Tag: Soren Gilmar

The Shadowed Truth

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

@aeritria @sorenspath @ishgardiansnow (for mentions of Aeri, Soren, and Alexois)

Destiney sat in the chair before her desk. Had not slept yet since Soren had brought her home. Too much on her mind to sleep. Restless thoughts running through her head at an endless pace.

Her fingers lightly caressed the lime green stone with it’s carved surface. “Leon…”

Blue eyes shimmered slightly as she looked up. Expecting to see the ghost of the man she had loved at one point in time. Before illness had claimed him from her too soon. See that bright smiling face. Hear the soft thrum of the strings on his harp. Yet nothing appeared to her now… No hint of the soul trapped.

Had he finally moved on at some point and she hadn’t noticed? Somehow she doubted it. Though she wasn’t sure what had changed either. Was it because of this name that he didn’t appear?

A heavy sigh as she sat back and looked up towards the ceiling.

Kidnapped again… Frankly she was tired of being a victim. Especially tired of being bait to get to Soren. However it hadn’t be Alexois to take her this time. No this time it had been Aeri. The woman had been gentle and promised not to hurt her. She just wanted a name Soren was holding from Alexois.

Alexois… Somehow he just kept popping back up into her life. She thought it was over and done with when her family drama was done. Apparently not. Now there was the dilemma of this name.

Yet she had agreed to help get the name from Soren. Aeri had insisted Alexois was trying to be better. If she had turned down Aeri’s words without even listening… Hypocrite. That’s what she would have been. She tried hard to prove that Leera wasn’t a monster. So if she insisted now that Alexois was nothing more then a monster just because of his actions taken for this name… Unacceptable. It was a hard truth to bear though. To think that someone like Alexois…

She still remembered that leer on his face when he had Lance at sword point in Coerthas. Aeri insisted here was much more to the story then Destiney knew. Truths hidden in shadows.

Her blue eyes drifted to the name she had written down. The one she had argued with Soren to get. Then to the stone her fingers lightly danced over.

Raitmeaux Chassebel… Chassebel… Leonceault Chassebel. Alexois and Leon had been half brothers according to Soren. Raitmeaux had fathered them both to different mothers.

Soren had thought he was protecting her by keeping this name from Alexois. Because this name was a connection to Leon.. He hadn’t thought it mattered so he hadn’t told her. Kept the truth from her. Hadn’t thought it would affect her. Honestly it shouldn’t have. Yet it did. Because of Leon…

So many things Soren kept from her. As if she needed to be protected from the dark truths. Hadn’t told her of his bargain with Alexois for this name. Didn’t tell her how he had tried to kill Alexois over this name. Aeri had told her. Told her the way Soren was killing Alexois slowly and painfully. Soren had assumed what was best for her instead of being honest. At least until last night when she confronted him and used guilt like a weapon. Just as Aeri had told her to.

Her hands rubbed over her face with a disgruntled sigh.

Her words had been heated and honest. But they were words that Soren needed to hear. She was tired of being protected from the truth just because it would be a hard truth. Because he wasn’t honorable. At the same time he also still seemed to refuse to hear her.

“For once it’s not about you. It’s not that I believe you can’t handle it or that you are fragile or pure. It’s not that I think you need to be sheltered damn it. It’s how I see myself through your eyes… And what I see… I don’t like it, but I can’t change it.”

Soren… She knew her last words after that had been harsh. Almost cruel. But they were honestly how she felt. Raw and honest.

“How I see you? You couldn’t care how I see you when you chose her over me! I never asked you to hide who you are. It shouldn’t matter. Not that my opinion seems to matter much though.”

She rubbed at her wet cheeks. Somewhere along the line she had begun to silently cry again. All she wanted now was her life back to the way things used to be.

Yet now she had the weight of that name. The decision was hers. Aeri had promised. Had kept to her promise though she had been there to get that name for Alexois. Now it was Destiney’s choice. To possibly condemn this man to an ill fate depending on what Alexois wanted his father’s name. Why he went to the lengths he did to get it. Working for the Aurifore just for the sake of this name. Could she do that to Leon’s father though he had never talked about the man before?

