Traveler

Azlyn walked into the storeroom where she found Urianger, Mjnt, and Tataru sitting at one of the tables in front of the bookshelves. Urianger acknowledged her arrival with a bob of his head, while the Viera pulled out the chair next to her. 

The Au Ra sat down with ease. “Is there anything else that needs to be done around here Urianger?” She accepted a cup of tea from Tataru who smiled at her. 

“Thou art ever welcome to assist, Azlyn—but I require no assistance. Pray take thy leave unburdened by concern for my well-being.” 

She lifted her cup to him. “Minfillia wanted me to ask, but I’m glad to hear that you are doing well on your own.” 

Tataru beamed, “Urianger has been working tirelessly to keep the building in good standing. Why, the other day, he pulled out all the books and reorganized them by alphabetical order.” She hopped up from her chair. “I shall see if the Antecedent needs more time or if she’d like a cup of tea! I shall be back!” 

The Lalafellin left the storeroom to head to the Solar. They waited a few moments before the Viera broke the silence. 

Mjnt chuckled, sipping the cup slowly. She crossed her legs under the table. “These halls have seen many sights—many people—it is no wonder he takes pride in his work here.” 

Urianger nodded, “Verily, thy countenance bespeaks a desire to quit this place without further delay.”

Azlyn widened her eyes, lowering her cup. “N-no... it’s—it’s just sometimes I think back to that day.” 

“Hm.” The man tapped his finger on the table. “Mayhap thou thinkest this chapter of our tale concluded—that these halls should rightly be concluded to the annals of history?” 

“I don’t think that at all... it’s hard to explain.” She sighed, staring down to the hint of orange hue in the tea. 

“Are you thinking the Scions will be able to move on after the imperial attack?” Mjnt considered, leaning a hand to her chin. “That you might put the memory to rest?” 

“Maybe?” Azlyn pondered, staring up to Urianger. “What do you think Urianger?” 

“In man’s eagerness to seize the future, how readily he doth set down the past.” 

Azlyn picked up the message in his words, and sighed once more. He was correct as usual, despite his strange way of speaking. 

“Full many a proud pioneer hath bravely strident into the great unknown, only to find there the banner of his ancestor, faded by the eons. And still man glorieth in his discoveries. ‘Tis through his pride that wisdom doth ever give way to ignorance, while they who lurk in shadow remain hidden, lost no sooner than they are found.” 

That was something she half expected—Urianger had been known to give his lectures if given the opportunity. Azlyn knew he meant no harm in his reproach, as he reminded her once again that the past was not something to forget but something to remember—and how one should look before they leap. 

Given her disposition, he must have known her to be the act first, and ask later type of person. Tataru came back in between his speech, humming to herself. She didn’t even realize what she just walked back into as she jumped on the stool. 

The growing silence at the table led to the older Elezen to sigh. “Be not offended, Azlyn. Thy conduct hath ever been beyond reproach. Despite thy surpassing strength, and all thy many victories, thou hast never been so convinced of thine own greatness as to imagine thyself above the feelings of thy forebears. Mayhap it is the Echo which hath opened thine eyes to the lessons of history. Would that the same could be said of—”

They were lost in his words, only to be startled by a sudden shout from within the compound. Azlyn’s horns reverberated the scream, making her jolt up from her chair. Urianger bolted upward, as did Mjnt and Tataru. 

Tataru nervously bounced around, scared of the reason for that scream. 

“Whence came that cry!?” 

“The Solar.” Mjnt’s ears prickled as she brought her lance out. She started to sprint to the room, and Azlyn chased after. She could hear Urianger call behind them, his sandals echoing on the floor. 

“Twelve forehead—the Antecedent!” 

As they pushed the doors of the storeroom open to the hall, Azlyn caught a glimpse of passing white heading down the hallway toward the exit—but when they came to the junction there was not anyone there. 

Mjnt had been the first to reach the doors, seconds ahead of Azlyn. She kicked opened the doors with her lance at the ready. There was no enemy present. 

Azlyn dashed past her to Minfillia collapsed on the ground. “Minfillia!” 

