It was a nice day and Aubinaux figured he should sit out on the Free Company lawn, just take up a seat and feel the sun on his face. It was nice, to just take a moment and close his eyes for a bit.
He heard shuffling in front of him, just before he found himself going off into slumber. He opened his eyes to see...Mariko doing a dance in front of him. He wasn’t saying anything, though he did have a grin on his face. Just...continuing to dance.
Okay then, Aubinaux thought, closing his eyes again. It only took a few more moments and then he heard more feet moving. Ah. Maybe this is some sort of game?
He opened his eyes and now there was Q’hara, doing another sort of dance. Mariko was doing a sort of sashay and two step with his feet and Q’hara was doing some side-to-side steps. Hmm. Now it feels like they’re pulling something on me. He closed his eyes and another few moments later, opened to find now Syngigeim and Arashi dancing, Syngi with high kicks, Arashi with some sort of mambo. Aubinaux smiled and actually attempted to take a nap until he heard even more noise. He was going to wait even longer this time. He would outlast these dancing fools! As if responding to his will, the sounds and scuffling seemed to be getting even closer…
Bah! Damn it! Aubinaux opened his eyes to find...just about everyone in the FC actually close around him and doing many, many dances. Aubinaux sighed, took his Dragoon soul crystal in hand, and leapt away from everyone.
“COWARD!” He heard Arashi shout from a far distance.
Only a little bit more! Vauthry was near and soon he would pay for the suffering he caused. Bang! The doors to his chamber burst open. Where Vauthry had turned his back, stuffing his face!
“Lord Vauthry! Your reign of tryany is at an end!” Alphinaud shouted. “For too long you have suffered upon the desperation of the poor. Now you will answer for the suffering you have caused!”
There was no change in the man’s posture, no recognition. Just gorging.
“And if you harbor even a shred of remorse, I beseech you to use your powers to redress the balance. For the future of all in Norvandt.”
Aubinaux was caught off guard by that. The lad still has hope for him? At least now he could pin-point what it was that Syngigeim seemed to like about him.
“No… it can’t be. This is wrong. It’s wrong!” Ryne shouted suddenly.
“Oh, my suspicions are confirmed then, aren’t they?” Syngigeim asked. Aubinaux nodded, keeping his eyes trained on the man she was speaking of. “Vauthry is the Lightwarden isn’t he?”
Ryne just nodded in affirmation.
It was then that the munching from Vauthry began to slow and he seemed to gulp at whatever he was eating. And then...he turned his face around to look at them. Without turning his back.
“Remorse? For the future of all? What nonsense is this?” Vauthry said, very softly and very quizzically. “There is no justice but mine. No future but mine. No will but mine. It was pre-ordained. I was born to deliver this wretched world.”
You alone can save this twisted world huh? Ha.
Vauthry turned his head back around, thank the Twelve. “Me? Unsteated? No, no, no, no, no...” Something clattered to the floor. Maybe he was at last comprehending? “It’s impossible. Inconceivable! Absurd! I am a great and wise king! Greatest! And wisest! I reign from on high! I will not be brought low by maggots LIKE YOU!” he said, shouting and beginning to slam upon the soft cushion he was on. Angrily he shouted and slammed and tantrumed. Overgrown, immature...
Aubinaux noticed Alphinaud look down to the ground in shame in seeing this display. Ah. That explains a bit. After all, many within Wanderer’s League, Aubinaux included, distanced themselves from the Scions, or rather Alphinaud, thanks to his arrogance and pride.
Vauthry seemed to break out of his anger. A calm came over him again. “Oh, yes. Of course. I can begin again. Rebuild my paradise. Once I finish my dinner...” He then took what was a fork with Meol and...ate it all. Llymlaen’s bosom!
“Oh gods, no – Stop him! Thancred, stop him!” Ryne suddenly shouted. Aubinaux readied his axe and let out a rallying cry and- suddenly Vauthry screamed. An ear-piercing rally that snapped his eardrums. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t do, he couldn’t take it!
