#no wonder they're drawn together and no wonder his sacrifice breaks her heart the way it does

[storms-path]

Day 27 - Hail

Even in the weak light of the sun, Coerthas was bitingly cold. Snow clung stubbornly to the hills, the wind howled ferociously and the chill was enough to reduce the most hardened warriors to shivering icicles within minutes. None of this mattered one bit to Stalwart Mountain, sat in the snow and looking out over Ishgard next to an unassuming grave.

“Another year gone,” she murmured to nobody in particular. The wind chose not to steal her words, letting them linger in the air. The gravestone did not respond. Stalwart twisted to face the gravestone, smiling. “Though I suppose doesn’t mean much to you, dear.” The smile slipped away as she turned back to the city below. “I’m doing well, as you likely already know. You’ve been watching over me from the other side, haven’t you? Making sure I’m not doing anything too reckless. As you would be doing in life, I’m sure. You always did worry too much.”

Stalwart sniffed, rubbing away a tear. “It’s really not fair.” She eyed the flowers laid gently against the grave. “You sweep into my life at my lowest point, you offer my warmth and love and affection, you shelter me, you even go and show me off to your family! And then… And then…” The tears did start flowing then, melting snow as they hit the ground. “Honestly, of all the selfish, stupid things to do, you go and break my heart! You go and… and put yourself between me and… and… You really are an arsehole!” She punched the gravestone for emphasis, though it mostly just wound up hurting her hand. Not that she’d forgive herself if she actually did damage the stone.

“But that’s you all over, isn’t it?” She chuckled despite herself, rubbing away the remaining tears. “You’d never have forgiven yourself if anything had happened to me that you could have stopped. What kind of knight would you be, right? Still an arsehole, though.” The wind picked up, blowing Stalwart’s hair into her face. Several moments of frantic adjustment later, Stalwart was glaring at the grave. “I know that was you, dear. I don’t know how you did it, but I know.” She laughed at the absurdity of it all.

“I think you know why I’m here. What I’m going to do. I’m sure Arashi filled you in earlier when she came to visit. But I’m telling you anyway, because I can. Because you deserve to hear it from me.” Stalwart drew in a cold, deep breath, bending her neck to stare at the skies above. “She’s waiting for us. Up there, so far from here that I can’t even imagine it. I don’t think we’re going to make it back, not all of us. So on the off-chance that I’m one of them… Oh, don’t give me that look. I’m not going to throw my life away. But if I have to spend it, I’m spending it well. I’m going to be a light of hope thrown into the jaws of despair itself. I’m going to do what you did, dear. Leave the world poorer for my absence, but give it the chance to grow into something beautiful.” Stalwart scoffed, shaking her head. “Listen to me, waxing poetic about my own end.”

Another, gentler wind blew through, warmer than the last. “I suppose what I’m saying is… Wait for me. If I’m to join you on the other side, which I very much hope I can given what awaits us… Let your face be the first I see. Let your arms be the ones embracing me. Let our souls find peace together. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.” She gave the gravestone an affectionate pat. “And try not to be too upset at me for following in your footsteps, alright?”

Stalwart pushed herself to her feet, giving Ishgard one last look before returning her gaze to the cold stone before her. She forced herself to take it all in. The dark, hard rock, the broken shield planted firmly in the snow beside it, the lack of ornamentation besides a simple engraving.

Here lies Haurchefant Greystone-Fortemps

Beloved Brother and Son

Valiant Knight

Hero

“Goodbye, my love.” Stalwart turned away before the tears could start falling again. Her faithful black chocobo stood quietly nearby, his liquid-black eyes watching her intently. “And if the worst should happen… I’ll see you soon. I promise you.” With newfound determination Stalwart made her way to the waiting bird, a sense of peace finally falling over her aching heart.