“Az—Azlyn... you must—must...” The Antecedent groaned in pain. Azlyn reached a hand out to help her off the ground—only for an intense headache to overcome her. 

She gasped in pain as her vision shifted to darkness. Azlyn found herself floating in space—seeing the scene unfold in the Solar. Minfillia had been by the doors, looking back to the Solar and gazing to the staff upon the wall. This must have been moments after she had left to speak with Urianger. 

She was packing what little she needed for the move, speaking aloud her thoughts. “Tell me, Louisoix—would you have done the same?” 

The scene only focused upon Minfillia—and Azlyn couldn’t quite get a whole view of the room. However her ears picked up a new voice—a male’s voice—and one that spoke a different language entirely. She’d heard the old language before—the same tongue that some of the Ascians spoke. 

« Louisoix Leveilleur was a remarkable man. Wise beyond mortal measure. Would that I had met him prior to his passing. »

Minfillia turned, her eyes snapped to a white cloaked individual. His robes were similar to the black clad ones—only they seemed... different. It was hard for Azlyn to tell. 

“An Ascian, here!? How—?” 

« How readily you see. You are indeed gifted, Antecedent »

Minfillia defensively took a stance, backing up to the desk. She glared. “But you—You are not like the others. Your robes are...” She trailed off as the man sighed. 

« Gifted—but ignorant. Yet I shall not judge you harshly. The fault lies with your forebears, it has been— » He paused, thinking solemnly for just a moment. « A millennia. » The Ascian raised his hand up to postulate to the woman. « Mine are the robes of an emissary. Unlike he who came before, I have no quarrel with you. »

“He who—you speak of Lahabrea?” Minfillia questioned him. She looked worried at his sudden admission. 

« Lahabrea is a warrior. He fought. He fell. » The man explained succinctly to her. Whether it helped persuade her or not was not his intention. « He may yet learn from his mistake. »

“Then he is—he is still...” 

« Come. I only confirm that which you already know. » He shook his head, pacing the front of the Solar doors.  « There is no cessation, no oblivion. Only expulsion. »

Minfillia didn’t seem to believe him as she stuttered. “You—what are...” 

The Solar doors opened, as Azlyn watched Tataru walk into the room. She walked right next to the white cloaked man—not registering his presence. “We’re ready when you are, my lady! If there is nothing else, perhaps you’d like a cup of tea?” 

Minfillia looked concerned, looking between the pair before slowly shaking her head. 

“Is something the matter?” Tataru asked, bringing a curious hand to her chin. She followed the Antecedent’s gaze, and seeing nothing had assumed she meant something about the room. “Ah, I feel the same way. After everything that’s happened here, it feels strange to leave. Urianger is speaking to Azlyn and Mjnt about that now. But I’m sure we’ll get used to Revenant’s Toll.” 

The Antecedent widened her eyes, before sighing. 

“Well, I’ll let you say your goodbyes! Take as long as you like, my lady. We shall depart whenever you are ready.” Tataru immediately left the Solar. As the doors closed, an eerie silence picked up. Minfillia watched the man who stood quiet. 

“It is only to be expected.” He said in their common tongue. “She lacks the gift and the knowledge both. To her, we are indistinct.” The mysterious man shrugged as if it was something to be expected. 

“I don’t understand.” Minfillia admitted, narrowing her eyes. 

“Shadowless, fleshless, formless—what truth there is in each tale is diluted by time and telling. Knowledge dictates expectation, and expectation colors perception. Thus did she perceive naught. So it is with all but a chosen few. Even you, when young, could not yet see with eyes unclouded.”

Minfillia growled. “You know nothing about me. Nothing!” 

The man chuckled to her anger. “The gift grants you clarity, it grants you focus. With it, you may in time come to see us as we are, rather than this crude approximation.”

“Lahabrea did not think so highly of the Echo.” Minfillia raised her hand up to examine her own palm. 

“Lahabrea is wrong about a great many things. The Echo is indeed a gift—albeit one you have yet to master.” 

Minfillia stepped forward. “And if we did?” 

“There would be no strife between our peoples—for we would be of one mind.” He explained. 

Azlyn couldn’t be felt feel this man was trying to win favors with Minfillia—at least that was what she felt watching this whole scene. Yet it didn’t explain how she got hurt. She looked to the man. 

