Ascilia, Scion of Light

“... So to summarize,” Lily began, raising a hand to her veiled chin, “My sister claims to have seen a vision of Ahewann transforming into a blasphemy. And she believes we possess the means to save his life?”

“That is the extent to which I understand, yes,” Vrtra answered, his tiny Auri fists clenched in clear anxiety. “Is she correct in her assessment?”

Scarcely a few minutes had passed since Vrtra had pulled them away from the others. And as she recounted the incident that had left him preoccupied over the past hour, Ascilia had already begun to formulate a plan to save the sleeping satrap. It would be difficult to pull off, however. As powerful and robust as her Echo had grown over the past hundred years, and as skilled as she’d grown in manipulating it, some things were harder to accomplish than others.

Still, she believed she knew the best course of action, and so rather than keep her peace, she chose to act.

“We do, in fact,” she declared, smiling confidently. “The power of the Echo can transport our minds into Ahewann’s waking consciousness. Once there we can determine the cause of his transformation and deal with it accordingly.”

“Can the Echo truly perform such a feat?” asked Vrtra, a hopeful look adorning his face.

“Yeah, I’ve done something like that a few times now,” Lily nonchalantly replied. “Aside from the Dreamspinners, there was Mikoto Jinba. She and I once delved into others’ memories using a peculiar Bozjan crystal…” Trailing off as she glanced at Ascilia, she gave a concealed grin. “I could try calling upon them, or Feo Ul, and begging them for a favor. But I imagine Mikoto would be a less problematic option.”

“I don’t believe I’ve ever met Miss Jinba,” Ascilia began, reaching up to her ear and activating her linkpearl. “But I’ll see what I can do.”

“If you can not contact her, then who…?” Vrtra began, only to shake his head. “Never mind. I shall trust your judgment.”

“You have my thanks, your Excellency.” Without further ado, Ascilia began the task of reaching out to her contacts—both in Sharlayan and elsewhere. “Krile, Tataru? Can you hear me? It’s… it’s me. Ascilia. Pray respond at your earliest convenience.”

Lily shot her a warm smile. “Our Lalafellin friends, huh?”

“The very same.” Narrowing her eyes as she noticed the hollow fluctuating, Ascilia let out a heavy sigh. “... But I’m afraid you will need to be the one answering when they call back. Right now Y’shtola needs one of our sword arms.”

Looking down admiringly at her sari, Lily gave a soft chuckle. “Sure, love. Gods, but I’m glad linkpearls only transmit sound…”

With a quiet laugh of her own, Ascilia returned to the rest of the party, Vrtra following close behind her. Between them and the hollow stood Estinien and Y’shtola, their arms at the ready, while Nidhana on the other hand had begun to back away. The hollow itself seemed to be straining, as if something much larger than an Imp was trying to force its way through.

It would fail, surely. But even so she drew her own sword, and began channeling her aether into its blade.

“To think something would actually try to force its way through,” Y’shtola grumbled, glancing sidelong at Ascilia. “I tried calling back my Nixies a moment prior. They should be able to hide themselves—do you suppose our unseen adversary is blocking the way?”

“Undoubtedly,” she answered, narrowing her eyes as she caught sight of something.

Within the hollows depths a lone eye stared back at her. Its color was a deep purple, marked with a glowing pattern not unlike the spokes of a wagon wheel. It flashed a brilliant and eerie light before disappearing as suddenly as it appeared, and with its absence the hollow stabilized once more.

“Thank goodness,” Y’shtola sighed in relief before clearing her throat. “Nixies! Return to my side!”

Barely a moment later, a pair of Nixies burst out from within the hollow. One sailed through the air, landing before Y’shtola with a giggle and a bounce. The other, its body burning with black violet flames, tumbled limpidly down from the furnace, splashing against the Sorceress’s boot.

“Water, water, froth and foam!♪” sang the first.

“Water, water… f-froth...” sputtered the second.

“Can aught be done to ease its pain?” Ascilia asked, grimacing at the sight.

It was within your power once, came a voice from within. But there is no saving this one.

“I’m afraid all I can offer is a quick end,” Y’shtola answered, kneeling down before the suffering Nixie. Placing her hand upon its round form, she gave a gentle smile. “Thank you, little one. You did well.”

From behind them, Ascilai caught the sound of Nidhana’s thundering footsteps. Glancing back at her, she caught sight of the horrified expression on her face. “The poor thing! Its essence has been irrevocably warped…”

Silently, Y’shtola began to channel aether into the palm of her hand. Before she could properly dismiss her Nixies, however, a guttural noise akin to howling began to echo throughout the vault, emanating from within the hollow. It continued for quite some time, with several shrieking voices joining it in a discordant choir.

“Out of the way, idiot!”

“I can’t die! I don’t want to die!”

“Then shut up and stop pushing!”

“Help me! HELP ME!”

