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Chapter Text

Tataru Taru was standing out on the plaza in front of The Rostra, at the head of a gathered crowd of nervous onlookers: citizens of Old Sharlayan or friends of the Scions of the 7th Dawn. She looked up at the endless sea of stars in the night sky. Somewhere out there, Yoshio and her other dear friends were risking their very lives to try and prevent the end of days. While she was once again left waiting back home with nothing she could do for them but stand and worry and hope. That she could not even check in and see what they were going through at this very moment was both torture and a kindness. Tataru put her hand on her heart and prayed up toward the sky, to whoever or whatever may hear her.

"Please... Please... Oh, please let them all be safe…”

Krile, her best friend and fellow Scion, was watching the stars alongside her but suddenly got a sharp pain in her forehead. Wincing and holding onto it, she turned her gaze back to the horizon and was shocked at the vision m she saw. The stars, gone. A blood red sky, dark clouds, roaring thunder, and falling comets in the distance. The star shower she saw all those years ago, when her Echo awakened. The Final Days come to Sharlayan.

That there were not the sounds of mounting panic around her meant that this was still merely a vision, but she was nevertheless disturbed by it down to her very bones. The unthinkable thoughts came rapidly: How can this be? What does it mean? Have they…? Will they…?

Tataru noticed her holding onto her head and looked over at her with concern.

"Krile? Are you all right?”

Krile snapped to attention at her words and the scene faded. With a smile, she tried to put on a brave face and play it off. For her friend’s sake.

“It's nothing... Just a headache.”

She looked back up at the starry sky and muttered the words aloud to herself, if only for her own reassurance. 

“They'll be fine... I know they will…”

Krile then heard the sound of somebody running up to her, it was the Worldly Affairs Official hunched over and out of breath.

“Apologies for the interruption! A man arrived on the last ferry. An associate of the Scions!”

Krile and Tataru gave her looks of confusion at this. 

“He wishes to speak with you, at once.”

As the crowd began to murmur amongst itself, the heavy clanking of metal armored boots could be heard and Krile’s eyes widened at the appearance of Zenos viator Galvus at the top of the stairs, marching with slow and steady purpose toward them. 

Zenos towered over just about everyone in the gathered assembly, the two lalafellin scions especially. He looked down at Krile standing firm but then he noticed Tataru cowering next to her. So that’s her. We finally meet in the flesh…

He turned his gaze, and moving his hand downward, he placed his palm against Tataru’s neck, which lifted up her chin, and froze her in place. How easy it would be…one squeeze would crush that little windpipe. 

If my friend saw me now… Zenos mused to himself. With a smirk slowly forming at that thought, he moved his hand instead up to her hat and gently patted her on the head. Tataru, now being given a clear sign that Zenos did not actually intend her harm, immediately found the courage to glare up at him in a rage, and batted his hand away from her quite viciously.

Krile was unamused, to say the least.

“Just what do you think you are doing here?”

Zenos turned back over to her.

“I was informed that you know where Eorzea’s Champion has gone, and by what means he used to leave. I would follow him.”

Krile scoffed and pointed up at Zenos angrily.

“If you think for one moment that I wo-”

The sharp pain in her head returned, with far greater intensity, and this time it caused her to faint and collapse to the ground. While Tataru and the others in the crowd exclaimed out and quickly went to her aide, Zenos just stood staring down at her fallen form, his expression unchanging as she laid there and then eventually slowly staggered back up to her feet. Being helped up and fussed after by the others.

"Your gift, what did it show you?”

She panted heavily as she steadied herself.

“You…speaking alone to yourself…at the Royal Menagerie in Ala Mhigo.”

Zenos closed his eyes, and slowly opened them up again.

“Then you know my intentions. Good. I need not resort to…uncivil means of persuasion, after all.”

He glanced meaningfully in Tataru’s direction and turned his gaze back to Krile.

“You will take me to him.”

She nodded solemnly, Tataru shot her a wide eyed look, “Krile, you mustn’t!”

Krile remained stern, trusting in what her Echo showed her and in her distressing vision of the skies above Sharlayan. A warning of what could come to pass if something didn’t change. She looked up at Zenos severely, and laid out her terms.

“You are to aide the Scions against The Final Days to the best of your ability. And I can’t and I won’t guarantee his agreement to anything afterward. And finally…you understand that this will be a one way trip for you.”

“You already know that those terms only suit my purpose. Lead the way.”

Tataru looked at her pleadingly, but Krile began to march. Though she soon stopped, unable to keep herself from turning back to him.

“You won’t get what you want, you realize. I know Yoshio, and he has too much waiting for him here at home, to risk throwing it all away fighting you without reason.”

"Reason is for the weak. Your gift doesn’t tell you everything. The likes of you cannot hope to understand the likes of him. Now, cease wasting my time. I would rather not arrive too late to witness my friend in the midst of his great hunt.”

And then they walked away. Tataru left behind again, now praying even harder.

Chapter Text

In the furthest reaches of the universe, among the dead and withered remains of the 17th End, the Scions of the 7th Dawn stood at the ready before the newly formed monstrosity made from the tortured souls of dying stars and the sisters of Meteion who met them. Despair itself. The Endsinger.

