Hey guys! I know it’s been forever since I uploaded… I’ve been trying to finish Devil’s Due, because there’s only 3.5 chapters left in that… but I’ve headed (deliberately) so far away from the source material that I’m basically writing original fic, and it’s really complex and hard and I’m too busy to brain it through. So I’m coming back to something more relaxing.
So you guys know the video on YouTube where (among other things) some people test the bite strength of a T-rex as portrayed in the classic Jurassic Park movie? Now imagine that strength test for Nidhogg. :3
I actually didn’t mean for Lilidi to get so involved? But she’s not the sort of person to sit around when people she cares about are in danger. I’m actually not sure how that’s going to develop! I didn’t make a plan!
Next chapter is the one everyone’s been not waiting for… Some of my readers have referred to it obliquely, saying they’re not prepared, and that was years ago… you prepared yet? Just kidding, no one’s ever prepared. (Liam O’Brian voice: you are not prepared– wait wrong game)
Chapter 27: Victory Achieved
Rinala dreamed.
She knew it was a dream because she walked through the Silver Bazaar and into her parents’ home – but inside was the tiny living quarters she’d occupied while studying conjury in Gridania.
She knew it was a dream because Thancred was sitting at her table, his back to her. He barely reacted when she entered. She felt confused joy and sadness, wispy shadows of real emotions.
He was dead, wasn’t he? All the missing Scions were dead, but none of them destroyed her like he did. She knew the others were sick of her obsession and so she tried not to burden them with it, but in her unguarded mind even her subconscious was determined to wound her.
“Thancred,” she said, and he turned his head at the sound of her voice, but she still could not see his face.
“I love you,” he said, but it was flat and meaningless. Reluctant. Forced. The real Thancred loved Minfilia and would never say that.
She woke up in tears again.
“All stands ready, Lord Commander,” Estinien said, his voice especially gravelly, striding into Aymeric’s office. Achiyo walked at his side, and all the others behind her, assembled for their mission – including Lady Lilidi, Kekeniro’s now-fiancée.
“Ah, the moment has come, then?” Aymeric asked, leaning forward on his desk to steeple his fingers. He looked between Estinien and Achiyo and the other Warriors of Light – and the door, whence Alphinaud was just arriving.
“Pray excuse my lateness,” Alphinaud said. “I paid a brief visit to the workshop to inquire about the manacutters. The engineers assure me that they are ready.”
“Aye, I myself looked in when I arrived back in Ishgard,” Estinien said. “The Aery is now but a short flight away. Yet what a long and winding path we took to reach this point. Were it not for Master Alphinaud’s proposal, we none of us would have attempted to parley with the dragons.”
“You took an unimaginable risk,” Aymeric said to them all. “I could scarce believe the tale Estinien told.”
Tam made quiet grumbling noises, and Achiyo looked back at him. “Tam?”
Tam rolled his eyes. “It’s nothing.”
“Pray speak your mind,” Aymeric invited him. “Did your journey trouble you?”
“Heavens, no,” Tam said. “I’m very proud of Alphinaud. I’m just still annoyed that I listened to you lot tell me that dragons were mindless bloodthirsty beasts only to be slain, when my previous experience with dragons has proven them to be completely the opposite, my being from another realm of existence entirely notwithstanding.”
There was an awkward silence.
“This is why we don’t encourage him,” Vivienne said finally. “What I want to know is: why hasn’t Nidhogg’s Horde attacked yet? They’ve been assembling for ages, have they not?”
“That was our doing,” Estinien said. “Had we not slain Nidhogg’s consort, Tioman, and put the great wyrm on his guard, the Dravanians would have arrived at Ishgard’s walls long ago.”
“Aye, that they would,” Aymeric said. “Full grateful am I for every hour of respite your actions have afforded us. Thanks to you, our defences are much improved. ‘Tis but a pity they won’t be enough.” Though his words were matter-of-fact, his eyes were pained.
Alphinaud looked up at Estinien. “Thus you believe an assault upon the Aery represents the city’s best chance of survival. Is that not so, Estinien?”
“I am under no illusions,” Estinien said. “Nidhogg’s might is legendary. But with his eye in my possession, I can stifle his strength at the source. Victory will be hard-won, even so, and I shall be glad indeed to have the Warriors of Light at my side.”
Aymeric stood suddenly. “You shall have my blade as well. There are more of these ‘manacutters’ to be had, yes?”
Lucia moved forward nearly as suddenly. “Lord Commander, no!”
He looked at her with defiance, almost anger. “How can I, a proud knight of Ishgard, stand by and do naught while outsiders risk life and limb for our homelands? I swore an oath to protect this city.”
Estinien shifted his weight and folded his arms. “Pray leave the slaying of dragons to dragoons, ser knight. Your duty to command the city’s defence is no less vital.” His voice dropped. “Should we fail, and Nidhogg slip through our grasp, who, then, will hold the walls against him? Will you leave Ishgard in the hands of the Holy See’s zealots?”
“There are others-” Aymeric cried.
“Who but you has the authority and the standing to orchestrate a citywide defence?” Estinien interrupted. “I do not, and neither does Lady Achiyo. That is why it is our place to fight, and yours to remain here… Lord Commander.” They held each other’s gaze, and Achiyo could see beneath the pointed formality their real concern and friendship for each other.
Aymeric sighed and sat down with less grace than usual. “I would you were not correct…”
“There are only two manacutters anyways,” Chuchupa said. “We’re gonna be ferrying ourselves from Eil Tohm, or whatever it’s called, in batches already. The more people we ‘ave the longer it’ll take.”
