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zeloinator · 12 days ago

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>>>> Zee Zalinos <<<<

----Below the read more is spoilers for ARR to Endwalker----

(Not super in depth but basically the Big Stuff so far for Zee's lore, also not super focused on Zee's relationships through everything, just events and especially where my other OCs play in to Zee's story~)

~ Pre-ARR ~

Zee was born under the second umbral moon, on the 24th day, and barely survived her first bells on the star. Searing with hot light aether when she was born, Zee was a tiny unknowing weapon as soon as she began to enter the world. Otsuyu, Zee’s mother, an extremely powerful mage in her own right, with the help of Zee’s grandmother, Sui, the mage who trained Otsuyu, were able to dispel the excess aether tiny baby Zee had mysteriously. Often Zee would think of her chronic pain as a symptom of her excess aether regenerating issues, her flare ups often aligning themselves with the pressure of too much aether. Though only taking on the name Zee once she had left her homelands, she has become more attached to it than her old name, never referring to herself or even giving a hint to others that Zee isn’t her birth name. But while in her homelands, a magically shielded hidden village in the mountains of [redacted], Zee grew up alongside 3 other children, 1 of which was her cousin. The village consisted of around 10 houses, all multigenerational, the warm days spent outside with the freezing nights huddled together as a family. Meals where always the way her family celebrated the most, Sui’s cooking notorious for bringing in ‘uninvited’ guests of their friends, knowing that Sui had cooked to share. Zee got her passion for cooking from her grandmother, a chore she insisted she start helping with before she dared to even speak yet. Zee was the youngest in her rather large family. She had 3 older brothers who were beginning to take over duties from their father, Kinichiro, one of the village leaders, and 4 older sisters that doted on her in between their busy days of work. She learned healing magic from her eldest sister, how to sew from her second oldest, how to manage plants and nurture them with both magic and mundane means, and how to hunt by her sister just 5 years older than her. While her sisters were involved deeply with Zee as she grew, her brothers were not. Only ever becoming close with {redacted}, Zee’s second oldest brother, the two were extraordinarily quick with their own magic, often rivaling both Otsuyu and Sui by the time Zee was 18. {Redacted} excelled in magics he could use for hunting and protecting the village, taking over as one of the shield mages of the village at just age 16. It was a quiet and isolated life from many outside cultures, traders would never come to the village but there was a decently sized market a few days' travel from their village that the hunters and artisans would bring things to sell every moon or so. Which meant most of Zee’s experience with, and knowledge of, the outside of her home village solely came from merchants and their goods. While Zee was happy with her life, she dreamed of traveling every inch of the star. She wanted to taste foods from different cultures, find different plants, see the wonders of the world around her, something she always felt was a betrayal to both her family and her homeland. On her 20th nameday Otsuyu and Sui presented Zee with their old cane, a gorgeous living branch blossoming with flowers, and clothes for travel. Giving their blessing to Zee to fulfill her dreams and then to come back home to tell them of all the places she has been to.

~A Realm Reborn~ (~1 year)

The Start of it ALL; Leaving her home was like leaving a piece of herself behind, leaving her birth name safe with her family knowing she could never speak of her home village with anyone she would meet. It was what was keeping her family and friends alive and safe from Garlean invasion and massacre. Not long after she left when the Echo hit her with the force of a carriage chocobo, bringing with it dreams of unfamiliar familiar faces and lands that felt equally strange and normal. On her first day in Eorzea, still traveling but thankfully by chocobo carriage now, Zee had what she could only describe as a glimpse into the future, or maybe it was the present happening at that exact moment in her village, she didn’t know exactly, but a vision all the same. She saw her village in flames. Magitek armor looming in the sky, floating within what should have been the village’s shield. And bodies… so… so many bodies. Of family, of friends, people she couldn’t recognize any longer. A vision Zee often see’s in her worst moments when she closes her eyes. A string within her snapped, her connection to her home shattered. In her numbness Zee can barely remember her early days in Gridania. Joining the conjurer's guild, becoming an adventurer, meeting Papalymo and Yda, all murky memories to Zee as she is lost in nightmares in sleep and the pain of being, to her knowledge, the last alive from her home. Even meeting Minfillia was a muddled memory. So much lost to her haze of depression. Though an unlikely friend came in another new recruit to the Conjurer’s guild, an elezen named Ellaeuxlynn Estara. Ell even joined the Scions upon Zee’s offer. Though Ell dropped her Conjury skills in favor of becoming the Scions apprentice weaponsmith upon Tataru’s first offer to pay for her training. After her fight with Ifrit the dreams consumed in fire began, where she was, but not as herself, killed after losing a fight to a tall Xaela wreathed in blue flames. Titan's demise brought waves of instability and visions of herself as a tall Roegadyn dancing on the air as if she weighed nothing, her fists flying in the chaos of the earthquakes. Every primal slain brought more vivid dreams, and more and more pressure of being the Scions Weapon.

Weight of the Title begins; When Zee entered Coerthas for the first time she wished she could turn around and leave immediately. Cold, windy, and far away from friends it felt all to suspicious when Lord Haurchefaunt greets her with open arms and warm drink. When Zee and the Scions find out Thancred has been possessed by Lahabrea Zee sets out to bring him back alive, and succeeds as is expected of her. Despite being a healer she is a weapon fashioned to strike and win no matter the damage. And when Alphinaud comes to Zee with ideas to form the Crystal Braves she smiles and doesn't speak her fears, she is just their tool after all. The weight of the title has officially begun pressing upon Zee uncomfortably. Zee stops shaving her other horns down, which now sprout small pink flowers that glow as she heals.

Time to Fucking Panic; When Nanamo's assassination (attempt) happens and Zee and the Scions are forced to flee for their lives, the betrayal of the Crystal Braves rips into Zee's confidence. Her already shakey belief that Lord Haurchefaunt doesn't want to just use her lessens severely as Lord Aymeric's demands increase. Resigned to her role as their Tool Zee accepts anything they need of her to provide safety for Tataru and Alphinaud.

~~Heavensward~~ (~2.5 years)

The Lizard and the Dragons; Fleeing to Ishguard was never where Zee thought she would go after her first year in Eorzea was so eventful (in good and bad ways). And then for the locals to accuse her of being part dragon on top of Everything set Zee into a very guarded heart. Rarely did she allow herself to stop, to feel, to heal her emotional wounds and not just her physical ones. Ysayle was the first to get within the walls Zee had fortified since the betrayal. There wasn't a specific moment that the two became friends, but after a time, the two would often be found in the Cloudtop area just talking. The two women both desperate to be seen by the other and to be understood. After a year the two had such a strange bond not even Tataru could understand what Zee would 'report' back about. But Zee still needed to secure Tataru and Alphinaud (and herself) a safe home, and so she forced herself to do everything she was against, and did the bidding of Ishguard.

The Fall of Nidhogg; With Estinien's ever watchful eye making sure Zee did as promised *for Ishguard*, and Ysayle needing to contemplate her own biases, Zee and Estinien kill Nidhogg. They put an end to the Dragonsong War in the way Zee desperately wanted to avoid. And when Estinien gets his hands on Nidhogg's second eye and is possessed, Zee must return and report the bittersweet news to Ysayle. Together Ysayle and Zee return to Foundation frantic to put an end to the fighting. With Haurchefaunt by their side they are successful! Aymeric gets taken into custody for heresy so Zee cannot afford to celebrate any. At the end of The Vault Haurchefaunt dives in front of the magic spear thrown at Zee, she rushes forward in efforts to help him fend off this attack, and just as Zee gets to him he is speared through with Zee's right leg being struck right above her knee. As the magic fades and Haurchefaunt realized what happened, Zee does everything she can to cover up her own wound. She manages to retain consciousness until he dies and as her grief comes bubbling up Zee passes out.

