Chapter Text
Technically, she was born Reina Hyland, youngest daughter of two farmers, who had left home to explore the world the moment she was old enough in an effort to escape the fate of continuing the family business.
When asked, she gives the name Eirene, and offers no surname or further clarification. It's no matter; those farmers do not remember Reina Hyland. Some days, Eirene feels like she hardly remembers Reina Hyland.
What feels like days ago, Reina had been in the thick of a battle for the fate of the star, as the lesser moon grew closer and closer to crashing into them and destroying everything she was trying so desperately to protect.
And then Eirene had opened her eyes to a world forever changed by the events of that Calamity - five years in the future and with too many memories in her head.
It's been a few days since that awakening, and she's done her best to adjust - got herself some work in the mostly-familiar town of Limsa Lominsa, smiled through the complete lack of recognition on the faces of everyone she'd once known, listened patiently to their explanations, and tried not to think about the world she'd come from, both five years ago and long before that.
It's harder than she expects. Each time she enters a town, she has a brief but sudden, lurching feeling that something is wrong, that there's too much color and not enough life. Each time she passes a mirror, she has a moment where she does not recognize her own face, where she expects the cold surface of a mask and the slight peek of blonde out from a dark, hastily pulled up hood.
And each time, she throws herself further into trying to help the people around her instead of letting herself dwell on any of it.
Traveling is what she does best, after all.
*
She picks up odd jobs around Limsa until she has enough coin to purchase a one-way trip out of the city and away from its hauntingly familiar alleys and bridges. Soon enough, she's stepping out into the wholly unfamiliar woods of the Black Shroud.
Gridania itself is almost unrecognizable, rebuilt in the wake of a calamity that doesn’t feel long enough ago for such a major transformation to have occurred – the complete opposite of what she’d been trying to flee in Limsa Lominsa. And that would be perfect, but the judgmental staring of the populace as she looks for work sets her off, and eventually, she finds herself heading out to find a smaller town instead. With any luck, she’ll find somewhere she can temporarily settle in to try and figure out what her plan is in this world that does not remember her and that she barely recognizes.
Not far outside of Gridania, a guard outside a military camp suggests she continue along the road until she reaches a settlement he assures her is nearby. She takes his advice, and is coming up on a building – a bower, it looks like – a few minutes later when she hears a shout from further down the path. Without really thinking about it, she takes off, passing the concerned loggers who have stopped their work to try and find the source of the scream and soon enough comes up on crumbling stone ruins and several injured Wood Wailers.
"What's happened?" she asks, hurrying over to one of them with intent to heal and faltering when her magick does not immediately come to life on her palm.
Right.
"It was an ambush - the Hearer and the others, they're still inside—" The Wood Wailer chokes on his own words, but the gist is enough.
"I will help. Do you know what you were ambushed by?" she asks, quickly standing up.
"Some sort of shadow," the man says, shaking his head. "That sounds mad, but—"
Eirene cuts him off. "Stay here. I will be back as soon as I can."
With that, she heads off towards the ruins.
The stone pathways of the winding dungeon ruins eventually lead her out into a large room with a tree growing through its center, where a man she assumes is the Hearer is unconscious – hopefully only unconscious – with a shadowy, robed figure standing above them. The figure turns, and – that mask...
"How—"
She doesn't get the words out before the man is summoning a Golem with magick that is achingly familiar to Eirene, but she has no chance to dwell on that, as the Golem immediately spots its prey and attacks.
She dives out of the way, drawing her sword and cursing softly as she grips it. It feels unbalanced, and she feels untrained in its use despite several years of experience from before her five-year nap. She tries to sink back into Reina's memories, to let those muscles take over and strike down her foe without the interference of hundreds of years of memories of a different sword, of sparks of magick and—
The golem clips her in the side with a blast of stone and she shouts in pain, skidding backwards. She needs to focus.
She dives back in, stumbling only slightly as her sword moves differently than she expects, but eventually finds a rhythm. Before long, the Golem falls, crumbles, leaving her face to face with the robed man in the mask, but before Eirene can ask a question or demand an explanation, he mumbles something to himself and vanishes entirely from sight, leaving her with an unconscious Hearer and a pile of stones that used to be a Golem.
"He escaped again!" A voice whines from behind her, and Eirene turns as she sheathes her sword to see two people run into the center of the dungeon. One of them, clearly a mage, darts over to the unconscious Hearer, so Eirene steps back to give him some space.
"Oh, you're a new face," the other one says, and Eirene turns to see a very different mask that she immediately recognizes.
"Yda?" the name slips from her mouth before she can stop it.
Yda frowns, cocking her head. "That's me. Have we met?"
Eirene swallows, shaking her head and not offering further explanation before turning to the Lalafell man - Papalymo? - and the Hearer. "Is he alright?"
"He's only dazed. He'll survive," the Lalafell says, standing up and brushing off his clothes. "I see you made quick work of that Golem - impressive."
Eirene just shakes her head again.
"That's Papalymo," Yda says, gesturing over at the Lalafell. "And you apparently know my name. And you are?"
"Eirene," she introduces herself, nodding at them. "I was passing by when I heard the commotion."
"Well, our thanks for stepping in," Yda smiles.
Eirene nods. "We need to get him to safety, and—"
She cuts off, head suddenly swimming, and she stumbles as she faintly, distantly hears someone call her name.
And then she hears a different, more familiar voice.
Hear, feel, think.
It's not the first time Eirene has heard the voice in her head, but this is the first time since awakening that the pressure that accompanies it overwhelms her. She gasps as her vision goes white, and as it slowly fades back in, she finds herself staring down a giant, towering crystal.
And then she hears the voice again, and this time she places it.
"I am Hydaelyn. All made one."
She exhales, almost relieved. "Venat."
"Once," Hydaelyn agrees.
"What happened?" she demands. "How—"
"All is as it is meant to be," Hydaelyn speaks again, sounding so much like Eirene's mentor that it physically pains her. "The answers to your questions will come in time."
So, so much like Venat. She opens her mouth to protest, to try and force her mentor to give her the answers she's missing, but Hydaelyn speaks again before she has a chance to.
"This world may not be as you remember, but your duty to it is as it ever has been, a fragment of yourself or not."
Eirene startles at that. "A fragment? What do you—" And then it hits her all at once. "The sundering. You planned to summon Hydaelyn to sunder the world, and you managed, and now—"
"The balance of this world and its reflections is at risk, and my power wanes with each passing day," Hydaelyn says, cutting her off before she can continue. "As you always have, seek out those who need the help you can provide, and in doing so, you will find the answers that you seek. But for now, my dearest Azem, it is time for you to return.”
It's as much of a dismissal as she’d ever received from Venat, but still, Eirene tries to protest. "Venat, wait—"
But it's no use. Her vision goes white again, and when she blinks her eyes open, she's laying on the ground, staring up at tree branches and a night sky that's glimmering with stars.
"Ah, you're awake!" Yda's mask enters her vision, her smile beaming. "We were pretty worried when you suddenly collapsed like that, are you alright?" She doesn't actually give Eirene a chance to answer before she continues speaking. "Papalymo said it must have been a surfeit of aether - especially considering you'd been fine just a moment before, but—"
"Yes, I’m okay" Eirene cuts her off. “Apologies."
Yda just grins at her again, offering a hand to help her up. “Papalymo’s filling in the Wood Wailers,” she gestures. “The Hearer’s okay, and they’re going to send someone else to finish the ritual.”
What ritual? Eirene doesn’t ask, and Yda doesn’t offer the information.
“You really do seem so familiar, are you sure we haven’t met before?” Yda asks her after a brief moment of silence.
Eirene just shrugs at her. “I should be going, sorry for the trouble.”
“Oh, hush,” Yda insists. “No trouble at all – thank you for your help. You sure you can’t wait until Papalymo’s finished? We’d like to hear your account of the events, if you’re willing. We’re here surveying the Twelveswood for—” she cuts herself off, “Well, never mind who for, but—”
“That’s quite enough, Yda,” Papalymo cuts her off, walking up to the two of them and nodding at Eirene while ignoring Yda's indignant protest. “Good to see you on your feet – how are you feeling?”
“I’m fine,” she insists. “Thank you for your assistance.”
“Of course,” Papalymo assures her. “Despite her rambling, Yda has the right of it – we would like to hear your account of what occurred before we arrived, if you’re willing to give it.”
Eirene frowns. “There’s not much to tell,” she says, honestly. “I heard the commotion as I was passing by the area and investigated and offered to help. When I arrived, the Hearer was already unconscious, and the robed man summoned the Golem.”
“The robed man,” Papalymo says, frowning. “I see.”
Eirene’s frown deepens. "Do you know who he was?" She asks carefully. As desperate as she is to learn more about those oh-so-familiar robes and masks, the last thing she wants to do is push them too far and learn nothing.
"Not in so many words," Papalymo shakes his head. "But we have our theories. We've been chasing this one for some time, but keep missing him."
Not as much of an explanation as Eirene would have liked, but probably all she's getting. She nods. "Well, thank you for your assistance after I..." she trails off, and Papalymo simply nods. "I should be going."
"You're an adventurer, right?" Yda asks her. She nods - close enough. "Last I heard, they were looking for some help down by the Hawthorne Hut in the East Shroud, if you're looking for work."
Eirene offers a smile. "Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out. Nice meeting you both."
With that, she turns to head back towards the path and towards the East Shroud.
She’ll focus herself in on adventuring work, as everyone seems to call it. She’ll help people out as best as she can, and try not to think of the oh-so-familiar mask-and-cloaked man, or Hydaelyn’s words.
She trusts Venat. If Venat - or Hydaelyn - is telling her that she'll get her answers if she does as she's always done, she'll do what she's always done. No matter how many years it's been, she knows how to help people who need it, even without her magick.
This much, she can do.
Notes:
Buckle in, this is gonna be a long one. It's planned out through Endwalker, and I'm going to do everything I can to try and get there. Tags will be added as the story progresses - I've tried to tag for ARR for now.
Many many many thanks to eriyu for tirelessly listening to me ramble about this story and helping me plan out the entire thing. This wouldn't exist without her. <3
Chapter Text
It's after a few days of work around the Hawthorne Hut that the Serpent Sergeant approaches her.
"You've proven yourself a friend to Gridania,” he explains after greeting her. “We have a situation that we’d like your assistance with. The Ixal have been restless lately, and we can't spare any soldiers at the moment, but the situation still requires attention and the Bowlord bid us find an adventurer up to the task instead."
Eirene frowns. She can recognize the request for what it is – a test – but there's truth in the man's words as well. They don't have anyone who can take care of this at the moment. So it's without too much hesitation that she nods. "Of course. What do you need me to do?"
"There's an underground burial site not too far from here known as the Tam-Tara Deepcroft. Recently, shadowy figures have been spotted lurking around the area, and we're starting to believe it may have become a hub for activity from the Lambs of Dalamud, a doomsday cult," he explains. "We need someone to enter the Deepcroft and determine if this is true, and if so, take out the zealots before they can cause more trouble for Gridania."
Eirene's frown deepens – a doomsday cult? She finds herself nodding before she can really dwell on that for long. "I'll take care of it."
"I appreciate it," the soldier offers her a smile. "The Deepcroft is not far from here – just follow the path to Bentbranch Meadows. Head south from there and you'll happen upon it in no time. There's a guard posted at the entrance to the Deepcroft, and I'll ensure he's aware of you – identify yourself to him and he'll let you in. And thank you."
"Of course." Eirene returns the smile. "I'll head out in just a few minutes."
This cult the soldier has mentioned are likely not the same shadowy masked figures that Eirene has been searching for information on, but it is worth investigating regardless – and she has never been one to leave people to their peril.
She gathers her things, making sure she has decent provisions for however long she might be underground, and then heads down the now-familiar path towards Bentbranch Meadows, through a relatively quiet forest. The hamlet is bustling as normal, but she proceeds through without stopping, except to offer a smile to a pair of familiar faces she spots speaking to a local just off the path, receiving an enthusiastic wave in response.
She heads out the south entrance, and before long, comes up on the mounds of packed earth that she assumes are the burial site the soldier had been speaking of. Heading down the path to the largest one, she follows the stone pathway down the steps to the entrance over to the double doors in the back.
"Greetings," the guard at the doors greets her. "This area is off limits at the moment, I'm afraid."
"My name is Eirene, I was asked to take care of your cultist problem," Eirene introduces herself, nodding to him.
"Ah, yes!" The guard smiles at her. "I was told to expect you. The entrance is just here," he gestures, stepping aside.
"What can you tell me about the Lambs of Dalamud?" she asks, frowning at the doors. "What are they trying to do in a burial site like this?"
The guard frowns. "Gods know what they're trying to do in the Deepcroft, but the cult believes the lesser moon, Dalamud, to be sacred. Five years ago, during the calamity, they were staunchly of the belief that should the moon fall on Eorzea, they would be spared from the devastation – and so were quite disappointed when their god burst into a thousand flaming pieces instead. So now they seek to 'avenge the coming of their lord and savior,' or something of the like," he scoffs. "Whatever madness they're brewing, it spells ill tidings for Gridania."
"Agreed," Eirene hums, frowning. "Thank you – I'll take care of it."
The guard nods gratefully. "Be safe."
With another nod, Eirene pushes open the door the guard had been standing in front of, and heads down into the depths.
A long, old, but well maintained pathway leads Eirene deeper underground to a second set of doors, and past those doors she immediately catches sight of what seems to be some sort of magical ritual in progress – if the glowing purple orb in the air is any indication.
Cult activity indeed.
So she charges forward, through the creatures that call these caves home, as well as undead she imagines weren't here before the cult arrived, and the cultists themselves that summon creatures from the void, cutting them all down as she continues deeper into the caves.
And finally she reaches the bottom, reaches the voidsent that emerges from the glowing purple orb she's been navigating around the entire time, and as that voidsent falls, she breathes a sigh of relief.
But nothing can ever be that easy.
She whirls around as she hears chanting behind her, and her eyes fall on a very familiar masked man a few fulms away, chanting softly under his breath.
And she freezes as a sigil appears over his mask – a sigil both familiar to her and not, unrecognizable in its shape but entirely recognizable in its function. But before she can ask, before she can demand an explanation, a new voidsent tears through a rip in the world and charges her.
She curses, diving out of the way and steadying her grip on her sword, tearing her eyes from the masked man and his Ancient magick sigil and focusing wholly on the voidsent, which snarls as it charges her again, slicing its claws through the upper part of her arm as she twists to get out of the way. She slams her sword down with less technique and more brute strength, slicing through the voidsent's side instead of the neck she'd been aiming for, and it screeches.
She doesn't give it time to recover, rushing in to stab her sword straight through its chest, and it screams again as it vanishes in a burst of aether.
Breathing heavily, Eirene turns her sights back on the masked man. His sigil has disappeared, but he is still observing her carefully.
"I see," he says, casually. "The source of your strength is becoming clear, and your very being imperils the plan – you cannot be suffered to live."
"What plan?" Eirene demands. "Who are you? How do you have—"
She's cut off by a scoff from the man as shadows begin licking his heels and he starts to vanish.
"Wait!"
But it's too late – the shadows vanish, taking him with them. Cursing, Eirene sheathes her sword, letting herself sink to the ground to catch her breath. Once her breathing has become more steady, she forces herself back to her feet and takes one last look around before beginning the climb up and out of the Deepcroft, unable to get images of the masked man’s glyph out of her head.
