Chapter Text
Night had already fallen over the Crystarium, a new but welcoming comfort for its residents, who had already retired for the evening. Save for a few stragglers, the Exarch found himself on a quiet walk through the city. The skies were clear, and the heavens shone brightly as he made his way from market to Pendants, his steps coming to a halt on the stairs surrounding the Aetheryte.
There was a Miqo’te sitting on the railing, looking out at the sleeping city with a content smile. Her raven hair cascaded down her back, small frame betraying the many battles she’d bested, despite the hidden scars and cracks on her skin. The scars she had earned over the past four years in Eorzea, the cracks a token of her fifth. It was a reminder that Light was tearing her apart. He had seen many new sides to her this past year: fury, leadership, but this was a familiar one. She looked at peace. Despite this pain, she was at peace.
Ever a Warrior of Darkness, Arianna Minako. Or as he knew her, A’Erina Minako. Seeker of the Moon, child of Kugane, and medical scholar of the Studium.
The Warrior turned back to look at her newfound visitor, his footsteps alerting her as he made his way over.
“Might I join you?” he asked, approaching the railing. Ari nodded, motioning to the spot next to her. “I’m simply taking a quiet moment before tomorrow.” She said, “The company would be most appreciated.”
Tomorrow. The assault on Mount Gulg and the Lightwarden, Innocence.
“I am of the same mind, though it is rather difficult to think of something besides the task at hand.”
“It doesn’t come naturally?” she asked, surprised. “You always look to have everything together. A stray thread here or there, but that much is expected.”
“Even I have sleepless nights.” he said. Ari blinked at this, her eyes becoming listless. “…I see.”
I see. A storied response for one of little words.
The Exarch once again found himself wondering.
How many nights had she spent before battle, unable to sleep? When did the shaking stop, and the quiet begin? The quiet strength to look around and absorb the moment, knowing the next morning could be your last. He knew all too well what pushed her to those battlefields, and still he wondered. When did farewells become routine?
“Out of curiosity…” he began, hoping to start a conversation, “you spoke of your time as a researcher in Eorzea. What did you aim to uncover?”
She took a moment to process before laughing. It looked like that such a concept hadn’t crossed her mind for an age.
“Don’t get me started.” Ari laughed, pointing at the mark on her neck. The mark of an Archon. “I earned this before I started adventuring by dissecting aether’s relations to nature. A modern thesis of a concept from Allag, I’d later find. Exploring the elementals’ influence on healing, using aetherial-based methods on eikons’ thralls, and how different conduits affected potency. Crystals versus tree branches- the paper was quite lengthy. I wanted to expand our efficiency.”
“Even so,” she continued, “I had many more expeditions outside my mark after leaving Sharlayan. Ivalice, the Lost Ark, and… the Crystal Tower itself.”
“The Tower?” the Exarch repeated. He had not considered the tale one of note for her, at least this far into the future.
“Believe it or not, I spent some moons there. I knew the interior like the back of my hand.” Ari’s smile returned as she broke from his gaze, joyful memories pouring from her voice and eyes reflecting sparks from a time long since past. But time had eroded none of these things. It was as if the Exarch was a boy again, seeing the future Warriors from afar in Sharlayan. “It helped that I was going through the Tower in good company.”
“I can imagine.” The Exarch smiled, reminiscing. “You are fond of your companions, that much is clear.”
“Fond is certainly one word.” she replied. “For one of them… it felt lacking. He was more than just ‘fond’ to me.”
“Truly?”
“Once, yes. As we explored the Tower, I thought perhaps… he was something more. But, he is no longer of my era.” she replied, her soft smile turning bitter. “I asked after him once before, if you recall.”
“...G’Raha Tia?” the Exarch asked, the answer taking him by surprise. His own name felt strange on his lips, having remained unclaimed for a century.
“Indeed. That would be the one. Apologies, reminiscing got the best of me.” she said, collecting herself. “I didn’t think you would remember.”
How could he forget?
“It is a rare occasion for you to speak of yourself- especially when you had just arrived to the First. It was scarce enough to see you smile freely.”
“Yes, I… emotions were running high. I still deeply regret how I approached you back then.” Ari said. “I understand it was never your intention to spirit the Scions away, but to have them be left on the Source as husks, my sister and comrades among their number… I feared I would never see them again.”
The Exarch winced. Yes, he remembered. Both the persistent failures and panicked anger on her face. “I apologize for the unnecessary heartache. Even so, the First wanted for heroes, and I possessed no other means of contacting you and yours.” Ari nodded solemnly, pain still plain on her face, exhaling as she studied the world below.
“How the stories repeat themselves.” she murmured.
