Echoes of Time

"We will offer a place for you far from the warzones where you may live out the rest of your days quietly among other peaceful farmers and villagers and we will think nothing less of you should you choose this path.  Pray, take your time and use this moment here to decide your path."

Staring at a tropical forest Melanie took in a deep breath of the sweet air.  Honeyed fragrances from ripened fruits ready for the picking coupled with the saltyness of the ocean nearby tingled inside her nostrils.  Here on this island sanctuary no dangerous monsters roamed the land and no other people were here to interrupt her, only hard working mammets toiled day and night to accommodate to her needs.  Peaceful days followed peaceful nights.  It was everything she could've wished for even if it was a different lifestyle to that she lived on Earth, yet it was a blessing to be away from the stresses of her old life and technologies that made her frequently unwell and kept her from her responsibilities.

And yet, despite this deep sense of tranquility, she felt heavily burdened.  Burdened by the guilt of denying a world of its champion and of leaving the Scions stranded on the First.  As she thought of them she saw their faces slowly fade away - first Thancred, then Urianger.

At Revenant's Toll an exhausted Kryle, having collapsed from draining most of her aether into trying to keep the Scions alive, wept as she looked up at their cold lifeless bodies  One by one they were carried from the infirmary to be returned back to their homelands where they would be buried.

Back on the First atop the Crystal Tower an encumbered Y'shtola was on her knees looking as if she was about to collapse.  Alphinaud and Alisaie were bent over her looking helpless with tears in their eyes.  They had seen this happen twice before, but there was nothing they could do could stop the inevitable from happening.

Several feet away from them G'raha was frantically channeling magic into a small dark portal that was slowly getting larger, his body had now almost completely transformed into crystal.

"You can't be serious, you promised!" Alisaie yelled out to G'raha.

"And I promised you I would do everything to get you all back home, even if it meant taking my own life" he replied without breaking his concentration from the portal.  The portal opened large enough for him to enter and he turned to his friends with wet eyes and deepest regret writ on his face.  "I'm deeply regretful that I could not save our other friends.  Maybe if I had another hundred years I could've found a way to send you home, but unfortunately time is what I no longer have and I can't delay any longer.  I cannot watch any more of you die."

"NO G'RAHA!!!" Alisaie cried out rushing towards him as he turned towards the portal.  G'raha slammed the base of his staff down onto the ground and closed his eyes with a pained expression.  "Break" he said under his breath.  Alisaie and Alphinaud were suddenly encased in crystalline rock up to their waistlines and unable to move.  "I'm so sorry my friends, farewell" G'raha said without looking at them as tears trickled down his cheeks, then he opened his eyes again and stepped into the portal.

"No...!" Alphinaud gasped, his face grimacing in anguish.

"G'RAHA!!!!!!" Alisaie cried, tears racing down her face and soaking into her collar as she watched G'raha disappear and the portal collapse on itself.

The scene then went dark and Alisaie's voice echoed loudly towards Melanie in the darkness..."You did nothing!  You promised you'd help, but instead you chose to be like a coward and do nothing, and now they're all gone!"

"No....is this what will happen if I choose not to become the Warrior of Light?  Is there nobody else who can save them???!"

Everything started to get fuzzy and moments later Melanie was back inside the Royal Palace at Ala Mhigo.  She opened her eyes to see Krile looking up at her, the rest of the congregation watching in silence.  Melanie took in a few deep breaths through her nostrils as she tried to make sense of what just happened.

"This must've been the Echo and what I saw was the future.  G'raha, Urianger, Thancred...if I do nothing then they all die.  But if I become the Warrior of Light does that mean they will all be saved?  The thoughts of me becoming a warrior are absurd, but if there's even the smallest chance that I can save them all then it's time I stopped being so negative and have some faith in myself for once."

Melanie looked straight at Krile feeling more determined than ever.  "I have come to a decision" she said affirmatively.  "I made a promise to G'raha and I'm sticking to it.  I will become the warrior your people need."

Krile nodded with a smile.  "I had every bit of faith you would say that" she said happily.

"Hang on a minute though" Cid spoke out again.  "Didn't it take years for Lineya to become the Warrior of Light?  As I recall it took her 9 bloomin' years to get to where she did and that was when time itself was at a standstill.  We have a long list of urgent issues that need addressing right now and we don't have that kind of time to wait for her to learn how to swing a sword.  What if the Empire decides to send in a new army to reclaim Ala Mhigo, then what?  Or of the battles taking place in Bozja.  The Eorzean Alliance is already stretched thinly to keep our positions secure but once the Imperials catch wind we don't have a Warrior of Light to fend them off then they'll come charging right back in again and we won't have the manpower to hold them off.  Our people will have died for nothing."  The rest of the room started to buzz in agreement and concern.

