The Warmth of Thavnair's Soul
With the last of the creatures fallen, you pay respect to the fallen and return to Palaka's Stand. Waiting for you there was none other than Vrtra. Or rather the Satrap as he was now officially calling himself, having finally decided to step out from behind the veil that had kept him hidden, to offer the children of Thavnair renewed hope in these dark times.
Even with the sky ever burning, you could tell that the day was slowly coming to an end. No more battles for today, you earned your rest. So go and take it. In fact, right now would be the perfect time for...
"...A cup of chai?" the weary-looking Au Ra man asked.
"Yes," S'eni replied and held the tablet out towards him. "Freshly brewed by Nidhana of the alchemists."
Once they had defeated the beasts and recovered Qerasaf and Mehvan's bodies, they returned to Palaka's Stand where Vrtra was awaiting them with troops of the Radiant Host. Soon after, a group of alchemists led by Nidhana came and joined them to offer the citizens much-needed aid. But while their potions and tonics could heal wounds and sickness, the people's spirits were a different matter entirely. Luckily, the Arkasodara already had a plan for that as well.
"The spicy aroma and distinctive sweetness of chai is a simple, everyday pleasure on our island," Nidhana had said. "And it is in times like these when the simple normalcies of life are all the more important."
The man eyed the tablet, on which only two more glass cups remained, before finally saying, "Well, if you insist..."
He reached out and took one of the cups, slowly raising it towards his lips. Taking a sip, he closed his eyes, head tilting slightly skyward. A multitude of emotions danced across his face, from anger to sadness, until finally settling on a smile.
"Ahhh...really has a way of clearing one's mind. Come to think of it, we've faced our fair share of trials in the past as well. And no matter how hard the times, we've always come together as one. One day at a time, one step at a time, that is all we can do. Yes...well, back to work." He returned his gaze towards her and raised his cup. "After I finished this, of course. Thank you."
S'eni simply nodded with a smile of her own and left. She walked around until she found a nice spot overlooking the village and sat down, placing the tablet next to her. As she watched two soldiers passing her, discussing how to best arrange the patrols, she reached out for the last remaining cup and raised it to her lips. Just like the last time she had it, the milky tea began to immediately warm her up, and she felt herself slowly relax, if only a little.
"S'eni—" she glanced to the side to see Alphinaud coming towards her, a cup of his own in his hand. He smiled slightly. "—mind if I give you some company?"
"No, go ahead." She watched him sit down next to her and take a sip from his chai. He released a small, appreciative hum and nodded.
"Nidhana certainly did not oversell it. I can already feel my spirits rising."
"Yeah." S'eni took another sip. "Though I'd be lying if I claimed I couldn't do with something hard right now."
He chuckled, but there was very little humor in it. "Indeed..."
They drank their chai in silence, watching as the remaining people of Palaka's Stand worked together with soldiers and alchemists alike to repair the damages caused by the beasts. The suffering they had endured today wouldn't be over by a long shot but if they kept working together like this, they would be able to overcome this. Now all she and the others had to do was find a way to stop all this.
That...was going to be the really tricky part...
"I have spoken with some of the alchemists," Alphinaud said after a couple of minutes. "About the baby."
"How's she doing?"
"According to them, their potions are already working. She is going to make it."
"That's a relief," she said with a deep exhale. "Though I suppose for her the real struggle has only begun."
"For now, the alchemists will take care of her. But yes, they will need to eventually figure out what to do with her. Perhaps one of the villagers will take her..."
Lips curling upward, she bumped her elbow into him. "How about you? That might serve as an exciting challenge."
Alphinaud's eyes widened momentarily at the suggestion, but the moment he noticed her smirk, a smile replaced his shock. "And what about you?" he asked right back.
"No, thank you." She waved her hand. "One could argue I've already got my hands full of mothering certain individuals of our illustrious band."
With Estinien being the eternal problem child, she added in her thoughts.
They shared a chuckle, a genuine one this time, and went back to drinking. Once he was done with his cup, Alphinaud rose back to his feet. "I believe it is time we head back to Nidhana. I am sure Alisaie must be done with delivering the chai as well."
"Yeah." She drained the rest of the cup and took the Elezen's offered hand. "Let's do that."
