Azlyn had just turned sixteen. This was also her last year studying, as her parents requested her to come back home. While she was saddened to leave the high, arching white buildings filled with infinite amounts of knowledge, she knew her parents only meant well for her. As such, she thought back to all of the friends she made and lasting memories. As she was cleaning out her dorm room, packing up her books and supplies, she wondered what she should do from that point on. Her first decision was to catch the first boat back to the Isle of Val—but it was after that point she was clueless. 

Many of the people she knew, like Krile and Ejika still studied on the main island. They had about another two years to go, but from her last conversation with the Lalafells, they both decided to have central positions once they graduated. 

G’raha was getting his first assignment within the Students of Baldesion. His exams, diplomacy, and athletic ability gave him a much higher chance at joining the organization. In fact, he was heading back to the Isle of Val to get his markings on his shoulder and neck. 

Azlyn had the same opportunity— but she declined. Even at the behest of the Archon himself, she just had a weird feeling accepting a position with the Students of Baldesion. 

She slipped her satchel on her back, and her larger bag that held the rest of her personal belongings. She stood by the doorway, looking into the space she stayed in with mixed feelings. From the sleepless nights, to endless studying, to the bullying case two years ago—she gave a long exhale and stepped out of the space. Closing the door behind her, she made her way to where the the boats would set sail.

It was still early in the morning, and she gathered all of her belongings into one spot. She had her student pass, which would signify her last ferry ride with it. The school run ferry between the archipelago and the main land. Although it was free to the students and the orders to come and go, she was after that day, not associated with either. Unless she counted her parents. 

Azlyn sat on her luggage, staring at the lapping, blue waves. 

“Good morning!” She was pulled from her thoughts as G’raha Tia popped up next to her. He was carrying a small backpack of his own and proudly showed off his Aetheric goggles to her. He was grinning like a kid on his namesday. “You can analyze aetherial activity in the environment with these! Check it out!” He then activated them to showcase their ability. 

She felt weird wearing them, but she could see energy surrounding all around. Even stranger, she could see a strange influx in the far southern reaches, somewhere close to the Eorzean borders. Shaking her head, she relieved herself of the goggles, handing them back. 

“How long are you on vacation before having to come back?” Azlyn smiled, she gestured to the main land. 

“Vacation.” G’raha smirked, raising his hands up to quote. “Just long enough to get my markings and then I’m off to work.” 

Azlyn chuckled. “Rest is for the foolhardy.” 

“Indeed, but I’ll swing by your parents place when I’m done.” 

She was about to tell him there was no need for him to come on by if it was out of the way, but the ferry had blown it’s horn upon its arrival. Azlyn reached down to pick up her luggage, yet G’raha had been faster, taking her heaviest load with him. Chasing after him, she and him hopped aboard and found a place to sit on the top floor. 

“Somethings never change.” Azlyn chuckled, taking a seat next to her friend to look up at the sky. She smiled. “You’re always two steps ahead of me.” 

He leaned over, pleased with the compliment. “That’s not how I see it, I’m like two steps behind.” 

Azlyn shook her head, “No way, you have everything all planned out and organized!”

“I could say the same about you.” 

They bickered between each other, even as other ferry-goers came abroad. As it was still early in the morning, there weren’t that many people going to the small island. The waves started to bob, shaking the boat as they disembarked from the dock. The trip one way could not have been longer than a thirty minute ride. 

It was a peaceful ride. The cool breeze felt calming on her face as she took in the familiar sights of home. It had been a long six years since she was back. She remembered when they turned ten, they were sent to the mainland to study. Now she was older, almost at the full height of a typical Auri female. In fact, she might even be taller than her mother. 

G’raha grabbed her luggage once more, leading them off the boat. The white paved ground of the path led them back to the small community they were raised in. There weren’t as many living quarters by any means, but Azlyn’s family had built a quiet abode off the outside perimeter of the community. They were protected by the forests on one side, and several of the large archivists building. 

 They walked back in silence, embracing the nature surrounding them. It was one of the good reasons to come home—weren’t surrounded by tons of people and could actually hear the thoughts go by. A trickling of the nearby river, the chirps of the Chocobos in their stables, a crunch of dirt under the weight of shoes—Azlyn basked in this social quiet. 

A wooden building could be seen in the distance, with plants filled with vegetables and fruits growing in the front section. Large, green vines grew up and along the outside wall on one side. The door was left open, up on the porch were an assortment of herbed plants in individual pots and labeled. The smell of a traditional Doman breakfast wafted out from within and Azlyn ran up the steps. G’raha followed, stopping short of the door where he placed her belongings. 

