A Radiant Endeavour
Defending Thavnair from outside threats was Radz-at-Han's very own military: the Radiant Host. These valiant men and women have guarded the peace of their nation for countless generations. Now they find themselves face to face with a threat like no other.
How were they even to fight something that would twist their very souls the moment they get too close?
Well, I suppose that is where you come in, is it not?
If there was one thing S'eni could say about Thavnair, it was that it was absolutely breathtaking. Hills filled with exotic flowers, trees of all shapes and sizes offering pleasant shade from the bright sun above, and, the thing that stood out the most amongst it all: giant outcroppings of violet glinting stones in the distance.
Vibrant colors as far as the eye could see. It almost reminded her a bit of Il Mheg. Just dryer and without the constant fear of being pranked upon by one of the Fae. That was if one ignored the giant tower looming over everything, its dark shape and ominous glow marring the otherwise beautiful picture. S'eni narrowed her eyes.
Hopefully not for much longer.
A sudden jolt from underneath made her yelp out, followed by a loud squawk as her fingers dug a little too deep into thick feathers.
"Is everything alright?" a young voice asked from up ahead.
"Yes!" she called back immediately and loosened her grip once again.
"I did not lie when I said they had a wobbling gait."
"No. No, you didn't." Straightening herself, she gave the Hamsa she was riding a little pat as way of apology. If the Dodo-like bird approved or disapproved the gesture, it didn't tell, instead following its kin up ahead as if nothing had happened. After she made sure that another grassy bump wouldn't toss her off her ride, S'eni turned her eyes towards her newest acquaintance.
A young Au Ra boy called Varshahn.
After helping Matsya sell his fish and sending him on his way, the others and her soon encountered him again after Estinien told them that it was only Arkasodara who had been abducted to the tower. Once they had dealt with his would-be abductors, they escorted the grateful Matanga back to his home village which, fortunately, also led them close to their destination: the alchemist's workshop also known as the Great Work.
There they had finally met Nhidana, and what a meeting it was! She was pretty sure Estinien wouldn't be forgetting this encounter all too soon. But that was also where she had met young Varshahn, the Satrap's aide.
Well-spoken and dressed in fine, though not extravagant clothes, his mannerism belied his young age, and she could very much tell that he took his duties seriously. Yet there was something about him she couldn't quite place. She had met her fair share of children wise beyond their years, but even amongst those, he stood out...
...But perhaps she was also overthinking things. The Satrap must have taught him well. It made her wonder what he was like, that man holding a covenant with a dragon. This country truly was full of surprises.
"Do you see that large formation stretching out over the water?" Varshahn suddenly asked and pointed towards the giant rock that covered those violet stones.
"Hard to miss," she replied.
"It is called Khadga. It means 'sword'," he explained. "Legend holds it was once wielded by the Manusya in their battle against Mrga and was cast down at that spot when the conflict ended."
"If only we could use it to get rid of the tower."
"Indeed. But I am quite confident that Mistress Nhidana and her fellow alchemists will give us the means to do so ourselves."
Soon enough, they arrived at the outpost situated on the beach near the tower.
"And here we are," Varshahn said as they dismounted their Hamsa. "Our first line of defense."
Their appearance was immediately spotted and an Au Ra dressed from head to toe in armor was making his way over to them. As he came closer, S'eni noticed a smile forming on the man's lips. "Well, well, who should it be but young Varshahn. On an errand for the Satrap?"
"I am." The boy nodded. "His Excellency asked me to collect your reports. He also wishes to express his heartfelt gratitude to all the brave men and women of the Radiant Host for their unwavering dedication."
"We are simply doing our duty. But we are still honored to receive His Excellency's regard." A frown appeared on the man's face. "And yet, for all his benevolence, one could regard his treatment of someone as young as you as quite...callous. It may have been quiet these past few days, but this is the frontline of battle and not a place for children."