*
She pushes open the doors to the outside when she finishes climbing out of the caves, and the guard rushes over. "Are you all right? We couldn't hear much of what was happening, but—"
Eirene cuts him off, shaking her head. "I'm perfectly fine," she promises. "Your cultist problem is taken care of, and the Deepcroft should be safe to enter – or as safe as an underground cave can be."
The guard exhales gratefully. "I'll let the Bowlord know of your success. Thank you again for your assistance.”
"I'm glad I was able to assist. Stay safe,” Eirene offers a smile.
The guard smiles back, nodding. "You as well."
With another smile, Eirene turns to head out of the cave. She's stepping into the natural light and fresh air when she hears a call of, "Eirene!" from off to her left. Blinking, she turns to see Papalymo and Yda standing there, Yda waving enthusiastically.
"We'd heard they'd found an adventurer to help with the Lambs of Dalamud, so when we saw you pass through Bentbranch Meadows and head this way, we assumed it was you,” Papalymo greets.
“Glad to see you’re still in one piece,” Yda adds with a grin. “It go all right?”
“All fine,” Eirene promises. “Good to see you both.”
“You as well,” Papalymo nods at her.
Pausing for a moment, Eirene speaks up again. “Could I ask you something?”
“Of course!” Yda chirps before Papalymo has a chance to say anything.
“That masked man from the other day – the one you mentioned you had been chasing. Would you be willing to tell me what you know about him?”
Papalymo frowns. “Why the sudden interest?”
She doesn’t bother lying. “He appeared in the depths of the Deepcroft as well, summoned a voidsent and then said something about my existence imperiling ‘the plan.’” she frowns.
“Oh!” Yda startles. “But why would the Ascians care about the Lambs of Dalamud?” she glances at her companion.
Papalymo’s frown deepens as he shakes his head.
“Ascians?” Eirene presses lightly.
“They’ve gone by several names – the Paragons, the Bringers of Chaos – but Ascian is their proper title. We’re not certain of their goals, but we suspect they’ve been manipulating the beast tribes to summon their gods – primals – and we can't allow that."
"Primals," Eirene echoes, frowning.
"Mhmm," Yda nods. "Following them around usually leads us to trouble,“ she explains with a smile. "Papalymo and I have been helping the Gridanians out – with Ascians and the like – for a good few years now. And in all that time, the Ascians have only appeared when the Beast Tribes in the area – the Ixal, usually – begin giving the Gridanians strife. Thankfully, there’s no sign of a Garuda summoning yet, but…” she trails off.
Eirene nods, frowning.
Ascians. Paragons. She remembers hearing of them five years before, hearing of their manipulation of the beast tribes. The black masks are unfamiliar, and the robes are different, but the goal of having the beast tribes summon their primals is not.
And then there’s the creation magick, and the sigil that appeared over the Ascian's face. It’s maybe not as powerful as some magick she's seen performed in the past – and she beats that particular thought away before she can dwell on it too long – but it is creation magick nonetheless.
She cuts those thoughts off and refocuses on Yda and Papaylmo. “Well, thank you for your tip the other day – the people of the Hawthorne Hut have been very kind."
“Glad to hear it!” Yda chirps.
“May I ask,” Papalymo speaks up. “The Ascian said your existence imperiled their plan?”
Eirene nods. “He said something about the source of my power as well – but didn’t clarify at all and disappeared when I tried to demand an explanation.”
“The source of your power…” Papalymo frowns. “Ah, I see.”
“You see what?” Yda asks, putting her hands on her hips.
“Oh, hush, Yda, I’ll tell you later.”
“I bet you won’t!”
Eirene smiles at the two as they begin to bicker, and cuts in before it can escalate. “Well, it’s been very nice to see you both, but I should be heading back to the Hawthorne Hut."
"If you want, you should go see Mother Miounne," Yda says with a grin. "She’s the head of the Adventurer’s Guild here in the Black Shroud, and was the one looking for an adventurer to help out with the Deepcroft. If we've heard correctly, she has another she needs a capable adventurer for."
Eirene frowns. "Oh?"
"Something in Ul'dah," Yda says, shrugging. "Though you'd have to ask Miounne for the details. But since you helped out here, I'm sure she'd love for you to help again."
“I’ll keep it in mind,” Eirene says, offering a grateful smile. “See you around.”
“Bye!” Yda waves as she turns to head back off in the direction of Bentbranch Meadows.
*
Gridania isn’t too far out of the way of her path to the East Shroud, so she heads in that direction. If the Adventurer’s Guild had enough trouble finding someone who could help with Deepcroft that they’d sent word to the Hawthorne Hut, she imagines they’re not having much more luck with this second job, so it’s not a hard decision to at least hear them out on the details.
So with that firmly at the front of her mind, she steps through the gates to Gridania and heads up the hill to the Carline Canopy.
Mother Miounne is a tall, Elezen woman with a stern but pleasant smile on her face, and she nods at Eirene as she approaches. "What can I help you with, traveler?"
Eirene does her best not to wince at the unintentional drop of a title no one knows she once had. “My name is Eirene, I was—”
“Oh, the adventurer who cleaned up the mess in the Deepcroft,” Miounne realizes, her smile widening. “I was hoping you would stop by.”
Eirene offers a smile in return. “Yda mentioned you needed help with something else?”
Miounne nods. “Well, first, let me say thank you for your assistance with the Deepcroft. You’re not technically aligned with the Adventurer’s Guild, but the people of the Hawthorne Hut spoke highly of you and you’ve proven their faith in you was not misplaced. We all appreciate it.”
Eirene shakes her head. “I was happy to help, really.”
Miounne smiles at that. “As for the other job, Yda was correct. My counterpart in Thanalan, Momodi, contacted me a few days ago with a request for a capable adventurer to help them out with some trouble in one of the mines in the area – she’ll be able to give you the details, if you’re willing to take a trip out there.”
"I can do that," Eirene nods. "Thank you."
Miounne nods back. "Once you arrive in Ul'dah, you'll want to head to the Quicksand, in the center of town. Momodi can be found there. Best of luck, and stay safe."
Eirene smiles. "Thank you, you as well."
*
Just like Limsa Lominsa, Ul'dah's streets are extremely familiar, so Eirene is grateful to get out of the city almost immediately after arriving. Momodi, a kind Lalafell woman, had immediately explained the predicament (giants in the mines) and had given her directions and sent her on her way with no fuss about it, something Eirene greatly appreciated. So it's not too much later that she's stepping up to the guard outside of the Copperbell Mines.
She's let inside just as easily – with a short explanation of the workers somehow mining their way into a giants' nest – and she clears it out without much fuss. Unlike in the Deepcroft, no Ascian awaits her in the depths, and compared to the voidsent, the giants pose little threat, so it isn't long before she's finished her work and is making her way back up the mineshafts and elevators.
She steps back into the sunlight outside of the mines with a wince, waiting until her vision adjusts before she smiles at the guard. "All set."
"You're as dependable as they say," the guard cheers. "We appreciate the help, truly."
"Glad I could," Eirene says, honestly. "Be careful down there, I've cleared out what I could, and the giants should be gone, but the other creatures in the mines are likely still pretty upset."
The guard nods. "We'll send in a contingent to make sure the place is safe before the miners head back in," he promises. "Be safe on your way back to Ul'dah."
Eirene isn't even sure she's heading back to Ul'dah, but she nods anyway, smiling again and bidding the guard goodbye before heading towards the road.
And then she skids to a stop as her eyes fall on a very familiar figure.
"Minfilia?" she breathes, thankfully too soft for the woman to hear. She looks older than Eirene remembers her, a clear indication of the time that passed while she was... asleep? away? But despite the time that's passed, Minfilia's smile is exactly the same as she turns and spots Eirene.
"You must be Eirene," Minfilia says, approaching her. "Yda and Papalymo have spoken highly of you."
Minfilia has been in contact with Yda and Papalymo? Eirene bites back that question and instead says – lies – "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met?"
"Ah, of course," Minfilia offers a smile that Eirene can't help but return. "Minfilia Warde, a pleasure to meet you."
"It seems you already know my name," Eirene says, "but a pleasure to meet you as well."
Minfilia's smile widens.
Eirene wants to ask a thousand questions – most notably, what's happened the last five years – but that would require trying to explain to Minfilia that they already know each other, and the lack of recognition on Minfilia's face is achingly clear.
So Eirene beats those questions back and instead asks, "Is there something I can help you with?"
"As a matter of fact, there might be," Minfilia says. "Are you willing to take this conversation somewhere more private?"
Eirene glances around, spotting the guard watching them curiously from a few fulms away, and then nods. If Minfilia is still the leader of a secret organization like the Path of the Twelve, it makes sense that she wouldn't want to discuss business out in the open. "Of course. There's a town not too far from here, Horizon – we can see if they have any private rooms we could use?"
"Perfect," Minfilia says with another beaming smile. "Let's be off, then."
The walk to Horizon is mostly silent, with Minfilia casually explaining that Yda and Papalymo had called over linkpearl to let her know that the adventurer they'd spoken so highly of was heading to the Copperbell Mines, and that she couldn't resist her own curiosity. Eirene nods along, not asking questions, and secures them a private room to speak in at one of the establishments in Horizon once they arrive. It's there, once the door is sealed shut behind them, that Minfilia finally speaks plainly.
"Papalymo mentioned that you've had a few run-ins with the Ascians," she says. "The Ascians are of particular interest to our organization."
"Which would explain why Yda and Papalymo are chasing them around." Eirene nods. "Yes, I've run into one of them a couple of times."
Minfilia nods, humming. "The Ascians are dangerous – and the fact that we don't know their true goals is more dangerous still. Papalymo also mentioned that one of them spoke of the 'source of your power'?"
Eirene nods again.
"Do you know what power he was speaking of?" Minfilia asks, carefully.
Eirene frowns. That particular question has been nagging at her for days, actually. At first, she'd been certain the man had meant the memories and history she'd had since awakening – her memories of her time thousands of years ago. But she had no particular power from that time. As strong as the memories were in comparison to those of the life she'd had five years ago, any power her current self had came straight from Reina Hyland, not from Eirene. While she'd been quite powerful before the sundering of the world, none of that power was available to her now, in this sundered body.
So she shakes her head, instead of trying to explain any of that. "No – no I'm not sure what he meant."
Minfilia nods, frowning as well. "Papalymo mentioned that you collapsed after your first meeting with them. By any chance, did you see anything after you collapsed? A vision, of any sort?"
At that, Eirene stills. Of course. She’d been so focused on not having her own magick, she’d completely forgotten the power that this sundered body – that Reina – had. "I... yes," she says, careful not to give away how much she knows with her words. "It sounds mad, but I was spoken to by a giant crystal. By—"
Minfilia cuts her off. "By Hydaelyn," she says, smiling again. "Yes, I suspected so. You see, I also speak with Hydaelyn on occasion. It's a particularly rare skill that means you have her blessing – we call it the Echo. I am blessed with it, and it seems, Eirene, that you are as well. I believe that's the power that the Ascian spoke of – and if so, it means you are more valuable to our cause than you know."
Eirene swallows. When she'd spoken to Venat – to Hydaelyn – she had assumed it was what was left of her old mentor trying to explain herself, in what ways she could. She had forgotten that the ability to do that – amongst other things – came straight from the power that had lead her to the Path of the Twelve in the first place, five years ago.
"I see," she finally says. "I'm afraid that's the only time I've spoken with Her."
Minfilia nods in understanding. "Even so, that's not all the Echo can do. It's a quite robust power, one that I'm happy to continue to explore with you over time."
At that, Eirene can't help but smile – Minfilia has not changed much in five years, it seems.
"But for now," Minfilia says, more seriously. "My organization is named the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. We strive for peace and the preservation of Eorzea, and work towards this goal outside of political boundaries. We are always in search of those who possess the Echo, as it is instrumental in safely dealing with the god-like beings known as the Primals. I'm not sure how much Yda and Papalymo have already told you of them."
"Just that the Ascians seek to have the beast tribes summon them," Eirene answers, honestly.
Minfilia nods. "Yes – and that cannot be allowed to happen. And if it does, the threat must be dealt with swiftly, and only those who possess the Echo may do so safely." With a smile, she continues. "All of this is to say – I would like to extend an offer to you, if you're willing, to join us in our cause. We could use power like yours, and more importantly than that, you've proven yourself to be dependable and to want to help others. Yda and Papalymo speak highly of you, and you've shown your worth through helping the people of Gridania and Ul'dah. To put it plainly, we'd be honored if you'd be willing to lend us your strength, Eirene."
Eirene pauses, swallowing, thoughts swirling in her head. This organization, this Scions of the Seventh Dawn, doesn't feel too dissimilar to the Path of the Twelve. Their goals, their plans, it all feels along the same lines, with the same leader.
But as much as this sundered body was once named Reina Hyland, and as much as Reina was once a member of the Path of the Twelve, Eirene doesn't truly feel connected to that organization. But she remembers Minfilia, of course – she trusts Minfilia.
"Why don't you think about it?" Minfilia cuts through her swirling thoughts. "Our headquarters is not far from here, in the town of Vesper Bay. If you follow the path west out of Horizon, you'll reach us in no time. Head to the warehouse near the water, and introduce yourself to Tataru, and she'll lead you straight in." Minfilia says, standing up to head towards the door. "Take your time thinking the offer over, and if you wish to join us, come and meet me."
Eirene swallows, and then nods. "I will. Thank you, Minfilia."
Minfilia offers one last smile, and then slips from the room, shutting the door behind her again and leaving Eirene to her whirling and circling thoughts.
Notes:
This was so much harder to write than I expected, but it's done now. Sorry if you find any mistakes, but hopefully I caught them all. I'm hoping things start to pick up a bit in the next chapter, but we'll see how much we end up sticking to the plan there, haha.
Many thanks as always to Eriyu for listening to me whine about this and helping me figure out how to make it work. <3
Chapter Text
She heads to Vesper Bay.
In all honesty, once Minfilia had left her alone, it only took a few more minutes of circling around in her own head before Eirene settled on an answer.
It comes down to two things.
First and foremost, Eirene's greatest goal has always been to help the people of Etheirys. Here, in this sundered remnant of their world, that is no different. If these Primals that the Scions of the Seventh Dawn seek to prevent and defeat pose a threat to the people of Etheirys, then defending against them is the correct choice.
And beyond that, the Ascians that seek to summon the Primals have creation magicks of some sort – have some sort of connection to her people – and Eirene needs to understand why.
So she heads to Vesper Bay, only a short time after Minfilia departs.
The path is straightforward, if a bit long, down the slope west of Horizon and through a marshland filled with ruins, but it isn't long before she's walking into Vesper Bay and shaking water off her boots. She finds the warehouse Minfilia had mentioned without too much trouble and pushes open the door to the building only to immediately spot another familiar face, this one humming to herself.
This time, though, it’s less of a surprise. Where Minfilia goes, Tataru follows, after all.
She clears her throat lightly, and the Lalafell startles, whirling around to face her.
“I would thank you not to sneak up on me like that!” she says, exhaling shakily, before forcing a smile. “This is private property, miss. If you have no business here, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave.”
“I’m here to see Minfilia,” Eirene says, quickly. “She asked me to come by.”
Tataru’s eyes narrow. “And your name?”
“Eirene,” she introduces herself.
At that, Tataru relaxes, shooting her a much more genuine smile. “We weren’t expecting you this quickly, but we’re glad you’re here.”
