Chihaya is tired—the Warrior of Light can hardly ever get a peaceful moment to rest when the fate of Eorzea weighs so heavily on her shoulders.Tonight, she finds herself under the starry blanket of Dravania, the cool wind making her shiver some. Perhaps it's a moment of respite, the calm before the storm. Alphinaud snores peacefully next to her and she smiles softly. The boy has gone through much in the past few weeks, though so has she.She wipes a few stray hairs from his face carefully, shimmies her coat up, and looks down on him. During the day, he's an impassioned leader. He longs for an everlasting peace in Eorzea, as all good Scions do. Chihaya is no exception. Still, when his chest rises, his breath ever so soft, and his mind lulled to sleep, that charismatic noble melts away to nothing more than a young boy."You should rest," somebody grumbles. "I shall keep watch. I need naught for sleep." It's Estinien. Even now, he still has his helmet on. She's caught glimpses of his nose once or twice, strangely enough, but she could never get a good look at his eyes. "You needn't worry about stray Dravanians ravaging our camp, if that is what ails you, Chihaya."She scoffs. "I assure you that the last thing on my mind is dragons raising our poor excuse for shelter. Not when we have you, at least." Knees pressed to her chest, she gazes absently into the fire."Then what plagues you?""You care for me enough to speak my mind?" Chihaya gives him a look and he shrugs."You do me an injustice, milady. Need I remind you of our time in Coerthas?"She rolls her eyes. "The memory of me beating you hard enough to leap off a cliff is forever burned into my mind. I think of it when I need to laugh."Estinien clicks his tongue in response but she can't see the smile hidden under the shadow of his helm. "How much joy it brings me that you speak so little during the daytime.""Only with you, my fellow dragoon." They both sit in silence until she sighs. "What will you do after slaying Nidhogg?""Thou wouldst ask me questions when you have not answered mine?""Then think nothing of it if thou shalt not answer." They always do this–bickering, seeing who will bend first. Alphinaud is always there to stop them before it can ever reach that point.He ponders her question. For many years Estinien sought vengeance with the wyrm that slew his village, and subsequently his family. "The answer eludes me. What do you propose I should do?"Eyebrows furrowed, she looks directly at him. "That should be something for you to decide." The air is still. "If I were you, I would do my best to prevent beings like Nidhogg the luxury of terrorizing lands.""Such a noble answer. Here I was thinking of hanging up my helm and becoming a chocobo farmer." He laughs at his own joke."How you amuse me so." Though she loathes to admit it, Chihaya finds comfort in Estinien's companionship. The sight of him after all that had occurred in Ul'dah was the last thing she'd expected.—"You!?" Chihaya pointed at the man clad in black armor. The boy next to her frowned and placed a hand on her shoulder."Do you know this man…?" Alphinaud asked."We meet again, fellow dragoon," was all that Estinien had to say. Aymeric looked on at his friend in exasperation."I…! You…! But didn't you…?" She was at a loss for words, something far from unusual from a person that spoke so little already."Think not of it."—She can scarcely believe that she ventures alongside Estinien. Does Ser Alberic know that he still breathes? Chihaya doesn't want to pry."And what shall you do, when all is said and done?" His question breaks her free from her thoughts.Find her friends. Reclaim the Rising Stones. Restore the Scions of the Seventh Dawn. There's much to be done as the Warrior of Light. "Whatever comes next, I suppose." She shrugs."Hm." He doesn't press her for more. Weariness begins to set in on her body, but the chill air does little to comfort her. She shivers but she doesn't want to take her coat back from Alphinaud. Her eyes are so transfixed on the flames threatening to lick at her face that she almost doesn't notice something else besides the cold wrapping around her body.She looks up to see Estinien towering over her. A blanket made of bear hide, she assumes. She tilts her head. "Rest now, for the roads ahead are steep. We have no need for the Warrior of Light to trouble us by fainting during our trek towards Anyx Trine." Chihaya hardly had the energy to protest. A large yawn wracks her body and she wraps the hide closer."Thank you. Wake me up when I must watch next," is all that she mutters before lying down besides Alphinaud. Morning comes by without any troubles.

