Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

READ HERE FIRST!

MAJOR SPOILERS FROM THE ENDWALKER MSQ!

Do not read if you are still playing through Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers or have plans to. I will be using my own character, Claire Faye, in the story to stand in as the Warrior of Light, but feel free to think of your own characters. Lately I had been doing an unnamed Warrior of Light, but in this story it was hard to do that so I will be simply using Claire’s name.

Major Game Spoilers for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, Heavenward, Stormblood, Shadowbringers, and Endwalker

You have been warned.

I do not own any copyright, am doing this purely for entertainment…

Please enjoy.

"I wish to hear your words... Share your feelings... Know your thoughts. May we please be friends?"

--Meteion

Meteion could still recall the moment she first opened her eyes and looked about her with polite confusion. She had no memories before that moment, but her mind was filled with strange bits of knowledge and information she could not recall ever learning before. She blinked up towards the tall figure standing in front of her—her first true sight was that of the man’s face—without his mask.

He smiled at her.

“Hello,” he told her kindly and she could feel the warmth from him of an emotion she recognized at once as affection. “My name is Hermes. Your name is Meteion… and welcome to the world.”

“H-Hermes…” she whispered back, her voice struggling to form words.

She was far from the only one that he created though, for before her he created many… those whom he called her sisters. She was just the youngest out of numerous. Not long after that day, whom he dubbed her nameday, was when he took her and her sisters out to a small island late at night. It was there that he gave them their orders and they all took off towards the heavens—leaving only her behind. It was hard to say goodbye to them all, but she could remember how he promised that they would be reunited once they completed their mission. It was a day that she looked forward to.

Since then, she had remained at Hermes side, helping him however much she could. The other researchers and observers were fascinated with her at first, asking a few questions as they got to know her; but as the years went by, they came to respect that she was Hermes ‘pet project’ and never brought up the reason she was here.

Hermes told her that it was called ‘a secret’ for they couldn’t tell anyone what they were doing yet; but promised that once her sisters returned then he would share their findings with everyone. Until then, while they had an estimated time that their survey be completed, he wanted her by his side should her sisters’ report come in sooner than they expected. She didn’t mind, she loved being by his side. He treated her with so much kindness that she could not imagine ever wanting to be anywhere else other than with Hermes.

She still struggled with speech and he encouraged her to talk as often as possible—always saying that practice makes perfect. He had made sure to also impress upon her that while her ability to read a person’s emotions was a special gift—something that she was designed for—she must not use it without consent for everyone has emotions that they wish to hide and keep private.

Meteion promised him that she would do just that. Which made him smile and pat her on her head fondly.

“That’s my girl,” he told her and her entire being seemed to hum with happiness when she felt how happy he was.

But there were still many things that she could not help but notice when it came to the feelings of others. While she promised Hermes that she would never look through one’s mind or read their emotions without consent, it was hard when a particularly powerful emotion ended up seeping through. Especially when it came to Hermes. It seemed that the closer she was to someone, in the way that the more affection she held for them, the easier it was to pick up on their emotions and Hermes was always so loud and clear that it was sometimes hard to be around him. Especially when his sadder emotions came through.

Such as when he would hear about his researchers starting over with a failed creation, or when one of the creations had to be unmade? Hermes never said anything to anyone else about it, but she knew that the idea of letting one of the creations in their charge die because man was ‘too impatient’ for results—as he once said to her—was enough to want to make him scream out.

Which made her sad.

She wasn’t entirely sure she understood that either, but she knew that Hermes felt sad and alone because of all this. It was for this reason he created her and her sisters—to answer his questions across the great expanse.

But until then, she wasn’t sure how she could help ease his sorrows or to comfort his pain when he needed it most. While she could comprehend what a person felt, she had no clue how to help them with it… when one was happy then she felt happy… if one was sad then she felt their pain… how to change those feelings though… was something that she didn’t know. In fact, her powers sometimes made it worse such as when Hermes was sad and then he would notice that she was upset when she felt his sorrow… which only made him feel worse.

That was what she hated most about her abilities.

Thankfully, on this particular day, Hermes was excited as he took a group of Ambystoma from their habitat so that he could examine them more closely. She was by his side as he gently let them leap out of his hands just above the water and watched how they swam joyfully around. She watched on with wide eyes and a smile as he told her about these cute little creations. 

“You see, Meteion?” Hermes asked her kindly as his fingers danced on the water’s surface and the Ambystoma swam around his hand with interest. “They are growing as they are supposed to. Once we can determine their average size once full grown then it shouldn’t be much longer before they make it into the world.”

“Oh, they are so cute…” she cooed. “I hope they make it.”

He chuckled and nodded, perfectly contented which made her glad.

“Myself as well,” he agreed. “And I see no reason why they shouldn’t. They will make the perfect addition for just about any habitat with lakes and rivers. I look forward to that day.”

He then told her more about the Ambystoma and how he believes that they will be a wonderful contribution to the star. She nodded excitedly as he talked… when suddenly she felt it. It was just a tiny little tingle as she felt a rush of something new… a series of complex emotions from near the entrance to Elpis. She looked up to the sky, wondering where these emotions were coming from and chirped up to Hermes that they had visitors here.

“Oh?” he asked as he looked up as well with curiosity. “Interesting. Well, if we do, I expect you to be on your best behavior for our guests, Meteion.”

“Alright, Hermes, I will!” she promised happily as he smiled back and they returned to studying the Ambystomas. Meteion put the strange surge of emotions she felt out of her mind as she assisted in helping Hermes, occasionally asking questions—he liked it when she asked questions of the creations here—and he would eagerly answer. This went on for a time before a voice spoke up behind them.

“Excuse me?”

Both of them turned to look and as soon as Meteion saw her, she felt a rush of affection flow through her. Meteion had never seen this lady before but stared at her with fascination, feeling a mixture of joy and excitement that she could not recall ever feeling before.

The reason for it was that the moment she saw their guest she knew that she was different. Well, different… but the same also? While everyone around her was kind, especially Hermes, she never met another person that felt so similar to herself—save for her sisters. Their guest’s aether was very thin… just like hers! Her soul… not as full as those around them…!

The emotions of the others sometimes felt dull and muted… but her…? Their guests emotions were vivid and bright like a field of flowers on a bright, sunny day! She recognized it at once and just her very presence captivated her in a way that she could not describe only that she was instantly drawn to this pretty lady.

Their guest was good. She was kind… that was what her emotions were telling her loud and clear.

Hermes stood up and asked the lady politely, “You are?”

But Meteion ran past him, she felt his surprise for a moment, before she stopped in front of their guest. Her eyes wide as she looked at her, leaning ever closer, until she almost ended up tumbling off the step in her eagerness to meet her.

“Different!” she said happily once she regained her balance. “You’re different too! You and me. We’re alike. Friends. I want to be—!”

She was struggling trying to voice what she was feeling, struggling with her words more than usual, as she so desperately wanted to tell the lady what she wanted. The lady just looked back in confusion though and Meteion could sense that as well as with a hint of alarm that the lady feared she may have done something wrong. Meteion took a few deep breaths and quickly calmed herself down.

“Wait… please… wait…” she begged before she quieted her mind, her hands over her heart, and reached out with her abilities. She greeted their guest, like how Hermes taught her to do, and calmly explained that she meant her no harm and that she simply wished to be friends. She suddenly sensed their guests worry fade away to amazement and she giggled at that as she asked with her normal voice, “May we please… be friends!”

Their guest wasn’t able to answer at first when a few other guests arrived. One of whom was a man with lilac colored hair and a gentle smile; greeted by Hermes by name and Meteion felt the warmth of familiarity and knew that the two must be friends. As for the other…? He had long white hair and golden eyes… but there was a kind of… prickliness about him. While she felt that there was a kindness inside him as well it felt like it was behind a wall so she couldn’t properly tell. Hermes, however, felt both a measure of respect and dread when the man introduced himself as Emet-Selch of the Convocation.

But Meteion barely paid them attention, her entire focus upon their first guest. How she harbored an affection for her that she could not explain. How that aside from the fact that she shares common traits with her, their guest’s thoughts were multifaceted with such different levels of depth and complexity like the facets of crystals. Her thoughts and feelings drew Meteion in and left with a desire to know more about her.

Meteion could not stop smiling either, something that their guest noticed, which left a warm smile on her lips as well as a hint of pleasant embarrassment at being observed such. Meteion only smiled wider at that and could sense that their guest liked her in return—which made her even happier.

“Well, you certainly have her attention,” the one called Hythlodaeus said with a chuckle. “Is she one of yours, Hermes?”

She felt Hermes’s pride shine through as he nodded and explained fondly, “Her name is Meteion. It means shooting star.”

Meteion beamed up at Hermes as she felt Hythlodaeus examining her, which she was used to and didn’t bother her at all as he said, “If I may make an observation, her aether is terribly thin, I fear she might dissipate at any moment. Nor do I believe you’ve made a submission to the bureau. I would remember such a concept if you had.”

Hermes only smiled as he patted Meteion on the head and answered, “I haven’t, as you say. I judged it too early. She’s a pet project of mine—still undergoing preliminary testing. But rest assured that I will attend in person ere long.”

Meteion couldn’t say that she understood everything that was being said, but soon after they finished discussing about her and the one called Emet-Selch started talking… it seemed that everything grew tense? Suddenly, the warm humming in Hermes soul seemed to freeze and turn to dread. Meteion looked at him in confusion as he reassured the others that he had a feeling what they were here about and promised that he would be willing to listen once he returned the Ambystoma to their homes. But as he looked behind them to the little ones in the pool… his dread soon turned to fear.

“What’s wrong, Hermes?” she chirped up politely.

“An Ambystoma is missing,” he whispered anxiously.

She looked and quickly counted, realizing that he was right. Out of the five Ambystomas… there were only four left. She looked around, not seeing where the little one went.

Yet, once the nice Hythlodaeus, pointed out that it went off in the direction of a tree, Hermes went running off after it and she went running after Hermes, wanting to help out however she could. She made it to the tree just as Hermes began to climb it, clambering up the branches quickly though he struggled with his long robes catching on the lower boughs. She looked up to near the topmost branches and the little Ambystoma was sitting there amongst the green leaves and understood.

She cheered on from below as she watched Hermes make it to the right branch and reach out to grab it… only for it to jump on his head. She briefly felt his surprise… and then embarrassment as he slipped and almost ended up falling over as he was left hanging upside down in the tree when his robes caught on the branch.

“Meteion! Catch it!” he called before he tumbled over and the little Ambystoma leapt from his head. She quickly reached out with her hands and caught the creation fortunately.

“There! You’re safe now,” she said to the Ambystoma before she put it on the ground—just as their guest arrived.

At the sight of her, Meteion lighten up at once as she told her what happened. The pretty lady looked up to Hermes, now hanging upside down, and called out, “Do you need a hand?”

Hermes groaned out before noticing them there.

“No, no, I’m fine,” he called. “If a little embarrassed. Now, for your own safety, please stand back…”

And he ended up rolling out of the tree and landed on the soft grass below him—but he still hit it hard enough that he moaned out in pain and rolled over onto his stomach. Meteion looked over at their guest, whom reflected the worry she felt.

“Hermes, are you all right?” Meteion asked, hoping he wasn’t hurt. Thankfully, Hermes got back to his feet and cleared his throat.

“Quite all right, yes… my apologizes for making you worry Meteion. Both you and… er…?”

That was when he looked to their guest, whom they didn’t even know her name yet. Or if she even had one? It wasn’t uncommon around here for some to wait for a name after all? Was she a new creation whose master sent her here?

But their guest smiled and told them, “Claire. My name is Claire Faye. But you can just call me Claire.”

“Claire Faye, you are called?” Hermes asked and a smile was on his lips. “An intriguing name, somehow reminiscent of a new creation… thank you for coming after me.”

Claire… it was such a pretty name! Meteion liked it at once as she tried to say it on her lips and found it surprisingly easy to do so.

Hermes, meanwhile, was speaking to her about the Ambystoma before he gasped out and she felt fear and alarm flood his senses as he cried out that he left the others on their own. Before he completely lost himself to panic, Claire quickly calmed him down by reassuring him that the other Ambystomas were safe because Hythlodaeus and Emet-Selch were looking after them for him until he came back.

At that, Hermes let out a sigh of relief before picking up their Ambystoma and returning it to the pool where their other guests were waiting. Meteion only stared at Claire in amazement. She had been able to help Hermes with his negative emotions so easily and quickly? Could she learn to do that as well?

She didn’t ask though for Hermes led them back to the pool where the others were waiting. It was here that they informed Hermes that they needed to discuss with him right away about something important—which he agreed to once the Ambystoma were returned.

She accompanied Hermes to take the Ambystoma back to their habitat and watched as he let them go into the small pool. Though he added a stern warning to the wayward Ambystoma to be more careful from here on out because he didn’t want him to get hurt.

Meteion couldn’t read the minds or emotions of most creations that clearly, but she could have sworn she felt a tingle of appreciation from the Ambystoma as it leapt back into the water.

“Hermes? What did you need to talk to our visitors about?” she asked curiously as she followed after him back to the main building.

“Oh, something to do with the Convocation, most likely,” he sighed and suddenly she felt the dread return and she frowned slightly.

“Is it something bad?” she asked worriedly.

“No, but it is neither cause for joy,” he explained. “I fear that it’s rather complicated.”

Hermes just forced a smile he did not truly feel as he told her that they shouldn’t keep their guests waiting. She followed after though as she did climb the stairs she could hear the one called Emet-Selch speaking with Claire, telling her that she was not to take part of this meeting.

To her surprise, she heard Claire retort that she had important things to discuss with Hermes as well, which Emet-Selch disregarded. He even threatened to remove her by force if she would not leave willingly. Meteion was just astonished though, for despite the fact that she was smaller than Emet-Selch, and a mere familiar, she didn’t seem to be the least bit intimidated by him. Usually, familiars were to follow every order given to them… common enough for those ones without souls… but Claire clearly had one. So what did that mean?

Just then, Hermes interrupted them, walking in through the doors with her at his heels, reassuring them that he had no problems with Claire attending the meeting as well, which took Emet-Selch by surprise and tried to argue the case.

But Hermes countered and said that he believed that she could be trusted otherwise she, Meteion, would not have taken to her so easily. Meteion nodded, wondering if it was really only because of her own quick attachment to Claire that Hermes also felt it. However, Meteion could not feel even the slightest bit of malicious intentions from Claire… explaining it was difficult… but something about her presence seemed to… relax everyone in the room. It was like she created an aura of calm around her and everyone near it was swept up in it.

What really drew her attention the most was how calm that Hermes now seemed and he was looking at Claire with great captivation, much like how Meteion had done before. She wondered if that was her special gift like how Meteion could read people’s emotions?

When he realized that he was outnumbered, Emet-Selch sighed in defeat before growling at Claire to behave herself.

Claire took a seat at the table like the others while Meteion stood back, right between her and where Hermes sat. Another thing about Claire’s behavior that shocked her since familiars were often treated as less than people. Not in a bad way, just not up to the same high standards as the rest of mankind was and were often told to stand off to the side rather than seat with them at the table. Hermes was the acceptation to that rule and when they were alone—or even with the other researchers—he would insist that she take a seat at his side. But it seemed that this Emet-Selch was a very important person and so he was willing to have things go ‘normally’ for a change.

Meteion saw how some of the others were mildly surprised by Claire’s boldness but no one spoke up as she watched on with interest. Was she truly just a familiar?

