Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It is empty. All around, nothing.

You open your eyes, and it is everywhere. This void. You do not know what compels you, but.

You start to walk. And as you do so...

"What does it mean to choose?", a voice beckons. You cannot form the words.

"Is it free will? Or is it all an emancipation from a different party?" A set of stairs appears before you. You go up the stairs.

Once you reach the top, you are greeted by a platform made of stained glass. It's a serene sight, a calming blue surrounds the edges of the circle and is seen to coalesce into the middle where an inviting white door rests at the top of a green hill. Around the blue color are roses, shown to be slowly wilting away. You walk on it, standing in the middle. You do not think, but you feel. The voice still echoes:

"Is it mankind's own desire to set foot on their path... or, perhaps...?"

Out of nowhere, the glass shatters and the surface before you gives as you start to descent. The fall at the very least however does not last long as you close your eyes and open them again. This time, you find yourself on a different stained glass. It is of no considerable remark, yet what surrounds you proves the opposite. They are not faces, nay, they are expressions: one of sadness, happiness, anger, disgust, envy. Expressions natural to all, some that every single person may experience all throughout the course of their life.

"Perhaps.. no, it is all forced, is it not? This endless road. This traverse that never ceases." The mysterious sound muttered. Following this, one more set of stairs appears before you. Without question, you climb until you reach a separate glass stained platform. This one, like the previous, is alike from the normal ones you've seen. It features the same wilting roses from before, but instead of multiple this time there is one, and it is fully missing its petals. Right behind it is a hooded man, with his back turned yet the side of his head showing. It feels rather, familiar.

"How much longer must I keep doing this....?" 

Before long, what can only be described as shades appears atop the glass and silhouettes start to form into shape, including weapons for battle. There are four of them, each wielding different weapons and their own personal look. One takes on the appearance of a male Elezen, wielding a lance; It seems almost proud of himself before even attacking. Another embraces the look of a female Roegadyn and carries a greataxe for a weapon; She seems content but ready for battle. The third is a female Hyur, confident, with long hair tied in a ponytail and fights using two knives. The last is another Hyur woman, but by just her presence you can tell she carries herself differently from the rest. She is only in possession of a singular gun, but to her it looks like its all she needs. There is nothing that could tell by simply looking that this is what these people feel. You simply know.

They begin attacking simultaneously. The Elezen charges at you and tries to pierce you with his lance, but you inertly dodge and draw your weapon, seemingly through sheer will. Before you could attempt to retaliate, you're forced to deflect bullets from the weapon of the menacing Hyur woman, as you then redirect the hilt of your sword behind your right forearm to block a stealth attack from the Hyur woman carrying the twin knives; You turn and extend the length of attack with your dominant hand in order to swing at the shade. Before it could connect, it is then blocked by the greataxe of the Roegadyn woman.

You're caught in a standstill of steel as the lance comes down on you from atop. You correct your stance and take a step back as you launch a spell at him. In an unprecedented action, the Elezen doesn't move out of the way, but takes the attack for the Roegadyn and disappears before you. In response, you're rushed by the greataxe wielding fighter, resulting in you constantly blocking. You once again launch the same spell, this time connecting with its intended target. The woman lands on her knees, holds her head high before vanishing also. The Hyur comes at you once more, but you know what you must do. You always do in moments like these. 

You were made for this.

You switch stances as you hold your sword at its bottom hilt with your dominant hand and the top hilt with your left; You lower your body weight to focus its force into its tip. Before you know, you lunge yourself forward, carrying darkness with you and cutting right through the shade of the ponytailed Hyur. You turn around and you look at one another. Unlike the two that came before it, this one had seemed as if it did not wish for things to end. You continued to exchange looks with the eyeless dark, before it finally vanished. There is one left. You turn to look at her, but as you do.

*BANG!*

A gunshot sound bursts before you could look. The shade gave up.

There is silence. What felt like eternal stillness. 

"Suffering is the chain we are locked in. There is no escape. I can't escape."

"I can't escape fate."

"I can't escape it."

"I can't.."

The words echo, and they become endlessly loud. You feel your breath shortening, your vision fading, your consciousness giving way. You gaze up and one more figure stands there. Tall, almost omnipotent. He brings out a gun. He pulls the trigger.

—————————————————

"....!" 

The man sits up in a frenzy and tries to gather his bearings. He stares at his hands firstly, then he shifts his gaze to his surroundings, and then back down to the surface he is on. He is in his room, and he just woke up from a nightmare. There seems to be no rest for the Warrior of Darkness. He shifts his weight to sit on the side of his bed and he holds the weight of his head in the palms of both his hands, trying to calm himself.

"A nightmare?" A voice rung out. He looks to his right where the open window is. There he sees a familiar face.

"Aye... and an awful one at that." said the warrior. He stands up and gathers his bearings, before approaching the figure, both looking out into the starry skies of the Crystarium, the temporary home of the "champion of champions".

"You know, when your two friends brought you in your room unconscious, I was not sure what to think. But then I realized through their conversation how you ended up in such a way." responded the man.

"Why didn't you come... Ardbert?" he turns to look at him. He sees his rather tired expression, his eyes filled with what seemed like a lifetime or two of stories to tell, but he knows of him. He knows of his struggles and all that has transpired which led to him looking that way. Ardbert is a man full of regrets, of stories, of a past people wish to forget.

"Sometimes the dead would rather not be disturbed. But enough about me- how are you feeling, Klaus?" said Ardbert, meeting his gaze in return with concern worn on his face. Ardbert has seen all of Klaus' struggles, from the moment he arrived in the First. He knows his will to fight for a world not of his own. Sometimes he wanders how he could've been so easily fooled to battle a person, one that would risk his whole being for a home he was never able to save. But when you're the cause of the Flood, desperation wins over all possible morality.

"Well enough, despite the obvious signs to the contrary." Klaus lightly joked. "I remember speaking with 'Shtola and Ryne in regards to my condition, and before I knew it..." he would eye the floor as he'd sit down on a chair nearby the window.

Ardbert would turn around to look to Klaus still. "And thus wound up being carried by the two of them to your quarters." Klaus would nod.

"What of Amh Araeng then?" he simply asked.

Klaus would pause before raising his head again, and would begin to recount the events in Amh Araeng. The struggle of the people in Twine, the tragedy of a man who had lost his wife to the Flood and how Thancred and the rest of the group were able to give him hope again by making a Talos, opening the way to Nabath Araeng, and most importantly his meeting with Minfilia and stopping the Warden in the area, freeing the lands of the light and opening the path to the night skies once more.

"I see Minfilia's gone, then." Ardbert would respond solemnly, with his eyes shut. "Which means this reason I must suffer this purgatory shall forever remain a mystery." he concludes with sadness in his tone.

"Don't be quick to jump to conclusions this quickly, my friend. 'Filia told me something, right before she went."

"Not even the most valiant heroes can stand alone..." Klaus said, followed by a sad smile forming on his face. "I had time to gather my thoughts on what she could've possibly meant, and I believe she was referring to you. Regardless of circumstance, she never changed. She was still the same person I knew, and she always saw purpose in every single person she's ever met. And I wager, that perhaps, she's seen the same in you."

Ardbert closes his eyes, allowing himself to process what he was hearing. Yet, before he could formulate a response, his eyes would open wide as he'd turn his gaze to Klaus in alarm.

"AAGH!!" Klaus would exclaim in pain. Ardbert reaches his hand to him, in an attempt to help, but as he does so, a response occurs. His hand begins to glow brightly and in shock he'd back it away as Klaus would begin to calm himself from the visceral pain of the light coalescing within him.

"What... what just happened?" he asked while he'd look at his hands, surprised from the light generated from his attempt at touch. 

"I-I cannot say for sure.. to me it felt like a breeze had just blown past me..." Klaus responded, unsure what to make of the situation.

"Not even the most valiant heroes can stand alone...." the Hyur muttered, before giving a more confident answer. "No- No. It couldn't be. There's only one hero in this room, and it is not me. I'm just a shadow, cursed to wander."

"I don't believe that for one bloody second!" exclaimed the Miqo'te with a furrowed expression, now standing on his two feet once more. "We may not know it yet, but we will fin-", before he could finish his sentence, there'd be a few knocks at his door causing him to turn around to the noise. As he'd turn to look back briefly, he'd notice that Ardbert has already vanished. He never did like to be present around other people that weren't Klaus, and neither did he. After all, to everyone else, it would sound as if the man was speaking to the walls.

As he began walking to the door, he'd look at the mirror at his bedside. His hair color has been shifting for almost as long as he had started absorbing the aether of the Wardens within him, and now it is almost entirely white with only the slight presence of his usual blue left. Is he perhaps losing his identity? He had thought from what he was told that the difference in his hair color were only a side-effect of what he had thought to have been the erasure of the Warden's aether. Yet it had proven to be a warning. He gathered himself once more and answered the door.

"Ahem. Forgive the intrusion.", the man at the door was none but the Crystal Exarch. The very man that had transported him and his friends to their world to combat a threat that threatened his home but also the group's own. "Minfilia- that is, Ryne and the others were asking after you. I had heard of you falling unconscious after her and Y'shtola briefed me on the situation in Amh Araeng.", the Exarch paused, his lips signing of concern. "Did that pain of yours pass? How are you feeling?"

"It did. It was sharp and very sudden but it seems to have ceased, at least for right now." Klaus explained.

“Now, I don't believe you came all this way just to personally collect me. What else do you want to speak about?", Klaus wondered curiously to the Exarch, who nodded in acknowledgement.

