Everheart: Chapter 19

"Holy shit, did it work?!"

Good morning to you, too...

"If any of you youngsters profane in this place one more time..."

"Kraio..."

"Sorry, sorry!"

It felt to Ginal as though she had been sleeping for days.  Her eyelids were so heavy that opening them was a feat of willpower, only to be met by light far too bright for her taste, and her body was stiff and sore.  However, much to her pleasure, she no longer found herself as two separate beings locked in a struggle for control, but rather...just herself.

I've never been so glad to be only myself.

She found Selah next to her, offering a groggy smile and squeezing her hand.

"Welcome back, Kitten."

"Thanks...I feel like I've been trampled by a herd of chocobo."

There was something else, Ginal realized, and the realization startled her.

"Your eyes!"

A hand was offered to Ginal, belonging to Timothy.  "Gods be good, it's the both of you."

Ginal stared, shock and wonder plain as day in her expression.  She leaned forward, as Selah did the same, and they searched each others eyes.

"Selah, your eyes, they--they glow like magiced sapphires!"

"And yours like enchanted emeralds."

"Well, that's...odd, but really pretty." Kraio remarked.  "Guess you can use your eyes as candles during sexy time, now!"

The old priest, Timothy, Selah and Ginal all looked upon Kraio in disbelief.

"Kraio..."

"What?" 

Accepting Timothy's offered help and rising to her feet, Ginal's perceptions finally caught up with her surroundings.  Her ears flattened as her eyes sparkled with wonderment.  The chandeliers, the fountains and waterfalls.  The grand, sprawling architecture, the stained glass and the regal carpeting.

"Oh...gods, this place is beautiful.  Where are we?"

"You're inside the Ivory Chapel, within the Sanctum of the Twelve." the old priest answered.

I would give anything to be bonded in this place...

Shaking herself from her reverie, Ginal looked to Kraio and Timothy, giving a tired, but heartfelt smile.

"I take it you did something to allow Selah to help me.  Thank you, so much."

"What are friends for?" Kraio remarked.

Selah came up behind her lover, kissing her ears and gently rubbing her shoulders, eliciting a contented purr from the miqo'te.

Such a simple thing...gods, I missed this.

"Hey...is there a place we can be alone for a minute?" Ginal inquired.

Kraio chuckled, "Hey, I don't think gramps here would like you two doing...what you do, in the chapel."

"No, no..." Ginal laughed as her ears fluttered.  "It's just...we need to talk, while there's time."

"Indeed." Selah agreed.

"Very well.  Kraio, let us go check on the others." Timothy suggested.

"If you'll follow me, young ladies." the old priest gestured ahead.  "We are still working to repair and renovate, but we have a waiting room ready to use."



Ornate, wall mounted vases of gold and white porcelain.  Sconces of shining brass, or even gold itself.  Fountains pouring water from the walls, and luxurious, thickly cushioned couches.  There would have even been rays of brilliant sunlight pouring through the round-edged window that covered the entire back wall, if the sun hadn't already set.

Truly, this Sanctum never ceases to take your breath away, does it?  Maybe Ginal and I really can host a ceremony here...assuming we could ever afford such a thing.

"Gods be good." Ginal drawled.  "I want a room like this in our own home."

"I"ll get right on it, dearest."

The hyur took a seat on one of the sofas, and pat the spot next to her for Ginal to join her.  "But, seriously, Kitten...What were those memories?  Have...have we lived before?"

The miqo'te chewed on her lip as she thought.  Selah could tell she didn't have an answer she was comfortable with, and couldn't blame her.

"When I was...pregnant, before..."  Discomfort and unease crept over Selah as she spoke the words.  It needed to be said, though, so force herself on she did.  "It wasn't just being Geoffrey's child that felt wrong.  It was...I had this overwhelming feeling, that...it just felt wrong to be pregnant.  And, hells, I don't know...just wrong."

Ginal listened, and the hyur knew by the particular twitching of her ears that she wanted to speak up, but wasn't sure what to say.  Selah smiled and gave her beloved's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I wonder...  If I was pregnant in another life, with a child I wanted...then losing that child might be what's made me feel this way?"

"It makes sense...as much sense as any of these dreams." Ginal commented.

"And that night, in Hyrstmill...and all the times we've been looking to that same cluster of stars.  It really does feel like we've been looking for each other all our lives, doesn't it?"

With a heavy, shuddering breath, tears began to well in Ginal's eyes.  She lay her head on Selah's chest, her ears folded down.  "I always knew someone important was looking at those stars.  Someone I needed to find.  And even from the first day we met, I knew that I had met you before."

Selah nodded, "I felt the same way.  No matter how new and exciting things may be, there's always this comforting familiarity to everything between us."

Neither were certain how long they sat, enjoying the ambiance of the fountains and the warm calm of cuddling.  Minutes, certainly, and maybe more.  

"Selah...I'm sorry.  I really fucked up here, and I'm sorry."

"I know you are.  It's oka--"

"I was on my way to find you, you know?  But then the Wailers came calling for help, and...  I felt like I couldn't just abandon my people when they needed me."

Funny.  An appeal to help my people is what kept me in Mor Dohna.

Selah shrugged, "Sometimes we all get sidetracked and forget what matters most.  But you're my love, and of course I forgive you."

She paused, her jaw clenched as she thought over how to continue, but realized Ginal was falling asleep.  Being a sentiment she concurred with, she closed her eyes, held Ginal close, and drifted off to the ambiance of her beloved's steady breathing.

Gentle knocking on the door roused Selah and Ginal.  The door opened partway, and Elysande peeked her head in, offering her friends a warm smile.

"Hey guys--gods bless!  Your eyes!"

Ginal smirked, "Yeah, we know.  We don't know what it's about, either."

"Seem to be a response to our souls' intimate joining." Selah offered.

Elysande seemed entranced for a half moment, then shook her head in disbelief.

"Well, anyway, the Wailers and their conjurors have turned back.  I convinced them that the massive aether outpouring outside was the 'demon' dieing.  Conjurors said the elementals confirmed it, whatever that means, and they left."

"Wonderful," Selah happily exhaled, "no more fighting for today."

Worry and remorse crossed Ginal's features as she shot to her feet.  "Oh gods, Ely, the others!  Are they okay?  Di--did I kill, any of them?

Please, gods, tell me I didn't kill anyone else.

A gentle wave of her hand and a reassuring smile were Elysande's reply.

"Battered and bruised, to be sure, but we're all accounted for.  Gods, girl, remind me not to piss you off!"

The miqo'te offered an apologetic, sheepish smile, prompting Elysande to enter the room.  The tall and more muscular hyur embraced her friend tight, laughing warmly.

"Gin, honey, we'll all be fine after some rest and potion treatments.  I know a good alchemist."  

In the days following, the lovers decided to make their way back home by bird, carriage, and ferry.  It was much needed time to think and rest, as well as an opportunity to examine some of the changes that had manifested as a result of recent events.

For one, the brilliant glow in their eyes seemed to be permanent, as it had not diminished even slightly during the trip home.  The looks people gave them ranged from amusing to annoying, and by the second day Ginal wasn't sure whether to be grateful for the attention, or fed up with it.

While stopped within the towering wooden walls of Quarrymill, and older, gray-haired elezen woman had stopped to peer into Ginal's eyes, and began to remark on them.

"Yes, I know, shining emeralds, thanks." she snapped.

"Dearest, she was only trying to pay a compliment." Selah chastised.  "But...I agree, this may be getting old quickly."

Ginal also discovered that her new found powers also seemed permanent.  Lobbing spheres of shimmering black and green energy, creating violently jutting spines of darkness that ripped boulders in half, even the manifestation of a sword from nothingness.



Dusk was upon them when they reached the makeshift outpost at Buscarron's Druthers.  A tavern nestled among a small clearing, with partial protection of a perimeter of small wooden walls, a small stable, and a handful of bored adventurers for guards.  It brought back pleasant memories, of a day months ago when things weren't so dire and complicated.  When the two had known they were falling in love, but had not the courage to stand their ground and speak up.  It was a fine moment in time to revisit, with loving kisses that complimented the malty-sweet beers from the tavern.

On a whim of curiosity, Ginal purchased a steel-forged sword from a traveling merchant setup outside the tavern, and focused her energies on it.  After a while, minutes or maybe longer, crackling green energy had covered the blade, and then it simply faded away.  With a moment's concentration, shimmering swirls of green and black formed in her hands, and the very same sword manifested.