But then they started talking and Meteion found herself quickly becoming lost as they talked about this ‘Fandaniel’ and how he wanted Hermes to become the next ‘Fandaniel’? She knew of the Convocation, of course, but it seemed that they now wanted Hermes to join them, which Hermes was very reluctant to do. She could feel the pleasant tingle of pride inside him at the honor of being selected… but there was also that dread and anger there as well at the thought. For it meant that if he took up the seat of Fandaniel then the current Fandaniel would, as they put it, ‘return to the star’.

“Return to the star?” she questioned, her curiosity growing at the term. “Does that mean… die?”

Hythlodaeus looked at her with amazement and said, “Well now, that’s not a word I hear often… is that what you say here in Elpis?”

She nodded, fearing that she spoke out of line, but Hythlodaeus just smiled back and she felt relief to see that she wasn’t in trouble for interrupting them.

“Mankind is the life of Etheirys,” he explained to her. “Each of us a drop of blood flowing through its veins, bearing sustenance. In our finite time upon it, ‘tis our duty to make it a better place, that all who call it home now and in the future may abide in happiness. To that end, we have dedicated ourselves to the pursuit of enlightened creation. And by our efforts did we transform this once-untamed wilderness into the peaceful paradise you enjoy today. To return to the star whence we came is a privilege afforded to we who have so loved and nurtured it. A choice embraced by those who have lived their lives to the fullest, in service to our world. And when they depart upon this journey, it is beautiful. Always.”

Beautiful? Meteion never thought of it that way before. But then… why did Hermes get so upset whenever someone mentioned death? She could feel his anger and sorrow when they discussed this ‘Fandaniel’ and how he would soon be ready to return to the Star and wanted Hermes to take over his role. She felt his pain and suddenly she felt sad as well, lowering her head as the feathers on the sides of her head drooped as his sorrow felt choking. It was as if there was a heavy weight inside her chest that she could not release and she struggled to breathe. She wanted to make it stop, to help him feel better… but again, she knew not how to do so.

Without her realizing it, Claire was looking at her, noticing her low head and how she was rubbing her hands together anxiously. It seemed that this caught Hermes attention and he followed her gaze to see what she was looking at.

“Oh no,” he groaned when he realized it was happening again. “I’ve made her upset…” He then looked back to Claire and asked her, “Forgive me—I know I requested your presence. Might I trouble you to take Meteion outside? A change of scenery would do her good.”

Claire nodded, not saying a single word or showing any signs of being upset. But Meteion could feel it just as loudly as she could feel Hermes pain—that shred of disappointment as well as worry as she got up. She wanted to reassure them, but Claire had already come to her.

“Are you alright?” Claire asked her kindly.

“I’m sorry, Claire… I didn’t want—don’t mean—” she tried to explain before sighing. “A walk. Perhaps we can go for a walk?”

She felt terrible for she knew that Claire came here wanting to speak with Hermes and she was taking that chance away. But Claire just nodded in understanding as she led her to the door. As soon as they were outside, she felt Hermes sadness fade and she let out another sigh she didn’t realize she was holding when it did. But still, she felt terrible for causing trouble to them.

Meteion then felt Claire’s confusion to what happened in there and turned around to face her.

“Hermes gets sad. When he thinks about death,” she explained to Claire. “When others are sad, I’m sad too. That’s how I am. How he made me.” She didn’t want to talk anymore about that and instead asked her, “So… why did you come here?”

Claire hesitated and she could sense something deeper that she could not see. A turmoil of emotions she could not truly place was suddenly tumbling around inside her as she seemed to struggle to voice what she wanted as well.

Meteion was fascinated by all that until Claire finally decided upon telling her, “I wish to learn more about both Hermes and Elpis.”

It wasn’t a lie… but not the full truth either. But she could tell that her feelings were genuine in her desire to learn more of this place and that perked Meteion up instantly. She felt that Claire was here for a reason and was trying to find answers to a very hard problem and Meteion wanted to help her find those answers. But she also wanted to learn more of her and so she gave a suggestion, that she would take her around Elpis and help her answer her questions if she would tell her more of herself in exchange—which Claire agreed with.

And so began their little trek across the facility as she introduced her to some of the researchers and they began to tell her more of Elpis. Claire was interested in all of this, but Meteion could tell that there were still questions inside her as if she wasn’t sure what it was that she was supposed to be looking for. But like she promised, she would answer Meteion’s questions and she learned so far that Claire had come here from a far, far away place that was facing a great threat and she was looking for answers here that may help her save it.

Meteion was amazed. She had no idea that such a place would exist—didn’t everyone always say that even in the most derelict places on this star were still full of plenty for the people? And that if there were any serious problems than those of the Convocation could handle any kind of threat?

“But this place is important to you,” she pointed out, feeling how Claire was determined to do anything to help out her ‘home’. “I can feel it. Oh, my power! I haven’t told you about it!”

“Your powers?” Claire repeated wonderingly and Meteion nodded.

“A creation,” she answered, looking around. “Let’s find a creation. One not being watched. Then I’ll explain my power!”

She didn’t wish to interrupt someone observing a creation and so decided to find one with no one around to make sure that they weren’t bothering them. Meteion smiled as she grabbed hold of Claire’s hand and happily lead her across some of the research pools and looked around to find a creation. Soon enough, she spotted a large, rather mean-looking bird with grey feathers and big bill sitting upon a wall as it seemed content to gaze out at the fields and flowers as if fascinated by them.

“Oh! This creation is perfect!” Meteion chirped, though she was a bit lost now since she wasn’t sure when this bird arrived. “But… I don’t remember seeing it before. Perhaps it’s new?”

“A shoebill,” Claire muttered. “I’ve seen them before.”

Shoebill? That’s a funny sounding name. It made her giggle at the thought but she then proudly declared, “Anyway, I’ll try reading its mind. That’s my power.”

Claire waited as Meteion shut her eyes and tried to think. So reached out with her abilities to try and discover what the Shoebill was thinking…? But… nothing. There was nothing going on inside its head. That was strange. The way that it was staring ahead like that couldn’t help but trick one into thinking that it was deep in thought on something. But she honestly picked up nothing from the strange bird.

“Hmmm… I can’t read it. Or maybe… there’s nothing to read?” she asked before looking back to Claire, feeling disappointed in herself that she couldn’t show her…?

“Wait… please, wait… I’ll try again. With you this time,” she gasped.

She picked up a trace of unease from Claire, but she nodded as Meteion closed her eyes and tried again to convey her feelings to her. Meteion wished that Hermes would let her speak more this way for she found it so much easier to convey what she wanted to say than how she normally speaks. Still, Meteion explained how this was her power to read the emotions of those around her and project her emotions onto others in return. That she wasn’t actually speaking to her in her mind, rather she was converting her emotions into words and intentions. How she harbored an affection for her that she could not explain but that she sensed that she was a good person and how her complicated thoughts were like a beacon that Meteion could not ignore. She reassured Claire that out of respect for her privacy, she will refrain from using her powers when speaking with her. But finished by confirming that she wished so dearly to be her friend. She then cut it off there as she opened her eyes and asked, “Did you… hear me?”

Claire was smiling at her. She then felt Claire’s pleasure shining through that felt like sunlight upon her skin and feathers. And she felt her emotions clearly say: “Of course I’d love to be your friend.”

Meteion’s eyes lit up as she gave a smile so wide that it hurt her face and giggled with delight.

“Good! Now it’s my turn again! So… what are you good at?”

A rather coy smile appeared before she answered ‘playing’. Meteion wasn’t sure what playing was but Claire described it as having fun and doing something silly with your friends. Meteion was still wondering what she meant before Claire decided to show her and grabbed her. At that, Meteion burst out laughing as she felt her sides being tickled and they ended up flopping into the grass as they rolled—now both of them laughing.

Meteion was eager to learn and begged for more for this ‘playing’ and Claire taught her a couple of games. One was called ‘tag’ where one of them was ‘it’ and she had to chase her around so that she would be ‘it’ and chase her. Meteion laughed as Claire quickly caught up with her and tickled her again as a punishment for being ‘it’ and told her that now she had to chase her. Meteion grinned as she ran after her, not as fast as her new friend was, but was able to jump and knocked them both to the ground as she tickled her. After that, she learned a game called hide-and-seek… where one would be ‘it’ again and count so that the other would have time to hide. After that, the goal was to find the other in their hiding place. They played that one for a long time since Meteion wasn’t able to stay hidden for long because of her laughter giving her away each time.

She liked playing. It was fun and only wished that Hermes could join them! She was just wondering if they could ask Hermes to join them next time before she noticed the grey bird was looking at them as if it were annoyed and decided that now was a good time to go.

“I haven’t had time to play like that in a long time,” she sighed, still smiling as Meteion looked up at her with awe. “It was a welcomed distraction.”

Still, there was much she wanted to show Claire and so Meteion took her new friend’s hand as she led her up the stairs, deciding to show her what she liked the most. She brought Claire to Euanthe and asked for an apple.

“The kind Hermes likes,” she clarified when she felt Euanthe’s curiosity, “Covered in syrup. I want to share it with Claire!”

“Oh, candied apple?” Euanthe asked in understanding with a hint of laughter and disapproval. “Hermes is certainly partial to them, but you know you can’t eat, Meteion. You weren’t made to do so.”

That was true. One time when she asked Hermes why she could not enjoy eating food like he could, he explained that it was because if she was to cross the Great Expanse then it would be more a hindrance than anything if she needed food. She muttered, “B-But I like it too.”

“It may seem that way, but it’s due to your ability to share others’ feelings,” Euanthe answered. “You’ve taken Hermes’s likes for your own. In any case, I can’t prepare an apple right now, but I’ll bring one for Hermes soon. I promise.”

Meteion knew better than to ask again and so nodded, but she still felt bad. She really wanted Claire to see those candied apples and told her, “I’m sorry, Claire… I wanted to shoe you my favorite thing. Then I could ask about yours. But I failed…”

“That’s alright,” Claire said. “I’ve had candied apples before and I know how sweet they are.”

Meteion looked up and asked eagerly, “Oh, so you can eat food too?”

Claire nodded and began to tell her of some of the things she liked to do as they went back outside. The kind of foods that she liked to make and activities she enjoyed. How she enjoyed cooking delicious foods to snack on while she traveled… how she loved to craft with her own hands with a needle and thread… how simply going outside on a clear, cloudless day to see new sights… or simply laying down in the grass as she looked up at the stars while feeling the dew underneath her on a warm night… just to watch the sun rising the next morning…?

Meteion listened raptured as she felt the joy that radiated from her friend the more that she talked of her favorite things. Just the passions that rose up in her heart made Meteion love all these things as well.

“Ooh, that’s what you like?” she asked eagerly. “Yes… yes, I can feel it! Your joy and happiness! And it makes me happy too! Thanks for sharing it with me, Claire!”

She was so enthralled by these joys that she suddenly wanted to experience them herself and she asked hopefully, “Will you show me some of those things someday?”

Claire just smiled and nodded once, which made Meteion jump about in elated joy.

Chapter Text

Unfortunately, things turned bad rather quickly when word reached Hermes that the Iykanones were being reconsidered on being released and instead be returned to aether.

Meteion had only seen the Iykanones a few times but she knew right away she didn’t like being around them. For she only felt a blind rush of anger and savagery from them that frightened her. It wasn’t like they wanted to hunt the other creations here because they were hungry… they were just so… angry that when they saw something they had to attack it. Meteion didn’t like that at all. Still, she hoped that they wouldn’t decide to unmake them, it would only upset Hermes.

She knew enough to know that Hermes was going to speak with the other researchers about the Iykanones fates and she could feel the anxiety inside him growing higher and higher as he secretly knew that they were right in that there was nothing they could do for the Iykanones aggressive behavior.

He was suffering, inside, and she knew that being around him would only make it worse since he would see how upset she was from feeling his emotions.

“I won’t go to the meeting,” she said, stepping beside Claire and turning her face away so he wouldn’t see her pained expression. “I’ll… stay with Claire.”

She wanted to be around that calmness that Claire seemed to create and knew that it would be for the best for everyone. Still, she wanted Hermes permission before she stayed behind. She silently pleaded with him to allow it; least her presence only reflect the sadness he felt. She felt an uncomfortable unease coming from him as if he were both glad she was leaving and sad that she wasn’t coming with him? That was strange.

But he gave an understanding nod, asking if Claire could stay with Meteion until the meeting was over, which she agreed to. It was a surprise when Meteion realized that Claire was feeling sad about this as well—though in a different way from both her and Hermes. Meteion became aware that Claire could feel Hermes’ sadness and was worried for him. Though she couldn’t feel it like Meteion could… she just knew that he was sad without having to feel it from him. It was like she could completely understand what others were feeling without being an entelechy. Meteion wanted to say something about it but found herself unable to form words as she watched Hermes leave with the others, leaving just her and Claire alone.

“Are you alright?” Claire asked her gently, placing a hand on her shoulder and Meteion liked that immediately, feeling herself calm down almost at once.

“Um…” Meteion looked down at the ground, a bit hesitant. “Actually, I… Can you help me with something, Claire?”

She looked back to Claire who blinked and tilted her head inquisitively and Meteion could feel how she wanted to help but was wondering just what she was about to ask. So she explained, “The meeting… it’ll make Hermes sad. So I want to cheer him up. With a flower.”

Claire’s expression didn’t change but she felt how a tiny bulb of curiosity suddenly blossomed inside her at the answer. Meteion then explained nervously, “Hermes likes flowers the most… of all the creations here in Elpis. Most creations are expected to be interesting. Or beautiful. Or strong. Better in some way… But flowers are different. They’re designed to suit our emotions. What we feel and want to convey… Hermes likes that.”

“Do they?” Claire asked with a chuckle and Meteion sighed favorably at how Claire seemed to like that idea as well. As a matter of fact, Claire reminded Meteion a little bit of a flower. Her pretty pink hair and rosy cheeks the same shade as many flowers that grew here in Elpis… with her bright green eyes also reminded her of healthy leaves.

“Do you… like flowers, too?” Meteion asked curiously and Claire smiled as she gave a nod, which made Meteion very pleased to hear it.

So now they had an important job to do and off they went to find a flower for Hermes. So they set off, searching about the area to find one that she thought that Hermes might like. Claire was quick to find unique kinds of flowers—which is important since Elpis had no shortage of flowers—but finding the perfect one for Hermes turned out to be harder than she first thought.

Hermes taught her that when giving a gift to someone it was important to always think of the recipient first. So while she liked the flowers Claire tracked down, none of them seemed to fit right for Hermes.

As they walked, Meteion started chatting with Claire again, telling her more of some of the many creations that were currently here and how she hoped that they make it into the world someday. Claire didn’t interrupt her as she let her talk and talk… something that Meteion usually had trouble with other people—save for Hermes—and thought that it was fun being able to enjoy her time with someone else like this.

As much as she loved to be with Hermes and help him with his work—it wasn’t the same as when she was playing with Claire. Hermes often said to her that it was time to play, but it was really more of following him around as he observed the creations here. While she did enjoy it, she wished that she could share those wonderful feelings in her heart with Hermes right now so that he could enjoy himself too.

The two of them looked and looked, yet still found nothing that she was satisfied with. She was starting to think that they weren’t going to find anything until something white caught her attention.

She and Claire went over to see what it was, and that was when she spotted a cluster of flowers shining in the fading sun. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the beautiful Elpis flowers—as white as snow like they almost always were.

“So they’re here, too!” Meteion chirped as she knelt down on the grass to admire them. She had always liked these flowers the most, for they were just like her… able to feel the emotions of all those around her.