Yoshio was there at the front, and he took the brunt of her assault as she summoned the memory of two doomed worlds, sending them crashing into him. The massive explosion and his efforts to protect the others from it brought him low, and when the dust had cleared, he lay on his stomach trying to pull himself back up again. His friends came to his aid by launching attacks against her, but one by one they fell as she brushed aside their efforts and launched her own devastating attacks in turn.

“We will not suffer alone…All will know our pain!”

Her next move was a powerful dark wind that lifted the weakened scions and sent them flying backward and soaring helplessly up into the air above like scattered leaves, and she had aimed directly at Yoshio who was still staggering back up to his feet.

“No you don’t!”

G’raha Tia shouted out and moved in front of his struggling companion. Steadfastly, he planted an aetherial sword into the ground and he cast Yoshio’s very own signature ability: Passage of Arms. Brilliant wings of pure light radiated out from G’raha’s sides, shielding The Warrior of Light as he steadied himself and recovered. And when Yoshio looked forward at the man who stepped in to protect him from this onslaught, the image of Haurchefant flashed in his place. But just like that, dark feathers blasted at his defender and he could hold out no longer and was sent tumbling backwards and upwards, along with the others.

“G’raha Tia!” Yoshio shouted after him.

“All awash in ice. A frozen waste. Forever silent!”

The Endsinger summoned up an entire doomed sun, glowing dark and dead. As his friends were sent hurtling toward it, closer and closer, Yoshio’s eyes grew big as saucers as he remembered something important and started to fumble desperately in his pockets.

And the list of names that so often ran through his mind during dark and lonely nights, the ones that haunted his thoughts, they raced by again. One by one they came: Old Garnold, Louisoix, Moenbryda, G’raha Tia, Minfillia, Ysayle, Haurchefant, Papalymo, G’raha Tia, Elidibus, Hydaelyn, Thancred, Estinien, Y’shtola, Urianger, G’raha Tia, Alphinaud, Alisae… All the good people who had sacrificed themselves upon the altar of The Warrior of Light. Gave up their very lives…for him. It was now time for him to return the favor. Long past time. He pulled out Wilfsunn and Bloewyda’s teleportation device to Alisae’s mounting horror as she noticed what he was doing far below her.

“Wait!”

Yoshio looked up at her and smiled.

“Goodbye, my friends.”

Serenely, he pressed the button and released the device, letting it soar blinking up into the air.

“Don’t!”

It was carried upward and upward, and then it activated. In a flash all of the other scions were gone, immediately sent safely back to the ship. 

Seeing this he added, “You can count on me.”

The dead star then blew up in a massive explosion of terrible power…for absolutely nobody.

The Endsinger glanced down at the lone remaining hero before her.

“You gifted them escape. And rendered yourself powerless. Bereft of the synergy you claim is your strength. Unless you mean to call upon the dead once more.”

Yoshio answered by planting his feet in a swordsman’s stance.

“Defiant to the last. But you will be one with us ere long.”

Certain was she, that he could not possibly defeat her all by himself. In truth, there did not seem to be much at all to suggest he could. At least that he was able to think of. And yet, with determination in his heart he defied her all the same. It was all he knew. Fighting against his fate, facing tough odds, since the very night of his birth. Born into the world sick and struggling, with tiny rasping breaths. The island’s chirurgeons warned his parents that there was something wrong with his aether, and that he may not make it through the night. Then when he did, that he may not make it through the week, then the month, then the year. After his first had passed and he learned to lift himself to his feet and walk, they were happy to report instead that whatever had been wrong with him was no more, and that he would certainly live a normal life. And after a lifetime of fighting to do what he was told he couldn’t, making the seemingly impossible, possible. And triumphing, somehow, someway, again and again, he had been left holding within himself a quiet confidence that went beyond all reason. In the face of the overwhelming power of the End itself, and the inescapable notion that surely there wasn’t any way he should hope to win this time, all he could do was shrug. Hey, I might.

She did not care to wait for an answer from him.

“You will be battered and torn and made to crawl. You will weep and wail and curse your impotence. Curse your life as it fades.”

She closed her eyes.

“As we did! As we died! Such pain and sorrow we felt…Such anguish and rage…We tried. We tried. But it was no use…Only when we surrendered did we find release. Only when we embraced death.”

She prepared to attack him with all of her power.

“So join us in despair…and embrace yours!”

But at that moment, they were interrupted by loud banging echoing all around them, and then a distinct sound of something starting to crack. The Endsinger canceled her summoning and turned to see that there were indeed cracks forming, in the very stars above their heads. As if space itself were a pane of glass.

“My Ultimatum! What is happening?”

The cracks got wider and more numerous until suddenly the sky shattered and a great dragon burst through and hovered in the air in front of Yoshio.

“At the end of everything, I find you my friend.”

Yoshio turned to face the massive dark form of Shinryu, immediately recognizing who this was.

“I sought something in you once. As you did in me. When at last I understood what it was, I journeyed to Sharlayan to seek you out. Struck a bargain with the woman who shares your gift.”

Yoshio’s curiosity piqued at that. Krile had allowed for this? But why?

“In exchange for giving the Scions my aid, I was given the means to come hither. Gorging upon what remains of the Mothercrystal, I reclaimed the form of the dragon. And hungry still for our reunion, I rode the light of the stars to you.”

The dragon turned to regard the Endsinger.

“I take it this is your prey.”