"The final Lightwarden is all that stands between us and victory. There is still much we must do to prepare. But all that I wish to impose to you is this: survive, so that you and your friends may return to your worlds. For the battles to come and the wars yet unwon. And ultimately, I will do all that I can to remedy the strange affliction which plagues you.", the Exarch said confidently. It is obvious to Klaus that he truly has his best wishes in mind.

Klaus puts his hand on his shoulder and nods in affirmation. "We'll save this world yet, Exarch. We haven't come so far for naught." 

"Of that I have no doubt. Even if I had my pick of every reflection's heroes, I could not have asked for a finer champion.", responded the Exarch, with a gratifying smile. "I'll not keep you. When you are prepared, meet with the rest of us at the usual location, and we'll discuss what's next."

The Crystal Exarch departs from Klaus' quarters, with the latter following him to the exit. He furrows his brows slightly, theorizing as he watches the man leave.

—————————————————

Klaus steps outside his room, nodding to the manager of the suits, and then abandoning the building. He is met by the Crystarium. A sanctuary of the peoples, built by the Exarch for those who sought refuge from the destruction of the Flood, not blinded by the false promises of Eulmore. So many, left without much hope to live for so many years. But the Exarch guided them to keep seeking the morrow, for as long as they yet live, the day may come where they can once again live normally. That is what the Crystarium represents: hope, resilience and on top of all, unity. Klaus would look up, his eyes meeting the sights of the Crystal Tower. The very same one he had ventured into so long ago. He'd exhale and step inside, ready for what is to come. Or well,

so he believed.

As he opens the large doors, he is greeted by the sight of all of his friends, the Exarch, and an extra individual, who smiles, grateful to see him in his own ways. He sees everyone turning around, smiling at the sight of him, but two figures come up to him as he approaches. 

"Klaus! Oh, thank the heavens you're up. We were beyond worried when Y'shtola and Ryne told us what happened." said a very relieved Alisaie, beaming to see Klaus once more, a person she so greatly admires and whom has been there for her at her best and at her worst. Besides her own brother, Alphinaud, she trusts none more than Klaus, to the point where they promised one another to never leave the other alone.

"We wanted to come see you as soon as possible, but we were made sure that you would be fine. I'm glad to see you in good health, big brother." commented a smiling Alphinaud. Klaus would smile in return and ruffle his hair. The title of "big brother" did not come unwarranted. The two of them have been adventuring side by side almost from the very beginning. Together they have suffered through the worst of their time following the disbanding of the Crystal Braves but also looked out for one another as they freed Ala Mhigo and Doma from oppression. They are brothers, through and through, and wouldn't choose anybody else for any adventure.

The three of them came near everybody else and all looked onto the Exarch to discuss the next course of action.

"Thus far, we have vanquished four Lightwardens, restoring night to much of Norvrandt. Only one remains- that of Kholusia. And with Ryne to guide us, we are certain to find it." Ryne nods confidently in affirmation, her will now shining brighter than any possible light. 

"We're so close now." confirmed Alisaie. "If we can just take care of this last Warden, we'll drive the sin eaters out of Norvrandt once and for all."

"A prize worth fighting for. It'll be a new beginning for all of the people of the First.", agreed Alphinaud. This in turn, caused Y'shtola to turn, and face the one man in this room who would stand in direct opposition to this goal.

"And this, in turn, would result in your dream of the Rejoining being in utter jeopardy. Are you sure you're not tempted to intervene, Emet-Selch?" interrogated Y'shtola, wishing to seek direct answers.

Emet-Selch. A man who worries the Warrior of Darkness. His power and capabilities are unknown; Being an Ascian, he possesses of things unseen to many of them. But when he approached them initially, he merely wished to observe and educate. He wanted them to know the truth. That they were the ones who came before, that they were the original beings and that they were above all, yet they do not see themselves as special, for reasons to be soon explained.

"You labour under the misapprehension that vanquishing the sin eaters is tantamount to saving the world. It is not." responded the ascian, with the cheek of one that knows he is the most knowledgeable being present in the room. And that he would prove to be. "In truth, you only delay the inevitable, lengthening your fleeting lives by the smallest of margins."

Emet began to explain the proper origin of the world, how they were faced with annihilation, how Zodiark prevented it, which led to Hydaelyn's creation in fear of that power, blowing Zodiark away with such might that it didn't just split him, but the star itself. He explains about how every person was split into multiple shards, alongside the many reflections created due to Hydaelyn's actions, how he felt true despair and how he has utter distaste for the incomplete creatures roaming the current lands. 

"From a purely Ascian standpoint, it could be said that what you seek to do is only logical." Y'shtola remarks.

"But, that would ignore all of the destruction your kind has caused with each Rejoining. And each attempt, that we've stopped." Klaus continued, frustration forming on his face, remembering all of the actions people such as Nebriales, Lahabrea and other Ascians have wrought. "You murdered millions. Whatever your reason, I won't ever accept what you've done."

Emet-Selch sighs, clearly he didn't get through to them. "By your fragmented existence, you continue to give rise to tragedies far crueler than any calamity." he stated plainly. "But yes, moral relativism and all that. Case in point - I do not consider you to be truly alive. Ergo, I will not be guilty of murder if I kill you." 

In response, Klaus raises his hand and grabs onto the hilt of his sword. Thancred prepares to fight the same way, both of them clearly having been angered by Emet's cold statement.

"Oh, now don't go starting a ruckus. You for whom I only have the highest of expectations." said Emet-Selch, accompanied by the trademark grin he usually bears when it comes to Klaus.

"Save your expectations." utters the Warrior of Darkness with a harsh tone, yet lowering his grip of his weapon. "Were this not a peaceful place, I would have cut at you right this moment, immortal or nay. There are countless people, whom you consider inferior that gave their all for their home. Fine people, some who were intrinsically dear to us. So do not begin with your unreckoned analysis of morality and superiority. After all this ends, we will have our reckoning, Ascian. This I swear to you."

Emet claps briefly. "Oh, now that is what I expect from the vaunted hero of the Source, seven times rejoined!" he said enthusiastically. "I have awaited a soul that could endure the necessary pain for a path of lesser tragedy. One being such as you that has overcome so much. I do hope to say that my wait is over. So go, slay your Lightwarden, make proof of your usefulness. And then, we will speak."

Before long, a figure makes its way into the room. It's Lyna, the captain of the guards in the Crystarium. She reports of unusual activity in Eulmore, forces establishing themselves at key points of the region. They know they are the last place where light still reigns and they are ready for battle. Their leader, Vauthry, is a controlling and desperate individual, barely able to be called a man. One who thinks himself the ruler of everyone in the First, as he mysteriously possesses control over the sin eaters and because of this power, doesn't wish to see night restored. They're expecting an attack. The group agrees that they need to take action as soon as possible and conclude they should gather in Wright, a village right near the entrance of Eulmore to further assess the situation. 

—————————————————

As everyone prepares to meet near the entrance of the Crystarium to depart together for Kholusia, Klaus sees Y'shtola near the Cabinet of Curiosity, a towering vault that contained all sorts of information regarding the world they're currently residing in. He is initially hesitant, yet he approaches her. "Thought you'd be on your way already." remarks Klaus, wearing a slight smile. "Learning all that you can about Kholusia before leaving?"

"Caught me red-handed, it seems. In my three years spent in the First, once I stepped foot in Rak'tika, I never had any reasons to leave, unless the Exarch had summoned us about urgent matters. Once the Night's Blessed were left without a home, I felt I needed to do what I could.", says Y'shtola, wearing pity in her words. "But, I know you didn't approach for me to recount you over things you already well know. What is the matter?"

Klaus' eyes avert hers as he looks down briefly before speaking. "I came to thank you, but also to apologize." Y'shtola looks taken slightly aback by this. Not specifically over Klaus apologizing or thanking her, more so confused as she didn't understand what warranted this.

"Apologize? If this is in regards to me and Ryne carrying you back to your quarters, you have naught to apologize for. I was not going to allow you to remain unconscious in your state."

"Well, that was what I had wanted to thank you for. I wanted to apologize over the last time you and I spoke in private. I behaved.. harshly to you. I refused to see your perspective as I had only seen Than's and.. it was childish of me to not understand that you had his best intentions at heart. Than knew that himself." Klaus speaks with a regretful tone. 

"Hm. Come, walk with me. We don't want to keep the rest waiting for too long." responded Y'shtola, not exactly showing any concern over his apology quite just yet.

"I still remember when I first met Thancred. In the Thancred you first met and in the one I first met lies many differences, Klaus. Thancred used to take up with the...wrong kind. Charlatans is the more accurate description I'd give them. Criminal class who would steal, drink and approach every single woman they'd meet. I'd be surprised if you didn't know this directly from him by now." Y'shtola looked over at Klaus.

"He told me. Then he met 'Filia, although the circumstances weren't quite exactly as he'd hoped they'd be." stated Klaus, recalling Thancred's story about how he met Minfilia for the first time.

"Definitely was not. I knew of Thancred from the days when we studied under Master Louisoix and how hard of a time it was to teach him. But after that the incident with Minfilia's father happened and Thancred felt guilty in regards to it. He wanted to look after her with F'hlaminn but he was.. unsure. And so for a time he almost returned to his old ways, unsure of where to go next." Y'shtola recalled, almost with a hint of nostalgia in her voice. "T'was I who pushed Thancred to become more involved in her life, as he came to me for advice. He had no one to turn to. And so, I know too well how he feels about Minfilia, his guilt.. and his regrets also. It's why I gave him such harsh treatment when we first reunited." Y'shtola affirmed to Klaus, who nodded in understanding.

"Aye, I realized my errors after he told me about his feelings more thoroughly. Me and Than shared many drinks, but when it came to his past he was always.. more dismissive. I suppose I never tackled the matter further out of the possibility of upsetting a friend."

