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cynthia-malqir · 1 year ago

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Clouds across the Sun

Hi! So uh. This is my first actual fic I wanted to share. There ARE patch 6.5 spoilers in here, so be warned.

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Two figures sat curled into each other before a crackling fire. The hour was late, and no other light illuminated the living room. One figure was smaller, marked as an Au Ra by her curving horns and smooth, scaly tail. The other, taller, had long flowing hair the color of flame, and an otherworldly air about her.

The pair sat for a while, merely watching the flames flicker, before the taller woman broke the silence. “It’s almost time, you know. Your friends have been making progress on their research.”

The Au Ra sighed. “Yeah. I was planning to go talk to Deryk soon anyway.” Cynthia looked up at her partner. “You’ve been very careful not to say anything about him. If he’s not who I think he is, you and I will have words, Azeyma.”

A smile played across the goddess’ lips. “Well, I suppose you’ll have to wait and see if you’re correct, won’t you? Or maybe you simply need to work on your investigative skills.”

Cynthia shook her head. “Aren’t you the goddess of inquiry? Wouldn’t you be willing to give your favorite follower a little help?”

“Only if I think her faith deserves reward,” Azeyma teased, before the smile fell away. “That aside, I did wish to speak with you before you leave. About… us.”

Cynthia sighed. “Yeah. I get the feeling this isn’t going to be the ‘run off into the sunset together’ talk.” She looked back at the fire. “You… all of you… are getting ready to leave us, aren’t you? Hydaelyn left the star in the care of its people, and from what I can tell, you’re all recreations of people from before the Sundering.” She paused. “I’m pretty sure on that part. There were two people in Elpis that were suspiciously similar to Althyk and Nymeia.”

Azeyma nodded, slowly. “Yes, that was where their old selves were stationed. I wouldn’t be surprised if you did meet them during your time there. But we’re getting off track. We were supposed to reveal everything to you on your third journey through the Heavens, but I don’t think any of us would have anticipated a relationship like ours.” Azeyma looked away. “I… do not think it wise for us to continue as we are. It will only make the parting much harsher.”

Cynthia’s voice was quiet as she replied. “But why must you leave? You’ve stood watch over the world for millennia. Where’s the harm in continuing as you are?”

Azeyma was silent for a few moments before she responded. “We’ve told you that we are not primals, Cynthia. However, that does not mean we are unaffected by prayers. We use much of the faith mankind places in us to maintain the star. But we, all of us, would like to leave the world fully to you. No divinities to absorb prayer, just energy for the star to use.”

“But what if you did stay? Could you… I don’t know, leave your divinity behind? Live as a mortal?” There was a hint of pleading in Cynthia’s words. “I haven’t asked for much in my life, Azeyma. But if you could, would you stay with me?” Cynthia’s voice wavered.

There was a much longer silence while Azeyma mulled over her thoughts. “I… would like to. But to stay behind while the others move on… feels selfish. I will… need some time to consider this. Forgive me.” She glowed briefly, and with a burst of light, vanished from Cynthia’s home.

Cynthia fell backwards onto her couch, her support suddenly gone into thin air. I don’t know what I was expecting. Hoped for? Yes. She pulled her legs up to her chest. We haven’t been together that long, but… I don’t want her to go. Cynthia’s head dropped, and her first tears in a very long time dripped onto her clothes.

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Cynthia stood before the gate to the Heaven of Fire. She had already spoken to the rest of the Twelve, save one. The hardest conversation. She took a deep breath. “Azeyma?”

There was a delay before the sun goddess appeared, unlike the rest of the Twelve. “Cynthia. Hello.”

Neither seemed willing or able to break the silence. Fortunately, a third party was more than willing to. “Oh, just talk to each other already!” The figure of Menphina sprang up next to the pair. “Do you think I don’t know what you feel for each other? Must I remind you of my domain?”

Azeyma let out a sigh. “No, Menphina, that will not be necessary.”

The moon goddess giggled a bit. “Suit yourself! But I am here if you need advice~” With a flash of light, Menphina shifted into the form of a small rabbit, and hopped away in the direction of the Heaven of Ice.

Azeyma returned her gaze to the Warrior of Light. “I… believe we both have things we wish to say. Shall I go first, or would you like to, Cynthia?”

Cynthia shook her head. “You can go first. I don’t know how to say what’s in my mind yet.”

Azeyma nodded. “Very well. As it stands right now… I am torn between our duty to the star and… my love for you. No matter what I decide, it feels… selfish of me. To stay with you, and forsake my duty? Or to continue with our plan, and leave you alone? I do not know the answer. These few months together with you have been wonderful. You have awakened long forgotten feelings in me – feelings that once smoldered like embers amidst the ashes. Your presence gives me comfort and warmth, and I do not wish to leave you. But I am… afraid. Of what might happen, no matter my choice.”

