xistentia | 01: Video; Daemon: Haurchefantd

[ It's the end of their world as they know it.

Again.

Aymeric is sufficiently disoriented when he comes through one of the mother crystal's portals to Xistentia for the second time. They'd gone from the clutches of destruction and back only to fall once more into its grasp, apparently. At least the timelines converge this go about; he's not alone when he realizes where he is, that he's been here before.

Though he can't honestly say he's pleased about it either when he sees the state his friend is in. She's barely conscious for as long as it takes him to get his wits about him. Emeraldd and Haurchefantd both reassure him that she's fine, she'll live. There's an undeniable haste to his gait regardless as he carries her to his apartment, same space as before. Surreal, in a way, that so little seems to have changed here but back home had seen tremendous shifts politically.

Though she's stabilized, it takes a good while for the worry to subside. For him to be a little less frantic and recognize that maybe he should- He should say something, shouldn't he? The people would want to know about this, it might be valuable information for those wondering about the fate of their worlds. ]

Good evening, people of Xistentia, [ he greets, polite as ever. All business, blue eyes not quite as bright as some might remember. ] I know Era had addressed the public before about our departure, so it only seemed fitting that I was the one to announce our return.

While our leave was voluntary, being brought back was not. Though from my understanding, it was necessary. 'Twould seem F.A.T.E.S. was only able to subvert our world's destruction at D.E.S.T.I.N.Y.'s hand for a limited time. I am of the belief that what we're doing here is working for those of you who might be concerned with the restoration of your homeworlds. To what degree, however, is possibly dependant on factors I am not yet aware of.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about our experience if it's possible that it might assist in understanding our situation here in Xistentia better.

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"You have nothing to apologize for," he says to that. In fact, in this moment, it's a surreal bit of role reversal. Usually, he's the one apologizing for one thing or another even when it's out of his hands. "I know the risks, same as you, but still I saw the state you were in and I'm."

A pause. He's trying to articulate this right. His speeches are often pre-planned and calculated, it's a little more difficult to be as consistent on the spot. And especially when one might be just a touch emotional still. "I'm just glad that you made it out of there as intact as you did. I daren't dream the ways it could have been worse." He couldn't bear to think of Era failing and not because what that would mean for the realm, he realizes, but that it would mean losing her. "And I'm more grateful than you'll ever know for taking on such an arduous task in the first place. Again. You've more than earned a bit of rest."

"People are dying because I was not strong enough," she says simply. The tightness of her chest is back; the ringing in her ears, and the throbbing in her head. Era hugs Emeraldd closer to her chest and focuses on her breathing - in, out, in, out. See, think, feel.

She is very careful not to recall the faces of the companions that joined her in her fight inside the Deltascape, for they were not as lucky as she. Echo blessed they may have been, they were still not Hydaelyn's Chosen.

More and more frequently Era wonders why it had to be her. Why not anyone else? Why must she bear so many burdens?

"How can I rest, knowing that?"

"Because it is not your burden alone to bear," he answers. "You can't take every fatality on your shoulders, carry every life as a weight on your soul." For if she did, it would drag her down to depths he might not even be able to reach. The thought was worrisome, to say the least. But Aymeric knows the feeling of blood on your hands and the way the guilt from lives lost on your watch eats away at you in quiet hours of the evening when you can't sleep. He knows even if not to the same extent that Era Ra, the Warrior of Light, does.

"I know I am not in your place and therefore don't have the same insight but I do know that you are doing your utmost. You always have." Of that, he has never doubted. Not since the very beginning and even then he regrets not thinking more of this incredibly kind-hearted and gifted woman. "And it is enough. We'll make sure of that. We have the chance to here, to make things right."

Even if it's not the way that they usually handle their battles, Aymeric has less doubt now that what they are doing here is working to some degree. "D.E.S.T.N.Y. nor Omega nor whatever force may come after will thwart you. My sword is yours, forever and always, and while we are here I will do everything in my power to assist you in making that a reality."

It's hard not to feel some manner of comfort from Aymeric's words, though she knows the deaths of her dear comrades will always weigh heavy on her heart. Era can recall one of the first things Papalymo said to her when they were reunited was how much wearier she appeared, and he wasn't wrong - between believing the Sultana and her fellow Scions dead, being accused of regicide and having to flee to a cold, unwelcoming city-state...

Despite her Blessing of the Light she is still only just a human. More or less.

"I can accept your sword while we are here," she says softly. "Yet back home your sword shall remain Ishgard's and I will not accept anything else."

Because for all that the Holy See still has a fair amount of civilians who disdain her she still loves it as she loves all of Eorzea.

He knows there's not much he can do to alleviate those weights in their entirety but he can at least help her to lighten them where he can.

"Ishgard will always come first and foremost," he does concede, bowing his head slightly. "But you, my friend, are only second by a hair's breadth."

"Eorzea will always come first for me," Era admits, then has to pause. She recalls the moments she thought Alphinaud and Alisaie dead throughout Ala Mhigo's liberation and the way it felt as though her world had ended. The thought of Shinryu leveling all of Eorzea pains her beyond words, yet still is more bearable than losing the twins. "...Or a close second. I think Alphinaud and Alisaie... They are most important to me."

It's hard to think of her found family in terms of who she prioritizes more, yet the twins will always be at the top. The rest of the Scions she cares for equally... With Aymeric a breadth above them, she realizes. Perhaps because Era had already gone through the grief of losing them?

"But you are unspeakably important to me as well," she hurries to add - and it's true. Aymeric is such a dear friend she could not stand to lose.

"Of course," he says, to the mention of the twins. Even Aymeric was aware of how protective towards the two she was. And understandably. While he had no doubt either of them were capable of handling themselves when the time arose, they were still so young to be facing the trials and tribulations that they did.

There are also a handful of people within Ishgard's walls he prioritizes. Lucia, Estinien, Lord Edmont and the House Fortemps in general, now Hilda for all the help she'd given to both Era and himself... Some he certainly held nearer to his heart for everything they'd been through but they all still held equally important places.

"As are you, my friend." Era was in a category all of her own, however, he recognized. And for honestly a myriad of reasons, some of which he didn't even truly know how to explain just yet. He would, someday, but for now he simply knows: she's more important to him than anyone outside of Ishgard ever has been and likely ever will be. "Nothing will ever change that."

Era is careful not to let her thoughts linger on her loved ones back home, where she can't be sure they're safe or even alive at this moment. She'll fix everything eventually. She always does, regardless of how much of a toll it takes on her, and she does her best to convince herself of this now.

Emeraldd leaps from her arms when she shifts them, rubbing at her eyes with one hand and then hiding a yawn behind the other. Pain still lingers in what feels like every nerve, though at the moment she can barely summon enough aether to cast the most generic of healing spells. Going back to bed would be a good idea, but the memories that plague her dreams are enough to dissuade her from it. She would much rather stay near Aymeric - the comfort in having one of her friends here with her, safe and sound.

01: Video; Daemon: Haurchefantd

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how forward of him

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