"I know time is of the essence and I won't deny that I feel concerned myself" Krile spoke above them.  "This is reason why you've all been asked to swear not to speak of today outside these walls.  Should word reach the Empire about Lineya's predicament then there's no telling to what lengths the Imperials will go to retake lands that have been liberated from Imperial tyranny.  As for Lineya's training we will do everything we can to ensure it goes as quickly as possible.  We have some of the best trainers who'll be working every day to help Lineya reclaim her status.  Most of all we have Hydaelyn's assurance that we will not have to wait long.  Hydaelyn would not leave us without her chosen champion if it were to put us in such a situation that we ourselves cannot handle."

"Well, for all our sakes I hope you're right" Cid replied.

Krile nodded in agreement.  "If that is all then I will call an end for this meeting.  If anyone has anything they want to say or ask then now's the time to say it, otherwise please go about your daily business as normal and speak nothing of what's been spoken today to anyone."

Where To Go From Here

At dizzying heights 3 travellers scaled their way upwards in one of the tallest cities in Eorzea.  Despite the many staircases that reached as high as the very mountains themselves that blocked the rest of Gyr Abania from sight, the 3 travellers continued scaling at a steady pace.  Even Melanie was confused to why she didn't feel exhausted or have any muscle aches after climbing so many stairs.  "It must be from the amount of travelling and fighting monsters that I have this much excess stamina" she pondered to herself.  Several times she felt herself panic halfway up the staircases but with them being so wide and surrounded by tall brick buildings she just kept looking towards the walls and after a while it just became a rhythm to keep on climbing.  Going up stairs was always far more easier for her than going down them, unless she could look over the edge and see the ground below her or she felt the stairs weren't safe or stable enough.

Despite having climbed so many stairs they reached their destination in a timely manner.  Standing outside a tall double doorway that led inside to the Royal Palace, Krile turned to Melanie.  "I know you were warned against speaking to others about your true identity, however I had no other choice to inform all those you've crossed paths with who've worked close with you to meet with us this day as they need to know the truth.  As you can imagine the number of people you've associated with is particularly large as you made such great impressions throughout all of our kingdoms, but I assure you each person in this room has sworn to speak nothing outside of what is to be discussed today.  I hope you won't feel too overwhelmed with what we're about to face."  Melanie felt a little uncomfortable but nodded in acknowledgement.  "It makes sense, if those I worked with don't know of my true identity it would result in awkward discussions in the future" she thought to herself.  Krile faced towards the door and with a gentle shove pushed them open.

Whilst Krile had warned her that the numbers would be huge Melanie was really not prepared enough for what she saw.  The entire throne room was full of important figures she met in the game from city and alliance leaders to other key and important figures from more smaller factions.  The sheer number of people was overwhelming.  "You weren't kidding the number of people would be large" she said quietly to Krile.

Krile stepped forward towards the crowds of people and began to address herself.  "If I may have your attention please" she said loudly.  The room quietened down as everyone stopped talking and gathered in front of Krile to hear what she had to say.  "I thank you all for coming here today especially on such short notice.  I know many of you have very important business you need to attend to so I shall try not to keep you here long."  Krile cleared her throat a little before continuing.

"As all of you were informed prior to arriving here what is to be spoken of today must never leave these walls.  A few nights ago a new star was spotted in the constellation of Azemeya.  At the same time people all across the star felt a new sense of awareness, a phenomena now referred to as The Awakening.  Our lives have far prolonged the years we've spent on this star and until now there has been no explanation to what caused this unusual warping of time, nor were we aware of it taking place.  However this was not the only change that took place.  The Awakening also marked the arrival of a new visitor from another universe."  Krile motioned towards Melanie who then stepped forward nervously.  Krile faced back towards the audience.

"M'leineya Leoh, or as many of you have referred to her as the Warrior of Light, has been with us for the past 11 years and has been a key player in many victories and heroic deeds.  However the person you see standing in front of you now has only walked among us since The Awakening took place.  She comes not from Eorzea but from a different universe."

