Chapter 14: The Illuminated Land

"Those crystals you showed the artisan…"

He pulled his gaze from the Ondo to meet Ardbert's curious gaze. With how he had carefully bundled the four crystals together, it had been nigh impossible to show just one. Not that Grenoldt seemed to care; the lantern for the Ondo certainly benefited from it, as did Grenoldt from the sound of it.

He forced air into his lungs, bringing himself out of the detached amusement and drifting thought. Where were his friends at?

Ardbert didn't seem to notice, continuing haltingly, "Were they...? Did they belong to my friends?"

The detached amusement slipped back in and he chuckled. "Missed that part, did you?"

There was a chance Ardbert blushed at that. The glow of the soul certainly made it hard to tell. "I try to give you some measure of privacy, thank you very much." The humor waned despite the cocky smile on Ardbert's face remaining. "No one wants a spirit looking over their shoulder every moment of the day." He had no qualms with such an idea. "So tell me, if you would. How did you come across those crystals?"

He glanced at the Ondo. Could he squeeze all four tales into a short little synopsis? Probably not but he could give Ardbert the details later. "I got asked by a few bounty hunters to help hunt and take down the Cardinal Virtues - sin eaters that had taken host of your friends' bodies, of all things." He shook his head, heaving a sigh. "Right glad am I that things fell into place as they did. Seemed the least I could do to make sure their bodies were put to rest as much as their souls had been." He ran a hand down the length of an ear with a tight grip, tugging it slightly in the motion. "The Virtues were a pain to deal with; a hold over from your friends being as strong as they were. Dealing with them, though, I learned about them thanks to the Echo." He met Ardbert's gaze. "And about you. About the bounds between the five of you and what gained them their given crystal." He offered a smile. "They cared a great deal about you, each other, and those they fought for."

Ardbert's expression was hard to read but he thought he saw both awe and grief on the other's face. "I was right, then. Strange that I should learn such things now, after they're long gone. They were fine friends, every one of them…" Ardbert joined him at the edge of the rise, his gaze going down to the Ondo. After a moment, Ardbert shared. "I didn't expect death to teach me so much. About them, about Seto─about you. About the hope that hides at the heart of this world. I've never been one for idle chitchat, but if by some miracle I could see them all again, I doubt I'd ever stop talking…"

"Good," he commented, grinning. "You've quite the story to share with them when you do."

Ardbert smiled at him, adding, "I'm grateful I got to bend your ear, at least. And just for that, I reckon I'll stick with you...to the very end."

He rolled his eyes, amused. "As if you haven't already committed."

Ardbert chuckled as Alphinaud's voice drifted towards him from somewhere behind them. "Apologies─we were a little late to the gathering."

With a blink, Ardbert was gone and he turned to face his friends. Most of their gazes were down on the Ondo as they came to a stop in front of him. He met Alphinaud's gaze and gave him a soft smile, letting Y'shtola fill the silence with, "It seems we've succeeded in gaining their trust."

Thancred huffed a laugh, crossing his arms. "The delay wasn't exactly welcome, but at least our many hands made light work." Thancred met his gaze. "And they seemed especially impressed with your contribution. Our hero, indeed."

Alphinaud took a step forward, his expression alight with the curiosity that unconsciously drove the step, though other emotions lingered underneath. "Y'shtola was telling us those structures may date back to the age of the Ascians."

"An Ascian homeland…" Alisaie commented before shaking her head. "Despite his many protestations, I never quite believed Emet-Selch was telling the truth."

"Nor I," Alphinaud agreed. "But there is no denying the evidence before our eyes. Clearly, this was once a great city. A home they would see restored, no matter how many tens of thousands of years it takes."

Alisaie crossed her arms and despite the huff she gave, it was clear her words held some sympathy. "It's a hollow dream, when you think about it. Even if they manage to rejoin all the worlds, they'll never bring back the ones who were lost." And then, more to herself than the rest of them, "But would I have done any different...?"