“She’s eating him! And then she’s going to eat us! Oh my Go—”

“Open! Open! OPEN ALREADY, YOU WORTHLESS BLOODY GATE!”

“We’re out of time!” Vrtra declared. Rushing forward and raising his hand, a torrent of aether began to pour forth from his palm. In response, the gate slowly began to contract. “I must reseal the voidgate!”

“I-I’m through!” cried one of the voices from within the hollow. “Hurry, hurry!”

From the hollow five dim lights shot forth. They traversed the breadth of the vault, as if searching for a means of escape. Though they were mere souls rather than full bodied voidsent, Ascilia knew all too well what such beings could accomplish. Drawing her sword, she held it aloft before her, channeling her aether to bind the five lights in place.

Before she could utter a word, however, a pair of Imps and a torrent of tiny, emaciated limbs pushed through the hollow as well.

“They’re coming through!” Nidhana gasped, stumbling backwards.

Estinien and Y’shtola stood beside Ascilia, brandishing their respective arms once more. Even Lily had stepped forward, arming herself with the dagger she’d given her in lieu of an engagement ring. Though the sight warmed her heart, all thoughts of intimacy fled from Ascilia’s mind as she returned her attention to the hollow. The escaping souls had to be dealt with, and they couldn’t do so without first contending with these fleeing imps.

And so, whispering a word of power, she unleashed the might of her own soul upon them. With a brilliant flash of light she blinded the Imps, then fired off burst after burst of holy light into the hollow. One by one her foes receded from the onslaught of her magicks, until at last the portal was clear. Satisfied that she’d succeeded, yet way of letting her guard down, she kept her sword at the ready.

“Vrtra, seal the gate!” she commanded. “Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled!”

“In the name of Alzadaal III,” Vrtra chanted aloud, gripping his arm as aether surged from within him, “I bar this door unto the void!”

Rapidly the hollow began to contract, returning to its stable presence in a matter of moments. Just as quickly did the alchemical furnace slam shut, the heavy chain holding the lid aloft rattling as it sealed the hollow within. Massive ribbons of enchanted cloth manifested over the furnace as well, binding tight to reinforce the seal. With that the danger had passed, and though all present breathed a sigh of relief, as Ascilia scanned the environment she realized just how badly they’d failed.

The five lights that had emerged from the hollow—five voidsent souls—had escaped. Divested of living vessels, they would need to bind themselves to whatever they could find. It would take hours to scour the ruins for any possessed automatons, and though nightfall was still a few hours away, anyone trying to hunt down the fiends would have their work cut out for them.

But for the moment, at least, the danger had passed. And so all present once more breathed a sigh of relief.

“Well, that was a sharp lesson in the dangers of voidgates!” Nidhana exclaimed, visibly shaken by this turn of events.

“Not the worst outcome, either,” said Lily, sheathing her dagger before glancing sheepishly at Ascilia. “Tataru says hello, by the way. Said she’ll contact Krile for me in regards to our Auri friend. Shouldn’t take too long, hopefully…”

“Lily, did you not—” Ascilia began, only to be cut off by Estinien of all people.

“Now that the danger has passed, what of our experiment?” he asked Y’shtola. “I’d say the results speak for themselves.”

Ascilia glared daggers at the man’s back, only to catch a knowing look from Y’shtola. At least one of them realized the situation, she mused, and then it hit her why. Nidhana, Estinien, Lily, even Vrtra—none of their friends could see souls the way either of them could. And so it was their duty to inform them of what had happened.

So why, then, did she sense hesitation in Y’shtola’s eyes?

“... The unprotected nixie has suffered extensive aetheric corruption,” said Y’shtola, averting her gaze as she knelt down before the fading familiar. “As Nidhana observed, it’s well on its way to becoming a voidsent. The one merged with the talisman, however…” Raising her head, she glanced at the other nixie, bouncing in place like rippling water. “It appears wholly unaffected. I sense no changes to its equilibrium.”

“So the talismans are enough, then?” asked Lily, looking with pity at the poor nixie. “Gods, but that looks painful…”

“Mh, it seems so.” Looking back down at the nixie as well, Y’shtola gently placed her hand upon it. “Rest now, little ones.”

Both nixies dispersed in that moment, rejoining into a ball of glowing aether and floating into Y’shtola’s waiting hand. Swiftly the light faded, revealing the warding talisman that had been planted within the unaffected nixie. But watching as she examined it, Ascilia couldn’t help but note the furrowing of her brow.

“... Having said that, we appear to have a complication on our hands,” she surmised, presenting the warding talisman to the rest of the party. “While my second familiar was untouched by void energies, the talisman itself shows signs of degradation.”

“Those things held up to the onslaught of primals,” Lily began, only to stop and raise a hand to her veil. “Come to think of it, though, tempering subdues the soul with Light in addition to the primal’s element. And the Void’s about as far from Light as it can be.”