Whispers started to spread across the room and started to become louder.  Faces contorted in confusion and disbelief.  Krile cleared her throat again trying to catch their attention but the crowd was already overwhelmed by her statement.  "Excuse me Miss Krile, but are you trying to say that the Warrior of Light only just arrived here 2 nights ago?  Then who has been with us for the past 11 years?" a middle-aged male voice spoke up from the crowd.  The room went silent and the crowd stood aside revealing a middle-aged hyur with white shoulder-length hair, a white beard and moustache, wearing a heavy black and white leather coat that was partially buttoned up his chest and displaying a large brass pendant hanging around his neck.  Aside from his white locks and facial hair the blue tinted goggles that were balanced across his forehead were a big giveaway to his identity - Cid Garlond, president of the Garlond Ironworks.

"Allow me to explain..." Krile said before the crowd could start debating amongst themselves again.  "The Warrior of Light was an avatar of the person controlling her from another universe.  As far as she was aware our world didn't exist, it was just part of a simulation used as entertainment for the people of her world until a couple of nights ago when she was spirited from her universe to ours."

The crowd began to murmer amongst themselves again.  Melanie stepped forward feeling she had to say something.  "It's true, everything she says is true" she called out.  "On my world this was just part of a game, the ambitions of a man who created a copy and was played by millions of people.  We had no idea this world actually existed.  Somehow everything we did on my world affected yours until Hydaelyn brought me here which severed the link between our worlds.  I don't know why she chose me in particular.  You see, on my world I'm not a fighter nor an adventurer.  I'm just a regular citizen with a quiet life.  I've never held a weapon nor faced anyone in a fight.  Most importantly...we have no magic.  To us magic is just slight of hand and tricks of illusion and nothing more."

The palace fell into an uncomfortable silence after she finished speaking.  Everyone was lost for words until finally a small voice spoke up inside the crowd again.  "So, if we were to believe what you just said, you are saying you are no longer the Warrior of Light?"  A small lalafel with long white hair wearing a fighter's outfit mostly made of thick leather stepped foward, his brow furrowed with a combination of anger, confusion and disappointment.

"At this moment she isn't, which is why we are gathered here today" Krile replied.  "Part of this meeting was to reveal to you the truth about Lineya's identity although not to shun or disown her for it, the other part is what I'm about to ask."  Krile then turned to face Melanie.  "I know that Hydaelyn brought you here with a purpose, however in the end the choice of what you do from this day forth is up to you.  Should you decide to follow with your purpose I shall ensure that all guild leaders across Eorzea are informed of your predicament so they can help with your training and restoring your status as Champion of Eorzea.  However should you feel this is too much pressure the alternative is that we strip you from all ranks and responsibilities and you be granted the status of a citizen.  We will offer a place for you far from the warzones where you may live out the rest of your days quietly among other peaceful farmers and villagers and we will think nothing less of you should you choose this path.  Pray, take your time and use this moment here to decide your path."

Melanie stood silent for what felt like an eternity.  The thoughts of abandoning a lifestyle of travelling and fighting monsters in favour of one she would be most more likely to fit in was appealing to her and a temptation.  She closed her eyes and started to think hard.

"If I choose to follow the path before me then perhaps I might find a way back home, but should I refuse I may be stuck on this planet forever and never find a way back to my own world.  I'm no fighter or adventurer, I can't imagine myself travelling the world fighting monsters.  This isn't me!  But what of the Scions back on the First, and what about what Hydaelyn said to me that I'm the only one who can save them all?  Could I really live with myself if I turn my back on them just because I have no motivation and no confidence in myself?  But who am I kidding...me, a champion???  A nobody who made no name for herself back on her own world trying to make one for herself on a different world?  This is preposterous!  Hydaelyn made a big mistake in picking me.  I can't...I'm too scared of everything...I'm not like my brothers and my sister, I don't think like them.  I can't just become a fighter overnight!"

Melanie finally opened her eyes once more and looked straight at Krile.  "I have come to a decision" she said.

Way Up High

Melanie was woken up by a light jolt as the airship came to a halt.  She looked around in a panic, her heart was racing and dreams still replayed in her mind as a distorted memory of her travelling through space whilst looking back at Earth and trying to claw her way back, but as she turned to face where she was heading towards instead of it being just a bright light there was someone in there waiting for her, and as she got closer she saw it was Zenos with his arms wide open, his eyes blazing red, and with an evil laugh shouting "Come, let us dance before the pyre!"  The light turned into fire and Zenos's face distorted into a wild and psychotic grin, a darkness rose from behind him with a fearsome aura and struck out at Melanie.  "The end!"

Ephemie looked at Melanie startled at her sudden movements.  "Are you alright?" she asked concerned.  Melanie, now realising she had been dreaming, shook her head.  "It's ok, it was just a bad dream" she replied.  "Oh.  Well good thing you're now awake as we've just arrived" Ephemie said as she pushed herself onto her feet.  Melanie grabbed her satchel that was nearby and pushed herself onto her feet.  Although she slept through most of the flight her body still felt a little wobbly.  She wondered how much time had passed since boarding the airship.  It was hard to tell since there was no light coming in from outside and just a few lanterns to light up the hull.

