Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Time.

Such a complex notion, an inevitable concept, immovable in the eyes of our fleeting existence.
Mortal lives come and go, and yet, Time marches on.

Oh dear Hydaelyn, your shards know this all too well,
Scattered in the winds of Time.

What is but an instant in our eyes, here on the source, could be a lifetime on another shard, one plagued with unbalanced aether.
Yes, just so, one much like the First.

Had your time to wield darkness come early, would you still prevail? Would your allies have remained the very same, as you knew them?
I'm sure that one of them, at least, if not two, would have been very different...
And yet, due to the nature of their souls, the little ones would have been far from helpless...

An interesting story, don't you think so, champion of Eorzea?
Well then, have a seat, and I shall retell your triumphant tale of shadow and light, at the daybreak of the last Oracle of Light's heartbeats.

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Our story begins five years before your arrival, in Lakeland. While you are absent for now, our story will not suffer from dullness, rest assured.
Nay, one of your companions shall be our focus for this story...
After all, you said yourself that you would describe Thancred as a father for the Ryne you know, even going so far as to bestow her with his last name, is that not correct?
Then, let's exaggerate the Gunbreaker's, er, mother bird behaviour, just a little further... but oh, pray, do not tell him what I just said! He might react poorly!

Ah yes, while he had just arrived half a year before, Thancred was already very well documented on the Oracle of Light's tales of eld.
While he had said his goodbyes to his Minfilia in what seemed an instant, it had been almost Eighty Five years since the Flood of Light on this befallen shard. A hard truth to swallow, I understand.
Yet, your Gunblade-wielding friend had not lost hope. Thancred was very well aware of the cycle of reincarnation his old friend was going through. Countless Minfilias had fallen to the Eaters, fighting the good fight in your absence, dear Champion. But this time, he was determined to save her.
He had studied and looked all over the cabinet of Curiosity, in the same manner Y’shtola would. He would remain here day after day, night after sleepless night... not that it would be visible in the sky at the time, but his eyes, oh his eyes, the extreme exhaustion was a feeble price he was willing to pay to save her. He was in close communication with the Crystarium guard, and would hear from the Exarch’s scouts as soon as but a trace of Minfilia’s whereabouts would be found.

At last, one fateful day, he heard back from the guard. A young viis girl came running, almost tumbling down the staircase leading to the cabinet, looking for him.
Hearing his name called by the young recruit, Thancred practically leapt down from the cabinet. Had he been less sturdy, he would have broken a bone, but thankfully your friend had well calculated the risk. For you see, no time had to be lost.
The young recruit, as you have guessed, was none other than your dear friend Lyna at the dawn of her guard days, she was but a fledgling of the lowest ranks at the time, still making a name for herself. She fell to her knees, having exhausted herself to deliver the news faster. Between each breath, a word, then a breath, and yet another word, the message would be delivered.

“Minfilia” was seen by locals, headed for Amh Araeng less than an hour earlier.

There was no time to lose.
Thancred gave a grateful nod to the young Lyna, and hastily stormed off to the wilderness of Lakeland, Lionheart in hand.

His determination burning like his gunblade amidst an act of bravery, his hopes high like the crystal tower behind him, he was about to reunite with his friend. Or rather, her reincarnation, but it did not matter to him at that moment, for Minfilia is Minfilia.
Running like the wind, the sound of his artillery clashing against itself at each step, and he was rapidly closing in to Minfilia’s last reported whereabouts. Finally, the relentless search would lead him to her again.

And yet…
So many things can happen within the span of an hour, dear Champion. You know that all too well, don’t you? Fate can give One hope, just as easily as it can take it away.

When Thancred finally reached Amh Araeng, the air was deathly still. Sin Eaters were flying in circles like vultures. Although people were very much around the northmost structures of the area, gazing at the macabre choreography above them, the fiends were surprisingly not going after them, choosing to hover clockwise, like a synchronised ballet of death.

Thancred’s heart sank a little. Something terrible happened here.

Your friend ran, and ran, his triumphant dash became a race of desperation, clinging to Lionheart closer than ever. His breath was failing him, but still, he would not halt.

In the midst of his hurry, Thancred looked up at the sky, trying to identify the fiends’ center of gravitation… a little north of the Inn at Journey’s End, just below Twitch.
He was almost there…!

Almost there…!

… Almost-

… There…

A terrible battle had just occured here, barely an instant prior. Not a sound, not even from nature or wind, would break the dreadful silence of the scene. Corpses of brave souls torn apart by the fiends scattered all over Twitch, dozens and dozens of protectors snuffed out, none spared.

No… No, this cannot be happening, he would mutter.
Quickly leaping across the battlefield, Thancred would spend a few minutes flipping over the armor-clad bodies with the tip of Lionheart to identify them one by one, hoping he would not find her among them… Oh, please, don’t let her be among them, he would repeat to himself, over and over… She’s not there, she’s not there, he would try to engrain in his brain.

And he would not, in fact, find her among the departed…
… Until he looked further, to the dead center of the Halo of Fiends above him.

Alas, Fate had found her before he could.

Thancred, dropping Lionheart in a loud, metallic thud, ran with the last of his strength for her.
“Minfilia…!” he would call to her, “Minfilia!” he would grab her, and shake her, slap her even, hoping for a gasp, a flinch, or any sign that her wounds had yet to fully take her…
Your friend would still not believe the meaning of her silence, though. Applying his ear on her chest, he paid close attention… Oh please, let her heart beat… no matter how faintly, please, let her heart beat…

He listened, and listened, and waited longer than any sane man should, for a sound that never came out of her cold, lifeless heart.

Accepting a truth as painful as this one rarely comes without tears and heartbreak. Thancred embraced the young Minfilia’s lifeless corpse as close as he could. To add salt to injury, he could hear his own heartbeat resonating through her hollow chest as he held her close.

How could this be? She was so tragically young, too, the same age as the Minfilia he knew when they were both younger. The memories of his friend were flooding back, adding to the unbearable sorrow. Oh, she looked just like her... He could almost picture his Minfilia in her place.

With a heart weighing more than he ever carried in his life, he buried the young girl south of the Inn, on the cliff that led to Nabaath Areng, where your Tesleen presently rests as we speak. That way, he thought, she’ll be as close as she can be to Her, for lack of accessing the grounds directly.

He remained there, for hours, some would say days, unable to part with her. He sat in contemplative mourning, talking to her, as if she could hear him. He would apologise, over and over, gritting his teeth, angry at himself for not finding the girl sooner. His anger and grief, he would take onto any Eaters that would dare show themselves after the carnage.

Eventually, even he knew he had to leave her grave.
He leaned forward to the headstone, his hand on his heart, one last promise before leaving.
“If… No. When you return, I will find you. I swear it, even if it costs me my life.”
And thus, forcing himself not to look back, Thancred would return to the Crystarium, to bring the grim news to the guard.

-----------
…

Ah, champion of Eorzea, has this brought a tear to your eye? My apologies, rest assured, this tragic incarnation of Minfilia is not the coffee-biscuit loving young one you have grown so close to. I wouldn’t dare.
Dry your tears, Hydaelyn’s Chosen, her tale had not yet begun at the time. Shall I fast forward to her story, then?
…
Very well, I shall. Again, I did not mean to pull your heartstrings so early. My most sincere apologies.

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Several years had gone by. Thancred had never truly recovered from what had happened in Amh Araeng, and yet, there was but a sliver of hope that Minfilia would return in a new vessel, for you see, he had read the tales very thoroughly.
He knew how the story had gone for over eighty years, and how it will likely go again. Every time he was plagued with the memories of the fallen oracle, he would cling onto the hope that the prophecy was still true.

He went as the wind took him, here and there slaying eaters on his path, hoping one day, a sign of her would show itself on the way…
More of your companions would reunite with him on the First, one by one, and he would cross paths with one or two every once in a while. The topic of the conversation would often pivot around you, my friend, before he would end up retelling his last encounter with his oracle, to the unanimous dismay of your scion friends.

Thancred did not completely lose hope, but with each year, his hopes grew slimmer. He did not think that it would take so long for Minfilia to return from the Aetherial Sea once more.

Four years and a half is an awful long time for someone mourning his prophetic found family.

Fortunately for him, his wait would come to an end shortly after.

His path had taken him inadvertently to Wright, a small village in Kholusia you are all too familiar with. While he would often come here for information, he would come less and less for this purpose, and instead, took his halt at the local ramshackle bar. Perhaps to drown his sorrow away, which became heavier with the passage of time. He needed something to help him carry on with his search, as ephemeral of a push that was.

Now, Hydaelyn’s chosen, who says Kholusia says… … that’s right, Eulmore! And if I say Eulmore, you must think… … Why, yes, Vauthry, but that is not my point for now. Ryne’s gaols were in the deepest reaches of Eulmore, remember?

Enter two young Hume men, one in a far worse shape than the other. The regulars immediately rushed to aid him, offering an empty seat for the drenched lad. Thancred noticed the saltwater stench. Ah, perhaps someone discarded from Eulmore?
They tend to throw unwanted playthings to the seas often… While most of them don’t survive the fall, it is still a better end than what awaits at the hands of the domesticated Eaters. Still, it was surprising that he lived to tell the tale.
If he was lucky, perhaps he’d eavesdrop on updates concerning Alphinaud again, who had been infiltrating the city for the past few months… He had been meaning to reunite with the boy, but he did not want to thwart his cover by doing so.
Oh well, if anyone’s seen the young Sharlayan, perhaps this survivor has sightings he can listen in on…
…Not that he expected what he was about to hear at all.

