#[Arc - Warrior of Crystal]

[highsummonermercar]

FFIII protagonists + the job classes I gave them to defeat the Cloud of Darkness

[t-u-i-t-c]

Final Chapter: Tomorrow's Legends

[forgotten-contract]

'Oh hourglass, turning sorrow to wrath, free me from my chains.'

-

[Secondary doodle from the other >:)C]

[ardorsung]

A FUTURE WITHOUT YOU I DON'T WANT TO IMAGINE.........

I WAKE UP EACH MORNING, SEARCHING FOR YOU / BUT YOU'RE NOT HERE ANYMORE, SO I NO LONGER KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!

i think in any instance where shinobu and blade are separated for any period of time, it's absolutely AWFUL for her. i keep ruminating over the idea of, much like thancred, her being the first to get pulled into the First by the crystal exarch; and i think it hurts in that, at the end of stormblood, there's a lot she still doesn't quite know how to handle. to come to terms with. and so shadowbringers is the arc where she 'grows up', so to speak, not to say she isn't grown up but following the end of stormblood - throughout shadowbringers and into endwalker, she hardens up a bit; she loses her softness for a short while. for better or for worse, bc in doing so, there's an emotional wall built that she hadn't necessarily had previous --- she's quicker to fall back, to hide the enormity of her emotions, because she doesn't want to fall back on being a burden once more. she doesn't cry anymore, or not so easily anyways, but at what cost.

is it right to give those the benefit of the doubt or are you being a bother, feeding into the enemy with your naivete? is war the only way to go, where words and understanding fail, is understanding or trying to understand a fault in and of itself!!!!!!!

this song & this song are very much the mood and im sooooooooo sad kupo

i also think, depending on what i do? bc this'll be determined as i'm going through the story again & refreshing myself on it, that although the end of stormblood - through shadowbringers where she loses her softness just a tad, some time during endwalker would be her arc of recognition; reconnecting & coming to terms with who she is, that her softness isn't a curse nor is feeling. bc i think everyone has had those arcs in their lives, where they've grown bitter & realized like... no i hate this. i hate being closed off, jaded with it all, i want to try again; i want to blossom again, i want kindness to envelop every part of my being bc if i lose my warmth in a world enveloped by startling coldness where kindness is little who! then! will be kind! to spread kindness, to breathe gentleness, to grow in the harshest of climates!

[voidsentprinces]

Reminder: A Realm Reborn wasn't particularly about us. It was about the Eorzean Factions, it was about the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and their interactions with and thwarting Gaius and the XIVth Legion. We were just a useful champion slowly growing to fame but not truly a Warrior of Light until literally the prelude to the Castrum raiding mission.

The Parting of Glass wasn't about us either. It was, once again, about the world. And how it had begun changing after Gaius's fall and the brief period of peace away from Garlemald's Shadow. About Alphinaud beginning his arc of growth with hubris and the creation the Crystal Braves and what it might of looked like IF the Scion's good nature was lent to anyone and everyone. And thus opening itself up to the very corruption Minfilia feared to move away from the Waking Sands and to the Rising Stones in the first place.

Heavensward isn't about us. It is about Alphinaud's continue growth, learning of Ishgard's past and history. Hubris, arrogance and narrow viewing lead Alphinaud to steps of the Foundation, it has lead Estinien astray and made Ysayle believe she is a messiah incarnate. And through the journey, each of them grow as they learn the terrible truth about the Dragonsong War. Estinien in particular has his eyes opened and no longer simply seeks revenge on Nidhogg but to get to the bottom of it all. So no other shepherd's son has to live as he has. Ysayle learns she is a shade and a faux Shiva not truly Hraesvelgr's beloved or even in the same category as her. She learns swallow such delusions and embrace what Saint Shiva stood for in its entirety. Which means leaning to lay the road for peace between Ishgard and the Dragons and opening a path to this by sacrificing herself for those she loved so dearly. Alphinaud learns from all of this and more and is humbled by the duty of a knight, the fervor of a dragoon, the sacrifice of a saint, and the courage of his companions and of Sharlayan's arrogance from Master Matoya. To put others before himself and allow others to support him when he falls.

The Far Edge of Fate isn't about us. It was about how Ishgard carries on after Thordan and the Heavens Ward are shown to be the monsters they are. How the remnants of the church, the knights of Ishgard, and the civilian population react to the realization with rejection. How facing off against Nidhogg possessing Estinien, the Warriors of Darkness, and the machinations of Ilberd force Eorzea and Ishgard to look inward and know truly where they should go from there. To ignore the easier road and take the higher path no matter the strife and hardship it provides them. Because when they reach the otherside they would be better for it. Finding that courage, after five years of procrastinating and hemming and hawing, the Eorzean Alliance finally begin to mobilize to free Ala Mhigo from Garlemald and perhaps take on the Empire itself.

Stormblood isn't about us. It is about Doma and Ala Mhigo fighting for the survival of their people and cultures. Facing the parts of their society that were spurned and used as tools of hatred against their principles. That provided the necessary cracks required for Garlemald to break them down and oppress them in the first place. And how reforging under those values and those long histories of violence can make a new path and come to terms to over throw the tyrants who fed on their weakened states and make a strong unity still.

A Requiem of Heroes wasn't about us, it was about the world facing down the barrel of war with Garlemald. And uncovering its origins, its founding father was an Ascian. How Varis is forced to face down the lie as Elidibus wears the skin of his son and the great grandfather he and other Garleans were taught was a walking god in all but name was a sham and a daemon bent on causing more pain and suffering than mankind ever deserved. How the effigies of hate and pain choose to use their fervor to help their people instead of turning against them once more. How every person can change and be given a second chance. How that second chance is what that person requires or if they are pushed the wrong direction, can caused tragedy to unfold. And lastly, it is about our companions, slowly. One by one. Being dragged to the unknown. The story slowly taking away the players on the stage until finally...

Shadowbringers was about us. It was about how we were instrumental to the world so much that it lost nearly all hope in another timeline. How a group of your fondest friends began and how your comrade's furthest decendents acting on the hope of your legend and stories. To provide a plan of action and lead to happier world. How even when everything seems lost and gone and your purpose seems to turned everything around you into twisted monstrosities. That you can bring the night and wait in comfort for a dawn to bring better days. And the tenacity of your aid providing a world on the brink, the love, the compassion, the understanding, the strength, and the will to stand up to a flood of destruction and spit fate in the eye. Even it costs them everything, they keep fighting until they can see a brighter tomorrow.

Death unto Dawn was about what the tomorrow brings. How it could be another fight but to find what is WORTH fighting for. The memories of those you fight and lived amongst, old studies and things of the past being made to provide the answer to the future, making right wrongs even against those you had wronged unfairly, and to gather together and keep each other safe. You are not alone out here. There are those who will help you along to a brighter future.

Endwalker was about you and yours. About how everyone reacts to an uncertain future in different manners. How some would make ready to flee at the approaching storm, while others would fight, and others might even push you further to the edge. But even when all is lost, call upon the memory of happier times to light the way with hearts aligned shining brilliantly against despair and finding your place amongst those memories.

Growing Light was about us teaching another to hear, feel, and think and experience the world seemingly gone. That everything needn't be give or take. It can be a charitable, warmer place if we make it. It can be kinder and even in the face of unrelenting and undying destruction. Hope will spit out a tooth and stand up once more.

I say all of this because, I've seen people mad that Dawntrail is leaning hard about being about Wuk Lamat and others. To which I say so what if Dawntrail is about Wuk Lamat and Koana? So what if its not about us? We've had four story lines about us. Now we must impart what we've learned to the future as they face similar and sometimes overwhelming odds. To stand tall against the onslaught and make their own choices, their own way to bring a smile to all they hold dear. How family needn't be blood related, they can just be a group who sit down at the table at the end of the day. And speak, laugh, cry, and love. Unto this trail to dawn we shall light way for the future of our world and everything this new dawn brings is worth it.