Together they escallated a small set of wooden steps up to the sides of the airship where a plank was already awaiting them to disembark.  Rays of brilliant sunlight pierced through the dark shadows indicating it was still daytime, probably around lunchtime.  Krile was already waiting for them at the top of the stairs.  Melanie's stomach began to gurgled as she thought about lunch.  Ephemie heard Melanie's tummy and turned to face her.  "Did you not eat before we left?" she asked in surprise.  Melanie shook her head, "I didn't have time" she replied.  "Don't you have anything in your satchel?  We won't be able to stop for food before the meeting" she said.  "Wow why didn't I think of that myself?" Melanie thought to herself as she slipped her satchel off her shoulders.  She remembered the night before emptying everything from her satchel and seeing piping hot plates of food that somehow didn't manage to spill all over everything else.  As she thought about it her hand felt the edge of a plate inside her bag and she pulled out a plate of smoked chicken.  Ephemie shook her head in despair.  "We don't have time for that!" she exclaimed.  "Don't you have something quick you could eat on the go, like a sandwich or a cookie?"  Melanie put the plate back into her satchel and fumbled around a bit more.  Her hands landed on something thin and rough textured.  She pulled her hand out of the satchel clutching onto a large biscuit and looked up at Ephemie.  "That'll do.  Now let's hurry or we'll be late" Ephemie exclaimed.  Melanie swung her satchel back onto her shoulders and started munching on the biscuit as they proceeded to cross the plank.

The taste of the biscuit for a moment made Melanie forget where they were.  The buttery sweetness of the biscuit combined with a rich chocolatey flavour and the slightest hint of coffee made Melanie's stresses melt away.  As she approached the plank she almost dropped her cookie and squealed out in fear.  The airship was hovering at the top of a tall circular stone building that was on the edge of a canyon that was so high up that a layer of clouds swirled beneath them masking the view of the ground.  A pair of wide stone stairways curved downwards on the inner perimeter of the building towards a large archway that led into the Ala Mhigan Quarter.  Krile turned around startled by Melanie's shrieks.  Ephemie quickly grabbed one of Melanie's arms and dragged her across the platform onto the top of the building in protest.  As soon as they were off the platform Melanie dropped to her knees clutching herself in a hug whilst shaking and trying to take in deep breaths to stop herself from hyperventilating.

Krile shook her head in dismay as she looked ahead at the huge city peering over the walls, its heights towering over 600 feet high.  "I should've considered a much better place for this meeting, one that Lineya could've reached without her fears taking over" she said to herself sadly.  Ephemie gave Melanie a few moments to catch her breath.  "You think you can manage the stairs?" she asked.  Melanie looked at the stairs.  There was nothing to grab onto to stop her from falling, that wasn't to say that where they were standing now wasn't that much better.  There was nothing to prevent anyone from accidentally falling off the edge.  A strong gust of wind or walking too close to the edge could spell death to anyone.  Melanie closed her eyes tightly and rocked on her knees.  Ephemie could see she was going to have a tough time getting Melanie down.  She closed her eyes as she started to think of a plan.

"I know you're afraid of heights, but this is the only other way into the city without using chocobos or teleports and where we need to go is even higher up than where we are now.  If you can trust me I can help you reach it."  Ephemie held an arm out to Melanie.  Melanie opened her eyes and looked at Ephemie's outstretched hand.  Her body continued to tremble, every limb refused to cooperate for her to get up off her knees, her diaphram bounced up and down inside her every other second and making her want to be sick.  She knew she couldn't stay up here forever and would have to get down eventually.

After what felt like hours Melanie was able to reach out with a shaking arm and take Ephemie's hand.  She took in a couple of deep breathes and together they helped her to get back onto her feet.  Melanie still remained crouched over as she stood up, her knees feeling like she might crumple back to the floor again.  She began to push one foot forward in front of the other and slowly shuffled towards the stairs.  Krile let out a sigh of relief and followed behind.  