“Then perhaps the Void’s influence is of a different sort,” said Y’shtola, shrugging her shoulders before putting the talisman away. “Would that we could afford further testing. Regardless, I believe we’ll need to modify the warding scale’s design to account for the Thirteenth’s uniquely unstable aether...”

“You said much of the void’s instability,” Estinien interjected. “But my imagination fails me. What manner of place is this broken world?”

“Ah, my apologies. I forget that not all of us spend our days sequestered in dusty archives. Where to begin...” Pausing for a moment, as if considering how best to explain the Thirteenth to Estinien, Y’shtola merely shook her head. Then she motioned to Lily instead. “Perhaps an eyewitness account would suffice. Would you mind, Lily?”

After glancing between her and Estinien, Lily sighed and raised her head skyward. It was storytelling time, Ascilia mused. “... You’d be surprised how beautiful that place could be. ‘Twas black as night when I made my way into the Cloud of Darkness’s demesne, stars twinkling through an auroral sky. The architecture was built upon floating islands, and felt as if it were only held together by force of will. Far below, however, was nothing but an endless expanse of roiling dark clouds. One wrong step, one errant leap… you’d die before you hit the ground, if there even is such a thing anymore.” Lowering her head, she frowned. “As for the denizens—at the time I merely thought them monsters. They certainly acted the part. But from sacrifices now inhabited by fading souls, to even the mightiest among their number, they’re naught but slavering husks of the beings they once were. Driven by hunger and power alone. You can’t reason with them, can’t trust them, and they don’t stay dead for long.”

As he pulled away from the alchemical furnace himself, Vrtra looked Lily in the eyes. “What you have described in such lurid detail is exactly why I hesitate to encourage you. Even should you establish a foothold into that stygian realm, what end could it serve other than your doom?”

“Worry not, Great Vrtra,” Y’shtola began, flashing a warm grin. “My journey into the Thirteenth is but the first leg of a longer voyage. And I would be remiss to make that voyage without adequate preparations.”

“Indeed,” said Ascilia, narrowing her eyes. “‘Twould certainly be a shame if that voyage was jeopardized before it begins in earnest.”

If Y’shtola had noticed her irritation, she made no show of it, and instead merely nodded her head. “Quite right. To that end, I must first focus on refining the warding talisman. There is also another matter, but I believe it will sort itself out in due time.”

“I can begin work on constructing the artificial Atomos, if that is what you mean,” Nidhana offered to Y’shtola, before turning to Vrtra. “Or, I could if I had the relevant manuals to hand. Might I be so bold as to request access to the satrap’s family archives?”

But Vrtra did not respond. It seemed he had plunged deep into his own thoughts. No doubt he was still struggling with his myriad conflicting priorities, Ascilia wagered. Between Azdaja’s plight, the looming threat of Ahewann’s turning, and his duties as satrap, he truly was trapped at a terrible crossroads. But as Nidhana cleared her throat, he snapped back to attention, looking up into the Arkasodara’s eyes.

“Oh! Yes, that can be arranged. I will speak to my officials upon our return.” Returning his attention to the others, Vrtra bowed his head. “You may return via the hidden aetheryte node as before, if you so choose. Do not feel obligated to return via ship alongside me.”

“We will see you back in the city within an hour or so,” Nidhana added, waving goodbye to Ascilia and her party. “Until then, safe travels!”

As the two left the vault, Ascilia glanced back at the alchemical furnace with a grimace. “Well. We certainly have our work cut out for us.”

“Hmph,” Estinien grunted, shaking his head. “I’ve no interest in visiting the Void myself.”

“Then you won’t be joining us after all?” Y’shtola asked.

“Not at this juncture,” he coldly replied, then began to stride away. “I’ve business to attend to in Radz-at-Han. Until next time.”

Watching Estinien depart as well, Y’shtola let out a faint sigh. “I suppose I’ve no right to complain about secrecy. The two of you are aware of all that transpired in the past few minutes, are you not?”

“I am,” said Ascilia, crossing her arms. “Frankly, Shtola, I expected better of you.”

“I’m not,” said Lily, furrowing her brow. “What, exactly, are you talking about?”

“Before Vrtra could seal the voidgate, I caught sight of five distinct souls escaping from within,” Ascilia began to explain, motioning to the furnace. “But by the time we could afford to do something about them, they had vanished from sight. I believe Shtola saw them as well.”

“‘Tis exactly as she says,” Y’shtola sighed. “I was hoping naught would come of it—that without their bodies, those voidsent had perished. But I can’t deny the possibility that they escaped instead. Should the people of Thavnair come to harm on account of my misstep… well, it’s as you said, Ascilia.” Then, eyeing both her and Lily, she raised a hand to her chin and tilted it. “But I sense that’s the least of our worries. Out with it, you two. What did Vrtra ask of you earlier?”