Eirene smiles back. “It wasn’t a hard choice, when it came down to it.”
“Good,” Tataru says, satisfied. “Head down those stairs just there and straight through all the doors until you reach the room at the very back, the Solar. I’ll let the Antecedent know you’re on your way.”
“Thank you,” Eirene says, barely managing to keep from saying Tataru’s name, and offers another smile instead before hurrying down the stairs.
At the bottom of the steps is a nondescript door, which opens to an expansive basement bustling with people. She makes her way straight down the hallway as directed, trying not to look for recognizable faces in the people who glance over at her as she passes, and then finally pushes open the last set of doors to enter the Solar.
Minfilia looks up from her desk as she enters, and beams a smile in her direction. "I'm so glad you decided to come!"
Eirene offers a smile back, nodding at her. "Thank you for the invitation."
Minfilia's smile widens. "Well – I would introduce you to everyone, but I'm afraid most of our Archon colleagues are still afield – only Yda and Papalymo knew I was planning to speak with you. But I believe both Urianger and Thancred are in the Waking Sands at the moment – let me call them." She lifts her hand to her ear, activating her linkpearl, and a moment later, the door to the solar swings open to admit two men.
"Ah, there we are," Minfilia smiles at them. "Eirene, may I introduce Urianger and Thancred, two archons of Sharlayan, Scions of the Seventh Dawn, and close friends besides."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Eirene says with a smile.
"You as well," Thancred nods at her. "We've heard naught but high praises."
At that, Eirene shakes her head, and Thancred chuckles softly.
"Urianger handles things around the Waking Sands and can frequently be found here – I recommend reaching out to him if you have any questions, he's likely the one with the answers," Minfilia smiles at him, and Urianger nods in acknowledgement. "And Thancred has been in and around Ul'dah, investigating some similar Ascian sightings to those that you've dealt with in the Black Shroud," she explains, and Eirene frowns, glancing back over at Thancred. "They've become more active recently, which is of high concern."
Thancred nods, taking over. "We believe that they are manipulating the Amalj’aa in addition to the Ixal, and are worried about the imminent risk of an Ifrit summoning," he says. "Ifrit is the patron deity of the Amalj’aa and we have good reason to believe they're close to resorting to a summoning, as a large caravan of crystals recently went missing in the area."
"Unfortunately, in addition to the stolen crystals, a good number of people also disappeared in the region at seemingly the same time," Minfilia says, frowning. "As loathe as I am to send you immediately back out when you’ve only just arrived, I must ask – would you be willing to investigate both the abductions and the theft with Thancred?"
"Of course," Eirene answers immediately. "Where in Thanalan?" she glances over at Thancred.
He offers a smile. "Both the theft and disappearances occurred near a shantytown named Camp Drybone in the Eastern region of the area. I'd recommend we start there."
Eirene nods, determined. "Agreed."
"Before you set out, though," Minfilia stops them, offering Eirene a linkpearl. "So that you can keep in touch with us as necessary. Additionally, there are plenty of rest facilities within the Waking Sands – please take advantage of them. Considering how quickly you arrived, I doubt you've rested much since leaving Copperbell."
Eirene takes the linkpearl and offers Minfilia a smile. "I haven't, but I truly am fine," she promises. "If we leave now, we can make it to Eastern Thanalan before sundown and can rest there while gathering information."
Minfilia glances at Thancred who shrugs. "She's not wrong."
With a sigh, she mumbles, "You're going to enable each other, aren't you? If you insist, I won't stop you, but please be safe."
"We will," Thancred promises her. "See you soon, Minfilia."
Eirene offers another smile, nodding at Minfilia, and then follows Thancred out of the Waking Sands and back into the beating sun of Western Thanalan.
As they make their way out of Vesper Bay, Thancred speaks up. "Probably best you didn't agree to stay the night."
Eirene glances over. "Hm?"
"Minfilia says we have plenty of rest facilities, but what she means is we have some cots shoved in a closet or two." He chuckles. "The Waking Sands is not the most spacious of facilities, but we make good use of the space we have. And it's clean and safe, at least."
Eirene smiles at that. "I've definitely slept in worse accommodations than that."
"As have I," Thancred agrees, smiling.
*
Camp Drybone is built into the walls of a canyon, with a steep slope leading down into the main part of the small town and a church and graveyard on the hill behind it. Thancred leads her straight down the slope when they arrive, nodding in greeting at a man standing in the main plaza.
“Isembard, ‘tis good to see you," he says. "My name is Thancred, and this is Eirene – we've come to investigate the disappearances in the area."
"Ah, yes." Isembard nods back. "Minfilia mentioned someone would be along."
Eirene offers a smile. "Is there anything you can tell us about the victims?"
Isembard shakes his head. "Unfortunately, not as much as I wish I could. They were among the many travelers we get coming through looking for work or aid after being misplaced. I wish I knew more about them, but unfortunately, there's a good chance that if it weren't for the sheer number of people missing, we may not have noticed foul play at all."
Eirene winces at that, but nods.
"I would recommend beginning with the lowfolk in the area, though," Isembard says. "If anyone knew the victims, it's them."
"Yes, I agree," Thancred nods. "I suggest we split up, speak to the people around town, and meet back up in a few hours time."
"Sounds good," Eirene agrees. "Thank you for your assistance, Isembard." She nods to him, before glancing back over at Thancred and splitting off to speak to some of the people around the small town.
*
She and Thancred regroup late that night, finding an isolated spot a little ways out of town, far enough away from the town center to avoid attention, but close enough to still keep an eye out.
"Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck," Eirene admits. "The people aren't very willing to speak with an outsider, and the information I have received only leads to one place."
"One place is good," Thancred says. "Where?"
Eirene winces. "The church – but for as many accounts that could be pointed in that direction, there are just as many tales of them assisting the poor. It's more likely to be an individual taking advantage of the cover the church offers, rather than the whole organization, and unfortunately I have no theories as to whom."
Thancred frowns. "I've heard much the same. I think it might be time to take our questions directly to them, then."
"You want to go speak with them directly? We’d be all but accusing a religious organization of kidnapping." Eirene blinks.
"We wouldn’t be accusing," Thancred insists. "At least not in those words. But I think speaking with them might be the best next course of action – if they are somehow involved, we won't know until we start to investigate."
Eirene frowns. "A fair enough point,” she finally admits with a sigh. “Okay. We should wait until the morning to go asking, though, or we risk looking more suspicious than we already are.”
Thancred chuckles at that. “Agreed. The town has an inn, let’s see if we can rest there for the night and head to the church in the morning. The Scions have a friend there – I’ll introduce you.”
Eirene nods, and then frowns as she and Thancred make their way back towards Camp Drybone. “If the Scions have a friend in the area, why haven’t we spoken with him yet?”
“Who do you think informed us that there was a problem in the first place?” Thancred asks, with a wry smile.
*
The Church of Saint Adama Landama at the top of the hill behind Camp Drybone is quiet as they approach it early the next morning, save for the sounds of buzzing insects and the quiet mourning of the early risers in the lichyard nearby. Eirene quietly follows Thancred up to the church doors, almost running into his back as he pauses suddenly outside of them.
Shifting to his side, she shoots him a questioning look.
“Iliud is a good friend of the Scions, but he prefers to keep his involvement as quiet as possible,” Thancred murmurs to her, and Eirene nods in understanding. Nodding back at her, he finally pushes the doors open, heading inside.
A man standing near the front of the church spots them and smiles as they approach. “Thancred, my friend – what can I do for you today?”
“Iliud,” Thancred greets. “This is Eirene. Eirene, meet Iliud.”
“A pleasure to meet you.” Eirene smiles
“You as well.” Iliud returns the smile. “Now, with the pleasantries out of the way, what can I do for you today?”
“We were hoping to speak to you about the disappearances from Camp Drybone,” Thancred says. “Is there somewhere we can speak where we won’t be bothering church-goers?”
“Of course,” Iliud agrees. “Please follow me – the Church of Saint Adama Landama will do anything we can to help find those poor souls.”
He leads them into an empty room behind the altar of the church, shutting the door behind them, and then turns, his smile gone. "What have you found out?"
"Unfortunately, not much," Thancred answers. "Everyone that's been taken seems to have been a recent migrant to the area, and almost always down on their luck in some way." He glances over at Eirene.
"We asked around, and several people remember seeing what seemed to be members of the church speaking to or helping the people only shortly before they vanished," Eirene explains, frowning. "We were wondering if there was a chance someone may be using the cover of being a member of the church to take advantage of these people."
Iliud's frown deepens. "It's true that we do our best to help anyone that we can," he says, "but we simply do not have the resources to help every migrant to the area, so we're rarely seen about town. Sister Ourcen does frequently spend time in The Golden Bazaar with the children there, but believe me when I say there is no chance she's behind this. It's much more likely that someone is pretending to be affiliated with our church to take advantage."
Eirene swallows, exchanging a glance with Thancred.
Thancred lets out a breath, humming. "We're still certain this has something to do with the Amalj’aa," he says, crossing his arms. "But if you can't think of a legitimate member of the church that could be working with them, I think we'll need to assume that if there seems to be a connection to the church, the person must be an imposter."
Eirene frowns at the look on Thancred's face. "You have a plan," she concludes, warily.
"I do," Thancred answers. "Though I'm not sure if it's a good one."
"Any plan is better than no plan," Eirene says, shaking her head.
"If we can assist in any way, we'd be happy to," Iliud says.
"I appreciate it, but we'll handle it from here," Thancred assures him. "Thank you for your help, Iliud."
"Of course – thank you," Iliud replies. "You're welcome to stay here to plan if you'd like – no one should be using this room for a few hours."
"Much appreciated, but we've taken enough advantage of your hospitality," Thancred assures him. "We'll be on our way, and hopefully this mess will be dealt with before long."
Iliud nods, opening the door back out to the main church and holding it to let Thancred and Eirene out. Once back out in the main area, he speaks. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to offer more assistance."
Thancred shakes his head. "You were plenty helpful, thank you Iliud." And with that, he heads towards the doors. Eirene turns to offer Iliud a grateful smile before scrambling after him.
"So – what's the possibly bad plan?" she asks, once they've put some distance between themselves and the church.
"We use ourselves as bait," Thancred answers.
Eirene blinks, opens her mouth, and then shuts it again with a shake of her head.
"What?" Thancred asks with a slight grin over in her direction.
Eirene just shakes her head again. "I'm not used to working with someone who thinks like I do," she says. "We'll need to look like we're both new in town and in need of coin."
Thancred's smile widens slightly and he nods. "I have a feeling that won't be a problem."
*
It's laughably easy to disguise themselves as people in need of help. Clothed in dirty old rags, the villagers won't give them a second look, despite the fact that Thancred and Eirene had stayed in town the night before. Sure enough, they're turned away by everyone they speak to, until someone finally directs them towards a camp at a pond north of town where the poor are known to gather.
And mere minutes after arriving, someone in the robes of the church saunters up, offering them succor, and she and Thancred have their kidnapper.
"Wait, I recognize you," Thancred says, once the man has been subdued and his hood has been pulled down. "Ungust, right? You were giving those refugees in Ul'dah grief last time I was there."
Eirene winces, shooting a sour look in the kidnapper's direction. "Why am I not surprised," she mumbles, shaking her head and glancing over at Thancred. "What now? Call the Immortal Flames?"
Thancred frowns, nodding. "Yes, best to let them take over this side of it. We still need to find the crystals and the kidnapped citizens, but at least with Ungust in custody, no more should be going missing."
"I can help with that!" Ungust pipes up. "I swear, I was just—"
"Shut up," Eirene snaps, and Ungust shuts his mouth, swallowing.
Thancred chuckles at that. "How about you go get the Immortal Flames, and I'll see what our new friend here can tell us about where the Amalj'aa might have their captives, then?"
Eirene shoots one more displeased look at Ungust, and then nods. "Sure. I'll be back soon."
"Take your time. More time to get him to speak won't hurt," Thancred assures her, and Eirene can't help a soft chuckle at that.
She does as promised, and doesn't rush back to Camp Drybone, but soon enough, Ungust is in the custody of the Flame Soldiers and she and Thancred are back in their own clothes and back in the Inn, with an open connection to Minfilia via linkpearl.
"Don't suppose he gave you anything useful?" Eirene asks, once they’ve finished filling Minfilia in on what’s happened so far.
Thancred shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no. Seems he knows very little about where the Amalj'aa keep their captives – conveniently. The Flame Soldiers have taken over the interrogation – hopefully they're able to extract something more useful."
Eirene frowns, but nods.
“Thancred,” Minfilia speaks over their linkpearls. “If you’re able, could I burden you to go report to Raubahn? I’m sure the Immortal Flames you’ve spoken to thus far have noted your involvement, and he’ll no doubt have questions as to why the Scions have decided to involve themselves in this.”
“Of course, Minfilia,” Thancred answers easily, before turning to Eirene. “The Grand Company leaders are all aware of the Scions,” he says, answering her unasked question.
Eirene nods, as Minfilia continues. “General Aldynn more than most, admittedly, as our headquarters is in Thanalan.”
“Will you be okay here while I go take care of this?” Thancred asks Eirene, who nods without hesitation.
“Of course. I’ll work with the Flame Soldiers, see what we can find in the meantime,” she assures him.”
“Don’t hesitate to call me back if something comes to light,” Thancred says, and Eirene nods again.
“Both of you be careful,” Minfilia insists. “And thank you.”
“We’ll report back in again soon, Minfilia,” Thancred promises, and the linkpearl connection closes. Turning to Eirene, he nods. “If I head out now, I can likely be there before sundown.”
“Go,” Eirene agrees. “Keep in touch.”
He grabs his bag, quickly checking to make sure he has everything he needs, and then swings it onto his shoulder. And with a final nod and a smile, he heads out of the Inn.
*
Thancred is in a meeting with Raubahn the next morning, finishing up their business, when a soldier bursts in, out of breath and panicked.
"What's the meaning of this?" Raubahn insists, standing up.
"Apologies, sir!" The soldier salutes. "It's just – we haven't been able to get in touch with the team leading the assault on the Amalj'aa."
"I'm sorry, which team is this?" Thancred asks, standing up as well, a sick feeling starting to form in his gut.
"The one running the plan to draw the Amalj'aa out by using the kidnapper you captured," Raubahn says, frowning. "What do you mean you can't get in touch with them?"
"I mean we lost contact with them when the plan was set to begin and have not heard anything since," the soldier says.
Immediately, Thancred activates his linkpearl. "Eirene, are you there?"
Silence greets him, and Thancred curses softly. "I'm guessing she got herself involved in the plan?"
"She volunteered." The soldier nods.
Thancred curses again. "I'm going back to Camp Drybone to try and find them. Raubahn, alert me if you hear anything."
"I will." The Flame General nods, and Thancred dashes from the room.
They’ve had their newest Scion for all of two days, and already she’s been placed in what he assumes must be life-threatening peril. One hell of a welcoming mission.
The pit in his stomach only grows as he’s draws closer to Camp Drybone, and as he crests the hill near the town, it becomes immediately obvious where Eirene and the soldiers are. The sun is blocked out in the distance by an eclipse, but large, uncontrollable swaths of fire light up the area near the Amalj’aa encampment. Cursing, Thancred pushes forward, running towards the flames as fast as he can manage.
He knows what that eclipse and those flames mean – the Amalj’aa have succeeded in summoning Ifrit, and Eirene is in the thick of it.