“Twelve forgive me…”

Aeri’s words about Alexois having never been given a chance before. Never having the chance to be anything but a monster. Being used and discarded like a mongrel. How was it fair if she didn’t give him a chance… Maybe he just wanted family. All she could do was pray that she wasn’t sentencing the man to death. Leon’s own father. Hands reaching for pen and paper. Writing to Aeri with her answer.

Aeri,

Soren gave me the name. It has been… A hard choice on whether or not to give this name to Alexois. Twelve forgive me if I am making the wrong choice and condemning a man to death. You walked away when you seen what the name Leon meant to me. There is a story behind that name though I’m not sure it matters to anyone but myself. His name was Leonceault Chassebel. Apparently he was Alexois’ half brother. The name Alexois wants… Is Raitmeaux Chassebel… Leon’s father. As well as Alexois’ father. I only hope and pray that I am making the right choice in handing over this information. In giving Alexois a chance to prove he is more then the monster I seen.

-Destiney

Recovery

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

( @aeritria @sorenspath )

Alex puffed on his lit smoke as he leaned back against the pillar and closed his eyes. By the gods his body still hurt like hell despite the healing Cotoka had done. More then that his pride still hurt too. Then again Soren had tried to gut him and slice him into ribbons.

He grimaced as the smoke got lower. Damn… They had been on him during his fight with Soren. Now they were partially dried with his own blood. He chucked the rest off to the side with a heavy sigh.

Aeri had come to save him when he called for her to help him. Even had her precious pet healer, Cotoka, fix him up. He should have been dead. Would have been had it not been for the two ladies. Soren had been enjoying taking his time slicing him up. The poison on those blades causing him as much agony as each blow itself.

Mongrel. That was what Soren had called him. Goaded him into a blind rage by preying on his hatred of his family. Of the things that had happened to him. Alex hadn’t even needed to say anything. Soren had either done his research or gotten lucky with that word punch.

Alex hadn’t felt this low in years. Though the naive nature of the younger healer had greatly amused him for a bit. He was going to have so much fun explaining slang terms to her.

Shouldn’t be out of bed. Yet he needed space. Needed solitude. The night in this part of the Goblet was good enough being that he couldn’t go very far with his injuries.

He had ripped open old scars in talking to Aeri and Cotoka. Not physical ones. A slight snarl on his face at the thought of the old wounds.

Yet Aeri suggested finding a different way to walk his path. To demand more then survival from life. To find more then vengeance. Could he really have what Aeri had found? He wasn’t so sure. He couldn’t even have Aeri as she had found another. There was no one to blame but himself. It had been so much easier to be hated and despised. Something he had grown so used to. What he had done in the past…

Kill the people who created monsters like himself. He could manage that. It at least gave him something to start with. A path for now while he decided what exactly he wanted. More then survival. More then getting the name of the shite of a father that denied him all those years ago.

He stood up with a groan at the aches and pains. Perhaps he’d go soak in the water again. Aeri was allowing him to stay for now while he healed. While he decided where to go from here. He couldn’t change everything but maybe it was possible to teach an old dog a few new tricks.

Angels and Demons

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
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( @sorenspath )

Destiney sat there at the table in Soren and Lloire’s kitchen. Notebook and various writing and drawing stuff spread out. A snack towards the center with a glass of juice. Her shoulder was stiff but healing from the arrow she had taken. The second round of medicine that Soren had left for her had been taken. Of course she could have healed her own injury by now that she was better recovered. But was it worth it?

A heavy sigh as she stretched a little bit before picking up a pen to begin writing. The thoughts had been on her mind since last night when she had come to Soren dying. Fingers went to her lips for a brief moment. Remembering that startling kiss he had used to shock her back awake. The apologies and words exchanged after she was out of danger. How much would change between them since their heart shredding fight even though they had apologized to one another… Would things be the same or would they alter? She wasn’t sure but at least she still had had him as her precious friend even if not as anything more. Yet she still wished to write in her journal on the thoughts that had been swirling in her head since.

An odd pairing to be true. What had drawn the angel to such a dark and troubled soul? How was it that two such opposite creatures had become so close? So entangled in each other.

An Angel. Come to explore the world and all it had to offer. Curiosity that burned so bright. Only to be wounded and trapped by the monsters that were eager to devour such a warm and brilliant light.

