echoes of truth | ❝ tales of loss and fire and flame. ❞

[dragonssung]

song of hope

BOOK 3.5: EVER HEAVENSWARD

Tales of loss and fire and faith
Every word on our hearts engraved
In the dark you will not stray
Forge ahead, till the end, we prayCODE BY TESSISAMESS

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[culturedconjurer]

[ Y'shtola's ever-placid appraising gaze travels between the three as they speak and pronounce their respective opinions on the matter. That each one has merit, she does not deny, but it still seems to her that achieving that which they wish to accomplish will be quite the monumental, if not entirely unprecedented, task.

Thancred, meanwhile, merely sits by and listens to the exchange; this talk of souls and aether is a bit outside his area of expertise, preferring opportunities to engage in subterfuge and other covert operations. Simply put, he is a man of action, not necessarily a scholar.

As if she senses Thancred's feeling that he has little to contribute to the present discussion, Y'shtola turns her gaze to him, and a knowing smile crosses her face. A finger taps at her lips in a somewhat teasing gesture, as if she knows that his attention is beginning to wander. But he still remains a valued member of the Scions, and perhaps they will have need of him yet.

She turns her attentions back to the exchange between Urianger and the Exarch even as her eyes briefly turn to where the Warriors of Light sit. Their silence is understandable, given the rather personal nature of what has transpired, but still, she finds herself wondering what might be going through their mind.

Tilting her head once more, she says: ] Azys Lla? [ She ponders this for a few seconds before inclining her head. ] A great many mysteries are contained there, some being harder to unlock than others.

[ She spares a glance for K'thisru then, and even as she remains positioned by her sister, she looks back with a slight shrug.

K'thisru's gaze travels back to her sister, and again, her shoulders lift in a shrug. She still considers herself little better than G'raha's assistant during their time together, because like Thancred, most of this flies right over her head. Still, she has done her best to absorb the information and learn from it.

Thancred chooses this moment to finally speak, having picked up on something he might be able to do to contribute. ] If a visit to Azys Lla is in order, who among us will be making the journey?

[shepherdtostars]

[ Little has gone through her mind other than the consuming worry for the man she already considers her husband and her mate. While normally she would be engaged, even at the forefront, of attempting to find what would be needed for a cure? Now, all she wishes to do is place the task onto the other Scions and return to Aymeric's side. Her gaze drops further and her hand entirely laxes in K'thsiru's hold.

The Exarch nods in agreement to Y'sthola's assessments. ] Yes. The Allagans would not have simply their research to be easily obtained. Not with the nature of what they were attempting to achieve there. Very little was available in the Tower's records when it came to what research was done there. What we might pull from the records of the Scions is that it housed the Warring Triad to keep them in a perpetual state of of summoning. Therefore, any and all research could be done while they were in control of the Primals--or, Eikons, as they refer to them as. Doubtless there would be many traps that would require the aid of one keen for battle...

[ He smiles over at Thancred, as if understanding the man's need to see action and not just meetings endlessly. ] And, you may yet need one more item to make the journey easier. The Allagans, after all, were a society built around a royal linage. Should any overrides exist, a member of the royal family could provide such authorization.

[ Urianger tilts his head. ] And yet, thou still doth remain on the First, Exarch. A voice--even of the soul--could not override what would need be done.

[ At that, the Exarch nods and turns to look at K'thisru. He smiles at her, raising his normal hand and gesturing to her. ] Before your left, Thisru, I gave you the token of Allagan make. It not only has allowed me to center the magicks in order to project... but it also contains a small amount of my blood. It should suffice in order to give you and any you take to Azys Lla the authority you would need. And, if cor some reason it is not enough, then pray, call upon me with the same token. I will see what can be done.

[ Urianger frowns gently before turning his gaze back to Y'shtola and Thancred. It is quite obvious that the Crystal Exarch has already done much to aid them and Eorzea. However, he feels that he does not need to point out the dangers that might yet lurk in the continual projection of his soul by use of the Tower. They are not concerns he will raise with the twins or the sisters present...

Alisaie tilts her head as she folds her arms in thought. ] Then, who is going to Asyz Lla?

[elpides]

[ K'thisru turns to look at the Exarch as well, a small sort of smile crossing her face in spite of herself. She worries about him as well, wondering if what he does will take a final toll on him, one he cannot recover from.

But he has resolved to do what must be done, and it seems as though trying to convince him otherwise is a futile effort, so rather than comment on that, she says instead: ]

It looks like Thancred would like to go, at least. [ She spares a smile for him, because she can also tell that he would rather be doing something else than discussing plans. Still, plans are necessary if action is going to happen, but she sympathizes with him regardless. ]

And of course, I have to go. [ She squeezes Alkaid's hand as if apologizing for this. She would stay with her if she could, but this seems like a way she can help. ]

I'm not sure who else should accompany us, if anyone. [ She looks around the room at the others, wondering if any of them will volunteer. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid merely squeezes her sister's hand in return. Even then, the notion is light and lacking her usual conviction. She understands and does not hold it against her. K'thisru has always been one for action. ]

This is my idea, and so, I must go as well. [ Alisaie nods and looks to the other Scions. ] Who else will be joining Thancred, K'thisru, and I?

[ Urianger leans in his chair as his head tilts in thought. ] Mine own studies of the primals might better serve the investigations of the Towers for now. There would be no doubt that these Towers are connected to the rise in primal activity. Beastmen are known to summon their gods from protection, but, it doth remain a mystery as to how King Thordan and his Knights were resummoned in Ishgard. It is a matter I intend to thoroughly look into. Should any feel inclined to investigate along mine own side, the help would be appreciated.

[ Alkaid slowly raises her head to look at the other Scions then. She is aware they are waiting to hear what side of events the other Warrior of Light will side beside. Her two-toned eyes look at each of them in turn before shaking her head. ]

I am staying here; with Ser Aymeric and Estinien.

[ Alisaie's gaze softens slightly. She can't say she was not expecting this. ] Oh, Alkaid...

[elpides]

[ Without thinking, as is her usual way of acting, K'thisru scoots a little closer to her sister and wraps her arms around her in a warm embrace. ]

Of course you're staying here. Ser Aymeric needs you, and as for Estinien, that is his friend. [ And brother, her inner voice adds.

But then she turns to look at each of the others who have elected to remain. ] Will you be all right in our absence?

[shepherdtostars]

[ Perhaps unsurprisingly, Alkaid melts in her sister's hold. She lowers her head to rest it against K'thisru's shoulder and lets her eyes fall shut. It is difficult to explain the amount of pain that her heart--even her soul--seems to be in over the ordeal. Perhaps K'thisru could understand to some degree. Alkaid knows that her sister is oh so very fond of the Crystal Exarch and always has been. ]

I will have to be.

[ Urianger's gaze softens as he turns his gaze to the other older Scions. What are their thoughts on the matter? He cannot deny that the Warrior of Light would be a great asset to their mission outside of the cure. ]