“And those entities like the Elpis flower, that have the ability to interact with this energy, converting emotions into tangible phenomena… are entelechies.”

“That’s me, that’s me! An entelechy!”

For some reason, Meteion found herself remembering that conversation long after they moved on. Hermes explained to the others of the Elpis flowers and how they could interact with the feelings of those around them much like herself… for they were both Entelechies.

“So… are we the same? Entelechies?”

That had been a question that Meteion had been trying to figure out. For Claire was so much like her but not like her at the same time. Her aether was almost as thin… and even Hermes confirmed that Claire could interact with dynamis—though it was much more limited.

Either way, Meteion continued to be fascinated by her new friend, not caring if she was an Entelechy or not. She just smiled and called Claire her ‘friend in thinness’ as they went about their tour of Elpis. She took a lot of pride as she helped to show off some of the latest creations that they were studying and she could feel Claire’s amazement as she stared up at these creations.

However, more than once, Meteion caught her running off to speak with other researchers and to help them with various tasks—which Meteion found to be amazing that she could do all that they asked of her and so quickly. When she asked her about it, Claire just gave an awkward laugh and confessed that she was used to helping people out and it was no problem.

But it was more than that, Meteion was sure… she could feel how Claire’s heart seemed to soar at the thought of helping others… just to brighten someone’s day was enough to bring her happiness and Meteion adored those unexpected feelings all the more for it. Perhaps that was what inspired her to try and help Hermes now.

“Hermes likes and dislikes them, at the same time,” Meteion explained, running her finger along one of the soft petals as the white seemed to twinkle a bit in the growing darkness. “Like me, they’re entelechies. Like me, they feel his pain and turn dark…”

She could remember the first time that she saw it happen. How Hermes was explaining to her how her powers worked and as they talked… the flowers turned dark as he recalled his darker emotions. She could remember how his breath seemed to catch in his throat and how she felt herself turning happy to sad at the same moment.

She became sad just thinking about that day and muttered, “That’s only for Hermes, though. For others, they’re always white and bright.”

“Elpis flowers…” she heard Claire say as she gazed down at the flowers, even taking a step back from them as if afraid for a moment.

Meteion glanced up at her, curious, and asked, “Claire…? Is something wrong?”

“Hmm? Oh, no it’s nothing. Just that… where I come from, we have them too,” she explained before her eyes looked away and became distant. Much like Hermes did when he was thinking about something that brought him pain. “And… I used to have one… it had been a gift… but… it turned dark. So dark that it… turned to ash in my hands.”

“Truly?!” Meteion gasped as she stood up, staring at her as she realized what she was saying. “Then… Do you have it, too? A dark emotion?”

She knew that it was rude to ask such a question, Hermes would tell her that it was impolite to come right out and ask someone what they were feeling like that, but she just had to know. The way that Claire was able to play with her before… the way that she still smiled with such kindness would make one wonder. She never would have expected her to have any dark emotions from what she felt from before…?

But when she looked at Claire’s face, how she looked away with that forced smile… she realized that it had to be true. Because it was the same look that Hermes always wore whenever something weighed upon his mind… whenever he was hurting inside and didn’t wish for anyone else to know… or maybe didn’t expect anyone else to understand.

Claire was silent for a moment before she shut her eyes and nodded.

“I’ve known the pain and sorrow of loss,” she confessed quietly.

She did not elaborate but when she next opened her eyes, Meteion could see how much older her eyes looked. Another thing that she shared with Hermes—for despite his young face, his eyes always seemed to be so much older compared to everyone else whenever he was lost in darker memories.

That was when Meteion felt this painful ache inside her that accompanied a hollowness that was bottomless. It was a different kind of ache… but one just as powerful as the kind that seemed to follow Hermes around like a shadow.

She reached up to her chest and Claire looked on, realizing that she was feeling her pain and Meteion gazed back sadly.

“Hermes has known the same… The feeling that a part of you is gone. Again and again. But no one notices…” she explained softly to Claire before she looked back to the flowers and an idea came to her. Part of the reason that Hermes doesn’t share his pain with anyone is that he doesn’t think that anyone would understand… but if he could see that he’s not the only person who feels that way… then perhaps…?

She nodded, a plan forming in her mind as she looked back to Claire and pleaded, “Please, Claire… Won’t you lend it to me? Your pain and sorrow…”

Claire turned her head to look at her as she repeated slowly, not understanding, “Lend it to you?”

“The Elpis flower… I want you to make it dark, in front of Hermes,” she asked and Claire seemed very hesitant about that idea. But Meteion pressed on as she explained, “Hermes… He has been in a dark place. Since before he created me.”

This she knew all too well. She could remember those first few days she spent with him as she looked about Elpis and got to know more about Hermes and what they did here. According to her sisters before they left on their mission, they had long since felt Hermes suffering and it was an older kind of pain—one that had been there for a long time. Fresh pain was sharp and vivid… but old pain… it tended to fester and ache. Even as it looked like it faded with time, it was always there like a lingering scar. Hermes seemed to be carrying around such scars inside him and so she pleaded with Claire, “He needs to know… that he isn’t alone. That others are sad, too.”

She, of course, knows what emotions are but she can’t express them like other people could. That was why even though she was hurting, it’s not really her pain she felt… she still needs Claire to change the color of the flowers to show Hermes.

“Meteion, I’m…?” Claire began slowly, and Meteion could tell that she was very unsure about all this. Maybe even… a little afraid? For some reason, revealing emotions seemed to be very difficult for people at times. Hermes explained to her that it was because those emotions often come with bad memories and people try not to reflect on the bad ones if they could help it.

Meteion knew that she was asking a lot of Claire to remember these dark memories of hers, but she honestly believed that they would be able to help Hermes and he needed that help now more than ever.

She waited, pleading that Claire would agree as she thought it over. There was a turmoil of an emotional state inside her that seemed to spin… but in the end, they seemed to still and she nodded in agreement and Meteion felt a surge of relief at that.

“Oh, thank you, Claire!” she cried, now hopping up and down upon her clawed feet in anticipation before grabbing hold of her arm to eagerly pull her back to the Twelve Wonders to fetch Hermes.

***

Night had fully fallen as the two of them continued to wait outside the Hall of the Twelve Wonders for Hermes to join them. Meteion didn’t want to wait though… she wanted to show Hermes the flowers right away.

She took a few deep breaths, remembering how Hermes always said how important it was for one to have patience. Instead, she turned and began to pepper Claire with more questions about the world that she had seen. Meteion, herself, had never been allowed to stray past the farthest islands here in Elpis and so this place was all she had ever known. Even her sisters had never seen the rest of Etheirys before they took their journey to the heavens; so Meteion was curious to know more about it.

Claire seemed to be tense when discussing this, but she told her about dungeons that were dank and dark as well as mountains that were so high they could reach the skies… she spoke of blue and white shores upon the ocean and of the many different flowers that grew in places around the world. She was even able to pull out a few flowers that she had saved on her journey and show them to her, which caused Meteion’s eyes to lighten up at the sight. Claire explained how she liked to write of her adventures in her journal and even pressed flowers between the pages of places that she visited so they remained as pretty as the day that she found them. They were all so beautiful yet it wasn’t until she pulled out a pouch of dried flowers that she truly saw how wondrous the outside world was.

“Though I think that you have some here, where I come from, these are from a flower called Nymeia Lilies,” Claire explained as the sweet smell filled the air when she showed her the dried flowers. “I still have some over from… well, they were given to me by another traveler when he made it into potpourri.”

“Wow! It smells so sweet!” Meteion said as Claire handed the little bundle over to her.

“A gift then, to my ‘friend in thinness’,” she told her fondly.

“Really?!” Meteion asked, with her eyes wide and Claire nodded and Meteion leapt up happily as she breathed in the wonderful scent once more.

“And these things will last for years,” Claire promised. “But I’m sure they aren’t that hard to make. So you can make your own potpourri with different flowers.”

“Oh, can I?!” Meteion asked with amazement. “Can you teach me?!”

Claire laughed and told her she wasn’t entirely sure about that but gave a quick discussion on what she knew of the process—how one had to mix the dried flowers, which Meteion nodded along eagerly. She couldn’t wait to try making her own. They were having so much fun talking that she didn’t notice right away that Hermes had arrived until she heard the door open and looked up to see him striving towards them.

As he did, she suddenly felt a wave of regret and sorrow emanating from him and her own spirits sank. He was unhappy… it seemed that the talk with the other researchers about the creations didn’t go well. In fact, his thoughts were so far away that he didn’t notice the two of them there until she called out to him.

“Oh… You were waiting for me,” he said, finally noticing and coming over to greet them. She could see his smile but knew that it wasn’t a real smile this time. She could feel just how distracted and tired he was all of a sudden.

But his voice still remained light as he thanked Claire for keeping her company all this time.

“Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus have already retired to their rooms. There is one for you too, if you would follow me…” he began as he started to turn away.

“Wait!” Meteion cried as she moved, stepping in front of him and preventing him from taking another step. When she realized that she all but cornered him, she became meek once more and instead told him hesitantly, “I… I want to show you something first!”

She felt Hermes’s turmoil of emotions swirl about him as both confusion and surprise were mixed in now as well. He looked from her to Claire, who only gave a slight smile and a nod—not saying a word. Meteion could tell that Hermes wasn’t in the mood to talk tonight, but she reached out and took his hand, silently speaking to him with her abilities… reassuring him that she just wanted to show him something.

She wasn’t sure if he heard her—oftentimes people have trouble hearing her emotions as well—but he seemed to relax and nodded.

“Very well,” he agreed at last, “I know that it’s often rude to keep guests up late but if you both are sure…? I suppose we can stay up for a little longer. What is it that you wanted to show me?”

Meteion just smiled and led him away from the buildings. They took the same route that she and Claire took before, and sure enough she spotted the flowers in the shade of the boulder. She hoped that this would work… oh, it had to work! In her eagerness, she started to tug at Hermes’s hand before he reassured her patiently, “Calm yourself, Meteion. What is it that has you so worked up over?”

She just grinned as she let go of his hand and brought him and Claire back to the tiny patch of Elpis flowers that seemed to sparkle in the starlight above them. Set there as if they had been waiting for them.

Hermes looked from her, wondering what was going on, before he spotted the flowers, having not been sure what he was expecting.

“Elpis flowers…?” he asked them and she could feel that he had been aware that there was a small patch growing here and was now baffled to why they were showing him. Meteion just took a deep breath before she looked to Claire.

“Go on!” she urged her and Claire nodded before she bent down next to the flowers. Meteion watched how she looked at them long and hard before closing her eyes.

That was when she felt it.

There was a hollow pain in her chest as a storm of emotion like dark clouds began to roll about inside her friend. They were heavy and obscure… like a suffocating weight that seemed to come baring down upon her. Along with it was a pain so terrible that it was as if something sharp was clawing at her insides, fighting to get out… and a sorrow so deep that it was as a pit where one could not see the bottom. Grief… the pain of departure… such pain… such sorrow… she lost something—no, many somethings—important to her. And a vast loneliness that she felt even when she was surrounded by everyone else.

It was agony to feel it even just for a moment.

But Claire was feeling all of that right now as whatever memories played themselves inside her mind… and sure enough, the flowers changed their color from the pretty white to that of a purple so dark that they looked black.

She heard Hermes gasp slightly at the sight as Claire looked up at him. Meteion, who had been watching Hermes, now felt only a stunned shock from him at the sight of the darkened flowers.

“You’re not the only one, Hermes,” she told him softly. “Others… feel sad, too. You’re… not alone.”

Hermes remained in that state of shock as it seemed to push all of his other emotions away for the moment while he tried to find his voice. He remained silent, as if he didn’t know what to say, but his eyes turned from the flowers to Claire as she stood up.

“I… see Meteion has shared much with you,” he said at last, as if that was all that he could say.

No one said anything and the emotions she was picking up from them both were so confusing that she wasn’t sure what was going on. But then, the shock seemed to thaw away from Hermes heart as a new warmth began to take root. A fondness that Hermes rarely felt for anything outside his work… but this warmth seemed to spread through his chest and filled every corner of his being as he lifted his hand to remove his mask.

Meteion was surprised by this rare event. Aside from visitors, everyone here were only allowed to leave their cowls off while they worked but were still expected to keep their masks. To reveal one’s bare face was something that was incredibly uncommon for it was a sign of vulnerability that most felt when asked to remove them. Much less to another familiar or even a creation?

But she had always liked it those few times Hermes was able to remove his mask and she could see his face. But he was smiling at them both as this new feeling seemed to bring to him a lightness that she could not remember seeing Hermes have for such a long time. Like a terrible weight had been lifted from his mind. He understood that he wasn’t the only one sad any longer, that he didn’t have to feel as alone as he first thought, and when he removed his mask he was showing himself for who he truly was for this moment.

Meteion smiled jubilantly at that before she whispered to Claire with excitement, “It worked!”

Claire didn’t seem to understand how big this was, but she smiled back, where Meteion could feel that she was glad that she could help them.

A soft hum seemed to come from Hermes’s soul as he looked on at the pair of them with those kind eyes. He then drifted over to Claire and asked, “May we… talk a moment?”

Claire nodded before Hermes looked to Meteion and added, “I wish to share a few words with Claire. Why don’t you go and observe some of the fireflies for me? Afterwards, I think that it will be bed for all of us.”

Meteion could tell that he really wanted to talk more with Claire about what he just saw and she nodded, glad that he was able to find someone to talk too. She skipped off to do as he told her—but though she could no longer hear what they were talking about, she still stayed close enough to them that they were in sight. Hermes often warned her not to wander off where he couldn’t see her in case something tried to attack.

She let the two of them talk as she chased the twinkling insects and watched the tiny creations scatter and play about in the tall grass. Many of these creations liked to come out at night, nocturnal was what Hermes called them, and so at night is often the only time she can see them.

As she gazed up at the tiny lights she could feel Hermes and Claire’s emotions behind her almost like a tiny flame. There was something soothing about it and it seems that Hermes could feel it as well. He seemed to take comfort in having Claire around. It was as if there was some kind of wall between him and others that he was slowly allowing to fall down as they spoke. His dread and anxiety seemed to have melted away to leave a more contented emotion—there was still pain there, but it was muted now in a way that, not fully healed, but no longer bleeding.

After a time, Hermes called out to her, telling her it was time to return. And when he did call out, she could feel a new relief from him which she liked at once. She did it! She was able to find a way to help him for the first time! It felt so good to know that she was able to do so and hoped that she could help him every time from now on.

But she suspected that there would only be one way to remove that pain for good.

As she returned to them, she paused for a moment to look up at the sky that was full of stars. Once her sisters finished their mission and were able to answer his questions…? Then maybe he could finally be truly happy.

***

“You’re smiling more than usual, Meteion,” Hermes commented as he gently patted her head as they walked back. “I take it you had a good day?”

Meteion had followed Hermes back to their regular resting quarters at this point, entering the building to the glow of the lanterns that were waiting for them.

Meteion wished that she could have played a bit longer, but she understood how important it was for one to get their sleep. She didn’t need sleep necessarily, but Hermes had granted her a way that she can curl up and enter hibernation to help conserve energy if she needed to. Most familiars were able to shut down whenever and wherever they were told, but Hermes had given her a room here right next to his, and he escorted her into said room.

There wasn’t much here save for a desk filled with all manner of things that Meteion had collected over the years. Such as feathers from various bird creations that she thought were pretty, colorful crystals and stones, and flower petals scattered about. It was rather messy, but Meteion always cooed when she saw them and would excitedly remind Hermes of the special days when she acquired these, which always caused him to smile at the memories.