"Well, that's useful." Selah remarked.  "I'm not sure if I should be envious or frightened."

"Both," Ginal grinned.  "I'm pretty damn awesome."

On another whim, Ginal found herself curious if it was more than glowing eyes she now shared with her beloved.  Selah needed a new weapon anyway, the road to The Goblet being as long as it was.

Unfortunately, they were short on traveling gil, and needed to conserve what was left.  Fortunately, Ginal had noticed the merchant making sideways glances at the two or them, and figured she knew a way to charm him out of a lance.

A playful pout and batting of the eyes, a compliment of the middle-aged man's pudgy physique buttered him up well enough, but sharing a heated kiss with Selah and giving a suggestive glance seemed to imply pending attention of which the man was desperate for.  Ginal knew she could have convinced the man to hand over his wallet at that point, and was tempted to ask.

The smirk on Selah's face as they strolled away with her steel and oak carved weapon only served to make Ginal giggle.

"You're mean, you know that?"

"You knew this already."

It was hard to explain to Selah how to concentrate on the lance.  When Ginal first discovered she could create a sword from aether, it was born from an instinctual need to defend herself.  Breaking that steel sword down and summoning it from the aether was almost like willing it to become a part of her, a literal extension of her being.

So Selah sat upon a stump, bathed in the pink and orange of sunset, and concentrated.  She, too, willed the weapon to become a part of herself.  And willed.

And willed.

Shimmering white and blue light enveloped the lance, and within moments, it had disipated into strands of aether.  Shocked and excited, Selah willed the weapon's return.  From her hands sprang forth the same crackling blue and white, which coalesced into the oaked- carved, steel-bladed lance.

"At least it will be very difficult disarm us."

"Oh, don't worry about that," Ginal smirked, "I bite."

"Mmhmm, and I may still have teeth marks on my back from the last time."

It was good to slip back into the playful banter.  You never know how much it means until you have to go without.



The road was quiet and welcoming, until the following midday.  They arrived at the grand achievement of masonry, the Highbridge, to find a particularly aggressive band of those rat-faced Qiqirn menacing the merchants and guards.  The commotion pulled Ginal from a lovely dream about wintertime indulgences of pumpkin flavored coffee and pecan pie, shared with a talking squirrel.

"What do you suppose they're looking for?" Selah inquired.  "These things rarely want anything substantial like territory."

"Don't know, don't care." Ginal replied.  She leaned up on the tips of her toes for a stretch that quickly became a kiss, her lips playfully meeting those of her beloved.  "They're in the way of getting home."

The two hopped down from the carriage and readied their weapons.  Exchanging a glance, they silently agreed to disarm the diminutive pests and send them fleeing, rather than kill them.  There had been too much bloodshed of late, from any living creatures.

"Wow." Ginal whispered.  "This place looks a lot more grand in the daylight."

It had been well into the night the last time they had come this way, and though Ginal could see the shapes and edges of things just fine in the dark, it lacked depth and color.  In the bright Thanalan sun, though, the Highbridge was a marvel.  The bridge itself must have easily been miles long as it spanned the great gorge that separated this part of the land, forged of gray-brown brick and mortar.  On this side of the gorge, the bridge merged into a great stairway that fed into an entire small settlement that had been built.  There were two or three rectangular buildings, and a tall windmill, all made of the same matching brick and mortar.

"Love, you're staring." Selah teased.  "I've got to take you out of the Shroud more often."

"You can take the girl out of the Shroud..."

The engagement itself was simple and straightforward.  Qiqirn could be aggressive, but rarely trained properly for battle, and these fools were no exception.  Judging from the way the over-sized rodents were dashing about frantically, it appeared they were simply looking for things to steal, or break what they couldn't.

It was good to fighting side by side again, instead of facing each other.  It felt natural, simple, and right.  They fought in tandem, a true union like they had never done.  Ginal would create an opening, and Selah would press it.  Selah would leap into a group to gain their attention, then back to Ginal's side, where the miqo'te would stand her ground with Selah at her back.

And through the encounter, they would brush past each other, exchanging winks or briefly caressing.  It was foreplay, a sensual dance that stirred them both to push for victory, and spoke of what was to come.  It had, after all, been nearly a month since they had made love, and even Selah was growing anxious.

"Ugly little pests." Ginal groaned, the blunt edge of her sword sweeping one qiqirn from its feet.

As if in response, Selah turned in time to witness one of the beasts at a distance toss a black orb, a sparking fuse on the top hissing as it landed.

"Bomb!" she shouted, pointing at the ground.  

While Selah leaped away, a small explosion consumed the immediate area, the roiling hot concussive force knocking Ginal over and winding her.  The hyur jumped back to her lover's side, worry plain on her face.

"Ginal!"

"Yeah...I'm fine." Ginal coughed.  

As Ginal shook off her disorientation, she realized her sandal had fallen off.  As she found herself wishing for its return, shimmering green and black aether surrounded her foot, and the sandal materialized.

"Whoa...that's neat."

Shortly after reading themselves to return to the fray, the rat-men squealed and chittered at each other, sounding their retreat.  Ginal was disappointed, but acknowledged that the ache creeping into her limbs and body would only hinder her.

Note to self: stop getting blown up.

Th couple embraced, Selah petting Ginal's ears to elicit a purr.  They stood in silence, willing the moment to stop indefinitely.  The hyur enjoyed her beloved's subtle musk, and the miqo'te's nostrils indulged in the piney-sweet scent of lavender lotion.

It was good to be back.

Everheart: Chapter 18

 It was like a living dream.

Everything in this place was skewed, slanted in a way that defied explanation.  It was dark and weightless, and stretched on for eternity.  And there lay Ginal, her naked form glimmering with light that was dimmer than Selah remembered.

"Kitten!" she cried.

Only silence and echos.

As she approached her beloved, a haze gathered and hung in the air.  It was thick, and alive with energy.  A consciousness given form, and she knew she wasn't alone.  The haze swirled and gathered, changing into brilliant green flame.

"Why are you here?" the flame demanded. "Come to mock me with more of your plans to leave me?  Or to tell me how much of a freak I am?"

It was the same sultry, predatory growl of the Emerald Demon.  Dread threatened to overtake Selah, an all-consuming chill tickling her spine.

"Leave me alone." Emerald commanded.

The fire dissipated, returning to the haze, and receded into the shadows of this insubstantial cave.

"No!  Come back!" Selah called.  "You can't just leave me!  You HAVE to talk to me!"

Silence, and echos.

Ginal lay still, curled upon herself.  Not even a twitch of the ear or flick of the tail in response.  Desperation edged its way into Selah's heart as she glanced around.  She finally realized she was biting her lip, or whatever was the equivalent in this place of formless existence.

Alright...we'll try it again.

"Oh, I get it." Selah's tone turned condescending.  "You're jealous, aren't you?  Of him touching me, kissing me.  Jealous that he knows how to use what's between his legs better than you?"

Forcing these lies had become exhausting, to say nothing of the utterly nauseating effect having to listen to herself was having.  If Selah were still in her body, she was certain she would have retched this time.

"You shouldn't do that..." Ginal whispered, slowly pushing herself up from her makeshift bed.  "Don't mock her.  I can't calm her anymore.  I don't know what she'll do."

Selah was at her side, embracing her and petting her hair, trying to offer the most reassuring smile she could fake.

In the near-distance, twin flames of emerald simmered in the dark.  Their gaze narrowed upon the hyur, and the rage they cast was palpable.

"I'll tell you what I'll do..." Emerald purred.  "I'll find him and rip him apart!  Make him suffer and bleed for all he's done!"

A pause in Emerald's words, and the emotional energy that filled the place shifted suddenly, from a consuming rage to a penetrating arousal.

"...But not until I've made him watch a woman show him how to really use these bits."

I would love nothing more than to watch you torment him so, Ginal.  To humiliate him, break him and vaporize the bastard.  But where would it end?  This state you're in, your passion has been consumed by rage.  If that were indulged and fed, it would be like unleashing a new primal upon the world.

Dammit, what do I do?

"Help me, Kitten." Selah whispered as she cradled Ginal.  "What can I do?"

Ginal could only shrug.  "She's our drive, our...fire.  And now she's carrying all our pain.  What can you say to someone so lost to their pain that they believe the entire world has turned against them?  Even their own beloved."