He quickly lost interest and turned back to Yoshio.

“But why does it still live? Surely it is no match for you.”

Yoshio gripped his sword tighter as he looked up to face her again.

“I assumed you would be above something so banal as despair. Am I mistaken?”

Zenos was perhaps the very last person in the whole universe that he had wanted to see. Yet, deep down, he could feel his spirits raised up by his words. My most terrible enemy, my strangest friend, Yoshio thought. But despite his feelings, he still couldn’t help but cross his arms and pout like a petulant child, turning his back to the dragon in a huff.

“I don’t want your help.”

Zenos responded with what almost sounded like a laugh.

“And I’d rather not give it. Nay, I would have preferred that we enjoy a private reunion.”

“So come! Let us dispense with this distraction, you and I!”

Zenos flew with all speed across the ground and Yoshio took off in a sprint to keep up with him, leaping upon his back and taking out Azem’s crystal. It glowed with warm and blinding light in his hand as Zenos flew straight at his friend’s prey, excited to enjoy the show that was to come.

Chapter Text

After their victory, in the endless empty expanse at the bottom of the Ultimate Horizon, Zenos stood amidst the golden light of Meteion’s new song of hope, sparkling and brilliant. Yoshio was in awe. Zenos was unmoved. He patiently waited for his friend to finish his conversation with her and watched her fly off into the air, having given his friend a means to follow her and rejoin with the Scions back at their ship. Zenos then approached him.

“You mean to return. To the world where you are hailed as a hero.”

Yoshio turned his head back, giving him an apprehensive look and unable to think of what to say, just nodded.

“Hear me then. Not as a hero, but as simply...you.”

“As I learned in Ala Mhigo, you are a formidable foe.”

“Stronger than any I have faced. Against you, I need bring my all to bear.”

“I need burn through the candle of my life.”

“This is the sole pleasure I know, and it is the sole pleasure I have to share.”

Yoshio’s expression hardened as he listened to the words intently, and considered them carefully. It was difficult to read, but Zenos pushed on with purpose. This was it, the moment of truth.

“And so I come before you. To issue challenge and offer singular bliss.”

“If you wish to walk away, I will not stop you.”

“You value life. You do not burn yours save for reasons you deem worthy.”

“Reasons such as those which brought you here. The salvation of a world and its people. The motives of a hero true.”

“But there is more to you than that. You know this to be true.”

“As surely as you know the thrill of pushing your body and soul to their limits. Of confronting ever-mightier foes, dancing ever closer to the precipice, wondering if this will be the one to finally, finally...fill the void.”

“Such pleasures, you seek for their own sake, and no other reason. Is this not so...adventurer?”

There was a pause. 

And then…excitement in Yoshio’s eyes, a spark. His expression formed a wide impish grin and he decided to stop hiding from it any longer, abandon the mask for good and admit to things as they really were:

“That, I can’t deny.”

Zenos was not an expressive man, to say the least. But at that moment he looked ready to explode with joy.

“Acceptance! At long last!”

He held out his gloved hand and closed it into a fist.

“The conflagration of our clash will scorch even the stars!”

“Come, then: Yoshio Fratello!”

He had never called Yoshio by his name before.

“Hold nothing back! Push yourself to your limit, and me to mine!”

Zenos's soul was ablaze with passion. The space around them came to life with dynamis as Yoshio’s spirit burned in kind. Thier souls burned brighter, and his power swelled.

“You got it. Prepare yourself, Zenos yae Galvus.”

He had never called Zenos by his title before.

“To witness the full power,”

Yoshio gripped the hilt of his sword tightly and pulled it in one fluid motion from it’s scabbard with dramatic flourish.

“of the Weapon of Light.”

He raised it into the air, as it crackled with aether and dynamis both.

“A power beyond all limits. Here it comes!”

And as he leapt at Zenos with sword in hand, raining blows on this towering unmoveable monster of a man, bits and pieces of Tataru’s armor shorn off with every counter attack, sidestepping one killing blow after another by mere inches, The Warrior of Light wore a smile on his face. Almost laughing as he strung together devastating holy spells and blasted his opponent unmercifully, letting everything out. And it was in this moment that he had found happiness, at journey’s end.

Zenos smiled in kind, as he called forth the unending dark power of the void.

“Soon you will know the full extent of my power. This is my moment! Our moment! Let all creation be consumed by our ravenous fervor!”

He launched one deadly assault after another directly at his foe, the hero darting and leaping at the very edge of certain doom with each. Zenos prepared himself for the sharp answer that he was certain would come the moment he left even the slightest opening.

As the moments passed, and their battle raged, the fire of life in each spent down to its last few flickers…

Yoshio, now panting heavily and having had his weapons sent scattering to the ground during thier clash at some point, staggered back up to his feet. His opponent called out to him.

“Hah! Still fight in you, I see.”

But as he said that, was there still fight left in him? Zenos was similarly breathing hard, and hunched over down on one knee, struggling to lift himself up anymore. But lift himself he did, straight up into the air and slamming back down again straight into Yoshio, who staggered back and punched at him in turn. Their epic battle having now devolved into some barroom fistfight. They traded blows, their movements growing slower and their breathing more ragged. With the very last of what he had, Zenos managed to send Yoshio skidding backwards with a punch. The Warrior of Light still had something left and he held out his fist, and it glowed with blue light as he spent his last shred of aether on one final desperate attack. Zenos sported a wide smirk as his own fist glowed dark and red, but as he did so he fell to one knee, finally leaving the perfect opening that Yoshio had waited for, and he seized on it immediately. As they crashed together, it was Zenos who took the full force of the blow, and he was sent hurtling backwards into the air, and then falling back down to the ground. Hard.