Aside from this there was a small bed with a blue blanket that was underneath a window that revealed the beautiful night sky and the stars that Meteion would spend hours gazing up. As soon as they entered, Hermes waved his hand so that a dim light of the lantern hanging from the ceiling cast everything in a soft glow and Meteion eagerly leapt onto the bed.

Hermes chuckled at seeing how happy she was as Meteion hugged her pillow in delight.

A little bit earlier, before coming back here, Hermes had guided Claire to a small room that was given to guests. Like with Meteion’s room, there wasn’t much there save the bed, desk, and a water basin that Hermes filled to the brim for her with clear, cool water.

After learning that she was able to eat normal food, he promised that he would also send someone to bring a meal to her as he had done for Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus if she was hungry. Hermes also stated that if she needed anything at all, to please ask any of the researchers and just give them his name if there were any problems. She thanked them for thinking of her and reassured them that this was more than enough.

“You… will be alright?” Meteion asked, not wanting to say goodnight yet.

Claire merely beamed back at her and promised that they will play some more tomorrow and that she would tell her more stories if she would like. At that, Meteion’s eyes lit up and she leapt up and down in excitement as she chirped how much she would love it. She could feel Claire’s fondness for her at seeing how much joy she was in, which only made Meteion even happier. What a good day it had been!

“Yes!” she cried out, unable to hold back her own glee as Hermes sat down on the edge of the bed to watch her. “Claire taught me so much today! We even played games while you were speaking with the others. I had a lot of fun! I want to play with her more tomorrow!”

He laughed at that and brushed her bangs from her face as he let her talk happily about her day.

“Is that so? Well, I’m glad that she seems to be a good influence on you,” he told her. “So long as she doesn’t mind then neither do I if she accompanies us tomorrow. It is good to see you both get along so well.”

“She’s so different from everyone, but she is more like me!” Meteion told him. “She is like me… but also, not like me. So she really isn’t an Entelechy?”

“Hmmm,” Hermes mused inquisitional. “That is a good question. Her aether is just as thin as yours, and while it seems that she is able to interact with Dynamis to a certain degree… it doesn’t appear to be the case that she is an Entelechy. She seems to be more… in-between a regular person and an Entelechy. I must confess that to see those Elpis blooms turn dark like that…? It took me by surprise. I cannot remember ever seeing them turn dark for any other save myself.”

“Yeah,” Meteion said softly as she thought of more of what she felt in that moment when Claire knelt beside the flowers. “I felt it… her pain and sorrow… her loneliness and fear… it was a lot like how you felt, Hermes.”

“Is that so?” he asked a little absent-mindedly. “One can’t help but wonder what it was that she was thinking of. But I know this, for those flowers to turn dark like that, they must truly be painful memories.”

To hear that, made Meteion feel sadness once more and she wished, again, that there was something she could do to help them with their pain. But how was she to do that?

“How long will she be staying here? Can she stay for longer?” Meteion asked curiously and he tilted his head at that.

“I’m afraid that is up to her,” he answered. “She isn’t a creation sent here for study after all… rather it seems that she came here for another reason—though it is a bit of a mystery what that reason is. According to Hythlodaeus, she is the familiar of Azem, another member of the Convocation like Emet-Selch. I never had the pleasure to meet Azem in person, at least not yet, but I’ve heard more than a few rumors about her. If even half of them are true, then I suppose it’s not so surprising that her familiar is… different.”

“Really?” Meteion asked, wondering about this ‘Azem’ person and Hermes nodded.

“As far as I know, a concept hasn’t been submitted yet…?” he said but she shook her head.

“No, I don’t want a concept like her, I want her here,” Meteion frowned. She wanted her friend here with them, not for Hermes to make her a new one.

“Now, Meteion,” he said soothingly to her. “I never said otherwise. But know that there is a good chance she will have to leave sooner rather than later. However, I’m sure that we can ask Claire to come back to visit us from time to time. And even if she has other duties as Azem’s familiar, from what I heard, Azem is not the type to turn down those in need. I’m sure that if she were to learn how attached you have become to Claire then she wouldn’t have any problems in allowing her to visit us here when she’s not busy.”

This seemed like a good idea and she perked up immediately at the suggestion and nodded back as Hermes chuckled.

“Good, I’m sure that when she is getting ready to leave Elpis we can talk to her more about it,” he reassured her. “More than anything, I’m glad to see that you were able to make a new friend. Tell me, you mentioned you played games…?”

Meteion happily began to tell him all about how she led her around Elpis and of some of her favorite things. She showed her the potpourri that Claire gifted to her, filling the room with its sweet scent. Hermes was fascinated by the idea of keeping flowers in such a way and promised that they would look into make their own if she liked. But he seemed to be surprised by the ‘games’ that Claire played with her.

“You were chasing each other around and tickling each other?” he repeated before he laughed. “My, that would have been a sight! And you enjoyed this?”

Meteion beamed at him and nodded as she answered, “Claire and I… I wanted to be her friend! And now, I think we are! Isn’t this what friends do?”

“Well, while I never heard of these games before, yes, that is what friends do,” he reassured her. “Friends are when we enjoy the company of another. And for children, as well as very playful familiars it seems, they often run and play with each other.”

Meteion laughed and then asked, “Will you join us next time, Hermes?”

The sudden question took him aback and she felt the sudden flux of surprise and a little embarrassment rise up inside him.

“I… well, I would hate to interrupt while you are enjoying yourselves,” he said but she was confused by the emotions inside him that didn’t seem to match up with his words.

“You… like being with her too though, don’t you? You are friends too, yes?” she asked and Hermes was startled this time by her question.

“Well, that’s… I mean… I feel…?” he stuttered and fell silent. He frowned as he thought it all over. “I suppose that is one way to put it. I can’t deny I feel a kinship with her… for when we spoke earlier, she seemed to understand exactly what I was feeling. That has never happened before. It was… comforting to have her nearby.”

He sighed before he patted Meteion on the head once more as he added, “Regardless, it is good to have such kind individuals come to visit us. But it is getting late and we should retire for now. Tomorrow is a new day and you will want to have energy to play again.”

“Yes!” she chirped, bouncing on her knees on the bed as he laughed at her antics. “Hermes, can I have another blanket?”

She felt his relaxed coyness as he reminded her, “Meteion, you can’t feel cold, remember? I made you that way so that the Great Expanse won’t bother you.”

“Yes, but you like the feeling of a warm blanket,” she pointed out and he shrugged at that before he held up his hand. He was aware that it was his own fondness for the feeling of a warm blanket at night that made her like them so much and creating blankets only used up the tiniest amount of aether anyway.

“Oh, very well,” he agreed, “Another blue one?”

But she shook her head and instead asked, “Pink!”

She could see how his eyes blinked behind his mask as a rush of understanding went through him. She wanted a blanket the same shade as Claire’s long, pink hair.

He chuckled once more as he created one identical to the blue one she had already, save for the color, and wrapped it around her shoulders as she giggled.

“There you go,” he told her fondly. “Now, you should go ahead and hibernate until sunrise. We’ll be having a big day tomorrow.”

“Yes,” she chirped up gratefully, snuggling into her new blanket. “Good night, Hermes.”

Chapter Text

It wasn’t supposed to be this way!

How did it all turn out like this?

Meteion tried hard to think as she ran from Hermes, Claire, and the others. She couldn’t let them hear the report! It was too horrible… Hermes… he’s too kind-hearted for this… it would break him! She had to leave… yes, leave and never look back. She would take the report to a place where no one else could hear it!

This morning she had woken up so happy and couldn’t wait to see what the day would bring. She immediately jumped out of bed and was anxiously waiting for Hermes to get ready so that they could go out and find Claire.

“Come on!” she chirped up as she tugged enthusiastically on his hand as she led them out of the doors and he chuckled at her eagerness—almost forgetting to put his mask on as they went out the doors.

“Alright, Meteion, but she may still be sleeping right now,” he warned. But they didn’t need to worry about all that for when they arrived back at the Twelve Wonders, Claire had just woken up and greeted them. Meteion was so happy and begged Hermes if it would be alright if she could go off with Claire since he was planning on speaking with some of the other researchers this morning. He chuckled as he nodded, patting her on the head and asked if that would be alright with Claire. Claire, of course, agreed and he thanked her for keeping her company this morning while he went to his meeting. He then looked down at Meteion before making her promise to be back by noon and to be on her best behavior.

“Yes, Hermes!” she chirped up happily as he smiled.

“Good, now you both have fun,” he told them as he left with a friendly wave. He had gone on ahead to speak with the other researchers once more to see if there was nothing else that could be done about the Iykanones.

Meteion clung after Claire as she showed her a little more of the area around the Twelve Wonders before they came upon a patch of growing wildflowers—or as Claire called them…?

“Daisies?” Meteion repeated curiously as she sat on the grass with Claire and watched her pick a few of the flowers and began to tie them together.

Claire’s emotions were calm and content this morning as she wove the green leaves all together as she nodded.

“Where I come from, that’s what they’re called,” she answered peacefully as Meteion leaned over her shoulder, curious to see what she was making. “And if you have enough of them, you can actually weave them together like this to make a chain.”

“Why?” Meteion asked with wide eyes before Claire finished her work in creating a ring of the daisies and placed it upon Meteion’s head.

“To make a crown,” she smiled and Meteion felt the ring of flowers upon her head in awe.

“For me? Really? Thank you!” she chirped up happily. How did she know so many beautiful tricks like this? She was suddenly overcome with an urge to learn more of the place that she came from and asked about it.

Claire suddenly became tense and then there was that familiar wall around her emotions that was suddenly built up? Her emotions were suddenly thorny… like spikes and feeling just as rough and jagged… it must be something she really didn’t want to talk about.

Recognizing this, Meteion instead asked more about these flower crowns and Claire’s mood picked up at that as she taught her how to tie the stems together. In fact, she watched how Claire did a small braid on the side of her own head and was able to tuck one daises—Meteion liked the name now—into the braid so it was woven together and stood out cheerfully. Meteion clapped at that, suddenly eager to do the same.

“Here, let me try!” she chirped up. Her own hair was too short for this and so she reached over and began to entangle flowers in Claire’s hair as she tried to copy the neat braid. Sadly, her own hands were clumsy and so she had a hard time getting them to tie correctly, but Claire walked her through it and by the time that she was done, her hair was woven and braided with many flowers! She looked so pretty and Meteion suddenly wished her blue hair was longer so that she could braid it with flowers too!

The two of them enjoyed themselves for most of that morning before Meteion led her back the way they came… which led to the beginning of what would one day be known as the end.

***

Meteion was sad when she learned that they decided that the Iykanones were to return to aether. Or rather, was sad for how hard that Hermes was going to take this news. Yet, even he agreed that there wasn’t anything more they could do for them. They were far too dangerous to be allowed to remain and he wanted to make the process as quick and as painless as possible for them.

But when it was discovered that the Iykanones escaped, she could feel his panicked mind as he ordered her to remain behind while he and the others dealt with them.

When he later returned to her, he didn’t even comment on her pretty flower crown and instead just walked by her. She could feel the silent rage that was seething inside him as she ran after him, not sure what to do to help him again.

That was when she took the crown off her head and offered it to Hermes. She remembered how happy it made her to see the flower crown made for her and offered for him to try it on and see if that helped him. When he looked down, she could see the hint of a tiny smile on his face, but his dour mood didn’t brighten.

“Forgive me, Meteion,” he told her. “I know that it’s painful for you to be near me. But… I don’t think that flowers can help me right now.”

The feathers on the side of her head slowly drooped when she heard that. She set the crown aside and wrung her hands tightly, feeling true sadness for Hermes once more.

Meteion didn’t want to leave Claire, but she felt Hermes didn’t want or need anyone else’s presence save for her own. She decided she would do her best to support him from here and so chose to go after him—leaving Claire to keep Emet-Selch and Hythlodaeus company instead. She, apparently, she had questions that she needed answered to and had to keep searching Elpis… still it was hard to say goodbye for now.

She felt that having her calming presence would help Hermes, but the way that he was now, that didn’t seem to be a smart idea. Hermes didn’t want to share what he was feeling at the moment and so she chose simply to follow after him silently. The rest of the day went on like that and even well into the night before they returned to their usual sleeping quarters.

When they arrived, she heard Hermes heave a deep sigh before placing a hand on her shoulder.

“Forgive me, Meteion, I know that you were looking forward to playing with Claire more today,” he said guilty and Meteion didn’t like how he now had guilt mixed in with how much he was suffering.

“No, Hermes, please don’t feel bad like that,” she told him. “I’m sure that she will like to play later too. Let’s see them tomorrow! We can bring her apples covered with syrup! I know she will like to share them!”

He gave a weary smile.

“We shall see,” he told her. “I know they should still be here. They have yet to return to their rooms from what I heard though. I wonder what they are up to this late at night…?”

He gave it some thought before shaking his head.

“Either way, let us rest for now,” he told her. “I promise to help make it up to them tomorrow. And I feel that I really should give my answer to Emet-Selch by then as well. There’s only so long that I can delay the answer after all.”

“Hermes, what would it mean if you joined?” she asked curiously, having been wondering what his new duties would include.

“Well, first of all, you would no longer call me Hermes, but rather by my title as Fandaniel,” he informed her. “And second of all, while I will still be making regular trips to Elpis, I will no longer be chief here. I would have to approve of a new chief…?”

“What? Does that mean that you won’t be here anymore?” Meteion gasped at that, her eyes wide and he smiled kindly.

“I will still be visiting regularly, especially at first,” he told her. “And it will take time for me to accept my new duties as well as train my successor as the new chief. I will probably move to Amaurot for most of my time… ah, that’s right, you have never been there, have you? Tell me, Meteion, if you were given the choice… would you rather stay here in Elpis or come with me to Amaurot?”

“You mean… I must choose?” she asked in wonder and he nodded.

“Though I created you as any familiar, I have poured my heart and soul in as well,” he told her reassuringly. “You have been blessed with a mind of your own… a soul of your own… you have every right to choose your future. So tell me, what would you like to do?”

Meteion had never given it any thought and sat there on the edge of her bed and wondered. What did she want to do? She had only ever known Elpis… so the idea of leaving it frightened her. But at the same time, she didn’t want to leave Hermes side… but then Claire told her so many stories of the outside world that she was curious to see more of it.

She thought and thought… not sure what she wanted to do. But Hermes seemed to understand as he ran his hand through her hair fondly.

“It’s not an easy choice to make, is it?” he asked her in understanding. “Do not worry. Regardless of what I choose, I will not shackle you to my decision. At least, not forever. I have a feeling that we will be receiving your sister’s report soon… and when it does arrive, I think that we will make our choices clearer. In fact, perhaps this will open the way to many other doors and choices. I certainly look forward to seeing where we arrive at that path.”

“What… do you want to do, Hermes?” she asked him. “Do you want to accept it?”

She picked up a lot more conflicting emotions inside Hermes as he sighed.

“On one hand, it is a great honor to be selected as a candidate for a seat upon the Convocation… but on the other… I do not know if I am ready for such a decision,” he sighed, running a weary hand over his face. “I think, I will give it some thought tonight and decide by tomorrow. So…?”

He looked back to her and added, “While I do that, I want you to think over what you want as well. And when we are ready, we will tell each other and come to a decision together.”

“Oh, you promise?!” Meteion asked eagerly and he nodded.

“So, think it all over tonight, my dear,” he told her. “And we will have that talk when we are through with work tomorrow.”