Alphinaud inhaled.
“No, no, no,” Tam said.
“What, you too, Master Alphinaud?” Estinien exclaimed. “By the Fury… You have shown some promise, but this adversary is far beyond your skills.”
For a minute, Alphinaud looked like he was going to fight on this point, but then he deflated. “Your candour is appreciated, ser dragoon. I shall remain, then, and cheer you from afar.”
“If there is naught else I can do, then I pray you all stay safe,” Aymeric said. “You should have more of our aid…”
“This is an assassination, not an invasion,” Estinien said. A smirk ghosted over his lips. “Besides, am I not enough for aid?”
Aymeric made a half-smile of his own. “I shall still worry, my friends, every moment until your return.” His eyes fixed on Achiyo.
She understood his look; she was responsible for those who followed her. “We will defend Ishgard with all our strength,” she said to him. “Your people will be safe – and that is the most important thing.”
“Yes… It is. And I thank you all for your courage.”
She bowed to him and went to leave, the others behind her.
At the bottom of the lift, Alphinaud sighed. “Well, then,” he said. “I suppose I should go back to the manor for the time being. …Be well, all of you.”
He walked away, shoulders set. Estinien looked after him, then lowered his voice and head to speak to Achiyo. “I have pricked Master Alphinaud’s pride, I fear. But had I been less forceful, the boy would have insisted on accompanying us to the Aery.”
Achiyo shook her head. “I agree. He has made a marvellous beginning at being an adventurer, but though he fought on Sohm Al and in the Coils of Bahamut-” She stopped. That was still supposed to be secret.
Estinien must have misinterpreted her. “Do not think me blind to his talent. With a few more campaigns under his belt, I have no doubt that Alphinaud will make a fine field commander. But one does not practice on an adversary such as Nidhogg. We shall be hard-pressed enough without the added worry of carrying a novice.”
“Yes,” she said. “You are perfectly right. But now that he is gone… I still have questions.” She turned to him suddenly. “When that large dragon, Vishap, attacked the Steps of Faith, it took Ishgard’s massed forces and all of us to stop him. We had cannons. How can we confidently attack Nidhogg in his lair, with his army at his call, with so few of us?” She should have brought it up before they’d gone to Aymeric’s office, but her thoughts had not yet coalesced until that moment.
Kekeniro stumped up behind her, hand in hand with Lilidi. “We can do it. Estinien let me look at the Eye, and from what I remember observing of the Aery, I have strategies in mind.”
“Ah.” She deflated a little with relief. “Can you share them with us? Or at least me?”
“Certainly. It seems that Nidhogg’s minions don’t all live in the Aery. They’re scattered throughout the Churning Mists – they still need to hunt, you know! I think they’re probably on high alert, with Nidhogg wanting to attack in the near future, but even when we set off all his alarms, it will take time – minutes to hours – for them to get to the Aery. So there is a window in which we only have to deal with whoever actually nests in the Aery itself.”
“I see,” Achiyo said. “That allays much of my fears already.”
Kekeniro smiled sweetly. “I don’t think it will be easy. We might be badly hurt. Accidents can happen, especially if that place is as unstable as it looks. But if we stick together and keep Rinala and Aentfryn safe especially, I don’t think anyone will die.” His brow furrowed. “I can’t bear to lose anyone, you know.” Lilidi squeezed his hand.
“We shall lose Nidhogg,” Estinien said. “His power is bound to the Eye. It seethes and surges against my will, yet I can control it. I can use it both to blunt his attacks, and to protect us.”
Achiyo nodded. “Thank you both. With my shield before you, I will give you the chance to strike him down and rid Ishgard of his hate.”
“Then let us stop wasting time,” Estinien said, and strode for the door. “It will be wearying enough to teleport, let alone with the manacutters, and I have no intention of delaying a moment longer than necessary.”
Aymeric went to the windows in the Congregation’s Hall. He wanted to go with them as far as the Manufactory, whence they would launch, but – discretion. Yet he could not help wanting to watch them as long as he could. What if this were the last time he ever saw Achiyo?
Down below, he could see her, silver-green hair shining in the light, and she turned to look up at the Congregation – and saw him. Her face lightened and she lifted her hand in farewell. He waved back.
“They will return,” Lucia said, steadfast at his side. “I am certain of it. They have never failed.”
“Aye,” he said. “I know. My trust is in them.”
Approaching the Aery – at night, in hopes that many of the dragons would be asleep – was quiet at first.
Then Tam heard the rush of vast wings behind them and turned to see a black dragon the same size as Hraesvelgr rising to their level. “Might want to consider dodging,” he said mildly to Chuchupa, as the Echo flared within him, warning him of incoming danger.
Chuchupa cackled and swerved, narrowly avoiding a fireball the size of the manacutter. Over in the other manacutter, R’nyath was looking back nervously, but Estinien rose to his feet, gripping the mast, and pulled out the Eye of Nidhogg before the dragon could breathe at them again. There was a strange flash and the dragon fell back before growling vehement threats at them.
“There!” Chuchupa cried. “There’s our port, R’nyath! Follow me in!” She took a steep curving dive towards a round platform on the edge of the stone… city? What was this place originally? She didn’t stop or even slow down as they came close; Tam jumped from the cockpit and Estinien followed him. Chuchupa, and R’nyath humming anxiously under his breath, swooped off to pick up more Warriors of Light.
“They should be fine,” Estinien said. “It’s me Nidhogg wants. He’s gone to await us up above.”
