You know that feeling when you're working at the same place for a while and your work life mixes into your personal life, it starts seeping into your day to day and coloring your experiences to the point where it all melts into one big pile of good and bad experiences, your job and what you do in it ends up as a major part of who you are, even when you finally take a moment to stop and smell the roses you find yourself missing the busy hours and craving something to keep you busy.
Being the Warrior of Light is somewhat like that strangely enough, you get so used to going all over the world (or worlds more often than not) and doing whatever needs doing, ranging from being a glorified courier for the most part and just going from point A to point B, fighting god like beings, solving thousand year wars, liberating whole countries and even solving the mystery of how our very existence came to be. When all that happens three years just goes by in a flash, and all of the sudden you end up being responsible for the continued existence of multiple worlds, a group of friends who are the closest thing to family you've ever had and more stories than you have time to tell.
And that's how we find ourselves now, after stopping the song of oblivion that threatened all of Ethrys and beginning a journey anew by helping Wuk Lamat through the race to the Golden City and stopping the invasion by the now late Head of Resolve Zoraal Ja and Head of Reason Spheene of Alexandria, Cassandra Armstrong has finally found an opponent which has her stumped unlike any other... free time... sure she had things to do like fight at the Arcadion, learn and master a variety of Combat Disciplines, even throwing the biggest party Ethrys has seen at the Manderville Casino just so she could invite everyone and I MEAN EVERYONE she's ever met that can physically be there. From Scions to Inspectors, people from all the corners of the Star came... what a wild week it was, full of whacky encounters and wanton chaos, she's just glad Godbert and Julyan didn't mind the mess too much. Even if they were partly responsible for it, especially after Godbert insisted on teaching Omega how to perform a most magnificent Manderville Suplex.
Those events happened weeks ago and after that our hero enjoyed the peace and quite that came from her most recent victory, which culminated with going back to one of her new favorite places. Somewhere where she can relax and gather her thoughts, think of her next move and ponder on her journey so Elezen now finds herself sitting on her bed at the Tuliyollal inn after waking up from a wonderful nap, staring at the mirror, seeing herself in it's reflective surface, her body fit and slender with beautiful olive skin covered in scars that tell a myriad of different battles and clashes, a particular jagged one mars her shoulder, a reminder of the only one who truly understood her desire for a new challenge... she stands up and fully takes in her height, a good 6'8 feet that often becomes a way to tease the Leveilleur twins about their shortcomings, her hair a a neatly kept black bob cut with green highlights that ends at her cheeks, a contrast to her hazel eyes and light purple face paint that lay beneath another scar. After fully taking in her form she dresses herself in what Cassandra likes to call her casual outfit: a red summer shirt accompanied by a pair of black slacks leather shoes, a look both stylish and practical. While making her way out of her room she receives a familiar hum in her ear, one she knows to be a linkpearl, she takes a second to stare at the tropical view and readies herself... "This is Cassandra Warrior of Light extraordinaire speaking, how can I help?", she smoothly said in her best impression of a normal well adjusted person.
"Ah... and here I thought I has reached the Thaumaturge's guild, whatever shall I do about the problems with my staff.", said the playful and oh so coy voice of one Y'shtola Rhul, resident Black Mage and one of the greatest minds in the Scions next to G'raha Tia and Urianger Augurelt./span/p
"Oh woe is you Y'shtola, truly a tragedy, but as much as I enjoy our talks I bet you just didn't call me to hear my dulcet tones." Cassandra said in a friendly tone, she knows the Miqo'te is not one for idle chat when it comes to linkpearl communication.
"You are correct Cassandra, the reason for this sudden call is in regard to a recent discovery I have made regarding the rift caused by New Alexandria, as well as to the incident involving the rift to the 13th. I need your assistance with the testing of a method I've been experimenting with." Y'shtola said in a matter of fact manner, she was never one to joke about such things ever since her tearful goodbye to Runar back at the First.
This revelation perked Cassandra's interest, she'd never refuse to lend a helping hand to Y'shtola or any of the other Scions for that matter, but such a request was particularly interesting for our Excitable Adventurer, the possibility of visiting new Reflections and connecting to know ones is one thing she has wished for, both for her own thirst for adventure as well as the benefit of all her friends, how she yearns for the day where she's able to show Rynne and Gaia all of the wonders of Eorzea...
Cassandra shook her head, best to leave those thoughts for another time, she coughed and said "I'm more than happy to help, just tell where you need to meet me and I'll be there as fast as I can, will any of the others be there?"
