A Brief Respite
It was shortly after our heroes' return to Crystarium, that the theory Y'shtola had silently come up with was proven true by Elidibus himself when conjured up a star shower resembling the one experienced by those awakening to the Echo. A memory of ancient times, ingrained in the very soul, awakening the powers sleeping deep within.
After awakening to the Echo, many of those that had already been inspired by his words began to leave the Crystarium; to become Warriors of Light of their own. It left a bitter taste to see many good-hearted people fall prey to an Ascian's manipulations, but for now all we could do was...wait.
It felt quite strange. The Crystarium was as lively as ever, yet still, there was something lacking now. Guard posts unmanned, a few hammers less in the Crystalline Mean, and even the odd missing healer at Spagyrics. Nothing to seriously impact the city's ability to function, but it was felt nonetheless.
Warriors of Light, huh? S'eni thought as she leaned against a finely crafted steel railing and looked down at the Exedra, where not too long ago, Elidibus had begun his scheme.
She couldn't fault any of them for their wish to help their world. Once the others and her were gone, it would need brave people to step forward and fight. And with the power of the Echo bestowed on many of them, she had no doubt they would be more than up to the task.
...Just why?
What is it you're planning? She wondered and as if to answer her, Elidibus' words rang through her mind.
"I am a Warrior of Light. And together with my comrades-in-arms, I shall save the world. Just like you."
Only that what each of them called 'saving the world' couldn't be any different. With a sigh, she pushed herself away from the railing and began to walk away, hand rising to massage her temple and stave off a headache.
Maybe a little break was in order. She had kept quite busy since then. Helping Ryne and Thancred, that entire deal with the Ruby Weapon, then, of course, there was the situation in Bozja. And all the other small errands that seemed to wait wherever she went.
Yes, yes. A break was definitely in order.
And a meal, if the growl her stomach was releasing was any indication. With that in mind, she began to head over to the Second Serving, the Crystarium's main location if you were looking to eat. From light breakfasts to hearty full courses, they offered everything at reasonable prices. A smile began to form on her face, as the first delicious scents began to waft into her direction, and she began to pick up her pace when the restaurant came into view.
Just as she was about to enter while quietly debating with herself what she should order, a voice that made her heart do a little happy jump called out to her.
"Shtola!" turning around, she spotted her lover sitting at one of the nearby tables, a cup of tea in her hand.
"You seem quite surprised," Y'shtola replied, the corners of her lips quirking upward.
"Well, yeah, I thought you were still at the Anyder." S'eni began walking over.
"Contrary to what many believe..." Y'shtola plucked a coffee biscuit from the plate in front of her and took a bite out of it, chewing a few times before swallowing. "I too need a break occasionally. As you should very much know."
Releasing a little giggle, she came to a stop in front of her, leaned down, and took a bite out of the biscuit as well. "I'm certainly glad for it," she said between bites.
"And apparently hungry," the other Miqo'te said, blinking once as she looked at what little remained of the cookie in her hand, then popped it into her mouth.
"So how are things going on your end?" S'eni asked while sitting down.
After their encounter with Elidibus, they had agreed that they needed to learn more about the Ancients before their next confrontation with the Ascian. To that end they had ventured back into the Tempest in search of more ruins that might be hidden under the sea. There, they learned of the Anyder and, with Bismarck's help, traveled to it.
The records preserved there had given them some insight, but before they could learn more, the device they used to access them had given out, prompting Y'shtola to stay behind to find a way to get it back into working condition.
"Slow, to say the least," her lover said, bringing the cup to her lips and taking a sip. "I have attempted a few of the more obvious solutions in trying to activate the device, none of which have borne fruit yet."
"If anyone can do it, it's you." S'eni raised her hand to silently call over a passing Drahn waitress.
"And what about you?" Y'shtola asked after she had placed her order.
Breathing out loudly past her lips, she reached across the table to take another coffee biscuit and took a bite out of it before replying, "What would you like to know?"