[plounce]

what people misunderstand about the hvw patch urianger plotline is that urianger's greatest sin in that arc is not sending minfilia to the first. he didn't actually do that. what he did is set up a confrontation between the wol and ardbert's party without elidibus' knowledge so all the crystals of light from the wol and from ardbert's party would allow them to talk to hydaelyn and minfilia. that is what he did. then he presented his solution to the first and source's dual problem, and minfilia AGREED and so did hydaelyn and so minfilia chose to go over. minfilia was already lost in the sauce. the wol and the scions knew that, they saw her in the antitower as the vessel of hydaelyn as The Word Of The Mother. she was already in there and it wasn't going to be as easy to get her out like they did y'shtola and thancred - or maybe even possible. what he arranged is a meeting that had the ability to conclude in the way he wanted - which was a way for the first to survive, and for no calamity to happen on the source. and in that, he allowed everyone to see minfilia again and speak with her. so he could ask her if she was willing to do that. he didn't punt her over there! because even when he's taking action, he is still a really passive person lmao. but he gave minfilia the option to save two entire worlds, which she was happy to choose to do.

urianger's ACTUAL greatest sin in that arc is alisaie's poisoning by renda-rae's arrow. i don't know if urianger was with the warriors of darkness for that incident or if he was at the waking sands, and i KNOW he was probably horrified to hear about the incident and intensely regretfull and ashamed he wasn't there to stop it (like he stopped ardbert's party in the cutscene after xelphatol later on) but regardless, i don't think their relationship was ever the same after that. which makes me miserable, because right before this is the bahamut coils plot, where alisaie trusts urianger as her scion contact (not alphinaud!) because he's a close family friend, and he obviously respects her so incredibly much (he uses "you" for her!) and is so distressed when he sees her (and alphinaud) all beat up after the final coil. they never act very close after 3.4, aside from urianger presenting her with a custom-made rapier and a prophecy before she sets sail to kugane in stormblood. i think that is in part meant as an apology (and also so alisaie has an easier time casting), but they never really team up again like they did in the coils plot. this probably isn't intentional on the part of the writers, but it's an absence that feels conspicuous to me. when your childhood babysitter almost gets you killed.

[brucewaynehater101]

Lady shiva gets the Batkids!

She starts out with cass having her from birth, keeping her away from Cain.

later on she meets a young warrior who seek vengeance for his loved ones, so she take him in as a son “trainee” totally no famial emotions wink wink, that child was dick.

later than that a young Jason comes looking for his mother and welp, she might as well.

Tim who stepped in bc Bruce assumed Jason was dead and went off the deep end, goes on his training arc with shiva, and look it’s not her fault that the world keeps giving her kiddo’s alright?

The kiddos visit Gotham and is that two young child warriors? Look mom we got you two more kids! Meet Steph and Duke!

oh and Talia and her are co parenting Damian in a totally heterosexual way wink wink (two scary ladies who can kill someone having romantic tension)

Just Talia and Lady Shiva casually insulting each other, showing off, making sure they are present when Damian switches from one parent to another, and somehow always arriving when the other is in danger. They never quite get into a relationship status, but they sure as hell aren't getting with anyone else. It's like a vaguely exclusive relationship status where they just have very intense sexual tension.

They co-parent Damian, Jason, and Cass. Steph doesn't let either of them parent parent her (Crystal is a good mom), but she considers them to be like her aunts. Duke is similar in how he regards them (depending on when he meets Talia, his parents might still be able to care for him).

Dick is happy with Lady Shiva as his mom and still has a slight dislike of Talia in this AU (not hatred. It's more of a "please stop flirting with my mom" type of thing).

Tim likes collecting parental figures and then bristling when they try to parent him. Lady Shiva and him make a game out/battle of wits out of whether she can parent him that day.

Babs and Lady Shiva are friends. They have almost the same relationship Babs does to some of her Bird of Prey, but it's not quite to that level of trust, working together, and dependency on each other.

Cute AU!

[aspoonofsugar]

do you think the song out for love says something about Camilla and veggie and to veggies character arc

Hi!

Yes, it does. I want to talk about Vaggie in other metas too, so in this analysis I will focus on her relationship with Carmilla, since this is what you are mainly asking about.

Before I start, though, I am gonna link to you this meta by @hamliet, where she talks about the main message of the song:

You're gonna fight without gloves And when that push comes to shove Yeah, you just might rise above Long as you're out for love

If you love, you might rise above. So Vaggie, a fallen angel, regrows her wings by choosing love and protection over hate and revenge. The meaning is crystal clear. Love makes you worthy of Heaven. Just like in the finale Pentious ascends thanks to his selfless sacrifice.

This is the meaning of the song when it comes to theme and to the series as a whole.

At the same time it is not by chance this theme comes out so strongly in relation to Carmilla and Vaggie, as they are both tied to "love".

FAMILIAL LOVE AND ROMANTIC LOVE

Carmilla Carmine: So I, I'll be your keeper Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll keep you safe and keep this secret

Vaggie: So I, I'll be your armor Do whatever it takes, I'll make the mistakes I'll spend my life being your partner

Carmilla and Vaggie are set up as foils in episode 3, when they share the song Whatever It Takes. This ballad is a love song, but Carmilla and Vaggie express two different kinds of love:

Carmilla is singing to her daughters (familial)

Vaggie is singing to Charlie (romantic)

This is a pattern throughout the show:

There are two versions of More Than Anything - the first one is about a familial bond, whereas the second explores a romantic relationship

Sir Pentious gets redeemed after expressing his feelings for Cherri (romantic) and sacrificing himself for the Hotel Crew (familial)

So, Hazbin Hotel goes out of its way to celebrate all kinds of positive bonds: platonic, romantic, familial. All of these relationships are enriching and help people grow. Vaggie and Carmilla are two characters linked to this very concept, as they are ready to fight and suffer for their loved ones:

Both: Whatever we go through I know I~ (Carmilla: I'll be your keeper) (Vaggie: I'll be your armor) Whatever it takes (Carmilla: I'll make the mistakes) (Vaggie: I'll make the mistakes) Whatever it takes

They are both warriors, but fight for love. They are out for love. However, Whatever It Takes also highlights a major difference between them.

TRUST AND SELF-EXPRESSION

Scrambled Eggs is an episode about trust. This is true especially for Carmilla and Vaggie, who have opposite secrets:

Carmilla killed an angel

Vaggie is an angel

Throughout the song the conflict between Heaven and Hell is mentioned by Carmilla and is present in subtext in Vaggie's stanza, as she looks at her old home.

Both are struggling under the pressure of these truths and are confronted by a loved one:

Zestial: Carmilla, what troubles thou? Losing thy composure is unlike thee. Carmilla Carmine: It's nothing, Zestial, really.

Charlie: Vaggie, don't say that! You do so much! It's- Vaggie: I'm sorry. I'd… I'd like to be alone for a minute.

Carmilla chooses to open up to Zestial and tells her daughters how much she loves them. Vaggie instead closes herself off and refuses Charlie's attempt to talk. She is singing to Charlie, but Charlie herself isn't present to hear her out. Even when it comes to their respective secrets...

Carmilla says hers in the song:

Carmilla Carmine: I always thought that I would keep blood off my face But when that thing attacked, I had to act To cross that line and keep them safe But if anyone knew, then all of Hell would rise to war And who's to say who'd survive the fray? I might lose the ones that I was killing for

Vaggie only alludes to hers in the lyrics:

Vaggie: When I saw your face You made me feel like a stranger in a brand new place And it felt so good to be understood But there's so much I wished that I could say

Vaggie meets Charlie and feels like a stranger in a brand new place because at the time she is in fact a stranger in a brand new place:

So, Carmilla is able to express herself, while Vaggie can't. This isn't surprising, as Vaggie is basically a child-soldier:

Adam: Do you really think I wouldn't recognize one of my top girls just cuz you're out of uniform? You were on the front lines, I wouldn't forget a bad bitch like you. It's why I named you after the best thing ever. Vaggie.

She is brought up in Adam's army and is taught that love is conditional. She is one of Adam's best fighters, but the moment she makes a "mistake", she is discarded:

Lute: Sinful filth like you has no place in heaven.

This is why she feels Charlie will love her only if she is useful and never messes up:

Vaggie: I'm supposed to make your dreams a reality. I'm supposed to protect you. I'm supposed to never fail you. (...) If I can't help you, what's the point of me?

This fear of abandonement and rejection is also at the root of Vaggie's inability to tell Charlie about her past:

Adam: I guess I'll just tell little miss butterflies and rainbows that she's been fucking someone who's killed-- thousands of her people. I'm sure your relationship will be fine.

Still, despite her communication issues, Vaggie's heart is in the right place:

Rosie: If there's anything I've learned, it's that words are cheap, but actions, they speak the truth. So, what have her actions said?

Vaggie is a person of few words. This may be why she has less songs than other characters. Still, she lets her actions speak, so she is given a ballet lesson by a very talented ballerina:

DANCING THROUGH LIFE

Carmilla has a ballet motif, as her outfit resembles that of a ballerina and her two daughters are called after protagonists of famous ballets. So, it is only natural that she teaches Vaggie a new way to fight through dancing.

