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Abarbluom stepped from the small vessel onto the stone dock with a huff of breath, raising a hand in farewell to the oarsman as he drifted away into the twilight. Returning from the Doman Enclave on a social visit, he now stood amongst the deserted village from which the dock protrudes, a soft rain beginning to roll out across the plains. With fog bristling about the magitek gate and obscuring the entryway leading to The Gensui Chain, a tranquil atmosphere began to develop.
It would not last long.
He strode for cover beneath a worn awning, raindrops splattering across the roof tile as the brisk shower quickly evolved into roaring downpour; such was the unpredictable weather of the territory. Shaking droplets loose from his hair and robes, Abarbluom gazed out at the sheets of rain as his eyes began to drift closed, fully leaning his weight against the wooden entryway.
And he would’ve been satisfied to wait for the rain to pass just like this, were it not for the softly resonating sound in his ears. His eyebrows knitted together as his eyes shot open, moving to stare in focus through the downpour with some exertion. He didn’t want to think it was true.
The demonic towers left scattered about Eorzea and her sister-states, monstrosities defiling the land itself, giving a baleful glimpse into the Final Days. One such tower loomed over the Yanxian plains, overshadowing the minor steppes about its stem. From its peak, a queer purpled light would flicker and pulse, expanding and radiating before dissipating.
It wasn’t the tower’s appearance that surprised him so, having witnessed their sudden appearance across the land firsthand. It was the sound; something between whispers in a tongue never heard by Man, and a wailing keen. Abarbluom watched as the halo at the tower’s pinnacle pulsed in its rhythmic way, expanding and disappearing. Expanding, and disappearing. Over and over, ears tuned to the sound, leaning into it —
The tower was communicating.
Abarbluom would not spend another moment alone this evening, hurriedly making way for Yuzuka Manor some yalms away, for the first time in his life preferring the company of Namazu over none.