Zenos lay there in a heap. He struggled to lift himself back up and he reached out toward Yoshio before his strength failed him and he fell again, rolling over. Yoshio looked over at him without emotion. He could tell from his wealth of experience snuffing out the lives of others, that he was never going to get back up.

Yoshio walked over to his fallen sword and shield, picking them up and returning his blade to its scabbard, with solemn finality.

“Goodnight, my prince.”

But he then noticed a slowly growing stain of deep dark blood on his side, he placed a hand down there under his armor and it came back out drenched to the wrist in red.

"Oh."

He collapsed. Zenos attempted to lift his head up and look over toward him after hearing the sound of him crashing to the ground.

"So, it is to be a draw then. How cruel our fate is, that after all we've gone through, we shall meet our end never knowing who was superior. And yet, how glorious. Truly, could it have been any other way?”

Yoshio didn’t answer, but Zenos did not need him to.

“Never have I understood those around me. Understood their obsessions.”

“Besieged by their banality, the world was a mire of tedium and trivialities.”

“But in these fleeting moments, there is...a spark. Blinding, brilliant…”

“Gone...too soon…”

“What of you, my mirror? Born into this world, bestowed name, bid to seek out strife and adventure…”

Zenos managed to reach out a hand in his direction but it quickly fell limp.

“Was this life a gift...or a burden?”

Yoshio’s eyes kept trying to close, kept trying to rest. He could feel his life fading away…yet his eyes kept fluttering back open again, a fighter from the very start and a fighter to the very end. But he was still fading…fading…fading…

“Did you find...fulfillment?”

“I…”

And Zenos was gone.

Chapter Text

Yoshio’s eyelids started to shut again, and they felt far too heavy to lift this time. As he was about to let himself slip away, he heard the voice of Zenos again: 

Did you find fulfillment? 

The question…stuck with him. Had he? As his heart slowed and his breathing began to weaken, images of his long journey flashed through his mind: the places he’d been, the people he met, the people he saved. The people…

He saw the Scions of the Seventh Dawn gathered on the ship on its approach to Sharlayan, but one of them was missing. The one they had left, as they had so often done. She appeared in his mind, clear as the night he bid her farewell, back on the docks.

“Once again I have to stay behind and worry that this is the last time I’ll get to see my friends…”

His past self spoke up.

“I’ll bring them back safe and sound. I promise.”

And she smiled brightly.

“I’ll hold you to that!”

He let out a sigh as he lay bleeding on the ground.

I did it Tataru. I did it. I brought them back. I kept them safe.

But she wouldn’t leave him.

Instead he heard more voices. Alphinaud’s came back to him.

“It may be possible to do more than unbar our friend’s path. We might also pave him a new one. For instance…A path where he finds happiness at journey’s end.

And then he heard Krile.

“From the simple pleasures of tucking into a hearty meal or...or collapsing into a comfortable bed…To the grand triumphs of visiting legendary lands or finding true love─you deserve all the joy in the world. There is so much that life has to offer. So much to be treasured and shared with those we hold dear. So promise me this: come what may, you won't give up on your own happiness.”

Did you find fulfillment?

Zenos’s question again. And as his friends' words stuck in his mind, his thoughts returned…back to Tataru Taru. More flashbacks came to him now. Memories of his journey:

“Hmm Yoshio, was it? Eep! Oh goodness, I called you by only your birth name didn’t I? My apologies, can’t believe I forgot basic lalafellin etiquette like that. But…you don’t look like you minded? Hee hee, good! I also believe in fast friendships. You may call me Tataru.”

“Oh, and I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of drawing a pretty little flower next to your name. This way I can find you quickly!”

"Well, if it isn't my favorite adventurer! Welcome back, Yoshio!"

"I, um... I'm sorry about all the attention you're getting, Yoshio... I might have sung your praises a little too loudly...and often...to a few too many people. Ahem. Next time, I'll be sure to hold my tongue─literally, if necessary."

“Take care, Yoshio! I look forward to hearing all about your adventures when you return!”

"Welcome to our new home─the Rising Stones! Isn't it lovely?"

"I, Tataru Taru, shall become a great and powerful arcanist!"

"I...I must accept the truth. I'll never be a warrior like you or the others. 

"Arcanima...like so much else...is beyond me."

He saw himself handing over his childhood stuffed toy.

“Here, for you. As you can see, this is a Carbuncle that will never leave you. His name is Carby.”

“Heh, Yoshio, this…it’s adorable. I love it. Oh, thank you so much!”

"Well fought, Yoshio, well fought! I knew I was right to ask you to come."

"As for me, I have my prize: a bounty of blood pearls!"

"So named for their reddish hue, they were treasured as wards against dark magicks in ancient times."

"I thought I might make charms for everyone...so that no matter where they go, they will always come home."

“Alphinaud? If I may...?"

"Should this place not serve our purpose, then...then we shall go to Ishgard!"

