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Chapter Text

How Aruna survived the welcoming party, he’ll never know. It was a testament to Alphinaud’s and Urianger’s incredible skills that he managed to reach the Baldesion Annex at all, despite the crowds of celebrating people along the way.

It was over. It was finally over. Not only Eorzea, not only their star, but every star in existence, even the Universe itself was safe from the Song of Oblivion, from the crushing weight of despair.

Aruna didn’t expect that weight to come crashing down on him.

The hero paused at the entrance to Galuf’s room. Everyone was just about to start celebrating their victory - Ojika, Tataru and Krile had prepared a veritable feast.

And when Aruna saw the food, saw everyone smiling and relaxed, saw Sunna and Runna chatting happily with his newfound family, it hit him that the battle was truly, finally over. His duty, the one that forced him to leave his homeland behind so long ago, was fulfilled. The flood of relief that hit him was so great he felt lightheaded.

And that lightheadedness didn’t vanish as he smiled and tried to take a step into the room. The world blurred before his eyes, he felt ringing in his ears, and he collapsed to the ground.

Before anyone could react, Sunna rushed to Aruna’s side and ignited the Mark on her hand. “He’s alive,” she informed the shocked Scions. Then she tried reaching out to him in a way only Viera could. ‘Love, do you hear me?’

‘Are you alright, papa?’ Runna’s concerned voice joined in.

Although Sunna and Aruna had shared a link between their souls ever since the ceremony of Bonding as One, that connection was always one-sided. Sunna could hear when Aruna directed his thoughts at her, but could not reply in the same manner.

However, that changed in Ultima Thule. At the edge of existence, in a place created entirely from emotions and memories, all three Viera found themselves in a dynamis-saturated environment. And so, the long-forgotten instinct was awakened. Sunna and Runna could now speak in thoughts too.

The reply was faint and barely audible even to them. ‘…can’t move… tired… sleep…’

Sunna smiled. ‘Rest, my love.’ She turned to the worried Scions. “He’s just exhausted. Said he wanted to sleep.”

“Small wonder,” Thancred remarked as he approached his friend and lover. “Considering everything he’s been through, I’m surprised it didn’t happen sooner. Allow me.”

Sunna nodded at him with a grateful smile as Thancred picked Aruna up and carried him to the bed. The two didn’t get a chance to talk at length yet, what with the chaos of the Final Days in Thavnair and the hectic preparations in Sharlayan, but she did take an opportunity to thank Thancred for taking care of Aruna in her absence, and invited him to come visit their home in Radz-at-Han some time.

The twins looked at each other, worried. “Should we… postpone the celebration?” Alphinaud asked uncertainly.

‘...’ There were no words, just a faint protest.

“No, he doesn’t want that,” Sunna answered.

Tataru put her hands on her hips. “Knowing him, he wouldn’t want to spoil the party, or for our efforts to go to waste. Even if he’s not there to enjoy it.” She shook her head and sighed in exasperation.

“Exactly right,” Sunna confirmed. “And don’t bother keeping your voices down either - he’s normally a light sleeper, but right now he’s tired enough to sleep through a forest fire.”

“Exhaustion does tend to affect him that way,” G’raha remarked with an amused flick of his ears, recalling the morning after their heat-induced encounter. Sunna somehow caught the hint of playfulness in G’raha’s voice, and gave him a knowing, amused smile in return.

Urianger frowned. “Whilst I do not wish to cast doubt upon thy judgment, Mistress Surya, permit me to examine him, I prithee. Master Alphinaud and I were thorough in our ministrations, yet one cannot allow for carelessness in matters such as these.”

“Oh, by all means,” she gestured towards the bed. “And… you don’t have to be so formal. Or call me by my City name, for that matter.”

Runna nodded. “Papa trusted you all enough to give his Forest name, and so do we.” Indeed, when Aruna woke up aboard the Ragnarok, one of the first things he did was tell his true name to everyone on board, and to Tataru and Krile once they returned to Etheirys. Sunna and Runna followed suit. 

“Apologies, Mistress… Sunna. Henceforth I shall endeavor to address you both in proper form.” Urianger sat next to Aruna on the bed, closed his eyes and reached out to scan the unconscious hero with his healing magic.

“Don’t worry, it’s not that big a deal,” Runna assured him. “It’s not like we’ll be offended if you use the wrong one. I do like the name Hasya - but there’s just something special about hearing your own true name from friends.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” G’raha nodded enthusiastically, causing Krile to smile at him.