Cynthia looked down. “I don’t know what will happen, either. I just know that I want you with me when it does.” She looked back up, a distraught look on her face. “I… I love you, Azeyma. There’s still so much I want to do but all of it means nothing if I cannot share it with you. There are wonders in the world I can barely imagine but seeing them will only feel hollow if the woman I love is gone forever. Stay with me. Please.”

Azeyma looked as though she was about to respond, when a voice called out in the distance. “Ah! Cynthia! You’re here!”

G’raha Tia and Krile had just arrived. Cynthia had turned her head at G’raha’s voice, and when she looked back, Azeyma had gone.

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“May the font of your ingenuity ever flow.”

“Yours is the strength to destroy all obstacles.” “There is meaning in your deeds. Celebrate life and embrace death.”

“May you flourish, and reap a bountiful harvest.”

“In your limited time, have boundless compassion.”

“Carry yourself with honor and forge on, towards victory.”

“Harbor love in your heart–for yourself, for others, and for the world.”

“From past to future the river of knowledge flows. Be part of its nourishing waters.”

“May a wonderful new world greet you beyond destiny’s horizon.”

“Be calm as the ocean, and you shall weather any storm.”

“As the wind blows unfettered, may you be free to follow your heart.”

Eleven of Twelve had passed along. Now, only Azeyma remained behind. It was time.

“...Abide in virtue, and hold fast to the truth.” The goddess spoke her piece to the small audience before her, and turned to leave-

“Wait!” Cynthia’s voice reached her, right as Azeyma was about to depart. It gave her pause.

“What if you did stay?” The memory of the earlier night echoed through her mind.

Halone’s voice whispered in her ear. “You needn’t agonize so, Azeyma.”

From Nophica. “Remain with her if you desire.”

Azeyma lifted her head towards the void where the rest of the Twelve had dissipated. “But… This was what we were meant to do. To return to the star together. I… You all knew?”

Next was Llymlaen. “Naturally! You hid it well from us… At least for a short while.”

A giggle from Nymeia. “Dear Menphina was the first to notice, but the rest of us did wonder where you disappeared to so often.”

Menphina now. “Follow your heart, for it guides you with love. When the time comes, we shall meet again.”

A tear rolled down Azeyma’s face. “But… why…?”

“We understand. Go. Share a lifetime with her. The Lifestream will still be here when it comes time.” Oschon’s voice gave the final push Azeyma needed. She turned away, and moved back towards her love.

From Cynthia’s perspective, the Twelve had vanished in a bright glow. Her heart felt like it had been torn in two… But when the glow faded, one figure stood before them. A Hyur woman, with flame-colored hair tied back and eyes like embers, gave Cynthia a small smile. “I’ll… be staying with you for a while longer.”

Cynthia stayed silent, walking towards the woman. Slowly at first, before she broke into a run. She crashed into Azeyma, causing her to take a step back. They wrapped their arms around each other, and with tears in her eyes, Cynthia looked up at Azeyma. “Welcome back.”

Azeyma’s smile broadened as she looked down at the smaller Au Ra. “It seems… I was worried about nothing.”

“Ah… I feel as though the rest of us are missing some context here…” G’raha spoke up.

As though just remembering there were others present, Cynthia jumped. When she turned back to face them, her face reddened. “Oh, um…”

Krile stared at the pair for a moment, her brow furrowed. She winced suddenly and rubbed at her temple. “Ah. I see. Perhaps more than I should have.”

G’raha turned to Krile. “An Echo?”

Krile grimaced. “Yes. I’ll spare you some of the details, but… Those two seem to have been intimate for some time. Since not long after your first sojourn here.”

Snoegeim’s eyes widened. “That long?!”

Cynthia’s blush had not lessened, and even Azeyma had developed a small flush. “Could we perhaps gloss over some of this? I wasn’t exactly looking to have my love life examined in complete detail.”

Krile averted her gaze. “Even setting that aside, there are still some questions I think the rest of us would like answered. Mostly regarding the Twelve as a whole, but also… What will you do now, ah… Azeyma? Should we still call you as such?”

Azeyma frowned. “Hm. I had not given the matter much thought, but… perhaps I should think of a name so as not to draw too much attention. Azeyma will do for now. Just take care not to mention it where you might be overheard, yes? As for what I will do, that should be obvious, should it not? I will stay with Cynthia. Accompany her on her adventures. Share in her joys and sorrows. What more could I ask for?”

#ffxiv #azeyma #wolzeyma #ffxiv wol #6.5 spoilers #thaleia #growing light #final fantasy xiv

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