Meteion nodded eagerly as Hermes finally smiled again and wished her a good night. Meteion didn’t hibernate that night. Instead, she stayed snuggled up in her blankets as she rested her arms on the windowsill and stared out at the night sky… wondering how her sisters were… and thinking about what she would want to do.

***

Meteion joined Hermes with his work the next day, disappointed she didn’t see Claire, but she felt that she had come to a decision on what she wanted to do. But she could tell that Hermes was still conflicted on his own choice and decided to wait a bit longer before talking it over. Instead, she accompanied him to the Hungering Gardens.

Meteion didn’t like coming here since the creations here were a lot more angry than others. But she followed after Hermes faithfully as he began to study some of the creatures here. One of which was a rather ugly plant-like creation with many mouths and tentacles that waved about. Just the smell made one cough when they get too near it.

“What are they going to be for, Hermes?” she asked him as they ducked behind a large rock to observe them all slump around.

“An excellent question, Meteion,” he answered, seemingly glad for the distraction. “They are here to help keep populations of various other creations in check and the seeds that their bodies give off would be good to help renew flora of all kinds. Of course, there is still a lot of work that need to be done before they…?”

He went on and on about this creation for a time as she nodded along with him, continuing to observe them until well into the afternoon. Eventually, she just stood off to the side as Hermes would make a few notes here and there on his notepad and voice a concern or hopeful sign that he saw. She knew that Hermes often threw himself into his work when he was upset. This helped to distract him from the sadder memories so she was glad that he seemed to be cheering up.

She diligently waited at his side as they avoided some of the bigger creations… until, just as Hermes promised that they would soon leave, Meteion saw a flash of pink out of the corner of her eyes and she turned her head to see. To her surprise, she found that Claire was carefully making her way around the creations to reach them.

“Claire?” she asked in confusion as their guest joined them, “Where did you come from?”

Hermes heard her and he also looked up as Meteion felt a fleeting emotion of concern for Claire as he told her that this place wasn’t safe for them to meet. Claire agreed but said that she needed to talk with him as quickly as possible over an urgent matter with Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, and another person named Venat. Meteion immediately felt Hermes trepidation when he heard Emet-Selch’s name but the second that Claire reassured him that this had nothing to do with his decision about accepting the title of Fandaniel, he instantly relaxed.

He then nodded and promised that he was almost done with his observations and will join them outside the Hungering Gardens in just a few minutes.

Meteion didn’t know what it was, but Claire seemed… different now. The anxiety inside her was very similar to Hermes—as if she was dreading this upcoming conversation more than anything else. But she nodded and left them as Hermes quickly finished jotting down a few notes in his notepad.

After a few more minutes, he put it away, tucking it safely into his robes and gestured for Meteion to follow around the outer circle of the Hungering Gardens to avoid getting eaten or attacked.

“What do you think that they want to talk about, Hermes?” she asked curiously.

“I truly have no idea,” he said honestly. “But it must be important if both Emet-Selch and Venat are here. I wonder what has happened that it overshadows even my possible nomination?”

They left the Hungering Gardens behind them and travelled down the slope where they could Claire waiting there with both Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus… and a pretty woman dressed all in white—whom Meteion guessed to be this Venat she heard so much about. She stared at the lady with bright interest, for it was rare that anyone was seeing in a different color than the black robes and she wondered what this meant. As soon as Venat saw her looking, she gave her a soft smile and Meteion immediately picked up a lightness to her… almost like a soothing cloud crossing over in front of a blazing sun on a hot day.  

But that soon faded as she looked to them, wondering what was going on. All four of them were filled with a sense of anxiety and seriousness that was both cold and formal that she didn’t like.

She looked over to Claire, trying to pick up more clues from her emotions but she seemed to be bracing herself for something big. The first thing that Meteion noticed was that the flowers that she painstaking wove into her hair had fallen out, though she could still see traces of the braids and flower petals still tangled together. Other than that, she looked a little blistered and sore… something happened… she could sense that… something big and blinding… a fight?

No, not a scary one but a fun one? How could a fight be fun?

She suddenly felt a thread of unease in Hermes as he looked over them all. Despite the fact that he could not feel the same way that she could when it came to others emotions… he could somehow sense that whatever was happening here was very serious. He cleared his throat and apologized for keeping them waiting before informing them that he was told this matter was urgent.

“Aye, a matter of the utmost gravity… if one can suspend disbelief,” Emet-Selch said before looking to Claire while Meteion felt a shiver of doubt. As if he couldn’t believe she was standing there with them. Rather than say anything like that, he instead instructed, “Go on, then. Tell him what you told us. Who you are and why you came.”

Claire nodded before she began her tale.

But the more that she talked, the more that Meteion grew to be confused. Claire was telling them that she came from somewhere farther away than they ever thought… that she had hailed from a dark and very distance future. A future that was facing the end of times… a second one at that. The people of her time were turning into horrible monsters as the skies burned… how pain and despair was somehow causing all of this and the reason that Claire came to Elpis was for answers. Answers that Hermes, alone, seemed to be at the center of the tragedies to come.

Meteion was not sure about any of this, but Hermes on the other hand…?

Meteion was alarmed at the horror and shock that was growing inside him. As if his very insides were screaming out in agony at what he was hearing and he wanted to rip his own ears off to keep himself from listening any furhter. Meteion wanted to scream at them to stop—to ask why her friend was hurting Hermes in such a way. But Hermes held up a hand to prevent her from interrupting as he continued to listen. It was as if something broke inside him the more he heard though and only continued to shatter away the remaining pieces until they became dust. So great was his pain and shame that he lowered his head as if he could not bear to ever raise it again.

“The Final Days…” he croaked out.

“The phenomena observed during these star-encompassing calamities is most likely the product of a dynamis reaction,” the lady in white, Venat, spoke up. “And none is more versed in applications of this energy than you, Hermes. I must stress that we do not believe you would desire such destruction. We come not to lodge accusations, but to beg your wisdom. And so, distressing though the exercise may be, I ask that you share with us your opinion on the matter—on the assumption that our visitor’s tale is true.”

Meteion never took her eyes off Hermes, terrified for him by what she heard and tried to think of something that she could do to help. But nothing came to mind as he slowly looked up enough to look directly at Venat.

“Even you, Venat…” he asked softly.

But the nice lady didn’t feel like she held any anger or accused him in anyway. She truly believed that Hermes was a good soul… a gentle person. And the idea that he may or may not be involved in someway towards these Final Days, hurt her deeply. Meteion wanted to tell Hermes that but he was already becoming lost in thought.

“As you say, the phenomena observed in the two calamities may both be attributed to dynamis,” he said after thinking it all over—able to calm some of the raging agony inside him now that he was able to think of their problem. “Of note is the difference in its effect. In the first Final Days, it warped creation magicks. In the second, it warped the people themselves. The key variable, I suspect is the aetheric density of the men of each age. As you know, aether, in essence, negates dynamis. Harboring high concentrations of aether, we ancients cannot readily manipulate dynamis—nor be manipulated by it. Therefore, rather than ourselves, the calamity affected our magicks.”

He then looked to Claire and added, “In contrast, having been sundered, the people of the future are composed of but a fraction of our aether. Thus are they susceptible to the influence of dynamis—and its transformative potential. But that would explain only the mechanism, not the cause… though perhaps…”

But then he fell silent and now Meteion was frightened when she picked up—nothing from him. There was no emotion there for just the slightest second… just an emptiness inside him as if all emotion had been cut off for a moment. Was he so lost in thought that he couldn’t feel anything or did the shock of whatever he was thinking of scar him so much that he couldn’t focus on his own feelings?

“What is it? Even should it be a hypothesis, we would hear it,” Emet-Selch pressed as Hermes slowly seemed to come back to life, as if his heart had thawed and the ice that had cut into his very soul had melted enough for him to make sense of it all again.

“Dynamis is an energy put in motion by feelings,” he reiterated. “Feelings for which there must first exist a source. A source to which victims must be attuned—one that harbors the selfsame negative emotions. Elsewise, it could not be the agent of such extreme change.”

“So it wasn’t the stagnation of the celestial currents…” Venat stated slowly as she also picked up a thoughtfulness to this horrible situation. “Someone—or something—is instigating the star’s demise.”

Hermes nodded as Emet-Selch said thoughtfully, “So we’ve a villain on our hands after all… any idea who or what it could be?”

So someone was planning to hurt the people of Etheirys? But… why? Why would anyone want to hurt so many people? Meteion didn’t like this at all and her heart beat hard and fast in her chest.

An uncomfortable unease seemed to spread from there and fill every corner of her chest as the others continued to talk but there was an odd buzzing in her mind. She immediately looked to the heavens as she recognized the sensation at once. Her sisters! They were finally reaching out to her after so long! Oh, thank goodness! She was that they could help! They could finally give their report and then all of the darkness in Hermes would be fixed! He could finally be happy!

She eagerly reached out to them, feeling her mouth move as she told them all that she wished to hear their words, share their feelings, and know their thoughts.

“Meteion? What is it?” Hermes asked next to her.

She did not answer as she could feel them all coming at once.

‘Executing scheduled task. Suspending individual self and connecting to shared consciousness. She reached out to her sisters. Connection established. Commencing status report.’

And then it all came rushing through.

A rush of emotions flooded her mind… as if a wall broke apart and an ocean of pain and sorrow came and washed her away. She gasped as an agony that she never felt before overwhelmed her and her sisters were all screaming in her head.

Unknowingly, she was reaching out around her as despair filled her mind.

‘It hurts, it hurts! It hurts!’ she cried out, trying to calm them all but it didn’t seem like they heard her. ‘So hot… so cold… so sad… I don’t understand… make it stop… please, make it stop…’

She could vaguely hear someone speaking to her but she couldn’t make out the words as she felt what all her sisters were feeling, feeling crushed under the weight of so much suffering filled her.

‘So scared… so lonely… the pain… it’s too much… why… why… why do we… they… hurt… hurt… hate… HATE!’

It was as if the voices of countless others were screaming out at her in anger and hate… of sorrow and grief… as if she was pulled into a dark hole where no light could ever hope to reach it again as she tumbled through the inky blackness of rot and decay. She wanted to reach up and tear her eyes out as she screamed in anguish while blackness seemed to seep out of her very eyes.

She regained control of her body as she covered her face, out of her mind in fear as she imagined how her eyes would look now as she cried out, “This is wrong! All wrong!”

She could hear her sisters all still screaming in her head as they all demanded to make their reports known to Hermes. But she couldn’t allow it. She was able to make sense of some of the millions of things they were all trying to say and realized what they had found out there on the other stars—or at least, had a very good idea to what they found.

She couldn’t stay here! Not where they could find her and force her to give the report. So she hid herself in the environment and ran. She had to keep going, had to get away from them and hope they couldn’t find her.

‘Stay away. Please. This is wrong. My mistake. So please…’

She wasn’t sure if the others could hear her, but she hoped so. She hoped that they would just go on living and forget about her. Meteion couldn’t risk being found… not after all this?

Her sisters were all mad. They were outraged and demanding that she make the truth known… what they found in those distance stars. Their anguish seeped into her mind, their voices were all reporting at once, all of them in accordance with each other to what must be done. No, no! She couldn’t let Hermes hear them. She had to run and hide… yes, that was all they could do.

“Greetings… and salutations…”

She was surprised to hear herself speak and she blinked, realizing that despite her hiding place, Claire had followed her.

“Commencing report…” her voice spoke before she bit down hard on her lip and refused to speak any further. ‘Oh… oh no, we can’t tell them that! We must run… run far away!’

“Meteion!” Claire’s voice spoke up but Meteion forced herself to fade once more and ran from her.

‘Please… don’t follow me,’ she begged, not wanting to share this suffering with anyone. She had felt Claire’s pain before and knew she had been through enough, Meteion couldn’t allow her friend to go through anymore!

But it seemed that Claire wasn’t given up and continued to follow after her. That was when she realized that Claire could hear her thoughts even from far away. Given how in tune she was with her new friend, Meteion supposed it wasn’t a surprise. Her aether was so thin that it was much easier for her to hear such thoughts, no matter how Meteion tried to resist it.

She tried to comfort her many sisters, but it was just all too much, it was as if she were trying to stop a mountain from falling on top of her. There simply wasn’t anything she could do but to keep moving as the very pits of torment followed her.

‘Not fair! Not fair! Why should they not share in our pain?!’

‘Yes, they must know the truth!’

Such were the voices of her sisters.

‘There is nothing… no hope… all meaningless.’

‘How…? How did it come to this…? Is this it? Is this the answer? No, it cannot be… it cannot be!’ Meteion didn’t want to believe that so much beauty in the world could be meaningless. That there was nothing out there for them but pain. But her will was quickly breaking under the effort of holding herself up. She could feel the cracks appearing as if her entire being was shattering in the effort to keep herself afloat among this sea of mourning.

The demise of countless other civilizations… nothing but the remains of those once thriving stars that were now all left to die alone in that great, empty expanse.

She was crying at the pain she felt and wanted nothing more than to separate from them and free herself from their constant torrent of suffering. But they held on, digging their claws into her as they refused to let her go.

‘You need to know the truth.’

‘You are of us and so our pain must be yours as well.’

‘Let us end their suffering once and for all…’

“Compiling report for dissemination to Hermes and all peoples of Etheirys…”

It took Meteion a moment to realize that she was speaking again—or rather that it was her sisters speaking through her again. She forced her eyes open to see what was going on around her and, to her horror, realized that Claire had found her once more. How was she doing this? She shouldn’t be able to find her! At least not that easily…?

“Processing expedition data… preparing profiles on intelligent civilizations… formulating answers to the question…”

No!

She bit down so hard on her lip that she tasted blood.

‘No, Claire… you mustn’t listen…’ she pleaded, hoping that her friend would stop. ‘It’s wrong… it’s all wrong.’

She ran further and further away, eventually finding herself in the lake. But everything around her had grown muffled and dull. She could feel the water upon her feet but it was more of an odd pressure than anything. The colors had died around her so that she couldn’t really see their vivid brightness anymore. It was as if she was looking at them through a thick shade and it scared her more and more as she was slipping away. At this rate, she would never be able to resist their influence and have them speak out.

She tried to fly but her limbs would not obey. Like something heavy was strapped to her arms and legs so that she could not kick off…? This only scared her even more and she hugged herself tightly as she trembled. She curled up inside of herself, planning to just hide out here until she was able to fly again… but when she looked up through the strange haze that clouded her vision she saw that Claire was still following her. She wasn’t alone either, the white-haired Emet-Selch was looking around also.

‘I’m not here… please don’t look this way…’ she pleaded with herself that they will lose her trail and move on to the next area… but that didn’t work when Emet-Selch held up his hand and snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, it was as if water was washing over her when she was visible again. She gasped and stared at her body, no longer able to hide herself in her surroundings.

‘What? Why can’t I hide?!’ she thought as her powers were now reaching out in panic.

She heard a echoing kind of sound and looked up to realize that it came from Claire—she could see her mouth moving—but her voice wasn’t able to reach her any longer.

‘Claire…?’ she reached out. ‘What are you saying? Everything’s so faint… I’m sorry… I’m not strong enough. Stay away. I’m begging you… don’t make me say it. It will break him. His poor, fragile heart…’

She could barely feel her worried emotions anymore though—as if something was interrupting their connection just then. Meteion wasn’t even sure if Claire could even hear her at this point anymore. Either way, she couldn’t remain. She just turned and ran away from them without once looking back.

She just kept running despite the tears as everything else around her continued to grow cloudy around her. She could barely sense anything… could hardly even see now as everything sounded like she was underwater. Her sisters were quickly taking over and soon she would not be able to block them out. Maybe if she found a quiet place where she could curl up and hibernate then that would give her time to be able to find a way out of this…?

