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The journey has been long.
Ever since that distant beginning, I ventured towards heights I never imagined were reachable. And it hasn’t been easy at all.
“I promise I’ll be back.” the small boy whispered, that was how the villagers could spot him. On their way to grab some fresh water in the nearby river, they chanced upon the battered and exhausted presence of the little boy. Unable to keep him unprotected, they took him to their village and nursed him back to health.
Yet, every night, he would whisper: “I promise I’ll be back.”
The villagers worried about his constant nightmares, the way he reacted to their attempts at helping him. He wasn’t entirely averse to touch, he just seemed to be on the defensive.
“Survival mode, as we call it.” The current leader of the village commented, showing worry in every word. “Either this boy has been living in the wilderness all his life or he was living in a very dangerous place. I’m inclined to believe in the latter.”
He could speak, he could understand them and even help out around the village. Surely, he lived in a violent environment… But they could only wonder what had led him to end up near the river-bend.
And just as suddenly as they had found him, he leaves.
“I want to become an adventurer.”
That’s what I told my first saviors. I guess I wanted to be just like them. I figured, if I wanted to return, I should do so once I’m strong enough. I was sure that, if I learned of the world and grew up around it, I would be able to change our home for the better.
Yet, deep down, I wanted a reason not to return so early. A reason to not meet up with him… I wanted to be able to see the world, try to be happy. I was selfish, in a way. Deep in my heart, though, I vowed not to break the promise to come back for all of you.
So, when the calamity came, I was convinced it was because of my selfish wish. This would be the end of it all, my promise unfulfilled. I regretted it… Choosing my own freedom over those who still didn’t have it, I regretted it profoundly.
And then I awoke in a realm reborn, stripped of memories.
Lost, I tried my hardest to find my way back. I did not know who I was, truly. I remembered this name I was given, this desire to go on adventures, and a lingering regret. It was only when I took a break from all of the turmoil, glancing over this bow – yes, the very heirloom I robbed from home – that I remembered what my past was, who I was and those I wanted to save – all of you.
But that respite only lasted a second, for then I found myself falling for a trap, becoming a runaway and reaching the cold abode of Ishgard.
“We need to keep going. For those we’ve lost and those we can yet save.” With those borrowed words, his conviction was restored. He saw his fallen friends off, allowed for them to rest with the assurance that their efforts would have not been in vain. This was also a reminder for him, his siblings were still stuck in the dark and, though he had been placed in a rough position, once the Dragonsong War ended, he would be able to return.
But he was not able to, after all.
My journey took me to the Far East. A distant place that was as entrapped by an oppressing force. A land where the people suffered constantly and wondered if they’d live to see another day. Doesn’t that sound familiar? I couldn’t just ignore it…
So, I went headfirst to it all… And I told myself that, once I was done, once we truly helped the people, I would come back to my roots. Liberating Ala Mhigo and Doma only burned my convictions further. I would see you all to safety, once all of this was over. I would fulfill that promise.
At this point, it had been a while since people had started calling me the Warrior of Light. I didn’t really believe it to be my title – I guess I still don’t, actually – but I upheld it, I tried my best not to disappoint. They were depending on me, after all.
Speaking of such a title, I met a familiar face along the way who hated it completely, hated me, even. He didn’t seem to recognize me as much, if at all. He had a new step-sister, a whole family. I thought it was for the best, but it seems our curse reaches even the Far East… He wasn’t doing well and…
Once standing by his side, he was now going against him. Yet, those darkened eyes were set on the suffering, wayward lady of cruelty. And she disposed of him so quickly, Meteor’s brain could not register what had happened.
“Once again, you've failed and you've brought forth a tragedy. Befitting of you, no? Clean up the mess, bury your opponent, Meteor. You can do at least that, right?”
Those words echo as if the lady before him were saying them, as if she had manifested the monster he had though he’d grown out of fearing. There it was once more and he almost lost himself in it, he almost gave himself to the pain, the suffering. Once more, another one of his own had been killed because of him. And the suffering echoes, the suffering multiplies and blames him again and again.
She needs to be killed. That’s all he can do for him now.
I worked very hard to mend the damage, to somehow honor that death… And though I made it, there was no time for me to give him a proper burial. Another regret I added to my list, and something that fate would use against me, later on.
The fight was arduous and my comrades joined forces to stop a common enemy. We did it, we made it and, though I stood on the verge of collapse, I thought I would be able to fulfill my promise seconds later. It was a silly thing to ponder upon when I almost lost myself.
Throw wide the gates. I heard a voice call and my consciousness succumbed.
Once more, I would be thrown far away from home. This time, to a different star.
