#ic-replies

“...Nutkin. They are devious, clever little creatures. Incredibly ferocious and hard to best. I do wish they did not exist to run a plague upon kupo nuts and the faces of defenceless people. One almost killed me once...”

Grant trailed off as he looked to the side slightly, a seemingly worried furrow of his brow.

“And I truly do not want to return to a life of cruelty and bloodshed.” The Hingan shot back, his eyes narrowed slightly before he offered what seemed to be a friendly smile towards the Midlander.

“We all have our own goals in life. And if being good isn’t good for you..Then that’s your choice. But hurt an innocent...”

The Hingan’s smile seemed to grow a little bit, twisting at the edges as an almost wicked grin appeared on his face.

“I won’t hesitate to cut you down...”

He whispered in a low voice before....

“That’s how I deal with it anyways.”And just like that, the sharpness to his eyes disappeared and his usual casual and friendly smile formed back on his face.

“There are ways to cope with how yer feeling but...Like I said. It’s your choice. You make it and deal with it. See ya around.”

Hei gave a wave to the Midlander before fully walking past.

“For Halone’s glory..”

“For Halone’s grace...”

“For Halone’s justice...”

A chant echoed through the darkness...Various figures dressed in armor, squires in training.

“From this day forward...” A knight clad in shining white armor, a symbol of the Heavensward that defended Ishgard.

“You are all Ishgard’s protectors, our defense against those vile Dravanians. Pledge your life with pride for the glory of Halone...”

“For the glory of Halone...This is the path I will take.”

A dark haired midlander boy pledged to himself, determined green eyes locked onto the statue of Halone.

“I will protect the people with my life...”

I had thought this was a dream come true. That I would finally be useful...

The abyss then took over once more...

“...Are we sure they’re the enemy?”

“Yes..Of course they are. Can you not see them? They’re clearly the enemy. Those vile dragons..Using these tricks.”

“But Ser..They-”

“But what, -squire?- Do you think these vile beasts as us? If we leave them alive, they will no doubt destroy Ishgard, destroy your family, do you want that to happen?”

“...No Ser.”

“Then do. Your. Duty.”

And so, a sword was raised...

“[P-Please no! W-We’re not..We only wanted to...]”

Their pleas screamed in a foreign tongue fell silent to our ears...As our blades claimed yet another head, staining the snowfield around us red. I had thought I was doing the right thing. I had thought...That this was my duty.

And soon..A door would open, blinding light that lead back to the waking world...

[Warheit Vestige Part II Repaired]

“Grant.”

A voice called out.

“Grant.”

Again the voice called.

“Grant! Wake up!”

The voice called louder this time, along with the tell tale shake, causing the morning light to blind me for just a moment.

“Ah...”

I quietly gasp as I saw the face of my brother, smiling down towards my young and foolish self.

“Thought I told you we’re training today. You stayed up too late didn’t you?”

He said as he scolded me with the wag of his finger, the only response I could offer being a simple meek nod.

“Ah well. You’re not too tired right? Because..You know what today is.”

I immediately shake my head. I never had time to be exhausted ,especially not now.

“Very good! Then let’s not waste any time.”

My brother says confidently as he grabbed his lance, motioning me to follow, which I do so eagerly. And then..The memory fades..Until it reappears.

“You ready for this, little guy?”

My brother asks as he pats my tense back as I find myself perched on top of a large feathered creature known as the chocobo. I meekly nod my head on more, trying to stop the shaking of my hands.

“You’ll be fine. It’s simple, just keep a firm grip on the reins and let the chocobo lead you.”

My brother explained as I continued to try to cease the shaking of my hands. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath before nodding.

“You just have to go for it. Don’t be afraid of what happens.”

His words ring in my ears as I open my eyes, nodding more firmly this time as I swing the reins...And then I feel a rush of speed, the cold Coerthan winds breezing against my face. An exhilarating rush of energy fills me, causing me to smile as I experienced for the first time racing a chocobo....

But. The past always fades....

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“Ah...”

I wake up from the dream, graced by sunlight and cold, armor and sword close to my side.

“Hmm...Unusual.” I murmur to himself, pondering upon the glimpse to the past I had just experienced.

“No matter. ‘Tis but a memory.”

Indeed. It did not matter in the end. For I was no longer that child. No longer one so meek, not longer one so dependent.

“There is still much left to do..”

No matter how much injustice is cleaved, more and more appear. A knight’s work is never finished..The world is always in peril...Some more than others. That is why...

“...I will find that place.”

 “Hey hey Hei here!” The Hingan exclaimed cheerily as as he gave a wave before he tapped his cheek at the question.

“Oooo..Well...Best thing that comes to mind is when I was back home in Kugane. I was watching this firework festival from atop the roof because that’s where the best view’s at!” Hei exclaimed cheerfully before chuckling. “Buuut let’s just say I uh...Tripped on a...Banana peel? I don’t even know how it got up there, I mean seriously who leaves a banana-...” Hei cleared his throat. “But yeah, moving on. I fell and may have unfortunately landed on a particular part of the Bokairo hotsprings...” Hei remarked as he chuckled nervously.

“..Never have I come closer to death than on that day.”

“Well...Shiiiit.”

Hei let out a sigh as he leaned against the somewhat familiar walls of a jailcell, letting out a light sigh as he then laughed shaking his head.

“Can’t believe I got caught like that...Oh well...At least that merchant’s safe from the evil moogles.”

He murmured giving a few nods to himself as he then glanced around, perhaps looking for any fellow inmates.

“..What the?”

Upon seeing a familiar face, Hei seemed to do a slight double take, blinking a few times before pointing towards Lina.

“What the heck are -you- doing here?”