Selah rose to face the eyes simmering in the dark.  Heated anger swelled in her heart as she stalked forward, pointing sharply at the emerald eyes.  "I didn't turn against you, Ginal!  Not in my heart, not even for a moment!"  She knew it wasn't really tears in her eyes, but the perception was identical to wet, blurred vision.  "Did you EVER stop to think, AT ANY FUCKING POINT, that for once I needed YOU?!  That after these MONTHS of you pleading for patience and understanding, that I needed at least a FUCKING FRACTION of it back?!"

The emotion crackling through the air stilled, as the intensity of the twin flames cooled.

Her fists trembled desperately, and though her legs threatened to buckle, Selah forced herself forward.  "Geoffrey was my worst nightmare, Ginal!  Everything you've experienced across your whole life, was condensed to five years for me!  He HUMILIATED me, DOMINATED me, BEAT me and FUCKING RAPED ME for five--FUCKING--years!"

The wet pools had turned to streams of liquid exasperation, as Selah snarled at the Demon in her shroud of shadows.  "So yeah, Mom came barging in with this damnable letter, and I didn't know what to think!  Was it a hoax, was it real?  If he was really alive, then what did I need to do to get him out of my life, so that we could have our life together?  And hey, maybe you could come with me, stand by me, FUCKING SUPPORT ME?!  But no, you got all hurt and you left me to face this alone, where I had no idea what was right or wrong anymore because all I can think of if how desperate I am to be rid of the bastard and go home to you!  You made ME the bad guy for NO REASON, when all I asked for was some love and support!"

But buckle they did, and Selah found herself on the cavern floor.  She could only barely see for all the tears clouding her vision, as she angrily punched the floor.  "I didn't know...I didn't know what happened while I was gone.  How could I?  But then I got these letters telling me you were in this catastrophe, and there was this demon, and I knew it was you without even being there, and I ran as fast I could, and finally found you, but...  But gods, Ginal, it was a twisted you, and you were trying to kill the people who only wanted to help you.  And I had to get your attention, to get you to burn off this rage, but I went too far and I said these horrible things, and--I..."



Only Selah's sobbing echoed through this place.  Ginal came to her lover's side and embraced her, staring up at the eyes hanging in the shadows.  "It wasn't her fault.  She didn't do this to us.  You know this."

Emerald knew it was true, though pulling away from the intensity of the moment to actually see what was right in front of her was the most difficult thing she had ever done.  She watched as her other, lighter half embraced thte sobbing heap that was Selah.  She knew Selah had also experienced true pain, but had never realized it.

And she knew that Selah, her one and only love, HAD needed the same love, support and understanding that she had been asking for all these months.  Disgust and self-loathing washed over Emerald as she turned away.  She couldn't bear to look upon what she had done.

Is this all that I've become?  Is this all I can do?  Lash out and hurt everyone who cares every time I get lost in moment?  And Selah...  Gods, I've finally broken her, haven't I?

Maybe it's time for me to go away.

Quickly, Ginal rose and reached into the shadowy veil, and pulled Emerald forward.  Smiling, she embraced her darker half as she laughed softly.

"No, Emerald.  Your place is here with me.  We're part of a whole, and should have never acted separately.  You bring us passion and lust, the drive that pushes us ever forward.  I bring us calm and thoughtfulness, the contentment to slow down and love.  We can be something great, larger than ourselves, if we would join back together."

Selah took Ginal's hand and Emerald's hand, offering both a loving smile, "And then it can be us again, Ginal and Selah."

Disbelief, dumbfounded shock, and a humbling relief that threatened to bring Emerald to her knees.  "You...you would still have us?  After everything I've done?  As much as I let myself lose control?"

"You're my Kitten, my one and only love.  I know you didn't mean for this to happen to you, and I know you wouldn't have chosen all this.  I forgive you, Ginal, because I love you."

Selah was always better to me than I deserved.  Why does she love me so?

"I wish we could go back to how things were, but..."  Emerald offered a mournful smile as she pulled away, looking back to the shadows.  "As long as I still exist, we will be too dangerous and selfish.  I'll fly off the handle again when someone says something I don't like.  I'll lose myself to the fire and hurt people...  I'd be like some new, awful Primal."

Emerald willed her spirit weapon into being, its blade pulsing with darkness in the cave's dim light.  Selah pulled Ginal away, watching wearily as Emerald rested the sword with the blade facing up.

"But I can do what Primals won't.  I can end myself, and free the rest of you of my darkness."

"The hells you will." Selah scolded.

The hyur pulled emerald away form her sword forcefully, and her palm meeting Emerald's cheek echoed loudly through the cavern.  Emerald's eyes flared and she bore her canines.

"Damn you, Selah, I'm--"

"And damn YOU, Ginal, for ever thinking that killing an entire part of yourself is going to solve anything!  We need you--I need you--as you are!  Passionate, driven and loving.  You think you can really help anyone, or be the woman I love, if you just kill that part of yourself off?"

Okay...  She has a point.

Ginal approached, tenderly petting Emerald's cheek.  "I can't do this without you."

Emerald didn't even realize she had embraced Selah until she felt the hyur wiping the tears from her cheek.  

"I...can't make any promises." Emerald explained.  "I've always been the loudest and strongest of us.  I may need both of you to help me, to give me direction."

"I know." Selah answered.

Ginal took Emerald's hands in hers, her ears twitching happily.  "We'll do it together."

The light and dark halves of the miqo'te shimmered as they embraced, their bodies distorting and bending.  The haze gathered and swirled about them, crackling with emerald lightning, before erupting into a green fire that consumed both forms.  The flash was too bright to look upon, forcing Selah to look away, but the light quickly faded.

Ginal stood, her eyes aglow with energy, but no longer aflame.  She examined her arms, the wild curls of her hair, and her entire body, and at last set her gaze upon Selah.  Smiling and purring, she embraced her beloved tight.

"Thank you, Selah...for coming for me."

"I always will."

"So...what now?"

"I'd say it's probably time to wake up, hm?"



The two lingered a moment longer, in this place where substance had no meaning.  A world of thought and feeling, where consciousness was the only form, where they could touch each other on a level where skin would not allow.

Ginal smiled to herself, feeling more safe now than she had in years.

Crying echoed around them. The image of a young woman weeping, a miqo'te adoleacent of wine red hair, manifested near them.  It was translucent and shimmering, real, and not.

"What...is that?" Selah asked.

"It's me...I was just thinking that I haven't felt this safe since I was young, and..."

"Tell me, child, what despairs you so?" asked a voice as deep the ocean, and as gentle as satin.

The youth looked up to see tall, broadly built man kneeling before her.  He was clad in armor as dark as night, spines protruding from all over the suit, and helmet that looked like a dragon's head from tales she had heard.  Her heart ached too much to feel awed, or frightened, and merely continued to tremble and weep.

"I...my...my parents..."

He shook his head.  "Gone from this world?"

She nodded.  "They went a-away...to t-that Cart-t-tin..."

"Carteneau?  The place of the great battle?"

Again she nodded, and could speak no more through the whimpers and tears.  The man hung his head, whispering something to himself that she couldn't hear through her distress.  He reached to his helmet and pulled back, removing it to show the ears of a hyur, the wrinkles of his face indicating middle age.

"My name is Grezel.  I find myself in The Shroud for a time.  If you have no have nowhere else to go, come with me.  I will watch over you."

"I was compelled to go with him." Ginal explained.  "Maybe it was just the grief.  Hard to say.  But, I had never felt so safe in my life as I did that night."

"Wait..." Selah peered searchingly upon the living memory.  "I know this."

"You do?"

"Yeah...  I was there.  It was Hyrstmill, a couple months after the Calalmity.  The sun had just set, and I had stumbled into the town while the gates were being rebuilt.  I was starving, my clothes were ragged...and then I heard this girl crying, and saw this dragoon trying to comfort her.  I wanted to go to her, to tell her she'd be okay.  It was...a compulsion I can't explain."

"Why didn't you?"



Cast out by my mother with nothing to wear or eat or defend myself with.  Living off scraps I've stolen from inattentive housewives and workers, with no home to call my own.  Wandering for weeks, hiding from wolves and beastmen.

But I'm an adult.  She's still a bit young, pretty as she is.  I lost things I never cared for anyway.  She's had her whole world torn from her.  She needs to know she'll survive.  She needs to know someone will come and love her, someday.

Selah rose to her feet, wiped the dirt from her face, and stepped forward.

