Chapter Text
Dion couldn’t help hearing the whispers that found his ears as he grabbed a drink from the little bar at the Hideaway. Did you hear about Twinside? Oh yes, right shame it was. Yeah, but there are survivors. Heard a dragoon was rounding them up and managed to get some of ‘em out.
A pang hit his heart. Was it too much to hope that Terence was that dragoon? It ate him up inside that he may have sent him to his death. Did he manage to find Kihel and make it out before Ultima’s destruction?
“Something troubles you, Your Highness?” He turned to see Joshua. “Are you well?”
“It’s... Nothing…” He mumbled. His thoughts should be set solely upon their task at hand. Yet he could not help being distracted. What if Terence was that dragoon? What if they needed help within that chaos?
“If there is something that you needed to do before we set off, now is a perfect time. Clive had something to do with Jill. They shall be gone a while I suspect.”
He warred with himself. His path to atonement superseded his selfishness. To see Terence one last time before the end.
“You worry for your people at Twinside?” Joshua had glanced back at the folks that had that conversation. Dion’s brow furrowed that he could be figured out so easily, but Joshua seemed to have a keen eye about him.
“My…” he hesitated to continue, but it was by Joshua’s deeds that saved him from himself, “second in command. He is… very dear to me. I released him from my services and bade him find someone, and I am not sure if they made it out in time.”
“And you’ve learned there are survivors.” Joshua nodded, and a small smile grew upon his lips. “Let us go see then, Your Highness. I’m sure they could use some help.”
“I cannot distract myself from what duties are to come,” Dion pressed, knowing that it was ultimately his selfish desire that saw him wanting to embark upon this task.
“We cannot deny those in need. Surely this would align with your journey to atonement?”
His mouth parted. That he should throw his determination at atonement into his face truly showed how cunning Joshua could be.
“Will it interfere with our mission, Pheonix?”
“I fear if we do not go neither your head or your heart will be clear. Isn’t that so, Your Highness,” Joshua grinned. “Come, let us set off while the day is still new.”
Dion finally nodded, acquiescing to Joshua’s plans. He could tell himself that this was for the sake of helping refugees, but in his heart he knew it was for Terence and Kihel. They set off upon the backs of chocobos after their boat ride to the shore. For a while they travelled in silence. For so long Dion had operated under the leadership he sometimes wished he could shirk. Only Terence was his real friend, and so much of what they were they had to bury for the sake of keeping up appearances.
He was unsure how to act now that he had fallen from grace. He’d been the Prince of Sanbreque, and Bahamut, for so long, that most people only saw him as such. A placeholder, a tool, and most recently the tyrant he never thought he could be. No matter how much he tried he could not forget the destruction he’d wrought upon his people. They trusted him to protect them and in his shattered moment he failed them.
“I truly am sorry, Your Highness, for the evils my mother brought upon your house…” Joshua spoke, and he couldn’t help flinching at that.
“It was not your fault, Phoenix, that that woman wrought such despair over my family. Truly, my father was a different person before she came along whispering her evil into his ears… Besides… should she have found you alive, who knows what other atrocities would’ve befallen us.” He saw him chew on that thought for a moment.
“I do not know what would have, or could have, happened should that have come to pass. Mother… doted upon me, but I saw the way she treated Clive. Not unlike your mistreatment I would assume, Your Highness.”
“She never did mention him. Please, call me Dion. I am no longer a Prince. I am undeserving of such a title.”
Joshua grinned his way, “Then you shall call me Joshua, for I believe I am much more than Phoenix.”
Dion was taken aback by that. He’d only merely wanted to offer a respectful tone towards his fellow dominants. “I meant no offense in that.”
“I know,” he smiled, “But I’d rather us be friends rather than mere colleagues. We are not just dominants. We are also ourselves; wouldn’t you agree? Let us not forget that we are also human.”
He remembered when they were children, how they played together during the Remembrance ceremony. He, Joshua, Clive, and Jill played together. A time of normalcy. Of innocence. Joshua had already been granted Phoenix’s powers soon after his birth, but he was still just a little boy. He remembered how he nearly set the room on fire when a curtain went up in flames. A soft smile spread on his lips. It almost felt like he had siblings during that time.
“Besides, we are basically brothers, are we not?” It was as if Joshua was reading his mind, and Dion’s lips parted at that statement. He hadn’t thought of it that way, but technically… they were.
“I suppose we are. The one bright light within that woman’s darkness. It would have been nice to have siblings growing up.”
“Well, you shall have them now.”
The thought warmed him, and he felt determination rise within him. This path was the right path. He would guide those two to the end, but first, they had business to tend to that would give him a clearer mind and release him of distractions.
