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Extinguished (Prompt #10: Coward)

The heavy doors of the Forgotten Knight shut with a deep thud, banishing the howls of the frozen Coerthas winds. Two solemn-faced Scions swept their gaze downstairs, searching each table and dark corner for their missing companion. In Ishgard, the loud and outgoing bard usually stuck out easily. The tavern was hosting boisterous crowds of commoners tonight, but the two Scions could not find a single sign of their friend among them.

Frowning as she adjusted her woolen coat, the Miqo’te healer’s eyes darted from corner to corner. “Hm? Tataru was certain that she saw Teruko heading over here. Maybe she went up to her room?”

The Limsan pugilist shook his head. “Eh… don’t know, Rana. I’m thinkin’ she wouldn’t do that. It’s only a couple ‘a hours since we were up the top of the Vault. And I know ‘er, she damn sure hasn’t been actin’ her usual since then.”

“And that’s why I’m worried.” Rana sighed. “Pascal, let’s ask Gibrillont. If she was here, he had to have talked to her.”

Hurrying down the stairs, they stepped up to the bar where the exhausted bartender was pouring several mugs of ale. Since the Scions’ arrival in the mountain city, the wise and grizzled Gibrillont had become a familiar face and valuable informant. “Ah, Pascal and Rana! Good evening to ya two.” He set his hand down on the counter. “I imagine you’re lookin’ for someone?”

Rana nodded. “It sounds like you already know. Is Teruko here?”

“Aye. She asked me if there was a quiet place she could be alone. Sent ‘er down to a side room on the lower floor First door you’ll see.”

“That’s all we need to know. Thanks.”

“Not a problem. But before you run off, give ‘er this.”

With a serious expression on his face, the bartender slides a large metal canteen over the counter.

Pascal raises an eyebrow as he accepts the canteen, the contents sloshing about inside. “Ey, Gibrillont, what’s this then?”

“Just water.”

“...shite. I don’t like the sound of that one bit.”

Following the bartender’s directions, the two Scions descended down the staircase towards the Brume-side entrance, and found themselves before a worn door. As they slowly opened it, they heard a quiet gasp from inside.

Under the light of a few dim oil lanterns, an almost unrecognizable woman sat before an overturned crate that had been reused as a table. Her face was flush pink as she finished off what appeared to be her fifth bottle of stout Ishgardian brew. She trembled with each breath, and it was clear that she had been crying for quite some time. Most striking of all was her hair. During their travels together, Teruko went through great lengths to make sure her long hair was clean and well-cared for. But now, it was short and uneven, as if she had hastily lopped it away herself.

As Pascal and Rana rushed to her side, she huddled in her seat and turned away, trying to avoid eye contact. She did not speak a single word.

Rana placed her hand softly on Teruko’s shoulder. “It’s been a difficult night, hasn’t it?”

Shaking his head, Pascal picked up one of the empty bottles and shook it. “And ye didn’t even save any for us. What’s goin’ on with you? Are ya alright?”

The battered archer looked towards him with swollen, empty eyes. She answered in a hoarse, bitter voice, “What do you think?”

Sensing a small drip of anger in her friend’s voice, Rana stepped in quickly. “Hey now… you’re among friends, Teruko. And we’re quite worried about you.”

Teruko sank lower in her seat, going silent again.

“Why don’t you start by telling us what happened here?” The Miqo’te ran her hand through Teruko’s hair, not even shoulder-length anymore. “I remember… back when we were still in Gridania, the first things you bought with your first payments. Expensive shampoos and brushes. So you can imagine that I am rather surprised.”

“An enemy could have grabbed it, and someone would have needed to risk their lives to save me,” she answered quietly.

Rana lowered her hands, sitting down at the stool beside Teruko. “I know you and Haurchefant were… close, Teruko. But you can’t blame yourself for what happened.”

The archer tensed up at the mere mention of his name. “How… how could I not?” She began to shout. “I-it… it keeps happening! It never stops! First Ul’dah, and now… n-now… he’s...”

She put the bottle in her hands to her mouth to distract herself. It was empty.

Standing up, she faced her two friends and began to wail. “People keep dying because of me! All I’ve done is walk blindly into traps and need somebody to throw themselves in front of me as my shield!”

Pascal began shouting as well. “That… nobody expected any of that! None of us! Why are you blamin’ yourself? Don’t be a fool, lass!”

“Because at this rate you’re going to be next, Pascal! And you, Rana!” Her eyes began to well up again. Through the tears, Teruko sat down with her hands in her face.

“I.. I know why you came here. I heard.” She sniffed. “We’re supposed to depart for the Sea of Clouds and search for the Archbishop tomorrow morning. I’m telling you now. Leave me.”

Rana reached out and placed her hand over Teruko’s clenched fist. “Teruko, no. We’re heading out there, and I’m definitely not leaving you to drink through another seven rounds of this. Besides… we need you. The three of us have always worked together, right?”

“So you want me to board that airship just to watch you impaled upon a spear of light? While I lay helpless on the floor?” She shrieked loudly. “Is that it? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?” The tears were uncontrollable now. Teruko slumped down onto the crate, her face in her arms.

Pascal moved closer to her, and gripped her shoulder firmly. “Nay, that’s what I’m thinkin’ will happen if you don’t go with us, lass.” The Limsan seemed a different person as his voice grew grave and serious. “We came to this ‘ere miserable place together, and we’re gonna snap that old man’s neck together. I ain’t never leavin’ my friend behind.”

“I… no. I can’t…”

Rana patted her on the shoulder. “There isn’t a single person I would trust more at my back with nothing more than a bow and a flute, Teruko. I promise you. Under my watch, we’ll all make it back.”

The archer shook, choking back her sobs. Stretching her arms out, she pulled her two fellow Scions close and embraced them. Although she was beyond words, the others felt her hold them close as she cried out the burdens of the last long, painful months.

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