[ because this nerd over here ( @mxritum ) asked me to make a companion drabble to his which can be found here ]
Locking eyes with one he used to hold so close, the single friend he had during his troubled years as a child, he could not help but be shocked beyond belief that he had not changed at all since they last crossed paths. Other than the intense look of fear reflecting in his eyes, that much he could notice without the use of words, he appeared as though he had not aged a day.
He heard his name called out by him, a feeling of warmth enveloping him as he used the nickname he had been given so many turns ago. No one had ever called him such but him. It brought a sense of familiarity, grounding the usually flighty Azure.
The following moments passed by in a blur of weapons and an intensely powerful spell placed upon Ciar by his own father. He hardly had a moment to contemplate what was happening next until he was in a daze beside Ciaran, cradling him in his arms as he clung to life. “Hold on, I beg of you. Stay awake...” They could fix him if he was brought to a healer in time-- Perhaps he would become better. He attempted to remain wholly optimistic, but deep down he knew Ciar would not be able to last the night.
Suddenly, he felt as though he was the selfsame young boy in Ishgard, running barefoot through the cobblestone streets with a timid Lalafel in tow, laughing and giggling as they did what any other children would do; play. It was so simple and easy back then to simply run and frolic without a single care in the world.
He was brought back into reality by the sound of speaking, a familiar voice and one he never thought he would hear again-- one he never would hear again.
“Please… D-don’t let me s-suffer…”
His lance lay nearby, discarded earlier into this encounter, but now once again needed for a deed he had no joy in performing. To kill his friend. To kill the one he spent his time as a child with. It was selfish, but perhaps all his pain did not entirely stem from his dying friend, but his dying past. With Ciar no longer, he would no longer be able to recall when he when he was happy or if he was always an obedient soldier.
“Let Halone take thy into her halls and allow thee rest from the troubles and woes of this lifetime.” Fingers slowly wrapped around the shaft of his weapon, pressing point against his chest, right above where his heart would lie. If he put enough force behind this then he would hope the pain would only last for a second. How horrible it was... How horrible that he was wondering how it was best to end his friend.
He couldn’t bare to look Ciar in the eyes as he finally plunged his lance through him, however, it would be far worse to not keep his eyes locked on him. It would make it seem as though he was abandoning him to death. No one deserved to be alone when they entered the Lifestream.
It was quiet then. No one more pleading or begging, no more sobs and cries of pain, not even the great wyrm dared whisper within his head. He was utterly alone once again. As it was always meant to be.
