Chapter Text
Laila almost couldn't believe it as she walked through the debris in Killika. She had heard of attacks by Sin and the devastation that they wrought upon Spira. Until now, she never had to see it. Homes had been destroyed. There were people - dead and injured - everywhere. Laila wasn't hurt, and neither was her husband Kilric. She thanked Yevon for that. A mother cradled a child nearby, and Laila could see the form was lifeless. Laila couldn't stop the tears that fell when she saw that. No parent should have to send their child to the Farplane. Laila and Kilric had to do that with their little girl Sophia just over a year ago. She hadn't lasted long after her birth.
Laila looked around and spotted Kilric helping one of their neighbors move some debris. The two met eyes and Kilric gave her an encouraging smile. They were still alive, and that meant something. Laila tried to return it, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She turned and started to walk. Hopefully that would clear her head.
She was stopped by the sound of an infant's cry. Laila frowned and turned to find the source of the sound. It appeared to be coming from underneath some brush near the entrance to the Killika Forest. Laila ran and found a baby girl lying on the ground. A man and a woman were near her and the woman's hand reached out towards the child. Both adults were still, and Laila couldn't see their chests rising. The child, however, wailed loudly. Laila picked up the child and began to rock her gently, trying her best to soothe the baby.
The child's cries began to soften, and she looked up at Laila. The first thing noticed were the emerald green eyes with spiral irises. The child was an Al Bhed. Laila wondered what had brought an Al Bhed family to Killika, but the Al Bhed were a strange people and she did not understand them.
"Laila?" Kilric's voice pierced through her mind.
"Over here," she responded.
Kilric ran towards her. "I was worried when I saw you had disappeared. What..." his voice trailed off as he saw the bundle in her arms. "Where are her parents?"
Laila only nodded towards the two bodies on the ground. Kilric ran towards them and shook both of them before shaking his head sadly.
"We can't leave her alone," Laila said. "We have to do something."
Kilric looked towards Laila, knowing what she wanted. He hoped she understood. "She can't replace Sophia, Laila."
"I know."
Kilric stood and stood next to his wife, looking down at the baby. "An Al Bhed," he said with a slight frown. The child would not have an easy childhood here. "Are you sure?"
Laila looked down and the baby smiled at her. Laila nodded.
"What's her name?" Kilric asked.
"Kiriena."
Kilric smiled and brushed the child's head. Kiriena let out a giggle, the sound in itself a paradox to the scene around them. "I'll go report the bodies to the Summoner. We should make sure her parents get a proper sending. Try to find her some food."
The pair went on their separate tasks, but they felt hopeful for the future. Silently, Laila whispered a prayer for little Kiriena hoping that she would be able to live a long and fruitful life.