PIERROT
A WoL/Fandaniel Endwalker AU
Before Amon was dragged down into oblivion by Asahi, Kiara promised him they would find the answers together in another life. This is that AU.
In the frozen wastelands of Garlemald, Fandaniel abducts the Warrior of Light to delay her and the Scions from interfering with his plans. Their confrontation takes a dark turn when he, in a desperate attempt to save himself, forges a sinister bond between them, tying their lives together in a deadly pact. Now linked by a connection that shares their pain and emotions, both are forced to navigate the twisted nature of their bond as they teeter on the edge of mutual destruction - if one dies, the other dies with them.
Kiara will have to decide whether to save or destroy the monster she is now inextricably linked to.
The bitter winds of Garlemald howled across the barren, ice-bound terrain, their icy claws tearing at the landscape with unyielding fury. Frozen powder descended in thick, heavy sheets, swirling in a chaotic dance that obscured the horizon, erasing the boundary between earth and sky — a monochrome expanse, painted in shades of white and gray, as if color itself had been drained from existence. The pristine, untouched blanket of snow seemed to devour all sound, leaving only the rhythmic crunch of boots as the Miqo'te warrior trudged through the drifts, her breath visible in the frigid air.
Kiara pulled her fur-lined coat tighter around her slender frame as she made her way through the snow, her yellow eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of life. To her right, Alphinaud and Alisaie slogged through the snow with equal determination, their figures half-hidden by the storm. The twins exchanged brief, wordless glances as they pressed forward, their expressions grim. The weight of their mission hung heavily in the air, a burden made all the more tangible by the bleakness of their surroundings. The three of them had been sent to scour the ice fields for any refugees or survivors, a task that felt as endless as the landscape itself.
"Any signs of life?" Alisaie's voice cut through the wind, muffled by her scarf.
Kiara didn't answer immediately. Her sensitive ears twitched under the hood of her coat, straining to catch any sound beyond the relentless wind. The emptiness of the ice fields weighed heavily on her, a silence so profound that it felt as though the world itself had stopped breathing. It was as if the land had been poisoned, the air thick with the residue of suffering and despair. She could feel it, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest, making it difficult to breathe. It reminded her of the times she had ventured too close to the Black Shroud's darkest corners, where the very air seemed to hum with ancient, malevolent energy.
But this was different. This was worse.
Alphinaud shook his head, his eyes scanning the horizon with a frown. "Nothing yet. But we must keep looking. If there are any survivors out here, they won't last long in this storm."
Kiara nodded, but the cold gnawed at her resolve. Every step felt like a battle against the elements, the biting wind cutting through her layers of clothes and seeping into her bones. Her breath fogged the air in front of her, disappearing as quickly as it appeared, and the snow crunched beneath her boots with each step, a monotonous reminder of the isolation that surrounded them.
The snow swirled around her in an endless dance, each flake a delicate whisper of cold. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching her, hidden within the endless white, something that waited just beyond the edge of her vision. Then, like a shadow slipping through the snow, she felt it — a presence, dark and insidious, curling around her senses like a serpent. Kiara suddenly came to a halt, her ears flattening as she instinctively reached for her weapon. The cold air seemed to thicken, pressing in against her, as if the very atmosphere had taken on a life of its own. Alphinaud and Alisaie exchanged a glance, their hands moving to the hilts of their own weapons.
"Do you feel that?" She whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind.
Alphinaud nodded, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. "Someone's out here."
Kiara's eyes widened as she recognized the unmistakable presence of the Ascian. The very air around him seemed to thrum with an unnatural energy, a dark, oppressive force that made her skin crawl.
Fandaniel emerged from the storm like a wraith, his form barely visible through the swirling snow. He stood there, watching her with a twisted grin, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and malice. His appearance was almost casual, his arms folded across his chest as if he were merely observing a curious spectacle. But there was a predatory air about him, a sense of something dangerous lurking just beneath the surface.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. She had faced countless enemies before, beings of unimaginable power and darkness, but Fandaniel was different. There was something deeply unsettling about him, something that set her on edge in a way she couldn't quite explain.
"Ah, the Warrior of Light," he crooned, his voice soft and melodic, yet laced with a sinister undercurrent. "How fortuitous that we should meet here, in this lovely little corner of hell. And so far from the safety of your camp."
She stood her ground, her grip tightening on her weapon, despite all of her instincts screaming at her to either lunge for his throat or flee. Alphinaud and Alisaie stepped forward, their weapons drawn and ready, but Fandaniel merely chuckled, a low sound laced with mockery. "And you've brought friends! How delightful. But I'm afraid this is a private matter."