“I leave, as I came, in peace Antecedent. May we meet again as friends.” He turned to the doors, walking out of the Solar. Minfillia started to run to him. 

“Wait! Stay where you are!” 

The Ascian swiftly turned on his foot, his hand shot up and Azlyn watched in horror as a spear of dark energy cut through Minfillia. Azlyn gasped in the vision, as the white clad man slowly lowered his arm. 

Minfillia collapsed to the ground, screaming in pain. 

« Mayhap I was indelicate. ‘Tis a mercy She shields Her children from His grace with such resolve. Was it also by Her hand that you survived the Ardor, I wonder? » The man disappeared out the Solar doors, and the vision finally ended. 

Azlyn snapped her head, she could feel the sweat side down her cheek. 

“I take it there is no need to explain.”  Minfillia groaned in pain, as Mjnt helped her up to sit. Tataru ran over to her with worry in her eyes. “Save your concern. He did me no lasting harm. Whatever his intention was, it was not to kill.” 

Mjnt nodded to her words. 

Tataru worriedly bustled over the Antecedent. “Who did this to you! What happened? Are you alright?” She gasped at how pale Minfillia was. “You look pale—do you need to lie down? I could fetch you a flask of my special tonic—”

The Antecedent gave the girl a small smile. “I’m alright. Urianger, send word to the Students of Baldesion to scour the archives—the forbidden tomes in particular. If there is any reference to an Ascian robed in white, however oblique, I would know of it.” 

Urianger looked between Minfillia and Azlyn. “An Ascian? Was that what gave you cause to cry out?”

She nodded. 

“I did but moments ago glimpse a figure in white set forth from the Waking Sands. Yet Ascians are wont to employ teleportation magicks—why would one be so brazen?” 

Azlyn had to wonder that as well. She thought back to his words. He wanted them to meet as friends next time—but...

“I know not and care not. Find him Azlyn. Turn every stone in Vesper Bay if you have to!” 

Mjnt narrowed her eyes, helping the Antecedent to her feet. The Viera looked to the doors that led outward. “She won’t go alone. Not with a man who is as brazen as you claim.” 

Azlyn bit her lip, seeing Minfillia grow determined to find the man. 

“Let’s go Mjnt!” They moved out of the Solar, shortly followed by the Scion bookkeepers. 

“Pray attend me, Tataru.” Urianger called down to the Lalafellin. 

They split up, as the pair went to the storeroom. Mjnt and her continued moving outside the building. They sprinted up the stairs to the central plaza—and Azlyn skidded to a halt. She grabbed Mjnt’s arm to point to the man just standing there. He was facing the west, looking to something in the sky. 

“Is that him?” 

Azlyn nodded. “Yeah. I saw him with Minfillia.” 

The Dragoon pulled her lance out. They started to advance upon him, only for him to call out calmly.

“Put it away.” The man called to them without turning.

Mjnt hardened her gaze, but slowly could see some of the residents staring at her with bewildered eyes. Azlyn clenched her fists. “Mjnt, do as he says. No one can see him but us.” 

The Viera’s ears twitched to her words, and slowly she put the lance back behind her. “Speak stranger. Who are you?” 

“I am told that you are the Warriors of Light. But I would know for myself.” The man faced them, his red mask under the hood stood out amongst all the white he wore.

Azlyn and Mjnt relaxed their stances, seeing a group of merchants whispering behind them. It seemed the pair had gathered some attention.

The white robed man noticed this too, as he offered a solution. “I shall walk north, and you may choose to follow.” He smirked to them, finishing with what Azlyn knew only as a threat. “Know, however, that you will be waylaid if you do—you may even perish. Should you survive, we shall speak anon.”

“What a pleasant way of a greeting.” The Au Ra defiantly spoke, keeping her voice low.

“Whatever dangers will come, we shall fight them together.” Mjnt hardened. “Your threats mean nothing here.”

He chuckled, before walking down the path that lead northwest of Vesper Bay.

Azlyn clicked her tongue, as she clenched her fists together. “What the devil are they planning now?”