The Amalj’aa are determined to block his way, but he cuts through them, cursing as the flames begin to fade, and finally, he cuts through the last of them, running up to the fiery aftermath of Ifrit's summoning.
But somehow, instead of the tempered, addled woman or burnt corpse he expects to find, he instead finds Eirene, upright, panting, sleeve burnt off her tunic and revealing light burns on her arm, but alive.
"Eirene!" he calls, running over to her. She startles, turning, and relaxes when she sees him, sheathing her sword.
"Thancred," she breathes, relieved, swallowing as she sees the carnage behind her. "Are you all right?"
"Am I all right?" Thancred repeats. "Which one of us just, presumably, fought a primal? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Eirene insists. "I'll have my wounds treated when we get back to town," she promises, the words sounding almost rehearsed. "Are the captives?"
"I’m not sure,” Thancred says, before wincing. "If they were here, though – they’re likely tempered."
Eirene purses her lips. After a moment of silence, she finally exhales and says, "I see why Minfilia wanted me here."
"Quite," Thancred reaches over and squeezes her unburned shoulder. "Let's get you back to town and see what we can do about those burns. My deepest apologies for being too late to help."
Eirene shakes her head, offering him a small smile. "If you'd been here, Thancred, you'd be no better off than the captives. It’s better you weren't."
Thancred returns the smile briefly, before steering her away from the carnage and back towards Camp Drybone.
Notes:
Is this the best chapter I've ever written? Absolutely not. I am slogging through the required setup before we get to the fun stuff here. I have so many plans, and writing out everything that comes before them is proving to be extremely difficult. Hopefully this wasn't too boring to read despite that.
That said, I think we get to start to see those fun plans beginning next chapter. Hopefully.
Many many thanks as always to Eriyu for her help with this. I definitely would have given up on this chapter a while ago if she hadn't been there. Thanks for reading!
Chapter Text
The Scions, Eirene has learned over the days she's been involved with the group, are not ones to ignore a call for help. So when a worried missive about their relationship with the Sylph comes from Gridania, Eirene finds herself joined by Yda and Papalymo in the woods of the Black Shroud once again.
And in investigating Gridania's questions, she finds herself in the damp, mossy, cobweb-infested stones of the abandoned dungeon known as the Thousand Maws of Toto-Rak.
Overall, the dungeon has been what she expected for an underground structure abandoned by the people who maintained it – filled with creatures who have not seen the light of day in long years – but she's made good time through it in her pursuit of the missing Sylph elder. At this point, she's almost expecting something to go wrong.
So of course, something does.
She runs into the deepest room of the dungeon to find the Sylph elder facing down a black-cloaked Ascian, and runs up behind him.
"Walking one must flee!" The Sylph elder says when he notices her, panic in his voice.
"It's fine," Eirene assures him. "My friends are at the surface and the dungeon is cleared out – if you go now, you should be safe. Hurry."
Without waiting to see if the Sylph elder does as she recommended, Eirene steps in front of him and turns to the Ascian, drawing her sword just to be safe. "What do you want with the Sylphs?"
The Ascian scoffs, ignoring her question. "So, you're the one who defeated Ifrit," he says in a voice that nags at something in the back of Eirene's head. She tightens her grip on her sword as the Ascian turns, and her eyes fall on a red, oh-so-familiar mask.
She'd grown up learning how to identify the members of the Convocation by their unique red masks. It was a basic piece of education taught to each child as they began learning about Etheirys's government and governing body.
And then she'd joined the Convocation and worked alongside those same masks for years before everything had gone wrong.
She knows that mask.
The name tumbles out of her mouth before she can stop it. "Lahabrea?"
Lahabrea stills, gaze now fixated firmly on her. "And how, exactly, would you know that?"
Eirene isn't even sure how to answer that question, but she's opening her mouth to try something when she's cut off by a distant call from behind her. "Eirene!"
She can see the way Lahabrea stiffens, recognizing her true name, and she swallows. That proves it, then – this isn't just a Lahabrea. He's a Lahabrea that knows her – which means it's the Lahabrea that worked with her.
She doesn't tear her gaze from him as silence falls between them and those distant pounding footsteps grow closer and closer.
And then finally, he breaks the silence by vanishing into a cloud of darkness, just as Yda thunders up behind her, skidding to a stop at her side.
"Are you okay?" Yda demands. "The elder said you were alone with an Ascian!"
Eirene swallows, but doesn't turn to Yda, just forces out an, "I'm fine," even though it doesn't feel true. Her thoughts are circling – that was Lahabrea. If that was Lahabrea, then who else is alive? What connection does the Convocation of Fourteen have to the Ascians? – but she pushes them as far back as she can manage and finally rips her gaze from the spot where Lahabrea had been standing moments before. "He said some cryptic things and then left," she tells Yda, only partially lying.
Yda lets out a breath of relief and smiles. "Well, glad you're all right!” After a brief pause to look about the cobweb-riddled room, she speaks again. “Come on, then, let's get out of here – it's damp and gross."
Yda heads towards the exit, but Eirene turns back to where Lahabrea had been standing, for just one more moment.
And then she swallows, steels herself, and follows Yda out of Toto-Rak.
*
Her thoughts are still whirling when they meet up with Papalymo, and she's mostly silent as they make their way back through the woods towards Little Solace, Yda chattering away as she fills him in.
"And the Ascian didn't attack?" Papalymo asks Eirene, brow furrowed.
"No," Eirene finally says. "He said his name was Lahabrea," she lies, "But then he heard Yda coming and vanished."
"That's out of character for them." Papalymo frowns.
Eirene just hums in agreement.
Yda frowns, glancing at her and then flicking her gaze over to Papalymo. "Well, all's well that ends well, right?" she insists. "The Sylph Elder is safe, the Ascian didn't hurt Eirene – rather than be upset the Ascian didn't attack, let's just be grateful for the outcome, no matter the circumstance, right?"
Papalymo lets out a sigh and shakes his head, but doesn't push the topic any further as they approach the gates to Little Solace.
"Walking ones are back!" A Sylph proclaims as they enter. "Come, come, speak with Elder one!"
The three Scions follow the Sylph deeper into Little Solace, until they're standing in front of the Sylph elder.
Eirene doesn’t hear much of what the Sylph Elder tells them, unable to tear her thoughts from seeing Lahabrea – Lahabrea – but refocuses in when she catches Yda giving her a concerned look.
“Sorry,” she says, when she realizes they were waiting for her to say something. “Could you repeat that?”
Yda offers a smile. “He was just thanking you for saving him and making sure you’re feeling all right?” She presses lightly.
“Oh,” Eirene says, nodding gratefully at Yda and turning back to Frixio. “It was no problem at all, honestly – I’m glad you’re okay.”
Yda’s frown deepens, but she thankfully doesn’t press again, and as Frixio and Papalymo begin to speak about Gridania’s concerns, she can't help but let her thoughts wander again. She tries to keep her attention on the conversation, but the questions are swimming around in her head and based on the concerned looks Yda keeps shooting her, only making her friends nervous.
Finally, though, Frixio dismisses them with a letter for the Elder Seedseer, and they make their way back out of Little Solace.
Once a little ways outside of town, Eirene turns to her two companions. "I'll go ahead and take this back to Gridania, then?"
"We can come with you, if you want," Yda offers, concern written clearly on her face despite her mask.
Eirene forces a smile, shaking her head. Some time alone with her thoughts will hopefully help her get her head on straight before she reports in to the Waking Sands. "It's okay, no reason for all three of us to go all the way there. Let Minfilia know I'll be back later tonight or tomorrow?"
Papalymo nods, cutting Yda off before she can speak again. "Rest in town if you need to – it's been a long day."
Eirene nods back, offering another smile. "See you tomorrow at the latest." She waves at the two of them, and takes off down the path towards Gridania before they can ask any more questions.
*
Gridania is quiet when she finally walks through the gates a couple of hours later. She'd elected to walk back to try and clear her head and get thoughts straight, but instead had spent the entire walk circling the same questions around in her head, again and again.
Gods, she can't face Minfilia like this. What would she even tell her? She doesn't want to lie to her friend, but how would she even go about explaining that she'd known Lahabrea in a past life (or whatever she is to the body she's in now.) The world is sundered, irreparably different than the world she'd come from. How do you throw that at someone?
She exhales shakily, steeling herself as she walks up to the guards outside of the Lotus Stand and offering an extremely forced smile.
"Hello," she greets. "I have a letter for the Elder Seedseer from the Elder of the Sylph."
"Ah!" The guard says, saluting her and nodding. "We were told to expect you. I'll make sure it gets to her right away."
Eirene hands it over without complaint, and waits until the guard has disappeared down the path to the Lotus Stand before she turns to the other and nods. "If she has any questions, I'll be staying in town for the night," she says, before pausing and adding, "Though I'm not sure I'll have answers for her."
The other guard smiles at that. "Good to know either way. Have a pleasant rest."
Eirene nods, offering a smile in thanks, and heads back the way she'd come. She takes the long way through town back to the Carline Canopy, and Mother Miounne offers her a warm smile when she enters.
"Ah, there's our wayward adventurer," she greets. "Haven't seen much of you since you left for Ul’dah. Have Yda and Papalymo been treating you well?"
Eirene can't help but smile at that. "They have. Good to see you too, Mother Miounne. I was just looking for a room for the night."
"Of course," Miounne gestures towards the Innkeep on the far side of the Carline Canopy. "Get some rest; Twelve know you adventurers don't get enough of it."
Eirene offers another smile as she heads over to the Innkeep, and once behind the door of a well-furnished room, she drops her bag onto a chair and collapses into a different one, letting her head fall into her hands.
She needs to get her head on straight before she goes back to the Waking Sands. If Yda and Papalymo had realized something was wrong – which they clearly had, based on the concerned looks she'd been shot all throughout their conversation with Frixio – then Minfilia will take one look at her and know. Until or unless she figures out how to explain herself, she needs to be able to give her report to Minfilia without her noticing, or she needs a good excuse to not go back to the Waking Sands at first light.
*
Luck is in her favor.
She wakes early after a night of very restless dreams, and is packing up her bag when her linkpearl chimes to alert her of someone trying to call her. She quickly taps it. "Yes?"
"Eirene, good – did we catch you before you left Gridania?" Minfilia's voice filters through, a little hurried.
"Yes," Eirene assures her. "I was about to head out – is everything okay?"
"Yes, yes," Minfilia answers. "But we've received reports of an Ascian in the area around Fallgourd Float. Papalymo and Yda mentioned you'd run into an Ascian yesterday in the East Shroud – chances are this is the same one."
Lahabrea. Before Eirene can speak up, Minfilia continues. "Since you're already in the area, would you be willing to head over and check it out?"
Eirene tries not to let the relief show in her voice. "Of course, no problem at all."
"I can send Yda and Papalymo to catch up, but—"
Eirene cuts her off. "It's okay, I've got it. I'll call in if I need backup."
Minfilia is quiet for a moment, before she says. "I'll remind you that last time you said that, you went on to fight a primal on your own."
Eirene can't help but smile. "I didn't need backup." Minfilia lets out a laugh at that, and Eirene smiles a little wider. "I'll let you know what's happening in Fallgourd."
"Thank you, Eirene. Safe travels," Minfilia says, and the connection cuts.
Swallowing around her relief at not needing to explain herself quite yet, and feeling a little lighter than when she'd woken up, Eirene swings her bag onto her shoulder and heads out of the Inn room to make her way to the North Shroud.
*
"Minfilia?" Y'sthola asks as knocks lightly on the door to the Solar, and Minfilia looks up from the report she's reading to smile and call out for her to come inside.
Standing up to stretch her legs – she's been sitting for far too long – she smiles at Y'shtola as she enters. "Good to see you – what news do you have from La Noscea?"
Y'shtola winces slightly. "I'm afraid it isn't good," she admits. "The Maelstrom have sent a missive requesting our assistance. It seems the Kobolds have in fact summoned Titan."
Minfilia winces as well. "I see. It was what we guessed, I suppose, though I don't take much pleasure in being correct in that assumption."
Y'shtola hums in agreement.
"Can I ask you to go back to La Noscea to keep an eye on the situation? Eirene is in Gridania investigating an Ascian sighting there at the moment, but with her experience with Ifrit, I feel she's the best to assist you, so I'll send her your way as soon as she's available."
Y'shtola nods. "Of course." After a brief pause, she asks, "What are your thoughts on our newest Scion?"
"On Eirene?" Minfilia asks, startled. "I'm not sure what you mean?"
"I've yet to work with her," Y'shtola clarifies. "Thancred and Yda both speak highly of her, but Papalymo seems a bit more reticent. I was just wondering your thoughts."
Minfilia frowns at that. "Papalymo doesn't trust her?" she asks.
"I didn't say that," Y'shtola smiles. "You know Papalymo – he's not one to lay his cards out on the table, so to speak. He trusts her well enough, but we barely know her. I wouldn't even be able to tell you where she's from."
Minfilia acquiesces that. "That is true, of course, but I do trust her," she tells Y'shtola. "I'm not sure I could give you a reason good enough to convince you to, but I do trust her. I do believe she has secrets, of course, but she's done naught but help since arriving in Eorzea, and we must place our faith in those that we can."
Y'shtola nods.
"I do hope that one day she'll feel comfortable enough with us to tell us more about herself. But that day won't come if we don't give her the chance," Minfilia adds, offering a warm smile to Y'shtola. "And besides that, she has the Echo. Hydaelyn would not grant her blessing to one who cannot be trusted – I truly believe that."
"You always do hold people in the highest regard," Y'shtola says, smiling back at Minfilia. "I will call with an update once I have spoken with the Maelstrom."
"Thank you, Y'shtola. Travel safe." Minfilia beams at her, as Y'shtola nods and exits the Solar.
*
Eirene's investigation of Fallgourd Float had dragged her into a murder investigation, and said murder investigation led her to the voidsent-infested halls of Haukke Manor, and to the murderer herself, the former lady of the house.
And as Lady Amandine falls, in all her tainted glory, Eirene doesn't sheath her sword. She's learned well enough by this point that she calls out, "Lahabrea!" and waits in silence for him to respond.
And sure enough, the man himself steps out from behind a column, giving her an even look from beneath his mask.
"So, what was this?" Eirene demands. "Some sort of sick test?"
Lahabrea doesn't laugh, simply shrugging. "And if it was?"
Eirene goes to speak up, but Lahabrea doesn't give her a chance.
"In earnest, I was looking to get a measure of your supposed strength," he says. "Eikon slayer you may be, but that sundered body pales in comparison to the feats you were once capable of."
"I'm aware," Eirene bites. "Are you going to give me any answers, or are you just going to disappear off to who knows where again?"
"And what answers are you looking for, Azem?" Lahabrea asks, crossing his arms. "I don't believe I owe the woman who walked away from the world that needed her an explanation for anything."
"I didn't—" Eirene cuts herself off – launching into the same argument she had a thousand times before the sundering would help no one. Taking a breath to try and even herself, she says, "We were both doing what we thought was right, in different ways."
"And we succeeded," Lahabrea says, evenly, not rising to her bait. "For the world is still here, no matter what Hydaelyn may have thought she was doing when she sundered it."
Eirene pauses, starting to frown. "You sacrificed our people," she finally says. "The first time, to summon Zodiark and stop the end of the world, sure, but the second time? The proposed third time? Of course Venat wouldn't let that go."
"And of course you're on her side," Lahabrea says, with no surprise in his voice. "Her chosen one."