"Not for now at least, Alphinaud and Alisae are still busy exploring Tural for answers on how to aid in Garlemalds restoration, Urianger and Thancred have been discussing on where to go next, Estinien has done what he does best and left at a moments notice and as for G'raha Tia and Krille they are making preparations to return to the Baldesion Annex to resume their duties. So that only leaves us two, the stray rift I'm using to test put this theory is located near Central Thanalan, I'll be awaiting there. Goodbye Cassandra..", with that farewell the call ended, Cassandra found herself by her lonesome once more starring at the beautiful vista of Tuliyollal, she grabbed her rose spectacles and put em on. She didn't know why but she had a feeling in her gut, the same feeling she had when she first met the Scions, the same feeling as when she escaped Ul'dah by the skin of her teeth, a mixture of butterflies and a slight pit in her stomach, one that meant that she was in for quite the treat.
Thanalan was your typical definition of arid, sparse and seldom vegetation, barely any rain and a constantly hot and dry climate that was as cruel as the realities of the people that lived there. But something about that dreadful weather always made Cassandra oddly nostalgic of the beginning of her adventures, arriving in Ul'dah with the scorching sun and it's unbearable heat making her sweat liters... finding that she had spend enough time reminiscing The Chanpion of Eorzea rode her mount towards the appointed location, giddy about meeting her friend once again as well as curious as to how this experiment how satiate her thirst for adventure. Having finally arrived at the spot she sees Y'shtola there conversing with Nidhanna, a recent friend and work colleague of the Black Mage as of late as well as a decorated alchemist and researcher at Radz-At-Han, Cassandra could hear the discussions about the nuances of Aether far too complicated for her to wrap her head around, the duo eager in their discussion of possible theories and applications of their talks.
"Hello to the both of you, hope I haven't taken too long."-she approaches the researcher and pulls her into a hug-"Nidhanna! It's been too long, I'm glad to see you are helping Y'shtola, hope she hasn't been running you ragged", Cassandra could feel the chilling glare coming from the Miqo'te after saying that.
"It is great to see you too Ms. Armstrong, don't worry about Ms. Rhul, she knows you're only joking." The Thavnarian alchemist said in her usual jovial tone, ending the hug and looking at what appeared to be the rift that was near the trio, it pulsed with an irregular Aether, making Cassandra's skin tingle slightly with the foreign current of energy.
Suddenly the moment of warmth was interrupted by the sound of one Black Mage clearing her throat "Ahem, as much as I enjoy a reunion between friends... we do need to proceed with our little experiment, we are burning daylight here." Y'shtola didn't lie about her enjoyment of the reunion, but she was a woman of drive and committement, never one to loose track of her goals or obligations.
"Oh I do apologize Ms. Rhul, you are correct, we should explain to Cassandra here what we need her help for" the Arksadora motioned towards the Rift while keeping a respectable amount of yalms from it. "From what it appears a Imperial Flame patrol found this rift while patrolling the area surrounding Black Brush Station, after notifying the Sultanna word was sent out to Old Sharlayan and Ms. Rhul here caught word of it and was permitted to investigate it by the local authorities as well as the Sharlayan Council. Soon after she contacted us both while conducting her own "research", explained Nidhanna in an excited manner, most likely due to the opportunity to work along side the other Scion in their search for knowledge.
"Soon after both of the Aether Experts started their explanation on what exactly they required the assistance of our brave hero, apparently this rift leaked a mixture of Dynamis and Aether which matched none of the known Reflections and their Aetheric flow (or lack there of in the 13ths case), Y'shtola had already tried utilizing her familiar for an initial expedition, much like their previous attempt with the 13th, but it yielded no sucess oddly enough. The familiars weren't able to cross the rift, like two magnets with the same polarity they deflected each other, so the necessity for a guinea pig arose, one who'd be able to cross the rift without suffering any ill effects and with a penchant for surviving overwhelming odds. The only one fit for this task was now being explained this by the two Aether researchers, who whole doing so carefully took the necessary precautions for any misshapen (which consisted of using a mostly untested Aether Crystal teleportation method by giving Cassandra one small enough that she can carry with her and linking it to the one in Black Brush station, while making the necessary calls to anyone who'llbe able to provide additional help if necessary). While the other Scions and allies of theirs still hadn't been able to finish their affairs to participate, but had assured they would come as soon as possible, that point made abundantly clear by Cid and the rest of the Iron Works who were currently on the moon studying the Loporrits technology.