Exhaustion had taken over him. Frustration soon followed. With every attempt at doing good, the bad seemed to multiply and things grew harder by the minute. Soon, he found himself struggling to keep up with the suffering, with the flood of merciless light.
It grew so bad, that even the one that was supposed to be his enemy ended up providing him with some mercy. A place to go so that no one would see his descent to madness, to the monstrosity of light. And, maybe, to prevent him from attacking his own comrades and the people he fought so hard to protect.
Yet, he pressed on. Instead of arriving at that lonely, fabricated space to be consumed, he arrived to put an end to all of it.
“Weary wanderer–you’ve no fight left to fight! No life left to live!"
I almost died. I almost failed. That promise would’ve been left unfulfilled. But a dear friend reminded me that I had the strength to take another step. I could do it, and I did.
Though I was given an answer to the various questions that surfaced from this particular journey, from a past I didn’t even know I had–all of us had, I still had to go back home. I had to see all of you. I grew to miss you even more. I wanted to set you all free.
But tragedy came right after. The Final Days.
Anxiety crept through his legs all the way to his head in an unwelcome chill over his spine. He could not fall to despair, he would not. He had the support, but who would be there to help his dear siblings, who lived and breathed despair incessantly? His sleep was completely interrupted with the worry, the thought that they would be turning into blasphemies once the curse spread closer to them. And no one would bat an eye.
“Where are you going, Meteor?” the voice of his white-haired comrade, one who had been with him during tragedy after tragedy, stepped towards the anxious Hyur, inquisitive.
“Ah… I have to–I must check on my family. I thought if I hurried tonight, I would be able to see if they’re alright.”
“I see.” It wasn’t often Meteor spoke about his family, if at all. He kept that part of himself tightly locked away, but now was not the time for secrecy. Alphinaud nodded with conviction, readying his Sage weaponry. “Let’s go, then.”
“You shouldn’t interrupt your sleep for this, I can–”
“I insist, Meteor. I will go with you. We’ve noticed you’ve been on edge. We thought it was only because of this whole situation, but now that I know you have a family you’ve been worried about, I cannot take a respite without providing my aid.”
A soft smile presents between his exhausted expression. The Scions, his comrades, he could rely on all of them. Nodding, he steps outside with the boy and, as they are about to venture deep into the wilderness, a voice cries out.
That night, I couldn’t truly see you. Instead, I fought against a horde of blasphemies. I desperately tried to see if they had familiar components, hoping it wasn’t any of you. Once the battle was over, I couldn’t help but try and observe from afar, see if you were alright. None of you were out, everything was quiet, you were probably resting. There was no chaos, no movement, no remnants of battle…
I assumed you were all safe, at the time. And so, I hastened my movements. If I saved the star, I would save all of you, too. I could not falter. So, I did not.
And, in the end, I almost lost my friends. But I kept walking towards the end, towards the dawn we dreamed of.
At the edge of the universe, dynamis reigns…
I earnestly hoped for all of you to be alright. My comrades, the acquaintances I knew along the way, the star and, especially, all of you whom I had left behind. My promise would go unfulfilled, but I would see that my last wish, drenched in dynamis, would reach you.
And, just like that, I was awake again. My chance to keep the promise rekindled.
Finally, all seemed to fall in place. I learned a lot, I strengthened myself enough, I did my duty as Warrior of Light. It is safe to say that I am ready. I can finally drop that mantle, hand it over to the star, and fulfill that promise.
And, yes, I am writing this letter while having the knowledge that some of you have been able to go out. I don’t know how or why, but I hope this means those that are out are doing well… and that those that are in are on their way out of that accursed village… Despite that, I’ll see it for myself.
No more delays. Temporary as my stay has been in each and every place I’ve traveled to, I will come see you and make your stay in despair just as temporary. I will put a stop to him if I have to.
I’ve missed you all so dearly and the former Scions are excited to meet you all. I hope you’re ready for that, they can be quite the lively bunch. Plus, they’re scattered all over Eorzea and beyond, so we’ll be doing a lot of traveling together to visit them.
“Are you ready, Meteor?” Alphinaud calls once more, Alisaie waiting a little ways over, speaking to a worried Jullus that is desperately making sure they are ready for the journey. The linkpearl rings and the Hyur places a hand over his ear.
“This is Thancred. The area seems to be clear and safe. There’s quite a group in there and a man as intimidating as you described. Are you sure you are ready to do this?”
“Thank you, Thancred. I’m ready. Plus, I am not alone.” Meteor finishes the transmission and turns to Alphinaud, he nods, and – before standing towards his olden destiny – finishes his letter.
The journey has been far too long, but I am finally here.
I love you all devotedly.
–Meteor.