By the time the sound stopped and he could think clearly again, Vauthry was long gone. “Where did he go!?” Alphinaud asked. An earthquake came in response. Not so bad that he was knocked off his feet but bad enough to shake the chandeliers ahead of the group precariously. Everyone rushed forward out onto the balcony to see what was going on. And what they saw was the top of the nearby mountain, floating in midair and haloed by some sort of crystal. “What in the heavens!?” Alphinaud declared.
“Did Vauthry do that?” Alisaie incredulously asked.
“We must give chase!” Syngigeim said, turning back around to the group.
“I mean, I’m all for that but how?” Aubinaux asked. And here I thought that would be your first question Syngigeim. Aren’t you the one who tends to think things-
“Wait.” Alphinaud said. “That is Mt. Gulg, the highest peak in Kholusia. It lies on the other side of a sheer cliff, and much as I wish it were otherwise, it is beyond our reach for now. But even if it weren’t – there are people here who need our help.”
“Oh Alphinaud...” Alisaie said with a tenderness for her soft-hearted brother.
Alphinaud took a step towards Syngigeim, imploring her, “Please. Even if it’s only to tend to their wounds.”
Syngigeim gazed at him, her expression a bit unreadable, turned her head up to the sky, closed her eyes, gave a soft sigh and then smiled and said “Of course. Let me help as well.”
Alphinaud stepped back and smiled back at her. “Thank you.”
“I don’t know if it will work, but if Vauthry’s hold over the people is rooted in Light, I might be able to reverse it’s effects,” Ryne said. “Will you let me try?”
“Of course. We’d be grateful for any help you can provide,” Alphinaud said, with Ryne giving a small smile in response.
“Well then, if it’s decided, let’s all get to work,” Alisaie said. The two twins and Ryne rushed off, Thancred following swiftly behind and Elly behind him and Urianger and Y’sthola following shortly after. Aubinaux began to follow those two, but stopped. He saw Mariko approach Syngigeim, who was still looking at Mt. Gulg in the distance.
“I’m certain that people have been asking if you are fine a lot lately...” Mariko started to ask.
“The light is contained, and I haven’t been-” She started but Mariko interrupted.
“That isn’t what I’m going to ask about. You seemed more eager to fight Vauthry than anything else.”
“Just...a battle high, nothing more. I’ve got people to take care of.” Syngigeim said, looking down and away from him as she turned on her heel and followed after the Scions. Aubinaux quietly followed after her, casting a glance at Mariko, Q’hara and Arashi quietly discussing something. Quickly he jogged after Syngigeim so he could converse without alerting the Scions.
“We all in some way, shape, and form, take a pleasure in the violence we do,” he whispered.
“I know. But I can’t help but hate myself for it.” Syngigeim whispered back. “It’s inhumane.”
“Trust me, you’re talking to the one person who understands that clearest of all. Just-” He awkwardly put his hand on her back. “-don’t forget your kindness, alright?”
Syngigeim chuckled at that. “I won’t. Thanks,” she said, giving a quick smile before heading forward.
The ground materializing between his feet was a welcome touch now, though Aubinaux suspected it wouldn’t remain that way for long. He was in the realm of the Lord of Crags, where the earth was his domain. A primal he had not yet faced. Already he was itching and ready to face this new foe.
“Look! Overdwellers! Invaders from above! They use our aetherytes against us!”
“They are defiling Titan’s sacred sanctuary! Trespassed, violated, defiled!”
Aubinaux had to clutch his head, those words bringing back memories he’d rather have hidden. No, no, don’t think about it like that. You aren’t like that. You aren’t a monster. They are. They who force your hand. They are at fault. They are at fault!
“Aubin!” Syngigeim sharply said. “Focus!”
“Hear me, overdwellers! You are your treacherous brethren must be held to account for the breaking of the covenant!” he heard a Kobold cry out. “You shall be the first to face judgment! Then Limsa Lominsa and her oathbreakers – liars, betrayers, oathbreakers!”
“Here he comes!” Arashi said as the rocks around the summoning circle formed and twisted around a bright yellow light. Suddenly! A man of rock burst forth! Titan, lord of crags.
“Overdweller...art thou deaf to their weeping?” Titan pleaded.