They returned to Nidhana, who was still tending to the pot while talking with Matsya and Alisaie. From the smell of it, she must have made some more chai. The aroma alone made her want another cup, but there was sadly too little time. Estinien must be done with checking the perimeter by now.
"Thank you all for delivering the chai," Nhidana said and, though her trunk hid it quite well, offered them a grateful smile. "Did it help to lift the villagers' spirits?"
S'eni and the twins shared a look and nodded.
"That is heartening to hear. The Final Days show no signs of abating, but that is all the more reason that we must try to keep our composure. Our lives have been forever changed. The people we have lost will never return to us. These tragedies will long weigh on our hearts..." Nhidana stirred the pots a few times. "But we have the capacity to live with our suffering. To carry the agony till we too join the fallen in death. It is not a surrender, but a recognition. For it is only in acceptance that we find the strength to move forward."
"Yes..." S'eni's lips rose slightly. "...we've heard."
"Uhm..." Matsya then said and they turned to look at him. "S'eni, a-a word, perhaps?"
"Of course." She glanced at the twins. "I'll be right back."
She walked a few steps with him so they could talk undisturbed, then turned towards the Arkasodara, asking, "So what do you want to talk about?"
"Mevhan and Qerasaf. I was just curious to know...what has become of their remains..."
"We recovered Mevhan's body and delivered it to Qerasaf near Agama Temple. We informed the villagers of their location too."
The relief he felt from her words was clear as day on his face. "Oh thank you, friend. Surely, they will be able to rest peacefully by each other's side. I, and the people of Palaka's Stand, will perform the rites as soon as we are able to. As for the child...it will not be easy for her, to grow up without her parents, but I promise to do what I can. Once she is able to eat solid food, the fish I catch will help nourish her."
S'eni's expression grew warm at that and she gave his arm a little pat. "You're a kind man, Matsya. And brave on top of that. Never let anyone else tell you otherwise."
When they returned to the others, they found them already discussing their next move. "...I believe we can leave this place in the care of the Radiant Host and High Crucible."
"So we're heading out?" S'eni asked.
"Yes. There's really not much more we can do here," Alisaie replied.
"Then please, don't let us keep you further. There are still many who have need of your wisdom and strength to deliver them from this terrible calamity," Nidhana said.
"I will head back to Akyaali to gather rations and supplies for the people here," Matsya said. "We have plenty to spare."
"Then it seems like there's really nothing keeping us here. Let's find Estinien and be on our way." Alisaie frowned. "Where did he wander off to again?"
"He wanted to meet us at the Wakeful Torana. Near the bridge to Radz-at-Han," S'eni explained and, with a last goodbye to their friends, they were off to where Estinien was awaiting them. And as it turned out, he had some news of his own to deliver.
So it was finally, well and truly, official that Vrtra had been Radz-at-Han's Satrap all along. A great step, that had taken all the bravery the dragon could muster. After all, he, too, was a beast. In the end, though, those worries had amounted to very little, as the people of his fair city had accepted him with open arms.
And as it just so happened, his first official day as Satrap also saw him welcome a group of foreign dignitaries from Sharlayan, led by none other than one Fourchenault Leveilleur. The man's face, when he learned that a great dragon was the Satrap, had been quite priceless, to say the least. As Vrtra invited the Sharlayans into Meghaduta, she and the others were invited to a feast at Mehryde's Meyhane, something they gratefully accepted.
Though of course not before S'eni in particular was invited to a meeting of utmost importance at the Radiant Hall. Awaiting there, were delegates of their Eorzean and Far Eastern allies, and the news they bore was grave indeed. Transformations had begun all over the allied territories. And while they were still far and few in between, that could only mean that somewhere out there, more Blasphemies must have appeared. After promising to offer them what aid she could, the meeting concluded and she headed over to the meyhane to finally join her friends.
Upon entering, she was greeted by a familiar face. Mihleel, the barmaid they had talked to earlier. "Welcome!" the Au Ra bowed. "When the Satrap asked us to entertain a party of honored guests, I was wondering who it might be...This is a lovely surprise, to say the least."
"It's good to see you again, too," she replied.