Tam looked up. Nidhogg might not be in their faces, but he could hear the fluttering of smaller wings and shrill cries approaching. Chuchupa and R’nyath weren’t out of danger yet… and neither were the dragoons.
The manacutters were quick and nimble but R’nyath and Chuchupa were in incredible danger, having to take multiple trips to ferry everyone from the nearest sky-island, and only became more so with every passing moment. Tam and Estinien dropped off first to establish a foothold, followed by Achiyo, Rinala, Kekeniro, and Lilidi, and by the time the remaining four arrived, there was a stream of small dragons flocking after them. Achiyo saw that R’nyath’s tail was thoroughly bushed even as he jumped from the cockpit to loose a stream of arrows at their pursuers, and Kekeniro hurried to join him, sending out Ifrit-egi to challenge the dragons.
She looked at Estinien. “We cannot get bogged down here. The manacutters have served their purpose; let us press on before the dragons come in greater numbers and prevent us from moving forward.” They had not yet won a breathing space, but she feared that they never would if they tried. If their airships got torn to shreds while they were gone, they’d just have to Teleport back.
“Aye, you have the right of it,” Estinien said.
She looked back at the others. “Come! We must go!” She set off at a brisk jog down the path before them, Estinien easily matching her stride with his long legs.
As they explored the strange corrupted ruins of the Aery, they were beset upon all sides – but by fewer dragons than Achiyo had feared. Their strategy was more sound than she had expected. Though the Aery was crumbling beneath their feet as they ran, floors cracking and pillars tumbling as Nidhogg’s distant rage built to fever pitch. She could not feel it herself, but the occasional scarlet flicker of lightning playing around Estinien’s body gave it away.
Lady Lilidi caught her attention as they skirmished with the dragons. She had seen her in action before, of course, in the Crystal Tower, but there had been twenty-four, twenty-five people with her then, too many to keep a close eye on them all. The lovely Lalafell bore a single-edged sword and a bow, and oddly enough her style reminded Achiyo of the Xaela of the Steppe. But more than that, the bond between her and Kekeniro was as plain as day. They trusted each other implicitly, on a level beyond even that between Kekeniro and the other Warriors of Light. They truly moved as one, she reacting to his commands as if she could read his mind, and he using Ifrit-egi not just as an extension of himself, but an extension of her, blending with her combat like a dance.
It took them a couple hours to fight their way to the highest point of the Aery, and even there, there was no time to rest. One last flight of stairs brought them to a great open space where Nidhogg awaited them. “Strategy?” Achiyo said to Kekeniro quickly, as Rinala cast a renewed Protect on them all.
He shrugged. “Same as usual, except Estinien, you’re on magic defence. Don’t worry about stabbing him yet, just keep him weak enough we can soften him up for you. Aentfryn, you’re right healer; Rinala, you’re left healer; R’nyath, you’re back-up healer in the back if either of them go down. Everyone, stay spread out so you don’t hit each other and so he can’t target more than one person at a time. You all saw those fireballs earlier so stay alert for the shifts in aether. I’ll call it out when I see it.”
The dragon roared as they crested the height of the steps, but Estinien seized the Eye again and it flashed, and Nidhogg flinched. Achiyo took in the sight – at the scars across the dragon’s face where his eyes had been torn out, at the huge black horns, the teeth the length of her arm. This, then was the cause of the suffering in this part of the world. This was the face of hatred.
“I will enfeeble the wyrm with the Eye!” Estinien cried to them. “You must strike whilst he is weak!”
Achiyo took a breath. “With me! For our friends!”
It took all her resolve to charge towards those massive jaws; she lifted her sword to cast Flash, and just in time as Nidhogg snapped out towards her and missed only by a hair’s breadth. She rolled to the side reflexively, striking out as she did so, and felt her sword connect though only glancing. Nidhogg roared, the sound slamming into them with a solid wave of force. Everyone staggered, and Achiyo barely flung herself to the side in time as the dragon lunged again at her; the sheer wind of his strike knocked her back even further and she dug her sword into the ground to try to steady herself, nearly spraining her tail to help balance. Flames poured over her and she hid behind her shield, losing all her momentum and poise. He was driving her back and she was weakening under the assault, even if she hadn’t been hit directly yet-!
A huge clang resonated through her aching hearing, and she looked up and over her shield to see Nidhogg’s jaws clamped around Vivienne’s greatsword; he had once again struck out at Achiyo, and Vivienne had saved her. Vivienne roared as she hauled on her sword, but to drag it back out of that mighty grip was impossible!
There was a streak of purple and white, and Tam crashed down on Nidhogg’s tail, clinging on by his spear as the dragon flailed his tail, trying to dislodge him. A whipcrack-motion and Tam was sent flying, followed by Rinala’s scream. Vivienne got her sword back, visibly bent. Achiyo gasped softly; she knew Vivienne’s blade was partially enchanted, so to bend like that…
“Tam! Oh gods!”
“Relax,” Tam called back. “No ever said suicide couldn’t be fun.”
“I’m sure they did!” Rinala squeaked, sounding just like her old self in her dismay.
“Focus!” Kekeniro scolded them, as Nidhogg whirled, jaws dripping flame. “Fireballs!”
This was madness, Achiyo reflected, as she ran to dodge the flames, catching sight of more small dragons swooping in to aid their master. Absolute madness. That the ten of them should think it reasonable to fight a great wyrm in his own lair…
They’d stood against Bahamut, she reminded herself, and though Nidhogg’s strength was great, the ten of them were working in concert, battering away at his hide and his aether. With Estinien’s aid, they could do this.
