Ace Muses

"Believe me. We didn't see much of anything down there before everything happened up here..."

Ashe stretched as she nodded towards the building in front of them. "This is actually the Watcher's Tower. He's an Ancient that presided over the moon and Zodiark for millenia."

She pointed to the building in the far distance.

"That's where the Loporrits live! We can go see them!"

Rean stared at the building before looking at Ashe again. "Why...Can we breathe?"

"...Oh. Right... The moon was built by Hydaelyn to basically become a space ship in the event of the Final Days. Hence why we can breathe up there. Thankfully, none of that ever passed."

And then they were off! Making sure it had been a smooth ride, Ashe sighed as they finally arrived at the Aetheryte of Mare Lamentorum.

"Oh...Wow..." Rean murmured after they arrived. "Look at the sky. And that building. Why is a building here? And an aetheryte? Oh. The sky is gorgeous."

His eyes looked around before landing on the planet behind them. "And there's..."

Getting up from her seat, Ashe came around to her friends and held out her hands.

"To fight Zodiark!"

"...WHAT?!"

"Yeah! That's where Zodiark was imprisoned. There's a whole big ass crater there! But. I can teleport us there, if you want! So we can go right now! Tomorrow! Whenever you want."

"What do you MEAN you fought that Zodiark thing up there!?"

"I also talked to Halmarut just a few months ago up there."

"Yeah. I know. You guys just knew me as the girl that helped out Vow Wuk Lamat. And the Arcadion Grand Champion."

She propped her hands on her chin, humming. Where would they like to go next? Sharlayan had been their base of sorts... Hells, she could even take...

Gasp!

"I was gonna ask if you wanted to come to the First-"

"You can take us there?"

"Mhmm! It's an easy teleport to the Crystarium. But... Have you ever wanted to go to the MOON!?"

"Thank goodness I have no plans TO announce it from the treetops. ...Thank you. For coming with me. For coming to help. I don't know what we'll find there but, hey! You guys get to say you helped out the Warrior of Light!"

"Yeah. Well. It's also a trust thing too. I can't exactly tell everyone wht I told you about Halmarut and what not. Need to know basis. So. Just keep it private for right now."

Rean chuckled. "We understand too, Ashe. I promise. A lot of what you are dealing with is something you can't exactly scream from the tree tops. Crow was just sayin'."

"Oh! I don't think I'm lugging you guys around or anything! I like spending time with you two! I may spar with you both at some point just to see. And I'm going to have to give you the run down of shard travel!"

Rean nodded before punching the inside of his palm with his hand. "Great! I can't wait to learn and train. I...I imagine we have to keep this to ourselves?"

"..."

Heh. Packaged deal, indeed. That was what she thought but she had wanted confirmation. Crossing her arms, she nodded.

"I'm not opposed to it, by the way!" Ashe said, waving her hands. "This isn't a Scion problem. Den and Chrys'a don't even call themselves Scions. I just need you to be sure! Shard travel... Is crazy."

She looked at Crow.

"Yeah. Chrys'a and Den. Chrys'a WOULD riot. And so would Alisaie. So. Those four would be the first I'd tell to join me."

She trusted them the most, after all. They were here-

"Take me with you!" Rean said, leaning forward. "Please! You need help, right? I can help."

What the fuck...?

"I probably should, honestly. Even if it is to just check up on Ryne and Gaia. See how everything is going on their end of things. If they've experienced anything... Weird. That's honestly not a bad idea."

Rean hummed as he continued to mull over something before looking at Ashe.

"...Who are you taking to the Fourth? In case you are able to take people with you."

"...I know," Ashe murmured. "I know I don't have to go. No one is making me. And yet? I do want to go. I want to see another reflection. Learn about who they are. What issues they face..."

She smiled sadly.

"I want to go on an adventure again..."

"I imagine that's just who you are. And going alone isn't that appealing to you, is it?"

"I'll be the first to say that I don't want to go alone. I would rather have some sort of team with me. Especially when it comes to meeting new peoples and cultures. I am... Not as tactful as like... Alphinaud. So. I would like to have a team. Even if it's a small one."

Crossing his arms, Rean furrowed his brow. Hm...

Snort.

...Heh.

"The power of friendship? Those friends that we met while we toured Eorzea. The ones you kept in contact with... Are they the ones you preached the power of friendship to?!"

"....Yes?!" Rean squeaked as he glared at Crow. "Stop laughing! I am way better at it by now!"