The burden of being the Warrior of Light is something she's deeply familiar with. The events that followed Ul'dah, fighting wars Chihaya knew little about, saving worlds, seeing friend and foe alike dying because of her—yes, she knows it all too well. Yet none seem to compare to the weight she carries now.The Scions, her beloved family, have just slain the final Lightwarden so that Kholusia may see the night sky. Vauthry proved himself to be a mighty adversary. Half a man and half a sin eater with strength Chihaya had never seen before; indeed, more than enough strength to lord over a small nation. She approaches Vauthry's body and puts her hand forward. Trails of Light emit from him and up her arm, his existence fading into nothing. He would be remembered, she concludes. As a villain or a beloved leader, she does not know. An air of silence lies on what was once his domain.Ryne's voice cuts through the tension as she points up. "We…we did it! Look!" The sky seems to split into two. From the rift comes the familiar blanket of night, relief flooding her own body as well. In time, Norvrandt has become Chihaya's home away from home. After all, where else would she go without her friends? "I'm so glad!" The Oracle falls to her knees and she can hear Thancred fussing about. For a moment, she appreciates the peace she has brought onto this star.That is, until she can feel a sharp pain in her stomach. She could barely react before she doubled over in pain once more. "Chihaya!" The twins call out to her at the same time. The Scions shouted throughout the room, but she could hardly hear them over the pain assaulting her body. It was burning, scathing, blinding. What feels like bile comes up, but when it comes out, she looks down at her hand to see nothing but a bright white liquid."Her body can't hold in the Light," Y'shtola murmurs. Her brows knit and her face twists in a mix between frustration and concern. "Urianger, if you aught up your sleeve, you need to tell us now!"Alisaie is no better. Fists clenched until her knuckles go white, she turns to the man. "Now is not the time for games! Do something!" Did they both know what would happen to Chihaya this entire time? The young woman asks herself, but perhaps there's a better time to consider Urainger's morals.Chihaya is on the floor, barely hanging onto consciousness when Ryne's voice rings clear. "Oh gods, the sky…!" With what little strength she has, she looks up to see all her hard work fading into a sea of white. She can't even laugh or cry. It all hurts too much. Her fingers grow stiff, as if they're turning to stone from the inside out. Is she turning into a Lightwarden? Will she die? All these questions run through her mind, and she wishes the gods would answer them for her.Throughout all this, the one man who hadn't said a word since Vauthry's defeat approaches Chihaya. "The burden of the Light is too much for one person, isn't it?" She reaches a hand out to the Crystal Exarch. Surely, he must know what to do. "Does it hurt? Shall I take it off your hands, O Warrior of Darkness?" His voice is inexplicably calm. Gently, he holds her hand as if it's made of porcelain.(For all she knows, that could be exactly what was happening and she would be none the wiser.)Ropes of light emanate from her being, trailing up his arm and into his with a serene smile on his face. It's the same one she's seen on men who know they will die. She looks up, barely able to see out of her eye. "What are you doing?" Her voice is weak and frail. The Exarch doesn't say a word, instead standing up."And so the vaunted hero meets her tragic end, but before she can, a familiar face steps from the crowd!" The Exarch makes a show of twirling his robes. "Surely, her trusted ally will save her and deliver her from death.""Nay, for her right hand man has been deceiving you all!" He slams his cane onto the ground, and a circle of light comes from the point of contact. No one can tell what kind of expression he has under the hood. "Did you think that I cared for this doomed world? This star is beyond redemption, and there are new places to be explored! With this power, who knows what places I can travel to. You Scions of all people would understand, don't you? Esteemed adventurers as you are.""Damn you!" Alisaie cries out and she nearly jumps the Exarch, her sword at the ready, when Urianger stops her."I bid you let him go!" Though his hands are shaking, his command leaves no room for debate. Y’shtola raises her fist, but puts it back down.Someone do something, please. A scream climbs and dies in her throat, as the feeling of petrification spreads throughout her body. Even breathing is a struggle. The Exarch, sensing her growing pains, turns back around and bends down to meet her gaze. One of them seems to be losing color, and his face twists in concern. “I’m sorry,” he whispers and cradles her face in his hand as if she’ll break at any moment. Perhaps she will. “If only we met in more peaceful times, my friend.” He stands back up and musters up one last brave smile. “And so the villain steals the prize from the hero as her comrades can do nothing but watch on.”“Unhand me, Urianger!” Alisaie yells.“No, it can’t be true!” Ryne grips the front of her dress.“You knew about this.” Y’shtola mutters, not knowing whether to be angry or frustrated. “He intends to take the Light with him to gods knows where, and die with it.” She turns to Urianger, who says nothing. “You should’ve told us sooner.”Then, a loud bang, and the sound of a body dropping. Chihaya hears muffled footsteps approach her, but she struggles to look up to see who it is. They're too heavy to be any of the Scions. "Oh, you poor thing," a voice chimes out.The last thing she needed at this moment was Emet-Selch's presence. Alas, she doesn't have the energy to tell him off. He bends down and holds her under her chin, far less gentle than the way the Exarch held her just moments before. "Hmph. Perhaps I put too much faith in you." Would the last thing Chihaya ever see be Emet-Selch's disappointed expression? "Rest now. Even the heavens can tell just how tired you must be." After he says that, he places his hand on the back of her neck, and whether it was from an incantation or her exhaustion, her body goes slack while her mind drifts into slumber.