"I am on no one's side," Eirene snaps. "All I have ever wanted was the best for the people of Etheirys."
"And yet you walked away when they needed you," Lahabrea reminds her.
This time, Eirene rises to his bait. "I was doing everything I could to save them. All of them, not half, or a quarter, or the eighth we would have been left with if Zodiark had gotten his last sacrifice. Or the fraction we would have been left with after that if he'd continued to demand and demand and—"
She's cut off by a growl and a blast of magic that hits her squarely in the chest, and she skids backwards, coughing as the wind is knocked out of her lungs.
"Their sacrifice was not in vain and they will be restored to this world as soon as we can undo the damage Hydaelyn has wrought," Lahabrea snaps at her.
"So you can sacrifice them to the primal that has you in its thrall again and again?" Eirene snaps back.
Lahabrea rears back, summoning a stream of fire that Eirene dives out of the way to avoid. She raises her sword to slash at him, but he dodges away – of course – and she curses her lack of magic for what feels like the hundredth time since waking, ducking under another blast of magic from him and diving away again as he follows it with yet another stream of fire.
And then she stumbles as she catches sight of a man in a white robe and a red mask leaning against one of the far columns, watching them with his arms crossed and not saying a word.
"Elidibus?" she asks, and the man's gaze flicks to her before he turns back to Lahabrea.
"Are you done?" he asks, voice sounding bored.
Lahabrea snaps his gaze over to Elidibus. "What, suddenly care if I kill her?" he snorts.
"Hardly," Elidibus answers. "You're needed."
"Handle whatever it is—"
"Lahabrea," Elidibus says, warns, and after a moment of silently staring each other down, Lahabrea scoffs and disappears into a cloud of darkness, leaving Eirene alone with Elidibus.
But she doesn't get to say anything before Elidibus vanishes as well, and Eirene is suddenly alone in the basement of Haukke Manor, pain lancing through her where Lahabrea's magic had struck, and with more questions than answers.
Notes:
So, that took a while.
I didn't intend to disappear for three months, but the first half of this chapter took me a long time to get through. The second half not so much. I hope it didn't disappoint. :D We're finally starting to get to some of the fun parts.
Chapter 5 is mostly written already, too, so I shouldn't be disappearing for three months again, but there are a lot of moving parts and I want to make sure everything fits properly.
As always, many thousands of thanks to Eriyu for all of her help, especially with this chapter. This fic would not exist without her. <3
Thanks for reading!
Chapter Text
Coming back to Limsa Lominsa hurts less than Eirene is expecting. She’d avoided the town altogether after waking in this body, Reina’s memories too prominent in her head and the pain of not being remembered too fresh. Now, with the knowledge that the Ascians seem to be the members of the Convocation that summoned Zodiark, that pain feels like nothing in comparison.
When she’d called in to Minfilia earlier in the day, after finally getting her wits about her and resting long enough in the bloody halls of Haukke Manor for the pain from Lahabrea’s blows to lessen, she’d been greeted by news of yet another situation requiring her attention – and thankfully, keeping her from needing to go back to the Waking Sands.
And so, she’d made her way to Limsa Lominsa, and as she steps through the crowded streets towards the headquarters of the Maelstrom, she finds Y’shtola standing exactly where Minfilia had said she’d be.
“Eirene,” Y’shtola greets with a wave and a smile. “Come, I was just speaking with the high commander about the situation.”
“Ah, pleasure to meet you, Eirene,” the commander greets, saluting her. “We’ve heard many tales of your triumph over Ifrit.”
Eirene shakes her head, brushing right past that. “Pleasure to meet you as well. If I’ve understood the situation correctly, the kobolds have already summoned Titan?”
“Yes,” Y’shtola says. “While defeating Titan is of course one problem, the more pressing issue at the moment is reaching him. He’s in the depths of the kobold mines, and going through the front would be tantamount to suicide.”
“Correct,” the commander says, nodding. “We were just speaking of an old band of mercenaries that once had a way to access O’Ghomoro to defeat Titan – though they’ve long since disbanded. They may be the only ones with the knowledge to get you in, however.”
“So we need to find them,” Eirene concludes.
“Exactly.” Y’shtola nods. “There’s rumor that one may be in the town of Costa del Sol. I’m thinking we may wish to split up – you go and check out Costa del Sol, and I’ll go investigate the towns nearest to O’Ghomoro, to see if any of the locals have any ideas or knowledge of these mercenaries.”
“That works for me,” Eirene agrees.
Y’shtola nods at her, before turning back to the Maelstrom commander. "Did you have any other thoughts, high commander?"
The commander shakes her head. "Not at this moment, but we know how to reach you if something else comes up."
"Of course," Y'shtola says, offering a smile. "Then let's head out, I suppose," she says to Eirene, who nods gratefully over in the commander's direction, and then follows Y'shtola out of Maelstrom headquarters.
"Apologies for making you come all the way to Limsa Lominsa," Y'shtola says, once they're a good distance from Maelstrom Command. "While the Maelstrom requested our presence, I wasn't certain what would be needed until I got here, and by then it was too late to ask you to go directly to Costa del Sol."
"It's no problem, really," Eirene insists.
Y'shtola pauses, and suddenly frowns. "Are you injured?"
Eirene startles. "I—only a little, and I'll be fine," she promises. "Just bumps and bruises."
Y'shtola draws her wand without a word and quickly casts a healing spell on Eirene, nodding when she sees the tension in the other woman's shoulders lessen slightly.
"I know Minfilia said it was urgent, but you are always able to seek medical attention if needed. I hope you know that," Y'shtola says.
Eirene smiles. "I really wasn't terribly injured," she promises. "But thank you."
"Of course." Y'shtola smiles back. "Well, then I suppose this is where we part ways. I'll call if I find anything, and please do let me know if you find our wayward mercenary in Costa del Sol."
"I will," Eirene promises. "See you soon."
*
It takes Eirene a while to find her way to Costa del Sol. The surrounding area looks so entirely different than she remembers that at first she hadn’t realized that she should have recognized it. But after a while of following the coast for lack of a better option, she finally finds her way to the over-sea vacation town.
She steps up the planks to the wooden bridges that make up most of the town, humming idly as she looks around. This entire section of beach seems to have been transformed into this idyllic, peaceful town. The workers are quiet as they go about their days, so she's able to pass by them without any fuss, looking around for the mercenary she's been sent to try and find. None of the workers stand out to her more than any others, and she's about to try and approach someone to ask them, when she hears a voice call out from behind her.
"Excuse me? You're the one who defeated Ifrit, aren't you?"
She startles, and turns to see a young Elezen standing a few feet behind her, arms crossed as she looks Eirene over curiously.
Frowning, Eirene nods. "Yes. I'm Eirene – and you are?"
"I'm Alisaie," she introduces herself, nodding determinedly.
"Nice to meet you, Alisaie," Eirene says. "Is there something I can help you with?"
The girl blanches, as if she hadn't really thought this far ahead, and Eirene offers a wry smile, speaking up again to break the tension. "Maybe you can help me, actually," she says. "I'm looking for a mercenary that's rumored to live somewhere near here. Have you perhaps heard of anyone like that?"
At that, Alisaie brightens slightly. "No, but a mercenary ought to stick out a bit," she says. "Do you know anything about them?"
Eirene shakes her head. "No, only that they once helped defeat Titan, and that they're rumored to be here," she says.
Alisaie startles. "Titan?" she frowns. "Is Titan..."
"That's not something you need to worry about," Eirene assures her. "But I do need to find this mercenary."
Alisaie bristles slightly at Eirene brushing her question off, but nods. "Right. Let's ask around, we're sure to find them."
"Oh, I didn't mean for you to—” Eirene tries, but Alisaie runs off to start asking the townsfolk without listening. Sighing softly, and shaking her head, Eirene hurries right after her.
*
They don't have much luck, with no one able to point them towards a former mercenary, and after an hour of walking around town and disturbing the locals, they pause to regroup near the aetheryte.
"If you're going after Titan, I want to help," Alisaie finally says.
Eirene glances over, frowning. "Alisaie, I appreciate the thought, but—"
Alisaie cuts her off. "Don't brush me off because I'm young. I can help. You're working with the Scions, correct? They know me. If a primal is loose, I'm not going to just sit here and do nothing."
Eirene frowns at the girl, who doesn't flinch, staring her down. After a moment of silence, Eirene goes to speak up, but her linkpearl chirps to let her know someone is trying to contact her, and she sighs.
"One moment," she says, gesturing to her ear, and Alisaie nods in understanding as Eirene answers the call. "Yes?"
"Eirene, hello. I believe I've found our ingress to O'Ghomoro," Y'shtola's voice rings over the linkpearl. "Could I burden you to make your way to Camp Bronze Lake?"
"No problem," Eirene says. "I haven't had any luck here, but," she glances over at Alisaie, who shoots her a challenging raised eyebrow. "I'll have company when I meet you."
"Oh?" Y'shtola asks, curious.
"Not the mercenary I was looking for," Eirene clarifies.
"I suppose I'll see when you get here, since you don't seem inclined to share more over linkpearl," Y'shtola says, amused. "See you soon."
The linkpearl connection cuts, and Alisaie shoots Eirene a grin. "You won't regret this."
"You're not fighting Titan with me," Eirene insists. "You can come along to meet with Y'shtola and help with support but unless you have protections against it, Titan will temper you if you face him. That fight is mine."
"Y'shtola can't be expecting you to fight a second primal alone," Alisaie insists, even as she scurries to catch up with Eirene when she begins walking. "You were able to defeat Ifrit, sure, but—"
"I would rather face him alone than risk someone ending up tempered," Eirene insists. "I'll be fine."
Alisaie huffs, but doesn't argue any further, following Eirene up the path in silence.
*
"When Eirene said she had company, you were not who I was expecting," Y'shtola admits as Eirene and Alisaie walk up to her in Camp Bronze Lake a few hours later. "What brings you all the way out here, Alisaie?"
Alisaie shrugs. "My brother and I aren't exactly seeing eye to eye at the moment. When Eirene mentioned Titan was loose, I thought I could help."
"So you do know her?" Eirene glances between them.
"Oh, you haven't had a chance to meet Alphinaud," Y'shtola realizes. "Yes, Alisaie and her twin brother Alphinaud are good friends of the Scions – the grandchildren of the great Archon Louisoix."
Alisaie swallows at the mention of his name, and Eirene glances over at her, surprised, but does not push.
"Well, then that makes this easier," Eirene says. "Maybe you can talk some sense into her, then."
"Oh?" Y'shtola glances from Eirene to Alisaie, curiously.
"Specifically about fighting Titan, and how she won’t be helping," Eirene clarifies.
"Ah," Y'shtola nods. "Yes, that. I do hope you aren't harboring any secret desires to get yourself tempered, Alisaie?"
Alisaie huffs, crossing her arms.
Y'shtola smiles at that. "Good, that's what I thought. Come, Riol is waiting for us."
*
In the far north, in a opulent palace befitting the conqueror of Ala Mhigo and Doma, the Emperor of Garlemald theoretically wants for nothing.
And yet, Emet-Selch is bored.
The room he's in is silent other than the rattling breaths of Solus zos Galvus as he lies, slowly dying, in his ornately decorated bed, and while Emet-Selch has learned over the years to ignore the mortal concerns of his host bodies, he's grown tired of this one's slow attempts to shuffle off its mortal coil.
And while the chaos that Solus's death will bring would be a moment of excitement in his life, he's not so eager for that excitement that he's willing to expedite the death of his host – not yet, anyway.
So he lays there, watches the dust mites dance in the air above him, lets his thoughts wander, tries not to listen to those rattling breaths.
"Are you with us?"
Emet-Selch raises his head slightly, catching sight of a white robe out of the edge of his vision, and lets his head fall back against the pillows. "What do you want, Elidibus?"
"Ah, good, you're conscious," Elidibus says, stepping over towards him.
"Awake and alive as ever," Emet-Selch says. "Get to the point."
"Lahabrea has discovered something that I thought you should know," Elidibus acquiesces.
"And what, exactly, makes you think I care what Lahabrea is up to?" Emet-Selch cuts him off before he can continue.
"He's found Azem," Elidibus answers, and Emet-Selch can't help but still, even for a moment.
But he doesn't dwell on that brief swell of hope.
"One of her sundered souls?" Emet-Selch asks, and Elidibus just nods. "And why do I care?"
"She remembers," Elidibus says, carefully. "Lahabrea says she’s going by ‘Eirene,’ and she recognized us from just our masks. She knows things a sundered soul shouldn't. She doesn’t seem to be just another fragment of Azem, she's—" he cuts himself off.
Emet-Selch is silent for a moment – long enough that Elidibus speaks up again.
"She's one of Hydaelyn's blessed," he continues, and Emet-Selch snorts. Of course she is. "I just thought you'd want to know."
"And now I do," Emet-Selch says, finally, dismissing Elidibus with a wave of his hand. "Now leave me to die in peace and get out."
Elidibus pauses for a moment, but then finally just nods, disappearing into a cloud of darkness and leaving Emet-Selch alone with Solus's dying breaths as company.
*
Y’shtola’s investigations into the kobolds had led to Riol, a member of the former group of mercenaries that once had destroyed Titan, and Riol had led the three of them to an aetheryte the kobolds used to access the depths of O’Ghomoro. With Y’shtola using her aether to power the device, Eirene had disappeared into the depths a few minutes before, leaving Y’shtola to keep the aetheryte charged, and Alisaie to “keep watch” or some other such nonsense meant to keep her from helping.
"Why do you keep sending her to fight these primals alone?" Alisaie finally asks after a few minutes of silence, and Y'shtola glances over from where she's still keeping the aetheryte connection strong.
"Do you think we asked her to fight Ifrit alone?" Y'shtola asks. "We didn't. Thancred found her after the fight was over. I would have gone with her today, but I had to be here to send her in."
"And yet I couldn't go?" Alisaie demands. “You’re just as likely to get tempered as I am!”
"Alisaie, that’s not the—“
"I'm so tired of standing around," Alisaie insists. "Of doing nothing, of waiting for the Grand Companies to clean up their messes and sort everything out!"
Before Y'shtola can say anything to stop her, Alisaie is holding a hand out to the aetheryte.
"Alisaie, don't—"
Alisaie disappears into the aether currents.
*
She appears in the depths of O’Ghomoro, and barely has a chance to get her bearings before she’s stumbling, losing her footing as the ground rattles with the force of an attack from the giant stone Primal assaulting her new friend.
Eirene’s sword is lying on the ground a good distance from her, and the woman herself is attempting to dodge her way over to it, but with Titan’s attention solely on her, the maneuver is proving difficult.
Determined, Alisaie draws her grimoire, summoning a carbuncle to her side and launching a blast of magic at the stone beast’s head.
Titan whirls around as the magic hits, temporarily distracted from Eirene, who dives for her sword and brings it up to cleave one of Titan’s arms from his body. The primal roars in pain, rocks rumbling as he tries to reform his arm, but with Alisaie there to split his attention, Eirene is able to cleave off bits and pieces of him until she can finally shatter the glowing stone in the center of his body that seems to act as his heart.
And as the primal bursts into fragments of light and dissipates, Eirene whirls around on Alisaie.
“What in the name of creation were you thinking?” she demands.
Alisaie steps back, startled, at the fury and panic alight in Eirene’s eyes, but the woman takes a deep breath to calm herself, shutting those eyes for a moment.