As if reading her mind, Nidhogg turned his attention once more to Estinien, and a dark spell rose about the dragoon, lifting him from the ground. Achiyo heard him curse as he fought for balance in the air.
She pulled herself together. “Vivienne! We must get his attention back.” She ducked Nidhogg’s wing and stabbed at his flank with all her might, piercing that dreadful armoured hide and drawing a stream of black blood.
Vivienne growled as she cast dark spells, hacking at Nidhogg’s shoulder recklessly with her bent blade. “Easier said than done, I think. Hey, ugly!” Nidhogg’s head swung around, but it was probably more because of her Unmend than because of her words.
Aentfryn and Kekeniro were working on dismantling the spell that kept Estinien bound, aided by Chuchupa, who bounded straight up to the dark violet glow and swung an aether-charged axe straight into it. Kekeniro yelled with alarm, but the spell exploded, and Estinien dropped to the ground with a grunt.
“That could have gone very badly!” Kekeniro said to Chuchupa.
She just cackled and punched Estinien lightly in the shin. “There ye go, get back to work!”
“My lady,” he said gravely, and they split up to avoid a lash of Nidhogg’s tail.
Nidhogg roared again, and as they reeled, withdrew. “He’s gathering aether to him!” Kekeniro called. “He’s going to cast something big!”
“We have to stop him, right?” Rinala asked, and shrieked as a small dragon raked her shoulders. Eos hurried to her side as R’nyath and Lilidi loosed arrows at the dragon. Reinforcements were descending upon them, screaming defiance. Achiyo ran to the centre of the open ground and cast Flash; it disoriented most of them for a moment, and then they all charged at her.
“I’m not sure we can!” Kekeniro said. “Estinien, ideas?”
“Keep those minions off me, and I shall protect us all!” Estinien cried, dropping to one knee and extending the Eye, bowing his head in concentration.
“Achiyo, stay where you are; Li, Chuchupa, Tam, back her up!” Kekeniro said. “Vivienne, go right there in front of Estinien, if anything gets past Achiyo it can’t get past you!”
“It bloody well won’t,” Vivienne said, but Achiyo was glad to have Chuchupa, Tam, and Lilidi for company. Even with the spells and arrows tearing at the dragons around her, she was nearly overwhelmed with toothy snouts and razor claws. For several minutes she was lost in the concentration of battle, unable to focus on anything beyond blocking, parrying, and counterattacking. Sweat slid down the scales of her neck, and her sword and shield were both filthy with dragon blood. She could fair taste it on her tongue, metallic and bitter.
So it came as a slight shock when she finally heard Kekeniro calling: “Back! Back to the shield! Quick! Quick!” She shook herself free from her assailants and sprinted back, to where she could now see a glimmering bubble of protective aether.
Nidhogg’s voice boomed over the Aery. “Vengeance!!” Her heart sprang into her mouth as the sky turned crimson around them – would she make it in time-!?
She flung herself under the shield, colliding bodily with Tam, who steadied her, as the very air outside the shield turned to fire. Rinala screamed and fell to her knees, and they all huddled around Estinien, who was gritting his teeth, yet held the Eye high without wavering.
When the fire faded, and the shield was yet unbroken, Nidhogg sprang from his perch. “Scatter! Scatter to positions!” Kekeniro yelled wildly, and Achiyo sprinted forward again. Her arms and legs and tail ached, her lungs burned, her heart thudded.
There was a flash from behind her, and Nidhogg fell out of the air before her, slamming sideways into the ground in a cloud of dust, shaking the Aery beneath them. The great wyrm climbed to his feet with an expression she would almost call ‘dazed’. “Treacherous mortals! Thou wouldst use mine own eye against me!? Time hath done naught to dilute thy kind’s depravity!” He focused on Estinien, ignoring the rest of them entirely as they kept attacking. “I have not forgotten thee, dragoon! Mine essence claimed thee once… and shall do so again!”
She turned to catch sight of Estinien’s lips curved in a fierce smile. “No, wyrm!” he roared, pointing his lance at Nidhogg. “This ends here!” Nidhogg lunged, quick as a snake, but Estinien was faster. As Nidhogg’s jaws snapped shut on the space he’d stood in a moment before, he dropped down from the sky, lance-first, and the point struck into Nidhogg’s skull.
The dragon howled and tossed its head; when that failed to knock Estinien down, he spread his wings and took to the sky, away from the rest of them. She could not see clearly what happened, but a great flash of red lightning arced around the dragon suddenly, and he howled again, falling from the sky past the Aery. She heard an explosion somewhere below, and Kekeniro looked up, probably reading the aether currents.
Estinien landed before her, his armour drenched in gore, one horn of his helm snapped off, yet he was smiling as he straightened to his full proud height and brought his lance up to reveal… a yellow Eye impaled upon its tip. It did not behave as she thought an ordinary eye might, as he reached up to pluck it off. In fact, he handled it rather like a melon, and she found herself slightly repulsed by the comparison.
Estinien looked up and out at the sky. “You gifted my people a thousand years of suffering. Now I gift you an eternity in darkness!”
As one, the Warriors of Light blinked, reeled and fell into an Echo.
When Achiyo came to, Estinien was leaning over her, while Lilidi fussed over Kekeniro. “What ails you, my friends?” he asked. “What happened?”
“That, ‘Stinien, is what we call ‘the Echo’,” Tam said sarcastically. “Would have been nice to get back when we talked to, I don’t know, Hraesvelgr, but it does what it wants.”