"Minfilia told me many times: as long as we stand fast against despair, the beacon of hope will never be lost to sight." 

"Be it in the snow or in the clouds, we few will see that the dawn's light shines again!”

"I, Tataru Taru, am innocent of this charge...But I am no warrior, and cannot fight, so I claim the right to name a champion!"

"...Very well. Who will stand for this woman?"

“What do you think of my hair, Yoshio? Goes well with my garb, does it not? Oh, and did I mention that I made the garb myself? Because I did! Hee hee!”

“Hello Yoshio, are you sleeping well? You must be absolutely exhausted from saving the realm on a daily basis!”

"Nothing like a homecoming to lift everyone's spirits! Thanks for bringing them back, Yoshio."

"You're not just saying that, are you!? Oh, I can't tell you how much this means to me! To have crafted something worthy of the Warrior of Light is... It's─ Well, let's just say it makes all the practice worthwhile."

"I also sewed in a blood pearl charm to...you know...bring you home. May it always protect you."

"A surfeit of sumptuous foods, wondrous sundries, plenty of clean undergarments... Yes, I do believe we have everything we need for a lengthy voyage!"

"You're the strongest person I know, Yoshio. If anyone can do this, you can."

"Go, Carbuncle, go!♪"

"Desertion is punishable by death! My death!"

"Not again!"

"What are these bubble thingies chasing me!? A little help, Yoshio!?"

"He's growing weaker! Don't let up!"

"It's about time! Did you hear that, Yoshio!? It's treasure time! 

Treasure time!♪ 

Treasure time!♪ 

Trololololo～lololo～♪"

"Is it true!? The other Scions have fallen ill!? Gods... Please, Yoshio, be careful. If we should lose you too, I...I don't know what I would do."

"You're going to need all of them on your side to defeat him. And I forbid you from going to face him on your own. Do you hear me?"

"When everything's back to normal, I'll cook something for you too, Yoshio. Gods know you deserve a treat!”

"But when it comes to putting down primals, nobody does it better than us." 

"Well, then you lot, more accurately. You won't catch me trading blows with a primal in the near future. But for every fell fiend you vanquish, there's countless meals to arrange, baths to fill, sheets to wash, stores to replenish, and the list goes on." 

"Which is where I come in. And gladly, mind you. It's the least I can do to support the Scions who risk life and limb."

"Here are your winter woolies, handcrafted by yours truly!"

"I really do hope these new clothes are enough to keep you warm in Garlemald."

"It's not much, but it's the only thing I can do for you, other than pray for your safe return. Which I will. Every day..."

"As of this moment, you are under strict orders to get as much rest as possible. After all, we need our man fighting fit when the Telophoroi rear their ugly heads again!"

“I've always done my best to provide the Scions with fashionable attire, but in your case specifically, I make an extra effort to strive for the most functional-yet-stylish clothing one could ask for. Not that I'm playing favorites, but you *are* the Warrior of Light!"

“Safe travels everyone and…be safe.”

Did you find fulfillment?

The memories of Tataru started to flash by much more rapidly, one after the other.

“Yoshio”

“Yoshio!”

“Here, Yoshio, for you.”

You've saved the day again, Yoshio!...Not that I ever doubted you would!"

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Oh hi Yoshio!

She whimpered "Yoshio! I was so scared!"

“Surprise! I made your favorite!”

“Yoshio! I knew you could do it! I just knew it!”

“And you can be a gentleman and treat me!”

“Please, please, be careful!”

"I do hope you like your new outfit. It may just be my finest creation!"

"Ah, Yoshio, just the hero I wanted to see! Would you mind doing me a small favor?"

“Yoshio!”

"Welcome back, Yoshio! Make yourself comfortable, and let me know if I can get you anything."

"I give you the Bonanza, the Scions' very own airship!"

“Yoshio? Would you like some tea?”

“Be sure to bring me something nice from Ala Mhigo!”

“Yoshio~”

“I heard that cough, you can’t hide this from me!”

"We've made the Respite cozier than ever. You're going to love it!"

“Hey you, hehe”

“Did you have a nice sleep?”

"Ah! Yoshio! You startled me! You...you wish to lend a hand? Splendid!"

“Hm, Yoshio?”

“No, I’ll take care of this for you. Rest.”

“My hero!”

“Yoshio…”

"Farewell, Yoshio, and thank you for everything!"

"Hmmm, that sounded rather final, didn't it? How about...until we meet again!"

“Tataru, I…”

“I…”

“I…”

“I love…”

He violently snapped back to reality. His eyes flew open with the sudden realization. He heard Zenos one final time: Did you find fulfillment? And he answered: 

“No…”

“No!”

“NO!!”

“Why why why!?”

 “What is WRONG WITH ME!?”

He flung his fists uselessly against the ground with each shout into the void. He yelled out in frustration but it slowly died out into a low moan and he placed his hands over his face and squeezed, wanting to crush his own skull for what he had just done.

“I could’ve gone back, I could’ve gone back! I could’ve! But I…I…”

He choked on his words, sputtering as he lay there broken, and something welled up within him. Familiar, often held back, but too much to fend off this time.