Vengance; The next time Zee awakens her right leg has been amputated and it has been a few days since Haurchefaunt's death. Stephanievien tries his hand at crafting her a prosthetic meaning to perfect it over the course of a few months as she recovers, not expecting Zee to run off with it to chase after the Archbishop. Every step is agony for her as Zee experiences phantom limb pain with complications with her prototype prosthetic increasing the distress of it. Everyone insists Zee needs to rest but she won't give time to anything but getting to the Archbishop. Love Bird, or Shade at this time, makes their first move in the chaos of Zee's chase. And Azys Lla was able to keep them safe for much longer than Zee wished it had. With Ysayle sacrificing herself in a beautiful explosion of ice. Allowing Zee to finally reach the Archbishop and stomp out his flame and the primal he summoned. After their fight Zee collapsed, the grief, rage, and pain of everything she had just lost in just a few days catching up as Zee let down her guard. The first time Zee visits Haurchefaunt's grave she starts her tradition of writing, and reading letters to him. Later crafting and adding a headstone for Ysayle in Azys Lla and doing the same with letters to Ysayle.

~~~Stormblood~~~ (~3 years)

The Scions Are Back Together; Having lost a dear friend, and a friend she wouldn't allow to become dear to her, Zee immersed herself in her work. Every work she could get her hands on really. After getting Estinien back alive and putting an end to the Dragonsong War again Zee wanted nothing more than to loose herself to 'normal' Primal fighting and simple jobs. Y'shtola's return came with her becoming kinder to Zee an the two starting to slowly become friends, Thancred's return bringing with it similar shifts in mood. Urianger stayed distant still, after his betrayal with the Warriors of Darkness he stayed away still not thinking himself worthy to attempt to make friendly. Zee and Ellaeuxlynn are able to meet up with each other for the first time in 3 years and Zee sets Ell up in Ishguard when the Elezen shows interest in the Machinests and Stephanievien's mechanic work. Yda revealing herself as Lyse sparked a quick friendship with Zee much to Papalymo's liking, as he had been urging those girls together since day one after all. Papalymo was able to see the sparks of true friendship between Zee and Lyse before he gave his life to protect them all. Lyse and Zee often seeking out each other for comfort (and more) over the next several months.

Possibilities of Home and Peace; As things became more clear their next big move was an all out war on the Garlean Empire, Zee allows herself to dream of visiting her family. After hearing news of the massive Garlean attack in her home area, and about all the reported deaths, Zee gave up hope of ever hearing from her family again. She could not write to them due to their isolationist laws, and not many people even knew about her homeland, so there was good odds to her knowledge they survived. But in reality only 2 of her family survived the attack, the Garleans found and burned her homelands to the ground. Zee's dreams of home, a free home, mirrored that of Lyse's. It was so easy for Zee to throw herself head first into getting that dream to come true the best way she could, being their weapon.

Zenos' first victory left both a physical and mental scar on everyone in Rhalgar's Reach, Zee included. Shade, Love Bird's name at the time, reappears after their first clash at the end of Heavensward, fighting with more desperation and edge than Zee had seen from them before but still she ended victorious.

Gathering Even More for the Rebellion; As serious as everything surrounding Zee was, she still took such joys in meeting new people, helping them, and seeing their hope of freedom. Leaving The Ruby Sea to find Hein in The Azim Steppe truly changed Zee forever. From her home village of a handful of families to the vast stretches of the Steppe filled with numerous tribes of the Xaela shocked Zee to her core. Hein having been taken in by the Mol certainly helped Zee feel the most comfortable in their tents, but there was also some of her grandmother she couldn't help but see in Temulun. Especially with how the gods spoke to her, just like the spirits and elements did to her grandmother. Lyse, Cirina, and Zee become close friends in the time until the Naadam. Sadu beginning to show interest in Zee shortly after their first meeting, despite it being a rocky one. Learning more about each of the Xaela tribes truly changing how Zee approaches new peoples in the future. And helped her learn of different cultures of Au'ra! Inspired Zee begins to delve into creating her own spells using the techniques of her youth and those of the White Mage as she's learned here in Eorzea. Putting her first 'draft' to use in the Naadam didn't go as planned, but it did draw Sadu's attention to Zee once more in a much more focused way. When Grynewaht and his small team attacks with a familiar assassin, Zee calls the Xaela to battle for the Steppe. Emerging victorious, Lyse, Hein, Gosetsu, and Zee wrap up their time in the Steppe and return to Yugiri. The House of the Fierce repaired and ready to begin preparations to truly begin the war.

The Fight For Doma; Zee shares a quiet moment with Lyse before the sinking of the Doman Castle. A frantic, fleeting, intimate moment before, their first of many, big fights. And as Zee takes a moment to herself, a solitary Yol surprises her with an unexpected guest. Sadu snuck off to see Zee, confessing her attraction towards Zee and establishing her polyamourus status in request for their relationship. Zee surprised even herself with accepting right then and there, but there was something about Sadu that made Zee never want her to leave, and she needed to know more. After her eventful night of wooing women, Zee finally enters a peacefully dreamless sleep, an unusual occurrence for the Warrior of Light now.

As the sun rises they begin their assault on Doma Castle, encountering Shade shortly before their battle with Grynewaht, barely alive and severely injured from the testing the Garleans had done on him Zee asks Ellaeuxlynn (newly mechanist trained and originally stopping by to give Zee Ell's first attempt at a leg prosthetic. Zee asks her to fight with her, if Ell would like to, which Ell *immediately* accepted) to escape with Shade while she and the rest of the party took on Grynewaht one last time, and then to Yotsuyu. And a ceiling collapsing. Sun setting as a new Doma rises, Hein and Zee victorious, Gosetsu sacrificing himself to ensure their victory.

And the Fight for Gyr Abania; On the ship back to Lima Lominsa Zee and Lyse have ample time to talk about their relationship, and Zee's growing partner list. Both agreeing to keep their relationship more casual as the stress on Lyse and Zee both continue mounting. They spend the trip together, savoring the final moments of calm before landing. Taking the bridge officially begins their fight for Gyr Abania's freedom. M'naggo able to return home for the first time in many years begins her and Lyse's spark of love. Its not long until Zee is forced to confront Sri Lakshmi to protect Lyse and Alisae. And when Fordola made the call to fire on her own people, and the resistance lost Conrad as its leader, Lyse is chosen as their new leader. Raubahn showing Zee and Lyse his tiny home village, reminding Lyse of her fathers words, Liberty or Death. In the tension of the night before their journey to The Loch, Zee and Lyse spar both women leaders in their own right now. Bidding a still recovering Alisaie farewell, Alphinaud and Zee set off to meet up with Pipin to discuss the final operations of their plans, and to finally get Krile back.

Liberty or Death; Arriving in The Loch, Zee attends their first war table surrounded by so many others here to help, to fight. They would need to strike hard, fast, and take everything in one shot. Luckily a secret passage via a short swim in the saltwater gave them easy access once they get the key. After said swim, Zee, Lyse, and Thancred make to open the gates and finally rescue Krile. Along with Urianger's surprise help, the group defeats Fordola, Lyse declaring her intentions for Ala Mhigo, she will raise once again. With the Residential District safe, Zee turns her focus on her true enemy here, Zenos. After regrouping, they review their plan of attack before Zee and Alphinaud head off to begin the siege on Ala Mhigo. At the end coming face to face with Zenos. Zee could not falter here. While Fordola was to be spared she knew she could not show to same mercy to Zenos. Of course he was not so easy to down as expected, Zee's first win against him only leading to him enthralling Shinryu. Another confrontation ending in Zee's favor as she is victorious against the draconic primal, using the finished prototype of her Blood Lily Rage to grasp the advantage. Zenos slitting his own throat in his barely alive state, finishing Zee's job for her as Ala Mhigo welcomes a dawning new era. Lyse, with her heart heavy, leaves the Scions, taking full responsibility as her role as Ala Mhigo's leader. And where Lyse tearfully breaks up with Zee, her place with M'naago while's Zee's was traveling. Love Bird, still going by Shade at this point, awakens from the coma he was under, and begins doing small jobs for the scions. Their goodbyes were a hard one, but there was still some work to do before Zee's world would get flipped on it's head.

But before Zee starts her work, she takes a break on the Steppe, spending time with her relatively new girlfriend Sadu, and Sadu's girlfriend Cirina. Zee took a few months with the Dotharl (with frequent trips to the Mol as well), helping them, making more spells with Sadu, and assisting the Namazu in their festival preparations. Ellaeuxlynn stopping by with a gift of a new leg prosthetic, much lighter and more comfortable than her last. Easing some burden of the phantom limb syndrome Zee was experiencing, more help coming from a Xaela of the Mol tribe showing her some exercises with a mirror. Zee's first real break since coming to Eorzea, and a much needed one, as the weight of her title grew heavier, and the pedestal the Scions put her on only rose higher. On her return to Rhalgar's Reach, Arenvald tempts Zee with the prospect of a good, old fashioned adventure! Between that and Cid and Nero's Omega conundrum, Zee was glad to have stepped back with a break before getting back to work. With the summit turning to catastrophe with Sri Lakshmi being summoned by the Qayalan delegation, Zee and Arenvald are forced to protect the summit from tempering. Ending in Fordola's appearance on the battlefield, fighting for Ala Mhigo, not forgiveness. With mounting pressures of the Empire attempting to get Yotsuyu back, an amnesiac Yotsuyu at that, Zee returns to her duties as Warrior or Light fully once again. Though she doesn't know it yet, a seemingly resurrected Zenos is recovering from his death. Their newly won peace already balancing on a razors edge. Asahi's conniving return's Yotsuyu's memories with the weapon that was her parents, Yotsuyu summoning Tsukuyomi forcing Zee to take her down, Yotsuyu killing her brother with the final ounce of her strength. Tsuyu truly did deserve a far kinder fate...

The Hiccups Begin; In hopes to use his skills in conversation, Alphinaud makes his way to the Garlean Empire with Maxima, but a surprise attack throws their plans off from the start. Frantic to help when Thancred only hears two word, 'The Burn' from Alphinaud in his attempt to stealthily follow, leading the Scions to make their way to the crash. After a trip there with a small group of Scions Zee and Y'shtola notice both the ship crash and Allagan ruins. Forced to return with no sign of Alphinaud, Y'shtola leads their focus as they fight their own anxieties. A trip to the Steppe in search of more Allagan ruins leads to Zee and Sadu sparring all out with each other. Magnai rudely interrupting their not so subtle battle flirting, though Y'shtola and Hein stepped in to let the couple have more alone time fighting. Zee deciding their final round the perfect moment to show Sadu their perfected Blood Lily Rage, taking a significant portion of Zee's overall 'health' to the Blood Lily, being rewarded with her cane following her emitting pulsing damage while Zee absorbs the magic into melee hand weapons, spikes of magic surrounding her hands as Zee enters a state of pure rage. Whilst under the Blood Lily Rage Zee cannot differentiate enemy from ally, this is meant for 1v1s, or when she must do anything to win. Sadu, thoroughly spent from the loss, still finds energy to tussle with Magnai as the Scions leave to finish their work.