“‘Heroes’, huh? I… dislike that word. Makes us out to be something we’re not. We didn’t choose this path outright, it just seemed like the next step. We made the right connections, the right plays… the right sacrifices.” Ari paused, lightly touching the cracks on her skin. “We have lost too many on our path. To stop now would be a disservice to their names. But the world cares not for heroes, as Ardbert reminds me. One misstep, one wrong call, and that would be it. Our Echo can only do so much.”
“...That much is true. It is that very reason that we support you, is it not?” The Exarch smiled. It hurt to hear her say those things, after all they had given for this second chance. But she was right. The Warriors never chose to be a catalyst, but it was for that very reason that they became the light of Eorzea. And exactly why when that light fell… “Forgive my previous wording, but you and yours are truly a beacon of hope and change. To those of both our worlds, I imagine. Despite the losses, you have endured. The hollow victories, all claimed. And to those that are lost to us, their stories live on through you. Their tales should have been longer, yes, but I imagine that they have no regrets in choosing you to walk the path in their stead.”
“It is bold indeed to think people can change a world’s will.” Ari remarked, before letting out a sigh. “But, I will admit- while I fight for them, it is they who scare me. They are ever ready to rally behind us, to throw their lives away for our sake, simply because of our deeds. It will be the same tomorrow. Our journey is almost at its end, so I will see this much through, but…”
She cracked a smile, shifting her arms on the railing. “But I forget myself. This probably isn’t what you wanted to hear from one of your Warriors; let us think of more positive things.” She couldn’t be more wrong. But her starry eyes once again met his with a warm glow, making the question to follow impossible to refuse. “Tell me, what are your plans for the future? What comes after tomorrow for the Crystal Exarch?”
“Tomorrow…” The Exarch whispered, pondering for a moment. A century’s worth of work had been put into this. A century, all for one day. “Tomorrow is the end of one dream, and the start of yet another.”
“I told you once that there are those I would take any measure to protect. For so long, one of those few has been put in constant peril. But after tomorrow, they will be free to live simply, if they so choose. Though I imagine travel is etched in her very soul.” he said, sentimentality winning over.
“Hm.. ‘her’ you say?” Ari teased. The Exarch froze, his veins turned to ice. He had gotten too comfortable and disclosed more than intended. Embellished tales of her Echo or no, he couldn’t afford to let his guard down, lest his intentions be laid bare by her sight.
The silence was palpable for a moment, both taking quiet as an invitation to evaluate.
“You, uh- You can just say Lyna you know- it is easy to see how close the two of you are. But I understand where your concern lies.” she continued, her expression changing from unreadable to one of concern, “Lyna is a wonderful person, an excellent commander, but she pushes herself further than she should. Especially recently, with the attack on the outposts, it’s difficult not to mother her.”
The Exarch laughed, tension dissolving as he did so. “Lyna is a role model, and I love her dearly, but at least she knows when a cause is lost. No, I speak not of her. Even so, once this person is safe, I would seek her out. Ask to accompany her on her next adventure, quiet life or no. That is, should she wish me there. It’s… why she remains a dream for the time being.”
“Well, you have more than earned your respite. And I, for one, would love to travel with you. I only hope she would say the same.” Ari replied with a knowing smile. Before the Exarch could respond further, Ari stepped from the railing and stretched out her arms, taking a few steps toward the aetheryte before looking back at him. “Now, as much as I would love to talk further, we have quite the lengthy day ahead, don’t we? People to aid, dreams to fulfill and so forth. Such things call for ample rest.”
The Exarch nodded, leaving the railing to stand beside her. “Come then, allow me to walk you back.”
The crystal city had entered its slumber as the pair walked, stragglers long since in bed. Materials had been prepared, itinerary made- it was only now that a thought hit the Exarch with full force. This would be the last time they would speak as friends. The emotion tore at his heart, reaching for tears, but he had to stay strong. The Warriors needed this. His people needed this.
The pair kept quiet as the yellow light of the Pendants grew closer, but the sight of her room’s oak door spurred on his courage as ‘thank you’s were exchanged and it began to close.
“Um, before you fully retire, I must make one final request.” the Exarch said, wringing his hands. Ari placed her hand on the door, the frame half-covering her face as she awaited his words.
“Whatever happens tomorrow… make sure you all come back alive. That is all I ask.”
Ari gave a firm nod. “I’ll do my best. I asked the same of the others. But you needn’t worry about us; we will join you in the morning for the brief. I, um…” she paused, thinking briefly. “...Nevermind. Have a good night, Exarch.”
“Good night, Arianna.”
With the door closed and the light behind it turned off, G’Raha Tia let out an exhale. There would be little sleep for him tonight. Even so, this last talk had helped to steel his resolve for what was to come. He needed to become the villain in A’Erina’s story. He needed to ensure his memories never came to pass. Even if he was remembered with loathing, G’Raha could find solace knowing he had played his part.
After all, the future was where his destiny awaited. And she was that future.