When Chihaya wakes up, it's with a start. She shoots up from bed but immediately falls back down. Sharp pains make her chest heave as she catches her breath. She closes her eyes, wondering what happened. It must've been a bad dream. Still, the throbbing pain in her right eye and her entire being feeling like it's been shattered makes her think otherwise. Unbearable aches aside, she musters up the strength to limp towards the window, where a faint glow permeates through it.Dread fills her stomach. The panels push open with little effort. It's an all too familiar sky, one that's far too bright and far too blinding. Her body feels cold and she can only watch that loathsome sky with contempt. "I see," she says out loud to no one in particular. Then, she climbs the rails."What are you doing!?" A familiar voice calls out to her and promptly yanks her arm back, pulling her to the ground with a loud thud. Pain aside, she whips her head around to see none other than Ardbert with concern written all over his face. "Are you crazy!?""Are you crazy!?" Chihaya shouts back and tries to rip her arm from his grasp, but he doesn't let go. None of this makes sense. How can he touch her? That aside, she can't handle anything at all right now. "Let go of me!""No!""I said, let go!""Enough!" Ardbert yells and throws her body like a doll and into a tight embrace. That alone is enough to stop her. A sob rips from her chest. She tries to claw at his arms, but to no avail. He can't feel anything through his armor anyway."It's not your fault," he tries to reason. She only cries harder. "None of it is, so please." He squeezes her for a moment, and she weakly bangs her fists against him, sobbing. "Please…"They sit there in silence while she lets it all out. How long has it been since she's been embraced like this? Since she last allowed herself a moment of weakness? Chihaya doesn't know. It feels awful. Ardbert is the first to speak. "I'm sorry. This world has had enough heroes, and yet you still…" The sentence trails off to nothing.Adbert knows better than anyone what she is going through. To save everyone, to do everything right, and in the end amount to nothing? To lose everything? Yes, he knows it all too well. "I'm sorry…" They sit there, silent once more with only her sobs to occupy the space. "Everything will be fine, I'm sure of it…"Chihaya was never a fighter, not before any of this. In fact, she was never meant to be a hero. Yet here she stands (or rather, crumpled on the ground) with the weight of two stars on her shoulders. It's far too much for one person to bear, and yet, and yet.When asked why she fights, she knows not what to answer. For glory and fame? For power? None of it matters to her. For those they've lost, and for those that can still be saved. Those are the words Minfilia has said to her but even those don't ring true either. Why, then, does she fight?It's because she's the only one that can do what she must. If not for herself, then for those who cannot fight. She tells herself this, over and over, but here stands the greatest test of her resolve. When faced with such momentous failure, how can she deal with it all?It's not her fault, Ardbert says, and she wishes it were true. It'd be easy to push the blame onto someone else. Urianger, for setting this plan into motion; Y'shtola, for not revealing the truth immediately despite being close friends; or even the mysterious Exarch, who calls himself an ally, yet keeps his secrets close, and forced her and everyone else onto this path in the first place. Yet she can't. Her own kindness, perhaps—or the fact that she let down so many people, even squandering their own sacrifices, that weighs her down. The guilt of it all is too much.Some Warrior of Light she is. In the end, it's only Chihaya Kawanami that can do what she has to do. She's the one that had to slay all the Lightwardens, absorbing all of their corrupted aether into her own. She's the one that has to carry it all, yet she cannot even do that much. She's tired. She doesn't want to do anything anymore. Yet at the end of the day, she'll have to face everyone and everything again and again with a smile on her face. Because that is what all heroes do, right? All Scions fight for a better world, don't they? Surely this must be why She chose Chihaya as Her champion? The Warrior of Light doesn't know.Finally, she pulls herself free from his embrace, and trudges towards a mirror. Her skin is gaunt, and her hair is a mess. But worst of all are her eyes. Dark circles aside, she notices that her right eye is almost completely devoid of color. She closes her left and tries to focus on the other side, but she feels a splitting headache before she can try harder. No doubt a result of consuming too much light."Everyone must be concerned for you," Ardbert calls out to her softly. His reflection comes into view and they make eye contact through the mirror. "You should go outside." She only shakes her head."I assure you that they aren't." It comes