~~~~Shadowbringers~~~~ (~7.5 years on the First)(>0.5 on the Source)

A Contagious Coma; During a meeting amongst the Leaders Zee is hit with a searing headache, and not just Zee but the Scions as well, a hauntingly familiar voice pleading to her. And then Thancred collapses. Not just Thancred, but a lone Viera in Mor Dona, going by 'Bird', who had once gone by 'Shade', collapses during his routine chores. Rushing back to Mor Dhona, Zee, Alisaie, and Y'shtola regroup with Urianger in hopes to put together more clues about this mystery, but the voice calls out once again and Y'shtola and Urianger both collapse. Alisaie and Zee left to panic over their dwindling number from a mysterious coma attack. Luckily Krile decided to rush over to help, with Alphinaud still gone the Scions needed every available hand to figure out the mounting mysteries. During an unsuccessful trip to Matoya to use her knowledge and crystal eye, Alisaie is contacted about some Garlean defectors arriving in Ala Mhigo. While talking with Maxima Alisaie and Zee are hit with another migraine attack, though both women are still standing when the migraine ends thankfully. The rising of a new allagan constructed barrier to protect Doma is put to the test by an imperial airship attempting to pass. When the wall holds the ship lands and a mysterious man emerges carrying an unconscious Alphinaud. Gaius, it turns out, has been hunting ascians since his defeat in Praetorium, a fateful re-encounter with the Warrior of Light. Yet Zee cannot truly throw herself into figuring out what is happening to the Scions as her presence is requested by Varis at a meeting between him and the Eorzean alliance leaders. During which Varis reveals his Ascian masters and his plans for blood and destruction. Despite Zee's victory in The Gymlit Dark, there is no time for celebration as Alisaie drops unconscious after yet another migraine attack. Now the Scions are down the majority of their big members, and Zee is left to agonize over the mystery of it all. And if only to add another heaping of stress onto Zee's shoulders, after defeating Zenos once again a migraine attack hits her at the worst time and she is cut down by the Ascian possessed Zenos, opening her eyes in a strange void... with a strange figure... and a celestial floor beneath her. Estinien's timely arrival is the only reason Zee survived, though he stayed for thanks, Aymeric bid Zee return 'home' a phrase that hit her like a truck as she truly felt alone again. Alone on her pedestal. But a warm conversation with Count Edmont de Fortemps helped raise Zee from the depression spiral she was beginning down as the pressure continued to rise. With nowhere else to go, Zee makes her way to the Crystal Tower, after a stop at the Rising of course, with the surprise guest of Ellaeuxlynn. She was there to help out more close to the Scions base, Rowena providing her adequate crafting facilities while Ell worked on her newest invention whilst helping Tataru and the Ironworks. It didn't take long for Zee's gut to lead her to the beacon in question once she was able to search the Crystal Tower, the migraine attack came stronger, more painful, and clearer than ever before, and she faded into the voice between stars.

Gates Throw Wide; Bright, searing, white sunlight surrounded Zee as she awoke on a different star. Purple foliage everywhere and the agonizing migraine dulling slowly. An oddly familiar traveler pointed Zee in the direction of The Crystarium, and a curt Viera guarding the gates until a familiar stranger arrives after the gatekeeper slays a mysterious 'Sin Eater'. After getting more of her head wrapped around the basics of the Crystarium and Norvrandt as a whole, Zee is given a room by the Crystal Exarch and left to rest. A hard thing to do when the ghost of Ardbert begins to speak to her, warning Zee that this world cannot be saved. With her eyes on the bright midnight, Zee agonizes to herself in bed unable to sleep. Worries for the Scions, and for the future Urianger apparently glimpsed, overwhelming her completely. In the morning Zee gets more information from the Exarch about where her companions have scattered. Urianger in Ill Mheg, Y'shtola in Raktika, 'Bird' working with Alisaie in Amh Araeng, and Alphinaud in Kholusia. Zee, forced to choose between which twin to go to first, goes to Kholusia to check in with Alphinaud first.

A Circus amongst Disaster; A tiny 'village', if you could even call it that, was near the exact last place Zee expected to find Alphinaud. It took every ounce of willpower for Zee to not immediately hug him once he entered the tiny tavern, but she couldn't prevent the tears. She had been so gods damned worried that seeing Alphinaud doing well while doing his best to help out broke her usual high emotional walls down. Zee had never cried in front of any of the scions up until now. Both a part of the pedestal they have raised her to, and Zee trying to uphold the image of the hero still. On their way to the gaudily brilliantly colored city in the distance Zee takes on her first of many Sin Eaters. And upon reaching Gatetown a whole spectacle happens when two jester looking women enter seeking people and offering bags of 'meol'. Worst of all the people just sit and wait for their lucky moment to come, their expertise sought out from the rich squirreled away in their tower. Doing what she could for those in need, the added burden of another star to save begins to sink upon Zee's shoulders. Their first attempt at a way into Eulmore is equally stolen and given away to a young Kai-Shirr, and Zee and Alphinaud are left to figure out another way. Helping out a poor victim of Eulmore, Tristol, who was thrown from the city on Vauthry's command, Zee's rising disdain for the city only grew as Tristol recounted his story. Once safe in Wright Tristol offers Alphinaud his brush, and their second attempt at Eulmore begins. The next time the jester twins made their appearance, Tristol's brush was the exact key they needed to unlock the gates to Eulmore.