Before she could react, the shadows around him seemed to pulse, expanding outward in a wave of darkness that swallowed the light. Kiara felt the ground shift beneath her, the air growing heavy and suffocating as the world around her seemed to warp. The cold bit into her skin, but she couldn't move, couldn't break free from the grip of Fandaniel's magic. The twins shouted her name, their voices distant and distorted, as if coming from underwater. But their cries were quickly swallowed by the darkness that enveloped her, pulling her down into an abyss of shadows and cold.
And then, everything went black.
When she came to, the storm was gone. The howling wind had been replaced by an eerie silence, the biting cold swapped with a damp chill that seeped into her bones all the same. Kiara pushed herself up from the cold stone floor, her head spinning as she tried to get her bearings — she was in some sort of ancient chamber, the walls lined with crumbling pillars and faded murals. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the only light came from a few flickering torches mounted on the walls, casting long, distorted shadows that danced in the corners of her vision.
Fandaniel stood a few paces away, his expression one of twisted delight as he watched her struggle to her feet, eyes gleaming with malicious glee. He spread out his arms with a dramatic flair. "Welcome, dear Warrior, to our temporary sanctuary. A place where we can speak without interruptions."
Despite the darkness that pressed in around her, she seemed almost entirely unfazed, glancing around to take in her surroundings with an air of flippant nonchalance. She tilted her head, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she met his gaze.
"Well, this is cozy," she quipped, her tone light, almost teasing. "You've really outdone yourself with the décor. Very... rustic."
The Ascian blinked, momentarily thrown by her unflappable demeanor, a flicker of surprise flashing across his gaze that was quickly swallowed by annoyance. He had expected fear, perhaps anger — something raw and tangible he could toy with. But this? This cheerfulness, this playful defiance? It was... vexing. "You find this amusing, do you?"
She gave him a noncommittal shrug. "I find a lot of things amusing. Besides, you're far from the first crazed maniac to try and kidnap me." She leaned forward playfully, her lips curving into a coy smirk. "Though you might be the most entertaining so far."
For a moment, he simply stared at her, his mind grappling with this unexpected turn. His amusement returned, though now it was tinged with something darker, a touch of frustration beneath the surface. "Entertaining, am I?" he mused, circling her with slow, deliberate steps, the sound of his boots echoing off the stone. "I suppose that's one way to look at it. But I wonder... will you still find this amusing when you realize just how dire your situation is?"
Kiara followed him with her eyes, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "I don't know, little Ascian. You tell me. What's the plan here? A few hours of brooding monologues? Maybe some ominous threats? Ooh, or perhaps a game of twenty questions? I've always been quite good at those."
His eyes narrowed slightly, a flash of irritation crossing his features. She was toying with him, playing this deadly game with a levity that bordered on the absurd. It unsettled him more than he cared to admit, this refusal to take him seriously. How could she stand there and still have the audacity to joke? However, that same levity intrigued him just as equally. There was a resilience in her, a strength born not of brute force, but of something deeper, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
It made her all the more fascinating.
He came to a stop directly in front of her, his gaze boring into hers with an intensity that would have unnerved most. But she only met his stare with that same playful grin, her eyes dancing with challenge.
"You're quite the jester," Fandaniel remarked, his voice dripping with condescension, though his eyes glimmered with a flicker of something else. "I wonder, is this how you cope with fear? By making light of your situation?"
The Miqo'te shrugged again, her tail flicking lazily behind her. "Eh, fear's never really been my thing. Besides, you're hardly what I'd consider scary. I mean, really, is this the best you've got? A little shadow play and some moody lighting?" She laughed softly, the sound echoing off the cold stone walls, and it caused Fandaniel's jaw to tighten, his patience clearly wearing thin. He took a step closer, his eyes darkening as he looked down at her, the shadows around him seeming to writhe in response to his agitation.
"You're a strange one, little cat," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Zenos speaks of you as if you're some great warrior, a force to be reckoned with. But all I see is a naïve fool, oblivious to the danger she's in."
Kiara's eyes sparkled with amusement, even as she tilted her head to the side, feigning deep contemplation. "Oh, so you're doing this for Zenos? Trying to impress him, are we? You know, I've heard flattery goes a long way with him. Maybe if you tell him his hair is nice, he'll pay more attention to you."
That hit a nerve.
Fandaniel's expression darkened, the bitterness she had glimpsed earlier now surfacing fully. "Zenos," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "It's infuriating. He speaks of nothing but you. He barely acknowledges my existence unless you're involved. It's as if nothing I do matters to him, nothing seems to garner even a fraction of his attention."
She raised a brow, her playful demeanor softening slightly as she considered his words. "So that's it, huh? You're jealous? Mad because your best buddy is more interested in me than you? That's a tough break."
