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Something that had always been common knowledge and an issue when it came to foreign relations and the survivability of Garleans was their lack of ability to channel Aether and use it much like any other being on the Star could do it. Wars had happened due to this flaw of theirs — or maybe due to this little difference, different people thought of it in way different manners.
Yet…this did not stop Garleans for being part of something that was a key part of any mortal: Having a soulmate.
Everyone, when born, was born with a mark upon their bodies—something big or small, a pretty design or something resembling an injury. It was a way to link two people together as no other person would have the very same pattern as one single couple, and Garleans rejoiced in parading around their marks after a certain age, hoping to find their predestined lover. This also caused no end of political issues and a constant influx of laws being made, unmade and changed on the fly as High Ranks among the Military found their soulmates among the so called savages…
…But not even those peoples were ready for the storm that was about to fall upon them.
Ala Mhigo was terribly boring. After being subdued and made part of the Garlean provinces a few skirmishes had happened here and there, but as soon as he had been appointed as the Vicerroy, everything had stopped and it seemed almost like everyone had lost their will to fight.
Worthless. Boring. Unfit for the hunt all of them.
Zenos yae Galvus had no other words or thoughts about the people he reigned over, deciding to spend his time pouring over books and listening to scientists that wanted to study the Aetherial capabilities of the Savages, which he did find an interesting topic—but other than that, his life was completely and utterly devoid of anything but stillness and dullness.
It had been that attitude of his that had made everyone believe that he had no soulmate, of course, how could he? He cared for no one, he looked at no one and, above all, he only lived for his hunt and for the possibility of, one day, finding one person, a warrior able to stand toe to toe with him and show him what a battle able to shake the very heavens could be like…a battle to the death, a battle where he could use all of himself and pour all he had onto the other warrior.
But that was, slowly, becoming more and more of an unreacheable dream as years came by…
Until a new report fell upon his hands, and then another—and then every single report was urgent, as the Empire was being thrown out and made retreat in constant occassions due to the presence of a single person, a single living being who—according to the very first reports, was nothing special…and yet every single savage city and leader considered them a Savior. A Hero.
The Warrior of Light.
His curiosity piqued, the Vicerroy had decided to keep a close eye upon this new figure that had suddenly came from nowhere and decided to be an annoyance to every single Imperial Plan, and while he didn’t cared and would never care about the intentions and desires his Honored Father had, the position of being a Prince and the current Vicerroy of Ala Mhigo did afford him the power to keep getting all news he desired about this enigmatic and Heroic figure, constantly and as much as he desired.
Suffice to say, he wanted to meet them, test if they truly were this all powerful threat everyone kept making them up to be and, if so, maybe he would finally be able to find someone on his level—someone who relished in battle and wanted a challenge, desired to test their limits, wanted to see how far and how high each of them could get together in a single moment of bliss before using the candle of their lives in one singular fight that would make the very star tremble.
And so, as he kept wondering and asking, receiving reports and working on secret projects—it happened, the Warrior of Light had arrived to Gyr Abania, most likely with the intentions of liberating the land from the Empire. Wonderful, more than wonderful news…he could finally meet them, face to face and gauge their power first hand.
Screams filled the place, the aroma of blood was fresh and there was the sound of fighting all around—a failed ambush from the Alliance had led to the Empire doing their own, and no one had been ready for it.
All the Scions—the entire Alliance—could do now was to try to save as many people as possible, with their Champion at the front. And for a moment it seemed like everything was going to be alright, for when has the Warrior of Light not triumphed? For when has the Warrior of Light not being able to fight back agaisnt the invasion?
The small sense of relief the Alliance had gotten was broken the second armored steps began to approach the current vanguard, the bulk of the reinforcements still on the way…and yet Zenos was already in front of the Scions, Pipin and the Champion of Eorzea—and while it was expected for everyone else but the Champion to fall quickly, no one expected the difference between Zenos and the Hero.
It was a hard battle and yet, it seemed to be of no issue to the Vicerroy, for he kept deflecting every attack with ease before cornering the Champion, time and time again, even if said Champion tried to constantly free themselves from the disadvantageous position, as fast as possible…all of it resulting in, eventually, the Hero being sent flying away from the Prince, hurt and clearly defeated. “…I had hoped for more…” Zenos had the gall to say, even after that, approaching the battered Warrior of Light…
And one of Zenos’ swords broke, making him stop for a second, before looking back at his opponent…sitting, or attempting to sit up and not minding their wounds as much as they should—a tired but decided look upon their eyes shone in the middle of the night that had befallen the place in the middle of the battle, and then the Garlean prince had noticed something else, looking just slightly south—right where he had attacked.
