our strategy going forward with the others while you return to your chambers. If the next battle is the last, you will need all of your strength. So until it is time for us to depart, you will rest. Understood?"

Part of her wanted to immediately protest the notion and say that she was fine, but the look in Y'shtola's eyes brooked no argument, so instead she went with something else.

"Why yes, Mother..." she said, giving her an obedient little bow.

"Hah." Y'shtola's lips curled into an amused smile. "None of that cheek. Or I'll take you across my knee."

S'eni took a step forward, eyes locked with her lover's. "Hm. Promises, promises…" she said, before walking past her and into the direction of the Pendants, leaving Y'shtola to shake her head and mutter something while Ryne just looked confused by the whole exchange.

As she entered the building, she was almost immediately greeted by the manager, his high-spirited expression faltering slightly when he took in her appearance. "Is everything alright? You don't seem quite yourself."

"Just tired from the journey is all," she lied. It wasn't like she could tell him the truth anyway.

"Then I'm sure you wish to retire. Your room is ready as always."

"Thanks." Giving him a friendly wave, she made her way up the stairs and into her room. There, she found a sight she hadn't seen since the battle in Lakeland. Ardbert, staring out of the open window.

S'eni frowned. Had he been here all this time?

She watched him for a few more seconds, before walking towards him. "And what do we have here? An intruder," she said in a joking tone.

He turned around, one corner of his lips quirking up slightly. "Someone has to take care of the house, right?"

"I'm pretty sure that's what the staff of the Pendants is for."

"True. Quite a thorough bunch too. Anyways, how did things in Amh Araeng go?"

"We slew a Lightwarden and met with Minfilia." She sat down at the table and began to tell him about their adventure in the southern region. As she told him about their meeting with Minfilia, he began to frown and remained like this until she had concluded her tale.

"I see. Minfilia's gone, then."

"Yeah." S'eni looked down at her hands.

Ardbert's expression turned into a self-deprecating smile. "Which means the reason I suffer this purgatory will forever remain a mystery."

Minfilia had said something to him in her vision, something about how he was to give them hope until this world truly could be saved. But what did she mean by that?

All of a sudden, she tensed up and her eyes went wide, then...the pain from earlier returned a hundredfold. Stars of light exploded in front of her eyes as her entire body began to burn, like a searing hot fire from deep within her; wanting to break free.

"What's the matter?" Ardbert asked, his voice sounding muffled to her ears. She collapsed to the ground. "Hey, are you alright!?"

He rushed over to her, kneeling down to the ground and reaching for her. Just as he was about to touch her, a blindingly bright light began to emanate from his hand, making him double back.

From one second to the next, the pain vanished.

Gasping for breath, S'eni looked at him in surprise and he voiced the very same question she was wondering right now.

"What...What just happened?"

Then it dawned on her. The words Minfilia had spoken to her before she had vanished. Slowly, she pushed herself back onto still shaking legs.

"There...was something Minfilia said to me...that not even the most valiant of heroes can stand alone," she told him.

"She said my time had not yet come. That I still had a role to play..."

"Only together may we change the fate of two worlds. At first I thought she meant my friends and I, but now I think she meant you."

"What!? No—" Ardbert shook his head violently. "No, it can't be. There's only one hero in this room and it's not me. I'm nothing more than a shadow, cursed to wander."

A knock resounded from the door.

She glanced over her shoulder for a second, wondering who it could be, when she turned back again, Ardbert was gone.

"The world honestly lost a Shinobi on you," S'eni muttered and walked over to the doorway, picking up the stool she had fallen off from on her way. As she opened it, she was surprised to find none other than the Crystal Exarch standing there, and if she didn't know better, she would say he looked a bit nervous.

"Ahem. Forgive the intrusion," he greeted her. "Minfilia—that is Ryne, said that she was worried about you. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," she said. "Just some pain earlier, and again a minute ago."

"Again? Just now?" He took a step forward. "And did it pass?"

She blinked in surprise, but then chuckled. "Yes, don't worry."

"Good." Lowering his gaze to the ground, the Exarch shook his head. "No, actually it's not good. We're asking too much of you. All these battles against the Sin Eaters are clearly taking its toll on you. It's my fault, and for that I'm sorry. Nevertheless, I must ask one thing of you."

"What's that?" she asked.

"That you survive this, no matter what. When the dust settles, you must return to your world. For the battles to come and the wars yet to be won. Only one Lightwarden stands between us and victory. There's still much we must do to prepare, but for now, I will see if there is something that may remedy the strange affliction which plagues you."