"Jealous? Of you? Please," he hissed, though the sharpness in his voice betrayed something more complex than mere disdain. "It's not jealousy — it's disgust. Disgust at how he obsesses over you like a lovesick fool. His mind should be fixed on our grand design, on the destruction we're about to unleash. But no, all he can think about is you." Each word dripped with venom, his bitterness almost palpable. "So, you see, I must know... what makes you so important? What makes you worthy of such devotion? Is it your strength? Your tenacity? Or perhaps something more... intangible?"
Kiara leaned back casually, as if she were chatting with a friend over a mug of ale, crossing her arms. "The answer might disappoint you," she replied with a more playful tone. "Zenos is a few chocobos short of a full stable, if you catch my drift. He's obsessed with me because I'm the one opponent who keeps slipping through his fingers."
The Ascian chuckled — a dark, twisted sound that echoed in the cold air — as he began to circle her once more, a predator sizing up his prey. "Ah, so Zenos' infatuation is merely a matter of bruised pride?" he mused, though his voice held an edge of skepticism. "I think there's more to it than that, little cat. I think he sees something different in you. Something that sets you apart from the rest. Something that makes you his perfect plaything."
Outwardly she remained unfazed, her ears twitching as she listened, her sharp gaze following his every movement. "Perfect plaything, huh? What a strange way to put it!" She gave a light, carefree laugh. "Let's be honest, he's a spoiled prince who isn't used to not getting his way. I'm his 'perfect plaything' because I'm the one toy he can't have. And what does a child do when you deny him the new shiny toy? He stomps his feet and throws a tantrum."
"There's a kernel of truth in your words," he conceded, his tone thoughtful as he narrowed his eyes to study her. "Yes, you're the object of his frustrated desires, a prize just out of reach. But I sense there's more to it." He continued to circle her like a shark, his steps measured and calculated. "It's not just that you elude him. You challenge him, excite him. You make him feel something… something he rarely experiences. You've stirred something in him that even he doesn't fully understand."
Her playful grin faltered for just a moment before she recovered, her expression turning sly. "Is that so? Maybe you're right. You're the one slithering around in his shadow all day, after all. You'd know better than I." Her eyes fell half-lidded, her voice smooth. "But it does make me wonder... What does this matter to you? Trying to play wingman and set us up on a date?"
Fandaniel's lips curled into a twisted smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, you do amuse me, Warrior," he drawled, shaking his head. "But no, my intentions are far from romantic. I have no stake in your little dance with Zenos. In fact, if I desire anything, it's to see you both torn asunder. Destroyed. Annihilated! Preferably in the most spectacular fashion." He stopped his pacing abruptly, his gaze piercing as it locked onto hers. "But before that happens, I want to understand. What is it about you that excites him so?"
Kiara let out a dry chuckle, her grin fading to a wry smile. "And here I was, wondering why you don't have any friends," she teased, her tone light but her eyes watchful. Her tail flicked, her senses sharp, and underneath her playful demeanor, her muscles coiled with tension like a viper preparing to strike.
All she needed was the right opportunity.
"Why should I bother with friends when I have such entertaining enemies?" he countered with a smirk, his voice silky smooth. "Especially when they're so delightfully unpredictable."
The irony was not lost on her when she heard the word 'unpredictable' fall from his lips. While she was always a sucker for fun banter, she'd been lying in wait for the chance to strike. She was curiously unrestrained, but now that she'd gotten a taste of Fandaniel's arrogance, she wondered if that was part of his game. Was he waiting for her to make the first move? Was he so confident that he'd be able to predict her attack, or perhaps that he'd be able to react first? It was certainly a bold choice to taunt the Warrior of Light at such close range, and surely he knew she was armed.
"You know, I never took you for the type who likes to play games," she said, her voice light, but edged with something sharper. "You strike me as more of the 'get in, get out, and leave a mess behind' kind of guy. So what's with all this prancing around?"
Fandaniel's eyes narrowed at her words. "Oh, I quite enjoy games, my dear. Especially when the stakes are so deliciously high," he replied, his voice dripping with mock amusement. "And right now, you're the most entertaining piece on the board."
Kiara's lips curled into a grin, her eyes gleaming with something feral. "Is that so? Funny, because I was just thinking the same thing."
Without warning, she moved. The shift was sudden and explosive — a blur of motion that caught Fandaniel off guard. She lunged at him with the ferocity of a predator, her body twisting midair as she unleashed her claws, slashing through the air with deadly precision. He barely had time to react, his eyes widening in shock as they raked across his chest, tearing through fabric and flesh. He staggered back, his breath catching in his throat as a wild, frantic panic flashed across his features.
