an ending to mark a new beginning

zenos galvus from ffxiv ⚔ follows from pennedbybrie

[zenos-v-galvus]

An Ending to Mark a New Beginning

zenos galvus from final fantasy xiv fandom and fandomless verses follows from pennedbybrie

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activity: hiatus

brie's other roleplay sideblogs ▹ cataleyatakahashi | fandomless oc ▹ malcolmgaunt | fandomless oc

[zenos-v-galvus]

Hiatus

I've still been thinking it over and for now this blog will go on hiatus.

Have I lost my muse for him? No. But even though things have slowed down a lot over here, having the blog still be active but not having the motivation to really do things is affecting my ability to roleplay overall.

If you've enjoyed writing with me and are interested in interacting with fandomless OCs with many AUs, please check out @cataleyatakahashi and @malcolmgaunt. Their blogs are active. No pressure, of course. And I completely understand if you'd rather unfollow. Do what's best for you!

Either way, this blog will be left up in case I decide to come back. 💜

[ofcrimson]

Her soul was one that blazed as bright as the sun, like a eternal flame which only grew more fierce each passing day. As she watched him approach, Ember just kind of stayed put. She was already kind of embarrassed not transforming back to her human form. "I...yes, you're right. I am more than just a dancer." Ancient, a old soul. Humanity had many names.

The phoenix finally did resume her human form, now leaning against the table. "I don't like to show people who I really am. As I like to keep my identity a secret. You would be amazed at how many times i've been mistaken for that other deity, Suszaku. Though, she is a mere imitation of me. The true phoenix."

Oh geez she was rambling on, wasn't she. "So, what now? That you just saw all that? You said it yourself. I am more than just a dancer. I can see there is more to you than meets the eye as well." Although she didn't say it directly, Ember was referring to his eyes.

[zenos-v-galvus]

The Phoenix? The very same creature that the Eikon his dear friend can summon—and even take the form of—takes inspiration from?

Perhaps this day will not be so boring after all.

Zenos lets her ramble until she addresses his own peculiarities. "This is the Resonant, a form of the Echo I claimed for myself. It has its uses.... It is rare that I am able to bear witness to a soul such as yours."

"If you are concerned about your secret being revealed, worry not." He blinks, his eyes returning to their natural white and blue. "Though, I cannot deny what I am curious... Why does the Phoenix masquerade in the form of a mere dancer, living amongst mortalkind in secret?"

[pocketfulofgalaxies]

Mistaken, him. Oh no no. He would never.....well. What is the use of carrying on such a conversation when it would just end in frustrating the other more. After all, Fandaniel was here with his own agenda and of course to cater to this mans orders. However when asked the name of the man, the Ascian simply shrugged. "If you have no recollection of the face, why ask for a name. Though I believe his name was, hmm. Ah! Asahi. Poor soul, till the bitter end."

Again, not that he even remotely cared. This was his vessel now. That soul was in the very pits of.....anyways. "My lord, your mind has been so focused on your dear friend that why ask such a question? And speaking of the dear champion of the people. They've been busy busy from what i've gathered."

As in sticking their nose where it doesn't belong, and ruining carefully laid out plans. But he supposed if the champion stayed the course then his lord would cross paths with them again. "I am at your command, if you need something done. Ask. Otherwise, I will attend to other matters."

[zenos-v-galvus]

There is no reaction to the name. No indication whatsoever that he was aware of this one-sided attraction. Or that he is even capable of remembering the names of his former high-ranking subordinates.

Indeed. Why is he bothering with such questions?

"Yes... Busy with the tedious tasks that befall heroes, I imagine," says Zenos, a hint of something that could be disappointment in his voice.

He still does not understand why she has not come to him yet. The star is in peril, thanks to him, and the Tower of Babil—what should be her main focus—has be readied for her arrival. So where is she now?

If he must be consigned to waiting, then he may as well check that everything is truly in place.