Zee and Alphinaud go to meet their Patrons, the 'Chais', Alphinaud putting his skills of speech to the test so the both were allowed to stay. Allowed the roam for a short while, Zee returns to Alphinaud in a new outfit before he sends her out for a bit more thorough search. During which she meets a Drahn singer with a lump in her throat. Her patron comes to find her and there Zee learns what Lord Vauthry is peddling to his citizens; the sin eaters are there to ascend those of pure souls. Of course only with Lord Vauthry's word can one go to this place of no illness or pain, a lie too good to be true. When the jesters announce a 'malcontent' being shown justice, the two are met with the sight of Kai-Shirr bleeding profusely on the ground. The room is filled with everything decadent and delicious, and inhabited by a smattering of sin eaters cooing over Lord Vauthry at the center. There more of the horrors of Eulmore are made clear. Alphinuad and Zee get Kai-Shirr safe, leaving Eulmore's lord to his temper tantrum. Departing Khalousia to return to the Crystarium, Zee barely arrives back before she departs to Amh Araeng and to Alisaie.

The Weight Descends; Before arriving at where Alisaie is, Zee and her guide stop by Mord Souq, a bustling market in the midst of the sands. On their way to leave, Cassard is spotted by a friend, Tesleen, who immediately knows just exactly who Zee is. With Cassard opting to stay at the market, Tesleen takes over as Zee's guide to the Inn at Journey's Head. She never expected the Inn to be more infirmary than a place for travelers, and no Alisaie in sight, though a suspiciously familiar seeming viera tended to patients around. Setting off to surprise her, Zee finds Alisaie finishing off a stray sin eater. Zee kept herself from throwing her arms around Alisaie until they had a moment to debrief each other, apologizing for taking so long to get to her, to everyone. Upon their return to the Inn, Zee and Alisae take to helping out with Tesleen's chores, Zee tending to some of the inflicted. She spoke to them of her adventures while she bathed and tended to them. After another stop at Mord Souq for a fresh nectarine, Zee, Alisaie, Tesleen, and a newly introduced Love Bird, sit down for some stew. Tesleen shares about her mother, about caring for the inflicted, and about peacefully putting them out of their misery, to keep them from turning. A moment of calm before Halric goes missing and Tesleen, Zee, Love Bird, and Alisaie split up in search, desperate to find him before any sin eaters do. Tesleen makes ito Halric just in time, but is turned into a sin eater in front of all their eyes, the true agony of it fully on display. Zee Love Bird, and Alisaie manage to bring Halric back safe, Alisaie resolving there and then to balance the light.

Even if it takes years...

It felt like Zee had scarcely touched down back in the Crystarium when the attack on Holminster Switch began. The knowledge of her home, the source, mirroring these shards. That the rejoinings were entire stars dissolving into nothingness. Being absorbed. That each of the calamities on the source was caused by a star rejoining. It was all too much to wrap around her head. Now she was needed in battle. Desperate to protect all she could. As they made their way to the Lightwarden the knot of dread wound tight in Zee's stomach. Once the lightwarden fell, Zee absorbed the white hot aether left behind, and was rewarded with the sight of the night sky for the first time in just weeks for her, centuries for others. The burden of Hero, of Warrior, was ever a struggle for Zee to carry, but she was the only one who could. And she would become the Warrior they needed, it was her burden to bear. Ardbert comes to haunt Zee in her room once again, filled with bitterness. He would continue to follow her, to watch as she did what he could not.

The Warrior of Darkness Has Come; The effort to dissipate the lightwarden's aether only hit Zee the next day, unable to move she suffered a severe flare up of her chronic pain along with bouts of muscle spasms. It had seemed too easy when the sky split to a vast night sky with just the slightest tug of effort from her, beside the fight of course. But now her body truly was suffering the light. Using just her cane, no prosthetic, for near the first time since getting it, Zee rests for a while. Soaking up the joy of the residents of the Crystarium while still veiled behind secrecy as the one who helped cause their joy. It was over a moon later when Zee was able to get back to fighting at all, an Eulmorian emissary, General Ran'jit, telling the Exarch that if they mean to kill lightwardens Eulmore will take it as a declaration of war. With Eulmore having the Oracle of Light imprisoned as well, the Exarch meets with some leaders of the Crystarium, asking if they would go to war for the night. The stars are worth the price of gaining them, and so Lakeland and Kholusia officially go to war. In hopes of getting the Oracle safely away from Eulmore's custody, and maybe find Thancred in the process. With the Amaro they plan to drop sleeping powder on Eulmore in hopes of a quick in and out rescue, though things can never go quite to plan. Despite Ran'jit getting the upper hand over Zee, Thancred's perfect timing allows them to escape to Ill Mheg with Minfillia safely with them. Love Bird, who had gone to Ill Mheg a short while after the night sky returned to Lakeland, caught in a conundrum of his own making with the Pixies.

The Branch and Their Adorable Sapling; 5 years since last seeing Thancred had changed him dramatically. No longer the stealthy fighter he fought in front now, gunblade in hand, a protector now since he has a charge to care for. Though a land of pixies isn't the best place for a serious talk and reunion as the small group of Scions realize they have an audience. So into the pixie fog they go, in hopes of reaching Urianger before the pixies get their little hands fully around the Scion's minds. Whilst looking for a looking grass they come upon a shockingly pink little bunny sprinting towards them as fast as its little feet could carry itself. Luckily with Urianger's knowledge, given to Thancred, the pixies are revealed and the pink bunny poofs back into Love Bird. The poor viera having been stuck as a bunny for a few weeks now, the Pixies main new toy until the group arrived. In exchange for the Pixie's spell dropping the group agrees to help around their town, planting flowers and hearing about the men that used to live there and how the Pixies have been making it their own. After some prompting from Thancred Zee calls out for Feo Ul to come help. Even if it took Zee a couple tries to get her summoning correct. The scolding Zee received from her most mightiest and loveliest of branches was a good deal of a surprise but watching Feo Ul work their magic with the other pixies. These lands of everlasting spring were turning out to be a favorite for Zee. The abundance of nature and beauty of the land took her breath away as the pixie fog fell. Urianger even seemed to take to it, changing his old hooded look for a much more suiting one. Whatever happened with the pixies and he, Urianger came out the other side a more confident man in himself. But before the happy reunion can begin Urianger presses to tell Zee his vision of the future, of her own death and the death of every Scion. Setting their sights on their true purpose to be in Ill Mheg, the Lightwarden, the group returns with the added company of Urianger. The pixies were more than happy to hand over their piece, the dress, of the key to Titania, with the Fuast being more effort on the group's part. Zee only escaping drowning thanks to the Kojin's blessing they regroup and take a little bit to rest. Zee decided to cook for the group, the first time for Urianger, but she had not done it near enough. After much needed rest, spending the night telling each other stories of their adventures, they continued to their next piece. The Nu Muo, who were most ecstatic to see 'men', doing some trading and odd jobs for the folk there in exchange for the scepter, the key piece. Despite the Eulmorian force threatening to break in at any moment, the process of collecting key pieces had been going exceedingly smooth and with a small collective of talking being the next fae folk to talk with Zee hoped it would continue. Seto, the giant, amaro elder spoke fondly of his master from many many years ago, Ardbert. Getting the last piece needed to take on Titantia right when Ran'jit shows his face on the field, Thancred and Minfillia rush to stop them while Zee and Love Bird run to take down Titania. And with her defeat Zee takes on her second mote of lightwarden aether.

Her loveliest of branches take the keys to becoming Ill Mhegs new Titania before hurrying away to deal with the trespassers. Taking some weight from the trembling shoulders of Zee as the side effects to her aether 'consumption' begin to settle into her body. This time it took effect within an hour, Zee collapsing before they could depart back to the Crystarium. Forced to stay with the pixies for several moons Zee slowly recovers. It took her a whole moon before she was able to sit upright, and another before she was able to walk with her cane's support again. Luckily the everlasting days of spring, now with the soft blanket of night, was a perfect place to force the hero to rest. Though Zee is not one who can sit idle even when she cannot get out of bed, and so she went out on a limb and asked Urianger to teach her Astrologian magics. While she would never and could never leave her cane and soulstone behind, learning the stars and their magic were much easier in the living floral wheelchair the pixies crafted for her. While it wouldn't work outside of Ill Mheg, Zee used it near everyday while recovering, the odd groaning and catching her prosthetic giving off concerned her greatly to wear. Despite Urianger teaching her, Zee still refused any healing when he offered.