Mihleel smiled, but it turned into a frown rather quickly. "By the way, I heard all about Khalzahl from your friend G'raha Tia. I understand there was nothing that could be done, but...I was heartened to hear he meant us no harm."
S'eni nodded. "Up until his last moments, his thoughts were with the consortium and the people working in it."
"And I cannot thank you enough for putting an end to his suffering, as well as that of all the others." The smile returned. "So as the smallest token of our thanks, your food and drink tonight is Mehryde's treat. Speaking of which, what shall I start you off with?"
"Alright, how about a glass of your finest wine?"
"As you wish. Please join your friends in the meantime, I'll bring you your drink shortly."
Not needing to be told that twice, she walked over to where the others were already enjoying themselves quite well with delicious food and drink. Being the first to notice her approach, Y'shtola smiled and raised her glass. "Welcome back, Eni. So what was it the Radiant Host needed you for?"
"A meeting with Eorzean and Doman delegates," S'eni replied and flopped down on the seat opposite of her.
"Our allies have sent military delegates?" the other Miqo'te's eyebrows rose. "That's news to me. Mind sharing the details?"
"Sure. But you're really not going to like it..." leaning on the table, she began to tell everyone what she had learned, with predictable results of course. In a matter of moments, the relaxed atmosphere gave way to a tense air. When she was done, S'eni simply half-buried her face in her hand.
"So the beasts are everywhere..." Y'shtola said.
At the table next to theirs, Alphinaud crossed his arms and leaned back slightly. "It seems Father is correct and this sickness as he calls it will soon spread to the furthest reaches of our world. After all, we saw it already at Amaurot."
"If that's true then things will only get more disastrous from here on out," Thancred said, frowning. "It's bad enough that people are transforming into grotesque beasts. But if plants and animals—or even the very grounds themselves—begin to turn as well, then there's no way we can stay here any longer."
"...perhaps this star truly is lost, then," Estinien commented and they all fell silent.
A few seconds ticked by, until the silence was pierced by a pair of steps as Mihleel came walking over. Looking up, S'eni was met by the barmaid's smile. "Your order,'' Au Ra said and placed the glass of wine in front of her. Picking up on the mood, she then looked across their little group. "Please, enjoy. Despite the circumstances."
As the barmaid walked away again, S'eni briefly looked at the glass, before grasping it and taking a deep sip. A deep sigh made its way past her lips as the alcohol almost immediately kicked in, soothing those frayed nerves that chai couldn't. After a second sip, she placed the glass back down.
"What are we supposed to do...?" Alisaie wondered aloud. "Experiencing the Final Days for myself made it clear to me that we won't achieve anything by blindly fighting. And if we don't tear out the problem at its root, we won't be able to keep up. We're just reacting to escalation, how are we supposed to do that when things will only get worse...? Something...there has to be a solution..."
"If someone knows something, it's Hydaelyn. She has witnessed the Final Days, faced Zodiark and prevented worse from coming to pass," Y'shtola said, a thoughtful expression forming on her face. "But we haven't heard from her since the Tower of Babil...and we don't know if she is unwilling or unable to communicate with us. And the flower she entrusted us with..."
"...Is gone," S'eni finished, running a finger across the edge of the glass. When she had taken the flower out of her pocket earlier, it had turned to ash almost immediately. So much for serving as a guide...
But just as that thought passed, the words the Watcher had told her just before they left the moon came rushing back to her, "In our time, we called it 'Elpis'...you would do well to remember that name."
"But...we might have something else," she said, looking up from the glass into the quizzical looks of the others. "The flower is gone, but we have its name. Elpis. That's what the Watcher called it."
"Indeed he did. Elpis..." Y'shtola shook her head. "That word does not ring any bell, I'm afraid."
"Most likely a word from the Ancient's language. Yet I have no idea what it could mean," Alphinaud said.
"That, I am sure of. I'm just surprised I haven't stumbled across the word Elpis a single time while looking through the Anyder's archives," her lover mused.
"So we can't even follow this lead?" Alisaie asked. "And it's not like we have any other Ascian eyewitnesses..."