"You there.  The girl in the tattered shirt."

The voice was sharp, commanding, but oddly reassuring.  The man to whom it belonged, a hyur of roughly her same height, and eyes that pierced her very soul, approached.  The scar between his eyes spoke of experience at his own cost, and the heavily padded tunic he wore seemed at odds with the wood-carved lance harnessed on his back, seeming to argue for comfort and practicality over an imposing visage.

"What?"  She leered at the man, weary and already caught off guard by that piercing gaze.

"You clearly have need of food and shelter.  Gridania has need of those who can aid it.  A fair trade, wouldn't you say?"

"I...what, are you offering me work?"

"Work, basic needs met, maybe even a sense of purpose."

"And the catch is...?"

"You get what you give.  There are no handouts in The Shroud, but if you're willing to earn what you want, then you want for little."

She searched the man's eyes and posture.  Their was pride evident, but tempered by wisdom and...compassion.  A truly foreign sentiment, if ever there was one.

And not even a hint of arrogance or malice anywhere to be found on this man.

"What would I have to do?" she inquired.

"We'll see where you fit best," he replied, "though judging by that glint in your eye, I suspect you'd make a fine archer for our Godsbow."



The ghostly image of Selah's haggard self and Ywain faded into the void, and Selah smiled at her beloved. "By the time I was done talking with Ywain, you were gone." Selah continued.  "I had always hoped that girl was okay...  I'm glad she was." 

"Have we been searching for each other our entire lives?" Ginal asked.

"It seems that way.  I always felt like there was a part of me missing, somewhere out there.  If I just kept looking to the stars, they would guide me."

"Wait...  That wouldn't happen to be the bright star cluster of eastern sky, would it?"

Ginal knows these stars?

"Kitten...have you been looking to them as well?"

The miqo'te squeezed Selah's arms and nuzzle her.  "I've always felt the same way.  What is it about those stars that's so special?"

"If it's true...what they told us...then when we next wake...look to those stars.  I promise...I'll never stop looking for you..."

An apparition of an elezen woman, laying in a pool of blood, flickered to life before them.



Ginal squeezed her wife's hand as she lie there, her lifeblood draining onto the soil.  The elzen woman clutched her stomach with her other hand, a pained and distraught expression on her face.

"I...can't feel the baby...she's gone...I'm sorry, S-sserafine..."

The miqo'te didn't know what to say.  Her heart had shattered in ways she never dreamed possible.  To lose not just her truly beloved, but the child they would have soon greeted into the world...  To look upon Selah now, seeing her dying...

"It;s....it's okay, Amani."

She wiped blood away from Selah's lips and leaned down to kiss her as tenderly as she could.  Ginal's heart ached, her body plead for permission to tremble and collapse, but she had to be strong, if only for another moment.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you, Amani...I'm so sorry."

"You fought a--as....hard as you...could..."  Selah's breathing was growing more shallow by the moment, and the once awe inspiring and beautiful bright glow of her sapphire eyes had grown dim.  "If it's true...what they told us...then when...w--we next wake...look...to the stars...our stars...I promise I...I'll never s--stop looking for...you..."

The glow faded entirely from Selah's eyes, and her chest ceased its rise and fall.  Ginal gently closed her eyelids, and gave in to her body's pleas.  Her lips quivered and tears hot with grief poured from her eyes.  She lay her head on her wife's stomach, and wept like a lost child.

"Amani..."

"This is because of your defiance, Serafine." The Lady stated.  "Had you only held true to your oath, you could have had any love you wanted."

"I wanted Amani!" Ginal snapped.  She looked over her shoulder at The Lady, standing in all her divine, shimmering glory, and bared her canines.  "I served you twelve with all my heart my entire life.  You couldn't allow me this one thing?!"

"Not with Amani.  She served the Others."

"SHE WAS MY WIFE!"

Ginal's world had crumbled beneath her her feet.  She had nothing left to live for, no reason to go on.  Her trembling hand clutched the hilt of her sword as she rose from the ground, her blonde hair matted down with the lifeblood of her wife.  She spun about, desperate tears falling of her cheeks in a blur, and she swung her weapon.  The Lady caught the blade, and flash of light flew from her other other hand, striking Ginal across the chest.

The miqo'te fell to her knees, looking up at her former master with disdain.  Blood poured from a long gash in her breastplate, and the brilliant emerald glow in her eyes slowly grew dim.  With her last reserve of strength, she spit upon The Lady, and fell over.

Darkness wrapped around Ginal.  A welcoming void of non-existence.  Slumber eternal, or close enough.

I'd do it all again...just to look into those eyes once more...



Selah was aghast as the living memory faded away.  If only she could place where that horrible event had taken place...but she knew, in her heart, that it had happened to them some long time ago.

But that's ridiculous.  There's no way we could have lived lives before this...right?

"What...what was that?" Ginal pleaded, her eyes filled with sorrow.  "Why do I remember that so well?"

"I don't know, Kitten.  I...don't know."

She pulled Ginal close in a protective embrace, and kissed her forehead.

"Come, love.  Let's wake up now."

Everheart: Chapter 17

"Wake up!  Oh, gods, Kitten, WAKE UP!"

Selah repeatedly shook Ginal, desperately hoping to see her eyes flutter open in response.  She only lie still on the stone bridge, breathing slow and shallow, and not stirring.

"Come on, Ginal!  Answer me!"

No, no, no, no, no!  Oh, gods, no!  What do I do?  She won't wake up!

Her palm struck Ginal's cheek, hoping against reason the smack would jar her awake.  Then again, and again even harder, until both palm and cheek were throbbing.

Wait!  I'm such am idiot!  This is what always wakes her!

Selah threw her lips onto her beloved's with a heated mixture of passion and despair.  One hand found Ginal's breast to fondle, the other rubbing between her legs.

Come on, this is practically what you live for!  Open your eyes and jump my bones!

No sounds, open eyes or signs of arousal came from Ginal.  Only silence and shallow breaths.

Fear, fury, anxiety, guilt.  Selah's heart was overflowing with these.  She pulled at her own hair while anxiously pacing, heart thundering in her chest.  Glancing up to see the Sanctum's archway, decorated with all the gods' symbols, she screamed her frustrations at the top of her lungs.

"Is this what you want?!  To torment and abandon us?  I TRIED to believe and be faithful, and so did Ginal, but you've done nothing but shit on us our entire lives!  Fuck, I hope you all choke on your heavenly wines!"

She returned to Ginal's side, frantically searching for a pulse and petting her hair.

"I'm so sorry.  I'm sorry for every damn thing!  I'm sorry I got wrapped up in my old fears, and that I left you behind.  I'm sorry I didn't come right back and how I never dealt with this part of myself long ago.  My Ginal, my beautiful Kitten, I'm so sorry!"

Pick her up, you idiot, and carry her inside. There must be someone here to watch over everything, and they can help.  Fight through the exhaustion.

And exhausted Selah was.  Every inch of her body was sore, aching and tender.  She was covered in sweat, dirt, and blood.  Not to mention the complete emotional drain of seeing how far this entire damn situation had gone.  The moss-tinted stone bridge, resting peacefully over the lake below seemed a particularly inviting place to lie down, and let herself die with her beloved.  Just fall asleep, into a sweet oblivion from which this world can't wake them from.

Stop panicking and sulking, and get on your feet.  Get your shit together.  She's not dead yet, and neither are you.

The voice in the back of her mind was the last functioning part of normally serene nature, and Selah knew it was the right part of herself to cling to.  Slowly, steadily, through the burning pain her muscles insisted she surrender to, she rose to her feet.  Grunting with strained effort, she scooped Ginal into her arms and headed for the cathedral's grand doorway.

Her steps were slow, heavy, and unsteady.  Ginal may be shorter, and more compact of frame, but her body mass was denser than looks would have you believe.  The miqo'te was rarely inactive, and had developed a strength and density of muscle that you could only barely see.

I'd suggest losing weight, but if she were any thinner I'd see her ribs.

Setting Ginal aside, the hyur pounded her fist against the doors.  "Someone, please answer!  I need help!"

When no answers came, she tried to force the massive doors open.  They wouldn't budge, no matter how hard Selah pushed.  She pushed and strained against the barrier until her arms screamed in pain for her to stop.  Her frustrations again mounting, she resumed beating on the doorway, and soon found herself assaulting it with a flurry of kicks and punches.

"Open the fucking doors!  Ginal needs help!" she screamed.