“What did you see?” Lilidi asked in great curiosity.
R’nyath told the vision, and he told it well – how Haldrath had forsworn the crown and left Ishgard to become a hunter of dragons, and how the surviving knights of King Thordan had agreed to take up Ishgard’s ruling… and to bury the shameful truth of Ratatoskr’s murder.
“You have borne witness to history,” Estinien murmured. He then told them all the tale as he knew it himself, pulling out Nidhogg’s Eye and holding it aloft. “A rousing tale, is it not? Would that I could still believe it. But your vision, which we must accept as immutable truth, leaves no room for doubt – save on one point.”
There was a pause, and then Tam pointed out the obvious. “Did Nidhogg have heterochromia?”
“What does that mean?” Rinala asked.
“Why is this eye not the same colour as the other eye that Estinien already holds?” Aentfryn said.
“Like me,” Tam said, pointing at his own mismatched eyes. He was joking, surely? The eyes Haldrath held had both appeared red.
“If Haldrath took both of Nidhogg’s eyes, then how came this eye to be lodged in the wyrm’s skull?” Estinien put it. He reached out and handed the yellow eye to Achiyo, who hid her distaste as best she could as she took it. It was not slimy as she expected it to be, but firm, as if it was made of wood. And it was leaking aether constantly. “Beneath every answer we unearth, another question lies buried.”
Achiyo turned to Kekeniro. “What do you make of it?”
Kekeniro shook his head as he took it, seemingly completely unbothered by the fact that it was an eyeball torn minutes ago from a living being – and he wasn’t wearing gloves as she was. “It’s not the same signature as the other eye. But that red one is truly Nidhogg’s Eye, so we saw in the vision. So… this belongs to another dragon. I wonder how it got in his head.”
Achiyo looked at Tam, who nodded slightly. “We should return it.” She turned to Estinien. “May we return it?”
He shrugged. “Do with it as you will. I lay no claim to it.”
“Hey,” Chuchupa spoke up. “I know ye’re all wonderin’ ‘bout history mysteries, but can we go check on th’ manacutters? And maybe celebrate a li’l? We won! We stopped th’ bloody war!”
“Oh, right,” R’nyath said as they began to move back down the path they had climbed with such struggle. There was no sign of other dragons now. They must have sensed their leader slain, and fled. “We did, didn’t we? Haha! A thousand years’ war, just done. That’s a feat! Bigger than kicking out the Empire!”
“Surely this isn’t the first time something like this has been tried, has it?” Rinala asked innocently. The battle, the victory had brought life back to her face. It was good to see.
“Highly unlikely,” Aentfryn told her. “Recall that outsiders had not been to the Churning Mists for a thousand years, before we arrived. Even if Ishgard previously had the power to make a sortie this far, they would not have had the aerial technology to reach the Aery.”
“Not t’ mention we all kick arse,” Chuchupa said. “Th’ best Azure Dragoon in history an’ a team hand-picked by Hydaelyn, who else could do this?”
“Thanks for coming with us,” Kekeniro said to Lilidi. “How was it?”
“Terrifying,” she said with a laugh. “Just like fighting that spirit in the World of Darkness. Glad I was able to help you.”
“We should all buy Estinien a drink, by the way,” Tam said, and Chuchupa and R’nyath agreed loudly.
“’Twas a fierce battle,” Estinien said. “But one I knew we would win. Your fame is well deserved, Warriors of Light. Full proud am I to have fought at your side.”
“It was an honour to stand with you,” Achiyo said.
“You want to take my place in the group?” Tam asked. “Oh, wait, the Echo. But besides that.”
Estinien shook his head at him. “I would fain return with all swiftness to Ishgard to inform the Lord Commander of our triumph.” He was silent a moment. “But we must first have words with Hraesvelgr. There are parts of this tale that the wyrm has kept form us, and I would know wherefore…”
“Good thing that’s only an aetheryte away,” Vivienne said, examining her bent greatsword. “Some of us could go back to alleviate Ishgard’s tenterhooks, if you don’t want to scare the wyrm off like last time.”
“No,” Achiyo said. “We all had the vision. We all should hear what answers we may.”
It was a long time before they reconvened in the halls of Fortemps Manor. The answers from Hraesvelgr were unsatisfying and awakened anger in Achiyo’s breast. The heretics had attacked Ishgard for no apparent reason, and had been spreading chaos and destruction until Ysayle – who had rejoined them at Zenith – raised her voice to them to tell them Nidhogg was dead, upon which they left as suddenly as they came. Haurchefant had met them in the middle of the battle, and followed them without question.
It was maybe not as long as it felt, but it was the early hours of the morning before the Warriors of Light, Estinien, Lilidi, and Haurchefant returned to the Manor to find Aymeric, Lucia, and Alphinaud awaiting them with Count Edmont.
The count’s expression lightened to see them, though mostly to see his son. “Praise Halone, you are safe!”
Haurchefant laughed. “My safety was never in doubt, Father, for I was at the side of the Azure Dragoon and the Warriors of Light. We bring the most wonderful tidings!” With some disorganization, he and Achiyo and R’nyath began to relate the tale of the past day.
“The truth, at last…” Alphinaud mused. “The origins of the Dragonsong War – a core tenet of Ishgardian faith – are quite unlike those depicted in the scriptures.”
“That men and dragons once lived together in harmony, and that it was our treachery which shattered the peace and plunged our peoples into war,” Aymeric murmured. Achiyo had been coming to the idea for so long now, through Ysayle, through Hraesvelgr, that she had forgotten it would be new to him.