“Azlyn!” Her father, Nahz’el was dressed in a black and white hooded robe, his hood down revealing his face. His purple eyes warm at the sight of his daughter. Liliana, dressed in a comfortable pair of leggings, and a slightly large long sleeved shirt. The apron over her shirt gave her the look of a baker. She wiped her hands with her apron as she walked over to her daughter. She had pulled her into a tight hug, and their father joined them. 

Her mother released her to look at her face and smiled. “You have grown up lovely my daughter.”

“It’s good to have you home.” Nahz’el ruffled her head with his large hand.

G’raha tried to inch slowly back to not interrupt, but Liliana caught him right before he ran off. “Ah, get over here mister.” She beckoned him over with a wave of her hand. 

He slunk over, as Nahz’el pulled him into a hug, and Liliana reached up to pat his head like she did when he was smaller. Azlyn chuckled at her family greeting him as warmly they did to her. 

“You keep getting taller, you might even surpass Nahz’el.” Liliana teased, to which her husband laughed. 

“You look sturdier, eating vegetables will help you get taller!” Nahz’el pulled back from their hug and ushered them to sit at the table. Azlyn wouldn’t have called it a traditional table, as it didn’t have any chairs. There will pillows to seat on, the table was low for eating access seating on the ground. 

“It’s good to see you both living happy and healthy lives! I remember when you were much smaller and wreaking havoc wherever you two went.” Nahz’el started to pass out bowls while Liliana brought over a good sized pot with cooked rice. She spooned out several portions for the bowls. G’raha got swept up by their generous portions and found himself with a full breakfast. Azlyn did as well, staring at the helping portion of food in front of her. 

Making a quick prayer, they looked at each other before shrugging with a chuckle. Nahz’el had passed over the food to Liliana to eat. They were chatting about their next trip with them.

“The reason why we wanted you back Azlyn is because we’ll be gone for an extended period of time in Eorzea. We’re completing a couple of favors for Archon Louisoix and the order. He said that it needs to be done as swiftly as possible.” Liliana held her chopsticks up.

“We’ll be moving around quite a bit, but when we are in a place to send and receive mail, we will let you know.” Nahz’el replied calmly, as he looked to his daughter. “The only thing that you’ll need to do is tend to the herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Also keeping the house clean.”

G’raha swallowed a bit of the salmon before he looked up. “You said it was an extended stay, does it have to deal with the conflict between Eorzea and Garlemald?”

Liliana and Nahz’el shared a look. It was Liliana who answered with a small smile. “Yes, but it’s nothing you two need to worry about. We’ll probably be there three-four years at most.”

It was at this moment Nahz’el smiled to the Miqo’te, “Archon Baldesion said he’d be seeing you today to receive your marks! Congratulations on your initiation.”

He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Th-thanks.”

Azlyn swallowed her food, “When do you leave?”

Her parents looked to her. “We’ll be leaving tonight. Sometime before the sun sets.”

The girl wasn’t prepared for such a quick exit, and her disappointment shown on her face. 

“We will send you letters as we can—just be sure to mind the house. G’raha, if you can check on her as well, we’d be most grateful.” Liliana turned to the boy in question, and he gave a nod.

“Yeah, leave it to me.” He then looked over at Azlyn who had mixed feelings still about her parents leaving so soon. But it seemed like the plan for them to leave had been set into motion long before she was called back. Sighing, she decided to give her parents a smile. 

“I will be waiting for you here. The house is in good hands.” 

There seemed to be a bit of relief pass through both of her parents, and they began to fully eat their own meals. G’raha and Azlyn also ate their own meals, thinking to themselves how great their morning was. A traditional meal, a welcoming family, Azlyn accepted her parents love for what it was, and decided to bask in that moment. 

With breakfast finished, Azlyn went to start cleaning up the dishing and storing any extra food away. G’raha bid them a goodbye, thanking them for the delicious food. 

“It was delicious!” He smiled to her parents who were busy gathering some of their personal belongings to pack. G’raha called out to Azlyn. “I’ll swing by later!”

Azlyn waved, brought back to her task of cleaning and organizing. As soon as she was done with the kitchen, her father had requested her assistance with boxing and storing the dried herbs in the backyard. So she went off to do her task. It took twice as long as it did than usual, cataloging the herbs into vials and labeling them to prevent confusion. 

Wanting a break, she pulled herself to sit up on the wood ledge of her porch. Her legs outstretched as she stared at the wilderness beyond. She could hear noises from within, like a pack of animals racing about. She paid it no mind, as she stared up into the bright blue sky. 