"He holds no ill will towards you and initially I was left confused. But, knowing you two have such a lengthened bond, it only is more plausible..." Klaus admits. "When I saw you speak to him so, I was afraid you had changed, 'Shtola. That the person I knew was moved by this different world and that you were soon ready to move on to what you thought was more important." he more confidently shifts his gaze to Y'shtola this time.

"I was foolish and I hope you'll forgive me for it." said Klaus, apologetically. 

"I was not exactly willing to negotiate any stories and explanations with you at the time either, we were both left frustrated by the circumstance we're in. You have nothing to worry about." Y'shtola smiled to Klaus, reassuring him. "Plus, I believe you have many more important factors to keep mind of than any spats you and I may or may not have had. Counting for saving this world and ours, especially with your condition... I'm more concerned than frustrated."

Klaus pumps his fist against his chest in confidence. "It'll take much and more than that to bring me down! I'm too stubborn to be brought down that easily."

Y'shtola closes her eyes, smiles, then turns to Klaus as they are now within view of the group. "Just make sure that stubbornness doesn't turn into recklessness. Do it for me, O' Warrior of Darkness?" she says as she places her left palm over his chest, stopping the both of them from walking for a brief moment. Klaus chuckles and nods. "You're one to talk. As long as you don't wind up stuck in the lifestream a third time..." 

Y'shtola chuckles in return and shrugs. They reunite with their group and finally make way for Kholusia.

—————————————————

Once the group makes their exit from the Crystarium and out of Lakeland to head out west, they are greeted by a sight which was, to some of them, near unfamiliar. Yet, for Klaus & Alphinaud, they are unpleasantly reminded of the encounters which had transpired here not too long ago.

Upon reaching the outskirts of the shanty Gatetown, the Scions begin to plan how to best reconnaissance that which they should expect. “I say some of us should advance and reconnoiter Gatetown. We don’t know what to expect just yet, so it’s best we keep our wits about us.” said Thancred, who took Y’shtola, Alisaie and Urianger inside the barren town. As they walked away, Klaus couldn’t help but stare upward, at the so-called “paradise” that was intensely promised to people. 

“I understand how the sight of Eulmore must make you feel.” approached Alphinaud, standing side by side with his big brother, also looking up at a sight that only brought the young Leveilleur ample reasons for discomfort. “It has been a while, has it not? Since we faced Lord Vauthry, and I felt such fury as I have never felt before.”

“Aye, you and me both. The way he speaks and regards himself, and the manner in which he does of others is despicable. To lack any compassion for any of your fellows… It’s unimaginable.” This place completely disgusted the Warrior of Darkness: the gall of that Vauthry, to make these people fight for even a slither of a hope for a better life, only for said aspirations to lead only to the worst for so many.

“His actions are unconscionable, of course, and any abhorrence I felt for him entirely justified. Yet…” Alphinaud began to stare away, with utter bitterness written on his face. “Yet?” motioned Klaus, wondering simply what rebuttal Alphinaud could offer.

“Yet, in his self-righteousness- in his absolute belief that he, and he alone, is the cure to the world’s ills- I saw a reflection of myself. And it brought the memories of all of my past follies flooding back.” Alphinaud spoke with a harsh tone. Klaus now understood it. He remembers the way Alphinaud had confronted Vauthry surprising him immensely, and it now occurred to him why that is…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some time ago… in Vauthry’s hall atop the city of Eulmore:

“AAAGGHHH!” screamed out the voice of what sounded to be a man. “Mercy… Mercy…!” he cried. Upon hearing these pleas, the voice was all too familiar to the two figures standing in the crowd. Before long, Klaus and Alphinaud ran in the center and found a sorrowing sight. 

“By the Twelve!” Alphinaud spoke out in shock. There laid Kai-Shirr, a young blue-haired Miqo’te that the two of them had met after he intended to steal Alphinaud’s business idea to enter Eulmore himself, but after some explanations, he was given permission to use said plan to see his friends again. “Kai-Shirr! What happened to you!?” Alphinaud said in a panic, as he and Klaus kneeled down next to him to find flesh from the left side of his arm missing and blood rapidly spilling from within. Before he could do anything, atop his chair, the massive figure spoke:

“Who are these impudent louts? I do not recall requesting their presence.” Vauthry sat with his back given comfort by a large lion-like sin eater, with another with female features petting it. In disbelief, Alphinaud stood up and confronted him: “Lord Vauthry! What is the meaning of this!? Why is this poor man bleeding to death on your floor!?”

“You ask me why? Because criminals must be punished, and this man is guilty of fraud. He came to us, claiming to be a man of business, yet his subsequent conduct has shown him to be anything but!” slightly raised the large ruler to express his indignity. “Eulmore is a city built on love for one’s fellow man. Those who have naught to give and live only to take are a blight upon our society!”

“And for this you condemned the man to clave away at his bloody arm!? Even if he were a criminal, is this what you consider atonement!?” exclaimed Klaus angrily, staring directly at Vauthry. “Oh, you misunderstand. ‘Tis but an act of mercy! To truly atone, I initially ordered that he fling himself from the balcony. Yet he had the temerity to weep! Thus, what is a man of mercy to do but offer the sinner another way to show his contrition?” he grinned, looking down upon the injured man.

“Another way” meaning what, exactly!?” interjected Alphinaud. Vauthry sighed and shook his head. “Sin eaters are part of Eulmore’s society. But they must be fed with aether—living aether. So, I demanded an offering of flesh! Carved by his own hand, from his own hide!” Vauthry furrows his gaze and in a burst of frustration smashes his fist against the floor. “And still! Still, he could not do as I asked!”

Klaus gritted his teeth. “You bastard…!” Klaus was going to approach but Alphinaud stepped after him, slightly taking him aback. “‘Tis true that Kai-Shirr won his place here by fraud. But his actions were only a desire to share in your paradise. That you would cast him out I could almost accept, but to humiliate him thus!? To demand his very life!? Is this truly the way of Eulmore!?” The crowd that had gathered behind them simply stared. 

Vauthry shook his head yet again and began to reprimand whom he thought to be but a deluded child: “Have you ever paused to consider what it takes to maintain such a paradise in this barren, broken world of ours? The guarantee of safety and stability. The knowledge that if one only abides by the rules, one has naught to fear.” Vauthry closes his eyes briefly, before opening them again and exchanging gazes between Klaus and Alphinaud. “I alone can offer these things, for I alone can command the sin eaters.”

“He can control the sin eaters?” Klaus muttered to himself, as he tightened his stance. “And thus am I alone the voice of justice—and any who oppose me villains to be punished!” he exclaims, raising his arms up to the skies, opened to be revered by his people, and so they do as they begin to clap for him.  At this moment, Klaus is furious. He clenches his fist and begins to step forward again, yet surprisingly…

Alphinaud stretches his hand in front of him. Klaus looks down at him and sees a face of disgust, mixed by anger and discontentment. He is unfamiliar with Alphinaud taking charge in this manner, or has he ever seen him this filled with rage. “And people call this paradise…” Alphinaud speaks through his anger to Klaus. After exhaling sharply, the Warrior of Darkness looks down to Kai-Shirr and begins to whisper. “We should help him. We have no time for the likes of this bastard.” Alphinaud agreed. 

As he began to heal Kai-Shirr, Vauthry demanded Alphinaud to draw a picture of him as he had only entered Eulmore due to his painting skills and to cease helping who he labeled a criminal. In response, Alphinaud only had one more thing to utter to him:

“What you need is a mirror, not a painting. It will capture the horror I see before me far better than I ever could.”

Alphinaud helped Kai-Shirr up and began to walk away. Being in utter shock, he would look to Klaus. Yet the sight he met was not pleasant. The warrior simply stared daggers at him. “Y-you there! I will forgive your transgressions if you simply stop that blasted child and that fraud this instant!” screamed Vauthry ferociously. 

Klaus simply walked away, to Vauthry’s utter dismay as he began to rage furiously at the two, yet he ignored him. What he did not ignore however, is what he saw that day. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He’d reopen his eyes following his reminiscing of Vauthry. He’d look down at Alphinaud, who seemed convinced of his thoughts. Klaus, however, not as much.

“You had the right intentions from the beginning, Alphinaud. Prideful in yourself, aye, but you wished for better. Do not compare yourself to him.” Alphinaud, gaze still downward, shook his head. “And that intent cost nearly us all. I know I’m not the same now, yet I can’t help but feel duty-bound to open his eyes to the truth.”

“No. With a disgusting being as him, there is no ambiguity or lack of awareness in his actions. The truth is the one only he believes in and he won’t accept any other.” Klaus lowers himself slightly and places his hands atop both of his little brother’s shoulders. “I understand how you feel, but I don’t know if Vauthry is a person we could reason with. There may be only one thing we’re bound to do, and it’s—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Ryne, who was there with them, gasped and looked overwhelmed. Alphinaud would turn to her, concerned. “What is it, Ryne? Do you sense the Lightwarden?” She’d turn herself to face him, but she’d give him an uncertain look. “I-I’m not sure. The aura is… different. Perhaps if I was closer…”

Klaus nodded to her. “‘Tis about time we got going anyhow. Let’s rejoin the others in Gatetown.” him and Ryne began to walk away, yet Alphinaud hesitated briefly.

He’d look at Klaus and Ryne with a sad expression, then back up at Eulmore once more before quickly beginning to walk in order to catch up to the two of them.