"...You are certain that the Voidsent you called will follow my orders?" he asks, glancing at his magitek scythe resting against his throne. He may be able to manipulate aether thanks to the Resonant, but he took the Ascian's offer to do the summoning to spare himself the effort of learning those tedious aspects of the Reaper arts. "Everything must be perfect for her. I will not accept mistakes when the time comes."

[owinterer]

Zenos' joke made the black haired man blink, eyebrows slightly raised in surprise before he let out a small laugh. That was true- last time, it had been the Garlean that had given him a ride, seeing that the bard couldn't have exactly kept up with the Endsinger on his own-- he stubbornly would claim otherwise, though.

Deryn took a few steps away with a small hum before he looked up. Soon enough, he would whistle, and a loud squawk could be heard from a distance. A rather large chocobo with white tipped black feathers would then make its presence known even more as it landed nearby, greeting its owner with a whistle of its own before dark eyes stared curiously toward Zenos. 

The warrior of light gave it a light pat on the side before turning back toward the other, a smirk on his lips.

“Seems like she's taken a liking to you, she usually hates people.” He chuckled softly. “Either way, you'll have to give a peace offerin' since she's not used to you but I got just what you need for that.” Deryn spoke as he rummaged through the saddle bags, only to pull out a large, golden Krakka Root. How he got his hands on that was a mystery, honestly. He approached the Garlean, toying with the vegetable in his hand before handing it over.

“Surely, you won't mind doing that much, yeah?” 

[zenos-v-galvus]

Zenos watches as the Chocobo heeds its master's call, and is actually a bit impressed at its size once it is up close enough to take proper measure of it. Yes, it should be able to carry both his friend and him.

"All I must do is hold it up to the beast, yes?" he asks, looking at the krakka root, completely unaware of its value, before accepting it.

How hard can feeding an overgrown bird be?

Unlike most people, he is not intimated by a Chocobo of such size, and walks up to it. When offering up the krakka root, he grips it by the end where the greens are, his fingers holding up the golden root. Said fingers are well within biting range if he were to not react fast enough.

Truly, this man has no idea how to interact with an animal properly.

[zenos-v-galvus]

continued from here | @pocketfulofgalaxies

Zenos stares at the Ascian silently, waiting for him to stop talking.

"I have no recollection of that face. Nor anything else to do with it," he eventually says, already tired of the conversation. "Many have tried to earn my favour... And all for naught. Therefore, you must be mistaken."

None were loyal to him. Only his title. Only the power he wielded by being the son of the man who defeated his uncle and cousin in that tedious civil war. And, in the end, he was fine with that. The only one deserving of his attention is his dear friend, wherever they are now.

After a moment, he deigns to ask another question, "What was the name of this man?"

[owinterer]

To think that he already was thinking about what exactly what he could prepare before even hearing Zenos' answer, Meteor sure knew how to get ahead of himself. Blue eyes that had wandered away as he became lost in his thoughts looked back up once he heard the other speak once more. Oh, perfect then. He nodded rather enthusiastically, beaming as he then began to wander off. 

A quiet corner would be perfect, aside from a quick detour to grab a few things from one of his retainers- he knew he had what he needed, just not on hand at this very moment. The fact that he quickly went into the motion upon approval must've been something hilarious, too.

Then again, it wasn't like it would take him too much time to cook, too. He already had perfected the art.

[zenos-v-galvus]

As his friend sets into motion what must be an rather inspiring plan, judging by his focus and excitement, Zenos smiles and turns to head back towards the quarter known as Exultation in the city of Tuliyollal.

"Gather what you need. I will return to the cabin."

When not following in Meteor's wake when it comes to whatever has been going on in Tural or pursuing hunt mark on his own, Zenos has preferred the comfort of the For'ard Cabins over wandering the city aimlessly. The chairs on the open deck are especially nice for naps.

In fact, by the time Meteor should return, Zenos has already removed much of his armour and is lounging on one if said chairs with a book.