Vaggie was taught to fight with hate and anger. So, her fighting style is aggressive and focused on attack:

Carmilla: You leave yourself open with every swing. You fight like someone unafraid of harm, and this is what you'll take advantage of. Angels wield no shields, little armor and fight with reckless abandon.

Carmilla tells her she should instead dedicate herself to love, protection and defense:

Fuel yourself with the fear of losin' That somebody who's your reason to live Harnеss your heart and you can't help choosin' To fight with all you can give

Vaggie shouldn't just fight. She should dance:

She shouldn't hate:

I see you're driven by your detestation Your every step is stoked with animus You need a different type of motivation Or there's no way that you can handle this

She should love:

Out for love~ Love~ Think of who you care about Protect them and be out For love~ Love~

Vaggie listens to these teachings and applies them in the finale, in two ways.

She sings her love for Charlie in More Than Anything Reprise:

Vaggie: You've already done so much So many lives you've changed So many souls you've touched And in the end, if it's only me you've saved Charlie and Vaggie: There's something that I've been dying to say More than anything, more than anything Need you to know I love you more than anything More than anything

As stated above, Vaggie doesn't sing much in season 1, but in the final episode she gets a short moment to express how she feels to Charlie. This is in contrast to Whatever It Takes, where she sends her girlfriend away before she starts singing. More Than Anything Reprise shows Vaggie's progress when it comes to self-expression.

She follows Carmilla's advices while fighting

On a practical level she covers herself up in a battle suit inspired by Carmilla's outfit, she wears a harness on her heart and ties her hair:

Vaggie: I'm not used to fighting with long hair.

On a thematic level she reveals her wings and defeats Lute, when the exorcist threathens Charlie:

Lute: So, I'll spare you the pain of seeing your demon bitch die.

And Vaggie eventually chooses not to kill the other angel:

Lute: Do it, then. Correct your mistake. Vaggie: Seriously, you're pathetic, you know that? Ready to die rather than accepting mercy? No, live. Live knowing that you only do because I let you, the failure.

Vaggie is asked to choose between her hate for Lute and her love for Charlie and she chooses the latter. This is why the scene ends with Vaggie leaving Lute and flying to help Charlie. She is given the chance to get revenge, but doesn't take it. She is given the chance to hate, but she loves:

I know you're thirstin' for vengeance, Vaggie You're out for blood But you'll only stand a chance if you're out for love

This is important in two ways:

1- The macrochosm - Vaggie refuses Lute's ideals and defies her expectations. For Lute it is normal that Vaggie is going to kill her. After all, Vaggie is discarded because she shows pity to a sinner, which makes her weak. Still, Vaggie bests Lute in a fight, so she is now strong. It is only obvious then that Vaggie has snapped out of her foolery and is ready to kill. She can correct her mistake. She did not kill the cannibal child, but she can kill Lute. This is how Lute understands the world. And yet, Vaggie doesn't finish her off. By doing so, she moves away from the mentality Lute embodies. She is strong precisely because she can show mercy. Adam is wrong. Lute is wrong. Vaggie isn't out for blood. She is out for love.

2- The microchosm - Vaggie sparing Lute isn't just the morally correct choice, but it is Vaggie's first step into healing:

Husk: (To Vaggie) This one. Judges everyone and everything because she hates herself.

Vaggie hates everyone because she deep down hates herself. She despises Heaven and Angels because she can't forgive her involvement in the exterminations. So, Vaggie hurting Lute would be Vaggie hurting her past self. As a matter of fact Lute is Vaggie's dark mirror. She is who Vaggie might become if she gives in to hate.

A person who hurts others:

And herself:

Vaggie instead has to value her life, so that she can protect others. She must save others and heal herself. Only in this way she can be by Charlie's side. She needs to let go of self-hate to embrace a healthy love. Vaggie's arc is her learning self-love through her bond with the Princess of Hell.

Obviously this journey is just at the beginning and our Angel of Love has a long way to go. How will her story contiue? We can make some hypothesis, which once again stem from Vaggie and Carmilla's foiling. This is just a theory, so take it with a grain of salt, but Vaggie may have a secondary personal antagonist in Hell:

Why is that so? It's because Scrambled Eggs sets Vaggie and Velvette up as foils.

RESPECT(LESS)

Velvette and Vaggie are opposites in their interactions with Carmilla. Both girls are younger than the Dancer Overlord and could learn a lot from her. However, Velvette refuses any kind of mentorship and shows no respect:

Velvette: Mad that I acted respectless? Well, it's cause no one could respect this! You're long past trending! Sorry, bae, but I ain't swiping right! You've lost your relevance-

Vaggie instead comes to respect Carmilla and learns from her:

At the same time, both Velvette and Vaggie confront Carmilla about her secret:

Velvette: 'Oops!' Did I strike a nerve? 'Cause when I brought out the angel's head, couldn't help but observe, that your wrinkled face was turning red! And why are you avoiding war? That's what the guns you sell are for! Thanks to my being respectless, one thing I'm starting to suspect is You know why this angel's headless! Do you have a disclosure?

Vaggie: I know what you did on extermination day. We can talk about it inside, or I can yell about it out here.

They call Carmilla out on killing an angel and keeping this knowledge to herself. Not only that, but both argue that it is necessary to fight back to stop the exterminations:

Velvette: We found it during Extermination day. If these Holy Rollers can be killed, the game has changed. We can take the fight to them. The boys and I have come up with a full assault plan!

Vaggie: Miss Carmine, I'm here on appointment from the princess to enlist your aid in the defense of hell from the angelic extermination. We know an angel fell at your hands and we need to know how.

Still, Velvette fails to get through to Carmilla because she uses war rhetoric:

Velvette: Oh, I get it. So Grandpa is too pussy to fight, so I guess there's no point, right? Oh, what's the matter, Fossil? Too senile to make a real power grab...

She speaks of violence, strength and power.

Vaggie instead convinces Carmilla to help because she mentions the necessity to fight for loved ones:

Vaggie: We didn't pick this fight, but it's here now. And they aren't going to stop with us. You didn't see the look on their leader's face. With us out of the way, it's only a matter of time before they come for the rest of you. They won't stop until all of hell is wiped out, so you can help us make a stand here together, or you can stand alone tomorrow.

She speaks of protection, love and comraderie.

In short, Vaggie succeeds where Velvette fails. Of course, this is true for Charlie's group in general when it comes to the Vees:

Vox: My dear people! We at VoxTek Enterprises have always been at the forefront of innovation. And now, with this new oncoming threat, we are shifting our focus, to your protection. We are pleased to announce VoxTek Angelic Security is coming soon! Trust us, with YOUR safety.

Katie Killjoy: Breaking news - Extermination day is cancelled! Charlie Morningstar managed to fend off the angelic attack with more than just nice words.

The Vees make big declarations of how they are gonna protect the people of Hell, but in the end it is Charlie and her friends who fight for the sinners.

When it comes to Vaggie and Velvette specifically, it is going to be interesting if their foiling is expanded. If so, then I guess Velvette is gonna help Vaggie mature a little bit more, so that when our ex exorcist faces Lute (her nemesis) again, she is gonna be ready for it.

[tildeathiwillwrite]

Tag Game: OC Song

Thanks to @pluppsauthor @thewritingautisticat for the tag!

Rules: pick 3 ocs, and give them each a song!

Only three??? And only one song each??? Well, if you insist. Let's do the trio from The Hunter, the Myth and the Cure! Songs are all selected from this playlist.

Octavian de Silv:

A disproportionate amount of the songs on the playlist reflect him or his arc, but this is the song I always associate with my elf boi.

Draven Cozenson:

This one is Draven's based on vibes and vibes alone.

Reese Takari:

My perseverant, stubborn, resilient baby girl.

Tagging @pluttskutt @melpomenelamusa @geode-crystal @paeliae-occasionally @faytelumos

@crwn-nrth @aalinaaaaaa and open tag! :D

(edit: took me a second to figure out audio embedding lol)

[myreia]

Sketches of Times Lost

Day 20: Duel

a duel between friends, a moment of forgiveness. alisaie, warrior of light. set at an undetermined time during shadowbringers. written for ffxivwrite2024. rating: general words: 2189 ao3 link

The mid morning sun rises high above Lakeland, nestled between waves of puffy clouds. For all appearances, it is a regular day, bright and airy and cheerful—and completely ignorant of what is happening below.

The fields outside the Ostall Imperative crackle with energy and whoosh with wind, magic searing the air as it passes back and forth between the two combatants. A clash of blades, steel striking steel, then synchronized shouts as they part ways and fly back, catapulting in graceful arcs to opposite sides of the arena.