Alone with broken wings. Threatened to be consumed by the darkness. The angel felt so terribly alone. Yet there were some monsters not so eager to devour such a creature. Curiosity called to them to this beautiful creature of light.

Yet one stood out more then the other monsters who she managed to befriend. One who made her feel like more then some shiny jewel to be guarded like treasure. One whom she began to feel closer towards then the other few monsters who chose to pay attention to her without harming her. A monster with green tattoos on his face.

That monster protected her from those that meant her harm. Watched over her from a distance at first. Yet something about her drew him in like a moth to a flame. Her light was a temptation he couldn’t resist. So he drew closer to her despite knowing what she was. Despite knowing they were like opposite sides of a coin.

Something about his particular darkness drew her in. She wanted to be a light for him. For this monster… He made her feel safe and happy. For the first time since she had been injured she truly felt safe when he was around.

Together they were stronger. The angel healed his wounds and offered his tormented soul bits of peace. While he protected and sheltered her from the very monsters who wanted to devour her. There was a sort of harmony to the balance they brought each other.

Together they were so much more. Light and dark didn’t matter. Angel and monster didn’t matter. Together they were special. They were whole and they were as close as two friends could be. That was what mattered most. That they had each other no matter what the world threw at them.

Destiney yawned as she traded in her pen for things to begin drawing. She wanted to make a picture to go with this. Something about it felt right. Felt proper. She wasn’t the best at art. Nor did she know is she would ever show anyone what she wrote or drew. Yet all that mattered was the peace of mind doing this had given her.

As she finished she set her head down on the table. Her mind had been too full with thoughts to have slept well despite her injury. Now that she felt spent… Now all she wanted was to sleep again. Soren would probably sigh and shake his head that she was choosing to take a nap at the table. Probably should have closed her journal even so he wouldn’t see. Sleep however was stronger. Her eyes drifted close with a warm smile on her face.

Mixed Feelings

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

( @sorenspath @cheetah-smith-ffxiv @hedgearcher )

Destiney laid on the bed in Soren’s house. Staring up at the ceiling. Mind wandering down many different paths. Everything had happened to quickly she had had barely any time to digest the things that had occurred.

Now that she was safe… It was almost funny she felt more safe here around Soren then anywhere else. Nate had made her feel safe but… Something about the way Nate made her feel and the way Soren made her feel was different. Why was it with Soren she felt she could be entirely vulnerable but still completely safe? Why was it with Nate she felt the need to hide her feelings?

Destiney rolled over to her side and touched her fingers to her lips. Never before had she even tried to kiss Nate. He had seemed uncomfortable enough with simple hugs. Even if she had only kissed Soren on the cheek. It was still not something she had ever considered doing with Nate. No matter how many times he protected her. Her fingers moved to the hair that Soren had brushed from her face. His touch so gentle. She felt her cheeks warm at the thought of the private moment between them last night.

He had come to rescue her. Nate had not. A part of her couldn’t help but be hurt at that simple thing. That despite leaving a goodbye only Soren between the two of them had come to save her with the others.

Soren… He was always protecting her. Had taken an arrow for her. Seemed as if he would tear down every foe that tried to harm her. She pulled the plush cactuar on the bed closer to hold it tight. Even coated in blood last night, all she seen was Soren. The blood hadn’t even come to mind then. How many people had fallen to his blades in the path of destruction to reach her? Did it even matter? No… That was the odd part. It should have mattered. Yet… All she could feel was relief.

Soren and her friends had come for her. That was all that mattered. Though it stung that Yuti was the only one from the people she had called family to want to save her. Sweet caring Yuti. Not Nate.

Maybe this was why it felt so much like her path from the Order was diverting. As much as she had loved the people there… It was time she moved on again. They had helped her heal. Yet it was not where she was meant to remain. Her path merely crossed theirs for a time.

Yet when the chips were down she still had family. Just not the one she had expected. Those that came to her aid when things looked grim. They were her family. They were her fated connections.

Her soul sister Chee. Sweet yet determined Yuti. Dangerous yet funny Kagato.
Kind and protective Soren.

Even Tara who the last time they had seen each other had been at odds.

As Chee had said, Dest was and would always be an Outsider. Not in the way one might consider the word. It was their close circle of friends. They weren’t always together but they always had each others backs.