“‘Tis true!” speaks the survivor, in between coughs and raspy breaths, “They did not toss me overboard, They were about to hand me to the Eaters for knowing this!”
Oh? A fun twist in the narrative, thought Thancred. Perhaps he’d listen in closer, taking the empty seat next to the one he was occupying.
- I had to escape, ‘twas the only way! I had to tell the world of what I found in the dark depths of the city! So… I took that risk willingly!
-And what did ye find, my boy? Some kind of Lightwarden?
-No, no! Nothing like that! Although yes, there is a large Eater.. But it’s guarding something! Someone!
-Bah! Eulmorans and keeping brave citizens hostage! Nothing out of the ordinary, lad! That’s just life around these parts!
-You need to listen to me! That’s no ordinary hostage! A new Minfilia is-

Thancred choked on the strong drink he was in the process of consuming. Heads began turning towards him.
“You, with the white overcoat, you alright?” Asked a Galdjent man from the gathering of regulars.
Thancred promptly got up, letting his chair fall to the floor in an unpleasant noisy manner, and quickly shoved the circle of Kholusians aside to make direct eye contact with the survivor.

“Tell me everything you saw, spare no detail.” He ordered.

His commending presence would get him what he wants. After a rather awkward silence, regulars took a step back, and from that point on, no interference would take place. It was just the refugee and Thancred.
- I… I was able to overhear the guards talking… I was mostly concerned about the large Sin Eater, but I found out it was no lightwarden, at least… The guards near the rightmost gaol were giving it orders, I did not hear all of it from the distance i was hiding at, but I could make up the words “Keep the Oracle in…” and… I did not hear the rest of the sentence.
- Did you see her?
- … No, no I did not! Why do you ask?
A long silence. Thancred was not going to expose such a deep, sentimental wound in front of strangers.
"That is not for you to know" he'd reply, shutting him down.

He took another step towards the survivor. He had to break into Eulmore, today, and no later. And if there was no oracle to begin with, he was, like the commendable young man before him, willing to take the risk.
“Could you describe the gaols and the Sin Eater to me?”

Chapter Text

A few hours of studying the survivor’s reports had taught him that there was a switch between the day and night watch he could exploit. His days as a rogue have taught him stealth very well, even with his new, heavier weapon in hand.

He infiltrated almost effortlessly, on his way in, at least. Keeping his instructions very close to him in his mind, he navigated, recognizing the sets of stairs, corridors and doors he was described by the brave young man. The few times he was spotted, he was able to take out the isolated guards without alerting reinforcements. This improvised plan was all going well, so far. Perhaps a little too well, he thought.

Plunging deeper and deeper into Eulmore as the hours passed, he infiltrated the lower prison, with its coiling, coiling stairs that seemed to never end, with more and more gaols he'd pass turning up empty.
He quickly came to the rightful conclusion that the lower the cell, the more important to Eulmore its captive.
With the patience of a saint, despite his desperation to see her to safety, he finally burrowed his way to the final set of gaols…

There it was, Forgiven Cruelty.

It was resting, for now. Having been fed some poor soul recently, Thancred presumed. Ah, it bears its name very well, devouring helpless discarded citizens no longer considered useful… It reeked of fresh blood, the creature must have had its “payment” not too long ago. An unfortunate way to go, but this creature’s full belly would make stealth more successful.

There, behind the slumbering fiend, the last gaol, down this seemingly bottomless staircase. Unlike the previous sets passed by on his way, this one was reinforced. No proper bars to speak of, but instead, a thick door, with not as much as a window to peek inside. Thancred came to the conclusion that this was not much to prevent Minfilia to escape, rather, to prevent a person like him to let her do so.

Now, to break the lock…
He did not want to take the risk of awakening the fiend while he’s in the open. He could deal with it on his way out, yes, but were he caught right here and now, there would be no saving Minfilia.
As he was leaving Wright earlier, the survivor had chased after Thancred to hastily give him a little kitchen knife. Too small to be considered a blade, which made him scoff a little while they were parting ways, but now, he understood what it was truly for. A former rogue would know for sure.

After a rather lengthy, tense game of lockpicking, and praying this was the right door after all, Thancred finally overcame all the trouble this Lock was posing.
Carefully opening the heavy door, slithering his way in, careful not to fully close behind him lest he’d trap himself, he was finally into the gaol.

… What manner of a cell was this?

It was awfully dark here. No matter how potent the light otherwise omnipresent, it did not reach at all, here. Only the slim doorway made for a little bit of a ray, revealing the intricate, tacky decorative style present in most of Eulmore. The contrast with the hostile, decrepit corridor that led to this room was even more jarring after this discovery, they very much wanted to give her the illusion of healthy luxury as early in her life as possible… likely to lure her into staying vaulted, even when she'd grow older. Already at this age, they were trying to indoctrinate her into becoming a docile captive... and yet, not a trace of any toy a young child could entertain her lost time away with. It was the bare minimum to keep her alive, it seemed.

This was no place for an oracle, let alone a young one... Ah, hells, why was he feeling concern? He was never a child-caring individual to begin with! But if it was for Minfilia, he'd look past his discomfort. Anything, anything at all if it meant to save her, this time. After all, he had already done it once, in Ul'dah...

With an unsure step, your Gunbreaker friend dwelled deeper into the uncannily decorated cell. One would think a child that small would make a sound, even more so in such isolated conditions, yet, nothing.
Was this truly the right cell?

“Minfilia…?”
Too bothered by his own uncertainty, Thancred tripped on a set of chains he hadn’t seen before, making a sound much too loud for comfort… chains? What in the seven hells were they doing to the young Minfilia in here?! Gods, were the chains for a company of Eaters?

… And finally, a tiny, tiny little voice woke up to the intrusive noise, and promptly expressed her discontent.

Hells! That was no child, that was much younger!

Thancred ran up to the source of the sound, hoping to find the owner of the little whines. There seemed to be movement… flailing, rather, in the darkness, coming from what he was now sure was her cradle, all the way over there, in the darkest corner of the room.
As if she knew that this intruder meant no harm, the little captive cried out softly, arms lifted up, as if to beg for help.
Unaware of what he would find, or if it was the right child at all, he reached into the very gaudy yet uncomfortable bed they had put her in, carried her into the thin, thin light of their exit, and…

Those bright blue eyes, proof of her Goddess' favors, dare he thought even more prevalent than he remembered... Were Minfilia's eyes always this bright?
It did not matter, there was no mistake. The resemblance was undeniable.

There they were, both staring at each other in almost complete darkness, with not a word or sound, both in disbelief at finding one another.
Finally, thought Thancred, Finally, he had found her, in time, well and alive. At last, he could keep his promise he made in Amh Araeng. Finally, he felt her quick, little heartbeat in the palm of his hands, he felt the warmth of her new life in his arms.
He put on a decent effort not to cry, despite the emotion, try as he might! But…

“...Aeu!”

The little one spoke to him.
After all Thancred had been through, this disarms even the strongest of men.

Keeping his rightfully justified tears as quiet as he could, he held her closer. This was probably her first embrace since they took her here. A confused little yelp escaped her mouth, obviously not used to it after her isolation…

… Right. They were not out of the woods just yet. They would have all the time in the world once they escape Eulmore.

With the little one in one arm, and Lionheart in the other, Thancred swiftly ran back to the entrance of the gaol, carefully treading past the sleeping Sin Eater, all was well… all was well…
… But alas, the little damsel seemed unhappy with her rescue, somehow. The further Thancred would stray from the gaol, the louder the blessed infant would whine.
Anyone would have picked up on her hints, something about leaving Eulmore was bothering the already perceptive young oracle, on the upper levels, likely. Oh, Hydaelyn's chosen would have made sense out of her wordless warnings, but not Thancred. Not now. Not after everything else, not after these five years.

And so, her desperation became so loud that her cries had awakened Forgiven Cruelty.

With a terrible roar, The ground shakes beneath the Sin Eater as it rises up one limb after the other from its resting posture, blood very much still staining its white marble fangs.
A bone-chilling, unblinking stare towards the terrified infant, accompanied with a heinous inhale and exhale cycle.
A glare that knows all, yet feels none.

“Alright, Minfilia, Playtime’s over!”

Running as fast as he can towards what he believes is the least heavily guarded exit, Forbidden Cruelty’s footsteps can be felt trailing behind the two with each leap it takes.

Thancred not only had to lose the Eater, but also lull the little oracle into silence, lest stealth would become impossible.
As soon as he had more distance between him and the sin eater, he would take the chance to attempt, to the best of his mediocre capacity, to hush the little one.

But none would do, even had he been more experienced with small children, Forgiven Cruelty was too terrifying of a sight for any grown adult, even more so for a young one less than a year old, oracle of light or not…

Stealth was becoming less and less of an option. Although the few scattered guards on the way were easy to dispose off, the marble lion was still chasing.

The stairs seemed like they were three times as daunting, now with the fear of an unspeakable death at their heels.
Exhaustion comes for anyone running about for such a long chase.
In the middle of the chase, still holding onto your little friend with his non-dominant hand, Thancred would begin reaching for Lionheart.

When the creature drew much too close for comfort, he would show little soon-to-be Ryne his Gunblade wielding for the first time.

His lack of breath from the chase would prove to make this fight unfair, especially with the little one holding on for dear life. He would try as he might, often missing his mark thanks to the several burdens on him at that moment, but still, Thancred would land a critical hit on one of the fiend’s wings.
A horrible cry of pain from the creature as its wing broke in half, which in turn, made the little one’s screams even louder still.