“I concur,” Y’shtola joined in. “Although I didn’t mind borrowing Master Matoya’s name for a time, I much prefer my own.”

“I think they’re both lovely names,” Alisaie remarked as she took an empty seat next to Runna and looked up at her, meeting her eyes. “And both of them suit you.”

“Thanks!” Runna beamed and briefly hugged Alisaie’s shoulders with one arm. Not expecting the sudden contact, the Elezen girl blushed.

Alphinaud rolled his eyes at his sister’s antics, then looked at Y’shtola. “Shouldn’t you be more worried about Aron? Er, that is, Aruna?”

“Nothing about his aether looks amiss, if that’s what you’re asking,” Y’shtola replied. “Do you agree, Urianger?”

The Elezen finished his examination and replied, “Aye. ‘Tis as Mistress Sunna surmised, exhaustion of the highest order. In other respects, he is hale.” Urianger put a hand to his chin in thought. “Yet the severity of his weariness doth trouble me. It shalt not be cured with a single night of repose, I fear.”

“All the more reason to leave him be,” Estinien shrugged. “Now, are we going to talk all night, or shall we get to the food?”

Krile giggled. “Indeed, it would be a waste to let it all go cold. Dig in, everyone!”

Thancred said nothing as he looked at Aruna’s motionless form on the bed. It was too eerily similar to the way the hero lay insensible on the First, utterly still aside from fits of Light corruption that wracked his body with spasms. But seeing as neither Y’shtola nor Urianger found anything wrong with his body, Thancred did his best to push the pessimistic thoughts away and enjoy the night.

His intuition wasn’t wrong, however. Something was indeed amiss…

Aruna woke up tired. Again.

He sighed and put an arm over his face, covering his eyes. “This is getting ridiculous,” he muttered.

Even though the concept of bedrest wasn’t completely alien to Aruna, he’s never needed this much before. He barely remembered the last time he got sick - Viera had excellent immune systems, for those who succumbed to illnesses in the Jungle didn’t get to live long. And even after being heavily wounded, Aruna would be on his feet and fighting within days thanks to the advanced healing techniques of the Outside. Even the worst crisis of his life - breaking from the overabundance of Light on the First - only lasted a week.

But now, it’s been nearly a moon.

After collapsing at the party, Aruna had slept for three days straight, and it took him three more days of rest to summon enough strength to teleport to Radz-at-Han. He could have remained in Sharlayan and gotten the best, most advanced medical care in Eorzea, but chose not to, for multiple reasons. 

For one, none of those doctors were of any use anyway. They found nothing wrong with his body and attributed the constant tiredness to mental fatigue. Secondly, Aruna didn’t want to impose on the hospitality of the Students of Baldesion any more than was necessary, especially since he overheard a conversation between Raha and Krile about the lack of funds. Which he made sure to alleviate at least in part through a generous anonymous donation, but the fact of the matter remained. 

Honestly, imposing on Sunna instead didn’t feel much better in comparison, but his One insisted that she wanted to take care of him, that it was a normal thing wives did for their husbands in the Outside. Aruna didn’t pay much attention to this aspect of relationships of the people he encountered in his travels, so he couldn’t really argue for or against that. 

In any case, there was one more factor that made him choose Radz-at-Han over Old Sharlayan in the end.

The heat.

Ever since he awoke from his three-day slumber, Aruna would often feel cold. It was another unexplained mystery that baffled Sharlayan doctors, and was no less baffling to Aruna, who had never had any issues with temperatures before. He grew up in the northern part of Golmore Jungle, so the heat of Thavnair and Thanalan was familiar and welcome, and his Veena blood ensured that he felt comfortable enough in Coerthas and Garlemald with a reasonable amount of clothing. But now, even mild changes in the weather seemed to affect him. Night chill would often feel unbearable, and he clung to Sunna for warmth as much as touch…

Right now though, the bed was empty. He had slept until midday again, despite asking Sunna to wake him up if he didn’t rise on his own. Sunna didn’t start her day at dawn like Aruna used to do, but she still got up at a reasonably early hour. Honestly, she was going too soft on him…

And speaking of going soft. Aruna got out of bed and took a long, hard look in the full-length mirror.

It was… fine. Still fine. He looked fine. It was just a moon of inactivity. Just a moon. No big deal.