[owinterer]

A grin graced the warrior of light's lips as he took note of Zenos getting up. Hand into fist, he cracked his knuckles before he stretched. Oh, this was going to be fun, that much he could already tell, considering how much he had been itching for a proper rematch not at the end of the universe and not after having thrown hands with the Endsinger.

"No one else, eh? Making me feel special~." Well, being Hydaelyn's champion was a privilege that no one else had, which he knew was partly to blame for how Zenos had hunted him down so much in the past.

"I do believe there's a more fitting stage for such a spar." A hand raised to his chin, rubbing it lightly as he thought.

"Shouldn't be too hard to get there on foot. Though you can always hitch a ride on the back of my bird, if you want." Good thing that his companion was much bigger than a normal chocobo, eh? Only his luck to have ran into a draught variant of the steeds while he lived in the shroud, considering they were rather rare.

[zenos-v-galvus]

Zenos does not care where they fight, only that it happens. Even so, at the mention of a more fitting stage, he fixes Deryn with a curious look. It seems his friend has his own flair for the dramatic that needs indulging.

This pleases him.

"Very well..." he says, stepping forward. "If you believe your mount can carry us both, then I will travel with you."

He has no experience riding any sort of beast. The only transportation he had access to for much of his life were magitek vehicles, and most of those were piloted by others. Still, he can pilot one if needed. He had to do so as part of his journey home to reclaim his body from the Ascian.

Then Zenos smiles a bit more, his eyes narrowing in something akin to mischief. "After all, I cannot be the one to offer a ride this time around."

Did Zenos viator Galvus just tell a joke? Mayhaps.

[fvneralpyred]

"Don't you make fun've me!" Hikari snapped, smacking at his chest with all the limp-wristed countenance of a cat hitting something foul. "If you saw half the things that I did with them evil birds, you'd be wary too!" Not afraid. Wary. She didn't know if Zenos was truly afraid of anything. He certainly never seemed to second-guess himself. Hikari, however, was afraid of many things. Steep staircases or inclines, fog, forests when they got too quiet, diremites...

Wait, what did he just say?

"Zenos? Zenos, where in the hells do y'think yer goin'?" She knew she couldn't have heard him right. Seeking one out? He was going to seek one out? Dread pooled in her stomach and sat in her gut like a cermet block. When he didn't return for a few minutes, she realized that he was serious. Hikari's face grew hot with frustration and she smacks her palm against a tree, following the path of disturbed brush he had left in his wake.

Thank the kami the man was built like a primal, Shinryu aside. It made tracking the man much easier than it could have been if he were as small as the average hyur. That line of thought was quickly terminated when she realized that she herself was below what would be considered 'low average'. She was running out of things to palm strike, so she hit her thigh instead.

Soon enough, though, a vicious kweh-chorus had split the air with its rancor, and Hikari knew instantly what he had done. ... To an extent. She expected him to have alerted a flock of them. She did not expect to roll up to the cave mouth only to see Zenos on the back of a truly large alpha courser chocobo in order to tame it in the same stylings as those first learning horses.

"An' y'used t'call me the savage." She muttered, careful to keep her voice down and level. The last thing she wanted was to get the rest of the unoccupied flock on her ass. Besides, she was interested on seeing how this genuinely idiotic play panned out for him. If she knew Zenos as well as she thought she did, he would find a way. Truly fearless t'the end've it, huhn, buddy?

[zenos-v-galvus]

By the time Hikari arrives at the clearing by the cave, Zenos is still on the back of his unwilling mount, disheveled from the impacts of the small magical meteors, but he seems to be having a pretty good time overall.

It is a delicate dance, keep his grip but not outright injuring the beast. His goal will be to wear it out enough that it can no longer fight back.

And once that happens, he will ask Hikari what the do next.

Ah, speaking of his dear friend...

He finally notices her watching from the edge of the chaos his causes, and makes eye contact, smiling in a way that comes across as smug.