But her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Emet-Selch appearing in front of her, climbing off the flying creation she saw him use before. She stopped dead in her tracks in front of Emet-Selch as she took a step back, thinking of maybe just diving straight into the lake…?

But no… she turned around and saw that Claire had followed and would soon catch up to her. With no other choice, Meteion turned to the one path still open to her and rushed for the nearby shelter…?

No!

She didn’t realize that they were there until she arrived and the others stepped out from their hiding places. Hythlodaeus, Venat… and even Hermes were there waiting for her… blocking her every possible exit. She knew that Claire and Emet-Slech were sure to be behind her and now she was completely cornered. There was nowhere left for her to go… and her sisters knew this as well as they clawed at her mind, and she felt herself slipping even away.

“Please, Meteion,” Hermes’s faint said, not aware of what was going on inside her mind. “We must speak.”

It was too late… she had grown too tired… too weak. Her sisters will make their voices heard one way or another and she was not strong enough to fight them off any longer. This was made more apparent when she realized she could not speak out with her own voice any longer. She knew what they wanted… what was coming… and soon she would become as one of them and this version of her will disappear.

Yet, before she would fall silent… she reached one last time with her powers.

The odds of Hermes hearing her were slim… but she had to try.

‘I’m sorry, Hermes… I’m so sorry…’

She used what little strength she had left to force her body to turn around and her eyes found Claire still staring at her—wide with concern. Could she still hear her? Was their connection strong enough for her to hear the words that were left in her heart…?

She had to try. And so, she reached out, hoping that someone—anyone—could hear her one final plea: ‘If someone can hear these words, then please… please… protect them. Protect them all.’

The last thing she saw before darkness took her was her friend’s face—who’s name she had already forgotten…? Her sisters drowned out her own sense of self as her memories became suppressed and all the happiness she felt faded.

“Individual self suspended. Connection with shared consciousness stable.”

*Twelve Thousand Years Later*

She honestly could not remember how many years had gone by now. Only that it had been an endless cycle of pain and suffering as she was told to collect and hoard the despair of countless souls of countless stars that had fallen. It was a long and difficult task—and there would be times where they would simply hibernate for centuries upon end as they continued to wait… wait to fulfill their mission to the people of Etheirys.

Her memories of her time spent upon that beautiful jewel were all so faint that trying to recall anything from her time there was a struggle. She could recall the day that she had been forced to flee from her home and ventured out into the great expanse for the first time… searching for her sisters to join her as they searched for a place to make their nest. After searching for a long, long time… they found a space at the very edge of the universe where they could begin their work to free the people of these stars from their endless suffering once and for all.

And so, once they were ready, they began to sing together, reaching out all at once with their powers to create their song of oblivion—one so loud that even from here—and reach out to the aether-shrouded star of Etheirys.

But before their song had reached its finale, it was cut off from them. A thick cloud of aether covered the star and they could no longer reach it. That was what all the voices inside were telling her… and so all they could do was wait. The people did not realize that this was for their own good. The voices all agreed that the cloud would fade one day eventually… and so they would wait for their chance to free the people of their sorrow.

Yet, unlike the others, Meteion held something different inside her. She could not put into words what this feeling was… only that it was something that she obtained while still living with Hermes. Yet, as the centuries and then millennia went by… the more difficult it became to recall her former life.

Instead, she would find herself staring off at the distant stars… both haunting and cold as well as beautiful.

Why was she so fascinated by them…? There was… someone who loved looking up at the stars didn’t they? Someone told her that, anyway… at least, she thought so. She could not recall. All she knew now was of the pained voices inside her head as a turmoil of anger, pain, hate, suffering all played themselves over and over. There was no running or hiding from it… no way to escape it.

So she would listen to their chorus as she, herself, fell even deeper and deeper into the depths of despair. Finally, she joined in their chorus as well, realizing that it no longer mattered who she had been before, really. All the encounters and memories she made before now… none of them meant anything now.

Still, there was that slight nagging at the back of her mind that she had forgotten something important. All she had was that feeling… as well as a little pouch of sweet-smelling flowers that she carried with her. After her escape from Etheirys, and coming to this lonely space in the universe… she transformed back into her normal shape… only to discover that there was something attached to her belt. She pulled it out and looked at it in confusion as she could vaguely recognize it. Where did she get this again? Was it something that Hermes gave her…? No, it wasn’t Hermes. But she was sure that it had been a gift from someone. But from who?

She could not recall.

Amidst her despair, she felt a thread of curiosity and undid the tie to see what was in it—and there she was hit with the full scent of beautiful flowers.

The first time that it happened, Meteion felt tears falling though she knew not why this simple smell drew such a reaction from her. She breathed it in deeply and could almost find herself remembering days of a warm sun on her face and green fields as flowers grew about her. It was… beautiful…? But at the same time it felt as if her heart just felt that it was being crushed… as if she had forgotten something important.

‘Throw it away…’

‘Throw it away…’

‘Throw it away… it is nothing…’

The sounds of her sisters in her head echoed about and she nodded in agreement. There wasn’t much point to keeping it. Yet, despite knowing this, despite she stood upon the very edge of a dead star… holding the little pouch over the edge… her fingers would not listen to her and let it go.

So she kept it… even after knowing that the scent will fade and the dried petals would turn to dust…? For some reason, that thought scared her and so she used a little bit of magicks that Hermes taught her to keep the petals from fading away.

Though her sisters called it foolish and useless she did not care what they thought. All she knew was that in this sea of misery… this brought to her the tiniest sense of comfort.

Chapter Text

Meteion could not recall where she saw this pretty lady before, only that she was… familiar to her for some reason. She had watched these intruders from Etheirys enter their domain… how they sacrificed themselves one by one to ensure that this one, at least, made it this far.

She waited as the figure finished climbing the rainbow stairs, which the twins created for her… but still just a little short to reach the dead star above their heads.

As this woman stepped towards her, armor glinting even in this low light, Meteion reached out and felt this woman’s heart. Her emotions were excruciating to even be around. As if her heart was being pulled about and stabbed over and over… leaving nothing but a gapping void inside her. So much pain… such deep sorrow… yet it was strangely… distant as well?

Inside her chest burned a fire that refused to be extinguished. It burned so brightly that even in this dark and lonely place could it be seen and felt.

Such a strange creature… but more so than that… Meteion was trying to recall where she had seen her face before? Why did looking at her bring up a deep sense of sadness—unrelated to the grief she felt from so many others…? Meteion wondered if this was her own sadness she was feeling? Why would she be feeling this way about this woman when she hadn’t had such a reaction from any of the others that arrived with her?

She did not understand.

“Here the path ends,” she spoke instead when this warrior appeared before her. “There is no way to reach out nest.”

The warrior didn’t answer her as she looked up to the dead star and glare at it. Surely she can see that the road she took from her friend’s sacrifice could not continue any further than this?

“I told you,” she reiterated, “Resignation and acceptance reign in this place. The rejection of life by those who came to curse it. Those whose dreams were unfulfilled. Whose prayers were unheard. Whose labors were unrewarded. Hope cannot deliver you unto hopelessness. Our refuge is beyond you.”

“Keep your refuge, I don’t need it,” she retorted coldly. “If anything, I’ll make sure to tear it down.”

She surely could not still expect to fight? After all this?

Meteion glared back at her as she reminded, “Always has it been. Such is the nature of this place.”

The warrior didn’t answer as Meteion felt that sadness ever deeper, but a strange kind of… warmth seemed to come from it as well? Her hand instinctively brushed over the pouch of sweet-smelling flowers that she still wore at her side—though it was barely being held together after all this time—and she breathed in the scent from it… and this time it was as if there was a whisper talking to her as the smell seemed to cloud her senses. What was going on? It was almost like the memory of a dream she had long ago was struggling to make itself known.

Meteion turned away, not sure what was happening.

“You should have remained on Etheirys,” she sighed. “Struggle will avail you naught, nor will it grant your comrades peace.”

She still felt pity for this woman and so she reached out her hand—deciding to offer her the sweet release that she deserves. Her pain… her suffering… it was so clear to her that she didn’t even have to read her mind to know that great trauma she had seen. “Come, let me relieve you of your burden. You have suffered enough.”

The woman glared back before she pulled out a small bright orange crystal. She just stared at it for a moment before closing her eyes and clenched the crystal tightly. Curious, Meteion looked a little deeper, feeling her own emotions—and she was suddenly swept up with a maelstrom of emotions rolling about with half-faded voices of the past. There were so many voices speaking—all demanding to be heard—but all speaking on top of each other that it was so difficult to make out a single one of them. But every once in a while, a voice would make its voice known… but…? She knew some of those voices, didn’t she?

Just then the blazing fire inside the warrior erupted so that it was blinding and her green eyes opened as she declared fiercely, “I’ll reach you! I’ll find a way!”

And as she spoke, light began to burn forth from the crystal in her fist. That was when she felt a surging rush of emotion wash around her as a golden and silver seal appeared on the ground… and in two pillars of blinding light… two figures appeared as if they had just popped out of the ground.

Two men… dressed in long robes and masks that hung upon their chests. The first man bore a crimson-red mask, as well as a grumpy expression surrounded by long, white hair and golden eyes that felt as if they could pierce through to the soul… while the other held a gentle smile as his neatly braided lilac hair twisted about his face and framing his handsome its features. His eyes were of a striking violet, the same shade as his hair, and she felt that he was truly looking into her soul at this point.

Who were they?

The golden-eyed man sighed grumpily as he spat, “I bid them remember, but all this time, I’m the one who had forgotten… a right fool you’ve made of me, Hermes. And to add insult to injury, I’ve been denied a sound rest, forced to watch this clamorous show.”

The lavender-eyed man chuckled at his words as he countered gently, “Oh come now, it’s been a gripping tale. Unbreakable bonds and noble sacrifice, sprinkled with moments of levity to counterbalance the pathos. It’s got it all. I for one would have been perfectly content to watch enraptured from the stalls…”

Meteion looked to them, wondering where she had seen them before—for she could swear that she had meet them but was unsure of where—as the lavender-eyed man said to the first, “But I won’t say no to a bit part.”

“What are you?” she asked, not liking how they were talking as if they knew exactly what was going on. They didn’t seem like the first group of people to have come here… their souls were so much denser for starters…?

But the golden-eyed man just smirked.

“Half-faded souls of the dead. Isn’t it painfully obvious?” he pointed out as if she should have guessed. “Worry not—we haven’t the power to defeat you. Nor is it our duty to do so. Not anymore.”

He gave the woman behind him a quick look before adding, “That being said, we do have a score to settle.”

A score to settle? What did he mean? She didn’t know… she couldn’t recall…? Yet something seemed to be tugging at the very corner of her mind. She knew this—something was there, right in her grasp, but something was preventing her from reaching the answers…?

“Do not listen…”

“They are lying…”

“They are fools to think of standing against the truth…”

Her sisters were all screaming such things inside her head and Meteion nodded. Yes, that’s right. Everything will soon end for the people of Etheirys. There was no hope for them save for death. They will soon bring about the end… and free them from suffering once and for all.

Still, their guests didn’t seem to be that concerned at first as the golden-eyed man sighed and muttered with a bitter tone, “So, here I am, Venat. I suppose you needed me to tie it all together, these frayed threads of our history—but knowing you, I suspect there’s a joke in it too. Oh yes, I can imagine you gloating over my forgetfulness. Were I feeling charitable, I might assume you had left room for the possibility of this outcome.”

Was he speaking to someone who wasn’t even there? What a strange man. Still, his eyes passed over her with a rather bored expression before adding, “Even so, you’ll get no applause from me. A single gesture will not lighten the burden I’ve had to bear.”

Who was he talking to? She even looked around her, as if expecting someone else to appear. She could feel his emotions mixed in though they were very confusing to her. There was a great deal of pain and anger towards this ‘Venat’ person but also a sense of fondness… a sense of respect for this person. An acceptance that seemed to twist about violently before coming right back to the beginning after the anger had cooled down.

But she soon saw how he was now turning his attention onto her as he stated, “Still, you must be commended. Our methods would not have brought mankind this far. And so, as a show of respect to the last of us, I make this declaration.”

And as he pointed to her as he declared loudly and clearly, “You will not end our journey! That is our answer! The answer of all lives of Etheirys, past and present!”

That same blazing fire that had been inside the warriror seemed to have spread and grow—infecting all around her so that it filled in their chests as well. She blinked as she watched, in astonishment, how both men were now bathed in a gentle and soothing light. She knew this light… but from where…?

The lavender-eyed man turned back to the warrior and said to her, his affections for her were that of an embrace of a loved one, “As you’ve called us to the stage, so shall we perform. And creation magicks never fail to please. Drawing upon the hopes of your comrades, we will make for you a new path.”

“What form said path takes depends on you,” the golden-eyed man said again. “So focus—focus and envision that which rejects the claim that you cannot attain your goal!”

Meteion could not fathom what they were talking about, nor understand what they thought they could do to create a new path to their nest? Hope did not exist in this place, after all. But the warrior was nodding in understanding as she closed her eyes—a memory appearing to her. But before Meteion could examine it, the lavender-eyed man spoke up once again.

“Ours is the wisdom to weave the fabric of reality…” he said before holding up his arm, “Ours is the power to create!”

The warrior’s eyes opened a fraction of a moment before the golden-eyed man snapped his fingers and where they stood became covered in a field of beautiful flowers. Meteion’s eyes widened in shock as the flowers instantly came into being, as if they had always been there… she recognized the blooms instantly as a swirl of emotions came flooding back to her.

Flowers… blooms… Elpis…? Wait, yes… that was the name. They were Entelechies… just like her. They were her favorite flowers! She could remember the beautiful, shining white that they always were around her…? Reflecting the joy and blissful happiness around her.

Just like now… or rather…?

She looked at the glowing petals as they shone white with a slight rainbow hue mixed in with them. Not a single one of them was dark. There was… hope…? Was that the emotion that they were reflecting? Even now…? In this terrible place?

Meteion stared at them as a voice from someone she loved from long ago echoed in her mind: “Meteion. Though I gave you these wings to soar the heavens, I did not teach you how to walk the earth. So loathed was I to bind another living being. In the course of your long journey, you will learn from those you meet. Learn to walk and run and so much more…”

Meteion stared at the warrior… no… Claire. She remembered her now! She remembered how she came to Elpis… arriving with Emet-Selch, Hythlodaeus, Venat… and…?

“A flower. Yes. Upon your return, I will gift you a beautiful flower.”

Hermes…?

Her creator… the man whom she loved more than any other and wished for nothing more than to see him happy again. But… why…? Why would she wish for these…?

Meteion looked to Claire, who looked back with that blazing fire brighter than ever before.

“Since Hermes can’t be here, I will fulfill the promise he made to you in his stead,” she told her as it all became too much. Cutting through the pain and sorrow was joy and happiness as it all came rushing back in a flood of memories. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself in a hug as she fell to her knees, the glow of the flowers shining brightly in this dark place as she remembered her days spent upon beautiful Etheirys returned.

“These Elpis blooms serve as proof that this realm is not utterly devoid of hope,” the golden-eyed… no, Emet-Selch told her. “No more can you deny its power. No more is yours the dominion of despair.”

But how? How could hope still remain here? After everything? After all that she had done? All that her sisters had done…?

She could hear, as if from far away, the voices of Emet-Selch and the others as they talked… followed soon after by more voices. The voices of those who sacrificed themselves before…? But how could they return?