Not long after setting off, on the outskirts of the town they would see two people, clearly from Eulmore by the way they were clothed, terrified. Upon approaching them, they would begin to speak, yet in doing so they would sound as if they were forced to: “Lord Vauthry… We hear… we obey… Aaahh!”

The two would begin to charge themselves at the trio. Klaus, Ryne and Alphinaud drew their weapons and began to fight them. “Do not harm them too gravely, just incapacitate them for the moment!” shouted Alphinaud, and the two would nod. 

Klaus quickly moved behind the man and using his leg, he’d sweep him to his knees then deliver a slice to his back that rendered him unconscious. Ryne on the other hand approached with her twin knives but instead of using them directly, chose to make use of her slimmer size and kicked the woman on her torso, then with one rapid sweep all to similar to Klaus, brought the woman to her knees, leaving her unconscious afterwards with a non-lethal slice to her chest. 

“Do you know what could’ve possibly made them attack us in such a way…?” asked Ryne, looking concerned upon the two people they just had to strike at. “Wish I knew. ‘Tis mighty strange, regardless. We best get moving, and swiftly.” remarked Klaus, as he and the other two sped their course to their comrades.

—————————————————

Meanwhile, in the inner parts of Gatetown…

“Lord Vauthry… save us…” 

“Long live… Lord Vauthry… Long live… Lord Vauthry…”

“Deliver your blessings… Lord Vauthry… Deliver your blessings…”

These words, upon other incoherent rambles, were among the sounds coming from the once sane civilians of Gatetown. It was hard to fully comprehend the depth nor the length of it, but one thing was certain.

“Mind control…” uttered Y’shtola. 

“Mind cont— Are you certain?” asked Alisaie, looking at her as she more closely examined the people and their behaviors. “I suppose I had no reasons to disagree with Urianger’s initial conclusions, but could it really be his doing?” Y’shtola would raise her hand up to her face, caught in deep thought.

“If we are to truly believe that Vauthry has control over the sin eaters, then it isn’t too illogical to surmise he might possess more than we could know. Yet, the one theory deterring me from fully accepting it as the cause is the varying effect of it.” She'd turn to face Alisaie. “Have you noticed how some, but not all, retain some of their normal functions?”

Alisaie nods. “So perhaps it’s imperfected? I say we try that market stall over there.” she’d point to their north-east, at a market near the grand doors leading inside the city. “It’s a long shot at best, but that person over there looks to be in better health. At least, not as bad as the rest…” Y’shtola would agree and they’d head over. There they would find a person at the counter, with his head resting atop his hands, looking around in disbelief. 

When they’d approach, the man, who was recognized as clearly being from within the city, would take a few steps back, however Alisaie would try to calm the terrified city dweller: “Hey, no reason to fear us… We simply wish to help.” she’d say with a sad smile on her face, clearly taking pity on the man. “S-Stay away! Oh heavens… Every person simply started, almost contorting.. into that! They don’t listen, they don’t speak to me— It’s almost as if I do not even exist!” Y’shtola wastes no time and begins asking further questions:

“And what else have you seen? Any other unnatural symptoms? Have some tried to attack you in any manner?” in response the man would shriek and shake his head. Y’shtola would sigh and place her hands on her hips, clearly unsatisfied.

“Y’shtola, the man is half scared to death! We can’t possibly hope to gain any answers if we simply keep—” before she could finish her thoughts, she was cut off by the shouts of another man, this one with a slightly higher tone of voice and a slight difference in his way of speech. 

“Alphinaud!” said the unknown voice. Alisaie, almost on instinct, perhaps out of having been called so for almost the entirety of her existence, turned around to meet the source of the voice. To the two of them it was unknown, but the man greeting them was none other than Kai-Shirr.

“I almost didn’t recognize you! If I knew you was coming, I would’ve been here to properly greet you, lad! Well, more happily if the circumstances weren’t so unbecoming…” would say the young man, approaching with a smile on his face. 

“I’m—” Alisaie would attempt to correct him, but would get interrupted again. “I see you’ve run into ol’ Eidr here. Pay him no mind, he’s been terrified like this for some time now. I can’t exactly blame him, I mean, have you seen the state of this place!? It’s bloody spooky, I tell you! Everybody sitting about and going all crazy… Seriously, just what is—” 

“I’m NOT Alphinaud!” shouted Alisaie, finally able to get a sentence in. “I’m Alisaie, his twin sister!” she exclaimed. “I mean, by the Twelve, do you not spot all of the red that I am wearing!?” 

“O-oh. I had no idea… Sorry about that.” Kai-Shirr would apologize, chuckling at his mistake despite the circumstances. As Alisaie would begin to continue to ostracize him for the utterly foolish choice of doing the worst possible mistake one could make upon first meeting her, Y’shtola would have her eyes set on the amount of food on the floor. She had spotted some of it in the general vicinity of a few of the townsfolk in her earlier investigations, but now it was becoming a tad too coincidental. 

She would grab a full piece of meol, the local and only food that would be served to the people of Gatetown and begin thoroughly analyzing it, from its physical appearance to what laid beneath. And upon doing so… Y’shtola would raise her eyebrows in shock, but then her expression would shift to one of focus. She’d turn to Alisaie and Kai-Shirr.

“You two. We need to return to the others. I think I know just what the cause of this affliction is.” Without much thought, the two would nod and follow her back to the entrance to reunite with the rest.

—————————————————

Klaus, Alphinaud and Ryne would finally arrive at the entrance of Gatetown. Upon their coming, they’d be met by Urianger and Thancred.

“Ah, it’s you three. Glad you made it fine. I was debating whether to warn you, but judging from the severity, it might be too late now.” said Thancred, who was certain the three were already mostly aware of the ongoings.

“So, it’s more of the same here?” asked Klaus. “You would be correct. ‘Tis passing strange…” mentioned Urianger, who was left befuddled. “By their behavior, we may safely assume that they are under Vauthry’s mind control. Yet the extent of the effect seemeth to vary dramatically between subjects.”

“Curiouser and curiouser. At the very least, it leaves out the potential concern of us being recognized.” remarked Alphinaud. The group would look forward to the crowd. They are all staring up to Eulmore, almost seeming as if they are beckoning for Vauthry to arrive to their rescue. Thancred slightly turns to Ryne. “What can you tell us from here?”

“I sense a powerful eater… in the uppermost reaches of the city. But there’s something different about it. Its Light is… impure. We simply need to get closer.” she affirmed. Not long after, they’d hear a voice coming from straight ahead.

“So that one’s Alphinaud! …Unless you’re triplets?” 

Y’shtola, Alisaie and also with Kai-Shirr next to them would approach the group. The two surrogate brothers would both be surprised by the latter’s presence. “Kai-Shirr! What are you doing here?” asked Alphinaud. “While me and Y’shtola were scouting the area, a suspicious figure approached us and then called me “Alphinaud”. So we thought it best to bring him along.”

Kai-Shirr would then begin to recap what he had also told Y’shtola and Alisaie, on top of revealing that the informant who was giving secrets to the Crystarium who was mentioned by Lyna, was in fact him the whole time. He explained how he decided to stay and further delved into the events that led to the present situation. Upon defeating the Lightwarden in Amh Araeng, a wind blew through and that is when everybody had become the way they are currently. 

“I believe Y’shtola has something that she wants to tell us regarding that. She saved it until we were all together.” Alisaie would say, as all turn to Y’shtola to see what revelations she could have.

Without saying much, she would bring out the meol she had picked up earlier, and showed it to Ryne. “I want you to see this for yourself, Ryne.” Upon seeing the food, Kai-Shirr would dismiss it as just simple food. However, Ryne would take a step back, placing her hands together on top of her torso, and would begin speaking with a slight tremble in her voice.

“No! It…it couldn’t be…” She’d pause. “I—I know what it is.”

…

“It’s sin eater. Meol is made out of sin eater.”

“...!” Klaus would be left speechless, as he’d be staring at it alongside Urianger. Kai-Shirr would cover his mouth in utter disbelief, Thancred would look down at the ground with his arms crossed. Alphinaud and Alisaie would be taken aback in a mix of shock and anger. All were left without a word. 

“...So it is.” stated Y’shtola. “In limited quantities, it may have little effect on the average individual. Yet, if one were to consume it regularly, over let us say.. a period of several years, I suspect it would do far, far more than merely nourish the body..” she says with a serious expression. 

Urianger, who had been up until this point left in thought, would share his perspective. “That Vauthry wieldeth power over sin eaters is known. Could it be that those who partake of their flesh do thereby render themselves susceptible to its influence? T’would explain why the newer arrivals succumbed less quickly than those who had partaken in consuming meol.” he would somberly conclude.

This, more than anything else, was too far for the Warrior of Darkness. “So his idea of paradise is rounding up sin eaters over Norvrandt and feeding them to people!? Only so that they would fail to question him and to always do his bidding!?”

“Utterly disgraceful… ‘Tis enough they had been fed lies upon lies to the point where all these people could do is but to dream of making it up there! People who were starving, souls who…”

“...are killing themselves trying to escape turning.” continued Alisaie, remembering the events at Amh Araeng, including Tesleen and the others at the Inn.

“Alisaie…” Klaus looked upon her regretfully, realizing immediately what caused her to feel this way. The fact that a person of her age had to witness something as indescribable as she’s seen, it beggars belief.

Another elongated pause arrives. Alphinaud would then speak his mind.

“...The sin eaters. What if they are not simply ‘rounded up’?” 

“What do you mean?” says Klaus. The atmosphere in the conversation is extremely tense.

“Do you remember what we were told when first we came to the city? How ‘many enter, but none leave…’?” Immediately, the Warrior of Darkness understood. None left, because all of them would be turned into sin eaters.