S'eni had been wondering about that as well. While he may be saved from being taken to the tower like the Arkasodara, it was still far from safe for children to venture out alone.
"Your predecessor travelled alone all the time as well. How long has it been now since you took over for him? Two years? Wonder how he is doing now..."
"Like his predecessors, he has gone to represent the Satrap in foreign lands. Wherever he may be, I am certain he is well," Varshahn said. "As for myself, I assure you that all I do, I do of my own volition. I hope you do not think ill of his Excellency."
"Certainly not..." the man shook his head. "Whatever happens, my faith in him is unshaken. Still, I can't help but worry. We would all be overcome with sadness should something happen to you. You're like a little brother to us all. Take care, you hear?"
A tiny smile formed on the boy's lips. "I will, Nahbdeen. Thank you."
Nahbdeen then turned his attention towards her. "And who is this if I may ask? She doesn't look Hannish."
"Allow me to introduce S'eni Gata of the Eorzean contingent. She and her companions have come here to assist in the creation of the talisman."
"Eorzea?" Nahbdeen asked, his eyes widened slightly. "I heard that towers have appeared there as well. How is the situation?"
"We've managed to keep the peace for now," she replied. "But the sooner we can get rid of them, the better."
"Perhaps it would be wise to share some information with our soldiers while you are here," Varshahn suggested. "I am sure both sides would benefit from the exchange."
"A fine idea." The older Au Ra nodded in agreement. "Some of our soldiers are quite anxious, given the nature of our threat, and I'm sure they would be glad to talk with someone experienced in the matter. You two—"
He waved over a pair of soldiers.
"—bring Varshahn the latest report and answer any questions he might have."
After giving their superior a salute, they took the young boy with them, leaving S'eni and Nahbdeen alone. "If you don't mind me asking," she asked after a short moment. "But how has the Radiant Host been holding up?"
"We have managed to strike down the fiends from the tower on two occasions now." His face grew grim. "But they came in force and we paid a heavy price. What about the ones in Eorzea. Do they spawn monsters too?"
"They do. But it's not just the primals that are a threat, the many tempered are too. It's easy to strike down a monster, but a friend? A brother or sister?"
Thankfully, a situation like Carteneau hasn't yet happened again. But with every passing day, the chances of it rose. She would rather take care of the root cause before it came to that.
"I see...so we can't expect calls for aid from outside to be answered," Nahbdeen said.
"Well, that's not entirely true." She smiled. "My friends and I are here. We'll find a way to get rid of that damn tower. I promise."
The soldier mirrored her expression and bowed his head. "And we are grateful for it."
After exchanging a few more words with the man, she went about camp to see how the rest of the troops were doing. All in all, their morale didn't seem bad, just filled with grim determination to keep the rest of the island safe, but she knew that just one lost battle could change that. At least they took heart in the fact that their struggles weren't unique. In turn, she had learned a few things about the tower. Mainly that, just like in Eorzea and the Far East, it had practically appeared out of nowhere, and the locals had come to call it the Tower of Zot.
Tower of Zot, huh...? She thought while looking across the water towards the isle upon which it was situated. She didn't know the meaning of the name, but just from the ring of it alone, it felt quite fitting. Letting her eyes travel up its twisted form, she let them come to rest at its sharp tip. Like a jagged dagger that wished to pierce the very sky.
S'eni remained like this for a few minutes, wondering just what was waiting inside for them, before turning around and walking back to meet with Varshahn. She had learned enough, and there was still something else she needed to take care of.
By the time S'eni had returned to the Great Work the day was slowly coming to an end, so there was little else other than to rest after she had delivered the giantsgall to Nhidana. Well, rest for her at least, as she wouldn't be surprised if the alchemists were going to work all night to create the next prototype of their talisman. Not that she could fault any of them for that. After all, this was about their home.
Though she had this sneaking feeling that they would be just as eager even without Thavnair being at stake here.
