twitter drabble - a new future

[aetherialslumber]

The trip had taken days - Phae, Ryne, one of the Crystal Exarch (the one who also carried the title of Spiritus) and Urianger had quite the comfortable trip, though, as they triangulated the strange pulses of aether. Alongside the small group of Pixie, Nu Mou, Fuarth, and Amaro. But it was concerning - what was there in the Empty? And why couldn't Urianger admit that he didn't wish to return to Il Mheg? He'd always had issues speaking his mind, after having his feelings dismissed. He'd need to tell them someday - that it wasn't his place.

His thoughts were interupted by feeling Phae against him, falling asleep. It was sunset, after all. The sun burned on the Empty, only not burning them too much due to their method of transport - a stolen floating island, Urianger using his magic to shift it. Why had he brought it? Honestly, he was hoping to make his own settlement. Away from there... free from there.

Urianger stopped.

The pulses were close. He moved, knowing it'd wake one of his two... daughters. (His family.) He moved to a natural incline, carrying a small aetheryte. One was set up on the island as well - to help others come down to investigate the place. But first, he placed it down.

...A seed? A tiny seed, struggling to grow in the land as it began to be restored. But something about it was... familiar, and yet not. A warmth Urianger couldn't explain. Perhaps he could poke at it, examine it... but he couldn't remove it from the land. That'd kill it.

He did not seem to notice that he had gotten out the Gran Grimoire, began to hold it. Hands trembled, and it opened. Only now did Urianger realise it had been placed within his hands... and he had a choice to make. He could help it grow using the magic of the book. But he had been so afraid...
...should he still be? Why had it called to him?

The magic sparked. But instead of causing anything to happen, a strange being appeared in front of Urianger. They looked a little like his mother, but-- no. They also seemed oddly... bug-like, their torso ending with what seemed like a crystal abdomen. They hovered, looking at the confused Elezen, before putting a gentle hand to his cheek.

"Worry not, my son."

--Urianger knew that voice. The one he called Venat - the one who had confused him so after everything he learned. They had come to him again? His anger visible, Venat removed their hand. "We... are sorry. We should have told you the truth.

Of Us, and of You. We shall give them... please, listen before you judge."

---

Long ago, at the Sundering of the world, there were many who mourned. Many who wished to bring a kinder world, but to not forget. Their mourning and abilities crafted a book - the very Gran Grimoire passed down. Within were memories of the one called Venat. Our true name is the Li Grim - the Granter of Wishes.

We have been awoken a few times. Our form is manipulated by who finds the book - who gifts themselves to create Us. The one who awoke Us this time was... ahem... passionate about the land of Ivalice. And thus, those tales were mixed with Our own story.

We created another, and wished to create a child - for Their desires. They could not have a child of their own. Our desire is to grant wishes. That child is you. However, Our Husband had no clue of Our Truth - for We hid it, behind our stories. We...

...did not wish to cause strife. And yet, we did.

---

"...We have freed them. When you began to get involved in Ascian matters, We worried. We knew that Zodiark would bring you suffering. But you seemed so happy..."

Urianger was quiet, as tears began to stream from his face. "...'tis my fate to suffer."

The Li Grim put their arms around him, expression growing dark. "Who has made you think that?"

Instead of giving a name, Urianger shook his head. "I tried to gift myself to Zodiark, and I was rejected. Left injured. I tried to gift myself to the fair folk, and was rejected. Left afraid. And I still... have blood on my hands, for I hath needed to do what must be done."

"And that is?" There was no judgement in the voice of the other. Only the kindness a mother can bring.
"...I am the one who doomed Minfilia. Not once, but twice. She-- she deserved better then to be stolen away, or killed by my hands-- Hydaelyn stole her corpse, mother. The corpse I could not stand to bury."
Calmly, gently, the Li Grim cuddled closer to him. "...you've suffered. You're very tired... but not physically. No - those who wish for you to rest physically do not understand, do they?"

How did they--? Urianger gave a soft nod. "I've no idea what I am - nor how to stop people from doing stupid things. I should trust them - but I cannot. I cannot..."

"For your heart is broken. Your soul injured, and nothing has been able to mend it. Because they try and force their ideals on you... without gifting you a chance to protest, yes?"

...Urianger let out a soft little sigh, cuddling onto Venat more. "...I just want to belong. To no longer be rejected. But that's impossible, isn't it?"

The Li Grim chirped. "Impossible, you say. Do you not know Our power? We can... re-write reality--"

"--no. 'tis why I fear the Grimoire - for who am I to change the land? I've already hurt the fair folk--!!" Urianger protested, until the Li Grim continued. Voice stronger.

"This land... it has nothing, doesn't it? Scarred and barely able to sustain life..."

The Li Grim was right. Urianger, still in their grip, put a hand to the seed. Before closing his eyes. "I came here after leaving Il Mheg. For I found signs of life.

...Li Grim, was it? You grant desires... so can you grant mine?"

A chirp. A loving smile. "We can. But... it shall mean we shall slumber. Our power wanes. We... shall still exist, as the owlet We created, but We shall no longer hold power. We are okay with this..."

Urianger closed his eyes. What would he ask for...? He didn't know he'd get this far. "...I want to belong somewhere. I want to restore the Empty, alongside Eden.

And I... wish for this emptiness to be filled."

There was a long silence. The Li Grim gave a little chirp, thinking. "...We can do this. The gap growing bigger is because of your removal of Zodiark, correct?"

...it wasn't his removal - he hadn't been the one who did it, but Urianger nodded. "We can mend what used to be there. You shall still be 'tween realities, like your allies... but it will gift your scar time to heal. With kindness, it shall wane.

As for seeking to restore this land... We've an idea. If you accept it... this seed is a very special one. Inside, there is enough aether to sustain a community, in its' branches. But it requires a guardian... one to become one with it."

"--it's not connected to the Courts, is it?" Urianger asked, suddenly worried. He'd already been rejected. The Li Grim gave a little hm, thinking.

"No. And if They try and claim it, they will not be able to." For they felt that worry, that fear.
Urianger knew that others were listening. He knew that others could hear his choices - but for once, he didn't care. He was sick of being the last one thought about. And so, he nodded. "I shall become its' guardian - nay. The guardian of the Empty, guide to the Oracles. The Father of new blooms.

...the leader of my own destiny."

So overwrought. Just like always. The Li Grim gave him a soft kiss on the forehead, before the book began to gleam. Before magic pulsed - not just though Urianger, but though the island he'd brought here and the seedling he'd found.

As it faded, the island had been moved to be gripped by the now-giant tree, looming over the emptiness of the Empty. Urianger shuddered, finding himself awakening, facing those who'd come with him. Ryne, the Exarch, and Phae. (And the collection of Nu Mou, Fuarth, Pixie and Amaro who'd left Il Mheg to follow one they respected. And the tiny faerie Thancred who lived in his robes.)

His form had shifted - to that of a nature spirit, his expression calm. He raised a hand, as the others seemed afraid. "...I am still myself. Please, worry not. I... know what my duty is now--"

His reassurance was interrupted by suddenly being slammed down by Cucumber. Cucumber gave a few grunts and squeals, as Urianger began to laugh. "--Cucumber, please. Please.

...I shall not remain in this form usually, nor shall I remain in the Empty at all times. But this will be where I belong. Using the knowledge of Sharlayan, I shall figure out how to place an Aetheryte by the base of this tree.

I suppose we'll need to cherish it with a name, now won't we?"