…He needed to start doing something about it now, or soon the changes in the mirror won’t be just a figment of his overly critical imagination.

Frustrated, he got dressed in his homewear - simple black pants and a plain short-sleeved shirt - and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

It was empty when he arrived, and he didn’t hear or sense any other activity in the house, not even in Sunna’s workshop down in the basement. Sure enough, when he looked at their personal notice board - a section of a cupboard door Sunna had painted black - there were two notes written in chalk:

Meeting with a client. Back by lunch. -S

Jobs in the Great Work. Back by nightfall. -R

Aruna sighed. “Alone again, huh…” he muttered. It wasn’t that unusual of an occurrence - Runna was a full-fledged adventurer after all, even though her adventures were confined to Thavnair for the time being. He had planned to take her all around Eorzea and Othard so they could potentially adventure together, but that trip was delayed indefinitely due to his health issues. 

Meanwhile, Sunna stayed home most days - but a significant portion of her day was always dedicated to her craft, and when her metal muse struck, Sunna was not to be disturbed. As such, Aruna took over doing most of the chores around the house, after Runna showed him what needed to be done and how. The last time he had to do any kind of housekeeping was before his Day of Departure, but he couldn’t stand the thought of being a complete freeloader, so he did his best to learn it all again.

After fixing himself some breakfast and washing the dishes afterwards, Aruna headed to the roof terrace. The laundry they hung up yesterday was likely dry already, and he needed to clear the space anyway if he wanted to get any training done.

After all, he was a master Monk. If this constant tiredness was truly an issue of the mind and not body, he could conquer it.

As Aruna prepared to start his routine, he felt strangely nervous, but brushed it aside. Tranquil mind, tranquil heart. Clear his head of all thoughts, focus on his body, become one with his senses, and feel…

Slowly, gracefully, he flowed from one form to another - a meditation as much as a stretching exercise. And by the Green, did it feel good to be moving. His mind and his body both missed it… 

Out of all the jobs he tried, Monk was always his favorite, in no small part because of how physical and personal it was. He didn’t need to rely on a weapon - his body was the weapon, and even unarmed, he was a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention the wonders it did for his self-image - knowing he was in peak physical condition, and having that confidence confirmed by the image in the mirror, by the admiration in Thancred’s and Sunna’s eyes… It was another reason why this forced idleness was so, so hard to bear.

Aruna had been a fighter, a warrior, a protector for so long… he wasn’t made for idle life.

After the stretches, Aruna moved on to a routine of push-ups, sit-ups, squats… And once his body was thoroughly warmed up, it was time to move on to combat.

He approached the striking dummy, and felt that strange pang of nervousness return. Which made absolutely no sense to him - this wasn’t even a real enemy. Aruna assumed the Opo-opo form, prepared to start with the basic Bootshine combo…

…Something happened the moment he drew in aether for the strike.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl, and Aruna’s heart was gripped with fear. The striking dummy vanished from his vision, and instead there was Zenos, frenzied with bloodlust, his features deformed and overtaken by that unholy union between his soul and a voidsent… His manic grin, his glowing red eyes, Aruna’s fist about to make contact…

Aruna fumbled the blow and fell to his knees, trembling and biting back the scream that threatened to emerge the moment he lost his last shreds of control… He curled up on the ground, struggling to breathe and wracked with shivers - the false sunrise gave no warmth, and he was so cold, cold, cold…

…Eventually, the fit passed, and Aruna felt the heat of the real sun again. Exhausted, he turned to lay on his back, and stayed there for a while, hoping that the heat would thaw away the chill of terror that still gripped him from within.

Now he knew the answer. The ailment that the doctors couldn’t find was staring him right in the face. And he didn’t like it one bit.

Before leaving the house, he left a note:

Gone to Gridania. Back in a few days. - A

Chapter Text

“I see…” E-Sumi-Yan said thoughtfully. “And you say it happened the moment you drew upon aether?”

The two were once again alone in a meditation chamber deep underground, both sitting on their knees facing each other. Aruna had been here once before, three years ago, though it seemed like a lifetime had passed between now and then. Back then, he was naught but a nameless adventurer. Now, he was a renowned hero, the Warrior of Light, the savior of the realm. 

Whether he deserved to keep any of those titles remained to be seen.