As they stood at the top of the stairway Melanie's fears once again began to make her body shake uncontrollably.  She gripped onto Ephemie's arm more tightly than ever.  "I'll walk you close by the wall to make it easier.  If you can help it try not to look down" Ephemie said to her calmly.  Melanie nodded despite inside she was screaming in objection.  "Of all the places they chose here.  Why not Ul'dah or even Ishgard?" she thought to herself.  She trembled and cried, biting on her bottom lip hard to not scream.  Her legs felt like they were about to give way as soon as she took the first step and she stumbled as she tried to get down the first few steps.  She closed her eyes tightly and sobbed, tears racing down her face like a waterfall and soaking her collar.  Slowly they began descending together, Melanie cursing in her head both at her inability to get over her fears and at the architects who designed the city.  After a few steps Melanie was able to touch the wall next to her which helped a little as they slowly descended.

Finally they reached the city level.  Exhausted from exertion Melanie propped herself up against the wall, her head reeling and her body feeling like she had been violently shaken arounnd.  Ephemie looked a little cross that they were wasting so much time but Krile quickly raised a hand to her and then walked up to Melanie.  "Take it slowly, one slow breath at a time" she said softly.  Melanie heeded to Krile's words and began to inhale slowly and deeply.  Her body started to relax and she began to feel her strength slowly return.  "All right, let's make our way into the city" Krile smiled a little.  Melanie nodded and straightened herself up.  Together they walked towards the archway opposite the staircase only to be met by another flight of stairs only this time smaller and much wider.  Melanie once again began to bite on her bottom lip which was now sore and swollen from last time.  She hesitated for a moment, her body starting to object to going down yet another set of stairs after her previous traumatic experience.  Krile and Ephemie walked up to either side of her, Ephemie looking down at her with her arm held out at her side.  Melanie grasped onto Ephemie's arm and together they descended the stairs with less effort than earlier.

Once at the bottom of the stairs a small black metal door was now all that was between them and the city.  Ephemie pushed open the door and together they entered into a building were a man was guarding a double wooden door that led into the city.  Krile proceeded forward and handed in some papers to the guard.  "We're here on business from Mor'Dona."  The guard looked at the papers and handed them back with a nod and stepped aside.

Upon opening the wooden door the first thing Melanie was greeted by was a large blue aetheryte crystal which stood out in the middle of the red brickwork of Ala Mhigo.  The noise of activity filled the air of people chatting with one another, carts being carried back and forth by merchants, and workers nearby expanding some parts of the city to build a better trading quarter in the heart of the city.  Many of the streets were lined with large crates, barrels, sacks, and huge stone bricks whilst merchants made make-shift stalls to peddle their wares.  While the threat of a possible retalliation by the Garlean Empire to invade and take back Ala Mhigo was far at the back of peoples' minds it nonetheless still remained a possibility and all measures to ensure that Ala Mhigo remained prepared for another war were kept in place.  All entrances in and out of the city were well guarded, even the gateway leading up to the royal palace where Zenos yae Galvus once resided were barricaded and watched over by resistance guards disallowing access save those who were on utmost important resistance business or just visiting the gardens.

Krile led the way around the winding streets of tall buildings until they reached the base of the stairway leading up to the palace area.  The guard on duty reacted as she approached him.  "Mistress Krile, I trust you're here for the meeting up at the castle?" he asked.  Krile nodded with a smile.  "These are my companions who'll be joining with me" she replied.  The guard nodded with compliance and went to escort Krile up the long stone stairway.  Melanie looked up with a gulp, there must've been at least 80 steps to the top of the stairway.  "We're going all the way up those?" Melanie asked Ephemie.  Ephemie nodded.  "There's even more leading up to the palace" she replied. 

"Ala Mhigo is famous both for its use of local resources for its unique red brickwork to being one of the most tallest cities in all of Eorzea.  The Royal Menagerie itself stands at over 2,000 fulms, its highest buildings overlooking the entirety of The Lochs." 

Melanie stared at Ephemie eyes opened wide and her jaw hanging low.  She had no idea what a fulm was but she could guess it meant a foot.  "And lemme guess, we're going to climb all of that?" she asked in a worried voice. 

"Oh no, not all of it.  Just two thirds" Ephemie replied.

Melanie almost choked, a shudder surged down her spine.  "I don't know what's going to kill me first, my fear of heights or the long walk up" she said in a slightly sarcastic tone.  "Can't we just like teleport up there or even ride a chocobo?"

Ephemie scoffed slightly.  "Oh do stop complaining, it'll be good exercise and hopefully by the time you reach the top you won't have any more fear of heights."  Ephemie gave Melanie a quick shove forward with both hands sending her stumbling towards the steps.  Melanie turned around and lightly scowled at Ephemie who in turn smirked back.

"This is gonna be torture, we'll be lucky if we reach the top by nightfall, that's if death doesn't claim me first!" Melanie thought to herself as they began quietly scaling the stairway together.