“I know not,” the Viera spoke calmly, moving in the same direction he disappeared toward. “but I mean to find out why. Are you ready?”

“Yeah, let’s prepare for the worst. It is, after all, an Ascian we’re dealing with.” Azlyn followed, as she thought of her summoning grimoire. When the two had exited the town, Azlyn’s foot set off an aetheric reaction—her whole right side burst into pain as three to four imps materialized from nowhere. This feeling—it felt similar to the time she touched the knob at Haukke Manor. 

It was not only that but they were being watched—the feeling of eyes on them grew.

Azlyn summoned her Garuda-Egi, ignoring the fizzle in her palm. “You feel it too, don’t you Mjnt?”

She nodded, looking to the monsters before them. “Yes, we’re being watched—judged more like. Let’s not disappoint him.”

The girl chuckled, jumping right into action. She spread an entire field of miasma and bio spells upon each, weakening them physically while Mjnt jumped high in the sky. Azlyn gathered the three imps into one central spot where the Viera imploded from above—her aether ablaze with energy as she destroyed the creatures.

The path had been a linear one, yet filled with more monsters materializing upon their arrival. Each time one of them stepped into the aetheric field of energy, the monsters would appear shortly thereafter—and there was also a sense of someone watching.

A giant gargoyle appeared, his bulky form took up most of the space within that cavern walkway. Given the close quarters Mjnt was also unable to perform at full capacity. Azlyn summoned her Titan-Egi, as Mjnt drew the Gargoyle’s attention away.

She concentrated on the path, commanding her egi to tunnel underneath the gargoyle and create a gaol upon its foot. With it bond in place, Azlyn hoped it would be easier to manage. As soon as the gaol locked the creature’s foot—it quickly broke free—and left Azlyn with only one clear decision.

Sometimes Arcanima wouldn’t be enough. She dismissed her egi, letting the grimoire disappear into the aetheric pocket she possessed. Instead she brought forth her axe.

Mjnt stabbed at the gargoyle, piercing and jabbing the point of her lance into its chest—the wounds pouring out black oozes of blood. In between her strikes, she had to dodge the cumbersome knives as it tried to slice through her. She evasively jumped and moved, but she only had so much room to work.

Azlyn leapt up from behind, her axe held firmly in both hand. “Back here!” The gargoyle turned, and found an axe cleaved straight through its head. The aether burst out from it, leaving no corpse in its wake. She dropped to the ground, repositioning.

“Good job.” She lift her arm up to bump her forearm against the Viera’s in triumph. 

“You too.” Mjnt answered back shifting her forearm to meet the Au Ra’s mid bump. “It seems like the battles are getting a bit harder each time.”

Again, they went northward, following the path.

“I wondered the same thing. Should we call the others?”

Mjnt glanced around the tunnels that would soon enter the Footfalls on the northwestern side of Vesper Bay. Like before, a summoning ritual had been used to bring forth more creatures—this time two gargoyles of the same ilk roared to them. However with the cavern opening up, Mjnt was able to jump and dive down. “No need to worry them. We two can handle these ilk.” 

Azlyn took on one gargoyle by herself, parrying and blocking the blows of its large knives with her axe—and she waited for the opportunity to strike. There was a split second between its attack that it lost some speed to return to its defensive stance—so she took that under note and attacked at those moments.

The gargoyles both burst into aether after another minute of hacking and cleaving. Mjnt flipped backwards from her initial dive, landing with grace beside the Au Ra watching the last of the two Gargoyles be dispatched by her own attacks.

“I think I see our white robed villain.” Azlyn pointed to the small speck of white in the yellow-brown hue of the haze.

“Then let’s have our chat.” Mjnt stomped confidently ahead, and Azlyn had to double her stride to keep up. They were well within thirty feet of his position before another manifestation spell brought forth another slew of enemies.

This time—four Ascians clad in black appeared. Two of them appeared right behind Azlyn and wrangled her arms in their grasps. The other two started slinging spells to Mjnt. She expertly dodged, trying to get to the Au Ra.