"Well, assuming that you have not been confined to one location up until now..." The other woman placed her cup back onto the saucer and ran her fingertip across the rim. "...you must surely have more to tell than I."
Taking that as her cue, S'eni chuckled and leaned back in her chair as she began to bring her up to date on the situation on the Source. After another taken cookie and her meal's arrival, she was done.
"I see, so the fighting still continues despite the turmoil in Garlemald," Y'shtola said.
"Or because of it," she pointed out, cutting a little piece out of the roasted Ovim.
When Emperor Solus 'died', the resulting power struggle had crippled the Empire enough for Eorzea to enjoy some respite for a time. She wouldn't be surprised if instead of siding with a potential heir to the throne, some Legati might actually enjoy the idea of ruling rather than serving. And what better way than a civil war crippling any potential opposition?
"True, there is no lack of ambition within the higher ranks of the Empire. As Gaius van Baelsar can attest to, I'm sure." A new cup of tea arrived and Y'shtola offered a short 'Thank you' before continuing. "So the Black Wolf has children. I had known of his reputation to take young people under his wing to guide and shape them, but for some to truly become like his own...It seems there is still much to be learned about the man."
"Honestly, I don't know how to feel about it," S'eni admitted, staring at the piece of meat pierced by her fork. She frowned. "Back when he still tried to conquer us things were simpler."
"Yes, I suppose learning that underneath that helmet of his he is just another man does complicate the issue. But he has always been an enigma."
"I think I preferred it when he tried to kill me with an ancient Allagan weapon."
Y'shtola smiled and rested her face on her palm. "Or with an Imperial Dreadnought."
"Hah, figured you haven't forgotten that."
"Now why would I do that when it's one of my fondest memories?" amusement rang in her voice. "Not many can claim they saved the Warrior of Light's life when she had yet to become Eorzea's saviour."
"Only for all of us to barely make it out by the skin of our teeth anyway. My tail was all singed!" she grumbled slightly at the memory while Y'shtola giggled and took hold of her new cup.
"Besides, I lost my memories of you once before. Now I wish to treasure them all," Y'shtola said before taking a sip.
Her smile returned at those words and she was just about to tell the other Miqo'te how touching that was, when her ears began to perk up. Not because of the familiar voice that called out to them shortly after, but rather the click-clacking of steps that preceded it.
"S'eni! Y'shtola!"
Turning her head, she saw none other than Ryne coming towards them, a smile on her face. But what really made her eyebrows rise was the one accompanying her. Another girl, dressed in stylish clothes colored in almost the same shade of black as her hair. In a place as bright as the Crystarium and next to Ryne, who predominantly wore white, she stood out quite thoroughly.
Across the table, Y'shtola cocked a curious brow.
"Well well, fancy meeting you here," S'eni said with a grin. "Finally decided to get those coffee biscuits? Sadly we're all out of them."
"I wonder who is responsible for that," she heard the other Miqo'te mutter but decided to ignore it.
"Good to see you too," Ryne giggled. "And no, not yet. I'm just showing her around the Crystarium for now."
"Yes, on that note," Y'shtola said and turned her pale eyes over to their other arrival. "I believe we have not met before."
"Another perceptive one, aren't you?" the girl said, a hand coming to rest on her hip. "At least you don't talk like a book full of poems like that other one."
"Gaia!" Ryne said in a chiding to tone. "I'm sorry, she has the habit of speaking her mind. Y'shtola, meet Gaia."
"A pleasure," greeted the other girl dryly, earning herself a hum of acknowledgement in return.
Holding back a chuckle, S'eni asked, "Would you like to sit with us?"
An apologetic smile formed on Ryne's lips and she shook her head. "Maybe another time. But we should be on our way again."
"Alright, I understand." S'eni gave her a little wink. "Enjoy yourselves."