out more harshly than she intended, but she's too bitter to care. "I can't do this anymore." He can only say nothing. Even going through it himself once, he doesn't know how to comfort her. When someone is too tired to keep on going, there's no way to convince them to persevere.She doesn't realize when Ardbert stops making his presence known until there's a knock at her door. It already cracks open before she can scramble back in bed to pretend she's asleep. "Excuse me…" Another familiar voice calls out meekly, one that's not expecting the room's owner to be up and about and looking haggard. Chihaya turns her head to see Alisaie holding a tray of food, but subsequently dropping it upon seeing her friend. "Oh gods, you're awake…!" She rushes towards her, noticing her tears but opting to hold her shoulders and pat her down. "Thank goodness…!"Alphinaud trails not too far behind and joins his sister. He's not as touchy as her, opting to stay a close distance beside Chihaya, but goes over her physical health. "Full glad are we to see you awake, my friend." They're both relieved, yet their concern is all too visible.Spare me your pity, Chihaya wants to spit out but she cannot. She can't treat them like that. Even after all that she has gone through, she still thinks of others. Instead, she says nothing.Perhaps they've known her too long, or they're just being polite, but they don't ask about her tears. A part of her wishes that they would, though she would give them an answer they wouldn't have wanted to hear. Alisaie hugs her tightly before Chihaya can simmer in her sorrow further, and she can feel the young girl's hot tears through her nightgown. Shocked, she doesn't move, before hugging her back, though with less vigor."I was so scared," she sobs, and Chihaya can feel her heart lurch forward. How could she ever be cruel towards Alisaie? "So, so, unbelievably scared…We promised we wouldn't leave each other…!" Her already weakening walls crumble further, and Chihaya tightens her hold on Alisaie, quietly sobbing with her. Even as she denounces her comrades for leaving her in the dark, she can never be cruel to the twins.Alphinaud places a comforting hand on her back and is pulled into the hug by Alisaie. He gives them all a wry smile but there’s tears in his eyes too. “You were asleep for far too long, Chihaya. We feared you would never…”“But enough of that, will you?” Alisaie interrupts her brother and pats Chihaya. “It’s enough for us that you’re still here.”She feels relieved. Through all the time that they’ve been together, there’s no doubt in her mind that they love her as much as she loves them. “Thank you, truly,” she manages to mumble out, her voice weak from her previous shouting and crying. Alphinaud dries her tears with a handkerchief. Normally, Chihaya would’ve stopped him while saying something about not wanting to sully it, but she allows him to comfort her. Ever the stalwart allies and friends, they relish in each other’s warmth.They eventually part, and Alisaie is the one to speak first, meeting Chihaya's sullen gaze. The older woman can feel a headache coming on. "Your eye…" A small hand reaches up to hold her face, but the girl only shakes her head and smiles. "But as long as you can still breathe, my friend.""Yes, so long as you still stand with us, then there's nothing we cannot overcome together. Isn't that so?" Alphinaud replies.But she doesn't agree immediately. The twins deserve the truth. "I'm tired." The Warrior of Light looks down in shame."We know," they say at the same time."If you would continue to fight with us, then we would be honored, but if…" Alisaie can't bring herself to finish her statement, fists clenched. "But we can discuss this another time, yes? Surely you must be hungry. Can you walk?"Chihaya shakes her head. "I'd prefer to not be seen like this." She glances at her haggard self in the mirror and grimaces. The people of the Crystarium have no need to see her so weakened. "I'd also like to keep visitors at a minimum…"The twins look at each other and nod, understanding what to do with no words needed. "Alisaie will fetch you anything that you'll need, and I shall assess your health if you would allow it.""Feel free." She's already feeling tired, and Alphinaud picks up on it quickly, motioning her towards her bed. "Thank you, and I apologize…""What for?" He asks. "If anything we should–" He cuts himself off. "Pray, give it no mind. Can we tell our comrades that you are awake?"The question makes her visibly flinch. "Y-yes," she hesitantly answers. "...Though I ask that only you two visit me. I don't think I'm ready to see everyone yet." She tries to give them an apologetic smile, but it falls flat. They both nod."If there's naught else that you need, then I shall be on my way." Alisaie is out the door. "I shall be back swiftly! I hope you enjoy fruit and eggs!" Her voice is already a far way off.Thus leaving Alphinaud and Chihaya in her room. She decides to speak first. "What happened to the