“I wasn’t—“
“No, you weren’t,” Eirene cuts her off, shaking her head. “I appreciate the assistance, but I didn’t ask you to stay behind because I didn’t think you could help. If Titan had decided to try to temper you—“
“But he didn’t!” Alisaie squeezes in, insistent.
“Alisaie, I’ve seen what tempering does to a person,” Eirene says. “I am begging you to listen to me on this.”
Alisaie deflates a bit at that, biting her lip, and Eirene sighs, opening her mouth to speak again, but whatever she’s about to say is cut off by Y’shtola appearing in a burst of light from the aetheryte.
“Are you both all right?” she asks, hurrying over to the two of them and looking them over for injuries.
Eirene lets out a breath and offers Y’shtola a clearly forced smile. “We’re fine.”
Y’shtola hums, scanning the depths of the cave and nodding in agreement. “Come, let’s take this discussion outside, then,” she says, gesturing back towards the aetheryte. “The connection is stable for the moment, but it won’t do us any good to get trapped down here.”
“Right,” Eirene agrees, gesturing for Alisaie to go in front of her, and as Alisaie holds a hand out to the crystal, she thinks she sees Eirene scan the room once more as she disappears into the aether currents.
*
Eirene takes a deep breath of fresh air in an effort to calm herself, once the three of them are back outside. Y’shtola is speaking to Alisaie in a stern voice a few paces away, but Eirene keeps her distance, unable to get the image of the fear on Alisaie’s face out of her head. Eirene hadn’t meant to scare her when she snapped, she was just—
She cuts her own thoughts off as Y’shtola approaches, a quiet Alisaie tailing behind her. "I think we’ve done all we can here, but I'd like to get a bit more information about this aetheryte before I return to the Waking Sands. If you don’t mind filling in Minfilia, I'll inform the Maelstrom of our success on my way back."
Eirene hesitates, but nods. "Let me just see Alisaie back to Costa del Sol and then I'll head out," she says, and if Y'shtola notices she's stalling, she doesn't comment.
"We'll see you soon, then," Y'shtola says, before nodding and turning back to the aetheryte behind them. Eirene heads down the path without a word, Alisaie scrambling to catch up, and they make their way back towards Camp Bronze Lake in silence.
Finally, as the small town starts to come into view, Eirene speaks up. “I’m sorry for screaming at you,” she says. “It was unwarranted, I was just—“
“I know I shouldn’t have jumped straight in,” Alisaie interrupts, shaking her head. “It could have been bad, and you were right to be upset, but I just… I had to help. Thank you for letting me help.”
Eirene bites back a comment about not technically letting her do anything, and instead just nods at Alisaie, offering the barest of small smiles in apology. Alisaie, thankfully, beams right back, and the atmosphere around them is lighter for the rest of their walk back to the coast.
As Costa del Sol comes into view in the distance, Alisaie turns to Eirene again. "I'll be in Wineport, across the river from here, actually,” she says, gesturing up the path they’re walking. “There’s something I’m investigating that I think you might be able to help me with, if you’re willing to find me when you have some time?” she asks, offering a hopeful smile. “There’s no rush,” she adds quickly. “I know you’re busy.”
Eirene frowns. “Can I ask for more details?”
“Eventually,” Alisaie promises. “But not here. Come find me when you can.”
Eirene’s frown deepens, but Alisaie has successfully managed to whet her curiosity, so she nods. “I will.”
Alisaie smiles over at her. “And thank you again. I’ll be fine from here, honestly – you didn’t need to walk me this far. You can head back to Minfilia.”
That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid doing, Eirene doesn’t say, and instead smiles back. “Right. I’ll see you soon, then.”
Alisaie shoots her a grin. “See you soon,” and with that, heads off down the path past Costa del Sol to make her way back to Wineport.
With no other choice, and no other reason to stall, Eirene sighs. Back to Vesper Bay it is. She doesn’t have a good explanation to give Minfilia, but hopefully enough other things have happened that she won’t have to go too in detail on her encounter with Lahabrea. She hadn’t mentioned running into him (or Elidibus) when reporting in about Haukke Manor. It’s possible that Minfilia won’t even ask.
Possible, but unlikely.
*
Nothing immediately seems amiss in Vesper Bay when she arrives. She makes her way towards the warehouse hiding the Waking Sands, and frowns when she spots a couple of people standing nearby, whispering amongst themselves, but they look away when Eirene glances over, and a tiny flicker of panic alights in her chest.
She picks up her speed a bit, trying not to draw attention as she pushes through the front doors of the building to find the main entrance empty, Tataru not standing at her usual post. Tearing down the stairs, she bursts into the main area of the Waking Sands and all she can see is blood.
Bodies strewn across the floor, blood soaking the stones.
Fresh blood soaking the stones.
She forces herself forward, stumbling towards the Solar, and throws open the doors, but Minfilia is, mercifully, nowhere to be seen. There on the ground, though, badly injured, is a Sylph, shallowly breathing, and as she steps forward she's immediately assaulted by an Echo vision.
This is her fault. They'd come for her.
If she hadn’t stalled, if she’d gotten here just a little faster, then maybe she could have stopped the Garleans. She would have been here and they would have had what they wanted and they never would have—
If she’d just been here, then maybe they’d be alive. Then maybe…
She forcibly pulls herself out of her thoughts with shaking hands.
She needs to find them. Minfilia, Tataru, Urianger, Papalymo – she'd seen at least those four being led out of the Waking Sands as prisoners in her vision, and she needs to rescue them. She'll take the fight straight to them if that's what's required.
A nagging voice in the back of her head reminds her that she can’t take on the Garlean army by herself – especially not sundered.
She ignores it, standing there, helpless, as she watches the light fade from the poor Sylph’s eyes, as the same thought echoes again and again in her head. Your fault. Your fault. This is your fault.
After another moment of just standing there, of the same thought circling in her head, she finally lifts one hand to her ear, activating her linkpearl. As expected, her connection to Minfilia goes nowhere, but Y'shtola picks up after only a moment's pause.
"Eirene? Is aught amiss?"
"Don't come back to the Waking Sands," Eirene says, wincing at how shaky her voice sounds.
Y'shtola is quiet for a moment. "What's happened?" she finally asks.
"I can't—" Eirene cuts herself off. If the Garleans have Minfilia's linkpearl, the channel may not be safe.
Y'shtola, to her credit, seems to realize her reticence to explain. "I will meet you where you last said you were going," she finally says. "As soon as possible," she adds, sternly.
"Right," Eirene agrees. "See you there."
She cuts the connection, swallowing.
There's no one left alive in the Waking Sands (your fault), and she's a sitting duck the longer she stays here. (Your fault, your fault, your fault.)
She forces herself to breathe, forces her legs to move, and flees the Waking Sands.
Notes:
Next time I say that a chapter is almost done, I need to remember that if I don't have the vital fight scene in there, it's not actually almost done because those are the hardest things for me. Next chapter is absolutely not almost done. Hopefully this didn't disappoint, though. (Things are finally starting to go off the rails.)
As always and forever, thank you to Eriyu for her constant support and encouragement (and dealing with me wondering, at 10pm, whether or not I should be writing a fic at all.)
Chapter Text
Y'shtola reaches the Costa del Sol aetheryte first.
Eirene's voice had been shaky over the linkpearl – shaky and yet so insistent – so she can only assume something terrible has happened. She'd attempted to call Minfilia right after the connection cut with Eirene, but Minfilia had not answered, which only lends itself further to the theory.
And then she spots Eirene, blood streaked across her jacket, hand lightly shaking at her side, eyes far away, and moving on autopilot.
Three for three, then – the theory holds.
She purses her lips, stepping forward and lightly taking Eirene's wrist to tug her away from the vacation town and the prying eyes and ears within, and Eirene follows without protest, stilling when Y'shtola finally stops.
"Explain," she demands, releasing Eirene's wrist.
Eirene lets out a shaky exhale. “The Garleans found the Waking Sands,” she finally says. “They – it’s…” She takes a steadying breath, and then quickly stammers out a description of the carnage she’d found when she’d arrived, and the Echo vision she’d had moments later.
Minfilia, Papalymo, Urianger, Tataru, all captured.
The majority of the Scions, all dead.
"And Yda and Thancred?" she hears herself ask.
"I didn't see them," Eirene answers.
Y'shtola swallows. Silence falls for a moment between the two of them, Y'shtola's thoughts circling as she compartmentalizes them away – she can't grieve for those they've lost right now, not while at least four of their number could be in active danger. But where would the Garleans take Minfilia and the others? And for that matter, how did they find the Waking Sands in the—
Eirene's voice cuts through her rapid thoughts. "Alisaie is in Wineport; I need to fill her in. If she's a friend of the Scions, she could be a target."
Y'shtola tears her gaze from the tree she'd been absently staring at, and attempts to focus back in, swallowing. "Right. Perhaps she knows where her brother is, and we can inform him at the same time." At Eirene's nod, she continues. "And then we need to find where they've taken the others, as well as locate Yda and Thancred."
"Right," Eirene agrees.
"But Wineport first," Y'shtola says, exhaling, her breath shakier than she feels.
Logically, she knows she'll need to let herself feel these emotions later. But she doesn't have time to dwell in them right now.
She spends the walk to the river ferry in silence, thinking through a plan – once they confirm Alisaie is okay, she'll reach out to her contacts in Limsa Lominsa, see if they've heard anything from the castra about Minfilia or the others being taken. And something will need to be done about the bodies in the Waking Sands, of course – they can't just be left there to rot. Oh, and what if any of the others go back to the Waking Sands—
"Y'shtola?" Eirene's voice cuts in again, and Y'shtola glances over to see a concerned look on the other Scion's face, one hand resting lightly on top of hers, which are clenched tightly in her lap.
She eases her hands open, wincing at the stiffness – how long had she had them tightened like that? – and swallows. "Apologies. Lost in my thoughts. Could you repeat what you said?"
Eirene shakes her head. "I didn't say anything – you just seemed very far away for a bit there, and we're almost to the other side of the river."
Y'shtola pauses, glancing down at her lap again, and then up, and it's only at this point that she realizes she and Eirene are sitting on the ferry.
When had they even gotten on the ferry?
(Presumably quite some time ago, if their destination is nearby. Perhaps she'd been more lost in her thoughts than she'd realized.)
"Thank you," she hums, nodding at Eirene, and then, before silence can fall and the circling thoughts can creep back in, she adds, "How are you holding up?
Eirene offers a clearly forced, very fake smile, and just shrugs, and Y'shtola winces, nodding in understanding as the ferry docks on the Wineport side of the river.
*
They reach the small vineyard town within the hour and quickly find Alisaie speaking to someone on the far side of the main square. As the man bids her farewell with a small wave, the Elezen girl turns, spotting Eirene approaching, and beams a grin at her.
“Back so soon? I expected you’d—” and then she cuts herself off as she sees the look on Eirene’s face, the blood on her coat, and Y’shtola standing a few paces behind her. “What’s happened? Is everyone all right?”
Eirene shakes her head and quickly gives Alisaie the same explanation she’d given Y’shtola, glancing back as she speaks to see Y’shtola silently watching, still too stuck in her own thoughts to speak up.
“How did the Garleans even find the Waking Sands?” Alisaie asks once she’s filled in, before quickly lowering her voice to not draw attention.
“At the moment we don’t know much,” Y’shtola finally speaks. “The attackers were gone by the time Eirene arrived. We’re piecing information together from her Echo vision.” She swallows, letting out a sigh. “We cannot just leave the Waking Sands in its current state, nor can we leave the bodies of the fallen there.” She glances at Eirene. “One of us will need to make arrangements – maybe with the church near Camp Drybone?”
Eirene nods in agreement. “I can head that way—“
Y’shtola shakes her head. “No, I think its best I take care of it. You’ve already been seen near the Waking Sands, and it sounds like the Garleans were there looking for you – best for you to direct your attention elsewhere, and perhaps lead them away from the Waking Sands while the church and I are handling things.”
Swallowing, and trying to muffle the voice in her head continuing to remind her that this was all her fault, Eirene nods. “Right.” She glances at Alisaie. “Do you, by any chance, know where your brother might be?”
Alisaie frowns, crossing her arms, but shakes her head. “Alphinaud didn’t tell me much of his plans. Why?”
“If the Garleans came after the Waking Sands looking for me, they may try to find me elsewhere next,” Eirene says. “You and your brother may be targeted, so we should warn him as well.”
Alisaie purses her lips, but lets out a resigned sigh. “I left rather hurriedly,” she admits. “I don’t have a way to get in touch with him quickly.”
“We’ll just keep an eye out for him, then,” Eirene assures her, and Alisaie offers a small, wry smile. “While you’re handling arrangements with the church, I could head to Ul’dah, try to see if I can find Thancred – he was meant to be in the area, right?”
Y’shtola nods, frowning. “He should be in town, yes. You can try speaking with the Immortal Flames – I know he has contacts amongst them.”
“I can do that,” Eirene agrees.
“I’m coming with you,” Alisaie cuts in.
“Alisaie—”
Alisaie cuts off Eirene before she can voice her protests. “I’m not going to just stand around here waiting for news.”
Y’shtola cuts in. “We would appreciate the help, Alisaie.”
Alisaie shoots her a grateful smile.
Eirene lets out a sigh, but doesn’t protest further. “We’ll have to sort out a way to stay in touch – I’m not sure if they have Minfilia’s linkpearl, so it may not be safe for us to communicate on that line.”
Y’shtola’s frown deepens. “Right. While you're in Ul'dah, will you see if Mistress Momodi can assist with procuring some fresh linkpearls?" Y'shtola asks. "She should know where we can get some – if she can't provide them herself."
"We will," Eirene promises. "If she's able to help, we'll get them to you as soon as possible."
"I will," Alisaie cuts in, pointedly. “You shouldn’t be seen anywhere near the Waking Sands, remember?”
Eirene flinches. "Right. Alisaie will get them to you as soon as possible."
Y'shtola nods, the smallest of smiles slipping onto her lips. "Then I will hopefully see you soon."
*
Ul'dah is as bustling as ever as Eirene and Alisaie make their way into town, Alisaie heading straight for the stairs that lead to the Quicksand with Eirene lagging just a few paces behind.
"I don't suppose you have an in with the Immortal Flames?" Alisaie asks softly as they head up the steps and through the doors.
Eirene shakes her head. "Not unless they recognize me from Ifrit," she says.
Alisaie opens her mouth to respond, but snaps it shut again as they approach a smiling Momodi.
"Well, you aren't a pair I expected to see," she greets. "What can I do for you two?"
"We were hoping you might know where we can get our hands on some new linkpearls," Eirene says, carefully. "Ours aren't secure at the moment."
The smile drops off of Momodi's face immediately, and she calls over to a colleague to ask them to cover the bar as she ushers Eirene and Alisaie towards a door that presumably leads to a back room. "Come along, then, you'd best tell me what's happened."
She leads them to a small sitting room, and gestures for them to take a seat at the table, before disappearing through a different door and coming back a minute later with a tray of tea, setting it down as she gestures at Eirene, which she takes as Momodi urging her to explain – so she does.
The room is silent for a moment once Eirene has finished telling the story for what feels like the hundredth time that day, but Momodi doesn't let the quiet linger.
"Right. You need linkpearls and information, and for once, I'm afraid I can only assist with the former," she says.
Alisaie frowns, and Momodi lets out a breath.
"I typically see Thancred every few days – he's good about stopping in when he's in Ul'dah."