For a moment, Ascilia exchanged glances with her beloved. Though there was nothing Y’shtola could do to help them, there was no harm in letting her know. It seemed Lily was of the same mind. “While we were en route to this isle, Lily’s sister reportedly had a vision of the future. In it, the former satrap awoke from his months-long coma, only to transform into a blasphemy.”

“A blasphemy?” Y’shtola queried incredulously. “But that shouldn’t be possible—did we not put an end to the Final Days?”

“We did, but it seems that hasn’t been the end of them,” Lily answered, motioning to herself and Ascilia. “While in Dalmasca, we had to put down a few stragglers that flitted in from Bozja. Apparently they had a big one on their hands—and it spawned a month after I killed the Meteia.”

“We’d also received reports of blasphemies in Garlemald from collaborators in the Dalmascan Resistance,” Ascilia added, recounting the information from memory. “According to the reports, Nerva yae Galvus—or someone believed to be him—had hijacked a tower there after transforming into a powerful blasphemy, and had been driving Garlean citizens to transform through its broadcasts.”

Y’shtola’s gaze fell to the floor for a moment as she gently rapped her hand against the side of her face. Having spent much of these past four months squirreled away in a cave, it seemed this revelation truly was a surprise to her. “... Well. That does put a bit of a damper on our success, doesn’t it? And this… vision of the future—I believe you and Rubedo mentioned it being a power of the Echo? For that matter, is the Echo how you intend to counteract this threat?” With a nod from Ascilia she continued on, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. “I’ll not mince words, then. Should my lapse in judgment be the cause of this transformation, it will do worse than jeopardize my plans. Will you help me amend this… lapse in judgment?”

“I’ll do all I can to aid you, Shtola,” Ascilia declared, stepping forward to embrace her longtime friend. “You have my word.”

“Mine as well,” said Lily, patting the both of them on the shoulder. “Ere we depart, why not quickly sweep the ruins together? Between the both of you, we should have no trouble locating an errant soul or two.”

“If that’s the case, love, should we not take our time and be thorough?” Before she could receive an answer, however, Ascilia felt the emptiness of her stomach as it began to grumble. “... I suppose if we’re observant, a quick jog through the ruins will prove enough…”

“Thank you, my friends,” Y’shtola began, flashing a nervous but appreciative smile, “Once more, my life is in your ever-reliable hands.”

***

A full hour had passed before the trio returned to Thavnair by way of the vault’s hidden aetheryte. Having found no sign of the invading souls, it seemed as if Y’shtola’s hopeful hunch had been correct from the start. With that in mind they put the matter aside and went their separate ways.

For Y’shtola, that meant departing for Gyr Abania, that she might request the cooperation of Garlond Ironworks. For Ascilia, that meant departing for Meghaduta, that she might ascertain the state of Ahewann’s consciousness. And for Lily, who had received a call on her linkpearl about halfway through their search, that meant waiting in the city’s aetheryte plaza.

Roughly half a bell later, her expected guest arrived in a flash of light. Dressed in her usual ice blue longcoat, her wavy blonde hair curling down over her horns and past her shoulders, Mikoto seemed as if she were cut from memory itself. It was a shame they’d only ever seen each other a scant few times—and never at a time when they could unwind together.

Tonight was no different. She and Ascilia had only sought to reach out to her for her expertise. But as she approached her nervous looking friend, Lily couldn’t help but hope her time here in Thavnair could be more than that.

“It’s good to see you again, Mikoto,” she called to the Auri Archon. “And thank you for coming on such short notice.”

Glancing her way, Mikoto seemed to study her form for several seconds before suddenly gasping. “Heavens, is that you, Galbana Lily? I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you in such regal attire. There were people wearing similar garments in my visits to Thavnair, of course, but is there some special occasion or custom you’re observing?”

At this, Lily couldn’t help but give a soft laugh. “It is a bit traditional, hm hm! My sister and a good friend convinced me to go all out for my wedding proposal—I’ve not had the opportunity to change into something more casual.”

“Your wedding proposal?” Mikoto smiled warmly. “Never did I imagine you as a bride to be. To whom did you propose, my friend, and did they accept?”

“I’ll tell you all about it on the way to Meghaduta,” Lily replied, offering her hand. “Shall we?”

Minutes later the pair arrived within the halls of Meghaduta, guided by a friendly Radiant to an ostentatious dining hall. Seated at the near end of a long table were Rubedo and Ascilia. While her sister sat dourly in the same blue sari she’d last seen her wearing, her beloved had taken the time to switch out from her white armored dress to a pink draped gown—a style common in her native Dalmasca.

Between them were an assortment of traditional Thavnairian dishes, enough for five or six guests.

“Glad to see you made it back safely, love,” said Ascilia as she rose up to greet them. Leaning up onto the tips of her toes, she kissed Lily on the cheek, then smiled as she turned to their new guest. “And thank you for agreeing to meet with us on such short notice, Miss Jinba. Please, have a seat.”