Heroes don't cry. Regardless of what life had thrown at him, Yoshio dutifully fought back his tears ever since he was but a little boy bawling over his mentor's hospital bed. In all his journeys since he had set sail for Eorzea, precious few had ever managed to escape his watch: they came close, on the fields of Carteneau, when he was faced with the existential horror of his fated demise: The 7th Umbral Calamity in the flesh. A single one had finally managed the feat, falling over Haurchefant's bloodied body at The Vault. He let pass just a couple when he had been confronted with slaying Hydaelyn: his Mother and his God. And a few more drops fell when he beheld the twin’s bridge at Ultima Thule. Before he heard Ardbert within him, urging him on and he thought back to when he’d been asked if he'd take another step if he could. 

"What? All by myself?" 

But now...now they poured and poured out of him. Not by the drop this time. They flowed.

The weight of it all had finally proven too much, now that he reached the end. He had triumphed, but was laying there filled with so much regret all the same. He had made his choice, and he had chosen wrong. But it was only now, when it was too late, that he realized. This had never been, in fact, what he truly wanted. But he had fought against that thought, that what he really wanted could be something like what he already had, and willingly threw away, back on the Isles to answer Hydaelyn's call and seek fame and adventure. Fighting against that difficult truth for so hard and so long that he made himself blind to his own heart, when it should have been so obvious, ever since he had first gotten to know her. And now he had lost it all forever. 

He was going to die here, an entire universe away, and she'll never even know how he felt.

He slumped his head down sadly to one side and spotted Tataru's blood pearl charm some ways away, smashed to bits. When did that happen? Had it actually blocked some potentially lethal blow at some point, somehow? Not that it mattered now...

The sight of it broken into pieces filled him with even greater guilt over his own foolishness. He closed his eyes in pain, unwilling to accept this end for himself, but having no choice. There wasn’t a way back out of here anymore. He was done for, and he knew it.

But then he heard a voice, echoing through everything: 

"Pray return to the Waking Sands..."

Minfillia? No, no she's gone...

He looked back over to the remnants of Tataru’s charm and blinked as he could swear that he could just barely make out the starry outline of a hyuran woman kneeling above it, pointing an arm down toward it closer and closer. He slowly tried to roll over onto his belly to get a better look but as soon as he managed it, she had vanished. And just as the image disappeared, the blood pearl that lay in the middle of the scattered debris exploded into dust. And with a loud clack, the teleportation device from before reappeared in its place, as if it had fallen from the sky. He had no idea where that thing came from or how it had gotten here, but he knew what its presence meant. With determination, he mustered up what little strength was left to him and crawled over to try and activate it.

"Pray Return"

He dragged his weak and battered legs along behind him

"To The Waking Sands."

He clutched up pearl dust in his hand as he painfully inched himself closer.

"Pray Return"

He strained with all his will as he reached out his hand, stretching his fingers as far as they could go.

"Pray Return..."

Chapter Text

Erenville the gleaner was the first to spot it, off in the distance. 

“Is that…?”

Him, Tataru, Krile, and a good many other concerned parties were still gathered in front of the Rostra, looking up at the sky, awaiting a sign. They had been out there the entire night. For who could bring themselves to fall asleep under these circumstances? The distant speck on the horizon began to grow larger, and more recognizable.

“It is! It's the Ragnarok! They’re back!”

Loud excited murmuring from the gathered crowd soon exploded into full on cheers as they all knew what this meant. Their prayers had been answered. The world was saved. They were going to live. And the brave heroes who had set off for parts unknown…

Krile beamed and looked over to her friend next to her, who slowly and tentatively inched closer to the ledge while looking up at the ship, as if she was afraid that this was a dream that she’d be woken up from if she made too sudden a movement. Tataru reached her hands up to the ship and spread her arms wide. She called out to it, her heart swelling with joy.

“Welcome home, everyone!”

And then she took off running, down the long flight of stairs, toward the landing starship, as fast as her little legs could carry her. Her lungs were fit to bursting as she ran but she was far too excited to care. Krile watched her in surprise, and realizing where she was going soon took off after her. She was always the more athletic of the pair and by the time they rounded the fountain and approached the aetheryte plaza Krile had overtaken her and flashed a cheeky smirk back. She saw Tataru return it and dig extra deep to pick up her pace, trying to retake the lead and beat her to them.

As they approached the docks and the ship prepared for landing in the distance, Tataru wiped a couple tears from her eyes, and shouted welcome home up at it again, waving her hands. Though there was no way they’d see or hear her just yet.

They ran up the long and winding pier as the ship docked. When Tataru saw the doors open and spied the group preparing to disembark she was overcome with relief and happiness. Alisae, Alphinaud, Urianger, G’raha Tia, Thancred, Y’shtola, and yes, even Estinien too. All of them back, all of them safe. Everyone. She could scarcely believe it. And standing down in front of the group, was him. Yoshio. In far rougher shape than any of the others, looking like he was dragged through all seven hells and back again, and yet, he was still there. Still smiling.

With the two racing ever closer, Krile maintained the modest lead she had gained further back. But when she spotted just who was standing there at the front, she snuck a hidden little ‘go get him’ grin toward her best friend and deliberately slowed her pace until she was overtaken. And while preparing to walk his way down the landing ramp, Yoshio was soon shocked by the sudden force of Tataru’s embrace as she absolutely launched herself into his chest.