Count Edmont frowned. “The same scripture also describes the origins of the High Houses. Were it exposed as false, the legitimacy of our rule would be called into question.”
Tam shrugged. “Would it? It’s as legitimate as the Forgotten Knight.”
Count Edmont shook his head at him. “If both highborn and lowborn can trace their ancestry to Thordan and his knights twelve…”
“But a single sip of dragon’s blood is required to confirm their lineage,” Alphinaud said. Tam rolled his eyes but held his peace.
Aymeric frowned at the marble floor. “If the Holy See knew of this, and chose to remain silent, their crimes are grievous indeed. Regardless, this state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue.”
“Ser Aymeric!” cried Count Edmont. “You cannot mean to raise this matter with the archbishop?”
“Pray consider it more carefully!” Haurchefant said, taking steps towards his friend. “If the Holy See chose to conceal the truth for centuries, what reason would they have to reveal it now!?”
“At best, you will be branded a heretic and clapped in irons!” Alphinaud said.
“When, then, shall they reveal it?” Aentfryn said, not bothering to hide his disgust. “To their knowledge, the last means by which the truth might come out has been eliminated. They probably feel safer than they have in a long time and not simply because the city will no longer be attacked. They will denounce the heretics as liars, as they always have.”
“That is partly the right of it, Master Aentfryn,” Aymeric said to him. “But if I am arrested, then at least the archbishop will have shown his true colours. My friends, this war will never truly be at an end until the truth is made known. You must see what lies on the horizon if it is not. When ruled by fear of a common enemy, we were united. During the war, the highborn needed folk to lead, and the lowborn, folk to follow. Not anymore. ‘Tis but a matter of time before the old order is called into question. Lady Iceheart will share the truth with her followers, and the Holy See will be powerless to stop its spread. The disenfranchised will rise up, united, and blood will flow in the streets once more.”
“A thousand years of tradition will be slow to give up power, even should blood flow,” Achiyo said softly. “They will stop their ears – they would die rather than humble themselves to a truth so distasteful to them. And silence you.” And her and her friends. She had not thought that stopping the war would place such a target upon them all, and suddenly she was weary at heart again.
He looked at her earnestly. “I know it may be futile. But I have to try.” He squared his shoulders and walked to the door. “A divided Ishgard will not survive.” And then he was gone.
“Tread carefully, Lord Commander,” Lucia said to the closed door as his footsteps receded.
“My lady, is it wise to let him go?” Alphinaud asked her. “I sympathize with the Lord Commander’s desire for reform, but to approach the archbishop in this manner bespeaks an idealism to which I did not think Ser Aymeric prone.”
Estinien snorted. “You don’t know him well enough, then.”
Lucia’s answer was calmer. “Though he comports himself as a realist, he has long dreamt of reform. ‘Twas that idealism which first drew me to him – that which made me swear an oath to serve.”
“Wait,” Kekeniro said. “If it’s so dangerous to bring this up to the archbishop, why is he going alone?”
Kekeniro was right, and she ran to the door herself. “Aymeric-sama!”
He was halfway through the front door, and turned at her call. “I cannot tarry, Lady Achiyo. How soon before news of Iceheart’s proclamation reaches the archbishop’s ears? Perhaps it already has.”
“Why must you go alone?” she demanded, striding to him down the hall. “Let us come with you. Surely they will not also arrest those who slew Nidhogg.” Why were Estinien and Lucia and Haurchefant not beside her? Why were they all just letting him go?
He stepped back inside and shut the door behind him for privacy and warmth against the outside. “They might. You have already hazarded your life a thousand times over for this city, with hardly enough thanks as you deserve. I would not risk your freedom on our politics.”
Her eyes grew hard. “But you would be so reckless with your own?”
He shook his head. “Even were you all to stand at my side, and they arrest me, what would you do – fight all the Heavens’ Ward for my safety? We should both – all be imprisoned then, for no gain. Lady Achiyo, this is something I must do on my own. It is a slim chance, yet it is still a chance. Believe in that chance, as I have believed in yours.”
She let out an unhappy sigh. “Very well, Aymeric-sama. I will delay you no longer.”
He bowed to her. “I thank you for your kind offer, Lady Achiyo.” And he stepped once more into the dying night.
She returned to the chamber where the others were, and found that Lucia had apparently been informing the others of what she had learned first-hand. “You had no success, I take it?” She did not seem surprised.
Achiyo did not allow herself to make more frustrated expressions. “He said it was something he must do alone.”
Alphinaud did not hide his disgruntlement as she had. “Far be it from me to criticize anyone for their blind idealism… but he might at least have pretended to consider another course.”
Lucia nodded. “When Ser Aymeric fixes upon an objective like this, he will not be denied. Therefore, we must not think of ways to hinder his cause, but rather ways to aid it – even should the Holy See cry heresy.”
“You cannot mean…” Alphinaud said.
Lucia’s eyes flashed. “If the Lord Commander does not return from the Vault at the appointed hour, I mean to go and fetch him.”
“Have care, my lady!” Count Edmont said. “Your words border on treason. Should they reach the wrong ears, you would be declared an enemy of Ishgard!”
She turned her stern gaze upon the count. “That is a risk I am willing to take. Lest you forget, my lord, I am not born of this land. My loyalty is to the Lord Commander alone. But I speak only of what may come to pass. If the rumours regarding his heritage are to be believed, we have naught to fear.”
Count Edmont seemed taken aback, but said no more.
Estinien grunted and crossed his arms. “Hmph. That won’t help. Of all people, he should know better.”