The Eater fell to the ground like a downed fowl, its pained squirming giving the Gunbreaker a chance to escape with the infant.
There was no time to silence little Minfilia, no time to idle about, it was now or never.

He quickly found that less-than-ideally guarded back exit he was most vaguely told about, dispatched the little resistance he was met with, swiftly, before either reinforcements would arrive, or for worse, before the creature resumed its chase.

With an uncontrollably bawling little Minfilia in his arm, Thancred disappeared into the wilderness, quickly distancing himself from Kholusia, not a single glance back.
The distant echo of her terrified cries resonating through the cliffs was soon enough the only trace of their passage.

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To be absolutely rid of the doubt of any chase from the Eulmoran army and its pets, Thancred had seeked solace in Il Mheg.
T’was far from his favorite neck of the woods, that was for certain, but he knew the fae would not object to protecting the little oracle.
Besides, that was where Urianger chose to reside, of all places. Thancred would never understand it, but at least, right now, it was very convenient indeed.

-And how doth fare the child?
-It seems she’s calmed down, for now. I believe she must still be upset, but who could blame her after today…
Urianger could hear little Minfilia’s quiet whines, muffled into Thancred’s coat. The Faerie Aficionado had yet to take a proper look at the new incarnation of their friend, but he wouldn’t dare ask.
“Urianger, you know I can see you, right?”
Drat! Was he that obvious? He almost blushed from the embarrassment. Oh, he really did not mean to be so intrusive about it!
“Yes, Urianger, you can, in fact, take a look at her. It is written all over your face.”

The Astrologian slowly approaches, much like if he was dealing with some kind of scared, wounded nutkin.
- Gods, Urianger! Just look at her already, I won’t stick a cartridge between your eyes over it!
- Ah! Pray forgive me! I might be some few nervous over the encounter.

At long last, Urianger kneeled before the little oracle, as if she were royalty. He could not see her properly yet, as she was still curled up deep into her savior’s mantle for comfort.

“‘Tis an honor to see you well again, Minfilia.”

To the sound of his voice, the little one turned her head, revealing her adorable face, and most especially her characteristic blue eyes, to the Astrologian she would soon grow to adore.
Although her whining had stopped, her breath was still uneven. Yet, curiosity took over, as she would lean further from Thancred, and closer to Urianger.

Speaking of Urianger, he felt tears welling up in his eyes already. His jaw agape, he couldn’t believe just how little she was.
With her fingers gently resting into her mouth for comfort, she would not break eye contact with him whatsoever... nor would she break the silence first, this time, as if she was ever so politely waiting on something from him, instead.

-... May I-
- -hold her? Of course.

Before he knew it, Urianger was handed the little Blessing. He was holding her like a hot popoto, and didn’t quite know how to position her securely. His panicked glances towards Thancred were more telling than words ever could convey.
Exasperated, your Lionheart-wielding friend had to resign his comfortable seat, hard earned after all his troubles, to properly guide Urianger’s arms into a proper hold for little Minfilia. It seemed to be precisely what she was waiting on!

Now, he could properly look at her.

She was dressed in a comfortable white dress, reminiscent of her past self, adorned with lace, bows, and frills galore. She already had the signature blonde hair sprouting from her little head, and while still very much growing, they were already long enough to tie a tiny, pastel pink bow on a short asymmetrical braid. In due time, it will likely grow to be just as long as her predecessor's, but for now, they were tiny, thin, fragile.
She was her spitting image already, and the attire was very much intentional. But that was not all.
The scions hadn’t seen children so little since Louisoix first introduced them to Alphinaud and Alisaie. Urianger had forgotten how small little beings are when their life begins, her roundness would put a Lalafell to shame. Even though her conditions were awful, at least, they kept her healthy enough to prove they want her alive, her round rosy cheeks for evidence. Oh, how adorable she was… Speaking of the twins, whenever they meet again, they will absolutely adore their new companion, he thought.

The emotion was incredibly strong for him, he couldn’t hold back his own smile, nor his silent tears of overwhelming emotion quietly flowing down his cheeks. Oh if only Moenbryda could have seen her, she would have adored her...
After a little squirm in his arms, the little one let her new friend hear her little voice, likely out of concern for the quiet stream of tears, like the considerate little soul she was.
“ … baa~eu!”
A gasp from the Astrologian, whose tears would flow even more, and whose smile grew larger.
The little one squints at the Elezen. She must have taken note of the strange contortions his face was doing, as not even half a minute later, she had figured how to replicate a content, soft imitation of his expression.
"ua~aa!"
There it was, her first smile. Not only her first smile in the Scion's presence, mind you, but the first smile of a lifetime.

Thancred had noticed how stiff Urianger still remained. Rolling his eyes, giving his companion a pat on the back, he reassured the anxious healer.
-You’re full aware that you can give her a proper hug, right?
- … I may?
A singular nod. He could not believe it would turn out so difficult for Urianger to loosen up.

To those words, he carefully, slowly lifted her head to properly embrace the child.
The little oracle’s bright eyes would widen to the gesture, still not used to affection. After all, it had only been less than a day since she was rescued. One would believe it’d take her time, but nay, not for her. She fully leaned into the embrace, hand in her mouth, shutting her eyes, happily babbling to herself.
- Aabaabababaa~...
- … Yes indeed, young Minfilia, thou are right.
?!
The savior of the day had to turn around for a double take. With Urianger, you may never know for sure.
- Pardon? You can understand her?
- Ah, pray forgive me, I cannot. Yet i would for her to have companionship and conversation. Wouldn’t thou agree?
- Companionship, eh…?

The little one swiftly fell asleep in Urianger’s arms, her first night of warmth and trust.
But as they would soon find out, she would wake up much agitated, time and time again without fail, if left alone to rest by herself, even for but an instant.
Therefore, the two Scions took turns holding the blessed infant all night, as more and more curious pixies would fondly look on from the windows, including a certain tangerine-tinted one...

Chapter Text

“Lord Vauthry, i come bearing unfortunate news. A yet unidentified Villain claimed and stole our young Oracle from us. Minfilia, to be precise.”

A battle-hardened hume man, scale and spine coiled dormant around his neck, was kneeling low in defeat before a grotesque man tending to Forgiven Cruelty’s Wing. Well, rather, ordering his other eaters to do so for him.
They had gathered the part Thancred had severed on his escape, all rubbing hand and claw in an unsettling unison to fuse it back with the wounded fiend.

The imposing man was seething in his divan. He would throw a manner of pillows to the walls around him, scream time and time again, and pummel his seat with repeated hits of his fists. His unpleasant voice wasn't short of piercing one's eardrums like roaring thunder.

-Ran’jit! You do know what will happen if she escapes our grasp!!
-Yes, my lord.

Eyes still lowered, the general would accept his earful with no complaint. He was taking full responsibility, it seemed.

“We cannot let her become a threat to us!! I will not suffer her light in the wrong hands!! Ah...!", he broke into a miserable string of tears, "Think of what she could do to MY paradise!!”

The capricious Lord was inconsolable. There was not an ounce of control in his outrage. Even the little fugitive would prove far more polite already than the tantrum-throwing manchild he was.
As for the elderly hume covered in scars, although he did not dare speak over his uncouth superior, he displayed a grave sense of concern, almost fear, on his face. Could it be that there was more to him and Minfilia?

“Find her, Ran’jit!! Find her!! Whatever it takes, we must prevail! Never shall she ever leave Eulmore again!”

-----

Days came by, sun and moon dancing away from the world’s eye behind the curtain of light. The little oracle grew more and more fond of not only Thancred and Urianger, but all the fairies of the kingdom.

The Nu Mou would take turns holding her as gently as can be, often having their long, lop ears played with. Gently, of course, the little one would never pinch nor pull in painful manner, as such was her gentle behavior. She would play with their myriad of porxies as well. She was incredibly fond of them, and the other way around was equally true.

The talkative Amaro of Wolekdorf would place her on their backs, offering a leisurely stroll in the skies of Il Mheg like no other.
They would ensure the Fuath of Dohn Mheg and their mischief would steer clear of the little oracle, yet still, curious, bulbous eyes would often peek from the fathoms below. Seto especially made sure that a distance would be enforced between the little one and the aquatic faefolk at all times.

But none of these wonders would compare to those of the pixies of Timh Gyeus, who spent every waking moment in their new resident’s company.

My dear champion, perhaps the moniker of “little blessing” has caught your ear, has it not?
Very well, it seems that you remember the meaning of Ryne’s name in the fae tongue. I would not expect any less from you. I have expertfully hinted at it in my past proses, hoping you would catch on my clues.
Since the beginning, it was none other than your friend Feo Ul’s idea to nickname her so.

Ah, Feo Ul, the kingdom’s populace-wild care for the child yet paled in comparison to theirs alone. Often insisting to enter Urianger’s abode, playing hour after hour with her, singing song after song for her, pulling her warm blanket up to softly tuck her in every night, and, even going as far as to slide under her little arm if they felt but the slightest sign of agitation from her slumber.
Yes, none of the fae were as invested in Little Blessing as Feo Ul was. She was their darling little thing, through and through.

The pixies would often take her to their lively abode in Lydha Lran. They would play a wide variety of games together, always in a respectful manner. They made a vow to never play any tricks on her. This would be reserved for her older days, when she would be able to understand the humorous nature of pranks, or so they would say.

Yet, they were confused as to why the little one, even though visibly happy, would never laugh along with them.