Alisaie lands on her feet, nimble as a cat, boots scuffing the ground as she skips backward and falls into a crouch. Sweat drips down the back of her neck, hair is plastered to her forehead, breath catches in her throat, and yet her body is thrumming with the thrill of it all. Her rapier slips in her grip and she tightens her fingers, holding fast, her focus balanced above the palm of her other hand. A smirk tugs at the corner of her lips.

One. Two. Three.  

Her head snaps up, bright eyes searching for her opponent, and moves. 

She darts across the trampled grass, careful not to slip—the sun has not quite warmed away the dew. Aether surges within her, a roar of wind and lightning, her focus trailing a line of misty red behind her. Across the clearing, Aureia stands, firm, patient, prepared, waiting with the stillness of a black mage and a stance reminiscent of a dark knight’s. Her outstretched rapier tilts downward, her focus hovers above her head, its rotating beads of fire and ice sparkling in the bright light. She gives no sign of her next move—it is what makes her a daunting opponent.

How do you predict the unpredictable?

Alisaie is determined to find out.

With a yell, she cuts her rush short and pulls to a stop, ramming her rapier and focus together. Blinding red light spirals out of it and bursts across the clearing. Aureia cocks her head to the side, eyes narrowed as she watches the wave of red rush towards her—why isn’t she moving?—rapier still downturned. At the last minute, she sidesteps and lets the magic shoot by her, its impact rustling her clothes in its wake.

“You missed,” she calls, ruby eyes shining with a challenge. “Surely you can do better than that!”

“Ha!” Alisaie grins. “For all you know, that was the warm up and this—”

Her fingers twist, drawing aether from her focus. A crystalized bulb of red blooms above Aureia’s head. 

“—is the grand finale!”

Aureia’s eyes flick upward. Without moving a muscle, a shimmering barrier springs up around her, glistening like a rainbow in the sunlight. A second later, the bulb bursts, its power scattering uselessly across the barrier and evaporating in an instant.

Alisaie’s jaw drops. Though she desperately wishes to shout that’s not fair, she has no choice but to shove the childish part of her down and hold her tongue. To be true, it isn’t fair—that shield’s strength has a whiff of a gunbreaker’s skill about it—but she never specified that their sparring match include only red magic. She has no desire to raise the issue now. That would be something Alphinaud would do. Insist on fairness.

Besides, if Aureia draws on all aspects of her training, it will only make it more satisfying when she finally beats her.

Aureia sweeps her dark hair out of her face. “Then shall we continue?” she suggests, smiling deviously. “A chance to redeem your grand finale.”

“Must you rub it in like that?”

“If you like—!”

She charges forward. Alisaie skips back, feet slipping on the dew, and bends over backward as Aureia’s blade flies overhead. She twists, shaking with laughter from the close call, and spins, grounding herself as she raises her rapier in return, dancing between the choice to cast and the choice to strike.

“You should take care,” she begins. “You never know when—”

Aureia strikes again without warning, forcing her to leap back. Their rapiers clash, Alisaie catching the tip of Aureia’s blade in a parry. The Warrior of Darkness shrugs it off, steel singing in the air, and continues her slow, determined march. “Roll forward and under next time,” she says. “Get closer to your opponent.”

Alisaie twists to the side, dancing on the edge of her range, and brings her focus and rapier together once more. “I don’t want to be closer!” she says through clenched teeth, releasing a jolt of magic. Aureia deftly sidesteps it—as expected—but hitting her wasn’t the point. Aether courses through her, revitalizing her, its power pulsing within her veins. “I want to—”

“You want to control the battlefield, no?” A flash of steel, a clash of swords. No time to release her spell. “Rapiers are like lances, or any weapon with reach. Moving backwards only keeps you in their range, but they are out of yours. They can follow up quickly—”

She presses the attack. Alisaie ducks once more, narrowly avoiding the blow. She didn’t even bother to counter it this time.

“Like that.” Aureia pauses, holding her rapier aloft with poise. This is the difficulty with fighting her—she has studied too many forms, trained in too many ways, become an expert with too many weapons. Her combat style is informed by a myriad of backgrounds; even when she prefers one over another, the lessons from the other always bleed through. “But if you move into them, you are too close for their weapon to hit easily—”

A blue glyph appears above her head, crackling with energy. Lightning-aspected magic rains down around her, striking the ground. Aureia curses and reels back, shrugging off the magic.

“Or I could hit now,” Alisaie says with a smirk.

Aureia meets her eyes. “Your mana is out of balance,” she remarks pointedly.

“And I didn’t invite you here to be lectured, I invited you to spar.” She raises her rapier once again and grins, eyes shining with the thrill. It has been a long time since they have had a proper bout. Not since before they came to the First. “As the others seem to have no faith that a sparring match between us won’t blow up the surrounding area, how about we say enough talk—let’s give them a show.”

Aureia smiles and settles into a new stance, outstretching a hand in an invitation to attack.

A duel of two red mages is like an improvised dance. Harmonized to each other, pushing and pulling, testing the limits. Quiet pauses wherein they take a breath, movement coming to a halt as the next spell is cast. Moments of speed and grace, executed with unerring precision. More than any other combat style, it seeks balance—magic and melee, black and white, attacking and defending.

Alisaie whoops with glee, eyes bright, her ponytail flying behind her as she darts in to strike and darts away. She is faster than Aureia, less skilled, but more reckless. And she has grown stronger during her time on the First. If she can simply wear her down, perhaps she can gain an advantage.

A green glyph appears above her and she leaps to the side, a blast of wind rushing over her. Wind, lightning, fire, and stone—Aureia alternates faster than she can keep track, light wisping around her focus, somehow casting and moving at the same time. How she can so quickly prepare a complex spell without standing still, Alisaie doesn’t know. She still struggles—and remembers the days when she had nothing but a scholar’s codex to reference. She has long since outgrown the need for books and paper, but she has so much further to go.

She turns, throwing a blast of magic at Aureia, and darts in for the attack. Their blades clash and she pushes her back, the well-trampled grass turning muddy beneath her boots. Alisaie grunts, determined to hold her ground, and an idea takes hold. She pivots and pulls back her blade, then dives under Aureia’s blow and strikes, sending a jolt of lightning down the blade—

“Ouch!”  Aureia gasps in surprise, her fingers seizing, and drops her blade. Her focus remains spinning above her other palm.

Alisaie whoops and lowers her blade. “Ha!” she crows. “Admit defeat, Aureia, I finally have—”

Aureia gives her a flat look and tosses her focus. It hits Alisaie’s blade and sends it flying, the silver edge glinting as it tumbles through the air and out of sight. She watches it go, mouth open, too shocked to move.

“That… is not fair,” she says finally.

Aureia throws back her head and laughs, her whole body shaking. Alisaie’s lips twist and she slaps a hand over her mouth, holding back a laugh, but it doesn’t last for long. Soon, the both of them are clutching their stomachs and giggling uncontrollably, their voices echoing right across the clearing. Finally, they flop down on the grass and stare up at the endless blue sky above.

“Call it a draw?” Aureia says after a moment.

Alisaie exhales a breath. “No,” she groans, resting her arm across her forehead to cover her eyes. “No. As ridiculous as that was, you won. We don’t have to call it a draw just to soothe my ego.”

“It was a good trick with the verthunder. I’m sorry. I… got carried away, I think.”

“You were thinking on your feet, using your resources. Countering a dirty trick with a dirty trick.”

“Even so, I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard.”

“To be honest, I was afraid you weren’t going to go hard on me. If you had given me the victory outright, I would be quite cross with you.”

Aureia chuckles. “That’s a relief then,” she murmurs. Alisaie can hear the grass rustling as she sits up. “You have many good reasons to be cross with me.”

Alisaie pauses, her stomach sinking. It was only a matter of time before this topic was broached. They did not part ways on good terms on the Source. Just prior to the fateful Alliance meeting where Thancred’s soul vanished, they had had a terrible fight. Aureia’s secrets had been unearthed at last, blindsiding them all. For years they did not know that the Warrior of Light had roots within the Garlean Empire, nor that she had once been their agent. They didn’t even know that her name was not her own.

Kira quo Theorzen. That was her name once.

How strange how suddenly so much and so little made sense.

Some in the Alliance saw it as a betrayal. Lyse was furious, Yugiri shaken, Hien struck silent. But for Alisaie, it wasn’t the facts that stung. It was the fundamental lack of a trust from a friend. Thinking on it again, she doesn’t care who or what Aureia was in her past, that is all long gone now. But she did—does—care that she never trusted her enough to tell her on her.