Azlyn growled, before she let go of the axe. She thought of her hand greaves and she started to struggle in their grasp. She slammed her head to the side, jarring both hers and the Ascian clenching onto her left side. As the black clad individual loosened his grip, she clenched her left fist and swung hard right to the other Ascian. It was her best haymaker she could perform.

She could feel the crunch of the mask as she sent a burst of aetheric energy into her fist. The Ascian had been blown back by the punch, and Azlyn backflipped out of reach. She raised her fists up to protect her core as she lunged to strike.

Mjnt dispatched the two Ascians cornering her, just in time to begin her leap. Only the white robed man stepped up to her, intercepting the Viera to stop her. 

Azlyn punched relentlessly into the guy, and then shifted her weight upon her back foot. She swung her whole body in a quick maneuver, completing a roundhouse kick into the man sending him flailing. He burst away into aether leaving her with one more.

The man started chanting, but she dashed straight to him—her eyes blazed as she interrupted his casting with a solid uppercut to his chin. Only to feel dark energy burst outward into her chest—she coughed, being flung back several feet but the other Ascian had been no more. He finally dispersed into the aether leaving them with the white robed one.

Azlyn felt her lungs were on fire, but she straightened up her body.

“Remarkable.” He looked to Azlyn and her hands—and over his shoulder to the Viera. “Truly Remarkable. I thank you for granting me this indulgence.”

The Viera snapped her lance to the white robed man. “I tire of these games sir. Speak before my patience is run thin.”

He had a slight smile on his face as he examined each of them. “None save she who bested Lahabrea could endure such an examination.”

Azlyn didn’t enjoy the odd sensation she felt upon his peerage, and she raised her fists up in defense. She glared defiantly to him.

“Have the laws of man grown so twisted in my absence that it is now permitted to lay hands upon an emissary?” He asked them curiously.

“Emissary… That’s the second time I’ve heard you say that. You said it to Minfillia, and now to us. Who are you?” Azlyn glowered.

“You bore witness to my audience with the Antecedent. Then you know I acted only in self-defense.”

“That’s not what we’re talking about! Quit dodging the question.” Azlyn sourly replied. “Who are you, and what is your relations to the Ascians?”

Mjnt kept her lance pointed to him from behind, giving them a slight advantage if they had to come to blows. The man did not seem perturbed by the turn of events, only shook his head. “You’ll have to forgive us, having been attacked thrice over by Lahabrea.” The Viera icily remarked to the man. “But an Ascian working behind the scenes with a duty unknown makes all worry for the future.”

“You need not worry over my actions, but...” The white cloaked individual rose a hand to his chin, deep in thought. “I realize the same cannot be said of Lahabrea. Even amongst his brethren, he is considered—unique. Nonetheless, I cannot wholly condemn his misdeeds, for through them we discovered you.”

Azlyn shivered at the declaration pointed directly to her. “What?”

“One so strong in the gift that she could cast us out. However,” He gazed intently to her right side which throbbed. One moment he was between them, and the next he was gone. Azlyn blinked in shock before feeling a hand grasp her right wrist tightly.

“Azlyn!” Mjnt jerked forward, only for the man to sigh.

“Shattered. Such a waste given your potential. Your aether is just slipping away grains at a time. Aren’t you in pain?”

Azlyn yanked her arm back, retreating several feet away. Her eyes were wide. “What does it matter to you?”

“Your Mother favors you still, that much is plain. The fact you still live attests to that. But surely you must feel it?” He watched them regroup together in front of him. “Do you not notice? Her influence wanes, and Her strength shall soon be spent. These lands, these people, the world—all shall soon change. As it was, so shall it be again. As it should always have been.”

Mjnt narrowed her eyes, her ears twitching at his words. 

“Doubt my claims and question my motives if you will. Only believe me when I say this: I am Elidibus, emissary—bearer of the word of the one true god. And we shall meet again.” He gave them both a smirk, before a dark portal swept over his form—and allowed him to escape.

Azlyn looked to the empty space where he once stood, before clenching her teeth. “Damn it.”

“That man—Elidibus—there was naught a lie from his lips.” Mjnt confirmed, stowing her lance behind her.

The Au Ra thought back to the vision she had, the morning after defeating Lahabrea and the Ultima Weapon—the Mother Crystal darkened without any light. The girl wondered if that was what he alluded to.