“You don’t suppose she’s sick, do you?” would ask the pixies among themselves, rounded up around the little one.
“I wouldn’t think so! She looks healthy as ever!” would reply another, just as confused as their siblings.
Their little blessing would make a variety of melodic coos and babbles, decorated with her newly learned smile, but never once would she laugh. This would greatly concern them.

“Oh, oh! I know! I know!” one of them exclaims, before tickling the child, right under her chin. "This will do it, I'm sure!"

Alas, the reaction they would get was quite opposite to their hopes. She would squirm, curl up in a defensive manner, and then came the tears.
Alarmed, the pixies scattered and hid beyond her reach, and the little one would cry, and cry, and cry yet some more, until all of Il Mheg could hear her distress.

Feo Ul, ever the guardian, immediately swooped down from the skies, interrupting their every other activity to soothe her. Upset at their folk, they demanded an immediate explanation.

“We did not mean harm!” sulks one of them, promptly followed by another: “We were just hoping to get some laughter out of her!”
Laughter…? Now that they were thinking about it, Feo Ul hadn’t heard even the slightest chuckle from Little Blessing!
With a gentle caress of their hand on the baby’s delicate nose, the tangerine pixie had come to understand the truth. Ah, Eulmore had already denied her the socialization she so desperately craved…

“I know you all mean well, but I believe our Little Blessing has never once laughed before…”

At that realization did the faeries double down their efforts to help, in hopes she would, in time, catch up with the stolen milestones she could not yet reach.

Thancred was just as present as they were, at least at the beginning.
He would often take the little oracle with him on patrols, in search of his other companions. He would place her in his cartridge storage, which is far from the best place to put a curious child. Her ability to track down eaters was already no secret for him, and even at her young age, they would make quite the effective pair. Yes, she would cover her eyes whenever fights would break out, however it would become clearer and clearer to her that her new family would not let harm come by.

Little Minfilia would often show signs of heightened distress whenever passing by Holminster. While Thancred would not rush ahead on his own, he did take note of his little helper’s behavior.
After patrols, he would place his hand on top of her head. “Good job”, “Nice one, Minfilia”, he would praise her, as she would push her head even further into his palm in joy.

This was all going rather well, the little one would know bliss for the time.

Until one sudden morning, to everyone's confusion, Thancred drew firm distance with the little oracle.

She would lift her arms, asking for an embrace, but he would always decline and pass her by. He scarcely made eye contact with her at all, and would only draw near whenever absolutely necessary.
Minfilia did not understand the sudden change in behavior. Why was he not holding her anymore?
It was not just her stuck with the confusion, Urianger also expressed his concern, but would be quickly shut down. “Not now”, he would always get in response.

Try as they might, Feo Ul would spend even more time with their Little Blessing to comfort her, but her sorrowful gaze was always pointed towards your brooding friend.

-----

One day, as Feo Ul had left Il Mheg for a matter with the Exarch, the little oracle would pensively lift her head towards the obstructed sky.
There she stared, unperturbed, her bright eyes fixated at seemingly nothing in particular. Every now and then, she would emit a little sound to herself.

“Euu….”

She knew, my friend.
She had sensed your arrival.

In the following days, your tale had already been set in motion. There you went, reuniting with both Alisaie and Alphinaud, revealing horror after horror in this new shard you were now a part of.
Soon enough, you would brandish your weapon against Philia, Lightwarden of Lakeland, in a terrible clash of good against evil.
You would prevail, as your real exploits tell the tale, and thus, absorb your very first lightwarden.

At long last, a small part of Norvrant could admire the stars.

Rumors made quick work of your deeds. Every corner of the land would speak of your triumph, and Il Mheg was no exception.
After you vanquished the Lightwarden, the little one grew restless. She would flail and wail about in frustration to any kind soul that would hear her plea.
The pixies were at loss over her behavior, until one of them spoke:

“If I may… Perhaps she wishes to see the night sky!”

A mutual “Oooooh” of understanding among the swarm, all gathered around their little one. Although this was not her true motive, this made a lot of sense for the pixies.
Another pixie was very quick to pipe up:

“Well then, I say we escort her towards Lakeland!”

An unanimous cheer of agreement, until they were faced with their obstacle:

“But… our Little Blessing cannot move on her own!”

Thinking and more thinking ensued, this was likely another case of her lack of enrichment in that gaol of hers.
Even still, though she was too young to walk, at her age, she theoretically should be able to crawl on her own! The chances of success were slim, but they could not bear to see her so rightfully upset. Besides, hopeful thinking is what a Pixie does best!

If it meant that she could see the sky, then it was worth the try!

And so, the pixies would begin gently pushing the little one’s back, encouraging her to lunge forwards, on her hands.
“Come on!” they would cheer her on, “You can do it!”
While initially confused, with little yelps and short sounds to express her incomprehension, the child was clever. She came around to understand the nature of the guidance given to her.

After lengthy, shared effort between both the swarm and the child, she would eventually find support in an all-fours position.

Oh joy! The pixies had done it! The little one’s wide-eyed, ear-to-ear smile was indisputable proof of her excitement. Although silent, her bliss was immeasurable, ‘twas as if glimmering faerielights were in her irises.

Now, all she needed to do was to coordinate her movement for motion!

The pixies would carefully tug at her sleeve frills, to show her the required gestures. Now that she had already been guided once, she would quickly understand what had to be done. Every time the child would threaten to tumble over, multiple pixies would push her back up to a safe balance before any fall would occur.

The pixies were, oddly enough, the ones showing concern first this time around. “Shall we stop there, Little Blessing?” they would ask, but they would be met with a determined shake of her head, denying interruption.

And finally, after a good hour or two of a saint’s patience from both sides, the little oracle could crawl about!
Cheering, singing, and dancing among the pixies took place as the little one would grow more and more confident with her pace.

Oh, if only Thancred could see!
… Speaking of Thancred, maybe not, after all! Perhaps it was best, all things considered, if he did not hear of tonight’s escapade at all.

Now, it was time to see that fabled night sky, they thought!

-----

In Feo Ul’s absence, it fell to Tyr Beq to escort the little one.
They would guide her, flying on ahead for a short distance, then would patiently wait for her to catch up, rinse and repeat all the way to Lakeland.

Tyr Beq was no dull company, either. They would talk to her, sing for her, and entertain her with all sorts of games until arrival.
“I spy with my little eye” was a favorite of theirs, Tyr Beq would describe something within visible range, until the young oracle would point her little finger towards the described landmark, creature, and so on. Enrichment, they called it!

After a sizeable yet pleasant walk, finally, the light would make room for the stars they had heard so much about.

Both in contemplative awe, they would look on at the starry expanse above them. So many little flecks of light, blanketed in a coat of comforting, peaceful darkness, beauty they could not imagine in their wildest of dreams.

While some pixies remembered the sights of eld, our little Minfilia had never seen anything like it before. Pointing her finger towards the flickers, she would enthuse to her friend.

- Eu~waeuu…!
- Yes, Little Blessing! I see them too!

There they remained, basking in the cold air of the night, free from its usual coating of foreboding aura plaguing the air.
Finally, at long last, Tyr Beq could breathe in and out with more ease than they thought was possible.

Ah, if only Il Mheg could see, feel what they were feeling… Would it be possible, one day, for the kingdom to welcome the same sights? How wonderful it would be, perhaps there would be a way! Yes, perhaps whoever lifted the curtain here could do it again, at home! Ah, Tyr Beq had shivers over their hopeful thinking! Oh, to see Il Mheg free from the light once more…!

Lost in their own melancholy, some time had passed without Tyr Beq’s notice.

They turned around to their left, and to their horror, Little Blessing was nowhere in sight.

Quickly, they turned over every stone, looked past each tree of the area, calling for the little one, over and over.

Oh, this was dreadful! What a place to lose a child so young! What about the fauna? Worse! What about the local bandits these parts were known for harboring?! And even worse still! What if Eulmore caught wind of her?!

They must find her before anything else does!

The little oracle, though, had already walked a good distance from her pixie friend. Like her winged friend had taught her, she spied with her little eye a certain crystal tower.

Ah, the Crystarium, you were in your inn room at the time, weren’t you dear friend?
And this is where her heart would take her!

She would tumble a few times into the purple bushes, but nothing at that moment would upset the little one.
She took each fall with stride, rather amused by her harmless predicament. Oh, to be rolling around under the gentle stars on the way to meet a friend! Purple leaves all over her hair, traces of dirt on her nose, she excitedly marched on, no short of high-pitched sounds of delight as she drew closer and closer to her destination.

And when everything seemed to be going so well, when she was oh so close to making it safely,
Steel barred her path.

All Tyr Beq could hear from afar was her scream of terror, giving away her location.
They flew as fast as their wings could carry them towards the source of the noise.

“Hang on, Little Blessing! Tyr Beq is coming for you!” they would call, hoping she could hear their reassuring words as they would draw near.

Alas, as they would exit the lavender-tinted woods, all they could see was armor-clad men whisking the little one away, all bearing the emblem of Eulmore on them.

Chapter Text

The desperate news of the little oracle’s captors quickly made the rounds. First, from Tyr Beq to a horrified Feo Ul. Then, from Feo Ul to Urianger, who would then take the news to a furious Thancred, short of an instant to shove a cartridge into a flock of pixies.

Meanwhile, the news would take off the other way, from mouth to ear all across Lakeland, quickly climbing their way towards the Crystarium.
Upon reaching our viis friend Lyna, she knew exactly who to take the information to.