Tara had been the most shocking of her saviors. Even Nix coming along with Chee had not been as much of a surprise as Tara was. The last time she had seen Tara had been at Costa. They had argued. Dest had merely been trying to be a concerned friend. Tara had mistaken that concern for something else. Yet no matter how much Dest tried to make her understand or apologize… It hadn’t been enough. Yet Tara was there last night. Had joined in the effort to rescue her. Had Tara done it for Lance? Or was there hope they could bridge the gap between them? It was not something she could answer on her own.

Kagato… She knew a part of him harbored a darkness. That he changed when that eye patch was gone. It should have scared her. Should have made her want to run the other way. To see the savage fury with which he dealt with the people holding her captive… Yet all she wanted was to find him and check on his well being. She wasn’t afraid. If she feared him when she had already bared her throat to another dangerous predator… No. She wouldn’t fear him for the darkness he carried. All she wanted still was to be his friend. Even the dark parts of him. They were part of who he was. Part that needed accepted with the good.

Was that why she could look at Soren despite the blood her wore last night? Because she had begun to truly accept all the parts of a person? The good and the bad. She had heard before that if you truly loved someone you accepted every part of who they were. Broken, dark, or whatever else it may be.

Her eyes widened slightly with the thought, burying her burning face against the plush in her arms. Was that the difference between them? That maybe what she felt towards Nate wasn’t really love? Not in the same sense of what she was feeling towards Soren. Maybe it was like loving a best friend. Like her soul sister Chee. Hurting from her marriage loss, maybe she had looked at Nate for more then she should have. Let her feelings get confused.

Was it the same for Soren then? Was she just confused again? No… Something about this felt different. Almost as if Menphina was giving her a nudge. Could she risk putting her heart on the line? It wasn’t a simple answer. Yet Soren always made her feel safe even when he was coated in the blood of the people who would have rather seen her dead. But what did Soren feel? That was the real problem. She didn’t know what he felt towards her.

She continue to lay in the bed. Thinking. Letting her thoughts wander. Eventually she would have to get up and face the world again. Not quite yet though. Just a little while longer.

Hunting a Spider

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
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( @aeritria @knife-in-the-shadows @sorenspath for mentions)

The day had not disappointed him. Finding Aeri down at the bar near the airships. Of course she would enjoying her bought freedom in Ul’dah. It was one of the few places a criminal could use gil to buy such. The Brass Blades were often easy enough to buy off.

What he had not expected was the way their talk went. Mentions of siblings and his encounter with Lucky in the Goblet.

He had mentioned his discussion with Lucky. A bargain between devils. Information to rescue the pretty princess from her prison and deal with her evil grandfather. In exchange for information he had longed to get his bloody hands on. Information on his own father. Not that he would openly admit who the man was to him. All they needed to know was the man deserved to die for the wrongs he’d done to Alex.

His original intention was to ‘borrow’ a set of Temple Knight attire and watch the show first hand as Lucky went to slaughter. Get an idea of what the boy was capable of before they had their fun.

However Aeri had mentioned something else that seemed more fun. A meeting with her sister. One she had only recently discovered existed. It would mean missing watching Lucky drawing blood from Vladislav. Yet the idea of a sister… Aeri’s sister… THAT was intriguing enough to miss such fun. Not to mention he would still have chances to gut a few people while doing the part of the job she would rather avoid. Going to the place she was banned from. She had wanted to avoid going there unless she had to. He was the solution to that problem.

He wondered if this sister was as much fun in the dark as Aeri. Oh the thought alone was enough to excite him. Besides he could watch Lucky another day. Or even challenge him. The invitation had already been handed anyways.

For now he would head to Limsa and work on the job for Aeri. No charge of course. The romps with Aeri were always more then worth it. Maybe her sister would be better or at least equally good. Only one way to find out. It was time to go play with Aeri’s sister.

Lost and Found

On By destiney1984Leave a comment
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( @hedgearcher for mentions of Tara. @sorenspath for mentions of Soren.)

There was much to think about. A lot to consider. Yet her words had been right. This much he knew to be true. The words were hard to swallow but they had needed to be said by someone. Yet they seemed to strike better through the pain and haze coming from her.