She was angry. She was angry even as their friends fell one by one, pulled to the First by the Exarch’s summoning. She was still angry when she herself was taken.

It was a year before she saw Aureia again, and by then things had changed. There is only so long anyone in their right mind can hold onto past hurts when there are more important things at stake, but even if their forgiveness has been unconditional, it has been unspoken. And if they do not speak of it… perhaps the shadow of it will never disappear.  

“I do,” Alisaie says finally, lowering her arm. “But I wouldn’t say I was entirely reasonable on that front. It would be insincere of me not to recognize my own faults while shunning you for yours.”

Aureia nods quietly and pulls her knees into her chest, resting her chin atop them. A breeze picks up, tugging at her loose hair as it rushes through the grass. “I don’t know what I can say,” she says. “I can offer an explanation, if you would like. I can say that I’m sorry. And I am. I have no good reason as to why I hid this from the Scions, but most of all from you.”

“I think you do.” Alisaie pushes herself up on her elbows, gazing calmly across the clearing. A few adventurers have struck out from the fortress, some by foot on the road, others taking flight by amaro. “When you have finally found your place, you are terrified of losing it. I think it’s understandable that anyone would do what they feel is right to hold onto what is dearest to them.”

“Yet by doing so I almost lost you all.”

“And you found us again.” She glances at her, a smile on her face. “That’s the most important part, isn’t it?”

Aureia smiles back. “For what it’s worth,” she says after a moment. “I think our duel does count as a draw.”

“Then I’ll be certain to beat you properly next time.”

[generalpierrotdameron]

[...] What is crystal (kyber?) clear is that before Star Wars can have another successful show, the loudest voices online need to realize the Star Wars they want to return to never existed in the first place. Will the real Star Wars please stand up?  [...] Much of the online discourse around Star Wars has centered on the franchise’s most recent live action projects. First premiering in 2019, these include The Mandalorian,  The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, and The Acolyte. The market has been oversaturated with stories, especially many that occur within the same time frames, with fans frankly, getting tired and in some cases — outright bored. Each of the projects has had its own reception — and own problems. However the low audience scores, angry YouTube rants, and long Reddit threads can really boil down to one question: who determines what’s real Star Wars? First as a film, and then a trilogy, Star Wars established early on to viewers that even when they were focused on a set of powerful twins and a dark Empire, shit was going down on literally every other planet. This freedom has allowed for endless story arcs across decades. But while opportunities have been endless — the patience of fans hasn’t.  Take for example the most recent series, The Acolyte. Created by Leslye Headland (Bachelorette, Russian Doll), the series follows Mae and Osha Aniseya, a pair of mysterious twins (both played by Amandla Stenberg) who baffle a group of Jedi. [...] But well before the show premiered, vocal online fans mocked Stenberg’s casting, calling the series evidence that Disney was capitulating to a “woke” crowd by having multiple people of color in the cast. They also criticized news that the show would include queer characters, including a coven of witches. This week, Deadline reported that Disney canceled the series after just one season. Fans upset with what they called a social justice warrior direction for Star Wars celebrated, calling the show disrespectful to the original films, and simply not the Star Wars they loved. X owner Elon Musk even celebrated the news of the show’s cancellation, appearing to tweet a redacted version of the phrase, ‘Go woke, go broke.” [...]This backlash of racism, sexism, and online abuse seems consistent across all Star Wars projects — most heavily targeted at leads of color. But when online pundits criticize Star Wars for taking a “woke” direction, they ignore the power that exists in the source material to begin with. But what it seems like extreme fans don’t realize is that they’re creating a space where even the truest of Star Wars fans still wouldn’t want to participate. Let’s be real. If you thought you could make the next great Star Wars iteration, but you knew that your project could be lambasted simply for casting a person of color, is that where you would invest your time? Or if you were an actor of  color choosing between two roles you believed in, would you pick the one that came with an almost guaranteed hate campaign? The Star Wars fans clamoring for a return to the originals aren’t just talking nonsense, they’re ruining their chances to see the franchise they love grow in any meaningful way. Star Wars is about a galaxy filled with endless choices, battles, and people trying to make a difference. The fans who are loudest at the moment aren’t just willfully ignoring Lucas’ original vision. They’re making their own worlds smaller in the process.

👉 Renew the Acolyte - Sign the petition!

[xenodile]

Alphinaud and Alisaie are my favorite characters in FFXIV and I ship them both with my WoL but I do not trust anyone else that does the same because they invariably get it Wrong. I've only seen one person on twitter that really Gets It.

Alphinaud is a petty, selfish prick that came to Eorzea with a messiah complex because his grandpa saved Eorzea five years ago and now Alphinaud wants to prove himself by doing the same. He's got a massive ego because he was the youngest and smartest kid in school but didn't actually have any friends because his male peers couldn't stand how much a smug arrogant control freak he was, while his female peers just fawned over a cute boy that was trying so very hard to prove how smart and mature he was, so he has no idea of how to actually view other people as equals, and it only gets worse when he actually succeeds at saving Eorzea with that self-important mindset. The only person he actually has any respect for is his sister, and even to her he's an arrogant control freak.

He has a grudge against Minfilia because she's the actual leader of the Scions and inheritor of Louisoix's staff and legacy, which Alphinaud feels belong to him as Louisoix's grandson, and he makes no effort to hide that contempt by controlling the Warrior of Light, working independently of the other Scions, telling her how to run the organization, and ultimately forming the Crystal Braves to replace the Scions.

His relationship with the Warrior of Light is one that starts as manipulation, he needs a pawn to set his plans in motion, so he waits until the Warrior of Light is isolated and without guidance to step in and introduce himself as the brilliant leader that will save the day and outlines how everything will be fine if they listen to him. In the course of this he develops a fondness for the Warrior of Light, but not really as a person, more a favored tool or a pet. He sees them as his property and is more than happy to rub the WoL's willingness to listen to him in Minfilia's face.

This all changes at the Bloody Banquet, when the Crystal Braves are seized by Lolorito, Raubhan is maimed, Nanamo is "assassinated", those loyal to Alphinaud are killed, and the Scions are framed for it all. Having his perfectly laid plan that he shamelessly copied from his grandfather fall apart overnight and having a tremendous amount of blood dumped on his hands is a severe wake up call. It forces him to acknowledge that he was playing with people's lives as though they were disposable, including those that trusted and wholeheartedly believed in him. He also meets Estinien, who doesn't respect his noble heritage, who doesn't immediately listen to every little thing he says, but is nonetheless willing to help him try and fix things. It changes how Alphinaud views other people and makes him start actually respecting others, as well as makes him second guess his own brilliance because his plan was not as perfect as he thought, and a lot of people got hurt because of it.

Alphinaud has the classic arc of pride going before the fall, and his recovery from that self-righteous worldview that lead to it happening, and his relationship with the Warrior of Light becoming one of mutual respect after initially seeing them as a tool. And this extends to all people, as he sees the cost of war, of how the actions of those that believe themselves righteous, wise, or justified costs the lives of innocent people, Alphinaud becomes more of a humanitarian, valuing each and every person sometimes more than he values himself. He's characterized by the regret he feels for his selfishness and spends the entire rest of the story trying to atone for it.

Alisaie, by contrast, is a stubborn, asocial bitch with a chip on her shoulder who came to Eorzea to see what's so special about it that the one person she truly respected and admired went and killed himself for it, only to be disappointed. Growing up with Alphinaud means Alisaie has a very deep set inferiority complex. No matter what she does she'll always be comparing herself to her perfect, top of the class, most popular* boy in school twin brother. She similarly had no friends but it was because she was so busy pushing herself to keep up with Alphinaud that she neglected all social interaction, made worse by the fact she she's a lesbian that kept getting hit on by older girls because they thought she was her brother, only for them to then be disappointed she's actually just Alphinaud's sister. The only person that doesn't treat her as second banana and respects her as an individual is her grandpa, so she's understandably distraught when he leaves home when she's 11 years old and dies a few months later in a foreign country. It would be hard for her not to start feeling like there's no reason to live.

When Alisaie arrives in Eorzea, she's already very misanthropic. She wants someone to blame for Louisoix's death and is holding the greater populace of Eorzea responsible, so when the combined populations of three nations aren't shining beacons of moral purity and enlightenment, she feels pretty justified in hating the world and resenting her grandfather for abandoning her in favor of a bunch of savages. She still wants to believe in him of course, she's still grieving and wants to find some meaning or closure for the death of the one person that made her feel like she was worth anything, so she delves into the Binding Coils.