Thus was the Exarch himself informed of the dire situation.

He was very well aware of already ongoing tensions with Eulmore. He knew how calculated the risk of the rescue would be.
Especially after its so-called Lord had sent Ran’jit himself directly into the ocular to voice his distaste for the Night Sky’s return.

The Crystal Exarch is not one to sit idly by as a friend is being escorted to a gilded birdcage in a madman's paradise, however.
The choice had already made itself.

There was only one person he thought would make the perfect savior, one Champion he had already placed all his hopes in, long before this turn of events.

This, my dear friend, is where you make your grand entrance on my stage.

Much like how you remember it, you were tasked with charging along with the crystarium guard. The enemy was treading at the very center of Lakeland for now, fortunately. They were in favorable territory for you to strike, but there was not a spare second to lose, lest they’d pick up the pace towards Eulmore again.

You did not know just yet what you had gotten yourself into, or what manner of foe you would clash against, but you had strong memories of the “Minfilia” you knew.

There was no hesitation with your decision.

Along with you came Louisoix’s grandchildren. Just as riled up as you were, they oozed with determination to save Minfilia.
It did not matter to them that she had been reincarnated plenty of times, or if she had forgotten them entirely. Nay, regardless of it all, they both knew that they would treat her like a friend all the same.

After much needed preparation, you rushed ahead, weapon in hand, to fend off the unwelcome Eulmorans.
Especially after what you had witnessed with Alphinaud, this was more than satisfactory of a triumph. You felt each blow you delivered fueled by your burning indignation and disgust. Not a single moment did you hold back, that day.

After burrowing your way into the fort, you would draw ever closer to your rescue. Not yet sure of what you would find, you could feel it in your heart. T’was as if Hydaelyn herself was breathing through your lungs, and that was how you knew you were closer and closer.
Your Echo was guiding you, like a divine magnet pull, you were sure of it.

You were not the only one with that same sensation, however, as a little voice piped up as loud as she could, not too far from where you were.

And there, you froze for a second.

You had finally come to realize just how little this Minfilia truly was.

The weight of the horrors already weighing onto her seemed all the more heavy now, and your heart skipped a few beats.

This made you not only horrified for her, but furious.
She had her entire life ahead of her, and this is what Vauthry had decided for her.

There was no forgiveness left in you, at that moment.

You clung even closer to your weapon.

Your heart raced, and raced even faster as you would track down the source of the wordless voice, pleading for you to come to her aid.

Any reinforcement that would bar the way was disposed of quickly.

She kept calling for you,
Again, and again,
Closer, and closer still to the bearer of the voice,,
You were barely a few yalms from her now.

And finally, you found her.

You ran ahead, out of breath, to pick up the little one, immediately holding her in your arms as closely as you could.

Little Minfilia would drown her tears within your embrace, nuzzling them away against the warmth of safety.

The Leveilleur Twins did not take long to catch up to you. Upon seeing the child, they stopped in their tracks, likely harboring the same horrified aggravation as yours just instants prior.

“She’s so young…! How could they do such things to her?!”
Alphinaud, who had seen up close what Eulmore was capable of, was on the verge of tears.

Rushing ahead, Alphinaud took care of holding the small child. After all, it fell to you to pave the way for the exit.
You would press on, with repeated quick glances towards the twins to ensure everyone’s safety as they would follow.
Alisaie, meanwhile, was closing the procession, fending off pursuers giving chase, furiously protecting her brother and his terrified charge, burrowing into his coat for comfort.

But as you already know, your escape would be thwarted by Ran’jit.

Not even all of you combined were a match for him. Hells, he was even willing to cause collateral damage to the little one if it meant stopping the Leveilleur boy.

His eyes fixated on the little oracle, the man before you was a fallen protector. T'was visible within his gaze, he had been swayed from the path of good by the strong winds of decades worth of unspoken grief. A repeated loss that was dictating his every wrongful move. A mourning without end, a pessimism that had carved holes in his faltering values, like Kholusia's ferocious waves crashing onto its sturdy cliffs.
So long as the little one was not fatally injured, even by his own hand, he could still “save” her from this dying world, in his own flawed perception.

The blessed child did not like him back, not one bit. The closer he drew, the more she clung to Alphinaud. It was undeniable how one-sided this "protection" was.

You raised your weapon to intervene, but to no avail. Ran’jit towered over you at that moment, almost reminding you of your first clash with Zenos in Rhalgr's Reach.

But despite all odds against you, you are a true hero, my friend. There was no way you would let him have his way, even if it were to be the last thing you did.

As you prepared the last of your strength, the sound of Gunblade artillery clashing against itself was rapidly approaching.

With a precise blow of Lionheart, Thancred was, as you remember, buying time clashing blades with this enemy.
Every second Ran’Jit would waste berating his opponent’s weakness, his unworthiness of Minfilia, so on and so forth, Thancred was fully aware that he had not come alone.

Away from the enemy eye did the Exarch cast a teleportation spell, the very same one you recall. Swiftly sending you and your friends running for safety, he directed you once more towards the magic veil that was Il Mheg.

As you were running, quickly followed by Alphinaud, two sets of eyes were watching your timely escape.
One set belonged to the Crystal Exarch, proudly declaring to Ran’Jit that the Crystarium would not bow before them in fear. If the price for the night sky’s return was a war with a nation of fools, then so be it. He was, as he said himself, ready to receive them.

The other set of eyes were golden. A man of older magicks than the Exarch’s was observing. While he cared little for your rescue, he had recognized you for who you truly were.

-----

Back in Il Mheg, Thancred spared no instant before reprimanding the adventurous little oracle’s venture.
While this betrayed his concern for her, and how scared he truly must have been, she was far too young to pick up on such intricate, conflicting emotions stirring within a brooding adult. To her, this was all taken at face value.
Tears in her eyes, she clung closer and closer to Alphinaud, face burrowed in his arms.

Alisaie, however, still remembered that their Minfilia was an intuitive woman. Not one second did she doubt her runaway friend's intuition, surely, there must have been a reason for her to wander so.
With a caress on her head, not unlike the head pats Thancred would give her, she would get the attention of the child.
“What’s wrong, Minfilia? Did the big, mean Thancred give you an earful?”

With a smile from ear to ear, it was difficult not to take a liking to Alisaie. Little Blessing’s tears would come to a halt, leaving room for soft whimpers in their stead. An improvement, no matter how small.

The Lordling would transfer the embrace towards his sister, who immediately spun her in circles and playfully rocked her, all in an effort to cheer her up.
“You’ll never see me getting all worked up like this, obviously that makes us best friends, yes?”
There! With an exaggerated flick of her finger, Alisaie gently pressed her new friend's tiny nose in a playful manner. Her tiny companion would react favorably, showing her ever-so-gentle smile to the teenager.

When she was absolutely certain that the little one felt better, she would ask, not expecting much of an answer:

“So, what was your little escapade all about anyway?”

To her surprise, it turns out that she was capable of rough understanding already.
She turned head and pointed finger towards you, Hydaelyn’s Chosen.

“Aeuu!!”

This little Minfilia had not lost any of her predecessor’s perceptive nature, there was no doubt about it.
Alisaie would quickly put one and two together, handing you the little oracle without hesitation.

In your embrace, she was longingly staring within your very own gaze, contemplating in the same manner as she did the sky when you first arrived.
“Aeuee~”
As you brought your hand closer to her, she extended her own. Before you knew it, she was holding onto your index finger, eye contact still maintained.

And then, the pixies’ collective efforts of days past finally bore fruit:

“E~hee... Auaa~hehehe -hic- Heee~!!”
Little Blessing had bestowed you with her first laughter.

The twins gathered around her, gesturing to Thancred to come, but alas, he kept his distances.

She would continue, a flurry of high-pitched giggles punctured with hiccups, would soon draw the pixies near. Of all the sounds of laughter in this world, hers was the most adorably melodic of them all.
“She laughed!!” they cheerfully exclaimed, “She laughed!!” they would repeat among each other as they flew closer.

-----

The pixies began celebrating your arrival, your triumph, and your acts of bravery. They had taken a liking to the Leveilleur twins, as I’m sure you remember.

Feo Ul, like in your memory’s recalling of events, spent some time playing a handful of tricks on you, before finally showing themselves to you. Oh, you had made yourself thoroughly awaited, hadn't you?

And promptly did the entourage take you to Urianger’s abode, where you will be handed grim truths on what is to come.

Not unlike your personal experience, the little one did not stay long, that day. She was playfully taken by the pixies, for what you were about to discuss was not something she should hear. 'Tis said that she later fell asleep on an Amaro's back, peacefully giving in to all the exhaustion she had been through in the span of the day.

At this solemn, grave gathering, the young Leveilleurs made their reports to Urianger and Thancred, on their respective areas of patrol.
There were talks about the Inn at Journey’s head, and how critical the situation had been there for those starting to turn. There was a thorough description of Eulmore’s inner workings, its pacification of the population, and the grim nature of their “paradise” for man and Sin Eater.

A heavy mood begin setting into the room.

Then spoke Urianger. Much to everyone’s horror, he described what he had seen of Black Rose, and there was a great description the Eighth Umbral Calamity the Exarch feared so.
There was a mutual agreement between all present, one that this must not come to pass.

Only Thancred remained deathly silent, with seemingly nothing to add. But it was far from the truth, as his input on time spent with the newly reborn Minfilia would have been welcome.