Why would such a vaunted Hero go to battle without any armor was beyond him, if he was being honest, the clothes the Warrior of Light wore seemed to be more like a suit and he wondered what the idea had been behind not using any defensive equipment—something he could praise them for, but now that the shirt and vest had been cut by his katana, the skin underneath was showing and he could see it, even if for a moment and not as clearly as he would have wanted: A pattern on their skin, in bright red but not like blood, as it immediatelly converted into blue at the edges…
The very same pattern he has right over his chest, and going all the way to his sides.
…What did this meant?
But he had delayed his departure for far too long, and maybe, maybe letting them alive wasn’t a bad idea—maybe next time they met, the Hero would be a far better opponent and if that happened…maybe…maybe Zenos would consider a change of plans. Just this once.
Life was completely boring, politics was not something Zenos found interest at all—but, once more, being so involved in politics had lead him to encounter, again, the Warrior of Light, this time at Yanxia—something he had to commend the Hero for, getting so deep into Garlean territory should be easy but these were lands he had made sure to entrust to someone he had thought competent enough to deflect all atacks and not burden him with more work that was banal, that was useless and that didn’t further his own goals, at all.
Thus, Zenos once more faces the Champion of the Savages—and this time the fight wasn’t as one-sided as the first time, making the Vicerroy feel pleased for having spared their life initially, for trusting that they would appear again, that they would seek him once more in search for something…yet this was still not the proper place to talk about what he wanted, but he was sure now: The Warrior of Light will arrive at Ala Mhigo, and then they would have no one to interrupt, they would have no one who could get between them.
In the privacy of the palace, Zenos would finally be able to face this Champion and bare his intentions—and his curiosity, for them.
The throne room at the Ala Mhigo palace was silent, the Vicerroy had his eyes closed as he simply waited—the sounds of battle that came from further away meant nothing, these lands, the title, the throne…nothing mattered at this second.
Nothing until a set of footsteeps echoed ahead, and a figure arrived inside the room with him, eyes already focused on him, a katana on their hips and their torso covered in bandages…to the dismay of the Garlean prince—who stood up to receive his guest, his prey, his one and only focus right now. “I knew you would come for me…and I can see that weapon choice you’ve made…I believe I have made a big enough impression on you, your body…and your mind, wouldn’t you think?”
The Hero simply stared at Zenos, before their eyes closed, their hand resting atop the pommel of the sword, “While my reason to be here is to fight you, I also have utter and selfish reasons to want to talk with you, to want to meet you…and I am sure even you have noticed…back then, on our first meeting—the pattern upon my skin.” At those words, the Vicerroy had no change of expression—but hsi eyes did went down to the bandaged torso of the Hero.
Silence fell upon them…the Warrior of Light walked forward a few steps before they started to undo the bandages, Zenos gaze fell upon the hands’ movements the Hero was making…slowly seeing the skin revealing a pattern, now being more and more visible—it was like a branch, all over the side of the Hero towards their chest, with big red leaves that ended in blue hues.
There were no words exchanged between them as the Champion of Eorzea revealed their body so openly…but before such an earnest offering, such a clear proof of why they have came all the way here, why they had become so strong, why they had keep pushing for a meeting…and while Zenos cares naught, and has nothing but disdain towards anyone, this person—this one person made him want something, need something…and the only person who can give him what he desires is…right in front, as they’re all alone, finally.
“Do you make an habit of showing weakness and leave your guard so open in front of all enemies?” Zenos takes a few steps towards the Hero, noticing them slightly turn towards him, his eyes fixed on the face of the taller man. “…Or is this…just something you’re doing for me? Have you recognized you and I are…more than just enemies? More than just weapons on opposite ends?…More than just the villain and the Hero?”
The Warrior of Light took no time to answer, “I won’t say anything until you give me the same kindness…or maybe just as a courtesy, or we can fight and then never see where this can lead…this is youtr decision at this moment—and I am curious as to what you’re going to pick…Zenos yae Galvus…”
As the silence fell upon them again…Zenos sighed and then started to take off his armour, giving an answer immediately to part of the question and, admiting a bit, that the Hero did deserve this much at the very least, a small courtesy—this single kindness after having reached so far, and in this moment it seemed like both of them had decided to not care anymore about what reason had made them meet, or why were they even face to face in this very second.
The second the very same pattern was spotted on Zenos skin, at the same place where the Warrior of Light had it, it was confirmed and nothing could deny it anymore: They were Soulmates and two souls fated to meet, one way or another.