Exarch?"Alphinaud closes his eyes and sighs as he pulls a chair to sit beside her bed. "Emet-Selch took him away." All she remembers is a gunshot, and the sound of a body dropping. It must've been his. A storm of emotions brews inside her, but most of all, she feels betrayed about the Exarch's secrecy."And how do the others fare…?""Well enough, save their concern for you." She looks away, but he gives her a reassuring pat on her hand. "But no matter. May I examine you?"She nods, albeit wearily. He closes his eyes and puts his hand, radiating some of his aether off it. "Ryne did a fine job staving off the Light, but your aether is still too unstable. I'd need Y'shtola's opinion, unless you would allow her to see you?"Chihaya knows he's being reasonable, but she immediately shakes her head. The other woman's secrecy is still too sore of a subject for her. Even so, Alphinaud and his unending patience, nods. "Then I shall continue checking your body for any lingering ailments. It shouldn't be long." They sit in silence for the rest of the time, and Alisaie eventually returns. Not much more conversation is shared between the three, and just like that, the day ends.

As time crawls slowly day by day, Chihaya sees new old faces. Ryne being one of them. In truth, the young girl has always been intimidated by the Warrior of Darkness, and perhaps even more so after the incident at Mt. Gulg. Even so, Chihaya tries to not scare her too much with her misery. She is only a child, after all.Chihaya stares out the window when someone knocks on her door. Without even answering, the mysterious visitor opens it and allows themself inside. "...Can I help you?" She calls out, mildly irked at her peace being disturbed."I see you're out and about," a familiar voice calls out, making Chihaya flinch when she recognizes it. Y'shtola gives her a wry smile. "Your aether…"Strained, Chihaya cuts her off. "Now is not a good time, Y'shtola." She's not ready to forgive her yet. "I bid you, let me be." She's satisfied with having the twins and Ryne as company already.She shakes her head. "I will not. The others are growing more concerned for you," she begins. "...Me especially."Chihaya draws in a shaky breath to calm her brewing rage, but part of it still slips. "Then why didn't you tell me about Urianger's plans immediately!?" She snaps. Y'shtola doesn't even move."I understand your anger, but this is for your own go–""I don't want to hear it! Everyone is always thinking about what's best for me, but what about what I want!?" Her outburst causes her a sharp pain in her torso, and she hunches over. Y'shtola runs to stabilize her, but she weakly pushes off her hand. "I thought we were friends, Y'shtola." Frustrated, angry, and most of all sad, tears begin to well up."...So you heard everything before then, didn't you?" Her eyebrows are furrowed, and she looks down at the ground. Whatever expression she wears, Chihaya cannot, and will not tell. "Then why didn't you confront me?""Don't try to push the blame onto me," Chihaya hisses out. "I trusted you. I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt, that you truly did care for me, that you'd come find me on your own and tell me."Y'shtola closes her eyes, and then takes a step towards Chihaya. She takes one back. "I'm sorry. I fear I was insensitive." Chihaya rolls her eyes. "But more than that, I apologize for betraying your trust."Suddenly, she grasps her hand in hers. "You have every right to loathe me. The gods know that I deserve it after all that we've, no, that I've put you through." She holds her tighter. "I would not be upset if you did not forgive me, but I ask that you please let me examine you, and make sure that you are well. I bid you, Chihaya." She lets go.The Warrior of Light was always a fool for her friends. She sighs, finally agreeing. Both of them know that neither will let down, but this time, Chihaya is too tired to keep fighting. "Thank you," Y'shtola says, before beginning her examination.After some time, in complete and utter silence, Y'shtola finally speaks. "There we go. Though your aether appears fragmented, it's somewhat stable thanks to Ryne's powers…But I would compare it to a cracked dam about to spill over.""So will I just die?" She asks plainly.The other shakes her head and gives a dry laugh. "Too soon to say. Though rest assured that I and the other Scions will do our best to see that you are safe."After a few more moments of silence, she continues. "No words will ever tell you just how sorry I am," she mutters under her breath. "Your life is your own, Chihaya. Nothing will ever change that." Then, she looks at her, as if staring right into her friend. "May I embrace you?""...You may.""Thank you." Arms wrap around her shoulder, and she awkwardly embraces her back, though Chihaya soon melts into Y'shtola. "You are more cherished than you will ever know, my friend. Take care."With that, Chihaya spends the rest of the day in solitude. No one dares to knock on her door after that.