“Whoa, he talks?!” Q’hara exclaimed.
“Thy vile kind coveteth ever the blessing of the land and murdereth my children by the score – all in service to greed. Such sins are beyond pardon,” Titan said.
“Says the great big bastard who wants to raze our home in retaliation! Do you think we would not fight back?!” Aubinaux shouted. “You can not be allowed to exist!”
“And yet, only one of you has the strength to see that through. Only one of you has smote down Ifrit.” Titan said, inclinging his head over to Syngigeim. “What hast thou to say?”
“...nothing,” Syngigeim said. “I myself have done the sins you have described. I myself have slain your beloved children, when I should have offered a hand of peace,”
“Syngigeim that-” Q’hara started to say but Aubinaux was quicker.
“You know the truth as well as I! There is no cause for peace here! There is only a vengeful god! If you are so uncertain,” he said, leaning towards her “-then why are you even an adventurer?”
Syngigeim blinked back whatever tears were beginning to form, looked squarely in the eye and said. “You know damn well why.”
“Be that as it may, Primals do not deserve to live!” Arashi shouted. “They bring only pain and sorrow upon all who deal with them. And I’d rather they die by my hands than take another thrall!”
“Ha! Someone who sees reason here!” Aubinaux said. “Enough of this. Titan! You will finally taste my axe!”
“Godless overdweller! Thy myriad heresies shall not go unpunished! Upon thee shall I wreak a terrible vengeance!” Titan shouted back, pounding his fists together and roaring!
Picture in your mind, your home ruined and crumbled. There is no way you are going to let that happen. No way. No way. No way no way no way no way no way. FACE ME TITAN! FACE ME AND DIE!
“Code P everyone. Titan has been summoned. Make your way into the Kobold caves and meet up with Q’hara and myself there,” Syngigeim said into the linkpearl. Aubinaux was taken back my Syngigeim’s tone. It seemed rather sad, even remorseful. He thought back to her response back when they first faced him. She was right. But what was he to do about that? Limsa Lominsa just had too much population to stay within the town. And they were pirates. Negotiation wasn’t in their strong suit. It certainly wasn’t his.
It was an easy teleport to Camp Overlook. And while it would also be easy to carve a path through kobolds into the heart of the mountain, he...he didn’t want to. So now he just got on his small airship and ignored the angry cries of “Intruder!” as he made his way to the tunnel aetheryte. Many of the kobolds gave up along the way, leaving only one or two that he had to slay. And it was so easy now…
Aubinaux shook his head and made his way through the door to the aetheryte. He was surprised at what he saw. Q’hara and – oh was that Alisaie? It had been awhile – were looking over a small kobold. “Syngigeim, are you certain you can’t do anything?”
“He has no physical injuries. I’m sorry Hara, but I’m afraid there’s only so much I can do,” Syngigeim said.
“Don’t worry. I will take him back as soon as your friends all gather here,” Alisaie said.
Mariko then spotted Aubinaux and waved him over. “Syngi, Q’hara, Alphinaud and Alisaie investigated into Titan with that kobold there. They were trying their hardest to get crystals to stop them from summoning Titan but then...uh, the kobold found his parents dead. Sacrificed for Titan.”
Seven hells. Well it wasn’t nothing they already didn’t know. Both the Free Company and the Scions were well aware that that was happening but… “So how strong is he looking? Do we need our best?”
“No. Syngigeim said that they didn’t have enough crystals and...well, um, here’s the other thing. That child, in his desperation, was the one that summoned Titan. His desperate pleas for his parents to awake, it somehow awakened Titan.”
“Then that child should be tempered, right? Then why are they hesitating?” Aubinaux asked.
“Do you really want to kill a child?” Mariko muttered. “I know you can do a lot in your rage but really?”
Aubinaux sighed. No he didn’t. Gods, it was going to be hard this time. He didn’t know if he was getting better at managing his temper, or if things were just starting to get to him.
Then why are you even an adventurer? His own voice mocked him now.
For a chance at redemption. He argued back.
Is this really earning redemption? Or spilling more blood?