Ryne took his hand between both her own, asking softly, "Are you...? How are you feeling?"

He gave her hand a squeeze. "I'm…" his immediate response was to say 'ok' but it wasn't accurate and probably unwelcomed at that point, "holding it together, at least." He looked to Y'shtola, unsurprised she was paying attention. "I think the aether I was given is bleeding out."

Immediately Alisaie and Alphinaud reached out for him. Though touch was not required, Alisaie grabbed his free hand and Alphinaud's hand closed around his forearm. He shuddered as pins and needles started racing up his arm and across his torso. To his surprise, Ryne withheld from contributing, though he wasn't even sure if she had the first time they had done this. Instead, she sought out Thancred and just as the sensation was seeping down his legs past his knees, Thancred had taken her spot, his arms wrapping tightly around Echo'a's torso and taking most of his weight. Urianger's aether joined the twins shortly thereafter but by that point he had pressed his face into Thancred's shoulder, matching the man's breathing to keep the overwhelm at bay.

Blessedly, the prickling sensation stopped shortly before the others stopped their transfer and he was not only able to keep standing, he had been far calmer than the first time. He stepped out of Thancred's embrace, though he let his hand linger on the man's shoulder until Thancred stepped away, his other hand still securely trapped by Alisaie, his arm by Alphinaud. He chewed on the apology that immediately sprung to his tongue. "Thank you," he offered instead. He looked to Y'shtola. "How much had bled off?"

She tapped her cheek in thought, her gaze on him without really looking at him. "Just over half if the amount of aether you were given is anything to go by." She straightened, meeting his gaze. "Unfortunately, the way the aether fills the gap, I am unable to tell the difference in level. Usually I would go about viewing the density but because of how it's shaped…" She shook her head. "Honestly, I think the only way we're going to be able to stay on top of it is if you remain attuned to it."

He nodded. "I'll do what I can to stay aware of it, then. The symptoms aren't overly concrete but they do exist."

"Oh? How so?"

"The most notable is I get a weird sort of detached amusement. I think it also makes it harder to focus which, in turn, makes it hard to pick up on the change. To be honest, it might be easier for you all to tell than me on that one. Still, it's better than not realizing until it's depleted in its entirety." He shuddered at the memory. "I want to avoid that level of aether transference again if it can be helped."

"The rate of degradation does wont for concern," Urianger spoke up, "lest we find thoust returned to the original condition in the heat of battle."

"Agreed," Y'shtola said. "For now I think it best if we see how keeping the gap full will help as we travel. We'll rotate out so that it doesn't put any of the rest of us at risk in case we run into problems."

"I'll give first!" Alisaie called out, her grip on his hand tightening. "I'm already here and I have plenty more to give him."

Y'shtola gave her a fond smile. "May I offer a compromise? Allow me to give first since I have yet to share aether and you regain some of your own aether in return. You can give after me and that way we don't have to worry about you overdoing it."

Alisaie bristled. "I wouldn't overdo it."

Alphinaud had a fond, albeit exasperated expression on his face but it was Echo'a who spoke up. He gave her hand a squeeze, offering, "Let Y'shtola go first. You can hold my hand the entire walk if that helps."

She glared at him, though the anger was feigned. "Fine, but only if I get to go after Y'shtola."

He nodded. "And you listen when someone takes over."

She huffed in annoyance but it was obvious she was complying. "Only if I must."

Alphinaud gently squeezed his arm to get his attention. "It's been quite a while since you've taken a break and eaten anything. Once we are done with the Ondo, I would advise taking a moment to rest and consume something before we press on. We know it is safe here and there is no telling how long the coming walk will be."

He covered Alphinaud's hand with his, nodding before looking to the others. "If no one else has objections?"

None were given.

Blessedly the food didn't taste like chalk nor have the consistency of chalk.

The food lacked all flavor.