Urianger was the first to break the silence regarding his near-absent activity.
“What plaguest thy mind, Thancred?”
A scoff, fully aware that he could not walk his way out of this one, not with you present.
“Hmph… I suppose you’ve successfully cornered me, this time.”

He stood up from his seat, the very same he occupied after rescuing the small child. He stepped into the light, for all to see. His face betrayed copious amounts of torn feelings and grief, not unlike that seen on Ran’jit.
-Urianger, you said that the Pixies dwelled in some kind of dreamland, correct?
-Why, yes! Picture me surprised, I did not once think thou wouldst remember!
-Then that explains it. "She" must've used their powers to reach me in my sleep, that night.

No words could describe the universal bewilderment of everyone. Never has Urianger been more thankful that Little Minfilia was outside, blissfully unaware of this discussion’s turn. Especially now that the Scions had witnessed her relative understanding of simple sentences, they dared not imagine.

“She appeared to me, holding the child.” he resumed, “Her face was too blurry for me to see, as if I had already begun to forget what she looked like.”
This all started making perfect sense to Urianger, expert in his new neighbor's magic and its inner workings. Likely, Minfilia would have been able to speak through the child had she been slightly older, had she been capable of speech herself. However, even She cannot go past the little one's own limitation, hence this plan she must have hatched in a hurry. While it could still carry the message to safe delivery, it was far less effective, relying on Thancred's own memories of her to appear before him within a dream.
Yes, although it was unheard of until now, using the Pixie's magic as a medium was very plausible!

A pained sigh escapes Thancred's mouth, a slight pause, before he can muster the strength to continue.
“She told me she didn’t have much time before the little one woke up, and…”

An even longer pause. Whatever would come next hurt him too much to pronounce.
He shifted his eyes towards you, his friend since the beginning. Perhaps the sight of you would grant him the last push necessary to get the truth out of his chest…

“I was told that either the little miss falls, as the prophecy would have it, or Minfilia herself will fade, to let her live on. But I- We- cannot save both.”

It was plain as day that everyone present in the room was in a state of shock, and an early sense of grief took them one by one. Letting go of one or the other, both outcomes were incredibly painful.

- Thancred, if I may-…
- I need time, Urianger. I need time to prepare.

This explained his distance, finally. Some would say it even justified it, to some extent. But they all knew the little Minfilia would never understand as to why her savior did not like her, all of a sudden. Even this little, she must already think of it as abandonment of sorts.
Thancred took the stairs of the abode for a moment of tranquility. Before he shut the door, he spoke one last sentence to Hydaelyn’s Champion.

“Keep her safe from harm, no matter the final outcome.”

Chapter Text

A new day came and went in the Faerie kingdom. Slowly but steadily did your companions endeavor to gather the artifacts to access the King's throne, as I'm sure you remember.

The Nu Mou, the Amaro, even the pesky Fuath down below in Dohn Mheg, it was all a breeze compared to the turmoil you were fighting within.

Every so often, venturing deeper into Fuath territory, you would stop to take a glance back at the little one. Oh, yes, she was taken down below with you, for there was simply no other alternative. Thancred was holding her just about fine, safely nestled away from the threats lurking about, but there was no warmth in his embrace. Him carrying her was only a commodity, even though they were so close, the distance he drew was a malms long one.

He did not dare once look at her, even though the opposite was far from true. Little Minfilia would coo, babble and yelp to get his attention, but none would do. She clung closer to him, tightening her grip on his overcoat, hoping he would notice her wordless way to say a mixture of "I love you", "You make me feel safe", and "I beg of you not to be upset with me."

From the kindness of your Blessed heart, you had taken it upon yourself to alleviate the child's emotional burden. In-between fending off tricks from the amphibian faefolk, there you were, pointing out the magical scenery around you. Wasn't it beautiful of a place, after all? Aren’t the wisteria so wonderful here?
She was, fortunately, receptive to your efforts, as her gaze would shift from her carrier to the deceivingly wondrous sights of Dohn Mheg. Her soft, high pitched squeals of joy would be at their most potent anywhere near the underwater castle.

You had done your job well, for now, her mind was very much focused on your endeavor!

The confrontation with Aenc Thon gave her quite a fright, though, writhing voidsent illusion and all. You took note, for future reference, that the little one was afraid of heights. To your surprise, so is Alphinaud. Both of them struggled with the empty chasm beneath them. Ah, noted indeed, you will not take either of them to high places on leisurely walks, then.

Nevertheless, she was very entertained by the end of your venture!

“Aeua-btth!””

Yes, very entertained indeed!

Such things did not bode so well, however, after you had all been spat out of the treacherous lake. ‘Twas Alisaie that plunged to save her from the fathoms below, fully aware her brother, although he wanted to, would not, could not do the same.

Seeing you would not return to the surface, everyone was awfully worried. The little oracle, especially, voiced her concern loud and clear for all to hear. Where was her friend, where was her new playmate, where was her favorite amongst favorites? Alisaie grew increasingly anxious as well, trying her best to soothe the one whom she now viewed as a younger sibling of her own despite her own restlessness.

Finally, your head rises from the surface. Nay, you will not die today, especially not to mere tadpoles. The relief was so potent, even Thancred’s mouth cornered into a smile for a brief moment. Perhaps the friendship he harbored for you could still pierce through the clouds of his inner torment.

-----

A respite was in order in Pla Enni. The little one had now fixated her attention on you, Hydaelyn’s chosen. After all, the Faerie Kingdom had been her playground for quite some time, the faces populating it were all her beloved playmates, she very much wanted to show you around! You, of course, indulged in her warm invitation, greeting Nu Mou after Nu Mou.

For a small moment, with you, she was relieved of the tension she felt around Thancred.

But alas, that relief was short-lived. The more the group would progress with the long eared faefolk for their relic, the more the Little Blessing resumed her clinging, her timid sounds of begging, reaching as far as she could with her tiny arm to get Thancred’s attention. Oh she sensed his troubled emotions alright, ‘tis part of the oracle moniker to be perceptive.

Her gestures eventually became so unbearable for him that, without as much as a word, he handed the little oracle into your arms and stormed off Twelve knows where for fresh air.

There you both were, clinging onto each other, bewildered by the display at hand. It took a few and then some seconds of complete silence for the little one to process what had just happened. After the initial shock wore off of her, an unrelenting flow of muffled tears ensued. She was giving her earnest effort not to scream, her polite nature still prevailing in that desolate moment, choosing instead to cry it all out into your embrace where none could hear.

You took the child to the cliffs, south of Wolekdorf, to seek solace together. As commendable as your efforts were, this time, no soothing was potent enough for consolation. Cradling the child from side to side, held fast within your embrace, you were doing everything in your power to help her. A gentle finger below her eye, to dry tear after tear as they came.

Poor thing, she probably thought Thancred despised her, at that moment. Why was he so angry at her? She did not understand, she shouldn’t have to.

You thought to yourself for a moment. You contemplated the situation at hand in a deeper light. Gods, this world was unforgiving for an oracle, especially one this young. You held onto her tighter as you would now think of the obstacles yet to come on her way.

The slaying of Sin Eaters was nothing a girl her age should ever have to witness. The pain, the death, the fear, this went without saying, but there was so much more.
She should be basking in the warmth of home, with a mother, father, and perhaps even siblings. Her days should only consist of hearty meals one after the other, the embrace of relatives, songs of past generations to lull her to sleep… Perhaps she had all these nice things, at some point, when she yet had a name of her own. Perhaps she was well beloved before Eulmore tore it all to shreds, with naught a trace to be found again, not a face to remember.

You took both of her warm, tiny hands into yours. Looking into the sorrow in her bright blue eyes, you thought of how little time she must have left in this world. You thought of the foretold early demise she would meet at the hand of Evil, as legend had it. How soon would that be? How long until the horrifying reality whisks her away from her future? The Minfilia you knew would weep, just like you were. She would want to protect her, if she could. She would have wanted nothing but the best for the young girls that came before her, too… And when your little friend passes on, how many more will come after her, how many more will be cursed to experience the same pain?

This all made your heart ache for her beyond words.

Forehead pressed against hers in a parental manner, curled up around her like a guardian angel, you swore, at that very moment, that you would spare none of your might to protect her, that you shall bring your all to bear to grant her a future, even should it cost you your life.

Your compassion would give you the will, the way, to defend her, come what may, with no hesitation on your part.

Little Minfilia, you will live to see a better world.
One where you will thrive surrounded by loved ones.
One where you truly belong, in the time given to you.

This, you swore.

“Euuu…”
A warm little hand on your cheek, as if a gesture of gratitude.
She had calmed down, after all…!

As a sigh of comfortable relief escaped your mouth, a flash tickled your Echo with no forewarning. Too brief and unintelligible to understand at first, unfortunately.

The little one looked defeated, as if someone had hung up their linkpearl on her.

However, she did not stop there. She removed her hand to apply it onto your cheek again, this time accompanied with a clumsy little slap, with a lot of feeling.

“Aa- Ba!”

Two disembodied words flashed into your mind.

Thank you.

They weren’t accompanied with a voice, nor a vision, but you felt those words through your core. It was as if the meaning of this sentence was felt rather than heard, relying on your own Echo to fill in the gaps. T’was as if the Echo at hand was too premature to work as intended.

Premature…?

… Was she trying to communicate with you?

With a poorly coordinated gesture of her hands to dry her own tears, missing her mark by a long margin at least twice, the little Minfilia bore but the traces of past sorrow within her, in the form of puffy eyes and hiccups. Not that she should ever have to, but she once again oozed with resolve.