“Just so,” Aruna confirmed. “And it wasn’t at all like the visions I usually have. This wasn’t me watching a memory through someone else’s eyes, or even through my own. This was…” He swallowed hard. “This felt real… At least, as real as a nightmare can feel.”

“You sound frightened, yet not surprised,” the Padjal noted. Aruna picked up on the open-ended nature of that statement, nodded and elaborated:

“I have an inkling of what it might be. The Lorekeeper of my village suffered from a similar ailment. Visions of something she did in the past coming back to haunt her…” He put a hand to his chin in thought. “She described it as… a soul wound. Sometimes, an event can be so devastating, so traumatic, it damages and scars one’s very soul. And when that wound is aggravated, the person is forced to relive that moment, again and again.”

“Hmm.” E-Sumi-Yan pondered Aruna’s words. “‘Tis a rather apt description for the ailment we call ‘soldier’s heart’. Yet what manner of aid do you hope to seek from me?” He crossed his arms. “Unlike wounds of the flesh, soul wounds cannot be sutured, nor healed with magic.”

Aruna smiled sadly. “Of course not. Would that it could be that easy…” He shook his head. “I’m not hoping for a miracle cure. What I seek is… understanding. What is it that paralyzes me with fear and sends me into a panic? Am I truly incapable of using aether anymore? If that’s the case, I…” Aruna swallowed hard and fell silent. 

E-Sumi-Yan waited patiently for him to continue. Finally, the Viera spoke up again, “I know it is possible to fight without aether. Thancred managed to find a way, Garleans never had the ability in the first place, my people in the Jungle are barely aware that aether exists… But…” His breath shuddered. “I don’t want to lose this power. I can’t. Not after everything I’ve been through… All those enemies, all those threats… I wouldn’t be half the warrior I am without aether… ” His voice fell to a whisper. “…and probably dead ten times over…”

E-Sumi-Yan took notice of the way the Viera shivered as he said those words, wrapping his arms around himself as if to keep warm. “Are you cold, A-Runa?”

Aruna gave a start. “No?” He then looked down at himself, at the thick wool poncho he was wearing despite the mild weather outside. “Maybe? I… I don’t even know.” He sighed. “I’ve never had any trouble with the weather before, but recently, I’ve been feeling cold spells at random. Especially at night…”

“…when we are at our most vulnerable,” E-Sumi-Yan finished for him. “I see you and I hear you, A-Runa, Child of Another Forest. Let us find the root of your fear together.”

Once again, the Padjal approached the kneeling Viera. Aruna removed his coronet, and just like that time three years ago, E-Sumi-Yan pressed his right thumb to the middle of Aruna’s forehead and placed his left hand on the Viera’s chest. Aruna relaxed, slipping into a meditative state, opening his mind, heart and soul to the Padjal.

As always, E-Sumi-Yan started with assessing the aether and its flow. Which was…

“Interesting…” he said out loud.

“Hmm?” the Viera intoned, and E-Sumi-Yan could feel the unspoken surprise and question of whether he found the source of the ailment so quickly.

“Nay, ‘tis not the cause, and yet… There’s something I have not seen in all my years.” E-Sumi-Yan let go of the Viera, and Aruna opened his eyes, questioning. “Imagine, if you would, a piece of wood that has been damaged. By force, by rot, by vilekin - it matters not. The wood is riddled with gaps and grooves, its insides blackened and dead.”

Aruna couldn’t help but wince at such a description, but knew better than to interrupt the Padjal. After all, if things were this dire, either Urianger or Y’shtola would have notified him. Not to mention all those Sharlayan doctors.

E-Sumi-Yan smiled. “Perhaps you don’t know, but such wood is prized among some craftsmen. They fill those gaps with colored resin, restoring the integrity of the wood and turning those imperfections into stunning art.”

Aruna indeed recalled seeing such pieces - Count de Fortemps had a table like that in his manor, and Hancock had one in his collection in Kugane. Edmont’s looked like geodes encased in ebony, the one Hancock had was akin to a riverbed with water flowing through the wood…

“You’re saying my aether is the same?” Aruna asked, to which E-Sumi-Yan nodded. “But then… Why hasn’t anyone else noticed this? Healers have scanned me countless times… Not to mention Y’shtola - she can see aether, but she never once spoke of it to me.”

“Ah,” the Padjal smiled. “If I went by sight alone, I wouldn’t have noticed either. For the material you’ve been restored with is nearly identical to your own. The color and texture feel almost the same, and the only difference is… sound.”

