#Timaeus is Melisie's little changeling child!

[lunarosewood23]

FFXIVWrite2022 Prompt 7: Pawn

Zephirin reflects on the final fight and defeat of the blasphemy, and the cost his little brother paid in the process.

~~~

Zephirin frowned as he looked down at Timaeus, his breathing slow, almost too slow, but even. The final fight against Profane Fafnir was brutal, but they managed to win and put the former expungator to rest.

The cost of that however, was not something his little brother should’ve had to pay.

"I was supposed to be the pawn Bishop Vartinoux and the church would use to restore Ishgard to its former glory. Let me instead steer Ishgard towards her future." Timaeus says, his knight egis surrounding the blasphemy as he drew a massive blade from his grimoire. "To me my friends! Shining Ascalon!!"

Tears stung in his eyes even as he held them back. Haumeric said he was out of critical danger, but it would still take time for him to wake up.

“Zephirin?”

He looked up to see his mother, carrying a few blankets that they both knew Timaeus and his egis adored. “How’s my little changeling?”

Zephirin sighed as he looked down again. “No change. It’s only been a few days but it feels like sennights.”

Melisie frowned as she put the blankets over him and tucked him in like a child before brushing the bangs from his eyes. “Is there really nothing else we can do for the boy?”

“Unfortunately no, not without risking our own lives.” He replied as he slumped in his chair. “Blessed Fury...”

“I know what you’re thinking, my sunset wind, and I beg you, do not blame yourself for this.” Melisie pleaded with her son as she took his hands in hers. “Timaeus wouldn’t want that either.”

“Timaeus shouldn’t have had to risk himself for all of us. There were fifteen of us fighting the blasphemy, why was my little brother the one who almost died saving us...” 

“Maybe because he didn’t want you giving anymore than you already have.” Melisie replied firmly, making Zephirin look at her as she squeezed his hands. “All twelve of you have already sacrificed your lives as pawns for the Archbishop’s asinine ambitions. Aymeric has all of Ishgard on his back and Raven? Fury keep the girl she has the whole star upon her shoulders.”

Zephirin sighed as he looked back to his little brother and squinted when he saw the blankets suddenly begin to move. Melisie looked over and slowly pulled back the blankets to reveal the head of a golden carbuncle.

“Oh!” Melisie jumped, startled as Zephirin smiled and rubbed at the carbuncle’s ears.

“I hope this means he’ll wake up soon.” He mumbles as the carbuncle licks at his hand. “What do you think Angel?”

The carbuncle made a burr noise at him as it jumped over to sit in his lap.