FFXIVWrite2020 25: A Dream Made Flesh
G’raha had never been to Ishgard before. The way Lin was welcomed by several reminded him of how many times he had read Heavensward as the Exarch. Even meeting the author himself.
However, Lin hardly spent a day there before insisting he follow her to the airship landing.
“So, do you remember that place I took you to in the Burn a week ago?”
He nods his head. “You told me that the Allagan lab there was... trying to do something? Make land fly? Something about dragons? And Bahamut?”
She nods her head, a smile on her face. “Yes, it is. Among other things, a prison for the dragons of Meracydia, who tried to avenge their fallen father, tricked by Ascians to try and call him back. However, there’s more to it. Three other imprisoned primals. That I killed. But it seems something is keeping the power going.”
“It could be reserves. Do you know where this place is?”
Lin nods her head.
“Is it a stationary?”
It takes a moment for Lin to think. “I believe so. Somewhere north of Vylbrand if I recall correctly. But I wanted to show you more. There’s an Allagan Museum there. I’m sure you’d love it.”
A museum? The whole place must be one now.
It takes a few hours of flying on chocobos again before he sees the islands on the horizon. A large ship with chains and anchors to all of them, charging the power to float to everything around it. He can feel the ionization of the air.
Lin lands in a covered place, a landing of some sort. “Welcome, G’raha, to part of your birthright. Welcome to Azys Lla.”
He’d read about the place before, but it was considered a myth while he was at the Studium. And Lin had found it.
“Hm, now, where was the Fractal Continuum? I’m sure you’d love it. Even if I did... kinda beat up some of the exhibits?” She gives a nervous grin.
“Why did you fight the exhibits?”
“Well, the first time, I was trying to save a node Wedge cared for. Second time I was trying to protect an Ixal researcher who thought maybe this was their promised land.”
“It was,” G’raha says. He can feel the memories of his blood there. “The Ixalion were powerful creations. That some became spoken was a miracle that none know the truth of.”
Lin takes a few steps away, as if looking for someone.
Does something still work here?
“Ah, excuse me my lord.”
The words are as clear as day. Electronic.
A node.
There was the one that made its way to the First with him. He’s familiar with their tone.
He turns around. “Ah, pardon me, but did you call me ‘My Lord’?”
The node, one egg-shaped, with a strong point on top, chirps and spins. “Indeed. It has been three thousand two hundred and twenty seven years since Allagn Royalty last visited. What brings you here?”
Lin rushes over. “Ah, there’s one. We were looking for the Fr--”
“Excuse me, miss. I was speaking to the King. He may have gifted you his blood, but that does not mean you are royalty.”
Lin huffs.
“Could you take us to the Fractal Continuum, good node?”
The node chirps again. “I believe the Navigation Node would be the best guide for royalty these days, but do keep your consort under control.”
He can hear Lin choke at those words. He looks over and her hand itches to grab her rapier. A few seconds and she lets it pass.
The somewhat conical node introduces them to a round one with blue markings, the Navigation node in question.
It leads the way, both of them on their chocobos again.
“If you would put your hand here, Your Majesty, we will let you in. Please note, there have been reports of break-outs in the past few years. But I assure you, everything will be safe.”
He does so, and looks around. It is late allagan, when decadence overtook them. But still, the Continuum is an archaeological site in itself, ignoring the rest Azys Lla. Preserved stories and mindsets.
The first two hallways have signs of battle. If Lin hadn’t warned him about her previous ventures, he probably would have been more shocked, but the node’s narration does a wonderful job of filling in the gaps.
The third, however, is pristine. Full of plants and smaller animals from Meracydia, according to the node. Insects and a couple galago species rustle around them in the amber light of the Museum.
“I haven’t been to this part,” Lin says to herself as they walk around. “But it’s beautiful. How did you manage to keep all this going for thousands of years?”
The node replies to her. The answer, of course, lies in the energy of the warring triad, but also nodes caring for the specimens around them.
G’raha stops and takes Lin’s hand. He’s not sure why he brought the small bag with the necklace with him on this stretch of their trip, but he’s glad he did.
“Raha?”
He clears his throat. “Ah, when I was a boy, many long years ago, I yearned to stand tall as heroes of eld.”
She blinks. “What are you doing, Raha?”
Raha continues, his tail starting to swish. “But like a fool seeking to pluck stars from the heavens, my every attempt to reprise their actions fell short.”
“No, they didn’t. You are as much a hero as I am. Please don’t--”
He takes his hand from hers and places it on her lips, His legs feel heavy, and he falls to his knees, as he pulls the bag from his pocket.
“And then, one day, an all-but-forgotten dream from my youth stood before me in the flesh, and she told me I could do that. I can pluck stars from the heavens and reprise every deed. That she would help me every step of the way.”
He opens the bag and pulls out the necklace. “And I would give much and more for her to stay by my side every step of the way.”
“Raha, are you-- Is this--?”
He tries to stand up, but his legs feel locked in position. “Perhaps I am weak, unable to believe in myself without you next to me, but please, Lin. I know it will not be your first time marrying, but I would give much and more to call you my wife.”
She kneels next to him, kisses him on his lips. “I promise every day will be an adventurer as long as I can call you husband.”
He places the necklace around her, smiling at the stones sparkling in the artificial light. Elsewhere, it would be even more gorgeous, but this is good.
“Ah, I had wondered if she were a consort or more. This is the fifth royal betrothal in this very room.”
Lin chokes again. “C-conso--” She starts to laugh.
He joins her. He hadn’t thought it a tradition of his blood. He hadn’t planned on today, or here. Just soon.
“Now, if you two are quite done, I can take you to another wing. Perhaps the one with the Ultima Warrior perhaps.”