"Don't leave me..."The words echoed within his mind yet he could not put a face to the voice.It did not come from one of his old comrades, those whom he had abandoned to take up the path of a Warrior of Light.Yet the sorrow he felt for them was no less than that he had endured as he parted ways from the guard.

"Don't leave me..."The strangers voice spoke.

"Don't leave us..."The memory lingered.

He had promised to stand by them, and yet in the end he had left."I'm sorry..." Dervial spoke up to the night sky, extending his hand out to stare at the palm."I can't be true to my-" He sighed, balling his hand into a fist.

"It's better this way." He'd look skyward once more before turning towards the desk.Making his way over to resume his writings, the recordings of all he had encountered beyond the boundaries of Lakeland, the people who he had met and the lives that had changed.For better or worse. A Warrior of Light, or aspiring one at that. Yet it seemed ever beyond his reach.

And so with a fresh tankard of mead, quill in hand he would begin scribbling his records once more.As the scribblings of the quill quietly echoed throughout the room, they were disrupted by the banging of a fist against the heavy doors.

"They pick their times..." Dervial mummered, taking another swig of his mead before setting the quill within the ink pot.Making his way towards the door, he took a moment to prepare himself.Knocking on the door at this hour was rarely a pleasant experience.And so he pulled the doors open.

"Oh..." He started as he looked upon his guest."We need to talk." The Viis spoke.

"Hows life as a Warrior of Light? Splendid, no paperwork, no watch duties and no one beggin' me for a moment to discuss important bureaucratic matters! And the work hours are the best I've had!"

He was grinning towards her, though he knew it a fruitless attempt at this point to make her smile, or frown...Or change her expression in the slightest in most cases.Part of him still liked to believe she did smile, just on such a minute scale that it was
imperceptible to mortal eyes.A moment of silence lingered between the two.

"Your humour has not improved and your deflection attempts are poor." She returned the stony faced stare.Had he not known better, he would have taken offense. Yet he knew Daelindri in that moment was offering her own twist on the banter."Well it's a work in progress so..." He'd reach up to rub the back of his neck, turning his gaze away for a time."I'm fine, Dae. Honestly...What about you?" With the lie he had hoped to buy himself some time, turning the question unto her.Daelindri arched a brow at that, having most likely seen through the lie and deflection. She had known him long enough that's for certain, a blink of an eye in her lifespan."Adequate." She replied.

A mistake on his part, one he was quick to try and rectify."And the others?" Dervial sighed, gesturing towards Daelindri as he once more awaited her response."They are well, James has taken a liking to one of the new recruits. I have warned him that should he fail to keep his hands off Kara, I will in fact neuter him." Once more stated in a flat tone, were it not for the slightest ear twitch Dervial would have presumed the threat real.A relief, that he could still get somewhat of a read on her."Well, James is...James. I trust they're all without troubles? At this rate I swear I've seen Aethric unconscious more times than conscious" Dervial tilted his head, recalling the Galdjent and his knack for drawing all manner of injuries.

"You are welcome to speak with them yourself, we are still stationed in Fort Jobb for the time being."The thought was far from a pleasant one, having abandoned the guard and his own comrades to chase a life of adventure, all because of some grand lie that was weaved that one fateful day within the Crystarium.Dervial turned away, unable to muster courage to decline the offer."But I would have you speak truthfully; How are you?" She spoke again, the voice was somewhat softer.What could he say? That he had managed precious little since he had left? That he was tormented by strange dreams and black-clad strangers?"...I've been better." He sighed, giving an inch to the ugly truth that had burdened him.

"Elaborate." Daelindri spoke once more."...In time, aye?" Dervial responded, looking back to her with an apologetic smile."Understood. I would suggest we speak of it upon your visit to Fort Jobb."Daelindri rose to a stand before he could speak.

Dervial paused, he had neither declined nor accepted, hells he had never even deigned to visit upon his return to Lakeland."...Aye, 'course." He'd manage a smile, appreciating the small push Daelindri had given him with that suggestion."I'll come visit, I promise."

"Good, otherwise I would have dragged you." She met his gaze."They miss you, you know.""And I them, we had some good times..." Dervial hummed, though it was not a life of adventure they had of course found their own stories during their times together."Until then." She turned to make her depature.

"Dae?" Dervial found himself speaking up, looking after the Viis.She paused in her departure, looking over to the Hume.Dervial had raised his fist in a salute."It was good to see you again." He'd smile her way.She lingered for a time, offering no immediate response until she would eventually turn, raising her fist to return the salute.

"And you, my friend. Take care of yourself."He dared not speak it, nor would anyone believe him should he try.But he could have sworn in that moment, a twinge of a smile had broken through.

Some hours had passed, she had returned to her post at Fort Jobb.No words were wasted upon musings, her mind had already turned back towards the duty before her.For a time at least.

Dervial was gone, and she was the one to command them now.They would endure whatever came next, not all were rushing off to become would-be-heroes.Someone had to continue protecting the Crystarium, and Lakeland at large."Daelindri! I have returned with the new weapons, yes?" Called a booming voice from across the courtyardHer attention turned towards it source, the Galdjent was waving in a rather enthusiastic manner. Talagar was no doubt eager to show off his latest creations, eager to put them to the test.

