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Haziness filled my mind and vision as I became aware once more. Dimmed brown was all I could see.
Where was I?
My body felt sluggish as I tried to regain balance and sit up. Dry air greeted me as I let out a heavy sigh. This wasn’t where I remember being. I remember attempting an ambush to rescue the missing folks at Camp Drybone…and then…
Wait a moment.
Fuzzy vestiges of memories suddenly become clearer the more I think of it. We were so sure we could save those people from the Amalj’aa. If we could have caught them unawares during their trade with Ungust. We ended up becoming the ones caught unawares with the revelations of a traitor within the Flames working with the merchant. And then I got hit with a Sleep spell.
Godsdammit.
My limbs were not feeling as heavy, the aftereffects of the spell gradually wearing off. I managed to sit upright, noticing I was in a cavern. Quickly after that, I wasn’t alone. The other soldiers of the Flames who were caught in the ambush were captured as well. And there were some of the abductees as well. How I wish I could communicate with the others outside. But alas, I could not. With the present company, it didn’t take me long to realize we were held in an Amalj’aa stronghold. For what purpose, when they could have easily killed us, I could not speculate.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of this possible purpose.
I had no clue what to do. I tried to take small breaths to calm myself. I would be no good to anyone if I panicked right now. I searched around for any familiar faces. I soon saw the Flame sergeant.
“You alright lass?”
“Could be better,” I confessed, “but I’m alive, that accounts for something.”
“Aye, our mages tell us that sleep spells are more potent than one expects. But to have a traitor within our ranks…dammit. If I were a better judge of character and realized sooner, we would not have been caught utterly unawares.”
I only nodded, though I didn’t blame him. I was quickly becoming aware that despite how thoroughly you are of ascertaining people’s agenda, there was always that risk of someone being too clever. Especially in Ul’dah, as much as I loathe saying that about my home.
“What do you reckon will happen to us,” I dared to ask.
Before the sergeant could give me an answer, several of the Amalj’aa came into the cavern. Their weapons were pointed at us. I don’t think I could take that many on with just my bare hands, and even then, there was the risk to those who can’t fight at all. I was outclassed, a very long way to go before I could even attempt an escape feat.
“They mean to serve us to their god…”
We were forced to walk as their captives. The dry heat of the desert terrain seemed to amplify as we delved deeper into their stronghold. I hoped the others on the outside realized what had happened to us. The sweat poured down my brow as we were closing in, what I assumed was the sacrificial area. With glances at the others, I saw the fear in their eyes. My heart began to pound. Was this how my adventuring journey was going to end? With barely making a difference in Eorzea? I hadn’t realized we had reached their destination until we came to an abrupt stop. The heat hung thickly in the air. In the distance, I could hear the murmurs of prayers. To summon their god.
To summon Ifrit.
My eyes widened at the summoning of the primal. The massive concentration of aether could be so clearly felt. I stepped back on reflex. Just as thick as the heat that grew in the presence of the summon. I looked around me, there were a couple of Flames soldiers who were captured alongside me, along with the sergeant. But also Ungust and the Flames soldier who betrayed us. All of us are “chosen” to become Ifrit’s new followers. It didn’t matter how helpful one was to the Amalj’aa, we were all seen as fodder to their god.
Flames expelled from Ifrit’s maw wafted into the air. The atmosphere felt hotter than before, a feat thought impossible. The flames grew more intense before being shot forward towards the group of us.
By instinct, I put my hands before me in a protective stance…as good as it would do against fire. Instead of feeling the fire on my skin, I felt the heat. The heat was so intense, it was nearly unbearable. An all-consuming heat that threatened to engulf inside and out. Before it could reach that tipping point, a cooling sensation halts it abruptly. A whisper of something in my heart.
Perhaps a voice?
“O mighty Ifrit…”
I looked around me again. None of us captured seemed to have been burned by the flames. Rather, there seemed to be a shift in the air. Murmurs of worship towards the primal became consistent. Is this what it means to be offered up?
But apparently, I was not affected?
I wasn’t the only one surprised by this fact. The Amalj’aa priests and Ifrit were startled by my resistance as well. Ifrit spoke of my soul belonging to another. I looked down at my hands, confusion plain on my face. Minfilia did say that the Echo would be instrumental in our fight against the primals. Perhaps this was what she meant?
I couldn’t ponder on this thought longer. It was swiftly decided that if I could not be turned into a servant, I was useful dead instead. I looked around the area. A pair of cesti lay discarded on the ground. Its previous owner no longer needed them to fight. I took them in hand. They were a bit heavier than my pair. I couldn’t afford to be choosy with my pair lost in my abduction. I have to at least try to pause Ifrit’s influence from gaining onto Camp Drybone.
Ifrit fell before me.
Ifrit…fell before me?