“Then that means…” She muttered aloud, “She’s been silent this whole time—I just never thought… thought to question it.”

Mjnt gave the girl a glance. “Question what?”

“My vision from before.” Azlyn explained at last about the darkened towering crystal she bore witness. “Before I had visions where Hydaelyn would speak directly to me, yet not once after we defeated the Ultima Weapon has she uttered a single word.”

The Viera frowned, her complexion darkening. “I fear the future has a great shock in store—but of what? We won’t know for sure.”

“Let’s inform Minfillia about what we know. Maybe the Students of Baldesion can look more into this Emissary, and determine what his rank or status is for the Ascians.”

“When he spoke of Lahabrea, it sounded as if he knew him on a personal level—but that’s based upon my intuition rather than a truth.” The ruby eyed woman sighed. “But we shall get no answers if we sit around in this haze. Let us do as you suggested.”

Together, they walked back to Vesper Bay with more questions than answers.They found Minfillia pacing in front of the Solar—her face still pale from the attack before. Tataru had brought forth a cup for the Antecedent to drink from when they came through the first set of hallway doors.

“Thank the gods you’ve returned!” Minfillia rushed over to the pair, looking each of them over. “After you both left, I began to worry that I might have sent you two to your doom.” She looked behind them to see that their visitor was not present. “I take it our visitor proved elusive?”

“He was waiting for us in the town square.” Azlyn remembered him just standing there—just waiting. At first, she just thought he was examining the sky, but after what went down—she had the strangest feeling he expected them to follow.

Mjnt nodded. “He subjugated us to a series of tests before deeming us worthy.”

“Beg pardon?” Minfillia tightened her grip on the glass in her hand. “He was waiting for you? And he subjugated you to a series of tests? What did you do? What did he say?”

“He—Elidibus—spoke of many things—from his slight connection to Lahabrea, and how Hydaelyn’s influence is waning.” Azlyn looked to Mjnt. “And that he is also an Emissary.”

“These lands, these people, the world—all shall soon change. As it was, so shall it be again. As it should always have been… These were the words he spoke before us.”

“As it was, so shall it be again…” Minfillia repeated the words from the Viera. She worriedly gazed to the pair. “Of when does he speak? And of what, exactly? The words of this… Elidibus portend much but reveal nothing—save perhaps a measure of disdain for Lahabrea.”

Azlyn frowned, “I do not know—but I feel it is best we stay on our—”

The doors down the hall burst open as a rambunctious voice hollered within. “WE’RE BACK! Oh! Azzie! Mjnty!”

Their serious conversation came to a halting screech as the four turned to face their new guests. Kida waved happily over to them, while Koroko Koko, Ozwin, and N’thuzu Tia stared to them.

“What’s wrong?” Koroko Koko scanned them intently, and Azlyn hid both her hands behind her back. She smiled willfully to them.“Nothing wrong! How was the report to Pukni Pakk?”

“The moogle will be reporting it to their chieftain, so we’re clear on that end.” Ozwin narrowed his eyes, before settling to the Viera. “I think we did miss something.”

Tataru popped up beside Azlyn, drawing the attention away. “I have a pot of tea and snacks in the storeroom! Come get a glass before we leave for Revenant’s Toll!”

Kida marched down the hall, following the Lalafellin’s example. Koroko Koko and N’thuzu Tia joined them.

“Tea sounds good right about now.” Azlyn smiled to Mjnt and Minfillia. “Shall we have a glass before we go?”

Minfillia nodded. “That sounds lovely.” And sighed immediately after. “I had hoped for answers, but it seems I shall have to be content with a wealth of additional questions.”

Azlyn joined in the Antecedent’s sigh, much to Ozwin’s annoyance. “Yeah, me too Minfillia. Me too.”

The pair walked past the Midlander who eyes them with questions of his own. Azlyn could feel the stinging pressure from his unasked questions before Mjnt spoke up behind them. She addressed Ozwin with a warm smile.

“All will be explained later tonight—but let’s relax in the meantime.”

Ozwin groaned loudly, but inevitably followed them. “Whatever, keep your secrets. I don’t care.”