Returning Ascilia’s smile with one of her own and a curtsy, Mikoto quickly took a seat beside Rubedo. “Please, call me Mikoto. And it is I who must thank you for calling upon me. I’m afraid I’ve made little progress in my study of the crystals Lily and I utilized in Bozja. My research was deemed prohibited, and banished to the restricted archives of Noumenon.”

“Why would they—” Lily began to ask, only to roll her eyes in disdain. Of course Sharlayan would do that. “Those crystals can allow one with the Echo to directly interact with—and alter—the recipient’s memories. I can’t imagine the Forum was thrilled with that revelation.”

“I’m afraid your conclusion is correct,” Mikoto admitted. Reaching into one of the pockets of her longcoat, however, she swiftly produced a collection of papers and an all too familiar crystal. “Thankfully, I have always been diligent and judicious in my research, taking notes in triplicate should the need arise. And though it delayed my arrival, our allies in Bozja were happy to lend me a freshly charged crystal.”

As Mikoto set the notes down on the table, away from the dinner plates, Ascilia let out a hearty chuckle. “You’d have fit right in with Louisoix and his disciples, I believe. But are you certain you wish to take this risk for our sake?”

“Such duplicity is hardly becoming of an Archon,” Mikoto admonished her, though from the beaming smile and warm cheeks, it seemed to Lily that the compliment had struck home. “Rest assured that I have taken every precaution to protect my reputation that I could afford.” Then, glancing back towards the entrance, her smile faded. “... But before we take part in tonight’s festivities, might I request an examination of the patient? If what Krile has told me is true, my coming may well have been for naught.”

“That will not be necessary,” said Rubedo, her voice barely louder than a whisper. “Ascilia and I can tell you everything you need to know.”

Turning aside, Mikoto opened her mouth to speak, only to shut it as she stared into Rubedo’s eyes. After an uncomfortable period of silence, she cleared her throat and gave a friendly smile. “My apologies, I was so consumed with the matter ahead that I neglected to introduce myself. I am Mikoto Jinba, an Archon and specialist in the field of aetherology—particularly the study and application of aetherial wave-forms. To whom do I owe the pleasure?”

“... R-Rubedo…” Rubedo stammered, her eyes flitting towards Lily, then Ascilia. “I-I am…”

“It’s okay, Rubedo,” said Ascilia, her tone as warm and gentle as her words were cryptic. “You needn’t be afraid.”

Leaning back into her chair, Rubedo took a deep breath, as if to steady her nerves. Then she straightened her back and cleared her throat. There was a haunted look in her eyes and a clinical dryness in her tone as she began to speak, and though it had been Mikoto who’d asked, Lily sensed that her sisters’s words weren’t for their newfound guest at all.

“Rubedo kir Valnain, Senior Medicus of the IVth Legion,” she firmly declared. “I am a practitioner of medicine and alchemy, and have served for thirty years as a field medic, physician, and surgeon.”

The room seemed to fall silent thereafter, the air thick with tension. Something dreadful had finally clicked within Lily’s mind as it dragged itself back to a day three months prior. On that day she had seen to the capture of thirty-three remnants of the IVth Legion. It would have been thirty-four, had one not managed to give her the slip. And now here she was, that enemy and countryman. A life she’d almost clapped in irons.

Her own flesh and blood.

Her eyes drifted down to the cups before them, her throat suddenly drier than a desert. But to lift her glass, to lift her head, would mean meeting her sisters’ gaze. The whole room began to stretch and spin away, the voices around her drowning out in a rush of blood to her ears. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt like this, but not once in her life had she ever felt so…

“Thank you for clarifying your… former occupation,” boomed the muffled voice of Mikoto. “I hope to say such honesty and forthrightness has given me reason to place my faith in you. Though I must confess—my previous experience in working with the IVth Legion was... quite unpleasant.”

“I am not surprised,” Rubedo’s voice echoed far above her. “The Daeva we call ‘Necessity’ has done more to destroy their reputation than any rebellion, ever since the Barheim Incident over eight years ago. But I digress…”

As far as Lily could tell, the discussion had turned to Ahewann. But for the life of her she couldn’t make out what they were saying. Her head was pounding, her heart thumping harder, beating faster than she could ever recall. And the room continued to spin, her gaze drifting deeper into the reflection in her cup. Golden eyes stared up from within the water, piercing through her.

Her father’s eyes, sharp and cold. The Vulture’s eyes, a disguise to protect herself. Her eyes.

Reaching down, she gripped the porcelain cup in front of her, raising it to her lips and downing its contents. Then she set it down, leaving what could only be a bloody handprint upon its immaculate surface. Standing up from her seat, she bowed her head.

“May I be excused?” she asked no one in particular. “I need to lie down.”