The ride was hard, and night began to fall upon them. The spire in the sky loomed ever watching, and Dion couldn’t help the pang of guilt at seeing the crater before them. So much destruction had befallen this city. He bore the guilt of the first wave, but this was so much worse. The flow of aether spidering forth from the destruction was also cause for concern.
“I see a camp below,” Joshua stated, and he drew his eye to where he pointed.
“They are far too close to the aetherflow.”
“Indeed. Let’s not fear the worst so soon.”
He nodded, but something caught his eye. Something stirred within the crater, bodies seemingly climbing forth from the pit.
“This is not good,” Joshua said, and Dion looked to where his gaze had landed. “Another group is heading towards the camp.”
“And Akashic are spewing from the aetherflow.” Without a second thought Dion bade his chocobo take off towards the encampment. Maybe they could reach it before either party was close enough to them.
His heart began to race the closer they made it, and he could see the armor of some few dragoons as he rode into the camp.
“You must flee!” He called out to them all. “There’s an aetherflow not far, please flee now!”
Joshua rode in behind him. “Flee northwestward! A party is approaching from the south!”
The two of them blew through the camp, shouting to them all. “I shall ride to meet the akashic.”
“Then I shall take the band to the south,” Joshua responded, and they broke from each other.
Dion prayed to Great Greagor that the akashic weren’t many, and that She would bless his wings when he got there. If he could at least hold them off as the others fled then that was all he could ask for.
Once he made it closer to the aetherflow he abandoned his chocobo and bade it ride back for the camp. He readied his lance and charged, leaping high into the air as he pulled part of Bahamut’s power to give him his wings. He landed in a destructive dive that effectively took out a large amount of them.
He knew he’d already strained himself too much; he needed to save the bulk of his power for their future onslaught. Yet he could not falter here; not now. Not when his people still needed him and he could offer his wings to atone for his sins. He continued to fight yet the hoard seemed as if it wasn’t diminishing. He felt weary, and he knew he could not keep this up much longer. He needed to flee, but he couldn’t let them get closer to the people. He didn’t know if they were at a safe distance yet.
He heard a shout come from a distance, a little girl’s voice that drew his ear up the small hill. “Look out!” She shouted, and he turned in time to find a demon at his back which he managed to slay. He turned back in her direction and she was about to start running towards him. It was her. It was Kihel. Relief found him for but a moment as panic surged within him.
“Kihel, no!” His palm reached forward telling her to halt. “You mustn’t come any closer!” He turned to slash another poor creature that’d turned when another voice caused his heart to stop.
“Kihel!” He shouted.
“Terence,” he uttered, before another beast snapped his attention forward. He slashed through another creature, and another, until he was finally able to look back to the distance to see his beloved grabbing Kihel.
He looked just as shocked as he was. “My… my Prince?!” He almost bolted towards him but stopped himself.
“You must flee this place!” Dion shouted back. “It is not safe near the flood! Please, get yourselves to safety!”
He saw the conflicted look on Terence’s face, but steel resolved him like the warrior he knew he was. He picked up Kihel amidst her protests, and the two of them ran. He felt a wave of relief wash over him. They were alive. It was more than he could have hoped for. He fought harder now, slashing through more enemies. He leapt to the sky once more and landed for another devastating blow. He could feel the weariness beginning to overwhelm him, but fire swept a line that’d begun to retreat as he kneeled to catch his breath, propping himself up with his lance. He looked to see Joshua rushing towards him.
“The refugees are on the move, and I took care of the group of bandits that were heading for them. Luckily, their numbers were few, though I see I cannot say the same for you. I’m sorry.”
Dion shook his head, “No need for apologies.” The akashic that were left continued to flee back towards the crater from which they came. “I think it’s time we take our leave of this place.”
“Agreed,” Joshua said, helping him to stand. They both hurriedly fled; Dion leading them in the direction Terence was heading. They crested the hill and relief once again flooded into Dion’s heart.
Terence stood nearby, Kihel holding her pack. “I told you it was him!” She said excitedly to Terence who bore that smile that made his heart melt.
Propriety be damned; he didn’t care now, especially when there were no prying eyes to worry about catching them. He rushed forward, Terence welcoming him in open arms. He pressed his lips to his as he captured his face with his palms. He felt the tears on Terence’s cheeks find his thumbs, and when he pulled away he brushed them away from his cheeks.
“I never thought I’d see you again, my Prince,” Terence uttered, and Dion felt tears stream down his own face. “I could scarcely believe Kihel could be right.”
Dion let a chuckle escape him. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him tightly into his embrace. What a welcome feeling it was to feel his love’s arms around him as well.
“I feared the same, Terence,” he breathed. They finally let go of one another, though he felt reluctant to do so.
“I still have poultices should you need them!” Kihel said as she tugged on his coat. He kneeled down and pulled the young girl into his arms.