Well there was only one thing he could hang onto with certainty. Primals should not exist. But to create a world where people didn’t cry out in hope to be saved… well he was a Warrior of Light right? But as to how spilling of more blood was to prevent that…he could not say.
The other hilarity in Tomodachi Life is seeing that Aubinaux and Finn are the same guy assigned by it's personality thing and that it also puts Estinien as that guy and it's like "Ah. I have a type when I'm writing very-much-meant-to-be-stoic-masculinity guys."
Aubinaux opened his eyes. This was not his first time under the Minstral’s magic words. However, he couldn’t help but give just a slight smile. This felt like the first time he properly seemed to use it outside of a passing diversion for himself, his friends, and whatever adventurer felt strong enough to test their mettle.
This time, he, Syngigeim, and Elly were helping someone else as well.
“Where has he sent us!?” Clive asked in confusion.
“You stand in the Bowl of Embers,” The Wandering Minstrel’s voice rang out over the imagined arena, though not appearing himself. “The site where the Amalj’aa summoned their patron deity...and the stage upon which the Warriors of Light became a slayer of gods.”
That held true for all of them. Even if Aubinaux was not there to take down Ifrit this time around, he did way back 5 years ago.
“’Tis but a convincing illusion – the body ofa recounted tale given breath by fanciful verse,” The Minstral continued. “Come forth, Lord of the Inferno!”
Within an eclipsed sun, a ball of fire formed, and within, a devil made flesh. Lord of the Inferno, Ifrit. He spun up into the sky, exploded, and leapt back down, a sight familiar to the Warriors called to prevent his summoning again and again.
“An accurate facimile, yet not quite the Ifrit you know,” The Minstrel said to Clive.
“No...not quite the same,” he agreed. It was then that flames overtook Ifrit and suddenly, what emerged was a much larger, bulkier monster. One who stood on his hindlegs rather than crawl like a lizard. And was gigantic. Ifrit roared and stepped forward.
“Seven hells!” Elly shouted, using her arms to block the heat. Syngigeim took a step forward, defiantly staring at him. Aubinaux just folded his arms, and stared at the monster...who was staring right at Clive.
Clive screamed in pain, holding his head as if he’s suffering a headache. An echo vision? Or...something else. “It’s time to uncover the truth!” Syngigeim said. Aubinaux both nodded in agreement.
“We’re with you!” Elly chimed in.
Aubinaux smirked. “Whenever you want to take this bastard down, I’ll be right there.”
Clive shook his head. “Alright. Time to find out who I am.” He stared at the monster. “Ifrit…” And then took out his sword pointing it at the monster. “That’s the thing which killed Joshua! Yes...I’ve been on its trail, seeking vengeance for my brother!” He swung his sword down at his side, readying for battle. “That thing muast pay. Fight with me, everyone!”
No other words were needed. Aubinaux readied his axe, Elly her fists, and Syngigeim, her...tome, at least summoning that creature that always followed her. Ifrit roared out. And Aubinaux rushed forward, yelling in pure defiance. “Come at me you fiend!” He said, tearing into the beast as he could.
“With me, Elly, Syngigeim!” Clive shouted towards the other two. Elly two also rushed forward, fists flying in fury. Syngigeim however, did not need to, and hanged back, slinging spells, while her carbuncle joined them, ready to heal to soothe Aubinaux’s aches.
This Ifrit wasted no time. He gathered the fury of an explosion beneath their feet...enough so much that there would be nowhere safe around them! But then, the Minstrel said Clive was sharing some of his power. He already saw Elly move up her arm, like it was a cloak, and instead feathers, as if come from the Phoenix. There was a...sense. A countdown in his head. 3...2...1...go! Aubinaux dashed forward, and so did Syngigeim, and somehow, the flames that erupted beneath them felt like a waft of hot air. Elly, however, swore as she was blasted with flames in her face.
“Almost, almost! Keep going!” Clive encouraged.