Having heard enough, Klaus clenches his fists and takes a few short steps ahead and proceeds to then face the Scions.

 “Before we charge in, I want to confirm something with you, Alphinaud. After this, do you still believe Vauthry fit to atone? I wish for you to be honest.”

“..No.” he negated. “Not after what we’ve learned. Vauthry’s deeds are beyond justification. Beyond forgiveness. Evil. Even if I may try to beseech him to rethink his actions… It might be too late.”

Klaus nods to Alphinaud, sensing his inner struggle. Beyond his fury at Vauthry, he truly wishes he had ample opportunity to speak more thoroughly with his little brother. He sees his moral struggles and wishes he could help, but right now, this very second, he doesn’t see any way that the monster that could do such unruly acts would be able to achieve anything remotely resembling forgiveness. It was time.

“Everyone, it’s highly likely that the Lightwarden is waiting for us inside of Eulmore, akin to what Ryne said. But our enemies know our faces and they know we will be coming. Whether we want to or not, we can’t hope to stealth our way to our target.” Klaus stated.

“In which case, we are in for a prolonged battle. Are all of you prepared?” would ask Thancred, as he’d look upon the rest of the Scions, whilst stepping up next to Klaus. They all nod, ready to charge in to do what it must take to free not just the land from the light, but its people from Vauthry’s mind control.

“Good. When you’re ready my friend, you can take charge.” Thancred smiles to Klaus as he’d smile back.

As time flows by, a soothing breeze of the wind would blow in the air, a lone leaf would float in the direction of the bridge connecting Gatetown and the entrance to the city. As soon as it lands, Klaus gives the signal:

“The time has come, Scions! Let us carve a path!” 

Together, they ran, and for the first time in what felt like eternity, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn fought together to save not one,

but two worlds.

—————————————————

When they arrive near the gate, a vibrating voice would dispel from the vicinity of the city.

“Ugh… I can feel it… a dark presence in my domain! It’s them! It has to be them! The villains who would sow chaos in my perfect paradise!”

“He’s sensed us already…!” alerted Klaus, looking up as a radiance of pink began to pour out.

“Keep them away from me! I command you, keep them awaaaay!!”

Out of nowhere, those who used to be still in the village slowly tumbled their way to the Scions. Vauthry is using them as his own personal shields.

“This area is even older than Gatetown. There’s bound to be even more people here under his control… But they do not act of their own will. We must not harm them.” Alphinaud mentions with pity for those contorted to do that man’s bidding.

“As if we ever would. Klaus, everyone, let’s press on! We’ll figure out what to do after we subdue them!” Alisaie exclaims, as the Scions charge into a struggle with the corrupted citizens. 

Alisaie opens with Scatter, trying to push the brainwashed innocents away with just enough force to incapacitate them. It clears a small path for them to progress, but more are coming from the south. Ryne dashes towards some of the newly approaching forces and kicks one of them directly in front of the other, causing them to stumble over.

However, she doesn’t sense the third approaching at an appropriate time, and before she could be hurt…

“Focus, and release!” Alphinaud yells, as a shield is cast by the scholar which protects her, followed by a wind spell that takes the assailant down. Ryne joins Thancred, who uses his aether cartridges to hit non-vitals, preventing any attacker from advancing. Ryne smiles and nods to Alphinaud in gratitude.

Seeing their increasing numbers, Y’shtola begins to focus her aether. “Urianger… buy me some time…!” 

“At once, milady.” urgently affirms Urianger, who in one sweep of his hand releases a handful of cards out into the field. 

“All that I have and more, I bring to BEAR!” He brings out the power of The Balance, The Spear & The Bole. In a matter of seconds, the whole party feels invigorated with additional vim & vigor. Following this, Urianger casts Gravity, rendering many of the forces immobile and some unconscious. 

Klaus and Thancred do what best they can to push the forces back, incapacitating a few with cuts and shots that don’t cause lasting damage. As the sheer presence of Vauthry’s forced minions begin to advance, Y’shtola finally raises her spear and clashes it with the concrete. A wide push of wind bursts and many of the attackers are blown back. 

“...Is it over?” Ryne questions. Yet, nary a moment sooner, the ones from the outskirts of Gatetown begin to make their way forwards also. This is not working.

“Klaus, we’re wasting time! Some of us need to remain here and hold them while the others press on! Urianger, Y’shtola, stick close to me! The rest of you, press on!” Ryne pauses and initially shows resistance to the idea but it isn’t long before she pulls herself together and heads closer to Klaus’ position. Himself and Thancred share a nod.

“Have care, you two! The rest of you, with me!” urges Alphinaud, as they keep climbing up to head closer to the entrance.

“Stop… intruders…” this time, it was Eulmoran soldiers that were brainwashed by Vauthry. None were saved from his folly.

“Even your own soldiers.. just how far will you go, Vauthry!?” Klaus yells out, as he heads into the fray, subduing more of them. Alisaie follows quickly as she casts Veraero and blows two approaching from his west back into the houses they exited from. The two stick back to back, as Ryne climbs on the rooftops for more strategic takedowns. Alphinaud sticks farther away, providing healing wherever there was any harm coming their way. Ryne would, in a blitz, hop from the building she was on, landing with force upon the brainwashed soldiers and preventing them from continuing their attacks. 

Klaus, now having Alisaie by his side, would crouch down, as she rotates her sword above his head, proceeding to then jump and then charge herself suddenly at the opponents once in front of him, who are now on the floor, unconscious. Klaus, while lowered, would use his left hand to balance his body weight on the floor, performing a ranged attack against the soldiers who were in front of Alisaie previously. 

Once they reached opposite positions, the soldiers began to charge in at the same time, the two weaving the claws and fists thrown at them, in sync. The two would deliver quick but solid strikes in whichever open crevice there was for an attack. When more were taken down though, more kept coming. They needed to move once more.

There were barely any segments of respite. More had to stay back, or they would risk stagnating until it would be too late. Alisaie offers herself: “Right, my turn to make a heroic stand! You three need to push on! I’ll handle things from here!”

“Then let’s push forward, you two! Alisaie, have care! If you feel overwhelmed, try to reunite with the rest!” shouts Klaus, as he then heads indoors with Ryne and Alphinaud.

“Time to put my learnings to use, then. Don’t any of you dare die on me!” Alisaie would then plough into the fray of soldiers once more.

Upon finally arriving inside, even then they weren’t afforded time to lull. Waiting for them would be two familiar faces to Alphinaud and Klaus.

“Apologies, friends… but you’ve reached a dead end. And on this sorry track, there’s no turning back.” said one of the two women, wearing a red and black outfit. 

“You’re…!” Klaus recognized them.

“The jesters from before!” followed Alphinaud.

“Hm, now that is a rambunctious punchline. It seems we’re recognized. We’d laugh, but we prefer not to. We’re not about to lose the good lives we have here, see, so in return, you’ll receive what is more than fair: your demise!”

The blue harlequin would launch herself at Alphinaud, but Ryne would step in and clash her own daggers with hers. In the struggle, Alphinaud would send out a blast to push the enemy back. Klaus tightens his grip on his sword, then lowers it to his lower right hip.

“Then, if you’re going to attack us of your own volition…” Klaus dashes at the two, who were now standing next to one another again, landing behind them both. Due to their inability to match his speed, they’d quickly turn around to try to come at Klaus.

“We will not hold back.” Klaus would turn around, edges of darkness creeping from his sword. He’d thrust his weapon at the red-wearing jester with such intensity that the two would be thrown into the wall, sparks emerging from the clash of metal as she holds out for dear life to block the life-threatening attack. Klaus would cease, only to then follow up with continuous slashes, with proper accruement, enough to put her on the back foot. He’d shift his upper torso to the right, raising his sword up and slicing downward at the jester. She, in the nick of the time, raises her blade to block once more. 

“This one’s a real side-splitter!” voices the woman, fitting adequately in her role even as her life is at its verge. 

On the opposite end of the battle, Ryne would chase the blue-garmented woman, as she attempts to focus her attacks solely on Alphinaud. Ryne would flip onwards to a wall, then launching herself with enough force to prevent her from landing a hit. She’d cut significantly into the masked woman, making her flinch back.

She’d chuckle in a craze: “Believe me, in the same manner I am finding joy in this moment, you will find it also in death!” The blue jester would then launch herself angrily, spinning around with her katanas, blowing both her and Alphinaud back with immense force. Immediately after the attack connects, she intends to cast a fireball large enough to incinerate both of them. Klaus tries to intervene, but is blasted at by the opponent he is currently busy with. 

The fireball is launched, and as it seems it is about to connect… Alphinaud casted a shield in just enough time to defend them both. Hurt as he is, he stands up and the book violently flips through the pages. He is preparing a large attack.

“Thaliak, render unto me your wisdom!” A red orb would begin to form, as Alphinaud would cast Energy Drain, sending it over to the blue jester, as she’d attempt to dodge it, however, she didn’t account for her other opponent. 

“Don’t.. underestimate me!” shouts Ryne, as she pushes her into the aether absorbing orb. The sudden and abundant amount of aether exiting her body begins to make her stumble, yet in one last ditch effort, she attempts to slice at Ryne, who, with regret, delivers a fatal slash with her daggers, ending her life. 

Seeing her comrade fall, the red jester loses her composure entirely. “No more Missus Nice Jester! I will erase every ounce of youuuu!” she’d roar, casting a large Verstone around Klaus. He’d look down, perhaps out of pity, or a lack of situational awareness? She no longer thought it relevant and launched it at the Warrior of Darkness.