It's here when we start seeing the cracks in Alisaie's worldview. She's so fixated on Louisoix and his loss, and so deep in her own self-loathing, that she's blind to the good in the world. She doesn't recognize that there are people that really do like her and care for her, because in her self-doubt and isolation, she convinced herself that her grandpa was the only person that even knew she existed. Urianger gets the WoL to go after Alisaie, and Alphinaud pulls strings to make sure her investigation goes smoothly because they both care about her. The servants her parents sent with her nearly die trying to help her because they believe in helping her find closure, but she doesn't even remember their names because in her eyes, everyone around her might as well not exist because she thinks they don't see her as a person.

Alisaie's frustration is rooted in helplessness. She couldn't "catch up" to Alphinaud, no matter how hard she tried in school he was always smarter and more well liked. She couldn't stop Louisoix from going to Eorzea, and now he's dead. She wants to find the truth behind the 7th Umbral Calamity, but she can't get past the Allagan defenses without help.

At every step she feels isolated because she's not good enough, not strong enough, there's always someone or something better that renders her efforts meaningless. But once she starts making progress with help, she starts to turn around. She initially begrudges the Warrior of Light just because they're the nearest person when she's frustrated that she needs help, but it quickly gives way because getting answers and actually accomplishing what she wants, even if it's indirectly, is a euphoric feeling when she's spent so much of her life feeling like she can't do anything at all.

Alisaie is given three foils across the story of Binding Coils: the Warrior of Light, Nael van Darnus, and Bahamut.

The WoL is proof of Alisaie's weakness, the hero she has to rely on to actually achieve anything because she herself is powerless, but by the same token, is proof that Alisaie isn't alone. The fact she has someone willing to help her, who is in turn evidence of other people willing to help her, shows that her doubt and lack of confidence are self-imposed and she's capable of more than she believes. The Warrior of Light inspires her and gives her something she wants to become, the person that CAN make changes and in turn help others, moving her away from the selfish focus on her brother being adored by others,

Nael van Darnus is initially framed as the one responsible for Louisoix's death, leader of the XIVth legion that invaded Eorzea, the one that started the Meteor Project, and Alisaie is set to hate him. But then it's revealed that Nael is actually his unnamed, unknown twin sister, who carried on her brother's legacy after he died to bring forth the Meteor Project and both her Bahamut's puppets the entire time, showing they too were powerless in spite of all they did. This is obviously reflecting how Alisaie herself ended up isolated and alone as she pushed herself to try and match her idealized idea of Alphinaud's competence and talent, and how self-destructive that kind of idolization of a loved one is. (Which in turn also plays into Alphinaud mimicking Louisoix in the main story)

And finally is Bahamut himself, the dreadwyrm, the elder primal. Unilaterally the single strongest entity in the world, if not the game as a whole, who spent the past several millennia trapped in a cage incapable of acting until he broke free in a single moment of rage and grief. This is the final step in changing Alisaie's worldview, as she sees even the most powerful entity in existence can also be helpless, unable to do anything to protect what it loves, letting hatred and resentment brew in its heart until it's blind to everything around it, just like Alisaie herself was in the wake of Louisoix's death.

The expedition forces Alisaie to understand that strength and agency are not the same thing, and power does not guarantee success or prevent failure. She understands that value in reaching out to others when she feels weak or alone, and how she in turn can be there when others need that help.

But that's not the end of the road for her development. While she takes what she learned in Binding Coils to heart, she still develops a bit of a fixation on the Warrior of Light as the hero that allowed her to come to this revelation and gave her the closure she needed, and she starts to think of them as invincible. They become the new goal she aspires to chase, like she used to chase Alphinaud to be recognized and adored like he was, now she wants to stand on equal footing to the Warrior of Light and be recognized by them. However, Stormblood and Shadowbringers both give her pretty harsh wake up calls that the Warrior of Light is in fact, not invincible. She's reminded of Bahamut's helplessness when her hero in turn stumbles and must rely on her and the other Scions in their moments of weakness. Her goal shifts away from wanting the WoL's recognition for her strength, but to be someone they can always look to for support and be capable of providing it, because Alisaie knows she can always look to the WoL for support.

And the reason I type all this out, when I feel the need to explain it all in such exacting detail, is because I see so many depictions of them that just don't get it. Depictions that reduce them to stupid kids with no emotional depth, that write them off as innocent and naive with no capacity for wrong doing. That simplify them to "hot headed fight girl with a crush on the main character" and "kind hearted fancy lad with no common sense" with no understanding or even acknowledgement of their development and the nuance of their stories.

Which is why I just don't trust anyone else with them, except that one person on twitter that remembers that Alphinaud was like one more win away from becoming a RPG villain in his own right.

[balladingbard]

Some Thoughts on Elidibus (and Why We May See Him Again)…

I know it’s technically end of the embargo, so I’ll spoiler tag just in case, but phew…let’s talk about Elidibus' character arc and that ending in Pandæmonium, eh?

I admit that as far as the unsundered went, Emet-Selch has always been my favorite. But boy howdy did Pandæmonium shoot Elidibus to the top spot for a tie.

One of the things I noticed that the raid series as a whole did beautifully was show just how close Elidibus and (our) Azem was in the past. We like to think that the Emet-Hyth-Azem trio was the strongest relationship (and it probably was), but Pandæmonium hints that Elidibus was probably just as close to Azem, very similarly like G’raha Tia is with the WoL. Elidibus calls Azem “his dear friend”, just like Emet-Selch, and from what we can gather (he being the 13th seat and Azem being the 14th), they worked closely together. Elidibus mentions in a side comment that Azem would take over his duties while he was in Pandæmonium, and it was the both of them who initially started the investigation.

I used to wonder why the devs compared G’raha to Elidibus, when in the final showdown in Shadowbringers, I didn’t really see the connection. But now that we see the full picture, it’s a lot more clear. Emet-Selch mentions in “Ere Our Curtain Falls” that Elidibus really looked up to the Convocation members. But in that same story, we see Elidibus pondering “Azem’s fresh perspective on things”, much to Emet’s chagrin. Lahabrea even makes a side comment in Pandæmonium about Azem’s influence on Elidibus, and just like G’raha is inspired by the WoL, Elidibus is inspired by Azem.

But there’s another interesting tidbit that may be a bit of a stretch, I admit, but I can’t help but wonder all the same (and it relates to our influence on him.)

I think Elidibus’ journey with us in Pandæmonium inspired him to leave Zodiark.

We know that the Convocation (aside from Azem) was very big on observing. Let things happen naturally and all that. In the start of Pandæmonium, Elidibus is clear on investigating things like a typical Convocation member would. But after seeing the Warrior of Light and Erichthonios’ devotion to rescuing the other warders, and how successful they were at it, Elidibus’ tune begins to change. In our last conversation in the Aetherial Sea, we see Elidibus mention that seeing the Warrior of Light “cross this vast expanse” simply due to being devoted to their allies was something he could now understand.

Did the devotion he saw in us (and even Erichthonios) become the catalyst that made him leave Zodiark? It’s hard to say, but he mentions in the Crystal Tower that he left Zodiark to return to his people because they were disagreeing and he was needed. He wasn’t content to sit back and observe like he was supposed to. Instead, he left his spot as Zodiark’s heart and jumped back into the chaos (much like Azem/WoL would’ve done.)

Speaking of Zodiark, Pandæmonium makes a clear point just who was the real Elidibus. Throughout the raid series, despite revealing himself as Elidibus, he is called "Themis". Even after the raid's conclusion, his true name remains. Yet throughout ARR-Endwalker, he retains his title.

In "Ere Our Curtain Falls", Emet-Selch mentions that the change in Elidibus' personality and being started after he separated from Zodiark.

One of the most common questions that has come up over the years as who the Ascians are (and what motivated them) is, "Are they villains? Heroes? Or a bit of both?" Depending on who you ask, you'll get a different answer, but I think Pandæmonium revealed a tragedy about Elidibus. While Emet-Selch and Lahabrea made clear and concise choices (with some tempering from Zodiark, but as the Loporrits said, it was more of a gentle tug than full-blown mind control), Elidibus' was more...muddled. At the time of the sundering, he was essentially a primal. His actions and motivations are guided by the hopes and prayers of the people. Were the decisions he made as an Ascian his choice? And if they were, how much influence did being a primal have on those choices?

We often compare Ysayle/Shiva to Elidibus in explaining becoming a human primal, but Ysayle's Shiva was based on her choices and hopes. Elidibus' was based on an entire people. And as Erichthonios says in the Aetherial Sea, "Themis would never have wanted to be your enemy." Words in a story matter - and I can't help but wonder if this was the writer's way of saying that had Elidibus not had that primal influence, perhaps he wouldn't have gone down the Ascian road.