With this dodge, Aubinaux felt something. An aetherial sword formed in his head and he striked! Syngigeim too, but in her case, it zipped her forward towards Ifrit as well, rushing up and towards Ifirt’s side the strike! She tumbled and took a few steps back, startled but calucating. And there were other things she had to worry about, Aubinaux knew. She immediately turned her attention to Elly, as Aubinaux focused his on Ifrit.
“Do you know what time of year it is, Aubinaux?” Y’sthola said during their breakfast, with a little smile on her face.
“Hmm,” he said. He needed to think on it. They had arrived in Tuliyollal near the end of the seventh moon and had been staying for about another moon so- “Ah.”
“I see you just realized. The season of the Rising is upon us once more.”
“Ah,” he said again, a blush rising to his face. Was she expecting something special? It was around the time of their dating anniversary at least. “Um, sorry uh, were you expecting a date or a gift or something?”
Y’sthola laughed a little at that. “We’ve spend nigh on a full moon together here in Tuliyollal, both in defending it against Zoraal Ja and Sphene and in taking time together to relax. I, for one, am mostly content... expect in one aspect.”
“And that is?”
“We should visit Limsa Lominsa to see the fireworks in a few days. And stop by the Drowning Wrench, for old times sake.”
Aubinaux chuckled at that. He had the sneaking suspicion a tradition was going to be formed between them. “That we can do.”
Y’sthola smiled, and took another sip of her tea though. “I am a little surprised that someone such as you, one who was on the plains of Cartenaeu, doesn’t have any other traditions.”
Aubinaux shrugged. “In truth, I felt at ease with that specific part of my life ever since finding the truth within the Coils. Reginald and U’lakata are deep within the Aetherial Sea and considering we didn’t run into any trace of them at all when we journeyed down in those depths, I think that matter is fully at rest.”
“Mayhap so. But it’s not just the dead that need to be honored at this time. What of your companions?” Y’sthola asked.
Aubinaux thought. Mariko, he was fine. Every time Aubinaux spotted him, he was near Syngigeim, being the ever doting partner. Elly… oh hells, Elly. He had no clue about Elly. All he knew was that she was in Ala Mhigo and taking a break from adventuring in general, thanks to how badly she was burned in Bozja.
Y’sthola gave a low chuckle at his realization and simply sipped on her tea.
“Thank you for being a wonderful partner and reminding me of these things,” he said as he leaned over to give her a peck on the cheek before hastily heading out the door.
“‘Hara!”
“Twelve forfend, Aubinaux!” Q’hara said, nearly leaping in shock towards the retainer he was evidently talking to. “Give me a moment yeah?”
“Right,” Aubinaux said, backing off and away. The markets felt rather busy in Tuliyolal, mostly by a wave of fresh new adventurers it looked like. He decided to wait next to Bol Ogaw. The Hunts board and its little corner of the area was mostly quiet. As quiet as these markets could be... but good enough to linger near.
A few moments later, Q’hara walked over to Aubinaux. “Right. So what’s this about Aubinaux? You’re usually not so-”
“Have you heard from Elly at all these past few days?”
Q’hara looked quizzically. “No...linkpearl reception from here to Ala Mhigo is basically non -existent. Why? Is something the matter?”
“Agh. Nothing so much but-” Aubinaux rubbed the back of his head. “Y’sthola reminded me the Rising festival has started up and- well gently reminded me that I should think about her. You’re her closest friend now so…”
There was a moment or two of silence. Evidently gears were turning in Q’hara’s head as a dawning horror drew upon his face. “Oh gods. I am aren’t I?”
Aubinaux shrugged. “You two are the Blue Mage Brethren, or some such.” They had some sort of stage name and gimmick, Aubinaux didn’t really know the specifics. “I was thinking maybe Mariko and I could chat with her at some point but, it would be a bit awkward just asking just from me.”
“Leave it to me then!” Q’hara said with a cheerful thumbs up. “Oh I need to get her some gifts from Tural. What fashion would she like? She’s more of a dangling jewelry appreciator rather than a clothes girl...”
Well, at least this was a start. Aubinaux sighed a sigh of relief as Q’hara turned to the markets muttering about jewelry and such things. He glanced up at the blue sky and smiled. It’s nice having friends to rely on.