Hers was a face he hadn’t expected to find. Not standing right outside on the path leading from Soren’s apartment building. How many moons now had it been since she had departed without a word? Too many. No word from her on how she was or if she ever planned to come back again. He had figured she was gone like many others who came and went. Yet there she was that night as he was preparing to head back to those ruins again.

Everything she said was true. He was drowning his pain in drink. Recklessly hunting rumored ghosts to ease his anguish. Not once had he stopped to think of the repercussions of his choices. All he knew was his own suffering. Tried to turn that pain and suffering into something else. Heading down a path that would probably lead to his death.

The loss of so much that had been in his life. His father’s death. Being outcast by his own grandfather. Crashing at Soren’s apartment because he had no place else to turn to besides his cousin at that moment when everything seemed to be falling apart. Yet he did not want to burden her further when she had her own share of troubles. The same went for other friends. He would not be anyone’s burden. Or that was what he thought. Instead he was still a burden in other ways.

Tara… She had come back. Had cut through to him like no one else could. A part of him had wanted to throw his arms around her as he sunk to his knees and just cry. She understood him better then anyone. The first person he had truly let understand him on such a level, see beyond the mask. Yet he had forced himself to maintain some dignity with being out in public where other eyes could be watching.

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It had all started with a hug. Something so simple and basic. He had told her the truth long ago about his family while tending his wounds. An she hugged him. It was so unexpected though he had allowed it. Something then had felt so right. He just hadn’t realized then why or what. Hadn’t thought that maybe… This young girl from the wilds was capturing his heart.

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Only for her to disappear soon after Starlight. Without even a goodbye. Yet now she was back again. Everything began to feel like it was falling back in place. Things that had felt lost seemed to be finding their way back again. She had even taken care of his wounds before shooing him off to Soren’s bed rather then allowing him to sleep on the couch.

Hopefully Soren wouldn’t mind the additional guest at his apartment that night. Probably wouldn’t. Now if only he could get his cousin and Tara back on speaking terms things would seem just like they used to be. Tara was back once more and that was all that mattered to him as he drifted off to sleep that night.

Now he had to figure out where things went from here. First the drinking had to stop. As did the ventures into those ruins alone. He should have listened to Yuti before but her words, as kind as they had been, had not gotten through to him as effectively as Tara’s. Once he got past those hurdles… Maybe he could consider what his feelings for Tara really were.

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A Path Divided (part 1)

On By destiney1984Leave a comment

(The last couple of days between talks with friends and other things I’ve come up with an idea for Dest. An it continues the plot I had going with her family in Ishgard even. Two parts because it’s late. So this is mostly Dest’s departure. The good stuff will be tomorrow when I’m fresh. I’m feeling better even if still a bit sad. It’s… Hmm. A sadness that will take time to heal but one that might have been for the best in the long run. Only time will tell.)

One last glance. One last parting. Deck of cards and her linkpearl left behind on Rhisi’s desk. Maybe the cards would answer to someone else in time. A moment’s pause to slip something by Nate’s door. This was goodbye.

Nathaniel, ( @jonahsage )

Thank you for everything. I’m sorry for this. For getting you hurt for nothing. If I come through this by the will of the gods… I’ll come back for this. So please hold on to it for me for now. You have been the most dearest friend I have never deserved. If I don’t return please… Find a way to be happy for me.

The gift he had given her from starlight carefully wrapped in the letter. If she wore it, it would sure meet a grim end. If she survived this… She was definitely coming back for it. She had cried more then enough tears since it had arrived. The letter that diverged her path from that of the people she had chosen to call family.

One more note under Oni’s door.

Oni, ( @onidephor )

I’m sorry because I know you are head of security. And that you are protective of those you chose to protect. Please don’t feel bad for what is about to happen. Know I went of my own choice. Please do not come after me. I have to do this on my own. Thank you for everything. You and Raiden both.

One for Yuti. Sweet and caring Yuti.

Yuti,

I’m sorry I didn’t have a true chance to better help you learn. I’ve enjoyed your kind and caring heart. Please never change. Keep helping people. Keep being kind and sweet. If you ever have to seek out my uncle, Ricard Starkweather, for more help in studying. He taught me. Surely he’d be willing to help you if you mentioned me. Goodbye.

A moment to slide one under Aimee’s door.

