On the bridge of tomorrow
With heavy steps, the pair walked across the icy cold path of the Gates of Judgement. Everything laid shattered and crumbled before them, L'tqia's heart just as well felt on the cusp of ruin.
L'tiqa looked at the Astrologian by his side. So beautiful and smart, they had endured a lot since those carefree days of helping people around Eorzea. They have stood against the Garleans, against the ancient Allagans, against the Primals again and again when they could only rely on each other.
He imagined them running again under the tunnels of Ul'dah. His raging emotions, the tears in his eyes as he started losing his friends one by one. All to protect them, should he have turned back too? Maybe Tart wouldn't have gotten separated then? Maybe Minfilla wouldn't be like this right now. Even if he was apart from Tea...
And then the pain, L'tiqa stared and pondered Tea. No, he cant lose her too not after all this. L'tiqa didnt want that. But everyone had made their own choices. And L'tiqa respected that. He had his own choices to make, the path for him take himself.
He thought of the words left unsaid that day, when he thought they may have to part ways.
"Yes?" Tea asked peering from her hat with a tilt.
"Your thighs look cold in that outfit." He chose to say instead. "Maybe i could warm them up for you?" He winked.
A pause from the Au Ra and "Is that so? And here i thought maybe you might say something else." and Tea turned back to what they faced, the shade of hate. "I'm sure dragonfire we'll keep us plenty warm soon enough."
"Only if they can catch us." He wasn't scared of this fight. On the contrary he needed this.
Both Nidhogg and L'tiqa couldnt let the past go. Would he end up like this at the end of the road? Let the dragonsong end here, along with this regret. They would save everyone they could. For those we could yet save.
I'm sorry Krile your really not a good judge of character, L'tiqa mused in his mind. He burned with the same desire as Alphinaud. That trip through Dravania, the five of them huddled around a campfire trying to nurture a faint hope.
L'tqia gave a bittersweet smile from the memories. When did that dragonslayer and witch become so dear to him huh?
Of course he'd look after Alphinaud, but Tea's gonna have to look after him because he'll drag Estienen out of there and only Hydaelyn knows how far L'tiqa will go to do it.
He felt his hope surge. The dream of a better day. He felt Hraesvelgr, his power, his hope, the boundless love he had for his partner within.
L'tiqa looked at his companion, and Tea looked at hers. They smiled, nodded and ran forward.
They'd put an end to this.