“How were your studies? Did you learn any new things?” Her father came up to her side, leaning his arms on the wood. He smiled to her. 

“I learned about the histories of the world, how things wound up presently. I learned about the different cultures and I made a few new friends.” She began to talk about Kida, Arnora from the weaving guild, Alfric in the leather workers, and T’laq in the general studies course. 

She even explained about the dance that night, and the matron’s choices. 

“An Elezen woman seemed to really hate Auri. She was upset at the sight of my horns and scales.”

“Was she now?”

Azlyn continued. “Yes, she also said that I wanted to poison her after I offered her brownies. It was disheartening.”

“It sounds like she’s been traumatized by dragons.” He scratched his head, thinking hard. “Ishgard has been at war with the dragons for at least a century. Did she hail from the Holy See Capitol?”

She pondered it, before she nodded slowly. “I believe she was—but that alone shouldn’t excuse the behavior.”

Nahz’el agreed. “This is also true. She has been blinded by a vision of hatred, and hopefully in time she will learn to love and accept all. Who knows, maybe in the distant future she will be helped by someone she least expects.”

The Au Ra teen wondered if someone can change overnight, and found it hard to believe, but decided to let it go. It wasn’t worth the frustration. Her father saw her relax visibly as she let go. “Azlyn, it was good of you to rise above that hate, and to not lose sight of yourself.”

Azlyn nodded. 

“Your mother and I have had our fair share of hate. People who are not understanding and fearful of things they do not know. Always be kind, help those who need it, and never forget to be grateful for what we have. I love you.” He leaned over to kiss her on her horn. “Do you mind if I ask you a tough question?”

She bobbed her shoulders up, she curiously waited. “How do you feel about Garleans? Do you think them all terrible?”

That was a tough question, seeing as they were causing a whole sleuth of problems through the entire realm. She thought back to Doma, how they crushed their communities and ravaged the lands. How difficult it had been to leave their country. How terrified she was to see the Emperor Solus Zos Galvus decree Othard under imperial control. 

“I—I don’t like most of them— but I understand some may not be all bad. I get scared thinking about it though.”

He rubbed her hand in assurance. “It’s okay to feel that way, and remember it.”

They went silent, as she tried to reason his words, and couldn’t fathom a tangible answer. It felt like a jumbled pile of ropes twisted deep in her stomach. 

“Hey dad,” she looked at him finally. “I love you. I’ll remember what you and mom said, I promise.”

He nodded. “Good, I’m so lucky to have a great kid like you.” Nahz’el patted her on the shoulder, and called for her to come in.  Liliana had been preparing a midday snack for them while they chatted. 

“G’raha isn’t done yet?” Liliana asked, wondering how long it would take to get markings. 

“He could be working already. We do have a busy schedule.” Nahz’el replied, eating a small dumpling filled with a bean paste. 

“It’s too bad, I was hoping to tease him a bit more.” Liliana sighed as she went to bite into her own dumpling. Azlyn shook her head, feeling for her friend. “He’s like family, it’s only natural.”

Azlyn said, “He could just be hiding because he knows how you are mom.” 

Nahz’el chuckled. “He underestimates Liliana’s tracking ability then.”

Her mother nodded her head to confirm this. “We’ll save him some snacks and dinner then. Unless you think he is going back to the mainland right away.”

She wondered that too, as she bit into the squishy dumpling. “He didn’t specifically say so, but I know Krile and Ejika are busy studying over at the school.”

“It’s just busy these days, I don’t think we’ll have a break either. But that’s what we signed up for, isn’t that right Lili?” He called out to her mother. 

She smiled at the usage of her nickname and touched her cheek with her hand. “It is indeed. Archon Louisoix was adamant about the prophecy and needing to prevent the seventh umbral calamity. It’s too bad the school has taken a no hands approach.” 

Azlyn didn’t know this, “Isn’t the sixth umbral calamity going to happen first? Why is the seventh one important?”

Her father explained. “There’s an imbalance in the aetherial energies, and if the calamities add more to the imbalance as it is, the realm will be at risk. He hopes to prevent that from happening by intervening now.”

She frowned. Why wasn’t the school teaching this to their students? Shouldn’t the realms impending destruction warrant a bit more concern? Her mother guessed her thoughts

Liliana said. “Archon Louisoix hopes to have the help of the Warriors of Light, his archons, and prayer stones throughout the realm. Theoretically he hopes to call upon the Twelve to stop the Sixth Umbral Calamity from happening. It will require quite a bit of set up.”