“Forgive me, what rumours are these?” Alphinaud asked.
“That Ser Aymeric is the archbishop’s bastard son,” Lucia said. Count Edmont shook his head at her speaking such words with such candour. “Senior clergy are not permitted to marry and sire children. But even the holiest among us are not immune to temptation.”
“I labour to believe it,” Alphinaud said. “Ser Aymeric is truly the archbishop’s son?”
“Yeah, I can’t see that,” R’nyath said. “Not that I met the archbishop, but they sound like polar opposites!”
“Mayhap that is on purpose,” Aentfryn said.
“He has never been publicly acknowledged as such, but the rumours have plagued him since childhood,” Lucia said. “That he rose to his current position, despite being despised as a bastard, and accused of profiting from his father’s influence, bespeaks the quality of his character. It is my hope that on this occasion, the burden of his birth will work in his favour. Should our worst fears be realized, the archbishop will not be so quick to execute his own flesh and blood, affording us time to mount a rescue.”
If these words were true, no doubt he was counting on them himself to afford him more influence over the archbishop’s ear. Perhaps he wasn’t as reckless as she had thought. Perhaps he went alone to speak more freely as a blood relative. Now she began to understand. Things were complicated like that in Hingashi and Doma, too.
Estinien growled. “Bastard or trueborn, he is our nation’s best hope. If the Holy See dares to threaten him, I shall lead the charge against the Vault myself.”
“Hear, hear!” Haurchefant cried. “The future of Ishgard rests upon Ser Aymeric’s shoulders! I, too, will do mine utmost to aid his cause!”
“Haurchefant,” Count Edmont said anxiously.
Haurchefant turned to him earnestly. “A knight lives to serve, Father – to aid those in need! The people need Ser Aymeric – more than ever – and we may be his only hope! There is no greater calling for a knight than to save the life of their fellow. I swear to you, on the sigil of our house, that I shall do this and make you proud.”
Count Edmont looked to the Warriors of Light. Achiyo looked back with determination. Aymeric had given her new hope for the world, and the world therefore should not be lesser for him. “I am going. He does not deserve this.”
There was a general positive chorus from around her as her companions joined in with more or less enthusiasm. “Huzzah, subversion,” Tam said. “Let anarchy reign.”
“No anarchy,” Achiyo told him, and he smirked at her.
“Are you sure?” Kekeniro said to Lilidi. “You only just met him.”
“You’re going, silly,” she said to him. “Where you go, I go. Your friends are my friends; your enemies, my enemies.”
“That’s so beautiful,” R’nyath said, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye.
“I thought as much, that you would speak as one,” the count said, and sighed. “Romantic, reckless fools, the lot of you. If we must risk the fortunes of our house to bring this truth to light, then so be it. But are you truly prepared to do this? To face the Heavens’ Ward in battle, if you must?”
Aymeric had mentioned them as well. “We are.” They had run from the Brass Blades and Crystal Braves. They would not run now, though these enemies were more deadly.
“I mean, Alphinaud thrashed one of them, they’re not that tough,” Tam said.
Alphinaud flushed. “How condescending.”
“Together, they shall be more powerful,” Count Edmont said. “They fight together as you do, and they outnumber you.”
“Have no fear, Father!” Haurchefant cried. “My arm will not falter; my shield will not break. I promise you: we shall prevail!”
The count looked upon his son in fondness. “So be it. Make your preparations.” He went to sit down further back in the room, exiting the conversation but still present.
“Then I’ve a sword to get looked at,” Vivienne said with a grim smile, turning to the door. “Pardon me.”
“I’ll come with you, and rouse the smiths for you,” Haurchefant said, and followed her.
“I thank you all for your support,” Lucia said. “But though your assistance is most welcome, I fear it will not be enough. Few as we are, we will struggle to reach the Lord Commander. If we are to succeed, we must needs recruit others to our cause.”
“Surely he knew we were going to do this, though? Come after him?” Kekeniro asked. “We appear to be precipitating the very situation that he wanted to avoid.”
“He knows, but all his attention is fixed upon his goal. I doubt very much that he will have thought through the consequences of our actions,” Estinien said. “Ordinarily he controls his impulses closely, but… every Ishgardian will be shaken by these revelations.”
“Where are we going to find these others?” Achiyo said. “The Temple Knights would mostly join you, would they not?”
“Even with an army of knights at our backs, a direct assault on the Vault seems unlikely to succeed,” Alphinaud said, frowning.
“You are correct, Master Alphinaud,” Lucia said. “Not even the assembled might of House Fortemps and the Temple Knights would be sufficient. With the support of another party, however, we may yet stand a chance.”
“You speak of one of the other High Houses?” Alphinaud asked.
“Precisely the opposite,” Lucia said. “I speak of the revolutionaries rumoured to reside in the Brume. ‘Twas these disgruntled Ishgardians who opened the gates of our city to the heretics, I believe.”
“But of course!” Alphinaud cried. “If their hatred of the Holy See drove them to such deeds, they might well be persuaded to assist in Ser Aymeric’s rescue, knowing the truth he would lay bare…”
“Such is my hope, Master Alphinaud,” Lucia said. “And I would have you and your companions reach out to them. As a Temple Knight and sworn servant of the Holy See, any overtures I make are doomed to fail. But as outsiders, you may receive a warmer welcome.”
“Very well,” Alphinaud said. “We shall seek out the leader of these revolutionaries, and make our case.”
“My thanks,” Lucia said. “Estinien – will your corps heed your command if you order them to stand aside?”