Five moons later Zee is finally able to return to the Crystarium. Limping back to the Crystarium, Zee is confronted by a very unexpected Emet Selch. A new follower on her journey, though much less welcome than Ardbert; even with his scoldings Zee couldn't help but have a soft spot as she uncovered the truth of this world's Warriors of Light. But she still needed to gather one more Scion, Y'shtola in the Rak'tika Greatwood, now with an extra bit of baggage with Emet Selch making note he is watching them. His show of good faith of course.

Into the Woods; Zee and her traveling companions, Minfillia, Thancred, Love Bird, with Urianger leading, made their way to the last place he had known Y'shtola to be. Extremely surprised to then be surrounded by archers and spearmen on all sides. A certain 'Master Matoya' unable to see Zee's aether as it is slowly being consumed by light. Though the two women had not been known to get along before, they were growing closer in the moons before she was swept away to the first. For Y'shtola that had been almost 4 years ago, and she wanted to make up for that time, to make up for the times she did not treat Zee as a person, but a weapon. Luckily no arrows were loosed as the misunderstanding is cleared up and the reunited scions gather to discuss everything together. While Y'shtola deciphers the tablet Zee, Love Bird, and Minfillia made their way around Slitherbough talking with the locals and introducing themselves. The three going on a small journey to retrieve a jade heartstone, allowing a lost soul, Toddia, to be guided to the sunless sea through her heartstone. Her funeral was a somber and beautiful one, but only seemed to crush Zee a little more under her title, now two titles with The Warrior of Darkness being one of them. Y'shtola calls to meet as she has translated the tablet as best as possible and needed to go into some unwelcome territory to finish the last pieces. It was a short trip, Ardbert's comments helped Zee learn more than expected with his insight from his time alive. As dinner was ready Zee went to get Urianger and Y'shtola, only to overhear their concerns for her. The light was obviously an issue more than she could see herself, one that Y'shtola's aether sight saw bright as the daylight around them. The Scions, ever trying to help Zee in ways she could only describe as behind her back, and Zee, desperate to live up to the Scion's expectations of her. She knows herself to be their weapon, it is all she can see herself as. A weapon needed now as the Eulmoran forces and the Children of the Darkness combine forces and march into Slitherbough. After a quick swim to get a Ronkan Seal, the Scions depart deeper into the wood to Yx'Maja. It had been 30 years since Love Bird had last been amongst Viera (Viis), and the three Viis women who attack them as they enter take up his entire focus, even getting an arrow to his arm for his lack of awareness. They are bid to follow the Steps of Maja, the azure flowers to the Viera's home. Love Bird hardly containing himself as he takes off running after the three women.

Almet, Ulmet, and Cymet, welcome everyone to the town of Fanow, Love Bird walking the whole thing over and over as if it was familiar to him already. Leaving him to his reverential wandering Zee and the rest of the Scions speak to Almet, learning about Ronka's fall and its emperor's last decree. Though Almet did not know the Lightwarden's whereabouts another Viis did, and so a small group of Yshtola, Almet, Love Bird, and Zee go to The K'mul Astropolis in search of a key to the Lightwarden's home. Cymet shows up in a panic, the Eulmorans had arrived and were invading Yx'Maja. Forced to speed up their puzzle solving Zee went first into the ruins, fetching the statue key to the locked doors inside and into the Great Pyramid of Ux'ner. Frantically avoiding traps and hiding from sentinels only ended with a clash with Ran'jit and a collapse of more ruins. Though it allowed them to learn of the Blessed poisoning, and s scheming Eulmorian attempting to negotiate until Ran'jit kicks him off, Y'shtola throwing herself off to grab the antidote and throw it to Zee. Minfillia, Thancred, and Urianger are able to strike a blow on Ran'jit, but he too is lost to the chasm below. After the antidote is given to the Blessed Zee recounts the moments after Y'shtola fell, A surprise Emet Selch shows up and, in an attempt to gain their trust, plucks her from the Lifestream. There is no slowing down though, and Zee leads them towards their next target, the third Lightwarden.

As Ever, she is victorious. And still standing... Until several loud groaning metallic moans are heard from her prosthetic and it explodes. Catching herself with her cane Zee wobbles, Emet's untimely arrival bringing with him haunting stories of a time long past. During his story flashes of a kind face with bright rainbow eyes, of days in the sun amongst nature, of very unfamiliar faces that Zee knew wholeheartedly. Despite her past collapses Zee remained able to walk with the help of her cane, for the most part, though it was obvious to some she was struggling. Love Bird kept nearby her, offering a hand whenever she tripped or wobbled, yet Zee felt like they were all treating her with kid gloves. Y'shtola even talking to her about the concern of her Lightwarden slaying, the mounting evidence of her absorbing the light aether nearly overwhelming now. Their trip back to the Crystarium was long and Zee rapidly started to deteriorate. By the time they had arrived and regrouped everyone was telling Zee to rest immediately, and the Exarch began work on getting her a new leg prosthetic.

She did not wake for a moon.

It was nearly 8 moons before she could stand without throwing up, another 3 before she could walk with the new prosthetic the Exarch had made. A little over a year before she could even think of using magic, every time before causing her an intense migraine and severe vertigo for nearly a week. Zee is forced to ask Y'shtola and Urianger to perform her family ritual so she doesn't end up a walking bomb of aether, the two agree immediately of course and show up every moon to help from there after. Before she could even think of magic Zee had to work on getting back into fighting shape, taking up a non magical weapon to train with. At first Thancred tried to teach her the gunblade but the aether infused bullets quickly became an issue when Zee collapsed after a training session. It wasn't until Love Bird came by, offering his old Chakrams to her as he had taken up the Claymore when he arrived on the first. Love Bird taught her to dance sitting first, Feo Ul insisting on the Pixies delivering her floral wheelchair to the first, along with a small pouch of King Titania's magic in order to power it around the Crystarium. Zee learned everything modified first as a dancer, learning how she could use her body in so many ways she refused to allow herself. Soon Minfillia joined in on her training, Thancred often watching and chatting with Love Bird as the others spared. Zee had hardly started training with magic again when a great wave of sin eaters began making their way to the Crystarium.

Barely standing after the battle is over, Zee shakily helps those injured she can, she is a healer after all. What use would she be if she couldn't do this much at least. Lyna trying to avoid her help allows Zee to see a side of herself she could not see before then. A Captain overextending herself. A leader pushing herself to the brink over and over with her comrades knowing perhaps a tiny percentage of how far she was truly going. Someone who cannot bare to lose anyone and yet must watch those she loves get hurt or killed. A healer, a support, who refused to be supported. As the Scions are called to meet with the Exarch over Vauthry's announcement, Minfillia makeing up her mind to meet with the "true" Minfillia and become the true Oracle of Light.

Where She Saved Them All; Yet, needing a way to Nabaath Areng, Thancred, Urianger, Zee, and Minfillia all make their way to Twine in hopes of getting the trollies back up and running. Magnus, the lead trolley engineer, was too drunk and depressed to help, a few of the younger helpers taking on the task of repairing the tracks. Even when Thancred opened up to Magnus about those he had lost, he was stuck in his drunkard stasis. But they still need a new Talos heart, meeting Guthjon, a miner close by mine, who helps them uncover an engraved Talos heart. Engraved with a message of love from Magnus' lost wife, Agna. Minfillia leaning upon Urianger for support as she continues to think the Other Minfillia is better, and worse, than Thancred, that everyone hates her. Now with the Talos up and "running" (walking), Minfillia and her odd little family unit are that much closer to the Oracle of Light. And in the morning Magnus is no longer drunk, ordering his team around like the proper leader he is, finally.