However, the next Choco Meteor hits him on the back of the head and, unexpectedly, a wave of dizziness washes over him. His hold slips. And the next thing he knows he is on the ground, dazed, and the flock of courser chocobos descends on him in a swarm of red feathered fury.

[zenos-v-galvus]

🫶🏻

[fvneralpyred]

"I mean, I don't see why it wouldn't be. A companion on the field will always be t'yer benefit." Hikari nudges him with her elbow. Jus' like you helped me! "My first mount was a chocobo. He was given t'me by the Twin Adders when all three Grand Companies started fightin' over me after the whole Ifrit thing." She would have joined the Maelstrom, but the serenity of Gridania had, at the time, offset some of her growing burden. Hikari adds, "They're good mounts since they're pretty loyal an' of an even temperament. Hells, we're comin' up on a place known fer 'em."

Pointing down as Onyx slowed and perched on a cliff, a veritable herd of dusty yellow feathers ran through an open field nestled in the crook of the mountain range. The forelands were upon them now, with clear skies only interspersed by whatever fumes were coming from either Sohm Al or the Gnath's colony, coupled with dragons in flight. She pats Onyx's broad neck and he descends from his perch, landing in the grass and stretching.

"We'll take a brief break before we continue on." As Onyx was getting a bit tired now, if the subtle droop of his shoulders were any indication. She starts leading the coeurl to a crisp stream to drink. "If y'want my advice, if yer t'look at a chocobo fer its potential, stay the hells away from the red ones. They were an alchemist's pet project, they got introduced here, an' they're mean. Enhanced fer combat with whatever concoctions got pumped in them." War flashbacks addled her mind. A gentle jaunt through the forelands to parlay with Hraesvelgr at their destination above the clouds, only to be accosted and nearly severely injured by flaming debris only further augmented by a courser chocobo's combat instincts. If you deigned to skip past such a horrifying description, a summarized and concise explanation was available: They were terrifying.

There wasn't a lot of wildlife on the star that Hikari wouldn't tackle to hone her skills. Chocobo with red feathers were near the top of the ones she wouldn't touch if her life depended on it.

"I don't need t'tell y'to be careful. Y'can handle anythin', but lemme tell you that it goes t'show jus' how bad the things are if I won't even deign t'fuck with them."

[zenos-v-galvus]

A companion on the field... He still cannot help but think about what a hindrance keeping in mind another creature's safety in the midst of battle would be, but he is willing to entertain the notion for her sake.

After they have made their landing, Zenos' gaze still lingers where the wild birds roam. He has never been up close up to one, wild or tamed.

At Hikari's admittance of fear and the warning that follows, he laughs. "Truly? The champion of the star does not dare to face a chocobo of all things after everything you have bested before?" He grins at her in amusement. "You must forgive me...but I may seek one out after all."

If he is going to see if a chocobo is worthy of being his mount, then it may as well be the sort that strikes terror into his dear friend's heart.

Leaving behind Hikari and her coeurl to rest, he wanders off into the forest, passing by any yellow-feathered beasts and the odd earth sprite until he finds a small flock of red ones by the mouth of a cave. They do not look any different beyond that, aside from being larger.

He did not ask how one goes about taming a chocobo and at this point he does not want to go back. So, heading towards the biggest one - the leader? - he wraps his arms around its neck and attempts to hop onto its back. He makes it, but the chocobo goes still for only a moment before it thrashes. It bucks and rears, but it is not enough to get the Garlean off its back, so it goes for its most powerful attack.

Crimson aether coalesces into a large crystal above them, burning bright with the bird's anger, and it quickly drops with enough force to nearly make him fall of the chocobo's back. But he does not let go.

This may be more interesting than expected...

[owinterer]

He tilted his head at the other's answer, before a light snort left him. Amusing.