“What a welcome sight you are as well. I’m glad you’re alright.” He couldn’t help the odd feeling of going against his proper nature, but he truly couldn’t help himself. He felt happy. For the first time in he couldn’t recollect. It almost made him feel sad. He stayed kneeling in front of Kihel as he fought to regain his strength to stand.
“Thanks to Terence. He helped all of these people.”
He finally stood and Terence rubbed the back of his neck. “It wasn’t only me, Your Highness. Not long after you left when the chaos erupted, some of our fellow dragoons were on hand. We led many to safety… If only we could have saved more.” He looked down at the ground and Dion placed his hand on his shoulder.
“You did what you could.” He glanced and saw Joshua smiling; he’d almost forgotten he was still here.
“I remember you,” Joshua kneeled in front of Kihel. “You offered your poultices to me on the road.”
Terence let out a small laugh, “I see she has a knack for finding wounded royalty by the wayside.”
“I’m glad you’re better too.” Kihel nodded.
“I hope you were able to put your poultices to good use on those that needed it.”
“She did,” Dion said to them.
They made their way back to the empty campsite and began to look through supplies that they could gather now that the danger was over. He noticed Kihel prodding Terence about something until she began to push at his hip towards his direction. Terence looked defeated until he finally came over to him.
“I… barely know what to say, Your Highness.”
Dion smiled at him. “It almost feels like an age has passed…” He fiddled with the bandage on his arm and Terence pushed him to sit as he sat beside him. He grabbed his arm and gently began to redress his wound just like their time in the tent what seemed like so long ago.
“What brought you here,” Terence asked.
“I heard a rumor that a dragoon had led refugees from Twinside’s destruction. I allowed myself to hope that… that it was you.”
He nodded, “Yes… You should know that I was very cross with you… Your Highness.”
“Please… Terence, do not call me that any longer. I released you from your services to me.”
“I gladly would have stayed to fight by your side.”
“I could not risk you coming with me… I do not… I do not deserve you,” Dion finally admitted to him.
“How can you say that?” He felt Terence’s hand on his cheek, and though he wanted it to stay, he plucked it from its place. “What I deserve is for me to decide. If you do not care for me then say it now.” Dion’s eyes shot to his. It seemed Terence finally found it in him to speak his mind once more. Before Terence realized who he was when they were kids, he was much more outspoken. He wasn’t always the timid man that stood by his side and mostly agreed with what he said. He liked seeing this side of him more.
“Of course I care for you. This is why I cannot have you by my side. I would not be able to fulfill my duty when I am worried for your safety.”
“I rose through the ranks for a reason.”
Dion nodded. He was right. He was a far more capable warrior than given credit for. Dion eased in, allowing himself to steal another kiss. “I know this.” He cupped his cheek with his palm. “I know that you are capable. It does not stop me from worrying.”
“You needn’t worry over me.”
Dion couldn’t help the sorrowful smile he sent his way. “For my sins I must atone. But I could not bear to live if something were to happen to you through fault of my own. It would be my ruin…”
“My Prince…” Terence uttered sadly, and Dion found his hand, lacing his fingers with his.
“Please… do not call me that any longer, Terence. Say my name… I beg of you.”
Terence took a deep breath; he brought their hands up and he placed a kiss to his hand. “Dion… I love you.”
He felt relief wash over him, the sound of his name from his lips filled him with light. “You have my heart, Terence. You always shall, my love.”
They spent a few more quiet moments with one another. Dion knew that they needed to head back to the hideaway as soon as possible. They’d gathered their things and he couldn’t help noticing that Terence’s pack was full of supplies.
“I want you and Kihel to come with us back to the Hideaway. It is a good place, and it would grant my mind a bit of ease knowing you are safe there.”
Terence avoided his gaze for a moment as he put the pack on his back. “I want to… With every fiber of my being, but… I cannot.” Dion felt his brow furrow, but resisted the urge to order him to do so. “You released me from your service that I could aid Kihel and our people. What kind of man would I be if I abandoned them now. I would not be a man worthy of your love.”
He couldn’t help smiling in admiration at the man he loved. His compassion for their people that mirrored his own was another reason he’d fallen for him. As much as it pained him to be denied, he nodded. It would be better this way. He knew his path led for certain death. This departure would be far sweeter than the bitter one that would come at Terence watching him fly away to his doom. He couldn’t bear the thought of that.
“You are a far better man that I could ever hope to be,” Dion said, leaning in to kiss him.
“Don’t say that… Dion.” Terence kissed him back.
Dion looked down when he felt a small hand touch his. Kihel had placed her hand in both of theirs. “I’m happy that Terence listened to me,” she beamed up at them both.