Burnished Snow, the small and thin roegadyn healer, sat within the personal chamber of his clinic.  Fading sunlight and dancing candlelight filled the room as he flipped through journals filled with mathematical calculations, alchemical formulas, and various scribbles of pieces of technology and metal joining onto body parts.  He sipped at mug of tea that had long-since gone cold, only half mindful of the tea's flavor or temperature.

"What was it?  How did I figure this out before?  These equations don't make sense anymore!"

He rubbed at his temples, and could feel the exhaustion in his bloodshot eyes.

"Gods, damn.  What am I supposed to do with that metal monstrosity out there?  I don't remember!"

Slamming his fists on the desk in frustration, he threw the journal across the room.  He turned to the loose papers scattered across the desk and madly swept them away.

"I'm a chemist and arcanist, not some Ironworks engineer!  How did I get this nonsense into my head, anyway?  I can't do this!"

A current of wind ripped through the chamber as swirls of light manifested and swirled about each other.  Book were ripped from their shelf and his bed linens were tossed about as the wind intensified.  The light gathered into a single mass and stretched up and outward, forming arms and legs.  At last, the Amalj'aa Warrior stood before Snow, the plates of his perfectly polished armor gleaming in the candlelight.

"Burnished Snow..." The Warrior growled.  "You are having trouble with your formulas?  No matter!  They were always false knowledge.  This is not the way Geoffrey will be joined to his new body."

Snow shrank away from the menacing beastman, trembling in fear at the imposing visage.  "I...how did you-oh, Gods, please spare me!  I'm only a healer!"

The Warrior chortled as he hefted the healer to his feet with one hand, and locked his gaze with Snow's.  The shining silver glow in The Warrior's eyes intensified, and Snow's own eyes began to radiate with a brilliant purple glow.

"Come, healer, we still have some use of you."

"Yes, masters."



Burnished Snow and The Warrior strolled into Geoffrey's room, and the nobleman quickly pushed himself up at the sound of The Warrior's heavy footfall.

"Who's there?  Snow?"

"Geoffrey Darkmoore." The Warrior's voice commanded.  "This world of fools and dullards, the unenlightened and the weak, was never good enough for you.  Long have you suffered, when by rights this world should be YOURS to command and shape as you see fit."

A scowl shaped on Geoffrey's lips as he lie back.  "Yes."

"We can give you the power to take back all that has been stolen from you.  To have your vengeance and your dominance."

The Warrior approached Geoffrey, resting his massive palm on the nobleman's cheek.  "We can even give you the power to finally break her."

"Selah..."

"All you must do is serve us as our champion."

The nobleman's scowl turned up in a vicious grin a he set his dead and bandaged eyes upon The Warrior.  "If you truly have this power, I would call it a fair trade."

Her demand was met, and the towering doors slowly creaked open.  A middle-aged man, hyur, whose temples and mustache had long since grayed, met them.  His gray, hooded robe, simple of stitch and cut, marked him as priest of the spartan life.

"This is a sacred place, young lady." he sternly remarked.  "Watch your mouth, or begone."

"Please, help me!  My beloved is hurt and won't wake up!"

The Priest took Ginal into his arms and gingerly headed into the grand Sanctum.  His weary gaze drifted back and forth from Ginal to Selah, obviously trying to reason out their wounds, bruises and torn clothing.

"There, ah, was a fight." she stammered.  "It was...that Emerald Demon."

How do I explain this?  And would he still offer his aid if he knew it was Ginal Gridania was hunting?

"I see." The Priest answered.

Oh...  By the gods, this place is amazing.

Selah's jaw hung agape as she stood dumbstruck.  The interior of the Sanctum of the Twelve was far and beyond anything she had ever imagined.

The antechamber was sprawling, wide open, and lit so brightly that it almost hurt to keep her eyes open.  A carpeted aisle ran ahead, through another towering doorway and into the chapel proper.  The stone-paved walkway stretched off to the left and right of them, ending in gazebos overlooking the massive man-made lakes and waterfalls that flanked the chapel, and stairs that descended into the waters.  The water itself looked more like liquid crystal, such was its clarity and shimmer, all while lily pads and lanterns floated atop, and grand chandeliers hung with lights and flowers from the mile-high ceiling.

It was art made physical, in both design and purpose, and Selah felt utterly humbled to walk these halls.

"Ginal...Ginal, look at this place!  You have to wake up and see it!  This is exactly where you always wanted to be bonded!"  Tears again crept upon her as she plead to her lover, stroking her hair as they walked.

"Worry not, young lady." The Priest offered.  "I'm trained in conjury.  I'll do what I can to help her."

Upon reaching the grand doorway to the chapel, the echo of bootfall hit Selah's ears.  She whirled about to see people approaching with a purposeful gait.  Elysande, Kraio, Timothy, and a fourth.  A hyur man equal to Selah's height, his hair dark and shaggy, clad in chain-linked armor and a sword sheathed at his side.

"Ely, Tim, Kraio, Julio!"  Selah assumed a defensive posture in front of The Priest, who had set Ginal upon the carpet.  "Stay back, all of you!"

"I will remind you all," The Priest interrupted, "that this is a sacred place.  Violence will not be tolerated, and I AM charged by the Twelve to defend that sanctity."

"Yes, that's right, sacred!  I, uh, claim sanctuary!" Selah shouted.

Their former comrades continued to close the gap, clearly trying to shake free of their own awe of the grand cathedral.

"Selah, we're not here to fight anyone." Elysande pleaded.  "We're here to help you.  We all felt this massive outpouring of aether from up here, and we knew something happened."

"Also, the Wailers have arrived in the clearing." Timothy explained.  "The others are trying to distract them and their conjurors by pleading for aid, but it will only buy so much time."

"What happened to Gin?" Kraio asked.

"I-I don't know!  I knew I needed to get her angry, but then I...I said these terrible things, and she unleashed all this fury through aether and-and then, this!  I can't' wake her up!"

Elysande threw her arms around her friend.  "Selah, it's gonna be okay.  I promised you she'd be safe with us, and we'll do everything we can."

Selah accepted the consoling embrace, knowing Elysande's word was true.

"Yeah...thanks, Ely."

Kraio and Timothy were at Ginal's side, both men with hands aglow in aether hovering over her body.

"Can you tell what's wrong?" Selah pleaded.

They have to know.  They have to help her!

The magic-users remained silent a long, painfully anxious moment as they concentrated on things Selah could only wildly guess at.  She bit her lip as she fought down the urge to pace about.  She opened her mouth to repeat her question, but stopped herself from becoming a pest.

Badgering them won't solve anything.  They've trained as these magics for years, they'll figure something out.

Both men opened their eyes and rose in unison.  Turning and walking away from the gathered group, they whispered loudly at each other, gesturing excitedly at Ginal, each other, and Selah.  Selah strained to hear their words, but only came away with half a word here and there.

It must be great to have the ears of an elezen or miqo'te.

More whispers and wide-eyed gestures, and the magic-users beamed at each other as they clapped each other on the shoulder.

"Okay, forgive me for saying so, but this is exciting for us!" Kraio exclaimed.

"Indeed." Timothy agreed.  "I have read of things like this in my studies, but this is the first time I have encountered such an event personally."

"What is it?  What's happened to Ginal?" Selah demanded.

Kraio was back at Ginal's side, forcing open an eyelid to look within.  "So, she was caught in an aetheryte explosion, right?"

"It is a rare event for aetheryte to destabilize like this," Timothy explained, "but when it does, it is a catastrophe in itself."

"Right, and anyone unlucky enough to be caught in the detonation of concentrated aether is typically killed."

"Save for a very, very rare few recorded cases where people have emerged still living, but suffering from acute aether poisoning."

Dissatisfied, Kraio shook his head and closed Ginal's eye.  "And among those cases, there's been maybe two or three in all existing records detailing the splitting of a person's soul."

"Split soul?" Selah repeated.

Timothy nodded, "Yes.  An exceptionally rare, but still real phenomenon where a person's living soul is split in two by exposure to hyper-concentrated aether."

"And judging from the extreme restlessness and conflict of emotions we sensed in her, we're pretty sure that's what's happened to Gin." Kraio explained.

"Truly, this is fascinating." Timothy mused.  "I would love to study this further."

Selah snarled in reaction, and before she realized what happened, she was shaking Timothy by his collar.  "She's my fiance, you asshole, not some experiment!"