Her instincts had taken over, and in that moment, she was more beast than woman. Her fangs bared in a savage grin, she pressed her advantage, driving him back with a flurry of strikes that left him reeling. Each movement was fluid, precise, and driven by a primal fury that had been simmering beneath her playful exterior.
Fandaniel tried to defend himself, summoning dark energies to shield himself from her onslaught, but Kiara was too fast, too focused. She ducked and twisted as she evaded impulsive blasts of aetheric energy, and in a heartbeat, she was on him again, her claws digging into his throat as she slammed him against the wall with an unbridled force that made the stone crack behind him.
What started as a series of slow huffs in between her heavy breaths quickly grew into dark chuckles, and then into a full blown cackle, the sound maniacal and sadistic and laced with a deep malevolence that had no business coming from a hero. "Not so smug now, are you, little Ascian?" she snarled with a cruel laugh. Her predatory gaze was locked onto him now, cold and ravenous, completely void of her characteristic warmth and cheer.
His hands scrabbled at her wrists, panic setting in as he felt the sharp edge of her claws digging into his skin. He could feel the warmth of his own blood trickling down his neck, the sting of pain sharp and sobering. For a moment, real fear flickered in his eyes, mingling with the adrenaline-fueled terror that similarly clawed at his mind.
"Wait—" he choked out, but Kiara's grip tightened, cutting off his plea.
"Why should I? We're finally having some fun! I thought you wanted to die, remember?" She growled, her voice a venomous whisper as her grin widened. "Do you know how many lives I can save right now by granting you your wish? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't end you right here."
Fandaniel's mind raced, desperation lacerating his thoughts as he stared into her eyes — those bright, wild eyes that held both fury and something deeper, something he couldn't quite name. He had no time, no options. In that split second of raw, unfiltered panic, he reached for the only power he had left. The ancient words of an Ascian incantation spilled from his lips, a dark, guttural chant that reverberated through the chamber.
The effect was immediate, and in an instant Kiara released him, stumbling backwards a few steps. He sagged against the wall, his breath ragged as he instinctively pressed his hand against the bleeding gashes around his throat. A twisted smile played on his lips as he looked up at her, his own onyx gaze wide and manic with triumph.
She clutched at her left arm in panic, crying out in pain from the intense arcane sensation of barbed wire boring under her skin and snaking up her limb, tearing through muscle and flesh. Her body trembled as she desperately gripped along her arm as if she could physically stop whatever spell was recklessly digging its way up to her shoulder and towards her heart. Her lips parted as she choked out a gasp, her claws threatening to shred her coat apart as they grasped at her chest.
Her mind reeled and her knees buckled from the pain, her lithe form dropping to the stone floor as her breath came in erratic, jagged gasps. It felt as though a centipede had encircled her heart, gripping it with its sharp feet before sinking its mandibles deep into her, injecting white-hot venom straight into her very essence.
Fandaniel grimaced for a moment in pain, though his smile only widened into a maniacal grin, and it was his turn to laugh now. His shrill, sadistic cackles echoed around them, cutting through the haze of her pain and panic, his void-like eyes gleaming with hunger as he watched her crumple to the ground.
"What— What did you—" she tried to force out the words, which came out in choked, broken sounds in between ragged gasps.
"I won, you stupid... stupid little hero," he spat, no longer bothering to hide his cruel nature. He took a step closer to her, but his own legs faltered and he dropped to his knees before her, his body seeming to tremble with a pain that mirrored hers.
"Can you feel it, boring into your soul?" His eyes widened as he drank in her expression, her reactions, the utter power that he felt for bringing the vaunted Warrior to such a state. "We're connected by it now," he hissed with another cackle, "you can't hurt me without hurting yourself! If one of us dies, so does the other."
Her eyes flicked up to meet his, her gaze like that of a frantic, panicked, cornered wild animal, and he reveled in that look of pure terror. Her mind raced, trying to piece together his words through the fog of pain. Connected? Her heart sank as the realization dawned, each word he spoke driving the truth deeper into her chest, like a stake.
"Oh yes, my foolish little cat! I've won. You can kill yourself to stop me, or die with me once I bring forth the Final Days. Either way, we go to oblivion together now, Warrior!"
In that moment, the masks fell away. They were no longer hero and villain, but two monsters bound by fate, their twisted souls entwined in a dance of mutual destruction.
a/n: I originally wanted to write a WoL/Zenos AU, but then I accidentally tripped and fell into WoL/Fandaniel territory and never quite recovered.
It's been a while since I've attempted to write a multi-chapter fic, but I could not shake these brainworms! Amon needs more love in the fandom anyways, so here is my attempt at a slow-ish burn romance & redemption arc.