Chapter 17: Facing the Truth

He felt a bittersweet joy at seeing the truth finally being shared, that the Warriors of Light would be properly remembered. It was the least he could do for them after everything.

His gaze had been drifting over the crowd when his attention was drawn to the lone figure beyond it. Adrenaline prickled his skull and dripped down his spine. He knew that face. Had known that face. Had fought with it, smiled at it, grieved for it.

Alphinaud's voice cut through his thoughts. "Impossible."

"You see him too?" His voice sounded strained to his ears.

"I definitely see something. You don't think it's a ghost, do you?" Alphinaud's voice got tighter at his own question and Echo'a was reminded that Alphinaud had a thing about ghosts. Vaguely, at least, amidst the roaring in his head.

"Nay," Urianger was quick to utter. "Yonder standeth no bloodless apparition, but a Warrior of Light and Darkness both." He sucked in a breath and held it, praying for Urianger to not say it. "Ardbert."

He fought against that invisible blow, fought to stay standing. Y'shtola's words drifted over him, "What in the world…?"

The Ardbert before them certainly acted the part well enough but something was off. Be it having witnessed and grieved his sacrifice or something in the pretender's acting, he couldn't tell.

It was all he could do to not jump at Urianger's hand holding firm of his shoulder.

"From thine own lips did we learn of Ardbert's fate," Urianger said, "and by thy countenance, I gather thou art not inclined to recant thy testimony." He gave Urianger a look and wasn't sure he even knew what the man saw on his face. He barely understood what he was feeling. Urianger's expression tightened before the man turned his gaze to the pretender. "Yet whosoever this man may be, his words hold truth─and resonate with the citizenry besides. For us to voice our doubts here and now would serve but to sow disquiet. 'Twere better we retired unto the Ocular, and there discussed this matter in private."

"Go," Alphinaud encouraged. "I will stay here and watch."

Alphinaud quickly gave his hand a squeeze as he passed. The walk to the Ocular did nothing for his state of being. Urianger's touch lingered even as they passed through the doors of the Ocular.

Gods, he felt like crying.

"So that is a Warrior of Light of the First," the Exarch said as they came to a stop in the center of the Ocular. The Exarch turned and looked them over but the moment the Exarch's gaze fell on him, the Exarch was crossing the room, all pretense in company forgotten. The Exarch's hands cupped his face and he clung to the Exarch's wrists, clenching his eyes shut as if it would be enough to keep him from crying. It didn't, as the Exarch's thumb rubbed at his cheek to rid it of an escaped tear. A sob tore through him and for a moment all that kept him upright was the Exarch's hold on his head. When the Exarch spoke, his words were thick with emotions he didn't care to parse out. "This is no simple case of mistaken identity, then."

Beq Lugg piped up. "As far as I was able to discern, that was indeed Ardbert. It has been a long time, but not that long. Could he truly have been resurrected as he claims?"

He shook his head as he got himself to straighten back up, shoving the tears of frustration or grief or whatever they were as far down as he could manage so that he could regain some composure. "No." His voice cracked. He swallowed, catching the Exarch's ears drooping at the sound. He tried again and his voice held. "Absolutely not. It looks like him and sounds like him but that isn't Ardbert."

Urianger gave his shoulder a squeeze and all at once, he didn't want to be touched anymore. With a twisted expression, he gently tugged the Exarch's hands from where they had settled in his hair and on his neck before he slipped out from under Urianger's touch. He didn't dare look to either of the their faces. "Ardbert did entrust his very soul unto thee. I see no reason to question thy judgment.

"Nor I," Y'shtola added. "To my eyes, your aether burns as brightly as the day you slew Emet-Selch. That is proof that he is with you still."

"Yet that which standeth now before the people is far more than a passing imitation. I am reminded of the Cardinal Virtues...though a sin eater he is not. Which leaveth but one plausible explanation."

Don't say it.

Please don't say it.

Y'shtola spoke in Urianger's stead. "That he is an Ascian."