E-Sumi-Yan began humming a melody, and Aruna’s eyes went wide with shock. This was… This was the song that played in his mind as he journeyed through Ultima Thule. Worldless at first, but then…

“Ardbert…” The name left his lips before Aruna could give it conscious thought.

“You know the cause of this phenomenon,” the Padjal asserted. Aruna nodded. “While I would like to pry for details of such a fascinating occurrence, I can also tell it is a heavy subject for you. I’ll leave it be for now.”

“There is something else you should know,” E-Sumi-Yan continued. “While the elements of your soul and body are in balance, the most prevalent element in your aether used to be Levin,” he explained. “However, as of now… That balance has shifted significantly towards Light.”

Aruna shuddered. “Yes, I… I know that.” He touched his hair, directing E-Sumi-Yan’s attention to the white tips. “This is not a fashion choice. It’s a scar from when I was trying to contain vast amounts of Light-aspected aether. It corrupted and nearly turned me… And then Ardbert came to my aid.”

“I see,” E-Sumi-Yan said. “I would like to hear the rest of that story sometime. However, while fascinating, this corruption is a wound cauterized and healed, and it is not the reason you sought my counsel. Let us continue.”

E-Sumi assumed his previous position, and when the Viera relaxed under his touch, the Padjal listened deeper, focusing his hearing on the colors and the chaos of the memories and soul…

“Now draw upon aether,” he commanded.

Immediately, the soul flared up in a cacophony of pain - cold and screams and white and fear, rage and sun and dark and…

“Death,” E-Sumi whispered.

The Padjal ended his investigation and took a step back. He took a seat in front of the Viera, tucking his legs under him, and looked up at the taller man, meeting the gaze that was filled with worry.

“The fear that grips you is a deep and primal one,” E-Sumi-Yan began. “The one ingrained in every living being since time immemorial. The fear of death.” Aruna looked like he was about to protest, but E-Sumi raised a hand to stop him. “Mankind often ignores that fear out of duty, or perhaps out of ignorance. We admire the heroes who risk life and limb on the field, fighting for causes greater than themselves… However, it does not change our nature. Deep in our souls, the terror remains.”

The Padjal closed his eyes and continued. “Two memories ring loud, rousing that fear within you. One of which you told me - fighting in the light of dawn, pouring your whole self, your entire being into the fight until naught but a drop remained. And the other is…” He paused, focusing. “Crawling in the snow, desperate, wounded and weak.”

Aruna’s breath caught, and then quickened. Before he knew it, shivers were wracking his body, and his mind went blank as the fear and terror and cold gripped him from within…

Someone’s arms wrapped around Aruna, holding him close, and warm light poured forth from their being, engulfing Aruna in healing and calm.

“Breathe, A-Runa. Breathe.”

Obeying the order, Aruna focused on his breathing, forcing it to slow down, to be deep, even and calm. Eventually, he managed to do so, and stilled in the embrace, exhausted.

E-Sumi-Yan held him for a while longer before letting go and stepping away. “It seems we have found the root,” he remarked.

“Y-yeah…” Aruna breathed, still shaken from the ordeal. “This… doesn’t surprise me, somehow. I-I just wonder why it didn’t happen sooner…” He averted his gaze and fell silent.

“Or perhaps it shouldn’t be surprising at all,” Aruna continued, voice growing steady and confident as his mind found rational explanations for irrational fears. “I’ve been in danger countless times. Since I was thirteen, danger has been all around me, and death my constant companion. But never…” He took a shuddering breath. “Never have I been on the brink. Even with the Light, I was changing, not dying. But this…”

“I truly could have died. I’d have died in the snow if it wasn’t for sheer desperation and will. I’d have died alone at the edge of the universe if it wasn’t for a miracle…” He put a hand to his chest. “So that is the wound upon my soul…”

E-Sumi-Yan stayed silent for a while, then asked, “How are you feeling, A-Runa?”

The Viera didn’t answer right away. “It’s hard to describe. Relieved, I guess? We’ve found the cause, after all,” he said, taking his coronet off the ground and putting it back on. “And yet, a lot of questions remain unanswered. Why am I tired and cold all the time?”

The Padjal hummed in thought. “This is mere speculation, but perhaps… Perhaps your body is trying to stave off the fear, defend itself from the things that nearly led to its demise.”

Aruna looked at him, confused. “How so?”