Another beautiful night had graced Lakeland, it was still scarcely believable that they would live to see them.Ever fearful that the light of day would never end, that they would once more be robbed of blessed darkness.It was a soothing sight for him, and yet the questions lingered at the back of his mind..."Daelindri, Innes, Kat, Kaldari....Why us?"Ever since the travellers had spoken of their encounter with the one they now called 'Arthur'Dervial could not shake the questions of why their destinies had intertwined.

He knew the others could handle themselves, Daelindri had their comrades, Kaldari like him had endured their share of hardship, Kat was....Kat.And yet it was Innes he feared for, a soul too innocent for this world or so he thought anyhow."Innes....Wicked white, I pray whatever comes next, you remain safe throughout it."The memory of the young healer was all he had these days, it felt like a lifetime since her disappearance.Without a word, she had left Lakeland, no soul could claim to know her destination.Some speculated she was taken by the wild life that had grown bold since the return of night, yet Dervial gave no thought to such rumours.No, out of everyone it was not likely to be her taken by nature. She had done what she could to preserve it amidst the tyranny of light, what creatures remained had always found a friend in the woman.

No, she was alive. He was sure of it.If nothing else there was proof in her link with the Drahn known as 'Kaoru'."I find it hard to believe the two could be kindred spirits, then again...That goes for all of them."He sighed, looking back to the tower that would shine bright amidst the enveloping darkness.Fate had brought them together, and perhaps in doing so offered that reassurance that she was still out there, somewhere safe or so he prayed."Fate..." The word stuck in his mind, a flash, a memory pulled from the depths of his mind."Your fates have already been written, the ink has dried..." The stranger spoke, drawing Dervials attention from the outlook at the Crystarium.

"This Charade ends now..." He declared, and then...The memory fades.Dervial could not recall for the life of him what he had said following that, had he offered retort? Had he accepted the fate that was laid out before him?These questions would haunt him into the night, yet despite it all he would offer a prayer for Innes, wherever she was."I hope wherever you are, you are faring better than I..."

A cry of pain sounded throughout the ruins, a voice drowning in distress and agony calling out for salvation."AHHH! I cannot suffer it any longer, please!""P-PLease just h-hold on! I-I can fix th-"

"Take it! Take the wing, anything to be rid of this torment! I beg of you!""P-please stop bitin' it, it's jus' itchin' powder!"Damnable pixies and their pranks....

"No...No, I can' s-see any teeth pulled, I-I think they may have simply l-lied.."The Amaro held their mouth open, and despite the stench all seemed well enough in their maw..."M-Maybe some cleanin' would d-do you good, though.."A deep sigh escaped the Amaros mouth, Innes found herself having to hold down her breakfast as the smells assaulted her.

Finally, a moments respite from tending to them.Innes found herself resting atop one of the nests of the Amaro, just five minutes of rest before returning to her self appointed duties..."INNES! INNES!" Called out one of the younger Amaro as a small pack of them came rushing around the cornerInnes whimpered.

"Five of us! There was a flight of five, all with our owners upon the saddle! Taking to the clouds without a care in the world!"The Amaro continued, regaling the others with their tales of their younger days, adventurers with their owners and what mischief they would achieve.

"There were a hume like yourself, Innes! Only far taller, broader in both shoulder an- Oh not that I mean to give insult, no no! You are perfectly fine the way you are!"

"In fact, many of us find it quite endearing!"Innes managed a smile, continuing to eat the apple and listen for the time being.

The hour had grown late, Wolekdorf slumbered soundly beneath the watchful night sky.And so Innes found her chance to sneak off, away from the Amaro as to not to wake them nor endanger them with her practice.Towards the hill, overlooking the Castle at the heart of Ill Mheg...

Despite the threat of Pixie antics, or the roaming wildlife. She had found her peace here, away from the troubles of man as they entered their newfound night.Here she would practice her magicks to her hearts content."Focus..." She murmured , drawing the staff from her back.Feeling the land breathe around her, though Ill Mheg slumbered, the land itself was brimming with aether, with life...

In this moment, the fears slipped away, the anxious thoughts faded into the night.With not a soul to behold her, she could breathe...

Drawing the staff in a fluent motion she would begin to practice the incantations, the procedure in which to act in harmony with the aether she would call to her side.

In this moment she felt that familiar attunement, the aether that would reside in the land teeming with new life ready to be birthed through planted seeds, giving breath to the winds that blew gently in the night.The waters in the lake below were beyond her reach, yet she could sense that familiar presence all the same.

And with that they came rushing to her call, working in harmony as they gave way to healing energies sprung forth by her spell, the land beneath her would bloom with fresh flowers, the grass renewed the flow of aether passing through.She had no need to look down, she could feel the life blooming all around her. And in that moment, as all fears faded away....

...She was home.

"Oh, Innes..." The Amaro offered a somber sigh. Beholding the spectacle from a distance, for he dared not disturb her moment.

"If only you would trust in yourself to deliver your gift to this world, and not just us."The Hume continued to weave her magicks, a shining star amidst Ill Mheg as the aether flowed free."They do not deserve to be hidden away here."