#FFXIVshorts

[sweetautumngem]

Always ready to throw hands.

[rafencarino]

Justice for the Dead In the Aethereal sea shortly after Hydaelyn's defeat. Warning: Spoilers ahead for those who haven't gotten there. The Great Primal was laid low, having suffered too much damage from the Scions and the Triumverate. She hadn't completely faded away after her plea, though the other Scions, Jahleen and Mahreen had begun retracing their steps, Rafen stayed behind, red eyes burning with anger, hate. Hydaelyn stared at him sadly. "Must you hate me so? After everything?" Rafen tilted his head. "Give me a reason not to."

"I tried to send her back. I pushed, but I was so weak." Rafen's face twisted into a sneer. "So weak that you couldn't help but take her at her weakest? At her most vulnerable state of mind? It was just too easy a decision to make wasn't it? Just like Lahabrea did to Thancred, but under the guise of the greater good. You're pathetic." Hydaelyn looked away, shame filling her. Rafen had her dead to rights, and she HAD tried to guide Minfilia back, but desperation not to die had pushed her decision.

"So...you're here to what? Watch me die?" Rafen nodded, but also palmed a soulstone, turning himself into a Warrior from his Bard form. He now wore a black coat that was buttoned up to just below his chin, and a black visor covered his face. "I am, but I am also going to ensure it." Hydaelyn stared at the Rava, shocked to her core at the massive Axe that was now held in his hand. "You..." Rafen nodded interrupting her. "I made you a promise those years ago Hydaelyn. I told you I would be the one to kill you. Do you remember?" Hydaelyn nodded. "I do, shortly before Minfilia took Ardbert and the others to the first, 'Come Hell or Highwater, you would be the one to finally kill me. Not The Empire, the Ascians, or Zordiark. You. For Minfilia, and for many others." Rafen nodded as she restated his vow verbatim. "And as a Carino, and for me personally, I keep my promises." Rafen shouldered the Axe and moved towards her, the Edge of the Axe glinting in the starry light of the Aetherial Sea.

The Primal just nodded and looked away. "You do Rafen Carino. Just like Macha." He smiled at his old name briefly, but then his gaze steeled as he stopped before her. Hydaelyn shifted, so that her neck was exposed. "All I ask if that you make it quick. I've lingered long enough." Rafen just nodded, assenting to her request. "You'll get that much courtesy out of me." With that, no more words were bandied between the two, and the Rava lifted his axe, and in one swift motion, brought the weapon down.

"Raif is late." Y'shtola commented, as the group waited for him at the exit. Thancred looked back where they had come from, then back to the group. "Should we go get him?" Jahleen shook her head. "No. He is doing what he came here to do. We can wait a bit longer."

"No need." Came Rafens voice as he appeared before them, still in his Warrior form, carrying his Axe in one hand. "My business with the Primal is concluded, we can head back to Labyrinthos." Thancred noted the blood that stained the Axe head, as did Y'shtola, but the look on Rafens face said it all: Hydaelyn had been executed. "Never let it be said that a Carino doesn't keep their word." Rafen said as he passed the group. "Let's get out of here. I want to check on Fordolla and the baby before we go chasing Meteion.

[sweetautumngem]

I'd like to play all day.

[sweetautumngem]

Got my hat ✔️ and my boots ✔️

[sweetautumngem]

Have fun.

[sweetautumngem]

please don't call me hoe kage.

[sweetautumngem]

Time for some dilly dallying.

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Oh right, weeklies.

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It's okay to take rest days!

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The sharks don't judge.

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Some of my favourite glams!

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Hehehe.

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This is Ishild.

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Finally!!

[sweetautumngem]

Home.