After a quick dinner, which was surprisingly filling but left her desiring more of the local cuisine, S'eni stepped outside with a cup of Thavnairian Chai in hand. Turning her eyes skyward she watched the stars a little until a fresh breeze from the nearby sea made her try that first sip. Milky and spicy, it warmed her right up from the inside out and made her sigh in satisfaction.
She looked about for a moment, watching some of the alchemists talk animatedly about the new findings and potential approaches they had provided them with. Yes, definitely going to pull an all-nighter, she dryly thought while taking another sip. She wasn't going to pick them up from the ground if they decided to fall asleep where they stood again.
Huffing out a little chuckle, her eyes then found the figure of a certain Dragoon sitting at the edge of the wooden platform housing the local Aetheryte, looking out towards the sea. A smile formed on her face and she made her way over to him. As she closed in on him, she called out, "Have they finally released you?"
"Hmpf. Very funny," he replied, turning his slightly in her direction. "Done running errands?"
"One of which I owe Urianger and you, I'm told." Sitting down next to him, she nodded towards the cup in his armored hand. "Didn't your armor protect you from the cold?"
"It does. I just came to like it the last time I was here." He raised his cup demonstratively, then took a sip.
She watched him for a brief second before casting her gaze out towards the water. "You know, I never got to thank you."
"For what?"
"Saving my life at Ghimlyt."
"I just happened to be in the area," he said.
"Still, thank you." She looked back at him. "For being here as well."
His eyes found hers and the corner of his lips rose into a little smirk. "Well, what can I say? Alphinaud and you seem to have rubbed off on me."
S'eni couldn't help but grin at that. He sure had grown from the grumpy, revenge-driven man whose sole purpose had been to rid the world of Nidhogg, going even so far as to team up with a woman perceived as a heretic by his people to do so. And while the grumpiness was still there on occasion, the way that he was holding himself, the perpetual tenseness of his shoulders being gone, was enough to tell her that Estinien had slowly, but surely, begun to make peace with himself.
"It was quite a journey, wasn't it?" she asked.
"Hm." He nodded. "It was."
She turned her eyes skyward and took another sip. "Do you still think of her sometimes? Ysayle, I mean."
It was a pretty dumb question. Who else would have placed a bouquet of flowers at Azys Lla if not him?
"I do. How about you?"
"Yeah. Not as often as I should be, though," she admitted, feeling a little guilty about that fact.
"When I first met her, I thought she was a fool, blind to the truth. But I had been the blind one, and in my blindness I let myself be consumed by the one I had wished to destroy. With her sacrifice, she paved a path for a future where dragon and man could co-exist once more..." he said and placed his free hand on the lower arm of the other. "...and taught a man who knew nothing but to wield a lance steeped in anger that there was always another way..."
S'eni's lips curled into a warm smile and she held out her cup towards the Dragoon. He raised a confused brow. "To Ysayle."
A light chuckle escaped him and he clinked their cups together. "To Ysayle, whose heart was warmer than her title claimed."
With nothing more to say, they fell silent, simply enjoying the rest of their tea while watching the distant waves. As soon as Estinien was done, he put his cup away and rose to his feet. "Looks like Thancred and Urianger wish to talk," he said.
Glancing over her shoulder, she followed his gaze, and, indeed, the other two were making their way over towards the Aetheryte. She finished the rest of her tea in one gulp and moved to join Estinien as he began walking to their friends. They had just passed by the glowing crystal when he halted all of a sudden.
"By the way, where is that boy you left with? Varshahn was it?"
"Hm? Oh, he said he needed to run more errands and stayed at the outpost," she replied and tilted her head. "Why?"
"Nothing." He shook his head. "Just curiosity. Come."
With a raised brow, she watched him resume his walk for a second before shaking her head and following after him, muttering something under her breath all the while. As they made their way over to their friends, neither of them noticed the hooded figure standing in the shadows and watching their every move. Fandaniel smiled and stepped a little closer.
"Now what is it you are hiding...?"