“Ah—…good evening, my friend…how are you recovering from your injuries?” Alphinaud asks, jogging just a little forward to meet with their Champion and dear friend, “I thought you were told to stay in bed for a bit longer yet, is there a reason for you making the trek to Mor Dhona?” As the young Elezen asks this, he can see another figure coming behind the Champion, a tall Au Ra man with blond hair and blue eyes that also seemed to be injured. “…I wasn’t aware you had company.”
The Champion smiles, before they look behind and use their companion’s arm as support, “After the palace came crumbling down, he was among the people who were caught in the rubble…we have been talking while in the infirmary and recently we made a small discovery…so, I thought prudent to come present him to everyone…” The Warrior of Light simply places a hand over their side.
Alphinaud seemed to be speechless for a second, before smiling softly and nodding alongm, approaching the two of them, “Well, for one…I am excited to hear these news, and I assume the rest of the Scions will be also overjoyed to hear about you finding your soulmate, considering that, out of anyone I know…I think you’re the person who deserves happiness the most.” He took a turn and then looked at the couple, “I don’t think it’d be a good idea to take you both inside the Rising Stones…considering your state, so, I will send Tataru to prepare some tea…you both can wait at one of the tables.”
After the figure of the younger Scion vanished, without even asking for more details, the Warrior of Light turned around and looked at their partner, smiling like a playful kid who had gotten away with a prank, “I told you the disguise was perfect…”
“You did claim such, yet I am unsure if this is going to fool everyone of your so-called friends…as I recall, you do have a person able to see the aether itself among your ranks, and thus I must ask—…” Before the tall and, frankly, annoying taller man could finish his words…the Hero had already covered their mouth with their hand.
The Champion sighed, “Yes, yes, you are very intelligent and you’re right to have your doubts but we made sure to cover all avenues possible…Zenos yae Galvus is dead, isn’t he?” They asked, with a mischievious glint on their eyes, “And now, you, my friend…who has no memory of who you are, where you come from or even your own name…are here, and we’re soulmates…and you shall be with me forever…”
There was a moment of silence that was broken only by the sound of Zenos chuckle, as he closed his eyes and looked away, “How did you came up with such a plan in that moment…? Or did you already arrived with the idea in mind?” He asks, guiding his partner towards the tables that had been mentioned by the smaller Scion—after all, the fall of the Palace on top of them hadn’t been faked.
He had simply protected them so they would survive and then took them far away enough so they both would be found far apart enough without raising suspicion about the whole thing—as for Zenos new appearance, it was simply a multitude of glamour spells woven one upon the other until it was basically impossible to undo, and one would think that Zenos would reject the idea of changing completely for anything that wasn’t his hunt, or his own goals…
Yet he had accepted the second the Warrior of Light had offered the promise to not only give him one, two and many more battles that would shake the heavens, but not against them…better yet, alongside them, and thus they would travel together, and have adventures together…and so Zenos had accepted, this new idea, this curious situation he had found himself in, with a soulmate…something he never thought he would find, or have…
“Are you okay?” He is taken out of his thoughts by the voice of a slightly worried Hero who is now sitting down at the table, waiting for him. “I told you to sit down while we wait…and Tataru shouldn’t be taking long now…” As they explain, Zenos wonders one more time how is that he was accepted so readily, but maybe those are questions for, maybe, another time…and while he wonders if this will last (even if according to the Hero, it will), he wants to give this situation a chance, a small opportunity for once.
He sits down, right next to his partner, “…What is the name or way you intend to present me to your associates?” after the question he stares right at his partner, said partner is now thinking and humming aloud for a few moments.
When they open their eyes and look up at Zenos, they give him a wide smile, “I don’t know, maybe I should just call you Shin!”
Zenos doesn’t recall ever laughing, but he couldn’t help it, just this once.
It was so obvious…and so direct, and yet… “Shin…sounds good.” And the Warrior of Light couldn’t help but put their hands together, “You’re as smart as you’re weak, have I told you that…?”
It took the Hero a few moments, but they eventually slapped his arm, making a small pout, “I am the one who came up with this plan, I am allowed some…forgiveness for my crimes.”
…
Truly, it seemed like a good desicion in the end, as he had found a new and curious way to live, with someone who, despite what had happened at the beginning and their initial positions upon the political world…had accepted him without even stopping to consider anything else. And it had been the first time someone had done something like this.
Maybe Zenos’ countrymen had been correct on one singular thing: Soulmates were the only magic that made sense to be amazed at.