They head off to the trolley, their Talos in front, and Thancred and Minfillia both in their own heads about what is to come. Magnus, Thaffe, and Jeryk bid the group good luck and goodbye as the trolley rolls forward for the first time in many many years. Yet Ran'jit, as ever, interrupts their progress, knocking the trolley from the tracks and getting Minfillia to finally speak from her heart. Declaring that the Scions, the Warriors of Darkness, are her family, her family she will fight for. Thancred staying to fight Ran'jit as Zee and Minfillia take off running down the tunnel. For those we have lost... For those we can yet save... They have to fight, to stand up in the face of pain and suffering and continue on in hope To fashion it into a blade. Thancred succeeds allowing Zee and Minfillia to reach their destination, the top of the castle. There Minfillia and the Oracle are able to speak, where the Oracle bestows her all to Minfillia after the girl bared her heart, shared her dream. Before she departed the Oracle, desperate to make Zee understand, warns the Hero; She cannot stand alone. The weight of two worlds is impossible to bear alone. Even one world you cannot possibly not be crushed by it. Light consumed the three, and Zee awakened to find Minfillia changed. Together as a whole group for the first time in a very long time, Minfillia is renamed by her father, now Ryne, 'blessing' in Fae. With no time to rest the Scions turn to the next Lightwarden, Love Bird coming along to allow Thancred to recover from his previous fight. As Zee absorbed the light from the slain Lightwarden she felt several of her ribs crack as she became overwhelmed by it immediately, her hair and limbal rings turning pure white, and her family cane snapping in two.

The Price; Zee had made the First home for nearly 4 years, more than a year and a half spent recovering from the Lightwarden's deaths. She could hide the burden of it no longer, not that she was doing well at it before. Love Bird had to carry her from the Well, she did not have the strength to stand or stay awake for the most part. Zee drifted between consciousness and dreaming their entire trip back to the Crystarium. Y'shtola managed to get Zee to agree to her and Urianger's healing, the two finding Zee's skin and scales cracking and bleeding as the light aether attempted to force its way out of her. Where the light wounds were the worst her blood was iridescent, a soft glow coming from the severely injured Hero. Just before they arrive at the Crystarium Zee slips into another coma like sleep. In her sleep she dreams of Ardbert, of several unfamiliar familiar faces, of a woman with long rainbow hair and rainbow eyes. Zee dreamed of pasts she did not know, of homes she never lived in, of beloved friends and family she had never met... and yet, Zee knew she was not herself. It was like she was just watching, her body moved for her and mouth moved on its own, all she could do was move her eyes. Living through life after life, awakening a year later...

Zee could not know what her friends were doing while she recovered, but they tended to her daily. Urianger and Ryne often read stories aloud to her. Y'shtola would update sleeping Zee every evening with what had happened that day and what she needed to do tomorrow, often falling asleep in the room and being found when the next Scion's "shift" was up. They had never agreed to any schedule set in any real time, but each Scion had a usual time of day or night they would come by, sometimes even stumbling across the Exarch caring for Zee. Alisaie nearly moved into the room, several small cots already having been brought in for Urianger, who, knowing Zee's extreme particularity with who heals her, spent his days as her live in healer. But Urianger always made Alisaie return to her room every few days to force a break on her. Alphinaud took over as a second healer when Zee had been asleep for 4 moons, Urianger had been operating on fumes and desperately needed a break. All the Scions who did not know, except Thancred (due to his limitations), were taught Zee's ritual of aether dispersal, every single one of them coming to it every moon no matter what. Love Bird made sure to keep her clothes clean and worked tirelessly with the Exarch in an attempt to mend her cane. Y'shtola, Alisae, and Ryne took turns bathing Zee as best they could in bed every other day. Thancred always helped the Crystarium cleaning staff clean the room, waking up Urainger, and often Alisaie as well, so they get breakfast. He took up the role of making sure the scions who were pushing themselves didn't push themself to far. The scions, finally able to truly see the pain Zee has gone through for everyone. To see the agony the light caused, and was still causing. For some it was their first time seeing Zee as... Zee... and not The Hero... The Warrior of Light, of Darkness...

Zee took another year of recovering. A hard year of barely being able to heal, but a year more of learning to dance with Love Bird, Alisaie often joining in on lessons for fun. Her relationships with each of the scions blossomed, they truly became family at that time. And when she was finally able to return, forced to pick up a new cane as her family cane still could not be repaired, but also carrying with her chakrams if there is ever a time she cannot cast.

When Paradise Falls; 2 years after she killed the last lightwarden Zee and the scions are able to focus on the final lightwarden is Kholusia. Eulmore filled with enthralled people, Gatetown filled with people just staring at the city, and Kai-Shirr acting as the Crystarium's informant. Ryne reacts in horror when presented with Meol, telling everyone that it is made from sin eater flesh, altering his people with tainted light. Left with no choice but to storm the city Zee and the scions charge forth, toward the final lightwarden. Defeating Ran'jit was no easy feat but Zee is able to all the same, bursting through Vauthry's doors to see him gorging on Meol, all his sin eaters gone now. The final lightwarden feasting until he finally flies off into the sunlight. Yet as he flew away the ground began to tremble as an entire mountain was torn from the ground and lifted into the heavens. Forced to stop their rush to kill the final lightwarden, the scions shift focus to helping the people recover. Ryne is able to undo their tempering and as the people of Eulmore regain their strength Alphinaud explains what has come to light. Chai-Nuzz semi-forced into taking lead on the talos repairs with help from other Eulmoren citizens, all in hopes of getting the ladder moving once again. Emet-Selch making an appearance as usual, hinting at things he almost hopes Zee remembers.

It took an entire moon before the two talos were repaired and ready to work the Ladder once more, and once they were in working order the Ladder ran for the first time in 20 years. Yet they still were unable to reach Mt Gulg. Air travel was out of the question due to the sin eaters in the sky, they needed to fashion a way to have the ground meet the sky. Dulia-Chai's offhand comment sparks the fires of creativity in her husband and he begins to design plans to figure out just how much help will be needed. People from all over the First gather to help, a sight that made Zee want to cry with happiness. The scions all focused on leading their groups in work, the Exarch having some issues being so far from the tower for so long. He wanders away from everyone and faints near a rock, confiding in Zee his crystal limbs and the phantom limb symptoms caused by the crystal growths. Zee talks about her own experiences, talks about her plans once she is returned home, and then turns the questions towards the Exarch. He tells her of his hopes, letting a few too many details to be spoken, and Zee finally catches on truly to who the Exarch really is. Though she does not press his identity, she knew a friend had been by her side through this entire adventure. A friend she had thought lost.

Ascending to the top of the volcano of Mt Gulg Zee and Love Bird leave the rest of the Scions to take on the remaining sin eaters while they continue up to take on Vauthry. A quick fight initially before the sin eater fully takes him over, though one with Zee still standing victorious in the end. Her friends rush in just as the fully reborn lightwarden falls. Zee takes on the last bit of the light, her second prosthetic breaking, exploding in a violante manner. The Exarch appeared just in time to take on the light before Zee turns, his hood falling and finally confirming Zee's suspicions. G'raha Tia falls to a bullet from Emet-Selch, Zee still embroiled in light. Emet-Selch clearly stating his judgment of mankind, a failure all from Zee's inability to contain the light. He tells her she is nothing more than a sin eater now, one who is able to retain her shape and mind... for now. Just before she faints Emet-Selch calls for her to meet him in Amaurot, for her to fall to the light there in... solitude.

Ryne worked on Zee for 4 moons before she was able to awake. When she awoke she was taken aback by a regrown limb, her right thigh covered in glowing scars creeping towards her torso from the uncanny looking knee, calf, and foot now attached to her. She had no feeling anywhere on the new growth, even taking a knife to herself in a desperate confusion. Her scales were mirrored on the growth, but they were stark white and glowing. Yet the foot that grew was more beast than her other, a draconic claw in place of what Zee expected. She could not bare to look in the mirror. Not only was her eyesight severely limited by the overwhelming light, but she had a hard time keeping her eyes open for more than an hour. Her speech was affected as well, unable to speak more than a handful of words. Everyone could see she was in agony. The new lightwarden of Norvrandt.