"That...is not entirely correct. There may yet be one remaining," G'raha said, drawing all attention towards him. "...Elidibus. In lieu of a white auracite, I sealed him away inside the First's Crystal Tower. Of course, the aether inside of it is used to keep the tower running, and it eventually returns to the Aetherial Sea. So it might very well be that his soul is no longer present. But, should it be...then he might be willing to talk with us."
He turned to look at S'eni. "I...we cannot travel to the First. But you can still traverse the rift between worlds."
"A little trip to First it is, then," she said, smiling. "That way I can see how things are faring over there."
"Thank you." He mirrored her expression. "I pray that everyone is doing alright."
"And should we learn that the First and its inhabitants aren't in immediate danger, it would surely ease our minds and serve as additional motivation," Thancred added. "Even if I wouldn't put my money on Elidibus helping us. Urianger is still working tirelessly on the moon to make it hospitable. That way we have an additional ace up our sleeve should we really have no option but the exodus."
"Then we should do all in our power to fight for this until the very end. Without losing courage,' Alisaie said, her spirits finally returning.
"Very good. No matter what fate has in store for us...we won't give up." Y'shtola smiled. "I shall seek out Master Matoya. Perhaps together we can find a way to communicate with Hydaelyn."
"In that case, I will reach out to our allies to gain a better understanding of the full extend of this calamity," Alphinaud said.
"Regale all the information you get to me," Estinien told him. "It may not be much, but the more of these beasts my lance can put down, the better."
The young man nodded and cast his gaze across their group. "Fear and despair...we will never be able to keep them under control, no matter how much we try. But wherever they may be, our friends continue to fight. We are not alone."
A round of nods followed, and the tension that had been in the air just a moment ago was beginning to dissipate. The fight wasn't over yet, not by a longshot. But, at least for now, they had a plan.
"Then, with that out of the way—" Y'shtola suddenly said and shoved the large bowl filled with food across the table. "—eat, O Warrior of Light. I believe you of all have earned it."
With a chuckle, S'eni reached out and picked up an especially delicious-looking pear. Now that the mood was sufficiently restored, they went back to enjoying what was left of the banquet. As time passed, and the food, as well as drink, began to run out, one by one the others trickled out of the meyhane to head to their respective destinations, though not before giving her a certain empty spirit vessel in G'raha's case. By the time Y'shtola and her were leaving the establishment, it must have been pretty late, and she had to force herself not to yawn all the way to the Aetheryte.
Not that it tricked her lover in any shape or form. "You should get some sleep."
"And I will," S'eni said, turning to face Y'shtola while reaching out to attune herself to the large crystal. "Once I'm in Revenant's Toll. Same goes for you, too. No bothering old ladies in the middle of the night."
"Hmpf, even though it would be just payback for all the times she dragged me out of bed during my apprenticeship?"
She had to pause there for a second. "Even then."
"Duly noted." They both giggled. "Well then, don't let me keep you."
"While I'm over there, should I make a slight detour to Rak'tika?" S'eni asked with a smile.
"Hmm, no. I trust they are all doing their very best, so there is no need for that. But do give my regards to Ryne."
"I will. Well, I'm off then..." stepping a little away S'eni began to float in the air as the teleport magic began to connect itself with the Aetheryte in Mor Dhona. Feeling the familiar sensation building up inside of her, she closed her eyes...
"Eni, wait."
Opening them again in surprise, she dropped back down onto her feet. Just when she was about to ask her lover what the matter was, Y'shtola stepped forward and planted a little kiss on her cheek. A warm little flutter went through her stomach, and she blinked once, twice.
"You looked like you could use one right now," Y'shtola explained.
Mouth slightly agape, S'eni stared at the other Miqo'te, before reaching out to cup her cheeks and pull her in for a full kiss. Like a dam had burst inside of them, they sunk into one another's embrace, releasing twin sighs of comfort. They remained like that for a few minutes, each reluctant to let go, because they both knew deep down that once they separated, it would be a while until they saw each other again. Eventually though, the necessity of their tasks forced them apart.
Wordlessly, she brushed a thumb against Y'shtola's cheek and let their eyes linger on one another's for a little bit longer, before stepping back. They shared a nod and she began the process of teleportation once more. A few seconds later, she was gone.
Matsya is a good egg. That's all