"I need you to listen to me carefully Cassandra, if you find yourself unable to immediately return through the rift after crossing it you will need to find a place with a rich flow of Aether to stabilize the connection between the two. After that it'll only be a matter of time till we are able to redirect the rift to the spot you have set up. Aside from that it's only a matter of keeping yourself safe and sound till then and please do not cause too much of a ruckus if there are any civilizations, I can assure we are not in need of a possible conflict between Reflections and you already have a track record of having trouble come to you like moth to a flame." Y'shtola said in a stern and almost motherly tone to the Excitable Adventurer, as much as she liked to keep the cool headed and witty charade all of the Scions knew deep down that she was a worrywart at heart, especially when it came to their safety... the events at Ultima Thule had only solidified that, not only for her, but all of them.
"I understand Y'shtola, you can count on me to not start anything, no matter how tantalizing the idea of starting a war over nothing is." The sarcasm dripping from that sentence like dew out of a leaf on a autumn morning.
"In all honesty Y'shtola I won't due anything too rash, although in my defense most of the trouble we found ourselves in wasn't even under my control, I know you're still angry at what happened at the Maderville Casino how was I supposed to know you couldn't hold your liquor-"
"Cassandra..." that one word had enough gravitas freeze to The Warrior of Darkness in the middle of her sentence, whenever the Miqo'te Thaumaturge took on that tone none could be saved from the terrifying abyss that was her silent wrath. Even Nidhanna found herself completely still from the turn the conversation took, her previous cheery mood smothered by the tension.
The Elezen stammered "Uh y-yeah s-s-sure, ahem, so in short I have to set up a spot where the crystal can make a stable connection so I can go back or at the very least make contact right?"
"Indeed, in case you are not able to return right away don't panic, at the very worst it'll be a matter of couple of weeks before we can bring you back and a few days till we're able to communicate through our Tomestones. From there we'll keep in touch and keep each other up to speed on whatever is occurring" added Nidhanna to both provide the last bits of information necessary as well as to keep the conversation moving before the Black Mage's icy glare could burrow a hole in the guinea pigs skull.
"Well that is all you need to know, since the Rift is big enough to fit you we won't be in need of an Atmos, but play it safe per say, we will establish a perimeter around the area with the help of the Sultanna. Whenever you're ready just touch the Rift... and be safe please, you still need to uphold your promise to all of us."... ah yes the the promise Cassandra had made to all of the Scions, a promise for all of them to be in each other's company for 3 whole days, no work, no other obligations, just enough for them to bask in the mundane and relax at Costa del Sol to have some quality time away from their worries.
"I will." Those two words were stated with such finality that they quited any doubt in their hearts, Cassandra owed it to them, her close call after her final clash with Zenos had done something to all of them, a bond forged in happiness and tragedy had been eternally made and almost lost, she owed it to them to live on and enjoy the world they had saved together for the sake of those who are still here and those who passed...
With that said, Cassandra made a last check up on her gear and her inventory, after confirming that everything was on her person she stepped foward and extended her hand towards the odd Rift, the strange Aether and Dynamis trickling her skin akin to the sensation of brushing your skin against an old blanket. She was sucked in the moment her hand made contact, finding herself travellings throughout a sea of crystal, each and everyone of them a possible new path towards a new adventure, after falling for what seemed like minutes and hours at the same time she finally made contact with one. Just like that a new adventure began and she would soon find herself in a world on the brink of falling to the throes of the Song of Oblivion, but little did she know that once again she would bring once more the Song of Hope to Remnant
AN: So this is my first ever fanfic, I've had the idea swimming around in my empty ass head for a while, but I finally built up enough courage to post my weird brain worms. I've always loved RWBY and it's potential for great crossover stories, my favorite ones being Jingle Jangle: a Fallout x RWBY Xover as well as Remnant gets a Chainsaw(man) which is pretty self explanatory, both of them doing a good mix of insane shenanigans and great story telling that I hope to graze quality wise. As for why I picked FFXIV as the other half of the crossover... I've been addicted to it for the longest while and now I'm doing the normal raids as well as getting ready to se up a static for the new savages, hopefully my stank ass Paladin can manage to MT for the boys, also feel free to review and message me since any and all criticism is welcome. One last anecdote for the story itself, I don't have a set path for it, I have more of rought points I want to hit along this rickety bridge known as story telling so please bear with me. If you'd like to beta for the story or are someone with a good bit of knowledge on both franchises hit me up, but I'll warn that we'll only have one WoL unless we're having some omake fun or some other not quite planned stuff.
See y'all in the next one!
Ps: I hate sometimes man, I had to spend like 30 minutes fixing an upload error.