“If you feel cold, you will keep yourself warm and won’t freeze to death,” the healer elaborated. “And if you are already tired, you won’t exert yourself to the point of exhaustion.”

The Viera’s eyes went wide, and he stared at the Padjal in stunned silence. “That… makes sense…” he said slowly. “So my body fears cold and exhaustion… no wonder it reacted to combat techniques…”

“Not all of them,” E-Sumi-Yan noted. “You mentioned that meditation you did feeling rather pleasant?”

“True…” Aruna agreed. “The rest was also fine, up until the moment I drew in aether…” He shook his head. “I think… It’s reasonable to assume that physical exertion will not kill me. It’s been the norm for me ever since I first left my village. It’s not the same as burning away my essence in a blaze of glory…”

The Padjal chuckled softly. “Need it always be so drastic?” he said with a mild tease.

“No, but my body doesn’t seem to know the difference.” Aruna frowned and crossed his arms, hunching in on himself. “Which brings us back to my earlier question. Am I truly incapable of using aether anymore?”

Deep inside, Aruna dreaded the answer. He was all but certain it would be affirmative - and he couldn’t bear the thought. Ever since he had first set foot in Gridania, learned the technique of enchanting arrows to hit with the force of a spear thrust, he had relied upon aether to reinforce his capabilities. Gladiator, Dragoon, Dancer, Monk… All of these would be out of reach now. All those efforts, all that training, wasted. Would he have to start relying on machina, like the Garleans do? He never cared for technology, but if it was his only option, Aruna would endure it. He vaguely recalled hearing something about a weaponry enthusiast in Ishgard…

The Conjurer’s next words brought him out of the morass of his spiralling thoughts. “That remains to be seen.”

Aruna’s eyes shot towards the Padjal, cautious hope blooming in his chest. “Oh?”

E-Sumi-Yan smiled. “I have a hunch,” he said warmly. “What is the lesson Sylphie had to learn?”

Furrowing his brow in confusion, Aruna nonetheless answered, “Never cast spells using your own aether. For your reserves are finite, while nature…”

He didn’t finish the phrase. Realization hit, and his eyes went wide as he understood what the Padjal was hinting at.

“Nature is boundless…” Aruna whispered.

“Indeed,” E-Sumi-Yan nodded with a smile. “Cast Medica for me, if you would.”

Aruna felt nervous, but nonetheless obeyed. He closed his eyes, reached out to the world around him, let the aether flow through him - channeling, not retaining - and released it in a circle of healing light.

And… nothing. No fear, no panic. No cold.

E-Sumi-Yan felt it too. “It seems we have found a path forward,” he said warmly.

“Yes…” Aruna whispered, then bowed deeply before the Padjal. “Thank you, with all my heart. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it…”

“‘Tis only natural,” E-Sumi-Yan answered. “The role of a healer is not one you had to perform often, so ‘tis no surprise you let your training fall by the wayside in favor of styles that suited you more.” He put his hands on his hips. “But now that most other paths are closed to you, I advise you to take your training seriously.”

“Of course!” Aruna exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “You don’t need to tell me twice!”

The guildmaster couldn’t help but chuckle at his eagerness. “Raring to go, are you? Good. But first, allow me to give you some guidance.”

Aruna nodded several times, prepared to listen.

“Firstly…” E-Sumi-Yan said sternly, “I’ve been lenient thus far about your preference to channel all magic through your body rather than a wand or a staff, but now that you need to become a fully-fledged combat healer, I encourage you to learn the proper technique.”

“I… Yes, of course. It shall be done,” Aruna agreed. It made sense - every healer he knew treated wounds with their hands, but on the field of battle, they used weapons. A book, a globe, a staff…

“And secondly…” the Padjal continued, “Seek the counsel of Seedseer Raya-O-Senna.”

Aruna tilted his head in a questioning motion and asked, “Why her?”

“I believe she will be a more suitable master for you than I.” E-Sumi-Yan looked up at him with a smile. “That corruption you went through may have been a blessing in disguise. With your soul’s current affinity towards Light, you have the potential to become a powerful White Mage.”

Aruna’s breath caught. He merely hoped to avoid being useless, but this… E-Sumi-Yan’s voice promised excellence. 

If he could really do it… If he could reach the heights he achieved with his other jobs…

A true, sincere smile graced Aruna’s features. The Warrior of Light would not retire yet.