"Thank you, we will," Ryne said. Then, to everyone's surprise and especially Gaia's, she looped her arm around the other girl's and pulled her away, sending both Y'shtola and S'eni a wave goodbye while ignoring new friends' complaints.
Watching the girls for a moment, S'eni chuckled and returned her attention back to her food. She listened idly until not only their voices but also the sound of Gaia's heels were only faint sounds in the distance.
"Intriguing girl," Y'shtola noted after a moment of silence.
"Yeah, intriguing is one way to put it. When I first met her, she tried to kill me," she said and began to explain their encounter with the girl during their investigation of Eden. How she had little to no recollection of it, and in fact had lost her memory of everything shortly after Vauthry had used his Sin Eater powers on the citizens of Eulmore. That she had powers granted to her by a 'fairie' that whispered to her in her mind and that it might have been its voice that compelled her to attack them. "She recently woke up again."
"I see. So she was the 'sleeping friend' you were talking about."
"That's right. Urianger believes she's the Oracle of Darkness."
"Due to the nature of her powers?" Y'shtola asked, receiving a nod in return.
"I'm still worried about that 'fairie' of hers having guided her to Eden, but nothing we can do there but keep our eyes out as best we can given the circumstances. Apart from that, I guess she's been helpful enough. And as you can see, Ryne has taken quite a shine to her." S'eni released a sigh. "Ah, we're already no longer interesting. They grow up so fast."
"Is the great Warrior of Darkness pouting right now because the chick is leaving the nest?" her lover chuckled and guided the cup back to her lips.
She let out a huff, but didn't refute Y'shtola's words. "A little, I suppose," she admitted. "But it's good she's made another friend that isn't us. Thancred thinks so too."
"It will serve her well when it's time for us to leave."
"Hm. The Oracle of Light and the Oracle of Darkness. Quite the pair, aren't they?"
They fell into a comfortable silence in which they finished their respective orders and, after paying, left the restaurant to take a little walk together.
"Are you going to head back to the Anyder?" S'eni asked, her hand gently clasping Y'shtola's.
"I'm afraid the secrets it holds will not uncover themselves," the other Miqo'te replied.
"Of course," she chuckled.
"But—" Y'shtola gave her hand a little squeeze before continuing in a lower voice. "—I don't see why we can't take the long route to the Amaro landing."
A smile formed on her lips and she stepped a little closer to her lover. "I'd like that."
They spent the next half an hour just walking around, enjoying each other's company as much as possible, until it was finally time for Y'shtola to leave.
"You can accompany me if you want," Y'shtola offered while sitting down on the Amaro's saddle, but S'eni shook her head.
"That's alright. I doubt I would be anything but a distraction."
Y'shtola's lips quirked upward. "Perhaps. But quite a pleasant one if I may say so."
They shared a little laugh.
"Well then..." She stroked the Amaro's long neck, eyes growing warm as they locked with silvery-white ones. "Good luck uncovering ancient secrets, Master Matoya."
"Good luck solving every little problem, O Warrior of Darkness."
Taking the reins, Y'shtola signaled the Amaro to move, and S'eni took a few steps back to give it space. She watched it take flight and remained there until her lover had completely left her sight, then turned around and left the landing. After she made her way down the stairs, she stopped to look up at the beautiful, clear blue sky.
A sudden gust of wind made her turn southward and look towards the horizon, where a wall of dark gray was slowly forming, hailing the approaching storm. It was still a ways off, but with the way the wind was blowing, it would be here in an hour.
As she turned around, she felt a sense of foreboding welling up deep inside of her.
She hoped she was wrong.
Well well, it's our favorite Oracle of Darkness. Sadly, she won't be featuring much in this story, as I feel like I would struggle to fit in the Eden storyline into this as well. Who knows, maybe in the future. :)
Ah, and in case you're confused, the event they're alluding to is from 1.0. You can probably find it on youtube.
Alright, see you guys next week. I can tell you this much: it'll involve bread.