Eirene swallows around the knot forming in her throat. "Typically?"
"I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks," Momodi answers, a frown set on her face. "This isn't entirely unheard of – his work brings him quite far, as you both well know, so it doesn't mean anything grave has occurred, but…" she trails off.
Eirene doesn't bother finishing the sentence in her head, just nods, swallowing again. "We'll check with the Flames, see if they've heard anything from him."
Momodi offers a grim smile that says plenty on its own. "I'll have those linkpearls for you shortly, and will contact Y'shtola if I hear anything from Thancred or about Minfilia and the others," she promises.
"Thank you, Mistress Momodi," Alisaie says with a grateful, more sincere smile.
*
The Waking Sands is disturbingly silent when Y'shtola finally pushes open the door to the basement, and a grimace is the only reaction she lets herself have as she takes in the blood and bodies littering the floor.
The priest standing behind her stills, and murmurs a soft prayer under his breath, before finally breaking the silence. "We’ll need to move the bodies. I’ve arranged for transport back to the lichyard, but they’ll need to be—"
He’s cut off by sudden, thundering footsteps that skid to a stop in front of the two of them. Y’shtola reaches for her wand, but her hands still as her mind catches up with her instincts and recognizes the woman in front of her.
"Yda," she says, relieved, relaxing. "I’m glad you’re all right. When did you get back?"
"Y’shtola!” Yda throws her arms around her friend in relief. “Just a few minutes ago," she breathes. “What happened? Are the others… is Minfilia—"
"I will fill you in," Y'shtola promises, extricating herself from Yda’s grip. "But first, we need to make sure the bodies are safely passed into the care of the church so that funerary rites can be performed,” she gestures to the priest behind her.
Yda swallows, but nods, determined. "Right. Tell me what I can do."
Y’shtola turns back to the priest, who coughs. “Yes. As I was saying, we’ll need to move the bodies outside so that they can be transported back to the lichyard.”
“Right,” Yda repeats, her voice a little less certain. “I can do that.”
It's back-breaking, sorrowful work, moving the bodies of their friends, but they manage it in silence, and in less than a bell, they’re left with a blood-stained, empty Waking Sands.
"I tried calling Minfilia and Papalymo when I got back here and saw what had happened, but I got no answer," Yda says, once Y’shtola has finally filled her in, looking at the linkpearl in her hand with disgust.
"All we can do is hope that they discarded their linkpearls before they were captured, and that the Garleans don't have them," Y'shtola says. "But just in case, it's better not to use that line for the moment. Eirene and Alisaie are working on setting us up with a new one.”
Yda nods in agreement, tossing the linkpearl over her shoulder to discard it and crossing her arms. "So, Eirene is with Alisaie Leveilleur in Ul’dah, then?” At Y’shtola’s nod, she continues. “And you’re planning to try and reach out to your contacts to track down where the Garleans have taken Minfilia and the others – what would you like me to do?"
"I wouldn't say no to assistance in finding the others," Y'shtola answers, but cuts off as one of Yda’s linkpearls – notably not the one she’d discarded moments before – chimes.
Yda frowns, pulling it from her bag and answering, keeping it held in her hand so Y’shtola can hear the conversation. “Mother Miounne?”
“Yda – good to hear your voice. Mistress Momodi told me what happened,” Miounne answers, and Yda lets out a breath.
“Yes, it’s—” She cuts herself off. “I’m with Y’shtola now – I don’t suppose you’ve heard from anyone else?”
“Not recently, no,” Miounne answers. “However, I have some news that may be of interest to you on that subject.”
Yda glances over at Y’shtola, who frowns, speaking up, “What have you heard?”
*
Alisaie makes it back to the Waking Sands several hours later. After getting no answers from the Immortal Flames – who did in fact remember Eirene from Ifrit – she and Eirene had retrieved their new linkpearls from Momodi and split off, Eirene heading via airship to Gridania to continue to draw Ascian attention away from the Waking Sands and to see if anyone there had any news, and Alisaie heading west to Vesper Bay to give Y’shtola the new linkpearls.
She pauses at the downstairs door, bracing herself for the bloody mess she'd been imagining since Eirene and Y'shtola had arrived in Wineport, but to her relief, the bodies are gone and everything has mostly been cleaned up. She exhales, relaxing slightly before calling out, "Y'shtola?"
"In the solar!" Y'shtola calls back, and Alisaie heads to the back room, pushing open the doors.
"Alisaie!" Yda grins as she spots her. "Y'shtola mentioned you were helping out."
"Yda," Alisaie startles. "I'm glad you're okay!"
Yda's grin doesn't falter. "Eirene not with you?"
"Safer if she isn't seen near here right now," Y'shtola answers for Alisaie. "Was Momodi able to help, then?"
"With linkpearls, yes," Alisaie says, handing over the small pouch Momodi had given them. "But no one has seen Thancred in weeks."
"In weeks?" Yda repeats, frowning. "Hasn't he been on assignment in Thanalan?" she glances over at Y'shtola, who has a frown set on her face as well.
"He has," she confirms. After a brief pause, she offers a linkpearl to Yda, before taking one of her own. "We have some news of our own. Mother Miounne just called us – a contact of hers has reported seeing two prisoners escaping a Garlean airship after an emergency landing in Coerthas – a Lalafell and a Roegadyn."
Alisaie frowns. "Admittedly, I haven't met all of the Scions – are they..."
"Biggs and Wedge," Yda confirms. "From Garlond Ironworks. Or so we hope."
That name, Alisaie recognizes. She nods.
"We don't know where Minfilia and the others are just yet, but Biggs and Wedge are just as important," Y'shtola says. "And they may have more information that will help us locate the others."
Alisaie nods again. "Right. Eirene is on her way to Gridania, so I'm sure she can head straight through the Black Shroud to Coerthas, and I can meet up with her there and we can start looking."
Y'shtola nods in agreement.
"Where do you want me?" Yda asks, looking over at Y'shtola.
"If you could help me, I'd appreciate it," Y'shtola answers. "And Alisaie and Eirene can call if they need help."
Yda nods, and Alisaie speaks back up. "I'll head straight out, then – want me to call Eirene?"
"I can call her," Y'shtola assures. "Thank you, Alisaie."
"No problem!" Alisaie smiles, ducking back out of the room as Y'shtola raises a hand to her ear.
"Eirene? Yes, I have some news."
Notes:
this chapter...
So I had a draft of it. Felt pretty okay with that draft, but something wasn't quite right about it. Sent it to Eriyu for her thoughts, she gave me some good thoughts that did not equate to "throw the whole thing away and start over," but somehow that's what I decided on anyway. And I'm glad I did, because I like this version more.
But then it got really long, really quickly, and I also decided to cut it in two, which is why this is a bit shorter than most of the chapters. I hope it doesn't disappoint, though.
Many thanks again, as always, to Eriyu, for forever cheering me on and helping me figure out every detail on this fic. It would not exist without her.
Chapter Text
Eirene had heard talk of how Coerthas's climate had been radically and irrevocably altered by the Calamity, but that hadn't prepared her for just how cold the clime would be. She's burrowed into her coat, hands deep inside of the pockets as she waits for Alisaie just down the path from Camp Dragonhead.
She'd stopped by the Observatorium first, but the astrologians there had been wholly unhelpful, most refusing to speak to her at all, so she'd quickly moved on, continuing down the frozen path to the next settlement.
Thankfully, Alisaie comes thundering down the path soon enough, buried in her own coat. "You could have warned me about how cold it would be here!" she shivers, practically launching herself at Eirene.
Eirene can't help but smile in response. "I haven't been here since before the Calamity," she says as they start to walk towards Camp Dragonhead. "I had no idea."
Alisaie frowns at that. "Were you an adventurer before the Calamity as well?" she asks, glancing over.
Eirene pauses. "Of a sort," she finally settles on, which only deepens Alisaie's frown. Thankfully, before Alisaie can ask another question, they're stepping through the large gates of Camp Dragonhead, and Eirene is able to swiftly change the subject.
"According to Mother Miounne, we're looking for prisoners who escaped from an Imperial airship – so if we can find where the airship landed, maybe we can find a clue that will lead us to Biggs and Wedge."
"Right," Alisaie says, determined. "Perhaps we'd best start by—"
She's cut off by a call of, "Master Alphinaud, back so soon?" from across the square and her face immediately drops into a scowl as she whirls around to correct the approaching Elezen.
"Alphinaud is my brother," she bites.
"Ah, then you must be Miss Alisaie," the man says with a smile. "My sincerest apologies for the mix-up – your brother was here not long ago."
At that, her scowl turns more confused. "Wait, Alphinaud is in Coerthas?"
"He was but a few bells ago." The man nods. "Ah, but where are my manners. Haurchefant Greystone, Knight Commander of Camp Dragonhead, a pleasure to meet you both and warmest welcome to our humble encampment."
"Just call me Eirene." Eirene offers a smile. "And it seems you know of Alisaie, at least. Pleasure to meet you as well." At Ser Haurchefant’s returning smile, she glances over at Alisaie. "If Alphinaud is here, perhaps we should let him know what's happened."
Alisaie grimaces, but nods. "Probably a good idea." Turning back to Haurchefant, she quickly asks, "Do you happen to know where he was headed?"
"Whitebrim Front, just to the west of here. He and his companion have been trying to gain entrance to the Stone Vigil," Haurchefant answers easily, gesturing for the two of them to follow as he heads towards the building behind him.
Eirene frowns, but the two of them quickly fall into step after him. “Why would he…”
Alisaie lets out a sigh. “I don’t pretend to know what my brother is thinking,” she says, shivering as they enter the fire-warmed building Haurchefant had led them to.
“Whitebrim is here, past the gates of Ishgard,” Haurchefant gestures on the map. “I would assume he’s still there, as I haven’t seen him pass back through – though the Stone Vigil is up that way as well, and if he was successful in gaining entrance, he could be there.”
“Thank you, Ser Haurchefant,” Eirene says, nodding gratefully, before pausing and speaking up again. “Actually, perhaps you can help us with something else?”
“I can do my best,” he offers a smile.
“We heard word that an imperial airship made an emergency landing somewhere near here, and two prisoners were seen escaping. Those prisoners are friends of ours – we’re trying to track them down and get them to safety,” Eirene explains. “Is there any chance you’ve heard anything?”
"I did hear about the airship," Haurchefant frowns. “Our scouts reported seeing it land in the vicinity of Dzaemel Darkhold in the southwest – and the knights stationed there reported seeing two assumed prisoners taking off with Garlean soldiers in pursuit.” He gestures back to the map in front of them, pointing out Dzaemel Darkhold.
Eirene frowns, glancing at Alisaie. “Not exactly in the same direction. Perhaps we should split back up."
Alisaie lets out a sigh. "I go find Alphinaud, you look for Biggs and Wedge?"
"If you're okay with that." Eirene nods.
Alisaie nods as well. "It's fine – I can ask around about Biggs and Wedge on the way, in case they’ve run north, and I'll call if I find anything."
"Thank you, Alisaie," Eirene says, gratefully.
Alisaie nods, determined again, and offers Haurchefant a grateful smile and a wave, before dashing back out into the cold to make her way northwest.
Eirene turns back to Haurchefant. “Thank you for your help.”
"I hope you find your friends," Haurchefant says sincerely, a warm smile on his face once again.
"Thank you," Eirene repeats, nodding at him and following after Alisaie to try and find the Darkhold.
*
After the third time her entire foot and ankle disappear into a deceptively deep patch of snow, Alisaie stops trying to take shortcuts and sticks to the long and winding path to Whitebrim Front.
It’s not a particularly long path, made difficult only by the deep snow surrounding it and the monsters she can see prowling several yalms in the distance, waiting for someone to venture closer. She spares a glance at the guarded, imposing gates of Ishgard as she passes them, but the guards only stare her down, as if challenging her to dare to step closer.
She buries her hands deeper into her coat pockets and swiftly continues down the path instead.
Then, finally, she makes it to the encampment. She's let past the guards with no trouble, which she suspects might have something to do with her brother already being here, and sure enough, spots him standing near the central fire, face flushed with cold and talking to an older Hyuran man.
Steeling herself, she hurries forward. "Alphinaud!"
Her twin startles, turning towards her voice with a quick, "Alisaie? What are you doing here?"
Alisaie lets out a breath as she slows to a stop beside him. "I have quite a lot to catch you up on." She offers a smile to the Hyuran man. "I'm Alisaie, Alphinaud's sister."
The man glances between the twins. "Oh, uh – Cid. Cid Garlond."
Alisaie blinks, whirling to look back over at her brother. "Well, it seems you've a lot to catch me up on as well."
"Quite," Alphinaud agrees. "You first," he orders, flatly.
Alisaie grimaces, nods, and then launches into it.
*
Eirene doesn't make it all the way to the Darkhold before she spots the Garlean airship hovering above the ground a few hundred fulms in the distance, and feels the anger she’d been beating back since she’d left the Waking Sands start prickling under her skin. She breaks into a run, cresting the hill to find a Roegadyn and a Lalafell surrounded on all sides by Garlean soldiers.
Perfect.
She unsheathes her sword, diving forward and cutting down one of the Garleans as she slides in between the soldiers and the engineers.
“Back off,” she snaps, holding her sword ready, challenging.
“Take her down,” One of the soldiers – a commander, if she’d have to guess – orders, and the soldiers all move in. Eirene parries a blow from one sword, diving out of the way of a blast from a magitek gun and cuts down another soldier as she steps closer, keeping herself squarely between the Garleans and the civilians.
Compared to the primals she’s fought in the last few days, this regiment of soldiers isn’t even a threat. And the frustration, the anger, from the attack is just making her strikes harsher, just making her faster.
She spots the commander attempting to retreat, and goes to try and stop him, but without a ranged weapon or any magick at her disposal, she has no choice but to refocus on the enemies in front of her as a Garlean swordsman attempts to take her head off.
“Fall back!” She hears the commander shout from the airship, just as she cuts down that soldier.
The anger still pulsing through her makes her want to stop them – to chase after them and kill them all before they get the chance to retreat. But she has two civilians relying on her. Her duty to them outweighs her own grief-filled vengeance. So she lets out a breath as they flee, watches the airship retreat into the sky, and then finally sheathes her sword and turns around.
“Are you two all right?”
"We're fine," the Roegadyn assures. "Thank you for the assist, miss."
"Eirene," she introduces herself. "And you must be Biggs and Wedge?" she guesses. "Y'shtola sent me to find you."
"You're the new Scion!" the Lalafell realizes.
Eirene offers a smile. "I wish it were under better circumstances, but it's good to meet you both."
"You as well." The Roegadyn nods. "I'm Biggs, this is Wedge."
"Pleasure to meet you." Wedge offers a shaky smile.
Eirene offers a small smile in return. "We should get out of here before they decide to return with backup. Camp Dragonhead isn't far – it should be safe there."
Biggs and Wedge nod in agreement, and silence falls between them as they start back towards the path that leads the encampment in the distance. Once on the well-worn path and out of immediate danger, Eirene quickly taps her linkpearl and waits for someone to pick up.
"Eirene?" Y'shtola answers. "Have you had any luck?"
"I've found Biggs and Wedge – they're safe," Eirene answers.
"Thank the Twelve," Alisaie says, "because we have another problem."
"Are you two not together?" Y'shtola asks, startled.
"We split up when we got here so that Alisaie could find her brother," Eirene quickly explains. "Did you find him?"
