For whom weeps the storm...
Riding Home
S'eni had to admit that she was going to miss this place. She hadn't been here long, and certainly not that often, but as she looked about Slitherbough and the people that lived here, it was hard not to grow attached. They were simple people with a simple style of living that wasn't unlike her own home.
Though she supposed she could always come visit it again in the future, since she could freely travel back and forth now. But from the looks of things—
She glanced over to where Y'shtola tried to get released by Runar as he held her in his large hands, veritably beaming while she told him to let her down again.
—she wouldn't be the only one for long.
A chuckle escaped her and she shook her head. Runar truly was a perfect example of the Night's Blessed, the emotional people that they were. She watched in amusement as Y'shtola was at his mercy for a moment longer before finally being released, giving the Ronso an unamused look that was belied by the smile of affection on her lips.
She would be lying if she claimed a part of her wasn't still jealous over the bond the two of them shared, but it was swiftly silenced when Y'shtola turned towards her, the smile changing to one with an affection only reserved for her. With a final nod towards Runar, the other Miqo'te walked over to join her.
"Honestly, he's a boy in the body of a man," Y'shtola said with a little sigh. "Hmpf, I will truly miss him."
"Well, knowing you, it won't be for long before you're back again," she replied.
"It might take years, decades even. But I will find a way." A determined look formed on Y'shtola's face. "And not just to the First, but all the other shards as well."
"Hm." S'eni nodded. "Want some company for that?"
Her lover's smile returned and this time she mirrored it with one of her own. "There is no one else I would rather have at my side."
"Good. Because traveling to different shards sounds like the perfect adventure."
Y'shtola giggled into her fist.
"I suppose that is true." Pale eyes shifted to the side for a brief second. "Now I believe I shall go on ahead, it seems like Runar wishes to discuss something with you."
The words hadn't even fully passed her lips when she began to walk away, her presence quickly replaced by the aforementioned man. Before she could even react, he began to bombard her with words.
"Please take good care of Master Matoya. See that she eats well, and wraps up warm on cold days. Ah, and there is a herbal tea which she enjoys! If I give you the recipe, you could make it for her, perhaps? And—"
"Whoa, slow down," she said, a grin forming on her face. "Don't worry, I'll make sure she's alright. After all, she's precious to me too."
Staring at her for a moment, a flicker of realization entered his eyes. Her grin shifted into a tiny, knowing smile.
"It's hard not to love her, isn't it?"
"It is," Runar replied with a nod. "Then please, always stay at her side. I do not deny that she is strong, but even the strongest among us should not be alone."
"I will." She patted his arm. "Take care, Runar."
"You as well." He bowed to her, before leaving to attend his duty. She looked around one last time, receiving more bows from nearby Blessed, then turned around to leave. S'eni found Y'shtola standing just outside of the village, looking up at the canopy above their heads.
As she approached her, Y'shtola turned her gaze away from the sight. "Well then, it's time we headed back to the Crystarium, shall we?"
"Actually..." S'eni reached into her pouch and pulled out G'raha's spirit vessel. "I still need to go to Nabaath Areng."
"Taking him on one last journey across Norvrandt?"
"Yeah." She put it back into her pouch.
"I see..." Y'shtola said. "Would you still like to accompany me part of the way?"
"Like you have to ask."
They walked in comfortable silence, listening to the sound of leaves dancing in the wind, making it almost seem like they were singing a soothing song. It didn't take long for them to arrive at Fort Gohn and they stopped after entering the ruins. "I still remember the day when I first set foot into this place," her lover said while looking about.
"I take it, it was friendlier than the one I received?" S'eni asked in a half-joking tone.
"I assure you, it wasn't as warm a welcome as you might think," Y'shtola replied, kneeling down in front of some rubble, reaching out and brushing some fingers over it. "I was a stranger after all, and they a people that wished to be left in peace. Their trust was hard-earned, especially after the Sin Eaters attacked."
"Yes, Runar indicated something like that. But you earned their trust and became someone they looked up to." She walked up to Y'shtola as she rose back to her feet and placed her hands on the other's shoulders. "Master Matoya."
After saying that name, S'eni slipped her hands down and pulled Y'shtola into a hug.
"I still hope I did her name justice."
"You did," she said, her voice just above a whisper, and pressed a little kiss against Y'shtola's cheek.
They remained like this for a little bit longer, before separating again. The other Miqo'te turned around. "Thank you. But I believe Nabaath Areng is waiting for you," her lover said with a smile. "Would you please look in on Thancred while about it? His farewell will be a difficult one and I'm sure he would appreciate your support."