All that is to say, Pandæmonium showed us the real Elidibus. Not the primal, not the Ascian, but Themis - the young prodigy who looked up to heroes and wanted to be one himself (cough cough G'raha Tia).

And so that leaves us with a final point - what was up with that ending?

One of the things Elidibus mentions in both Seat of Sacrifice and in Pandæmonium Circle 11 is immortality. I've seen some mention this as well as it's a bit odd that Elidibus keeps mentioning it. "I am immortal" and "I am the emissary, and I shall never die" are sentences that have big meaning and aren't to be thrown around lightly (especially since the guy saying it is dead at this point.)

I think his talk on immortality is in regards to his soul - that despite the cycle of death and rebirth, his soul lives on. And as we see in his journey through the Aetherial Sea, his soul is still going strong. But Pandæmonium throws a curve ball at us, showing Elidibus pondering on the state of the star. The victors write history, he muses, but then he mentions the path the star is taking, almost as if he's concerned. I've heard others mention that with the sundering, the other shards tend to gravitate towards unbalance and that can cause calamities, and with Hydaelyn and Zodiark out of the picture, there's really no one to make sure things stay in place. Perhaps this is what Elidibus is thinking about? How perhaps there's something going on and the star is headed towards disaster, and as the judge who weighed the scales and kept things in balance, he felt as if something needed to be done.

I agree with a lot of folks that him "seeing the light" at the end was him being reborn. How, when, and where is, of course, a mystery, but I do think that this was him "jumping back into the fight" like Azem. He's not one to sit idle and observe like the others, and out of the unsundered, he'd be the first to skip the nap and dive right back in. But as I've said before, words in stories have meaning. And especially with game writing, because words are few and far between in these cutscenes, they carry an even bigger importance.

Why show Elidibus being "reborn" if we don't see him again?

Grant it, it could just be a poetic end where it's a story of his redemption and it's meant to make us say, "Yay! Themis is going to get a second chance and maybe be a hero this time!" But I think there's more to it.

First, seeing the light I think means more than just being reborn. It could also symbolize that he's coming back as a true-blue Warrior of Light (or at least as close as one can be now that Hydaelyn's gone.) Second, his soul was originally left in the First. Somehow, he ended back up in the Source (and we aren't sure how), but perhaps seeing the light means he's going back to the First to be reborn? With time being a bit funky between the shards, it wouldn't be impossible to see a young Themis gallivanting around the First as a hero soon. And then there's the influence of him being Zodiark's heart. Did it somehow affect his soul and the cycle of rebirth? Is he truly immortal as he's been saying and somehow, we'll see Themis pop up and say, "Surprise! I'm back!"

Time will tell and I'm sure in the coming expansions, we'll get answers. Either way, bravo on the writers for such a touching and wonderful send-off to Elidibus.

[forgotten-contract]

'I am but a drop of water, longing for the sea.'

-

[Have a doodle cause Sil and his entire history makes me sad.]

[silvrash-797]

@ajscico The long-awaited conclusion to the Time/Fierce Deity arc! This one has a song to go with it, too - Healing Termina by Theophany

Night's dark grasp (pt 3)

Day 26: "help them"

Part 1 | Part 2

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Twilight had taken second watch for the night, opting to patrol as Wolfie until it was time to switch with Hyrule. So far it had been a quiet night, no nightmares or restless sleep for anyone. He was on his second long loop around camp when something shifted in the woods. A sense of rage erupted from the far side of camp, blinding in its intensity, driving Twilight to his belly in fear, whimpering. The feeling soon retreated, and Twilight stood on shaky legs, carefully sniffing the air.

That can’t be good. Twilight loped back to camp to check on everyone. Wind was curled up in Warriors' scarf, Sky and Four nearby. Wild was on his side near Twilight’s bedroll, sleeping peacefully for once. Hyrule was clinging to Legend's arm, both of their faces screwed up like they were having a nightmare. And Time was…

Where was Time?

Dread filled his belly as he sniffed around Time's abandoned bedroll. No sign of a struggle, but that sharp scent of rage burned in his nostrils, heading off in a direct path out into the woods, leading towards the abandoned temple they had been tasked to clear out.

He immediately shifted back to Hylian, tucking his shadow crystal under his tunic as he began the frankly terrifying task of waking up a bunch of traumatized heroes in the middle of the night. He started with Sky and Wind, as they were usually the least stab-happy of the bunch. With a quick, “Time's missing, get everyone up,” they helped wake the others, and soon the Chain – sans Time – was gathered around, ready to hear what Twilight had to say.

Once everyone was settled, Warriors was quick to take charge. “What’s going on Rancher? Wind says Time's missing?”

“I was out on patrol as Wolfie when I felt an intense energy shift coming from camp. I couldn’t move for a minute, but when I could I came right back here.”

“I think I felt that, too,” Hyrule interrupted. “I thought it was just a nightmare, but it felt like a rampaging hinox was crushing me.”

Legend scoffed his agreement, wincing at the memory. “Same here.”

Twilight nodded. As two of the most magically sensitive members of the Chain, it made sense that they would have picked up on the feeling.

“When I got back, he was gone and a scent trail led from his bedroll towards the temple. The scent was Time's, but…it was…off. Raw. Furious.”

The Chain looked at each other in shock. Time never got angry.

Wind broke the silence. “So…we’re going after him, right?”

Warriors gave him a small smile and pulled him into a hug. “Of course, kiddo. There wasn’t any question.” He turned to the rest of the heroes. “Pack up, everyone. We leave in 10 minutes.”

-----

Twilight, as Wolfie, led the chain through the forest, tension mounting within each hero at the path of destruction woven through the foliage. Twilight grew even more concerned when the trail they were following began to intermingle with the ever-growing scent of monsters. Worse, they smelled infected. I hope Time's okay.

When the Chain arrived at the temple’s entrance, they gawked at the destruction before them. Black blood was everywhere, and there were gouges in the temple walls, as if some great sword had been sent to desecrate the place.

Twilight shifted back to Hylian, and the heroes all gathered around Warriors who looked concerned and…resigned?

Wars took a deep breath and let it out entirely before shifting to Captain mode. “I have an idea of what happened to Time, and I don’t like it. Twilight, take Wind, Sky and Legend, follow Time's trail. The rest of us will check out the rest of the temple, clear any monsters we find.”

“Not gonna give us a hint, Cap?” Legend asked.

Wars sighed again. “Just…be careful, please. I’m hoping the only reason I’m sending Sky with you is for the Master Sword, not his reputation as a Godslayer.”

…That’s not terrifyingly cryptic, Twilight thought as he shifted back to Wolfie. Immediately the mingling scents of Furious-Time and terrified monsters assailed his senses and he sneezed, wincing at the tang in the air.

Sky looked down at him in concern. “You gonna be okay, Twi?”

Twilight huffed out a breath and nodded, leading the way further into the temple.

The four of them met no resistance, monstrous or otherwise, as they made their way through, although Twilight could sense the trepidation growing in each of the other heroes. Before long they were standing in front of a large, ornately carved door.

Legend eyed it for a moment, then smirked. “Well, that just screams boss room, doesn’t it?”

The comment drained some of the tension among the group. Wind and Sky chuckled, and Twilight managed a wolfish laugh before shifting back.

Twilight rubbed at his nose, trying to clear it. “He’s definitely through there, him and a lot of monsters.”

That caused a pause in the group. Sky finally broke the silence. “What do we think happened? Should we make a plan?”

“What do we know?” Wind asked.

Legend began listing points off on his fingers. “Time disappeared in the middle of the night. He’s angry. There hasn’t been a single monster in this goddess-forsaken temple, except apparently here in the boss room. Did I miss anything?”

“Wars chose us specifically to find Time,” Twilight reminded him.

“Oh, right. The protégé, the Godslayer, the Veteran, and the kid.”

“I’m not a kid, Lege!” Wind protested. “For your information, I know why Wars was worried about needing a Godslayer.”

Legend blinked at him, nonplussed. “You do?”

“Yes, I do. In the War of Eras, Kid Time had a really powerful mask he would use to help turn the tides of a battle if things were going wrong – the Fierce Deity’s mask.

“I thought he’d gotten rid of it, since I haven’t seen it even when we’ve had really tough battles, but…” Wind paused, swallowed, “something might have gone wrong.”

“I’ve heard of the Fierce Deity,” Legend said, “even got to play around with his sword for a bit on one of my adventures…wonderful.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out a hard breath. “So, if I’m understanding right, there’s a high chance Time's been, what, possessed by this Deity?”