"I give you that, you're straight to the point with whatcha want, but your body language is a whole other thing. Not a bad thing, though." Hard to read, that what it was. But he couldn't complain, he was the same way with his own body language and he had heard it many times that people couldn't guess his mood based from just looking at him.

For him, it was a defense mechanism. For Zenos, well, a good question, honestly.

A hand went to rest upon his shoulder as he rolled his neck, a smirk visible on his lips. He then would crack his knuckles before his hands moved back to their spot at his waist.

"Hm~? Is that an offer?" Eyelids fell half way shut. Could he say no to such an offer? Not really, no. It wasn't like anyone else wanted to come to blows with Deryn aside probably Alisaie, but the bard simply refused to spar with her for a variety of reasons- mostly her safety.

"If you are offering, I can't really say no to the one guy that's capable of making me actually sweat in a fight."

[zenos-v-galvus]

Ah, so this had to do with his body, not his words. Even if Zenos never cared to rectify the confusion, it did not go unnoticed that people would often react in strange ways when speaking or listening to him.

Why waste his time explaining things to those he did not care for?

Deryn, however, is different. He seems to be worth the effort.

"It is, if you wish it to be..." At last, Zenos gets up from where he was sitting beneath a tree, stretching languidly as if trying to shake off the lingering remains of sleep instead of preparing for a sparring match.

"I would make the offer to no one else... There would be no point in it."

[zenos-v-galvus]

And thus, a bountiful bouquet of tansy is left at his doorstep...

Kneeling down to pick up the bouquet, Zenos holds the unassuming yet all too familiar blooms with surprising care. She had sent the very same flower to him before their fated meeting. Though he thought nothing of it at the time, he learned of its intended meaning later.

A declaration of war, in some contexts. And a symbol of immortality and rebirth in others. Given that he is still here? It was ironically fitting.

Not that either of them expected that outcome.

[fvneralpyred]

[ > Examine! Zenos ] @zenos-v-galvus

'A vicious enemy turned unlikely ally, and now a good friend. This man has hunted you through the arid highlands of Gyr Abania and the temperate valleys of your homeland only to be laid low by his own hand at the closing curtain of your battle. Despite having a hand in kickstarting the apocalypse just to cross blades with you once more, he seems to be doing good for himself. Does he remember the tansy you sent him on both fronts before your first faceoff? Would he enjoy them once more?'

[fvneralpyred]

"Hm? Oh, would y'believe me if I said gamblin'?" Hikari proceeded to get into a long story-tangent as Onyx set off like a levin bolt across the landscape, interspersed with quick jumps and aether-current riding where his talons couldn't find purchase. She recalled a time in the Gold Saucer when she had first come to Eorzea, urged on by Thancred to take some time for herself to relax responsibly. Of course, all of her accumulated MGP had to be spent somehow, and as she was purusing the prize counter, she had her gaze caught on the dumbest, cutest pair of massive green eyes from a kit as black as night, and her heart instantly melted. She took Onyx home that same night, and they'd been close companions ever since.

Pondering, though, as their surroundings turned frosted and snow crunched beneath the coeurl's claws with each leap he made, Hikari spoke up, "I'm surprised y'hadn't met him yet, though I do try an' keep him out've the line've fire. I failed, though, after the Bloody Banquet... Ilberd an' his cronies locked him up in Halatali like a common animal jus' as they were gonna execute Raubahn. It's a whole thing. Ah--Ilberd's the summoner've Shinryu, by the way." One of the few people she could find no forgiveness in her heart for. A very, very short list, but a prominent one. It was his corruption that lead to Wilred's death, after all, and Hikari need not open that wound.

It was now that Onyx took flight upon the current, skirting around the city of Ishgard and over the trench that lead to the Sea of Clouds. They were well into the western highlands shortly afterwards, toeing the range of mountains. The faintest glimmer of green on the horizon signified the forelands was close, and then they could touch down in Idyllshire with no issue.