"Young lady!" The Priest snapped.

Timothy's expression turned from enthusiastic to remorseful.  "Selah, I...  That is not what I meant, but you are correct.  My apologies.  My inner academic got the better of me."

She released her friend and turned away, covering her eyes in shame.  "I-I'm sorry, Tim.  I..."

Kraio rested his hand on Selah's shoulder, offering a kind smile.  "Hey, we get it.  The point of our rambling is, we think we know how to help her."

"Yes." Timothy added.  "If we are correct, Ginal's soul has split in two.  For simplicity, we will identify the one we have been contending with as Dark Ginal."

"Seems like Dark Gin's finally exhausted enough of herself to fall dormant again, a least for a while." Kraio explained.  "But we need to mend her essence before the dark half takes control again."

"And it likely will."

Tears of relief trickled down Selah's cheeks as she grabbed onto both her friends for an awkward half-embrace.

"I knew you'd figure it out!  Hurry, please!  Before the Wailers get here!"

The magic-users glanced worriedly at each other, then to Selah.

"That's the thing, though..." Kraio explained.  "This isn't just another technique you can learn from the Arcanist Guild or something.  This is serious shi-er, ah...business."

The Priest glared sternly upon Kraio, his eyes sending a clear "I"m watching you" message.

"You'll need to merge your soul with Ginal's." Timothy continued.  "You need to help the two halves of her essence reconcile with each other and become whole again.  But..."

"But what?" Selah pleaded.  "Please, Tim, out with it!"

He sighed and shrugged.  "Kraio and I will have to use our powers to hold your souls together in a stable network, one which we must have absolute concentration to maintain.  If the aetheric network is broken before you are done, we...do not actually know what would happen to you."

"There's also the possibility that staying linked for too long would merge your souls into one entity.  That you would cease to be yourselves." Kraio replied.  "So...yeah.  This is risky.  Really, really risky."

But if it works, then I'd get Ginal back.  There could be worse fates that being forever merged with her...  You could almost call that the ultimate Eternal Bond.

"Make it happen." Selah stated.  "This is the only chance I'll have to fix this.  Whatever you need to do, gentlemen, do it."

Timothy and Kraio exchanged nervous grins.

"Julio and I will hold the Wailers at the gatehouse." Elysande offered.  "Of course, I hope the others can continue to steal their attention for a while longer."

"No violence on this land, young woman!" The Priest scolded.  "You keep this fight of yours at the gatehouse, and no further."

"Yes, Father.  Would be a shame to stain that lovely stone with blood, anyway."

Elysande and Julio quickly made their way outside the Sanctum's hallowed halls as Timothy and Kraio sat besides Ginal's still body.

"Father." Timothy called.  "We would appreciate your aid in this endeavor."

Selah lie alongside Ginal, taking her hand and offering the most reassuring smile she could.  She knew Ginal couldn't see it.  It more for herself, though it didn't make her any less scared, or anxious.  It didn't matter, though. The risk had to be taken.  Ginal had suffered enough in this life.

And there was still a vague glimmer of hope that somehow, in some way, all this pain could be put behind them, and they could walk these grand halls on a day of happiness and celebration.

There were worse things to cling to.

Everheart: Chapter 16

Where are you, Kitten?  How can I find you before it's too late?  

Selah stood on a hill just a short stride from the Lancer's Guild, overlooking the lake that separated the city from the rest of the vast Twelveswood.  The breeze tossed her hair around, which had grown out longer than she had allowed to it grow in years.

Short cut hair, or a simple ponytail were much prefered to this shoulder-length mess her hair was becoming, but there hadn't been time to style it like she wanted, or to reapply the violet dye that had finally washed out.  Recent weeks had been too, damnably, frustratingly, unjustly busy to allow any true reprieve or indulgence.

All because I was a stupid, pathetic coward.  I should have throw that damn letter back at Mother and told her to piss off.  I should have sent for a courier to demand Geoffrey's signature on the divorce declaration, and stayed with Ginal.  I shouldn't have allowed any of this to have happened, but I did.  Whatever happens from here on, I will do whatever I have to do to save Ginal and protect her from those hunting her.

Even if it means losing her love.

She hung her head, and allowed a regretful sigh.

Hear... Feel... Think...  Beloved daughter...follow your soul's pull.

That voice again!  That warm, motherly voice that is as comforting as it is confusing.  But where in the hells is it coming from?

As Selah glanced about her surroundings, her gaze was drawn, again and again, across the lake and to the east.  She could feel Ginal's presence that way, somehow.  Could hear her mischievous giggle, and smell that gentle musk.  The Bramble Patch, where Ywain had sent me once for one of his trials.  That's where I'll find her.  It didn't matter how she knew, and she didn't care.

She didn't care about anything else, anymore.  Not Mother, not duty, not the denizens of Coerthas, not Geoffrey, not the helpless, not divorcing.  It was all about Ginal, now, as it should have been all along.

I kept telling myself there would time enough for everything, that there was no need to rush.  We could be bonded in due time, have a family in due time, work out our issues in due time, and I could become less detached from the world in due time.

But there is no such thing as due time.  Your entire life can fall apart in a single moment.  You can lose everything you didn't realize you loved so much just by walking away when you should have stood your ground.  The world can eat you and shit you out, just by allowing someone to have more power over you than they deserve.

Never again.

If I can save Ginal, I'll spend the rest of my life holding on like I should.  I'll fight every battle that comes my way instead of walking away.  I'll try to not be so damned detached, and show a little passion for once.   I'll give her the most elaborate and grand Bonding ceremony I can, I'll even wear that damn dress for her.

Selah wiped the frustrated tears from her eyes and headed toward the aetheryte plaza.  Ride the aethernet to the Hawthorne Hut, then it's about a day's ride by chocobo to the Bramble Patch, as long as the bird doesnt tire out.

I'm coming, Kitten.

The house, by the hotspring, on a cliff, sat still and silent.

Except for the Amalj'aa Warrior, who loomed over the simple, wooden table in the middle of the small building, grinning malciciously as he looked upon the cards on the table.  He chortled and smacked the table, nodding in satisfaction.

"Yes... Even better than we had planned."

Aether of gold and silver began to swirl around on the opposite side of the table, creating wind currents that pulled books from shelves and tossed cabinet doors open and closed.  The aether stretched out, growing legs and arms, and finally coalescing into the form of the Elezen Lady.  She glanced about the dimly lit space, and fixed her outraged expression upon The Warrior.

"What's happening here?" she demanded.  "What have you dark ones been playing at?"

The Warrior guffawed his answer, and eagerly motioned The Lady over.  "Come and see, now that you have come!  Witness the darkness that has taken hold of Emera, and what our guidance has led the Nobleman to become!"

The Lady dashed to the table and shoved the Warrior aside, leaning in to examine the cards carefully.  The card of the Emerald was ripped in two as it sat alongside the card of the Sapphire.  The card of the Nobleman's family crest was inverted, with a card bearing the image of a Vanguard machine overlapping.

"What have you dark ones done?!"

"Come, now." The Warrior scoffed.  "Did you Twelve really believe we would just play along in this game against Emera and Sapphine?  That we had no ulterior motives?  Tell us you were never so naive."

"No, not naive.  We never trusted you dark ones.  Perhaps, though, we were arrogant in assuming we would see any trickery before you could conceal it from us."

The Lady cried out in frustrstion and threw the table aside, shattering it and scattering the cards.  The Warrior bellowed in mockery as his body began to shimmer and crackle with energy, until it came apart in streams of aether that scattered to the winds.

The Lady sighed, and stayed in the dark room.

Ginal is near, I can feel it.

The chocobo was going on its twentieth or so hour of non-stop running, and Selah knew it was long beyond the exhaustion point.  But time was against them all.

As if the bird heard its rider's thoughts, its legs buckled and it crashed into the grassy earth.  Selah was tossed from the saddle, but retained her wits enough coil her legs and kick off from the tree she was careening toward.  Upon landing, she rushed to her mount's side, and found the creature panting and wheezing.

"I'm sorry, poor dear.  But you've done well to take me this far.  Thank you."

The great bird had its head on a rock, too exhausted to respond.  After leaving a gift of the same root Dinornis favored, Selah set off on her own.

Where are you, Kitten?

Concentrating, she realized there was no birdsong here, and even the woodland breeze was mostly still.  She heard no distant mating calls of roaming ziz, and the packs of boars that she remembered made this area their home were nowhere to be seen.