Without so much as waiting for an answer, not that she could’ve heard one, Lily hurried from the room, slamming the door shut with such inhuman strength that the entire world shattered. Down the crumbling halls of Meghaduta she fled, the walls collapsing into darkness until all that remained were ringing echoes of her sandals against the impossible floor beneath her. She knew not where she was running. Nor did she care. Anywhere was better than where she was running from.

Even this cold, empty void.

***

“... My apologies. If I hadn’t asked, perhaps she wouldn’t have…”

“I’ll go and have a word with her. Rubedo, why don’t you take Mikoto to check on Ahewann?”

“I would rather see to my sister, if you don’t mind. Please, let me handle speaking with her.”

Setting out to wander the halls of Megaduta, Rubedo felt a lump in her throat. All this time, she had been afraid of the consequences her past might bring to bear—that she would be made to pay the price for the IVth Legion’s crimes against the southern seaboard of Ilsabard.

The Barheim Incident. The Witch of Dalmasca. The annihilation of Rabanastre. Sicinius’s mad experiments. The Sect of Germonique and their auracite. No amount of denial or wishful thinking could lay these faults and failings at the feet of their rivals. And though she had not taken a single life in her time serving the fledgling nation Gabranth wished to build, neither had she objected loudly enough to make her voice heard.

Yet it was not these sins that broke her sister’s heart tonight. Within her own, she knew it was something more.

With that in mind Rubedo hurried through the halls of Meghaduta, hoping against hope to find her. Mercifully it did not take long to discover where she might’ve gone—the door to a private bedroom nearby was wide open. But as she peered within the sparsely decorated room, she found no sign of Galbana Lily.

A suit of familiar azure armor, dutifully maintained by its owner, was spread out over an otherwise untouched bed. Beside them was an ominous looking lance leaning against a wall, and beside that was a large, open window. It seemed for a moment that she was wrong, that her sister hadn’t hidden herself away in this room. But gazing out through the open window at blue-violet sky and the burning lights of Radz-at-Han, an old memory of her first days in Rabanastre resurfaced.

Cautiously she approached the window, gazing out across the cityscape and down into the garden below. There was no sign of her down there, nor among the lights near and far. But this was to be expected, she mused. If that memory was correct, there was only one place her sister could be.

Climbing out into the windowsill, Rubedo carefully navigated her way outside. She was not the best climber Camoa had ever produced—many of her peers could attest to her clumsy stumbling in her youth. Yet through careful and precise movements she scaled her way up to Meghaduta’s roof. Her reward was a most beautiful sight, the spires of the palace bathing in the light of the setting sun. Under better circumstances, she would be happy to simply stay here and observe.

Scanning the roof, Rubedo once again saw no trace of her beloved sister. She did hear something, however. A whisper carried within wind’s gentle embrace, meant only for the ears of one with the gift to hear it.

Behind you.

Turning aside, she finally found her standing within her own shadow. Her long white hair, headscarf, and veil perfectly framed her face, eyes wet with tears as she presented a sheathed dagger to Rubedo. Not a single word was needed—Lily’s intent could not possibly be clearer.

“... Your betrothed is worried for you,” she told her little sister, trying her best to smile. “As am I. What ails you, Ktjn?”

“You already know, don’t you?” Lily asked, her gaze lowering to the dagger. “You know who I am. What I’ve done.”

“The Black Vulture,” she answered, keeping her tone even.

Mercenary. Mancatcher. Assassin. The demon who laid low over thirty men and women that fateful day, who burned their hopes to ash. The phantom haunting her dreams at night, threatening to tear away her newfound life. Her little sister, her dear Ktjn, was all of these things and so much more. And yet she dared not utter a word of that history, lest she push her teetering heart over the edge.

“I put them all behind bars that day,” her sister declared, guilt and trepidation clear in the dark depths of her voice. “Brunyasch and her ‘children’, your allies. Brought them to justice, for blood long dried. If you hadn’t given me the slip…”

“I know,” Rubedo admitted, recounting altogether too many nightmares she’d had these past three months. “And I forgive you."

“I don’t!” Lily hissed. “I drew steel against you, my own sister! I tore your life away from you!” Clenching her fist around the dagger’s hilt, she tore it free from the scabbard. Her hand trembled as she drew it closer, sunlight glinting off the blade. “You were out of my life for so long… I was so happy to see you again, but I—”

Reaching forward, Rubedo gently grasped her sister’s trembling hand. What she needed to hear right now was that this wasn’t her fault. And nothing seemed more appropriate an argument for that than the truth. “War ruined my life, sister. It tore me from my hospital and sent me to battlefield after battlefield. Not a day went by where I was not under fire, and yet I survived to see a new dawn. A new day, brought about by you.”

Lily’s hand slipped, the dagger clanging against the stone below. She knew what she’d meant by that, Rubedo surmised. “... How…?”