"Of course." S'eni nodded. Exchanging a quick "See you soon", she began to teleport to her next destination.
Once alone, Y'shtola looked around, taking everything in. The smile on her face grew and she began to slowly head down the path that would lead her out of the Greatwoods.
Walking up the stairs to the Ocular felt strange. They all had been in and out of the room on a regular basis, discussing their next steps and exchanging information with one another. And now they would enter it one last time to return home.
Outside, she was sure, the good people of the Crystarium were still gathered at the Exedra, waiting for the news of their departure after they had wished them farewell. Now their future was in their own hands, but there was absolutely no doubt in her mind that it would be a bright one. After all, G'raha had led them well.
As they entered the Ocular, they found Beq Lugg waiting for them. "Ah, there you are," they said. "I take it you are ready for the journey?"
"Almost," Thancred replied and reached towards the Gunblade on his back. He held it out hilt first towards Ryne. "Since we cannot take our worldly goods with us, I want you to have it. Use it or sell it, it's all the same to me. So long as it serves you in some way, I'll be satisfied."
"I...thank you, Thancred," Ryne said, taking the offered weapon. She hugged it. "I'll always treasure it."
With a smile, he patted her on the head one last time.
"Very good." The Nu Mou turned towards Alisaie. "If you would be so kind."
"Of course. Angelo!" With a little pop, Alisaie's adorable little Porxie appeared next to her, doing a happy little twirl and releasing a grunt. Beq Lugg then began to hand out the spirit vessels to them. When Y'shtola was handed hers, she looked at it for a moment, then turned towards S'eni, her tone as dry as Thanalan as she spoke.
"In the spirit of solidarity...I ask you to carry the vessels as if your life depended on it."
"And here I wanted to do all sorts of insane acrobatic feats while carrying you lot," S'eni replied lightly before walking over to join Ryne at the side. After Beq Lugg had handed out the last spirit vessel, they joined the two of them and watched the others form a circle.
"Alright, then," they said. "Now proceed as instructed, beginning with your memories."
Closing their eyes, a brief moment passed before the vessels in everyone's hands began to glow and float into the air, remaining there for a few seconds then settling down on their palms once more.
Urianger smiled. "The first step is complete. And all appeareth to be in order."
"Well, that just leaves our souls, then," Alisaie said with a look towards Beq Lugg, who nodded, then turned her attention to her familiar. "We're in your hands, Angelo."
The Porxie grunted and circled through the air, its body starting to glow as it began to cast the spell. A blinding bright light filled the chamber, forcing S'eni, Beq Lugg and Ryne to cover their eyes. When it subsided again, all that remained were the floating spirit vessels.
"It is done!" The Nu Mou said after inspecting them. "The vessels have received of both their memories and their souls!"
They looked at S'eni. "I hereby entrust them to your care. They belong to you now. Just be sure to guard them well, yes?"
With a silent nod, she walked over to the vessels and began picking them up. Carefully, she placed them into her pouch, stopping for a brief moment when she held Y'shtola's in hand and raising it to her forehead, before putting it with the others.
"All safely stowed away?" Beq Lugg asked.
"As safe as possible," she replied.
"Then all that remains is to step into the mirror."
S'eni hummed an affirmative, but instead of doing so, walked over to Ryne and took the girl into her arms. "I promise I'll come by as soon as I'm able to," she whispered with a smile. "We still have something to take care of the after all."
Ryne hummed and nodded. "We do."
"And don't forget–"
"'A smile better suits a hero', I know."
"That's my girl…" Letting go again, she brushed a hand over Ryne's hair. "Say hello from Gaia to me."
She stepped back again and began to walk towards the mirror. The surface began to grow a bright blue, slowly breaking away to reveal the path only she could travel; the path home.
Stopping in front of it, she gave her two friends a final look, then closed her eyes and stepped through...
...when she opened them again, she stood in the very same chasm where her journey to the First had begun. After looking around for a moment, she exhaled deeply, startling the Garlond Ironworks worker in front of her. He whirled around, eyes wide behind his goggles, before releasing a breath of relief.
"Ah, S'eni," he said, his hand going to his heart. "I don't think I'll get used to you just appearing out of thin air."
"Sorry," she replied, shooting him a little apologetic smile, then growing serious. "I wish I could talk, but I need to be elsewhere."
Before he could reply, she had already teleported away, leaving him with a dumbfounded expression on his face. She reappeared near Revenant's Toll's Aetheryte and quickly made her way towards the Seventh Heaven. As stepped inside, she was greeted by some familiar faces but only offered them a few hasty greetings in return while she strode towards the doors leading to her destination.