The entire Twelveswood is waiting to see what happens, isn't it?

The clanging of metal meeting metal.  Anguished and angry shouting in the distance.  An aetheric presence so strong it was almost disorienting.

Ginal.

Selah whirled around, and soared to the top of a nearby tree.  Over hills, trees both fallen and standing, and thick patches of thorny briars, her vantage point let her see.  From a clearing a short distance away, the motion of warriors locked in battle, and the bright flashes of magical energies caught her attention.  She focused her gaze on the figure at the center of the ordeal as rays of sunlight highlighted the dress of shimmering green.  It was the eyes, though, that gave her pause.

Oh my gods...  Her eyes really are aflame.  What has happened to you, Kitten?  How could a person carry so much raw aether within themselves?

And look at all of them, trying to fight her.  Is that Tim?  And Ely?  Everyone who's ever supported us.  They must be trying to subdue her, it looks like they're pulling their punches.

But Ginal won't.  She'll give everything she has, and then she'll find more.  She always struggled with restraint.  I've got to get down there.

Motion in the corner of her vision caught her attention, and her heart sank when she looked.  Armor made of leather dyed dark green, masks carved from wood that covered the eyes, and lances whose tips were carved from bone.  A small troop of Wood Wailers were we on the march, steadily heading toward the clearing from the west.

"Oh shit."

They won't pull their punches.  They don't know who Ginal is, and it's not their job to care.  They'll fight to the last and kill Ginal, if she doesn't kill them first.

Wind tossed Selah's hair back as she leaped from her perch.  As she landed on a cliff overlooking the clearing, pools of dark energies formed all across the clearing, and exploded in brilliant flashes of black and purple, all while spines of energy made solid angrily erupted from the soil.  It was too much too look upon, and when Selah's vision had cleared, all of those she considered friend and comrade were sprawled upon the ground around Ginal.

Gods, No!  Are they dead?!  I was too damn slow!

Her heart thundered with anxiety, guilt and sorrow to see what had become of her beloved.  Her fists trembled, her legs felt weak, and tears left trails in the dirt on her face.

Lance forward, ever on the attack!

Ywain's words steadied her breathing.

We yield not to pain, and we acknowledge no despair.

She rose to her feet.

We rise to the heights that others cannot, because we must!

Ser Alberic...  I tried so hard to forget you, to forget all of Ishgard.  Another grave error.

Fear is the one true foe of us all.  Ignore it, and you strip it of its power over you.

Selah swallowed her despair and pushed the fear from her heart.  Surely not all was lost.  Even a fool's hope is hope at all.



"Hello, beloved." Ginal purred.

But it wasn't the same affectionate and contented purr Selah knew and loved.  This was lusty and predatory.  A huntress on the prowl, but not the same way she knew her wife could be.  Hunting to deliver vengeance, rather than from necessity.  Something else was different, she realized.  The aetheric aura around Ginal felt weaker than it was a moment ago.  Did she lose strength with that massive outburst?

Can I lessen her threat?  Maybe by making her burn off this rage?

"Ginal...my Kitten.  You look as lovely as ever."

A dismissive snort was the response as Ginal looked herself over.  "Not likely.  My dress is torn, I'm dirty and I've been bleeding.  Our old friends have been less than gracious toward me today."  An irritated frown was her only expression.

Selah glanced around at the bodies around her.  Kraio, Elysande, Timothy, Ozalie, Lupe, Aerick, Historia, Six, Astania, Miku, and others she couldn't immediately identify or didn't know.  And thanks the gods, they weren't dead.  Some were unconscious yet breathing, some were groaning and stirring.  She caught Elysande and Kraio both glancing around, but staying on the ground to feign death.

I've got to get Ginal away from here, and give them time to recoup.  What can I do?

"No, I mean it.  You look gorgeous, Kitten."

Offering the most sincere smile she could force, she approached the twisted image of her wife and offered an embrace.  Ginal came, wrapping her arms around Selah and nuzzling her chest.

"Mmm...  Should I forgive you for leaving me so quickly?" Ginal purred.

"Maybe not.  I've been terribly naughty, haven't I?  I should probably be punished."

As their lips connected, Selah felt Ginal's arousal pressing against her.  She took Ginal's hand and lowered it to her backside, offering an encouraging grin.

Your libido is easy to play, isn't it?  Suggest sex at all and you're all over me.  Suggest something I normally don't want and you go crazy.

I already hate myself for using this against her.

With a squeeze and a smack, Ginal's purrs had escalated to a growl.  The flame in her eyes blazed brighter, and a predatory grin filled her features.

"You really do want to apologize, don't you?  Naughty, naughty, Selah."

"But not here.  No audience...just us, and you can do what you please."

There, that sloping hill.

Selah slowly withdrew, and a controlled bound put her yards away from her wife onto a hill that gradually sloped up and bent around the edge of the clearing.

"Come catch me, Kitten!"

But Ginal was already surging forth, grinning and growling.  Her speed was amazing, easily twice, maybe three times, as fast as she had ever run before.  Selah leaped ahead again, and again, up and up, all the while with Ginal on her heel.

Gods damn, she's fast.

"Oh, you're too naughty, Selah!  I'm going to do so much to you!"

More long, controlled jumps, more running in pursuit.  They reached the tip of the hill, and Selah glanced down where they had come.

How far have we traveled, now?  Half a mile, maybe?  I can see them down there, rising and helping each other.

So what do I do?  How can I enrage her enough to get her to burn off this dark energy?

Selah looked upon her bride with a pout, arms folded over her chest.  "I've changed my mind.  I'm not in the mood anymore."

"Excuse me?"  Ginal stopped mid-stride, the look of disbelief clear.  "You can't just get me all hot and riled like that and not follow through."

"I'm sorry, I just don't want it."

Ginal's fists tightened.  "It doesn't matter if you don't want it.  You're my wife, it's your duty."

It's your duty, girl.  It's what you agreed to when you bonded to me.  Now, shut up and get on your knees.

Selah's heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't control the angry sneer that formed on her lips.

Like the hells it's my duty.

"No, I told you, you don't own me, Ginal."

Dark aether gathered and swirled about Ginal's fists as her breath came in angry bursts.  Her tail flicked sharply as she showed her canines.

"Then I'll take what's owed me."

Selah flipped away, her weapon free of its harness as she landed, and Ginal was on top of her.  The spirit sword cleaved through the steel haft of the lance as though paper, and Selah tumbled out of the way.

Well, fuck.  Where's one of those enchanted relic weapons you hear about when you need one?

Ginal threw the spirit weapon aside, and it dissipated into strands of aether.

"Come now, love, don't be so hard to get.  You know it only makes me want you more."

Bounding up onto a thick tree limb, Selah looked upon her wife with genuine fear.  Have I teased too much?  Am I in over my head?  Can she overpower me?  Will she force herself on me if she can?

I'll never forget how a simple, single choice can change everything, ever again.

"And why should I give myself to you, anyway, Ginal?  I don't love you anymore."

It wasn't true, of course, and the words had to be forced out as they caught in her throat.

She landed before Ginal, and her heart shattered in her chest as she looked upon her.  Ginal's ears had folded down, her tail dangled limp, and her mouth agape.

"You...don't love me?"

Selah had witnessed, months ago, how Ginal flew off the handle and attacked her friend Grezel.  She remember how Ginal had screamed and clawed, and may very well have sincerely harmed the dragoon if Selah hadn't stepped in.

But now, the howl that escaped Ginal, equal parts sorrow and rage, was enough to turn Selah's blood cold.  No treant, or giant boar, dragon or even Primal had ever carried so much unbridled rage and pain.

A heavy, blunt pain in her gut overtook Selah's senses, with another across her face, and still more.  She finally realized that it was Ginal's fists, but she was already breathless and on her knees.  Ginal grabbed Selah's long hair and pulled back, hard enough to elicit a pained cry.  As Selah met her wife's gaze, she found herself completely unsure how to feel.  Ginal's eyes were filled with enough rage and anger to allow her to do terrible things, but equal amounts and sadness, sorrow, loss and pain, that it almost seemed excusable.

"You promised yourself to me!  I was your first and only love!  You can't just take that back!"

With nails as sharp as ziz talons, Ginal cut a slit in Selah's shirt to expose her bust.  She fondled, squeezed, and pinched as she held Selah on forest floor, growling hungrily.