“Ascilia. We spoke of many things while you were away. She learned of my affiliations and… history. And I gained a glimpse into the life of the little sister I left behind in Camoa.” Stepping forward once more, she cupped her sister’s hands between her own and looked up into her teary eyes. “Whether a distant star or our own, the very moon or the edge of creation itself… while we fought for our lives, so too did you and your allies. You are my hero, Ktjn. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

“Don’t you dare call me that!” Lily sobbed, pulling Rubedo into a tight embrace. The cloth of her sister’s veil pressed against the side of her head as she sniffled and cried. “If you knew half the dead I’ve left in my wake, you wouldn’t… you couldn’t…”

“I don’t know them,” Rubedo admitted, patting her sister’s back. “But I know you. It’s been forty-five years, Ktjn. Do you remember the last time we saw each other?” She felt the shifting of her sister’s head. A nod. “I’ll never forget the sight of you standing over me. Arms and legs outstretched, trying to scare off the harpy whose nest I disturbed.”

“I was… as good as dead, if not for father’s timely rescue,” Lily replied, shuddering as she took a sharp breath. “He saved us that day, not me.”

“You were there first. You put your life on the line to protect me. And I promise that is still who you are today.” As she tucked her head inward, the sound of her sister’s beating heart reached Rubedo’s ears. It seemed she was finally calming down. “I only wish I was half the woman you were then—I might well have saved my orderlies from… well, from you.”

“... Think you’re giving me too much credit now, heh…” WIth one last sniffle, Lily pulled away. Reaching up, she wiped away the tears in her puffy red eyes and smiled. “They should still be alive. Your group was a medical corps, right?”

“Mh, it was. I was a great many things for them: a surgeon, a healer, a friend and sister, even a daughter to the matriarch...” Sighing wistfully, Rubedo looked up into her sister’s face. She shouldn’t dare hope Lily was right. Though her heart yearned for Golmore, there was no going back to Dalmasca just yet. But even so, she couldn’t help it. “My orderlies—the two Bangaa brothers—were the closest friends I had during the war. Are you certain they live?”

“Brunyasch aside, I think they’ve all got good odds. Good healers are always in demand, after all.” Kneeling down, Lily scooped up the dagger and slipped it back into its sheath. After securing it on her belt, she then stood back up and kissed her on the forehead. “Thank you for coming all the way up here to talk with me, Krjn. I’m sorry I ran off on all of you like that.”

With a warm smile, Rubedo beckoned her sister to follow her back down into Meghaduta. “You don’t need to apologize, sister. But we should hurry back to Ascilia and Mikoto—as we were discussing before you left, there has been a significant change in Ahewann’s welfare…”

***

“... So this is the satrap of Thavnair?” Mikoto queried, peering down over the unconscious body of Ahewann bin Alzadaal. “You said that his aides reported him stirring before you arrived, but he seems perfectly still now…”

“Appearances can be deceiving,” said Ascilia, kneeling down beside the mattress and holding Ahewann’s limp hand. As if she’d triggered a reflex, he immediately gripped her fingers and furrowed his brow. “You see? He’s begun responding to outward stimuli. According to Rubedo’s vision, it won’t be long before he awakens—and when he does, he will transform into a blasphemy.”

“A blasphemy…” As she trailed off, Mikoto hurried over to Ahewann’s side, clutching the crystal she’d brought along. “Rubedo had a vision of the future, you say. Are you certain of this? In my experience, such visions are of events that can not be avoided.”

Visions of the past were commonplace for those with the Echo. Often they occurred at the worst possible time, too, much to the consternation of those bearing the gift. Yet visions of the future were a rarity. Even Ascilia herself had only ever experienced them within her union with Hydaelyn. Yet this was the first she’d heard of such visions being immutable.

“What makes you think that?” she asked, hoping Mikoto would clarify.

“Many years ago I awoke to my Echo, and since then I have been subject to countless visions of the near future. Every time without fail, no matter how dire or fortuitous, that future came to pass.” Shaking her head, Mikoto kneeled beside Ahewann, holding the crystal close to his horns. “If your friend had a vision of the future, my experience would suggest this man’s fate is sealed. I will endeavor to save him, of course, but nevertheless I would caution you against leaving yourself defenseless.”

“It won’t come to that, I assure you,” Ascilia replied, though she had to admit Mikoto was right about one thing. It had been foolhardy of her to set aside her weapons and armor for the sake of comfort, knowing what their failure would entail. “We need only wait for Lily and Rubedo to return, and we can make the journey into Ahewann’s mind.”