“Welcome home…oh, welcome home…”

“Hello there.” He chuckled in happy surprise and gently wrapped his arms around her in return. I’m here. I’m here. I’ll never leave like that again. As he looked down at her he noticed the state his gear was in after everything he had been through…and then had willingly put himself through.

“I…my armor…that you worked so hard on for me…I really went and got it all shredded up…I’m sorry…”

“You silly man, do you really think I care about that?”

She shook her head with an ear to ear grin, and overcome by her emotions, buried her face into his chest again and nuzzled.

“I’m…I’m just grateful you’re here. I was so nervous. I prayed and prayed so hard. That you made it back, all of you, I just…I can’t believe…Oh I’m so happy!”

That I can’t deny. Yoshio had told Zenos with such absolute certainty. If he could reach his arms back through time and wring his own fool neck he would. He didn’t deserve to keep being granted all these second chances, but he kept on getting them anyway. All he could do now was make certain he did not squander it, this time.

He looked down at the girl who was holding on to him as tight and as hard as she could. Now this, this he was certain of. More certain than he had ever been about anything.

“Hey, Tataru? There’s something I’d like to tell you, actually…can we speak in private? It’s kinda important…”

But at that moment the others had caught up to them and he was swarmed by a crowd of excited admirers and friends eager to congratulate him. The Scions were a group of islands in a sea of hugs and pats on the back and well wishes and they could barely hear each other over the praise they were all receiving. Tataru was pulled off of Yoshio as the crowd started to excitedly shove themselves in between them and she giggled over at him with a shrug as she was sent drifting further and further away.

"Eep! Hehe, no I don't think we can Yoshio! Could this wait till the morning? We can talk then, I'm sure!"

"Heh, yeah…we'll speak then."

And he sighed and started shaking grateful hands and exchanging relieved hugs.

Sharlayan was never well known for revelry. Even its most beloved feast days would typically stay very low key. But that night the streets were alive with celebration and the people carried on like…well, like the world was going to end, only for it all to be saved at the last moment. That night had caused a good many straight laced scholars to wake up with their very first hangovers the next morning, and a fair number of little future Yoshios and Alphinauds would be running about the island in a few years time.

Yoshio enjoyed the festivities and the attention greatly. His belly full of so much free food and drink that he was left staggering, his cheeks covered in kisses, his hat in his hands and his hair a mess from countless pats on the head. Yet throughout the entire evening he made a concerted effort to never leave Tataru’s side for long, as if he was worried that she’d be snatched away from him if he allowed her out of his sight.

He agreed to wait until everyone else had gotten their fill of him and they could be alone, and he knew it wasn’t like a meteor was going to drop from the sky and crush him before the night was over and he could say his piece but the anticipation was eating at him all the same. After the hours passed, him and Tataru eventually walked their way up to the Baldesion Annex, still surrounded by hangers-on. The members of the crowd, strangers and friends alike each bid their goodnights to each other and slowly went their separate ways. Tataru managed a happy little wave and a promise she’d be waiting back here for him in the morning. Krile offered to escort her back to her shop, taking her arm and smiling back at Yoshio. The twins wished him a restful sleep, well deserved. And they walked off in the direction of their mansion, with their parents in tow. Thancred invited Yoshio to keep the celebrations going down at the Last Stand, where Y’shtola, Urianger, and the Garlond Ironworks crew were waiting. He was tempted, but declined. He could feel his legs ready to give out and he was distracted by other pressing concerns on his mind besides. G’raha Tia let him know that he’d be checking into the Annex for the night as well, to finish the books he had left half read when they departed for Ultima Thule. Estinien was nowhere to be seen, having quickly deduced what was about to develop in Sharlayan and deciding that he wanted absolutely none of it. Yoshio suspected the man was halfway back to Eorzea by now. Thier dragoon would swim to escape these crowds of admirers if he had to, no doubt.

Yoshio entered the annex and turned in for the night, after greeting Ojika and treating him to a private and pleasant conversation, his last of the evening. The man had stayed dutifully at his post, preparing the rooms and ignoring the celebrations around him, likely in the knowledge that Yoshio would make his way back here that night at some point, and wanting to make sure things were just perfect for his rest. Such care and dedication reminded him of somebody, and he tucked into bed with her on his mind.

His sleep that night was incredibly restless, despite having saved the world and everyone in it and how exhausted it all should have made him. He was a ball of nerves over what the next morning might bring, what he must try to bring himself to do. There was still one final trial he must overcome. Somehow. Some way.

Chapter Text

Yoshio stood in front of the mirror in his room at the Baldesion Annex early the next morning. He stared at the face of the uncertain hero looking back at him and glanced down at his hand, shaking restlessly on the rim of the sink. He splashed some water on his face but it didn’t help. Still all nerved up like he’d be before stepping forward to face down a primal. Was he sure his hair looked ok? Idiot, you wear a hat all the time, she won’t even see it. He sighed. Alright, no more stalling. Forcing a smile, Yoshio spoke to his own reflection, trying to psyche himself up and rediscover his vaunted courage.

“C’mon, this is silly. You’re the Warrior of Light, for Hydaelyn’s sake. You saved the star. You are the man. who saved. the star. And you’re one of her best friends, besides. She cares for you so much. She loves you. You know she does. What else could it be, but love? She’ll say yes.”