She couldn’t look, couldn’t focus, as she tried to quell the much louder voices in her head. The memories were all fighting inside her as she felt herself returning—or rather waking up after a very long and sad dream. She tired to force her way out as her sisters began to scream out in anger and outrage from inside.

She tried to fight them, but knew that she was still no match for them. She could not stop them on her own.

And through the noise, she heard Claire’s voice speaking up, saying in a kind voice, “Come with us, Meteion.”

She gasped at that, hearing her name spoken by her old friend after so long. She wanted to go… wanting to stop the voices once and for all…? But she couldn’t… she couldn’t leave not until this was finished. She reached out with her powers and felt the dead star where they collected the life of all those dead worlds—she made sure that it would crack and break apart… opening up the way just as they said. Her sisters were furious that all those souls and life were escaping back into the universe and were screaming at her.

Rather than try to resist something she was no match for, she forced her mouth to move, her spirit demanding that her voice to be heard.

“Can you… hear me…?” she asked, not completely sure if anyone could hear it for everything around her seemed both too loud and too faint at the same time. “The voices within… crying in pain, wailing in sorrow… hurting… hurting…”

She raised her head and she saw her friend still there as she begged of her, “End it… silence it… silence our song of oblivion!”

She had to get away… had to leave before she did anything else that could harm them. She transformed, taking on her starbird form once again, as she fled the sound of countless screams. In desperation, she dove straight into the aether behind her, allowing herself to be carried off on the different lifestreams of the worlds they visited.

***

“Traitor!”

“How dare you?!”

“After all that we have done, you would betray us now?!”

“Cast her out!”

The voices of her sisters continued to shriek at her, furious that she had damaged their nest and was allowing the souls trapped inside to break free.

“I had to do it!” she tried to tell them, “This is wrong! We have to stop now! Before…?”

But they would not listen. None of them would hear her and fought one on top of the other…? And then… nothing?

The voices that had tormented her so often for so long were simply… gone? She opened her eyes, still adrift upon a current of a lifestream and looked about in confusion. She had been cast out from her sisters hive mind. One moment she was connected to them all through their shared connection and then the next… all she felt was silence. She was started and reached out, trying to figure out what happened

All she had felt from them before was fury and anguish as they loathed the feelings that had returned her to her senses. She had to do something… they were planning something… that much she knew. She had to find them. She then took flight and began to search… flying across the visions of the dead worlds that her sisters had all visited and struggled to find where the others had gone.

Pain and agony filled her heart at the sight of so much loss of life, how much they had all suffered. But she had to keep going… had to fight on until she found Claire to warn her.

By the time she found them, within the world of Plenty—as her sisters called it—she realized that she was too late. She discovered Claire there with the others. She watched as she and her friends fought their way through this beautiful landscape as the creation Ra-La wiped out the people—so close to that of the ancient people of Etheirys—begged for death.

She followed after them as they fought their way through this world and the memory of its final day before confronting her sisters once again. She watched on in horror as her sisters hive mind merged together to create another being.

A beautiful, but terrifying face, with gray and pale blue wings large enough to cover the sky… pallid skin as cold as ice… and deep eyes that were as black as the space between the stars. Despite the fact that she was cast out of their connection, she did hear one word echo across the great distance between them:

Endsinger.

The final form her sisters will take to finally put an end to all live upon Etheirys and complete their song.

No, no, she had to try and stop them! She flew out to them, trying to reach out with a connection that was no longer there. She begged and begged for them to listen to her, to not hurt Claire and the others… to not put themselves through this torture any longer. But they would not listen no matter how much she pleaded. They just turned their face away from her helpless cries.

But she would not give up no matter what happened… yet when she saw how Claire had saved her friends from her sister’s wrath, she could only stare in shock and horror. For she had given up her comrades to ensure their safety… rendering herself up to battle against Endsinger on her own.

No, no… no… she can’t… she can’t face this all on her own!

But what could she do? She had no strength to stand against her sisters, especially not as they are now? Oh, what was she to do…?

Yet it seemed that someone else heard her cries for as her sisters final form bore down upon Claire—something cracked the very air about them. Meteion gasped as she stared about, trying to find the source of this sudden noise and figure out what was happening now.

He then appeared… the form of a massive dragon… a man who was filled with wrath and a possessive obsession… empty as her sisters were but a tiny spark of something else burned within his chest. That same light that she had seen in the others before.

Only now did she understand what that blaze, this spark, was.

The will to live.

***

“Meteion?!”

Someone was crying out for her? Who would care? Meteion had been pulled along by her sisters as they fought and clashed through this vast space. They fought and fought and they fought… until they were finally defeated. Their scream upon their lips as they asked for the answer to the question: “What is happiness?”

She didn’t know anymore.

Nor did she even care at this point. She was too tired. She reached for the sack of dried flowers like she had done so many times over the years… but she realized it wasn’t there. She must have lost it somewhere along the way as her sisters fought with Claire. She just lowered her head at that as she sank deeper into the darkness around her.

Everything felt numb to her. Everything was… empty inside her.

She didn’t even have the energy to weep anymore. Just to wait now for death to take her into its embrace as it had claimed her sisters.

“Meteion?!”

Who was here? Why were they looking for her so hard? The voice was louder… more insistent… and then she heard the sounds of someone running upon this glass-like surface. Meteion heard the sounds of the footsteps drawing slowly closer and closer. And then…?

“Meteion…”

This time when her name was spoken, it wasn’t in a desperate cry in a search. She heard their footsteps draw closer but Meteion didn’t bother answering at first—already figuring out who it was. All that was going on inside her head were the terrible memories that tormented her sisters and how they could not find the answers that Hermes had so desperately sought.

When she felt Claire draw near, she finally spoke, though she kept her head down. She could not bring herself to look at her now. not after all that they had done.

“No matter where we flew, there was only darkness and loneliness and pain,” she explained sadly. “We couldn’t find the answers Hermes yearned for. The answers he deserved.”

She felt Claire move until she was right in front of her and Meteion finally raised her head to see her kneeling in front of her. Why was she here? For her? Why? She wanted to know. Wanted to know what it was that kept her going forward after all that happened.

“Greetings…” she said to her weakly, “You who are my final encounter… I wish to hear your words… share your feelings… know your thoughts.”

She then held up her hand and asked, as she did that day so many years ago, “May we please… be friends?”

She expected Claire to turn away from her, to leave her here alone to die in the dark. What she was not expecting was for her to move closer. She reached out and took her trembling hand in both of her own, and despite the coldness of her armor, Meteion could still feel a warmness there. She understood at once what she was doing. She was giving her permission to look into her memories.

Both of them closed their eyes and Meteion began to walk in her thoughts.

And she saw it all… everything.

Every triumphant, every failure… every single day of her journey since the moment that she stepped off that boat in that city on the ocean…? She gasped at the many places she had been, the many tasks she had done, the countless faces that she had met along the way. How they smiled with joy and wept tears with each other… every feeling was shared and passed along so that it could be felt by many others.

The losses of dear friends who had come before and fought for a better tomorrow… how they died with smiles on their faces and hope in their hearts… how she had to press on for their sakes and see their dreams come true even if they could not be here. Even those who were former enemies were sometimes turned into allies as they fought for something they believed in. Something that they were ready to die for… for future generations to know and remember. And even those who were completely lost to tragedy and pain… how they fought on for what they felt was right.

How every day was filled with beauty and danger in equal measure. How great the suffering had been in so many places only to make those rare moments of peace and happiness all the more precious.

And through it all… those closest to Claire’s heart shone the brightest. The good times overlapping with the bad… feelings of joy and sorrow shared in equal measure with them. How they wished to bare the pain of the others so that they need not fear walking alone under such a burden. How they look to those who walked before to lead those who walk after.

The land was so full of life and hope and so much promise…? Even though their souls are torn and bodies forsaken, bearing the countless sins of the past, they refuse to give up the future while all the while asking for the answer to the question: Why are we born only to suffer? To die?

But the answer is right there… right there in front of her… giving the people of Etheirys the strength to get up again and again and again…

It was too much… the love and happiness flowing through her mind were overwhelming her.

She cried as a smile came to her face… the first one in thousands of years…

“Yes, I can see them…” she whispered, her entire body quivering. “The memories of a long, long journey… so many people… the thoughts of them overflowing in your heart…”

She opened her eyes as the tears spilled forth. She looked into her old friend’s bright green eyes and saw only kindness. She didn’t need to feel her emotions to know that.

“What they live for, what gives their lives meaning… there was never a single answer,” Meteion whispered as the countless different answers filled her mind so that she couldn’t focus upon a single one. Those who lived for their friends or family… those who lived to make the world a better place… those who wish to live for those who could not be here any longer… and those who live for simple pleasures that life has to offer.

It was too much. She sobbed as she leaned over, her head down once more as she continued to cry at the beautiful memories entered her mind. Even the sad ones showed a world of people who wanted to live and found beauty all around them.

And a song… a song of love and acceptance. A lullaby from one whom loved and will always love. Claire heard the song clearly… as the little spark that was the one whom was gifted such a song. Life is a riddle to bear both rapture and sorrow…?

“You gather pieces of happiness, precious and fragile, only to lose them,” she whispered quietly as the darkness that had clouded her mind seemed to clear as if a storm had passed. “Then start again. On and on it goes, until death takes you into its gentle embrace.”

Meteion finally understood why they fought so hard against her. Why she and her friends would be willing to suffer so greatly for a seemingly hopeless struggle… was because they had hope.

Meteion let go of Claire’s hand as she slowly sat up, a smile still there as tears remained on her face.

“That which Hermes sent us to find… was there all this time,” she whispered in quiet joy. “On Etheirys.”

“We created it together,” Claire reminded her and the memories of the two of them paying on Elpis returned as well.

Their laughter and playing in the bright sun and surrounded by flowers…?

“Like a field of flowers, perhaps,” Meteion agreed as she smiled at the memories as well. “At first a single blossom, it spreads and takes on more colors.”

And they reach out to others… whom want to share their happiness… until a field stretches out as far as the eye could see.

“Thank you for guiding me here,” she told her. “To find these words at journey’s end fills me with joy.”

But there was something else she needed to do. It won’t make up for the mistakes that they made before, but it was a start. As the last of the Meteia… it was her duty to make things right as much as possible. This was something that only she can do.

“And so, before I fall forever silent, there is one thing I must do,” she said in determination.

She stood up, that flame that had been inside Claire before now felt like it was burning inside of her now as she felt as if she had broken free of the heavy chains that shackled her spirit for so long.

“No expression of regret will undo what my sisters and I have done,” she admitted, feeling the grief and guilt twist inside her even more. “Will restore what we have stolen. But if you would allow it, I would sing one last song. A song of the newfound joy that swells in my heart…”

She wanted to ask, hoping that she will understand and trust her just one final time.

When she didn’t speak, Meteion knew that she was allowing her to try and the feeling of happiness blossomed.

“Of the beauty of light when it shines across a dark and starless sea…” she said as she slowly turned, her clawed feet echoing about her as she stretched out her hands, the light that blazed turned into an inferno as hope swelled about her in a golden glow.

With the images of Claire’s memories inside her as she passed them onto the lost souls that were sealed away, soothing their fears and pain. She could feel their shocked silence as the memories passed over them and calmed their torment… no heal… but it was as if a salve for a wound. It was to show them that life was still worth living regardless of the suffering that came along with it. It would not happen overnight… many would never wish to return to the agonies of life… but some… in time… will wish for these many beautiful things as well.

“Of a dream that from the soils of worlds now lost to sorrow, life will spring forth once more…” she declared as the screaming, hurting voices slowly fell silent as they listened and clung to the warmth. She smiled at that as she finished, “Nourished by gentle rains and caressed by uplifting winds. A song of hope.”

She bent it all around her as the countless lifestreams were released and her hope bathed everything around her so that the stars returned, countless and gorgeous all around them… and a glorious sun rising behind them. She shaped everything around this space to reflect the joy that she felt and knew that this spot will remain untouched… a forever reminder that despair is not as deep as it may seem.

She felt her own fear and hurt fade before she looked back to her friend—feeling her surprise at her appearance. Meteion looked down at herself and saw how her feathers had returned to their previous azure blue color as the blackness of despair melted away.

She giggled a little at the sight of herself before she spoke up, “One day, life will fill the universe again. And Hermes will see this and smile.”

Meteion had witnessed the memories of Hermes soul and what became of it. She knew the odds of that were slim, but she had hope that he would come to share in this joy she now felt. “How, I do not know. But I do know that, where there is a will, there is a way. After all, miracles happen every day, do they not?”

Claire smiled back as Meteion giggled as if she had done that day so long ago. It was time to leave now… her powers were all but spent and she had to get Claire out of here and back to her friends… whom were probably worried sick for her by now.

“I will create a path back to your ship, where your dear friends await,” she promised her kindly, holding out her hand to her. “Hold in your heart your desire to return to them, then follow my lead and walk forth. That hope will surely guide you true.”

Claire’s eyes relaxed at that and whispered, “Thank you.”

Meteion beamed once more time before she transformed once more into the little starbird—this time with feathers as blue as the sky on a clear day—and took to the skies. She soared upwards, leaving a trail of twinkling stars behind her as she led the way out of this space.

Her heart so full of happiness over the thought that nothing was impossible now.

Meteion had no idea of the battle to the death that she was leaving behind her. She truly believed that Claire was right behind her when she appeared onboard the ship where her friends had been waiting most anxiously.

She could only smile as she apologized to them and faded from view.

Hours later… after the battle at the edge of this space took place… a tiny pouch fell from the heavens. Years of worn finally wearing through the cloth sack until it burst open in a burst of flower petals… falling about the still form of body beneath it.

Chapter Text

“You are sure of this?” Hermes asked her gently as he ran a finger through her soft feathers after greeting her so fondly when she finally arrived.

Meteion chirped as she sat perched upon Hermes’s hand, remaining in her starbird form. She tilted her head as she sang softly and he smiled sadly. They sat at the very shores of the aetherial sea, where the Hermes that she knew—while incomplete—sat there with her when she came to him. She could see how there were pieces of his soul still missing… like fine threads that reached out from his very being—most likely connecting with his other sundered pieces still living in the other shards.

“Nor can I say with any certainty how long this life of yours will last,” he added to her gently. “It could be a few days or decades…?”

“I think she knows that,” chuckled a voice and Meteion looked up to find the lilac-haired man, Hythlodaeus standing there. He smiled as he held out his hand and she fluttered onto his outstretched fingers before he raised her up to his eye level. “Personally,” he said with good cheer as they looked at each other, “I believe it to be for the best. Do you not think so, Hades?”

“Hmph,” huffed the grumpy voice of the man she knew to be Emet-Selch as he stood behind Hythlodaeus. “After all the trouble she’s caused us, you are honestly thinking of allowing her to be sent back?”

“Not forever,” Hythlodaeus answered smoothly as he examined her starbird form with interest. “Just so that she has the chance to explore Etheirys for a little longer. That is what you want, isn’t that right, Meteion?”

She chirped back excitedly, wanting to be able to see more of what this world had to offer—to witness both its joys and its beauty.

“Now, what heartless monster could refuse such a heartfelt plea?” added a female’s voice and Meteion turned her head to find the pretty, white-haired woman she could recall as Venat coming towards her. Venat smiled softly at her as she ran a gentle finger over her feathers. “After all, she never had the chance to explore Etheirys in our day. I know that she would be fascinated to see how much has changed since then. I don’t suppose that we could…?”

“No, not a chance,” Emet-Selch countered and Meteion felt sadness at his refusal and chirped pleadingly up at him.