Once Zee was able Love Bird helped get her to check in with the people of the Crystarium, for her to hear how happy everyone is that she is alive. Love Bird had quickly taken up a position of helper for her, when she could not walk he would carry her, when she could not respond he would help her by speaking. When she needed space he would help her find a secluded spot near the amaro and go do errands or, often, just talk a walk. Ardbert often would sit with her then, doing his utmost to comfort her. On a quiet day he requests some time with Zee, their conversation uplifting her spirits right as Feo Ul barges in. Their offer of the Fae crown tickled Zee in a way she didn't know she needed, even offering sound sturdy advice to their beloved spaling before departing. Just as Zee goes to depart for the Tempest all her beloved scions arrive, Urianger begging for forgiveness, ever the one needing to be secretive. The scions confirm their bonds to each other, getting a surprise when Lyna and a wave of locals come to offer their help as well. Getting a lecture from Alisaie, so similar to the one Zee was used to hearing so often from Feo Ul, they depart to bring the Exarch back home, along with the night sky on a more permanent basis.

The Ascian Issue; Their first stop to the bottom of the ocean was to a familiar whale, calling for Zee's beloved branch when Bismark did not want to awaken. With the King of the Fae’s scolding their Fae friend as Bismark unseats itself from the lake as they begin the journey to Amaurot. Unknowingly depriving the Ondo of water in their home the scions endeavor to help where they can, apologizing profusely for their haste. Despite everything Zee slowly made her way around, Love Bird acting as her mouthpiece and often seen carrying her through the more rocky places of the ocean floor. Helping was the only thing that felt remotely good to Zee now. The scions were rewarded for their effort with some directions to the underwater city they spoke of. Opening the sealed entrance easily, the scions set their eyes upon Amaurot. Finding the doors yielding to Zee's voice alone they all set forth together to explore the looming city. A haunting city filled with giant masked people. Mistaken for a group of roaming children the scions all take off in search for Emet-Selch. While registering for residency Zee strikes up conversation with a very familiar shade, Hythlodaeus. A kind and calming presence amidst the pain of the light aether. Hythlodaeus knows the truth after all, Emet-Selch always knew he did. He tells Zee about the Final Days, of so many sacrificed lives with plans for so so many more in the future. He spoke of Emet and his stubbornness, strong enough to carry him to the end of his plans. Of the weight of 12 thousand years, of so many of his fellow ancients sacrificed in hopes to be reborn. And Zee felt that weight too. Maybe not as much as what Emet-Selch carried, but it also could be heavier. 7 stars, once 14, hang in the balance. When Zee is called, Hythlodaeus stops her, taking note of Ardbert by her side. Explaining to Zee that she can see and hear him because they are part of the same sundered soul. Hythlodaeus notes he would never mistake the color of Her soul, how it was ever shifting in hue. Every color melting into the rainbow that was Her soul. It was time to make their way to meet with Emet-Selch, Zee spoke with everyone, each voicing their unbridled support for her. In her mind Zee does not return from Amaurot. This is as much her tomb as it will be Emet-Selch's.

Fate can be cruel, but a smile better suits a hero... And they must press on, for this star and all the rest who can yet be saved.

Meeting with Emet-Selch in the Capitol they draw clear lines in the battlefield. Emet can not and will not stray from his path, they are not even true living beings to him. Not worthy of life for any other purpose than to be sacrificed for his loved ones. Into the fires of the FInal Days he walks, awaiting to strike down or be struck down. The only way this can ever end. Emet kept his promise that she would witness the end of a world, and Zee kept hers of meeting him at the end. He knocks out most of the scions, Alisaie dashing forward in a desperate hope to puncture the Ascian. Alphinaud protects his sister from Emet-Selch's onslaught as Zee finds the strength to stand. She would not let her companions fall, even if that meant she became consumed by the light. With some support from the scions Zee is able to inch ever onwards towards her target, the light bursting forth as she continues to fight the sin eater within her. Thancred and Ryne rushed forward to help, yet also falling when Emet's spell struck through them both.

Light surrounded the Hero.

Ardbert's voice echoing in the stark white void.

Another step...

. ...just...

. ...one...

. ...more...

. ...step...

A vision of a vibrant soul in robes flashing before Emet-Selch's eyes as G'raha Tia and Zee stand before him. Fighting for every ilm they can claw at.

It ends this day... one way or another.

Final Judgment; Emet reveals himself as Hades, putting his all on the line as well. Zee would truly prove men are no longer wanting, they are strong enough to fight for their lives. To carry the legacy of the ancients with them. To be recognized as living. Fighting Hades at his full power nearly broke Zee, using her blood lily rage as a last ditch effort knowing it could be the very thing to turn her fully sin eater. Yet it doesn't, her friends show up at her most needed time, Thancred launching the white auracite into Hades as the scions channel their aether to Zee. Against every doubt Zee held, they stood victorious. Ardbert's axe lodged into the ground as Hades asks Zee to remember his people. Channeling the light into every ounce of her fight the shattering of her soul the light had been so successful at was reversed, Ardbert landing the final blow thanks to their bonds. G'raha, very much not in his best shape, sheepishly shows himself begging forgiveness. Swimming back was not what Zee and her companions expected. Zee, having lost the clawed light aether leg, struggled until he had passed out and washed ashore. The people of the First there to welcome the victorious scions 'homes' under the gorgeous night sky.

Home; With the First saved from its precipice of rejoining, Zee returned home for the first time in 7 years. Tataru reacted as if she had seen a ghost when Zee walked through the doors to the Rising, it had been nearly 5 moon since she had left. Even Tataru able to see that Zee had changed in her time away. Zee updated Tataru about the Scions inability to return just yet, and about how they found a long lost companion squirreled away on an entirely different star. Ellaeuxlynn's greeting consisted of her squeezing Zee so tight she could not breath and spinning her around in said hug. She had been hard at work at her forge crafting Zee a prosthetic leg that allowed her to channel and release excess aether. Ell called it her magnum opus. Though the first iteration of it, and still untested. It wasn't long until those in the Rising were shooing Zee off to go sleep. The exhaustion on her face apparent to most everyone. Upon waking Zee and Tataru made their way to F'lhaminn, Zee had to tell them what happened to Minfillia. F'lhaminn thanking Zee for being with her daughter till the very end. Riol frantic to tell Tataru that Krile is there to talk about the patients. Krile telling them of the patient's aether instability, Thancred and Love Bird being the worst off out of the group. Zee's plans of visiting the Steppe forced to be put on hold as she is needed in figuring out how to get their companions back home. Fast.

While they had no new leads, G'raha had a small hunch on where to start. Splitting her attention between helping Ryne, Urianger, and Thancred in the Empty, and working with Beq Lugg, after gaining their trust. Spending a majority of their time in Amh Araeng as they worked together in defeating Eden and its trials, as well as the puzzle of getting everyone back to their bodies. Dealing with Eden felt like a return to a normal..ish way of life. Nurturing the wastes to spring forth life once more was exactly a task to call on Zee for. Her magic had always been plant inclined, her own horns growing flowers naturally. When the water came back to the Empty Zee knew that there would be flowers blooming soon enough. The major success that was the Proxie and it waking up Halric from his tempering gave them all a needed spark of energy. Yet there is hardly time to celebrate when Kai-Shirr frantically runs in with hopes of bringing them back to Eulmore to help with a catastrophe. In Eulmore they find Dulia-Chai in tears, her husband has gone missing, the city down its new mayor with him gone. Luckily Chai-Nuzz was found traveling to other Kholusia towns, asking what Eulmore would need to do to prove their change. A change many people welcome with open arms. Yet just as many stay withdrawn from it. Throwing himself head first into his new role, Chai-Nuzz gains Wrenden as an advisor on the road to an equitable future. It would be hard work for everyone but Zee had faith Eulmore would blossom. Returning to the Crystarium to good news from Y'shtola and Urianger added to Zee's good mood. Y'shtola's comment about wishing for tea and a sweet lead to Zee showing up with some homemade sweets while she was working. A small gift of thanks before Zee returned to the Source. A very unexpected guest showed up right after her own return. Estinien comes with chilling news of Zenos, alive and in his body once more. Zenos destroys all of the Black Rose after he killed his father, an uncaring monster swapped for one who cared only about one person. With nothing else to do but wait, Zee retreats to the Steppe to see her girlfriend after a VERY very long time for her.