“Whatever do you mean,” he asked.
“Well, he confessed to me why he was so sad. So I told him that should you be reunited he needed to tell you that he loved you.” She grinned. She swung their hands a moment before she let go, grabbing their hands to press them together. “I want to thank you both,” she said quietly. “I haven’t had anyone care this much about me since my grandmother…”
Dion smiled down at her and Terence kneeled in front of her. “Kihel, I want you to go with Dion to their hideaway. You will be much safer there.”
“What? No!” She protested and Dion was surprised at her outburst. “I can’t abandon the refugees either! You need me and my poultices! I’m coming with you, Terence.”
“Kihel…” Terence shook his head.
“It seems she will not be so easily persuaded. Just as someone I know,” Dion said.
Terence sighed, “She has the right of it. If it weren’t for her care a lot of people would be in worse shape than they are.”
“As would I had she not come to my timely rescue.” Dion kneeled in front of her as well, placing his hand upon her head. “Promise me you’ll look after Terence then. When both of your work is done, come to the Hideaway. They have a lovely garden I would like you both to see. And a healer who could use the help of a stellar apprentice.”
Kihel’s eyes lit up at the sound of that. “Truly? Could we plant Wyvern Tails there?” Dion was taken aback a moment and he slowly looked at Terence who had a blush upon his cheeks.
“I… told her of your fondness for them.”
He smiled at him then looked back to Kihel. “Of course. We shall… we shall plant them together someday.”
She wrapped her arms around both their necks and he patted her on the back before they rose.
“I will hold you to that promise,” Terence told him. “I know you too well. You will be going with the Phoenix won’t you?” His voice wavered and Dion finally nodded.
“Yes. I will not see them go against Ultima alone. I owe them, and I owe our people revenge upon that monster.”
He could see the tremble upon Terence’s lips. “Then you go and destroy that demon. And after you will come back to us. Promise me. Promise us.”
Dion swallowed, he knew he shouldn’t make that promise, but he wanted to keep the hope alive for all of them. “I promise you both. I promise we will plant the seeds of many flowers… and watch them grow together.” Their final kiss was bittersweet, but it filled him with the closure he needed to press on.
He looked back one more time upon the back of his chocobo at Joshua’s side. Kihel waved at him while Terence offered a reassuring look. He didn’t want to believe that this would be the last time he’d see them both. He knew though that he would fight hard for the chance to see them again. To make good upon his promise.
~~
A gentle wave swept over his body, a touch of sunlight streaming across his face. The smell of salty air filled his senses, but his body felt broken, more broken than his fight against Ifrit. He listened to the sound of the waves, its chorus soothing, but he could not move no matter how much as he wanted to.
He felt himself fading, he wondered if he already had, and this was death’s way of welcoming him into its sweet embrace. What a warm feeling unlike the cold emptiness he’d expected. He lay there feeling the warmth of the sun’s light. Could it be that they’d succeeded, he wondered? The sun barely shone after his defeat at Twinside, hung up beyond the smog in the sky.
He tried to open his eyes and finally succeeded. The sky looked clear save for a few pretty, painted clouds. It must be rising, for the lovely shades of pink and orange glittered above giving a dewy appearance as the sun’s rays crested over mountains. He felt glad to look upon this view before the end.
“Clive!” He heard Joshua’s desperate voice not far from him. “Damn it, Clive, you can’t! Not like this!” There was so much sorrow in his voice. He managed to turn his head slowly to his right. He could see Clive’s body lying in the sand much like his own. Joshua over top of him, shaking him. So they made it. Or rather Joshua did. He felt saddened. He didn’t know Clive very long at all. He knew him to be a good man though, and that’s all he needed to know of him. He didn’t deserve this fate. Not after what Joshua told him he went through.
Joshua’s sobs were painful as he pleaded with everything. “Phoenix, please, please.” His cries were desperate. He had to wonder if their Eikons still lie within them. He couldn’t tell with the life leaving his broken body.
He watched as Joshua desperately banged his fist upon Clive’s chest, over his heart, as if he thought he could startle it back to beating. He was desperate, but he knew he’d feel the same.
A sudden gasp then sudden silence. “Clive? Clive!” Joshua pressed his palms to his brother’s chest. “Phoenix, please, I beg of you. Grant me this last power, please.” A sudden burst of blue and orange flame sparked from his hands. Clive’s hand lifted suddenly to grip his arm.
Dion struggled to move his hand, reaching for them. He couldn’t help but smile. “My brothers…” he uttered, curling his fingers into the sand. He felt happy for them. He hoped beyond everything that they could make it together.
As he faded away he felt at peace. Peace at knowing they’d won, and peace that they could live on and help more people. His eyes slowly closed; he swore he could hear Terence calling his name.