The doors of the Rising Stones swung open, causing those that had gathered there today to look up from what they were doing and towards S'eni. Krile and Tataru were the first to react, immediately running towards her.
"S'eni! Did something—"
"I've got the vessels with me," she interrupted her friend.
"Then there's no time to lose," Krile said, sharing a nod with the other Lalafel.
The three of them headed into Dawn's Respite, where they began to place the vessels next to their friend's bodies. After they were done, S'eni walked over to Y'shtola and sat down next to her. She took her hand, cold to the touch, and looked at Krile. They shared a nod. Now they could only hope...and pray.
She gave her lover's hand a gentle squeeze. "Come on, Shtola...You can do it." she murmured, leaning down to kiss her temple.
As if hearing her words, one by one the spirit vessels began to glow, and the souls inside of them return to their original bodies.
Alisaie was the first to stir, raising an arm with a groan. "Did it...?" she asked, managing to push herself up. "Are we...?"
Thancred was the next, sitting up with fewer problems and flexing his hand, looking about. "...We're home."
"Oh! You're back!" Tataru exclaimed happily. "You're back! You're all back!"
The hand she was holding twitched, then squeezed her back, making S'eni's heart jump in joy as Y'shtola opened her eyes and gave her a tired smile. A yelp escaped the other Miqo'te when she pulled her into a fierce hug, but quickly melted into the embrace. "Thank you..."
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"My body feels like a back of popotoes, but otherwise I have never felt better," her lover said and pulled back. "That said, I doubt any of us will be fit to travel for a while. May we leave the rest to you?"
For a moment, she could only tilt her head in question, when Urianger spoke. "The vessel beareth our comrade's blood. With it in thy possession, the way will surely open before thee."
Reaching into her pouch, S'eni pulled out the last spirit vessel, curling her fingers around it. She smiled and jumped off the bed, running towards the door.
"What!? But you've only just got here!" Tataru called out, but she was already halfway down the hallway. She left the Rising Stones and Seventh Heaven, her feet carrying her across the crystal-covered valley towards the tower in the distance.
Passing the Labyrinth of the Ancients in record time, she entered the long hallway leading towards the tower's entrance.
Yours is a long road, my friend, and it stretches on to places beyond imagining.
A clinking sound made her stop in her step then turn around. There, lying on the ground, was the crystal Hythlodaeus had given her. Azem's crystal.
With your every step, these grand adventures shall grow more distant and faint, and there may come a day when you forget the faces and voices of those you have met along the way. On that day, remember this...
She walked over and picked it up, taking a moment to look it over before pocketing it with a smile.
That no matter how far your journey may take you, you stand where you stand by virtue of the road you walked to get there.
Turning on her heel, she resumed her run, stopping only when she reached the sealed gates.
For in times of hardship, when you fear you cannot go on...The joy you have known, the pain you have felt, the prayers you have whispered and answered, they shall be your strength and your comfort.
S'eni looked at the gates, still looking just like the day G'raha had sealed them, and pulled out his spirit vessel. The ancient crystals edged into the golden doors began to glow a vivid blue, soon followed by the groan of metal as they opened once more.
This I hope─I believe, here at memory's end.
She rushed inside.
He was floating in peaceful oblivion, a blissful darkness that wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, where time had lost all meaning.
A sudden light appeared at the edge of his consciousness, faint at first then growing stronger, bringing with it images of people he had met, places he had seen, and promises he had made. As moments passed, these images grew more vivid, and he felt himself being drawn closer, ever closer, towards the light. And as he reached towards it, a final vision filled his mind, that of a hero like the ones he had admired ever since he was a child.
With a start, he opened his eyes. Was he—!?
Then she appeared above him, her lips curled into that smile he had grown so familiar with. She reached her hand out towards him.
"Welcome back, Raha."
He breathed out a laugh and took the offered hand.
"It's good to be back."
Long ago, I had made a promise. To carry the hope of a future that had given its all to save someone, a hero, they had only ever heard stories about. Whose tales had inspired countless of people to strive for a better world even as everything seemed lost. For that, I traversed time and space, and had even been willing to pay the ultimate price.
Now, I leave the tower that had once been a part of me behind, having been granted a second chance. And though I don't know what my future will hold from now on, what I do know is this: I will follow my heart and live with all of my being.
Not only for myself, but for those whose dreams of a better tomorrow had made it even possible.
- G'raha Tia, Scion of the Seventh Dawn
...here to lift us that weeeee woooooooon't eeeeeeeeeeeend.
And with that our heroes are back home. What a journey it was, eh? But we all know there is still more to come. For now, though, a little rest for them is in order, wouldn't you agree?
See you next week. :D