“And that’s why you two are going?” Azlyn guessed, “and these Warriors of Light—do they have similar powers like mine?” Cutting to the chase, she always thought she had similar experiences to that of Krile. In fact, it was almost confirmed when she was younger at school. Luckily her visions had calmed down as the years went on. 

Her parents gave each other a look again. Liliana finally broke the contact to look at their daughter. “Yes. They have been possessed by the Echo and have been quite helpful to the Archons and the realm. However, as a parent I frown at having to ask a sixteen year old to go to war for a country she hasn’t even stepped foot in.”

Her father grimly nodded. “In that we hold the same feeling. That is why we were hesitant to discuss your power growing up with the Archons. We feared they would use you as a means to an end, but they have respected our peace.”

Azlyn frowned. “The Archons know?”

“Well,” Liliana said, “Archon Louisoix made some perceptive connections, did you talk with an archon working under him?”

Now it was Azlyn’s turn to think back, and couldn’t quite make a connection. “Not that I’m aware? Oh—oh...” She trailed off, a sudden thought popped into her head. Her parents looked at her with dually perplexed eyes.

“It was that robed guy, his face was completely covered but it might have been him.”

Nahz’el nodded. “It was a matter of time, thankfully they understood at the very least. You are still young.”

“Enough chatter about this, let us play a game while we three have a chance. Honey, go grab the cards.”

Nahz’el got up, and walked over to their counter covered in different boxes and crates. He pulled out several decks. It wasn’t long before Azlyn, Liliana, and Nahz’el got lost in several games of Triple Triad.

When the light from the descending sun had popped its sight into their window, her parents went back to finalizing the last of their travel gear. Azlyn walked over to the kitchen, getting a light dinner prepared for them. She was a fairly good cook, but she wasn’t as great as her mother. She chose lighter proteins, and reheated the rice. Before long she had a few pots going of assorted veggies, grilling some halibut, and a sweet syrup to pour over the left over rice for dessert.

A set of footsteps could be heard at the door when she finished. 

“By the Twelve that smells divine.” The familiar voice of her friend walked in without knocking. He then sat down by the table to stretch his tired body. Azlyn could see his new markings that prominently displayed on both sides of his neck, and on his right side shoulder. She wondered if the marking was painful to get or if it was just magically placed. 

“Welcome back, you’re just in time for dinner.” Nahz’el greeted him from across the room. Liliana brought out several camping bags they just sticks. 

“As soon as I got marked, they assigned me quite a workload. I still have a stack this tall,” he gestured with his hand how tall, which went up to his head as he sat. “But I enjoy the work. I can’t wait to be assigned field work.” He buzzed with excitement. 

Liliana smiled, producing a set of clay plates for them to eat on. Since Azlyn cooked the food, she prepared the servings and passed them out accordingly. Everyone prayed diligently before taking their first bites into their meal. 

“If you worked on the island Azlyn could cook for you anytime.” Her mother volunteered her without even asking her. She would have pouted, but she didn’t have time between her father’s next comment and the bite she chewed.

Nahz’el didn’t even bat an eye. “If they got married, then it’d be three square meals a day. A pretty good deal.”

The teens both choked on their food. 

“I’m not opposed. It’s not like having a mixed child is an impossibility.” Liliana continued despite the two of them  staring wide eyed and horrified. 

“Wa-wait.” G’raha choked, and pounding a fist into his chest. “Straight to marriage?! And kids?!”

Azlyn furiously glared at her parents when she could. The tears from her choking threatened on the brim of her eyelashes. “D-dad! Mom! You can’t just suggest something like that!”

Liliana laughed. “I forget how timid our daughter is. Look at that blush Nahz’el!”

He also heartily laughed. 

“Did you guys just straight up marry each other?” G’raha was still trying to clear his throat. He decided to ask for clarification. “No dating, no courting? Is that like an Auri cultural thing?”

Nahz’el shook his head. “Sorry, sorry.”

Liliana straight forwardly said at the same time, “We were arranged to marry by our parents.”

Azlyn was still horrified. “Please. I’m begging you, stop!” She raised the spoon that dished out the rice to fight the embarrassment.

“Lest we shame our daughter anymore, we’ll stop. For now.” Liliana winked, which elicited a groan from the girl. 

“It is true we were arranged through a match maker though.” Nahz’el leaned back to look up at the ceiling. “The Dawn Father spoke through the Matchmaker that we were to be matched for a most prosperous union. He was right.” He smiled to Liliana. 