"And look at that...your body still says "yes" to my touch."  She licked the length of Selah's cheek and nipped her ear, "You know, love, I had almost forgotten how brilliant a blue your eyes are.  It's almost as though they glow."  She giggled, "You're going to love me.  You're going to be mine.  Nobody says "no" to me anymore, Selah."

The backside of a palm connected to Selah's cheek, knocking her to the cold stone floor.  She was hoisted up, and Geoffrey ripped her bodice open.  His eyes were filled with lust and disdain as he fondled her

"You're mine, girl, whether you like it or not.  Nobody says "no" to me, especially my own wife!"

No.  No!  NO!!

Never again!

Sapphire light filled Selah's eyes as she threw Ginal's arms up, and was on her feet.  With feet apart and fists ready, she dropped low and struck.  A kick to the gut followed, then another fist met Ginal's cheek.  Selah watched in horror as her beloved reeled from the blows, and shook herself free of the creeping anger.

Dammit.  I just keep hurting her.

She wanted to cry, and fall to her knees and beg for forgiveness.  She wanted to swear to never hurt her again, and always be at her side, no matter how dark her heart may have become.  But as much as it hurt to admit it, Ginal was too dangerous this way.  She had to be stopped, and saved if it was still possible.

And why does this feel so familiar to be in battle with her?

A dark skinned miqo'te woman, wielding sword and shield and clad in shining steel boots and breastplate, roared a warning as she swung her blade.  Selah felt the air rush past her long, pointed ears as she ducked, and the blade struck the tall tree behind her.  Squirrels chattered anxiously as the kept their distance from the two combatants, and the various woodland birds flew away, taking their songs with them.  

The elezen reached a hand up, then pointed at the swordswoman.  A bolt of lightning fell from the heavens, striking the spot where the miqo'te had been a moment before.

"Please, put your sword away!" Selah pleaded.  "It doesn't matter who's champions we are!  We don't need to fight!"

We've done this before...  But...when?  These damn dreams are driving me crazy.

Enough of that!  Make her MAD!  Piss her the hells off like only you can!

Selah leaped ahead again, and used her lead to sprint as fast as she was able.  Down an old, long worn paved road that cut between hills, outcrops and thick patches of sharp brambles.  She heard the crunch of dry leave and twigs under Ginal's sandals, and knew she was closing in.  Another bound forward, and another.  The lead never lasted, and even though these leaps didn't use as much energy as running, Selah felt fatigue beginning to set in.

As the brambles parted, they came upon a worn stone bridge.  It was covered with moss in places, and sconces housed within stone casings bordered the sides.  A gatehouse sat at the height of the bridge, with towering walls covered in ornate swirls and patterns.  The walls themselves were flanked by spires that ended is moss-covered points, and pane of stained glass rested in the stone directly above the tremendous wrought-iron gate.

True old world beauty.  Would that I had time to properly appreciate it.

She jumped and kicked off the gate, sending herself soaring to the top of the gatehouse before bounding down to the other side.

The sight of the gigantic, ancient cathedral before her forced her to stop mid-stride, with mouth agape.  Towering spires that dwarfed the gatehouse and huge, vertical panes of stained glass.  A massive archway set with the symbols of each of the twelve gods to introduce a structure that stretched on for what must have been two or three miles.  All carved from the same ancient, graying stone as the gatehouse, with splashes of green mosses and algae in places.  All rising up from a lake that rested at the end a miles-long bridge, bordered by the same ornate stone encased scones, with massive, winding stairwells that led into what must have once been a courtyard, but was now overflowing with water and lilypads.

It puts anything I've ever seen back home to shame.  Almost makes you want to believe, doesn't it?

A thundering crash, followed by another, as the gates baring entry were thrown open by Ginal's rage-fueled magics.  She approached Selah, eyes ablaze, tail whipping and canines on display.  She growled and clenched her aether-covered fists, and struck out at her wife.

"You can't just decide you don't love me anymore!  You said I was your first and only!"

Selah caught once punch and dodged another.  She deflected wrathful kicks and flipped away to avoid magical projectiles.  Reaching for her boot, she drew a small dagger she kept for emergencies.

Here goes...

"Well, I was wrong.  You're not my either.  In fact, I'm going to go back to Geoffrey and beg his forgiveness."

Ginal howled as she threw more orbs of darkness, then pounced upon Selah with a vicious assault of punching and clawing.  Selah deflected the fists, but was caught on the forearm by Ginal's talon-like nails.  Blood was drawn, and it hurt like all hells, but she forced herself to choke back the pained noises.

"And...I'm going to...to find potions to restore my womb, and give him all the children he wants!"

The very thought made Selah nauseous, but saying it out loud almost made her vomit.

And the look in Ginal's eyes at the sentence spoken made Selah ashamed to have ever thought she could be good enough to be her spouse.

Tears were now streaming down Ginal's face as she trembled with such a violent heartache that Selah thought she may cause a quake.  Her breathing was rapid and shallow, clear signs of hyperventilating.  Shimmering black aether formed over Ginal's entire body as she snarled, and began hurling magical orbs at Selah, one after another, after another.

Selah spun, flipped, jumped and dove, narrowly evading each attack.  She allowed a brief pause to concentrate, and felt that the aetheric aura around Ginal had diminished somewhat more.

It's working.  Just a little more, maybe.

"In fact, we'll have a new bonding ceremony to celebrate.  And everyone will be there, Ely, Kraio, Tim and Oz.  Even Grezel, Ywain and Miounne.  They'll cheer and cheer, and tell us how wonderful it is that I came to my senses!"

Ginal closed the distance again, kicking, clawing and crying her frustrations.  Selah wasn't so lucky this time, and felt the kick to her chest and claws across her thigh.  With instinctual retaliation, she lashed out with her dagger and drew blood from Ginal's own arm, and mentally chided herself for the lack of control.

"Besides, who would ever want to be with a freak like you?"

Ginal stopped her assault, and stood silent.

Oh, gods.  Did I really just say that?  What the hells is wrong with me?!

Selah had long since learned to read every nuance of Ginal's expressions.  Every twitch of her tail, folding of the ears, sparkle of the eyes, and curve of her lips.  She knew silence meant anger, and purring meant contentment.  She knew that smirk meant the huntress was on the prowl, and those types of tears meant a sadness that cut to the core.

And here, in this most beautiful and sacred place, Selah had no idea what she had just done to the only person she had ever loved.  Ginal's ears lay flat, and her tail hung limp.  Tears and trembling fists, quivering lips and an almost hollow look in her eyes.

Selah's heart had shattered as she looked upon her beloved.  This was the most sincere sadness and most profound guilt she had ever experienced.  She had finally learned what it was to truly hate herself.

Even in this state, she can't stand to be called that word.  And coming from me, it must...  Gods dammit, I've hurt her so damn much.  Over and over, I keep fucking up.  I can't stand to do this anymore.

The dagger clanged against the stone of the bridge, and Selah was silent.  Whatever was to be her fate now, she readily accepted.  She had crossed lines no lover should ever cross, and could go no further.

The ends don't justify the means.  Would that I wasn't too stupid to realize that earlier.

Ginal stalked toward her wife and grabbed her by the throat.  Their gazes locked as she drew her hand back, claws facing forward.  Selah offered no resistance, nor she could any longer fight back her own tears.

"It's no less than I deserve, Ginal.  I've hurt you so much."

The darkness-consumed miqo'te trembled as she seemed to be trying to force herself to deliver the killing blow.  She growled and grimaced, but couldn't follow through.

You can't do it either, can you, Kitten?  We can't love each other, and we can't kill each other.  What's going to happen to us?

Ginal released her wife and turned away.  From the core of her being rose a roar of fury and despair like nothing Selah had ever heard.  Even a dragon's roar of rage was insignificant here.  Pools of dark energy formed all around and detonated, throwing curved spines of magic up from the bridge's surface.  More pools formed, more spines jutted skyward, again and again and again, all while Ginal continued to scream her rage that even the gods in their celestial halls could hear.

Finally, it ended.

The spines and pools of darkness faded into nothing, and Ginal stood panting and dripping sweat.  She turned to face Selah, and her eyes were no longer blazing with that emerald flame.  She blinked rapidly as she looked about, lost in disorientation.

"Selah...I..."

Her eyes glazed over as her body went limp.  She began to fall down from the top of a stairwell, headed for the waters below, but Selah leaped to her side and caught her.

"Ginal!  GINAL!!"