Yeah, but what if she doesn’t? What’re you gonna do?

This was not the first trial in his life that he absolutely couldn’t afford to lose, where he couldn’t bear to even contemplate the possibility of failing. It hadn’t even been a full 24 hours since the last one. If his confrontation with the Endsinger had not gone how he’d hoped, it’d have meant the end of the universe. And he got through that, didn’t he? Why, this is nothing compared to that! 

That thought felt hollow. He sighed again. It wouldn’t be the end of the world, this time, he knew that. He’d still live. All it’d mean is that everything would stay the same as it was before…if he could really call that living. 

He glared at himself.

Hey now, you stop that right now. Just get out there and do it. You don’t need to get all fancy with this, simply tell her how you feel. Go. Now. Get it over with. No regrets. He nodded at himself one last time, placed his hat atop his head, and turned to make for the door. This was it, the moment of truth.

Tataru was sitting on one of the lobby couches. When she saw him enter through the large doors she quickly hopped up onto her feet and approached him with good cheer.

"Boy, you sure know how to keep a lady waiting. So what's this big important thing you needed to tell me all privately?"

Yoshio’s chest felt tight but there was nowhere for him to go now but straight ahead. He answered her quickly before he had a chance to lose his nerve.

“It’s…um…ok well, when I was away out there I did some soul searching-" 

"Hee hee, managed to take time away from saving us from an ancient interstellar evil for that, did you?"

"Tataru..."

The look he gave her, something about it made her feel like whatever this was, it was really serious, and that she shouldn’t interrupt him anymore. She gave him a gentle, sympathetic smile and changed her posture to show that she was ready to listen.

“Sorry. Go on. What is it?” 

He exhaled and nodded and he started again.

"When I was laying alone at the end of the universe, it made me think. Of how far I've come, and all the places I've been. How I've spent so long journeying the entire star and beyond not knowing what I really wanted, trying to find fulfillment. When all this time, I needed only to pray return to the Waking Sands. To our cute and smiling receptionist who, in her own sweet little way, always made me feel so special and so cared for. Someone to have, and to hold, and to love. Tataru, it's you. It's always been you. From the very beginning. What a fool I was, to take so long to see it."

He gulped nervously, and steeled himself for what came next. Had he ever been more scared?

"And I can't imagine I've done enough, to deserve to be lucky enough, to think you could feel the same way about me but...I am yours. If you'll have me.”

Tataru was left dumbfounded and stammering.

"Wha..w-wha? You? Want...me?"

The legendary world saving hero, shaking like a leaf, slowly and awkwardly fell down to his knees in front of her, fidgeting his hands.

"I-I don't have a ring but..."

"Yoshio, what are you-"

"Tataru Taru, will you marry me?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

She stood there, blinking, struggling to fully comprehend the unprecedented turn of events before her. To say she was shocked and overwhelmed was an understatement. As she tried to pull herself togather, a memory came to her. And the words just flowed out.

"Heh, do you remember...how we first met? I was singing an Ul'dahn love song to myself: 'Deep in the desert of my heart, a lonely flower blooms. Yearning for the heavens above, to quench my thirst for you.' And then in that very moment who should the Gods send through the door, into my life, but you?"

His smile grew wider and warmer, full of hope. He could only nod at her, beside himself with anticipation.

She sighed. It was now her turn to sweat and shake. Knowing what she must now tell him, she was gripped by doubt. Afraid of what she had to say, afraid of how he'd take it, and what it could make him say next. Afraid she was about to let this thing she had slip out of her grasp.

Be brave. Be brave, Tataru, like him.

"Yoshio...I..I think I might like that...someday. B-but, don't you think...it might be fun...to try being boyfriend and girlfriend first?"

His eyes sparkled with life and he blurted out "Ok!"

"...Ok?"

"Ok!!!"

"Oh, Yoshio! I cannot BELIEVE this is really happening to me!" 

She started to clap with excitement but let out a little shriek as she was suddenly lifted up off the ground and spun around, laughing. He held her up in those strong arms of his and hugged her tight and close.

"Girlfriend! I have a girlfriend! And it's YOU!! Thank you for saying yes!"

"No takie backsies now! Don't you dare change your mind!"

He giggled to himself, almost drunkenly

"Never! Never ever ever!"

He laid his forehead down onto hers, and they stood like that in their embrace, smiling at each other with thier eyes closed, drinking it all in. Treasuring this moment and trying hard to sear it into their minds, never wanting to let it go. They stayed there for a good long while, no sound but their beating hearts, and their deeply contented breathing.

Tataru then suddenly realized something and pulled away just a little bit, getting his attention. 

"Oh! With all the sudden excitement, I forgot! I was supposed to tell you our fellow Scions want to meet up and treat you for breakfast at the Last Stand, to discuss where we all go from here. We best hurry on along before we're late! ...Boyfriend!"

"You got it...girlfriend! Hehehe!"

He raised his eyebrows up as inspiration flashed across his mind.

"Ah, idea idea! Let's hold hands the whole time and see how long it takes them to notice!"

"Hahaha! Yes. Let's!"

They walked to the exit togather, and Yoshio turned back at the door and he held his hand out for her, the rising sun of a beautiful new day shining behind him. With a grin she shot her arm out and clasped it, wrapping her fingers around his and tightening her grip on him as hard as she could.