“We may not even be able to do so, even with Lily’s potent Echo,” Mikoto began, closing her eyes as the crystal began to glow. “An unconscious mind is not the same as a sleeping one. Despite the activity you’ve demonstrated, if his mind is still in a state of catatonia…” Her eyes flared open as she trailed off, narrowing her eyes in surprise. “... That’s… rather unexpected. Ordinarily unconsciousness could be compared to stasis—severely limited interactivity between the body, soul, and mind is a given. Yet it seems our unconscious friend is…”

“Dreaming?” Ascilia suggested, hoping she was right.

“As you say. Hold a moment, I need to examine something.” Shifting her position, Mikoto gently pulled back the man’s eyelids. From here, Ascilia could see the rapid back and forth darting of his eyes, as if he were tracking the movement of some unseen entity. “Despite the appearance of unconsciousness, Ahewann is in fact caught in a state of paradoxical dreaming—though I believe the scientific terminology for this state of mind is—oh, um… not necessary, I suppose…”

“Hm hm, perhaps such tangents would be better saved for after we’ve saved Ahewann’s life,” Ascilia giggled. But despite confirmation of what she’d suspected, there was still a question lingering in her mind. Why was Ahewann awakening now, of all times? And though she dreaded the answer she’d found with Rubedo, there was no doubt in her mind it was the truth. “Could you hold my hand for a moment, Mikoto? There is something I must show you.”

Setting down her crystal, Mikoto stood up and gingerly took Ascilia’s hand. “Do you plan to use the Echo—”

“Sssh. Close your eyes.” As Mikoto did as instructed, Ascilia concentrated upon her own aether, directing it to her eyes. Carefully she knitted her soul to the Archon’s by the merest of threads, allowing her sight to pass through into her friend’s mind. Staring deeply into the body of Ahewann, she fixed her gaze squarely on the anomaly within the man’s unconscious form. “Can you see them, Mikoto? Five voidsent souls have taken root within Ahewann’s own.”

“... I see them. Good heavens…” Mikoto’s eyes flared open as the connection between them severed itself. “Do you suppose these entities are the reason Ahewann has begun to regain his consciousness?” With a quiet nod from Ascilia, she continued. “Then I believe I can hypothesize the reason for his inevitable transformation: These fiendish souls are torturing him within his own mind, seeking to break his spirit.”

“Then it’s no wonder he might transform,” Ascilia concluded, shuddering at the thought. To be fed upon by parasites such as these at one’s most vulnerable… it was a fate she wished to never experience. “We must act quickly, then. Gods, but if Lily and Rubedo don’t get here soon—”

“I take it we’re right on time then,” came the voice of Lily. Turning to face the doorway, she caught sight of her beloved standing confidently in the doorway. Behind her was Rubedo, peeking out from around her sister’s shoulder. “Sorry about… well, what happened a short while ago. I’m alright now—I’m ready to fight, if we need to.”

“Are you certain?” asked Ascilia. “And Rubedo, what of you?”

“Mh, of course,” Lily replied, heading into the room. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

“I have never taken a life before,” Rubedo answered, following after her sister. “But I was trained in conjury and hand to hand combat, and am an adequate marksman besides. Please, put your faith in me.”

“I do not doubt yours or Ascilia’s prowess,” Mikoto spoke up, shaking her head. “Nor Lily’s, having seen it firsthand. But I must warn you all that there may be a complication in our efforts to protect Ahewann. To keep things simple: If these voidsent are truly feeding on his suffering, then it is highly likely they’ve seized control of his dreaming mind altogether.”

At this, Rubedo raised an eyebrow. “What sort of dilemma would arise from that?”

“Oh sod,” Lily groaned. “Let’s just pray these voidsent aren’t half as good at this as the Dreamspinners. Or Ryne, for that matter…”

Though she was uncertain as to what precisely Lily meant, as Ascilia searched through memories near to a hundred years old, she stumbled upon an unsettling answer. The Dreamspinners were a collective of Fae folk, known to delve into the sleeping minds of adults and children on the First. While most were believed to make use of practical effects—fae magicks and mundane objects brought in from reality—the enigmatic leader of the Dreamspinners was said to mold the very fabric of imagined reality to their whims.

Such was one of the more unique powers of the Echo. The manipulation of memories, allowing near perfect control of one’s own mind. Within the dreamer’s subconscious, they were akin to a god. And should any hapless fools wander into that dreamscape, they would be as the dreamer’s playthings.

It would be an uphill battle just to resist their control, she surmised. But by that same token, were she to make use of her own mastered Echo, perhaps it would be possible to afford them all a measure of protection.

“I’m afraid I’m not familiar with those names,” Mikoto frowned. “But I gather you understand our dilemma. We will all need to be alert for any changes to Ahewann’s cognition, lest we fall into our enemy’s clutches. May I count on you to protect us, Lily?’

“You can count on all of us,” Lily replied, giving a confident smile. “Especially Ascilia.”

“Hah, thank you for the added pressure, love.” As Mikoto retrieved her crystal, Ascilia took a deep breath. “If everyone’s ready, we’ll begin.”