"Once we kill the Warden, will your work also be done?" she asked as he was about to leave.

"Yes, I believe it will." he smiled. "Once the Light has been banished, the people of the Crystarium will be saved. And...someone else I wish to save. In any case, I won't keep you from your rest any longer. Take as much as you like."

Inclining his head, the Crystal Exarch turned around and left. She was just about to close the door when his voice echoed from down the hallway once more.

"Oh, Y'shtola. I...I didn't expect you here."

"Exarch," came the curt reply, followed by passing and coming footsteps. Soon enough, the other Miqo're appeared in her field of vision.

"I seem to be really popular today," S'eni said jokingly, leaning against the door frame.

Y'shtola frowned, eyeing her for a moment. "Did you have another attack?"

"Would you believe me if I said no?"

"No," Y'shtola replied and stepped inside, her hand almost instantly placing itself on S'eni's forehead while the other came to rest on her own. "You have a fever."

"I do?"

"Yes. Most likely a side effect to the Light." After removing her hand, her lover closed the door and all but dragged her over to her bed, making her lie down on it. "Rest."

Again, Y'shtola's tone left absolutely no room for argument, but this time she was actually inclined to follow her instruction, since as soon as her back had actually hit the mattress, a wave of fatigue hit her. She exhaled deeply and closed her eyes, opening them again only when she heard the clatter of a pot and she looked over to see her filling it with water before putting it on the stove.

"I know I called you Mother earlier, but that doesn't mean you have to cook for me—wait, since when do you cook?"

"Living in Rak'tika for two years forced me to adapt quite a bit and in the Night's Blessed everyone has to pull their weight. So yes, I learned how to cook."

"Now I'm intrigued. What's their cuisine like anyway?"

"Well, anything the Greatwoods have to offer. Fish, some meats, lots of herbs, mushrooms, and nuts," Y'shtola explained and began to look through the vegetables and fruits laid out on the table nearby. A courtesy by the Pendants, she was told. "But I'm afraid my skills aren't developed enough to make anything other than stew."

"Aww, and here I was hoping you would repay me for that mushroom soup." S'eni grinned.

An amused chuckle escaped her lover. "It might have been three years for me, but I remember rather well how I repaid you for it soon after."

"Tsk. Oh well."

While Y'shtola was cooking, they passed the time having some idle talk, mostly about food from the First, which, combined with the smell, certainly did the trick of making her hungry if nothing else. When the stew was finally done, she poured some of it into a bowl and carried it over to the bed on a tray.

Sitting up in bed, S'eni took the tray with a little quirk of her lip. "But you're not going to spoon-feed me, right?"

"No, I'm afraid that is still something you shall have to do on your own."

She chuckled and grabbed the spoon next to the bowl, taking her first tentative try of the first meal her lover ever made for her. It was actually kind of sweet now that she thought about it.

"No need to spare my feelings," Y'shtola said after she pulled the spoon back out of her mouth.

"Hmm." S'eni smacked her lips and nodded. "Could use more seasoning, but otherwise pretty good!"

"Hmpf. Of course you would say that. Too much salt isn't good for you, you know." But despite her words, Y'shtola smiled and pulled the chair over from the desk to sit down next to the bed.

A comfortable silence set over them as she ate, taking her time to enjoy this simple but still filling dish to its fullest. Once she was done, the other Miqo'te took the tray again. "Do you want seconds?"

"No, I'm full. Thanks."

Lying back down, she watched Y'shtola put the tray away and place the lid on top of the pot for later.

"Hey, Shtola."

"Yes?"

She scooted over and patted the space on the bed next to her. "Stay with me?"

Y'shtola placed a hand on her hip and pursed her lips. "You really ought to rest."

"I'll rest better with you at my side."

"Honestly…" her lover sighed in warm exasperation and began to turn off all the lights, before walking over to the bed and lying down next to her.

Circling an arm around Y'shtola's waist, S'eni rested her head against her shoulder, a smile forming on her lips when she felt herself being pulled closer and she let her eyes fall close once more.

"Good night, Shtola."

Y'shtola planted a kiss on top of her head. "Good night, Eni."

And as she drifted off into sleep, S'eni found herself dreaming the strangest dream. One of an Ishgard, that was very different from her memory, and of a man seeking something…

Ha! As if I wouldn't pick the choice that has Y'shtola threaten to spank S'eni. But well, promises promises... ;)

Well nothing else to say here than to wish you all Happy Holidays! See you next week. :D