This was most definitely an attempted contact through your Echo, there was no denying possible. How, you were not so sure, but it would be a lie to yourself to think it a coincidence.

Leaving you no time to process it all, a terrible noise escaped the castle, thwarting all your efforts of consoling the child.
She cried, screamed, squirmed, holding her head between her hands in the very same pain you were experiencing.

Something had infiltrated your resonating Echoes. You had let them in, without knowing.

Titania, faerie king, had come in the form of a vision to the both of you. A terrible rancor, a resentment you could feel strongly enough to suffocate within it.
An invitation.
You will play with the fallen King, yes?

-----

With haste, you regrouped with the rest of the Scions, Thancred included. After all, the incessant screams of distress were loud enough to alert him. Perhaps he cared a little more than he let on…? Ah, no, of course. When asked, he pointed out that screams of terror like these could alert more than just friends.
This was perfectly justifiable, if not for him asking you to let her come into his arms again. You kept your suspicions to yourself, but there was more attachment than he’d ever admit, you were sure of it.

Seto was your last encounter before the seal on the castle was lifted. What a pleasant encounter he was indeed, if not a little mournful. His tales of Ardbert gave you a new understanding of your ghostly friend following you around. Although he would only approach when you were alone, you could feel him close, this time.
Hm? Ah, you could have sworn just now that the child was vaguely looking behind you. Not that she saw anything, of course, but… you thought you could swear it, her gaze was seeking the unseekable.

This reunion of friends was, once again, cut short by dire news from Lydha Lran.
Ran’jit was come.

Upon hearing his name, the little one aggressively kicked her feet into the air, as if to escape. Of course, the firm hold she was in did not allow her to do so, lest she’d fall to the ground. She wasn’t crawling away into hiding any time soon, not that we’d let Ran’jit give her a reason to.

Titania had to fall, and quickly, to send the Eulmorans packing once again.
You made a promise to the child, you had to honor it.

The King was a fierce opponent. Sending the full might of the faeries to bear, they were a force to be reckoned with. But you had spent enough time in Il Mheg by now to be able to effectively counter such magicks of twisted whimsy. Practice had made you perfect, by that point.
After a formidable clash in the castle, you emerged victorious, one more lightwarden absorbed.

At the same moment, your friends had returned to the Pixies with an array of enchantments, in hopes to stall the Eulmoran advance. It was all going swimmingly, invisibility seemed to do the trick well enough to confuse Vauthry’s men, until Ran’jit had turned to the fae themselves to hold hostage.
The “villains” were to show themselves, unless they would allow the pixie in his grasp to get hurt. You know your friends well enough they would not let him do so. But of course, they had one trick up their sleeve still, they would not let any harm come to baby Minfilia either.

Alphinaud revealed himself first, holding the small child. Claiming Victory too early, Ran'jit was too busy listening to his own voice reprimanding her to realize that this time, the little one’s eyes were not shifting away from him.
She furrowed her brow in a way Alphinaud had never seen on her before. In fact, her determined scowl reminded him of you, and how you look in the face of the enemy. Perhaps she was taking after you to find courage, at that moment.

She rudely interrupted the old man’s strings of berating commentary with an angry babble of her own.

“AA-pbbthhhhh!!”

Her tongue out, blowing air out of her mouth for as long as her lungs would allow her to, doubtless this was a “no” without the words to say one.

It didn’t take long for Ran’jit to scold her even more for her brand new knack for defiance, but she held her ground best she could: with unintelligible baby talk to interrupt him every chance she got, in a slightly lower voice than usual, still not breaking eye contact.
One could say she was staring daggers at the old fighter, and perhaps, upon closer listening, her voice and tone sounded familiar… Of course! Thancred! She was performing mimicry to imitate Thancred’s attitude!
She truly had come far, already!

Speaking of Thancred, he did not take long after to lift the enchantments himself, charging Ran’jit along with Alisaie. Sending the general tumbling two steps backwards, this was as good of an effort as any.

To buy you some time in the castle, Thancred thought it the perfect moment to pick the little one’s side for all to hear.
“Who are you to deny her a life?!”

It would be easy to dismiss him taking her defense only to buy time, but there was more to it. His words carried a weight to them, one that could not be emulated.

The desired effect to get him to talk even more was a success. Your friends barely made it in time, but in a coordinated effort, you had brought back the night sky at the moment Ran’jit had ordered his men to charge.
The pixies resumed their tricks tenfold. The Nu Mou and Fuath joined the fray, waiting for the Amaro to arrive. Enemy forces would be turned into leafmen, dragged into puddles of deep water, it was a feast of trickery for all the fae of the kingdom.

There you were, swiftly arriving on Amaro back by Feo Ul’s side. Oh they were magnificent as the new King, staff in hand, gorgeous wings of vermillion extended. As soon as she recognized Feo Ul in the distance, the little Blessing returned to her higher pitch of voice, cheering and squealing in joy, clapping her hands together.

The commotion was overwhelming enough to force Ran’jit to retreat, but not without one last threat for you all to hear.
You were, still, the villains of his story, and one day or another, retribution would come your way.

----

After a bittersweet goodbye with the faeriefolk, you prepared to return to the Crystarium.

Feo Ul took their beloved little protegee in their arms one last time, spinning her in circles, tossing and catching her ever so gently. Up and up she went! Singing one last song in the fae tongue for the little oracle, they were saying their farewells to the one they called their Blessing.
Perhaps this, too, would rub onto her in due time.
You took note to expect a playful side to appear within Minfilia in the future, and that whenever it does, not to question it.

In the Crystarium, all seemed as usual. No traces of the Eulmoran army, thankfully, it seems they were coordinated in one place following your track. The night sky was still showing its wonders, the spirits of the population were at an all time high, yes, all was well.
The baby oracle had fallen asleep on the way there. Happily nestled into Thancred’s embrace, after all she had been through today, it was no wonder she would easily drift away. You had found out through this return journey that she mumbled in her sleep, from time to time, which you thought was a fun, adorable trivia to add to your list of facts on your little friend.

“You certainly took your time!”, groaned an unfamiliar voice behind your reunion.

As you turned around, you were now eye to eye with an enigmatic man sporting a Garlean eye.

Little did you know just how much trouble awaited you, from that point on…

Chapter Text

The little one came to her senses as the arid breath of sand-bearing breezes caressed her cheek. Slowly, she opened her eyes, trying to make up what was around her.
As the child would squint, she could scarcely make up terracotta houses in the distance, a type she had yet never encountered…
Huh? She had never seen a place like this one before!
Besides, where was Thancred? What about the others?

“Euu…!”
Gathering all of her strength, she prepared to flip herself over onto her stomach like a pancake… ah! This was a lot less daunting than she was used to, she barely had to support her weight at all! Whoa there, she almost began floating, as if the concept of a gravity pull was but a technicality.

She remembered, she’s been this feather-weighted before, it somehow put her in mind of Feo Ul, whom she already missed so dearly... but why?
Ah-! But of course!
Whoever says Pixie says dreams! Even without a Feo Ul or a Tyr Beq, she must be in one!
This was, however, her first time entering such a vividly lucid one without them around. Were she older, she would have the wisdom to tell there was something else to this dreamland, but as she was now, all that mattered to her young brain was the playtime awaiting her ahead. She liked the dreamlands, for she did not need to be carried or held by another to seek out enrichment!
A giggle escaped her mouth, kicking her feet gleefuly. This called for an exploration!

The sound of her little hands burrowing into the sand with each step began, as she began her recon expedition of her surroundings. The sand itself wasn't hot enough to cause for burns, thankfully, likely not a grace she would be granted if this mysterious land were real. Nay, in this dream vision it was nothing but a fun texture under her palms to toy with. No enemy fiends to be seen, either, this put her at ease. However, she definitely could have used a friendly companion.

As she progressed southwards, though, her oracle intuition was starting to tickle. ‘Twas potent enough to fixate her previously area-wide interest onto one single, southbound location. Soon enough, what began as a game in a never seen before landscape became an irresistible urge to answer a yet unidentified call.

The more she drew closer to her presumed destination, the harder it became for her to navigate the land. Forget the reality altering levitation and all the ease she started with, she was now struggling to keep herself from sinking into the sands below. The winds began harsher, the sand now scratching her delicate face, this was no longer a pleasant adventure.

A helpless yelp, and another, as a desperate attempt to get her companions to appear to her aid.
Should she turn back?
No. No, she shouldn’t. There is something calling for her.

A trip and a tumble at journey’s end, and finally, there was the sight she was drawn to.

Nabaath Areng.

The sandstorm still raged on, threatening to carry the infant away unto the merciless winds. She could feel the weight of her frail body yielding to the force of the environment. Muffled tears ensued, the little oracle’s vulnerability made her long for the warmth of her companions.

“Child…”
Oh…! She could have sworn she heard a voice weaved into the gusts’ howls.

The little oracle let out a scream, in attempt to signal her presence to whomever this may be. But alas, the winds blowing from the front scattered her message to the lands behind.

Her pudgy little arms into an X shape to protect her face, she listened in closer, for as long as the dream would allow her to.
Speak again! Please, speak again! I am right here, she could’ve almost said!

“My child…”
There it was again! It was a woman’s voice, gentle as ever, with a slight sense of familiarity!
Was it one of her companions? No, no, none of her scion family sounds the way this one does… Who was this? And why was she trusting this voice so confidently, as if she had always known her?

“My child… come to me, brave the sands, we must meet before-…”
The sands swarmed the little one, cutting off the conversation. Her vision faded to black as she was flung into the winds’ whims.