The Time Between; Zee did not get to spend more than a week with Sadu. She's called to a war table, updating her on the Empire's movements. No rest for the weary. Being the only person who can go to the First and inform everyone of what's happening on the Source, Zee can't exactly take a break in the precarious nature they are in. Awaiting Zee on the First is wonderful news as the 'soul vessels' for the Scions to return home are nearly done and ready for testing. But when a person claiming to be a 'Warrior of Light' begins slaying stray sin eaters the Scions unwittingly play their part perfectly for Elidibus' plans to flourish. Inhabiting Ardbert's body Elidibus calls for the people to become the Warrior of LIght themselves, something Zee could only think of as a good thing, yet it so clearly was not. Having to split her attention once more Zee must deal with Elidibus as quickly as possible while finding any ways to make the Soul Vessels even better to make sure all possible risks are reduced to their minimums. Elidibus furthering his plans by granting everyone at the Crystarium the Echo as the scions rush to perfect their soul vessels. When Thancred collapses after losing Elidibus' trail, Zee rushes to him only to find Love Bird also recovering from a similar collapse. Their limited time running up soon the Scions focus their efforts in perfecting their soul vessels as quickly as possible. On Zee's return to the Source she learns that her friend's have taken a turn for the worse, Krile spending every waking second she had to care for them. With a gift of Archon bread Zee returns to the First in hopes of defeating Elidibus and taking all her friends home safe and sound. A task Elidibus takes great pains to interrupt. Kidnapping Y'shtola in front of Zee. Forcing Zee to fight monsters with the bodies and faces of her friends of years past. Zee slew them all the same. Mentally battered by the end, Y'shtola barging through the doors felt like a breath of air after nearly drowning to Zee. Left on her own to recover, Zee follows a trail of crystals to her New Old Friend, Hythlodaeus. He bids her to live. To keep her promise and remember them. Leaving Zee the gift of Azem's soul crystal, Hythlodaeus hints at Emet-Selch's making of it before they disappear before her eyes. .Meeting back up with the rest of the Scions in Eulmore they hardly have a moment to catch up before shades of heros from other stars appear and begin attacking. G'raha had luckily been hard at work with the soul vessels, able to imbue his own while the Scions rushed back. With the soul vessels perfected all that stood between Zee and their home was Elidibus. Dashing back to the Crystarium grows ever trickier as more and more heros appear and fight. Right outside the gates the Scions remain to protect Zee from any stragglers, as their Hero marches forward to Elidibus. On her way back Zee came across an injured G'raha and Beq Lugg, the crystal on G'raha spreading quicker than ever. With G'raha's soul vessel stolen, the two rush to the top of the crystal tower to retrieve it. But when G'raha's crystalline growth descends to his legs and he is trapped in one spot, he urges Zee forward. A moment of bittersweet kindness, and a kiss, shared between the two before G'raha's Hero runs off. Ascending to the shattering heavens, and her foe.The gift from her New Old Friend calling the aid of other shards of Azem to Zee’s side. G’raha bursting through right as Zee landed a decisive blow upon Elidibus, calling the crystal tower’s power to him in order to smite the final unsundered Ascian. Collapsing after his spell burst forth, G’raha takes a quiet moment to talk with Zee before he is fully crystal. He begs Zee to take him on an adventure, a thing Zee promises with ease as she clutches his soul vessel to her heart.

The Scions all disperse to say goodbye to their friends and companions of years. Goodbyes filled with tears and honest words of hope. Their nearly 8 years on the First was coming to an end in the best way they could have hoped. Parting with Ryne at the end was the hardest, a daughter to them all, it felt like ripping one's own skin off to leave her behind. Thancred, of course, promised to make Zee visit as often as she could before the people of the Crystarium gathered. Lyna’s kind words of farewell gave them all the strength to leave and restart their own star’s fight. A long and bitter war on the precipice of ending if the star gets back it’s Hero. Yet there is no time to rest for the Hero and her companions. Ell's gift of a new and improved prosthetic would make her travels easier, and her companions being hale, hearty, and whole eased Zee’s troubled mind, she could not help but feel they were at a beginning and an ending she didn’t even truly know. But before they can focus on the war, they must first get the cure for tempering on the Source.Though it takes a tremendous amount of work, and the death of a magitek computer or two, they are successful and Ga Bu’s mind and soul are restored at last. With the incredible amount of aether it takes to reverse the tempering the Scions seek out the real Master Matoya in hopes she would have ideas to help. The real test would come with gaining the trust of the beast societies after the years of bloodshed between them. It, of course, was no small feat. The leaders of Eorzea had to truly want and strive for this peace for any of their work to go the way they wanted. And with the appearance of strange towers across the star that appear Garlean made, the next leg of the war draws ever nearer. Fandaniel made his first official appearance with the company of a Lunar Primal Bahamut, and stated his intentions clearly for the Scions. He wants everyone to die. Plain and simple. What’s worse, he’s working with Zenos to groom Zee for yet another duel. And with Arenvald’s injury and inability to walk things were only seeming to get worse and worse.

Yet, things weren’t all bad. Ellaeuxlynn and Feo Ul had been working together on a secret project. A small, doll-like, body for the Fae King to inhabit when they want to follow around their beloved sapling. Queer Leaflet making their debut to Zee on her return to the Rising Stones in a particularly off mood. A gift that brightened her up and worried her at the same time, though Feo Ul in their new doll body made sure to reassure Zee of their safety whilst in said body. With a new addition to her party Zee retreats to the Steppe once again. Ell, Love Bird, and Queer Leaflet accompanied her so they could properly meet her girlfriend. Resting, or as much resting as Zee can ever force herself to get, and readying herself for the moment she was called back to fighting. It never was enough time. With the founding of the Grand Company of Eorzea and the meeting of Fourchenault, Zee’s direction is made clear. Alphinaud and Alisaie’s last name getting unceremoniously ripped from them as their father declares Sharlyan’s stance and departs. With a trip to most of Scion's old home, Old Sharlyan, on the horizon, Zee pays her girlfriend one last visit. Sadu and Cirina’s wedding was a quiet affair, Zee bringing her small group of friends to celebrate her girlfriend and her wife before they depart on their next big adventure.

~~~~~ENDWALKER~~~~~ (~2.5 years) (Will be in a reblogged version of this)

On to NEW DAWNS!!!!! ~~~~~~ (will be an reblogged version of this post~)

~8.5 years total (before Dawntrail) of Zee's adventuring, I can't wait to really get my hands dirty with working on her longfic of Zee's Real FFXIV Story so one day I can share even more about Zee and her party and her relationship with the Scions! While I am still working on making more OCs to fill her party I hope this helps illustrate just how intertwined nearly all my OCs are (Kask'ov, Belle, and Asteroid are in their own universe but besides them everyone else is a player in Zee's story~

(Which will have its own whole lore post when I can get myself to sit down and really write about how I adore Dawntrail and how perfect it was for Zee's next arc~ )

to end it on a little bit of a heartfelt personal note, I have been playing this game since about April of 2018, its been around for me in some of the scariest and worst health I've been in. Zee started out as just an avatar for me in game, and then around Shadowbringers I started getting character ideas for her. Endwalker made those EXPLODE!!! Iris, my Azem oc, is a love letter to my child self and Zee is a love letter to how I would like to be as a person. Not a self insert, but maybe more a role model. Someone who has a lot of similar things as me, I even gave her my same "main" disability, but who is very different. She is shaped by her story the way I am shaped by mine and I wouldn't have it any other way~ I'm not sure how to express how much I appreciate you reading, showing interest in, and supporting my characters and my work. It means the world to me, and truly has been such a help while I struggle my way through the muck of my health problems right now. May you find good rest soon, you deserve it ♥

#Zee Zalinos #ffxiv au'ra #ffxiv lore post #ffxiv wol #\o/ I HOPE EVERYONE ENJOYS THIS THAT READS IT I LOVE YOU ALL

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