"You missed out on a lot've the context, I fear." He only knew of the result of the Crystal Braves' coup d'état, that being the massive dragon he had taken the power, shape, and body of twice before. "I think that was the start of what had jaded me so badly. The betrayal cut so deep after I encouraged so many to seek their new beginnin's an' second chances." Laurentius' face, of course, came to mind first. Wilred's body face down in a shallow pool in the Shroud came second. She closes her eyes briefly, in both rememberance and concentration. "I think it was only after the incident at Palaka's Stand when I took up the scythe that I really began t'look past it all an' at the bigger picture, y'know? Regardless, Onyx has been with me through it all. I've only told him t'stay behind fer the big stuff. I love the guy, so I don't want him t'get hurt, regardless of how quick he is."

She rubs her mount's neck, and he grunted once more through a rather loud rumble. Only when listening close would one realize that it wasn't thunder, but a purr of equal measure.

"Would you ever tame a mount, Zenos?" She asked, turning her head to look at him, face flushed from the cold. "Bringin' a massive beast down t'heel sounds like yer kinda game, no?"

[zenos-v-galvus]

Ah, an unusual way of obtain such a thing, but Hikari is also unusual.

All this while, he has been silently listening, not even so much as making a sound of acknowledgement, but surely Hikari must know that his lack of outward responses does not mean a lack of focus.

"Ilberd... Yes, I remember that name," he finally utters, his voice only heard over the rush of wind because of how close they are right now.

When the Wyrm made its appearance, he was quick to send out his spies to gather information. The allure of the eikon, not born from the faith of people but by one man's burning hatred fascinated him. And it, in part, set in motion his desire to at act against the Empire's interests and pursue his true desire. An opponent who could stand against him.

An opponent who bested him not once but twice, and offered her companionship when all was said and done.

At Hikari's question, Zenos finds himself pondering the idea. The only animals he was ever around as a child were his father's dogs, and he never cared for them. All modes of transportation he ever used were magitek vehicles, though he did learn how to maintain those due to a moment of curiosity. The knowledge even came in useful at one point.

"I had not considered it before," admits Zenos. His own cheeks have turned rosy but he otherwise seems unaffected by the chill. "My hunt had always been a solitary one... Do you truly think that a wise idea?"

He would not know where to start, or what to do after that...

[owinterer]

Blue eyes blink at the other's statement, eyebrows slightly raising before they furrowed. Did they? It was possible, yes, or he just had completely forgot, oops. He scratched his cheek with his index finger sheepishly. If that was the case, then.. Where they could go, huh? Alexandria's stuff wasn't particularly too appetizing considering what he had tasted before (and regretted).

Ah! When in doubt, he could always whip something up! Eyes lit up and he beamed as he was struck with a spark of inspiration.

That's it!

"Then, how about I make us something?" His tone was gentle, but his excitement barely contained. If he had a tail, one could easily know that it would be furiously wagging. Never mind the fact that he also spoke his mind out instead, too, in his haste but it was too late to take it back now, was it?

Zenos knew this could happen at times, as it had before.

"It would be a nice change instead of local cuisine."

[zenos-v-galvus]

Correction. Any kind of food made by his dear friend is something that Zenos is fond of. And if Meteor has elected to speak aloud to suggest the idea, then clearly he must be excited about it as well.

"Yes... To savour something of your creation is more than tempting," he muses. "And I will leave it to you to decide what you will serve."

Zenos has never learned the ways of crafting and, as of now, has no interest in it, but knowing what the other is capable of in that regards means he has full confidence that Meteor can put together a meal that will leave him satisfied. A feat no one accomplished before him.

[zenos-v-galvus]

If he is especially close with the Warrior of Light, Zenos may give them his purple gemstone necklace. It was something he took from the Imperial Palace before it, and the Imperial Capital as a whole, were left in ruins as part of his and Fandaniel's plan.

There is a chance that a portrait could be recovered of a women who shares an uncanny resemblance with him, and who is wearing that same necklace.