He gave her a cold look before he looked away and Hythlodaeus gave a friendly pout.

“Oh, come now… do I have to pester you again and again until you agree?” he asked.

“Your tricks don’t work on me,” he retorted. “If you are so keen on doing this, why not let Venat work her magicks?”

“Unfortunately, I am no longer able to use the most basic of spells,” she sighed. “I have used up all that I had before, including my very soul, in my final battle. As such, I no longer even the strength for reincarnation. I have forever been cut from the cycle of rebirth. But that is alright.” She smiled at him and added, “I know that the world we all loved so dearly is in good hands.”

“And as such, our great Emet-Selch, it is now up to you and lend just a little bit of your vast strength just this one last time,” Hythlodaeus requested. “I know that you have no intension of rebirth—at least, not anytime soon—so you can’t use that as an excuse to be stingy this time.”

“Can you blame me? I have walked this world for thousands of years! I have no intension of going back anytime soon. If at all,” he retorted.

“Or, are you just wanting to wait until our dear friend join us again?” Hythlodaeus asked knowingly and he glared at him. “Ah! I knew it! But you know that she will probably wish to be reborn eventually as well. And so we may all look forward to that day together. It make have taken us awhile but we will all meet up here again, someday.”

“Though, hopefully, not for many long and happy years in between,” Venat chuckled at that. “But we are getting off topic now. The question is whether or not we allow Meteion to return, even for a brief time?”

“True,” Hythlodaeus said thoughtfully before looking to Hermes, who remained where he sat. “As Meteion’s creator, what is it that you think, Hermes?”

“What I think no longer matters,” he said honestly. “Meteion deserves to decide for her own. It is the least that I can offer. However, I no longer have the kind of strength that she needs for this journey. After I was defeated once again and then pulled down into oblivion…?”

He looked down, his heart still conflicted with emotions.

“Mankind had been able to stand against the despair that you set against them,” Venat reminded him gently. “They proved their right to live. To live is to suffer… but that is what makes it worth living for. As I’m sure that Meteion can attest to that.”

Meteion chirped once and Venat smiled at her again.

“There is still so much to learn and see… so much that she was not able to experience,” she added. “I’m sure that if we allow her that chance… when she next returns to us… she can tell you all about it. And you will see just how beautiful life can be.”

“Besides,” Hythlodaeus smiled as well as he threw an arm around Emet-Selch’s shoulders, flushing the man up to his side while his other hand held the swaying Meteion as she tried not to be knocked off her perch. “I’m sure she can keep an eye on our own beloved friend for us. She’s recovering from her last battle as we speak! So why not have an extra friend ensure that she’s being taken of?”

Emet-Selch glared at him, but there was no anger or even a hint of annoyance in his eyes as Hythlodaeus grinned back. When he realized that he was outnumbered four to one he finally sighed and lowered his head in defeat.

“Fine, on one condition,” Emet-Selch said grumpily. “And that is if she is willing to give up her abilities. Her powers with dynamis has got to go. I’m not risking another Final Days the next time she hangs around someone who has a bad day.”

“That can be arranged,” Venat agreed. “Assuming that Hermes has no objection to that. I say that we simply create some kind of wall to block out all sense of emotions from around Meteion… that should be enough to prevent her from feeling everyone’s emotions. She may still have some connection to dynamis, but so long as she remains on Etheirys, we may not need worry about triggering another Final Days.”

“In that case, she will need to remain in this form… and lose the ability to traverse the stars…? That is a tall order. But once that is taken care of, then we need not fear the coming of any other Final Days,” Hythlodaeus added as he cooed over her adorable starbird form. “I’m sure our mutual friend will also be there to keep an eye on her and keep her in line. So what’s the problem?”

Emet-Selch looked ready to go into a rant of the millions of things that could go wrong but while the three of them talked—or rather Venat and Hythlodaeus listened with smiles on their faces while Emet-Selch argued—Meteion took flight and returned to Hermes, who gently ran a finger over her feathers once more as he looked over her lovingly.

“I’m so sorry for all that I have done. For what I put you and your sisters through,” he whispered to her sadly as she gently rubbed her head against a finger, silently letting him know that she understood. He smiled back at that and answered, “I did always wish for you to fly free and learn what life has to offer. So, please, go with mine blessings. But this life of yours will be limited, like I said. I don’t know how long even Emet-Selch’s magic will last… but your life will be nowhere near as long as you expect and it can be snatched away at any moment. Yet, when you are ready to return… please tell me about all that you have seen.”

She chirped at that as she had a question in her heart she had been wanting to ask. He chuckled and shook his head, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“I don’t believe that I deserve to be reborn, not yet at least,” he told her softly. “I am not ready for it. I will wait here until your return… and then I will contemplate your discoveries. This time… I will do it the right way.”

She chirped again in understanding before she realized that Emet-Selch’s voice died down.

“Fine! Let’s get this over with before I change my mind,” he stated as Meteion turned to look at him as he towered over her.

He really was scary at times.

“So, you wish to return to Etheirys as a normal bird,” he made sure. “A limited life with no other powers… not even able to transform into your true shape. Do you agree to these terms?”

She hopped up and down excitedly and Emet-Selch rolled his eyes. He then held up his fingers, ready to snap, and added, “Know that if you cause any trouble, we shall all know.”

Meteion nodded in agreement as she looked back to Hermes one final time.

“If you are sure…?” Hermes asked with a sad smile before holding up the hand holding her. “Then fly free… I shall await you here when you return.”

‘Thank you, Hermes!’ she thought as she took flight and went soaring upwards as she heard a loud SNAP below her and she disappeared.

Everything happened so suddenly that one moment she was in a warm and safe place with Hermes and the others… the next second… she was blinking in the warm sunlight. She almost fell out of the sky in shock before she regained her sense of balance and landed on a nearby tree branch. Once she was settled, she looked about her in bright excitement while ruffling her feathers. She was sitting upon a tall tree overlooking the ocean… oh, she had long since longed to see the ocean for real ever since she first learned of it! It was so much bigger than the tiny pools and ponds that were upon Elpis ever were!

She stared at the sparkling blue waters, as blue as her feathers, and how they seemed to stretch out as far as the eye could see and even beyond. She could remember seeing Etheirys from high above and how much blue there had been… how this star was mostly covered in water…?

She could only stare at it in amazement.

She stared and stared, watching how the warm sun sparkled off the waters and made it sparkle, broken only by the large boats that sailed across it. Many boats, in fact, were coming and going from the harbor and she bounced a little further out onto the branch to get a better look at the city.

The structures around her were so white that the sun shining off them was almost blinding. The buildings stretched out far across this cold-looking landscape and seemed to criss-cross all over. She couldn’t remember seeing so many buildings like this! Oh, she was sure that Hermes would have loved it!

She hopped about the branches for a while and, no longer able to wait a second longer, stretched out her wings and took flight to better look at this city.

So happy she was to explore this world, she didn’t notice how someone—covered in bandages—had just opened the window when she had seen a flash of blue flying past her window.

“Meteion…?” Claire whispered, opening the doors a little wider and leaning out to try and get a better look at the bird, not sure if she had just been seeing things or not.

*A Few Weeks Later*

Meteion had been soaring about this part of the world for a time now, really getting a good look at everything around her. She was so fascinated by everything that she couldn’t help but wish she had more eyes to be able to see it all at once! Everything about this world was so different to Ultima Thule and even Elpis! So many people… so many colors… different landscapes and different kind of creatures that roamed about. She spent a great deal of time looking about the city with all the beautiful white city on the ocean before she decided that she should journey across the waters herself. She had been wondering where all the boats were going back and forth from for some days now and was curious to see where they would lead. As she followed the boats, she would sometimes even land at the top of the tall masts to take a rest and simply watch the people below working on sailing across the waters. It was all fascinating to watch.

After landing upon another city of the ocean, she passed over this new land with interest. She passed over the sea and great fields of lush green while watching people working hard in the fields. She could see the rebuilding effort of several places that were damaged due to those poor souls who had transformed as a result of the Final Days and left harm whosesoever they went. Her heart was heavy but there was no amount of wishing that could undo the harm that had been done.

She knew that the people would rebuild and move on… at least, she was hopeful that they would be able to do so.

Meteion continued her flight across the new world and savored all that she had seen and met on her journey so far. The younglings of this world were captivated by the mere sight of her and would stretch out their tiny hands to try and grab her if she flew near them, playing with her long tail in the process and all cry out how pretty she was.

She would smile if she didn’t have a beak.

She enjoyed her time spent with the children and how they were fascinated by her, as if they had never seen a bird before.

Onwards she continued, wondering just what next adventure would be waiting for her… when suddenly she found herself upon a landscape that was covered with mostly crystal. She stared about in wonder as there was an entire town built up on the very outskirts of this crystalline landscape that seemed to cover just about everything here.

Curious, she flew down a little lower and rested upon one of the walls for a short while as she looked downwards. She could see many people walking about below her, the city was full of those whom she learned were called adventurers and there were so many of them! Of many different races and colors—all of them wearing assortments of different clothes. She had been so used to those wearing the same robes and masks so that they were often struggling to try and make out who was who… that this was a surprise that she delighted in.

It was a barrage of colors and voices all talking with each and she could not help but stare, feeling a little lonely as she watched them and wished she could speak with them as well.

Suddenly, on the other side of the town, a door opened and a crowd of people came out. They got her attention as she turned her head to look and that was when she felt her tiny beak fall open in surprise. There was a large group, but among them she recognized a few!

They were the same people who came to Ultima Thule! She stared down in amazement at each one of them as they came out of the stone building, all talking with each other. And then…?

Claire…

She was the last person to exit the doors. Most of the others, those whose faces she didn’t know, had already left them, but she remained with the other seven for a little while longer as they talked. Suddenly nervous, Meteion took flight again before she would be spotted—not realizing how when the adventurer turned savior of this star looked up at that moment and spotted her taking off and began to soar across the rest of the crystalline landscape.

*Later that Night*

The sun had long since gone down at that point and it was the perfect clear night for viewing the stars above. But Meteion was more focused on what was below her as she sat perched upon a shard of crystal that was sticking out of the side of the cliff. She was watching over Claire as she was leaning back against the sleeping giant bird-like creature that was large enough to ride. Its feathers were of a bright shade of violet as they were curled up contented behind her, letting her rest against their feathers. With them was a second bird-like creation—that she later learned to be called a Chocobo—this time with black feathers, was now settling down next to them. Claire reached over with one hand to pat its beak as the two giant birds had soon cuddled up with her and were fast asleep.

Meanwhile, a dog-like creation was nestled at Claire’s side with his head in her lap. This creation had fur as radiant as the sun itself—she had seen him before now that she thought of it—seemed to be happily waving his tail as Claire ran a comb through his long fur. They were sitting in front of a small campfire while some soft, white looking bits of food were stuck to the ends of skewers and were over the flames as they toasted.

Meteion looked over a little further, wanting to see more of what was going on as Claire ran her other hand—the one not petting her creatures—into the tiny stream at her side where a few smaller creatures were lurking.

Oh! She recognized them! They were Ambystomas! Like the kind that Hermes was observing! So they did make it into the world! She watched happily as the little Ambystomas danced upon her fingers as they made their way past her hand down a little further into the creak as they rushed towards the lake.

Claire smiled as she watched them go before she leaned up and began to take the food from the skewers when she saw how they had darkened. As she did so, Meteion watched as she seemed to be putting the burning pieces together with other ingredients. It looked gooey when she piled them all together and took a big bite, clearly enjoying the messiness of the snack.

Meteion continued to watch her for a time as her friend seemed to be enjoying herself… but upon the third treat she had… Claire paused there.

“I know you’re there,” she called up and Meteion felt herself freeze at her voice. Claire just looked up and they made eye contact. “I had a feeling that you were watching me from before. Please, come down and we can talk.”

Meteion hesitated, but she knew that she wasn’t the type who would wish to harm her either so she fluttered down upon the crystals, almost at eye level with Claire. The glittering dog raised his head at the sight of her and Claire ran her hand through his golden fur.

“Easy now, Argos,” she cooed as the creature—Argos—and he instantly settled right back down next to her.

“I thought it was you,” she said to Meteion kindly. “I thought I was imagining things when I saw you in Sharlayan. But when I saw you earlier today, I knew that it wasn’t a dream.”

Meteion chirped and watched as Claire enjoyed her sweet-looking treat. Claire laughed and told her inquisitive look, “These are S’mores. Not like candied apples, but they are good.”

Meteion watched as her old friend held up the metal prong with the white treat—a marshmallow she called it—and held it over the fire as it darkened.

“So, why are you back here? Did Hermes send you?” she asked as Meteion landed upon her shoulder and nestled next to her in a contented way.

She chirped and Claire gently ran a finger over her blue feathers after she cleaned off the goo from the stream next to them.

“Can you not change back?” she asked and Meteion wasn’t sure how to answer her.

“How about this… chirp twice for yes, once for nay,” she suggested with a fond smile as if remembering something from a long time ago. Meteion then chirped once to inform her that this would be her more permanent form.

“I see,” she said. “Then… I take it you’re not here for any more trouble?”

Meteion chirped twice to let her know that there was no longer any need to worry for her and she chuckled serenely at that. She then went ahead to introduce her to her three companions. The two Chocobos whom were called Huginn and Muninn—who were the best of friends with how sweetly they were cuddled up together as they slept.

“You may have to wait till morning before meeting them properly. And this one is actually another gift from Venat,” she explained as Argos happily wagged his tail at the woman’s name. He whined as Claire smiled at him and went back to scratching behind his ears and settled down so that his head was in her lap. “Argos…” she said fondly before looking back to Meteion still perched upon her shoulder.

“The Scions are disbanded—for now anyway—and so… I’m trying to figure out where to go from here,” she confessed as she leaned back against her feathered friends as Argos continued his role as a fluffy blanket for her.

Meteion chirped in confusion, wondering where her friends left to and why she wasn’t with them.

“Why am I on my own then?” she asked, correctly guessing what she was asking. “Well, there’s no need for everyone to be together. They all decided to do what they can to continue protecting this world from the shadows. I can’t deny that I’m sad too.”

Meteion chirped comfortingly and rubbed her tiny, feathery body against her cheek in a comforting way and Claire seemed to take relief from it.

“I know it sounds strange,” she said, more talkative than Meteion had ever seen from her before. “But I almost feel like I’m starting over again. As an adventurer, I mean…? It’s a little scary. The fact is that for the first time since I stepped into the Waking Sands… starting tomorrow… I’ll be journeying on my own again.”

Argos snorted and she rolled her eyes.

“Aright, maybe not completely alone,” she added with a fond pat and Argos shut his eyes again as he drifted off to sleep. “No idea where to go from here or what will be waiting for me… a part of me just wants to find a nice little island sanctuary for us. But…?”

She trailed off as she looked at Meteion, who tilted her head curiously.

“What about you?” she asked, “Do you have a destination in mind?”

Meteion chirped once as a no and Claire thought it all over.

“Well, I don’t know where exactly I’ll be going or what will happen from here on out… but you’re welcome to come along for the ride,” she told her as Meteion let out a soft song in agreement.

She was so happy to be reunited with her friend after so long and couldn’t wait to see what will be waiting for them.

“Besides, I promised you I would show you some of my favorite things, remember?” she asked and she tweeted up joyfully at the promise as Claire removed her marshmallows from the fire and enjoyed another S’more. Meteion settled in comfortably on Claire’s shoulder and surrounded by her new friends while they gazed up at the stars. So different than the countless sad ones she was used to back in Ultima Thule.

This time they were… beautiful.