For a brief moment, it seemed as if the attack connected with its intended target. Yet, strangely to the blue jester, the rocks began to take the form of a radiant purple. Before long, large purple beams raised from the ground, smashing away the rocks entirely, revealing Klaus standing in the middle, unscathed. She would’ve said something, but she was not allotted the time, not with the warrior being immediately in her vicinity, impaling her torso with his greatsword. 

“...” Klaus looks down upon the two he and his comrades had to put down, in clear discontent. Ryne would approach him out of concern, but also accompanied with a similar look. She’d pull on his garments to gain his attention, and once she does, she’d try her best to smile for him. Seeing her try so hard, and remembering everyone else doing the same, pushed him forward. Alphinaud also shared a similar feeling, but he knew there wasn’t time and he had to take charge at making rounds in the city. He’d approach the stairs, urging the two of them onward:

“Let us climb to the Canopy. From there, we will take the Crown Lift.”

Sparing not a moment, they’d begin rushing up the stairs. Halfway through their ascent to the Canopy, more soldiers rushed from the doors to stop them. As quickly as they made their appearance, Alphinaud would launch another spell, breaking them apart enough just for them to get past their blockade. Knowing they would follow them up, however, the young man beckoned to them:

“Leave them to me! They’re not great in numbers, I shall be able to halt their progress fine enough on my own!” 

“Alphinaud—” 

“Trust me! Press on!” Klaus hesitated, alongside Ryne. But it was she who first looked to Klaus and urged him to go, and so they would. Alphinaud noticed Klaus’ hesitation to allow Alphinaud to remain on his own versus his easiness in letting Alisaie be. He lowers his head, but regains focus for battle.

After one last push up the stairs, with just the Warrior of Darkness and the Oracle of Light left, they arrive at the Canopy. There, laid the one man who stood entirely between them and their fateful confrontation with Vauthry. 

With scythe in hand, coated in almost all red garments, covering his whole body up to his nose, as well as his iris turning into a somber gray and the sclera shifting from the usual white to a pale dark gray. Ran’jit stood tall, blocking their access to the lift.

“R-Ran’jit….?” uttered Ryne, utterly stunned by the drastic shift in appearance. On instinct, Klaus lowered himself for a moment and placed one hand on her shoulder. “‘Tis alright. We can overcome him, we just need to unite our strengths.” She would nod and smile back to him, then would stand in front of him.

Silence filled the air briefly, until it was eventually broken by Ran’jit.

“You’ve changed.” coldly states her old mentor. “And just what do you presume this will possibly achieve for you?” Ryne remains silent.

“Naive girl. Surely you must’ve seen it. The flaws of man. How in their own vain pursuit of righteousness, they only sully the future with further conflict.” Klaus keeps his eyes entirely focused on Ran’jit. He knows the old fool is quick, and to make matters more tense, he has never seen him in this form before. He is no longer holding back, and is not sure what to expect.

“I made the choice to place my hopes upon he who has transcended men. Upon he who is unbound by the vagaries of conscience.” would venerate the old man. He is clearly not under the guise of Vauthry like the rest they have encountered. Ran’jit is actively making the choice to still fight for him.

“You believe Vauthry to have transcended man!? He has put his own people’s lives at risk only to save his! Fed the poor and helpless food made out of sin eater!” cried out Ryne. “How could you not see how inherently impure his actions are? Are you truly convinced that Vauthry’s path is what this world requires!? You once gave your whole life for the sake of driving away that which plagued us, Ran’jit…” 

“I once did, aye.” he responds. “But years pass, and you learn that fighting in a world such as this yields no more than misery. Lord Vauthry was the only one capable of any act resembling miracles. He, and only he, is fit to build a foundation not cultivated on folly.”

“Then you are naught more than a miserable old fool.” Klaus finally intervenes. “You bathed in suffering for so long, and yet you cannot even begin to comprehend mankind’s real feelings. A being like you… will never belong in a world built off of what you deny!”

Klaus draws his greatsword, shortly followed by Ryne. Ran’jit squints his sights at the two of them.

“Enough talk. I am a soldier, and you both are my enemy.” Vauthry’s right-hand man readies himself. 

“Come! Let us settle this once and for all!”

Klaus and Ryne launch themselves at him, clashing blades with his scythe. The ultimate clash between those with distinct beliefs for the future is finally at a start.

—————————————————

As sparks emerge from the clash, Ran’jit swerves his weapon to drive the two back. Wasting no time, he tries to slash at the two of them by spinning in the air, but Ryne ducks underneath him and outside of the range of the attack. Klaus opts to jump above him and meet him head-on in the air, catching him by surprise. Klaus slashes at him, sending him down onto the floor. Before he could reach the floor from his attack, flames appear from the vicinity of the place Ran’jit crashed in.

He speeds through the air in rebuttal, Klaus barely being able to react as the impact rushes him back down onto the floor. Mercilessly, Ran’jit keeps pursuing, with extreme flames accompanying him. “Do you see!? This is all I am! Naught but a weapon. ‘Tis the way it should be, all thanks to me submitting to my master’s authority!”

(“He’s relentless…! Than had to have used a different strategy in battle than simply meeting him directly!”) Klaus would think to himself, rushing to escape Ran’jit’s flames. Seeing as his attempts on the ground bare no use, he’d jump up in the skies again as darkness would yet again seep from his greatsword. With no hesitation, he tries to pierce down directly onto Ran’jit.

After his unsuccessful attempts at hitting his target, Ran’jit in retaliation raises his scythe in the air and starts spinning it, as he attempts to parry the Warrior of Darkness’ attacks directly. Darkness and flame clash. The flaming scythe-wielder screams: “‘Tis hopeless, villain! Prepare to meet your end!” The fire continues to grow, as it seemingly begins to blind out the darkness.

SWOOSH! Followed by the sounds of flesh being cut emanate, and Ran’jit begins to scream out in pain, ceasing from his attack. Right before being struck by Klaus’ piercing blow, he would swerve out of the way whilst holding on to his wound.

The two warriors would be left perplexed, as out of thin air, Ryne appears from going invisible to visible next to Klaus. 

“Forgetting about someone?” Ryne would ironically ask Klaus, smiling at him. 

“I hadn’t the brightest idea you could pull a thing like that off!” Klaus would then chuckle. “Than taught you well. That is, assuming you’ve learnt that from him?” Ryne would nod in response, her sights becoming entirely now focused on Ran’jit. 

“Hah..! So, that blasted man taught you the same cowardly trick as him. “ the old warrior would inhale and then exhale, regaining his combat stance.

“Is that really how you see yourself, Ran’jit!? A weapon? How could you say such a thing!? You are a person that once lived and shared a dream just like the rest of us have!” 

“How many times do you wish for me to repeat myself, girl? I only exist to kill and to vanquish the villains that threaten Lord Vauthry’s supremacy.” Ran’jit responds coldly. “I made myself very clear the last time we saw one another. If you would cast your lot with these revolting creatures, then you shall die alongside them! Prepare to be destroyed!” 

Ran’jit places his hands on the floor, creating fireballs in their general vicinity. Immediately, Ryne would once again become invisible and Klaus would approach him. 

(“Fools..”) he thinks. Suddenly, he’d pull the fireballs closer to himself, in an attempt to bait Klaus to be hit by a dead on attack. As the fireballs explode, Ran’jit would be immensely surprised to see the Warrior of Darkness still running at him. In front of him, Ryne would reappear from her invisibility, as a shield would crack after taking on the brunt of the attack.

(“He casted a barrier on the girl as she was invisible, right before the explosion!?”) Ryne would jump up and become invisible again, as the old man’s eyes would follow her, however he’d suddenly force his gaze straight ahead again, as Klaus would deliver a threefold attack, Ran’jit forcing to block all three. In the midst of his second attack, Ryne would become visible again, striking at Ranjit, forcing him to block with his armor and then turning invisible once more upon the hit which failed to land. On his third strike, Klaus would back away slightly, allowing Ryne to become visible yet again, slashing upward at Ran’jit, which he would counter with his scythe, damaging Ryne as she’d shift into invisibility. Klaus, with more vigor this time, dashes forward with his greatsword, trying to pierce straight through him.

As sparks reemerge from the clash of metal, Ran’jit kicks the Warrior of Darkness away and hops in the air briefly, planting his scythe in the floor, electricity emerging from around it. Around the two of them, heads of electricity in the shape of dragons, which were reminiscent of his companion Gukumatz would appear and begin to strike lightning from five different angles at the champion. Caught out of nowhere, Klaus would attempt to cast Blackest Night to protect himself similarly to how he did to protect Ryne, but she would arrive just in time to pull him away from the emitted magic, saving both of them. 

“Ryne…” said Klaus, tender amounts of fatigue starting to emerge from him as he exhales. He would then lower himself and begin to quickly whisper. “I have an idea. Ran’jit keeps moving all around the area. If we could—” 

The elderly combatant would suddenly appear behind them, cutting at them in a sweeping motion, not allowing them any moment to strategize. Klaus would flip away at a healthy distance, whilst Ryne ducked and then went invisible. 

Klaus would begin to run at Ran’jit, as he would throw out more fireballs from his left and right and lengthy slashes with his scythe in front of him. He'd parry the fireballs away, hopping around and over Ran’jit’s strikes. As soon as they meet, Klaus and Ran’jit begin to clash blades: swinging at one another with precise movements, sometimes backing away and meeting in the middle before retracting and swiping at one another continuously, both blocking and parrying one another’s attempts at ending the other’s lives. In the middle of one of their clashes, Klaus casts Salted Earth, as a red aura surrounds the both of their general vicinity, followed by an Abysmal Drain, but not on Ran’jit. The spell is cast around the pre-existing circle formed from Salted Earth, the two soon starting to lose aether together, losing their ability to move.