“We were blessed with a beautiful daughter, and our family has prospered despite the odds. We owe the Dawn Father a great deal.” Liliana patted her husbands arm. “I suppose it’s about that time we make our way to the docks. Our ferry will be coming.”

Nahz’el agreed, grabbing the plates from his wife to clean. Azlyn went to scarf down her food as she wanted to walk down with them. G’raha was still processing what he just heard from her parents. 

Azlyn had to slap both his cheeks to restart his brain. “Stop thinking, start eating.” 

He nodded dumbly staring at her with his two different colored irises. 

Her parents gathered their belongings and walked past the two to the door. Azlyn jumped up to catch them. “Wait for me!”

They paused, looking back at her with bemused expressions. She ran over, catching them both by their hands to walk in the middle. She looked back to G’raha still eating. Albeit a bit more slowly. 

“I’ll be back!” 

He waved a hand back to her before looking at his food again. He seemed lost in his thoughts again. 

The three walked over to the same port she had just come in on that same morning, the sun had completed its descent past the horizon giving the sky mixed colors of purple, red, orange, and yellow. 

“Are you sure you two will be okay?” Azlyn asked, she looked to both her parents. 

“Yes,” Liliana smiled, gripping her hand firmly in her own. 

Her father nodded, also gripping hers in his hand. “We will be perfectly well.”

Azlyn felt a wave of relief rush through her as they stopped by the dockside. She stared at the open ocean and what laid beyond those distant horizons. 

Her parents checked the time, and chatted about her responsibilities now that she was watching the house. She assured them that everything was taken care of with her in charge. Her mom also told her to train everyday, picking up different weapons so she could be prepared in the future. All of this Azlyn agreed too, and before long, a ferry boat drifted toward them. 

She felt herself get pulled into a tight hold by both her parents. 

“We love you very much. Be safe.” Her father said.

Her mother kissed her on her face, her cheeks, and her horns. “We love you so much. We’ll be home before you know it—and with stories to tell.”

Azlyn smiled brightly. She raised her arms up to gesture to her father that she wanted a hug. He obliged her, lifting her up with ease as she kissed him on his cheek. “I love you dad.”

She was placed on the ground again. “I love you mom.”

Liliana and Nahz’el boarded the ship, with their satchels and gear, and waved goodbye to their daughter. The ship drifted further and further away, and the teen watched them leave until they finally disappeared into the horizon. She wished them the best of journeys and to come back home safely. 

“Please, keep my family safe.” She let the words dance on the air and fade into nothing. 

She walked back to the house with a heavy heart. She had hoped to spend more time with her parents before they left. As she crossed the threshold of her home, she found G’raha had started cleaning up the remainder of the dishes and utensils. His hands were deep in the water sink as he scrubbed. 

“And back!” She happily announced, and he welcomed her back. 

“Safely aboard?” 

Azlyn nodded. She walked over to the kitchen to help clean, and reached into the soapy water. She grabbed what she thought was a dish, and realized it wasn’t a dish. G’raha stopped cleaning as he felt his hand get taken away.

“I need that hand to clean.” He teased. And she flushed a deep red. 

“S-sorry. Any dishes in there?” She looked at the water hoping the heat would die off her face. 

He chuckled. “I got the last one. Hang on.” He cleaned the dish with ease, and set it up on the drying rack. Azlyn pulled her hands out to dry them on the towel nearby, but felt his wet hands grab her hands out from the towel. 

“W-wha—ahh, your hands are still wet!” She exclaimed after seeing he successfully wet her with the soapy water. 

He laughed, “I thought you wanted to hold hands? Did I guess wrong?”

She tried to pry her hands back with no avail. “Ahhh, now you’re dripping water on the floor!”

He continued laughing at her, deciding to grab the towel she just used. 

“This isn’t so bad.” He said at last, a bit of a strange expression that she hadn’t seen him have before. She tilted her head, mostly from exasperation. 

“What isn’t so bad? The floor getting wet?”

He shook his head, and let go of her hands with a mischievous smile. “Nothing, don’t worry about it.” G’raha went to dry the floor with the towel. “I’ll head out now, I’ll see you the next time I’m available.” When he was done, he handed her back the towel he used. 

Azlyn leaned back on her counter, her arms now crossed as she watched him leave with his trademark smirk. She sighed as she looked at the towel she held. She wondered why he was being so weird. 

“By the Twelve, what is he even thinking.” She remembered the previous dinner, and groaned. She really hoped her parents didn’t weird out her friend. But she had a feeling he was working something in that head of his. She smiled. “Must be thinking two steps ahead again.”