I watched as the aether from that made him dissipate into the air. The atmosphere felt less oppressive now that Ifrit was defeated. I glanced at my hands. Scraped and red from the heat of the flames. The fight felt a blur. It was my steps and acts, but I felt as though there was something else guiding me. My attacks felt…more. Simmering just under the surface.
“Pray, forgive my delay!”
I turned to the sound of the voice. A smile slowly formed at the realization it was Thancred. Never had I felt such relief at seeing a familiar face. Not even a surprise attack could hamper the reunion. Though it did help that Thancred thwarted my would-be attacker with his short sword and throwing knives. Such talks could wait until we were in safer areas, however. Though we had escorts to get us out of the Amalj’aa’s grounds, I guess the defeat of their deity was enough of a deterrent. The dense air lessened as we moved further away, and I was greeted with the drier air that I associate Thanalan with. I would notice Thancred glancing at me now and then. I guess to see if I was truly alright. We seemed to be the last to arrive at Camp Drybone. I was nudged to see the medics within the inn. I would have assured him I was fine, but there was a look, one that suggested I should at least get checked out. I followed the healers inside, there I saw some of the other captives in various states.
Despite how it came about, we did save people.
A quick once over and bandages wrapped around my hands, I found myself back out into the main square of the settlement. I flexed my fingers, the bandages wrapped just firm enough that it wouldn’t impede on future fights. Perhaps something to consider in the future of my pugilist training.
“Ami! There you are,” Thancred said, “come, have a seat.”
He waved me over to a shaded area. More secluded from the others, I noticed as well. I wasn’t sure if I should thank him for the foresight of wanting not to be in a large group at the moment. Either way, I gave him a smile in thanks before sitting on a stray boulder. After being in the Amalj’aa camp, I took for granted the simplicity of shade. I felt he was awaiting an answer. Instead, I lifted my hands for Thancred to see the bandages.
“A little heat-damaged and tired, but I’m okay. I can’t say the same for my weapon, though.”
There was a look of relief on his face, I think. He presented a flask of water. I took it in thanks as I drank from it. My throat was parched and the water was a sweet relief. Thancred never quite took his eyes off me as I drank my fill. I passed the flask back to him before running my hands through my hair. I could feel the frizzy texture beneath my fingertips. The heat from the fire favored primal and sweating from said fight did quite a number on my hair. With that and the soot, I am going to have to deep clean once I am back in the Waking Sands.
“’Tis good to see you in good spirits after such a harrowing ordeal.”
Thancred had looked away then. The lax expression I usually see him with was replaced with remorse. I noticed his hand grasping the water flask tightly while the other was balled into a fist.
“But you should never have been put through such an ordeal alone in the first place. I should have been there. If I were there to watch your back, as a partner should, perhaps then you would not have been taken. I pray you can forgive me for such gross misjudgment of our situation. I was no help to you or the abductees.”
“But they’re rescued now,” I countered, “Aren’t they?”
His expression seemed to turn even more grim at my statement.
“That they were. We rescued them physically. Although I cannot say for certain about the minds of some. For once a person has been tempered…”
He had let out a defeated sigh then. It was odd, hearing a somber tone from him. The feeling that I was missing something about this situation became stronger. We did save them.
Didn't we?
“Never you mind that,” he quickly said, “such talks can wait for another time. Take a break my dear. You’ve more than deserved it with slaying a primal.”
His tone went back to his usual self. He patted the top of my hands gently. Even through the bandages, I could feel the slight warmth that Thancred’s hands brought.
“You may not realize it, ‘tis no ordinary feat you’ve accomplished. Not that you are an ordinary person. From the first time we met, I felt a spark of something extraordinary in you. I have a feeling that your acts will help shape the realm. Quite heartening to know that my eye for potential has not diminished in the years.”
I scoffed at his words. But still letting a small smile show. And perhaps a little flushed in a blush.
“Thank you,” I said, “And no worries about the ambush. We didn’t account for a traitor in the Flames. We survived and that’s an important victory, no?”
By the widening of his eyes, he seemed shocked at my words. I only spoke from a place of truth. Either way, he seemed more at ease with it.
“I suppose you are right; it is a victory, no matter how small. At the very least, let me report to Minfilia on our work. I can put in some words that I contributed to the mission.”
I wanted to tell him he didn’t need to say that, there was a look in his eyes that told me he would not budge on this. Instead, I gave him a brief smile and a wave. One that he returned before leaving the settlement. I watched his retreating back until I couldn’t anymore. Once again, I was alone. I took the solitude to look back down at my bandaged hands. I still had questions about my survival against a primal. Why was I unaffected by Ifrit’s tempering flame?
I took a breath.
I suppose once I get back, it would be explained to me. For now though, I’ll take that break.