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I must save him.
I must save him.
These thoughts consumed my mind as my body fell to the ground. Lahabrea’s attack felt as though it was smothering every bit of my being. My vision becomes hazy, struggling to stay conscious amid it all. Time only seems to slow down.
Was I going to die?
Was this all in vain?
No!
Everyone was counting on me.
I could not let this be in vain. I would not. My heartbeat thundered within my breast. Clinging on to whatever it could to survive. I have to stop him. I’ve gone too far to let it end here. I have to save him.
I have to save him.
I have to save him.
I just needed to stand once more.
“Thou art willing,” She asked, “To be the champion for all? To give all of thyself?”
Her voice soft even now. Even with my lack of awareness, I could sense the gravity of Her question. My heart beat slowed knowing the decision set upon me. To say yes would me giving myself fully to this cause.
I remembered the bodies of those killed in the Waking Sands.
The image of Thancred’s body clad in Ascian robes as we escaped the castrum seared into my mind.
There was truly only one choice, was it?
“Whatever it takes. I will see this path through to the end.”
I felt the light of the crystals around me. So much more than in the other instances I have used this power to protect myself. This was Hydaelyn’s influence. She had already given so much. I would have been dead sooner if it wasn’t for Her interventions. For the first time since I heard Her voice, I felt that we had reached an understanding. I felt more of Her power in me, but never threatening to overtake me. Against the odds I would offer all I am to protect the realm She holds dear. Newfound strength and vigor course through my body in my resolve. I could still finish this.
We could still finish this.
Together we will cast out this darkness.
“Your struggle has always been in vain.”
The words were said towards the fading Warrior of Light. Her body laid prone against the damaged battlefield of the Praetorium. Strong as Her “champion” was, she was still a mortal, with their limitations. Powerless against the true might of his power.
It seemed that in the end, his direct involvement was needed.
Now that the obstacle was clear, he could continue with his plans. For the true form of this star to be realized.
A surge of wind and the swelling of aether gave Lahabrea pause. As he turned, the once-prone body was being lifted from the ground, surrounded in Her Light—crystals protecting her, aether absorbing into the body.
His face twisted in a snarl. He thought Her Light all but spent protecting Her chosen. He unleashes another spell on her. The magick dissipates under a barrier of Light’s radiance.
“Thy Darkness will not claim victory this day.”
Crystalline blue eyes stare at him, determined. He folds his arms, looking down at the woman before her.
“Even in borrowed flesh, your power is all but spent. You still think yourself capable?”
“Even so,” she spoke.
He notices the shift in aetheric presence. It was no longer Her but the Bringer of Light. The fiery determination in her sky blue eyes that this body has seen numerous times before. He prepares himself for another round of battle.
“No matter how many times, I will still get back up Lahabrea. I will not let you win. Everything I am I will use to stop you.”
Fire surrounds us upon the platform. I may have won against Lahabrea and the Ultima Weapon, but it would not mean much if I died. I promised I would save Thancred, it would not end here. I walked towards his unconscious form. He was breathing, slow but steady. Perhaps drained from what his body went through. I knelt to lift him on my lap. I ran a hand through his hair, remnants of soot from the flames dusting his locks. I then trail down to the contour of his face and jaw. My thumb idly stroked his cheek.
Of course, it would be only when my safety is not assured I can openly yearn without embarrassment.
I bring him closer. Another explosion sounded. I look around again. The flames were intensifying. It wouldn’t be long before they cross the threshold to reach us.
“We have to find some way out of here.”
Beeps and a whirl of mechanical gears and soon there were the heavy steps of a magitek armor. A yelp escaped me at the sudden appearance. The lights on it flashed.
Wait a moment…
“Maggie?”
If it understood me, it responded with another beep. I thought the armor was lost once we took out the core. But not. It lowered to my level. I gave a nod before picking up Thancred. Surprisingly lighter than I imagined.
Or perhaps that boost of Her strength was still coursing through my body.
I situated myself in the pilot’s seat, Thancred across my lap. I gave another look at the man. It’s going to be a cramped fit but better him here than flopping about. And perhaps a small part of me wanted him near so I knew that this wasn’t just some dream of the afterlife. Maggie was going to take the main lead of controls. But still I felt some sort of comfort grasping the steering with my own hands. I looked around the carnage of the battlefield. I hoped that it would be the last of the battles on a grand scale. I shook my head. There was no time to think on that. First I needed to secure our escape, then I can contemplate on the future.
I move forward.
Minfilia prayed with all her heart that they would make it back. The Light was guiding her, as it always had. She knew with such a strong presence, surely she would make her way towards them all.
Then a spark.
“There!”
At one of the side passageways the distinct sounds of magitek moving was heard. Steps hurried as the sounds of explosions were going off. Dust flied up at the leap just before them. It clears, revealing her, the Warrior of Light. Face and her yellow battle garb covered in grime and soot, there’s a smile on her face.
“Ami!”
The expressions of relief from the others sounded so far away in comparison to Ami’s reemergence. Quickly she notices that a warmer smile was aimed at Thancred across her lap in the piloting seat.
‘He’s alive. He is alive.’
If anyone had observed closer, they could clearly see the open fondness Ami held in her gaze for him. She moved forward towards them. Ami gathered the man into her arms before leaping out of the magitek armor. She stumbled a little but kept her hold on Thancred secured. Quickly the healers go towards the pair, assessing their injuries. Ami’s words are muddled under her whispered voice. She watches as those more adept take Thancred to be properly seen. Though the urge to follow after was strong, she delayed it for the time being to check on Ami. She waited until the crowd had dispersed enough to speak to her.
“Welcome home.”
At those words, like so many times before, Ami’s eyes widened at the greeting before her smile emerged. She witnessed Ami becoming more relaxed in her posture, from the Warrior of Light to just herself. It was clear now the stress she took upon herself in this endeavor. Minfilia held no doubts she would succeed, but still, it was comforting to know she was here now. She watched as Ami’s body relaxed. With each step forward to her, her posture becomes less tense. Just as Ami rests her chin on her shoulder, then she lets out an exhale.
“You were right,” she said, “I believed and She guided me through.”
At those words, Minfilia placed her arms around her. Bringing her closer into a hug. Her heart at ease at last. The scent of smoke permeated from Ami, given her close brush with fires, but she found herself at peace with the moment. Those she held dear had returned to her hale and whole. She gave light rubs on Ami’s back. She’ll find out in the coming days what transpired through her foray into the Praetorium.
For just this moment, she would take comfort in the fact that her friend survived and saved so many people in the process.