“The dragoons have no love for politics, my lady,” Estinien said. “They will gladly watch and wait while the highborn fight amongst themselves.”
“How very wise,” Alphinaud said dryly. “Everyone, let’s hurry to the Forgotten Knight. Tataru may have knowledge of the revolutionaries.”
“At this hour?” Aentfryn frowned. “You may go running about as you please, but one or two of us are in dire need of rest.” He placed a hand on Rinala’s shoulder and she jumped; Achiyo only just noticed that the Miqo’te was swaying where she stood.
“I am very sorry,” Achiyo said to her. She herself was still wide awake, still alert to deal with this new trouble. Though Aentfryn mentioning that they had basically been an entire day without rest, and through multiple battles and Teleports too, made her realize that her body was tired, she was not minded to sleep yet. “You worked hard through all of this. Please leave this to us and recover your strength.”
Rinala opened her mouth to protest… and yawned. “O-okay. You’re right. Get me if you need me!”
“I will,” Achiyo said, and turned to the others. “Everyone, you can rest if you so wish. We don’t all have to go ask around. In fact, Tam, would you not say that the more people asking, the more suspicious they are like to be?”
“That’s correct,” Tam said, with a little smile. “And I am going to be taking a rest myself. I need it in my old age.”
He was just as capable as the rest of them, and she frowned at him suspiciously, but he just kept smiling – rather smugly – and left the room.
“I’m comin’,” Chuchupa assured her. “Long nights’re nothin’ to me!”
R’nyath was wavering, but nodded. “I just need something to eat and I’ll be good to go. And there’s food at the Forgotten Knight, so…!”
“Enough!” cried a voice, feminine, but rough. “Leave threatenin’ women and children to our ‘betters’! We don’t have the knack!”
R’nyath turned… and fell in love again.
Long, black leather boots, tight black leather pants, tight black leather jacket, tightly-bound black hair that flowed from a high ponytail in ebony waves down her back… The woman walking up behind them was dangerous, fierce, and graceful as fire. The challenge in her scarlet eyes! He felt his jaw dropping slack and his ears and tail pricking up in admiration. Holy hells.
“Hilda!?” exclaimed one of the thugs cornering Tataru in the alley.
She folded her arms and looked him up and down – with him still making that stupid expression – and then Alphinaud, who was still processing the woman’s presence in non-smitten confusion, and shook her head at the thugs with a smile. “Lay a finger on the blue bloods’ pups, and you’re like to lose the hand.” She looked back at R’nyath with a sardonic grin. “It ain’t often I get called on by glorious heroes like yourself. So tell me: what have I done to deserve you?”
Absolutely nothing, nothing at all, what did I do to deserve your presence, please go out with me, was what he didn’t say. If her poise hadn’t already slain him, the sarcasm did it. Hot and sassy? Oh, he was supposed to say something, wasn’t he? What was he supposed to say!? How did he sum up the answer to her question?
He opened his mouth, and so did Alphinaud, but she raised a finger to silence them. “Before you start, let’s go somewhere a bit more private, eh? The Forgotten Knight, say.” She turned and walked off, and her… minions? followed her. R’nyath tried really hard not to stare.
“I will call Achiyo and Chuchupa and tell them to meet us there,” Alphinaud said to him. They had been looking, upon Tataru’s word, for the Mongrel for the entire day, and by the actions of the woman’s underlings, they had just found her.
They assembled in a corner of the Forgotten Knight, the five Scions and the three Ishgardians, and he didn’t miss Hilda slipping Gibrillont a pouch of coin to give them space. When they had it, and drinks, Hilda turned to them. “Where’s the purple one? If you wanted to see me, all you had to do was ask him.”
Oh, of course she knew Tam. Tam knew everyone. “He said he was resting,” Achiyo said.
“We did just slay Nidhogg,” Chuchupa bragged.
“I now think he wanted us to find you on our own,” Alphinaud said. “He enjoys testing us like that.”
Hilda snorted. “I believe it. Well, you found me. What’s the story, then?”
Achiyo, who did not seem at all phased by the woman in any way – lucky her, being straight – began. “It is a complicated tale, so I beg your patience while I make it plain as best I can.” She told it, and for once R’nyath didn’t do much to help.
“So Ser Aymeric, Lord Commander hisself, has gone to ask the archbishop if you wouldn’t mind lettin’ everyone know,” Hilda summarized the last bit.
“Is ‘e simple!?” exclaimed one of her guards. “The old bastard’ll have him executed for heresy!”
“Well, seems to me that’s what the good ser wants,” Hilda said, with a face more serious than her light words suggested. “Seems he thinks a noble sacrifice will serve to prove his claims.”
“He would die to protect the people of Ishgard,” Achiyo said. “But I cannot think this will help anyone.”
“We cannot stand idly by and allow Ser Aymeric to do this,” Alphinaud said. “Ishgard has need of him.”
Hilda sighed. “Look, you’ve a good heart, I can see that. Willin’ to risk your neck for someone else, even when his troubles ain’t yours. But what’s this got to do with me?”
“If Ser Aymeric is imprisoned in the Vault, we will need all the help we can muster to breach their defences and rescue him,” Alphinaud said.
“Please,” R’nyath said, finally speaking up. “We don’t want ending the war to just start another war.”
“We’ll buy ye drinks forever,” Chuchupa said, to which Achiyo smiled and shook her head.
Hilda raised an eyebrow, but sank into thought.
And just when she raised her head again and inhaled to speak, someone kicked in the door.