Aimee, ( @eyesseeingbeyondtheveil )

Thank you for all that you have taught me in the moons that I have been with the Order. I’m sorry I was never able to really get to know you well despite the time I’ve been with the company. I wish you and Oni many happy years. You are a strong woman and I’m glad to have gotten to work under you.

Another pause at Dusk’s door. Her hand lingering on the wood a moment before finally sliding the note under.

Dusk, ( @kindlingdusk )

I hope you are truly right about the steel I possess. I’m about to test it to it’s limits. Thank you for all the talks. For generally being like an older sister to me. It has meant the world to me. Maybe if the gods are kind and I make it back we can deal with sending Leon on. I wish you well.

She couldn’t really leave one for C’lest. She remembered the woman was not able to read. That was disappointing. C’lest had been such a help to her. Had helped to try an teach her to defend herself. They had never gotten to finish those lessons. She also left one for Chloe as well. Thanking her and wishing she had had a chance to hear her story. That was something she had never gotten to do. Might never get to do now.

If she lingered too long they would stop her. They would try to convince her there was something else that could be done. This was something she had to do alone. Too much was on the line. This was her problem. She would not drag any more of her precious family in on this.

She paused at the doorway. One last look for however much longer she would remember this place. A place she had chosen to call home for so many moons. She untied the red string at her wrist before letting it fall to the floor at her feet.

“Goodbye… I love you all…”

Now. It had to be now before she lost her nerve. Or before the tears began anew. There was no more time. She focused on the aether to teleport herself away.

One last final stop. One last final goodbye. She owed him that much. Soren… Hopefully he would also pass along the note to Ikara.

Silently she left them at his house in the mailbox. There was no way she dared go inside. He’d question. She’d not have any answers she could give him. Like the rest of her family he would only try to stop her.

Soren, ( @sorenspath )

Thank you for all that you have done. Please… Just ignore Alexois. Please just stay out of trouble. I’m afraid I won’t be around to fix you up anymore. If you can please pass along the second letter to Ikara. I have to do this and I’m afraid of what might happen. So this is goodbye and I’m sorry.

–

Ikara, ( @ikara-esho )

I’m not sure what happened. I had not got a chance to find out. I’m so sorry I couldn’t say goodbye then or now. I can only hope someday you will forgive me. I hope I was never too hard on you as a healer. I just wanted to keep you safe and you have done so much for me. You have such a bright future ahead of you I’m sure of it. Please keep your chin up. I’ll miss you.

She teleported off again. She looked up to her house. It had been so neglected in all of this. She paused and turned around to look. Alexois was smugly leaning against the railing.

“Go away. I have no time for you.” Destiney said quietly as she turned to start walking in the direction of Chee’s house nearby.

“Well that is a shame. Walking to your death now are you? Shame. I would have liked to play with you more.” Alexois taunted with a sneer as he followed at a slight distance. “I got word of what Vladislav is doing. Here you thought I was bad.”

“Go away. Leave Soren and Lance alone. You’ve won. Just go away.”

Alexois raised a brow at her words. He casually shrugged though she was clearly not looking his way. “Just because you do this doesn’t mean I stop bothering them.”

Destiney decided it was best to just continue to ignore him. He had been haunting her with his presence for far too long. Unless he was planning to make a move he was only here to taunt and torment. She didn’t have time for him. Nor the patience.

She looked back and he was gone. Chee’s house stood before her now. One last letter. To her best friend and sister. She owed Chee this goodbye.

Chee, ( @cheetah-smith-ffxiv )

I’m sorry. I truly am. I should not be saying this kind of goodbye. Certainly not this way. I have to put a stop to it all. Grandfather has gone too far this time. I cannot risk anyone else in this matter. So I’m going alone to Ishgard to end this. Please don’t try anything. This is between him and I. I just hope someday you will forgive me for this. You have been like a sister to me. My best friend. I’ll miss you. Goodbye…

Arriving in Camp Dragonhead. Going straight to Ishgard would have been wiser. Yet she wanted to walk there. Time. To remember. To thank the gods for all that she had been given. Cerulean eyes looking off towards the distant spires of Ishgard. Towards whatever fate lay in wait for her there.

“It’s time for this to end. I’m coming Vladislav Aurifore. It’s time you and I ended this. For good…”