"Remember us," were his last words before Emet-Selch faded into nothingness.Dying for a past long gone, and fighting for a future everlasting—such is the fate of Dark and Light. Chihaya closes her eyes.She sees Ala Mhigo, and she sees Doma. She has seen the treachery that the Empire has wrought with their hands, all the lives that they took, all the crimes that they committed for their righteous cause. She sees a woman who has risen up from the shadows of her past, and has made a legacy for herself. She sees a man who brought together half a continent to fight. She sees his loyal retainer, kneeling before a shrine and praying for forgiveness. And at last, she sees her parents–a couple that ran from their home in search of a new life for their children.She holds all the people that have touched her life some way or another close to her heart, and she quivers with rage. Her hands are shaking.Remember us.She sees a girl who's been pushed into a corner, her family forced to side with the empire for the sake of her future. Safety. Love.She sees another woman who has been dealt nothing but bad cards, and has turned her back on a world that does not love her.Remember us."I'll kill you." The Warrior of Light was always a compassionate woman, yet this time, there is not even a speck of kindness in her voice. "I'll kill you!" With the last bit of her strength, she lurches forward at the fading form of Emet-Selch. Her hands reach out to his neck, or rather, what remains of it."Remember us—Remember us!? I'll kill you!" Her shouts are hard to listen to. It's the type of yell that tears at your throat—one filled with the anger of thousands of sundered souls, all forming into one adventurer who's borne witness to them all.No one tries to stop her as she attempts to squeeze the last bit of life from him. If he can even sense her anymore, he doesn't make it known as he gives one last serene look. He smiles the smile that she's seen on dying men, and she curses herself.If only she had the strength to strip him of his peaceful end. If only she could see him struggle under the might of the world as she wrings her hands around his neck.Remember us, he said. But would he remember them?

At the edge of the universe where creation ends lies two broken bodies. One of a man who lived to die by the sword, and another man who will die with a life half-lived.It's warm, Chihaya wonders to herself. She's had many brushes with death, stared him down as she'd put on the face of a hero. But none have come close to the encounter she's in now. She realizes she doesn't have the courage to die.On the brink of death, memories don't flash before her eyes. Instead, she curses herself for being the most unlucky bastard in all of Eitherys. She asks herself why the floor is so warm, why it feels like her parents are hugging her, why it feels like being in the arms of her lover after so long, why death's embrace feels so welcoming and wrong at the same time.The man lying next to her, her executioner, is speaking. But she says nothing in reply. After taking his life, Chihaya doesn’t want to hear what he has to say. He doesn’t deserve that kindness, even on his deathbed. To think that the last thing she would hear before she dies is the sound of his voice.Everything hurts. Everything is broken and being barely kept together by her weakening consciousness.Chihaya Kawanami, the Warrior of Light, doesn't want to die a hero. She wants to go home and eat her mother's cooking. She wants to have a picnic with her friends under the shady canopies of Gridania. Mikaela is waiting for her. Helena still needs help proving her existence. She wants to tell everyone that she loves them one more time.Her heart lets out one last wretched thump, snuffing out the brightest light of hope.