“Confounded villain! Do you intend to be rid of us both!?” Ran’jit begins to groan in pain. Klaus begins to breathe heavily, with sweat forming around his face; Yet, he chuckles through the pain. “And what if I am…?” The old man’s face contorts from focus to anger, as he effortlessly struggles to free himself from the constant amounts of aether that is rapidly declining. 

The aether continues to fade, yet as soon as they are both about to fall, a figure appears from mid-air with both blades in hand, attempting to slash at Ran’jit in order to finish him off. Before she could do so though:

“GRAAAAAH!” Ran’jit screams, as flames and intense gusts of wind explode from around him, ending the two spells and spiralling Klaus far back from him. At the same time, he’d thrust his hand, grabbing Ryne by the throat and squeezing tight.

“Simple-minded villains! Do you truly think of me so low as to fall for such a plain strategy!?” Ran’jit barks, more so offended than anything else. The attack did weaken his aether quite significantly. Ryne would place her smaller hands onto Ran’jit’s, trying to break free from his grip.

“Ryne…!” Klaus speaks out weakly, a hand being stretched out, yet feeling far too weakened by his own spell to reach. (“Stand up! I must! If I don't, then Ryne will..!”) Yet he is unable. His sudden and rather significant drained aether is clouding his ability to battle correctly. 

“As for you…” Ran’jit coldly turns to the fallen warrior. Without hesitation, he casts more heads of his serpent, five of them readying to launch their flames straight at Klaus. Ryne, struggling to breathe, looks toward her friend, worrying for his safety. 

“If you would pass me, you must endure all I have learned on the battlefield… Unfortunately, you have failed. A pity.” 

Snaking Flame launches. Has the Warrior of Darkness met his match?

Perhaps. And yet…

The flames have not consumed him. All five have stopped right near him, and the Warrior of Darkness’ fate has not been met, not right this moment.

As the fires dissipate, so does the cloak hiding him. He lowers his weapon briefly, slicing it downward to smother the kindling flames. In between Klaus and Ran’jit, Thancred stood. He would grimace, the strain put on by him going invisible showing, but strong he still stood. 

“Than!” Klaus said in awe. Thancred would look back at his friend, then back ahead at Ran’jit. He’d simply raise his gunbreaker, and point:

“Remove your filthy hands from MY DAUGHTER!” Thancred angrily fires a large blast at the arm which Ran’jit was using to hold Ryne. Before he could let go, it would hit him directly, resulting in the man screaming in pain. Ryne immediately backs off, running to Thancred.

“Th-Thancred…! You’re..!” Ryne would struggle to get the words out, as she would fight for oxygen after having nearly been choked to death. Thancred lowers himself to her, placing a gentle hand on her head. “I am sorry it took me so long to arrive. I promised myself that when the time came, I wouldn’t let you fight this battle alone. Not this time.”

Klaus gathers himself up slowly, but then he would raise his head, meeting Thancred’s offering hand. 

“Still got some more in you, old friend?” 

“Hah! That and some more!” accepting his comrade’s assistance with a smile.

Ran’jit, face contorting with despair and fury, yells out at them. “So you’ve shown your face once more! This time, I shall finish what I started in Amh Araeng!”

“Funny. You thieved the words right out my mouth. I won’t fail this time.” Thancred gets ready for battle, with Ryne and Klaus joining him. The three exchange gazes before they head in, intending to finish the battle once and for all.

Thancred opens by firing several shots from his gunbreaker, Ran’jit now forced to deflect them with only one hand gripping his scythe. Klaus and Ryne charge inwards from opposite sides, Klaus’ side being blocked by Ran’jit, and the other side connecting. The old man attempts to counter Ryne by swinging at her with the hand holding the scythe, yet she’d dodge, jump up and go invisible, Ran’jit being met instead by Thancred’s gunbreaker, swiping down at him from mid-air.

Ran’jit hops backwards, dodging. Klaus and Thancred would then proceed to strike straight ahead, slicing together at Ran’jit without end. Ran’jit counters and blocks the best he can. The Dark Knight swaps positions with Thancred, aiming for his left side from both ends, trying to target the side with the weakened arm. Ran’jit, in desperation, launches more serpent heads, some of thunder and some made of flames. They’d shoot at the party. Klaus turns around and casts Shadow Wall, reducing the damage given to the both of them. Thancred, using his clash with Ran’jit’s scythe, would use its momentum to flip forward in the air, firing a blast straight down at Ran’jit, forcing him to block.

From straight ahead, Ryne advances, striking at him. It hits Ran’jit directly, doing even more damage. Getting continuously more anxious, he’d raise his scythe in the sky, summoning thunder to give himself more space from Klaus and Thancred. The lightning hits Klaus directly, injuring him more on top of his lack of aether. He needs to finish the fight soon, or he won’t be able to even fight Vauthry. 

Ran’jit summons multiple thunder spheres around the area. Thancred, seeing this, looks at Ryne. The two would go invisible and begin to dash around, taking out each sphere with their attacks, leaving Ran’jit no choice but to swing for Klaus, being his only visible target. His despair leaves him open, and Thancred and Ryne take advantage. The two would show themselves, both landing strikes on Ran’jit. Ran’jit follows Thancred, knowing he can’t go invisible without straining himself, and feints a strike with his scythe in order to force him to dodge.

Thancred, focused on sliding away, doesn’t notice the serpent head launching thunder at him. Thancred is entirely encompassed by it, being held up in the air. 

“Than!” Klaus would launch himself towards him but is held back by Ran’jit, parrying him away. The weakened Klaus, knowing he won’t be able to cause significant damage, hops and jogs around the area, letting Ran’jit pursue him. He knows he can’t outstrength him at this level, but he can still outpace him. Ryne, noticing Thancred’s condition, rushes to kill the gigantic Gukumatz head. It’s more solid than the rest, so she keeps striking at it with all her might. 

Klaus, as he’s running away from Ran’jit, takes notice of the situation and in a split-second effort would throw his greatsword in Ryne’s direction. She briefly grabs hold of it and would be stunned as soon as she’d tighten her grip around it.

“T-this feeling!” Ryne would feel pure darkness emanating from the sword. As an Oracle of Light, dark magic such as this is completely unfamiliar to her. She’d also feel a tether, more directly connected to Klaus. “Is he…?” She’d shake the thoughts off momentarily, delivering a direct thrust into the serpent’s head, disintegrating it and freeing Thancred. 

The Hyur would land on his knees, breathing heavily due to the damage caused by the lightning. Ryne would quickly attend to his wounds, healing the best she can before Ran’jit takes notice.

Klaus rushes to them and grabs his weapon, now standing side by side with his comrades once more. 

“I’ve had enough of these charades. ‘Tis time we settled this, villains!” the old man screamed out, clearly tired of the elongated battle. 

Klaus looked on silently. Thancred looked at him with intent. He knew he had a plan.

“Go on, then. Whatever idea you have, now would be the time to act upon it.” 

“Ryne, I need you to temporarily blind Ran’jit. Than, once he regains his vision, I need you to hold him off on your own for a moment. I’d require Ryne for some time after that.” 

“Sounds simple enough. Let’s finish this!” Thancred looks to Ryne and nods. Klaus and Thancred head in first, pushing the assailant back and blocking his sights from Ryne. Before Ran’jit could retaliate, the two would back off, opening way to Ryne, whom would cast large amounts of light, enough to leave a man wholly blind. Ran’jit would frantically flip around, trying to get a feel for the location of his enemy. Yet nobody was attacking.

When he regained his vision, only Thancred stood in front of him.

“Hmph! So it seems as if, in the end, your own comrades abandoned you! The girl I expected to run. But for the so-called “Warrior of Darkness” to cower. Only proves how much of a fallacy such a title truly is.”

“It doesn’t matter if they are here or not. I’m more than enough for you!” Thancred gets his gunbreaker ready. 

Ran’jit begins to, one last time, summon not just five, but ten entire serpent heads, five for each of the two elements he’s used in battle. All of them, in unison, begin to charge a massive spell to eliminate Thancred. Ran’jit himself also begins to cast his final attack, Torrid Glory. Forced to choose between striking Ran’jit down directly or halting the serpent heads, Thancred would choose the latter, beginning to battle each of them.

It would be slow, but Thancred would succeed in striking each serpent down. However, Ran’jit’s attack is almost ready. In a last ditch effort, he would advance to prevent him from casting his final move. Ran’jit is about to launch Torrid Glory, but suddenly, Thancred goes invisible.

“Even after all this time, you still haven’t learned! I know exactly where you—” before he is able to finish his sentence, he looks in the direction opposite of Thancred’s. 

Out of thin air, Klaus reappears after having been invisible together with Ryne this whole time, thanks to her ability to help him do so. With no hesitation, he launches himself straight at Ran’jit.

“GROOOOAAAAH!” Klaus would scream out. As he continues to approach, two stretches of aether grow behind him, almost making him seem as if he has wings growing out his back. With one elongated slice of his greatsword, which carries itself throughout nearly the whole concrete, the Dark Knight would pull up his blade, encompassing Ran’jit in his Limit Break: 

Eventide.

As the attack was consuming him, Thancred and Ryne would make themselves known, slicing at Ran’jit from opposite directions, cutting through the darkness and Ran’jit, resulting in an explosion. The fight was finally over. 

As Vauthry’s right-hand man would collapse onto the floor, the three would holster their weapons and approach him. Ryne would sit next to him, whilst Klaus and Thancred watched from afar.

“Even after I gave up my whole identity… who I truly used to be. And yet, my efforts proved otherwise fruitless.” Ran’jit coughed out blood. He smiled, filled with drought. He then looked to Ryne.

