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Rowan wondered, afterward, if perhaps he should have seen it coming.
The memory that stuck most clearly in his mind was mere days after their return from the void. Hindered as they were in activating more of the tower’s systems after the loss of Unei and Doga, G’raha was finally getting the time in the tower he had so coveted, even if it was largely on an experimental basis to see if his newly empowered Allagan blood would prove the key.
The Sons of Saint Coinach had recently uncovered what appeared to be a central control location for many of the tower’s capabilities, an imposing yet beautiful crystal hall housing a large console.
“We’re hoping if we could get this working, we’d have access to at least some of the tower’s systems. Would be handy, and could help us find things we might’ve missed,” the researcher who’d escorted them had said.
G’raha approached the console with some amount of trepidation. “I’ll see what I can do. If anything, that is.”
He reached out, his eyes sliding shut as the console lit up, unfamiliar text and symbols springing to life as G’raha navigated…whatever was in the thing. This sort of technology was unlike anything Rowan had ever seen. He could perceive enough to pick up on the unimaginably massive quantities of aether the tower housed, the vital, thrumming energy that powered its many systems and devices. The more delicate, intricate workings of the tower, however, were far beyond what he could even guess at in terms of function.
G’raha’s eyes flew open. “Ah, I think I’ve got it. You wanted to unseal the first hallway off the main stairs?”
“Yes, if possible.”
“Let me try.” A moment more of G’raha manipulating whatever arcane controls existed in the panel, and the researcher’s linkpearl chimed with the confirmation from the scientists down below that the hallway they’d been attempting to access had opened for them.
G’raha had stepped back as the researcher congratulated him, a pensive expression on his face.
“It’s not just the doors,” he said. “Where we were getting corrupted, blocked, encrypted information, or even just nothing there’s—it’s unbelievable. Aetherial processing, data storage, entire wings for any type of research you could think of…just bringing up a detailed floor plan of the place is overwhelming. I can see it all now, even if I can barely comprehend the scope of it.”
“Well,” Rowan said with a grin, “now you should be able to explore the tower to your heart’s content, at least. After the researchers hear that, I daresay none of them will want to let you out. I bet you could do anything you wanted with this place now.”
Later, he would recall that proclamation, the memory heavy as a stone in his chest.
He remembered what he’d been thinking that day, the irony of it all. With the worst of the danger dealt with and G’raha’s new ability to command the tower’s systems, he knew that his service to NOAH was likely coming to an end. They had things well enough in hand, and the duties of a Warrior of Light yet called his attention elsewhere. There was still, however, something he yet hoped to get out of the experience before his time at Saint Coinach’s Find came to an end.
Namely, a proper date with a certain eccentric Miqo’te scholar.
With no more Allagan monstrosities or voidsent pacts looming over them, perhaps he could ask G’raha if he wanted to spend time together outside of that small camp in Mor Dhona.
This pleasant train of thought had been interrupted by a researcher approaching Rammbroes in a panic, claiming that G’raha had entered the tower and began ordering everyone else out.
Rammbroes turned to him immediately. “Did he say anything to you about this, when he asked to stay behind?”
Eyes wide, Rowan shook his head.
“Find Cid,” Rammbroes said. “We’re heading to the tower.”
His clear alarm at the news was contagious, only exacerbated as they approached the tower, passing several more scientists on the way who were muttering amongst themselves in confusion as to why they were being thrown out so suddenly.
Not to mention some small, petty part of him hurt perhaps more than it should have at the idea that G’raha had not confided in him.
Rowan spied him as they crested the top of the stairs at Eight Sentinels. He was standing just across the threshold leading into the tower and he was alone, a fact only emphasized by the vastness of the doors flanking him. He turned as they approached, unsurprised to see them, his face set in determination. “Please, don’t come any closer. I would not have any of you trapped once the doors close.”
Rammbroes’ expression was similarly grim. “You mean to seal the tower, then?”
“What!? G’raha, you can’t be serious…” Rowan marched forward but was stopped by the threshold by a strong ward, seemingly cast to prevent anyone from attempting to follow him. No lone person would have been capable of creating such a large barrier of such strength if they did not have access to the tower’s systems and reserves of aether.
“G’raha you needn’t make such a hasty decision. Tell us of your plan, and surely we can help, find some better way,” Rammbroes pleaded.
G’raha smiled sadly. “I’ve thought this through, Rammbroes. Safeguarding the knowledge of Allag has ever been my destiny. My purpose.”
Rowan listened numbly as G’raha recounted the memories he’d gained from Unei and Doga’s gift, of the survivors of Allag’s calamity who looked to the Crystal Tower as a beacon of hope and the memories and royal blood the former empire’s princess had entrusted to G’raha’s distant ancestor.
“Even with your gift, it is too great a risk, G’raha,” Cid said. “The tower holds technology we can barely comprehend, let alone ensure we are using it wisely. The level of advancement we would need to attain…”
“I know. And yet it waiting, we would lose the royal blood that already grows thin and thus any means of controlling the tower.” He tilted his head, gazing back into the tower’s depths. “Unless I were to follow in Amon’s footsteps, and put the tower in stasis once more.”
Rowan’s stomach dropped.
“It was my ancestors’ greatest wish that the tower might once more be a beacon of hope, and I intend to be here to see that mission through. When mankind once again rivals the Allagans in knowledge, I will be here to guide them.”
“So this is the only way?” Rowan’s voice was too impassioned, too desperate now. “This is what was expected of you, to throw yourself onto the pyre of the Allagan’s failings? It’s…”
It’s not fair.
He bit back the childish sentiment that ached to burst free. It would be foolish to say that everything he had experienced had left him with the impression that things were fair and just in this world.
He could see G’raha’s expression darken with sorrow, but he didn’t move a single step closer to the tower’s entrance. “The reality of it is…regrettable. But I would not—cannot think solely of myself when I have ever been prepared to heed a higher calling. Safeguarding the knowledge of Allag is and has always been for the good of all the world, and if it falls to me to do it, I shall, no matter…” He swallowed, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. “No matter what I might wish for myself.”
The sentiment was heavy in its familiarity. As he carried the weight of a goddess’s blessing, G’raha carried the weight of a painful, complicated legacy that had long since left living memory.
The worst part was there was nothing he could do.
He stood there, just on the other side of the ward, feeling miserably, desperately helpless.
“There’s no talking you out of this, is there?” Cid said softly.
G’raha looked over the lot of them, inclining his head in a solemn nod. “The future is where my destiny awaits. But yours is here, and now. I place my trust in you all to create a brighter future, one that I will one day be proud to look upon.”
“If you are certain…” Rammbroes sighed, resigned. “You will be witness to our accomplishments and failures alike.”
“I will look forward to hearing of all of it,” G’raha promised.
“Pray remember us fondly, then, and may we meet again.”
At that, G’raha turned to Rowan, his gaze almost wistful. “And you, Rowan—I know history will remember you. No doubt your heroism will be the star by which I chart my course when I awake.”
“G’raha…” he managed, but he couldn’t continue. He knew it was pointless, knew he would be gently and nobly denied even if he should find it in him to voice his selfish wish.
“It won’t be that long,” he said instead. “We’ll find a way. I’ll be walking out of this place with you before you know it, I promise.”
“A future I eagerly await.” G’raha’s smile wavered, but he remained in place. “Farewell, my friends.”
Rowan stepped back at last as the rumbling of the doors’ mechanisms kicked in.
Even as G’raha turned away and the doors to the tower slid slowly closed, Rowan didn’t look away.