“Unfortunately that is what it sounds like,” Sky grimaced. “So, a plan?”

Twilight shook his head. “There’s still a lot we don’t know. Be ready for a fight; we’ll have to play it by ear once we see what we’re dealing with. Whatever’s happening, we need to help him…help them.”

Everyone nodded in agreement and readied their weapons, then Twilight pushed the door open.

Once the four heroes were through, the door slammed shut behind them. Each flinched and glanced back in turn, but no bars fell across the door. A swift glance around the room alleviated some concerns and brought others to the fore.

The only sign monsters had ever been in the room was the thick scent of blood in the air and the dark, bloody puddles across the tile floor. Across the room, a tall figure in heavy plate armor stood with his back to the heroes.

Twilight cleared his throat and took a few steps towards the figure. “Old Man?” he called. “Time, is that you?”

The voice that responded was similar to Time's, but it was deeper, louder, with intense emotion simmering below the surface. “The Hero of Time sleeps, young Hero of Twilight. I am all that remains.”

The Deity turned its face to the heroes, and Twilight took a step back as blank, emotionless eyes stared right through him, glowing with unearthly light under a shock of white hair. “Why have you come? The infected threat has been nullified. You are no longer needed. Return to your rest.”

“Yeah, that’s the thing,” Legend drawled, voice projecting strength and confidence. “We woke up to find our leader gone, we’re just here to bring him back to camp with us.”

Wind stepped forward. “C'mon Fierce, let him go, please?”

The blank gaze turned to Wind who, to his credit, did not take a step back at the intensity contained within. “Hero of Winds. It has been a while since we met…But your pleas are useless. I have escaped the confines of the mask. I alone control this body. The Hero of Time sleeps, and I will ensure that he cannot take it from me.”

The Fierce Deity drew its double helix blade, but made no move to attack. “Your request is denied. Leave now, and I will not harm you.”

Twilight looked between the other heroes and saw the same determination in their eyes that burned in his heart. The Wolf surged inside him, and he bared his teeth at the Deity. “We’re not leaving without Time.”

“Then you will not leave at all.”

With speed and grace belied by its height and bulk, the Deity moved to strike. Sky intercepted the swipe aimed at Twilight's head, bracing himself against the strength of the blow.

“Twi!” he gasped as he pushed the Deity back. “Fi didn’t burn me – she doesn’t recognize him as a hero!” Sky parried another strike. “I’ll keep him occupied – go help them figure out a way to get Time back!”

Twilight nodded and made a beeline to the younger heroes. They were already deep in discussion, although they both kept one eye on the fight unfolding before them.

“Rancher, I have a crazy idea and it’s your fault.”

“Lege, I – what? What do you mean my fault?”

Legend, filled with nervous energy, shifted from foot to foot as he explained. “Before we opened the door you said we’d have to play it by ear. The Deity told us twice that Time was sleeping.” He paused, thinking.

“…And…?” Twilight prompted.

“…And I happen to know a song that can wake dreamers, and an ocarina to play it on. The problem is separating them once Time's awake…”

“This is basically a curse, right?” Twilight asked. “The Master Sword should be able to handle separating them – that must’ve been what Wars meant by sending the Master Sword with us.”

Wind was filled with the same nervous energy as Legend, fidgeting with his necklace as he watched Sky and the Deity circle each other. “But Fierce said he escaped the confines of the mask, so there’s nothing physical to anchor his spirit to.”

Legend thought for a bit longer, then pulled out his ice rod. He shot a thick stream at the Fierce Deity, temporarily freezing him in place. “Sky!” he shouted, “Get over here!”

Sky came, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he watched the Deity slowly free itself. “What's the plan, guys?”

“The Vet knows a song he thinks can wake Time. We need the Master Sword and something to anchor the Deity’s spirit to.” Twilight explained. A thought came to him. “You don’t happen to have a carving on you that you’re okay parting with, do you?”

Sky stilled for a long moment, staring. Eventually, he pulled what looked like a half-finished cutting board from his pack. “I was working on this for Wild, but cutting boards are pretty easy to carve in the scheme of things.”

Twilight took it in hand as Legend shot another stream of ice at the Deity. It was bigger than Time's masks usually were, but it would suffice. He handed it to Wind. “You’re in charge of this. Keep it safe, okay?” He turned back to Legend. “Give me your ice rod – I’ll try to keep him in place while you work. This is going to take all of us.”

Twilight took Sky's arm. “The moment we get confirmation that Time's awake, we need the Master Sword to seal the Deity's spirit in the wood. Do you think she can handle it?”

Sky grasped the sword’s hilt with both hands and closed his eyes. It flared brightly for a moment before a gentle chime rang from the metal. Sky opened his eyes and nodded. “She’s ready.”

“Then let’s get Time back.” Legend wasted no time in pulling his ocarina from his pack. He raised the instrument to his lips, beginning to play a lilting, haunting melody.

The moment the notes sounded, the Deity roared, fighting harder to free itself. Twilight sent another stream of ice its way, silently apologizing to Time for the cold. Sky hovered close by, ready to fight if the Deity escaped.

As the last notes of Legend's song echoed through the room, the Deity stilled, frozen in mind as well as body.

Twilight watched its face anxiously. “Come on, Old Man. Come back to us,” he whispered.

A shudder rocked the Deity's frame. Color flickered in its left eye, resolving into a familiar deep blue iris. Its mouth opened.

The voice that emerged was weak but immensely familiar. Time’s voice. “Pup,” he whispered, “help…”

Powerful relief washed over Twilight, and he grinned as he shouted, “Now, Sky!”

Sky held the flat of the blade to the right side of the Deity's face, keeping it steady as it worked to pull the Deity from Time's mind and body. Time's eye, tired, terrified, pained, stayed fixed on Twilight through the process.

Slowly, the armor vanished piece by piece, the light blue tunic fading to Time's cream undershirt. Golden blond hair replaced the white. The markings on the left side of Time's face disappeared as the otherworldly glow faded from the right eye before it shut of its own accord.

In just a few eternal minutes, the Deity was gone, and Time stood, trembling, before them.

Legend shot a gentle blast of heat from his fire rod to melt the ice, and Time collapsed. Twilight caught him before he could hit the floor, pulling off his pelt to wrap around the freezing hero. Time shivered, panting, in his hold.

They watched Sky as he took the Master Sword to Wind and placed its tip to the cutting board in the Sailor's hands. Waves of blue, white and gold rolled off the blade as the Fierce Deity was channeled into the heart of the wood, until a bright flash of light caused each hero to close their eyes.

When they opened them, the colorful waves had stopped, the sword was still, and a tiny Triforce had been branded into the wood, surrounded by the chevron and stripes of the Deity's marks.

Time heaved a deep sigh then looked at the four heroes surrounding him. Gratitude shone from his eye. “Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you for freeing me.”

Twilight returned the look with a watery smile, pulling the older hero into a tight embrace. “You’re welcome,” he whispered back.

[voidsentprinces]

Unfriendly reminder, that in Shadowbringers all the Scions repeat the same arcs they've had before but with different outcomes. Thancred once again puts his guilt and the blame on himself just as he did in ARR but instead of letting exhaustion get the better of him and allow him to be possessed by darker forces at play he finds resolve in it, Urianger is forced to lie to us once again at the expense of another and in doing so will see the salvation of the First and the Source once more but instead he is able to save both the Warrior of Light and G'raha Tia instead of losing Minfilia and the Warriors of Dark in the process, Y'shtola once again secludes herself among a people who are distant from civilization but instead of the Limsans who do not heed her wisdom until well after Shadowbringers Runar's people heed her words and find salvation faster and she sacrifices herself once more saving her people when before she had lost Minfilia and Thancred when she used Flow, Alphinaud is faced with the corruption of upper class peoples who care more about their personal pleasures than the outside world, but unlike with the Crystal Braves he relies on all the Scions to help oust Vauthry from his throne of power and cause real change among Eulmore and its people, Alisaie once again strikes out on her own in an attempt to find the answers to our seemingly inevitable and prophecized fate and while she does lose Tesleen, she eventually finds a means to save Ga Bu and the Tempered. And in a way save the people her Grandfather had sacrificed for. G'raha Tia once again delves into the secrets of the Crystal Tower and stand against a world of darkness, but unlike last time where he could do little more than stand on the side lines. He is able to help banish the darkness and become the hero he always wanted to be in his youth. Estinien tries to handle things alone and is immediately hunted down by Krile and Tataru and bullied into--wait a minute that isn't what happen befo