“Pray do not forget, I shall guide you towards me.”

----

A gasp for air, and she opened her eyes.

When she came to her senses, she found herself in the ocular, nestled within Thancred’s arms. Oh, how happy was she to see him again! She tugged at him even closer, her little mind still racing with what she had just experienced. Oh how she loved to embrace his coat as close as she could…

She took a glance at all her friends, to make sure everyone was still there… After a nightmare, you’re never too sure…
There was Urianger, Alphinaud, You, of course, … oh, Lyna was here, … and that one was the Exarch, she was rather fond of him too, and…

…and someone she had never seen before…?

“Ba-!”
She pointed in his direction, unsure who this new addition to the party was.

“Oh, how lovely. The dreadfully small excuse for an oracle awakens. Whatever shall i do, now.”

A shake of his head, arms thrown into the air. The man, sporting a garlean eye, mockingly sneered at Thancred.

“Were you a little quicker on your feet, you would have rescued a much finer prophet!”
A comically long sigh, to really rub it in.
“Alas, what good for this world is an oracle this puny, anyway? In her premature hands, I fear this world is as good as rejoined already. Tsk tsk… A pity.”

Little Minfilia could not make any words out of him, but she did not like his tone, especially not towards Thancred. That was settled, she did not like the man.
Thancred didn’t seem to like what was just said to his face either, as he clutched both child and gunblade closer, gritting his teeth.

- Enough. Get to the point.
- Alright, alright! No need to get so worked up, I am only pointing out the truth here!

Her confused gaze now shifts to you. Were you upset too? Oh, yes, yes you were. Should she show him how upset she was as well? Would this help make him go away?
She tried giving him her best scowl… ah, she was not the most intimidating one in the room, that was for certain.

“Oh for the love of… Spare me the death glare, child! You have a lot of growing to do before you become ever so slightly convincing!”
A dismissive flapping hand gesture, berating enough for her to curl up into her savior’s arms in shame.

He resumed his speech, unbothered.
“As I said before, I am only looking for coexistence! Did I not tell you this verbatim but minutes ago, a mere two steps outside of this little toy of the Exarch’s?!”

More arguing ensued. The little one could feel the tension between her friends and this mean stranger before her. She tucked her thumb right into her mouth for comfort, trying her best to soothe herself when nobody else is calm enough to help.

“I digress. I overstayed my welcome, it is written plainly on your unfriendly faces. Run along, heroes of Darkness! Into the Greatwood with you! I shall free you of my invaluable presence for the time being.”

All of a sudden, the strange man snapped his fingers, disappearing into the shadows. The Little Blessing’s eyes widened in shock, she had never seen anyone do this kind of trick before!

“Ugh! Ascians, why does it always have to be Ascians?!” bemoaned Thancred.

----

The Greatwood was a much welcome change of pace. The little one very much enjoyed the vegetation in the area. Unfortunately, her excited squeaks and supersonic coos of joy would alert the rather unfriendly plantkin on the way, causing the party to fight unnecessary threats a fair bit. But for once, she did not seem frightened of them, despite them being just as hostile as any other fiends. She had even attempted to extend her hand towards a wild Tomatl, was she trying to pet it?!
You took notes that plantlife was a fun topic for the small child. Perhaps when, or rather if, the dust settles, you will take her on trips around the greenery for much deserved enrichment.

This adventure into the woods, this search for your old sorceress friend would have been a fine one if not for the constant ins and outs of the Ascian trailing alongside you.

Every time, he would appear, chime in with unwarranted commentary, be shooed off the stage, and disappear. Every five ish minutes or so, rinse and repeat, to the utter annoyance of everybody involved.
He seemed rather fond of picking on you, Thancred, and to everyone’s ire, the little one. Did he truly have no dignity, as to mock a small child for his amusement? Was he bored to the point of stooping this low?!
You almost pitied him in his poor choices, and would put him back in his place every time he glanced at her. Perhaps that’s what he wanted from you, after all. Ascians have strange hobbies, and even stranger priorities.

You had finally made your way towards what looked like an abandoned stronghold. Here, wooden remains of what looked like a fort, fully equipped with towers, stood still, as if to tell the story of a sound defeat.
Alas, no traces of Y’shtola just yet. You must press on, the reunion was bound elsewhere…
…or was it?!

“Now! Surround them!”
A Ronso man ordered a charge, and effectively enough at that. You were, indeed, surrounded.

Your party had no choice but to put your arms up and surrender. Thancred was forced to hold his protegee with a single arm, which, according to her whines, was uncomfortable at best. At least, it was his good arm.
Thancred begged the sudden ambushers to lower their weapons, to no avail. It seems they were under the impressions that you were all Sin Eaters. A valid claim in these hard times, but a sad one nonetheless. How much pain had these people been through to warrant such hostility?

-There! Do you see this one?! It has a child with it!
-To turn even halpless infants…
-If the child is within its grasp then… it’s already too late to save it. We must ease the little one’s pain as well!
-But- !

Of course, to make things worse, Emet-Selch just had to make a commentary and disappear into the shades. You had made the cardinal sin of boring him, apparently. Oh, for crying out loud.

Ah! But that woman among the crowd of weapons drawn…

“Master Matoya!”

Y’shtola!

At last!
How happy you were to see her!

Surely, she would tell her new acquaintances to lower their weapons, yes?
… Yes?
Why wasn’t she?

The Ronso man in command spoke to her. He was rather uncertain of your nature, questioning whether or not you were wretched, light-aspected fiends after all.

“The intense light of the Aether I saw is unmistakable.”

Your heart shattered to these words… did she not recognize you? Her friend, her ally in countless daunting tales?!

‘Twas Urianger who saved your hides, that day. His voice, ever so recognizable, at least helped dissuade her from drawing her own staff.
She had now recognized him, Thancred, and had acknowledged the little Minfilia, thanks to his intervention. Speaking of which, she was still rightfully complaining about the discomfort of her emergency embrace.
But what of you? She was still unable to make up anything out of the Aether within you.

Only after Urianger’s description of you was she finally convinced, eyes widened in surprise. She looked like she was about to shed tears.

Had your Aether become that unrecognizable?
You most definitely had an array of questions for her, but only after expressing how much you had missed her. You were delighted to hear that it was reciprocated, at long last.

“Lower your weapons.”

-----

Slitherbough was a charming place, once you’re formally introduced as “not an Eater”. The Night’s Blessed were a lovely people, doing their earnest to thrive in this unforgiving world. You were invited to take part in their rites, to converse with the locals, it was a very pleasant respite. Runar, the Ronso man from before, was very pleasant company for a guide.

Y’shtola was right, Rak’tika has a wonderful lot going for it, one which made you want to save it even more.

You were quickly sent by the locals to deal with the Children of Everlasting Dark, an hostile, allied faction to Eulmore. Naturally, such threats cannot be allowed to thwart your progression in the slaying of Wardens.
You took Thancred and Urianger with you, leaving the little one in Y’shtola’s care.

“So you’re the little oracle, aren’t you?”
Seated on the sorceress’ lap, the infant was being thoroughly inspected. Both of her hands held within Y’shtola’s very own, she was all but tense, a sign of ease and trust. One could even jokingly qualify her current composure as "liquid".

The so-called Master Matoya was taking her sweet time beholding her aether, fondly assessing what form her departed friend had taken in this incarnation.
Likewise, the blessed little darling would not shift her gaze from this new friend she was presented with. Unlike the strange man from earlier, she rather liked this one!

In a playful manner, Y’shtola began swaying the baby’s hands from side to side. Oh, she liked that, quite a lot too! The delight of the child was a contagious one, shaping the mage’s mouth into a content smile. As the gentle swaying continued, she began humming a folk song of the Night’s Blessed for her, much to her joy.

Runar, hearing the sound of laughter and familiar songs, was drawn to the scene, intrigued.

-I didn’t think you to be so tender with the young ones, Master Matoya!
-Ah, Runar! Did I never mention my family, from whence I came?

Even more curious to this revelation, Runar drew even closer.
“You have not, but please, do tell!”

Y’shtola’s smile grew wider. She pulled the little oracle even closer to her. She could feel her tiny, quick heartbeat against her embrace.

-I have many sisters, back where I lived. Believe it or not, scenes of bliss not unlike this one were a daily occurrence for me, once upon a bygone time.
-I believe it, Master Matoya! I wish to hear more!
-Of course you do, Runar.

She turned to him, gently as ever, still performing her delicate dance with the child.

“I have faith in this little one”

Little Minfilia was now fully sold on her affection for this Master Matoya person. Gleeful babbling was her new addition to the ongoing conversation, to which, a playful flick of the finger on her nose was the response she got. Yes, this one was nice!

“Not just as a revered oracle, mind you. She will grow into a kind-hearted girl, one of the sort this world so desperately needs. This little being is a kinder future in the making.”

Runar nods, these words of hope moved him.

“A kinder future…”

He approached the oracle, giving her a pat on the head. A slight squeak of surprise, she didn’t expect such a big, strong hand on her so suddenly! But it was a welcome gesture, she was more than favorable to the affection at hand.

“But for now, this kinder future needs to grow surrounded with loved ones. And it falls to us to help her thrive.”

It didn’t take long for the little oracle to fall into deep slumber once more, in Master Matoya’s arms. A sign of the little blessing's acceptance of one's place in her family, so it seemed.

Sleep tight, little one, the Night’s Blessed’s eyes will watch over your journey, come what may.