“Perhaps, that guardian of yours had a point. There is no folly, in hope…”

“Lord… Vauthry…” Ran’jit says his last words, then takes his last breath.

Ryne looks at him, unsure on how to feel. Does she feel grief for a man that has taught so many other versions of herself? Pity, for how far such a person has fallen? Perhaps relief, knowing now that the final aspect of her past that held her back for so long is gone. All these thoughts filled her mind, but then she heard footsteps approaching from behind her.

Klaus and Thancred kneel down next to her, both of them weary, but still smiling. She’d look downwards at Ran’jit one last time.

“We will break this world from this curse. Even conviction, however strong, can break the strongest of chains. I won’t stop fighting, ever.” Ryne rises confidently, with Thancred looking on proudly. Before long, the rest of the Scions arrive in the room.

“Alphinaud, how are the citizens?” Thancred would inquire.

“They’ve appeared to have calmed down for the moment. I could only summarize that Vauthry is perhaps occupied with something else. Let’s rise to the upper level before we find out what that is.”

The group agrees and they all head out to the lift. Klaus hesitates though, looking down upon Ran’jit momentarily.

“Conviction can break even the strongest of chains…” he would whisper to himself.

Breaking out of his self-inflicted trance, he’d notice the group all gathered at the elevator and would run to them, ready to finally confront Eulmore’s dictator.

—————————————————

Once the doors to the top floor opened, the Scions would sprint out and into the very same grand hallway Klaus and Alphinaud had once confronted Vauthry in. The room would be in stark contrast to the rich and organized sights the two had originally seen. Drinks would be splattered over across the floor, some of them broken, the large mounts that held alluring candles were tossed over, with flowers scattered all around the area. 

In the middle, atop his usual stool stood Vauthry, yet something was very unusual. He had his back turned and seemed busy with something. Being unaware of their presence, Alphinaud stepped up.

“Lord Vauthry! Your reign of tyranny is at an end!” Vauthry continued what he was doing.

“For too long, you have preyed upon the desperation of the poor. Now you will answer for the suffering you have caused!” Alphinaud then pauses, looking rather uncertain, but then would continue regardless.

“But if you harbor even a shred of remorse, I beseech you to use your powers to redress the balance. For the future of all in Norvrandt.”

Klaus quickly shifts his gaze down at Alphinaud. He thought they were long past the point of convincing. 

*GASP*

He’d then turn around to meet the source. Ryne would look on, disgusted:

“No… It can’t be. This is wrong. It’s wrong!” She’d shake her head. “The Warden— it’s not just a sin eater. It’s a man!”

Left in shock, the group turned around to Vauthry, all on the cusp of drawing their weapons. Then, Vauthry finally turned to face them. He was eating meol in abundance. 

“Remorse? For the future of all? What nonsense is this? There is no justice but mine. No future but mine. No will but mine.” Klaus grits his teeth.

“It is preordained. I was born to deliver this wretched world.” Vauthry would turn his back once more.

“Me? Unseated? It’s impossible. Inconceivable! Absurd! I am a great and wise king. Greatest and wisest! I reign from on high!”

“I’ve heard enough!” Klaus draws his sword and dashes forward. “Klaus, wait!” Alphinaud beggars but he doesn’t listen, swinging his sword at Vauthry, but.

He was stopped. Looking upward, Vauthry was looking at him, yet his back remained turned. His neck was twisting and his body shifting as he held down his hand, casting a shield. 

“You filthy maggot! You dare come at the one true ruler of this world!?” Vauthry lashed out at him.

“...No matter. I can begin again. Rebuild my paradise. Once I finish my dinner…” Vauthry grabs another piece of meol, ready to eat it.

“Oh gods, no— Everyone, do not let him eat that!” Ryne shouts out.

The Scions all launch themselves at Vauthry, but the shield is too great for them all to break individually. Vauthry would chew down another piece of meol and then, suddenly…

*ROARRRRR!*

An utterly piercing sound echoes in the hallway, as two relatively small wings grow out of Vauthry’s back. The ringing of such screams are so intense that it stuns the Scions completely, as they all hold on to their heads. Before long, Vauthry begins to fly out of the building and away from the party.

When they regained their senses, Klaus desperately looked around: “Where did he go!?”

Suddenly, the room began to shake, as the chandeliers above them began to move violently. It was short, however. Alphinaud and Klaus look down at one another before everyone dashes out into the balcony Vauthry had flown out of. When they arrive, they’re greeted by an uncanny sight.

“What in the seven hells…” Klaus looks on in awe. High up in the sky, a mountain had seemingly been pulled out of the ground with ease and is now sitting in the air, with a large golden ring surrounding it. That must’ve been the earthquake from earlier.

“How did Vauthry—” Alisaie would try to make sense of things, but was cut off.

It was Klaus, who was at the very edge of the balcony, letting out loud grunts of anger as he’d be punching the stool he was holding.

“AGAIN! Again, he got away from us!” Klaus turns around to face the rest. 

They would all look on at him, some serious, whilst people like Alisaie and Ryne would appear surprised. They’ve never seen him quite like this.

“We must give chase! We can’t just… stand here! Not whilst he is on the cusp of letting all hell loose upon us! We need to—”

“Wait.” Alphinaud, with his head lowered, stepped closer and away from the rest of the Scions.

“That is Mt. Gulg, the highest peak of Kholusia. It lies on the other side of a sheer cliff, and much as I wish it were otherwise, it is beyond our reach—”

“Beyond our reach!?” Klaus waves his hand downwards in frustration, stopping him from continuing.

“Klaus, even if it weren’t—”

“NO!” the Warrior of Darkness screamed out. “Vauthry was right there! We could’ve come at him from the very moment we had entered his chambers! Instead, unlike what you had told me before, you wanted to reason with him!” 

Alphinaud raised his head to meet Klaus' furious gaze. “T’was because I still, deep down, had hoped one last time that perhaps things could for once end amicably! That we wouldn’t have to fight! Perhaps he could’ve—”

“For the love of… Alphinaud, he was eating meol as we were talking to him! How many more times must you see people like this and understand that there are some beyond redemption!? Beyond self-recognition!? Vauthry thinks himself only a god and nothing more! We’ve conversed before regarding this very same issue!” 

“I’m fully aware of that! You, beyond all people, should know I’m aware of that!” Alphinaud’s voice starts to shake. 

“All that we have been through together, your words and your actions, they taught me to always see the good in others, even if they never had your best interests at heart!” 

Klaus lowers his hostile stance. 

“Y’sayle, or Estinien… or even Yotsuyu or Fordola! You took mercy upon those whom you knew life had dealt a wrong hand, and you did what you thought best with those of them whom proved they’d stop at nothing to get their goal!”

Klaus lowered his head.

“Alphinaud…” Alisaie reached out with her hand, as she was sitting not far behind him. However, she was stopped by Y’shtola, who placed a hand on her shoulder, shaking her head. Alisaie would look downward, as she’d continue to listen.

“I’ll admit, in the very beginning, I thought of myself as a person that could never dare be wrong. I saw myself as above so many others in strategy and egotistically had aspired myself as a leader of men.”

“I even looked down upon you.” Alphinaud says so whilst holding back tears.

“But then…! When the banquet went awry and we had to cut and run! You told me all will be fine, that no one could’ve predicted what was coming and that there is still a path for me to walk on! You paved it for me!” Alphinaud starts crying. “No one else!”

“You saved me… just as you had saved them, and so, so many others. And now— with all those down beneath us dying, you’d just let them…?” Alphinaud begins to wipe his tears away with his sleeve.

Klaus comes closer to Alphinaud, standing right in front of him. His little brother would look upward.

“Please, Klaus. Even if it’s only to tend to their wounds. Please—”

Klaus suddenly embraced Alphinaud in a hug. The young man clutched his big brother’s back, burying his face on his shoulder.

“You never needed my permission to do anything.” Klaus’ voice trembles as he holds onto him.

“I’m sorry. And...” Klaus lets Alphinaud go, his hands still on his shoulders.

“I am so unbelievably proud of the person you have become.” Klaus smiles at him. “If not for your words, I would have nearly forgotten what it is I came here to accomplish in the first place. Thank you, Alphinaud.”

“Then, that means you’ll help?”

“Of course I’ll help.” the Warrior of Light answers. Alphinaud’s face lights up.

“Thank you!” The two of them then got up on their feet. They’d face the group who in turn looked to them for a plan. Alphinaud immediately stepped up, to Klaus’ happiness. 

“Ryne, is there anything you could do for the people of Eulmore?”

She’d pause briefly. “I... don’t know if it will work, but if Vauthry’s hold over the people is rooted in Light, I might be able to reverse its effects. I wish to try regardless.” 

Ryne would then hold her hand to her chest. “Will you let me try?”

Alphinaud smiles and nods to her in approval. “Of course. We’d be grateful for any help you can provide.” 

“Well then, if it’s decided, let’s all get to work.” said Alisaie happily, with the three running off shortly after. 

“Urianger.” approached Y’shtola. “I suggest we follow them. I have an idea on how we could subdue them without any of us coming in harm's way.” Urianger nodded. “I shall follow you, milady.” The two of them also begin to walk away.

Klaus and Thancred look at one another. “Go with them. I’ll be right behind you.” Thancred nods, running off to find the Leveilleurs and Ryne.

Being on his own, Klaus would look back at Mt. Gulg one more time. He’d wonder if Alphinaud was even more correct than he thought. Perhaps, he too could’ve ended up just like Vauthry. But Klaus has his comrades, who had grown closer to family than anything else, always there to help raise him up.

Just as he would help raise them.