"I did – and he had Cid Garlond with him," Alisaie answers, and Eirene almost trips over her own feet. She manages to keep moving, offering her companions a reassuring smile, and refocuses in on what Alisaie is saying. "They're here looking for Cid's airship, because the Ixal have summoned Garuda."
Y'shtola lets out a sigh. "Of course they have. The timing couldn't be worse, which only further implies Ascian involvement."
"Where are you? We can meet you," Eirene says.
"The airship was last seen in the Stone Vigil, and in the process of attempting to gain access, the two seem to have uncovered and put a stop to a conspiracy of some sort – admittedly, I tuned out most of Alphinaud's recounting of the events. He's talking with the knight in charge now to see if helping them with the conspiracy was enough to grant them access."
"We're heading back to Camp Dragonhead to let Ser Haurchefant know that I've found Biggs and Wedge, and then we'll head west and meet you," Eirene promises.
"And I'm sending Yda to join you," Y'shtola adds. "I'm following up on a lead on where the Garleans have taken the others, but Yda can assist with Garuda. I'll call in as soon as I know more."
"Be careful," Eirene urges.
"You as well," Y'shtola answers.
"See you soon," Alisaie chirps, before the linkpearl connection cuts.
"That sounded harried," Biggs says, conversationally.
"Ah," Eirene winces. "We have a new primal problem. Do you two want to come to Whitebrim with me, or stay in Camp Dragonhead?"
Biggs and Wedge exchange a look, and Biggs speaks up again. "Best to stick together, I think."
Eirene nods in agreement. “Then just give me a moment to let Ser Haurchefant know that I’ve found you, and we can head to Whitebrim."
*
Alisaie looks up as the linkpearl connection cuts, and frowns as she spots her twin making his way out of the nearby building.
"Well?" she asks. "Any luck?"
Alphinaud lifts the piece of paper he's holding, nodding. "A writ of permission to enter the ruins," he says.
"Great," Alisaie says. "Just a bunch of dragons between us and an airship that hasn't been operational in five years, then." Before Alphinaud can say anything, she continues. "Eirene and Yda are on their way, we should wait until they get here."
Alphinaud purses his lips, but nods. "Right. We'll need all the help we can get. I'm still not certain how we're getting to Garuda, even assuming that the airship can still fly—"
Alisaie cuts in. "One step at a time, Alphinaud. Let's get past the angry dragons and see if the airship is even in one piece before we start talking about how to get it to Garuda."
Alphinaud exhales, nodding.
"And besides," Alisaie says. "He might not remember much, but we have the best engineer Eorzea has ever seen with us,” she gestures to Cid, who startles. "Have a little faith."
"The issue is not my lack of—"
Alisaie cuts him off again before Alphinaud can start an argument she does not feel like having. "Right. I'm going to go keep an eye out for Eirene and the others – they're only coming from Camp Dragonhead, it shouldn't take them long."
Without waiting for an answer, she scurries off.
*
"Eirene!!"
Eirene pauses, turning, to see Yda, bundled up in a coat that's a bit too large for her, sprinting down the path towards them.
"Hey," she smiles, as Yda throws herself at Eirene in a hug. "Glad you're okay."
"Glad you're okay!" Yda insists. "And you two as well," she says, letting go of Eirene and smiling at Biggs and Wedge. "You must be excited."
Biggs and Wedge exchange a glance. "About?"
"...Eirene, did you not tell them about Cid?" Yda asks, putting her hands on her hips.
"Was I supposed to?" Eirene blinks.
"Wait—" Biggs starts, but Wedge cuts him off.
"Cid? Cid Garlond?!"
"Oh dear," Yda shakes her head. "We probably should have gotten you up to speed before asking you to find them." She offers Eirene an apologetic smile. Turning to Biggs and Wedge, she adds, "Alphinaud apparently found Cid – it seems he’s okay. We haven't seen him yet, but he should be in—"
She doesn't get a chance to finish her sentence before Wedge takes off running down the path.
"Wedge, wait!" Biggs shouts, running after him, leaving the two Scions standing in the snow, blinking after them.
"Well," Yda says, laughing. "Shall we, then?"
Eirene lets out a breath. "Right. Let's."
Yda smiles, hurrying after Biggs and Wedge, and Eirene lets out another breath before picking up her pace to follow.
Notes:
Honestly, I've had this chapter finished for a while now, but I held off on posting it because it didn't feel "done" and I wasn't sure whether I needed to add to it to make chapter 8 make more sense. But I think at this point I need to just get it out of my hands so I can move on.
Chapter 8 is already proving to be a small nightmare, so that might take a bit, but it's in progress. We have a primal to fight and some Scions to save.
A million thanks, as always, to Eriyu for all of her help with this fic, including reading a draft that was basically the same thing with one or two added words fifty times. She's probably as tired of this chapter as I am at this point.
Chapter Text
It's quiet in the swamps around Castrum Centri.
The eerie silence is only broken by the distant sound of water splashing as some creature steps through it, and the soft hum of the wings of the nearby corrupted bugs. Despite the castrum mere yalms away, there's no machinery to be heard this deep in the swamp – just fauna and flora irrevocably mutated by the Calamity.
Y’shtola shivers involuntarily as she picks up her pace, avoiding the gaze of one such mutated plant and making her way quickly but quietly through the muck.
If her informants are to be believed – and they usually are – Minfilia and the other Scions have been taken to this castrum. This is, unfortunately, both a good and a bad thing. Good, because they're still in Eorzea. Still within reach. Bad, because Castrum Centri, while an outpost, is one of the better guarded castra in Eorzea – getting in will be difficult.
But before they figure out how to get in, Y'shtola has to confirm that Minfilia and the others are even here, which is how she's found herself in the swamps in the first place.
In one of the deepest points of the swamp, there's supposedly a drainage pipe that – conveniently – leads straight into the Castrum. (And Y'shtola wonders why the swamp is so corrupted. There lies her answer.) Crouching by the pipe, she settles in as best she can to listen.
Thankfully, she doesn't have to wait long before voices filter through, speaking of a female prisoner who refuses to speak.
"Why is the tribunus so obsessed with this Minfilia woman?"
That confirms it, then – they’re here. She's about to step away from the pipe, satisfied with her information, when a new voice reaches her, this one more frantic than the others.
"Alert the ground troops and the tribunus – there’s been news from the home front."
"What's happened?" The first guard speaks up again.
“Emperor Solus is dead.”
And Y'shtola freezes.
*
The wind is unrelenting, battering the already damaged airship back and forth in its grip as they make their way towards the center of Garuda's storm, all of them clinging to the sides for dear life.
"This was a terrible idea!" Yda cries, wincing as a particular rough blast of wind hits her. "Cid, if we get torn apart by this storm—"
"She can take it!" Cid snaps.
"Can we?" Alisaie snaps back.
"Just hold on!" Cid insists.
Eirene had thought getting the airship would have been the hard part of getting to Garuda, but it turns out, she was remarkably incorrect on that. The Stone Vigil had been easy in comparison to navigating this storm. They'd managed to get through the abandoned fortress without too much Dravanian interference, and those dragons that had attempted to stand between them and the Enterprise had been dispatched relatively easily.
The airship itself hadn't been in the best shape after five years of disuse, but with three mechanics to get it running, they'd been able to fly it out of there.
And when flying back to the closest place they could land for repairs, Cid had remembered everything – including, to her surprise, Eirene. Well, Reina.
In the end, she'd only been able to offer him a smile in response to realizing he'd remembered her. There was no time for more.
"Almost there!" Cid shouts as another particularly brutal burst of wind pulls Eirene from her thoughts. She tightens her grip on the side of the airship, knuckles white from holding on with all of her strength.
And then suddenly the air is still.
They all stumble as the wind dies, the calmness of the eye of the storm somehow more unsettling than the storm itself.
"See?" Cid finally says, after a moment of silence to catch his breath. "We made it in one piece."
Wedge winces. "Well – mostly one piece," he says. "She's not doing too hot, Chief."
Alphinaud exhales, straightening up. "Right. We can work on repairs while Eirene takes care of Garuda."
Eirene moves to speak up, but Alisaie cuts in before she gets a chance. "She is not going alone."
"Alisaie," Alphinaud protests.
"I agree," Yda pipes in. "There's no need for her to fight alone, and Garuda is ruthless."
"There is a very good reason for me to fight alone," Eirene cuts in. "Am I really going to have this argument with two of you this time?"
Yda and Alisaie exchange a look, and then Yda shrugs. "Seems like it."
Eirene sighs, rubbing her temples, a stubborn voice in the back of her head chiding her for having friends so much like herself. Finally, she speaks, softer than she'd intended. "If either of you got hurt or tempered, I'd never forgive myself. I'm already responsible for too many deaths. Please don't make yours weigh on me as well."
Alisaie looks over sharply at that, moving to speak up, but Yda beats her to it with a quiet, "Eirene." She shifts over to sit next to her. "We can handle ourselves. I've been fending off primals since I was in the Circle of Knowing. I know what to look for, and I promise, if Garuda tries to temper anyone, I will get myself and Alisaie out of there." She pauses. "Can you trust me to do that?"
Eirene sighs, hesitating. "Yda..."
"We're coming with you whether you want us there or not," Alisaie cuts in, crossing her arms and staring Eirene down. "So you don't have a choice."
Yda smiles at that, shrugging at Eirene when she looks over at her.
Again. Friends far too much like herself.
Eirene doesn't agree, but she does drop the subject, turning instead over to Cid. "Can you bring us close enough to the ground that we can jump? Doesn't look like there's anywhere near here for a safe landing, and you'll need space to make repairs."
"Sure thing," Cid agrees, starting to steer the ship towards the ground.
Alisaie sidles up to Eirene's side as they wait for the airship to get low enough for them to jump safely. "You are not responsible for the massacre at the Waking Sands," she says softly. "Don't hold that on your shoulders."
Eirene is not going to argue guilt with a sixteen-year-old. She just offers a grim smile instead, as Cid speaks up.
"Okay, we're as ready as we'll ever be. Once we’re close enough, you three jump. We'll pull back and do repairs and make sure we're ready for a quick escape."
"Sure you don't want to help?" Alisaie asks her brother.
"Unlike you, I have no intentions of losing my will to a primal," Alphinaud scoffs, and Alisaie rolls her eyes.
"Get ready," Cid warns, and at Eirene's nod, the airship dives sharply, skimming close enough to the ground for Eirene, Yda, and Alisaie to leap from it and land in front of an enraged Garuda, who shrieks the moment she sees them.
Tightening her grip on her sword, Eirene gets to work.
*
From his vantage point on the cliffs above Garuda’s nest, Emet-Selch has a pretty good view of the losing battle the woman who calls herself Eirene is currently fighting.
She is, it seems, giving it all she can, clumsy and uncertain with her sword in a way that Azem had never been – and seeing that soul struggling with an unfamiliar weapon is almost reason enough for him to leave.
But he doesn’t. He stays, and he watches. He watches as Gaius van Baelsar absorbs Garuda’s aether into his Ultima Weapon in the name of an emperor he’s unaware passed on hours before. He watches as Yda is thrown backwards into one of the scattered rocks around the nest, the cracking of her arm audible despite the rushing winds.
He watches as Eirene puts herself between the weapon she can’t hope to defeat and her friend.
Of course.
“Thought I might find you here,” a voice speaks from behind him, and he scoffs, not turning around.
“What do you want, Elidibus?”
“Just checking how you’re adjusting,” Edilibus answers, and they both know it’s a lie.
“I’m perfectly fine, thank you,” Emet-Selch says sardonically. “And I hardly need a babysitter.”
Elidibus steps up beside him. “What are your thoughts on her?”
Emet-Selch tears his eyes from the fight still ongoing (still a losing battle) to finally glance over at Elidibus, but his mask betrays no emotion. Finally, he answers, “She’s going to be a thorn in our side as always.”
“Lahabrea doesn’t seem to consider her much of a threat,” Elidibus says. “She certainly doesn’t look like one now,” he adds, as a blast from the weapon sends her skidding backwards.
“Well, Lahabrea always did underestimate others,” Emet-Selch answers, turning on his heel to leave.
“Not going to stay and see what happens?” Elidibus asks.
“I’ve sated my curiosity,” Emet-Selch responds, and then lets darkness envelop him as he leaves Elidibus chuckling softly behind him.
If this woman would like to call herself by Azem's name, she can fall or flourish on her own. He certainly won’t be interfering.
*
Eirene tightens her grip on her sword as Gaius moves to speak, likely to order his Weapon to take them out, but stiffens as a Garlean soldier runs up behind his commander with a shout of, "Sir!"
Gaius stills, not taking his eyes off of Eirene and the Scions as he spits, "What."
"It's news from Garlemald, sir. You're going to want to hear this."
No one moves for a moment. Eirene's sword is still firmly in her grip, still standing between the Ultima Weapon and Yda, whose broken arm is cradled close to her body.
The soldier scurries forward, murmuring something to Gaius, who somehow becomes even stiffer. A beat of silence hands in the air, before he finally speaks.
"This is not over, Defenders of Eorzea. Tell your leaders what you’ve witnessed today and hope they are as wise as they claim to be," he says, calmer than Eirene feels, and then, in a sharp voice, he orders, "We're leaving! Now."
The Eorzeans don't move until Gaius, his Ultima Weapon, and the Garlean airships are gone, leaving them alone with the remnants of a battle and their injuries.
"What in the seven hells just happened?" Alisaie finally breaks the silence.
"I have no idea," Eirene answers, kneeling down beside Yda. "How's your arm?"
"Broken, I think," Yda winces.
That snaps Alisaie back into gear. She scrambles to Yda's side, healing magicks at her fingertips, as Eirene takes a step back, lifting a hand to her ear to call Cid.
And then she second guesses herself, the incredulity of what had just occurred winning her over, and she calls someone else instead. "Y'shtola?"
There's a moment of silence before Y'shtola's voice rings through her linkpearl. "Eirene – how fares Garuda?"
"Gone," Eirene answers. "Though the situation is... complicated. Have you heard of something happening in Garlemald?"
Y'shtola exhales. "I have, in fact – and if you've heard about it from there, then that likely proves it true."
"What happened?" Eirene asks. "Gaius van Baelsar just left a confrontation he knew he was winning."
"Emperor Solus is dead," Y'shtola answers.
"The Emperor of Garlemald is dead?" Eirene repeats, and Yda and Alisaie's gazes whip over to her.
"What?" Yda breathes, quickly tapping her own linkpearl to join in the conversation. "I thought all intelligence said he was in relatively good health?"
"’Twould seem he took a turn for the worse," Y'shtola answers. "I don't have details. But what I do know, is that Castrum Centri – where Minfilia and the others are being held – is uniquely understaffed at the moment. If we are to storm the Castrum and save them, we'll never get a better opportunity. How quickly can you get to Mor Dhona?"
Eirene lets out a breath. "As long as the airship is still in one piece, we can be there soon," she answers. "We'll keep you posted."
"Twelve watch over you.” The linkpearl connection cuts, leaving Eirene, Alisaie, and Yda in silence for a moment, before Eirene reaches back up to her linkpearl and finally calls for Cid.
Notes:
I went back and forth on whether this chapter was done or not so many times. It's shorter than the rest of the chapters have been, but with what's planned next, this felt like the best place to end it, even though it's short. Hopefully it didn't disappoint despite the length.
A million thanks as always to Eriyu for all of her help and for dealing with all of my whining. <333333333333
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